Chapter 3: Heart's Like the Tides – Sudden Departure
Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon.
Authoresses Note: Here's chapter three. I don't have much to say here except that I have the plot for the story all laid out so things should go smoothly from here on. Enjoy!
Once the last Absol had sat down in front of Derak he began the meeting. Clearing his throat to get their attention he began speaking.
"Good evening everyone. There's some serious business. Fire breathing dragons called Charizards attacked a nearby flock of bird pokemon. Most of the flock suffered causalities and this is Pidgey, Jaye, was one of the few lucky ones to escape. And we're quite lucky he came this way." Derak spoke in an authoritative voice.
The Absols reacted to the news of the Charizards with gasps. Only one Absol didn't look worried.
"Yeah they sound strong but why should we be worried?" He asked in a lazy voice. Derak looked at him, he was an Absol by the name of Pollard.
Derak frowned. "We should be worried because they're coming for us. Or rather they're coming for me. But either way we're all in danger from them. If they could just attack a random flock without warning they'd attack all of you regardless of whether I had left to keep the rest of you safe."
More gasps of shock. The stubborn Absol who spoke up widen his eyes in shock.
Derak started pacing in front of them.
"Now that you all see the intensity of this situation we have to discuss a plan…" Derak broke off mid sentence and started sniffing the air around him. The others did the same. Derak's pupils dilated.
"Smoke." He whispered. The worried cries of the Absols starting filling the air.
"Everyone calm down!" Derak roared. The Absols quieted down but still looked at him with fear in their eyes.
"We have to calmly and quietly leave here. They're coming and they're not going to show any mercy." Derak ordered.
"Abha can you lead them out of here. Use the north exit through the forest to remain unseen. Find a good hiding spot and remain there until I come and say it's safe to come out." Derak told Abha.
Abha nodded somberly, accepting what could happen yet hoping that it would not come to that.
"Lead them now. Bring Jaye with you. I'm going to remain behind for a short time before I follow. I need to make sure that we're safe and not being followed before I come with you." Derak turned to the direction that the scent of smoke was wafting from. It was coming from the south.
"I'm coming with you." Avis spoke up.
Derak turned to him. "I appreciate it. But I'd rather you get to safety with the others." He said with a smile.
"No, I'm coming with you. There's no way I'd let you take those things yourself." Avis told him.
"I'm staying too." Abha spoke up.
Derak turned to her and shook his head. "You have more important things to worry about than me." He said and gave the side of her belly a nuzzle. "Please go to safety and we'll take care of things here."
She nodded and a small tear formed in her eye. "Be careful." She whispered in his ear.
"I always am." He whispered back. "Now get you and the others to safety."
She nodded and starting leading the others out towards the northern forest. Looking back for a second she saw her mate walking towards the source of the smoke followed by a low flying Avis. Hoping that they'd come back safe and sound she continued in leading the Absols to safety.
As Derak and Avis neared the southern border the smoke became stronger smelling. Avis squinted as he looked forward.
"I can see smoke rising above the trees in the distance. It's still quite far from here but it looks like a bad fire." He reported.
Derak nodded. "I hope Abha and the others find a good hiding spot to keep safe."
"I'm sure they'll be fine." Avis said.
Derak suddenly lifted his head. "Do you here that?" He asked.
Avis lifted his head and widened his eyes.
"What is that?" He asked in a hushed voice.
They both looked forward as they felt a sudden rumble in the ground. Without warning a large number of assorted pokemon stampeded through the foliage with cries of fear.
"Run away!" They screeched as they rushed by the now confused Avis and Derak.
"What's going on?" Derak shouted at the stampeding pokemon. The large group included Ratatas, Raticates, pokemon of the Nido-family, and even a few Sandshrew. However none stopped to tell what was going on.
"Derak look!" Avis shouted as he started to lift off. Derak looked forward and widened his eyes.
Speechless Derak watched as flames spread quickly through the trees. He had heard forest fires were fast but he had never expected them to move at this speed. The flames consumed everything that was in its way. The dead trees that grew up the rocky cliffs went up in flames especially fast. Horrified Derak looked around to see his entire lands going up in flames.
"RUN DERAK!" Avis shouted. Derak snapped out of his stupor and ran as fast as he could in the direction of the stampede.
"Abha!" Derak cried out. He had to get to her before the flames got to their side of the forest.
"Derak I see something flying this way! There are two of them. I think it's the Charizards!" Avis called as he flew over head.
Derak skidded to a halt and whipped around. There was indeed two large and orange flying objects in the distance.
