Author's Note: Really nice turnout for the first chapter. Also, I'm not changing the name of this one. ;p

2: Fearow Goes To Roost

Kanto Region - Viridian Forest - 1 Week Later

The flight from Hoenn to Kanto took less than a day, and with the help of some short cuts, Ash, Pikachu and Serena now found themselves deep in the Viridian Forest. Ash felt nostalgic being back in the forest once more. So many of his adventures had started from the forest.

"So," Serena said as she looked around through the tops of the trees, "Where do you think we'll find her?"

Pikachu jumped from his shoulder, his ears twitching in every direction to pick up the slightest of sounds while Ash scanned the trees himself, "Even when she was a Pidgeotto she was always alert," he said, noticing a few bird nests in the trees, "She probably already knows we're here, but she doesn't know if she can trust us around the flock."

Pikachu bounded up a tree to examine one of the abandoned nests. Serena heard him give out a started growl and sparks from his cheeks as he jumped from the branch, and landed on Ash's back. In his mouth he held a feather, and gave it to Ash to examine. "Spearow." Ash sighed, "This is their territory."

Serena reached for Braixen's Poke Ball, "Didn't you say that this flock was dangerous?"

"And that's why we need to keep moving." He said and reached for a Ball of his own, "Talonflame, come on out!" He called out as he released his Scorching Pokemon, the large Flying/Fire-type giving our a shrill cry as he was released. "Talonflame, I need you to do some scouting for me." He said, "We're looking for an old friend of mine, a large female Pidgeot. She'll be leading a flock of Pidgey and Pidgeotto." Talonflame nodded his head, "And we're also keeping an eye out for a huge Fearow leading a flock of Spearow, and smaller Fearow. I'm hoping to catch them both, so let me know the minute you spot them, and it you can't find them before it starts getting dark, come back and find us."

Sensing a good battle ahead, Talonflame took off from the ground, showering his friends with embers, and dust in his haste to get into the air. "Will Talonflame be alright?" Serena asked as the flame hawk flew out of sight, "I mean, what if one of the flocks attack him?"

"If he goes up against normal Spearow, or Fearow, he'll be fine," Ash said, as his eyes followed his Pokemon out of sight, "And if he runs into Pidgeot's friends, then I"m hoping that he an talk his way out of a fight." He sighed and started walking again, "Let's keep moving for now, though, or else we'll attract trouble." He said as Pikachu resumed his vigil on his shoulder.

Serena, though she was a little worried about the Fearow attacking them, couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement about being near Pallet Town, and possibly meeting Ash's family. The thought brought another blush to her face, "So what do you think Lance wanted you to come back home for?" She asked more or less to keep her mind from wandering.

Ash shrugged, "I don't have any idea," he said, "Like I said, it would take something crazy for the PLA to cancel League sanctioned events all over the world. I just hope it's nothing bad."

Serena bumped her shoulder against his, "I'm sure it's nothing like that," she assured him, "Lance did say that you'd get to compete, after all. He actually sounded kind of pleased."

Ash only hoped that she was right.

They continued walking until the reached Viridian City, and Talonflame returned after searching for the entire day. Ash saw that he was in perfect condition, and assumed that he hadn't encountered either of the flocks. He was disappointed that he hadn't found any trace of his old friend, and almost feared that she had moved on to a different area, but when he got to the Pokemon Center he heard a few rumors of a massive flock of Pidgey and Pidgeotto being lead by a large Pidgeot that was living near Professor Oak's laboratory.

[She must have moved the flock there because it was safer,] he thought to himself with a small smile, [That's good. Then that means Fearow's flock might be further away.]

Later that evening, he decided to give his mother a call to let her know that they were nearby. The woman was ecstatic to hear that her son was coming home again.

"You have no idea how much I've worried about you, Sweetie," Delia Ketchum said over the video phone, "All of that madness going on in Kalos, and then coming in second place? I almost had a heart attack!"

Ash chuckled nervously, "I'm sorry, Mom, but it was kind'a unavoidable," he said, "But at least I'll be back home soon. And Mom? I've got a...friend with me."

"That's wonderful to hear, Sweetie, I'm sure we'll get along just fine when you get here," his mother went on before Ash could really find the right words to explain. "Speaking of friends, have you met any new girls on this latest trip of yours?" She asked slyly, "You know it's high time that you brought home a proper girlfriend for once."

