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"Nova, you should eat breakfast." Latias's voice sounds from behind me, but I remain lie still on the bed with my eyes closed.
She puts a hand on my back. "I know you're awake. Come on, it's a while after sunrise already. No matter your emotions, you still need to eat."
"I'm not hungry," I answer flatly and shift inward. "Please leave me alone."
"All right. I'll leave the food here, if you feel like eating anytime. If you need me, just call out to me. Hope you feel better!" With that line, I hear the sound of teleportation and know that she has gone.
I toss and turn in the bed but I can't get into a comfortable position. Latias's feathers were comforting, but somehow they don't make me relax. She is too related to the issue that is troubling me so hard… I need something else to distract me.
I open my eyes, and realize what I crave is to be home.
But I can't! I can't return to the cliff. Not with that clingy Charizard, that pretentious Haxorus, and that infuriating Salamence. I promised Latias, too, and time and time again she has demonstrated that her warnings were right.
Surely she doesn't expect me to stay away from them forever, though. There'll come a time, sooner or later, when I will return to them. It may be because I need their help, or even that I miss them too much. But after all, they are my family, whom I have spent years together with.
…But none of them were with me since the beginning. Mum, Vie, and Hale, they're all gone, now. I wonder if in ten years time, that the people I treasure now will be gone too, replaced by others whom I have not yet met.
My anxiety grows as I push my face into the soft blankets. I don't want to think about such troubling thoughts. But my mind always inevitably comes back to them. So I resign and let my mind wander. Hale's still stuck in the Deadlands, and I don't even know if I should get him out. Father, Rue, and Phendrene are all at the cliff, probably taking care of the children. I wonder how they're faring with me gone. Mum and Vie are both dead. Silex is somewhere out in the wilderness, as is Aya.
I shiver at the thought of her and hold myself more tightly. The overwhelming negative thoughts come back and once again all I want is to meet them again, so I can forget about everything. Phendrene's warm and accepting arms, Rue's casual yet thoughtful banter, even Father's silent but reliable figure… I miss them, I miss all of them! Sitting up abruptly, I have the urge to teleport back immediately, but I suppress it down. What is wrong with you, Nova? Nothing has really changed from the past few days. Just because I've discovered the truth about the Deadlands and Hale in it, doesn't mean I should fuss over other people! In fact, this is only a problem because you didn't listen to Latias, you stupid idiot Flygon! If you listened and didn't investigate the Deadlands, there would be no problem! Now be good and don't teleport back.
I stand there, huffing, thinking about how stupid other people would think I am if they could hear me thinking to myself. But they can't, so I try to calm my breath and walk around the corner to what Latias left for me. I grab the meat and bite into it harshly, trying to savour the bloody taste in order to distract myself. It's no big deal.
That's right, of course it isn't. I'm not going to stay away from them forever, but I'm not going to see them now, either – not without Latias's permission. She will let me when it is a suitable time, and I will listen to her.
The problem of homesickness cast aside, I begin to dwell on the bigger question that I had tried to avoid thinking about. I remember, last night, when I realized the implications of the situation. If the Deadlands existed for centuries, and Silex created it… then she must have been living for a long, long time. She is the only other psychic Flygon I know, which leads me to wonder… Will I live for centuries, too?
I swallow down the piece of meat I've been chewing, feeling scared. Should I ask Latias about it? Does she know? Living for centuries sounds great at first, but…
Latias would help me out, of course. She has been alive for very long (though she doesn't look old at all), and she must understand how to deal with it. What will the problems be, exactly? I suppose I would outlive not only my father, but also everyone else, including those younger than me… I can't even fathom the prospect, since I haven't even been alive for two decades. If I have children, will they have this lifespan, too? And how will others deal with it? As far as I know, neither Silex nor Latias are publicly known, but the common people are already aware of this psychic Flygon. Will they try to hunt me down for defying nature?
I close my eyes and recall the time where I looked upon Legendary Pokémon with wonder and awe, wishing that I could be as special as them. Little did I know of the troubles it would bring.