"I have to stop them!" He shouted. "You go warn the others." Derak said as he started to charge forward. He was stopped by Avis swooping down and blocking him with his wings.
"No! You go get the Absols and get out of here! I'll take care of these two!" Avis said.
"I can't let you fight alone!" Derak snapped.
"Just run Derak! You've got your family and pack to look after. I'll be fine! Just go!" Avis swiped his talons at Derak to get him to move away.
Derak backed off and bowed his head. "Please say you'll be careful." He said.
"I will. Now go!" Avis replied and took off hastily towards the Charizards.
Derak ran as fast as he could to where Abha and the others would be. The smoke was becoming quite thick as he entered the part of the forest they had gone into. The flames would be here any second.
"ABHA!" He yelled. "WHERE ARE YOU?"
Derak was only met with silence. Starting to panic he tried to sniff out their scent but only ended up inhaling smoke which made him feel light headed. Shaking his head to try and clear it he tried to think where they would be.
"DERAK!" Hearing his name Derak turned around to see Abha running towards him.
"We have to get out of here! The others are waiting at a safer part!" She cried.
Derak was so happy to see her. "Let's go!" He said. The two Absols ran through the forest as the flames danced from tree to tree. It was starting to overtake them and oxygen became in short supply.
"We're almost there!" Abha gasped as Derak saw an opening in the forest. They ran until they were well out of the forest and until they saw the other Absols. Collapsing the two panted from exhaustion and lack of oxygen.
"Are you two alright?" The Absol Ines asked. Derak nodded and helped Abha get to her feet.
All the Absols seemed to be looking at him for leadership. Bowing his head he said, "We can't go back to our lands."
"Where are we supposed to go?" An Absol asked.
"I don't know. We'll find someplace and we'll get to the bottom of this. I need to find out what's going on." Derak said.
"Where's Avis?" Abha asked worriedly.
"He's taking care of the Charizards." Derak replied sadly. "I hope he's okay."
The stubborn Absol, Pollard, from the meeting earlier spoke up. "This wouldn't be happening if it weren't for you." He spat at Derak. "We'd still be safe in our lands if it weren't for those Charizards coming after you!"
Abha's fur bristled. "That's enough! This is not Derak's fault. This is not anyone's fault! You're out of line." She snarled at the Absol.
He just scoffed. "I've had enough of you all. I'm out of here!" He stormed off from the shocked group of Absols.
"We don't need him. What we need is a plan on what we're going to do." Derak said.
"Maybe Avis can fill us in when he gets back." An Absol spoke up.
Derak looked up at the sky. "Yes. I just hope he's okay."
Avis flew straight towards the Charizards. He stopped just short of 100 meters of them. They stopped in mid-flight as well. Avis could see that they were both larger than he was. Covered in thick orange scales and equipped with thick leathery wings and a flaming tail they looked truly fearsome.
"Did you set fire to that forest?" Avis demanded, sounding more brave than he felt.
The larger of the two Charizards chuckled. "Perhaps. What does a featherhead like you care?"
Avis clicked his beak angrily. "You're upsetting the pokemon who live here! You've just destroyed their homes!"
The large Charizard grinned evilly showing off sharp fangs. "Who cares? They're just stupid little weaklings. Strong pokemon should be controlling these lands. Those feeder pokemon don't deserve to live so luxuriously. Now onto business. Could you tell me where a pokemon named Derak can be found. He's an Absol and I know that Absol's are found here."
Avis shook his head. "I'll never tell you such a thing." He said stubbornly.
"Alright. Then we'll just have to do this the hard way!" Without warning he flew forward so fast that Avis had no time to react. The Charizard snatched Avis by the wings in one arm and clamped his beak shut in the other.
"You're obviously a friend of Derak's. That's perfect because we didn't actually need Derak just yet. You've given us enough info anyways. Come on Egon! We've got to bring this bird back to the Persians." He shouted at the smaller built Charizard.
The other Charizard nodded and the two flew as quickly as they could towards the Persians. If they were quick they could make it in a little over a day.
Avis couldn't believe that the Persians were actually in league with these two. Together they would prove to be one powerful enemy to over come. The flight went by too fast for Avis's liking. He didn't want to be near any of the Persians. No doubt some would remember him as an ally of Derak. He would be in big trouble once he arrived.
After a day the Charizards started plummeting towards a spot in the forest. Avis's heart skipped a beat as he thought of what was waiting for him. The large Charizard must've felt his fear.
"Don't worry birdie. It'll all be over soon enough." He said in his evil voice.
