== STORY ==

New Year‘s Eve.
Another journey was coming to an end. One of big changes and times harder than expected.
I was sighing on my chair, watching some of my team chatting and playing, others just chilling, while I was thinking about what we had been through as we got ready for midnight.

They deserved these holidays, they deserved to have some untroubled happy moments and the fireworks were going to be a highlight.
Horyu, my first partner, was quietly sitting next to me. I’m sure he was relieved about them having fun too.

But wait… where was Zeke?
Sure, it wasn’t unusual for him to separate from the group, even less at night. But this was a special moment, so I hoped he‘d be here too…
Slightly sad, I was looking around when the others gathered on the balcony; as if I hoped I had overlooked such a huge dragon somewhere, heh.

„He‘s outside. Somewhere at the hill, I think, as always.“ a familiar voice already answered my untold question.
I smiled at his mindfulness. „You can go look after him, if you want. I’ll handle the others here. But keep in mind he‘s got his own head…“ he continued.

„Thank you, Horyu.“ I was checking the clock, which was close to midnight now. Getting up, I looked at my friends waiting and back to Horyu, hesitating. „I don’t feel well for missing out on the moment with you guys…“
„But you don’t wanna leave him alone either, right? So don’t worry, we‘ll be okay.
And Zeke will appreciate your company, even if he may not admit it.“
Now he smiled back at me and his words made my mood lighten up. Heh, that guy…

Almost drifting into daydreams again, I quickly rushed out, trying to get to Zeke in time, but soon the fireworks already started and I could hear Ralis and the others cheering for them.
Countless rockets were soaring through the sky, bathing it in a sea of colors, some were faster or came simultaneously, some even had patterns… This truly was the brightest and most colorful night!

Eventually I found him…
Zeke indeed sat on his favorite hill, watching the sky. No matter how much time we already spent together, I’ll always be impressed by his big powerful body and seeing him there so calm made the sight quite wholesome even.

But he didn’t seem happy… almost… annoyed instead. Was it wrong to come here? Would he rather want to stay alone…?
I got worried. So I carefully approached him.
„Hey… You okay, buddy? Enjoying the fireworks?“
It was a moment of uneasy silence, before he finally responded „I just prefer more… natural lights.“

His words… kinda hit me.
I looked up. Still some rockets here and there, but overall they slowly came to an end.
But those ‚natural lights‘, the stars, were invisible. Blocked by masses of smoke and some clouds…

I felt deeply sorry for him. He loved to watch the night sky, he loved to dream, since the day we met.
But now he couldn‘t, while everyone around him was cheering…

„I… I‘m sorry…“ I sat down next to him.
He turned his head, looking at me. „What for…?“
Sighing, „We made this.
Fireworks are artificial, made by us anthros.
We think they’re pretty and, to a point, they are but… nature hates us for them.
For a few moments of joy, we‘re polluting the air, scaring a lot of Pokémon, sometimes even damaging others… Every year again.“

He was shifting closer to me, putting his wing on my shoulders. „It’s not your fault.
And I can’t blame you for smiling at some colorful lights, you know?“
I certainly didn’t expect someone usually so hotheaded in battle to be so understanding and comforting… „Thanks…“

We sat there for a while, watching the cloudy sky.

„Hey! Wanna go for a ride?“ he suddenly asked me out of nowhere. I blinked at him, visibly puzzled but also amazed at the idea.
„You mean…?“ „Yes! Let‘s watch the stars again~!“ his gaze was full of determination, which immediatedly got me too!
So I didn’t waste any more time and climbed up on his neck, with which he helped me by lowering his head. It wasn’t our first time, but it certainly would be one of the most exciting!

Luckily I wasn’t afraid of heights, even though with how high up we soon were, I felt a little nervous. Some lights could be seen here and there, as it wasn’t a big city after all.
But all that wouldn’t matter anymore in the next moment, as Zeke now reached these dusty clouds…

Coughing a bit, when I opened my eyes again, I could swear I was dreaming with the sight I had now…
There they are! The stars. Countless glimmering shards of other worlds, prettier than ever…! I was just speechless.
And also… the moon. A beautiful crescent, shining brightly on us!

The only thing that could possibly rival the moon‘s beauty here is… Oh wow…!
Looking at Zeke, as he was spreading his wings and gracefully moved them to keep us at height, I noticed his emerald scales shimmering in the moonlight.
What a gorgeous sight!

And so… for a moment, my worries were gone.
Nothing else mattered right now, besides Zeke, me and the universe above us.
We didn’t see a shooting star, but we also wouldn’t need one. All we needed was already with us <3
Thank You~…



Sometimes, when our vision is clouded, we can lose sight of what is truly important…
But as long as we remember it’s there, maybe even closer than we think, we can always reach new heights; bathing in the beauty of our dreams, finally fulfilled~…

Happy New Year everyone! <3