"Wah, it's so pretty here!" Bonnie said as the trio entered the small clearing in the woods. The trees were parted in this section of the Viridian Forest, leaving sunlight to shine onto the moss-covered rock.

"Let's take a break," Clemont said. "It's almost time for lunch."

Serena smiled. "Okay! Come on out Braixen, Pancham, and Sylveon!"

"Bunnelby, Chespin, and Luxray, all of you too!" Clemont said.

"Pika!" and "Dedenne!" the two electric mouse Pokémon said happily.

"Ash, will you be training with Greninja's mega form today?" Bonnie asked, and the four looked the vacant space in their group. The empty space wasn't intentional, but apparently the trio automatically left a space for Ash when they were walking.

"Pika…" Pika said, his ears down. His mood matched the rest of his group's.

"Hey Clemont, want to practice battling?" Serena asked, trying to break the tension.

"Ah, no, I'll have to make lunch," he said, rummaging through his backpack and pulling out pots and pants. "Cilan's soup is delicious—we'll be having it again."

"Bonnie will help you Serena! Bonnie will help!" Bonnie said, raising a hand.

"Okay!" Serena said, pulling out her navigator. "The next gym leader in Pewter City, Brock, trains rock-type Pokémon. We'll need some way to counter his rock moves."

Pikachu and Pancham both pumped their tiny fists. Sylveon murmured a nervous "Syl," and Braixen looked the floor.

"Pancham is a fighting type, right?" Bonnie said. "And Pikachu has Iron Tail!"

"Yup. We'll be practicing that today," Serena said. "Pikachu, use your Iron Tail on that rock! Pancham, practice your Arm Thrust!"

"What do I do?" Bonnie asked. The two Pokémon began attacking the rock, making long deep slashes.

"You'll be going with me to help find more rocks," Serena said. "I don't think this rock will last much longer. Come along, Braixen and Sylveon."

The two walked in the forest, keeping an eye out on their environment. There were Pokémon that Serena had never seen before just crawling around.

"Caterpie. The Worm Pokémon" the Pokédex said. "Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls."

"Weedle. The Hairy Bug Pokémon," it also chimed. "Often found in forests and grasslands. It has a sharp, toxic barb of around two inches on top of its head."

"Don't go near the Weedle," Serena told Bonnie.

"Serena, Serena! Are these good rocks?" Bonnie, holding up some fist-sized rocks. "They're a bit small, b-but I was thinking about your battle with Gary, a-and…"

"The Rock Blast?" Serena said. Bonnie was surprised at Serena's expression—she almost expected the older girl to get teary-eyed. However, she was smiling. "I haven't thought of that! It'll be good practice for Pikachu and Pancham to try to attack these rocks. But I don't think I have the heart to throw it at them…"

"Why don't you just lay the rocks around around and they can move around to get them?" Bonnie said.

"Great idea! Ah, Bonnie, watch out!" Serena shrieked.

Bonnie screamed and ducked, covering her head as a confusion of feathers and wings tumbled above her. The girl fell to the floor and cried out in pain.

"Bonnie, are you okay?" Serena said, rushing over to her.

"I think I hurt my knee," Bonnie said, trying to sniff back tears.

After Serena pulled in Bonnie close to her, she pulled out her Pokédex.

"Pidgeot. The Bird Pokémon," the Pokédex said. "It spreads its gorgeous wings widely to intimidate enemies. It races through the skies at Mach-2 speed."

"Fearow. The Beak Pokémon," it continued. "Its huge and magnificent wings can keep it aloft in the sky. It can remain flying a whole day without landing."

"Hey. Stop fighting," Serena said to the two birds. When they showed no sign of ceasing, Serena yelled, "STOP FIGHTING."

The nearby trees shook, sending fruit and leaves and even Caterpie tumbling to the ground. Clemont and the rest of the Pokémon burst in from a nearby bush, Clemont saying, "What's going on?"

The two Pokémon stopped fighting but looked at each other, wings extended and talons ready to strike at a moment's notice. They didn't move but there was an obvious tension.

"Wow, I didn't know there were bird Pokémon in these forests," Clemont said. "And both are fully evolved, too!"

