Goodbye Spearow

"Cooo!" A Pidgeot swooped from the sky and settled upon it's nest for the night while being unaware that it was being watched.

"With each full moon I find myself feeling stronger!" The shadowy figure's red eyes shined through the darkness of the forest, settling them upon Pidgeot as a small black blob oozed out of his hand. "I wonder if this time my trial will be a success? For years I've been attempting to recreate Shadow Pokemon but each success ends in constant failure!" A smirk crossed his face as images of Brendan, Lucas, Calem, Victor and Hilbert quickly flashed before him.

"But it did help usher in a new era of depression, all those trainers crushed or falling into insanity on account of the change to the age limit! I know you find those emotions so delicious, master. In fact I got just the right victim in mind to increase that emotion, that Ketchum kid has avoided my traps for far too long and proven himself a nuisance as wherever he and his friends go they bring cheers and other disgustingly bright emotions with them! He's befriended quite a few of the Gym Leaders and also became acquainted with the Elite Four, taking him out will bring back the darkness surrounding those places and increase it tenfold as no doubt they'll think about increasing the age yet again once they find his body!" The figure flung the blob through the air, pelting Pidgeot with it and the bird began to stir awake shortly after. It's eyes shot a bloodshot red while it's feathers began turning a bright purple and black while it's feathery mane turned to a fiery red and almost appeared to be on fire!

"Pidgeot!"

"Pidgeot my friend," The shadowy figure approached Pidgeot as he reached into his pocket, withdrawing a picture. "This is Ash Ketchum, you must eliminate him for me. Do what you want with his friends, I don't care if they live or die. All that matters is that he falls!"

"Coooo!" Pidgeot's cry sounded demonic as he took to the skies and as he flew, he was soon joined by an army of various Flying types as Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Murkrow, Hoothoot and Noctowl flew behind him. The shadowy figure looked up with a sinister smirk. His previous attempts ended poorly as the forms were much weaker and winded up fading away due to the immense guilt that eliminating those young trainers brought upon them, reverting the Pokemon to normal before they made a hasty retreat! Pidgeot seemed to improve in strength and with his flock in tow, no doubt Pidgeot would be a welcome addition to his master's army!

"Alright Nidorino and Grovyle, you did great work today! Kabutops it's great to have seen you in action as well!" Ash grinned at his Pokemon partners. Nidorino and Grovyle let out cries of appreciation while Kabutops merely clashed his scythes together in acknowledgement. Beedrill hovered behind Ash, his gaze fixated upon Spearow who he was assigned to spare with but the stubborn bird wouldn't budge!

"Beee!" Beedrill's eyes twitched before he decided to lash out with his stingers in the hopes of forcing Spearow to fight only for the sparrow to merely flap his wings before flying away from him!

"Spearow!"

"Bee!" Beedrill frustratingly shouted while waving a stinger after him before hanging his head upon realizing he was without a partner. "Bee..."

"Don't feel bad Beedrill, Kabutops is finished training for the day so I'm sure that Pikachu won't mind helping you out! Right buddy?!"

"Pika pika!"

"Bee!" Beedrill flashed Ash a look of gratitude before directing his attention towards the nearby trees. Spearow's head turned before the bird quickly hid within the shrubbery of the tree and just in time too as Pidgeot came swooping down upon the camp while uttering a demonic cry!

"Coooo!"

"W-What the heck is that?!" Ash shouted out as he took a dive to the ground to avoid Pidgeot's talons.

"Pika pika?!" Pikachu yanked out the Rotom Phone and scanned the bird for Ash.

"Pidgeot the Bird Pokemon, this Pokemon flies at Mach 2 speed seeking prey. Its large talons are feared as wicked weapons!"

"That is not Pidgeot!" Ash quickly retorted although some part of him knew that he was wrong!

"Cooo!" Pidgeot's body glowed bright orange as he swooped towards the two of them, preparing to strike with Brave Bird!

"Tops!"

"Gro!" Grovyle and Kabutops leaped protectively in front of their trainer before crying out as they quickly found themselves being assaulted upon by Pidgeot's friends! Although they didn't seem to share Pidgeot's shadowy nature, their eyes were glowing red almost as if Pidgeot was forcing them to fight against their will!

"Bee!" As Grovyle and Kabutops were dragged to the ground, Beedrill selflessly took the hit for Ash and Pikachu! The bee Pokemon hit the ground hard afterwards and came to an immediate collapse as swirls filled his eyes!

