Chapter 10: A Place Long Forgotten – Leadership
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Authoresses Note: Sorry I haven't been updating as often, some more reviews would be nice though, hint hint. Joking, but I like reviews so if you guys don't mind could you please leave your comments. Thanks.
Abha was furious. FURIOUS! Ince ran into her cave last night sobbing her heart out. When Abha asked what was wrong Ince proceeded to tell her that Wasaki had taken advantage of her. Abha freaked out. Ince was younger than Wasaki and he had left her with no opportunity to say no to him. He was a monster! Everyone knew he had gone nuts with power but this was just crazy. Abha wouldn't stand for it she had to go talk him out of this psycho spree. Or beat it out of him; right now she only felt loathing of him.
Dawn was breaking and everyone would be forced into working on that stupid project. She had to get to Wasaki right away or else it'd be impossible to get past the Persians.
She crept out of her cave and after checking and finding that no one was around Abha ran straight to Derak's old cave that Wasaki had claimed as his own.
She growled under her breath at the thought, "If only Derak were here." She thought.
She padded quickly and quietly to the cave hoping that no Persians would see her. Her goal was in sight now she increased her pace until she was right in front. She looked around but was relieved to find no one around.
Abha looked at the cave. So many memories seemed to revolve around this place. Even though Wasaki had taken it as his own she still saw it as Derak and Derak's family's cave. It would never be Wasaki's cave in her eyes.
She was about to walk in but stopped as one of the memories of the last hours she spent with Derak flooded back. He had tricked her by hiding above the mouth of the cave and leaping at her playfully. Then they had gone to the waterhole.
She sighed sadly. She missed him so much.
She was about to enter the cave when a voice sounded from behind her.
"What might you be doing here?"
She gasped and faced Wasaki who had snuck up behind her while she was daydreaming.
She glared at him and said angrily. "I have to talk to you." She took in his appearance. He was looking terrible. His mane was matted and tangled; the cut on his cheek from Mew knows where had partially scarred over and looked infected creating a morbid effect. He looked like he had lost sleep and looked thinner despite the feeding before anyone else.
He took a step towards her, his expression unreadable.
"Whatever about?" He asked.
She growled, "About Ince you sick jerk! She's younger than you and you…you…you, ARG I can't even say it because it's just terrible. You're a monster, you know that?! You're killing us all, mentally and physically! Why can't you just stop? We're in no condition to fight back and you've got the Persians out numbering us. WHY CAN'T YOU STOP?!" She screamed.
He didn't even flinch as she yelled at him. "You'll find that quite impossible Abha. I can't stop until the pack adores me as their King. I want them to worship me without having to break their backs first."
This only furthered her angry. "ARE YOU STUPID? HOW IS THAT GOING TO MAKE THEM LOVE YOU?"
He growled impatiently. "Over time perhaps."
"If you haven't killed us first." She growled quietly.
"ENOUGH!" He yelled back at her. "There is another way to make them love me. If I had a queen who was every inch noble and just. Then if she convinced them I was good then maybe I could be loved." He grinned.
"And who would ever want to be your Queen?" She spat.
"Well you of course. With the proper incentive that it." He smirked at her and stepped forward.
She held her ground. "Nothing would ever be incentive enough for me to become your mate."
"Not even the fate of the pack?"
Abha froze.
"Here's the deal Abha. You become my loving mate and convince everyone what I nice guy I am. In return the pack will no longer abuse everyone who opposes me. I'll deal with them in a gentler manner. But of course they won't oppose me in the first place because you'll do such a good job convincing them how nice I am. And I'll slow the speed on the project and properly feed the workers."
She was shocked. He was offering to stop the large scale project and the constant terrorizing. But she was still skeptical.
"What about the Persians?" She asked with narrowed eyes.
"They'll remain as a simple police, enforcing laws gently."
"And the females? If you ever do that to another female in this pack I'll have to kill you myself. They don't deserve that kind of treatment." She growled.
"Of course they don't. I was just making a point. It will never happen again, especially now that I've got you." He nuzzled her cheek but she jerked her head away.
"You've got a sick way of making a point." She growled.
"So is that a yes?"
