Chapter 17: Echo Projection lessons
Chinook's POV
Right after I finished up my fill I roosted under the water tower to rest my wings for a while.
"Already full?" I turn over and see Breeze was roosting beside me.
I nodded. "Yeah I already had my fill, what about you? Did you already out hunt?" She wrapped her wings around herself closely.
"Not exactly, my mom is already getting me something to eat," She replied. "She thinks I should stay and rest while she gets some tiger moth for me so I can save my strength for our journey."
"I see," I said. Breeze looked over at me and has this cold look. "I heard what Todd said about the dare and part of it is your fault,"
I shook my head not want to bring this up again, "He made me take this dare Breeze, I can't help it."
"We're you doing it just to show us your bravery?" She asked. I didn't answer her question. Sure enough, after Shade dare me I can't let her and Todd see me as the wimp bats after I told them about my father being powerful and all. I heard her sigh heavily.
"Chinook, even I admire you much. You should've said no to his dare." I looked over and saw her look away and her mother came over and give her some tiger moth she caught and flew away to get some more. I heavy sighed and looked out into the forest for I know she was right, I should've but I let my self centered blinded me instead.
My eyes lit up when I saw Ariel soaring over though the woods. With the thought of what Ashlie said to me, I have to tell her the whole truth. I took a deep breath and flew out from my roost and catch up with her.
"Ariel?" I called softly. She looks back and saw me and flew back by me.
"Is it Shade?" She asked hopefully, "Is he here? Ashlie is here?" I shook my head giving her my answer and look down having guilt look.
She notices and sighed. "What is it Chinook?"
"Tree Haven burning down," That's all I can say and manage to continue. "I-It was as my fault, as it was Shade and Ashlie's." She gasps softly and then gives me a frown look as I knew she'll going to have that expression.
She flew off and I follow her up towards the closet lamp. We roosted under one of them and she waited for me to finish up my story.
"I was showing off for Todd and Breeze..I shouldn't listen to Shade when he dared me to the sun...I couldn't let the runt.." She frowned more while I talked. "I-I mean.." I sighed heavily. "I couldn't let him show me up. Ash tries to tell me I didn't have to and I should've listened to her.." I couldn't finish more after I heard her sighed heavily.
I look in my corner and saw her both eyes closed with disappointment look on her face. I felt my tears streaming down my cheeks as I close my eyes.
"I..I'm sorry Ariel..I'm so sorry." All of sudden I heard her coming over and felt her one wing wrap around me. I looked at her to see her face was replaced to warm smile.
"I forgive you Chinook, I'm glad you told me this." She said. I smiled back feeling my chest lifted.
"I bet Shade and Ash are still alive," I added.
She nodded. "I hope your right." I smiled more and looked down and to be fair honest I wasn't betting they're alive, I hope they are.
Even Shade is a runt I still care for him as a brother and as for Ashlie, I never met a human that could be this kind, after I heard what my mom and the rest colony say about them.
She was a good human friend and she's cool to hang out. Guys, if you are really alive out there, don't you dare give up and come back to us
Ashlie's POV
I bite my and shrink back in my hiding afraid he could be guarding. But the way his face looks tells me he was afraid and saw a bad scratch he still has on his neck. I shook my head finally made my decision, regretting what I'm doing. Oh, I hope I know what I'm doing...
I pushed the door a bit more softly for me to go out and glance above to see if it's all clear. When I didn't see any more pigeons I went out and quietly walk up to where Higlend is at. I took a deep breath and have my both hands close to my mouth.
"Psst!" I hissed. I watch him perk his head up and glance at his surroundings. "Psst!" He swallowed nervously and tries to find someone in the sky. "Down here!" I hissed more bit loud.
He finally found me and I gulped. I was expecting him to perhaps scream for others he found me or swopped down to take me in his talons. But to my surprise and relief he jumps from the lamp he was sitting on and landed in front of me.
I waited for more for him to say I was under arrest or being stupid enough to expose myself without anything to defend. Again he didn't say anything to me as we stood to look at each other for about a couple minutes or more.
Finally, he huffed and grumped. "What do you want human?"
"Um, I notice you're out here alone and I thought you want to come in." I offered. He blinked and shook his head.
