Lunar Destinies (PG/Fan-Fic of the Year 2009)[Complete Ch 14]

[Charmander009]

You want to write my story?

Um . . . I'm sure that you're great with writing and such, but I wouldn't feel comfortable letting someone do that. Writing a story is kind of personal to me. This is like asking someone else to talk for you. I don't mean to be mean, and I do appreciate that you want to help, but I'd rather work alone. ^^

[DarkraiRaider]

Originally Posted by Charmander009

You want to write my story?

Um . . . I'm sure that you're great with writing and such, but I wouldn't feel comfortable letting someone do that. Writing a story is kind of personal to me. This is like asking someone else to talk for you. I don't mean to be mean, and I do appreciate that you want to help, but I'd rather work alone. ^^

No, I mean just like one chapter! I would love to write about Skullburn! I can imagine his emotions.

[Guard13007]

Hu-bu-wha?! Oo Darkrai, if you write Char's story, then it won't be Char's story anymore cause someone else is writing it. Plus, what if you write something Char doesn't want to happen? Really, fics should be written by one author...

Go ask others, I'm sure they'd say the same thing, only the author knows what they want to happen in the story. And if someone else writes something and it won't work with what the author wants, then it's no good anymore.

You get what I mean? No hard feelings, just let Char do her thing.

[Charmander009]

DarkraiRaider, listen. I don't want to be mean. As I said, writing is personal to me. I would not be comfortable letting someone else write some of it, even if it was just a single chapter. I'm glad you liked the story and want to help, but I'm okay. I'm sure you can come up with a great story on your own. ^^

Like Guard said, Fics should only be written by one author.

[DarkraiRaider]

Aw, 'kay. Aw, shoot.


GIMME NEXT CHAPTER!

[Charmander009]

Don't do that, please, DarkraiRaider. I said before that I'll put up a chapter when I get it done, and I don't like being demanded to do it. Most writers don't like that. I like to take my time, because there is no hurry. Just sit tight and wait.

[DarkraiRaider]

I'm just playing. Sheesh.

[Charmander009]

Originally Posted by DarkraiRaider

I'm just playing. Sheesh.

I'm really sorry, DR. I was in a bad mood earlier. I've been having a hard time with getting some motivation with this. This is one of my favorite stories that I've ever written, but now this darn economic recession is getting to me and making me feel rather depressed. >_< I've got the next chapter ready but I need to proofread it first. I though I might get it up today but maybe not until tomorrow.

Ack, enough woe is me. Sorry to drag on about that.

[Guard13007]

Originally Posted by Charmander009

I'm really sorry, DR. I was in a bad mood earlier. I've been having a hard time with getting some motivation with this. This is one of my favorite stories that I've ever written, but now this darn economic recession is getting to me and making me feel rather depressed. >_< I've got the next chapter ready but I need to proofread it first. I though I might get it up today but maybe not until tomorrow.

Ack, enough woe is me. Sorry to drag on about that.

Don't worry, you're not the only one, it's affecting all of us...

>.<" *would've had a cell phone, laptop, and two iPods if it weren't for it*

[Charmander009]

Chapter Twelve: Lessons

The cottonwood forest had been tranquilly quiet as if it rested with the rest of the night. Crickets were chirping their hearts out while a lonely Noctowl mourned to the stars. None of them would have expected the sudden flash of light and raucous ruckus that erupted as two individuals appeared out of thin air without warning. Aislyn fell to the ground, landing painfully on the bundle of sticks she had abandoned before her tiny adventure. Thyme watched her, hiding back a fit of laughter.

“I’d like to see you try gravity sometime,” she snapped at him, growing grumpy from time-travel. “I’d bet you’d enjoy it.”

“Naw, its overrated,” he just teased.

She ignored his comment and stiffly stood up. As she scanned the calm woods around them, she asked doubtfully, “Are you sure we’re back in time?”

“Just moments after we vanished,” he confirmed, folding his arms behind his head as if he could care less. Aislyn peered passed the shadowy shapes of the tree trunks then finally allowed a long sigh.

“I’m glad that’s over. Guess we’d better get back to camp.”

“Got your box?”

“Of course,” she held it up for him to see. The white wood seemed to glow in the low light of the quarter moon, bringing out the shapes of the carved creatures.

“Then lets go. This place gives me the creeps,” he shuddered as he looked over his shoulder. Here we go again, Aislyn sighed. She almost missed being out in the sun at Birth Island where Thyme couldn‘t be overly paranoid.