Ash began to sweat, "W-well...I did."

Delia looked at him in surprise, "Really? My goodness, it's about time you took notice of a girl!" She huffed in exasperation, "Lord only knows how many times I've gotten my hopes up whenever you've gone off on one of your journeys. You actually came back alone last time."

"I don't know whether you're happy or upset right now," Ash deadpanned.

"Pika?" Pikachu said from his shoulder with confusion.

Delia giggled, "Oh, Son, I am happy, don't get me wrong," she said, "It just took nearly nine years for it to happen."

Ash shook his head with a small grin on his face, "We'll be there in another few days," he said, "As soon as we take care of Fearow and Pidgeot it - " A sudden pulse startled him. It was an Aura pulse. And a powerful one.

"Ash?" Delia said worriedly as her son frowned, "Are you alright, Dear?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," the young man said, "I need to get going, so I'll see you later."

"Ash, wait a min - !" The call was ended as Ash got up and walked down the hall.

"You feel that, too?" Ash asked his partner as Pikachu looked at him in confusion. "Guess it's just me, huh?" He sighed as he continued, and came to a door. Inside he saw Nurse Joy tending to a Pokemon egg.

Joy looked up as he entered, "Ash? Is there something I can help you with?" She asked cheerily.

Ash thought for a moment, "Don't take this the wrong way, Nurse Joy, but what do you know about this egg?" He gestured to the egg which had blue speckled patterns all over it.

Joy frowned and sighed at the question, "Very little, I'm afraid to say," she said, "You see, this egg has been all over the known regions to be studied, but the little dear inside just refuses to hatch."

"Have you tried ultrasounds?" Ash asked as he stepped over to examine the egg himself.

"Yes, everything's been tried," she said, "Whenever we try to test it to see what type of Pokemon might be inside, something about the baby inside blocks any sensors we try." She looked at the young man, "Your records show that you've raised a good number of Pokemon eggs before. Do you have any idea what this egg might hatch into, or why it's taken so long to do so?"

Ash frowned at her, "Exactly how long are we talking about, Nurse Joy?"

"It's going on its fourth year of being unhatched." Joy told him, making the boy pale. "Yes, I know. It's a miracle that the little one is still alive in there."

"Or," he said, stepping closer to the egg, and holding his hand over it, "It's waiting for someone."

To the nurse's surprise the egg moved, and then rolled right to where Ash's hand was hovering. "How...?"

"Aura," Ash breathed out, "The egg's reacting to mine. Whatever's inside, the Pokemon is looking for someone with a compatible Aura."

Joy looked utterly shocked, "I've never heard of such a thing."

Ash shrugged, "Aura users do get more scarce with each passing year," he told her, "Most of them have Pokemon that use Aura themselves, like a Lucario or a Meinshao. Both are pretty rare, and hard to find, but as far as a full on Aura Guardian, there's only one that I know of, and he lives here in Kanto in the Rota Kingdom."

"Oh, dear," Joy cupped her cheek. "If this little one is in need of such a trainer, then..." Her eyes darted back to Ash, "Wait, didn't you say it was reacting to your Aura?"

Ash nodded, letting his arm rest at his side, "It's not the first time." Ash said, "I've connected with a Riolu before, and even a non-Aura using Pokemon through my own strength." He said, remembering his Greninja.

"Then perhaps you should take this egg," Joy suggested, and the young man gave her a look, "It's like you said, this little one is reacting to your Aura, as you call it, and you seem to be the perfect trainer to make sure that if finally hatches."

"Hm," Ash smiled and looked at his partner, "What do you think, Pikachu?"

Pikachu raised his paw happily, "Pika!"

Nurse Joy smiled at the affirmation, "That settles it, then." She said and removed the egg from the chamber, and letting the young man pick the egg up gingerly, "I hope that if, and when this little one hatches that the two of you will be great friends."

Ash smiled as he took the egg into his arms, "So do I."

ガラル

Ash came into their room for the evening as Serena was playing with her newest Pokemon, Budew. The little Pokemon was indeed a lucky find for her, because, and he hadn't noticed until Serena had brought it up, the little Grass-type was a Shiny Pokemon. It's little bib under its mouth was usually a very light shade of yellow/green, but this one's was blue instead, and would make a very beautiful Roselia soon with how much attention his girlfriend was giving her.

