Hey guys! I didn't forget about you. In fact, I've made it a point of writing a couple chapters within the last few days, so next month WILL BE ON TIME. I know, about time, right? I don't know how it happened. lol Whelp, hope you enjoy.

Chapter 11 – The Trail

Flare

"Sir, we've found the scent of two more figures where the other stops. It appears there was a handoff." A Buizel reported.

I turned my attention to him. "What are they?"

"We're not sure, but they were heading east at high speeds. We think they may have taken to the trees to avoid leaving an evident trail."

"This just keeps getting better and better." I sighed to myself. "Follow the trail as far as you can, I'll go ahead to the river valley. Send a bird if you find any major course alterations."

"Yes, sir." The soldier said, running back the way he came and ordering someone to climb the trees and follow the new scents. I continued down the trail as fast as my legs could take me.

I ran and ran, noticed the rain on the horizon, and tried to run faster. I refused to lose Aeden's trail, even to the rain. Nothing would stop me from finding him and bringing him home safely.

At last, I reached the river valley. Hundreds of feet below me, head sized rocks could be seen. I looked left and scanned the river for any signs. If they were smart, they'd have taken the river north, making tracking utterly useless. But I followed anyway. I slid down the slope and came to a stop on the riverbank. Sniffing the air and ground, I found their scent. I could smell Aeden, a Scizor and… I'm not sure what it was. The two species weren't common around here, but I had never before encountered this last one. The trail I had followed before had a similar scent, but that was unimportant now, as it had left in a different direction.

An hour passed as I walked up the river with my aerial scout above me. It didn't seem the two figures were worried about us at all. But they ran fast, trying to gain as much distance as they could. But for what reason? Unless…

I looked up and it immediately became clear to me. This region had little to no crime, so whoever I was following must have come from the other side of the mountains. If they did indeed continue north, it was a two day trip to reach the mountains and cross them. But they were travelling at great speeds, probably to get as far as they could, knowing we'd be slowly following. If we were lucky, they'd have stopped to rest for the night before climbing.

"Tell the others that the trail leads to the mountains. We'll head back and stock up before continuing."

"Yes, sir!" The Pidgeotto chirped before flying away.

Taking one last look at the impending rain, I turned around and followed the river south.

Night had come, and the rain had taken over the skies. The bedroom's door slowly opened and Ember looked up from the bed. Flare walked in and saw her. He stood there in the doorway, looking from her, to their two children. Quietly, he closed the door and stepped towards her. He nuzzled her for a moment and pulled back.

"We know where he's been taken." Flare whispered.

"Where?" Ember whispered back.

Flare sighed, looking at the floor, "Across the mountains."

A deep silence overtook them. The sound of rain hitting the window cover and tower's walls filled the air.

Flare lied down on the floor and curled up to sleep.

Rain continued to fall as the morning light pushed back the darkness hours later. Flare paced back and forth. A guard came up to report.

"Are we ready to move out?" Flare asked, stopping to face the guard.

"Yes sir. We're grabbing the last of the food now."

"How many troops do we have?"

"A dozen, sir."

"Good. We should be able to reach the mountains in two days."

"We're really going to the other side, sir?"

"Yes. If the trail takes us there. We'll follow the river valley as far as we can. Make sure we've got everything we need. I don't want to risk being unprepared."

"Anything else, sir?"

"No. Dismissed." Flare said. The guard ran off the way he came.

"Dad!" Acura's voice called his attention to the hallway to his left. Crystal and Acura were running towards him at full speed before skidding to a halt next to him.

"Is it true that you know where they've taken Aeden?" Acura asked.

"Yes. We're leaving soon." Flare responded.

"Where was he taken?" Acura asked.

"His exact whereabouts? I don't know. All I do know is that he was taken north, towards the mountains."

"You mean…?"

"Yes. His safety is not guaranteed. We know little about what lies on the other side."

"I see. We'd like to come, too."

"What? No!"

"But dad!" Acura whined.

"No! You are staying here, where it's safe! I will not risk any more of my family." Flare barked. Heat began emanating from his fur. "Do you understand?" He asked.

"Y-yes, sir." Acura lowered his head.

Flare looked at Crystal, and she drew back. Flare sighed. "If anything were to happen to you, I don't know what I'd do. Your mother would be heartbroken, and we can't have that."

"Go back to your mother. Look after her." Flare said before walking away to join his troop.

Acura looked back at him and then to his sister. She had regained her composure and nudged him, before walking towards their room. He followed, tail dragging on the floor.

The door creaked open and Crystal plopped herself down on the bed, with Acura close behind, closing the door gently.

"What do we do now?" Crystal asked.

"What do you think?" Acura growled.

"I know Aeden will be safe with him, but I can't help but get the feeling that he'll need help."

"What help could he need? He's got guards with him."

"Hey, remember those stories mom used to tell us and the ones we would read in school?" Crystal asked him.

"Yeah, what about them?" Acura asked.

"Almost all of them featured an unlikely hero. And any form of guards are almost always taken out early in the plot."

"But this isn't a story. This is real life. And those guards are highly trained. Besides, they're with dad. If anything, they're keeping each other safe."

"That may be true, but in those stories, something always happens to get the focus on certain characters." Crystal explained.

"What's your point?"

"I just…" Crystal paused. "I feel like we need to be out there helping."

"Wait, what? But he said to–"

"Stay here, I know. But I just can't. There's nothing to do here. Every moment, I'm thinking of Aeden, and it hurts to know he isn't safe. I want to know if he's alive. I want to do something to help him. It's driving me crazy."

"I know what you mean." Acura sighed.

"I'm going." Crystal said suddenly, jumping off of the bed.

"What?" Acura's ears jumped up.

"Hold on!" Acura yelled, getting up and blocking the door. "He said it'd be really dangerous, and we'd be going into unfamiliar territory. If we go, we're almost certain to die, or worse. Who knows what could happen. I'm not about to risk my sister's life just so she can try to save a friend."

"That's sweet of you," Crystal smiled, tilting her head, "but you can't stop me." She said coldly, walking towards him.

"But you don't even know where he is. And even if you found him, what makes you think you can get him out? You can't do this alone."

"If you're so worried, come with me."

Acura froze. The thought of his sister's stupidity amazed him. She wasn't trying to be brave. She didn't care what anyone thought. She was going to go, even if it killed her.

"To tell you the truth…" Crystal spoke behind him. She had opened the door and walked into the hallway before speaking. "I'm scared. But that won't stop me from doing what's right. I will bring him back." She said, staring him in the eyes. Acura stared back, soaking it all in. She was adamant, and there was little he could do to stop her. "If you want to do anything to help, come with me."

"I…" Acura stared back, speechless.

She waited.

"Fine." Acura submitted to her request. "But only so that I can keep you safe."

"And I'll do the same. Come on. We'll lose them if we don't hurry." Crystal said, running down the hallway. Acura followed.

Ooh! How exciting! The next chapter will appear early March, so check in soon!