“So what spooked you, anyway?” she asked as she bent over to pick up the firewood, recalling what had happened moments before their little escapade. He just grinned and pointed over her shoulder. The blush on his face would have been invisible in the darkness if it hadn‘t been for his incandescent glow. Aislyn’s eyebrow arched when she turned to see a white pelt standing out from the darkness.

“Welcome back,” the flat voice of Lady Frostpaw came from it. She was laying on the ground, front limbs crossed in a patient position. A curious glint was in her eye that Aislyn had never noticed before. Could it be that she was amused by them?

“It was Frostpaw?” Aislyn whispered to Thyme, annoyed by his over-reaction, but the Celebi just scratched his head, shame-faced. Clearing her throat, Aislyn forced a weak laugh and answered uncertainly, “Good to be back?”

Frostpaw stood up, her lithe body outlined by the weak moonlight. “I didn’t mean to scare you, Thyme. I didn’t know you were so . . . timid.”

“I’m not timid!” he objected, but jumped as the Noctowl took off from his perch nearby.

The Absol slowly blinked, saying in a composed tone, “Calm down, everything’s fine. I came to catch up with you two, only to see you disappear into thin air. May I ask where you went off to?”

Aislyn looked at Thyme, who suddenly looked ill at ease. Thinking fast, she simply answered, “It’s a long story.”

Frostpaw studied them long and hard, but to their relief she let the subject drop. “Perhaps later, then. At least it wasn’t a complete fiasco or else I would have seen it coming. Should we return to the others now?”

Next to her, Aislyn heard Thyme breathe out a tiny sigh. Birth Island was a secret, he had said, and Aislyn was determined to keep it that way. She’d hide it even if it meant lying to the Knights, though she wouldn‘t enjoy it. Taking up her things, Aislyn and her Celebi friend followed the Absol under the quite eaves of the woody realm, leaving behind their unexpected adventure. It was remarkable to think that only a few minutes before, Aislyn was stranded on a tropical island. The memory of it already seemed surreal to her now, being surrounded by the night‘s nippy air.

Ahead of their path, Aislyn could see a warm, yellow glow like a light at the end of the tunnel. Troy had succeeded in lighting a campfire, she concluded as she increased her pace. Soon she could warm herself up by its burning embers and finally relax for a moment. She felt so weary and sore from the day’s journey. When they finally broke away from the underbrush, Aislyn could finally see their little camp. The flames flickered wildly by a set of bedrolls and, to her surprise, a tiny tent. She stopped halfway, wondering where it had come from.

“There you are,” Gunuru merrily greeted them from the fireside, a delicious aroma coming from the stew he was stirring up. He was a unexpectedly wonderful cook for a Pokémon. Aislyn found her mouth watering as she smelled whatever it was he was making. Cream of corn, perhaps? Her mom had given them a few cans of ordinary soup, but Gunuru had packed plenty of spices and ingredients with him. As he tossed in a few dried leaves, the Medicham joked, “Just in time for dinner! You must have smelled it coming!”

“We were beginning to wonder if maybe you were lost,” Troy appeared from behind the tent with a small smile on his face.

Aislyn looked from him to the tent, not believing her eyes. She had expected to sleep right under the stars like the rest of them in a simple sleeping bag. Double checking, she dared to ask, “Is that for me?”

“Of course, m’lady,” Troy’s smile grew wider.

“But,” she frowned, “you didn’t have to. I could just sleep outside, too.”

“I don’t think so,” the Gallade walked over to take the thick bundle of sticks from her.

“A lady deserves to have some luxury on a quest,” Lady Frostpaw added, moving past her towards the fire.

“And what kind of Pokémon would we be to let you sleep on the cold, hard ground?” Gunuru chuckled as he sampled a bit of his soup.

Aislyn blushed, finding it hard to say any words. Part of her was grateful for a tent, but another part was a bit upset. She hadn’t asked for special treatment. What she had expected was to be regarded equally and share the yoke, even if that meant sleeping on the cold, hard ground. That was how she had been raised. But, of course, the Knights were ever-so cordial. I should have expected this, she sighed to herself, but politely said aloud, “Thank you.”

“No, thank you. We were needing some firewood,” Troy tossed some of her sticks into the fire before, she noted, tossing the rest of them into a bigger pile of branches she wasn‘t meant to see.

Knights, she rolled her eyes when no one was looking her way.

