Chapter 33

Project WINX

Soar High

They approached Arceus Peak, the highest mountain in Reveira. Zanuark bounded on ahead of the group, as they approached, figures flying in the distance could be seen. A squad of three approached and landed on the ground. Two Jolteon and a Flareon. "Halt, you have no business in a land you cannot reach." One stated. "Leave now."

Firestar walked forward. "What about project WINX? Are there no prototype models available?"

"How do you know about project WINX?" A Jolteon asked.

A fourth figure landed, a pulse of lightning riddled the air. Before them was an Umbreon, with an uncanny resemblance to Zekrom. "Because, he's my brother."

"Skylar!" Firestar exclaimed. He leaped moving fast into her where the two tumbled a few hundred feet. They flew back quickly laughing. "Guys, this is Skylar, my sister, ironic how we both were taken in by two lesbians, yet never saw each other until we returned to the Sky World."

Everyone tilted their head. "Reshiram and Zekrom are both female, they went for each other." Firestar explained. Fire looked up as the sand they sat on became pink.

Skylar looked up as well and to the group. "There is a research camp not far from here, lets hurry while we still have day light before we lose our bearings."

"What about the star charts in school?" Firestar asked.

"No one ever learns that crap." Skylar told him.

"I memorized it, every single star and constellation." He stated proudly.

Skylar shook her head. "Nerd!"

Firestar smashed into Skylar knocking her down. "Dodge!"

The others watched amused until finally they began walking. Zanuark wondered what project WINX was. A half hour after the sun went down, they came upon a small village. There was a large dome building in the center. Skylar lead the way inside. It was a mess hall, and there were winged Eeveelutions everywhere.

The group all grabbed a bite to eat and sat down at the same table. Zanuark finally looked over and asked what project WINX was. He told Zanuark he would explain tomorrow morning. Zanuark nodded and continued eating. He had nothing to eat in days, and went through a hefty portion of the buffet before calling it quits.

They were lead to another building, which would be their quarters for the time being.

Zanuark met with Firestar, Skylar, and Silver Rain in a large open room, with one wall open, leading out to the Grand Sea. "So, why am I here?" Zanuark asked.

"You did ask about Project WINX, no?" Skylar asked. Zanuark nodded.

"Well, this is an operation that is trying to grant the ability to fly for you flightless birds. Problem is, we have nothing to test them on." Skylar filled in.

"This doesn't sound safe for him to do." Silver commented.

Firestar nodded, "And that's why you and, wait, where is Crystal? Oh well, we're just going to have to find her. Anyway, you two will make sure, if he starts falling out of the sky too fast, you'll stop him from dying. Zanuark, are you in?" He asked.

Zanuark nodded, really excited to try this.

Firestar waved his tail at Zan, "let's go find you a harness."

Zanuark followed Firestar out of the room where he would get fitted for whatever he would be using. Firestar got out a series of leather straps and would put them on his legs. He then mounted a saddle on his back.

"Alright, how does that feel?" Firestar asked.

"Tight." Zanuark answered.

"Are you constricted?"

Zanuark shook his head.

"Good. We should have you ready to try the experiment later. For now we'll have to find the coordinator Paul so he can give you a rundown" Firestar lead him out, where a winged Umbreon would approach him.

"This him?" The Umbreon asked. Firestarr nodded.

"Go easy on him. It's his first." Firestar laughed. He padded forward and gave the Umbreon a lick on the cheek and walked off. Zanuark figured this was his mate.

The Umbreon walked around Zanuark a few times. Then ran his tail across his cheek. Zanuark began to felt uneasy when he walked out of the room. Paul came back in and put something heavy on Zanuark's back. "Alright, that'll be good." He said.

As the two walked back outside, Paul gave a rundown of how it was going to work and how to control it with his front paws. Firestar approached and jumped on top of Zanuark with his wings spread. "Ready?" He asked. Zanuark let out a long deep breath and nodded.

Firestar wrapped his legs around Zan and jet up into the sky quickly, until they were just under the clouds, and let go. Zanuark began to fall quickly. He felt a sudden rush and his fall stopped, and he began to glide. Firestar flew down next to him. "The wings went out this time. That's good." He shouted.

"What do you mean last time?" Zanuark asked.

Firestar assured him to not worry about it. Zanuark looked left and he finally could see what was keeping him in the air. Wooden thin sheets with a metal bat-like frame. It was breath taking to say the least, looking down, everyone looked so tiny.

"See that cloud up ahead? Try and land on it." Firestar ordered. He flew ahead and landed on the cloud. Zanuark followed but didn't land, he just kept going. Firestar caught up looking at his paws. "Damn, we forgot to get the shoes for your paws. Oh well, start descending and try to land in the sand."

Zanuark put his paws in to his chest and he began to lean forward, descending quickly. On his way down, a stray pidget bashed into him, leaving him spiraling for a moment. He tried to resume gliding but found he was still falling. Looking to his left, the wing was damaged and part of it fell off.

Zanuark closed his eyes, hoping someone would come to his aid. When he opened his eyes, he was on the ground with Silver Rain, Firestar, and Crystal. They were panting heavily. "What happened?" Firestar asked.

"Pidget crashed into me." He answered. The wings were unattached from his back and Zanuark just lied on his side, letting his body come to terms that he was alive. He finally got up and walked back. "So, when do we visit whoever leads the Sky World?"

Firestar shook his head. "Can't, he has to come to us, he'll be here in three days, but I figured, WINX needs test subjects and you would be a prime subject. We'll try again in a few hours."

Zanuark nodded. The next two days was filled with crashing repeatedly with failed models until finally one worked flawlessly, even when it took a heavy hit from Firestar's flame thrower.

"So, what now?" Zanuark asked.

"We need a power source that will allow it to fly and not just fall." Firestar answered. "Since you can't flap your wings to gain speed, you need some sort of thing to thrust you forward, we're hoping that the Raikou Desert has something that can interact with crystals from the Crystal Marsh. Come on, get some rest test dummy."

Zanuark nodded and went to go eat. For the rest of the day he relaxed at the shore. Letting warmth over take him, while he sat lazily in the sand on his own. He watched as the sun began to set in the distance. It was beautiful along the ocean, a brilliant gradient reflected in the water from the sky. When the sun was set, and the sky was now a gradient purple and black. He turned back, and headed for the village, retiring to his quarters skipping dinner.

Seven winged Eeveelutions fell. Each a different one. At the front was an Umbreon who walked forward. "So, these flightless ones are the ones who want to make union with us. What do you-" The Umbreon was quickly cut off.

"Access to technology all across the continent to further your research and developments you desire. I know you are working on this project WINX. Don't know what else you have but with researchers from the different places, I'm sure you would like the help, seeing how advanced you are." Zenobe answered with a smug look.

The Umbreon shook his head. "First, drop the smug look, second, rude for interrupting, three, you already fit our demands I guess, so we'll join you." The Umbreon answered. "I'll come with you. Cinder, manage the Sky World till I get back."

Zenobe let out a long sigh. "Alright, mission accomplished, hit a few road blocks but its time for us to head back to Obsidian City. There we'll arrange all our agreements, and decide what to do with the Great Plains, considering there are only colonies there that are just sitting, with vast expanse of land. Let's move out." He ordered.

Skylar padded up to Firestar where they began talking. Zanuark took the lead reflecting on the past few weeks. He was ready to return home.