And that, I realize, is why I wish to return home. I want to return to even a semblance of normalcy, so I can rid myself of these problematic thoughts.
Latias? I call out weakly in my mind.
Yes?
I want to go home.
It is a moment before Latias reappears into the room. "Why do you say that, Nova?" she asks and floats closer. "This is your home now."
"But I miss the people I knew back there. I want to see them," I say simply and look away.
With a sigh, she puts her paw on me. "Nova. Do you remember our conversation yesterday? You should not act on impulse. Right now, in the wake of all the problems, you are far too stressed to make an informed decision. Give it a few more days."
"I don't want to give it a few more days!" I shout, startling Latias and making her back off. "I want to see them, now." I begin to realize how childish I am sounding and in the wake of my words, look down in shame.
Latias doesn't get angry at my lashing out, but instead responds softly. "Transient impulses like that are not too uncommon, and it is easy to let them guide you. Your emotion is so strong that you fail to consider the consequences of such an action." She makes a gesture with her hand to the cave we've been living in. "Once you return to them, do you think that Charizard will let you leave her again? How about the others? Do you think they will trust you immediately after what you've done? Your father may still be hostile on sight." She turns back to me with a caring gaze. "I understand that it's difficult to keep calm, I really do. But it's what you have to do."
Once again, I have nothing convincing to say back to Latias. She makes sense, she really does. But…
"Then I have to ask you, Latias," I begin to say, trying to keep myself calm. "Something has been on my mind. How long… is my lifespan? Silex is centuries old. Will I grow to be like her?"
She does not act surprised at my question, but stays silent for a few moments longer than usual. "Truth to be told, I am not certain. However… I would assume that, yes, given the presence of your powers, you will live much longer than that of a normal Flygon."
Hearing the Latias's confirmation only makes me feel more anxious. "So, I-I will outlive them. Phendrene, Rue, even Fly, and- and everyone else. They will die before me. Right, Latias?"
"Do not assume things, Nova," she answers sternly. "Just because your lifespan is longer than normal does not mean you are immortal. You can still perish from factors other than age. I've known those who have." She takes a deep breath, almost as if to calm herself. "However, yes, it is likely that you will outlive them," she finishes.
I can't imagine how it would be with those around me growing old whilst I stay as I am. The scenario just doesn't make sense to me.
"I am impressed, Nova," Latias continues. "It often takes a few mortal deaths to put us off interacting with them. You've considered it long before I did in my youth."
"Hey, Latias," I begin, not really following what she was saying. "You knew this from the beginning, didn't you?"
She is taken aback for a moment. "What do you mean?" she asks with a curious gaze.
"I mean that… you always knew about my lifespan, right?" I raise my head and face her. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You would not have felt the impacts of it for a long time, so it would have been pointless to tell you. Also, as I said, I am not completely certain of it," she explains smoothly despite my accusing tone. "To be sure, we would have to know the origin of the psychic powers. I am fairly certain that Silex's situation, with her clearly different powers, doesn't fully pertain to you."
"I see," is all I can say in response. Latias never fails to disappoint when explaining herself, but despite her reassuring words I don't feel any better. "I suppose I have to just wait and see, huh?" I say bitterly.
Latias closes in and puts her paw on my face. "Nova, you shouldn't let it weigh so heavily on your mind. Just relax. How about we go back to learning for now? You might feel better in a few days," she says with a wide smile.
Looking at the familiar face that has taken care of me so diligently in these times of hardship, I can only nod. My worries won't disappear, but it's the least I can do to make Latias not worry.
It is impossible to completely rid myself of the troublesome thoughts as Latias returns to tutoring me, but Latias's words and orders are a welcome distraction. My muscles are somewhat sore from the physical exertion, both from yesterday and today. Latias notices and leaves me to rest early. Normally I would fly around in my free time, but I realize I need a physical respite in wake of my tiredness. So I simply stay put within Latias's home.
As I lie face down on the bed, my mind returns to the missing Latios. There is a tingle in my heart when I see the matching red and blue patterns, as if they were meant for each other. I begin to feel my sympathy grow for Latias, wishing that her Latios were here with her. But how could I help, if even she cannot make him return? I sigh.