"Beedrill return!" Ash quickly returned Beedrill to his Pokeball before noticing that Beedrill had just happened to hit the tree Spearow was hiding in! The sparrow Pokemon dropped from the branches and landed on his side, his wing twitched as he prepared to take off but much to his annoyance he found it wouldn't budge!

"S-Spearow?!" Spearow's eyes widened, his body filled with fear as Pidgeot's demonic eyes landed upon him!

"Cooo!"

"S-Spearow!" Spearow began hopping away in an attempt to get away as Pidgeot swooped towards him!

"Pikachu use Thun-"

"Ash what's going-Aaah!" Chloe screamed as she and Brock came into view, Pidgeot's minions immediately assaulting them so they wouldn't interfere!

"Chloe! Brock!" Ash panicked. "Alright Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on Pidgeot's friends! I've got Spearow!" Kabutops and Nidorino were still fighting and fending the other birds off from the now defeated Grovyle so Ash had no choice but to race in there and grab Spearow himself!

"S-Spearow?!" Spearow cried in shock while giving his trainer a surprised expression. He certainly wasn't expecting him to come rushing in to scoop him up! Ash gave Spearow a light smile as he began to bolt for it, hoping to find Spearow some place safe to hide however Pidgeot was far faster than Ash and the boy would soon feel sharp talons digging into his back!

"Ah!" Ash painfully shouted. Spearow continued staring up at him with shock while a worried and guilt ridden look began forming across his face. Here Ash was risking his own life and putting himself in harms way to save Spearow even though Spearow had always done the complete opposite of that, choosing to save his own life rather than protect that of his trainer! Spearow lowered his head as he began feeling awful.

"Spearow..."

Ash soon slid into a small tunnel formed within a nearby rock formation and Pidgeot comedically smacked against it before sliding down as if he were a bird that struck a clear window, having been so focused upon his prey that he wasn't paying attention to where he was going!

Ash let out a pained groan as he felt his back, Pidgeot had drawn a bit of blood but it wasn't nothing to be concerned about as the cuts didn't go that deep. "Y-You should be safe here, you okay Spearow?"

"S-Spearow..." Spearow gazed up at Ash, his eyes watery as tears began flowing out of them! "Spearow, Spearow!" Spearow cried out while placing his good wing around Ash's leg.

Ash had no way of knowing what exactly Spearow was saying but he had a feeling that Spearow was apologizing for his behavior. "Don't worry about it Spearow, I'm just glad that you're safe." His gaze lowered towards Spearow's wing before realizing the sparrow had a small vine wrapped around that had kept the wing locked in place, it must have happened as he fell from the tree! Ash quickly snapped it off and Spearow's wing began to twitch, the sparrow eyed his wing and began flapping it about before giving Ash a look of gratitude.

"Spearow!"

"Don't mention it, now how about we get out there and help the others out?" Ash flashed his usual smile and Spearow was quick to give one of his own before the two of them raced out out of the tunnel, they were expecting to see Pidgeot waiting for them but instead Kabutops could be seen laying unconscious before them. Apparently the prehistoric Pokemon had come to offer his assistance only to wind up falling to Pidgeot!

"Return Kabutops," Ash shot a quick look around before returning Grovyle and Nidorino as the Poison type had fallen as well! Brock and his team could be seen locked in combat with a fierce some group of Pigeotto and Spearow quickly swooped towards them to offer his assistance.

"Croa?" Croagunk turned with a surprised expression as he saw Spearow coming to help them!

"Spear...row!" Spearow's body began spinning like a drill as he soared through the air, soon striking against the Pidgeotto duo and knocking them right out of the sky!

"Cooo!" The Pidgeotto cried as they hit against the ground, the red disappearing from their eyes as they came to a collapse.

"Spearow!" Spearow threw back his head and cried out before a blue light engulfed his body, his tiny frame began to grow with his wingspan following. Spearow began shedding his black and red feathers as his long body was soon primarily covered in light brown feathers with tan feathers growing from the tip of his wings! Red spiked feathers formed at the top of his head, almost resembling a mohawk as the light faded to reveal the newly evolved form of Fearow!

"Fearow!" Fearow cried out while spreading his wingspan, the downed Pidgeotto weakly gazed towards him with a look of respect while Ash let out a shout.

"Alright Fearow, way to go!"

"Fearow!"

"Fearow the Beak Pokemon, it's huge and magnificent wings can keep it aloft in the sky. It can remain flying a whole day without landing!"

