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“Okay Mistress Sabi, are you ready?”
Sabi was standing on a snowy dune, looking over a pair of pokemon. The youngest warden had been practicing her flying, with the help of her caretakers, a Rhyperior and an Electivire. All in servitude to her ward, Lord Braviary. And by extension, her. She had been trying for as long as she could remember to learn to, her Momma even saying that she was trying to fly before she could even walk as a baby.
But today was the day. She would learn to fly like her Noble could. As much as she loved riding on his back, using her powers to hover from the ground, or hanglide, she really wanted to fly beside him.
“Ready, Izumi!!” She answered to the Rhyperior watching over.
“Just like the Lord said, bend down and push off!” A Electrivire spoke up, waving a paw to her. “Don't forget to flap!!”
“Okay, Rajin!!” Sabii replied to the electric type, stretching her mint green wings and began to run. She waved her arms up and down, trying to push herself off from the ground. She remembered her Noble’s words about using her blessing over the air, to help boost herself up..
“Okay… and.. Push!!”
She throws her arms down, her wings gaining a mighty flap as the wind suddenly pushes her into the air. She held onto her hat, tumbling around for a moment.
She… She was flying. Actually flying!! The mint haired girl smiled excitedly, flapping her wings to push herself higher, with the help of her blessing.
“I did it! I did it!!” Sabi cheered, giggling as she looped in a circle. The two pokemon watched in awe, cheering her on.
“Well done!!” Izumi said, the rock type waving to her.
Sabi waved back with a smile, before suddenly feeling a bit dizzy. Her head swam like Basculin in a river and her vision soon went hazy.
“A vision?” She thought, everything going dark. “Now?”
Clairvoyance. A blessing she shared from her mother, now in tune with the Lord she served under. She still hasn't gotten the hang on of reading it, but Lord Braviary told her that sometimes vision of the future just comes unexpectedly. This was one of those times.
Flashes of scenes danced through her mind, many emotions filling her small body.. Mostly of pain, anguish, and confusion….
Five flashes of light, all filled with overwhelming power each followed by a certain element.
First, a rockslide with the sounds of bug pokemon filling the air… Crystals of many shapes and colors break through the rock fixtures..
Second, a maze of poisonous plants, its vines covered in barbs and thorns that threaten to prick anyone who gets close…
Third, a roaring blaze of fire, crawling out from a fiery volcano.. Lava spewing out from many cracks beneath the earth..
Fourth, a severe thunderstorm, striking the earth with swift and precise motions..
And Finally, a chilling blizzard, strong enough to shake mountains.. ice filling very muscle and bone with an angered chill....
This was nothing like she’s seen before, and definitely strong. Was this one of those “true prophecies” that Lord Braviary warned her about? Those tragedies of the future not even he could prevent…? Something in place by Almighty Sinnoh themselves..?
“SABII!!!”
She opened her eyes again, seeing that she was falling. Falling down, fast. She tries to readjust herself to hover against the air, but the vision left her head pounding. The wind rushed after face and body, her wings flapped but to no avail.
“ Little bolt!” Raijin yelled her way, he and Izumi both tried to catch her. But before she hit the ground,a pair of talons soon scooped her up, tossing up into the air. She was flipped about, soon landing on a very familiar pokemon’s back.
“Baba Keisuke!! You caught me!” Sabi said with a smile, hugging the bird Noble’s neck as they flew.
“Thank Almighty Sinnoh I caught you.. That landing would not have been well..” Lord Braviary replied, flapping his large wings.
Sabi readjusted herself, hanging on to his neck feathers. “Baba, did you just get a vision..?”
“I have.. You have seen it too..?”
“I did, I did!! It was so strong!! “ Sabi spoke, looking at the noble. "There were storms, of many kids, all filled with pain and anguish... It was scary..
“I see... " Lord Braviary replied, flapping his great wings. "We will have to discuss this in a moment, I believe we have visitors.."
"We do?"
The little girl looked down, seeing her older brother Adaman, now Clan Leader, coming into view. He was being escorted by the Pearl Clan’s Noble, Lady Sneasler. Her worry quickly melting away at the sight of her big brother.
“Addie!!” Sabi squealed with excitement, jumping from Lord Braviary and letting the wind under her drop, spreading out her wings as she flew down. She grinned as she watched as Adaman ran up to greet her, opening his arms to catch her.
“Hey, I told you I would stop by!” He said, smiling.
“And Lady Sneasler, you’re here too!!” Sabi speaks, looking at the Pearl Clan Noble. Usually the Lady of the Cliffs’ domain is the Highlands, but she heard that she’s been helping other nobles for the past few weeks. The large feline-like pokemon’s help was always appreciated.
“Greetings, little one.” She said, nodding her head to her. “I see your warden has been doing her lessons, hm?”
“And she’s getting there every day.” Lord Braviary spoke. "Speaking of which, when are you going to reopen up your trials again? I heard they had a line up for your trials again this year."
The large feline-like Noble looked uncomfortable, her fur standing on end. “None are suitable, Braviary. Both clans have tried, but none has truly made the cut for me to actually go through with it."
"But Sneasler, but you must choose one. You cannot keep denying any humans you are given. You have put this off for years now.."
Lady Sneasler growled, rolling her eyes. " Can we not talk about this-"
Izumi and Raijin soon come running over, the two pokemon panting for breath.
“M-Mistress Sabi, are you alright???" Raijin said, sparks coming off his fur in exasperation
“Y-You just stopped flying all of the sudden!” Izumi said. “We are very thankful that Lord Braviary was there to catch you!!”
