Author's Note: It's been three years. I don't really have a better excuse other than that life got in the way and that I had not been particularly motivated. Remember the last chapter where I said I was short on feedback? Turns out that if I have negative feedback, that makes me even less motivated to write. I do not say this as a plea for positive feedback, but I thought that after three years, readers who still care deserve a truthful explanation. I hope people do not harass those who did give negative feedback or shy away from providing further criticism.
More about the specific feedback: I think my writing style definitely had an air of spontaneity to it, where I didn't consider how the characters would be portrayed to readers who don't know the future of the story. The last draft of chapter 50 definitely had Nova as highly unsympathetic, especially at a point in the story where he has already gone through similar scenarios before. As such, I did make significant edits to what happened with him, Sylvia, and Phendrene.
As for the future of this story, I don't plan on abandoning it, but I also find it a little difficult to continue. Three years is a long time and I feel like my personality, thoughts, and values have changed so much that I worry continuing the story would cause a disconnect and sharp difference in style and theme. However, I also recognize that having a story unfinished is far worse, and I do feel like I still have many of my wonderful friends and editors around me to help with that.
One major factor is that I've recently read the series "Wings of Fire", and a lot of my creative energy has gone there; I think it's highly likely I will be writing something for that as well. Even so, I can make the promise that I will not abandon this story, and confident enough in myself to know so.
I do have several plot threads that are hanging for several years, and it would be highly unsatisfying for myself to not tie them up too. So, here's hoping chapter 52 will take less than three years.
Thank you for reading.
"Hey, Nova?"
Rue shakes me lightly as I simply stare at her, my mind blank. In response, she pinches my antenna lightly, which makes me wince.
"So you are awake! Come on, you gotta catch up with your dad."
Rue looks quite funny with her prosthetic tusk back on. I bring my paw to my head, trying to ease the throbbing in my head.
"Okay," I say as I push myself upright. Rue's bed is on the opposite side of this room, but she hasn't needed to use it. "What time is it?"
"Evening. You were out the entire day."
I wasn't completely unconscious. After I teleported from Sanctuary in the morning, I couldn't simply pass out after exerting the psychic energy, because I had slept well enough the night prior. Instead, I stared at the ceiling with my mind empty, except the wisps of Charizard warmth from the night before.
"I think next time I make the teleport, it should be in the evening," I tell Rue as she leads me out of the room. "How is Father?"
"He's as he usually is. I also got to meet the Dragonite warrior, since the other two were out, but… she was kind of weird. She acts like…" Rue pauses and holds a finger up, trying to find the right thing to say, but gives up. "Eh, you'll see when you meet her."
"Did Father say anything about our plans?" I ask, my mind starting to focus more on the present.
"No, he wanted to wait for you," Rue answers as we step into the main room, the same one where we met Father.
"Ah, Nova's here," Jet says as we head into the room. "Come on!" He pats the seat next to Father.
I nod to Rue who takes her seat next to Jet as I sit on the stool next to Father's. He is just standing on top of a slab of stone that allows his face to be level with the table. I suddenly notice that I am very hungry before reaching out to the basket and grabbing a loaf of bread.
"So, how was your visit up north?" Father asks.
"It was alright, I saw the people I wanted to see," I answer, preferring not to say too much. "But now I'm ready to focus on fighting."
He doesn't press. "Good. We're going to introduce you to the warriors of the task force after dinner. No training or fighting for now, since we're heading over to Sunview Canyon to meet with the elders tomorrow. Zeta and Phendrene's father will be there too." Father turns his gaze to the Haxorus. "Rue, do you want to come?"
"Huh?" Rue pulls a particularly large loaf out of her mouth, half-eaten. "Why wouldn't I?"
"If you didn't, we could get Nova to carry Senjer," Jet explains. "Ah, he's the Sceptile warrior. If you come, then we'll have to ask him to travel by foot."
"Oh, um, if that's okay," Rue says, a bit unsure of what's going on.
"Yeah, Sceptile are very quick on land." Jet explains. "Don't worry about it."
