Welcome back!
Here's an early Christmas present just for you! I spent my Thanksgiving Break writing!
Part 2
In the dark of the early morning, Phoenix stares absentmindedly out his bedroom window. He watches as a sliver of orange slices the horizon. As a boy, he had slept peacefully night after night. His mother had told him every morning that he was just like his father; so difficult to wake. However, after tragedy struck, Phoenix could only manage to sleep five or six hours per night on average. His dreams were filled with beauty and horror rotating between treasured memories and the scalding hot fire that melted that world away.
At the sight of the rising sun, Phoenix sits up slowly and pulls his legs over the side of the bed. His eyes wander around the room. It is a plain room with light blue walls and a dark blue bed. There is a small desk and a dresser to keep his things. After losing all of his worldly possessions at the ripe age of nine, he had decided that material things were unimportant and would slow him down. His only valued items are the laptop on his desk he has used for schoolwork and miscellaneous browsing and his cell phone charging on his night stand.
The room is void of anything personable other than a bulletin board nailed to the wall above his bed. The pictures tacked to the board provide the only vibrant color in the room. While the board was once orderly and neat, every inch had since been covered in more photographs than it was meant to hold.
Phoenix turns to peer at the bulletin board, trying to commit every picture to his memory.
"Screw it." Phoenix shakes his head and reaches out to the board.
His fingers trace the memories as he searches for a specific picture. He gazes over pictures of his parents and their friends when they were young. There are pictures of himself and River when they were babies. There are wedding photos of his parents. It really is a smorgasbord of memories.
He pauses when his thumb graces the last photo taken of his family altogether. It was on Christmas day when Mr. Mime offered to capture the photo of him with his parents, sister, grandmother and Raichu sitting on the couch after opening all of their presents. His nine-year-old self sits between his parents holding a stuffed Pikachu toy that he had recently unwrapped. Ash and Misty lean close to each other behind Phoenix. River sits in Misty's lap. Delia sits next to Misty, while Raichu sits next to Ash. The Ketchum family photo looks like a perfect family off of some sitcom that only has to worry about small problems like missing hair brushes and burning the Thanksgiving meal.
Phoenix's lips twitch upwards to form a sincere, yet sad, smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. The sparkle of happiness that shines in his cerulean eyes in the picture is a distant memory. He stands up from the bed and walks over to his backpack. He stuffs the photo into the side pocket and then flings it onto the bed so he can dress himself. On his chair rests a new outfit that his gran had gone out to buy him when he told her his plans two days ago.
He picks up a black shirt and pulls it over his bare body. Then he slips on the brand new jeans and buttons them. He uses a Pokeball belt to tighten the clothing to his body. He reaches to pick up the next article and holds it out in front of himself to look at it closely. It is a red lined blue jacket hoodie with his surname embroidered to the left side of the chest. It looks warm yet light. His eyebrow turns up at the sight of his name there so easily noticeable.
Phoenix sighs and slips the jacket on over his arms. He knows that it is a special gift from his gran and he doesn't want to upset her.
After tying up his new tennis shoes, he grabs his backpack again and flings it over his shoulder. Next, he picks up the Pokeball that sits on his nightstand at night and releases Charvo.
"Char!" the orange lizard grunts and stretches.
"Are you ready for our journey?" Phoenix asks hesitantly.
Charvo looks up at Phoenix with a reassuring smile and raises a thumb. "Char char!"
"You're right, buddy. We got this." Phoenix fist bumps Charvo and chuckles lightly. "Besides, my dad was ten when he started his journey and it turned out alright for him."
Phoenix and Charvo take a last look at the room and head downstairs. In the kitchen, they find his gran, Delia Ketchum, drinking her early morning tea with her friend Mr. Mime.
"Oh Phoenix," she smiles as he strides through the kitchen to find a breakfast bar in the pantry, "I know you're an early riser, but I didn't expect you to be ready to go quite this early."
"Gran, you know that I don't sleep well." Phoenix states with a shrug. He pulls out a chair and sits next to Delia.
"I know, Phoen." She smiles warmly at him. "It's just that sometimes you remind me so much of your father, and sometimes… you really don't. On the first day of his Pokemon journey, he slept so late that he didn't even have the choice between Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur."
"I know that story, gran. Mom told it every year on my birthday." Phoenix tries to shrug off the topic. Today is about moving forward.
"Well, then you know that because of that your father was given a Pikachu." Delia continues while Phoenix sighs inwardly.
However, Delia's next words ring through Phoenix's ears as would a beautiful poem.
