Tiponi, Dæmon League Quester O_O Chapter 47 O_O

[eevee-shayna]

Hi TPMers. I finally finished working on a huge writing project that I've been working on for four years. So maybe that means I will get back to finishing this fic? maybe? Hopefully? I mean, it's been 8 years now since I started TDLQ. If that isn't procrastination, I don't know what is. So, in light of my latest award which I am very proud to have received, here is the next chapter in this never ending story.

Chapter 47

Most of the injured were asleep in one corner of the gym, while the rest of the Pro-Questers were in the Rim and debating loudly. They were still fighting over whether a war was the right choice. Tiponi, with a steel mind, walked into the middle of their cluster as Medwin flared his tail to be noticed.

“I’d like your attention. I’m Tiponi Vared, from Swarm, and I am a proud Quester,” she exclaimed. It was almost eerie how well those words worked. Immediately the room was silent. Even the injured sat up to listen.

“This sport means a lot to all of us and I know that no one in this room wants to see it go. It is a tradition in the making that should have the chance to develop for the future. Generations long after ours should be able to travel freely like we have and test their independent strengths. Some people in the Mineral Mountains may not understand that concept right now but that does not give them the right to disband it for the rest of us. I know that none of us want to cause any trouble with a war and all, but the way I see it, they started trouble when they attacked us and we’re just acting in self defense. I think that the fact you fought today proves that you all are willing to fight for this cause. In my mind there is only one decision: how we should go about fighting this war,” Tiponi announced loud enough for all the gym’s occupants to hear.

The fiery girl stood impatiently waiting for the Pro-Questers to respond. She did not have to wait long because the group of injured in the corner began to cheer.

“We will fight!” They said. “This injury will have meant something!”

Tiponi’s primary audience joined in with the cheering. Doubt had cleared from their faces as they believed in their cause. Tiponi had started the spark and the fire of ambition had quickly spread.

“It doesn’t have to just be us fighting, either. All the Pro-Questers of the Mineral Mountain should be in our army!”

“Aren’t we specialized in flying pokemon for daemons? Those who can fly on their daemons should go to the towns and recruit!”

“And those who can’t travel as fast can set up a base camp at the foot of Wingspan Mountain.”

The fire was growing, transforming the group into an army. With everyone now on the same page battle was turning into a reality.

“And I,” began Aren, “I will fly to the towns and recruit the gym leaders. They will listen to me, and will want to help.”

He then turned to Tiponi and addressed her singly.

“I know you are young, but from what I’ve seen and heard, you are a strong person. Tiponi, would you mind leading the Pro-Questers of Eyrie? I believe that you will not fail them. You have it in your blood to be a great leader, Tiponi Vared.”

Tiponi was taken aback – thinking of how so many times she had wanted to quit this quest – but her highly fueled flame gave her the energy to portray the strength Aren spoke of.

“I am not sure how to lead other people, but if that is what I need to do then I will try my best,” she said confidently. The Gym Leader nodded in approval. He then added so that only she could here, “I will take Nadya with me. I trust her with all my heart and soul – enough that I will let her ride with me on Svana – and could not bear leaving her during war time.”

Tiponi was astonished that a person could feel so comfortable with a person that he’s let the person cling to his daemon. How wonderful it would be to feel so comfortable with another person that you’d let them touch your very soul.

Tiponi shook her head of the thought and concentrated again the matter at hand.

Aren was already busy directing the followers. “Tiponi Vared will lead you to where we will set up camp. Trust her, she has experienced these Mountains.”

The crowd seemed weary of her youth, but no one was objective.

“Do you have anything to add?” the Gym Leader asked Tiponi. She thought about it, the nodded to Medwin. She picked up the Charmander and let him speak.

“First we need a plan. Aren said he will fly to the other Gym Leaders and recruit them. I expect he will leave tomorrow after he has rested. As for everyone here, we need to decide exactly who is flying to get more recruits, and who is going to build camp. And everyone needs to start packing.”

Tiponi added, “So everyone should go to your houses and pack your essentials. Everyone should go in groups, just in case the Anti-Questers try to attack again.”

The daemon continued, “It will be close quarters in here, but everyone should fit.”

The human added again, “And in the morning, those who are recruiting can take off, while the rest of us can stay and discuss provisions while the sick heal.”

Anyone in the audience who had doubted her leadership was now stricken silent. People agreed in sporadic comments and a few people and daemons came up to her and expressed their confidence in her plan. The Daemons especially commended her for letting Medwin speak.

In safe groups as instructed, the townspeople left the building and shuffled to their houses with promises to return with haste.

When the room had dispersed, the Dragonite stomped over to the girl and Charmander, her shadow towering over the pair.

“Your imposed authority is bigger than me,” she said in a deep, booming voice.

Medwin did not miss a beat. He hopped out of Tiponi’s arms and walked up to the Daemon’s colossal foot. With hands on his hips he tilted his head completely vertical to look her in the eye.

“I may be a small flare right now, but someday I will be an orange dragon to match your size,” he said in as intimidating a voice as he could muster.

Her belly rumbled as a chuckle erupted from its depths. “I look forward to that day,” she said kindly, and then walked around the grounded Charmander toward her human.

Tiponi walked up behind her daemon and looked down into his face, still pointed toward the ceiling.

“I look forward to that day too,” she said with a smile.

“You think a civil war will be a big enough even in our life to make me evolve?” Medwin asked.

“I can’t think of anything bigger that could happen to us. I thought there have been plenty of times where I’ve had epiphanies during this journey, but I guess there is still something more monumental that needs to happen,” she answered.

“Twice,” he replied.

“Yes, twice. I can’t imagine anything more immense then being assigned the leader of an army, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see what else is in our future. What do you think?” she said.

“I think,” replied Medwin, “That my neck is killing me.”

The girl scooped up her daemon and let him rest his neck. She helped out with what she could around the building and made sure every Pro-Quester arrived back safely. When all quieted down for the night, she finally went to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

[mistysakura]

Haven't replied to this for a while, sorry about that. Great chapter. Tiponi's leadership is really emerging. And indeed, it touches me that someone would trust another so much as to let them touch their very soul. I liked the scene with Medwin and the Dragonite; in the space of a few linies, you go from thinking there's going to be a confrontation to smiling at the encouragement. I thought that the way Tiponi rallied the masses could have been more realistic though. Sure, Tiponi makes good speeches and would encourage most of the crowd, but every member of the crowd is different and would react differently. Some might still be shocked at the previous confrontation, some might be hesitant about the risks of war, some might react really emotionally or voice their objections. I guess it all felt too smooth to me. I also spotted this weird sentence: "The crowd seemed weary of her youth, but no one was objective." Firstly, "weary" should be "wary"; secondly, "no one was objective" seems like a really passive way to say that "no one objected". Still, there are some good quotes from this chapter. I laughed when Medwin said he thought his neck was killing him.

Keep writing! It doesn't matter how long you take, as long as you still enjoy it

[eevee-shayna]

Thank you so much for the feedback! It means a lot to me to hear what people think about my work ^_^

I agree, the crowd is very passive in this scene. I have a chapter ad a half on the editing table right now, in which I've been working more on the Pros' thoughts. There is still sooo much to write.

Thank you for the encouragement! I intend to finish this fic. Eventually.