It has been over a year since the last chapter, and I'm finally updating this story. xD

I've been a bit inactive here on Fanfiction recently, and I hope to change that! There will be one more part after this chapter, and I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

The characters Apollo and Artemis belong to Vulaan Kulaas, who this story was written for. :)

Cover is a recoloring of Ken Sugimori's art done by llugarugan on Deviantart.

Part Two – Scattered Embers

I hated being a Decidueye.

My body that had once been designed for flight had been torn from me– not that I couldn't fly anymore– but taking to the sky had become a challenge. My wings couldn't carry me as far as they had as a Dartrix, my new form weighing me down. I could only travel for so long until I was forced to land– which had to be done with care so I didn't harm my egg.

Then there was my coloring– if being a shiny Dartrix had been hard– then being a shiny Decidueye was next to impossible.

I now stood as tall as many humans– meaning that only large trees could support my weight. Being grounded was no better– leaving me open to many different types of Pokemon. While I might have been able to slip away as a Dartrix, every time the sun hit my feathers now there was no hiding. I was covered with glossy black, teal, and red feathers– all practically glowing when the sun hit them.

The night remained one of my few advantages– my darker colors now being able to hide me with ease as soon as the sun was gone. I was also deathly silent– barely able to hear my own breathing when I wished to be hidden. Perhaps that was the only thing I enjoyed about being a Decidueye– hiding. My hood could cover my face, shielding my eyes from the sun. My wings were like huge sheets, covering my white body feathers with ease. As long as I stayed in the shadows and out of the light, then no one could find me.

It had only been three days since I had fled the forest, but it had already felt like an eternity. My tree felt like a faint memory, while the thought of Bloom was an aching wound. And Artemis... Artemis...

It felt like a quill to the heart.

And I knew just how much my quills could hurt– I've poked myself several times now.

My wings were more than just a new color– the once soft feathers had become stiff quills, almost like arrows when plucked. I had learned the hard way when attempting to preen myself like I often did as a Dartrix, one of the sharp ends nearly hitting my eye. While I could still preen, it took much longer, so I didn't dedicate as much effort as I had as a Dartrix. Perhaps my old self would have panicked at such a thought, but at the moment I didn't care.

I looked down at my egg, a wave of panic washing over me.

Bloom had been right– neither of us knew how to be parents. Together we could have figured it out... with Artemis' advice I probably could have managed... But alone...

But alone I knew I couldn't do it.

I couldn't raise this egg.

I shivered at the thought, at the thought of being able to do nothing for my child. This was my baby, the very last thing that I had. It was going to be helpless when it finally hatched... it would suffer because I didn't know what to do...

I closed my eyes, my talons wrapped protectively around the egg. It was only a few hours until sunset, I should be sleeping so I'd have the energy to travel... there was nothing I could do now, so what was the point of worrying?

I drifted off, my egg at my feet.

'Mmm... so yummy...' A voice whispered.

'Sooo good~!' Several voices echoed, and I found myself blinking awake.

I had fallen asleep under an old log that had fallen up against a ledge, providing some shelter. I must have been more exhausted than I had realized, having slept right through the sunset.

It had now been over a week since I had flown away from my forest, though not much had changed in that time. I simply flew from place to place when night fell, eating what I could, and staying by my egg during the day.

I ruffled my feathers, trying to figure out where the voices had come from. My eyes narrowed, noticing several dim glows in the underbrush. I shifted, feeling my egg resting at my feet.

'No nesty for the eggy!' One of the voices chittered, and I stiffened. 'So yummy!'

'Who's there?!' I cried, causing the voices to fall silent.

I placed one foot on my egg, and I noticed the glow in the underbrush creeping closer. I focused my gaze on them, able to make out the outline of several small creatures, a lava-like glow on their backs. I clicked my beak nervously, and plucked one of my arrow-like feathers, holding it out in front of me.

'Aww...' The voices cried unhappily. 'There is parent nearby!'

They had seen the egg, but not me? It seemed my black feathers hid me much better in the night than I had realized.

'I don't wanna fight for dinner!' Another voice called out.

'Then leave me and my egg alone,' I growled.

Suddenly a burst of fire was launched at me. Startled, I raised a wing to defend myself, the flames painfully licking at my feathers. I held back a cry, and I threw the quill in the direction that the Flame Burst had come from, but another blast of fire disintegrated it into ashes.

But that fire temporarily lit up the night, allowing me to get a look at my attackers. Four sleek black creatures, all creeping closer, fire pouring from their jaws.

Salandit.

Egg eaters.

'Get away,' I growled, talons becoming outlined in a Shadow Claw.

The Salandits were grinning at me, all four of them opening their mouths to prepare a fire attack. Three Embers were sent my way, alongside a powerful Flame Burst. I once more raised my wings to defend myself, hissing as the fire washed over me. They may have had the number and type advantage, but from the strength of their attacks I had to guess that they weren't the most powerful of battlers.

I spread open my wings, rushing away from the log and striking with a Shadow Claw at the most powerful of the Salandit. He was sent flying back into the undergrowth as I swiped, another Flame Burst forming in his mouth. Two of the other Salandit leapt at me, biting down onto my wing. I spun around, trying to shake them off.

In time to notice the final Salandit darting towards my egg.

My eyes widened, and I quickly plucked another one of my quills. I didn't know why I kept doing this, but they were sharp enough to make a weapon. I tossed it at the Salandit, and it hit him in the side. He let out an unhappy scream, being knocked away from the log. If I wasn't in the middle of a battle, I would have been surprised at how effective my quill had been.

Instead I had to fire a Razor Leaf at the other three Salandits rushing at me.

