Nightshade Academy | Episode 20 | Losing a Friend (Audio)

I vow to embrace my division and unit placements without question at the crack of dawn the academy Guardians and trainees gathered in the courtyard Yoshi spotted a mysterious box resting by Commander Roz's boots please know that if we could accept all six of you into the second half of the program we would do so in a heartbeat but Emperor vikoi's orders restrict us to five for the final filtration you will each wear one of these Commander Roz leaned over opening the box and retrieving a belt from inside dangling from the strip of leather were three Dove feathers spaced evenly apart from each other after sliding off his Overcoat Commander Ross slipped the belt through the empty Loops of his pants one feather dangled from both of his hips and the final one dangled behind him like a tail he pulled at the feather over his right hip and with a bit of force it popped free from the belt the first trainee to lose all Three Feathers will be filtered from the program as Commander Roz removed the belt and slid his Overcoat back on Dr blemery wiped the edge of his eye with a quick swipe of his fingertip Professor Ember scowled at him before providing the trainees with further details this filtration will take place on the academy field there are three rules but breaking them will automatically disqualify you so listen closely one you must only remove feathers from the belt of your assigned Target two you must stay on the academy field exclusively the surrounding Woods Courtyard and Academy building are no-go zones three no tools and no horses Dr blemery placed his hands in his pocket and stared at his boots those only rules which means we can even use Force Professor Ember held her hands out if you have any tools on you remove them now Vel and kale reached into their pockets removing handfuls of throwing stars in unison KO glanced at Val and amusement as they placed their blades on Professor Emperor's Palms now it's time to announce your targets Pinto Dempsey your target will be quack severia they all faced Pinto knowing he couldn't win a fight against quacks with brood Force alone he started to pull at his curls devising a plan and quacks watched him brainstorm with narrowed eyes quacks your target is KO Pickett quacks looked away from Pinto with a dropped jaw what what KO your target is sana rickaby a son is stiffened quacks's frown disappeared he gestured for KO and Senna to lean toward him and began to whisper Yoshi squinted at their group of three trying to make out their conversation what are you telling them quacks sauna your target is yashikanya Sana glanced at Yoshi with a grim smile and despite the circumstances Yoshi smiled back yashi your target is valpoutura Yoshi's smile dropped instantly he faced Commander Roz hoping he had misheard that the guardian nodded in confirmation spell when Yoshi looked at her she avoided eye contact staring blankly ahead Phil your target is Pinto Dempsey as the clouds darkened the fields seemed to grow faster Yoshi imagined himself running for the woods the trees moving farther with every step always Out Of Reach Commander Ross began to pass out six belts snapping Yoshi back to his senses on the field you'll find six red dots painted on the grass claim one and stand on it until Roz blows his whistle after the trainees fastened their belts Commander Roz slipped a golden whistle between his lips the Guardians remains on the courtyard while the trainees scattered across the field searching for the red starting points they were so far apart that once Yoshi had claimed his he could barely see the other trainee's faces knowing that he and Sana were the bridges between their two groups Yoshi got into a running position if Pinto were to plug quacks's feathers quacks would be filtered but if Sana were to pluck Yoshi's feathers Yoshi would be filtered ah it's simple I need to all run Sana long enough for Pinto to take care of Quacks he flinched as a high-pitched whistle pierced through the air Santa was bolting after him without a second despair KO trailing at his side to help facilitate his success Yoshi pivoted and ran toward the trees maintaining his distance not both of them if they catch me that's over as he ran Yoshi heard the sound of ko and sana's footsteps growing louder they were gaining on him and he was getting dangerously close to the edge of the field he turned right and ran parallel to the woods when he stole a quick glance over his shoulder he saw KO break away from Sunnyside sprinting toward the direction Yoshi was heading in realizing that KO was trying to cut him off Yoshi changed directions once again dodging between the two trainees and nearly losing his footing as he avoided their attempts to tackle him he sprinted as fast as he could hoping to create a separation between himself and his pursuers relief flooded him as he checked over his shoulder and saw them falling behind as Yoshi circled around quacks and Pinto curious about his friend's plan Bell appeared at his side and ran with him don't stop no matter what I know no matter what she left Yoshi's side swiftly rushing at quacks from behind while Pinto had him distracted after launching herself forward she wrapped her arms around quacks replicating the move she had used against Fern to earn her pin about eight months prior she didn't manage to take quacks down but the attack temporarily stunned him after Pinto swept in and successfully plucked a feather from quack's belt Vel released quacks and bolted away no nice one you two Yoshi's breaths were becoming heavier making it more challenging to keep Pace when he turned his head to check the distance between him and