She sighed "If I say yes you promise to follow through with what you said?"
"Of course." He purred in her ear.
She looked at the ground. "Fine. But it's not because I love you, I hate you. I'm only doing this for the pack!" She said.
"I know, but it doesn't matter anymore. You have to act like you love me or the deal is off. You're so noble Abha it excites me. If only the pack knew just how much you care for them."
"They don't need to know what I've done it would only upset them further. Then they'd be convinced further about how crazy you are." She said bitterly.
"Yes we all do crazy things in the name of love. We shall be wed tonight. I'll announce it this morning and cancel the project for the day. Then they can continue it when they replenish their strength." He tried to nuzzle her again except this time she couldn't pull away due to the deal.
"At least some good comes out of this."
"That's the way to think Abha. Now we've got plenty of time before everyone's up so why don't you come into 'our' cave and make yourself comfortable. We can get to know each other better." He nudged her flank and walk into the cave.
She stared at the sky. Please let help arrive soon.
She sighed and followed Wasaki into the cave hoping that she was wrong about what he had in mind.
After I had explained the situation back home Kegan allowed me to use an army from his kingdom. He was furious actually. He had held a grudge against the Persians since they bothered his kingdom and attacked his daughter now his nephews pack had been taken over he was willing to help me in anyway possible.
I was little embarrassed that he called me his nephew but I was flattered too. Favian was his new son in law as of late. He and Jadin seemed to be always present in each others company. It was sweet. I hoped they'd be happy together. I also realized sadly that considering they were now new mates they'd want to be alone. I was sad to have to do this but I was going to part ways so I wouldn't be a burden on them. It was sad because Favian and I had become good friends. Jadin was a good friend too for the short time that I'd known her. But it was something that just happened in life.
Right now Avis was flying low leading myself and an army of about 20 dog pokemon towards the destination, my home.
I didn't know what I was feeling right now. I couldn't tell. I was furious at Wasaki; I had always known he was bad news. I was worried about my mother and Abha and the rest of the pack. I hoped they were all ok.
Avis stopped and landed in front of me. "There's about a one day walk left. We should probably stop and plan while resting up before we arrive. It's up to you though, you're in charge."
I thought about it for a moment. "Ya that sounds like a good plan." I told Avis.
He nodded. "Don't tell me, tell them what we're doing."
I felt like smacking myself. "Oh right." I turned around to face the rest of the pokemon. "We're stopping here to rest and plan what to do next. Please don't wander too far and just enjoy yourselves." I felt dumb; I didn't know how to address them.
The pokemon nodded and some lay down to sleep while others went looking for food and socialized.
I stayed put and tried to clear my thoughts. Avis hopped beside me.
"I don't think I'm leader material Avis." I said sadly.
"Nah everyone's first time at leader is awkward. You're actually doing very well. But then again I don't know why you're worried about being a good leader. Aren't you going to leave after this?" He asked with a birdlike smirk. He had me cornered. Damn!
"Well I don't want to screw up here. This is my old pack, even if I'm not staying I don't want to mess up here and let them suffer the consequences of my bad leadership." I replied.
"Sure kid sure. We'll see what you say afterwards, but right now just focus on the task ahead. I'm going to go find something to eat. I suggest you do the same."
He flapped his wings and rose about 20 feet and then called down to me.
"By the way kid, you're not a bad leader. Wasaki is a bad leader; you'll never be like Wasaki. You're too good." With that he flew off.
I felt my spirits rise. A good leader, he called me a good leader! Not that I wanted to stay and be a leader but it was still nice to hear. To tell the truth I wasn't sure what I was doing after this. I could always return to Kegan's pack but I didn't want to live off them forever. I would probably just continue on my journey without anyone.
I went to go hunt for some food in the surrounding forest. Puzzling, I couldn't seem to find anything to eat. It seemed like food was scarce. I finally came by a Raticate but that was all. It would have to do. I was eating when I heard two pokemon come up behind me. I turned around to find Favian and Jadin coming and sitting beside me.
"You guys didn't have to come, it's dangerous and I wouldn't want to risk my friend's lives. I would've preferred all these pokemon didn't come in case something happened. I'd feel responsible." I told them.
