Secrets of the Night
DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokemon!
Chapter 35: Spirit from the Past
Zephyr Pillar, Semira Isle
In the eastern region of Semira, life for the members of the Sky Division continued to be hectic. Their former master, Vindryl Aurelius, had paid an unexpected visit the day before and was still present in their headquarters. Having arrived on a legendary pokemon in a midst of a violent storm, the man easily made an impression on the Sky Division members. They made sure everything was in proper order and the vicinity was well kept. Although, Grandmaster Vindryl didn't really mind. He had a carefree personality despite his high position and strong presence. Truthfully, it was actually Lord Altair that the Sky unit members feared more, seeing as he was the current leader and is more intimidating. Even more so in the presence of his predecessor.
In the mid-levels, Aeron was currently helping Faye Lin move in to her new dorm room. His father, Lord Altair, had made all the arrangements yesterday after Aeron came back from flying with Grandmaster Vindryl's Rayquza.
Aeron returned around half past noon and was greeted by Grandmaster Vindryl who came to check on him after his meeting with Lord Altair. The Hoenn legendary coiled its body around the pillar's peak and he boy jumped off its head. Steadying himself of solid ground, Aeron stroked the green dragon's rock-hard ridges whilst recalling the indescribable experience of flying on back. The Rayquaza groaned lowly at the boy's touch and then shifted its golden-ring eyes towards the tall man in the blue long coat.
Following its gaze, Aeron faced the former leader and bowed deeply. "Grandmaster Vindryl."
The former leader, Vindryl Aurelius smiled and recalled his Rayquaza back. After putting away the capsule, his blue eyes focused back on the young teen. "Your father is looking for you..."
Nodding, Aeron straightened up and made his way down. As he reached the foot of the stairway, something stirred under his scarf. He reached back and patted his yawning Noibat who poked out from his midnight blue scarf. "Go back to sleep, Noir," he whispered. Continuing to cling on the boy's back, the Noibat partner nestled underneath the warm fabric and dozed off.
Inside Lord Altair's office, the leader of the Sky Division was conversing with the young heiress of the Azril noble family. Faye Lin had explained the circumstances of the events that played yesterday, leading her to untimely arrival back to Zephyr Pillar. Lord Altair listened while silently observing the girl who sat opposite to his desk, her Togepi tucked protectively in her slender arms.
*knock* *knock*
The conversation ceased and the two turned their attention to Aeron who walked in and bowed dutifully in his father's presence. Faye Lin glanced at him nervously while Aegis, her Togepi gleefully greeted the boy with stub-like arms motioning to him. Straightening up, Aeron turned to Aegis and then met Faye Lin's gaze. A pause of acknowledgment. Then without a word, he returned his attention to his father and approached his desk.
Lord Altair didn't bring up his predecessor and merely went straight to the point. Pulling out a piece of paper, he explained Faye Lin's room assignment as well as her future training schedules. Her dorm room was located in the mid-levels, along with the other junior recruits.
Aeron was surprised that his father would allow Faye Lin to become a member of the Sky Division despite her basic training had only started a week ago. Lord Altair added that her basic and official training will have to be done simultaneously and that Aeron was to see through it personally. Aeron couldn't argue. He simply bowed his head and accepted the task. And on that note, the two teens took their leave.
"Aeron, I apologize if I have been nothing but a burden to you..." Faye Lin spoke with a tone of guilt as she unpacked her belongings.
Aeron snapped out of his daze and shook his head. "It's not your fault." Then he continued to wipe the dust-covered desk with a rag.
Faye Lin was unsettled. Turning her attention back to the task at hand, she pulled out an Audino plushie from her bag and recalled the time she and Aeron had spent in Nimbasa City as they searched for her sister's whereabouts. They ate at a cafe, took a walk around the colorful streets of the amusement park-like city and even had a ride on a Ferris wheel. The nostalgia made that day feel so long ago. Smiling warmly, she placed the soft pink doll on the bed, next to her pillow.
"Togepriii!" "Fennekin!"
Shifting her attention to the chorus of happy voices, Faye Lin smiled at her two pokemon who appeared to becoming accustomed to their new room as well as each other. Isis and Aegis were sharing a bed basket with a single pillow and blanket. The Fennekin was lying on her side while the Togepi was leaning her red and blue patterned white shell against the yellow fox.
Noir soon flew down to them and shared a macaroon which Aeron had bought for him earlier. Faye Lin's two pokemon got up and welcomed the thoughtful Noibat. The basket was now crowded with three pokemon but they didn't seem to mind as they ate away at the tasty treat.
