The Shadow of a Phoenix

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The Shadow of a Phoenix is a story about a "phoenix", Shade, learning about what she truly is.

The Story
The sun was rising over the mountains. It was cold on Tempest Island. Like usual. Only the insane ones were out at times like this. Even the mentally stable could be called insane to go out at a time like this, when the north wind whipped against the south wind. A lone penguin sat on a rock at the Greyspring beach. She had maroon eyes and white hair. Her name was Shade. Shade looked up over the mountains with a lost look in her eyes. She was a phoenix- or she thought she was. With a huge gust of wind from the south, (she was facing north) she leaped up off the rock and onto the white sand of the beach. “I need to eat,” she thought, dashing off into Storm city. She walked into Jason’s Peak Pancake house 25 minutes later. She was greeted by a gleeful waiter and loads of coffeepot steam. “Hey Brendan,” she said, waving to the waiter. He waved back as Shade went to an empty table. She sat down and picked up a menu. Brendan came past her table. “You ready?” he said. “Yes…” Shade responded slowly. “I’ll have the waffles with extra butter and marmalade…” “Great!” chortled Brendan. “Your waffles will be prepared ASAP!” he walked off into the kitchen area. Shade waved her flipper to clear some steam away from the menu and looked it over again. She set it down and looked at the doorway as a penguin and his chick walked in. After the pair of penguins, a rather rich looking man in a suit walked in. Shade looked back at her table. The sunlight was reaching her table, making shadows with the pancake toppings and napkin holder. Five minutes later, Brendan reappeared holding a tray of buttery waffles and marmalade. “Enjoy, Shade!” he said with a nod, and hurried back to the kitchen. Shade picked up a fork and knife and cut into the waffle, poured some marmalade on and took a bite. Later that day, Shade was down on Greyspring again. Of all the beaches on Tempest Isle, Greyspring was probably the least populated, probably because of the harsh, Peruvian Current waves. Their bipolar ways made only the bravest penguins go down there. Shade was a brave penguin. Shade glanced around, only to see a few other penguins farther away- a rather large penguin in a tight pink swimsuit and a ridiculously small hat, sunbathing, a young handsome surfer, about 17ish, with spiky orange hair, and a tired looking motherly figure, along with what must have been an energetic dad and two twin boys playing in the sand. Shade turned north, away from the ocean, and looked at some reeds waving in the wind. She turned again and watched the young surfer catch a wave and ride it a while before wiping out. She faced forwards again and saw a man in a trench coat and a fedora running towards the rock she sat on. He stopped in front of Shade’s rock. He took a breather for a moment before talking. “Is your name Shade?” he asked. Shade nodded. “Yes it is…” “Well I have some news for you!” he said, adjusting his fedora. “My name is Jaden Bluestalk, PhDr. I study half-penguins…” he lowered his voice. “Like you…” Shade was shocked that he knew she was only a half-penguin. “Follow me to a Dojo I own…” he continued, using his quieter voice, almost to quiet to hear in the howling wind. Bluestalk gave a motion that meant “follow me” to Shade as he got in his silver car. “I’m not a kidnapper, sweetie,” he said, taking off his fedora, revealing nice blond hair, in a style known as “the Chill”. Bluestalk climbed in the driver’s seat as Shade climbed in the passenger’s, and they took off briskly. “Let me tell you more about myself,” he said. “I want you to trust me about this, alright?” “Yes…” said Shade solemnly. “Okay. I study Half-Penguins, like I told you. I have a bachelor’s in it,” Bluestalk went on about his studies until they got to his Dojo- a place high on Sting Loop. He walked inside. It was nice- but clearly not used as a Dojo. Looked like more of a lobby of a minor hotel. He sat down on a cream-colored leather couch, and Shade followed. “This is my Dojo. I have to tell you… I have seen you around before… as what you call your ‘Phoenix Side…’” Shade scowled. “What about it?” “It’s not truly phoenix,” Bluestalk said. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!” yelled Shade. “Phoenixes are different. When you spread your wings, they do not set fire, a trait in all phoenixes. Along with the simple facts- phoenixes have black hair, you have white, and phoenixes have red wings, you have black. You are what they call- a Shadow,” “Give me the definition of ‘Shadow’…” said Shade. “Shadows are half-penguins with not-flaming black wings and white hair. They are very rare,” said Bluestalk. “That’s enough I really need… said Shade, walking out the door and shutting it. “Wow…” whispered Shade. She ran off down the mountain. Later that day, Shade was at Jason’s Peak Pancake House again. “Good afternoon, Brendan,” she said as Brendan came to her table. “Look who’s back!” he said. “I don’t need anything right now,” she said. “I’m just preparing for a big event,” “Aw, but you need food and energy for a big event!’ said Brendan. “No, I’m good. I swear,” said Shade. She got up and left. Greyspring beach was cold at night. Even colder than the rest of Tempest Isle. The phoenixes had their meetings there. Shade sat on her rock as Skippy came around the clump of reeds. “What do you need?” she asked Shade. “It’s simple…” said Shade. “I’m leaving the Phoenixes,” “Why do you do this?” said Skippy. “I’m a Shadow,” whispered Shade. “Of course. I could have guessed,” said Skippy. “So basically, that means I’m leaving the Phoenixes. Seriously, do I have to repeat myself?!” said Shade darkly. “You can’t. It’s too dangerous. You’re only a Shadow,” said Skippy. “So?” said Shade arrogantly. “I’m invincible,” Shade walked off into the cold night wind, spread her Shadow wings, and took off.

To this day Shade has been very secretive.