Chapter 6: Chasing Stardust

A blur of speed zipped through the thick forest, weaving effortlessly between the trees. Leaves and twigs scattered in its wake; the elusive figure darted in an out of shadows, barely distinguishable in the pale moonlight filtering from above.

It ascended into the trees, leaping agilely from branch to branch. With each jump, it navigated through the forest with such nimbleness it was almost invisible.

From beneath the treetops, running through the forest with her head held high was Dawn, with Chimchar running alongside her. She was chasing after the figure urgently, her eyes locked on the Pokémon above.

"Hey, you jerk!" Dawn hissed, her voice echoing through the forest as she called out to the creatures. "That apple was mine, give it back!"

It was hard to discern in the blur of motion, but the Starly shot a quick glance towards Dawn, the stolen apple still clutched firmly in its beak. Its wings dangled behind it like tattered remnants, swaying wildly as it leaped towards the next tree branch.

With an angry looked etched on her face, Dawn swung her head towards Chimchar. "There's no way I can catch up to that Starly! But you can, do something Chimchar!"

Heeding his trainer's command, Chimchar instantaneously vanished from his trainer's side with a swirl of wind. As the Starly continued to glance back, Chimchar suddenly materialized in front of it with an incredible burst of speed.

"Chimchar!" he cried, lunging forward, his sharp claws poised to deliver a devastating Scratch attack.

"S-Star!?" The flying-type cried out, shocked by Chimchar's speed.

Thinking fast, Starly leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding Chimchar's attack. In a swift fluid motion, Starly brought a talon down, striking the back of Chimchar's head, sending him tumbling to the ground where he landed face first in the dirt.

"Oh no, Chimchar!" Dawn cried out, worry lacing her voice. She ran over to the side of her Pokémon, dropping to her knees. "Are you okay, boy?" she asked, shaking her starter gently.

Chimchar raised his head from the ground, small clumps of dirt falling from his face as he tried to regain his focus.

Starly landed on the forest floor a few meters in front of them, its head turning towards the pair. The apple remained firmly clutched in its beak as it eyed them defiantly.

Dawn focused her gaze towards the Starly, but she noticed something off. Its wings hung at an odd angle, feathers splayed awkwardly. They didn't fold neatly against its body like a typical bird's but stuck out at a twisted, almost unnatural angle.

"Your wings..." Dawn whispered, her expression shifting subtly as she took in the odd sight.

With a cocky nod, the Starly pivoted on its talon and resumed its swift dash through the trees, the apple bobbing triumphantly in its beak.

Dawn jolted upright, "Wait, get back here!" she bellowed, leaping to her feet to continue to give chase.

Chimchar swiftly followed, vigorously shaking off the dirt from his face as he sprinted on all fours.

As Dawn dashed through the forest, the landscape transformed into a vast cornfield under the cover of night. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the field, which would only make it harder to find the thief Starly.

The girl entered the cornfield, the stalks so tall they reached up to her height, maybe even a little taller. The rustling leaves brushed against her arms and legs as she moved, much to her discomfort.

"I'm not gonna let you get away, not until you return what's mine!" her voice echoed through the cornfield, not willing to let up.

Chimchar struggled to keep up, the dense cornstalks towering over him obscured his view making it feel almost impossible to move, but still, he did.

Dawn bursted out of the cornfield, her face flushed with anger. "I'm not done with you!" she yelled, but she froze, her eyes widening as she saw something unexpected ahead.

There, in front of her, stood a Pokémon, with slick black fur bristling under the moonlight. It growled low and menacingly, baring its sharp teeth. Its eyes glowed with anger, locked onto Dawn as it crouched, ready to pounce.

Dawn's voice trembled as she took a hesitant step backward, her back brushing against the cornstalks. "What Pokémon is that..." she whispered, her breath caught in her throat.

With a determined cry, Chimchar leaped in front of Dawn, positioning himself protectively before his trainer as he screeched, "Chim, Chimchar, Chim!"