"Pika chu! Pi ka pi!" Pikachu said, running up to the Pidgeot.

"Pidge..?" the Pidgeot said, tearing his face from the Fearow.

"Pika! Chu Chu!" Pikachu, pointing at Pidgeot and Serena.

That changed the look on Pidgeot's face. His eyes looked pleased, and he closed its wings, looking at the group happily.

"Chu chu!" Pikachu said to Serena.

"Don't tell me…" Serena started to say.

"This Pidgeot is also Ash's!?" Bonnie said. "Geez! How many cute Pokémon did he have to release?"

"Pika!" Pikachu said, satisfied his words were finally understood within a day.

There was a flash of feathers and the Pidgeot was lying on the floor. The Fearow took off, saying "Fear! Fear!" as if he was satisfied he beat the Pidgeot.

"Pidgeot! Are you okay?" Bonnie said, forgetting about her own injury.

"He needs help," Clemont said. He rummaged around in his pack. "Darn! I forgot to buy potions in Viridian City. Luxray, Bunnelby, can you two find some Oran Berries for me?"

"Lux!" and "Bun!" they both agreed, racing off.

"Chespin!" the Pokémon protested.

"Uh, you should stay here Chespin," Clemont told his last Pokemon. "Pidgeot might need more help."

"Hey, what's that shiny thing in its feathers?" Serena said. She reached towards Pidgeot's back but the bird showed a surprising amount of activity and snapped at her.

"Stop that!" Serena said, raising a finger. "We're trying to help you."

"Doesn't that look like a Mega Stone?" Clemont said, tilting his head.

In a nearby tree, the trio dressed in white almost fell off.

"Pidgeot can Mega Evolve?" Jessie said.

"That's weird that he has his Mega Stone though," James said, scratching his chin. "Don't you also need a Key Stone to Mega Evolve?"

"Where did he find the Mega Stone?" Meowth said, looking up to the canopy. "They aren't exactly a dime a dozen."

"Regardless of where it came from, this is a ripe opportunity to get a Mega Pokemon," Jessie said. "I have a plan—it'll involve that Fearow."

"Wooobbbuffet!" the blue Pokémon said.

"Wait no Wobbuffet you're knocking us out—" Jessie tried to say, but then Team Rocket fell off the tree and into a confused, crumpled heap on the ground.

Back to the protagonists, they tried makeshift ways of healing the Pidgeot.

"Sylveon, wrap some of your ribbons around the wound," Serena said. "Try to hold it until they come back with the Oran berries."

Sylveon took a nervous step forward, her feet trembling as she neared the Pidgeot. The Pidgeot didn't seem to mind, however, even when Sylveon wrapped her feelers.

"Where do you think Pidgeot got the Mega Stone?" Bonnie said, crossing her legs as Serena looked at her knee scrape

"I don't know. It must have found it somewhere," Serena said, peeling a bandage. Blowing the wound, she put the Band-Aid on. "There! All better now?"

"Yup!" Bonnie said, smiling and showing all of her teeth.

"Lux lux!" Luxray said, coming back with a bunch of Oran Berries in his mouth. Bunnelby followed behind him, holding some more berries between his ears.

"Thank you!" Clemont said. "Here Chespin. Why don't you feed him?"

"Ches!" he said happily. Using Vine Whip, he plopped berry after berry into the Pidgeot's mouth. In fact, Pidgeot started making gagging sounds until Pancham pulled Chespin away.

"I wonder why they were fighting," Bonnie said, looking down at the Pidgeot. "They're both bird Pokémon. All Pokémon should be friends!"

"Pika chu chu chu," Pikachu said. He tried motioning with his hands.

"I'm sorry Pikachu," Serena said. She let out an embarrassed chuckle. "You and Ash spent a lot of time together, huh? He makes it look so easy understanding you."

"…pika."

The Pidgeot got up, ruffling his feathers. He squawked a few times to Pikachu, to which Pikachu replied.

"Pika! Chu chu chu pika-pika!" Pikachu said to Serena. Pikachu pointed at the Mega Stone in Pidgeot's feathers, and then crawled over and pointed to Serena.

"Oh!" Serena said, "Pidgeot wants to find a Key Stone?"

