Chapter 10: Surprises
The hawk spent a few seconds organizing his ideas, seconds that seemed like hours to the three pets. Finally, he spoke again.
"Okay, we'll start with what they have already heard. Mega already explained the shadows to you, Bolt. And I believe you explained it to your friends." Bolt nodded. "Okay, but that's just the tip of the iceberg." Helang took a deep breath. "Shadows live on negative emotions. They are born in places where fear, anger or doubt predominates. Once they're created, they are directed to the greatest concentration of negative energy they encounter, or to some place where they are being called. That's what the organization we are fighting does; it implants those emotions in living beings. But it doesn't end there. In addition of being born, they feed and gain strength from those emotions. That's why they focus so much on making suffer anyone who crosses their path." The expression on his face was becoming more serious as he spoke. "The fact is that, although there will always be someone in the world who is afraid, angry or doubtful, they are not satisfied with the energy that those emotions generate naturally; they want more, even if they have to make cities or even countries suffer to achieve it."
"Then why has nobody here been attacked beside us?" Bolt asked.
The three of them felt silent and looked at each other. Al last, Helang spoke again. "Tell them; sooner or later they'll find out anyway."
"I'll do it." Mega took the floor. "But first, let me explain a little about our abilities." He took a deep breath. "Surely you have noticed that we know how to do 'exceptional things' that are not common to see. Now, we were not modified in any way to develop our abilities." He said, looking sideways at Rhino. "Our abilities are born of the energy we use, energy that we have learned to absorb from the environment. Knowing how to take advantage of this has allowed us to reduce our basic needs, like eating, drinking, sleeping, and even breathing under some circumstances. To activate them we use the spark of life, a spark of light in our case, of shadow in their case; the brighter the light, the darker the shadow, the more powerful the skills that the user will be able to put into practice. Our current skills required time and dedication to get to the point they have now. What does this have to do with your question? Well, as life, nature and the universe itself, are always looking for balance, when something begins to move the natural equilibrium, an opposite response is generated to bring it back to normal. Because they cause suffering in large numbers, the answer to keep things balanced is what we call the pillar of light. The pillar of light is a pure entity of heart and soul, noble, brave, kind; capable of giving everything for its loved ones. This entity will be able to take full advantage of the powers opposing the shadow emotions; friendships, happiness, peace, love. Using this power, it will be able to stop the actions of the shadows and return things to a state of balance." Mega stopped and gave the floor to his sister.
"Every time they try to do something on large scale, a pillar of light arises; he or she, young or old, human, animal, and sometimes even a plant. If they meet the requirements, without realizing it, from one day to another they'll get the skill. A light brighter than any other, capable of illuminating everything; well trained, the pillar will do anything it proposes to do. A well-trained pillar is the biggest threat they can face. That's why, before beginning their plans in any place, they are given the task to search and hunt any pillar of light that emerges; we also look for them, but to train them and polish their skills." The wolf took a deep breath. "We have reasons to believe, and think them too, that you're the pillar of light, Bolt."
There was silence for several minutes; none of them expected such revelation. The wild three simply gave them time to organize their thoughts. Bolt was surprised by it, for sure; Mittens seemed worried for her canine friend; Rhino, he was quite excited.
"That's why you started to train me," The dog finally said to Mega. "To stop the darkness, right?"
"That's right." The wolf answered. "Even if they're only suspicions, you fulfill the characteristics of a pillar of light. However, they won't wait to be sure and just eliminate any suspect. That's why they started attacking you. It is worth mentioning that even if you were not the pillar, it is always possible to develop supernatural abilities, as long as you have the dedication and patience; so, we brought you three, we also want to offer Mittens and Rhino the opportunity to train, but the decision is yours.
"I'm in!" Rhino almost shouted at once. "If we are going to face the darkness and save the world, count me in." He said as he made a heroic pose.
"I've already started, and I won't take a step back. If they want to harm someone, they'll have to step over me." Bolt looked determined.
"I also… I want to participate." Though she had her doubts, Mittens wanted to have the opportunity to take care of Bolt, just like he had taken care of her.
"Alright, we'll start tomorrow, it was enough with everything we told you, and it's already getting late…"
"Actually, it's barely three o'clock, Byte. Besides, Bolt wanted to talk, right?" He nodded to the hawk. "I think I can help you with that. Come with me." Then the hawk and the dog flew and walked away, respectively.
"Rhino, I want to know you better. Do you mind if we talk?"
"Not at all. Mega, right? Of course, it'll be a pleasure to tell you about me." Rhino climbed to Mega's back, and they went in another direction, leaving Byte alone with Mittens. The cat took the opportunity to clarify some things with the wolf.
"So, Byte…" She started uncertainly.
"Yes, Mittens? What is it?" The wolf was perfectly aware of her sentimental situation, but she had decided not to interfere, to help or to hinder them.
"What do you think about Bolt?"
That's subtle. "Well, I think he's a very noble dog, no doubt he could be the pillar of light. He's brave, he's honest, he's…"
"He is mine." Mittens interrupted. When she realized what she had said, she covered her mouth with her paws and blushed a lot.
