Secrets of the Night

DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokemon!

Chapter 42: Guided Wings

"Maya...?" A little blonde girl in a red frilly dress peered from beyond the open door. It was quiet. Her big sapphire eyes traveled from one corner of the room to the other until they came to rest on a small silhouette that was sitting down, gazing at the scenery beyond the tall glass window. A smile slowly etched on her innocent face as she trailed the figure's frame, from the silky ebony locks to the puffy laced white dress that was worn, a classic image of an elegant porcelain doll.

"Faye." The raven-haired girl greeted without caring to glance back, but the tone she used was somber and soft in a caring way. The older lass knew the voice of her sister all too well. There wasn't anyone she could mistake her for anyway. Not that there were any other child in the huge manor.

Hearing her big sister call, Faye Lin scurried over, her shoes lightly disturbing the silence of the room. Upon reaching her sister, she poised herself beside her and followed her gaze. Her wide curious eyes wandered at the courtyard in front of their home. The maids were dutifully sweeping up the autumn leaves. The faint shuffling in the thickening silence was unnerving. Faye Lin cocked her head up and bit her lip. "Maya?"

"Yes?" Maya turned her head slightly to look down on her younger sister. Her blue eyes sparkled in the dim lighting as they softened warmly.

"Is mom... going to... get any better?" Faye Lin asked anxiously.

Maya's expression dampened. "I can't answer that, I'm afraid..." she replied reluctantly. Faye Lin whimpered and turned her gaze back towards the tranquil view outside. Maya frowned and pulled her little sister up so she would lie on her lap. Faye Lin's eyes returned towards her sister as the older girl managed a smile. "Whatever happens, we'll be here for each other." Her words immediately lit up the younger girl's face, earning herself a warmth that made her smile as well, just more sincerely. Gently, she stroked Faye Lin's golden hair and noted the scarlet strands that were partially hidden away.

"Father doesn't like them though," Faye Lin told her, noticing her sister's gaze directed on her hair. The thought of the colored locks, a symbol of their bond, upsetting someone she respected and loved was greatly dampening her mood. But she beamed brightly at her sister despite it all. "I love them though... Just as much as I like the blue ones on yours."

Maya giggled softly and glanced at her own hair that dangled over her shoulders. It was barely visible on her midnight locks, but the somber lighting gave off enough to make the cerulean shade somewhat noticeable. Faye Lin and her may be merely half-related and their hair color was as different as night is to day, but the fact will always remain; they will always be sisters.

Now, those shades continued to shimmer like northern lights across the dark night sky, just as much as the crimson hue flared on the other girl's golden hair. The cool winds blew as the two stared at each other for the longest time, after what felt like an eternity of their separation. Every other noise was zeroed out from their unexpected reunion. Yet, the two sisters remained frozen in time.

"Faye?" Maya whispered as she continued to stare at the girl in front of her, images of her younger sister as a child overlapping her vision.

The voice and call of her name instantly brought tears to her ocean eyes. Her body suddenly found the will to move as she rushed towards the Gothic girl and buried her head against her, her arms still wrapped protectively around her Togepi who was slightly confused but chose to remain silent, feeling the longing emotion radiating from the girl. The faint yet familiar scent of lilies greeted her. It was surreal, but it all confirmed that it was no dream. Faye Lin had finally found her older sister.

Maya was at a loss for words. Memories long hidden away came flooding back. Giggles and voices calling her name echoed in her mind. Unconsciously, her arms moved up and enveloped the blonde girl in a light embrace. Maya felt her sister's body tremble as the muffled sobs grew more and more audible.

"Maya?" Two mental voices chorused in the dark-haired girl's mind, drawing her out of her reverie.

Maya blinked and turned her gaze towards her Espurr and Zorua who were both looking up with curious yet confused expressions.

Faye Lin felt her sister shift and she instinctively followed her gaze, consequently meeting the Espurr's blank gaze. She blinked in recognition. "F-Freya?"

The female Espurr merely mewed in response.

Puzzled, Maya partly broke away and shot a curious glance at her Espurr and then back at her sister. "Do you know her?"

Faye Lin met her sister's eyes and opened her mouth to reply when all of a sudden, a sandy-haired boy rushed towards them, a Joltik clinging to the spikes of his hair and an Espurr in his arms, carrying a small dark-creamed pastry.

