Here is the third Supplement for the Heart, released at the right time in the Heart Series timeline. Please note that the events of this supplement occur between Parts XXI and XXII but are at least useful for understanding something in Part XXV. This is the supplement that could possibly be in the main series but after some debate it isn't, for now. This is because it doesn't feel long or important enough to be there and because it came to me a little too late to be included so I decided to put it in as a supplement. If enough people do want it elevated to the main series and become Part XXII (pushing all other back one part) then let me know and it can be done if there is enough interest, otherwise it will stay here for y'all to enjoy. There were a few questions to address and a guest review to respond to which will be done now, though some questions won't be as the answers would include spoilers or are grammatical issues that are not about the series, just helping me as a writer. First the question then review.
Is Piplup pissed because of taking collateral damage again? Of course he is, his pride is wounded and all because of Dawn's insecurities. He will be getting his own revenge whenever he feels like it. It will be one of the running gags of this series that Piplup can't avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
To the guest reviewer who asked if I could do a bit on Ash and May talking one on one about things, the answer to that is yes I can and yes I will. I have already slated it in as a supplement that will be done when May returns for an arc in the main series as it will fit better there. You will have to wait a while for it but it will be there and your suggestions have been noted and if possible incorporated into that supplement. I expect it out sometime around November, maybe sooner if I am able to speed up uploads.
That is all for this note, please relax and enjoy the third Supplement For the Heart: Returning to the Flock.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.
Returning to the Flock
Two days had passed since Dawn had caught Oddish and Pinsir and it was finally time to leave Viridian Forest. There was still 5 days until Ash's challenge against Forrest but Dawn wanted to see Pewter City for real as they hadn't really seen it last time and Ash wanted to do some work with on his team's fire type moves that couldn't be done in a forest.
As such they were on the path they needed to take in order to leave the forest. The last 2 days had been good to the couple as they began their journey through Kanto together.
Dawn had been training hard for the Cerulean Contest and had decided that she was going to be using Piplup and Mamoswine in the appeals and battle rounds respectively. The reason was twofold. First Dawn wanted to start off the Contest Season with a win to boost her confidence and her experienced Pokémon were the best for that. Second, Dawn wanted Oddish and Pinsir to see just how much fun contests were and this was the best way, let them watch her win.
The new Pokémon were excited join in with their new teammates in future Contests after only a few days with Dawn. Oddish had shown a real passion for the flair and grace of battling while Pinsir had enjoyed the appeals as they didn't involve battling, something that Pinsir was still hesitant about. It was clear that the bug type had been through a lot and didn't like battling because of it but it was powerful and Dawn felt that appeals would be a great start for Pinsir. The Stag Beatle Pokémon liked to show off but was afraid of battle so appeals made sense, for now.
Dawn had also been working on a new poffin recipe just for Pinsir and while they weren't perfect yet, they were on the right path together to finding it. Dawn liked the challenge of creating a new poffin and all her Pokémon helped out so that Pinsir could feel included and have a nice treat with the rest of them. Hopefully they would find the right ingredients in Pewter City to finish the recipe.
Ash had been no slouch himself while they were in the forest. He had been training hard with his team for the upcoming full battle with Forrest He had deliberately eschewed using any of his water types for it because they would be too easy. Instead, Ash wanted to focus on a wide variety of types that had various advantages. After all, a true master didn't need type advantages to win and Ash wanted to push himself and his tactical skills in his challenges.
Ash made sure to bring one of his fire types who could handle steel types well but not rock and ground so he could use the training in that department. Heracross had an edge on ground types as a part fighting type. Meanwhile Snivy was a grass type so she had the edge on rock and ground types and her Attract was going to be key against a known male Pokémon that Forrest used.
On the other hand Pikachu was the biggest disadvantage as most rock types tended to also be ground types meaning that his electric type attacks would have no effect but that was part of the test. It would help Pikachu's Iron Tail as well as his evasiveness to battle rock and ground types.
The last two Pokémon Ash had were ice, dragon and ground types. Ice was an advantage for Ash against rock types and he only had one ice type so he needed the practice with it. His last Pokémon was a wildcard. Dragon type moves were always interesting and Ash wanted to get him some good experience.
Of course it wasn't all training, Ash and Dawn made sure to find time to be a couple as well. They kept to their clearing for the most part but they would just spend hours, usually in the morning or before bed, just cuddling in their tent or chatting about anything and nothing. Some of it was planning for Dawn's contests and Ash's battles but for the most part it was just connecting even deeper than they already were, with plenty of making out of course.