"Maybe Pidgeot wants some food?" Bonnie said.

"What about one of my inventions?" Clemont asked.

"Chu! Chu! Chu!" Pikachu said, shaking his head.

"Well, in the meantime while we're playing charades," Clemont said. "Who want lunch? The soup is ready."

A couple minutes later, the trio were eating lunch on their portable table. All of the Pokémon were out and eating Pokéfood, including the Pidgeot. Chespin finished his in large mouthfuls and eyed Pancham's, who pushed his food further away.

"Now who wants some poffins?" Serena said, bringing out the dessert. Plopping them all of the Pokémon's mouths, she had to swat Chespin's Vine Whips.

"Wait your turn, Chespin!" she said. Pancham sniggered which made Chespin yell at him, causing the two Pokémon disappeared in a dust cloud.

"Je-ez," Bonnie said. "Play nice! I can't believe you two are still arguing."

"Pidge," the Pidgeot said. He flapped his wings, and suddenly there was a tornado under Chespin and Pancham, sending them flying in opposite direction.

"Thanks Pidgeot!" Serena said. "Here, you'll get two poffins!"

"Chespin!" Chespin whined as Serena plopped the treats into Pidgeot's mouth. The flying Pokémon melted. Well, not literally, but he opened his beak in a dreamy satisfaction.

"There's no one who doesn't like your poffins, Serena," Clemont said.

"Don't worry Chespin," Serena said, pulling out another basket. "I have some more…o-oh. Wait! Pidgeot, give that food back!"

The bird had took off, clutching the basket full of poffins with his talons.

"Hey, give those back! That's supposed to be for everyone!" Serena said, grabbing her hat off the table. Chespin was the first to lead the charge—his eyes were a fiery red as he ran off after Pidgeot.

After some hectic running, the protagonists stopped at the sight in front of them.

"H-hey, wait up!" Clemont said, wheezing and panting as usual. However, he stopped catching his breath when he too saw the massive bird's nest. Made out of sticks and grass, it was at least ten feet tall and wide with a small hole near the bottom.

"That's huge!" Clemont said. He took off his glasses and wiped them before putting them on again. "I didn't know bird Pokémon can build such giant homes."

A Pidgey popped out of a hole and started squawking at them. However, Ash's Pidgeot stuck his head out, nipped the Pidgey, and nodded at the group.

"Pika!" Pikachu said, making his way through the entrance.

"I think we can go inside..?" Clemont said. The trainers returned their Pokémon and crawled through the hole. Once inside, Serena and Bonnie had to tug Clemont's arms—his backpack was making it hard for him to squeeze through.

"Wah, there's so many Pidgey in here!" Bonnie said, her eyes shining. The Pidgeot was feeding most of the bird Pokémon the poffins from Serena's basket. About twenty of them were clumped up around Ash's Pidgeot, also melting as they ate the delicious treat.

"So that's why Pidgeot took the snacks," Clemont said.

A waterfall was leaking out of Chespin's eyes. "Don't worry Chespin," Serena said, giggling. "I'll make you some more poffins later.

"I wonder why the Pidgey has such a large nest," Clemont said, "I don't think these bird Pokémon normally do that."

His question was soon answered. The nest suddenly shook, causing the Pidgeot to flap his wings. However, the Pokémon recoiled and winced upon trying to take off.

"Don't move!" Bonnie said. "You're still recovering!"

"C'mon, Serena," Clemont said. "Let's go investigate."

Serena nodded, and the two exited the nest, Clemont again having some trouble.

"Fffearow!" the massive flying Pokémon said. Serena gasped—all around the nest were dozens of Fearow, Spearow, and—

"Team Rocket!" Clemont and Serena said simultaneously.

"If you say 'Team Rocket!" a catlike Pokémon said.

"Prepare for trouble!" said the all-too-familiar female voice.

"And make it double!" said the also recognizable male voice.

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To stand by the evils of love and truth!"

"The lovely, charmy, villains!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"The pair from Team Rocket soars through the galaxy!"

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth! That's right!"

"Woooobbuffet!"

Meowth nudged Fearow with his elbow. "I was just talking to my friend here and he says that that Pidgeot has something he wants."

