Chapter 17
Kitiro
"Remove the locks!" I shout at a Skarmory. Only he knows how to unlock the heavy iron door. He and other Skarmory made it, after all. The Skarmory jumps and rushes to set the lock loose. The chains clang together as they fall to the floor. Then, the Skarmory works the mechanism that lifts the iron door. The red glow already reaches my eyes before the door is lifted a few inches. I grin. I had to see him for myself. The door opens all the way and I fly in.
I nod to the Skarmory to close the door behind me. He obeys and it is just Moltres and I. His wings are held to the ground with heavy chains that the Skarmory crafted themselves, as usual. His beak has been wrapped shut by rope. He does not thrash, which puzzles me. We've captured him, so why isn't he panicking? The Moltres just stares at me with eyes that look like they are lost to the world. I chuckle. What an actor. Pretending his innocence. I don't know if the previous interrogators fell for his act, but I won't for a second. I speak. "So, Moltres. I see you're finding our hospitality unsatisfactory. No?" He gazes at me with pleading eyes.
"Please understand! I don't know where I am! I don't know who the Wings of Legend are! I just want to go home!" He seems innocent, but I'm no fool.
"Oh? And where is this "home" of yours?" I ask him nonchalantly.
"It's Victory Road in the Kanto region. I was there one minute, perched in my usual spot. With a blink, I'm here in chains!" He spins a tale of lies. I smirk.
"I'm sure. I'm sure." I glance over to the Skarmory that remains in the stockade with me. The rope that triggers our "little friend" dangles beside him. I turn back to our prisoner. "Now, I'm going to ask you a question. I just need an answer and then you can go home. But, if you decide that you don't want your freedom, then you can say "hi" to our friend." Moltres stares back at me. "Where are the Wings of Legend's hideout?"
"I told you and everyone else the honest truth! I don't know what you're talking about!" I sigh and nod to the awaiting Skarmory. He bites down on the rope and pulls.
A large basket that hangs above Moltres tips over. In seconds, a tsunami cloaks Moltres and splashes on the ground. With a simple flap of my wings, I rise above the puddle that forms below me. The water runs out and settles in a miniature lake on the ground. Moltres coughs and hacks from being drenched. His fire dwindles to tiny embers. "If you'd like, we can set up another pool for you to play in." Moltres shudders and trembles like a leaf below me.
"Kitiro, that's enough." I whip around. Standing in the entrance is Grayos, his eyes leering at me. "He doesn't know anything. He was under mind control." His shadow stretches long behind him.
"Mind control? Absurd! He's guilty! He's just playing everyone." I ignore Moltres, glaring at Grayos square in the eye.
"Kitiro, I came down here far before you did with a Xatu. He was, indeed, under mind control. Somehow, the effects have worn off. I'd suspect from out-of-range." Grayos makes no motion except with those blasted words of his. Yet, there is something about him that sets me off. An uneasy vibe that I pick up from him.
"A Xatu? Did you find any information from him by reading his mind?" I want to know. Perhaps he might be beneficial to Skyborne for once. Grayos sighs.
"Yes. We know the general location. The Sinnoh region. Mt. Coronet." I almost shout of joy. Yes! We have the location! We can send an army and finally end this war!
"Thank you, Grayos. I'll send out the army to ambush them immediately." I fly out of the dungeon, past Grayos and down the passageway. "No, Kitiro." I stop in mid-wing. Grayos still stands behind me.
"'No'? What do you mean, 'no'?" I land firmly on the ground with my sharp talons.
"We can't attack them. They're far too powerful." He still does not turn, simply facing the direction of Moltres who is now curiously watching our conversation. I growl at him. He's always like this. Trying to convince us not to attack. But, the longer he waits, the stronger the Wings of Legend grow.
"Grayos, I'm assembling the army. Even if it is without the Special or Dragon squadron. I'll form a Raptor squadron army to attack the Wings of Legend."
"Every single one of them will die." Besides his lips to utter the words, Grayos does not move at all. That idiotic excuse for a leader! I start to shout at him.
"Grayos, It's either they finish us, or we finish them!" My voice reaches the far corners of the dungeon, making the Skarmory jump. Hearing my own shout echo back at me, I wait for a response from him. He shakes his head and turns halfway to face me, his bare shoulder pointing in my direction.
"Kitiro, according to our laws and traditions, I cannot stop you from taking the Raptor squadron to battle. Yet, I can highly advise against it. So I beg of you now. Do not send them out to battle. I am telling you as a co-leader, experienced warrior, and life-long friend. Do not attack." I chuckle. It's my turn to shake my head.
"'Life-long friend'..." My stare turns cold. "I don't even know the meaning of that anymore." With that, I storm off. Leaving Grayos to stand there and watch me leave to assemble the troops.