[Elizabeth Waters]

word count: 728

"Ayden, would you please pay attention."

Elizabeth loved flying but the charizard could be a handful at times, especially when he was distracted. At several hundred feet up that was definitely something the ranger wanted to avoid. Ayden however was fixated on another cute charizard also in training. The fire type often thought more with his downstairs brain than his upstairs brain unfortunately. Liz gave him a light smack across the back of his horns and shook her head.

"Come on Ayden, I know we can get this course done in no time flat, you just have to focus. I've got two others waiting on you to finish."

She scolded the charizard who huffed, smoke curling out of his nose. He gave a deep sigh then dropped back toward the earth, Liz gripping hold of his warm scales tightly. As they rapidly approached the ground and Ayden unfurled his wings a little late and nearly smashing into the ground, just managing an awkward, upward launch by slamming his tail into the ground. Liz however came unseated but managed to quickly tuck herself into a ball and roll across the field rather than smack into it. She winced and grunted as she slowly got to her feet.

wc: 206
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"Real smooth there bud."

The ranger grit her teeth an rubbed her arms and back which had taken the brunt of the fall. Ayden sheepishly circled back and dropped to the ground his head lowered.

"Sorry Liz... you know I didn't mean to."

The fiery dragon gave a soft rumble in apology not meeting Liz's gaze. The young woman frowned then chuckled as she reached out and rubbed his horns.

"Yea, yea I know. Are you ready to focus now?"

She inquired with a raised brow. Ayden glanced sideways as the cute charizard and their trainer left the field having already completed their course. He slowly nodded and Liz sighed, then stretched her sore muscles before mounting up once more.

"Okay, nice and easy now."

The charizard huffed then unfurled his wings and pulled them both into the air. Ayden grunted from the effort but once he was airborne both pokemon and rider began to relax. Liz leaned forward indicating to Ayden he could pick up the pace. Happily he obliged circling the course once as the two regained their bearings.

"Alright, let's work on cornering."

The ranger directed the charizard to the pole obstacles on the course and Ayden obliged charging toward them with renewed confidence.

wc: 207
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"Steady..."

Liz readied herself for the charizard's movement as Ayden swooped to one side then the other, managing to clip a pole or two with his tail but otherwise moving fluidly around them. Of her pokemon, Ayden had the least experience in the air with a rider. While Liz tried to give her pokemon equal treatment and experience, she did have a few more regular flight partners. That and she hadn't had Ayden for quite as long as say Chisulo, her skarmory.

The ranger however was determined to give Ayden more air time and this was a good start. At the end of the row of poles she leaned back and directed him to climb once more. Now for the tunnel. Enclosed spaces didn't make for the best flight experience but it was a necessary skill for fliers who needed to be ready for any situation or terrain. The long, cloth tunnel whipped about in the air looking quite uninviting. Ayden hesitated as Liz guided him toward it.

"Don't worry, just keep to the center as best you can and watch out for your wings."

She gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder and Ayden nodded with a huff as he tucked his wings and slipped into the tunnel entrance.

wc: 211
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He nervously followed the tunnel through, trying to account for the sudden dips and turns the wind created. He was doing rather well until near the end when the tunnel shifted suddenly and his tail dragged along the base. Just as they exited Liz turned to see the cloth tunnel was now on fire, set alight by the charizard's tail.

She blinked in surprise and watched as the groundskeeper frantically called in Pelipper to douse the flames. Sheepishly she waved apologetically as Ayden dropped down to the flight course entrance. Despite the accidental fire, it seemed Ayden had passed. Now it was Isihi's turn.

Quest: Flight Training
Reqs: 1000 words or 100 points (152)
Rewards: 150 Pen, 3 Rare Candies, Flight Certification for Ayden the Charizard

··

[Elizabeth Waters]

word count: 478

Like Ayden, Liz hadn't done too much flying with Ishi. The aerodactyl wasn't quite as cooperative as the charizard either. She definitely had her own mind about things and was very set in her ways. Still if she was placated she was generally content to do what was asked of her.

Ishi seemed to be feeling frisky today and as Liz adjusted the saddle and slid into place, the ancient pokemon shot into the air without much warning. Having already had a bit of a time with Ayden Liz was prepared for the same, if not worse, with Ishi. She clung tightly to the aerodactyl's back as she flipped upside down mid air in an attempt to get Liz off her back.

"Ishi! Now would you cut it out! You're not dumping me that easily and this'll be over faster if you behave."

The aerodactyl shrieked in annoyance but soon noticed a small audience was watching the living fossil in fascination. Her attitude completely changed now that she had admirers. Ishi twirled about her movements much smoother as she began to show off. Liz sighed and shook her head, well at least she was enjoying herself now. The aerodactyl could never resist putting on a show.

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"Alright, you want to show off? Why don't you show them how easily you can take those loops hmm?"

The ranger challenged with a sly smile. This way she could at least put the aerodactyl through her paces, so long as she believed she was doing it for attention. Liz would prefer Ishi doing it out of mutual respect and a desire to cooperate with her trainer but everything in its own time.

Ishi did another twirl then a loop de loop before taking to Liz's 'suggestion'. She darted toward the multi leveled hoops and began weaving up, down and around as she strove to not miss a single hoop. Liz kept her body low to the aerodactyl's doubtful she'd be considering the ranger on her back.