"Chuuu!" The sound of a wave crashing could be heard nearby along with the sound of rapid explosions as objects struck the ground, no doubt Pikachu and Eevee were using their signature moves!

"Where's Chloe?" Ash quickly turned to Brock.

"I-Is she not with you? She told me she was going to look for you!" Brock panicked as he looked around, worried for their companion.

"And Pidgeot's not here... oh no!" Ash's eyes filled with terror before racing off in the direction of the attacks, Fearow swiftly flew after him while Brock returned Vulpix and Cubone before following with Croagunk hot on his heels!

"Cooo!" Pidgeot grabbed onto the back of Chloe's jacket as she came into view of Ash and Brock.

"A-Aaah!" Chloe screamed out as Pidgeot began lifting her off the ground!

"Pika pi!" Pikachu's cheeks began to spark before he canceled the attack as he didn't want to risk harming Chloe!

"Eevoi!" Eevee raced forward and leaped up to grab Chloe only to find herself falling short of reach! "E-Eevoi!"

"Eevee, take Togepi!" Chloe dropped Togepi down to Eevee as to keep the baby out of danger. Eevee leaped up once more and caught Togepi whom waved his arms and cheered out as if to say 'again, again!' completely oblivious to the danger! Ash shot forward and sprang up to grab Chloe's hand only for his hand to brush right past hers as Pidgeot took off into the air, a few Flying types followed after him though it was clear that Ash and his friends had taken care of a good amount of them! The rainbow feather fell loose from Chloe's hair and fell towards the ground before landing in Ash's palm, Ash closed his fist as he stared after Pidgeot with a frustrated expression.

"Dang it, things would have been a lot different if I had Charizard with me!" He had sent Charizard and Larvitar to Oak's earlier that day as he felt he was being unfair to the other Pokemon having them around all the time, Larvitar had grown enough that he was comfortable leaving Ash's side for a few days but it was some luck that Charizard happened to be gone the same day a powerful Flying opponent striked!

"Well we can't afford to head back, there's no telling what kind of danger Chloe's in!" Brock exclaimed. He definitely had a point as the last Pokemon Center was two miles behind them with Pidgeot going in the opposite direction! It's home was somewhere within the forest and they needed to find it before something happened to Chloe! Ash began to panic as his thoughts couldn't help but drift towards what would happen if Pidgeot did eliminate her! He quickly shook his head as he refused to even think about it, unsure if he could even live in such a world!

"But Fearow's our only Flying type and Pidgeot's too strong for him to handle alone, how are we going to beat Pidgeot?!" Ash anxiously shouted, acting nothing like his usual self and Brock couldn't blame him as Chloe was in danger. Brock could tell that Ash was in love with Chloe even if Ash himself didn't realize that just yet!

"We'll think of something Ash," Brock placed his hands upon Ash's shoulders and gave off a look full of support. "You just need to keep a calm and cool head, we'll think of something if we work together! Besides we still have the other Pokemon, they can help us somehow we just need to apply some medicin-" Brock felt his bag only to feel a tear where the potions and other medicine was stored up. He quickly scanned the field and saw the bottles smashed and squished with the liquid pouring out of them! Ash felt his own bag before looking across the field where various objects of his including the potions he stored laid spread across the field, with the medicine completely ruined! "Oh."

Ash frowned before noticing a rainbow glow in his hand, he tilted his head before opening it up to reveal the rainbow wing which was shining as brightly as Ho-oh had been! The feather's glow began intensifying, temporarily blinding them as a rainbow colored barrier of light shot from the wing and engulfed the entire radius of the field! Ash opened his eyes and slowly took notice of what was happening and oddly felt as if his injuries were completely cured but that was impossible, right?! Ash reached for his back and felt his cut only to realize it was gone!

Similarly around them, a cut present on Brock's cheek faded while Pikachu, Eevee and Croagunk were restored to full strength! Though that also applied to the various bird Pokemon that laid scattered around the group! The group tensed up as the Flying types began rising shortly after the mysterious light faded away, the birds all turned to look at Ash and the group all got into a combat stance as they were certain they were about to be attacked! Fearow however swooped between both groups and uttered out a loud caw!

"Fearow! Fearow row, Fearow fear!" Fearow cried to the other Flying types. "Fearow row row!"

"Cooo!" The Pidgeotto cried out before some of the other Flying types cried alongside them, some remained silent for a bit before eventually releasing a cry of their own.

Fearow then turned to Ash and gave a respectful nod. "Fearow row!"

"W-What's going on, Fearow?"