"N..no I can't go in there,"
"Why not?" I asked. He looked around nervously and his body shook with fear.
"G..giant bats could be in there." He quivered. I pursued my lips as I remember Shade, Marina and I scared him and the others off so we can go in.
"Um, you mean the statues? Nah their not giant bats, their just gargoyles."
"Gargoyles?" He questions.
I nodded. "Yeah their just statues that we made as we believe to keep the evil spirits away, so apparently the giant bats you encounter will never set foot on here." He looked up at the cathedral before looking down at me.
"..Are you sure there are no giant bats here?"
I smiled truthfully. "Yes no giant bats in this building, and I promise you'll be safe from them." He looked at me for a second having deep thought and look at the cathedral and outside. He quickly nodded.
"Alright, let's go." I smiled and lead him inside the cathedral without any problem and manage to get the door closed.
"Why are you helping me human?" He asked. I looked at him after I close the cathedral with my two hands.
"I don't know, I guess when I saw you out there like that, I wanted to," I replied. He hums and I led him through the inside the cathedral towards where Zephyr and the rest are at.
All of sudden we both jumped in startled when we heard a female screaming, echoing through the building. Higlend and I looked up and we both noticed a grey figure was falling from one of the towers.
Higlend was the one that realized it and gasped in horrify. "NOOOO!" As if a new strength came to him he took off and raced towards the object. I breathed heavily and saw him swopped under the figure, catching it on time and both him and figure came crashing on the steps.
I ran fast towards what he has catch and my eyes lit up to see the figure he caught was a female pigeons with her eyes closed. Higlend looked down at her panting heavily.
"Elizabeth? Elizabeth!"I held my breath and prayed she'd alright since the way he looked at her is important to him.
The female pigeons opens her eyes slowly and I sighed in relief. She turns her head weakly and looked over at her rescuer. Her golden eyes lit up.
"…Higlend?"
He smiled his beak softly. "Yes it's me, love, are you alright?" The female pigeon's name Elizabeth gasped and hug him as if she never wants him to go while he gathers her in his wings, holding her close.
"Oh Higlend I thought I lost you!" She cried in his chest. "After those giant bats separated us I thought they killed you."
"Shh its alright," Higlend cooed. "Your safe now." I smiled a little of their reunion and then we all heard more wings flapping. We saw Shade and Marina came down and landed by us. Elizabeth gasped when she saw Shade and huddle close to her husband in fear.
"Stay away from me! He's the one that tried to kill me!" She squawked. Higlend notices and holds his beloved close-in protection and did his best to look threatening.
"S-stay away from us you flying rat!"
"No Higlend it's okay he's a friend," I reassured.
Elizabeth shook her head. "No while after I arrived and hide in the attic he threatened me of how my kinds attack him and it made me lose my balance."
"Oh, Shade!" I looked over at him with my discourage look, "Why did you do that?"
"Hey look I'm sorry for what I did," Shade answered, have his both hands up in apology. "I was very upset about what the owls and pigeons had done to us I didn't think straight." Then Zephyr came down as Marina turns to him.
"Zephyr did you see, hear all of this?"
He nodded. " I heard, young bat being blinded by his anger. But then I saw something changing him." He glances at Shade and added. "You must never underestimate the power of kind act, even to your enemies. Real or image."
"You mean like giving this enemy a chance whenever we like it or not?" I asked.
"Exactly." He smiled. "Now we should all go up to my belfry to get some rest." He glances over at the pigeon couples. "You can join us if you like, I can hear your wife's wing croaked."
"Can you help her?" Higlend said. "Please we're expecting an egg any time soon," I gasped softly to hear they're having a baby.
Zephyr laughed. "I never said I didn't want to help, come I have just a thing for her wing." Higlend sighed softly and nodded in appreciated. Marina and I helped Elizabeth up on Higlend's back but Shade didn't, she didn't want any of his help.
When we finally reach back up to the belfry Higlend gently place his wife on some worn-out clothing and lay by her. I rubbed my arm and I notice Shade's guilt look.
I watch Marina went by him and place her hand on his shoulder for comfort. Thought about what Zephyr said came to me that I was confused about that I walked up to him where he's roosting.
