Before we start, Juxxipharoo, like I said the mood is what I feel like for my stories, like I feel like I need to do these chapters together and I have the time to write both of them without upsetting the flow of all of my stories too much. For example in this story I plan to post Beneath the Surface by itself, but I'll post Rex Igneous and Escape from Umber Tor back to back. (and just to be clear I haven't started them so they're not coming out just yet.)
Py1pod, part of the reason I did two chapters this time was because I couldn't wait for this chapter, and chapter 33 didn't take long to write. And if you read the message to Juxxipharoo, you know the plan is to do S4, E7 alone, and S4 E8+9 together. And like I do as many chapters as I want and as I can with my very busy life. And I know about the chapter tabs. But that's what happens when the story starts with 0.
And Wildo9nenyr, I am worried about Zubeia as well, and have ideas about what I can do for her, but without knowing what happens next, nothing is set in stone.
Oh, and MophIIIdragonX I like Eyal and Kidemónas, but for future half-elf kids, know they should have some kind of unique trick thanks to their half human, half elf heritage, even when their parents are regular humans and elves.
Also I would like a dragon like Kidemónas for the White Dragonflight.
For White3Pika. 1, no idea but between 15-20 years. 2, I'm a little confused, but I'll say yes. 3, it might be, but I know Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, and I feel like it would be a hard story to mix with, so I won't do it, plus I already have enough stories to keep me busy. 4, the Antagonist will be multiple people because the sequel to Dragon Prince will also be the sequel of many of my other stories. 5, I'm on the fences, but leaning towards no, because Zym would be about 23 years and for a dragon that makes him a few months or a year old in human terms, but we'll see what happens in the show before anything is set in stone. And 6, yes the Cloak Figure could meddle with the spell and connect the worlds, but Simon and his friends only get his attention after they took something he wanted, so it's more likely he went after them or made the spell force them to stand before him, then send them to Xadia.
Now Chapter 34.
Chapter 34
The True Path Through The Drakewood Towards The Future
Drakewood
We left off with Soren and Hawlucha in the Pit of Despair, with the dragon they tried to save still mad at them. "Okay, listen, dragon friend… Dragon acquaintance! I know you're angry. We got off on the wrong foot. Ah, I mean, wrong claw. Talon?" Soren said to the dragon, trying to calm her down, but it wasn't working.
"But I think we could be friends if you just get to know me." Soren said to the dragon, as he reached out his right hand. And that helped calm the dragon down. But that's when his armor flashed some moon light into her eyes, it agitated her and she attacked Soren.
The next morning, Bait and Stella woke up first, followed by Rayla. Only when she looked at everyone, she noticed Soren and Hawlucha were still missing, and gasped. "Soren? Hawlucha? Soren! Hawlucha!" Rayla said, calling out for them.
"Oh, no. Oh, no!" Rayla said, putting her hands on her head, and realizing what must've happened to Soren and Hawlucha. "I messed up again! Soren! Hawlucha!" Rayla called out, waking everyone else up. "What?" Callum asked, confused, before noticing Rayla in a state of worry.
"Rayla, are you okay?" Callum asked Rayla. "Soren and Hawlucha are missing. They didn't come back. They must've gotten themselves into trouble with the Drakeriders." Rayla said to everyone. "What? Why didn't you say anything last night?" Callum asked Rayla, as everyone stood up and walked to her, with Ezran sensing something.
"I thought he could handle himself, and he had all his Pokemon with him." Rayla said to Callum, as Ezran let out Salamence, and made him fly him above the trees.
"You still shouldn't have left him. Drakeriders hold a grudge, and Gaenor's kind doesn't like flashes, and given that he is Soren, I'm sure he made someone mad." Allen said to Rayla, as Callum noticed Ezran riding Salamence up.
"Um, Ezran, whatcha doing?" Callum asked Ezran. "I think we have a visitor." Ezran said to Callum, as Salamence flew through the tree top, confusing everyone below.
Above the tree, Ezran looked around, and giggled while waving his arms after noticing something in the air. But that's when something crashed into Ezran, knocking Ezran off Salamence. This caused Ezran to fall down the tree, rustling the leaves.
That's when Ezran crashed to the ground, surprising everyone Zym and Wattrel was with him. Then Zym gave Ezran some static licks, making Ezran giggle. "Zym?" Rayla asked, as Salamnce flew down to everyone.
The Sunfire Camp
At the Sunfire Camp, Janai was looking in a mirror, as she put on her crown, as Karim and Mizo walked into the tent. "Sun's first, sister." Karim said to Janai, getting her attention.