The only thing they couldn't do was replicate what they had done the night of Ash's birthday. That night had been magical for both of them and Dawn couldn't have asked for a better first time. it had been gentle, tender and loving, the way it was supposed to be. Unfortunately, now that they were on the road they didn't get that privacy to do it again as Piplup and Pikachu were in the tent with them and they didn't want their Pokémon watching them do it.
It also didn't help that the Pokémon were acting as their constant chaperones. Ash was convinced they had spoken with Croagunk about what to do and were taking his expert advice on the topic of chaperoning humans. Of course that advice was to violently attack them with no warning whenever it got a little too heated. Piplup, who after Dawn's battle with Angie was the main attacker, preferred to cool it down with a nice Ice Beam to Dawn's while Pikachu favored his Thunderbolt to Ash.
It was getting a little annoying and they had decided that the Pokémon could use a night in the Pokémon center with the poke balls whether they wanted it or not. That way Ash and Dawn could some alone time when they reached Pewter City and before they went to Brock's and repeat what they had done on Ash's birthday.
That was what they were looking forward to as they reached the edge of the forest and were about to exit it. Naturally that was also the moment that the couple were interrupted by a loud, angry, avian, caw right in front of them.
Before either of them could react, there was a flash white light that could only mean a powerful flying type move. That move collided with Ash's chest and he was thrown back, letting go of Dawn's hand so as to avoid dragging her with him and crashing to the ground a good 10 feet away, Pikachu flipping in the air and landing hard near Ash.
Dawn turned, shocked at what had just happened to her boyfriend, and looked to see what had happened. Ash was sprawled on his back groaning with Pikachu a good few feet away from him. Standing on his chest and glairing down at him was a large brown bird Pokémon with a cream underbelly and yellow and red plumage.
Dawn had never seen the Pokémon before but assumed that it was a fully evolved Kanto normal and flying type Pokémon similar to Staraptor in Sinnoh. Pulling out her pokedex and scanning the Pokémon, the device chimed out its identification.
"Pidgeot, the Bird Pokémon and the final evolved form of Pidgey." The pokedex said. "By flapping its wings with all its might, Pidgeot can make a gust of wind capable of bending tall trees."
"Huh, why'd one want to attack Ash?" Dawn asked still confused. "Makes no sense."
Ash just looked up and met the keen eye of a clearly pissed off Pidgeot. Ash had no idea what he had done to piss one off. If it was a Fearow or Spearow then sure Ash could understand why it had attacked him, he had a war with that evolutionary family that he doubted would ever end.
However Ash had no qualms with Pidgeots, he had even raised one himself that had evolved from a Pidgeotto before it evolved to save his ass from his moral enemy Fearow. After that he had released in in Viridian Forest to protect a flock of Pidges and Pidgeottos, promising to return for it but…
"Pidgeot?" Ash asked as his breath finally returned as realization dawned on him. "Is, is that really you?"
Pidgeot spread its wings, lifted its head to the sky and cawed loudly in confirmation. Ash knew at once that it was his old friend. Pidgeot had found him and Ash winced and not just from pain, he knew why the Pokémon was pissed at him. Ash had promised to come back for it when he was done in the Orange Islands, that had been about 5 years ago. He had forgotten to honor his promise.
"Pidgeot, I'm sorry." Ash said shameful tears in his eyes. "I should have returned for you but I forgot and there is no excuse. Please, forgive me."
Forgiveness came in the form of a Peck attack to Ash's head that he definitely deserved. He had failed one of his oldest Pokémon and he knew it.
"Please, I know I messed up." Ash said as the attack continued. "I should have come back as soon as I returned from the Orange Islands but I forgot. I won't again, I promise. If you will give me another chance I will make it up to you. I am going to challenge Kanto again; I could use you by my side for it. It will be like old times my friend."
"Pika, Pikachu." Pikachu said running over and helping Ash plead his case. "Pika pika Pikachu."
He had recognized Pidgeot at once and knew why his old friend was rightfully pissed. Ash had royally messed up and left Pidgeot at the mercy of other trainers after his release. Judging by the strength of the attack, Pidgeot had fared well and grown significantly in power over the years. However Pidgeot had clearly not forgotten Ash and when it saw Ash again it had confronted him. Pikachu would help his trainer make things right.
