Chapter 52

Epilogue 2

"Serenity"

I am free

Rescued by humble hands from the clutches of humankind's worst inhabitants, we creatures were released back into the wild with members of our own kind. Where most raced off or cautiously crept away, I stopped to look around at the canopy of the forest that blanketed the mountain that served as our new home. Bright sunlight. Healthy growth. Fresh air on a lazy breeze. This place was full of Spirit. So much so, the mountains not only developed voices, but full bodied personalities for each peak. Of which, were not as strange and unfamiliar as I expected them to be.

I knew these mountains, yet I did not know them. Perhaps they were related to those I grew up alongside. The nine tailed foxes said there was an altar for the sun and an altar for the moon. One on each end of the mountain range. Maybe I was now somewhere in the middle. It made for an easy explanation, so I stuck with it. The trees gossiped with much rustling and waving at our arrival. So much noise for such still rock. I narrowed my eyes at those trees and flowers and rugged stones. They should not be so careless with strangers in their home. They stilled immediately, aghast they should be scolded so. They might be older than me in age, but they were not as old as the shadow on my back.

What was it those foxes called me? There were so many names I could not remember, but the mountains did, which meant they knew me. Different peaks of the same range sharing stories about us creatures behind our backs. I huffed at them, but left it at that. There were much more pressing matters to consider like food and shelter and my surroundings, yet not a speck of urgency compelled me to do more than stand in the quiet of the full moon light and soak in this place with all of my being. I could follow the other Hena. They would likely band together before long. It was probably why the humans released us together, knowing we could survive if we formed a pack.

The humans that rescued us would not go through all this trouble without knowing there was water and shelter nearby for us to sustain ourselves. With so much life radiating from the mere dirt at our paws, prey would not be hard to find either. But I had long since lost my appetite for exploring and hunting. I was no wanderer nor was I inclined to immerse myself in the hierarchy once more. I was a free Hena, so I would do what I wanted until I could no more. If there was one thing that sparked my curiosity, it was the strange woman with the special soul that rescued us. Her way with us creatures was mystifying. She reminded me of Omega of Many Tongues in the way she could break down the barriers between us.

No other human was capable of such communication and understanding and intimacy with us creatures. Maybe there was something left to learn about the Spirit through her. But the humans were long gone. To relieve the stress of our release, they asked a Spear Beak under their command to open the carriers they transported us in, so I sniffed around them and examined the scents they left behind, taking them to memory. The combination of people, new creatures, machinery, and land was complex, but with no threats or worries to endanger or distract me in this tranquil place, I found the trail they took to bring us here. First, on foot. Then, by machine. The mountains watched me with overbearing interest, so it did not take long to acclimate to their attention like I would the sound of water, the cold of winter, or the feel of the sun.

With no other purpose in mind, I traveled slowly so that I could come to know these mountains now that I had returned to them. To my surprise, they lavished me with gifts and bribes at every opportunity, afraid I would leave again like I did after the blood moon ritual. When I grew hungry, a berry bush or tree conveniently appeared in my path. When I came across other creatures, they saw me as a shadow no different than those cast by the canopy. Not a predator or challenger appeared before me. Not once did a set of eyes stalk me. When I was tired, a spot of moss, grass, worked earth, or root the perfect shape and size for napping came under my paws. When the sun grew too bright, the trees leaned over to shade me.

When I grew cold, the sun warmed the rocks and beckoned me over. When I was thirsty, a trickle of water found its way to me in a leaf or stream or pool. Slowly, I adjusted to the workings of the day to observe my host at its liveliest. The mountains were quick to show off their bark and waterfalls and color. Dark dirt, glittering minerals, jewels, and nests. All things that made the land healthy and vibrant. Eventually, I made my way to the place the humans occupied. There were several small storage areas and stations for various things. A log cabin grew out of the ground. It housed many creatures and was likely a den or home of some sort, so I did not linger by it. Further down the mountain, I came across an outpost where some of the humans frequented on a relatively scheduled basis. The wooden structure, also cabin like, served as their welcome center to the mountain.

There was much less activity here than the house. Only a couple of humans at a time. Sometimes only one. Sometimes with creatures they could summon and disperse upon command. These humans wore uniforms similar to My Man's although the logo and lettering were different. It was a curious find, so I stayed and watched and came to know them by their gait and smell and demeanor. Their spirits were easy and light and consistent like the sky. The mountain treated them like any other creature residing on it, so I did not think twice before stepping out of the shadows and onto the flat dirt path to take a closer look. Out in the day, between the two humans currently present that outnumbered me, I figured my appearance would not be much of a shock to them, but by then, I had already forgotten I was a stranger here. One of the humans spotted me a few paces away and tensed.

"Oh, shi-Bernard! There's a mightyena right behind you!" he alerted, biting back a shout.

Conservation Trooper Bernard turned around and spotted me in the middle of the road, well within striking distance, staring at him.

"Oh, would you look at that," he shrugged and it made me wonder what kind of things he experienced on these mountains to illicit such a reaction.

I liked him already.

"Think its wild?" his fellow trooper asked because they were well trained in the ways of creatures and recognized the strangeness of my timing and solitude. Even their bodies remained poised without panic. They were accustomed to unexpected and dangerous and unusual circumstances which meant they were well versed with the workings of the wild.

"We don't have any mightyena on this mountain, right?" he went on, a little more hesitant than his senior.

"Not on this side of the range," Bernard confirmed, putting something in his mouth and chewing it thoughtfully.

"Did someone dump her?" the other proposed.

Bernard considered the possibility as he played with more of the things in his pocket. They crinkled and my ears perked in recognition.

"She knows what a wrapper sounds like," Bernard smiled as he pulled out the small package he was fiddling with.

I turned my nose to it. My Man kept similar items at camp. Food only humans could forge. Most of which, I stole or sampled. I took a few steps closer. Bernard watched me carefully.

"I think it's one of the ones we released from the raid on Dragon Fang," he deduced. "I remember the pattern on her face. See the age grey?"

He was well learned to recognize the subtle difference between a Mighty Hena's aging and natural coloration.

"But that was all the way past-,"

"Canine pokemon are some of the most reliable and consistent trackers out there," Bernard quickly corrected, reminding this young one of a lesson.

With that, I knew he could be trusted, so I boldly walked up to sniff his boots and legs. He remained still and continued to observe while munching on his pack of snacks.

"Do you really think she followed us from- hey! Don't feed it. Aria will yell at us."

"That's cuz she likes to do it herself," Bernard winked, dropping a piece close to me on the ground.

I sniffed it, found it to my liking, and ate it.

"Cookies are my favorite too," Bernard commented.

The young one glared.

"What? She came all the way here, might as well give her a little reward," Bernard justified.

It took only a few days for that one reward to become routine. Not long after, the humans let me inside of the welcome center. I roamed where I pleased, inside and out. More and more humans offered me snacks as they came by. I no longer had to look for food and water. The humans always maintained a respectful distance. Only going as far as I would let them, never crossing boundaries until the day I broke the barrier myself.

I didn't mean too. It just sort of happened, and when it did, I could not stop the other walls from crashing down as well. I came to know these humans, their creatures, and more. There were still many lessons to be had. Many more to give. Some to those far greater than myself. It was not easy. My fur did not get any darker. My eyes never brighter. The more I gave, the more I gained, and the more that was asked of me. But such was the way of the pack.

And I would never abandon them when they needed me.

Reference

See Fanfic – Heart of the Pokemon: A Mother's Christmas

See Fanfic - Heart of the Trainer: Ranger, Chapter 102 "Ranger 1".

See Fanfic – Heart of the Trainer: A Ranger's Christmas