I felt a rush of energy as I released the Razor Leaf, but I didn't have time to think it over. I was speeding back towards my egg, whimpers of pain escaping my beak as several Embers hit my back. The fire burned against me, the heat searing me painfully, but I kept running forward. My tan egg was on its side, but unharmed. I needed to reach it– grab it and fly away!

Then a slim black hand touched my egg.

My eyes widened as the rest of the Pokemon slunk out of the darkness, towering above my egg. The lizard snapped her jaws near the shell, watching me with taunting purple eyes. She was much larger than the Salandits, and while I was still larger than her, the way she carried herself made it clear she was powerful.

The Salazzle cracked a grin. 'One step closer and I shatter the egg.'

I stopped in my tracks.

'Hehe,' The Salandits crackled. 'We get dinner!'

'That's better,' The Salazzle purred, stroking my egg with her long tail. I shivered at the action, my eyes locked on my precious egg, which gleamed in the light of her glowing pink markings on her chest. My heart was hammering as she caressed its shell with her slender fingers. I could hear the four Salandits making their way towards me, and I clicked my beak nervously.

'Why should I do as you say?' I spat at her. 'Aren't you going to hurt the egg anyways?!'

She smiled. 'Of course, how else are we going to eat it? But if you stay still then I'll spare you the pain of having to watch it be shattered in front of you.'

I shivered.

'Dinner!' One of the Salandits cried.

'Now,' The Salazzle began, circling my egg. 'Why don't you tell me where the missus is? We wouldn't want her to get hurt when she returns to this... nest...'

I flinched, my amber eyes flickering about, looking for some way to snatch my egg and escape. But with the Salazzle so close to my egg I didn't dare lash out, knowing she could crush it in moment. The Salandits were behind me, able to launch a volley of fire moves at anytime. I needed to find a way to get around all of them, and get to my egg before it was harmed.

'You call this a nest?' One of the Salandits cried. 'Not even a Muk would call this suitable!'

'That's not my nest...' I growled, talons twitching. '...I don't have one.'

The Salazzle regarded me for a moment, her filthy hands still on my egg. Then she threw back her head and burst out laughing. The Salandits mimicked her, letting out violent cackles. She slapped her hand against my egg as she chortled, causing me to flinch.

'Oh this is just precious– so precious!' The Salazzle cried. 'A bird without a nest– and I'm guessing without a mate either! No wonder we're able to get this prize so easily! It's amazing that this tasty treat hasn't even been taken yet– do you leave your egg alone when you hunt?'

I was tense, but I refused to reply to her taunts, even if there was a truth to them. This was my egg, and I was going to protect it– my egg was all I had left. Shifting under my cloak-like wings, I plucked another quill, realizing for the first time how little it hurt when I did this. A Razor Leaf attack would be too dangerous fire, I could hurt my egg with its wide range. I couldn't use Shadow Claw either, since I wasn't anywhere near her, so my quills would be my next-best option.

'It seems we're doing you a favor,' The Salazzle said with a grin, pressing both of her hands on my egg. My finger-like feathers clenched, tightening around my quill.

'Let go of my egg,' I hissed, and I felt ghostly energy surrounding me.

She grinned, her fingers starting to glow with a Poison Jab. My eyes widened, and I didn't care about the Salandits surrounding me– I had to get my egg!

I whipped my quill out, the ghostly energy surrounding the arrow-like feather. Without thinking I seized one of my teal vines near my hood, pulling it taut. I nocked the quill onto the vine, pulling back. I released the quill, sending it flying towards the Salazzle, gaining much more speed and power than when I just threw it.

The Spirit Shackle rushed towards the Salazzle, striking her straight in the chest. The force of the attack sent her stumbling back, letting out a cry of pain. The Salandits let out startled cries as their leader was attacked. I rushed forward, and seized my egg in one wing, quickly mounting the log to get the high ground.

'Get him you idiots!' The Salazzle cried, shakily pushing herself to her feet. She released a Flamethrower at the quill, burning it up. She quickly scaled the log, rushing towards me, another Flamethrower forming in her mouth.

I quickly surrounded my egg with my wings, and the Flamethrower, the Flame Burst, and several Embers were released at me. A wave of pain washed over me, and I let out a screech as the fire burned against me, but I had to made sure my egg was out of the way of the flames.

'Get... away...' I hissed as the fire died down. The Salazzle smirked, creeping closer, another Flamethrower forming in her mouth. The Salandits quickly surrounded the log, all of them closing in on me. I clicked my beak together, knowing I couldn't fly away with my egg still in my wings.

'Shouldn't have put up a fight,' She purred, creeping closer, and my heart hammered.

There was nowhere for me to run, and no way for me to fly.

'W-wait!' I cried, and to my surprise she paused. 'If I give you the egg, w-will you let me go? Unharmed?'

The Flamethrower in her mouth died down, and she stared at me.

'Yay!' The Salandits cried happily. 'Free dinner!'

'Shut up!' The Salazzle snapped. 'He's lying, what reason would he have to hand it over after fighting so hard?'

'N-no,' I whispered, and I gently set my egg down at my feet. 'S-see? All yours...' If I had lips, I probably would have been grinning– thank the Tapus I had a beak. The Salazzle was watching me closely, but still I was able to set my egg down without causing too much suspicion. I backed away a single step, holding my wings up as if I was surrendering. 'No reason for me to get hurt if I'm going to lose.'

Well, I was already hurt. My feathers were charred and my skin hurt every time I moved. The Salazzle was watching me with surprise, blinking uncertainly. Gulping, I knew it was now or never.

'Step away from the egg and I'll let you walk–' She began in a low tone, and a small orb of light formed between my finger-like feathers. She tensed, but before she could react the Confuse Ray was released at her.

'Gah!' She cried as the orb hit her, the Confuse Ray blurring her vision. I spread open my wings, seizing my egg in my talons, taking to the sky. 'After him!'