"Hey Maya! You sure you don't want the Enigma Berry cup-" Kirian skidded to a halt when both girls locked eyes on him. He felt his nerves crash and his mind going haywire. It was a second worst case scenario, first if Aeron was also thrown into the mix. In front of him was Faye Lin, the girl who owned the Espurr that he accidentally gave away and in her half-embrace was Maya, the girl he liked and the current owner of the said Espurr. They knew each other, he concluded.

Kirian was screwed.

The winds roared and echoes bounced off the canyon walls as several pairs of wings sliced through the the narrow ravine, flooding the surroundings with drum-like wing beats, and high-pitch whirring. The race had just begun but the fierce flames of the competition were already set ablaze. Banking and maneuvering expertly, six figures swerved along the winding valley, dodging the rocky terrain as they fight to gain the lead spot.

The head of the group was Aspen with her Skarmory. Being a member of the Saber division, she was familiar with all the turns of her home base, allowing her to tackle the tightest turns as efficiently as possible. Her metal bird glided passed the turns skillfully and eagerly, tips of her steel wings and talons purposely nicking the face of the canyons.

Behind the brunette was Corentin and his Staraptor, barreling and twisting agilely in pursuit of the current leader. He attempted a few times to overtake the girl but the narrow space and the overhanging rock formations made it nearly impossible. He was closely trailed by the Black Scythe representative, followed by Corbin of the Warrior division, then the girl with a Crobat from the Gambit division and finally Rozalia, a member Rosette unit.

"Keep it up, Ailith!" Aspen, with her chocolate locks billowing, encouraged her Skarmory with a determined grin. "Let's leave these losers in our dust."

"Don't get cocky, Weathercroft!" Corentin yelled from behind with a half-teasing voice as he urged his Staraptor, Ekaitz, to close the gap between them.

"Puh-lease spare me, mister show-off!" Aspen shot a quick glare back stuck her tongue out. Corentin found the insult both mean and childish. It made him cast a lopsided smile, coupled with competitive spirit.

The flyers were three-quarters out of the first area. The Gambit member managed to overtake Corbin and his Braviary using an intricate maneuver of the Crobat's four wings. The dark-skinned junior of the Warrior division grunted but remained focused on his pace. Rozalia was close behind, keeping a level-head over herself and her Tropius who wasn't exactly an ideal pokemon for complicated turns and tricks, but showed no fear in taking on the challenge.

Along the surface of the canyons, each participant's pokemon partner was trailing the race on ground. Like their human counterparts, Aspen's Absol was ahead with Corentin's Linoone and the Gambit girl's Nidorino darting at either side of her. The rest were not exactly suited for long land travels so they hitched a ride. Rozalia's Cherrim, in sunny form, was clinging to the Absol's crescent horn and Corbin's Riolu was riding on the disaster pokemon's back. The sixth pokemon that supposedly belonged to the participant of the Black Scythe assassins was nowhere in sight. Or was it?

Unbeknownst to either human or pokemon group, a small purple bat was hastily making his way towards the race. After making the difficult decision of leaving Faye Lin behind at the stands, Noir took off in pursuit of the black cloaked rider representing the Black Scythe assassins. Confusion and worry washed over him like ice cold water. He refused to believe that Aeron would associate himself one again with the infamous group, but if ever it was true, there would be a logical reason.

Noir flew high over the pokemon group, avoiding the Natus, Xatus and other psychic pokemon that were broadcasting the race. Despite the growing harshness of the winds, he pushed on. Whatever mess Aeron found himself in, he wasn't going to be alone. Zircon, his Flygon rival, didn't count. His keen yellow eyes followed the surging shadows and glided through the snake-like mineral valley.

The crowds roared and cheered for their representatives. The present heads remained ever quiet and observant. Grandmaster Vindryl was still at the podium, gazing intently at the racers. He continued to shift in and out of his reverie, speaking occasionally to comment or give updates of the current standings. Although things have taken an unexpected twist with the latest flyer, it was far too late to end things. That and the fact that Vindryl Aurelius wanted to see the boy's current potential. He sighed inwardly. He'd have to deal with the outcome and aftermath when the time comes.

Clearing his throat, Vindryl put on a ignorant mask with his signature confident grin. "Whoa, after that display of turns and twists, things are kicking up now! The first ones are nearly entering the Gambit division territory. Better beware of the random fumes and fog. Trust not what you see so easily. The area tends to play with one's mind." The flaxen-haired man chuckled momentarily. "Let's see how well our participants fair with the second obstacle."

