Chapter 16

The filly ran on, galloping through the storm. She couldn't stay with Kwazii, she'd be taken back to the Octopod if she did. She didn't want to go back. Well, actually, deep down, she kind of did. Her mind argued though they would be better off without her. They didn't need her. She just got in the way. They'd do just fine without her.

Actually, it surprised her that they'd come looking for her, a nagging feeling deep down in her heart that she tried to reason away. The feeling that they did care for her. It was her that was doing the running away. Again. Always running, never feeling like she belonged anywhere- A huge bolt of lightning lit up the sky, striking a tree in front of her, just to the right. She slid to a stop, rearing and neighing loudly in fright and surprise then came back down, watching the tree crackle and burn, sizzling as the pouring rain extinguished the fire then she ran on.

Galloping along the beach, the rain in her mane, the thunder and lighting overhead, the filly bolted on. She didn't know where she was going, didn't know what she was doing, her mind just telling her to keep running. They didn't need her. It was better for them if she just disappeared...


Barnacles looked out the windscreen of the Gup A grimly the next morning, looking for any sign of either Ashima or Kwazzi. The storm had died out about an hour ago, the sky was still grey with storm clouds but he couldn't wait any longer to be out there looking. Every minute they waisted was another minute the chance of finding Ashima slipped away. Don't think like that. His mind reprimanded. She's out there and you're going to find her.

She's been through a lot, she'll know how to look after herself. That is, if she hasn't taken her own life-

That was what scared him the most. The filly had left behind her radio, obviously she didn't want to be found and with her history- He clutched the steering controls tighter in his paws. No. Until they found her, he'd have hope she was alive.

'Any luck seeing anything Dashi?'

'No, not yet Captain.' She replied, seated in the back of the Gup at the computers monitoring the radar. 'Sorry.'

'Do you think we're going to find her, and Kwazzi?'

'We'll find them Peso.' He replied firmly, trying to reasure himself as much as the medic. 'We'll find them.'


When Kwazii woke, it was morning. He sat up, rubbing his eyes with his paws then looked around for the filly. 'Ashima?' He stood up, brushing the sand off his fur as he searched the cave. She wasn't there.

He sighed, walking out of the cave. The filly had disappeared in the night, obviously running off while he had been sleeping. Well, she couldn't have gotten too far. He looked around the landscape, the island covered in debris from the storm but he couldn't see hide nor hair of the filly. 'Where you gone now me heartie?' He mumbled as he walked out, still searching around. There was no sign of her.

'Captain, come in Captain.' He spoke through his helmet radio as he started back to the beach to search for the Gup. The radio was static, there was no reply. 'Must be too far away for them to hear me.'

He found the Gup, pulled way up onto the beach and tried using the radio to call the rest of the crew but still couldn't reach them. He sighed, trying to think of his next move. His air tanks were empty so he couldn't swim out to find them, his radios wouldn't work and he tried pushing the Gup back to the water to try and get it going again but he couldn't move it an inch. I wonder how on earth Ashima managed to drag this thing. He thought as he gave up, sitting down beside the Gup in defeat. What now?

Kwazii looked around again for any sign of the filly but still couldn't see her. He got up again, deciding to start looking for her. She can't have gone too far.


The storm died out by the time the filly had stopped running, loosing count of how many times she'd circled the island. She'd just been running, running as fast and as far as she could but there was no way off the island. She was trapped. She couldn't run any further.

She'd given up running, finding shelter under a couple of trees and had laid down as the day had broken. She'd 'run' out of options.

She laid her head down on the sand, watching the waves lazily lapping at the beach as she sun rose higher. The sky was still clouded but it was clearing by a gentle breeze blowing out to sea. She was exhausted, tired out by her running all night and her wounds. What was she going to do now?'

'There ye are.'

The filly woke, looking up to see Kwazzi standing over her, the filly hurriedly getting to her hooves after some struggle. 'Kwazzi, you scared me.'

'What are you doing out here me heartie? Tryin to run away again?'