“Hey, don’t I get a tent?” Thyme made a fuss, puffing out his small chest in indignation.

Troy cocked a brow. “Weren’t you saying back on the road that you enjoyed camping out under the sky?”

“Um, maybe?” he paused as he tried to recall.

“I do believe that the soup is being ready!” Gunuru interrupted, waving his spoon in the air.

“Great, I’m starving!” cheered Thyme, suddenly forgetting all about the tent.

Aislyn and her crew gathered about their humble fire to get a bowl of the piping-hot stew in new spirits. Warmth was quickly spreading into their hearts both from the flickering flames and Gunuru‘s gourmet soup. Though it was a simple meal, Aislyn felt as if she were eating it straight from a five-star restaurant. Even Frostpaw gladly lapped some up from a dish and seemed cheerier than normal. Gunuru shared a humorous story that earned a good belly laugh from everyone. Looking around them, Aislyn could tell that the Knights and Thyme were relaxed and even content, forgetting their potential danger for a moment in time. It felt good, she smiled, to forget our worries for a while. When was the last time she enjoyed a healthy campfire like this? Memories were coming back to her of family camp-outs and smores while she gazed dreamily into their fire.

As their stomachs filled and the stew pot emptied, Aislyn felt a sudden weariness wash over her like a blanket. Conversation had cooled off, and it seemed that it was time for bed. Troy, however, set aside his bowl to clear his throat.

“Aislyn,” he said as a serious expression overcame his face. “Do you remember what Sir Zhang said before we left Colossus’s temple?”

She frowned as she tried to remember. “He said lots of things. Why?”

“One thing he wanted was for us to teach you about Aura and the ways of the Knights.” He glanced away, searching around the ground for something. The young teen watched as the Gallade located a good-sized pebble and took it into his hand. “I believe that now would be a good time for a quick lesson. I told you briefly before what Aura was: the energy that each living thing emanates. It reacts to our emotions and physical health, but with enough training one can have it react to will. An individual with enough potential can learn to use it to extend their sense, seeing, smelling, and touching the world in a whole new perspective. Or they can learn to use the energy to build up an attack or defense. Every Pokémon Knight of the Aura has learned the move known as Aura Sphere, which is a compact concentration of their energy into one place that even those without our talents can see it. Aura Sphere is a powerful and effective attack, and even humans have learned it. However, they seldom use it because the cost is much greater for them. Instead, they have learned to use the Aura Sphere technique to create a shield of sorts. It will block any form of attack, and afterwards it can be absorbed back into their being with little waste. Gunuru?”

The Medicham nodded with a jolly smile and stood up. As soon as he brought his hands together, a ball of blue light began to build up between the palms. Once the energy built up enough, Gunuru threw his hands to his sides. The ball of energy expanded as the distance between his palms increased, and soon a wall of light separated this Knight from the others.

“We are calling this, Aura Shield,” his muffled voice called from behind it. Chuckling at Aislyn’s wonderment, Gunuru brought his hands back up and crossed them over his chest. The Aura Shield enveloped him in a glowing film as it seeped back into his person like water into earth.

“Thank you,” Troy bowed his head, then turned back to his wide-eyed pupil. “Eventually, you can learn to do this. But first things first; we must slowly awaken your powers.”

“What do you mean by that?” she tilted her head slightly, enthralled by what she was learning. That demonstration of Gunuru’s was amazing, but what was even more excited to her was the fact that Troy said she could do it. She! Aislyn Bright! Who would have ever thought that she could be capable of doing something cool like that?

Troy smiled, pleased to have an attentive student. He lifted his hand up, and the pebble within it began to levitate from his psychic power. “Many individuals who have great potential for Aura can live their whole life without knowing it. They would live completely normal lives if their power was not awakened. You see, this power grows slowly as one become more aware of the Aura they posses. Right now, you could try all you could to manipulate your Aura but it would not do anything for you at all. This is comparable to a young Pokémon. It can’t learn powerful moves right off from the bat; it must gradually become stronger and learn more about itself.”

The pebble spun fast circles above his palm before leaving Troy’s side to drift lazily around Aislyn.

“You must learn to recognize your gift, how to call on it, and how to use it though trial and error,” he continued, though his eyes concentrated on the rock. “And this is how we’re going to begin to awaken your gift. I want you to catch this pebble.”

