Chapter Text
Ingo sighed. The mountain air puffed out in a white cloud around his mouth, a physical reminder of his vitality. He removed his cap momentarily, allowing his hair to flow freely. He ran a hand through the locks of silver, making sure that the feathers interspersed were still kept properly groomed. His coat fluttered around him, tied around his neck, as he stood stock-still on the cliffside, allowing his extra appendages to air themselves. It was not often he got to allow his wings out. The moon shone above, glinting off his silver hair and gray feathers.
He jumped. He willed his wings to grow, expand, wider and wider, gaining surface area until he felt his body caught in the updraft that the cliff provided, soaring up and up until he hung a few feet above where he had started. He beat his wings and began to allow himself to glide, moving along the Highlands faster and faster as he approached his destination. He flew near-silently, avoiding most wild Pokemon as he did. This wind whipped in his ears, making them sting. He covered them with the sideburns on his face, the smaller set of wings moving imperceptibly to offer some semblance of protection. Gliscor glided alongside him, crooning happily at the fast feeling of air in its wings. Ingo could almost feel the ghost of a smile grace his face.
“Do you wish to race, passenger? I do not think this old cab of mine is prepared to retire.” Gliscor fixed its eyes on him and screeched its affirmative.
Ingo paused in flight, beating his wings powerfully to maintain his position. He lighted down on a random cliffside, Gliscor following him. He flexed his graying wings, prepping them for the challenge ahead. “Now boarding for a challenge flight. All passengers please stay seated for the remainder of the ride.” Gliscor settled beside him, laying its claws on the ground. Ingo got to the edge of the cliff, putting his wings up in a stance of readiness and getting into a decent take-off position. “Departure in 3… 2… 1… ALL ABOOOOARD!” He shot off like a bullet train, his wings hitting a warmer updraft and taking him up, allowing him to glide. Gliscor was not far behind, screeching in excitement. He flapped his wings to gain more momentum. “Destination: Wayward Cave!” Gliscor crooned in approval beside him. Ingo chuckled as he continued to glide, finding updrafts and hitting the current when he was high enough. Gliscor was catching up, beginning to pull ahead. This would not do. Ingo beat his wings once more and willed them to shrink and change shape, becoming more angular and pointed, until they reached the shape he desired. He began gliding just a little faster. Ingo was pulling ahead again.
Wayward Cave was coming into view. Ingo tucked his wings in, going in for a dive. His coat snapped as he tucked in and felt his stomach drop, the air whistling in his ears. The ground began swelling in his vision, coming closer and closer to him as he moved faster and faster, the wind was loud and cold in his eyes, it was almost unbearable-
He snapped his wings out, catching himself just before he hit the ground. He glided a few feet before flapping gracefully and touching down. He looked and saw Gliscor right beside him, touching down with its tail. Ingo walked over to his partner, patting its head. “It would appear we have a tie. Bravo, passenger! That was fine conducting on your part.” Gliscor chirped. Ingo untied his coat and put his hat back on, tucking the feathers back under and flattening his facial wings to the sides of his face, back into sideburn mode. He then tucked his wings against his back, shrugging on his coat as he forced them to shrink some. When he was sure that they were no longer visible, he proceeded to enter the cave, making sure the lights were still on within.