Glancing over to the assortment of furniture that is arranged sparsely around the stone cavern, I wonder more about Latias herself. What is life like as a Legendary Pokémon? From what I gleam, she takes care in hiding herself from the public, but other than that I know nothing. Of course, I have been curious about what she was busy with, but knew it was not my place to ask. Yet I still can't help but wonder. Why did she decide to settle here? How did she furnish this place with objects that are so advanced – human, even.
How does the desk work? I walk over to it in curiosity and sit in the chair next to it. Arranged neatly against the back are many books, which I often see Latias take out to read or even write in. Then there is a round utensil that holds an assortment of pens and pencils. Other than seeing them used by Flygon as a child, I have also seen Fen use one. To the side is a lamp, which Latias turns on if she is reading at night. The front of the desk has two drawers with knobs, which I tug on tentatively. They slide open so smoothly. Within the first one are loose pieces of paper that seem to have Latias's scribbled writing and some diagrams. My curiosity grows but I know not to invade her privacy so I push the drawer back in and open the second one.
Inside it a frame immediately catches my attention. Much like the bed, it is adorned in an alternating red and blue, with white in between, clearly symbolic of the species of the picture within. I pick it up to observe it closely. Inside it, I see a Latias that looks about the same as she is now, her mouth open in a cheer. But what stands out most is a blue version of her that is beside her – undoubtedly Latios, posing opposite to Latias, with a smaller, more peaceful smile. Their wings cross under a clear blue sky.
Is this a photograph? I remember, long ago, Zeta had surprisingly realistic pictures in his books, and when I asked him about it, he explained to me the process of photography. By using a device known as a camera, people could capture images in a moment that would be preserved. But I thought their usage was limited to informational books, as I found too in some of Fen's collection. Never have I seen a photo that had a personal, sentimental value attached to it. But this one… Latias seems to have kept it in memory of her… her what? Mate? Brother? Father? …Son?
The familiar blip of teleportation sounds behind me and I tense up and close the drawer with my leg. It is when I turn around to greet Latias, that I find I am still holding the photograph in my hand. Her eyes turn to it and stay there.
"Um, I was just looking through stuff because I was bored. I'll put it back," I explain hastily and pull the drawer back open, placing the photo back inside. "I should have asked for your permission first, sorry."
I expect Latias's comforting reassurance, like she had done with every one of my past transgressions, but she doesn't make a sound. Her gaze moves downwards to the floor and stays there. There is a period of silence, in which I feel increasingly anxious, wondering if I've touched the only sore spot I shouldn't have.
"…L-Latias?" I begin hesitantly. "Are you all right?" I take a tentative forward, but at my movement she stiffens and looks up.
"I'm fine," she mutters softly and turns and lies onto the bed, burying her face into the blankets. My anxiety grows as I am torn between comforting her and to leave her alone. I gaze at her figure and find that, at the very least, she isn't shivering like last time.
"You can tell me if you'd like," I say softly as I sit on the bed next to her. "You've helped me a lot, Latias, and I'd like to help you as well, if you need me to." I keep my eye on her and wait for an answer, but there isn't one. "I can also leave you alone if you want," I add.
"No, please stay." I hear her muffled voice and so I shuffle closer and put an arm around her, to which she shifts her head towards my neck. There would have been something strange about holding a Legendary Pokémon in my arms, but I have long since gotten used to the feel of Latias.
"Who was Latios to you? Was he your mate?" I begin.
"No," she mutters. "He was my big brother."
"I see." The answer is a little unexpected, since I wouldn't expect siblings to sleep on the same bed – but perhaps they were very close. They must have been. For that reason, I'm hesitant to ask more specific questions. Instead, I just say, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Just stay here with me," Latias says once again, this time her voice beginning to shiver slightly. I take that as a cue not to ask any more.
The day was tiring and so soon I leave once more to the realm of dreams. I imagine a scene of Latias and her brother flying the skies together, but she falters for a moment and he disappears in the clouds.