'Yeah-' She sighed, looking at the ground. 'I can say without a shadow of a doubt there's no way off this island though.' She saw something in the look on the cats face. 'I'm sorry Kwazii, running is just in my nature I guess. I just thought it'd be better if I disappeared-'

'Better for who? Ashima, we care about you matey. That's why we were out looking for you.' The filly hung her head, sighing heavily and he placed his paw on her shoulder. 'I don't know what's wrong with you, I don't know if I can help but I'm here matey. A pirate never leaves his crew behind, or an Octonaut for that matter. I'm not gonna try to understand you, think that'd be nigh impossible but I want you to know I'm here. You don't need to keep running. There is a place for you. With us.'

They did care. The realization both startled, excited and scared her. A shiver went through her. Maybe this was what she was afraid of, of what she was running from. The thought of someone caring for her. She wanted someone to care for her, all her life, yet the thought now terrified her. What if she wasn't good enough? What if she couldn't live up to their expectations?

'Ashima?' He asked nervously, feeling her quivering under his touch. 'You alright?'

'Yeah.' She replied after a moment, pushing back the feelings welling inside her. She lifted her head, looking Kwazzi in the eyes. 'Thanks, matey.'

'Aye.' He smiled, the two of them fist bumping paw to hoof then he looked at her wounds. He hadn't been able to see them well last night but now he could. She had rope burns around her neck and chest, the wounds swollen and red. 'How are you feelin?'

'I'm alright.' She sighed. 'I've had worse Kwazzi, this ain't nothin.'

Worse then these? Her wounds looked dreadful, what could be worse then this? He remembered a little of seeing her when they'd found her and the kitten in the cave but he hadn't seen much. 'You better let Peso look after them, you don't want them gettin infected.'

'I can take care of myself.'

'But you don't have to now.' He replied gently. 'Let us help you.'

Ashima gave in without much more argument. Her wounds were sore, there was no point trying to hide that fact. 'Had any luck getting in contact with the crew?'

'Afraid not.' He shook his head. 'Too far away to get them on the helmet radio and the Gup B, well, Tweak ain't gonna be happy.'

'Well, it wasn't exactly your fault though.'

'For once.'

'Alright, let me think.' The filly replied after a moment, trying to think of a way they'd be able to get in contact with the others. 'Everything's too wet to build a fire. You got any of those things you shoot up into the sky and I you can see it from far away?'

'You mean flares? No, haven't got those.'

'Alright.' She looked back towards the ocean, thinking. 'Can they find you on the Gup finder?'

'Broke in the crash.'

'Oh boy.' She sighed. 'Right, well-' She looked towards the mountain towering in the middle of the island. 'Guess we're going to have to do it the old fashioned way.'

'What?'

'You'll see-' The filly went to take a step, the pain from her wounds taking everything she had to not cry out. She gained her composure, pushing it aside as she started forward. 'Come on.'

Kwazii looked at her with concern as they started deeper into the island, the island almost completely flattened by the storm. Trees and branches were everywhere, both of them stepping over them as carefully as they could so they didn't fall over. The filly was struggling, he could see that but something told him she wouldn't allow him to help. She was too stubborn and prideful. Suddenly something caught his leg, looking down to see it caught in a forked branch. 'Yeow!'

'You aright?'

'This here scurvy branch won't give my leg back-' He tried to get himself unstuck but he was stuck fast. 'Stupid branch.'

She sighed, walking closer to him. 'Stay still-' She reared up, pounding down both front hooves on either side of the branch. It broke like a popsicle, the cat rubbing his ankle now that he was free. 'There.'

'Thanks.' Kwazii was slightly surprised at just how strong she was, there was no way he'd have been able to break that branch by himself.

'Come on then.' She started forward again, picking her way carefully over the debris.

'The storm was more like a hurricane in my opinion.' He remarked after sometime, the amount of debris on the ground making the going slow. 'Sure was no little storm.'

