Chapter 9
Blake
I fly all by myself early in the morning. No Ty to glide alongside me. I had to spend last night in my old living quarters for primary pokemon. Today, I'm flying to the Raptor squadron of first evolutions to receive my room assignments. The living conditions are different there. They'll room you with two pokemon from the two different squadrons in order to form trust and unity between other squadrons. Sometimes it works and the three become best friends. Sometimes it doesn't and the three just bear through the other two for the night and they fly off with their own kind once the day begins.
I bank right at a fork and- BANG! I fly right into Sheetsu. We both drop to the floor, just like the barrel stunt collision. I scramble up with a sore wing and a headache. Sheetsu doesn't look much better. I'm in for it, now. I scuttle over and help him up off the ground. "Sheetsu! Are you alright? I'm so sorry, sir!" Before I can say anything else, he jumps right into his story.
"Blake! I'm so glad I found you! I don't know where to start! I tried to convince them to let you out of it, but Kitiro said that every pokemon has to be fighting. I told them how this is like a suicide mission, but they declined! Look, the point is, you've got to hide somewhere when you're either out there or before we take off!" He shouts this at me with so much speed and urgency, I don't comprehend any of it.
"Whoa, whoa! Slow down! What is it?"
"The Wings of Legend were predicted to strike another ambush this afternoon! I knew you've just evolved and I know you're not ready! You've got to hide. Whether it's before or after take-off doesn't matter. I'll cover for you. You'll be safe."
"Wait, Sheetsu. What if I don't want to hide." His eyes widen in shock.
"Blake, you don't know what it's like on the battlefield with them! Our population of warriors has been decimated over the course of our past battles. You'll die!" A flame ignites inside of me. Anger boils up to my throat. I start shouting at my previous teacher. I don't have any respect for him anymore.
"Exactly! Not the part about me dying, but the population being decimated. That's hundreds of lives! It's unforgivable. And I want every part of bringing revenge on the Wings of Jerks. I really appreciate your offer, but I want to fight." I stare at Sheetsu with a cold and serious stare. He sighs, turns, gives me one last look of pity, and flies off. I sigh and do the same in the opposite direction. Flapping my wings, I play what had just happened through my head. I pay no heed to Sheetsu's warning. I'm strong enough, fast enough. I can do it. He just doesn't believe in me.
I fly forward and I come to a another giant cavern that serves as a training ground for the majority of the first evolutions. Our three separate squadrons come together here to train in flying and attacking. Other smaller training grounds exist to the first evolutions, but not unless they are given a specific task in the army like stealth teams or teams of field medics. This cavern is for the majority of first evolutions. The overall warriors, bent on fighting to their last breath.
The one I'm looking for is perched at a platform with a water basin. The Fearow takes deep gulps of water at the perch. His name is Jiroh. He is the superior to all first evolution raptors. Yet, according to what we've been told by Sheetsu a couple of weeks ago, he has less control over our training and lives. I'm told that he is more like a counselor than a drill sergeant.
I fly over to his side on the platform. As my talons land on the wood, I gain his notice. He stares at me from the corner of his eye as he is drinking. At my presence, he lifts his beak and faces me, his long beak still dripping. "Ah, so you must be Blake. I've heard about your ring course run. Quite an accomplishment, my boy." I nod in thanks. "So, if I'm correct, you're here for your room assignment. We have it ready for you, but there's a problem." My facial expression doesn't falter. He continues.
"You see, it's been predicted that the Wings of Legend are coming for another ambush later today. I assume you hold some skill that you can use. So, we'll just suit you up and you'll be back in time for dinner." He sounds so nonchalant. A completely different approach than from Sheetsu. I can't tell if his view on the matter is bravery, foolish, or crazy. I don't know whether to be mad at him or not for how lightly he thinks of it all or to admire him for brushing off such a powerful force as if it's nothing. All I can really do is nod. Jiroh speaks again.
"Alright. You can go to breakfast for a pre-battle meal and be back here afterwards. You'll be organized for battle and we'll send you and everyone else on their way. When they retreat, we can eat like real victors!" It's faint, but I can sense it. The smallest flick of the eye, the twitch of a feather. The false comfort. His eyes hold the same pity as Sheetsu. He knows that I'm no match against the Wings of Legend. He probably says this to everyone that goes out into battle so that they die with some sort of pride. He knows that some faces will not return.
And, just like Sheetsu, he knows mine will be among them.