Things have been slow around here, haven't they? I'm sorry, guys. It's my fault. I've been working on other projects that probably won't get anywhere, but I can't let myself forget about Skyborne. It's my most successful project I've had. Thanks everyone for being patient with me. I'm starting to get some of my writing mojo back, so I'll try my best!
Without further ado, the war continues:
Chapter 43
April
I stagger back to the clearing, exhausted from Shadow Ball practices. I met some nice pokemon that were all working on Shadow Balls. Unfortunately, they were a bit too enthusiastic about training in the air. My wings droop down to my sides. I probably won't fly right for days.
I'm still clutching to my red scarf with the Shiny Stone inside. I didn't have time to put it back before Torik ushered us out this morning and I'm not just gonna abandon it. Some pokemon have asked about it, why I decided to bring it with me. To say I was in a rush is an understatement, but it satisfied them.
My neck arches to the sky beyond the branches to behold one of my first sunsets. The way the pink hues mix so beautifully with the orange takes my breath away. Nothing you'll find inside Skyborne will ever compare to something like this. Skyborne has always said that the outside is dangerous, but how could something this stunning be dangerous. I'd give anything to see this everyday.
"Dinner!" I hear someone calling from the clearing. I almost hear my stomach sigh with relief. I haven't had anything to eat all day! I rush over to the clearing to find a strong fire going in the middle. Off to the side is a pile of berries of all kinds, but my eyes are set directly on the pecha berries."Help yourself, everyone!" A Farfetch'd that stands next to the food shouts. No one has to tell me twice. I rush over to the pile, already crowded with starving pokemon. I fight and push my way through, but it's a training exercise all on it's own. Reaching my arm towards the food, my hand closes around a pecha berry. I fly up and out of the ruckus with my prize.
"April!" Blake calls to me from the opposite side of the fire. He's with Dawn, too. I settle down with my earned meal next to Dawn. "Look who survived in there." He jokes.
"Don't get too cocky, Blake. I'd like to see you try getting a few berries from there." I mutter as I munch on my pecha berry. That's when I notice all the berries laid out in front of him. "Wh-what!? How did you-?"
"You were saying, April?" Blake chuckles. Dawn rolls her eyes.
"Oh, please, Mr. Ego. You just got here before everyone else, that's all." I start cracking up as Blake's face turns a bright red. "So, how was it today for you?" I know she's inquiring about practicing Shadow balls.
"Exhausting in more ways than one..." I mumble as I think back to the overly eager pokemon I spent the day with. Even I'm never that eager to work.
"Blake?"
"Don't even ask." He shoots like a dagger as he scarfs down more berries. More pokemon join the circle with as much as they could salvage. Now, the pile is nothing more than a few discarded berry stems. Fellow warriors are conversing with others as they feast on their prize. Torik sits across the fire from us, but Rashi is nowhere to be found. Clearly, other pokemon take notice and are flying above our heads, chasing each other. The warriors on the ground are all laughing together like they've been friends forever. Watching them feeling so much joy, it makes me happy to see our group of hard-core warriors with soft hearts.
"Good evening, everyone." Every chuckle stops in mid-air. All eyes turn to the voice emanating from the place where all the berries once were. Rashi stares us all down with his usual malice. The pokemon playing overhead dive for the trees instead of out in the open, cowering in fear of his rage. Everyone holds their breath, waiting for the outburst that comes with not leaving Rashi any dinner. But, it doesn't come. Instead, he strolls over to an open spot right next to Torik. "Well, I'm glad to see everyone is getting along." His response astounds each warrior in the circle, including myself. How could he possibly be so calm? The fierce Salamence I met earlier this day has gone missing only to be replaced with a Salamence that looks exactly like him, but that's where the similarities end. Rashi studies us closely, taking in the silence, and speaks. "Look, everyone has the hard training part down and from the looks of it, you also have the 'grow together' aspect as well. We also need to develop trust between each other. It's what I expect of you, in fact. Yes, there is a time for training. But, now is a time for us." His encouragement is only met with silence.
"Oh, please, Rashi. You can't expect them to be social if you don't practice what you preach." All eyes turn to Torik, sitting with a smug grin on his face, in shock and horror. I don't think anyone has ever dared smart mouthed Rashi up until now. Much less the first was to be Torik. Everyone focuses on Rashi, waiting for a volcano to erupt. He merely chuckles a bit and sits down next to Torik, almost sounding jolly. "Better." Torik notices our empty expressions and explains. "Unfortunately, I have to live in the same room with this killjoy back in Skyborne. I know he's a bit, well, authoritative most of the time but... well, that's all I got." A few giggles are roused around the circle, starting to warm up. I felt quite surprised of the coincidence, never thinking to make the connection of the two of them living in the same room as each other. However, it's not completely far fetched, either. Rashi scowls a bit at his roommate, but doesn't deny his statement either. That only causes more laughs.
Conversation starts up again, making the little campfire circle feel like a community. Topics bounce back and forth and it seems like everyone is included. I'm the only one not talking, the only one that's not engaged in conversation, which is unusual for me. But, the sight of all these warriors treating each other like brothers and sisters, like family, just makes me feel like I'm part of something beautiful. I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of the fire and the family.
But, it's interrupted when the horn billows through the night. All conversation drops like a rock and the only sound is of the horn and Rashi's booming voice. "Everyone! To the trees!" We scramble like bug pokemon to the forest surrounding us. Some pokemon swiftly extinguishes the fire with a water-type attack and flees for cover. Dawn, Blake, and I hide at the edge of the clearing, peering up through the leaves. I lean closely against Dawn's stomach and quake in fear. The horn has silenced only to be replaced with the cries of battle erupting from the Wings of Legend. The flap of their wings creates a gust that ruffles the trees. Silhouettes of their massive wingspans are visible against the moonlight. They come and go like a lightning strike, leaving as suddenly as they came. After a few minutes of hiding, the first pokemon emerge from the trees. We all gather once more in the middle, but not a word is spoken. Not even Rashi has to speak to tell us what will happen next. We all know that it's time.
One by one, each pokemon silently take to the skies until each one is off the ground. I fly in the middle of the flock with a racing heart, unable to tell if I'm as excited as the others are to end this once and for all, or if my heart is trembling in fear of that same end.