Chapter 2

Nicodemus's Proclamation

Nicodemus landed on a huge boulder (which the colony calls Council Rock) by the stream, with Rachel and her father at his side. Rachel was also followed by her mother and sister. The elder then called out to the colony to join at Council Rock for a big announcement. They soon gathered around to hear what their elder had to say.

One young male Goldwing landed a few feet away from Rachel with a small group of fangirls behind him. It was Roland, with his bad reputation preceding him, he gave her an inappropriate, flirtatious wink and smirk. Rachel only scoffed at him in disgust and rolled her eyes in annoyance. Roland was seemingly the only male Goldwing attracted to her because he thought she was the prettiest girl in the entire colony. In his obliviously naive and obnoxious opinion, he believed that he deserved the very best and that Rachel would make him the most popular male in the colony. Rachel however, would never choose the likes of someone like him. Roland was rude, conceited, self-absorbed, and a bully. Not a worthy mate to say the least.

"My fellow Goldwings," Nicodemus began his announcement. "Thank you all so very much for joining me here at Council Rock this evening. I have a very important announcement to make. For 50 years, we Goldwings have been kept safe within the walls of this forest from the unknown dangers of the outside world."

The Goldwings all murmured and applauded in agreement. Nicodemus paused for a moment and then raised his arms, spreading out his wings a little, signalling the colony to remain silent.

"But," he continued, "I know that there are some young Goldwings in our colony who wonder what it would be like to live in the outside world, and wish for the chance to gain the experience from other bats who live outside these walls and migrate for the winter." The colony was stunned by this admission. They would not have expected this from their leader, ever. So they began to wonder what the elder had in mind.

"Which is why I am proposing a plan. One young bat from our colony will be given the opportunity to go out into the world, find a colony that is soon to migrate and join them in their travel to the south." Nicodemus declared.

The Goldwings gasped in both concern and curiosity, now wondering who will be chosen to go.

"And I have chosen Rachel to be the one who will join another colony on the migrating expedition and learn from their point of view."

Everyone gasped, surprised of their elder's choice. Rachel's mother and sister cried with joy.

Roland pompously cleared his throat and stepped forward in disagreement. "Ahem. Uh - with all do respect Nicodemus," he began, while twirling his curly golden lock, "but there is no way that such a fragile, inexperienced, little lady like my dear, sweet, darling Rachel here, should be out there in a dark and dangerous world. I should be the one to go."

He held out his arms as if to welcome Rachel to jump right into them, only to find her in a defensive posture, placing her hands on her hips looking outraged. Her family equally showed their displeasure.

Nicodemus lowered his brows, finding it appalling that a fellow Goldwing would be so disrespectful towards another. "I will not tolerate discouragement and insensitive behavior in the colony Roland," he responded in a strict tone, hopping off of Council Rock.

Roland became sullen and retreated silently.

Another Goldwing stepped forward. It was Jenner, a bitter, self-righteous older adult male who was consumed by a lust for power and yet has always lived in constant fear of what he doesn't know. Jenner was about Markus's age with dark faded gold fur, a vintage gold mane, matching wings, bright yellow eyes, and short dark chocolate hair. He too objected to this some reason, he never liked Rachel. Since Racehl was born, he feared that her gold-dusted wings were a curse and her spirit was a dangerous threat to the colony. Because of this, Jenner believed that a wild spirited Goldwing like Rachel, along with the rest of the colony, should be disciplined and be kept under tight control, never mind be given assignment outside the boundaries of the colony.

"I'm afraid I must object to this as well, Nicodemus." he said. "This is like sending a child on an ill-fated mission. What the girl should be doing is staying put here in the colony. By next spring, Rachel, along with the other young females, will soon be of age to mate and she should be spending this time focusing on being a disciplined, obedient-"

"My daughter has every right to make her own decisions, Jenner!" Markus interrupted defensively. "You have no right to-"

"Markus! Jenner! Please." The elder Nicodemus broke off the argument. "Rachel deserves the chance to experience new things, and I believe she is ready to take on that challenge now."

Markus gave his elder a warm thankful smile for his support, as Jenner crossed his arms and turned his head away while having a bitter scowl on his face.

Nicodemus then turned towards the girl. "But the question Rachel," he asked her. "Are you ready to take on this opportunity?"

With all of her confidence, Rachel proudly gave him her answer. "Yes, Nicodemus. I am ready."

The colony cheered with excitement.

"Then it is settled!" he proclaimed. "You will have one year of experience in the Northern forest. Once your year is up, you will return to the colony and you will share your experience with all of us. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir." exclaimed Rachel

"Excellent." Nicodemus replied as he dismissed the crowd back to their daily routines.

Nicodemus then privately pointed Rachel out to the glass dome. "Your journey begins now. Go to the glass dome," he instructed her. "Fly straight ahead and you will find the portal at the bottom. Push it forward in order to get out. Once you are outside, you must put it back in place."

The teen gave a trusting nod. But before doing as she was told, she turned to her parents and her sister with a warm and loving smile, despite shedding a few tears down her cheek, knowing that she will miss them so much. She then ran towards her parents to give them one last massive hug goodbye.

"I'm gonna miss you!" she exclaimed, her voice breaking up.

"We love you so much," her mother replied as her voice shook as well.

"We are so proud of you," her father added, while fighting back tears.

They reluctantly ended their embrace and Rachel turned to hug her sister, Jill.

"I love you, Jill," she said softly.

"I love you, too, Rachel," her sister replied.

After letting go of her embrace, Jill gave her brave little sister one last bit of encouragement. "You be careful out there… and good luck."

Roland, not wanting to be left out, idiotically stepped in with his arms spread open, hoping to get a hug goodbye from his darling Rachel, but she only gave him a 'seriously?' irritated look and turned away.

With this, Rachel's journey of freedom and experience began as she took off towards the glass dome. As she flew further toward the exit, Nicodemus silently prayed, "Dear Nocturna, hear our prayer. Watch over Rachel as she embarks on this journey."

Goldwing16's Note(s):

That was Chapter 2, ladies and gentlemen!

Rachel is now ready to go out and see the world... and just for ONE WHOLE YEAR!

But the question is... Will she turn back now OR keep on going?

FUN FACT(S):

1. Roland Goldwing was based off of Roland from the movie Strange Magic, with a hint of Gilderoy Lockhart from the Harry Potter saga. The perfect, golden sunshine hair, the fake "dashingly charming" smile...

Oh c'mon! Even I can see that fake smile from miles away!

2. At the beginning of the chapter, Council Rock is reference of that from 1960's Disney's The Jungle Book, and I thought it was perfect for when the Goldwings gather for council/family meetings of special occasions, hence Nicodemus's proposal.

3. At the end of this chapter, I add a little Mulan reference.

Anywho, enjoy this and stay tune for... CHAPTER 3!