Favian scoffed. "Come off it. You think I'd just sit back home twiddling my thumbs while you fight all by yourself. You're my best friend and you've risked your life for me before. And this cause means a lot to you so therefore it means a lot to me."
"And since your Favian's best friend that means a lot to me too. And someone has to keep an eye on Favian. Besides you're my friend too Derak. You helped save me from those Persians so the least I can do is kick their asses after taking over your home."
I smiled at both of them. "Thanks guys, that means a lot to me."
We all just kinda fell silent, enjoying each others company. In a short time I'd gather up everyone together and move again until we'd rest a short distance from the pack grounds. After that I didn't know. But I was happy right here for a short time with my two best friends.
Wasaki and Abha had been married a day ago much to the shock of the pack. But what was even more shocking than Abha marrying Wasaki was his change. He had allowed them to hunt and eat again and stopped the ridiculous project. The Persians were no longer allowed to bully them anymore and sat sullenly. They were only supposed to observe the Absols and enforce rules with a stern talking too. But the Absols were not stupid. They still didn't trust Wasaki. They tried to talk to Abha and get some answers but she would only smile sadly and say Wasaki had changed.
They didn't believe her and could only imagine what Wasaki was doing to make her do anything. They could never trust someone who had killed a growing list of Absols from the pack. And the story Ince told was counted against them. Obviously Abha had done something to make him stop, it added up. They were in no condition to fight back however so they'd have to wait until a miracle happened. Whenever that would be.
Manx and Kimba had snuck off to find the boss as fast as they could. He'd be furious if they didn't report back about Wasaki. They skidded to a halt outside the Persian base where the boss was currently living.
The leapt in front of the boss bowing and breathing heavily from the trip.
"Boss! Sorry to barge in like this but we've got BIG news!" Manx panted.
The boss's expression changed from annoyed to interest. "Well don't just stand there tell me!"
Kimba stepped in. "That Absol. Wasaki his name was. He's demoted the Persian army to a minor police squad that doesn't use force as punishment. He's giving the Absols back their freedom!"
His brow furrowed. "That traitor!" He spat. "Good job you too. Rest up and get back to that pack. He made an agreement and he's NOT turning back. No one breaks their promise to me!" He snarled.
"No boss, of course not boss." Manx said in respectfully.
"Get back to that pack and keep an eye on things. I'll be there tomorrow to reunite with my generals and army; we'll show him what happens to traitors." He smiled evilly.
The two bowed and left quietly. The boss sat down as another Persian walked up.
"Stressful times eh Akoni?" Came a female voice.
"Don't call me that Andromeda! I don't go by that anymore!" He snapped at the female, Andromeda.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh right sorry Boss. That's what they're calling you these days isn't it?"
"What are you doing here anyways, the pack life not good enough for you?" He sneered.
"You know for someone who hates the pack life you have a lot of packs under your control." Ignoring what he said before.
"You didn't answer my question."
"It's good, I just came to visit."
"That's all?" He asked.
"Well and to tell you something. I think you should get out of this business before you get in over your head. You've made a lot of enemies."
He growled. "You don't know the first thing about this business. Besides I've made plenty of powerful allies too!" He replied stubbornly.
"But they might not be around to help you. Besides why can't you just come home?"
"No. Besides why can't you just stay with me?" He asked hopefully.
She sighed. "Because I've got to look after Sadi. He doesn't want to end up like you."
He looked at her. "He said that?"
"Yes. He loves you and wants you to come home, why can't you just come home for your son?"
He sighed sadly. "I've gone too deep. You're right. I'll try to get out of this as soon this problem is taken care of. How, how is he?"
"He's good, but he needs a father. You remember what it was like without your father would you want something like that to happen to him? Andromeda asked him/
He looked down with lowered ears. "No, I'll promise to do better now."
She nuzzled him. "Thank you Akoni, I have to get back now. It's a long trip."
He nuzzled her back. "Be safe. And I, I love you."
"I love you too."
Authoresses Note: Well here's a chapter after a long wait. I hope it's good. Next one will be a lot longer and exciting. Please review.