Johnson County Library is pleased to announce the winners of our All Together Now Youth Short Story Writing Contest. Evy H. won in the ages 12 to 14 with "All Together Now."
All Together Now
On a planet named Jara a pair of twins were born. One was born from the land and the other from the water. The brothers were tasked with leading their own clan to protect, the sea and ground. But the two didn’t get along. Fighting about who is the better twin or fighting about resources. The fighting lasted for decades until something changed, and the two clans had to do the unthinkable.
Awe took his father’s hand. The last time he ever would, for Awe’s father, who was Awe XXXIV and the chieftain of the Water Clan, was going into battle and would never return. They were battling the Land Clan, angry at them for using their water. But Awe was only twelve and knew nothing about the reason for the suffering that was being caused. Awe’s father looked back at his son. On the other side of the planet Adamina was suffering the same fate, as the two fathers would go head-to-head in a battle that would lead to both their deaths.
Adamina’s papa was the chieftain of the Land Clan. The Land people were tough and unforgiving, and the Water people were more gentle and agile. They both had their strengths and weaknesses, but they shared the same goal, protecting what they loved most. And for them that was their planet. Awe and Adamina were both born at the same time. This had never happened in all of history and would be one of the planet’s successes to survival.
Coronation day was today, and the young boys would be crowned the new leaders. Adamina was stressing in his room about what responsibilities he had to take on.
“Adamina?” His mother, Imani, peeked her head into his room. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.” She walked in and put a hand on Adamina’s shoulder. “You will have me and the council to help make decisions.” Oh right, Adamina had totally forgotten about the council. He had to meet them in an hour. Adamina checked his watch his father had given him. He turned and walked out the door. “Adamina? Where are you going?” Imani called. But Adamina had already left and could not hear her.
Awe walked into the meeting room surrounded by the councilors. Awe sat up in his chair that was in the front of the large round table full of food. He plopped a grape into his mouth as the councilor on the other end of the table started the meeting.
“Thank you all for coming. I am councilor Malik and today we welcome our new chieftain, Awe XXXV.” There was a bow from everyone as Awe stood up.
“We are here to discuss the…” Awe was not listening as he thought about his father and the fights against their own neighbors. Malik then started talking about battling the Land Clan.
“We should reinforce some of our defense.” Councilor Chayton suggested, and everyone nodded in agreement. But Awe did not agree.
“And when we attack them, it should be from their weakest point,” said councilor Wapi. Awe rose in furry and shouted.
“We will not fight the Land Clan!” Everyone looked at him confused. Then they all started arguing.
“We can’t do that!” one said.
“We need to take them down!” said another.
“Silence!” Awe was furious. “How can we say these things about our neighbors? We were not born to fight each other, we are here to protect this planet! We’re here to help one another when in need, and work as a team!” He paused. “We will not fight.” Awe said. “Not during my rule.”
The ground started shaking as Adamina was walking towards the grand house to meet the council.
“We need to get you inside.” His bodyguard suggested. Adamina ignored him and ran toward the sound but could see nothing. Everyone was running inside, and the army walked out of the grand house.
“The Water Clan is coming!” someone yelled. But Adamina knew that Awe would not declare war. Awe and Adamina were good friends and would hang out all the time. They would meet up in their secret spot and tell stories about their own clan. He and Awe made a promise that they would not fight each other. And Adamina knew Awe kept promises. This was something else.
“Guns ready!” the General walked towards the front.
“No!” Adamina ran in front of the General and explained. “Sir, I am the new chieftain Adamina XXXV, please listen.” The General waved off the soldiers and they put their weapons to their sides.
“Chieftain, I don’t mean to be rude but, why aren’t we attacking?”
“It’s not them. It’s not the Water Clan. At least I would assume not.” The General looked confused. “You must trust me, General.” No one knew at that time that this was the earthlings. But Adamina had a feeling that something was about to change.
The commander walked into the main part of the ship, put his coffee down, and stared at the planet they knew nothing about. But they were planning to make it their new home.
“We’re about to land, Sir.” A young boy said. The commander nodded. And the boy left. A moment later a man in a suit approached the commander.
“Commander Ash, it seems you are wasting time when you should be helping with the preparation.” The man had a stern voice, but Commander Ash didn’t seem interested. Instead, he laughed.
“Oh Pyro, my dear old friend. You must remember who has more control here.” Pyro wasn’t pleased with this taunt. He got up in the commander’s face.
“I’ll have you know Ash, I am no one to mess with!” and Pyro stormed out of the room.
The landing was rough, and everything was shaking. The Earthlings didn’t know of the two clans and the clans knew nothing of the Earthlings. The Earthlings, unlike the Water and Land Clan, had advanced technology and knew how to take over a planet, for they had done it multiple times, trying to find more room for humans.
“Alright, Alright!” Commander Ash hushed everyone as the soldiers and workers gathered around. “We have landed on a new planet and there are signs of life. If you encounter a human or humanlike creature, you contact me right away.” Commander Ash smiled. “And let’s go build ourselves a new home!” Everyone hoped up and started getting ready to leave the ship and explore the new planet.