"You may not have slept in this morning like your father did on his first day, but you've been sleeping for the last seven years. It's time to wake up, Phoenix. There is a whole wide world waiting for you."
Phoenix does not respond. He simply takes the words to heart. What has he been missing by staying home and not going out on a quest to achieve the dream of every ten-year-old trainer?
"I'm ready, gran." Phoenix tells her simply.
"Charmeleon!" Charvo chirps in agreement.
"I was hoping you would say that." Delia smiles at her grandson and then hugs him tightly. Then she pats Charvo on the head and thanks him for helping Phoenix.
"I am going to go stop at the lab and then head out towards Viridian." Phoenix says as he stands up from the table.
"Now, hold on." Delia stands up and motions him to stay where he is. "I have something for you."
Phoenix pauses as he was told. He looks down at Charvo who tries to wait patiently with him. The lizard has groan more restless since his evolution.
Delia returns moments later carrying a shoebox.
"When your parents were first married, they lived here while they had their house built. There are a few boxes of their stuff left up in the attic. I thought maybe you would like to have that." Delia hands it to Phoenix and motions for him to open it up. She watches as Phoenix pulls out a worn red and white cap.
"This looks just like the hat dad always wore," Phoenix says in awe while observing the cap.
"It is," Delia tells him while grinning, "well, it isn't the one that he wore when you were a kid because he had a replica then, but this is his original league hat. He wore it on his first journeys across Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto. He wore it when he won the Master Championship League. He even wore it on his first day when he met your mother, and she wore it for a while when your father was fighting Team Rocket."
"Wow," Phoenix feels the weight of the importance of this item to his family, "thanks gran."
"Of course," she places a hand on his cheek and smiles bittersweetly, "it isn't meant to sit in storage. This hat needs a new adventure."
Phoenix hugs his grandmother tightly and promises to call often. With the advancement of technology it would be easy to call his gran on his cell phone.
With a tearful goodbye, Phoenix Ketchum and his trusty Charmeleon exit the Ketchum household. Phoenix pauses on the doormat outside. The first steps have already been taken. Every step forward will become easier as he goes.
He looks down at Charvo and flashes a reassuring smile. Charvo runs ahead, challenging Phoenix to a race. Phoenix looks on in confusion, but catches on quickly. He darts forward after his friend up the hill towards the Oak Pokemon Research lab.
When they arrive at the automatic doors, the two need to stop and rest before they can speak. Phoenix hunches over and holds onto his knees to catch his breath.
"Well if it isn't Mr. Ketchum," a man's voice sounds from inside the lab, "I was wondering when you would come around."
"Professor Oak!" Phoenix finally exclaims, running into the lab with Charvo on his heel.
Inside stands a middle aged man around forty. He wears a lab coat over a black collared shirt and dark gray khaki pants. His brown hair is spiked in different directions.
"Hey champ," the man grins at the teen, "I told you that you can still call me Uncle Gary."
"Yeah, well, being a professor is cooler than being an uncle." Phoenix argues jokingly.
"Alright, alright, just don't confuse gramps," Gary laughs, but regains a professional look, "anyway, Phoenix, what do you need?"
"I've decided to finally start my Pokemon journey." Phoenix shares with a determined expression.
Gary looks at him with surprise, "hey, that's great, Phoenix!"
"So, I need a Pokedex function installed on my phone," Phoenix states, handing his phone to Gary.
"No problem," Gary brings it over to a machine and inserts a cord into the port.
"Thanks, Professor!" Phoenix follows Gary as he prepares the phone.
Gary chuckles to himself and turns to Phoenix, "you know, Quinny has been on the road battling and participating in contests for four years now. If you run into her tell her to call her dad more often, alright?"
Phoenix laughs at Gary's joke knowing his younger friend, Quinn Oak, has been a rebel since birth. He hasn't seen the girl since she had saluted him jokingly on the day she started her Pokemon journey and then she left and hasn't contacted him since. He didn't take it personally, though. He knew that his father and Gary had been friends as children and then rivals when it came to Pokemon. However, they eventually rekindled their strong friendship when Gary decided to become a researcher rather than a master trainer.
"I doubt she would listen to me, anyway," Phoenix shrugs and laughs.
"Good point," Gary agrees good naturedly, and then hands Phoenix his phone back, "here you go, all set up. It will now function as a Pokedex as well using the Dexter App."
"Thanks, Uncle Gary," Phoenix chuckles and elbows Gary in the ribs lightly.