Aspen was out first followed by Corentin by mere seconds. The lead flyers swiftly surged upwards as they neared the outskirts of the foggy jungle. The spore-infested airspace greeted the them but they were unfazed in the slightest. The two seniors exchanged looks, a mocking glare from the girl and an eager grin from the boy. The shiny Flygon rider rocketed out moments later, followed by the flyer with the Crobat and then Corbin and Rozalia.

"Ekaitz! Tailwind now!" Corentin shouted as he spurred his black avian to hurl past Aspen and her Skarmory.

The boy's Staraptor did a death roll and darted over the metal bird's left wing, gaining first place. Then with a snap of his wings, Ekaitz created a massive wind wave that swept away the powder cloud and haze. With the obstacle cleared, Corentin wasted no time and surged forward, utilizing the manifested wind to carry him through the air faster than before.

o~O~o

The Sky division members cheered for him as they watched on the blue Light Screen display.

"Quite the smart boy you chose, Altair~" Lord Tristan complimented, casting a sideways glance at the stoic man sitting two chairs away.

Lord Altair returned the gaze with a dark scowl, decreasing the temperature of the atmosphere by several degrees, much to Lord Owen and Lady Amalia's dismay as they were the ones sitting in between the two. The man growled under his breath. Something was putting him on edge. Initially, he assumed it was Tristan's presence but his instincts told him otherwise.

o~O~o

Aspen gave chase but the opening created by the attack was rapidly closing and the spores were once again filling the air. Without slowing down of stopping, the brunette exclaimed to her partner, "Ailith, use Air Slash!"

The steel avian stretched her wings apart and with a fluid snap, unleashed invisible blades that cut through the weirdly colored haze, clearing the way once again. Diving into the opening, the Saber division duo resumed their goal to the finish, trailing the airway that Corentin had created.

The next one up was the black cloaked Flygon rider who muttered his instructions over the wind. Immediately, the blue and green dragon did a series of death rolls while summoning sand that spiraled out from its wings. The Sandstorm attack swiftly converted into a twister that not only blew the plant particles back but prevented future spores from overpowering them later on. As the brown sand funnel formed satisfyingly, the shiny Flygon and its rider returned upright and zoomed across the materialized tunnel.

o~O~o

He's not holding back, it seems... Vindryl Aurelius thought to himself. His eyes were locked on to the violet screen displaying the hooded boy. In such a short time, he's already in sync with the Flygon. It may just be because of the pokemon... If not, then his talent is far greater than I last saw it.

"That rider is good," Lady Amalia pointed out within the current Sky division leader's earshot. Her violet eyes glanced at his fellow head momentarily. Once she detected that she had been ignored, she shifted her eyes to the last three competitors.

Lord Altair caught her gaze just as it disappeared. That rider. Diverting his gaze, he narrowed his eyes at the Black Scythe representative. Something about that person irked him greatly, not in a really bad way like Tristan but in a way he felt restless to the point that his concentration was centered on him. It was unusual for him to take interest in someone from the Black Scythe assassins, not after he severed his ties.

o~O~o

Seeing as the winds were becoming wild and unpredictable, the last three opted to take the lower routes. The Crobat flyer dove down towards the deep jungle and used her pokemon's maneuverability to her advantage by dodging branches and slipping into the narrowest tree gaps. Being less familiar and less skilled in intricate maneuvering, Corbin and Rozalia chose to fly above the canopy.

The second area had three optional routes: the open airspace where the fumes accumulated most, the lowest path with the most obstacles to dodge and the last being the middle route which was a combination of both but in lesser proportions. Three took the first, one opted for the second and two chose the third.

By this time, Rozalia and Corbin were neck-to-neck. Corbin was superior in terms of pokemon, given bird pokemon were more agile and lighter than dinosaurs. Rozalia, though, grew up in the forest. She could identify the easiest way through any woodland and could identify spores and their effects, as well as the pokemon that likely released them. Another plus factor was the fact that Rozalia was used to flying Haru, the Rosette division's top Tropius. She could anticipate and sync herself to Haru with much skill and finesse as any senior member of the Sky unit.

"Catch you later, Corbin!" Rozalia did a mock salute with a wink before banking to the far right and fading into the mist.