The wolf began to laugh at the scene. After a few seconds, she spoke again. "Mittens, I have no such interest in Bolt. I rather see him as a friend, even though we've known each other only for a few days." She smiled at Mittens. "But you should hurry to tell him what you feel, although I'm pretty sure he feels the same, he could meet a dog that may get his attention."
"But besides you and us, Alpha, Delta and Kass are our only other friends. And Alpha is not yet an adult."
"But things change. Maybe in a month, or a year; maybe tomorrow. And you don't know what could happen."
Mittens thought for a while, Byte was right, things could change at any moment. "You're right, Byte, I must tell him. But I don't know how; yesterday I was going to do it, but that shadow ruined the moment."
"That's for you to solve, I won't place my paws in there."
"Thanks, Byte."
Meanwhile, Helang was engaging in a conversation with Bolt. The dog was talking about his nightmare.
"So I went to save her, but when I almost reached her I heard another cry; I turned and saw Penny, in the exact same situation as Mittens. It was one or the other; I would not have time to save them both. After that I woke up, but I didn't hear ant shadows with sarcastic comments in the nightmare."
The hawk looked worried. "That was not a nightmare, Bolt. As you described it, I would say it was a premonition. Possibly, and I hope not, you'll have to choose between Mittens and Penny. However, consider that you're going to train, and that you have our support. If you turn out to be the pillar, you'll be able to do anything, including saving both of them, regardless of the circumstances." Helang forced a smile to calm Bolt a little, however worried that something like that could happen in the end.
"Thanks, Helang." Bolt began to walk back to Mittens and Byte.
"Wait, Bolt." He halted. "There's one more thing that you should know, more than your friends."
"What is it?"
"Whether you are or not the pillar, you have a very strong light within you. Throughout this 'adventure' that we'll have, we will face animals that have fallen prisoners of the shadows." The falcon noticed Bolt was going to ask. "Let me explain. Not everyone is as resistant to the dark as you three are; many humans and animals, even some plants, give in to the blackmail of the shadows, commonly due to situations of their past that caused them pain and suffering. When that happens, the guest doesn't know that he has a shadow lodged inside him, while it, like a virus, begins to progress within the mind of the host body. Meanwhile, the guest begins to behave aggressively, manipulative and so, without knowing why. The longer they spent together, the more the shadow gets rooted to the guest's mind, and it becomes more and more difficult to separate them. If too much time passes, both minds merge and he becomes a being of darkness. Whoever it was before ceases to exist and the shadow takes total control of the body. The only way to stop this process is to let the guest feel affection again. Let it feel love, friendship, joy. In that way, the shadow won't be able to root and gets separated from the guest's mind. Depending on how long it was rooted, the guest will remember or not his actions under the shadow's influence."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I want you to understand that when you find someone like that, you should treat them like your friends, so that they end up being so."
Bolt stood thinking for a moment. "Sure, I will." And they headed back to the girls.
In the meantime, Mega and Rhino were having their own conversation. The hamster liked the idea of talking to a superhero of some kind.
"What would your favorite superpower be?" He asked excitedly.
"The elemental sphere, no doubt." He responded almost as excitedly as Rhino.
"Can I see that? How does it work?"
"Sorry, Rhino, but it takes a lot of energy and I have to be much focused. But I can show you the fur-color change. It's the last thing I learned."
The hamster got more excited. "Can I see that, please?"
Mega closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath and opened them. The wolf had a coat now colored just like Rhino's.
"That was be-awesome! Can you do it with any color?"
"Any color and tone, in any combination possible."
"Be-awesome! I wish I could do that. And have Bolt's superpowers. And change my size."
"Why would you want to do that?" Mega returned his fur to its original tone.
"Well, actually, sometimes they ignore me, or they don't listen to my ideas, not only because of my size, but because, I assume, they think I spend a lot of time in front of the magic box. Sometimes I would like to grow to be seen, so that they would pay me attention."
"Same situation, different shape. You know, they also sometimes don't listen to me; I'm the immature of the group, despite being older than Byte. But even so, I know I can count on them, just as they can count on me; because in the end, we are a team, a family. You size is not defined from the ground to your head, try to measure it from your chin and to the sky. Seen thus, you're the biggest of us all; and your heart is not far behind: noble and pure. You don't need to be big in order to be a giant." Rhino got to think about the wolf's statement. "I'll later on teach you how to grow your body at will, 'little guy'."
They both talked for a while and then returned to the camp, where everyone was waiting for them.
"Well, you're back." Helang received them. "Can you take them back, Mega?"
"What?"
"Take them home. Look at the sun, my friend." Mega then realized that the sun was setting.
"Sure, I'll take them." He crouched for Bolt and Mittens to climb onto his back. "Ready?"
Bolt looked at his friends, they both nodded. "Ready."
Mega concentrated and then used his hyper speed to take them home. The road was with no complications and in silence. Mega stopped a little while away from the house when he saw a car in it. "Guys, I'll leave you here. I don't think I should come any closer." He crouched down so that everyone would get off his back. "Bolt, you already know. Mittens, Rhino, if you need us, go to the barn and call us; no need to shout, just say our names and we'll arrive soon."