Several Embers were fired up towards me, but my wings carried me out of their reach. I ignored their frustrated cries, focusing on trying to stay in the air. Flying was enough of a struggle for me as a Decidueye, though I had gotten use to it over the past week. But now with the burns covering me it was worse than ever, each flap sending waves of pain washing over me.

But I just kept on flying.

I couldn't do this.

It just wouldn't be fair to my child.

I lived a life where I couldn't even protect my egg, where I could barely find enough food for myself. How would I be able to protect a curious chick? Feed a growing hatchling? How would I support myself so I would be able to support my child?

The Salazzle's words had stuck with me ever since her attack a week ago, the sight of her touching my egg burned in my mind. I had barely gotten out of there... my egg had barely survived...

And it would only take time until something else like this happened again.

I silently walked through the forest, the trees here grew much closer than they did in my old home, leaving little room for me to fly between their branches. So instead I held my egg close as I walked through the dark night.

The reason why what the Salazzle had said stuck in my mind was the fact that it was true– I was not in the position to raise a child. This fact hurt, ached much worse than my healing burns. I shifted my egg– it was all I had left!

But I would be confining it to a much worse fate if it hatched with me as its only caretaker.

But what else could I do? Leaving it out here would only leave it in the claws of predators. And it wasn't like I could just take up another mate– I couldn't think of a Pokemon that'd be willing to raise a stranger's child.

Besides... after what happened with Bloom... I wasn't ready to take on another mate.

I gritted my beak, cradling my egg in close. This wasn't fair! This wasn't fair to me or my egg! Why couldn't have Bloom stayed– and if not for me, then for our child! Why couldn't she have tried?! I could have provided for us all!

But yet when I was alone I couldn't do the same...

I froze up as I heard the sound of breathing, and I quickly leapt into the shadows of the forest, one wing raised as I prepared a Razor Leaf.

But the breathing continued– quiet and steady– not coming closer. I hid in the shadows for a moment longer, before slowly relaxing. Whatever I heard must be asleep, it was of no threat to me. I cautiously stepped back into the forest, trying to identify where the breathing was coming from.

I tilted my head as I listened on, and I looked up. I blinked in surprise, slightly startled to see a web of branches and nests spread out above me– near a ledge. I could hear the quiet breathings coming from above, whatever was making them was roosting in the nests.

I hesitated, knowing it would just be best for me to move on, but curiosity got the better of me. Seeing the multiple nests only reminded me of the nest I had once had, and I simply wanted a better look. I made sure my egg was nestled securely in my wings, then I hopped up onto a low-hanging branch. It swayed under my weight, and I swiftly leapt up onto the next one. My talons dug into each thick branch, holding my egg even tighter so it wasn't swung around.

At last I was level with the nests, and I pressed up against the trunk of the tree, hiding in the shadows so the moonlight wouldn't bounce off of my feathers. I blinked in surprise– I had expected to see many Pokemon with all the nests I was seeing– but I only saw one pair of Pokemon upon looking into the nests.

The Toucannon and Trumbeak were pressed up together in the largest nest– clearly a mated pair. A rush of jealousy ran through me, though I brushed it off. All of the nests were empty except for the one they were in, six eggs lined around the Toucannon's large beak, which glowed faintly with heat. I tilted my head, fascinated by the natural incubator in his beak, able to keep his eggs warm with ease.

Despite knowing I was wasting the night away, I found myself watching the sleeping pair for a time, perhaps hoping I could learn something from them. Their children would be well off– a tree and a forest they would be able to call home. Parents that could tend to all of their needs, food clearly wouldn't be scarce, they would be happy...

I froze as I realized the opportunity set before me.

A nest full of eggs– parents awaiting their young to hatch. It would be so simple to slip my egg up next to the others... It would give everything I wanted for my child– parents, siblings, food, and most importantly– safety.

Even if my child wasn't the same species, would such happy looking parents refuse a chick that hatched in their own nest? The Toucannon was clearly powerful, but yet so gentle with his eggs, even as he slept. And with the way his mate was pressed up against him I could only imagine how close they were– how close they'd be to their children.

My baby could be safe, I just had to...

I pressed my egg close to me, eyes wide– my baby could be safe, but I'd have to leave them.

I'd have to give up the last thing I had.

I looked down at the small tan egg in my wings, its shell warm against my feathers. It was my child, the very thing I have been dedicating my whole self to protecting. This was the very thing that had been keeping me going, giving me a purpose in midst my pain. It was a child I had yet to meet– but it was my child. I loved it, even if I'd seen nothing more than this shell– because I knew that there was life below it.

'I...' My voice shook as I attempted to speak, and the nesting parents didn't even shift. I brought my egg in close– how could I give up my own child?! I pressed my eyes shut, a wetness stinging them. I pulled back my hood, staring down at the egg again.

If I kept the egg it would have nothing.

No home, no mother, and little to no food. Safety would be scarce, and my ability to provide was nothing but questionable.

I pressed my head against my egg. 'I love you...'

I love you. So I'm going to let you go.

I'm going to let you live a life worth living.

The tears that had stung my eyes were starting to spill over, but I made no noise as I hopped over to the edge of the nest. The Toucannon shifted, but didn't wake. The Trumbeak nestled herself closer to her mate, and once again I drowned out a jealous pulse in my heart. I peered down at the little Pikipek eggs, the same size as my own.

I held my egg close to my chest one last time, before slipping it next to the other eggs, pressed gently against the Toucannon's beak. I pulled back, staring at the small shape I had been dedicated to for so long.

They'd be safe now. My child would be safe.