his pursuers he noticed that KO was no longer running at Sun aside Yoshi scanned the area frantically as he ran anticipating a surprise attack instead he spotted KO coming to kwax's Aid tackling Pinto to the ground before pinzo could react KO landed a blunt punch to his nose Yoshi slowed to a stop as KO punched Pinto again only Vel could pluck Pinto's feathers but nothing was stopping KO from attacking him to buy quacks more time Yoshi keep running Pinto grabbed Ko's upper arm and squeezed aggravating the sword wound that had yet to heal completely kale wailed out in pain before striking Pinto with a bit stronger than the first two Pinto lost his grip on Ko's arm and Yoshi glanced back at Sana trying to decide if he had enough time to intervene Yoshi go she rushed after KO but quacks grabbed her from behind locking her in a choke hold as well began to choke for air KO struck Pinto again Yoshi's Focus flew back and forth between the two fights I have something without escaping from Ko's grip Pinto wouldn't be able to pluck quax's two remaining feathers on the other hand Yoshi knew that nothing was stopping quacks from choking Vel until she could breathe no longer before he could make a choice Vel dug her nails into kwax's arms in a desperate attempt to break free Fox yanked his arms away losing his hold on her after a few stifled breaths she ran after Pinto in an effort to free him a light popping noise caught Yoshi's attention he turned to find Sana standing next to him feather in hand Yoshi stumbled away he briefly glanced down at his hips to find one of his feathers missing I'm sorry Yoshi we all know it's either you or Quacks Yoshi lunged at him with a left jab but Senna dodged it encountered with a punch of his own yeah she ducked as he ran past his Tracer he fell to finger skim one of his remaining feathers fighting is too risky instead of turning to face Senna with another attack he bolted away I need to keep running sana's footsteps were trailing close behind Yoshi and he felt his stamina waning luckily so was sanus and when he looked over his shoulder after circling the massive field he saw Sana doubled over dancing with his hands on his knees Yoshi halted grateful for the opportunity to catch his breath as well as he wiped the sweat from his forehead he turned his attention back to the other four Vel had managed to distract KO creating an opening for Pinto to take on Quacks however Pinto's attempts to pluck wax's feathers seem to futile without more assistance quarks took an offensive approach using violent moves to defend his feathers and Pinto was already weakened from Ko's earlier attacks Yoshi ran toward them deciding to help Pinto while Senna was still resting he had almost arrived when Parks delivered a crushing blow to pinch his face causing him to stumble back and nearly lose his balance so quacks sensing Victory charged forward to finish him off but just as quacks was about to land another blow Pinto grinned dropping his act he ducked under kwax's attack slipping past him and plucking another feather from his belt quarks's cheeks turned bright red he pivoted on his heel keeping a watchful eye on Pinto as he shielded the final feather that dangled from the back of his belt Yoshi finally arrived at Pinto's side to offer support and as he and quacks locked eyes quarks froze in the realization that he would need to take on both of them with just one feather left his face morphed into a mask of Fear One Yoshi hadn't seen him wear since the incident nearly three years ago with the shake of his head quack swerved around pinto and fled from the scene making a beeline toward the other group Vel had KO fully distracted leaving quacks with an easy opening to snatch one of Ko's feathers as he darted past the sky crackled as a bolts of lightning split the air signaling the imminent arrival of a storm quags had grown tired of waiting for Sana to pluck Yoshi's feathers in order to win he had chosen to take fate into his own hands and in doing so he had changed the game Val backed away from quacks and KO with a dropped jaw and Pinto chuckled in disbelief as Yoshi processed quack's betrayal two hands struck his back Yoshi's feet slipped out from under him and he fell forward his chin striking the dirt he heard the popping sound of Sana plucking a feather behind him damn it Yoshi rolled onto his side locking his lost feather between his right hip and the ground he nailed himself down resisting Sun as attempts to turn him over and get him filtered he heard pinto and Val shouting in the distance but he could do nothing to help another set of footsteps approached Yoshi gritted his teeth preparing to have to resist two boys instead of one but to his surprise Sana cried out in pain and stumbled away Yoshi looked up to see KO in a fighting stance facing Sana leave Yoshi alone kale why quacks pluck my feather I won't let him win what's your plan then huh Pinto's down down Yoshi hopped to his feet and spotted Pinto lines still on the ground in the distance Val kneeling at his side raindrops began to fall as Yoshi ran toward them he crossed paths with quacks on his way there he was still in pursuit of Ko's feathers when he spotted blood on quacks's Knuckles he came to a rapid stop and looked over his shoulder coax what the hell did you do quarks ignored him continuing to run and Yoshi Golds before sprinting to pinto and Bell he kneeled by Belle's side and looked down at Pinto's battered body blood gushed from his crooked nose running down his cheek and staining the grass in Scarlet Cuts marked his neck jawline and bruised hands after KO ran off quacks panicked tried to stop him but the rain intensified as Yoshi began to gasp for