'That's nothing-' A flash back of a storm she went through back in her homeland came to mind but she quickly pushed it away, focusing on getting up to the top of the mountain. She glanced back at the cat, he was having trouble on the slick ground. She was thankful her boots gave her grip, sighing as she watched him struggle. 'Hop on Kwazii.'

'But your hurt-'

'I'll be fine. At this rate we might get to the top next week.' The cat rolled his eyes then climbed onto her back. She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing through the pain then stepped forward again.

Finally, they reached the top. The filly looked around at the ocean surrounding them on all sides as Kwazii slid off her back. They were trapped on a deserted island. There was no way off- 'Stand back Kwazii.'

'What-?'

'Stand back and cover your ears.' The cat looked at her sceptically then took a step back from her, covering his ears with his paws. She took a deep breath, looking towards the ocean then began to call.

What in the seven seas is she doing? He wondered, watching her. The filly was making some kind of shrill, high pitch singing sound that went right through his head but on the other hand it was surprisingly calming. It sent shivers up his spine, it sounded so unnatural yet beautiful and mystical at the same time. The filly paused for a moment, the cat taking the opportunity to ask what on earth she was doing. 'What are you doing?'

'Klunning. It's an old ancient form of communication. We used it on the highlands to keep track of each other, the sounds travel for miles. Different kinds of songs mean different things, this one is asking for help. If any of the crew are around, they'll hear us.'

'I'll be a sea monkeys uncle.' He remarked in amazement. 'Will it work?'

'It'd better.' She replied, her expression sobering. 'Became there's another storm coming, I'm on my last legs and this island ain't got anything edible or any water.'


Dashi frowned, listening to the sounds coming in through the microphone through her headphones. What, on earth, is that? She hit a couple buttons, locating the source of the sound to be coming from an island about twenty miles south of them. I wonder what is making that sound. It sounded like some kind of song that wasn't really a song. It was almost a song made of different notes on an octave scale. As eerie as it was, it was surprisingly calming and she was surprised at just how far the sound traveled.

'Captain, listen to this coming through.' She exclaimed, running the sounds through the Gups audio system. 'What do you make of that?'

Barnacles frowned as he listened. 'Where's it coming from Dashi?'

'Twenty miles south, on an island.'

'Sounds spooky.' Peso remarked, shivering as a particularly high sound came through the audio.

'It's nothing like I've ever heard before.' The Captain continued. 'Does it match any of our recordings?'

'I ran it through and it doesn't.'

'Sounds almost like a distress call.' Peso added.

'It does Peso.'

'It might be a clue Captain.' She didn't want to say Ashima and get his hopes up but it was worth checking out at least. And they still hadn't heard from Kwazii yet either. 'Should we check it out?'

We haven't had much luck anywhere else. 'Send me through the coordinates Dashi, we'll check it out.'

'Already in it Captain.' She sent it through to the mapping system, the sounds ceasing for a few minutes then starting again as the drove towards the source of the song. Please, let it be Ashima.


Ashima stopped for a break to catch her breath, flicking her ears as she listened for any sounds. Kwazzii had taken to a seat on a fallen tree, resting as she called. She couldn't hear anything out of the ordinary, yet. The gentle crash of the waves on the beach, the rustle of the leaves through the few still standing trees and the fallen ones and the soft hum of an engine- She tensed, her whole body tensing as she listened to the sound, zoning in on it.

'What is it matey?'

She listened for a bit longer to make sure she was certain she was right before she made her reply. 'We've got company.'

Kwazii flicked his ears. 'I can't hear anything, what is it?'

She smiled. 'The Gup A.' She glanced towards the ocean then back at the cat. 'They'll have our location on the map, we'd better head back to the beach to meet them.' The filly looked up at the sky, listening again. 'Before the storm hits.'

'Aye matey.' He shook his head in amazement. This filly was better at this then he was. The filly went to start walking, but this time went down to her knees with a groan. 'Ashima!'