"Zephyr, the last part about what you said never judged anyone, what do you mean by real or imagined?" I asked. He chuckled and turned to me.
"Sometimes we can see through our image's in our dreams or visions that can take us to know the creatures only want peace and hospitality," He glanced over at Shade and Marina and to my surprise he used his echolocation at them.
I tip my head after I saw them yelp in startled as if they saw something behind them. Even the pigeons' couples look shocked but I was the one not seeing it. Feeling much confused I was about to ask what they were looking at Shade looked at him stunned like they're already done seeing it.
"That pigeons..a-and the bat..they were echo projections?" Zephyr only smiled and chuckled.
"Echo projection? Is that what it was?" He didn't answer instead ask Zephry eagerly.
"Will you teach me?"
He nodded. "Of course, but what I have to show you, you must be ready to see." He got out from his roost and landed by his healing herbs.
"I didn't know bats can do that," Higlend said.
"Only one of the millions of bats can echo project young one," Zephry picks up a red plant healing herb and added. "Let's see Shade, first there are few skills you need to master."
Shade scoffed. "Like what?" He flies over and landed by him.
"Oh like uh, sound mapping, star navigations, and herbal remedies."
"Herbal remedies?" Shade looked at him dumbly. "What would I do if I get corner by an owl, throw leaves at him?" He laughed.
"Shade perhaps these herbs could be useful in your future," I said. Zephyr then used his echolocation over at giant books that is by him which I heard is hardcover. Marina fly over and landed by him after he has done that.
"You are obviously cannot use your size to overpower your enemies." He said.
"Um he's sensitive about his height," Marina whispered in his ear.
He nods and walks over to him. "The more you know the better you have against your enemy." With demonstrate, he uses his foot to trip him and push him hard on the ground. Shade grunted in pain.
"Do you understand?" He asked.
"Uh I see, I'm ready." Shade smiled, have his hand out for him to helped him up. Over the last two days, Zephyr teaches Shade about few skills before he can do his echo projections.
I haven't talked to Marina over those days due I'm still upset with her about what she said about the band curse. I was sitting on the worn-out giant clothing with Elizabeth as I watch Shade and Marina roosting.
She has her broken wing all bandaged up and Highland was sitting beside her.
"Are you alright dear?" I heard Elizabeth asked.
I shook my head." Yeah, I'm okay,
"Are you sure sweetie?"
"Yeah, I am," I smiled. 'How're your wings?"
"Oh its fine dear, those healing herbs really did help my wings a bit." She replied.
"That's good." I looked down at my burned leg which it's covered with the same medicine and it was healing up a bit. Shade and Marina were roosting over the opening of the belfry while Zephyr teaches them about some herbs.
"Ashlie?" I looked over at Higlend wait for his wants.
"I don't how I could ever thank you for helping me reunited my wife, ever since these giant bats came we were forced to be separated for our sake of safety." He sighed heavily. "But when I saw our nest destroy I thought they got her." I notice some tears leak out from his eyes and I gently touch his feather wing.
"At least you two found each other and no one got hurt," He smiled a little as his wife nuzzle his neck softly. Then I looked over and saw both my bat friends looking at the leaf that Zephyr has brought them.
"…Stinging metal," Marina answered.
"Ugh, I was going to say that," Shade frowned.
"Used for what?" Zephyr tested. He tries to think of what those leaves are for but Marina answered fast before he did.
"For aching joints." She smiled.
Shade rolled his eyes. "Oh, that will come in handy when I'm old." He then turns his body around towards the opening and stretches his both wings out, yawning.
"We've been mapping this for almost two whole nights and we still haven't gotten around echoprojection. Just constellations and boring herbs."
"Shade you need this knowledge for your long journey ahead," Zephyr grabbed the dead leaf that is near him and poke some holes with his fingers and hold it out to them. "What is it?"
Shade looked at it dumbly and glance away. "A leaf,"
"And..?" He tested. I tip my head in puzzled of what Zephyr means and watch Marina grabbed the leaf from him, she hums and puts it above her and I notices the stars were seen through them.
"Well done! You're both are beginning to use your brains." Zephyr smiled.
"Now can I learn echo projection?" Shade asked.
"Shade.."I stern him for his impatience.