"Can't you say good morning like a member of this century?" Janai asked Karim, as she took off her crown. "Sorry to bother you first thing in the morning, but we need to talk about Lucia and Houndoom." Mizo said to Janai.
"Yes. There is tension in the camp. Our people were frustrated, even before that human tried to extinguish his soul candle. The incident was like a spark to dry leaves." Karim said to Karim, as she put her crown on a table.
"Yeah, things might be tense, but things will calm down. But only after we figure out what to do with Lucia and the Houndoom." Mizo said to everyone.
This made Karim sigh, and sit down on Janai's bed. "Janai, when Khessa died, we lit a candle for her. And Mizo, when Azmia died, you lit a candle for her. What would you have done if someone had tried to snuffed it out? Hundreds of candles burned after Lux Aurea fell… the only light in that dark night. We have already lost so much. So many of our brothers and sisters. Our Queen. Our home." Karim said to everyone, making them think, and making Janai turn to her crown.
"Now those who remain here fear they will lose their way of life, too. You must show that you understand their pain. The human must face justice. And since the White Fool says we should treat Pokemon like fellow humans and elves, then we should make Houndoom face justice as well." Karim said to Janai.
"Karim, I understand that we've been through a lot, I do, but what you're asking for is not justice, it's a public execution. To set an example to other humans and Pokemon, like your ancestors did in the past, but if we do that, we'll only stock the flames even more, but this time it will be from the Katolis humans and the Pokemon, not the elves, and we'll still be in the same spot." Mizo said to Karim.
That's when Amaya and Gren walked into the tent. "Am I interrupting something?" Gren said to everyone, translating for Amaya. "We're talking about what to do with Lucia and Houndoom, Karim says they should face Sunfire justice." Mizo said to Amaya, signing as he spoke.
Drakewood
In the Drakewood, Zym was still giving Ezran licks, making Ezran giggle and Talia jealous. "No far I want zap licks too." Talia said to everyone, while pouting. That's when Zym stopped licking Ezran, and went to lick Talia, making her giggle and smile.
"Zym, what are you doing here? I distinctly remember your mom telling you to stay home." Callum said to Zym, getting Zym's attention, and crossing his arms. "Yes, explain young dragon, why are you here?" Drake asked Zym.
But that's when Zym tackled them, giving them eclectic licks, and making them laugh. "This… doesn't… mean… you… don't… have… to… answer… my… question." Drake said through the laughs.
"He snuck out." Ezran said to everyone, answering for Zym. "Well, this is great. Now, it doesn't matter that we have no idea how to get to Rex Igneous or that we lost Soren and his Pokemon, because the Dragon Queen is going to kill us anyway. Good try, team." Rayla said to everyone, forcing a big smile, before giving everyone a flat and disappointed look.
"You know, the sarcasm isn't helping." Kali said to Rayla. "But she's right. Zym, you have to go back home." Callum said to Kali and Zym, making Zym whine. "He won't go back. He wants to help." Ezran said to everyone, earning a lick from Zym.
"Wait a second, maybe he can help." Callum said to everyone. "What are you talking about?" Allen asked Callum. "Ez, you can see through Zym's eyes, right?" Callum asked Ezran. "When he wants me to." Ezran said to Callum, before Zym moved around him.
"Maybe he can solve both our problems at once. If Zym flies over the forest, he can find Soren and the back entrance to Umber Tor." Callum said to everyone. "What do you think, buddy? What to be our eyes in the sky?" Ezran asked Zym.
Zym whined in joy, as he started to fly. "Zym you should have some Pokemon go with you." Kali said to Zym. "No, it'll be easier for him to stay out of sight, if he's alone." Callum said to Kali. "If you say so. But I still think it's a bad idea for Zym to go alone." Kali said to Callum.
The Sunfire Camp
At the Sunfire Camp, Janai, Karim, Mizo, Amaya, and Gren were talking about Lucia. "What do you mean? Face justice? I understand the Houndoom. But all Lucia has done is try and put out a candle. And she was the one attacked." Gren said to everyone, translating for Amaya.
"She tried to profane a sacred rite. What would the punishment be in the human kingdoms?" Karim asked Amaya. "For blowing out a candle? Usually some clapping, followed by a slice of birthday cake." Gren said to Karim, translating for Amaya.
"You see? This is the problem. Like all the other humans, even your wife-to-be thinks this is a joke." Karim said to Janai, as Gren signed for Amaya. "Hadia would disagree with you on that." Mizo said to Karim, making Karim huff and turn away from everyone.
"Amaya, a Soul Candle isn't the same as a birthday candle. It's a funeral right. In a way you would understand. Pouring water on a Soul Candle is like destroying one of your human memorials during the funeral." Mizo said to Amaya, signing to her.