"Noir, we're here to help clean the room... not add crumbs all over the floor," Aeron scolded his Noibat who was licking his fingered wings clean. Noir cocked his head towards his human partner and grinned with child-like innocence. Aeron sighed in defeat and resumed his cleaning.
Giggling softy, Faye Lin smiled. She couldn't help but admire the two's relationship.
Half an hour later, they finished. Faye Lin had now officially moved into the Sky Division base. Exhaling deeply, she sat on the bed and looked at the was small compared to her room back in the Kalos region, and it wasn't that fancy or furnished to even compare it to her luxury room. But, it felt anew to make her own room, let alone clean it. She recalled the servants in her household and wondered how they managed it all. Their manor was very big, but everyone their worked hard and kept on greeting her with smiles.
Having done his task, Aeron stood up from a chair he was resting on previously and gathered his partner who had fallen asleep on the floor next to the bed basket. Noir yawned and curled his claws on either side of the boy's shoulders. Aeron patted his head and turned towards the girl. "If you'll excuse us..."
Faye Lin stood up and bowed with respect and gratitude. "Thank you once again, Aeron. And please take care..."
"Yeah... You too."
After making sure that Faye Lin understood their schedule tomorrow, Aeron left. He wanted to check on Lord Altair and Grandmaster Vindryl because he was worried that his father's patience was already wearing thin with their special guest. Upon heading to the stairway, he ran into Rozalia who seemed in a hurry to see him. On her shoulder was her Cherrim and in her arms was a small familiar green pokemon.
Upon seeing Aeron, the Snivy bounded away from the redhead and leaped towards him. A bright light once again radiated from his body.
Stirring awake because of the impending bright entity, Noir jolted and flew off instinctively just before the glowing matter crashed unto to Aeron who stumbled and fell back against the wall in surprise.
Slidding down to the floor, Aeron groaned on impact, but he quickly recovered to see the light recede and unveil a bigger version of a Snivy but with crest protruding on his head and a couple of palmate leaves standing along his tail. He was caught off guard, but he managed to recognize the pokemon before him. "Vivi?"
Beaming with pride, Vivi nodded. Then all of a sudden, he struck by a congratulatory tackle from Noir. Rolling on the floor, the two pokemon tussled playfully and enjoyed their little reunion. Noir was trying to overpower his friend but Vivi's slenderness and newly acquired size made him a good match for the Noibat's energy.
"That's enough you two..." Aeron drew the duo's attention, promptly stopping the play-fight.
Catching his breath, Vivi chuckled at Noir before facing back to Aeron. His eyes locked on to him with expectancy. Happily, he approached him and hissed in a soft purr-like manner. "Seeerviiiiiiinne..."
Sighing calmly, Aeron reached out his hand. Vivi nestled his head against his palm before Aeron gently pulled him closer to his side. The gaze of his silver eyes softened as he stroked his Servine's back. "Sorry if I left you too long, Vivi. But you did great..."
Elated, the Servine rubbed himself against Aeron's side. The loneliness and longing he felt before were instantly washed away.
Noir gazed at them with a happy grin before looking at Rozalia and her Cherrim who were also standing by to give the two some time. Deciding to perch on the girl for the meantime, Noir raised his wings to take off, but something on the floor caught his attention. Turning towards the round object, he trotted over and inspected it. It was then he realized it was a pokeball with some sort of unknown pokemon inside. Noir assumed it was dropped by a member of the Sky unit but the outer scent belonged to Lord Altair's predecessor and Aeron. Surprised, he picked it up with his maw and went to Aeron to inquire.
Noticing his partner was carrying something, Aeron patted Vivi, setting him aside, then he turned to his Noibat. "What do you have there, Noir?"
Gingerly, Noir dropped the pokeball unto Aeron's hand and stepped back while waiting with anticipation. He felt uneasy about the possibility of his partner gaining a third pokemon. Initially, he had no qualms with Vivi. Although there was a tinge of envy every now and then, the two got along well. Reassuring himself that he would always be Aeron's first, he told himself that it would be okay. But somehow, the uneasiness just wouldn't go away.
"What's inside, Aeron?" Rozalia asked, leaning down towards her friend who was still sitting the floor.
"I don't know..." Aeron answered as he shifted the capsule from various angles. "Guess there's only one way to find out..." He stood up and motioned Rozalia and his two pokemon to follow.
Passing several curious Sky division members, they made their way to the upper landing bay. The area there was wide enough for even an Aerodactyl to hover off the floor and fortunately, no one else was around. It was perfect.
Looking back, Aeron confirmed that they weren't followed. It would be troublesome with his fellow Sky division members heard he received a gift from the former leader. For additional precaution, he proceeded to usher Vivi and her Rozalia to the sidelines while Noir perched on his back.
