Chapter 14
Dawn
I line up with other dragons in a few rows of ten. My eyes point to the craggy wall of our training center. The other three squadrons are at opposite ends of the cavern. A Flygon occasionally flies in my view, pacing back and forth. Her name is Lilia. She's the superior of the dragon first-evolution squadron. She looks a bit worried. Undoubtedly for the loss of warriors. We're all distraught, dazed, and like zombies to the world.
Lilia takes roll call of our squadron. She holds a long parchment in her hand, filled with the names from the dragon first-evolution squadron that left our mountain earlier today for battle. Those who are found present made it through alright. The names that go without a response is marked to go to the infirmary. If they have the pokemon, then they're not out yet. If the medics don't know where they are, then it's assumed that they've perished in battle.
The names echo in the cavern. A name is called. Its owner someone answers. I let out a breath. Another name is called. There is a long pause filled with silence. I hold my breath as Lilia marks the parchment with an inked feather. We go through each name, one by one. Some names get answers. Some remain unclaimed. Lilia gets to my name. "Dawn?" I take a second to tell myself that it's my name.
"Here." I let out another breath. For the first time since the first strike, I reflect on what happened out there. I really only saw it in third-person. The Dawn that fought Moltres and won wasn't me. It was an unknown being that infested me. Today, it was released in a fury. The whole event lasted maybe an hour, but it felt like days had been used up in the fight. Time didn't exist. It didn't start again until I was back in the safety of our mountain.
Yes, we captured Moltres. Skyborne committed a feat that many thought was impossible. The Staravia and I beat him down until he was damaged well. Then the Hyper Beam's damage hit both the Staravia and Moltres. The damage was shared between the two and Moltres went down. So did Staravia, but a Togetic caught him. I was relieved that my fighting companion is still alright to the best of my knowledge. After we landed with our captive, I only saw a glimpse of Staravia being rushed to the infirmary. I never got the chance to say "thank you".
Roll call finishes and Lilia dismisses us to our living quarters. Everyone else rushes out of the room while I stay in my spot, not issued a new living quarters yet. I stand until there is only me and Lilia. At first she doesn't notice my presence. I swallow hard. "Ma'am?" My voice is small, but it bounces right back to me, louder than when I created the sound. She turns. "Please, darling. Call me Lilia! You're Dawn, right?" I nod. "We found a spot for you with two other newcomers. Follow me!" She beckons with her silver claw for me to come. I obey.
We fly down the passages in complete silence. The flicker of the torches are the only sounds that fill it. No words are exchanged between us. Yes, there was a victory today. Yet, there were also many deaths. Skyborne had it hard enough by having to fight off Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno at once. Then, it became even more tragic when Lugia and Ho-oh came. Rayquaza must have killed thousands more.
We turn a corner and several silk curtains line the walls to block off living quarters. They are all pure white, tightly woven, tear-free, and new. I'm in love with them instantly. Our bug-types have really outdone themselves in these. Lilia points to the second one on the left. I follow her claw and nod in thanks. She nods back and disappears behind the corner once again.
I push through the new curtain and a room, three times the size of my old one, reveals itself to me. Three large, straw beds are lined up along the wall. Even a chest is there to hold things. I know I'll have to share it, but this is better than I could hope for! I float to the center of the room and spin slowly around, observing every corner of my new home. I close my eyes. I could live here.
"Whoa! This place is so cool!" I whip around to face the door. A white figure stands there. Her eyes flying all over the room. They turn to focus on me. "I guess we're roomies! I'm April!" She smiles and memory hits me. She was the one that saved the Staravia!
"I guess we are. Um, I want to thank you for saving Staravia." I utter out and smile back.
"It's nothing. He's in the care of the infirmary, now. What hit him, anyway?" April flies into the room to look around as she speaks.
"Rayquaza's Hyper Beam hit him, but the damage was shared between him and Moltres. So, the damage was cut in half. Is he alright?" I want to know. If he died, I'd never forgive myself.
"The medic said he's going to be fine." I let out a sigh of relief. "What's your name, by the way?" I look up to her. She stares at me expectantly.
"Dawn." April looks at me oddly, then her face lights up like a light.
"Oh my gosh! You're Dawn!? That's so weird! What a coincidence!" She starts giggling, then laughing. I'm taken aback. April bursts out into a laughing fit, falling to the floor. I have no words. I just stare at her like she's crazy. Maybe she is. April starts calming down. She picks herself off the floor and meets my large eyes. "We've met before when we were primary pokemon! It was in the mess hall! I was a Togepi and you were a Dratini. I was with Kila and she wouldn't talk with you because of something about some silly curse and... geez, I can't believe it!"
I stare at her, searching my memories. Then, it comes to me. The Togepi and the Natu that I thought were dared to sit with the "cursed" pokemon. "Wait, so when you sat by me. That wasn't a dare?" The words are out before I can stop them. She looks at me quizzically.
"Of course not! You were just sitting there all by yourself and I figured you needed a friend!" Her words are sincere. I immediately regret my accusation. I study the floor. "Hey, what's wrong? You look sad." I only glance upwards.
"It's nothing. Sorry." We stare at one another for a long time.
"Well, I think that we're allowed to go eat now. I'm starving!" April flutters over to the exit with her two white wings beating rapidly. "Well, come on! They might run out!" I grin and follow her out of our new home.