I wanted to stay– linger to make sure they'd accept the egg– but I knew I couldn't bare it. I watched as the Toucannon brushed a wing against my egg in his sleep, and I knew that had to be enough.

I turned, throwing myself out of the nest. My wings flared open, talons curling in search for an egg I no longer had. I bolted silently through the forest, rising up towards an opening in the trees. Tears blurred my vision as I raced above the forest. The only thing in my sight was a blurred glowing orb I knew to be the moon.

I had to force myself to keep on flying.

I flew until I reached the ocean.

It wasn't the beautiful white-sand beaches the humans often converged on– rather rough and rocky place. A wide ring of rocky hills seemed to be a natural wall to the rest of the island, the beach empty as the sun started to rise.

I landed on the beach, staring out at the water with empty eyes. Rocks dug into my feet, dark waters rushing up the shore. I reached back, tugging the hood over my head, heart feeling numb. I didn't care about the exhaustion in my limbs nor the pounding in my chest. I simply walked down the beach, turning my head away from the rising sun.

My whole body was numb, and nothing seemed to grab my interest. Instinct kicked in when my stomach rumbled, and I found myself picking up bits of seaweed on the beach to silence my stomach's call for food. It was bitter and salty, but I choked down the foreign food without much thought. The day passed by in a blur, the beach empty save for the occasional water type swimming by.

I didn't even blink at the sight. I said nothing– simply continuing my march down the beach until I reached the rocky hills that surrounded the edge of the beach. Then I turned around and headed back to the other side. I didn't know my purpose in this pacing, doing nothing save for scooping up seaweed that washed by on the beach. My legs grew stiff, my throat dry from the lack of water.

It wasn't until I felt I couldn't go another step that I dragged myself into a cave in one of the hillsides– the whole place smelling of salt. I collapsed in the center of the cave, not even pausing to think if another Pokemon inhabited it, or perhaps if it would become dangerous when the tide came in. I simply laid on the cold stone floor, staring up at the dark blue stone that made up the cave, being reminded of the night sky.

I thought of the moon.

I thought of her eyes.

I thought of everything I had lost.

Exhausted, I closed my eyes, waiting for night to reclaim the outside world. If I truly slept, I didn't know, everything was just dim, my mind humming. I didn't exit the cave until the stars had filled the sky, but even then I simply picked up where I had left off– pacing.

And thus my new life began.

Rising as soon as the sun set– and I began to pace my new beach. No one came ashore except for the occasional Wingull– whom I scared off with a Spirit Shackle. It wasn't like my forest home, where true threats awaited me, and so I did nothing but walk the length of my beach. Seaweed was plentiful, and every time my stomach made a complaint I swallowed a lump of the disgusting meal to silence it. The rest I'd drag onto the rocks to dry.

My feet bled the first few days of my pacing, the gritty sand and sharp rocks cutting open my feet. I never let this stop me though, just continuing with my walking through the pain, since the pain in my heart hurt far more. As the days began to blur together my feet became rougher from the constant pacing, calluses forming on my feet, talons becoming dull from my constant walking.

In the back of my cave there was a small spring of fresh water, but the only times I drank were when the sun came up. But as long as the stars were overhead I found myself pacing the length of the beach. My thoughts were dim, barely aware of what I was even doing as my new routine settled in. Perhaps it was my mind's way of trying to shield me from the pain I was suffering, but everyday I felt less alive.

Pace. Eat. Pace. Drink. Pace. Sleep. Pace. Repeat.

I never left the beach. I never returned to the forest despite my heart aching to know what had become of my egg.

Pace. Repeat.

Pace.

It was the scream that awoke me.

A long cry– screaming out for help. The tormentous noise awoke me, pulling me from empty nightmares that haunted my mind. A small glow filled my cave, showing me that the sun was still up outside. The floor under me was damp, the familiar scent of salt clinging to the air as it always did. I blinked as I was pulled from my sleep, not sure of what to make of the calls.

But I heard the screams again.

Return the favor.

I flinched as I heard Artemis' voice in my mind, the sounds of her calls just as crisp as if she were next to me. I peered about, half expecting the Torracat to be watching me with her moonlit gaze.

I was alone.

But her voice was still speaking in my mind, urging me to make good on the promise I had made so long ago. It took me a moment to recall what it had been, and the screams made it hard to focus. She... she had saved me, and wished for me to do the same.

But I had already saved someone.

My eyes drooped, heavy and exhausted from my nightly pacing. I needed sleep, I needed to slip away into the darkness where the pain wasn't as strong...

Another scream for help– and I ignored it.

Artemis' voice came to my mind again– Return the favor.

I slid my eyes open, wondering why I should care. Artemis had left me without a word, just like Bloom. They both had clearly not wanted to be apart of my life, so why should I make good on an old promise? One that I had already fulfilled anyways? Yet I couldn't bring myself to close my eyes, the cries still echoing through the cave.

Just because I was miserable didn't mean others had to be either.

I dragged myself to my feet, limping towards the exit of the cave. My eyes narrowed in the harsh sunlight, feathers starting to shine. The most I could do was tug my hood over my head, and then spread open my wings. It had been so long since I had flown...

But still, I threw myself into the air, muscles aching in complaint to the flight. The wind coming in from the sea was strong, making me take a moment to find my balance. A hum remained strong in my mind, no panic rushing through me despite the cries echoing through the seaside. The only thing that was driving me forward was Artemis' voice in my mind, which was becoming dimmer by the moment. I flew on, the calls of battle becoming louder as I flew beyond the rocky hills that marked the edges of my beach. I noticed that beyond them the shore was even rockier, almost cliff-like in some places. My eyes narrowed in the sunlight, searching for the source of the cries.