"I don't know what your problem is..." Rozalia complained with growing impatience, her arms crossed and her Cherrim mimicking her expression. "The pokemon could be as small as a Natu."
"I don't think so..." Aeron murmured as he held the pokeball up. Noir peered over Aeron's shoulder and tightened the grip on the boy's back, his uneasiness continued to nag at the back of his mind. Aeron glanced at his partner who unexpectedly didn't meet his gaze. He detected a sort of tension, but it wasn't the time to postpone things further. Making the choice to shrug it off, he let out the pokemon from the capsule. "Okay, let's see what you are..."
A crimson matter burst forth from the pokeball and formed into a tall insect-like dragon with a couple of rhombus-shaped wings, a pair of slender antennae and a long tail with a fin-like tip. Rozalia and Aeron concluded that it was a Flygon. Although... Its fine scales were primarily green like normal, but in contrast to the common color, its eyes were amber and an orange shade lined its wings and tail fin. Not only that, the long antennae on its head were light blue as well as the stripes around its tail and the tips of its knees and toes.
"That's cool! A shiny Flygon," Rozalia commented in awe.
Snorting, the creature fluttered its insect-like wings rapidly and hovered off the floor. The vibration of its wings created a sort of whistling sound. It was soft yet nice to hear, like a Meloetta whispering. Its round eyes panned the area with care and discretion. Looking towards the corner, it took notice of a redheaded girl with a small purple-petaled pokemon on her shoulder and a green leafy reptile beside her. Growling cautiously, it shifted its attention towards a raven-haired boy with silver eyes and a purple bat on his back. Its eyes met with Aeron's and paused for a moment. Slowly, it hovered back down and tucked its wings. The winds became silent and but the heavy atmosphere lingered. Lowering its head, the Flygon leaned towards the boy.
Noir screeched aggressively in response, ceasing the Flygon's advance . Bewildered by his partner's behavior, Aeron placed a hand over his Noibat's head but Noir continued to show signs of hostility towards the green dragon. His golden eyes glared fiercely while his large ears vibrated. Aeron couldn't tell what was wrong with him, but it was definitely a first. Noir wasn't one to pick a fight at a drop of a hat.
The blue-shaded Flygon glared back and growled, not willing to let a minuscule bat threaten it. Noir flew off of Aeron's back and hovered near the ceiling, making sure that he was either the level of the Flygon's gaze or higher. Aeron tried to calm them both down but the two weren't backing off. Vivi bounded over to help but his efforts were fruitless. Rozalia decided to step in too, but something unexpected happened.
Once again fluttering its outstretched wings, the Flygon kicked up a mild Sandstorm and shrouded the landing bay with a brownish fog, blinding Aeron and the rest as they recoiled from the buffeting sand particles. By the time the air cleared up, area was was covered in piles of sand. Rozalia inched out the corner and dusted off her crimson hair as well as her Cherrim's head. Rubbing her eyes clear, she looked for signs of Aeron and his pokemon. Noir burst out of a sand pile, fuming with rage after being blown out of the air, while, Vivi slithered out from his spot where he curled up in order to protect himself.
"Everyone okay?" Rozalia asked. They all exchanged looks before realizing the Flygon had vanished along with Aeron.
In the deepest areas of the forest, situated around the base of the Zephyr Pillar lied a haven to several kinds of bird pokemon, both tamed and wild alike. It was known to the the Sky division as the Aviary Woods. There, under the dense foliage and abundant fruit trees, they thrived in numbers. Many of which were supposedly exclusive to a certain region but the diverse flocks coincide harmoniously despite their different origins. Tree hollows, bushes and man-made birdhouses served as nesting areas for them.
Diving down from great heights, the Flygon zoomed through the air and pierced through the treeline. Shattering branches and shuffling hundreds of leaves, it snapped its wings widely and landed lightly unto the grassy forest floor. Leaves cascaded down from above as twigs snapped beneath its feet. Panning the area momentarily, the Flygon tucked back its wings and checked on its rider.
Realizing that they touched solid ground, Aeron quickly jumped off its back and shook off the sands from his hair and clothes before coughing out more of it from his mouth. Blinking furiously, he groaned and thought back on the series of events that occurred. First, the Flygon suddenly created a Sandstorm. Then during he commotion, the bipedal dragon abruptly grabbed Aeron and tossed him over its back. And finally, it flew out and escaped, leading them to where they were now.
