The next morning, I woke to the usual chatter of voices that enveloped the Roosting Tree every day. Early hunters were bringing Bug Pokemon to the Food Nook, and energetic young Pidgey were gossiping about celebrities. "I heard that Falkner's Dodrio can really fly," one Pidgey twittered to another.

What a peaceful day, I thought to myself. I wish every day could be like this. I knew, however, that this was far from true - I would have to announce my departure today.

Spreading my wings, I glided to the Announcement Tree, a tall, thin tree directly across from the Roosting Tree. I took my place on the Leader's Perch, the tallest and most visible branch on the tree, and saw that Sky had already taken her place on the slightly lower Deputy's Perch.

"You ready, Thunder?" Sky asked.

"Ready," I whispered. Then I raised my voice and called out, "All Flockmembers, please gather here on the Announcement Tree as quickly as you can for an Announcement."

From the Roosting Tree poured a large throng of Pidgey, with the occasional Pidgeotto. Spirit, the flock's best hunter, arrived first. The male Pidgeotto, whose long tail made it easy for him to make nimble turns, was still carrying a large Beedrill in his beak. Next came, Breeze, a female Pidgeotto, her mate Wind, and their three mischievous Pidgey daughters, Fog, Feather, and Soul. The flockmembers gathered around the Announcement Tree for a while before gently settling down, with the two oldest Pidgeotto, Boulder and Cascade, settling down last.

Dozens of curious eyes peered up at me. I felt as if the eyes were swallowing up all my words; I opened my beak, but not even a whisper came out of it. Finally, I took a deep breath and called, "Flockmembers, as you all know, I am here because of a trainer named Ash Ketchum. He left me in this forest so that you all could be safe and protected."

A wave of nods and murmurs swept across the crowd, and I continued: "But there is one thing you Flockmembers do not know: that Ash promised, when he left me here, that he'd come back for me as soon as he retrieved Professor Ivy's Pokeball for Professor Oak. You all know that a whole year has passed since then, and I think a year is too much time for a task such as delivering a Pokeball."

Stone, a rather impulsive young male Pidgey, exclaimed, "But what are you going to do, Thunder? Fly around Kanto aimlessly looking for Ash?"

Sky held up her wing, silencing the protest. "Stone, you are correct that Thunder will look for Ash," she declared, "But Thunder has a plan. She will start by visiting Lightning, Falkner's Pidgeot, and ask if he has seen Ash. Even if he hasn't, Lightning and Falkner might still be able to help. You know that Falkner will always help a bird Pokemon in need."

"Oh, I see, that's a better plan," Stone said, and I dipped my head at Sky, acknowledging the support. "Flockmembers," I declared, "I have made up my mind. I will start my search for Ash by noon today. I will fly to Violet City to consult Lightning." I gestured at Sky. "While I am gone, Sky will act as Flock Leader and choose a Flock Deputy. Of course, there is a chance that I will never come back, and if that circumstance befalls all of you, Sky will be Flock Leader permanently."

The previously calm flock suddenly erupted in a storm of protest. "You can't leave!" Breeze cried. "We need your protection!" her mate, Wind, protested. "You don't even know the way to Violet City!" Stone added.

I held up my wing to silence the angry flock. "Breeze and Wind," I chirped, "Remember, the Spearow are our friends now, so they can help us fight enemies. Stone," I continued, "I believe I have this." Using her beak, Sky held up the very large sheet of paper that she always kept in her nest, for some unexplainable reason. "Sky is holding up a map, the tool humans use to get around," I explained. "I can make sense of it easily; it looks a lot like what I see when I fly high above the Viridian Forest. Each city appears to be marked with the badge it gives out, and one of the cities is marked with a badge that looks like a bird's wings. I am pretty certain that that city is Violet City, and to get there, I know I must fly westward from here and stop at the first big city I see."

The whole flock - dozens of pairs of eyes - gazed up at me with silent awe. Finally, Boulder, the old male Pidgeotto, stood up and remarked, "That reasoning is truly remarkable, Thunder. You definitely have the brains to make the long journey. I would go find Ash if I were you."

Then, suddenly, the whole flock began to chirp in support. "Go, Thunder, go! Go, Thunder, go!" As more and more voices joined in the chant, I felt more confident than ever. "Thank you, Flockmembers!" I called above the cheering voices. "I guess I will leave right now, then."

"Wait, Thunder!" called a voice below. "I'd like you to have this." Spirit, the speaker, flew up onto my branch and laid his Beedrill in front of my feet. "You need some energy for your long trip," he declared. "Eat up! I can always catch another one later."

"Thank you, Spirit," I chirped gratefully, and lowered my head to eat. But before I could take a bite, another voice called out, "Thunder! Don't forget to eat these Sitrus Berries as well. You'll need them for energy too."

Raising my head, I spotted Leaf, the Berry Expert of the flock. The young but smart Pidgey flapped toward me, a branch full of bright yellow Sitrus Berries clasped tightly in her nimble beak. She laid the branch down next to the Beedrill. "Thank you too, Leaf," I murmured as she flapped away; then I gratefully gobbled up the Beedrill and the Sitrus Berries. I had never tasted a Beedrill this meaty; never eaten Sitrus Berries this juicy. As the energy from the foods flowed rapidly into my body, I was suddenly filled with the feeling that my adventure would turn out great.

Immediately after my refreshing meal, I raised my head and faced my Flockmembers. Slowly, I surveyed the flock. I felt a horrible ache in my heart as my gaze fell on my greatest friends – including Sky, Spirit, and Leaf. Knowing I would never see them again, I swallowed hard and called, "Goodbye, Flockmembers. You've been great friends of mine, but I must leave now. Perhaps I will see you again." I shuddered as I said that, for I know that might not be true.

Then I focused on pinpointing my location, using the sun as a guide. Finally, spreading my wings, I leaped into the air, heading west, away from the shining, blazing sun.

"Goodbye, Thunder! Good luck! Hope you find Ash!" As the enthusiastic calls of the flock faded and eventually grew silent, I focused my eyesight on the distant horizon.

Violet City, Falkner, and Lightning, I thought as I flew westward, here I come.

To be continued…