I was surprised to discover that the voices were coming from three Pokemon– with how loud they were I was expecting many more. They were swimming in the rocky shallows, right up near the cliffside. Several of the Pokemon were very sleek and speedy, even in the limited water. One was a Dewgong, who was rushing towards a Tentacruel with an Aqua Jet.

The Tentacruel had seemed to have dragged itself into the shallows, its many tentacles clinging to the craggy rocks jutting up from the sea as it pulled itself towards the cliff. One of the tentacles glowed purple as it swung it towards the Dewgong. The Poison Jab hit the water type, sending it flying back. The Tentacruel dragged itself closer to the cliffs, resulting in a cry of panic from the final Pokemon.

It was a Brionne, and judging from the way she nervously swam about it seemed she wasn't one for battle. She formed a Water Pulse in front of her, releasing the sphere of water. The Tentacruel disrupted the attack with a Scald, before blasting the Bionne back with the same attack. The burst of boiling water swept her away from the cliffside, and the Tentacruel dragged itself even closer to the towering rock face.

I blinked, not quite sure of what to make of the sight. It was quite clear that whatever the Tentacruel wanted was near the cliff– but the Dewgong seemed adamant in protecting it. There was a purple hue to his skin, showing he was poisoned as he raced back into battle, an Aurora Beam forming in front of his mouth. The Tentacruel let out a frustrated noise as ice formed along him from the attack, however he raised a tentacle, plunging it into a cave on the cliffside.

The Brionne let out a pained cry, as if this action were somehow hurting her. Another Water Pulse was launched in desperation, but the Tentacruel withdrew with limb with no problem. Something smooth and round was clutched in his appendage, and it slowly brought it towards its mouth. I felt my blood turning to ice as I saw just what it was.

An egg.

Images of the Salazzle near my egg rose in my mind, and a rush of anger ran through me. I didn't care as the Dewgong attacked the Tentacruel with a Headbutt, or how the Brionne was racing into the fight– only the Tentacruel was in my sights. I dove down, landing on the top of the cliff as the Tentacruel entangled his attackers in his tentacles– one of them reaching towards the cave once more.

I plucked a quill from my wing, ghostly energy surrounding it as I nocked it in my vine. I pulled the Spirit Shackle taut, taking aim at the limb about to enter the cave with the eggs. I released the quill, the arrow flying through the air with deadly accuracy. It pierced the tentacle, pinning it against the rock, and the Tentacruel let out a roar of pain. It became surrounded in my ghostly energy– only visible to my eyes however. I leapt up into the air, not even needing to look down to know where he was. As long as my energy from the Spirit Shackle was around him I'd be able to find him– there would be no escape.

I dove down, wings starting to glow green as I rushed at him. The Tentacruel let out a hiss as the Leaf Blade slashed against him, causing him to scurry back a ways. The Dewgong flashed me a thankful look, my attack having made the Tentacruel loosen his grip. The Dewgong slipped free from the tangle, diving back into the water. The Dewgong swam around to the Tentacruel's other side, firing Aurora Beams at the tentacles holding the Brionne in an attempt to free her from the crushing grip.

'Brooke!' He cried.

'Glacier!' Her call was strangled, a tentacle tightening around her throat.

A Scald was sent up towards me, which I swooped around, eyes narrowed as I tried to battle in the bright light. A tentacle was sent flying up at me, glowing purple with a Poison Jab. It hit one of my wings, throwing my flight off balance. I fell towards the water, while another limb swung around and sent the Dewgong flying into one of the rocks. Blood began to pool across his back, but still he swam towards his struggling mate.

A grunt escaped me as I hit the water, my feathers becoming soaked. The water was becoming choppy from the battle, and I knew that I wouldn't be getting back into the air. I peered up at the Tentacruel– who looked much larger than from when I was flying.

He was also reaching into the sea cave once more.

'No!' I snarled, attempting to stumble forward and stop him. But the water around my feet and heavy feathers made my movements slow. A burst of pain ran through me as I saw him withdraw another egg.

No... no... no!

I brought my wings in close together, a small flicker of light forming between them. I released the Confuse Ray at him– there was no way I could take him on with raw power. I saw the Tentacruel's eyes narrow as the light hit him, his vision becoming blurry. One egg remained clutched in one of his front limbs, the Bionne entangled in one on his side. Her skin was turning paler as his grip tightened, her mouth open as she tried to take in a breath.

My wing started to glow with a Leaf Blade, and I slashed at the nearest appendage– knowing that I needed to do something. But for each gray limb I struck, several more tentacles took its place, blindly trying to find me. I stumbled back, water sloshing around me as I did so. I didn't know how long the effects of the Confuse Ray would last– but I knew that this thing would be able to bind us all the moment it faded.

"Brooke!" The poisoned Dewgong cried again, attempting to leap out of the water to reach his mate– who was dangling out of reach. The water was simply too shallow to give him any momentum though, and an Aurora Beam was fired up at the tentacle holding her. Ice formed along the limb, but its grip only tightened. Shiveres raced through me as the Brionne went still in its grasp. "Brooke!"

I had to duck at an incoming Poison Jab, knowing I had to save the egg from its grasp. I couldn't let it get hurt, I couldn't let an innocent child get hurt...

I plucked out a quill, nocking it onto my vine as I prepared a Spirit Shackle. I was sent stumbling back from the choppy water, but still I took aim. My beak gritted together as I waited for a moment I could fire, and then I released the arrow.

It struck the Tentacruel in the eye, resulting in a loud cry filling the shallows. The Tentacruel threw its many limbs up into the air, scurrying back in pain. My gut twisted as the egg was sent flying, and I could make out the Dewgong racing towards his mate as she was thrown. I stumbled forward, wet wings spreading open. I knew I couldn't fly, but I couldn't let the egg hit the water–

The blue egg came crashing down, slamming against my wings. I let out a groan, knowing that I would be bruised from the force it had come rushing down with. But the blue egg was now clutched in my wings, and I pressed it close to my chest, my finger-like feathers stroking it as the waters sloshed around me. My eyes were pressed shut as I attempted to remain balanced, my wet feathers making every movement painfully slow.