Having lost sight of the last of the competitors, Corbin felt the restlessness of the surroundings dawn on him. The rush of the winds above told him that he was not far from the three leaders. He kept a level head and a steady pace as he guided his Braviary through the gray haze. Being part of the Warrior division, his heightened senses, quick reflexes and instincts proved useful whenever a stone structure or a really tall tree would suddenly appear out of the fog. They dodged the obstacles well enough as they pushed on.

"Things are getting interesting," he said to himself with a determined smile. "Bring it then."

Meanwhile, the pokemon group was entering the forest. They lost sight of their human partners but nonetheless determined to follow them through and through till the end. The downhill road from the valley ate a good fraction of their time so they had a lot of ground to make up for. Kyria, Aspen's Absol, was still letting Corbin's Riolu, Ryu ride on her back. Rozalia's Cherrim (Overcast form) was with Linnea, Corentin's Linoone. The brown badger-like pokemon was upfront, scurrying up the first tree she reached in order to scout ahead. Reno, the Nidorino was lagging behind but it was his expertise in the area that helped them locate a travel route through the dense woodland.

Corentin and Ekaitz glided gracefully atop of the Tailwinds, occasionally summoning Whirlwinds to drive away spore clouds. So far, it proved effective but Corentin was starting to feel light-headed. He knew avoiding 100% of the fumes was impossible. It was nothing serious, basing on his experience. The only thing it did was dampen his focus. Ekaitz compensated well enough, sensing his partner's distress. Although, he too, was feeling his strength sapping away.

Suddenly, a loud bellowing noise drew their attention. Corentin glanced back and saw a brown tornado surge towards him. He could easily narrow down to what or who was causing it. His storm grey eyes narrowed and concentrated on the figure in the middle of the sandy wind funnel. Sure enough, it was a blue and green Flygon with a black cloaked rider.

Corentin hastened his Staraptor but the Flygon rider broke away from the Sandstorm and vaulted to his level. For a moment, time seemed to slow down. Corentin stared at the mysterious individual across him. He couldn't make out the face. It was too concealed by the hood. Then there was a silver glimmer. Corentin suddenly found himself being overtaken. It wasn't that the opponent was faster. Ekaitz was slowing down.

"Ekaitz? Bud?" The brown-haired senior Sky member turned away from the Flygon rider and turned his attention to his partner who blinked and stared back at him. Ekaitz was fine, there was no pained expression from any Spore effects. He wasn't falling asleep either. "What just-"

"Ren!" Aspen's voice snapped his focus towards her.

Corentin looked over his shoulder just as an orange cloud was decimated by an X-shape force of air. He and his Staraptor were moments away from the risk of making contact with paralyzing fumes. Lightly breathing with relief, he turned to his rescuers who were now directly across him.

"Get your head in the game!" Aspen reprimanded with a sharp glare.

"Right. Sorry..." Corentin murmured and diverted his attention upfront. He could see the dark blur of the Flygon rider in the haze upfront. Did that guy really do something? But there was no proof of it. Corentin grumbled inwardly and refocused on the race, but only after casting a grateful smile at Aspen. "Thanks for the save."

"Tch."

"Awww... Aspie's shy~" Corentin teased with a chuckle.

"Don't make me cut you down right here and now." The brunette groaned.

"Riiiight..."

Back at the Sedgwick Valley...

Faye Lin, Maya and Kirian along with their pokemon retreated to the back of the stands, away from all the noise and disturbances. The two sisters were currently lost in a conversation between themselves. They had a lot to catch up on after all. Faye Lin was still partially tearing up but she was all smiles. Maya, despite her apathetic face, was unbelievably smiling somewhat. Their pokemon, now joined by Touya the male Espurr were with them.

Kirian, on the other hand, was sitting on the ground, a good distance away from any chances of eavesdropping. He was still trying to calm his nerves after the earlier events. It turns out that Faye Lin had actually intended to give Freya to her sister when she would meet her so all the hassle of getting a second Espurr as a replacement was for nothing... err not exactly nothing though. Kirian gave Touya to Faye Lin nonetheless. The look on her face when she and her sister had matching pokemon was quite a sight, her face lit up like the sun. That small gratitude in Maya's eyes was also rewarding, assuming that it was just that. She simply cast Kirian a look. Usually she would ignore another person's existence so being actually visible was an improvement. The last reason for Kirian was simply because Espurrs creep him out, especially when they stay awake at night staring at him with glowing violet eyes. He shuddered at the memory.

