Into Reality Ch.10 Sandy Skies

(Re-edited)

I sincerely apologize for the delay and for leaving many (if any) in the dark for the time. I've just gotten through the CAHSEE here in California, and I must say, I had so much time to go over the test, I sureley hope I got perfect scores on the math section. That and I still had time after going over the test for the 3rd time to draw afterwards on the testbooklet. Sadly I couldn't keep the front page of the book so I re-sketched it again on a separate sheet after the test was over (and taken from me). I'll post it up on Deviant Art later when I get time because now I have to shift my attention towards the CST's! YAAY! Well I really had to squeeze time out to get this long overdue chapter out and continue with the story line. That and I also got Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Gates to Infinity! So far it's awesome and the music in unserpassed, even remixers on Youtube refuse to remix the soundtracks because of how beautiful they already are. I say it just can't be remixed! IT's that awesome but onto the story... Hope you guys enjoy...

So we rejoin our two of the three friends that are now on the search for their lost sister as they cross the scorching desert as a massive dust storm approaches them. Will they make it to Latias in time! Just gonna have to find out...

P.S. I won't have Previously spot this time and ... there is a new integration of communication... (Thoughts)!

ENJOY!

"Speech" or "Emphasis/hint"

'Telepathy'

(Thoughts) or (Specific Location)

*action* or *special cue*

"Where is my oasis? Too far from
here for me to crawl with these
dead legs, refusing to co-operate
Hands and fingers clawing uselessly
through the grains of sand..."
― Kiera Woodhull, Chaos of the Mind

Sand… the one thing that has really bothered me since I first set foot into the stuff…

Sand continued to blow everywhere as I shivered to the thought of its disturbing feel.

'I sure hope you know where we're going because I sure don't.' I said trying to stay next to Raid. My eyesight was still far being from being crystal clear.

'Well, I'm following what Sam told me and that was that Latias is this way.' Raid replied while maintaining a psychic barrier around the two of us.

The two of us flew together through the thick sandy skies as the ever closing storm approached. The sand flying around was doing a great job of covering us but we chose to remain visible, we wanted to make sure that for any reason if Latias was nearby, she would see us. Raid had already filled me in on the details on what's happened thus far from the moment we knocked out at Edwards A.F.B. to what Sam told him up to now.

'Well if Latias is in trouble, then why aren't we flying any faster?' I addressed concerned.

'Well one you can't see clearly, and second any faster and you'd fly straight out of the shield and get pummeled by the sand flying around us. Don't worry, we should almost be there.' Raid replied barrel rolled down to the right with me following close behind.

I had to admit to Raid, even through the worry and panic, Raid still managed to maintain a calm state of mind.

We flew closer to the ground as Latias's compound came within Raid's view.

'There it is, let's hurry up.' Raid took off, exposing me to the battering sandy winds as we neared the building in no time. Although I managed to stay airborne for a bit, with my poor eyesight still lingering, I reluctantly crashed into a dune head first as Raid went ahead to set the charge. I pulled myself out of the sand and cursed my luck. 'Curse the freaking ground types!'

(With Raid, ahead)

The charge quickly came into view as Raid approached the building. Raid looked at the wall one more time, 'Don't worry sis, I'm getting you out of here...' but was cut off when he noticed a giant hole on the opposite wall of the building.

Speechless at the sight, he flew slowly entered the building looking around for his sister... but all he got was the silence of an empty room.

In a calm voice, Raid asked to me as I flew in. 'Where is she? She was supposed to be here but... what happened to her?'

Stunned that Latias wasn't here, I didn't know what to say to Raid, '... maybe this is the wrong building...' I suggested.

'... no... this has to be the one... all the other ones were supposed to be fakes...'

'...I guess it would make sense since the bomb was still attached to the wall when we got here. Sam wouldn't have put it here if it was just an empty would he?' I tried reasoning in an attempt to make sense of the current situation. But even through my logic, Raid's words appeared to be of a calm mind, but in reality, Raid's mind was twisted and lost. Vibrant waves of confusion and terror were pulsing off Raid's mind, easily picked up by myself. But even as I knew of Raid's suffering, there wasn't much I could do.

'So what now. Do you think someone kidnapped her?' Raid asked.

I shook my head, 'No, the bomb was still here, meaning that no one else got in… She got out. ...Either that or someone did manage to get in but just happened to miss the bomb strapped to the side of the wall.' I thought. 'Although, as of the situation now, let's just assume that Latias escaped on her own before we got here since it seems the most likely.'

Raid was slowly trying to putting my small reasons together and quickly understood. 'So where did she go, or where would she go?'

I was thinking the same thing, but with the sand constantly shifting around us, it was impossible to tell off instincts. 'There's nothing around here but sand. Are there any cities nearby that she might head to?'

'Not that I know of, and besides, she wouldn't know if there were any at all considering she just woke up. Sam told me before I headed out to get to you that there weren't any populated cities within over a dozen miles in any direction. It's all sand out here apparently.'

Knowing this complicated things further. 'Hmm, well we know the code we set up before; if we're separated for any reason we would fly a couple miles distance around the spot we were dropped at for at least an hour. After that, then we'd spread out.' This was a code I established for us to follow in the case of a situation where we would be separated from each other. It was created within the first few months we had first met each other, but it was one we all knew well in case of emergencies.

The wind picked up and Raid held up the shield, also pondering on the question. 'Well we're definitely not going back without her, right?'