"And while we have to figure out what to do with the Houndoom. The major problem is that Lucia doesn't think she's in the wrong, and any action we take would only cause her or our people to get really mad. I think the best course is to send her home, after we fix her up and give her a harsh lecture." Mizo said to everyone, signing for Amaya.
"No you can not." Karim said to Mizo, getting everyone's attention. "If you let this go, your people will believe you see it as a joke, too. You know what must be done. Call a tribunal of the Six Horns." Karim said to Janai.
"A tribunal? And what happens if she's found guilty?" Gren asked Karim, translating for Amaya. "The punishment is death, for not just her for the Pokemon as well." Karim said to Amaya. "Death? Janai, you can't go through with this." Gren said to Janai, translating for Amaya.
"I must voice my rejection as well. This situation may have gotten out of hand, but we don't need to drag the Tribunal into this." Mizo said to Janai.
Janai said nothing, as she was confused by all this.
"Turn a blind eye now, and the people will believe you have lost sight of who we are." Karim said to Janai.
Janai said nothing, and walked to her crown, looking at it for a bit before turning to everyone. "We will call a tribunal." Janai said to everyone, making Karim smirk at everyone.
"Very well. The White Dragonflight will speak for the Houndoom." Mizo said to everyone. "What about Lucia?" Gren asked Mizo, translating for Amaya. "I'm sorry Amaya, but no White Dragon is going to betray our Great Dragon just to cover up Lucia's lack of understanding of the elves she came to help. She's on her own." Mizo said to Amaya, in sign, before leaving the tent.
Drakewood
In the Drakewood, Ezran got back on Salamence and they were above the trees, with Wattrel hanging out with them, as they watched Zym fly away. Ezran then inhaled and exhaled, as he closed his eyes.
This lets him see the world from Zym's eyes. Seeing as he flew through the forest, seeing all the colorful leaves, and crystal in the roots. This made Ezran giggle. But when Zym ate a butterfly, it made Ezran gag. "I did not expect to taste that." Ezran said to the Pokemon.
But Zym just hiccuped, and kept flying like nothing changed. "Come on, Zym, look for the Earthblood Elves." Ezran said to Zym, in Zym's head.
That's when Zym found a small village made out of wood with hay roofs. Getting a closer look, Zym landed on a large branch of a tree out of sight. "I guess this is their village. But I don't see Soren anywhere. Wait, what's that?" Ezran said, as he looked through Zym's eyes and noticed a pit in the back of the village.
"Get a little closer." Ezran said to Zym, in Zym's head. Zym then moved closer to the pit, and saw some armor shining at the bottom. "I see armor. Is that Soren?" Ezran asked.
But before Zym could get a closer look, they heard a dragon growl, making Zym yelp and Ezran gasp. That's when Zym turns to see a rider laughing at him, thinking he was just another beast to hunt.
"Must be my lucky day." the rider said, as he brought out his crystal and rope and spun it. "Zym, fly!" Ezran said to Zym. Zym jumped into the pit, and used it to fly straight up in the air.
"We got a wild one, riders! Catch me that little blue zapper! Ha!" The rider said to a few more riders, before they chased after Zym.
Zym tried to out fly them, but the earth dragons were better suited to fly in the forest, and were quickly catching up.
"Zym, behind you!" Ezran said to Zym. Zym did a spin, and got behind the riders.
"On your right!" Ezran said, as another rider flew in. but Zym zapped her dragon, knocking her out of the sky, before she could grab him.
"That's it, you're almost here. Fly, fly!" Ezran said to Zym, as Zym got close to him.
But that's when a couple crystal and rope came flying up and wrapping around Zym's Wing and legs, making him fall out of sky. "After him. Get down there and catch that sparky runt." The rider that hit Zym said to the other riders.
"SALAMENCE!" Salamence roared, as he came out of hiding with Ezran and Wattrel at high speed, his head silver and rough. And before the rider could react, Salamence slammed his head into him, sending him flying off his dragon and into the distance.
Then another rider and dragon turned to Salamence, and roared at him. But Salamence was unfazed, and roared even louder at the dragon, making it whimper and fly away, despite the rider trying to make his dragon turn and face Salamence.
Salamence then flew to everyone else. "What happened?" Rayla asked everyone. "They knocked Zym out of the sky. Salamence took them out, but we have to find him before any other Earthblood Elf does." Ezran said to everyone.
