Chapter 7

Dawn

My eyes fly open and I jolt with a start and a cold sweat. I feel myself hyperventilating, in a state of complete panic. I blink a few times and study my surroundings. My living quarters meet my eyes, illuminated by a little candle in the corner made with the blue fire of my Dragon rage. As I slow my breath down to a normal rate, I convince myself that it really is my room. I thought the light from the candle would keep the nightmares at bay, but they stormed into my head anyway.

I don't want to go back to sleep. I'm afraid to drift off into another nightmare. Another horrible nightmare filled with the winged monsters that I thought were just a dream. I sigh and lie back down, reassuring myself that nothing can hurt me and I am safe in the security of the mountain. My eyes drift shut and my body coils tighter around myself. I even out my breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. It seems to work and I feel my consciousness ebbing away with every breath. I feel my muscles relax and then-

A cloth comes over my mouth.

I'm startled to being fully awake. Hands, no, claws grab at my body, still in shock. I realize that I'm being assaulted and I squirm in whoever's claws are holding me. My body twists and turns to release myself from the iron grip, the pointed fingers digging into my skin. I yelp out in pain, but my sound is muffled by the gag wrapped around my mouth. I fight harder, but more hands wrap around my body, restricting all movement. I cry out for help, but no one can hear me.

I feel myself being lifted into the air, by back towards the ground. I try to twist around to see my captors, but their grips are firm and I stay completely still. I'm moved out of my room and into the connecting cave, illuminated by orange flames flickering on torches against the wall. My eyes stare at the ceiling, my mind frantic. What's going on? Why am I being taken away like this?

I see movement out of the corner of my eye. My neck cranes and the wing of a Swablu meets my eyes. I scream under the gag. The nails dig harder. I scream louder. "Can it, Dawn! We've figured it out! Grayos may not have, but we've seen you for what you really are!" The voice comes from underneath me. I recognize it from earlier today during training. I believe it belongs to a Bagon.

"You'll be sorry you soaked me to the bone! You'll be sorry you ever came here!" The voice of a Trapinch, also below me, barks up. The Swablu now turns around to face me.

"Hey! What's wrong? You don't look too comfortable!" She jeers at me. "You've got something on your face, by the way!" I look at her with pleading eyes. Eyes that beg my freedom. She just giggles and turns forward again.

"Quiet, you two. Let's do this quick." I panic even more. Do what "quick"!? I start hyperventilating again and crying at the same time. They pay me no heed. They continue to their location.

I don't recognize the twists and turns we take through the passages. With every step and flap of the wings that my three captors take, I feel my energy draining out from my body. Eventually, my body goes limp and I simply cry, the gag silencing my sobs.

Through tear-blurred vision, the ceiling changes, looking abnormal. It's dark, but not completely dark. There are billions of little white dots. They almost seem to glow. It's a beautiful scene that hangs above me. I recognize it immediately, but I can't remember when or where I've seen it from. Somehow, I identify it as the night sky.

Bagon and Trapinch drop me onto the ground. As my eyes adjust, I see that we are on a cliff. We came through a passageway that only warriors are permitted to leave through. We are not allowed to come anywhere near the exits of the mountain. The three don't seem to care.

The Swablu and the Trapinch hold me down as I struggle further. The Bagon comes around and unties the gag around my mouth. I jump at the chance. "HELP! HE-" Before I can cry out again, a deep welt comes across my face. The gash burns and the blood drips down my cheek. It feels sticky and wet against my skin.

"If you want another one, be my guest and squeal." The Bagon looms over me and smirks. I growl fiercely at his presence, sending anger through every detail of my eyes. He laughs at my petty threats. "Here is how it's gonna go down, Dawn. You tell us what we need to know, and you might be able to live." My eyes widen in fear. I glance behind me. The cliff drops sharply to the earth and the forest below. A freefall from here would surely be fatal. I turn back and growl again.

"Why are you doing this! What do you want from me?" I spit at him as I say this.

"Oh, come on! We told you already. The game is up. Your cover's been blown. We know that you're working for the Wings of Legend. You report directly to them, you demon. You're finding out all of Skyborne's secrets and bringing misfortune upon us all. That's why we haven't won the war right off the bat. I can't believe no one has figured it out yet."

"What the heck are you talking about!?" It's official. I'm either in another nightmare, or these pokemon have gone crazy. Maybe I've gone crazy. It's probably all of the above.

"I'll ask the questions, demon." He leers down at me. I do the same. "Who's the head of the Wings of Legend? Where is their hideout? Are there any other demons or spies enlisted?"

"I'm not a demon! I'm not associated with the Wings of Legend! I don't know the answers to any of your questions!" I'm leaning forward against the restraining Swablu and Trapinch. It's a mistake, leaving me in perfect position for another slash and another identical welt. It burns more than the last one and more blood trickles down my face and dripping onto the ground.

"We can do this all night if you want to. Answer the questions."

"I'm not with the Wings of Legend." Another blow. Blood pours in a steady stream. "I'm telling the truth!" Two more blows. My cheeks are screaming in pain. Blood cakes my face and neck. "Please stop! I won't answer your questions!" Bagon does not deliver another gash, but sighs.

"What a shame, Dawn. You've just set your fate in stone." Him and the other two lift me up and move me to the edge.

"No! I'm innocent! I swear! Please!" I thrash in their arms, but they won't let go. I feel myself shifting backwards.

And I'm free falling. I scream all the way down, about to meet death in the face. There is no use, now. I stop screaming and stop flailing, awaiting death's eternal welcome. My eyes close, and wind slashes at my back. I feel myself almost flying.

The wind stops. I don't feel any ground. My eyes are still closed. I feel light. Death seems more pleasant than I imagined. I smile. I could spend forever with this light-hearted feeling. But I open my eyes. I see the night sky. I'm not falling. I'm floating. A ghost, maybe? Yes, that must be it. I find that I have control over my movement in the air. I float back up to the cliff. I wonder if the three are still there. Might be fun to see them when I'm in ghost form.

I become level with the cliff and the three are still there. They are staring at me, their eyes wide. Maybe I'm not invisible yet. I look down at my body. It's a solid blue color. Little orbs line the edge of my once-stubby tail. I'm still floating as if gravity does not exist. I hear shouting from the cave. I gaze in that direction and the three captors whip around.

Standing there, his eyes filled with disappointment, is the almighty Grayos. His voice rolls like thunder. "What do you think you are doing!? You think that she has not gone unnoticed by me? She is innocent in every way, shape, and form. She is not cursed, is not a demon, and is a true Skyborne. You can see that now from her evolved form. And, besides almost killing an innocent soul, you're not permitted to be here, anyway. I will see to consequences at a later time. Go back to your living quarters. That's an order." The three run, flying past Grayos and flee to their caves as fast as their feet and wings can carry them. Grayos turns to me.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Dawn, what are you to be sorry about. Don't speak such nonsense. It is I who should be apologizing. Apologizing for not being able to tell you." He looks down.

"Tell me what, sir?"

"All in good time, Dawn." With that, he disappears behind the bend of the cave passage, leaving me to float under the night sky.