Author's Note:
For everyone in the U.S...
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
For everyone outside the U.S...
Happy first Saturday in July!
Here's a chapter to burn those spare minutes before the fireworks start, or to burn your Saturday night while all your U.S. friends are celebrating. As for me, none of my friends live nearby and my family is gone, so I think I'm going to stay inside and avoid the mosquitoes.
Today is 7/4/2015 and this chapter is 900+ words.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, just dream it.
Chapter 9: Leaving Home
Kieren stood up. His time had come. He could hear the cheers of his name being shouted.
"Go Kieren!" his mother called.
"Make us proud! Kieren!" yelled Boran.
Time began to slow as Kieren stepped towards the stage. He looked around him. Blasts of fire and water colored the sky. Streaks of lightning danced about in the air. Around him, flareon, jolteon, and vaporeon were leaping about, waving their tails like banners in the wind. The illuminated decorations flashed in new and vibrant patterns.
Kieren ascended the first step. Behind the stage, Kieren could see himself walking up the steps from a side view on the wall. The stage floor danced colors of white until they shaped out the picture of a full moon with stars flying about in the background.
Another step. The noises of the tribe grew louder. The screams and howls began to unify into one large chant.
"Kieren! Kieren! Kieren!" Kieren lifted his paw slowly, and placed it on the lighted floor of the stage. He leaped up and found himself on the same level as Celestia to his right. He could see the stones in front of him and carefully avoided them as he pressed onwards to center stage. He turned slowly, mind racing at the bewildering sight as he looked at the audience that once mocked him, now cheering for him like a hero. Was he to be a hero? Or an alpha? He looked about frantically, knowing that he had to confess to all of them that he had yet to make his decision.
Finally he closed his eyes and waited. He listened to the subsiding chants until all he could hear were the leaves rustling in the trees; a berry losing a grip on its branch and plopping into the calm of the lake. Seconds seemed like minutes as his mind raced about how to make his confession.
"Kieren. Have you yet to make your decision?" Celestia asked.
Kieren inhaled. The moment he had dreaded all day had finally come.
"Yes."
He nearly cringed at the sudden gasps and whispers that began to stir and circulate around him. He could make out the words in his fellow classmates' chatter.
"A future alpha can't decide what to be? Has this ever happened before?"
"Does the tribe have any rules for this? Can he still become an alpha?"
"I hope he doesn't. At this rate he'll be another Boran if he can."
"Silence!" Celestia screamed. "Do not judge him! It is not uncommon for a future successor to an Alpha of the Eon Tribe to struggle with such an important decision. In fact I too failed to make that decision at my time."
Kieren turned to Celestia in sudden curiosity. Perhaps this time his birthright had actually been of benefit to him. Maybe he wasn't completely behind if Celestia came to be what she was after struggling to evolve herself. He didn't always agree with her, but she was a strong leader compared to his father. Tara must have known this all along. But what next?
"So Kieren. Do you wish to one day fulfill your father's role?" Celestia asked him publicly. Kieren took a short pause to think of a response. He scoured through his memory of the various conversations he had with Trent about his father he had tried so hard to be nothing like. He smiled when an idea came to him.
"I do not wish to fulfill my father's standing," he stated. His grin grew as those below him began to gasp in shock. He turned. Even Celestia's face displayed astonishment. Looking back at the crowd, Kieren could taste the words that were to follow.
"I wish to exceed it TENFOLD!" A simultaneous, almost instant chorus of roars and cheers from the tribe gifted him the absolute, utmost satisfaction. The stage danced with celebratory lights. From the lake, Kieren could see the reflection a tenfold symbol that was displayed on the screen behind him. He turned again to see a smile across Celestia's face.
"You couldn't have said it any better," she whispered to him. "I hope you will fulfill your words." She turned to address the audience again, and waited until she had silence.
"As you can see, our Kieren has great hopes for our tribe. But as to what element will best help him fulfill his goals for our tribe, such knowledge has not yet come to his enlightenment, which is not unusual for an eevee of such potential. Because our reserve has not enlightened him, he shall be enlightened by the world outside. He shall leave the reserve for five days, doing whatever he must to make his decision. When he returns, he shall announce his decision he feels best fit as a future alpha of our tribe. Best of luck to you, Kieren."
Celestia signaled with her head for him to exit the stage publicly. The tribe cheered as he descended each step, walking through the same aisle he entered; only this time, he was passing through all by himself. He marched out with the same poise and confidence he had garnered on stage until he passed through the gates of the aisle. He continued onwards as the noise dissipated slowly but surely. Darkness slowly dawned upon him as he left the vicinity of the ceremony. All that was left were the silhouettes of the forest leaves and the moon that cast itself over the lake. After a while he noticed a faint figure ahead of him. Slowly that figure began to grow clearer and clearer until he was within bodylength.
"Ready?" asked the voice of Melody the vulpix.
"You bet," Kieren answered vitally. For him things could not have possibly gone smoother. He had somehow managed to escape a potential nightmare, and had bought himself more time. All his worry was for naught. He and his best friend walked onwards towards their next adventure.
Author's Note: Well that was the last of the "normal" chapters. Honestly I dare you guys to try to predict what's going to happen next. Also, chapter 10 is the last of the series of short chapters. I'm gone next weekend again so you have plenty of time to review for the bonus chapter. Enjoy the fireworks! ~Dreaming I'm Latios