The Sunfire Camp
At the Sunfire Camp, Lucia and Houndoom where walked, with Lucia having changes on her wrist, and a mussel and collar on Houndoom, into a ruined temple with a shrine of the horns of Sol Regem in the upper back of the temple, with six podiums in front of it, two benches in the back with Karim, Amaya, and Gren on one bench, and Mizo and Hadia on the other bench, and behind them were humans, elves, dragons, and Pokemon sitting in some stands, with Thalia, Elwin, Baby Sisu, and their Pokemon among the crowd.
Then once a worker lit some fire on the podiums, everyone stood up, and the guards forced Lucia and the Houndoom onto their knees. That's when six elves wearing gold robes and masks walked into the temple, and moved to stand before the podiums.
"Those must be the Six Horns." Gren said to everyone, translating for Amaya. "Yes, our most esteemed generals. They will decide the fate of your human architect." Karim said to Amaya, before looking at one of them, both trading a look of understanding.
That's when Janai walked into the temple, wearing her armor, her sword on her waist, and the specter in her hands. Janai stopped before Lucia and Houndoom, making everyone sit down.
"You stand accused of violating a most sacred rite." Janai said to Lucia. "And you're accused of a violent attack for no reason." Janai said to Houndoom.
"The Tribunal of the Six Horns shall weigh pleas in your defense and demand for your punishment." Janai said to Lucia and Houndoom, as the guards forced them up. "Let the tribunal begin." Janai said to everyone.
Drakewood
In the Drakewood, everyone was looking for Zym, but more riders joined the search for Zym, making everyone worry. "Ugh it was a stupid idea to send Zym up there alone." Callum said to everyone.
"Yeah, that was your idea!" Rayla said to Callum. "Well, why didn't you tell me my idea was stupid?" Callum asked Rayla. "I told you it was a bad idea." Kali said to Callum.
"Then you should have tried to try hard to stop me." Callum said to Kali. "Hey, don't talk to her like that." Allen said to Callum. "Callum, maybe you need to calm down." Drake said to Callum. "I am calm." Callum said to Drake. "You don't sound calm." Talia said to Callum.
"Everyone, stop it! Don't you remember who you are?" Ezran asked everyone.
"You're the High Mage of Katolis, the first human Primal mage in centuries." Ezran said to Callum.
"You're the last Dragon Guard. You're the real reason Zym is still here at all." Ezran said to Rayla.
"You two are the Master of the Dragon Flights, and have done so much to undo all the hate the races have for each other." Ezran said to Allen and Drake.
"Kali and Talia… you're here too." Ezran said to them, not knowing what to say. "Well I'm inspired." Talia said, sarcasm in her voice.
"We can do this. Pull yourselves together and let's save Zym before they find him." Ezran said to everyone. No one said anything, but they agreed with Ezran.
"Right. Right, let me think." Callum said to everyone, as he handed Rayla his staff. "Uh, they're faster, and they have a head start. So we have to slow them down." Callum said to everyone, before flipping through his book, looking for a spell he drew, while everyone else looked at him a little confused.
"Ah, I've got it!" Callum said to everyone, as he closed his book. "Stratum Caligo." Callum said, as he drew a rune of a fog and blew into it. This caused a thick fog to cover the forest floor, hiding Zym from the riders in the air. That fog also caused confusion in the riders making it hard for them to control their dragons.
But on the ground, the young Earthblood elf that saw Soren fighting last night was walking through the fog, and pulled out a yellow stone and touched it, letting him see through the fog.
"Okay, Rayla, you ready to use those keen Moonshadow skills?" Ezran asked Rayla. "They are pretty keen." Rayla said to Ezran. "I have an idea." Ezran said to everyone.
The Sunfire Camp
At the Sunfire Camp, the trial was moving forward with Karim speaking. "To burn a soul candle for the dead, the ritual of mourning. The flame guides the spirit through the dark night of death and into the sun's embrace at dawn. It is said that if the candle goes out the soul is lost." Karim said to everyone, as he faced Lucia.
"Of course, these humans are our guests, they do not know our ways. But ignorance is no excuse." Karim said to everyone, as he gave Lucia a mean look. "The bereaved wept and pleaded…" Krim said to everyone, as he held a hand towards the elf who's candle Lucia tried to put out.
"And yet, the accused chose to desecrate his ritual nonetheless. And was only stopped when this wild and dangerous beast attacked her for no reason then being a beast." Karim said to everyone.
That's when Hadia stood up, as Karim sat down. "Six Horns. Karim speaks of humans being ignorant, and a Pokemon a dangerous beast. He is trying to drag innounces into the mistake of this one woman." Hadia said to everyone, as she pointed to Lucia.
