I put a little bit of author's note, skip it if you want to.
(Yes, you will see a lot of author's note in this story)

Thanks for everyone who's reading this story!
For a w1k+ chapter, it may take 3-7 days in my case, assuming there's no schoolwork. Onto the story...


Chapter 2: Guilty Treasure

The next morning, I woke up at 08:10 AM. That means no wake-up pecks for that day. After I did my morning habits, I had decided to stay at my house for a while. I wanted some quality time together with my bird Pokemon. Pidgey and Pidgeotto like being around me, but Pidgeot just can't stay. My Pidgeot is very outgoing, so I have to let him fly to the skies of Johto every morning. If I ever needed him for something, I would tell him to stay around me the day before.

"Pidgeot, go travel the skies of Johto, but return by evening," I said to my Pidgeot. Pidgeot spread his wings, and let out a short cry to say goodbye before he finally flew away. I went back inside my house to talk to Pidgey and Pidgeotto about my feelings. I like sharing my life experiences with them. Talking about my emotions with my bird Pokemon somehow soothes me, despite the two always respond with cries such as "Pid, Pidgey!" or "Otto! Pidgeotto!"

In the middle of that morning conversation, my Pokegear rang. That time, I took a look at who was calling me. Yep, it was Morty again. "What is it this time?" I asked him while exhaling air out.

"Falkner, could you meet me again? And don't worry, I won't make you do anything this time," said Morty trying to assure me.

I remembered that I had already told Pidgeot to fly away. "Morty, instead of me coming there, how about you come here to my city this time?"

"Hm, okay. I'll be there as soon as I can." He hung up the Pokegear. I wondered how he would come here soon, as I knew that Morty didn't have any Flying-type Pokemon that can get him here quickly.

Ten minutes after that conversation, someone knocked the door. "Falkner, it's me, Morty." Well that was quick.

I opened the door, and I was quite confused that there was no Flying-type Pokemon behind him. "Morty, how did you manage to arrive here so soon?"

He answered, "I asked a Bird Keeper in my city for transportation." What he said reminded me of what happened the other day. I knew there are Bird Keepers around Ecruteak City, and they should be able to get a Rainbow Wing unharmed. While scratching his head, he asked, "Say, can we talk inside?"

We're not supposed to have a conversation at the front door of my house. I rolled my eyes and answered, "Uh, sure."

We went into my house. After I closed the door, Morty took a deep breath. "Alright, I'll make this brief and simple." His left hand dug down into his pocket, and he pulled out... the Rainbow Wing from yesterday. Then he pulled my left hand to put the Rainbow Wing on it. "Here, you take the Rainbow Wing." I was confused, as he didn't give me any explanation. "I'll see you another time then."

I looked at the Rainbow Wing without a word, but realizing Morty was going away, I tried to hold him. "Morty! Wait!"

He stopped his steps, looking at me. "What is it?"

I straightened my hand holding the Rainbow Wing. "You can have this Rainbow Wing."

But he replied, "No, Falkner. I don't deserve it." He looked down to the floor.

Meanwhile, I still didn't have a clue why he gave me back the Rainbow Wing. "Morty, can't you come up with an explanation?"

With his head still looking down, he answered, "I wanted to explain, but seeing you exasperated yesterday, I thought maybe I would just give this Rainbow Wing to you and leave."

Uhh, so he behaved like this because he misunderstood what happened the other day. "Look, I was a bit angry yesterday because you didn't thank me right after I gave you the Rainbow Wing. But you thanked me in the end, so I was no longer angry. Now please explain to me why you gave me back this Rainbow Wing."

He smiled a little. "Glad to know you're not angry at me." Then he remained silent for a while before he started explaining. "Falkner, I don't like seeing people get angry because of my own mistakes, so I tried to fix what happened. Yesterday, I thought you're mad because you didn't receive anything in return of what you've done. So I gave you back the Rainbow Wing." He turned his head up to look at me. "Still, you have the right to keep this Rainbow Wing. I may be the one who found it, but your hand is the first one that touched it."

I finally understood the situation. But no, I didn't need the Rainbow Wing. "You can have this Rainbow Wing anyway," I said to him.

Morty looked surprised. "Huh? Don't you want this Rainbow Wing?"

Of course Morty didn't know that I already had one. "Morty, I own one. I got it from my father. A single feather is enough to encounter Ho-Oh."

He didn't look happy at my statement. "You should take it. I told you I don't have the right to keep the Rainbow Wing. I'll feel guilty if I keep this."

He would feel guilty? Hm, so this had been bothering him. I tried to reassure him. "You don't have to feel guilty. I told you I'm not angry. You can have this Rainbow Wing." With a promising smile, I continued, "Besides, your dream is to encounter Ho-Oh someday, isn't it?"

"Well it is, but..." He looked to the side.

Because Morty still refused to take the Rainbow Wing, I had to speak with a louder voice. "No buts! You will encounter Ho-Oh eye-to-eye one day."

Morty moved his head in doubt at first, but he finally stopped objecting. He took the Rainbow Wing from my hand, and then he grinned at me. "Thank you, Falkner. And what you just said really touched me."

Morty was satisfied that he could have the Rainbow Wing. "Alright, I need to return to Ecruteak now. I'll see you another time." He walked to door. Before he closed the door, he turned his head back to look at me, smiling. It was like the one from the day before, but somehow it gave me a different feel, although I wasn't quite sure what it was. I replied with a little smile before he closed the door.

My problem with Morty was finally over. And so, it was the time for me to go to the Gym waiting for Pokemon Trainers to challenge me. Waiting for Trainers always feel the same from day to day, but somehow I was more patient during that day. My mood was bright, perhaps because of what happened earlier in my house? No, it couldn't be. I was the one who made Morty elated, so why did I feel the same? Hmm, I guessed there's some sort of mutual bond here, but I didn't fully understand it.


Before you say anything, I know it's supposed to be 'pleasure' and not 'treasure'. If you read the story well, you know why I replaced the word with 'treasure'.