"Pika pi!" Pikachu began gesturing with his paws before stretching out his face to resemble Fearow. "Pika pika, Pikachu pika pika!"

"You're saying those Flying types just accepted Fearow as their leader?!"

"Fearow!" Fearow flashed Ash a smirk as he guessed correctly!

"Well I guess that makes sense considering he was the leader of a Spearow flock back when we met, being a leader must come naturally to him." Ash theorized before giving a quick bow. "Thank you everyone, we really appreciate the help!"

"Coooo!"

"Murkrow!"

"Hooot!" The various Flying types cried out.

"Now do any of you know where Pidgeot lives?!"

"Coo!" One of the Pidgeotto that Fearow had bested stood up and gave a nod of acknowledgement before taking off into the air. "Coooo!" He cried as he soared through the air as if to say 'Follow me!'.

"Alright, let's go save Chloe!"

"Pikachu!"

"Croagunk."

"Eevoi!"

"Fear!"

Chloe cast a frightened look towards the ground below as Pidgeot dropped her atop a tree, apparently Pidgeot's quill was not with her as he didn't let her fall to her doom nor try and eat her like she initially feared! It was almost as if she were bait but why and for who?! It didn't take her long to figure it out as her eyes soon shot wide open!

"Oh no, Ash!" She shook as she looked down. It was a long way to the branch below and with Sakura out of commission, she had no way to safely lower herself as Brock was the only one to travel around with rope! He seemed to have something that came in handy for every situation oddly enough.

Pidgeot's gaze wasn't even fixated on her at all as his eyes scanned the ground below as if he expected to see Ash coming and sure enough, the familiar sight of Ash's hat and jacket came into view with Pikachu, Eevee and Croagunk walking alongside him! Pidgeot flashed a demonic smirk before screeching out to summon his remaining followers whom swiftly descended towards the ground below!

"Hey Pidgeot, you looking for me?"

"Cooo?!" Pidgeot swiftly turned his head to see Ash riding atop of Fearow, the duo right behind him! Pidgeot then shot his attention back to the ground and squinted before making out the distinct shape of Brock who was wearing Ash's jacket and hat!

"Fearow told me that his friends were targeting me specifically so Brock offered to provide a distraction so that we could get out all by yourself!"

"Krow!"

"Hooot!" Murkrow and Hoothoot descended from branches behind Ash, ready to strike him before Fearow's newly obtained allies came swooping in to fend them off!

Pidgeot gave a look of surprise before growling out. "Cooo!"

"Tri Attack!"

"Fear!" Fearow opened his beak and blasted Pidgeot with fire before swiftly firing out a beam of ice, followed by a small electrical blast that landed while Pidgeot was still soaked from the ice!

"C-Coooo!" Pidgeot cried out from shock before shaking himself off, his hate filled eyes landed upon the newly evolved bird before opening his own beak as he fired off a familiar orange-yellow energy beam!

"Hyper Beam, Fearow dive!"

"Row!" Ash held on tight as Fearow dived out of Pidgeot's firing range resulting in the attack exploding against a nearby tree trunk!

"Alright, Pidgeot's left vulnerable!"

"What?!" The shadowy figured watched safely from the shadows, his fiery eyes narrowed as he eyed Pidgeot's chest. "He's tired! Shadow Pokemon bypass that drawback so that shouldn't be possible unless... the transformation's still not a complete success!"

"Use Drill Peck right on his wing!" Ash was pretty certain the fall wouldn't be lethal as he'd seen Pokemon fall from heights much higher than that and survive! Ash held tightly onto Fearow's back once more as the Flying type began rapidly spinning like a drill before thrusting his beak into Pidgeot's right wing!

"C-Coooo!" Pidgeot grunted before falling forward, gravity winning over him as his wing went limp! Pidgeot rapidly descended towards the ground before a loud and rather heavy thud could be heard as he slammed face first against the dirt!

"Ash!" Chloe frightfully cried out as she felt her grip on the branch slipping.

"Fearow!" Ash called out, the Flying type swiftly took action and swooped towards Chloe allowing for her to hop onto his back as Ash helped her on! Ash soon felt a rather warm feeling flowing through him as Chloe wrapped her arms around him, her head leaned against the back of his own as she lightly shivered.

"I-I was so scared, I-I thought that I was going to fall!"

"Well you're safe now, Chloe!" Ash flashed her his familiar smile resulting in Chloe faintly blushing as Fearow descended towards the ground where Brock and the others were waiting. The group's eyes were all fixated upon the downed Pidgeot part from Eevee and Togepi who rushed towards Chloe as she hopped off Fearow's back!