"There's my godson," Gary laughs and ruffles Phoenix's auburn hair, "man, you look like your parents."
Phoenix smiles sadly at the comment, not really wanting to talk about it.
"I'm sorry, but with that hat on, you are the perfect blend of Ash and Misty Ketchum. You have your mother's eyes and complexion. But you have Ash's cheeks and his nose. That swirly red mess you call hair is just as wild as your father's was."
Phoenix is surprised to find himself smiling by the end of Gary's rant. Usually, talk about his parents made him sad and frustrated. However, hearing about how similar he is to them makes him feel slightly closer to them.
"Thanks, Uncle Gary," Phoenix tells him sincerely.
"You should feel very close to them today," Gary points out while raising a hand to shake Phoenix's, "your parents would be so proud of you for starting your journey."
"I hope so," Phoenix half smiles and grips Gary's hand back.
"Call me anytime," Gary insists with a chuckle, "I'm only an Aerodactyl ride away!"
"Thanks again, Phoenix smiles, "I think I'm going to head out back to say goodbye to some of my dad's Pokemon."
After a brief goodbye, Phoenix and Charvo head out the back doors and into the lab reserve. Phoenix stretches and breathes in the fresh air of the countryside.
"Phoenix, my boy," a shaky voice calls from the side of the lab, "come over here for a moment."
Phoenix and Charvo turn to look at the elderly man sitting on a bench, drinking his morning tea.
"Professor Oak Sr.," Phoenix approaches and shakes the Professor's hand gently.
"Now," Professor Samuel Oak begins, "I have seen many young boys and girls come and go through this lab. I have given thousands of trainers their first Pokemon. But, your father was different. I didn't expect him to make it very far with a disobedient Pikachu and no know how. He was the underdog and he proved me wrong. And he continued to prove me wrong over and over. Now I know not to underestimate a Ketchum, so I know with all of my heart that you are going to prove me right."
Phoenix looks down at the kooky old man and grins. The man is a walking legend and the fact that he believes in Phoenix is enough to make his confidence soar.
"I won't let you down, Professor," Phoenix assures him.
"I know, Phoenix," Professor Oak Sr. grins cheekily at the boy and then points out over the fields where hundreds of Pokemon wave and cheer, "I called them all here when your mother told me you would be coming by."
Phoenix shakes his head at the old man and grins at the crowd of Pokemon that all belonged to his father.
"When you get your eighth badge, you can inherit them as long as they accept you as their new trainer." Professor Oak reveals.
"Are you serious?" Phoenix's mouth drops agape. He had grown up with these Pokemon and knew them all personally.
"These loyal Pokemon would follow Ash to the ends of the earth. I believe they would stand by his son's side in his absence," Professor Oak states simply, "go on to see them now."
Phoenix grins at Professor Oak Sr. And gives a quick goodbye. Then he turns back toward the field.
"Hey guys!" Phoenix shouts and begins to run to the crowd of Pokemon.
Among the hundreds present, he finds some of his father's most devout Pokemon: Ivysaur, Wartortle, Meganium, Typhlosion, Sceptile, Incineroar, Feraligatr, Staraptor, Unfezent, and many more who had been apart of Ash's journeys.
"HYYYYY!" a massive black and blue, winged dragon crashes to the ground on the outskirts of the crowd.
"FLYYYY!" a second dragon that is green and red circles around it in a fighting stance.
"Guys!" Phoenix shouts at Hydreigon and Flygon who are caught in an intense fight, "stop it!"
However, neither seem to notice the teen shouting at them.
"Charvo use a flamethrower to get their attention!" Phoenix orders and Charvo obliges.
The two fighting dragons are stunned at the outside source of attack and pause to look their way.
"I'm leaving on a quest and I wanted to say goodbye!" Phoenix shouts at them.
They two dragons look sheepishly at Phoenix and the rest of the Pokemon just watching in amusement.
"Hydreigon…" Hydreigon floats over to Phoenix with Flygon on his heel.
"Now, you two," Phoenix reprimands them, "you need to calm down. If you are going to play fight then you need to go somewhere where no one else will get hurt. Your attacks are intense."
The two dragons nod sheepishly and then grin at each other. They often find themselves in small spats that erupt into a huge fight. It is usually in good humor, but it can get rough sometimes.
"I will come back home to see you all soon!" Phoenix assures them.
The Pokemon before him cheer him on and encourage him. Phoenix closes his eyes for a moment and can almost feel his father cheering with his loyal Pokemon. Together, Phoenix and Ash's Pokemon are the remnants of the once great Pokemon Master.