Latias is absent when I wake up. I sit up and peek around the corner, tracing the smell of the meat she has left for me. But she herself is gone without a word. This is not the Latias I'm used to. Guilt builds up in my heart, feeling that I may have crossed a line with my actions yesterday. Ah, but it is already done; I cannot go back and correct it. Perhaps, just like she did with me, all I need to do is give her some time.
So in the morning, I leave the cave to my favourite pastime of wandering the skies. It feels rather humid, and before long I feel small drizzle come down onto me. The scenery is less repetitive in the small rain, but even that becomes boring as the morning goes on without Latias's return. Feeling thirsty after the constant flight, I dive down to the bottom of the valley and drink from the river.
The sound of a squeal distracts me as I finish a gulp and I look behind me. There is something hiding behind a tree. Curious, I step around it to see a small brown fox with a cream collar cowering and shivering.
Before I can say anything, however, a strong coldness chills me from my backside. This time, however, I still have energy left in me and turn around with a flamethrower that hits the assailant, who lets out a yelp and jumps into the river with a flash of cyan. It seems like a larger fox. Readying myself to dodge any more attacks, I turn my eyes to the brown one, only to see that it's gone.
I've run into non-dragons a fair share of times, but they usually just run away and I don't bother them. Sometimes they do attack me, but I've never been so gravely affected. Flygon are extremely weak to ice, I remember. But no native ice Pokémon should inhabit this area.
Feeling lethargic, I fly back to the cave and lie on the bed to recuperate. My mind is boggled by the presence of the strange ice Pokémon. If only Latias were here to tell me. But after all, I was the one who took out that photo and surely made her recall some bad memories.
My mind turns to someone that Latias hasn't forbade me from visiting: Porygon-Z. He would know something about this, I'm sure. Every time I bring my brother to the ocean I take time to stop by, and he's always as informative and positive as usual. I haven't used psychic powers in a while. Surely I can spare a teleport or two.
Would Latias disapprove? He has nothing to do with any of my turmoil – in fact, I would think he's less limited by a lifespan than even Latias. With that confident thought, I stand up and close my eyes, focusing on the ocean.
I sense a lot of energy being drawn as I find myself hovering above the familiar beach with a chilly wind blowing. I find myself frowning with a latent ache in my head, more than usual. I realize Latias's place is quite a ways westwards from the Shallows or Fen's home, and that I may have just overexerted myself by attempting to teleport too far. Hovering myself down to the beach, I sit down to try and rest with my eyes closed.
Before I can recuperate for long, however, there is another strange sound. I open my eyes, ready to defend myself, only to find Latias floating above me.
"Nova, what happened? Why did you teleport all the way here?" she asks and puts a paw on my head, concerned. "It's bad for you."
Feeling patronized, I swat her arm away. "I felt like visiting someone," I respond flatly, my frown now also directed at her.
She lands and sits across me. "But Nova, I thought we established that you shouldn't be visiting people?"
"Yeah, but this guy isn't even mortal! I'm sure you know of Porygon-Z, what with keeping watch over me and reading my mind," I answer with a huff, crossing my arms.
"He'll remind you of the other people you know. What is it that you need to find him for? I'll help you to the best of my ability," she says and offers her hand to me. "Come on, I'll teleport you back."
I shake my head fervently. "Why do you have to be following me all the time? Why can't you let me do some things by myself?"
"I'm not following you, Nova. I just sensed something wrong in your mind so I came to check what was going on. You used too much energy trying to teleport this far – it's dangerous, you might even faint if you overexert yourself." Her eyes are full of worry, and I find my frustration making way for sympathy. She really does care for me. "Come on. I still have power in me to teleport you back."
With a sigh, I stand up and take her paw. "Sorry, Latias. For wasting your energy like this," I mutter without looking her in the eye.
"It's all right," I hear her answer before feeling the air around me warm. Opening my eyes, I find myself back in the cave. My head still aching from the teleportation attempt, I run over to the bed and bury my face in the soft blankets.
"So what was it you wanted to find Porygon for?" Latias asks as I feel her sit on the bed.
