CHAPTER 4: ANISA'S BACKSTORY

Later that day, Anisa reported back to Queen Delilah's palace with the bones that she had collected for her. She hoped that Queen Delilah would like them. But Anisa knew that Queen Delilah was very demanding, and in her mind nothing seemed to be enough.

Anisa saw Queen Delilah sitting on her skull throne. She was being fanned by her servants. Anisa approached Queen Delilah carefully and showed her the bones that she had gathered for her.

"Your Majesty," said Anisa, "I have collected some bones for you. I hope this is enough."

Queen Delilah observed the bones carefully, making sure that each bone was perfect and removed of all its flesh.

"Very well, Anisa," said Queen Delilah. "I don't normally think much of you, but I am satisfied. Tomorrow, you will need to get more."

"Well, yeah," Anisa shrugged.

"Your work is done," said Queen Delilah. "Now you may leave. I must be alone."

Anisa just stared at Queen Delilah, waiting for her to potentially snap and make a rude comment. Queen Delilah was accustomed to that. Not only that, but Anisa was one of her favorite targets, due to her easygoing nature.

"You may leave, Anisa," said Queen Delilah in a harsher tone.

"I will..." said Anisa.

"GET OUT OF MY PALACE!" shrieked Queen Delilah.

At the sound of the Queen's ear-splitting yell, Anisa flew away. She did not feel nervous, since she was used to harsher words from Queen Delilah. Anisa could not fight back, unless she wanted a hard bone to be thrown at her. As one would guess, Anisa did not want that.

Anisa flew back to the nesting grounds. She was greeted by her daughter and Tamar.

"Mama, you're home!" said Anisa's daughter.

"I am, Muna," said Anisa. Muna was the name of Anisa's daughter.

"How was the bone search?" asked Tamar.

"It went very well," said Anisa. "I actually ran into Nadya, one of the Bisharp. She seemed to be happy, but she is also very concerned about my life under Queen Delilah."

"I kind of agree with Nadya," said Tamar, "Though Nadya is not one of the Mandibuzz, she is wise and respectable. She brings up valid points to many conversation topics. To tell you the truth, Anisa...I don't like the Queen either."

Anisa turned to Muna. She did not want to potentially upset Muna, since her discussions with Tamar could sometimes be grave matters. "You might want to tune out," said Anisa. "Mama and Tamar are discussing something very serious. You wouldn't be interested."

"Okay, Mama," said Muna. "I'll go play with the other Vullaby." Muna hopped away. Anisa looked at Tamar again.

"You don't, Tamar?" said Anisa. "You know that I hate Queen Delilah, but I thought that you would think more highly of her. What is your reason for not liking the Queen?"

"This is why," said Tamar. "She is very mean and demanding. Us Mandibuzz fly around every day, collecting creatures' bones for Queen Delilah. But she never seems to be satisfied. She always wants more. I'm beginning to suspect that this is just for the Queen to brag about."

"Queen Delilah is known for being a show-off," said Anisa.

"She sure is," chuckled Tamar.

Anisa looked up at the sky. The sun was beginning to set. Anisa did not look very happy. Her change of mood surprised Tamar.

"Oh, man," sighed Anisa.

"What's wrong, Anisa?" asked Tamar. "You seem upset about something."

"It's nothing, Tamar," said Anisa.

"Be honest, Anisa," said Tamar. "I don't think it's nothing. You're worried about something."

"Fine, I'll tell you," said Anisa. She turned to Tamar. "Honestly...I was thinking about a loved one. I really wish that Mother could have been here to know this. It's been quite a few years since she passed on."

"I know," said Tamar. "Your mother, Safiya, was a sweet, refined Mandibuzz. She was probably the nicest Pokemon that many of us had known, and I see that you have inherited her kindness. But unfortunately, she is no longer with us."

"It was a long time ago," said Anisa. "Queen Delilah did not like my mother very much. She thought Mother was too nice and not capable of handling the tough, cruel lifestyle that is ascribed to Mandibuzz. And once Queen Delilah was elected leader, she tried her hardest to get rid of Mother for good. One day, when Mother had failed to collect bones for the Queen, Delilah freaked out and attacked her with bones, injuring her. Mother then told me that she would fly away from here. Queen Delilah heard this, and banished her. Mother was to leave the following day. Before we parted, she gave me this." Anisa went to her nest and uncovered a heart-shaped talisman made from bone. In the middle was a beautiful amethyst. She showed it to Tamar.

"Mother told me to be brave," continued Anisa. "She hoped that one day, we could meet again. But no one has heard from her since. Many assumed that my mother is dead. She might have met a grisly fate." Tears flowed from Anisa's eyes.

"That's terrible," said Tamar.

"I know," said Anisa, wiping away her tears. "I never knew my father. He was a Honchkrow, and he died in an accident not long before I was born. Neither did I know my grandparents, for Mother was orphaned as a Vullaby. So my mother was all that I had. After Mother was gone, I mated with a Skarmory named Elisha, thus producing Muna. But Elisha died under mysterious circumstances when Muna was very tiny."

"You sure had a rough life," said Tamar. "And I thought my life was hard..."

"It's true," said Anisa. "But deep down, I believe that Mother is still alive. I really hope to find her one day, even if it kills me."

"I hope so, too," said Tamar.

Suddenly, Anisa remembered that she needed to watch her daughter.

"I better get Muna," said Anisa. "She might be worried about me by now."

Anisa flew over to Muna and told her what was going on. Muna understood her. Anisa then decided to watch over Muna for the rest of the night before they went to sleep.