Zephyr chuckled. "Oh it's alright dear and I think he has learned enough,"
"So that's a yes?" He asked in eager. Zephyr only nodded giving him an answer and gesture him to follow.
"Aright!" Shade beamed and flew out of his roost fast while Marina followed. I couldn't help but giggle on his excitement and they both sat on the wood while Zephyr in front, standing like a teacher in a classroom.
He put his both hand together and spoke. "Capture the object with your heart, listen to its form with your imagination.
"Listen to its form with your imagination?" I repeated myself quietly. "That's pretty neat."
"Once yin can hear it, sing it." He finished. Shade has his both hands together and tries to concentrate hard.
"…Ugh can you see it?" He asked.
"See what?" Marina questioned.
Shade grunted, still having his eyes shut tight. "..ugh giant bats…"
"Giant bats?!" Higlend wimped and hide his face in his wing.
"Like the gargoyles but with huge claws..and teeth.." Shade manages to say though concentrate.
"Um that would be a no," Marina replied. He opened his eyes and sigh in frustration.
"Shade, maybe you should try small simple things, like baby steps," I said, helping him.
Zephyr nodded. "Why not try a leaf young one," He nodded and once again close his eyes and hum to himself. I try to see his echo projection but I only saw nothing to my disappointment. He sighed in exhaustion while Marina chuckled.
"Well done Shade," Zephyr smiled. But Shade only shook his head.
"But I couldn't hold it, eh its gotta be longer, bigger," He spread his wings out. "And scarier."
"I think small baby steps should be fine," Higlend gulped, while his wife has her good wing over him.
"Your emotions are getting in the way Shade," Zephyr spoke, have his wing on his shoulder. "Eh take a break to stretch your wings both of you."
"But.."Shade tries to protest of wanting to learn more.
"He right you both should get some fresh air, you guys have been cooped up inside this belfry for a while," I added.
Zephyr smiled. "You both can pick a stinging metal for me." A patch of them grows in the ally nearby not far from the cathedral."
"Alright, we'll be back." Marina spread her wings out and took off while Shade follows her out. Higlend and Elizabeth both decided to stretch their wings a bit as she wanted to test her wings out to make sure its feeling better.
"Keep alert and listen," Zephyr said, twitching his ear a bit.
"Be safe hurry back!" I waved my hand until I didn't see them anymore. I sighed heavily and rub my arm together.
"My child, I sense you have some trouble feelings,"
I shook my head. "Zephyr, I don't know if you sense that I'm…
"A human," He finished. I looked at him but wasn't surprised since he should've known.
"Yeah, I'm a human,"
"What's troubling you?" He asked.
I sighed heavily. "Its what I am."I paced around a bit and then decide to let it all out." Zephyr I don't understand."
"What you don't understand my dear?"
"Everything!" I answered. "I don't know why I'm small and can talk to animals even though its against the law. I don't know what Frieda says I'll do something great after I made their home burn and the graywing colony says I'm a demon for my kinds banding other bats.." I walked over to the worn-out giant clothes and sat down. "I don't even know why am I here for goodness sake! I don't even know why I can't be a bat-like Shade you and Marina so I won't be humiliated in front of all other bats." I put my whole face down on my lap and groan in agony.
"I'm lost Zephyr, and helpless." I heard him sighed and I looked up.
"My child, I understand your confusion about what is going on around you." He sat down by me. "And what you've been seeking so far is not good."
"Then what should I do?" I asked. "How can I do great things when others see me as a horrible creature?" Why does Frieda mean by that?"
He put his one wing around me. "Child, the reason why Frieda tells you this is because she senses you have a good heart and will never hurt anyone." I sighed heavily want to believe him but sadly with Shade's home burning I couldn't.
Then his eyes lit up and got out from his seat and flew over to one of the baskets. I watch him puzzled with the sudden act and then I saw him pull out a small gold necklace with a round silver shape with a hole.
"Ah, there you are,"
"Zephyr what is it?" I asked. He walked over to me with a necklace in his hand.
"I found this necklace while I was out flying and I believe Nocturna has made this for a person that is heart is pure." He handed it to me,"And I sensed you have good spirit in you,"
I shook my head in disbelief. "No Zephyr my heart is not that pure." I push the necklace away from me.