'I'm alright.' No, you're not. You're hurt, and hurt bad. The pain reminded her as she struggled to her hooves again without much success. Suddenly Kwazii was there, helping her to stand and she leant against him to catch her strength. 'Thanks.'

He looked at her with concern in his eyes. 'Your not good Ashima.'

'I'll be fine, we need to get back to the beach.' Then you can collapse. 'Hop on.'

'You sure?'

'Well, unless you want to fall down the mountain because it's so slippery-'

'I'm worried about you.'

'There will be time for worry later, once we're safe. Get on.'

Kwazii didn't want to but something in her tone and eyes conveyed that she wasn't going to let him argue with her. As gently as possible he climbed on, wishing he could do something for her as she struggled to walk down the mountain. She's a stubborn one, that's for sure. 'Are you sure you're alright matey?'

'I'm not but there's no place for weaklings out here Kwazii.' She replied, her tone strained as she struggled on. 'I'll survive, I can handle pain.'

He could hear in her voice she was in agony but could guess she wasn't going to listen to him. 'At least take a break me heartie.'

'No breaks, if I do, I mightn't get moving again.' There was nothing she wanted more then to lie down, every muscle in her body strained in agony. She knew though if she did she'd stiffen up like she had on the top of the mountain and if she were lying down she would be able to get up.

The filly struggled on, almost going to her knees three times but able to catch herself before she fell. When she had said to Kwazii that she was on her last legs she wasn't joking. She was on her last legs. The only thing keeping her going though was the determination to get Kwazii out of the mess she had created. Like usual, it was her fault. It was always her flipping fault.

They finally reached the bottom of the mountain, the cat sliding off the fillies back so she didn't have the extra burden of his weight. He ran his paw over her shoulder encouragingly, the filly smiling with gratefulness. He didn't say anything, she was just thankful for the comforting touch. It was still a long way back to where they'd left the Gup.

Twice she almost fell again, twice Kwazii was there to catch her, helping her stay on her hooves, there with her every step of the way. She wasn't used to it but didn't argue with him, thankful for his help. She was exhausted, so so so tied and in pain-

'Come on Ashima.' Kwazii helped her again as the filly stumped over a branch. 'We're almost there matey, it's not much further.'

'Thank goodness for that.' She groaned, plodding one exhausted hoof in front of the other.

He looked at her sympathetically, the filly unable to keep the tone and look of pain out of her expressions any longer. 'You'll be alright me heartie, we're almost there.' He could hear the crash of the waves on the beach now- the filly almost went down again and he quickly helped her back to her hooves. 'Just a little further-

She yelped in pain as she stepped over a high log, unable to keep it in any longer. The cat's paw was in her shoulder again, stroking her softly. She looked ahead, almost dragging herself towards the beach as the first rumbles of an incoming storm started.

They came out of the trees, almost exactly near the Gup. The filly looked at it in exhaustion, there was no way Kwazzi would be able to get the Gup near the water so the others could tow it back and it was too far from the ocean for the Gup A's tow line to reach- She sighed wearily. 'Grab the rope Kwazii, we'd better pull your Gup back to the water.'

'But your hurt-'

'I'll be fine. I've got this far left in me and it's my fault you're here anyway-' She picked the rope up in her teeth, laying it in his paws. 'Tie it on.'

'Wait-' He looked around, finding some seaweed and he quickly wrapped it around the course rope so it didn't cut into the filly's wounds. 'Here, this'll help.'

'Thanks Kwazii.' She smiled gratefully, the seaweed cold on her warm skin. She started forward, dragging the Gup behind her slowly, Kwazii beside her but she didn't bother making out what he was saying, her concentration focused on getting to the ocean. Ten more strides, seven more strides, five more strides. Three more strides- Her legs finally gave out, the filly collapsing on the sand, her head landing in the water.

Kwazii was kneeling beside her in an instant, taking the filly's head onto his lap so her head was out of the water. The filly was struggling to breath, the cat stroking her gently with his paw to help her calm down. 'You're alright, your alright.'

'Kwazii, come in Kwazii!'