When Phoenix opens his eyes again, he and Charvo wave goodbye and begin walking on a new path.
After thirty minutes of walking at a fair pace, Phoenix turns around and looks back to the lab which has become a mere speck in the distance.
"I suppose we are off the reserve at this point," Phoenix reasons as he looks around at the unfamiliar forest, "I don't think I've gone this far on this path before."
"Char Char," Charvo sniffs around trying to smell the new surroundings.
"I guess this is our life now," Phoenix shrugs as he and Charvo continue to walk along the path, "just us two walking on a path."
"Charmeleon, Char," Charvo gestures like he is fighting something.
"You want to battle already?" Phoenix asks, uncertain of his intentions.
Charvo punches the air again and then points at the Pokeballs on Phoenix's belt.
"Oh, you mean, I should capture more Pokemon of my own?" Phoenix asks after deciphering his friends message.
"Charmeleon!" Charvo chirps in approval.
"I suppose you're right. It can't be too hard. I just have to find some," Phoenix looks around the woods, but it seems pretty quiet.
"Mom always made fun of dad because he didn't catch any Pokemon until after he left Viridian City." Phoenix laughs at the memory of his mother poking fun at his dad. It already feels easier to think about them while out on the road. There is nothing to remind him of the pain that he's been in for seven years.
"Char Charmeleon?" Charvo asks nervously.
Phoenix looks down at his scaly orange friend and tries to figure out what he is asking.
"We're talking about my parents," Phoenix deducts, "and you're wondering about yours?"
Charvo nods, curiosity peaking.
"I don't really know much about your mother. I just know she lives in the Charicific Valley in the Johto Region. But your dad, he was a champion!" Phoenix emphasized dramatically, "He was HUGE. Like almost as tall as the trees when he stood up straight! He had scarring on his left side from some mission he and dad went on. I knew he would never hurt me, but I always felt so intimidated in his presence. He was one of my dad's most trustworthy friends. Probably his second in command after Raichu."
"Charmeleon, Char?" Charvo inquired.
Phoenix hesitates, not really knowing how to answer Charvo's question.
"No one knows what happened to him," Phoenix frowns in confusion as he thinks about the circumstances surrounding the fire that killed his family, "he was in my dad's party when the house caught fire, but no one has seen him since that day. Same story with mom and dad's other Pokemon that were in their parties. I'm afraid that they either suffered the same fate or ran away. It's something that I haven't really figured out myself."
The conversation dies as the two sons of champions continue mulling over the possibilities as they walk.
"Char," Charvo chirps quietly and points up into a nearby tree.
Phoenix's eyes follow where Charvo is pointing and he spots a little red and gray bird roosting on a tree branch. Its eyes lock onto Charvo and it soars down to the ground. It puffs its feathers up and flares its wings out trying to look bigger than it is.
"I've never seen this Pokemon around here before. The forest is usually filled with Pidgey and Spearow."
The little red bird hops closer to Charvo trying to threaten it.
Phoenix pulls out his phone and opens the Dexter app. He snaps a picture of the bird and it processes instantly.
"Fletchling: Despite the beauty of its lilting voice, it's merciless to intruders that enter its territory. It evolves into Fletchinder and then Talonflame." Dexter spews.
"Fletchling? It evolves into Talonflame. Dad caught one in Kalos. What's it doing here?" Phoenix wonders aloud as the little bird flaps its wings at Charvo.
"Charmeleon," Charvo states as it sweat drops at the sight of the tiny bird threatening him.
"He's got a fighting spirit! Let's capture it!" Phoenix takes a fighting stance which cues Charvo to follow.
"Charvo! Use metal claw!"
Charvo does not hesitate as it slashes the little bird Pokemon across the path.
"Fletch!" It screeches as it hits the ground.
The little bird pops back up quickly and soars at Charvo.
"Catch it!" Phoenix orders. Charvo catches Fletchling in its claws as it attempts to peck it. "Throw it!"
Charvo spins in a circle and then throws it against the closest tree.
"Oh no, is it alright?" Phoenix watches fearfully as the little bird doesn't get back up.
"Charmeleon!" Charvo motions for Phoenix to use a Pokeball.
"Right! Then we can get it to the Viridian City Pokemon Center!" Phoenix agrees as he pulls a Pokeball off his belt.
"I have to do this right," Phoenix says as he takes the brim of his hat and turns it around on his head. Then he winds up and throws the ball at the little Fletchling.