Pidgeot looked at Pikachu, recognizing his old friend and cawed a greeting at him. He was upset at Ash for not coming back but not at Pikachu for their trainer's failures. His flock reigned supreme in Viridian Forest and those pesky Spearows and Fearows hadn't returned since he had taken over but neither had Ash.
Now his flock was all grown up, he had challengers for his position from newly evolved Pidgeots and seeing Ash again had brought back memories of the good times with his trainer. His flock was grown, it was time to pass on the torch to a new leader and Ash being here had confirmed that.
He wanted to travel again, to see the world once more and he wanted to do that with his trainer. He wanted to fight and meet new Pokémon for the first time in years. A few trainers had tried to catch since Ash had released him but they had failed. There was only one who Pidgeot would follow, only one who would ever be his trainer no matter his status.
Now Ash was back. He was sorry, he wanted Pidgeot back and that was what Pidgeot wanted as well. However, he wasn't going to let Ash off the hook that easily, he had been 5 years too late for that.
"Pidgeot, I know that I should have returned." Ash pleaded. "And it is all my own fault that I failed you. However, in that time I have grown and become a better trainer than I was when we parted ways. I have challenged 4 more leagues and improved a lot over that time. Come back, I can show you how good I have become. This time we will win the Indigo League, we will win in together."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said confirming everything Ash had said, they were stronger and with Pidgeot back they could get even better. "Pika Pikachu."
Pidgeot looked at Ash and then at Pikachu. He knew that his former trainer wouldn't lie to him, he was an honest and good human. He wanted to return but Ash had to earn it that privilege. He had to prove his word to Pidgeot that he was better for Pidgeot to return to his trainer's flock.
The Bird Pokémon looked at Pikachu and cawed a challenge at the electric type Pokémon. Sure he was at a disadvantage but Pikachu had been the one to beat him the first time, he wanted to see if Pikachu had grown as much as he had and beat him again. If Pikachu could beat him, then he would return though Ash would still be on the hook for a little punishment from time to time whenever he was in Ash's party.
"Pikachu." Pikachu said standing and smiling, he knew what the challenge was and he would win. "Pika Pikachu."
"So you want to battle Pikachu and if he wins you will return." Ash said and Pidgeot nodded looking back and down on Ash. "Ok then can you get off me? I accept your challenge old friend."
Pidgeot cawed again and hopped off Ash with a power flap of his wings that kept Ash pinned to the ground before flying over to a spot a little further away from the exit of the forest. Pikachu ran to face Pidgeot and stood on all fours ready for the battle.
As soon as her could, Ash got up, a wide smile on his face and ran to stan behind his starter. It was time to catch Pidgeot again just like he had back when his journey to become a Pokémon Master had begun.
All this time Dawn and Piplup were just staring at what had happened in utter confusion. She had no idea what was going on but based on the conversation it appeared that this Pidgeot had once been Ash's way back when he was first setting off as a trainer. It had been released for whatever reason, one Dawn was sure was good if Ash had released him, and Ash had failed to return for it despite promising he would.
Now it was pissed but because Ash was Ash it still loved him so it had challenged him to a battle that if Ash won he got his Pokémon back. Dawn knew that Ash would win and decided not to intervein in the situation. She was just going to enjoy the show.
"Alright Pikachu, let's make this quick." Ash said with a smile. "Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled sending out a powerful Thunderbolt at Pidgeot.
Pidgeot showed what he had developed over the years and soared up and into the air faster that Ash would have thought possible and easily dodged the attack. Clearly Pidgeot had increased its speed over since they had last met, Ash wondered what else it had managed to increase while he had been away.
"Use Electro Ball." Ash ordered. "This is going to be tougher than expected but we won't lose."
Pikachu built the energy on his tail and prepared it. Pidgeot was not going to let that stand. He cut through the air quickly and dived for Pikachu right as Pikachu released his attack. The ball flew at Pidgeot but the flying type had the advantage of the aerial mobility and easily evaded the attack before countering.
Flapping his wings, Pidgeot created a miniature tornado in the air and sent it at Pikachu. Ash recognized the move as Twister, a dragon type move that he had not been expecting from Pidgeot. Neither had Pikachu as the twister slammed into him and sent the electric type sprawling. Pidgeot didn't hold up and came in low, his wings glowing in the distinctive pattern of a Wing Attack.