Rue doesn't make a big deal out of it as she downs more food.
"So what's going to happen afterwards?" I ask.
"That's what we're going to decide," Father says. "In the days you've been away, I've asked every member of the council to think of how to proceed forward. We're going to meet up and discuss that. Of course, demonstrating your powers and seeing how well you mesh with the team is also going to be important, so we'll remain there to train for however long we need."
After we finish eating, Father and Jet lead us through the corridors to a new section of the fort. Judging by direction, it feels closer toward the back of the building. Eventually we enter a small meeting room. There is a window that shows the barren plains below a dark night sky, and the grey stone walls are shone orange in the tail light of the Charizard.
"This is Kyverion," Jet says as we file into the room. "And these two are Nova the psychic Flygon and Rue the Haxorus."
"Nice to meet you," Rue says as a greeting.
The Charizard known as Kyverion pans his eyes between us. "My pleasure," he answers, his tone formal and firm.
I feel a bit uncomfortable as I am scrutinized by him, especially with his much more aggressive default expression than Phendrene, but I manage to give him a nod in return.
"Are the others going to be here?" he says as he settles himself at the end of the table, beneath the window.
"They should be in their rooms," Kyverion answers, bringing his paws up onto the table.
Jet lets out a sigh. "I'll go get the-"
"No need, I'm already here," a higher pitched but still male voice interrupts him. "I can hear you from my room, so- Hey!" The Sceptile stops as he appears in the doorframe, pointing at Rue. "You- You're that Haxorus who attacked me at the festival! Three years ago!"
"Oh, it's you," Rue answers, rolling her eyes. "Are you still bitter about that?"
"Yeah, 'cause I would've wiped the floor with you if I-"
"Ahem, that's enough," Father interrupts their conversation. "This is Senjer, and these two are Nova and Rue."
"Right, what are we meeting for again?" Senjer says, looking annoyed. "There's just the new members, right? Where's Snowy?"
"I'll go get her," Jet says as he briskly walks out of the room.
"Let's all take a seat while we wait," Blight says. Senjer quickly takes a seat next to the Charizard while Rue and I take seats opposite from them. "Why don't you two introduce yourself properly before the other two get here?"
"Why not them first? They're the new ones!" Senjer complains.
"Because then they'd have to reintroduce themselves to Feng," Blight explains with a sigh. "Now Kyver, why don't you go first.
"Of course," the Charizard says as clears his throat. "I'm Kyverion Cindertail. I am twenty eight winters and the father of two children, who live at Sanctuary with my mate. I also have a younger sister who's a medic at Sunview canyon. In terms of my fighting style, I would say flamethrowers and air slashes are my strongest suit, but I am also capable of using my claws and teeth if needed be. I'm looking forward to honing my skills and to team with the psychic Flygon in combat."
He finishes with a nod as his gaze turns towards me, to which I nod reflexively in return. I notice Rue crossing her arms and rolling her eyes, perhaps because she wasn't mentioned, but I know better than to call her out in front of people we're meeting for the first time.
"Thank you, that was very helpful," Father says. "And you, Senjer?"
"Uhh, I don't really know how to start," the Sceptile says as he scratches his head. "I didn't know my parents so I don't have a last name, so you can just call me Senjer. I won the Sceptile tournament by, well, being quick on my feet." He pauses for a moment. "What else… I'm twenty three years old, which is closer to your age, I suppose. I think that's it…"
"That's fine, thank you," Father cuts him off. "Since the Dragonite isn't here yet, I'll take the time to explain. The warriors were selected through a tournament held within each species. Once we narrowed it down to ten or so candidates for each species, we split them into teams and ranked the different performances of each individual. Kyver, Senjer, and Feng were all the top ranked individuals for their species, as were Jet and I. Rest assured, each warrior is extremely capable and will be a great asset in battle."
"Wait, you and Jet also participated in the tournament?" Rue asks, incredulous.
"It wouldn't be fair to appoint myself as a warrior without proving it," Father answers flatly.