I shift my head sideways so my mouth is not muffled. "There was an ice creature that attacked me when I went down to the river to drink. I didn't think any ice creatures live here."
"That's strange," Latias makes a pondering face and answers. "You're right. This place is generally too temperate for ice-type Pokémon. Do you remember what it looked like?" she looks to me and asks.
I try my best to recall the situation. "It was light blue and walked on four legs… I think. What happened was, I found a small brown fox hiding near the river, but before I could do anything, the ice one attacked me. The fox didn't look like it had ice powers at all, which made me confused, because I'd think the ice one was a parent."
She stays silent for a moment, and I bury my face back down into the blankets, the headache still present. "I think you found an Eevee," she begins, and I twitch my antennae to indicate that I'm listening. "Eevee are a rather unique Pokémon that can evolve into many different evolutions of different abilities, ranging from fire to ice to electric, and even psychic. I believe the one that attacked you was a Glaceon, the ice-type evolution of an Eevee. That's all – nothing too special, because this temperate biome is a rather suitable region for Eevee to live."
I nod my head softly as I keep my position. It isn't unheard of, Pokémon gaining new attributes as they evolve, though for one to have different evolutions is quite rare. I would like to ask more about it, but this headache is really giving me a bad time. I really shouldn't have teleported so impulsively.
Latias sighs. "I'll leave you here to rest, then…" she says and I feel her weight disappearing from her side of the bed. "I only want the best for you. Trust me, Nova." I feel her soft paw on my back for a moment, before it disappears and I feel her presence gone.
It's a while before the pain subsides and I flip around to stare at the ceiling. Latias's words ring true. When I try to attempt things without Latias knowing, whether it be going to the Flygon tribe, exploring the Deadlands, or teleporting to the beach, bad things happen. Why don't I just trust her, I wonder? …
It doesn't weigh on my mind too heavily, because soon Latias brings food back, though she says she will leave the rest of the day for me to rest. I nod and accept that she has other things to do. After I finish eating, I go down to the river to wash and drink, then lie back onto the bed.
Before long, the pain is only accompanied by the dull thud of blood being pumped to my brain, and soon that subsides as well. I sit up, wondering what pastimes I can indulge in for the rest of the afternoon. I first go to the lake to swim, which is a mesmerizing sensation in the small rain, but I've done enough of that for the past few days and so I get bored of it rather quickly. Flying around once more, I survey the terrain and find a particularly high peak for me to roost on.
Perched atop a spire, I find more peace in the scenery with myself stationary. Taking time to familiarize myself with the view, I move my gaze from the faraway valley that is my current home, to the numerous hills and groups of trees that surround it, then to the lake across, then finally to the looming snowy mountains behind. I marvel at the uniqueness of each piece of land; with myself inactive, I begin to see more wildlife, too. A bird flies across to the lake to drink. A few deer come out and graze on the rich land. Some boulder-like creatures shift themselves under an overhang as the rain begins to grow.
Soon, there is a steady downpour, though not as much as that fateful day when that fight happened. Though I try my best to enjoy the refreshing sensation, my mind inevitably turns to them. How are they doing? Have the other two eggs hatched? Who is taking care of them? Did they name the children yet? How injured was my father? Does he still hate me? What about the others? Have they found Spire yet? Is Spire even safe and sound? …
I find my breathing quickening as I look down, feeling solemn. No, I can't. I can't suppress the feelings anymore. When I wanted to visit Porygon-Z, it was more than just to find out about the Eevee… it was to find someone that I knew from the old times. No matter what Latias says to me, I still miss them, I truly do. I remember the times when I was with Aya, and how I could just continually distract myself by listening to her… I can't do that. I shouldn't do that. Even though Latias has been kind and caring, she can't be the only person in my life.
I look eastwards. I could just fly, right now. Fly by and follow the edge of the mountains. It's a long way, but I'll be there sooner or later, certainly before I starve. If I begin now…
What's wrong with you, Nova? Didn't you just swear to listen to Latias? She has always been right, and she doesn't want you to visit them now. You have to listen to her, Nova, you have to. Think of how much effort she has put in just for you.