"She refused to listen, refused to learn, refused to understand. If she had done any of this, we wouldn't be here, and this Houndoom wouldn't have been forced to attack her inorder to protect the dereaved's soul candle. I preached that the Houndoom is only guilty of doing what many Sunfire Elves that were witness to this attempt of desiccation dare not to do. And that we judge not humanity or Pokemon for the actions of this foolish woman." Hadia said to everyone.
Hadia and Karim's words made Amaya lower her head in doubt.
Drakewood
In the Drakewood, Rayla was riding Dragapult, and flew right in front of a dragon Rider. "Can't catch us!" Rayla said to the rider, with a mocking tune in her voice. "Dragapult." Dragapult said, as he stuck out a tongue at the rider.
This annoyed the rider, and he made his dragon go after them. As the rider got closer to Dragapult suddenly went up, making the rider crash into a tree, but could still fly. "You missed us!" Rayla said to the rider, as Dragapult flew away.
"Now, Ezran." Rayla said, as she and Dragapult flew past a spot where Ezran and Bait were hiding. This confused the rider, giving Ezran the window he needed to drop bait onto the rider's head.
"What in the…" the rider asked, as he picked Bait off his head. Then Bait smirked, and let out a flash, blinding the rider, and making him throw Bait. When his eyes recovered, he was met by Drake who was on Hydreigon's back, and fired a wave of thunder at the rider, zapping him and paralyzing him, making him fall off his dragon. His dragon didn't help his rider and flew away.
Then below Allen and Golurk were standing around, with Golurk catching the rider before he could crash into the ground. Then Golurk tossed the rider onto the pile of the other riders they gang took out this way. "I think that's the last of them." Allen said to everyone.
With Callum, Kali, and Talia, they tried to catch Bait, with Callum catching Bait this time. "Good job Bait." Callum said to Bait, as Rayla and Dragapult moved towards them. "You still got it, buddy." Rayla said to Bait, petting Bait's head, making Bait grunt.
"Amazing, everyone." Ezran said to everyone, as he, Drake, Allen, and their Pokemon came running up to everyone, hugging everyone. Then Callum and Rayla tried to hug each other, but both stopped themselves.
"Uh, nice job." Rayla said to Callum, as they turned away from each other. "Uh, yeah. Yeah. You, too. Well done." Callum said to Rayla, not looking at her.
"If you two are done being awkward, we should find Zym." Kali said to them. "Zym, it's safe to come out now. Tell us where you are." Ezran called out to Zym. That's when they heard Zym whimpering. "Over there." Talia said to everyone, as she started to run with everyone else following her, minus Allen.
"I'll catch up. I just have to cover our tracks." Allen said to everyone, as he returned Golurk to his Pokeball and started to clean up the tracks they were making.
With the rest of the gang, they found Zym, but the young Earthblood Elf found Zym first, and stood between them and Zym. "Geet back, this is my dragon!" The young Earthblood Elf said to everyone, with a male voice.
The Sunfire Camp
At the Sunfire Camp, Amaya stood before the Six Horns with Gren and Mizo on the side translating for Amaya. "I came here to defend Lucia. But now, I see I cannot." Gren and Mizo said to everyone, translating for Amaya, surprising everyone.
"Prince Karim, and White Dragon Head Hadia are correct, she had every opportunity to consider the pain she could cause. And she did not. She was callous, she was careless. She was cruel. And in truth… so was I." Gren and Mizo said to everyone, translating for Amaya, with Amaya having a sad look on her face.
"But all I ask is that your justice is compassionate. Death is not the answer. We gain nothing if we throw away the chance to learn and grow." Gren and Mizo said to everyone, translating for Amaya, before they moved back to their sets, with Amaya putting a hand on Lucia's shoulder as she walked past her.
Then everything went silent, as the Six Horns passed judgment. They all dropped minerals into the fire, making it flash red twice, concerning Amaya, and worrying Lucia. "Guilty." Karim said to everyone, with an expected look on his face.
Drakewood
In the Drakewood, the gang was unsure how to handle this young Earthblood Elf, they could take him out easily, but he was just a kid and it wouldn't be right to attack him.
"Let the dragon go, now." Ezran said to the young Earthblood Elf, a hit of commanding in his voice. "I'm supposed to catch my own dragon. It's what you have to do to grow up and become a real Drakerider.
"Okay guys, we should be safe for a while. How's Zym?" Allen asked everyone, as he walked up to everyone. That's when Allen and the young Earthblood Elf locked eyes and a surprised look appeared on both of their faces.
"N'than? Is that you?" Allen asked the young Earthblood Elf. "Master Allen! Please forgive me. I didn't know you were here." N'than said to Allen, getting onto his knees.
