Chapter 19
Blake
"What?" I don't want believe what my ears have heard.
"Blake, the nurse said that your wing is still pretty banged up. I asked her personally and she said that there is no way that you'll be able to make the journey to Mt. Coronet. I'm sorry, but you're just not physically able at the moment." A fire is ignited inside of me. I got up early this morning to catch Jiroh in the halls on the way to the training grounds just to be slapped in the face with the news. The first time that anyone of Skyborne is landing an attack on the Wings of Legend and I can't be part of it. My talons tense as they waddle alongside Jiroh in the halls. Each talon clutches the earth so hard, I have to rip them out of the ground. I feel myself feeling a mix of emotions. Anger, regret, shame. They bubble up inside of me like boiling water that's ready to overflow.
"You've got to let me go with them! I was one of the ones that took down Moltres!" I should deserve at least some credit for that.
"First of all, just because you were out there fighting on the same battlefield as Moltres, doesn't mean that you are responsible for his capture. You know as well as I do that a higher up must have taken Moltres down." I roll my eyes. I told my nurse of my accomplishment back at the infirmary, too. She just laughed and stuffed more Oran berries down my throat. There is no use in trying to convince them. I wouldn't believe it if I heard it myself. I resort to just begging to go fight in general.
"Please let me go fight. My wing is nothing. I can fight just fine with it." I press harder.
"Blake, it's out of my control. I'm sorry but you're staying in Skyborne." Jiroh drops the conversation at that, outstretching his wings and taking to the air to make up the lost time. I follow him, my wing complaining fiercely. I don't say anything else. Jiroh's mind is set in stone. However, maybe a higher-up will admit me into the army. There is one pokemon that can overwrite Jiroh's demands in the Raptor squadron. Kitiro.
The passage dispenses us high up in the final evolution training ground. I've never set wing in such a place, but it's bigger than the primary and first evolution training grounds combined. Obstacles are everywhere in the massive cavern. There are even some tools and equipment that I don't recognize. I look downward and the largest army I've ever seen assembled rests on the ground. At the front of the mass assemble is the Raptor squadron leader, standing proud and tall. Jiroh dives down to meet them. I want to dive down with him, but something stops me. Instead, I perch on a nearby platform to watch.
Jiroh says something to Kitiro and takes his place in the back row. Kitiro seems satisfied, for he starts his battle speech. "Today, we take off to take on the Wings of Legend. Today, we move to bring honor to our squadron. Today, we will end this war. Even if it is without our brothers and sisters from the other squadrons. Today, we bring everlasting peace to our tribe. For now, and for successors of Skyborne!" Battle cries erupt from the entire army. From everyone save one pokemon. The one from the top row, right next to Jiroh, that is not screeching in preparation for battle. He is easy to pick out and I recognize him immediately. The glazed look in his eyes, worried. Just like they were before I flew off for battle. It seems like ages ago since I last saw him, yet it was only a few days past.
The army takes flight and flaps in unison out of the cavern through a wide cave that is their exit route through Skyborne. I whisper his name to myself as I see the last of his tail disappear into the cavern.
"Sheetsu..."