"Eevoi!"

"Togepriii!" Chloe let out a light laugh as the two leaped into her arms.

"I'm glad to see you too!"

Ash smiled at the sight before quickly turning his attention to Pidgeot as he approached to investigate, the rainbow wing began to glow within his pocket before a rainbow aura surrounded Pidgeot, a dark purple blob began melting off of Pidgeot before evaporating as the bird returned to it's normal state!

"I-I have no idea what happened here but I suppose we should catch him so the Professors can look into this," Ash enlarged a Pokeball before tossing it at Pidgeot, it didn't sink in at first but as the ball eventually chimed out and teleported away he couldn't help but shout out. "Oh that's right, Pidgeot their leader!" He quickly turned to apologize but the Flying types didn't appear the least bit bothered by it, it appeared that Pidgeot being turned feral or whatever the word for this was had scared his flock off and they turned to a new leader, finding a new one in Fearow!

Fearow gave Ash a saddened look as the other Flying types eyed him with respect and looked to him for leadership! "Fearow..."

"Fearow... you knew all along, didn't you?" Ash spoke as his voice began to crack. Although Fearow and him hadn't gotten along until that day it still hurt as the thought of never seeing each other again began sinking in. Fearow swiftly nodded as tears began to flow from his own eyes, he had seen no alternative to saving Chloe other than stepping up to fulfill Pidgeot's role as the flocks leader, he knew that it meant losing Ash right as the two finally formed a friendship but throughout the journey he could see how much Ash and Chloe meant to each other thus he decided to make a necessary sacrifice, his friendship and partnership with Ash in exchange for Ash getting to live a long happy life with Chloe! He had been a complete jerk to Ash throughout the time he knew him and he hoped this action would resolve him of his sins!

"Oh Fearow, I'll miss you!" Ash tearfully hugged Fearow.

"Fearow!" Fearow cried as he wrapped a wing around Ash.

"P-Pikachu..." Pikachu sniffed.

"Eevoi..." Eevee cried.

"I had a feeling that the two of them would get along someday but I certainly wasn't expecting this." Brock frowned.

Chloe soon approached and gave Fearow a hug of her own upon Ash pulling away. "Thank you Fearow, I know you weren't easy to get along with but I had a feeling that there was some good in you all along!"

"Fearow..." Fearow placed his wing around her as he returned the hug. Day light was soon approaching and the other Flying types all uttered a series of yawns as they were exhausted from fighting throughout the night! Fearow gave them a look of concern before looking towards Ash once more.

"It's okay Fearow, take them home." Fearow gave Ash a respectful nod before stretching out his wings as he took to the sky.

"Fearow!"

"Cooo!"

"Krow!"

"Hooot!" The various Flying types took off after their leader while Ash and his friends waved after Fearow as he flew off towards the rising sun.

"Good luck Fearow and don't worry, we'll win the Indigo League in your memory!"

"Pi Pikachu!" The two called after him. Fearow turned around and cawed out in acknowledgement before disappearing over the treetops!

"You sure you kids weren't just having a nightmare?" Professor Cerise asked as he scanned Pidgeot with some lab equipment. "According to the readings here this Pidgeot is in complete perfect health with nothing peculiar about it!" Ash really didn't want to explain what happened to Chloe's dad but they really didn't have a choice as Professor Oak had been called away. Cerise was notably upset and had been shouting for what felt like hours while uttering the occasional swear, unaware that Chloe hit 'mute' until he calmed down. The rainbow wing was also back and fitted safely within Chloe's hair now that everything had calmed down!

"We know what we saw, Fearow's left for a good reason!" Ash shouted defensively.

"Okay okay, I believe you!" Cerise held up his hands. "It just sounds like a Ghost Pokemon could have been messing with your heads but if you all genuinely believe you saw what you think you saw, then I believe you too." Cerise smiled lightly before looking towards the machine. "Speaking of which, you're now in Celadon City am I correct?"

"That we are, if you wouldn't mind can you send over Charizard? I need him for the Gym battle!"

"Of course, good luck with that Gym battle! I'd like to request Pidgeot stay here a bit longer though just in case something turns up."

"Larvitar!" Larvitar poked his head up from behind the desk, eagerly waving his hands as he cast a longing expression towards Ash and Chloe.

"And Larvitar too please!" Ash chuckled.

And so ends Fearow's story but as one story ends another begins as Pidgeot joins the cast! :)