"It wasn't a difficult task for him," Kyverion commented. "He didn't lose a single battle within the tournament, and only drew two."
"Two? Against whom?" I ask, curious who could compete with Father.
"Against the two of us." Jet's voice sounds from the doorway, behind him a petite Dragonair who looks like she is no older than me. "This is Feng. Feng, this is Nova."
At this point the greetings are becoming tedious that I simply nod at her. She doesn't seem to be looking at me as she heads over and takes a seat next to Senjer. I'm wondering if I did something impolite before Jet takes a seat next to me.
"You guys were talking about the tournament, eh? Blight did have a really good run, but-"
"We can talk about that later. Feng, do you want to introduce yourself?"
"Huh? What?" the Dragonite answers, looking up from the table, her eyes seeming completely lost. "Introduce myself?"
"Actually, I'll introduce her for you two," Father says as he turns back to us. "Feng is from one of the most northeastern tribes who live along the sea. She's nineteen now and her sister comes to visit her quite often. She was a prodigy at battling and managed to win her way through the tournament. However, she usually isn't very aware of her surroundings and in general… isn't really socially aware, so please be patient with her." Father steals a glance at her, and indeed, she is just staring down at the table. "However, she is very focused in battle and you would do well to practice with and against her."
I take a look at the Dragonite across from me. Her small frame, soft voice, and lack of attentiveness would never have made me think that she's a battler. But I suppose if she gets results, then she deserves to be here.
"Alright, that's it for the three of us, right?" Senjer says, quite impatiently. "Can we hear the psychic Flygon introduce himself now?"
"Sure?" I answer. "Father, can I?"
"Yes, but before that, do adjust your language. Don't call me Father in front of your squad or the advisors. It's unprofessional."
I'm a little peeved at him correcting me, but I don't make a big deal out of it. "Alright then. So I'm Nova, and most of you and everyone else know me as the psychic Flygon. I'm only eighteen years of age. Actually I was born twenty-one years ago, but… I got stuck in time for three years, which is why I was missing."
"Stuck in time!" Kyverion lets out the first line that breaks his stoic demeanor. "Do tell us how that happened."
"Er, I just got in a small mess with a Legendary Pokemon," I say as I think of a way to explain it quickly. "But anyways, I don't know how I'm psychic. It was a surprise to me too when I found out, and I didn't know what to make of it. However, I've practiced and now I'm ready to use it to defend us dragons from those who would do us harm."
I realize I'm staring at the table since I was thinking of Phendrene and the children when I said that, so I readjust my gaze back to the others. "In combat, I prefer to use telekinesis and teleportation, using my speed as my main strength," I continue. "Although I can use my claws, I much prefer my breath since they are more effective. That's all I think. I hope to have a good time working with you all."
As I finish, I am actually surprised at how smoothly this initiation has gone. I was worried that I wouldn't fit well with battlers, since I had never gotten along with them. But here we are, doing introductions and socializing normally.
"If that's all, I think we are done for tonight," Father says. "Anyone have any more questions?"
"Yeah!" Rue blurts out, and places her paw on her chest. "You forgot to let me introduce myself."
"Oh, as for that…" Father trails off, seemingly searching for words.
"I'll say it," Jet picks up the conversation. "I don't believe you're actually part of the task force."
Rue stares blankly at the Salamence and Garchomp for a moment, before shaking her head, as if to clear it. "What?"
Father sighs. "We don't believe you can keep up with them. You're still a skilled warrior, but we'd rather not lose you on dangerous missions."
"Is this because of my prosthetic tusk?" Rue has her body scooched forward over the table now. "It's stronger than my natural tusks, you know!"
"It's not that," Jet continues. "You're not quick enough. In the event that we need you to-"
"I can just be on Nova! We can maintain speed that way!" Rue says, her arms out in a gesture which would belong in an impassioned speech.
Father and Jet look at each other, both of them having a half-annoyed that shows that they expected this.