"Dodge Pikachu!" Ash ordered but Pikachu just stood there a look of fear on his face and Ash swore, Twister had a secondary effect that might cause flinching and it had happened to Pikachu this time.
Ash needed both a counter and a way to negate Pidgeot's speed and evasiveness advantage. That was when he remembered his battle with Latios back in Sinnoh and smiled, he had it. He just had to hope Pikachu could pull it off.
"Pikachu, you can't dodge because of that Twister so as soon as Pidgeot hits grab its wings." Ash ordered. "Hold on for dear life buddy."
Pikachu didn't react, he was still feeling the effects of flinching but he did hear Ash and knew what to do. As soon as the powerful attack slammed into his gut, Pikachu grabbed hold of Pidgeot's wing with his forepaws and held tight as the Pokémon ascended with Pikachu holding on.
The flinching had worn off and flying type moves didn't do as much damage as normal against an electric type so Pikachu had plenty left to give. There was one added benefit to the contact between the Pokémon. Pidgeot's body spasmed as yellow electricity crackled on it, he had been effected by Pikachu's Static ability.
"That's it!" Ash yelled in triumph. "Now Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as he unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt at point blank range into Pidgeot.
Pidgeot had tried to throw Pikachu off with another Twister but the paralysis had chosen that moment to kick in and the move failed. Without being able to throw the electric mouse off him, Pidgeot had no hope of dodging the super effective electric type attack.
The Thunderbolt slammed into him with devastating power doing a lot of damage to the Bird Pokémon. Pidgeot knew he was beat and fell to the ground, looking forward to joining Ash once more.
The flying type Pokémon plummeted to the ground, spinning out of control as he did. Pikachu had to jump off and save himself as Pidgeot crashed into a tree and fell to the dirt path hard, defeated.
Pikachu had not been looking where he was going, he focused on saving his own ass. That was why he was as surprised as Dawn was when he headbutted her in the face at full force, flooring both of them and sending Piplup rolling away in annoyance as Dawn had been holding him at the time.
Ash was not paying attention to any of this, he had a Pokémon to catch again. Spinning his hat backwards, Ash pulled an empty poke ball from his pocket, enlarged it and threw it right at Pidgeot. The ball hit the downed Pokémon in the back, bounced up and sucked the Pokémon in into it in a flash of red light. It then fell to the ground, beeping and twitching.
Ash watched it intensely for a few seconds, his focus solely on the ball, until it dinged signifying a capture. The ball then shrunk and disappeared as it was sent back to Professor Oak's lab as Ash already had a full team on him. That would be a nice surprise for the Professor.
"Alright, I caught a Pidgeot!" Ash said jumping up in glee and punching the air before shouting to the sky. "Don't worry buddy, I will call you to my side after Pewter City, I want you on my team when I face Misty. She will be really surprised to see you again."
Ash was still smiling when he realized that Dawn and Pikachu were not celebrating hist catch with him. Confused, Ash looked around and grimaced as he was a dazed Dawn just sitting up, her hair frizzy and all over the place from Pikachu's residual electricity, and his starter just as dazed a few feet away. Piplup had already recovered and was trying not to laugh at Dawn.
"What are you giggling at." Dawn snapped at her own starter who suddenly burst out laughing pointing at her hair before rolling on the floor, Dawn deserved it after hurting him again over a rival female.
Confused but having a feeling what Piplup was laughing at, Dawn pulled out a mirror and looked at hair. It was once again ruined and the way it was standing up all around her made it clear what had caused it. That would explain what had hit her in the face and why Pikachu was now skirting away from her looking really sheepish. Dawn didn't blame Pikachu, no she blamed…
"KETCHUM!" Dawn yelled at her boyfriend as he came over to make sure that she was ok. "You ruined my hair, again!"
"Sorry honey." Ash said as he helped her to her feet but he was so happy to look apologetic at the damage he had done. "I was busy catching and old friend, I didn't realize Pikachu had hit you."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said in apology while Piplup still rolled on the floor laughing.
"I don't blame you Pikachu." Dawn said kindly to the small electric type. "I blame my boyfriend. Explain Ash, what just happened? You have a few minutes while I fix my hair."
"Well you see, that Pidgeot was once mine." Ash said confirming what Dawn had thought as she took off her beanie and pulled out a brush. "I caught it in this very forest really early in my journey, like only days after getting Pikachu. Back then it was just a Pidgeotto and it was my second ever capture after a Caterpie I caught the day before. Pidgeotto was by my side throughout my first time in Kanto and through the Indigo League. It's a really old friend."