air his breath slipping away fell clung to his shoulder with a death grip Yoshi could hardly hear her he felt like he was sinking underwater as the rain dripped into his eyes blurring his vision with pinto unconscious quacks was immune to the game KO would have to defend his last two feathers from Quacks freeing Senna to pursue yashi who only had one left Yoshi was the closest to getting filtered resurfaced Vel was pulling at Pinto's arms yeah yeah he looked down at the Feather by her side completely unguarded Val meant everything to him he wanted her to succeed as much as he wanted himself to succeed but would he really choose to save her spot in the program at the cost of his own if he were to return to Citra what would he do with himself then what kind of career path would he possibly pursue how would he honor his mother's memory what would be the point of everything he'd worked for in the program his time energy effort and pain would all be a waste of he lost today but he didn't have to lose Yoshi grabbed the soft feather attached to Val's belt and with a quick tug it popped free he gulped his Bell looked back at him her eyes widening at the side of the feather in his hands quacks nearly killed him and your first move is to pluck my feather I didn't have a choice Yoshi dropped her feather and it fluttered to the grass I filtered his life is all Yoshi's eyes watered I understand that your mother is dead what could you possibly understand I'm sorry you know she glanced at another one of her feathers but I need this too before he could make his next move felt hurt and plucked a feather from Pinto's belt tears dreamed down her face as footsteps approached from behind them he looked over his shoulder to see Senna looming over him but his eyes were on Pinto not on Yoshi's last feather Yoshi bill what happened Vel was gripping another one of pindo's feathers when she looked up at Senna her eyes red one more move from Sana and Yoshi wouldn't hesitate to take another one of those feathers one more move from Yoshi and Vel wouldn't hesitate to take pintos what kind of Madness is this Santa took a step back shaking his head he should have felt this place a long time ago Thunder roared as son of plucked his own feathers filtering himself from the program there was only one five-seater table in the dining hall that evening while Dr blimery and Commander Roz rushed Pinto to the City Hospital Yoshi fell quacks and KO had no choice but to sit together for the first time a band from the city center played a jumpy celebratory tune as Professor Ember wheeled a card of cake slices to the table congratulations on securing your spots as Academy graduates in the Guardian Force she slid a plate in front of Yoshi first but he didn't look at it he couldn't take his eyes off the empty seat I'm sure you're all worried about Pinto but he's in excellent hands he'll return as soon as he's well enough Professor Ember served quacks and Vel their slices next as you know the second nine months in the program include shadowing real guardian units in the city center or an Expedition to the Eastern territory yoshikanya you're up first Yoshi nodded once numbed to the news your assignment is tomorrow morning Professor Ember slid the final plate of cake in front of ko Meet Your Shadow unit leader in the common room at six with a swoop of his arm chaos sent his plate flying though she finally looked away from Pinto's chair watching as the plate shattered against the floor cueing an explosion of chocolate Professor Ember glared back at Ko before leaving the dining hall as quacks devoured his cake fell stabbed a fork into hers and left it there Yoshi took a bite which he promptly spit out too sweet he set his Fork down closed his eyes and focused on each instrument one at a time when he reached the violin he convinced himself that the long notes were distant screams this is what morning feels like [Music] Yoshi allowed the music to drown him for a few minutes before he made his way back to his quarter he spends all night lying on his bed staring at the ceiling as he imagined what Sana had been up to after returning to nomina in one scenario sana's family hugged him and cried and cooked his favorite meals he told The Marvelous stories over dinner and they laughed until they lost their voices in a second scenario Senna returned home regretting his choice to filter himself his family scolded him for getting so close to success and pouring it all down the drain Yoshi chose to believe the second for his own sake when the sleepiness finally caught up to him it was nearly six and he no longer had time to rest he changed into a fresh uniform before making his way to the common room where his shadow unit later stood by the door waiting she turned to face him and Yoshi froze at the sight of Cal of Aryan hi Ashi congratulations on making the final five [Applause] [Music] thank you foreign Belladonna book one Nightshade Academy written and narrated by Mel Tori Franca produced by Mel Tori Franca and Wilson Hensley edited and Mastered by Juan Pablo Diaz something went wrong we worked hard for this life that we don't want at all cover art by mad Studio score by Juda puspida azri theme song composed and produced by James Sinclair's thought Jason Brown Anthony Andreas echeveri Philip krainov Melissa white Alex Bowie Patrick verzba Julia risto David John bores Connor Blanc Cody Keel Ellie Chua Ben Autry Walter Mack [Music] God with us if it's really true [Music] during the voices of Gwyneth Evans Jeff Rosenau Lucas Hensley Levi Titus Angie Eggers Willem dagar Allison Prophet Maria palmo Knight shield Academy is produced in association with Lost Island press even if it's true