Seeing the boy was still recovering, the Flygon eyed the wide opening in the treetops, created by its abrupt entry. The towering mound that was the Zephyr Pillar was in its sights. Sooner or later, someone would come searching for them. Moaning lowly, the green dragon nudged Aeron away and led him deeper into the woods.
"Just what do you want with me?" Aeron stood defiantly on the spot as he glared at the unusually colored Flygon. "Take me back now."
The insect-like dragon backed off and gazed deeply into the boy's silver eyes. Aeron didn't waiver. His silver eyes flashed with annoyance. But then, the Flygon suddenly became saddened. Its bright orange eyes flickered with sorrow. Taken aback, Aeron placed a hand on its head in an attempt to calm it down, but for some reason, he felt something else. Guilt? Unable to describe the feeling, he stood still. The Flygon stepped forward and gently leaned its forehead against Aeron. Its wings buzzed softly and its long tail curled around them in a semi-circle.
Aeron felt unusually calm. He held on to the Flygon with both hands and rested his head against his. It was like something was telling him to. The surroundings grew silent, only the voice of the soft breeze resonated all around. Aeron breathed and closed his eyes. A fluttering noise filled his ears but it didn't seem to come from his surroundings. In his thought, he envisioned a small child smiling and in his arms was a little brown bird, a Pidgey. Aeron's eyes shot open and he backed away from the Flygon who raised its head and continued to look at him with longing.
"I... I know you..." Aeron murmured as he tried to recall how or why he had a nostalgic feeling with the Flygon. He couldn't remember. Nothing else came up. He tried to force himself, but by doing so, the hellish vision of his nightmares flooded his thoughts, a dead forest, a blood-drenched sky, a cold breeze carrying slivers of dried leaves and tattered feathers. Suddenly, a horrific screech shattered the images in his mind and a pair of icy blue eyes appeared the void. Gasping, he fell to his knees and clutched his head.
The Flygon jolted and curled its head around Aeron's shoulders. The sadness continued to flicker in its amber eyes. Moaning lowly, it nudged the boy and helped him get back to his feet.
Standing up, Aeron stroked its long blue antennae and met the dragon's gaze. "I'm sorry... I don't remember."
"Aeron!" Rozalia's voice echoed in the sky.
Looking up, Aeron saw his Noibat diving in and crashing straight into his arms. The boy stumbled back at the force, but he wasn't knocked down. Noir whimpered and latched himself securely with no intention of letting go. Sighing deeply, Aeron held his quivering partner with one arm and used the other to stroke his fuzzy purple head.
The Flygon backed away a bit and huffed at the second approaching silhouette. A brown dino with long leafy wings flew in and descended unto the leaf and twig covered ground. It was a Tropius and on its back was Rozalia, her Cherrim, and Vivi. After the dinosaur landed, the Servine leaped off and bounded towards Aeron. He hugged the boy's leg and sobbed with relief.
"I'm fine, Vivi..." Aeron reassured his Servine using the hand he stroked Noir with.
"Thank Arceus, you're okay!" Rozalia jumped down and breathed in relief, her worries immediately taken off her shoulders.
"I'm sorry for worrying everyone." Aeron glanced at her before looking down at his Noibat.
Noir looked up, tears forming at the corner of his bright golden eyes. Once he met Aeron's gaze, he calmed down. He was glad that his human partner was safe, but the reason he thought Aeron was in danger in the first place lied in the fault of the shiny Flygon. Growling, Noir glared at the green bipedal dragon and wrapped his wings more protectively around Aeron. The Flygon looked down at the furious bat and growled back.
Dreading that his pokemon would start fighting again, Aeron held them both down. "That's enough you two. I won't tolerate this any further."
Unwilling to let things slide, Noir snarled at the Flygon who growled back in a louder voice. Reaching his breaking point, Noir snapped and launched into the air. Just as he was about to dive in and attack, Vivi piped up and immediately extended his long green vines to hold back the fuming purple bat. Noir struggled as the Servine frantically tried to calm him down.
"Noir! That's enough," Aeron scolded in a stern voice as he stepped in front of the Flygon. "You and Zircon need to learn to get along."
The Noibat froze in Vivi's vine grip. After all that happened, Aeron was siding with the Flygon that kidnapped him. Not only that, he gave him a name. Struck with utter disbelief, Noir protested but once again quieted down when Zircon slid his head under Aeron's arm and cooed passively. On his face was a smug smirk directed at the purple bat.
"Aeron? Are you sure?" Rozalia asked worriedly.
"Yeah," answered the boy. Walking to the Flygon's side, he mounted on his back and looked towards Rozalia. "Also... Thank you for taking care of Vivi, but I think I should take proper responsibility and raise him by my side from now on."