This made everyone turn to Allen, making Allen look nervous. "Care to explain?" Rayla asked Allen.
"It's not what you think. You see, a year and half ago, as I looked for new members, I came here, and while things didn't go as I expected, after I met Gaenor and everyone took him home, I ran into N'than. He was interested and wanted to learn more. So I taught him a few things, and even helped him get a Pokemon. But when I had to leave, I asked him if he wanted to join The White Dragonflight, but he couldn't disced, so I told him to think about it, and that if he wants to join us, the White Dragonflight will gladly welcome him and his Pokemon." Allen said to everyone.
"What Pokemon?" Talia asked Allen. "Oh. here he is." N'than said to Talia, as he stood up, and pulled out his apple. That's when they noticed the apple had a tail and spots on ti's leaves blinking, and Drake quickly realized what they were looking at.
"Oh, an Applin. Makes sense, it can easily hide in plain sight." Drake said to everyone. "Is that thing really a Pokemon?" Rayla asked Drake, making Drake pull out his Pokedex. "Here." Drake said to Rayla, pulling up Applin Pokedex entry.
Applin / Apple Core Pokemon / Dragon + Grass Type / It grows by eatign the flesh of an apple. Applin uses it own body fluid to strengthen the apple's skin and prevent it from rotting.
"And after thinking about it long and hard. I want to join the White Dragonflight. I know I'm supposed to catch a dragon and become a rider like everyone else in the village. But it's just wrong to do this to them." N'than said to everyone.
"Then touch my staff, and let's see if you are a White Dragon." Allen said to N'than, as he held his staff in front of him. N'than was nervous and moved to the staff and reached out and grabbed it.
Then Allen's staff started to glow white, and a charm of the White Dragonflight appeared in N'than's free hand. "Looks like he did it." Kali said to everyone. "I did it. I did it! I'm a White Dragon now!" N'than said to everyone, sounding very excited.
"Welcome to the White Dragonflight N'than. Now, do you mind if we help our dragon friend being you?" Allen asked N'than, pointing to Zym, making N'than remember Zym was behind him. "Oh, of course." N'than said to everyone, as he moved out of the way, letting everyone move towards Zym.
"Thank you N'than. Besides, you really couldn't keep this dragon anyway." Ezran said to N'than, as they untied Zym, letting Zym stretch his wings and legs.
"This is Azymondias, the Dragon Prince." Ezran said to N'than. "I'm sorry, your majesty. I didn't know. You can eat me and Applin if you want to. Uh, I'd understand. Lucky Applin is in an apple. " N'than said to Zym, bowing to Zym. "Applin?!" Applin asked, sounding very surprised.
Zym then whined. "He won't eat you. And you don't have to keep bowing." Ezran said to N'than. "I'd rather he tell me that, sir." N'than said to Ezran. "It's okay N'than, Zym is a sweetheart." Allen said to N'than.
That's when Zym started to nuzzle N'than, making him get up on his knees and making N'than giggled.
The Sunfire Camp
At the Sunfire Camp, everyone waited in silence for Janai to cast judgment on Lucia and Houndoom. "There's no doubt of their guilt, then. Justice must be served." Janai said to everyone, making Amaya, Gren, Mizo, Thalia, and Elwin worried, while Karim smirked proudly.
Janai then walked to Lucia and Houndoom. You are an architect, are you not?" Janai asked Lucia. "Yes. Yes, your highness." Lucia said to Janai, getting on her knees.
"Hold out your hands." Janai said to Lucia. Lucia whimpered as she held up her hands. "And hold him." Janai said to some guards, making them hold Houndoom steady, despite Houndoom trying to resist.
Janai then pulled out her sword. "No. No!" Lucia said to Janai, as Houndoom started to resist the guards even more.
This made Amaya stand up in surprise, making Hadia, Mizo, and Elwin worry, causing Thalia to cover baby Sisu's eyes as she turned Sisu and her head away, and Karim smirked again enjoying Lucia's whimpers and Houndoom struggles.
Janai looked at everyone for a few seconds, before looking at Lucia and Houndoom with a blank face. Then Janai raised her sword and brought it down, making Amaya turn her head away and causing Lucia and Houndoom to close their eyes.
But something strange happened, they didn't feel pain, and out of curiosity, they opened their eyes. Only to find Lucia's chains were cut, as was the mussel and collar on Houndoom. This surprised everyone.
"Gone are the days where we shed blood for justice. If we are to rebuild we must do so together. In mercy. In compassion." Janai said to everyone, puttinger her sword away and looking at Karim, making a look of doubt appear on Karim's face.