She smiled as he came in, and spotted the egg in his arms, "Where did you get that?" She asked as he sat it on the mattress between them and took a seat.

"Nurse Joy gave it to me," he told her, chuckling as Budew hopped over to examine the egg. "It reacted to me in a positive way, so she let me take it since it's been passed around so much in attempts to hatch it."

Serena looked at him, "Reacted to you?"

"Something similar to how Greninja reacted at times, and seemed to Mega Evolve." Ash explained as he began rubbing the shell, "This little one was reacting to my Aura."

Serena frowned, "Does that mean that you could feel this Pokemon pain just like you felt Greninja's?" She asked uncertainly, "That scares me to death, Ash. It always did. You know you were coughing up blood after some of your battles when Greninja changed?"

Ash nodded, "I remember, and I wouldn't change a thing about that bond," he told her with a sheepish smile. He reached up and tickled Pikachu under his chin, causing his partner to coo, "You that was the first time I've ever felt so close one of my Pokemon? I don't even have that with Pikachu, and he's been with me since the beginning of my journey."

"You treat them all like family," she said, understanding his reasoning, "But Ash, if you get hurt - "

"This won't be that kind of bond, Serena," Ash assured her, reaching out to take her hand, his touch warming her cheeks, "But this egg does need me. It hasn't hatched since it was found four years ago, right around the time I found out I had Aura abilities...I think this Pokemon might have been waiting for me."

The egg rocked and tipped toward Ash's side, making the Budew squeak. Serena smiled down at the unhatched egg, "Alright," Serena sighed deeply, "I'll try not to worry too much, but I won't say that I'll stop." She leaned her head over onto his shoulder, "My brave and gallant boyfriend is far to reckless for me not to."

Ash kissed the top of her head, "Don't worry," he told her, "Being less reckless sounds a bit better after the whole Team Flare and Zygarde incident."

They turned in not long after, the pair of them sleeping in the same bed to stay close as they had done since the trip to Hoenn, the egg clutched between them with Pikachu sleeping above their heads.

It was around dawn that the first faint glow began.

The speckles on Ash's unhatched egg began to glow with a soft and gentle blue light of Aura. And then, unbeknownst to the two sleeping humans and Pokemon, a crack began to form just under Ash's fingers.

As the first rays of dawn began to shine through the window, the cracks grew large and large until, finally, the egg shattered in a flash of blue light. Pikachu, alerted by the sudden noise of the shattered shells, looked down between the two humans, and saw, sleeping with its head on it's paws, a tiny newborn Riolu.

Acting on what he thought would be his trainer's wishes, Pikachu quietly made his way over the bed to his friend's bag where he kept his Poke Balls. Careful not to get drawn into one himself, he rummaged around until he found one that he thought would fit the little newborn. With the Ball between his teeth, he clambered back up to the pillow before pressing the button with his tail, and rolling it down the pillow to tap lightly against the sleeping Riolu's head.

The Ball PINGED right away, and Riolu was Ash's.

ガラル

The next morning, the newest addition to Ash's team was strutting proudly out in front of the group as they made their way through the Southern half of the Viridian Forest. Ash had been surprised when he woke up to find that his egg had gone missing, and had been replaced by a Friend Ball which had nearly sent him into a panic as he lept out of bed, and began searching the room.

Serena had been awakened by the commotion of his frantic searching and had almost joined in before Pikachu pointed to the Friend Ball on the bed. Ash had understood and calmed down right away, and released a very bright eyed little Pokemon a moment later.

Pikachu was rather pleased with himself as well at having pulled one over on his trainer, and had a smug little grin on his face all the while as he rode on Ash's shoulder. "Laugh it up, Pikachu," Ash warned him, "After I tell Mom how lazy you've been, she'll take you off ketchum."

Pikachu's ears drooped at that, and he hopped off of his shoulder and over to Serena's, and rubbed his cheek against hers. "Two timer." Ash growled at his partner.

"He's just playing, Ash." Serena giggled.

Ash, however, was not in the playing mood. Before they'd set out, he released Talonflame to scout ahead again. They were already half of the way through the forest by noon, and there was still no sign of him.

Suddenly, Riolu stopped and Ash felt a small pulse of Aura from him. "GET DOWN!" Ash yelled and dove over the top of Serena as he felt something rip right into his right shoulder, dragging him across the ground, and slamming back first into the trunk of a tree. As he hit the ground, the hot gush of blood from his shoulder started streaming down his back.