My eyes flickered open, scanning the scene before me. The Tentacruel was thrashing, pawing at his eye in an attempt to get my arrow out. My eyes shifted from him to the two other Pokemon, and my heart twisted.

The Dewgong was shaking his mate, bumping against her with his head in an attempt to get a response from her. His skin was purple from the poison, movements slow with weakness. My ears were humming, the desperate cries coming from him dim. But the Brionne didn't move, drifting limply in the water. The Dewgong stared at his mate, before whipping around to glare at the Tentacruel.

He rushed at the one that had taken the life of his mate with a Headbutt, and the Tentacruel glanced at the Dewgong the same moment it pulled the Spirit Shackle from out of him. He raised a tentacle, which gleamed with a Poison Jab, and sent it flying right at the Dewgong. I couldn't turn away as it pierced the Dewgong in the side, a coppery scent filling the air.

The Dewgong was launched away from the poison type, landing roughly in the water. Blood pooled from his side, skin tinge with poison, but yet he raised his head. The Tentacruel regarded him for a moment, before once more reaching for the cave with the eggs. The Dewgong gathered his last bit of strength, surrounding himself with an Aqua Jet, and rushed to intercept the gray limb reaching for his eggs. I watched weakly as he rammed into the tentacle, knocking it away. The Dewgong floated in front of the cave entrance, letting out a battle cry at the Tentacruel– he wasn't going to let it near his eggs.

I clutched the egg closer to my chest, knowing that the Tentacruel could still battle– even if one eye was pressed shut. I didn't know if I should attempt to get the egg in my wings to safety, or if I should try to help defend the entrance of the cave where more eggs could surely be.

The Tentacruel never gave me a chance to decide however– a mass of black energy forming in front of it. It was an attack with power like nothing I had ever seen before, clearly drawing on every ounce of energy the Tentacruel had. A mass of dark energy gathered in front of the poison type, and the Dewgong adamantly refused to budge from the cave as the Hyper Beam formed.

The Hyper Beam was launched, the blast of raw energy rushing towards the Dewgong and the cave. My eyes slid shut as it struck him– sending the Dewgong flying back into the cave. I heard the sound of rock crumbling, the attack having blasted away some of the cliff face, and I dared to peer out at the rubble.

The rock was scorched black from where the Hyper Beam had hit, the entrance of the cave wider from where the Hyper Beam had blasted away the rocks. My heart thumped, looking for some sign that the Dewgong had survived the attack.

Water came from the cave– but nothing more.

I held the egg close to my chest, my gaze shifting to the Tentacruel. He was trembling in exhaustion, seemingly unable to move from the amount of power he had used to form the attack. My beak clicked together nervously, knowing that if I were to attack it would have to be now. I glanced around, and stuck the egg in a small concave of a rock that was peering out of the water. It wasn't the most secure of places– a wave could probably wash it away– but it would be better than open battle.

I willed the energy of a Leaf Blade to surround my two wings, and I charged towards the Tentacruel.

Its remaining eye shifted towards me, but it was still too exhausted to move. I brought my Leaf Blades swinging down on it, slashing at its blue hide and gray tentacles. I didn't care if I was using battle force or brute force– this creature had brought death to a family. The Tentacruel's apprentages gripped the rocky floor of the shallows and the surrounding rocks, attempting to pull itself away from my blows as it began to recover its strength.

I paused, huffing as my Leaf Blade faded. The Tentacruel was still attempting to retreat, dragging itself back towards the deep ocean. I was breathing heavily, and I screeched at the Tentacruel– it was not to come back here.

Blood pooled around the slashes I had formed, but none of its injuries would be fatal. It dragged itself out of the shallows, diving into the ocean. I didn't move until its dark blue shape faded away into the waves.

I then turned, stumbling towards the cave entrance. My body was heavy, my exhaustion and water-soaked body making each step a struggle. However I pulled myself into the cave, at last out of the blinding sunlight, and I pulled my hood back. The water came up past my legs, and I waded through the short tunnel.

'Dewgong?' I called weakly, hoping for some response.

I paused as I lifted my gaze to the end of the cave, where a stone shelf sat. It seemed that a rocky nest had once been there– but nothing remained except for shattered egg shells. My stomach twisted, realizing that any eggs that had been in here hadn't survived the Hyper Beam. I blinked weakly, shivering as I made out the form of the Dewgong.

He was laying still, water lapping up against his body. One charred fin was spread out, resting right where the nest had been.

I hurried out of the cave, knowing I couldn't remain there for another moment.

The sun was blinding, but for once I didn't seem to care. My wings hung at my side, heart still thumping from everything that had taken place. The only thing that was keeping me moving was the final egg– which I could see was still resting on the same rock I had left it on. I stumbled up to it, scooping it into my wings, holding it close to me.

'I won't leave you here,' I told it quietly.

...I had found a proper home for an egg before– I could do it again.

The scent of salt and blood lingered in the air– and I knew that I needed to leave this place of death. I wouldn't be flying, so I could only hope that the water remained shallow all the way around these cliffs until I could reach another beach. I adjusted the egg once, and began struggling forward.

Well Artemis. I said bitterly in my mind. I tried to save them– and I failed.

I pictured her warm smile, her moonlit gaze brightening. And what would you call that egg in your wings, Apollo? She looks safe to me– how is that failure?

Its family is dead.

She would be dead too, Apollo, without you. Artemis replied firmly.