His face lit up hearing the Captain's voice over the radio. 'I'm here Captain!'

'Are you alright?'

'I'm fine but Ashima isn't.' He replied, the filly's eyes glazed over with pain. 'Where are you Captain?'

'Nearing your location now Kwazii, we'll be with you in five minutes.'

'Just hang on Ashima.' He soothed gently, untying the ropes from the filly. Her skin was hot, her wounds red raw and starting to weep puss. 'Help is coming.'

The Gup A surfaced just near the shore, Barnacles, Peso and Dashi jumping out and running over to Kwazii and Ashima. Peso took one look at the filly then quickly started to work, starting off with an injection of painkillers, a sedative so they could move her and antibiotics.

Kwazii rubbed the filly's head as she flinched from the medic tending her wounds, the Captain kneeling down beside him as Dashi helped Peso. 'What happened Kwazii?'

'Aye, been a long day.' He sighed, the filly's eyes closing as the sedative kicked in. 'Got washed up on an island yesterday during the storm, found Ashima there and she insisted we look for better shelter, she knew this island was here and so we swam on over. She dragged the Gup along with us, that's why she's got all the rope burns. She just kept going on about how she's a burden and feels so useless, she took off during the night and I had to find her again when day broke then we headed up the mountain so she could call you guys.'

The polar bear just shook his head sadly, patting her neck gently. 'She's not a burden, I don't know why on earth she feels that way. Is that why she ran away?'

'Partially.' He sighed again, not wanting to betray her trust but the Captain needed to know. 'She just wanted to help rescue Dashi, Captain.'

Barnacles realized in the single sentence what the cat meant. His heart sank. He'd guessed that to be the reason she'd run away but Kwazii had just confirmed it and it broke his heart. I never meant for this to happen. He stroked her warm neck softly. I'm so sorry Ashima.

'Captain? What is it?'

'It's my fault Kwazii, I lost my temper with her. I didn't mean for this to happen.' The cat placed his paw on his shoulder then moved over so he could take hold of Ashima's head. He ran his paw down the bridge of the filly's nose gently, wishing he could have taken back what he'd said.

'We need to get her back to the Octopod Captain.'

Peso's exclamation brought the polar bear from his thoughts, switching back into Captain mode as he turned to him. 'Right. Dashi, you get the towline and attach it to the Gup B, you'll need to drive it back to the Octopod. Kwazii, Peso, you help me get Ashima in the Gup.'

'Already in it Captain.'

'Aye Captain.'

'Right Captain.'

'Octonauts, let's do this.'

Dashi quickly hurried off to get the Gup B ready to go, the Captain gently picking the filly up in his strong arms. Oh Ashima- No. He forced his feelings aside, focusing on his job. Getting her back to the Gup and to the Octopod.

'Careful now.' Peso cautioned as he and Kwazii got in the Gup to take the filly from the Captain. 'Easy does it.' Gently they took her, holding her while the Captain climbed in then he picked her back up and carried her to the back of the Gup, placing her down on the floor. 'Blankets please.' Kwazii handed him so,e blankets and he quickly tucked the filly in under them. 'Medical bag-'

Barnacles stood back, watching Peso continue to work on the filly like he was in a daze. No. This wasn't real, was it?'

'Captain?' Kwazii started, the polar bear making no acknowledgement of his presence and he waved his paw in front of him. 'Captain?'

Barnacles jumped, looking at the cat. 'Yes?'

'I'll help Dashi get the Gup B ready then drive the Gup A back to the Octopod, you stay with Ashima.'

'Thank you Kwazii.'

'No problem Captain.'

The cat quickly headed back out, the polar bear approaching Peso and the filly, kneeling down beside her again. 'How is she Peso?'

'Weak.' He replied, placing his stethoscope back in his medical bag. 'Her wounds are infected, we need to get her back to the Octopod and get her on an antibiotic drip as soon as we can.'

'Will she be alright though?'

The penguin nodded. 'She'll be alright, she'll just need time to recover.'