"Thanks, Mega." The three responded in unison.
"You're welcome." And he ran back into the woods.
The three of them began to walk towards the house without haste, until they remembered that Penny had not returned in the morning. Her mom's car was already there, meaning they were back. When they realized it, they began to run until they were in the house. As soon as they entered, they saw Penny sitting on the couch, looking worried. Bolt let out a bark to get her attention.
"Bolt! Mittens! Rhino! You're all fine!" She ran to hug them. "I'm sorry I took so long." Then she pulled away from them and smiled. "And I brought you a new friend." She added before whistling a couple of times.
"What?" The three of them were frozen with the news, especially Mittens. If it turned out to be a girl dog…
Moments later, from the kitchen came running a very nice and pretty border collie, with black and white fur and dark brown eyes. "This is Flor. She's going to stay with us until we find someone to take care of her."
"Hello," She greeted them kindly. "As she said, my name's Flor. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Bolt, she is Mittens, and this is Rhino." The shepherd introduced them.
"Bolt? The Bolt from the series?"
"That same one."
Flor got very excited and started jumping all over the place. "This is great! I always wanted to meet you! Seeing your series was what I liked the most. And I must say that you're even more handsome in person." The dog blushed by the last part of the collie's comment.
"Thanks," He answered somewhat embarrassed.
While that scene took place, Mittens felt her blood boiling. Byte had been right, things were changing. Now she would have to deal with Flor before telling Bolt what she felt, everything was complicating. Meanwhile, Penny was talking to her mother.
"You really don't remember, mom?"
"No, darling, I don't remember anything besides picking up Flor on the way."
"Then I'll have to refresh your mind." Apparently she was going to tell her something about the trip.
"Alright, just let me make some calls before you start."
"Bolt, Mittens, Rhino, we need you in the barn right now. I know it's not even been half an hour, but it's urgent. And come alone." It had been Helang's voice, and it sounded worried.
Flor kept playing all over the house, but when she saw the three of them heading for the garden, she ran to catch up. "Where are you going? Bolt?"
"Um... we're going to check something, something we have between the three of us. But we won't be long; can you wait for us here?"
"Sure. I'll eat meanwhile, I had not eaten in days, you know." Bolt was struck by that last comment, but Mittens was already calling from outside, so he hurried.
The three of them ran to the barn, and found the other three inside. All of them were sitting, Mega and Byte on the floor and Helang on a beam.
"Hello, guys." The hawk spoke for the three.
"What happened? Why did you call us?" Bolt asked in behalf of the three pets, it seemed like he was equivalent for Helang, speaking for them. Like their leader.
"We don't know," Byte interjected. "He asked us to call you and for us to be all together."
As soon as she finished her sentence, a faint stream of air became present. Then everyone heard the same voice. "Hello everyone."
"Master!" The three wild animals exclaimed, startled to hear his voice, though Mega a little less than his brothers.
"I called you to gather because I have some important news and a couple advices." There was a slight pause. "Mega, Byte, Helang, you have to know that I no longer form part of the living world."
"What? What happened?" Mega asked.
"My time came, as yours will come one day. I will tell you how I left this world, but first I have some things to do. Bolt, Mittens, Rhino, I did not have the pleasure to meet you in person, but I want you to know that you have my support. Anything, anytime, just call me."
Once again, Bolt spoke for the three. "How can we call you? What's your name?"
"I no longer have a name, for I'm a soul in peace." Another small silence. "Soul. You can call me Soul; when you need my help, think in that word." Bolt nodded, not sure if he could see that.
"Now, Mega, Byte, Helang, I want to tell you something. I was never a person of words, and consequently you were not either; but I want you to know you were always more than my students. You were my friends, my brothers, my family, my children. And I will always look after you here. What I told Bolt and his friends also applies to you."
"But we'll always call you master." Byte said in a broken voice.
"Don't be sad. Dying is a natural part of life; when it's your time, there's nothing you can do, and when it's not, either. It is valid to be sad and cry for a while, but not too much, or you'll drown."
Helang, like the wolves, had tears in his eyes; some began to trickle down to his cheeks, only a few. "Can you tell us how your life ended?"
"With a condition: do not get angry. It will not take you anywhere." Mega, Byte and Helang nodded. Bolt, Mittens and Rhino headed for the exit, but Soul stopped them. "I think you should hear this too. After all, I gave my life for someone you esteem a lot, her name is Penny."
"What!?" They all shouted at the same time.
"Let me explain."
Meanwhile, inside the house, Penny was about to tell her mom something that had happened in the way of their recent trip. "Are you sure you don't remember anything mom? Nothing at all?"
"I don't, darling, I was tired. Maybe if you tell me, I'll remember something."
"Alright, I'll tell you everything that happened."
Here it is, chapter 10! Next chapter comes to be a second flashback, with two P.O.V.s that have not yet been used here. And, you may see, the romance thing is going to get a little bit complicated. Anyway, usual thanks, thanks for reading, for reviewing, and so on. Next chapter as soon as I can. Nos vemos luego.