"Ash!" Her heard Serena scream.

His vision was blocked by a massive pair of wings. [He's gotten bigger!] Ash groaned as he struggled back to his feet as the large Fearow loomed in front of him. "PIKACHU!" He roared out as the little Electric-type sprang into action with a full-force Thunderbolt. Fearow was back in the air before the attack hit and struck the tree just behind Ash.

A little blue blur entered into Ash's sight as Riolu joined the fray, "Riolu, stop!" Serena shouted in fright.

Ash watched as the little Pokemon fired a Vacuum Palm, and hit the Fearow in the middle of its back. "KAAWW!" The furious bird screeched, before flying over the tops of the trees and out of sight. Riolu darted in front of Ash to protect him from further attack while Serena and Pikachu rushed over.

"Ash, are you alright?!"

"Pi pika pika!"

Ash pulled his hand away from his shoulder and found it covered in blood. "It's deep, but not as bad as it looks." He said, trying to reassure her.

"Not as bad as it looks?!" Serena sounded borderline hysterical. She pulled what was left of his bag off his shoulders, and jerked back the collar of his shirt, "Ash, I can see bone! You need a doctor!"

Ash snorted, "Where's Brock when you need 'im?"

Serena whimpered as she took off her red vest, and bunched it up to press against his shoulder. "We need to get you help," her voice was trembling, "Could we make it back to the Pokemon Center?"

"Depends on if that Fearow is still around," Ash groaned as she applied pressure to his wound. "I never expected it to grow that big while I was away."

Serena shivered, "It was as big as some Pidgeot I've seen," she mumbled and shook her head, "Ash, we have to try, or you're going to bleed out."

Ash smiled at her and glanced over toward a worried Pikachu, "Think you can find some bitter root?" He asked his partner, "It might help stop the bleeding."

Pikachu gave an affirmative and bounded off into the forest while Riolu stood guard next to his trainer. Ash gave the little Fighting-type a grateful look, "You're pretty brave for being just out of the egg." He smiled at the little Pokemon sidled up to him, Ash reached up and stroked hi between his ears with his good arm. "And scrappy, too. I think you'll get along with the rest of our Pokemon just fine."

"Iolu!" Cooed the little Pokemon just as Pikachu came bounding back with a root in his mouth, and a sour look on his face.

"Pika." He dropped the root next to Serena, who got to work on grinding it up. Luckily for them that she had plenty of pots left over from their time in Kalos.

Serena wrinkled her nose as the scent of the root reached her nose, "Are you sure about this, Ash?" She asked as she added some water from their canteens, "This is going to feel like I'm rubbing salt in the wound."

"It'll be fine," Ash affirmed. "Just do it fast...I'm getting dizzy."

Serena hesitated for just a second longer before smearing the root paste on his wound. Ash had to clamp his teeth down to bite back the scream that would have erupted if he hadn't. It was almost like he was being injected with acid!

To her credit, Serena worked fast, knowing that the burn would stop after a few minutes and begin healing his shoulder, but she hated seeing the pain on Ash's now pale face. Soon, though, the bleeding stopped, and the paste began to harden into a firm plaster on the outside, forming a type of protective shell.

Ash leaned back against the tree breathing heavily. He cracked one eye open and smiled at her, "Nice job. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a nurse."

Serena offered him a shaky smile of her own. "After all the times I've had to patch you up, I really should be," she said, and blushed deeply when Ash reached up and brushed his left hand against her cheek, his fingers coming away damp.

When she realized that it was because she was crying, Serena felt embarrassed, and tried to hide her face from him, only for Ash to use the same arm and draw her closer. "Now you see where I'd be without you." He said, holding her against his uninjured shoulder as tightly as he could.

She nodded against his neck, "Yeah," her arms wound around his back, "Good thing you wised up, huh?" The tremble was back in her voice again.

"Pikachu," said Pikachu worriedly with Riolu standing next to him.

"Rio?"

Ash smiled at the pair, "I'll be fine, thanks to you and Serena," he gave a pained grin.

"Talon!" Came a cry from above them as Talonflame came gliding down toward them. And he wasn't alone.

"Pidgeo!" Serena and Ash looked up, one smiling the other in shock as the biggest Pidgeot either of them had ever seen tucked her wings in to fit through the tops of the trees, and came to land with a heavy thud in front of them. Pikachu squealed happily and bounded over to the giant Bird Pokemon, and hopped on her back.