"I... I still can't believe that you'd follow me all the way here." Maya continued to take in the sight of her younger sister, a certified teen with longer hair, less baby fat and a perfect image of a proper noble lady that she was likely growing into. Her eyes, though, were still filled with wonder and innocence like the infinite blue sky.

"I as well but I couldn't have done it alone," Faye Lin admitted with a shy smile, her arms wrapped around her Togepi who was squealing with joy. It was only then that she was reminded of the person who accompanied her through and through, constantly protecting her and teaching her to be strong. "AERON!"

Maya and Kirian both jolted at the sudden volume in the blonde's tone and at the mention of the name. Kirian hurriedly stood up, a frantic expression streaked across his face. He rushed over to the younger sister who seemed suddenly at a loss of what to do. "Faye Lin! What is it?"

Faye Lin turned to Kirian and stared at him with desperation. "Kirian, Aeron's the flyer for the Black Scythe ."

"W-WHAT?! That's impossible!" The sandy-haired boy stepped back in disbelief. He really couldn't picture his best friend as an assassin covered in blood and working for that creepy Lord Tristan. Aeron was stubborn and he always stood at the side of life.

"That is what I believed..." Faye Lin replied, worry laced in her tone. Her blue eyes looked away for a moment as she became thoughtful. But once she gathered her certainty, she stared back at Kirian. "But I am sure it is him. He is with Zircon, a shiny Flygon that Grandmaster Vindryl presented him with."

"W-Wait... Aeron has another pokemon? A fully evolved shiny at that?" Kirian was suddenly dumbstruck. "Geez, that guy could at least share."

"This is not the time for that!" Maya interrupted with a stern tone after seeing her sister frantic and yet the guy who gave away Espurrs was seemingly unconcerned other than the fact that this person, Aeron, had gained another pokemon.

"Ah-err... sorry," Kirian rubbed the back of his head in shame, his thoughts slowly piecing everything together.

"What should we do?" Faye Lin asked the vital question. "Should we inform Master Altair about this?"

Kirian turned to her as he played the possible scenario of talking to Lord stone-face. It wasn't pretty. Aeron's father was gonna be pissed. 1.) Aeron went behind his back, seeing as he used an unfamiliar pokemon. He would have used Itzal, Lord Altair's Noivern otherwise. Surely it was way faster. 2.) Of all the people to associate with, Aeron had to pick the least favorite person of his father, a sly grinning redheaded assassin. There was also the problem of confronting the man. They'd have to approach the rest of the heads, the leader of the Black Scythe division included. He gulped.

"Faye..." Maya placed her hands on her younger sister's shoulders, calming the girl and drawing her gaze. "I may not know much of the details, but I think... That it is maybe out of our hands now."

The pokemon around them seemed to agree, letting out whimpers to discourage the girl.

Faye Lin looked at her feet and pondered. The race was already underway and somewhat halfway through. Talking to their superiors would result in so much conflict. Aeron would also end up in trouble, more than she thought he was already in. Inwardly sighing in defeat, she could only hope that Aeron was well and that he knew what he was doing.

"So uhm... If Aeron is there, where's Noir?" Kirian inquired out of curiosity.

Faye Lin's head shot up and he turned from the left to the right. Aeron's Noibat was nowhere in sight.

Noir was still in pursuit. He managed to overtake the pokemon group and was now gliding over the treetops. His wings were starting to strain from the long distance and high speed flying but his will was yelling at him to keep going and so he did. Time to time he let out a Screech in an attempt to call out Aeron but it was drowned out by the thick fog and the raging air streams caused by the attacks of the three lead flyers. It was a sign or desperation that could no longer be stifled.

As he ducked under a branch and flew up, Noir let out another Screech, only to be cut off by a puff silvery white powder. A couple of blurry violet balls with round red eyes were perched atop of a branch. It was the last thing he saw before his wings became lost the final ounces of strength completely and his eyelids grew heavy, inevitably succumbing him to the darkness.

End of chapter 42

Yet another cliffhanger~
Sorry for the delay. April has been really busy for me.
I had trouble chopping this chapter around. heheh.

So, things are settling in for Faye Lin and Maya while Aeron seems to be digging deeper into trouble.
Why? -Secret!
That's all for now.

Review! Please and Thank you.