Chapter 12

For weeks after that, Kludd and Nyra began to plan Ag's assassination. During this time, Blaze began showing Kludd some of the tricks she learned from the retired commander in Kuneer, and Nyra revealed some of Ag's weak points. "If he's struck near the back of the head, the fall will be hard, and it will be a while before he gets back up." She said to Kludd one day. "Also, if you chop at his wing or tail feathers, he won't be able to get away. And you know what they say, 'A downed bird is a dead bird'"

During training, Jade's words came back to Kludd, You can't live with a wing in both worlds forever. If Kludd was going to be High Tyto, then he couldn't keep flying back and forth; it was time to go to the fortress for good. So with Blaze's help, he found some Doll's Eyes berries, then when he went back to the hollow that morning, he scooped some water into two nut cups, crushed the berries, put them into the water, and handed them to his parents. "For my hard working mum and da." He said, watching as they thirstily guzzled the contents, then went to sleep almost immediately after. They died in their sleep that morning, and Kludd took a crying Eglantine to the fortress the next evening. "I know its hard, dear sister." He said, his voice consoling, "but I promise you, you'll be safe here." After dropping Eglantine near the entrance of the fortress, he went back and buried the bodies of his mum and da before flying away.

The evening Kludd and Nyra had planned to assassinate Ag, Banshee came towards him with a pair of battle claws, made of mu metal, incredibly sharp, and finely crafted. "You're gonna need these," Banshee had said as he presented the claws, "for what you're about to do." A smile then lit up Kludd's face; it seemed as if only yesterday he was trying to persuade his da to get battle claws, and now he was getting a pair of his own. Blaze then came up to him. "Whatever happens," Blaze said with great respect, "I'll always remember you as my leader."

Kludd's eyes suddenly grew misty as he realized what he was about to do; if he failed, he would never see these two owls again. "Promise me something, both of you." Kludd whispered, looking deep into their black eyes. "Banshee, promise me that if I fail, that you will go back to Silverveil, find Garth's mum, and tell her of her son's bravery and that he had friends who stood by him until his final hour." "I promise." Replied Banshee, and with that, Kludd turned to Blaze.

"Blaze," Kludd said seriously, "promise me that, no matter what happens, you'll find a way to keep in touch with your chick. You may be a little rough around the edges," he added, churring, "but you're also fiercely loyal and a kind soul; I know you'd make a wonderful mother, and your son or daughter is going to need that." "I promise." Blaze said with a nod, before her and Banshee pulled Kludd into a warm embrace. Eventually, Nyra made a slight coughing sound, and with that, Kludd pulled away. "Well, this is it." Kludd said as he followed Nyra, trying not to betray the nerves that were now wracking his body. "Thank you guys, for everything."

"Good luck, Rebel." Blaze said as he left. "You, my friend, are a legend."

As Kludd flew over Ag's quarters that day, he thought of the grim task he was about to complete. Ag was old, but he had been with the Pure Ones for many years, and he was undoubtedly a skilled fighter. Nevertheless, Kludd went into a kill spiral, talons extended, aiming for Ag's head. However, he extended his talons a little too late, and instead of plunging his talons into Ag's spinal cord, he gave Ag a blow that knocked him forward, but also bowled Kludd over and sent him tumbling head over talons into the ground.

"Wha…" Ag muttered, picking himself up off the ground, only for his eyes to widen in shock as he saw who it was. "Bloodstar!" he shreed, full of anger. "Hello, Your Pureness." Kludd said with a sneer, and with that, Kludd launched at Ag, his talons extended.

For a good long while, the two owls fought fiercely. Kludd dealt Ag several blows, and Ag, in turn, made several attacks of his own. "You will never win, owl." Ag barked, growing weary. "You may have my power, you may have my respect, you may even have my mate, but you will never have my throne!"

Kludd suddenly froze in horror. How did he… Before Kludd could finish the thought, Ag charged at Kludd and slashed at his face. "Oh, yes, I knew about you and Nyra's 'private classes'." He growled tauntingly. "I have my methods; these same methods allowed me to find out about the impure soldier you had in your group!"

Kludd suddenly came out of the yeep-like state he was in. He arranged Garth's murder! Rage filled his every being and tempted him to lunge straight at Ag, but suddenly the memory of his success in his first Fight class with Garth pushed itself to the front of his brain, and with it, an idea. Just like with Garth, he feigned defeat and lay on his back. Ag, seeing his chance, flew over Kludd, talons extended, when Kludd suddenly thrust his talons forward… into Ag's heart.

A piercing shriek filled the fortress as Ag pierced himself with Kludd's claws, then crumpled to the ground, his heart no longer beating. Millions of Tytos gathered around to see what happened and were quite shocked when they saw Kludd, standing over Ag's body. "It's Bloodstar!" someone shreed. "Bloodstar killed the High Tyto!"

But Kludd didn't feel an overwhelming sense of victory; to be honest, most of what he felt was fatigue. He may have killed Ag, but Ag had done a number on his face, and he was losing blood. The last things Kludd heard before losing consciousness were the cries of Blaze and Banshee, and the last thing he saw was Nyra peering over him, an anxious look in her eyes.

When Kludd finally regained consciousness, he found Nyra, Blaze, and Banshee's faces peering over him. "Quiet," he heard Blaze whisper, "he's coming to." Then Nyra spoke up, "Kludd, my love, are you alright? How do you feel?"

"A little light – headed." Kludd groaned, and then realized half of his face was probably missing. "I'm quite a sight, aren't I?" He churred weakly.

"It's not all bad." Blaze offered comfortingly. "You can clearly still speak and see and hear. And aside from your face, no part of you was seriously injured, so you're still in fighting shape." She then put a wing around Kludd, holding him up as he made an effort to stand. Kludd then turned his head towards Nyra. "You know," he said morosely, "if you choose to find a different mate for yourself, I'll understand. I just hope he's a good owl."

"Kludd," Nyra cooed in response, "when I first met you, your appearance was of no matter to me; when I fell in love with you, I fell in love with your mind and your gizzard, not your face." She then whispered into his earslit, "Your rage is still my life's blood."

"And mine, yours." Kludd finished, dipping his head towards Nyra's in a gesture of love. Banshee cleared his throat, and Kludd lifted his head to find him standing there, holding a metal helmet in his claws. "Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds," he chided, flying towards Kludd. "but every king, Kludd, needs a crown." With that, he placed the helmet on his head and, along with Blaze, bowed their heads in obeisance until Kludd signaled them to rise. "Well," he said, a slight churr in his voice, "I don't suppose Bloodstar is a very good name for me anymore."

"So, what do we call you then, Rebel?" Blaze chided. Kludd then thought for a moment and then finally made a decision. "If anyone asks," he replied, "just call me Metal Beak."

A/N: Holy racdrops! For those of you wondering, technically, this is the end of the story, but there is one more thing I want to write about before I draw this fic to a close. Like I said before, the support all of you guys have given me for this fic is phenomenal, and I'm so glad you have let me be a part of this amazing world. As always, show some love and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Guardians of Ga'Hoole; full credit goes to Kathryn Lasky.