Liz gave some gentle prodding to direct the aerodactyl to the next hoop in a subtle attempt to give Ishi direction rather than just letting her control the field. Whether she realized it or not, the aerodactyl did respond to the change in pressure from the ranger. Liz grinned to herself, Ishi was certainly full of herself but she did at least like Liz, she just didn't always appreciate being told what to do. The aerodactyl was a bit like a spoiled teenager in that sense.

wc: 213
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Ishi finished the last of the loops with a grand flourish and Liz gave her an appreciative pat. The aerodactyl puffed out her chest as she circled in for a landing, most of her energy worked out. She preened herself as her audience ooh'd and ahh'd over her before being recalled. Liz chuckled then released Ryu for his turn.

Quest: Flight Training
Reqs: 1000 words or 100 points (128)
Rewards: 150 Pen, 3 Rare Candies, Flight Certification for Ishi the Aerodactyl

·

[Elizabeth Waters]

word count: 802

Ryu, of all of Elizabeth's fliers, was possibly her favorite, even if she tried not to have favorites. It was hard not to favor the salamence as he sparked many fond memories from her childhood when her father had a salamence of his own. Plus, despite his dragon instincts, Ryu was quite devoted to Liz, like many of her pokemon. Flying with him was always a joy. Though Ayla and Chisulo both had their own enjoyable qualities when flying, Ryu and Liz shared quite the bond. The salamence could almost always anticipate what Liz would want even before her psychic abilities came into play.

"Hey Ryu, you ready to show everyone the real meaning of flying?"

The ranger inquired of the dragon as he was released onto the field. Ryu rumbled happily when he saw the young woman and draped his head contentedly on her shoulder. The ranger chuckled returned the embrace before slipping onto his back.

"You're a big softie you know that?"

She teased as Ryu scoffed then spread his wings and jogged a few feet, pumping them hard before taking to the air. His strong wings pulled them higher and higher as Liz settled in a relaxed position. She didn't have to cling to Ryu like she'd had too with Ayden or Ishi.

wc: 216
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The salamence lazily glided through the air over the course banking gently now and again to remain within the borders of the field. Liz let herself relax and enjoy the ride knowing Ryu could handle this easily. As he circled around once more he angled for the poles and Liz shifted in her seat a little to ready herself for the change in direction.

Ryu picked up a bit more speed then tilted to the side, taking the poles from a vertical angle rather than horizontal. This gave his wings and tail much more room to avoid hitting any poles and he barely had to do much more than drift from one to the other. Of course it wasn't easy remaining at such a drastic angle and Liz had to lean far to the left to remain seated but the dragon made it all look effortless.

He gave a graceful spin at the end and leveled off once they were clear of the poles. Liz chuckled and gave the dragon a pat.

"Show off."

The ranger teased and Ryu smirked as he did a barrel roll then headed for the hoops. Liz shifted a bit in anticipation doubting that Ryu would take these in any 'traditional' method as he'd done with the poles.

wc: 213
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Sure enough as Ryu came to the first hoop instead of simply swooping through it the dragon reached forward and grabbed hold of the top of the hoop then swung himself around like a gymnast flipping himself through the hoop. He tucked his wings in close, cradling Liz for added security as he came around then flung them back out and gave a powerful thrust with both wings and shoved off the hoop top. Liz cracked up at the dragon's goofing off and shook her head in amusement.

"I didn't realize you were interested in gymnastics Ryu."

The ranger chuckled as she leaned forward and gave the dragon a pat. She smirked and looked to the next obstacle. Now it was time to get serious. Ryu sensed the change in her demeanor and his speed rapidly increased. They shot through the next group of hoops, up, down, left, right, corkscrew, at an insane pace though the salamence didn't hesitate for an instant.

The dragon and trainer were practically a blur as they shot straight upward after the final hoop and Ryu climbed a few hundred miles into the air. Liz stroked his neck then looked downward at the field that seemed so small from up here. She closed her eyes then let go and let herself drop off the salamence's back.

wc: 221
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The wind whipped passed her as she fell, keeping her body straight and arms close to her chest. Ryu had was already diving and soon leveled off with the ranger his own body parallel with hers. As they rapidly approached the ground, Ryu unfurled his wings and reached out grasping gingerly Liz with his claws, then twisted his body back into a horizontal position, his strong claws gripping Liz by her shoulders. He maneuvered all this just as they were about the hit the ground but his powerful wings caught them both just in time and Liz's boots only gently skimmed the very top of the ground. The ranger gave a whoop and laughed as Ryu gently released her and she dropped into a forward roll to regain her footing. She turned and grinned at the dragon who landed heavily beside her and huffed in contentment. Seemed they were done, for now.

Quest: Flight Training
Reqs: 1000 words or 100 points (143)
Rewards: 150 Pen, 3 Rare Candies, Flight Certification for Ryu the Salamence

··

[Jenesis]

Congratulations!

Your thread is complete and now locked.

Elizabeth Waters

Your thread has been locked. For completing the Flight Training quest, you receive 450 pen, 9 Rare Candies, and the ability to fly on the back of Ayden the Charizard, Ishi the Aerodactyl, and Ryu the Salamence.