"Okay then," Rozalia lit up at Aeron's decision and mounted on her Tropius, Haru. "I've been away too long. Sakura, Haru and I will be leaving first. "
"Cherrim..." Sakura squeaked.
"Bye and good luck." She bid them farewell.
Rozalia and her grass-types left just as the Servine's realization sunk in. Ecstatic over the news, Vivi unconsciously released Noir from his vines and bounded towards Aeron. The boy hoisted the Servine up as Zircon helped from below. Vivi blissfully sat up front and glanced at Noir who was hovering in the air with a dark aura of betrayal emitting from his body. Slight guilty while forcing an encouraging smile, Vivi called for his friend, but the Noibat continued to grumble to himself.
"Noir..." Aeron called but he too, was ignored.
Unaffected by the Noibat's defiant behavior, Zircon snorted and prepared to take off, much to Noir's dismay. Aeron tried to stop him, but it was too late. With a snap of his wings, Zircon took to air, leaving the Noibat in his dust. Noir was blown back by the winds but he remained air-borne.
Opening his eyes, he saw that he was left behind. Screeching with exasperation, Noir perched on a tree branch and started clawing the area around his black furred neck. He needed to find it. Brimming with impatience, he grinned when his claw suddenly got hold of the hidden accessory. It was an Everstone collar, an item that Aeron gave him a long time ago, before they started any official training.
Seeing as he was no match for the Flygon, given his state, he decided to face him as a Noivern. At least then he wouldn't be pushed around and Aeron would ride on his back instead of Zircon's. Noir could just picture himself in his evolved form. Resolved, he prepared to cut the collar off. After a few tugs, a tinge of hesitance overcame him. And in the end, he decided not to. Removing his claw, he sighed and recalled the promise he made with Aeron when he gave him the collar. And that was to remain in his basic form till Aeron became a senior.
Around that time, Aeron was already a promising individual for the Sky Division, much to the disliking of those who were older than him. His goal was merely to live up to his father's expectations but in doing so, he became the target of jealous eyes. His status as an adopted child didn't help either. Many of the senior and junior members regarded him as Lord Altair's pet. Aeron tried to ignore them, but as long as he continued to stand above the others, his life swiftly became difficult. He had to think of something. Nothing can be done about his affinity with pokemon who can fly, but there was another option. Aeron slowed down his training pace to avoid too much unnecessary confrontations. This also meant preventing Noir's possible evolution if ever it happened during their private training because it would look extremely bad if Aeron joined as a trainee with an experienced Noivern for a partner.
Whimpering, Noir sat on the tree branch and wondered how things will turn out now. If Aeron has a Flygon, would the reason for the promise still be valid?
"Noir," Aeron called from below.
Startled, Noir looked down and saw his human partner along with Vivi. Flying down, he hovered before them and wondered why they were there. Vivi simply shot him a grin, while, Aeron pulled on his ear, causing the Noibat to yelp in pain. Shaking off the boy's grip, Noir huffed in annoyance.
"Honestly, you never change..." Aeron chuckled almost inaudibly before smiling softly at the surprised Noibat. "But I think that's a good thing."
Noir nodded and settled on the boy's feathery raven locks, just like he used to. Aeron didn't fuss about Noir's childish behavior and motioned to his Servine. The three quietly walked back to Zircon who was waiting for them ahead, after Aeron persistently convinced the shiny Flygon to go back for Noir.
Zircon saw them approaching with Noir in their company and positioned himself to take off soon. As the two sides drew near, Noir once again locked gazes with the green dragon. Tension once again grew, but Aeron intervened and shot a glare at Zircon who quickly averted his eyes and looked ahead. Lowering down, Aeron placed Vivi up first before mounting on as well. Zircon stretched his wings but before he took off, he glanced back at Aeron.
The two exchanged looks. Aeron's eyes were the first to waiver. He recalled the mysterious nostalgia he keeps having with the Flygon, but he can't explain why. His memories showed no signs of a blue and green dragon, or even a Trapinch or Vibrava. Although, he did see a child with a Pidgey, but that would be impossible... Would it?
End of Chapter 35
Wooh~ So much mystery in Aeron's life. xD
A few more chapters and his story will continue.
Zircon is a blue gem. (Hence, why I needed a Blue Flygon)
Maybe it's still my obsession with shinies, but hey, who doesn't love shinies?
I'm already done with the next chapter, but I'm sleepy...
I'll post it in the morning after I find/make a good cover for it.
Maybe I can borrow Scriffignano's pic and merged it with Neo's.
Heh. ^^
Anyway, read and review! Please and thank you!
Questions are free to be asked.