"Pidge! Pidge! Ot," Pidgeot said, walking out of the nest. He was being half-supported by Bonnie, who was trying to half-pull/half-push Pidgeot back into the nest.

"What is he saying, Meowth?" James asked.

"He's saying that he'll never allow Fearow to attack his children," Meowth said. "And that he'll never give up the Mega Stone."

"Why does Fearow want a Mega Pidgeot Stone?" asked Bonnie.

"Fear! Row!"

"He doesn't want Pidgeot to get stronger and steal all the berries and food in the forest."

"Pidgeot! Pidge!" Pidgeot protested.

"This is turning into an exciting drama," Meowth said. "Pidgeot says that he's waiting for his trainer to come back so they can drive the violent birds out of the forest. And then he can join him on his journeys."

"Pidgeot…" Serena said. "Have you not heard?"

"Pidge?" Pidgeot said, looking at Serena.

"Ash…is missing," Serena said. It sent a dagger through her heart, saying that out loud. "No one knows where he is."

Pidgeot's eyes widened. That moment of hesitation allowed Fearow to dash forward and claw at Pidgeot's chest.

"Pidgeot! Are you okay?" Bonnie asked.

"Dedenne!"

"Pi-ka chu!" Pikachu said. He got onto all fours, charging electricity in his cheeks.

The Fearow narrowed his eyes, and then screeched.

"Oh?" Meowth said. "This Fearow says that Pikachu's trainer, some idiot with a hat, tossed a rock at it a long time ago. It has quite a long memory."

"…pika."

Clemont was in disbelief. "Ash, you're causing us trouble even though you're not here," he said.

"Never mind that," Serena said. "We have to protect the family! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on the Fearow!"

"Pi ka…chuu!"

"Oh no you don't!" Jessie said. "Wobbuffet, use Mirror Coat!"

"Wobbbuuffet!" the Pokémon said, glowing as it stood between the Pikachu and Fearow. Wobbuffet reflected the electricity back onto the main group, causing them to brace themselves and cover their eyes.

"Let's escape!" Jessie said. She pulled out one of those blue smoke cubes and tossed it.

"Adios amigos!" Meowth said as thick black smoke enveloped the forest.

When the smoke cleared and everybody stopped coughing, Team Rocket had vanished along with the Fearow, Spearows, Pidgeot, and even Pikachu.

"Pikachu!" Serena said. "I lost him again! Ash will be so mad at me!"

"They couldn't have gone too far," Clemont said. His glasses flashed. "I have a device for situations like this! The future is now, thanks to science! Citronic—"

"Brother, we don't need your help," Bonnie said, trying to stuff the Aipom arm back into Clemont's backpack. "Look! We have a bunch of Pidgey. Cute birdy friends, can you help find Pidgeot?"

"Pidgey! Pidgey!" the birds said, taking off in all directions.

In a different part of the forest, Team Rocket couldn't help but feel gleeful as they raced away, the flock of Fearow and Spearow tagging along.

"Ha ha! We did it!" Jessie said. "My beautiful plan didn't even need for us to send out our Pokémon!"

James was carrying Pikachu with some rubber gloves. "And to get Pikachu, to boot!" The electric mouse tried shocking James, but James just laughed.

"Fear! Fearow!" the Fearow said.

"Oh, what's that?" Meowth said. He was on top of a small cage that imprisoned the Pidgeot. The cage had wheels and a driver's seat, allowing Meowth to drive the cart. "Oh? You want us to give the Mega Stone?"

"Well, too bad! The Mega Stone belongs to us!" Jessie said. "Gourgeist, use Shadow Ball!"

"Gour gour gour…geist!" the Pokémon said. The Fearow avoided the attack, but it hissed at Team Rocket. The Spearows started to dive bomb the villains, using Peck on their exposed body parts.

"O-ouch!" Jessie said. "James, do something!"

"Drive it away, Inkay!' James said, one hand holding Pikachu and the other pulling out a Pokéball. "Foul Play!"

Inkay attacked the Fearow, sending it falling down and crumbling into a heap onto the floor. The Spearows stopped their assault and flew back to their fallen protector.