Aislyn looked at him funny with an expression that read, Are you serious? Is that all? “Okay . . .,” she said uncertainly while reaching out her hand. As soon as she was about to touch it the rock shied away, flying behind her back. She looked back at Troy quizzically, only to see a spark of amusement in his eye.

“Catch the pebble,” he prompted again just as the pebble drifted past her shoulder and in front of her face. She looked at him suspiciously, then quickly jerked her hand forward. Just as before, the pebble deftly dodge her strike and disappeared behind her. What the heck?, she thought as she cast a suspicious glance at her teacher. Is this some sort of a joke? Is he trying to make fun of me? The Gallade seemed impassive and was merely concentrating on the floating rock. She raised an eyebrow when the pebble came floating across her line of sight again. This time around, she tried to trick him with a false start followed by quick strike. Troy, however, saw right through her and the rock avoided capture once again.

“How am I suppose to catch it?” she protested with a frown, vexed and perplexed.

“You’ll find a way,” The Gallade just smiled.

“This is going to be a long night,” Aislyn heard Thyme joke behind her back. She sighed, knowing that the Celebi was probably right.

*****

Try as she might, Aislyn just couldn’t catch the pebble that night. It seemed to her that Troy was always one step ahead, but she wouldn’t give up. She held on to thinking that this whole game was just a test for her, however frustrating. Eventually, the pebble retreated to the Gallade’s hand.

“That is enough for tonight,” he stood up. “You need some rest now. We got a long journey ahead of us tomorrow. We’ll practice again tomorrow night.”

Aislyn was about to protest, but her words turned into a yawn. Finally she realized just how tired she was. Without any objection the girl retreated to her tent, though she hesitated before slipping in. There was something she wanted to know.

“How long will it take before I can do all that?” she asked, lifting up the flap to the tent.

Troy was getting into his bedroll, but understood her question. “It always depends on the individual. For some, it could take years. I think, though, that you’re plenty open-minded, though, so it could be a matter of weeks. Now go to sleep. You’re going to need your strength for tomorrow.”

Aislyn yawned again before disappearing into the darkness of the tent. Without bothering to change, she slipped into her sleeping bag and immediately fell asleep. Outside, Gunuru was humming a slow lullaby as he stood watch. His Absol companion curled up beside the fire, appearing to be asleep. Meanwhile, their Celebi friend hung from a hammock of leaves and branches in a tree. Troy looked between all of them, then to the stars above.

“You need not to be worrying,” Gunuru’s telepathic voice spoke to him, though the Medicham kept his eyes on the fire.

“How can I not?” Troy answered with a sigh, closing his eyes from the world. “So much hangs in the balance, Gunuru. If we fail . . .”

“We won’t,” came Frostpaw’s firm mind-voice. Troy peeked over at her with one eye, having known all the long that she was feigning sleep. She remained still, however, with her snow-white fur gently rising as she breathed.

“How can you be so sure?” he looked away.

Gunuru shrugged, answering, “We just know it. How can we do our task if we think otherwise?”

“That is true. I just wish I could be as confident.” Looking over at the tent, he added, “I just can’t figure it out. Of all people, why would Cresselia choose a young girl? She’s putting Aislyn’s life in danger. I worry for her safety.”

“She has a strong heart,” Frostpaw answered bluntly in her monotone voice.

“Yes,” Gunuru agreed, probing the fire with a stick. “She may be facing great trials, but I am getting the impression that she’ll be able to overcome whatever she faces. That must be why Cresselia has chosen her.”

“We’ll be there to help,” Frostpaw added.

“Troy, you must believe this as well.”

The Gallade turned his back to the fire as he pulled his cloak up closer to his face, which he was using as an extra blanket. “I do,” he quietly answered before closing his eyes for the night.

But you fear failure, Frostpaw kept to herself. You always have, but now the stakes are higher than ever. Yes, she could feel the burden they carried. The lives of hundreds of souls rested on their shoulders, as well as the life as one soul who was destined to save them all.

[Charmander009]

*****

“Get a move on!” A harsh man barked at the line of Rangers being led out of the old library. His face was red with anger and hatred, glaring at the young kids as they ducked their heads from his view. By his side, as if to inspire more fear, stood a Machoke and the Nidoking who had barged through the Ranger’s door. They were nearly as big as the man himself, though darker and even less friendly. The purple monster growled when the Ranger’s shuffle increased only by a little, but the other Pokemon just curled his lip. Taking out a whip, the man cracked at them to hastened them. It never struck them, but it came close enough to inflict more fear within them. Their pace quickly picked up just so that they could get away from this man and his whip.