As much as I was to agree, my logic said otherwise. 'Raid, I want to agree but...' I was cut off by a couple of loud bangs off in the background. The sounds were faint but were still clearly heard over the howling winds.

Both of us snapped our attention into the direction of the sound. 'Latias?'

'Those sounded like explosions, but they sounded mechanical.' I replied.

'Well it doesn't matter now, let's go! We've still got time to search for her!' Raid telepathed, taking off into the desert storm with me following right behind.

'Raid, those weren't any ordinary explosions. They sounded too big to be anything you'd normally find in a desert. It didn't sound like it was too far out from Latias's building so she might still be around there. It's only been about 45 minutes I suppose from what you've told me since the last time you talked with Sam, so Latias should still be circling around for another 15 minutes or so.'

'Right, but from the way I see it, we're probably not the only ones out here anymore. I've got a plan. If we're entering a fire-fight, I'll engage the enemy and stall them off for a bit, but we'll also have to look out for Latias too. Once we find her we retreat from the area and get to the HQ.'

(In my eyes, Raid's plan didn't seem completely thought out.) 'Raid, I'll have to disagree with you this time, it'd probably a better idea to secure "friendlies" if there's any. Besides, if we're getting shot at from both sides, we can't focus on anything else.'

'You would rather help a foreigner? What good do would they have for us besides doing us more harm than good?' Raid stated clearly unsure of whether or not to start trusting other humans.

'Raid, I told you and we all know this. Working alone won't get you anywhere, but working as a group and a team will achieve success. Right now, it's just you and me, and that's a small number when compared to the possible 70 other soldiers on the battlefield right now.' I tried reasoning with Raid.

'But how do we know their allies and that they won't shoot us in the back if we help. What do we do then Marlon.'

'We'll have be cautious. Although you're right about the dangers, we don't have much of any other choice right now. We either get some help or suffer out here trying to survive on our own.' It wasn't a very safe decision but it was the only way that appealed to the both of us.

Raid gave a moment and weighed his options with the success of finding his sister, before finally giving in. 'Fine, you win this time. We'll need to tell if either is friendly. From there, I'll take point and draw their fire away from the allies. I'll hold off incoming attacks for as long as I can. I'll also be setting up a counter shield to protect the allies as well as us once we have Latias for a retreat.'

'But what am I supposed to do? I can help.' I wasn't willing to be the second damsel in distress aside from Latias.

'You're going to continue flying from here and look around for Latias. We need to find her as quickly as possible and get out with everyone else.'

Now things were looking up and I was glad Raid was listening. I agreed to his idea and was ready to follow through, but there was only one problem I had with the plan. 'Raid, you're going to be the main target once you head down there. Are you sure I can't help you out. I could draw enemy fire while you set up the counter shield.'

Raid could tell I was worried but he knew better than I did that I was still young and I didn't know the full effects of battle. Raid was born with the spirit to fight, he is a pure bred Pokémon after all. However, I wasn't, I didn't have that spirit to fight because I'd never truly experienced it.

Raid slowed to a stop as I approached him with a clear expression for concern. 'Marlon, no need to worry. I've got this thing. It's more important to me to know that you were out there looking for Latias while I did my part down there in setting up a safe zone for us when you two get back. All I care about right now is getting us home safely in one piece. I don't intend on leaving any one of you alone again, you understand? I'll be waiting down there holding up that shield as long as I have to make sure you have a safe return back to your family. We're all part of the team but you're got a real family waiting for you back at home, and I don't want to see them suffer because we were together.'

As much as Raid's words were meaningful, they weren't completely true. 'Raid… my parents… my brother… they will just have to wait.' I said patting Raid on the shoulder with a confident smile. 'They're safe at home right now, but you and Latias are more than a part of this team… you're a part of my family. I care as much as you do to get Latias back, but you have as much of my concern as anyone else. You may be right that I'm young as I am, but so are you. We've only been around like this for just a year now. Don't make me regret leaving you alone.' Tears developed in my eyes as I recalled a nightmare, still keeping a courageous smile on my face. 'I'm not ready to lose you, not now, not ever. Just call me and I'll be right by your side. We're not out of this fight yet and I want you to be there all the way to the end.'

Raid nodded, acknowledging my wish. 'He he, it was your wish and determination that brought us together, and now you're wishing again.' Raid chuckled 'You know, your stubbornness and that odd sense of courageousness always seems to make me smile. I'll be safe, I promise… I don't feel like saying goodbye to anyone too soon...'

There's a saying Raid has always used in times of desperation to ensure that there was always hope between the three of us (when we were all together).

'…Remember, I've got you back. Do you have mine?' Raid would start...

I would nod back, '...and I've got yours.'

'Then we'll fly through these skies and work together, side by side to the very end.' Raid would finish. After that Raid nodded assuring me that he would be waiting for me, and took off towards the battlefield below. I continued my flight path and watched as Raid disappeared from my field of view. After losing sight and contact with Raid, I was left alone. Nothing again but to follow through with the plan and get Latias back with the rest of us.

So, what does this mean! Latias has a bad timing of waking up (true), I need to work on my powers, Raid wants a sandwich?!

In other words, stay tuned till next time...

FIND OUT, ON INTO REALITY!

I DON'T own the idea/theme of Pokemon. I DO HOWEVER, own the character Marlon and Raid the Latios and their names I also own the Idea and the theme/name of the Eon Squadron. It's all © by me marcturbo1.