"There's the balloon!" Meowth said, pointing to the large green basket. Hooking up Pidgeot's cage to the balloon, James are tossed Pikachu inside.

"Pika chu!" Pikachu protested, trying to shock the cage.

"Not this time, Pikachu," Meowth said, holding up a controller. He pressed a button and the cage started generating shocks of its own.

"Pika!" Pika cried out.

"Pidgeot!" the bird also roared in pain.

"Now you two better behave," Meowth, releasing the button. "Or we will hurt you and your friend!"

"Team Rocket!" Bonnie said, running to them with Serena and a bunch of Pidgeys and Pidgeottos. Clemont trudged up a little while later, panting and out of breath.

"Oh no! The brats are here!" James said. He was pumping up the balloon with a manual air pump, but the sight made him pump faster and faster.

"Pidgey!" the birds all said, but Meowth responded by zapping the cage with Pikachu and Pidgeot.

"Oh, don't you move!" Meowth said. "Or I will hurt your leader even more!"

Serena had a hand on a Pokéball, but she froze at that. What would Ash do? He wouldn't intentionally hurt his best friend, would he?

"Let's go!" James said, jumping into the now inflated balloon.

"Pika!" Pikachu said, looking at Serena with determined eyes.

"Pidegot!" the Pidgeot also said.

"A-are…are you sure?" Serena said.

"Chu!" Pikachu nodded.

Serena clutched her Pokéball and hesitated, her arms rigid, but then said "Go, Braixen!"

"In that case, go Chespin!" Clemont said.

"You asked for it!" Meowth said, pressing the button.

Serena cringed at the Pokémon's cries. However, when she opened her eyes, she saw Pikachu's determined face. "Braixen, use Flamethrower!" she said.

"Gourgeist! Counter it with Shadow Ball!" Jessie said.

"Chespin! Vine Whip!" Clemont said.

"Inkay, use Tackle!" said James.

The Meowth-shaped balloon flew higher and higher, its prisoners getting shocked more and more as everyone battled. The Pidgeot had collapsed—his eyes were still wide open, but he was visibly twitching.

The Pidgeys and Pidgeottos started pecking Serena and she didn't need Meowth to translate—they were telling her to stop. Pulling her hat tightly on her head, she despaired. The balloon was flying further and further away and even Pikachu fell to the floor of the cage.

"What would Ash do?" she thought. She had stopped issuing commands to her Braixen who looked at her with concern before getting hit by a Seed Bomb.

"He would find another way!" she thought. Droplets of blood were appearing on her arms from the concerned birds. "But how? The balloon is too far! None of our Pokémon can reach it…"

"Stop!" she said, causing the birds to temporarily cease. "You want to save Pidgeot, do you? Then start attacking the real enemy! Look! He's enduring the pain so we can save him, so you might as well attack!"

"Pidge?" a Pidgey asked.

"Pidgeot! Pidgeot!" Ash's Pidgeot called out.

"Oh no, here they come!" Meowth said, a bead of sweat appearing on the back of his head as the Pidgeys and Pidgeottos began flying in their direction.

"Bah! Don't worry about it! They're weak!" Jessie said. "Gourgeist! Use Dark Pulse on all of them!"

"Inkay, use Psybeam too!"

Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont gasped as the birds were struck down. While there were dozens of them, most were getting taken out in one hit.

"Pidge…pidge…" the Pidgeot seethed, but near his limit's end.

"Look! Some of them are evolving!" Bonnie said, pointing in the sky. As some of the birds dropped, the white evolution light enveloped the Pokémon before they hit the ground. In a burst of energy, Pidgeottos and even Pidgeots emerged.

"Eep! They're getting stronger!" Meowth said, his claws still on the controller.

"They're only some dumb bird Pokémon!" Jessie said. "Keep on shooting those Dark Pulses, Gourgeist!"

"I can't believe it!" Bonnie said, covering her mouth. "They're still falling!"

Pidgey after Pidgey, Pidgeotto after Pidgeotto, and even Pidgeot after Pidgeot were getting shot down. Serena, Bonnie, Clemont, Braixen, and Chespin tried to catch the falling Pokémon and were in general succeeding. But for each catch, Serena's hopes of getting Pikachu grew dimmer and dimmer.