…
Exactly how much effort has she put in? For a legendary one, she has put aside so much time for me. She has hunted for me, cared for me, taught me how to use my powers and about the world around me… I honestly can't believe how ungrateful I've been to her by disobeying her. I really should cherish her more. If it wasn't for her, who knows where I'd be in the aftermath of that fight?
She came to me in a time of distress, just like she came to me today when I overexerted myself during teleportation. I suppose she's established some sort of psychic link to my mind, in order to help me in dire times. That's the only way she could have followed me to the beach.
I wonder how long it is that she watched over me. She said it was ever since I was a Trapinch. I wonder, then, was she the one that made sure I stayed safe amidst all the danger?
I begin to recall things. There was a sensation of someone speaking to me. It felt rather like telepathy. Was it Latias, guiding me when I was lost?
There was another time, when a Salamence claw stopped inexplicably at my throat. I thought it was my own subconscious defense, but now I know that cannot be the case. It must have been Latias.
Yes, it was her that protected me. Even without her confirmation, I know it to be true. She has made sure that I stayed alive throughout all the turmoil.
…
But not others.
Distress. That's what gets her attention and makes her come to help me, right? I was distressed quite often when I grew up, because we were in quite a few confrontations… and not everyone came out of those alive.
Perhaps Vie couldn't be saved. She took an arrow to the heart before my mind even noticed what was going on. But my mother… she sure was still alive after I killed the Salamence, even though she lost a lot of blood. But there must have been something that could have been done! Latias must have known, and… she simply let my mother die. And she would have let Vie die as well, and everyone else.
I raise my head to look up to the grey sky, feeling a warmer trail of liquid down my face. Is it true? Am I making things up? No, Latias said herself, she'd been watching over me since I was a Trapinch. Then why… if she cares for me, why would she let my loved ones die?
A familiar sound appears and I see sense red and white in front of me in my peripheral vision, but I keep staring upwards.
"…Nova? Are you okay? You seem distressed."
Ah, there it is. The stimulus for her to come for me. So I am right, then. I turn my head down and look at her face. It's the same, with that caring and inquiring look, but somehow, the warmth is no longer there.
We are silent as we stare at each other. Her gaze softens with a paw to my chest, but it only looks probing.
… … …
…Probing?
"Stop reading my mind!" I yell and leap backwards of the spire, keeping myself levitated. I feel the sudden movement jolt a foreign entity from my thoughts. "What do you want from me!"
"I want to know why you're feeling sad, Nova!" she says with that ever-so-caring voice and floats forward, but I shift sideways away from her. "What's gotten into you?"
"Latias, answer me truthfully," I manage to get out, trembling. "Were you there when my mother died?"
Latias's expression changes immediately as I feel another tear roll down my face. It is something more reticent, more calculating. There is a brief appreciation for the finesse of a legendary, but it passes quickly.
"Tell me the truth! You let my mother die, didn't you?"
Her head shifts erratically as she turns to look away. "Nova… I can't just interfere in mortal affairs like that," she finally says, trying to justify it.
"So you did let her die!" I accuse with a cry, and then turn around to speed off. The path that I had planned for myself eastward.
Latias suddenly appears before me and with her arms outstretched, forces me to a halt. "Stop it, Nova. You're acting on impulse again. We can talk this through, can't we?"
I don't even answer her and try to speed around her, but once again she teleports in front of me, and this time she starts speaking immediately.
"Nova, you can't expect me to save everyone that dies. What about all the Flygon at the Shallows? What about the Salamence and Garchomp at the cliffs? Am I to interfere for all of them?"
"I don't care, you let my mother die," I answer in monotone, and swerve around her another time.
Another teleportation in front of me. "But I didn't let you die. Do you really think a Trapinch hurling a sharp stone is enough to pierce a dragon's neck?"
I'm about to get around her again when what she says registers in my mind. I pause and look up to her calm face. "You… killed that Salamence?"
"You could argue so," she answers with a nod. "I corrected its course and made sure that it was fast enough."