Sabi blinked, before realizing. “Oh! I'm okay!! Just had a vision.’
“A vision?” Adaman asked, holding up his baby sister. “What kind?”
“One of my own, I believe.” Lord Braviary spoke, adjusting his wings. “I had to come quick."
Soon the weather began to grow harsher. Dark clouds began to gather, the winds around them picking up speed, blowing the snow erratically. The small group huddled together, bracing themselves against the harsh weather.
“S-storm?? Now??” Raijin said, the electivire using his large body to protect the Clan Leader and little warden.
“O-Oh goodness, we better get back to the Icepeak camp..” Adaman said, holding onto his sister tight so she wont get blown away.
“You won't make it in time.” Lady Sneasler spoke, looking up at the sky. Her fur twitched in shock, when spotting purple cracks flashing throughout the thundering clouds.
Lord Braviary’s feathers stiffened as Sabi soo felt another dizzy spell hit her. Another vision? It was rare she would get two visions so close, much less in one day..
This time, she saw a flash of glowing silver eyes staring at her, filled with fear and along with a flash of white and red.. A person. They seemed to be in pain, the dread of coming across the baneful fox’s path… Zoroark… Her head began to hurt, feeling it was being shattered, with pieces scattering about… She tried to reach them , but only caught a few pieces…
The vision changes.
A man in the weirdest clothes she's ever seen, draped in a coat as black as the night sky with those same glowing eyes.. Yet… Something about him radiated strength. Hope. A stranger taking the place of something lost… A warden band sits on their right wrist, pointing in her direction with much focus..
“Someone’s in trouble!!!!” Sabi shouted with a gasp as her sight returned, catching everyone’s attention.
“W-What??” Adaman asked, “What do you mean? Who’s in trouble??”
A Stranger? In this weather?” Lady Sneasler said, raising up a paw to block the wind from her face.
“I-I don't know! But I saw a Zoroark paw, along with blood in the snow!” Sabi explains, clinging to Adaman tight. “I think they're being attacked!”
“When we must find them quickly!” The Clan leader turns to the Lord of the Skies. “Lord Braviary, could you fly up ahead to find-”
The Lord of the skies soon cut him off, shaking his head. “I cannot...”
“Huh??” Adaman was confused at the Sky Noble’s answer,
"Lady Sneasler needs to go.” Lord Braviary spoke up, looking at his fellow Noble.
“W-What?? Me??” The Pearl Clan Noble looked in confusion, eyes wide. Sabi was just as confused, but said nothing.
“Trust me, Onna. I can't fly safely in this weather, you can get there faster.” He explained, adjusting his wings. "You can more likely find and create shelter than I am."
The large pokemon looked unsure, but soon nodded with a sigh. “I.. Okay, I shall go..”
“Hurry… He needs you..” Sabi said, surprising even herself.
“He?” Lady Sneasler asks with a questioning mew, but gets a shake of the head from the Sky Noble. Right.. Everyone knew better than to question Lord Braviary’s visions, despite how odd or abstract they are. The fellow noble soon darted off, disappearing out of sight.
“Lord of Diamond, hop upon my back. My nest is safer and we can wait out this storm…”
Adaman nodded. “Right, thank you Lord Braviary.”
“Izumi, Raijin! Get somewhere safe!!” The little warden speaks. ”I think this storm will get worse!”
“We will!” Raijin said.
“You take care of yourself, little mistress!” Izumi said.
Sabi helps her older brother onto the Noble’s back, the large bird pokemon flying off in great haste. She hung on their neck tight, feeling the strong wind pick up and causing some turbulence.
Within minutes, they soon arrived at Lord Braviary’s den, a cliff with a cavern embedded deep in the snowy mountainside, high off the ground. The Sky Noble flew inside, backing away from the edges of it before kneeling to let the siblings off of his back.
Once landed, Sabi hopped down on the pokemon’s back, stretching her wings again. Adaman followed after her, looking back outside. The sight of the howling winds and thunder sent a child down the diamond leader's spine
“Lord Braviary. Diamond leader Adaman. Mistress Sabi..” A Magmortar spoke up, walking over to the trio.
“Enji…” Sabi said, getting the snow lightly melted off her by the fire-type.
“How are the chicks?” Lord Braviary asked, shaking off the ice on his wings.
“Sleeping.” The magmortar spoke, motioning toward the main nest. "Nothing has disturbed them since you rushed out."
The Lord’s current pair of Rufflets were asleep in their father’s neck, the Noble gently preening them. The little chicklets cooed and chirped in their sleep, dreaming peacefully.
Sabi climbed into her own nest, covering herself up in the many blankets and toys she had brought from home. Adaman sat next to her, talking to Lord Braviary. They were talking, but she tuned them out. She was tired, her wings curling up around her.
She thought about her visions as she shut her eyes, feeling Lord Braviary preen her hair.
The first one still filled her with dread, making her curled tighter in her blanket. What was going to happen in Hisui? Was it a natural disaster? Was Almighty Sinnoh mad at the Clans? Her little mind was full of worry…
The second one confused her a bit. She’s never seen a person like that before… Where did he come from? He seemed like a good person, based on what the dream entailed… He even held a warden band.. Why, though? And why Lady Sneasler’s all of a sudden..? She knew that the Noble has been without a warden for years…. But an outsider..? It was unheard of…
All she could hope was one was more true than the last as she drifted off to sleep….