"Pidge…pidge…!" the Pidgeot screamed, suddenly getting onto his talons and stretching his wings.

"It's glowing!" Meowth said.

"Put more power into the cage," Jessie said. Meowth adjusted a lever, and even more electricity was pumped in.

"Pidge…pidge…!" The stone on his chest flashed colors into the sky, sending bright ribbon-like lights into somewhere in the forest.

"…Pidgeot!" the Pidgeot screeched. In a burst of white light, his form changed to reveal a bigger, stronger bird. In one powerful stroke, it broke the bars to the cage.

"It's a Mega Pidgeot!" Meowth cried out.

Pikachu crawled onto the back of the Mega Pidgeot. Serena noted how majestic he seemed, a wonderful plumage coming from the back of his head.

The two old friends flew out of the cage, facing the Meowth balloon. The Mega Pidgeot screeched again, flapping his powerful wings. The attack knocked the Inkay and Gourgeist into the basket, sending Team Rocket sprawling around.

"It's using Hurricane!" Clemont said.

"Now Pikachu!" Serena said. "Use Thunderbolt!"

"Pi ka…chuu!" Pikachu said. The lightning bolt struck the balloon, exploding it into a million pieces and sending the villains tumbling away.

"We were so close that time!" Jessie said.

"Who knew some dumb bird Pokémon were so strong?" James said.

"How did the Pidgeot Mega Evolve anyways?" Meowth said.

"Woooobbbuffet!"

"And we're blasting off again!" they all said as they disappeared in a white star.

"Pikachu! Pidgeot!" Serena said, running up to the two Pokémon. "I'm glad you're safe!"

"Pi…ka," Pikachu said.

"We have to get him to a Pokémon Center right away," Clemont said.

Serena nodded, tucking him into her bag.

Pidgeot returned to his original form, but then one of his legs caved. However, his many friends and family went under his wings to support him.

"Pidgeot! Thank you for your help," Bonnie said, smiling.

"Pidgeot! Pidgeot!" the Pidgeot said. It made the trio turn around.

"The Fearow!" Bonnie said. "And the Spearows!"

The gang of bird Pokémon walked up to the Pidgey family and Ash's Pidgeot snapped angrily at them. The lead Fearow, however, shook his head. Motioning his wing into somewhere far off, it began flying away, the Spearows following it.

"They…they're leaving the forest!" Clemont said. "Maybe it acknowledges the Pidgeot's strength?"

After looking at the enemy birds fly away, the Pidgeot looked at Serena. "Pidgeot!"

"What does he want now?" Bonnie asked.

"H-hey, where are you going?" Clemont said, the Pidgeot taking off. Some of the Pidgeys protested, but he squawked angrily at them.

"That looks like the direction of Pallet Town," Serena observed.

"Maybe he thinks his job is done?" Bonnie said. "Maybe now he wants to rejoin the rest of Ash's Pokémon?"

"By the way," Clemont said. "How did Pidgeot Mega Evolve? I thought you needed a Key Stone."

"Never mind that now!" Serena said. "We have to save Pikachu!" She began running away, holding the yellow Pokémon tight in her arms.

"H-hey, slow down!" Clemont said, already panting even at the beginning of the sprint.

As they ran, Serena reprimanded herself. "It was thanks to Ash's Pokémon that we defeated team Rocket," she thought. "I need to get stronger—a lot stronger—if I want to fend for myself. How can I expect to save Ash if I can't save Pikachu by myself?"

In a nearby section of the woods, a trainer with dark clothes, hair, and a blue cloud-like scarf chuckled to himself.

"Wow, Alain!" said the girl next to him who tugged her cap. She was dressed in all green, her red suspenders matching her hair. Her eyes shined as she looked at her friend.

"Funny I can Mega Evolve Ash's Pidgeot, Mairin," Alain said. He had a small smile and tapped his Mega Bracelet. "I never met that Pokémon before."

"Maybe it's because you and Ash are so similar!" Mairin said. "You can understand Pidgeot's feelings perfectly!"

"Don't compare me to Ash," Alain said. He immediately began walking away.