However, before the ball has a chance to make contact with the little Fletchling, a much larger bird interrupts its path and sends the ball flying across the clearing. The bird is a beautiful white and tan color with a long, colorful, decorative feather that rests down its back.
"PIDGEOT!" It screeches as it holds its wings out to a ten foot wingspan. It is a much more intimidating display than the Fletchling's was.
"A Pidgeot?" Phoenix steps back, fearing for himself and Charvo. They are a strong team, but a full grown Pidgeot would be more than a challenge.
The bird steps forward and screeches.
"I know my limits," Phoenix exclaims to the bird, "I surrender."
The giant bird eyes the teen and lowers its wings partially. Above them, Phoenix watches a tremendous flock of Pidgey circling above. From the middle of it, a larger gray and red bird soars downward and lands in between Phoenix and the Pidgeot.
"Talonflame?" Phoenix asks while looking closer at the familiar Pokemon.
Talonflame uses its wing to motion to Phoenix and then chirps furiously at Pidgeot.
"Pidgeot?" The majestic bird peers around Talonflame to give Phoenix a skeptical once over.
"Talon Talon!" Talonflame uses its wing to pull Phoenix closer to Pidgeot. He is positive at this point that the Talonflame is his father's Pokemon.
Talonflame nuzzles Pidgeot's ruffled feathers and the bird completely drops its defense.
The two enter a new discussion as Phoenix and Charvo watch in wonder and confusion
"Fletchling?" the once fainted little bird now chirps as it looks up between the two fully evolved Pokemon.
Pidgeot looks down at the little Fletchling who is once again ruffling its feathers and spreading its wings. It wants to be big and strong like Pidgeot and Talonflame.
"Is that your baby?" Phoenix asks the pair, "I didn't know you were roaming this far from the reserve, Talonflame."
The fire bird chirps in response and motions to Pidgeot.
"I don't understand," Phoenix frowns as the the two chatter away. He deducts that Talonflame is a female and she has taken Pidgeot as her mate.
Talonflame contemplates for a moment and then has an idea. She wacks the hat off of Phoenix's head and grabs it with her beak.
"Hey, that's my dad's!" Phoenix yells in annoyance.
Talonflame pays no mind as she stretches upwards and places the hat atop Pidgeot's head. The large bird raises a wing to feel the fabric of the important hat the rests on his head.
"Are you saying," Phoenix looks carefully at the Pidgeot, "that Pidgeot was my father's Pokemon?"
Pidgeot grabs the hat by the brim and holds it in front of himself. Phoenix can see that memories flash through his mind.
"Pidgeot," it finally nods and hands the hat back to Phoenix.
"I think I remember you," Phoenix racks his brain for the right memory, "you stopped to greet us by the river one day, didn't you? Dad said he had to let you go."
Pidgeot stands up straight again, extends his wings, and caws loudly. The flock of Pidgey and Pidgeotto above them disperse into the trees.
"You're their leader?" Phoenix asks and Pidgeot nods, "you left my dad to be the leader?"
Pidgeot caws again.
"It's so awesome to meet you." Phoenix smiles a bright Ketchum smile that catches Pidgeot off guard. Pidgeot can see it now. "I won't bother you anymore. I'll catch a Rattata or something!"
Pidgeot looks at the teen thoughtfully and then back at Fletchling.
"Pidgeot!" Pidgeot uses a wing to push Fletchling forward.
"Talonflame?" Talonflame questions Pidgeot's actions.
Pidgeot chirps at Talonflame who then nods and accepts Pidgeot's decision.
"Fletchling?" the little gray and red bird asks.
Phoenix watches curiously as Pidgeot explains something to Fletchling. Then the little bird nods and hops towards Phoenix. It raises its wings again and chirps.
"You want me to take Fletchling with me?" Phoenix asks.
Pidgeot and Talonflame nod and caw.
"Well, I was planning to capture it anyway, so that would be awesome!" Phoenix exclaims. Charvo hands Phoenix the Pokeball that Pidgeot had knocked away earlier.
Phoenix places the hat back on his head backwards and says, "where was I?"
He winds up and throws the ball at Fletchling who is absorbed immediately.
It wiggles once, twice, and then stops.
Phoenix springs up in joy and cheers that he caught his first Pokemon, "YES! I did it! I caught Fletchling! Come on out!"
The little bird emerges again and flitters about. It nuzzles against its mother's cheek and then nestles itself under its father's wing. Then it soars up to land on Phoenix's shoulder.