I shook my head– I shouldn't be speaking to fake voices in my mind.

I made a nest of kelp.

It was nothing special– but the bird in me couldn't be content with laying the egg on the rocks– even if that's where it had been before the attack. The 'nest' was just a bundle of seaweed resting on a small lip of my cave on my beach, and I laid the egg to rest on top of the mass of green. After making sure it was secured I fell asleep at once, simply having no energy to keep going.

But my pacing was nowhere in my mind as I awoke, a new responsibility now in my talons. Having an egg to look after was nothing new, and I was positive that it would be safe in my cave. Nothing ever came onto my beach, and any oceanic Pokemon would have to come ashore to reach my cave. I could confidently leave it here while I searched.

Searched for a family that could take care of it.

I may have saved it from the attack– but it wouldn't be safe if it hatched under my care. I knew nothing about how to care for young, but I did know a thing or two about seeking out Pokemon that could. If I had done it for my egg, then I could do it for this blue one as well. I made sure it was secure one last time, before heading out of my cave to take to the air.

My searches stretched out for several days, with searching the nearby beaches first since I knew that this hatchling would be a water type. Unfortunately my flights never yielded anything close to where I'd be willing to let an egg hatch. Either Pokemon simply weren't in the state of preparing to raise young, or there were ones that I knew would have other ideas of what to do with an egg. Eventually my search drifted inland, simply trying to find someone that could care for the blue egg.

And it was during these many searches that I encountered a human city– one of the first ones I had seen since I was a Rowlet.

The sight I saw below me was one much like my first flight– the city lit up below the night sky. There was no awe in my gaze like there was then, since flying was now nothing new to me. But still, the city stirred something in the back of my mind, Zella struggling in my grasp as I demanded to know where Artemis had gone...

'Sh-she said s-something about hu-human cities–!'

I shook my head– why did she keep coming back to my mind? She had left, Artemis clearly hadn't wanted anything to do with me. I had a home to find for an egg, and I couldn't waste time pursuing ghosts of my past. This human city would yield nothing for me, I wouldn't find a home for an egg there– I would not hand it over to humans.

No matter what I told myself though, Artemis always returned to my mind.

I gritted my beak– ready to get away from the city and the memories it was bringing back. But yet a smell drifted past my cere as I flew past the city– the scent of fresh berries. My beak cracked open, the scent something I hadn't smelled in a long time. After weeks of living on seaweed, the idea of berries sounded like heaven. I shook my head once more, I didn't have time to pursue berries either! Cities meant humans– and humans meant cages.

But perhaps something sweet would give me a boost in search for a home for the egg...

My body triumphed over my mind– the desire for the berries overcoming the part of me that said to stay away from the city. Or perhaps berries was the mere excuse I gave myself, Zella's words still in my mind...

But why would Artemis go near humans?

She was in the city when she saved you. A part me reasoned.

That is true, Apollo. Artemis' voice said. If I left without telling you, then perhaps there was other things I never told you either.

I scowled. Oh, and what would they be?

I imagined Artemis shrugging. I wouldn't know– I'm just apart of your mind after all, Apollo.

I sighed, and swooped down to land at the edge of the city. I was thankful that it was night– I would be a beacon if it were day time. Still, the edges of the streetlights still made my feathers gleam as I landed. I shivered at this, peering out at the dim streets– but the only human I saw was far off in the distance. I studied the strange overly-organized layout the humans had for their city– even I wasn't that organized as a Dartrix! There were dark gaps between many of their buildings, which would be the perfect place to hide.

I took in a deep breath, not quite believing that I was risking my freedom for some berries, and darted towards the first alleyway.

I glanced down at my feathers as I tucked myself away into the shadows– no gleaming from my shininess, and my black feathers were hiding me quite well. My confidence boosted somewhat, and I went out onto the streets and ran for the next alley. I paused to listen, but heard no cries of humans racing to battle and capture me.

Nighttime was sure amazing.

Most of the time the alleys were a mere pocket to hide in, but other times they went all the way to another street on the other side of the buildings. I would always sniff the air at these, trying to decide which way would be the best to find the berries. I wished that I had the nose of a Rockruff, but I would have to make do with what I had. So on I continued, darting in and out of the allies, searching for the berries.

It was in one of the closed off alleyways that I heard the voices behind me.

"Heh," I stiffened at the sound of human words. "Someone as slinky as you surely must have something of value on them– so why don't you hand it over?"

I wheeled around, and found three humans standing at the entrance of the alleyway, all dressed in black. I shivered as I saw red spheres in their hands– Pokeballs. They were watching me, and I wasn't sure what they wanted.

"Silence ain't going to save you from Team Skull," The one in the middle said. "Hand over everything you got, and you can walk away."

Everything I had...? I didn't carry anything. If I could frown, I would have, and I leaned forward in confusion.

"Looks like he's mute," A female human taunted. "Oh he's just a coward, hiding under a hood."

...Did they think I was a human?

I almost burst out laughing– realizing that with the human's poor eyesight in the darkness they must have thought that my leafy hood belonged to a human wearing a cloth over their head. I shifted, and let out a low growl at them. I watched as the humans stiffened up at the soft screech that escaped my beak, letting them know I wasn't one of their hideous kind.

"W-wait..." The third one stuttered. "I... um, I think that's a Pokemon, dude..."

"A Pokemon?" The first one said, blinking. His eyes narrowed, taking in my form, and I spread open my wings. This made the humans jump, stumbling back in surprise. I tossed my head, letting out another screech. If they wanted humans then I wasn't their target– so they could leave. The walls around me were too narrow to allow me to take off, and so I needed them to back away from the entrance if I were to get away.

"Looks like a strong one," The female human remarked. "It might be worth something– anyone have any spare Pokeballs?"