"Ashlie I know you still holding your grudge but I assure you this necklace will help you find who you are and your purpose of being here." He said, looking at me reassuring. I looked at him and then took the necklace sighing and put it on not caring. I glance at my necklace.
"It's beautiful thank you," He nodded and told me he should go out and check to see if Shade and Marina are doing alright. After he was gone I decided to prepare myself for our journey by grabbing some stuff I need for surviving.
I used the bag that Zephyr has and grabbed some fruits, medicine for my wounded leg and nuts hoping he won't mind if I used it for my journey.
A moment later Shade and Marina are back with the stinging metal along Zephyr, Higlend, and Elizabeth. When its time of us to get going we said goodbye to the pigeon couples and wish them luck.
Marina grabbed my hands with her feet and we both flew out of the mouth to meet up with Zephyr to tell him goodbye.
All of us were standing in the entrance as Zephyr spoke to us. "You can only hear the world around you with your emotions and a heart that is opened," With that all of us saw a shooting star passing above us and were amazed.
"You can hear stars?" Shade asked.
"No, but I can sense it," He replied.
"Can you sense what's happening to his colony and how far are they from us?" I added.
Zephyr twitches his both ear as he tries to hear his surroundings. "Oh happens so many colonies, so many interferences.. something is wrong, very wrong." His eyes lit up. "They are in grave danger."
"W-where? Where are they?" Shade asked, looking worried as I was.
"In the valley, south of the city," Zephyr answered.
"We have to move and warn them fast," I said while Shade nodded agreeing.
"Careful you three, there are owls partying this area," He warned us. I nodded and watch Shade spread his wings out to take off. I looked over at Zephyr and give him my soft smile.
"Thank you so much for everything," He only given me return a smile and glance out at the opening. Then Marina took my hands with her feet and all of us begin to make way towards the south where Zephyr predicted Shade's colony are at.
"We should be flying low so the owls don't see us," Marina suggested.
"Good idea we should blend in with the lights below us," I added. All of sudden I heard her gasped and I glance up."What is it?" I gulped silently when she frowned at me unexpected. She swooped down and landed the top building and Shade follow us, with a puzzled look on his face.
"Hey what's a big deal? We need to keep moving," Marina didn't listen as she points at the bag I have.
"What is that?"
"..It's my bag?" I said, looking at her funny.
"Where did you get it?"
I blinked and answered her. "I got it from Zephyr place before we left."
"Did he give you permission to take it?" She asked and looked in my bag and gasped to see some items I took.
"N-no.."
"You stole his stuff!"
"No, I didn't steal it!" I protested. "I'm just borrowing it for my surviving."
Marina grabbed my bag and said to me. "Well stealing is not good and what you did was wrong, we're going back and you apologize to him and asked if you can take his bag."
"Wait what?!" I snatch my bag back." Marina, we don't have time for this we need to move on."
"She right we have to keep going, we have to warn my colony," Shade said.
She didn't listen and tries to take my bag."It will only take a couple of minutes to take this bag back and asked for his permission." I hold my bag close to me and Marina was about to take it again we all heard owl screeching. All of us glance up and were horrified to see one coming close to us.
"Shade.." Marina gulped.
Shade however just chuckled. "Guys its only Zephyr trying to scare us with his another echoprojection." Wait, if it's echprojection, why am I seeing it now..? Oh my god it was no an illusion, he was real!
I pushed Shade out of the way before the owl could get him and he snatches me up easily as if I was some kind of mouse with his two talons.
"GUYS HE'S REAL!" I cried. I tried to bite his talon and twist and turn to get free but his grips were tight on me as he took off in the sky.
"ASHLIE!" I heard Shade and Marina screamed and watch them quickly soared up in the sky to rescue me.
"GUYS HELPED ME!" I yelled. I didn't pay attention to a shadow passes over Shade and Marina and they both have shock look on their faces.
"No, it can't be!" Marina gasped.
Author's Note: how was that one so far guys? hope you all like where this is going if not DONT READ AND REVIEW IT! This was a long chapter to finish up I'm glad I manage to get it done ;D So now who's going to save our heroine before she gets carried away to death? stay tuned! XD I don't own any silverwing characters except OC. Enjoy! XD