"Good to see you, girl," Ash smiled at his old friend.

She cooed and hopped closer, leaning down to rubber her head against his face. The welcomed show of affection almost made Ash forget about his shoulder until the bird caught a whiff of it herself, and growled down deep in her chest.

"Yeah, another old pal of ours paid us a visit," Ash sighed, and smiled at Pidgeot, "But you've been making him behave, haven't you?"

"Geo," she cooed.

To Serena, the Pidgeot in front of her was far more frightening than the giant Fearow had been. Fearow had been much larger than the average member of its species, and bigger than some Pidgeot. But the Pidgeot sitting in front of her and affectionately rubbing cheeks with her boyfriend was a true giant. She looked like she could carry five people on her back, easily, and still not be weighed down.

"Serena?" Ash called out, snapping her out of her daze, "I think we've found our ride to Pallet."

"Uh...huh..." she nodded slowly, but then a thought occurred, "What about Fearow, though?"

Ash smiled as Pidgeot growled, "You leave him to us."

ガラル

Fearow was not in the best of moods.

The Beak Pokemon had all but taken over the Northern part of the Viridian Forest since it had evolved, and even the human-loving Pidgeot and her flock had to be wary of him now. But then the rock-throwing human and his Pikachu had come back again, and he had tried to take them.

But the rock-throwing human's human-loving Pokemon had stopped him from taking him up high enough to drop him. Then the Talonflame and human-loving Pidgeot had come and chased him away.

If he was going to take his revenge on the rock-throwing human, the he needed the rest of his flock -

"Flame Charge!"

The Fearow whipped around and saw the flaming Talonflame barreling right at him. A flap of his wings brought out of harm's way for the moment, however, -

"Now use Boomburst!" Another shout from above, and the Fearow was assaulted by a powerful shockwave of sound, blasting it toward the ground. "Noivern, get in close and let Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"

Fearow balked, and looked up to where the Dragon-type was speeding toward him with the human-loving Pikachu on its back. Pikachu unleashed his Thunderbolt at the Fearow, nearly hitting him, and driving him right into the path of the Talonflame. "Spinning Steel Wing!" Ash yelled. Right away, giving the Fearow no time to dodge, Talonflame spun, his wings glowing with power, and slammed right into him. "Dragon Claw!"

Noivern's green-hued claws raked across his back, and sent him spiraling toward the ground.

Meanwhile, Ash looked over his shoulder, "Serena, hand me a Fast Ball, please?"

Serena was barely able to do as he asked as doing so meant releasing the hold she had on his middle. But managed, and handed him the desired Ball. "Be careful."

Ash smiled over his shoulder at her and nodded, "Okay, Pidgeot, get after it!" Pidgeot screeched and dove down. Serena squealed and clutched hold of Ash as they whistled down after the Fearow.

Ash, being right handed, drew back with his bad shoulder. The wound gave a sharp jab of pain, forcing the Ball out of his hand, and almost spiraling out of his reach. Serena, keeping her eyes just barely open, snatched the Ball before it was out of reach and threw it herself.

The Ball spun after the Fearow, and struck it smack in the middle in the back, and drew him in. Talonflame was right behind it as he heard the soft PING of the Ball as the Fearow was captured. He swooped in and grabbed it in his claws.

Pulling out of her dive, Pidgeot leveled off and coasted over the tops of the trees as Talonflame flew beside them, and dropped the Ball into Ash's outstretched hand. "Good work, everyone," Ash smiled, and looked back at Serena. He then dropped the Ball over his shoulder. "Here."

Serena yelped as she fumbled with the Poke Ball, "B-bu-but I - "

"You caught it," Ash smiled at her, "I nearly lost him again, but you managed to catch him." He said, "Fearow's all yours."

Serena chuckled nervously, "I'm...not sure how I feel about this..."

ガラル

Author's Note: Yeah, that little Riolu is the very same one that Ash has in the Journeys anime. Also, I know that it was a lot friendlier than it was in the anime, but that's more an effect of the Ball he was captured in. A Friend Ball makes the Pokemon friendlier toward the trainer. Also, Pidgeot is back, and Serena has a new...problem :p Any way, if you wanna know what happens next, then ya know what to do!

Adios Amigos!