"But… that's even worse," I grit my teeth and utter. "You were perfectly willing to intervene! Only my mother's life meant nothing to you."
"I couldn't just appear and save you!" she argues. "We've been through this. I'm not in a position to do so as a legendary."
Holding my fists tight in determination, I once again fly around her. At least I'm making progress to the next hill, slowly but surely.
"Where are you even going, Nova?" Latias appears once again. "Surely not…" I learn to not stop, and instead just fly past every time she appears.
"Surely not back to cliff…?" Once more.
"Don't go there, Nova…" And again.
"Last time, I swear!" she shouts and I am forcibly stopped again, with a much stronger force this time. "Don't go back to them, Nova. You won't like what you'll find."
"What do you mean?" I return. "…What did you do to them?"
"You're going to have to trust me." She extends her arm out in the rain. "Come back with me, Nova. Let's talk it through. After all, when have I ever been wrong?"
A smile comes onto her face, and somehow it makes me more complacent. I reach my arm out reflexively, wanting to be with her…
But then I remember that she let Mum die.
I retract my arm before she can latch on. "No, Latias. It's about time I go home. My real home." Slowly, I go around her, and glare at her. "You said that was the last time. Now, be true to your word." And with that, I straighten my wings and speed ahead to the east.
All right, you can have your way, my dear. Don't say I didn't warn you.
A chill runs down my spine as I finally feel her presence gone. Somehow, I doubt Latias lied about this. I won't like what I'll find. But that's only more reason to go back to find them. What has happened to them? Phendrene, Rue, Father… please be okay!
I focus my efforts into flying as fast as possible. It also blocks all the troubling thoughts out, and instead I just focus on the horizon and the desire to move forward. Soon, the sun comes down, and I feel my belly ache in hunger – but no, I can survive a few days without food. I shouldn't take that long regardless.
Many times I feel myself tired and out of breath, but I only stop to drink and reset my pacing. My desire to see my loved ones fuels my flight through the hunger and tiredness. I need to be with them and protect them. I don't care what petty differences I had with them regarding the eggs. They wouldn't sit by idly watching my mother die.
Through the night, I feel my hunger grow and my eyes begin to droop, but I persevere even with only the moon shining above. If I stop to rest, I'll only be more demotivated. I must keep going.
The rain gradually fades as the dim clouds part. I feel water dripping from my lower appendages, and it helps keep me awake. And at last, with a speck of light on the horizon, I begin to reach recognizable territory, the region between the Shallows and the mountains. I don't have too many pleasant memories here, however, so I speed onwards.
Soon, I feel the morning sun warm me from behind, and with it somehow my hunger and tiredness seem to dissipate. I turn south around the edge of the mountains as the terrain becomes more hilly and even, as finally I speed past rocky cliffs and arrive at a familiar cliff side.
I land softly at the foot in the shadow, feeling a sense of finality. My mouth is dry and my wings ache. I can barely keep my eyes open. But I'm excited, because I'm finally home.
I approach the well-camouflaged entrance by instinct, but as I reach my hand out to open the door, I hear something from inside. It is a pleasant singing from that of a Charizard, one I know all too well. I let my hand drop, not wanting to interrupt her as I close my eyes and savor the music. Even though I cannot make out the words, it's still a beautiful tune. Such a sensation is what makes life worth living.
Eventually, her song comes to an end. I prepare myself to open the door only to find myself stop again. What do I say, after all I've done to them? Will they be happy to see me again? Ah, what are you thinking, Nova? It's her you're meeting first. Of course she'll be happy to see you.
With confidence, I open the door and step inside. The Charizard is sitting on the middle bed, her tail dangling off the side. She appears to have been reading a book, and she perks up at my entrance.
We stare at each other for a few moments before I say, "Hello."
I expect a response, an acknowledgement that Nova is finally back, but it doesn't come. Slowly I realize her gaze is not that of astonishment, but one of wariness and confusion.
I feel a pit forming in my already empty stomach, already knowing what she will say. But I don't believe it until my Phendrene finally utters it with a curious blink.
"Who are you?"