"Why did you release it?" Dawn asked, her anger abating as Ash spoke lovingly about his old Pokémon.
"It was a tough decision but Pidgeot needed to be here and not with me back then." Ash said sadly. "I have mentioned that I had destroyed Misty's bike because Pikachu was defending me from a flock of angry Spearows, right?"
"Yeah I remember." Dawn said with a nod. "It was an accident, even if you did take her bike, and she used that to get close to, and then spend 3 years traveling with, you."
"Yeah well I haven't said the reason why the Spearows were pissed at me." Ash said rubbing his neck in embarrassment. "Well it was because I accidentally hit one of them with a stone."
"You hit a Spearow with a stone?" Dawn asked. "Why would you do that?"
"I was frustrated because I couldn't catch anything and Pikachu wasn't listening so I acted rashly." Ash said. "It wasn't my wisest decision. Turns out that Spearows have serious anger issues and this one was the king of all anger. It attacked and Pikachu saved me in the end from its flock but at the cost of Misty's bike. That was how Pikachu and I first bonded."
"Ah so it was the Misty of Spearows." Dawn said understanding. "You did something to annoy it and it escalated the situation."
"You could say that." Ash said after a moment's thought. "Though Misty is much nicer once you get to know here."
"Alright but how does this have anything to do with Pidgeot?" Dawn asked still a little confused.
"I'm getting to that." Ash said. "A year after that incident I returned to Pallet Town after my loss in the Indigo League. While here I learned of the Orange Islands and decided to go there for my next adventure. However, before that happened I was in Viridian Forest and this Fearow attacked me."
"Spearow's evolved form." Dawn said guessing it from the similar names. "Right?"
"Yup." Ash confirmed. "And it turned out that pissed off Spearow had evolved into that Fearow and hadn't forgotten me when we tried to stop it and its flock of Spearows from harassing a bunch of Pidges. Pidgeotto helped me but couldn't do it on its own. It evolved into Pidgeot to save me and win the day, though I failed to catch that Fearow."
"Sounds like something one of your Pokémon would do." Dawn said. "Evolving at the right time to save your ass."
"Very true." Ash said with a nod "And afterwards I released Pidgeot so that it could lead the flock of Pidgeys and Pidgeottos here and drive off the Spearows for good. I promised to return for him after the Orange Islands."
"But you forgot." Dawn said. "And that was why it was pissed at you."
"Yeah." Ash said with sadness and shame in his voice. "Not my finest day but it worked out in the end. Pidgeot was rightfully upset but has begun to forgive me I think. However, I am sure we will have a new wake up clock when he joins the Cerulean City team."
"Great, another painful alarm clock." Dawn grumbled while Piplup looked at them with a gleam in his eye at the chance for another ally in teaching Dawn her lesson for putting him in harm's way again. "Fine, you suffered Piplup for me, I can suffer Pidgeot for you."
"Thanks." Ash said with a smile at her that always made Dawn's heart flutter a little. "I am just glad Pidgeot decided to let me earn his second chance. I will not mess it up this time."
"No you won't." Dawn said knowing that Ash wouldn't. "Now let's go, I think Pikachu could use a rest in the Pokémon Center and Piplup can keep him company there. We need a night alone."
"Yes ma'am." Ash said as he picked up a slightly injured Pikachu, took Dawn's hand and began to head off to the Pokémon Center.
Ash was happy to have one of his oldest Pokémon back. He would do it right this time and Pidgeot would be by his side whenever the time came. This time Ash would win, he knew it. First though, he and Dawn needed some private time and Ash couldn't wait. It was a good start to their latest journey.
So yeah, the reason why this could be in the main series is that it is Ash recatching his Pidgeot but I had the idea a little too late for the main story so decided it was best to keep it here in the supplements. There won't be a supplement for a few weeks as the next one is slated to be between Parts XXIV and XXV so that is when it will occur and will be a little different to most supplements. The only thing left to mention is that the first spinoff collection revolving around one of the other characters from the anime and addressing certain situations that are relevant to that character will be released shortly after this supplement and is going to be called 'Luck Strikes the Heart' so keep an eye open for that. Anyway, that is all for now please favorite and follow both me and this story to keep abreast with new releases and keep the reviews coming. Until next time.
Stringdog