Emma looked away from them, her cheeks wet with tears. It had happened all too fast. She was still trying to figure out what was happening to them. At the instant the Nidoking broke open the door, the library became flooded with Pokemon and darkly dressed humans. All of them surrounded the Rangers and set their backs to the walls. Every one of those foes had a strange glint in their eye that Emma couldn’t understand. They looked like they were full of a fierce hatred, though why they would be that way towards the Rangers she had no idea. For a moment, no one said anything. All they did was stare at each other, but then one man stepped forward with a yellow, ape-like Pokémon at his side.

“Well, well, well,” he smirked, folding his arms across his chest. “Look what we found. As I always say, ‘You can run, but you can’t hide’. You kids done playing hide and seek?”

Deep chuckles sounded throughout the army’s soldiers as their leader toyed with the Rangers. Emma felt like a mouse cornered by a cat. These men had them, and now they were going to play games with them. Her last question she had asked Weston ran through her mind: What’s going to happen to us? Whatever it was, Emma prayed that it wouldn’t be painful. She looked over to her friend, only to see the seething outrage in Weston’s eyes.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” she whispered to him, recognizing the danger. The boy Ranger didn’t seem to hear her, though. He just continued to fix his glare on the army’s leader.
“I have to say,” the man who had stepped forward continued. “You Rangers certainly put up a good fight, but it’s all over now. Now listen to me; we can do this the painless easy way, or the trying, difficult way. We’re just going to take you to one of our camps, and if you co-operate I‘ll guarantee you‘re lives will be spared. Now-,”

“I’m not going anywhere with you! Not without a fight.” Weston shouted as he stepped forward. Emma tried desperately to pull him back, but he slipped out of her grip. She couldn’t believe he was doing this! He was going to get himself killed! Don’t do this, she kept screaming in her head. Don’t do this! Weston, however, remained firm his defiant stance.

The man slowly turned to scrutinize the brazen youth, only to curl his lip in a smirk. That gradual smile scared Emma more than anything, and it even seemed to cause Weston to momentarily waver. It was a knowing smile, one that said: I‘m in charge now, and there is so much I could do to you.

“On the contrary,” he answered. “I’m afraid that you have no choice. The fight is over. You have lost.”

“Wanna bet?” Weston challenged, then broke from the line. Emma was terrified to see the fire burning in his eyes as he raced towards the man, fist raised. The man, however, didn’t move an inch. He stood there, coolly and collectively, just daring Weston to try to hurt him. He was expecting this to happen, Emma realized all too late. Just when the young Ranger was close enough, and he was swinging for a punch, the ape-like Pokémon moved. Weston’s fist suddenly outlined in blue, freezing in the air inches away from the man’s face. Putting all of his energy and weight into the punch, Weston struggled against the Psychic hold. Try as he might, his hand would not budge. The lone Ranger fixed his eyes only on the man, who stared back impassively.

“I’ll admit it,” the Hypno’s master taunted. “You got spunk, kid.”

“You‘re a coward!” Weston shouted at him, his face contorted with infuriation, humiliated, and frustration. He had never felt so much hatred before, and though it scared him, it fueled his courage and fighting spirit. Through it, he was going to resist at all cost, even if it put his life in danger. He swung with his other fist, only to have it freeze inches away from his target once again.

“Hardly,” the man placidly answered, then nonchalantly he grabbed the boy’s knuckles and brought them to the Ranger’s side. “But I’m not a fool like you,” he added, then gave a punch of his own. Weston fell to the ground, covering his face as it burned with pain. His nose was bleeding along with his lip, although it didn’t hurt as much as his spirit did. All the bravery he had felt before had sputtered out, and he was reminded once again that he was just a boy. What did he think he could do? They were doomed, and he couldn’t fight against it.

“Hypno,” came his foe’s deep voice, then suddenly Weston felt his body rise up off the ground on its own. Suddenly the Ranger found that he couldn’t move any inch of his body. Everything was being controlled by a psychic attack. He felt like a puppet in the vile Pokemon’s power. What they were going to do with him, he couldn’t guess. He just hoped it would be quick and painless. Unwillingly he found himself face-to-face with the commander, but he mustered up enough will to remain as defiant. This only seemed to further amuse the leader.