"Hey Fletchling," Phoenix cooes at it, "you, me, and Charvo are going to make a great team!"
"Fletching!" the little bird agrees.
Its parents caw a goodbye as they both extend their wings and raise themselves into the sky to reunite with their flock.
"Goodbye, Talonflame! Goodbye, Pidgeot! Take care!" Phoenix shouts upwards at them as them fly away.
"Alright," Phoenix turns his hat forward again and looks down the path they were headed, "let's keep moving!
As Fletchling soars around his head and Charvo marches next to him, Phoenix believes they are a champion team in the making.
"Alright, son," Ash speaks as he walks through the forest with nine-year-old Phoenix, "this is going to be your lesson on capturing Pokemon."
"I already know how to capture Pokemon! I've seen you do it a hundred times." Phoenix tells him.
"Yes, you've seen it, but let's talk through it. Then you will be ready when you turn ten in a few months." Ash ruffles Phoenix's hair which is his way of telling Phoenix not to be so serious.
"Alright, alright," Phoenix agrees.
"Ah ha!" Ash points over to a rocky area along the tree line, "perfect place for Nidoran."
Ash pulls out a ball and throws it. A Growlithe emerges and shakes his mane.
"Alright, Growlithe, sniff one out!" Ash orders and Growlithe gets to work right away.
They follow Growlithe through the trees and down an embankment. When they arrive at a stream, they spot a female Nidoran drinking from the river.
"Growlithe, sneak up and use headbutt." Ash tells him.
"Growl!" He grunts quietly. Then he slowly makes his way towards the Nidoran.
Without warning, the Nidoran is tossed across the grass. She panics and moves to a defensive position.
"Growlithe, ember!" Ash orders. Growlithe shoots a weak flame at the small Nidoran. She scampers away, but Growlithe is too fast. Without a command it blocks her escape and tackles her.
"Now it's time." Ash says as he pulls out a Pokeball. He tosses it effortlessly and Nidoran is absorbed inside. It wiggles three times and then stops.
"So, first you find a wild Pokemon." Ash states as he picks up the ball.
"Then you weaken it." Phoenix continues. "Then you capture it. I get it, dad. I watch all sorts of Pokemon adventure shows. I know how it works."
"Then they have to decide if they want to stay with you." Ash continues even through Phoenix's attitude.
"What do you mean?" Phoenix asks, now curious.
"I mean, that some Pokemon are not meant to be trained. Some want to stay with their families in the wild. Many people think we should just break the will of the untrainable," Ash explains looking at the Pokeball in his hand, "but I believe that the Pokemon should have a choice. If you ever wonder how I have built such a strong team, it is because they all want to stay with me and work hard with me. I don't push Pokemon who don't want to be pushed."
"I understand," Phoenix says and nods his head, "what will you do with Nidoran?"
"She has a family waiting for her. She's very young." Ash explains as he tosses the ball forward.
The little blue Nidoran emerges and shakes in fear looking up at the large people.
"Hey, little one," Ash kneels next to her and pats her head, "I think you're awesome and you're going to be big and strong one day. But today, you are going to go back home."
The Nidoran looks up at Ash confused.
"Go ahead, go find your parents." Ash smiles encouragingly. The little Pokemon's ears raise with its smile and it hops away gleefully.
Ash stands up and places a hand on his son's shoulders. Suddenly there is a screeching from the sky. Ash searches as a large flock of birds flies overhead.
A grin forms on his face, "perfect timing!"
He pulls his fingers up to his lips and whistles loudly.
Phoenix watches the sky in confusion as a large bird soars towards them and lands next to Ash. The bird, who is just as tall as Ash, caws in delight and nuzzles against Ash.
"Pidgeot! Pidgeot!" Ash laughs joyously as the bird tickles him with his feathers, "stop that!"
"Phoenix," Ash straightens up suddenly and pats Pidgeot's wing, "sometimes, you have to let them go, even when they don't want to leave you."
Pidgeot caws loudly and flaps his wings hard enough to lift him off the ground and back into the air.
"But, no matter what, you will always be friends," Ash assures Phoenix who watches the flock disappear into the distance.
I was originally going to have Phoenix capture a Pidgey, but then I thought that Ash's Pidgeot would be there to protect the Pidgey near Pallet. THEN, I thought that he should have a Fletchling because it evolves into Talonflame which is basically a phoenix and that would just be neat. So the way I got there to be a Fletchling in Kanto was to breed Ash's Talonflame with Pidgeot (who both have unknown genders in the anime). Then it turned into a life lesson about Friendship.
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