Father finally sighs and turns toward Rue. "There's no nice way to say this, I'm afraid," he starts. "After discussion, it was decided that you should not be on the task force because your skill set does not fit the task force. You specialize in-"
"What the fuck!" Rue yells and slams the table, making me flinch. "I didn't come all the way back down here for this type of- this type of insult!"
Although my first reaction was feeling a little sorry, and perhaps offended, on Rue's behalf, even just seeing her temperament here shows that Father's judgment is right - or whoever made the call that Rue shouldn't be on the task force. I know both of us have our flaws in personality, but I have a much better time following orders and not letting ego get in the way.
"It's not an insult," Father resumes after a short pause. "You specialize in confrontational combat where the enemy does not expect your lethality and is not experienced in fighting your species. The task force is by design, a small and efficient group meant for reconnaissance, sabotage, and possibly assassination. Someone like you is better off-"
"It doesn't matter! I totally can do all of that, and-"
"Enough."
The Charizard slams his fist on the table, not unlike Rue did earlier, but the contrast between his previous polite demeanor makes even the Haxorus clam up.
"You have clearly demonstrated that your temperament is unfit for the task force. General Blight gave you clear reasons you were unfit and you refuse to listen. I will not accept such a hysterical female on the team."
His phrasing, particularly his last statement, strikes me as a bit odd, but I don't mull it over. Instead, I focus on Rue's fuming gaze as she stares at Kyverion in silence. Perhaps she was just whining before, but now she is positively enraged.
"Hysterical female, eh," she says, cocking her head slightly. "Alright then. I challenge you to a duel."
"Hey, stop," I say, not being able to stand by any longer.
But it is moot. "I accept," Kyverion answers without so much as giving a glance back at me. "Let us head to the arena, then."
The Charizard's tail sways heavily as he exits the room. Rue huffs and hits her fists together, before following him. I think I even hear a bit of grumbling.
"Exciting!" Senjer the Sceptile does not appear to feel any unease as he jovially follows the two out, leaving me with Jet and Father. And also an absentminded Dragonite who is picking her claws.
"I should have just told Nova to leave her at Sanctuary," Father sighs. "This isn't worth the trouble."
Jet crosses his arms, either a show of nonchalance or exhaustion. "Ehh, that's true, but Kyver sweeping the floor with her ought to knock her ego down a notch."
"S-sweeping the floor? Will it be that bad?" I begin to feel genuine concern for Rue. "Let me tell her to just give up then!"
"No, she needs to be put in her place," Jet says with a roll of his eyes. "She's not even top fifty in terms of combat strength among the recruits, let alone top six."
"People just never fight Haxorus, so they panic and worry about the axes too much. Or too little," Father adds. "Although the latter group probably don't last long. Kyver, though, will learn quickly in battle, on top of being faster than her anyway."
Having heard enough, I run out of the room, and manage to catch the Sceptile's thorny tail around the corner as I run up ahead, following them. The arena's entrance is just a corner away, a passageway to a gigantic room taking up what must be the space of the center of the castle. The roof is high and there are plenty of accessories around, ranging from medical equipment to what seem like weights to lift. There are even thick, white lines clearly demarcated on the ground, no doubt for certain spars where the goal is to knock your opponent out of the region.
But I have no time to take in the architecture too quickly, for they are fighting already. Kyver circles around the air blasting short streams of flame at Rue, who looks up from below, sidestepping as well as she can. It looks a bit bleak for Rue, who does not have long reach, before she crouches and leaps in a quick instant, aiming straight for the older Charizard's belly.
Senjer lets out a cheer as a grunt of pain escapes from Kyver, as he kicks Rue off and glides toward the other side of the arena. Clutching his side, he wipes the blood off with his claws, before spreading his wings as he begins… swaying. No, it's something different, more like…
Dancing?
Rue takes the opportunity to reorient herself from the fall, before charging straight at her opponent. Kyver however side steps and with a flap of his wings, blasts Rue sideways, causing her to fall over and crash into the ground, though her tusk seems to have taken the brunt of the force. When she rights herself again, Kyver has already taken to the air, although he seems to have sped up as he circles with a mesmerizing move of his tail.