“You need to learn how to pick your fights, boy,” the man uttered into Weston’s ear before turning to address the other Rangers. “I imagine that each of you are full of questions. You are wondering who we are, and what are we doing? What will we do to you now? Well, we are the Dark Army, the warriors of the great Legendary Darkrai, who will one day cleanse the earth and make it a far better place. His mission begins with take-over, and soon Almia will be his. We will fight for the day when we can live without sorrow, and we fight for his cause.”

Emma couldn’t believe the pack of lies this man was telling them. Who, or what, is Darkrai? Why did he want to change the world? Emma couldn’t find anything wrong with it. Sure it had its fair share of problems, but she had always been happy, until now. Never would she have thought that the world deserved cleansing. No, there had to be something more. Something this man wasn’t telling her, or something that this Darkrai had lied to them.

“As for anyone who defies,” the commander continued, turning to Weston with a mischievous smirk that bode no good for the Ranger. “Well . . . I’ll show you a demonstration. Hypno, put him to sleep.”

The Hypnosis Pokémon obeyed, lifting up the pendulum it permanently held it its hand. Weston knew what was coming and tried to avert his eyes, but it was too late. He was drawn to the medallion as it swung back and forth, back and forth. Slowly, he felt himself slipping away. The young Ranger tried to fight back, but his efforts were futile. Soon, his world faded into black, and he remember no more. Emma, though, saw him floating limply in the air and grew numb. What are they doing to him? she wondered, the fear in her rising to a whole new level.

“I don’t know how many of you have heard the many legends of Darkrai. Many of them aren’t true, but there is one myth that is,” he continued, walking up and down the border between his forces and the frightened Rangers. “Darkrai has the ability to cast those around him into unending nightmares that they’ll never wake up from. Never. Don’t believe me? Then lets show them a taste, shall we? Hypno, Nightmare!”

Suddenly, the creature’s eyes turned black and glowed with enigmatic power. The pendulum stopped in mid-swing, and it seemed for a moment that the library grew darker and colder. Emma watched in horror as Weston’s body began to convulse. His face was screwed up in pain, visibly showing the effects of the Nightmare. The tears began flowing as the boy Ranger cried out in agony. Monsters! They were all monsters! How could they do this to Weston? All around her, the other Rangers were turning away from the sight, finding it hard to believe their eyes. Each one of them kept wondering, would this be our fate as well?

Hypno’s eyes returned to normal as it allowed Weston to fall to the ground. His master went, undisturbed in the least. “This is only a taste of Darkrai’s power, which was granted to this special Hypno. It isn’t quite as powerful, but it gets the job done. As for this Ranger . . . How will he eat if he can’t wake up?”

Again, a dark chuckle rippled through the masses of the Dark Army. Their leader was pleased with his own dark humor, but he spun around to glare at the horrified Rangers.

“Let this be a lesson to all of you!” he raised his voice. “If you defy Darkrai, your fate will be the same as this runt. You have one of two choices: comply or say goodbye to the light of day.”

None of the other Rangers resisted. Their leaders were quickly escorted away, leaving them lost and confused. Emma could see the haunting look of despair on each of their faces as they were quickly herded out of the old library and probably to a prison camp. It was so odd. They were taken without weapons of any sort. The only thing this Army used was fear and blunt force, taking the mostly peaceful nation by surprise. How could they have expected or prepared for such a bold invasion?

The Nidoking’s master cracked the whip once more, breaking Emma away from her thoughts. Her pace had slackened a bit, but she quickly picked it up as she avoided the man’s eye. She had to keep moving, for Weston’s sake. Glancing over her shoulder, she quickly spotted two other Rangers who were carrying him between them. The Dark Army’s commander had allowed them to take him along, though he didn’t seem to care what happened to the boy from now on. Mumbling incoherently, the brave Ranger winced from something troubling him in his dreams. Quickly Emma looked away, hating to see him this way. Though she was often a loving, kind person, she now felt a burning anger within her. Never would she forgive these men for what they had done.

All of a sudden, the Nidoking roared. Looking up, Emma saw a great ball of light shooting from the shadows in time to strike the Machoke who had stood by the mutant rabbit. The line of Rangers halted their forced march as more Pokémon and humans surrounded the forces of the Dark Army. Everyone had been caught by surprise, but they quickly recovered and engaged in battle. These strange new combatants were certainly an odd bunch. Many of the humans and Pokémon wore capes as if they were from a different age, but their skills were unmatched. Their humans wielded strange but sturdy staffs, knocking out many of the Dark Armies men Meanwhile the Pokemon were swift, skillful, and powerful. The forces of the Dark Army were not resisting well against this sneak attack and their retreat seemed inevitable. Reluctantly, they abandoned their newly claimed prisoners to flee into the forest. Those left behind found the irony of becoming prisoners themselves.

