We Are The Pokemon & We Have Risen [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 8

The Queen's prisoners were kept in the sky.

When I had woken up the first sound that reached my ears was Kip screaming. That kid's fear of heights was going to be the end of me. Prisoner's cages were hung from the tallest branches of the tree palace, so not only were we suspended hundreds of feet in the air, but our cage rocked from side to side with the wind. We had a full view of the inside of the tree trunk, right down to the bottom floor, which I could now see was being set up as a ballroom for the party.

Me and all my friends were put in a single cage, which was thankfully fairly big. Kip was currently rocking back in forth in a fetal position trying not to hyperventilate, while Charmander rubbed soothing circles into his back. Pidgey was inspecting the complicated woven bars of the cage while Zoura paced across the floor, and Psyduck brainstormed useless suggestions as I looked out the bars at the visible sunset.

Night was coming fast along with that 'wonderful party', "Ooh! What about fire! This cage is made of wood right? We can just burn our way out." Psyduck exclaimed.

"And then what? Become a extra crispy Pokepancake on the dance floor? Be my guest." Zoura shot down the idea.

"I can't believe they took my bag. Everything was in there! My maps, the food , the compass, the poke puffs, the Oran berries..." Charmader finished wistfully.

"Snivy would know what to do." Kip sniffed, squeezing his eyes again as another gust of wind pitched the cage back and forth again.

Just then, a sound reached my ears, deep and beautiful. Orchestra music drifted up from the bottom of the tree and I could see the tiny shapes of the first geusts arriving for the party. The sun finally set, and Illumise and Volbeat buzzed sleepily around the upper branches, offering a little light.

"Great. The party's starting and Snivy has no idea we're up here!" Zoura groaned.

"Perhaps I could be of assistance?" We all turned around to the voice outside our cage. Ace perched on the bars of our prison, Charmander's bag slung over one shoulder and smug grin on his beak. My eyes narrowed.

"You. Alright bird brain, you got about fifteen seconds to tell me what your doing here before I strangle your scrawny neck and turn you into the world's ugliest pillow." I snarled. Hey, with Snivy gone, someone had to be the badass. The Taillow let out a low whistle.

"Woah girl, don't get your fur in a twist. If I were you, I'd be polite to your savior to be." Ace admonished, flying in slow circles around the cage.

"You're helping us? Why? Aren't you the Queen's favorite little pet?" Zoura snorted and Ace frowned.

"I'll have you know that the Queen has ordered me to be killed, so that puts us all in the same ship so to speak." At first I didn't think I heard him right.

"She's going to behead you!? For what?" Psyduck cried, looking mortified.

"Technically, I'll be hung by a noose, but yes that's the idea. And by attacking the Queen's daughter, I've been declared 'dangerous'-- an utlaga. Which means--"

"Wolf's head." Pidgey finished for him, looking grim. "A criminal." Ace nodded in agreement.

"So if I'm to escape tonight, you might as well come with me. I could use a new job. Ace the Freedom Fighter; has a nice ring to it don't ya think?" The bird Pokemon attempted to laugh, but the situation was so stressful he only managed a chirp.

"Let us out and help us get Snivy? Deal." I said, reaching for the key's in his talon, but Ace pulled back.

"Slow down there, rescue who now? I'd rather eat my own tailfeathers than go help you're damsel in distress down there. The place is crawling with guards: not to mention the Queen." Ace shuddered.

"Not an option." Pidgey said immediately, while I nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, either we leave with our friend, or die trying." Kip proclaimed with a nod.

"About that dying thing--" Zoura was interrupted with a whoop from Charmander.

"Yeah! No Pokemon left behind!" Ace blinked rapidly.

"Arceus. You're all completely insane aren't you." I grabbed the keys from his talon, unlocking the door and smiling the entire time.

"Trust me, you ain't seen nothing yet."