Adamina was concerned, so concerned that he went to the secret spot and sent a crow to Awe asking him to meet him there. Their secret spot was a small tree on the edge of the coast and the forest. They had to stay on their side of their own territory because it was forbidden to go over to the other side. Unless of course there was a battle. Awe came, sneaking, making sure not to be seen.
“You sent for me?” Awe asked. Adamina nodded getting straight to the point.
“Yes, I’m sure you heard that rumbling earlier this morning.” Awe looked just as frightened as Adamina.
“I did.” Awe looked at his moccasins and stared at his untied lace.
“Well? Awe!” Adamina was ready to do something about the problem, but Awe was still uncertain, “you saw them didn’t you. What are we going to do? We will have to fight them. How big is their army?” Awe wasn’t listening.
“Their army is small,” Awe spoke lightly. Adamina got quiet. “But they have this armor and machinery I have never seen before. Our clan could never defeat them.” It was quite for a moment until Adamina spoke.
“What if we work together?”
“Boss? You called for me?” commander Ash had been summoned by the leader of the ship. Boss, as they call him, only has one job, making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to. Ash had walked to the lower part of the ship and had gone through two big doors. The room was dark with a thrown in the back. The thrown that Boss sat on.
“Yes, I did.” Boss said as he walked toward the center where Ash was bowing down.
“A certain someone told me that production is slow.” Just then someone came running through the doors. And to Ash’s surprise it was Pyro.
“I’m sorry I’m late Boss.” Ash looked at Pyro with disgust as he knew it had been him who had told Boss.
“There is nothing to worry about Boss, just give me a few more days.” The voice of the commander was shaking as he was afraid, he might lose his power over the army.
“I don’t think so.” Boss paused and looked at Pyro who was on the ground next to Ash. “I will be giving Pyro full control of the army.” Ash’s jaw dropped as he stared at Boss trying to prosses what had just happened.
“Thank you, Boss,” Pyro spoke. “You won’t regret this.” They both stood up, Ash still in shock.
“You better hope I don’t.” said Boss. And the two men turned to leave. Pyro had a big smile on his face. And all he said was.
“I told you not to mess with me.”
Adamina has suggested that they both talk to their own council to try to convince them, but Awe still had his doubts. Awe walked through the doors of the meeting room for the second time today.
“Chieftain Awe, what might you be doing here.” He looked at councilor Malik.
“Can you gather all the councilors?” Malik was confused but listened to Awe.
“Okay, when?”
“Now.”
Adamina was struggling just as much as Awe, maybe even more.
“I have gathered this meeting to suggest the problem at hand. That would be the rumbling noise. Well…” Adamina was worried. He didn’t know how to say this. “I saw the army.” The councilors gasped.
“What type of army is this.” Councilor Amon replied.
“Not a big one,” there was a sigh from most of the councilors, but councilor Karuk, the head of the council, knew something was wrong.
“There’s a problem isn’t there.” Karuk said. He was and older man with a long white beard. He wasn’t that tall either and only stood to Adamina’s shoulders.
“Yes, they have machinery even the Water Clan can’t compare to. I… I think there trying to take over.”
“We can take them!” captain Mato yelled. He was one not to mess with and he never took any advice.
“Captain, without help we can’t win.” Karuk nodded.
“I know what you need to do.”
“You do?” Adamina was confused that Karuk knew.
“Yes, Adamina there was a time your grandfather Adamina XXXIII felt the same way.” Karuk smiled. “Go on,” he gestured towards the room and the councilors. “I support your decision.”
“Okay!” Adamina got up, “We need to work with the Water Clan!”
“Awe what are you suggesting? That we work with the Land Clan.”
“Yes, councilor Malik, I’m suggesting that we work together.” All the councilors were shocked, and all Awe could do was stand in front of the councilors and wait.
“I think that’s a great idea.” Someone came out from the shadows. He was a tall slender man with a nice suit on. He was about thirty but was wise.
“Dakota, I haven’t seen you in years.” Councilor Malik seemed to know this man very well.
“Ahh Malik, or should I call you councilor Malik,” this man, known as Dakota, spoke in a quiet voice., “and Awe I’ve heard so much about you.” Awe knew nothing of Dakota, but he knew so much about Awe.
“Who- “
“The names Dakota former head of the council. Until of course Malik came and stole my dream.”
“Dakota that’s what necessarily happened.” Awe looked between the two that were arguing.
“What is going on here?” councilor Wapi asked. “But I agree with Dakota.” And suddenly everyone started to agree with Dakota and the idea of working together. Awe still didn’t know what was going on. But Adamina’s plan was working!
Karuk had told Adamina the truth.
“Your grandfather, I knew him. He was a brave man. He never gave up on his dream of bringing the two clans together. I see him in you, and I will stand by you on your decisions.” Karuk was a kind man and Adamina believed that he could help him.
“I need your help convincing them.” Adamina needed his help, but Karuk would not say anything.
“The only thing I can help you with young man, is to tell you that you can do it.” Adamina still didn’t believe in himself and still tried to get Karuk to help.
“Karuk, you saw what they thought of the idea. There’s no way they will listen.” Karuk only said.