Janai then looked at Lucia and Houndoom. "Your hands shall make your amends. Under the guidance of our priests, you will build a shrine here." Janai said to Lucia, making Lucia cry.
"One where soul candles may burn without threat to the camp." Janai said to Lucia, looking at the elf of the soul candle she tried to put out.
"And Houndoom." Janai said, as she looked at Houndoom. "You will help build the shrine. And when it's done, you will guard it, protecting all the soul candles yet to come." Janai said to Houndoom.
"This is my decree." Janai said to everyone, before she walked away from Lucia and Houndoom. "Thank you. Thank you, Queen Janai. It will be the greatest work of my life." Lucia said to Janai, as she stood up and whimpered a little in joy. "Houndoom." Houndoom said, bowing, and sounding like "yes my queen".
"See that it is." Janai said to Lucia. "And I trust that you'll be a fine guard of the shine." Janai said to Houndoom.
That's when Janai noticed Karim leaving upset by the outcome. This made Janai worry about him.
Drakewood
In the Drakewood, N'than was still petting Zym. "You know, after I met Master Allen. They told me outsiders are dangerous, but you don't seem too bad. What are you all doing here? Trying to spread the word of Truth and Ideal?" N'than asked everyone.
"We're on a mission form the Dragon Queen to speak with Rex Igneous. We're looking for the path to his lair." Callum said to N'than. "Wow! Lots of people have died doing that." N'than said to everyone. "He's a White Dragon all right." Talia said to everyone, getting nervous by what he just said.
"But we are also looking for our friend and his Pokemon. They went missing last night." Rayla said to N'than. "You must mean the gourd guy." N'than said to Rayla. "The who-what-now?" Callum asked N'than.
"The gourd guy! He beat Warlon by bonking him on the head with a gourd. Then he had his bird force Warlon into the ground." N'than said to everyone, before falling onto his back.
"Yeah, that sounds like Soren." Ezran said to everyone. "So what happened to him?" Allen asked N'than. "He and his Pokemon were taken away. But I know where they took your friends" N'than said to Allen.
"That's good news!" Rayla said to N'than. "It's also the same place where the back entrance to Rex's lair is." N'than said to everyone, as he stood up. "That's double great news!" Rayla said to everyone.
"Too great news. What's the catch? What is this place?" Kali asked N'than. "It's the Pit of Despair!" N'than said, like it wasn't a bad play. "Knew it." Kali said to everyone, as shook looks appeared on everyone else's faces.
The Sunfire Camp
At the Sunfire Camp, as the sun started to set, Karim was waiting by some ruins for Janai. "Karim." Janai said to Karim, making him notice Janai and Volcarona walking to him. "I know you're angry. I know you think I've turned my back on what we are. But I need to show you something." Janai said to Karim, as she led Karim onto the ruin with Volcarona following them.
"You're a student of history, yes? Do you know where the Great Orb of the Sunforge came from?" Janai asked Karim, as they walked up a stairwell. "Legends say it was a gift from the sun herself. The gift of a millennium." Karim said to Janai, as they reached the top of the star well with vines covering the exit.
"It was a gift. But there's more to it than that." Janai said to Karim, as she moved the vines, letting Karim see a large open ruin with a flock of Sunny Form Castforms living here with a massive willow tree in the middle with a spiral trunk that has an opening in it, pink leaves, and gold vines flowing through the tree.
"The great orb began as this." Janai said to Karim, jestering her hand at the tree, making Karim move closer to it.
Once Karim got close to it, he saw a bright glowing orb in it, like it was a little sun. "This is… A Sun Seed?" Karim asked Janai, as Janai walked to him, as Volcarona started to chat with the Castforms.
"Yes. Each Day, it grows with the sun's light, until the days become years, decades, centuries. Until one day, this seed will be as powerful as the Great Orb of Lux Aurea." Janai said to Karim.
"One day, centuries from now?" Karim asked Janai. "Yes. The Sun gives her light, but nurturing the seed in the work of our lifetimes. While these Pokemon will be incharge of protecting it. This is how we are going to rebuild, Karim. With patience. With faith. And together." Janai said to Karim. "You and I… We won't live to see this new day." Karim said to Janai, crying a little.
"No, we won't. But like Allen said to me when I showed him this. That is something us humans are aware of. None of us live long enough to do everything we want, so we have to do our best with the time we have and leave things as best we can for Sisu's generation, so that they can have a bright future, and if not for them, then we leave things so they can make a bright future for her children, a cycle of progress that will one day reach that bright future." Janai said to Karim.
Drakewood
In the Drakewood, N'than lead everyone to the Pit of Despair, with the riders were still paralyzed so they had no problem walking to the pit.