"Heh," The first male– and the taller one– smirked. "Of course I do. We might have to have a little bout with it first, I don't think it's going to come quietly."

My talons dug against the cement– no I wouldn't. My whole form tensed, and I raised a wing as I formed a Leaf Blade, realizing that I would probably need to battle my way out of this. The humans laughed, each throwing a red sphere up into the air.

A Machoke, a Muk, and a Gumshoos appeared around me– all three Pokemon letting out a low hiss as they were summoned from their Pokeballs. It had been so long since I had battled against any humans, not since some had attempted to capture me as a Dartrix, but this was the first time I found myself out numbered thanks to humans. As horrible as they were, usually they would at least fight fair.

Apparently not always.

Not allowing a moment for them to gain the advantage, I sprang at the Gumshoos, swinging my glowing wing at the Pokemon. The Leaf Blade hit hard, sending the normal type flying back. Satisfied that these human trained Pokemon weren't anything special I whipped out one of my quills, nocking it as I took aim at the Muk. I let the Spirit Shackle fly as it embedded itself in the poison type's slimy body, its body becoming lit in a ghostly energy that only I could see.

"Fire Punch!" One of the grunts snarled, and the Machoke raced forward, a fist becoming coated in flames. The fist struck me in the chest, burning my feathers upon impact. I gritted my beak together, knowing I couldn't just fly away easily. My wings couldn't carry me as easily as they use to, and I'd need space and focus to take off, something I didn't have at the moment.

I could sense the Muk behind me thanks to the energy from my Spirit Shackle– allowing me to leap to my feet before it could sink a Crunch into me. My heart was hammering, dimly being reminded of the Salandits attacking me all at once. The moment your focus was on one Pokemon another struck, sheer power simply not being enough in these fights.

The Gumshoos sank a Thunder Fang into my wing, releasing a pulse of electricity into me. I spun around in an attempt to swing him off, a Confuse Ray forming between my finger-like feathers, the burst of light striking the Gumshoos. His vision blurred, and a swift kick with my long legs knocked him away. A Leaf Blade flared to life as a Venoshock soaked my back, and I slashed at the Machoke.

A faint glow surrounded the Gumshoos' nostrils, an Odor Sleuth helping him quickly catch my scent, even with the Confuse Ray destroying his vision. He threw himself into a Take Down, charging right at me as the Muk came at me with a Crunch. I spun about and lashed out at the Muk with a Leaf Blade, a screech of surprise running through me as the Take Down slammed into my side. Gumshoos began to glow with a dark aura of a Pursuit, the dark energy painfully rushing into me.

The Machoke rushed forward with me pinned. A Venoshock was released from the Muk, the burst of poison searing as it struck. I lashed out, trying to knock the Pokemon from off of me. The Machoke's arm flared up with orange light, attempting to slam a Dynamic Punch into me, but my ghostly energy flared up, the attack harmlessly passing through me.

I dug my talons into the Gumshoos' shoulder, a Leaf Blade flaring around my wings once more. I threw him off of me, pinning him to the ground as I slashed down with my Leaf Blade. The normal type let out a cry of pain, the final blow knocking him out. I let out a puff of air through my beak, swiftly turning to face my last two opponents.

I had a feeling that the Muk could see just as well in the dark as me, his eyes easily locking onto me despite my dark feathers helping me blend into the alleyway. His grimy hand opened up, a Dark Pulse forming in his palm. My gaze swept to the Machoke, whose fist had burst into flames. I could feel myself shaking, the attacks I had already taken slowly wearing me down. I flared open my wings as the Dark Pulse was released, springing up into the air and leaping away from the attack. I didn't have enough momentum to fly away, a mere glide guiding me away from the pulse of energy.

I swiftly tugged a quill free from my wings, nocking it as I took aim at the charging Machoke. I let the Spirit Shackle fly, but a flaming fist knocked the arrow from its flight. I opened my wings to attempt to dodge once more, but the fighting type was swifter, and this time the Fire Punch hit me in the head. I stumbled, vision blurring from the force of the blow– which nearly knocked me to the ground.

I could sense the Muk lunging forward, a Crunch sinking into my wing. He bit down harder, refusing to release me as I thrashed in his grasp. The dark type energy seemed to leech my strength from me, making my limbs tremble. The Machoke strolled forward once more, another Fire Punch bursting around his fist. I struggled, kicking at the Muk, but my talons did nothing to its slimy form.

The Machoke paused as a low snarl filled the alleyway, a pair of glowing eyes peering out from the darkness.

A towering red figure crept out of the shadows, claws curling with each step. Her lips were pulled back, revealing a row of sharp teeth as a growl poured from her throat. A tail lashed unhappily, a Shadow Claw curling around her paws as she tensed– before springing at the Muk.

Her claws slashed across his face, and I could feel the poison type's fangs loosen from around me. I slumped to the ground, my wing aching from where I had been bitten. I weakly looked up, watching as a powerful Flamethrower filled the alleyway, briefly lighting up the darkness as the Muk was engulfed in the flames.

The Incineroar glanced back at me, a pair of moonlit eyes meeting mine, and I went still.

The Machoke let out a bellow, fist glowing with a Dynamic Punch as he charged at the fire type. She turned to meet him, a Darkest Lariat pulsing around her paws as she sprang back into battle, and I could feel my heart racing as she slammed into the fighting type. He faintly glowed, an orange aura flaring up around him.

It couldn't be her.

The Revenge attack crackled around the Machoke as he rushed forward, the force of the attack doubling as he took her blow. He rushed forward, crashing into the Incineroar, the energy of the Revenge being released. The orange glow filled the alleyway– sending the Incineroar flying back.

The Muk and the Machoke turned to face the new threat as she stood, panting heavily.