“You can do anything young Adamina.” And then he walked out of the room and left Adamina to himself. There was nothing more Adamina could have done to keep Karuk to help. So, he was stuck with the council and their argument on the idea of working together.
It was successful and Awe got the council and the Water army abord on his idea and he was waiting at the tree for Adamina. Awe thought even if we get the Land army it still might be enough. Awe sat waiting and thinking of what he could do. But all he could come up with was getting the villagers to help. But he knew they would not help and would probably protest. But that was the only thing that came to his mind.
“Adamina there you are, I’ve been waiting.” Adamina came running from the woods and was yelling something.
“I did it!” Awe didn’t look as excited as Adamina thought he would.
“We’ve got a problem,”
“Okay, Awe spill it.”
“Well, we won’t have enough power and we still need more people to win.”
“Yeah, I figured that would be the case, so I invited both clans to the center of the island and I was thinking we could make a speech to try and convince them.” Awe was shocked, but also impressed.
“Oh, and I got the council on bord.” Awe nodded at the success of Adamina’s hard work. And so, Awe decided to walk over the line of territory to go to the center of the island. And he was going to go make a speech to try to save their world.
The two friends got up in the middle of the crowd and stood on a large platform. Awe waved and tried to get the people’s attention, but no one was saw.
“Listen up everyone!” Karuk yelled. Everyone looked toward the center where Adamina and Awe were standing. Karuk winked at Awe and gave him some confidence.
“All right everyone.” Awe paused and looked and Adamina. Adamina shrugged.
“We have something to say!” Everyone got quiet.
“Me, Awe, chieftain of the Water Clan, and Adamina, chieftain of the Land Clan, have decided on something, together.” Adamina nodded and continued on what Awe was saying.
“Awe saw the army, and like we told the council, it is not big but.”
“They have machinery like no other and it is unmatched.” There was a gasp from the crowd as Awe explained this part. He continued.
“There is no way one clan can defeat them.”
“Do you think they will attack?” A lady asked. Adamina replied with as much certainty as he could.
“Yes,” the lady sighed, “But if we –“ Adamina paused and looked at Awe. Awe nodded and Adamina knew that they were to say it together.
“We need to work together!” Everyone was in shock and started arguing. The two friends looked at each other and Adamina stepped down.
“Wait, Adamina.” Awe was still on the platform and hadn’t stepped down. “We can’t just give up.”
“there’s nothing we can do Awe.” Awe shook his head and stood taller.
“I’m not giving up.” He put his hand out for Adamina to take. Adamina grabbed it and they smiled the biggest smile. Awe spoke first.
“You may not think this is a good idea.”
“But me and Awe believe in each other, and I think we can work as a team.”
“You may not want to come with us.”
“But we are going to go with our without you.”
“Come and stand with us to protect our home.”
“Or stay here and be the one who doesn’t think that Jara should be saved.” The boys grabbed their hands and lifted it in the air. There was a moment of silence. Then, applause and cheering. They had got the people to join their army.
They marched on. To the ship where the Water and Land clans were faced with the earthlings. Awe and Adamina walked to the front where they could see a man walking toward them.
“I see.” Pyro stepped closer so Awe and Adamina could see.
“The people of this planet have come to fight.” Pyro frightened some of the people, but Awe and Adamina stayed strong.
“We are not afraid of you.” Adamina stated.
“Young boy you may be after this.” Pyro then stepped to the side and let the people, who were in heavy machinery, attack.
“Hold your position.” Adamina yelled. Everyone stood still as the earthlings charged.
“Hold” They got closer. Then.
“Attack!” charging towards the earthlings the clans started to attack.
The battle lasted for a long time and many lives were lost. But no one gave up and the two clans continued to work together. The clans were about to win when a large figure came out of the ship. Awe and Adamina told everyone to stay back as they decided they would fight this person. What they didn’t know was that this was the boss and it would not be easy.
Adamina saw him first then Awe. They had to make a plan. And quick.
“Awe you sneak up on the left and I’ll go right.” Awe nodded and ran the opposite way Adamina was running. They jumped up and landed a blow. But the boss was ready.
“Ahh, two boys who happen to be the leaders.” They struggled in the boss’ grip. But he dropped them and stepped on Adamina’s leg. Adamina cried in pain.
“No! Adamina!” Awe tried to reach for him, but the boss stepped in between them.
“I’m sorry you wanted to comfort your friend.” The boss leaned down and looked at Awe.
“What are you going to do, Awe was it.” Awe stayed to the ground.
“You can’t do anything to save your friend, just like you can’t save your home. You are never going to be able to bring the clans together.” Awe looked up at the boss with anger.
“We will work together!” Awe then got up and punched him in the face to knock the boss out. Awe smiled at Adamina and Adamina smile back. There was cheering from down below.
“You did it Awe.” Awe smiled at Adamina’s words.
“No, we did it.”
Adamina got better and the clans did end up working together. The earthlings were gone and left the clans alone. They made the center of town the secret spot and Awe and Adamina would meet there all the time. Everyone on that planet learned that working together is key. So be like Awe and Adamina and work together.
The End