Once they landed the Charizard loosened his grip on Avis slightly, though not enough to let him escape.
"Andromeda! I think we have something you're looking for." The Charizard yelled out into the forest.
Slowly but surely Persians and Delcattys slinked in a way that only cats could out of the bushes. A couple of brave looking Meowth also came out to see the fire giants. Lastly a female Persian who looked very much in charge walked out of the bushes with her head high. She took one look at Avis who was being held still by Ignazio and sniffed in disapproval.
"This pokemon is still alive. Besides I asked for a friend of Derak, Derak is an Absol. This bird is clearly not an Absol." She pointed out with disappointment.
"Wait leader!" A Persian cried out. "That's the Pidgeot who helped kill Akoni. He's in league with Derak."
Avis looked at the Persian who spoke and indeed remembered him from the battle. He looked back to the leader Persian whose frown of disapproval had turned into a sly smile.
"You see Andromeda. We brought you back your pound of flesh. And what's more he's still alive for you to take your own revenge on him." Ignazio pointed out.
Andromeda's smile widened. "Indeed. This gives me a wonderful idea. We're going to kill the bird. But why let such a meal go to waste? Tomorrow he shall be slaughtered and we will feast on him!" Akoni said before breaking out into evil laughter. The Persians and Delcattys snickered and laughed along with her until the entire forest was ringing with feline laughter. The large Charizard joined in as well, his loud and haunting roar adding to the noise being made.
Avis was shaking in fear. He had got out of bad situations before but not like this. This was crazy. He looked over to the smaller of the two Charizards and saw that he wasn't laughing. He was looking at the ground in a sad kind of way. Finally he looked up and noticed Avis's gaze. When the two locked eyes Avis noticed that this Charizard wasn't like his brother. He lacked the evil and emotionless look in his eyes. Avis felt a certain hope all of the sudden. Maybe all wasn't lost.
The Persians had stopped laughing. Andromeda cleared her throat for silence. "Ignazio, Egon! Bound this bird to one of the trees. We have a supply of human rope and chains that will do nicely." Andromeda ordered.
"As you wish. And may I ask where we stand in this pack now? After we completed your order of bringing back a friend of Derak's?" Ignazio asked.
Andromeda grinned showing sharp teeth. "You are fully fledged members of this pack. Akoni would be proud to have such strong creatures on his side."
Ignazio grinned. "Thank you very much. Let's go Egon!" He snapped at his brother. The two went to look for some ropes and chains to bind Avis.
Once they had left Andromeda turned to her pack. "I'll have one of you guard the Pidgeot at a time to make sure nothing gets him first or that he doesn't escape. Armon! You're the first guard." Andromeda ordered.
Armon walked forward. He was a large built Persian and had a nasty scar across his back. Just then the Charizard Egon arrived back.
"The bird is bound to a tree." He reported. Andromeda grinned. "Excellent. Take Armon here with you. He's going to be the first guard."
Egon nodded and Armon followed him into the forest. Armon spoke up. "Doesn't that flame hurt you?" He asked curiously.
Egon sighed. "No. My type has an immunity to flames." Nothing more was said as Egon had hoped. He didn't really want to have a conversation with this killing monster.
"There he is." Egon said as they arrived to the spot. He felt a twinge of guilt and sadness as he saw the magnificent bird bound up with no where to go. He knew that he had to follow his brothers orders and he couldn't defy him no matter what.
"Excellent." The Persian hissed as he approached Avis. Avis lifted his head to see the Persian walking up to him.
"I'm going to enjoy eating you tomorrow." The Persian hissed at Avis as he circled the tree. "You're going to pay for what you did to me."
"I'm sure it wasn't undeserved whatever it was I did to you." Avis said lazily.
The Persian growled angrily. "You don't remember me do you?"
"No. Should I?"
The Persian snarled and snapped at Avis's tail. Luckily he didn't succeed in actually biting Avis, only ripping out a chunk of tail feathers.
"Hey don't hurt him!" Egon cried out.
"Shut up!" The Persian shouted at him before turning back to Avis. "You gave me this! You gave me this scar!" He snarled at Avis.
Avis looked at the scar and had a sudden flashback of the battle between the Persians and the Absols.
"You were the attacking enemy. Was I just supposed to let you go free?" Avis spat back.
The Persian growled lowly in his throat. "You'll get your payment. Tomorrow, you'll be in my stomach!"
Authoresses Note: There's chapter three. I hope it was good. Please leave a review and tell me what you think.