"The Pit of Despair is where the Drakeriders throw people as punishment. And also sometimes for fun." N'than said to everyone. "So Soren and his Pokemon are stuck down there all alone?" Rayla asked N'than.
"Stuck, but not alone. They put him down there with the meanest drake in the Drakewood, Scarmaker." N'than said to everyone. "Lovely name. But I'm sure Soren is okay, after all he has Skarmory, she can fly out of this." Talia said to everyone.
Then the sunlight hit Soren's armor, making Rayla gasp, before she rode Dragapult down to the bottom, and found a pile of Soren's armor. This caused Rayla to get off Dragapult, and dropped to her knees, freaking out.
A couple seconds later, everyone else came down, and looked at the armor. "Maybe he just needed to take off his armor?
"Maybe he just needed to take off his armor?" Ezran asked everyone. "Or Scarmaker licked it clean." N'than said to everyone. "This is all my fault. I left them alone, I shouldn't have-" Rayla said to everyone, but was interrupted by Callum.
"Rayla. Don't. W-We can't know what happened for sure. I mean, this is the path to Rex Igneous, right? So maybe Skarmory couldn't fly out of the pit so he had to keep going. You know him. He's brave. He's got to be down there looking for Rex." Callum said to Rayla.
"He is brave. And reckless." Rayla said to Callum. "He's right. There's no sign of the Pokemon being here. So maybe Soren ditched his armor to get out of here on foot through the path." Talia said to everyone.
"But where is the path? So far this place is just a hole." Kali said to everyone. "It's right there." N'than said to Kali, holland his right arm towards some large roots. "This is the way in?" Talia asked N'than, a confused look on her face.
"Yes. That's the Path of Despair. It's even worse than the Pit. You know, in terms of the amount of despair. Everyone who goes down there without a guide is lost forever, or worse-" N'than said to everyone, but was interrupted by Ezran.
"N'than! Seriously! We get it." Ezran said to N'than. "We need to work on how you speak the truth." Kali said to N'than. "But I can be your guide. I know lots of tricks and secrets. I-I can help you stay not lost." N'than said to everyone.
Rayla looked at Callum. "This is what we came here to do. Let's go find Rex Igneous. Despair or no despair." Callum said to everyone, as they returned all of their Pokemon to their Pokeballs.
"Callum's right. Whether Soren is down there or not, we're on a mission, and that means reaching Rex Igneous as soon as possible." Allen said to everyone, as they moved through the large roots and into the Path of Despair.
The Sunfire Camp
At the Sunfire Camp, under the night sky, Karim walked to the same ruins he was waiting at earlier. "You're late." A female voice said, making Karim, to a female Sunfire Elf, who was one of the Six Horn.
She removed her mask and robes, revealing her dark-skinned, wavy dark brown hair and amber eyes. Her attire consists of a red tunic with gold armor plating on her shoulders, arms, waist, and legs. A pair of golden earrings hang from her ears and a golden headgear rests in front of her red horns, which are also adorned with golden rings. She also sports white markings around her eyes, on her chin, and on her shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Miyana. The Queen had something to show me." Karim said to the elf, before grabbing her arms and kissing her. "And what did you see?" Miyana asked Karim, after they finished kissing and Karim put a hand on her check.
"The truth. The White Fool has led Janai down a path that leads to the end of our history. The only choice is to finish her chapter." Karim said to Miyana, as Miyana put a hand on his check.
Drakewood
In the Drakewood, Soren was riding Scarmaker with Hawlucha being him, and Soren was wearing some dirty pink onesie pj with his Pokeball and sword still on him but covered in dirt.
"Hey, Callum! Ez! Rayla! Allen! Drake! Kali! Talia! You gotta hear about the pit! And this drake almost ate me, but then I realized, my shiny armor was flashing, and that scared her! So I took it off, covered my Pokeballs in dirt, and then I got her chains off, and now, we're friends! Uh, I named her Squeaky, 'cause- 'cause look. Look, look, look." Soren said, as he walked into their camp site, and scratched Scarmaker's neck, making her squeak.
"She loves it! Ha-Ha!" Soren said, before noticing that everyone was gone. "Hello?" Soren asked. "Sh-should I start the story again? Guys?" Soren asked, not realizing that they were long gone.
But then Squeaky and Hawlucha started to growl. "What is it?" Soren asked them, as they started to get into a battle stance.
That's when Soren squinted his eyes, and saw the last person he expected to see picking up sticks. "Claudia?" Soren asked, getting Claudia's attention, who was surprised to see him as well.
Hello everyone, I hope you like this chapter. Please follow or review if you like this story.