Emma could hardly believe it when these rescuers came to the Ranger’s aide. A man and a spiky, blue dragon came to her, both with kindly smiles.

“Don’t be afraid ,” came a strange voice that seemed to come from nowhere. It took Emma the longest time to figure out that she had heard it within her own head. The Gabite raised its arm, then brought its blade down on the ropes that had bound her hands. Rubbing her freed hands, she looked between the two being.

“Everything’s going to be fine,” the man tried to comfort her, seeing the tears streaking down her cheeks.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“We are the Knights of the Aura,” the man bowed.


--------------

Well, there's the end. Now we know what's happened to the Rangers, and we've learned a little bit about aura. ^^ I would have added just a little bit more, but I think I'll save it for the next chapter. Did I do okay?

[ShionRasenka]

Pft, you ask if you did okay? I say you did........... GREAT!!!! ^^ That chapter was AWESOMELY EPIC CHAR!!! I'm glad you wrote about the Rangers this chapter. I was really nervous!!! And that was awesome when the Aura Knights came in!!! I feel so bad for Weston.... I hope he'll be okay.... And I can't wait to see what kinds of abilities Aislyn will have once she starts using Aura!!

[Charmander009]

Thank you so much, Shion. I was wondering if that chapter would be okay. For some reason the commander was kind of hard to characterize . . . But I'll just say that you haven't seen the last of those Rangers. I really like writing abou them ^^

While I was writing this chapter I was reading a book on WWII and how the American Soldiers who were captured in the Phillipenes were treated. It fueled a little bit of the inspiration for this, though it was almost hard to write. I didn't like what I did to Weston, but it had to happen. I needed to show what Darkrai's armies were doing in Almia and how the Knights of the Aura were finally coming out of the shadows to stop them.

It would be aweful, though, to be trapped in a nightmare like that. *shudders*

[Guard13007]

Originally Posted by ShionRasenka

Pft, you ask if you did okay? I say you did........... GREAT!!!! ^^ That chapter was AWESOMELY EPIC CHAR!!! I'm glad you wrote about the Rangers this chapter. I was really nervous!!! And that was awesome when the Aura Knights came in!!! I feel so bad for Weston.... I hope he'll be okay.... And I can't wait to see what kinds of abilities Aislyn will have once she starts using Aura!!

What she said. Caught a few errors (3), but can't remember where exactly and I'm too busy...

Originally Posted by Charmander009

Thank you so much, Shion. I was wondering if that chapter would be okay. For some reason the commander was kind of hard to characterize . . . But I'll just say that you haven't seen the last of those Rangers. I really like writing abou them ^^

While I was writing this chapter I was reading a book on WWII and how the American Soldiers who were captured in the Phillipenes were treated. It fueled a little bit of the inspiration for this, though it was almost hard to write. I didn't like what I did to Weston, but it had to happen. I needed to show what Darkrai's armies were doing in Almia and how the Knights of the Aura were finally coming out of the shadows to stop them.

It would be aweful, though, to be trapped in a nightmare like that. *shudders*

You get evil ideas from reading stuff too! Yayz! Only I get it from everything around me. Such as my recent idea for a scene involving ashes from a fire (Which spouted from the recent fires all over southern California, there was ash falling all over my city recently from it... Oo' So cool, in a suffocating kinda way... XD).

[ShionRasenka]

Originally Posted by Charmander009

Thank you so much, Shion. I was wondering if that chapter would be okay. For some reason the commander was kind of hard to characterize . . . But I'll just say that you haven't seen the last of those Rangers. I really like writing abou them ^^

While I was writing this chapter I was reading a book on WWII and how the American Soldiers who were captured in the Phillipenes were treated. It fueled a little bit of the inspiration for this, though it was almost hard to write. I didn't like what I did to Weston, but it had to happen. I needed to show what Darkrai's armies were doing in Almia and how the Knights of the Aura were finally coming out of the shadows to stop them.

It would be aweful, though, to be trapped in a nightmare like that. *shudders*

Yeah, it would really suck to be stuck in a nightmare like that. *shudders as well* No way to eat or bathe, or anything. That'd be a horrid way to go.