"That's not fair!" Rue shouts, pointing straight at him with an accusatory glare. "You can't just… fly out of reach."
Kyver doesn't answer as his eyes light up with a sparkle, and in an instant I feel worried for Rue. That look of confidence… it means that he had already won.
"Wait, Rue, stop-"
The Charizard dives before I finish, and with a swift maneuver flips and slams the thick base of his tail into Rue before she can parry. This time, he follows up with a quick burst of firebreath to the Haxorus's face, which she barely blocks with her arms as she rolls over to avoid it, which turns out to be her biggest mistake. Kyver instantly leaps over and plops down onto her back as he holds her head into the ground.
It feels like time speeds back up as the two combatants remain still sans for Rue's kicks into thin air, but Kyver holds steadfast in his grip.
"Challenging the best Charizard warrior to a duel, huh," he says, barely breathing quicker than usual. "So not only are you insolent, but also daft."
Rue's muffled growls seem to only fuel him further, upon which he says, "Speaking of which, aren't you the last Haxorus? Shouldn't you try and propagate your species?"
"That's enough, Kyver." I didn't notice when Father entered the room behind me. "Meeting's over. Time for rest."
The Charizard lets out a disdainful huff before he yanks Rue's head sideways, disorienting her before leaping off and gliding towards us.
"Rue! Are you okay?" I run over as I pass by the Charizard. Her upper body seems a little burnt as she props herself up slightly on her arms, coughing violently. "Hey, uh… does anyone have any water?"
"We do have a lake three miles east…" Senjer says, but Father's cough makes him start. "Alright alright I get it, neither of you can carry a bowl, sheesh. I'll fetch the water." With that, the Sceptile turns around and steps out.
"It's okay now," I hold her arm. "It's over, you don't have to fight anymore."
It isn't until I hear the droplets hit the floor below her face that I realize it was the wrong thing to say.
"How can you… work with such an obnoxious, sexist Charizard?" she manages to let out, but rather futilely. "I'm too weak…"
"Because he is strong," Father answers. "There is really no other reason for it. Sometimes people you have to work with can act… differently. It's just something you have to deal with."
"B-but… he told me to… just…" Rue looks up at me, tears streaming down her face. "Is that what I'm supposed to be doing if I'm too weak to fight? Just breed and breed and breed for the sake of my race?"
There's a moment of silence. When Father sees that I don't know what to say, he continues, "Just because someone won a fight against you doesn't mean you have to do what they say. At least, that's not the case for this fight."
But it is like that at other times. That's why we're fighting, aren't we? So we can be the ones who decide the rules, and how people can live.
I try and help Rue up to her feet, but she shakes off my grip on her arm. "Just leave me alone," she mutters under her breath as she stumbles towards the entrance. Before she exits, she gives me a look that says "Why didn't you help?", but turns away and leaves.
"It'll be fine." Father's words interrupt my feelings of self-doubt. "It's about time she got a wake up call."
"You aren't going to do anything about the Charizard?" I ask.
Father sighs and turns to me, his wings drooping. "What do you want me to do, punish one of our strongest fighters? I know it's tough, but you have to work with what you have. And Rue just isn't strong enough."
I don't say anything more as we head out. I think of looking for her, but the feeling of guilt gnaws at me. Why didn't I stand up for her? Was it because she initiated the fight? Was it because I was afraid of Kyver? No, it was neither.
I think it was that I saw myself in her. I remember the immature outburst I had in front of the other parents at Sanctuary, and how she cleaned up for me. Should I have cleaned up for her here? How?
"It's alright. This is what it's like working with people that aren't your friends," Father says as he walks me to my bedroom door. "I trust you to be able to work with them. I need you to."
"Yes, Father," I answer, with a small nod.
If it's the future of the dragon race, then I can stand to follow orders.
Err... There was a deleted scene that I forgot to delete appended at the end of this chapter. I've fixed it now.