Chapter 35
Grayos
They stare with mixed feelings of shock, horror, disappointment. But most of all, the feeling you get when you've been betrayed. After I told Dawn, Blake, and April the truth, I knew that my friends had to know the truth as well. Luckily, they were both talking in the conference room. I told them everything. The Giratina, the plan, the escape, the apparent future battle between us and the Wings of Legend, the lies, the lies, the lies. Kitiro is seething with pure anger. Leyorra is shell-shocked and despaired. I am terrified with their opinion. My claws become sweaty as I anxiously wait their answer. Leyorra finally speaks up.
"Who else knows about this?" She demands.
"I told the three pokemon that I saved from Giratina moments before I told you. The three of them and the three of us are the only ones that know." I do my best to state firmly and without fear.
"We kill them, then!" Kitiro jumps in with anger.
"If we kill Dawn, Blake, and April, the links that are between them and the sacrifice order will be broken. Giratina can just find three other pokemon with pure hearts and, this time, there is no stopping his complete rule over the world." I shoot right back at him. I left that part out when telling Dawn. But, it wasn't needed. Her friends were enough reason to live. But, when I tell my own friend, his eyes flare up in pure hatred. He starts advancing on me, talons getting ready to attack. I back away, sensing his threat, but it's too late. Kitiro launches himself at me, sharpened talons drilling into my scaly skin. I'm pushed to the ground from the impact, sending us both rolling. We stop with my back to the ground and the Pidgeot on top of me. Kitiro tries to attack me with his pointed beak, but I'm quick to restrain his shoulders, keeping him at arm's length. He fights to get the tip closer to my face, but my arms fight to keep it away. Eventually, Kitiro gives up and starts yelling at me from our position.
"GRAYOS! YOU SELFISH MENACE! I HOPE GIRATINA HIMSELF BURNS YOU TO ASHES! I HOPE-" He's interrupted in midsentence when Leyorra swoops in and secures Kitiro's waist with her own claws. Leyorra yanks Kitiro off of me, but it sends intense pain through my body when Kitiro pulls off some skin as his talons are being yanked out. I cringe in pain as I try to get myself back on my feet. It's a small wound and not deep at all, but the pain is still bad. Leyorra flies with Kitiro to the other side of the room before she drops him on the ground.
"STOP IT, KITIRO! Injuring him won't solve anything!" She shouts at the Pidgeot. His muscles begin to relax a bit, but he still sends daggers my way with his gaze. Leyorra lands in between the two of us and turns to me. Nothing is said for a long time, letting the tension build up and up. Finally, Leyorra breaks the silence. "Grayos. You knew this entire time. Why didn't you tell us?" It's hard to see, but the sparkle in her eyes suggests she is on the verge to tears.
"We rarely ever agree upon anything. We all know that. And even if two of us did agree, it's typically you two against me. If I went ahead and told you that the reason why Skyborne is being attacked is because of Dawn, Blake, and April, then you'd have them executed or banished. Thus, giving Giratina the perfect opportunity to complete the sacrifice and transform the world into his own. I knew what I was doing and I didn't trust you and Kitiro to follow through." Leyorra's first tear falls down her face. I don't want to hurt her. I wanted to trust her and Kitiro, but I didn't. And that tore our friendship apart. I take a breath, fighting to hold back tears myself. "I know you two had only the best intentions for Skyborne. But, if Giratina is able to complete the sacrifice and pass over to our world, then there won't be a Skyborne to protect anymore." I finish. Kitiro's face softens, but is still in rage. Leyorra blinks tears away and gingerly walks forward on her clawed feet. She walks right up in front of me and looks up. I'm about a head or two taller than her, so I look down into her glossy eyes. Then, in one sudden movement, she flings her arms around my neck and embraces me. I almost step back in surprise. Leyorra hangs on me limply and shudders, as if all energy is gone from her body. After a few moments hesitation, I hug her back. She cries on my shoulder. I shed a few tears on her shoulder.
"Grayos…" She whispers into my ear. "Don't you dare ever lie to me again…"
"I won't. I promise." I whisper right back. My eyes look over to Kitiro, still in his spot across the room. I smile and hold out a hand, welcoming him into our hug. Kitiro shifts from talon to talon, but doesn't move from his spot. He looks sad, but he won't budge. Giving up, I return my arm to my side and use the other to break apart from Leyorra. I place my clawed hand on her shoulder as she looks up at me with confusion. "Leyorra…Kitiro…my friends…" I softly speak. "I did lie to you. I kept important information from Skyborne that could have helped us. I think you know that this violates many of our laws…specifically treason…" Leyorra looks down, searching her memory for the right consequence among our laws concerning treason. When she finds it, she looks back up at me in horror and starts trembling like a leaf.
"No…no, no, no, NO! No, Grayos! Please, no! This can't happen! Not now! Not-" She's interrupted when I hold her mouth gently closed. We lock eyes, more tears coming into hers. Leyorra's cheeks have become splotchy. I force mine to remain dry.
"It's alright. I'll be fine." I whisper.
"No… KITIRO!" She whips around to face the Pidgeot. "There must be something we can do! Anything!? He can't be executed! HE CAN'T DIE!" Leyorra screams at Kitiro with so much desperation in her voice. Kitiro searches his own memories of law loopholes.
"We can't avoid punishment being afflicted in a death penalty for this kind of law. It's a permanent one that we cannot forgive or change. However, if a two-out-of-three vote approves, we can lower the punishment from execution to exile." Kitiro announces without emotion.
"I vote for him to be spared!" Leyorra blurts out immediately. We both look to Kitiro. He sighs.
"I vote with Leyorra…" He mutters. I just blink. Our friendship was reduced to this. That he would have hesitation when choosing whether or not to spared me or kill me. I just shake it out of my head. There's no point anymore.
"Thank you…" I whisper just loud enough so that both can hear. "I'll go pack my things. I'll be out before sunrise." I turn around with my back to my friends. I'm just about to turn the corner and out of their sight when I say one last thing to them. "It was a deep and sincere pleasure to lead Skyborne with my two best friends. Thank you for that."