Their glares locked in a tense standoff, both Pokémon ready to strike at the slightest provocation, there was tension crackling in the air like electricity.

"Houndour, simmer down now!" A drawling voice cut through the air, freezing both Pokémon and Dawn in their tracks.

It was a man. He sported blue denim overalls over a red checkered shirt, with a wide-brimmed cowboy hat shading face. A long, unkempt beard flowed down his neck, and a glass eye gleamed in his right socket. In his right hand, he held a wooden cane.

"Houndour, ease up, ya hear? What in tarnation am I gonna do with you?" he drawled, sauntering closer with a commanding tone.

Houndour finally broke eye contact with Chimchar, turning its gaze towards the man with a softer expression.

The man finally glanced over to Dawn, "Well, now, little missy, this here's private land, and you're trespassin'. Ain't no place for folks to be wanderin' around, 'specially not at this hour."

"I'm sorry, sir," Dawn apologized, her gaze falling to the ground. "I didn't mean to intrude or cause any trouble."

"Anywho, the man began, crossing his arms. "I gotta ask, what's a young woman like yourself doin' out here all by your lonesome?"

"I'm not alone," Dawn replied, glancing down at Chimchar. "I have my Pokémon with me. I'm a trainer, you see."

Chimchar glanced up at Dawn, mirroring her smile for a moment before turning away with a pout.

The man scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Well now, a trainer, ya say? What's got ya wandering 'round these parts, anyhow?"

Dawn hesitated, searching for the right words. "I was just traveling to Jubilife City, when this funny-looking Starly took something that belonged to me, it ran through these um... parts."

The man's eyes bulged so wide they seemed to pop out of his head. His cane slipped from his grasp, staring Dawn. He hurried over to Dawn, his voice rising in surprise. "Starly?! Well, I'll be hornswoggled! A Starly done stole somethin' from ya!?" He hollered, his words punctuated by flecks of spit peppering the air.

Dawn muttered, wiping some spittle off her face. "Y-yeah, it was a Starly," she replied, "Also, say it, don't spray it."

"This Starly..." the man drifted off, walking backward with his back turned to Dawn. "Was there somethin' off 'bout its wings, perchance?"

"I mean, they looked pretty uh, feathered, I guess you could call it, but it was kinda weird at the same time, like they were bending in the wrong direction, you know?" Dawn replied hesitantly. "I just wonder, why wasn't it flying? I mean, a Starly running instead of flying? You'd think with those wings it has, there'd be no point of running on feet?"

"Well, I'll be darned," he said, turning around to face Dawn. "How about we mosey on over for some sweet tea and talk about this here Starly of yours?"


A herd of Tauros charged across a vast, golden field under the warmth of the setting sun. The powerful creatures kicked up dust clouds as they galloped freely upon the open plain.

Dawn stared at the painting intently, feeling a sense of recognition. She could've sworn she'd seen it from somewhere.

Chimchar glanced across the room, taking in the rustic charm of the cozy-looking cabin. A crackling fireplace cast a warm glow across the wooden interior, while a sturdy wooden table occupied the center of the room. The scent of burning wood filled the air.

The man poured steaming tea into two cups, the aroma wafting through the air. With a gentle smile, he took a seat at the wooden table, gesturing for Dawn to join him.

Dawn settled into the char across the man, lifting the cup of tea to her lips for a sip, it was surprisingly good. Meanwhile, Chimchar pulled out the chair beside her and plopped down.

The man reclined in his chair, a twang in his voice as he sipped his tea. "I still cain't believe it. You, a Pokémon Trainer? How old are ya, anyhow? 'Bout 14, 15?"

Dawn leaned forward, her voice firm but polite. "Actually, I'm 12," she stated, placing her cup gently on the table.

The man chuckled heartily. "Well, I'll be darned! Twelve years old, and already a Pokémon Trainer! By the good Lord's grace, back in my day, they wouldn't even let you near a Poké Ball until you hit the ripe old age of 25!"

"Who knows, maybe the next generation will be setting off on their Pokémon journeys in diapers," Dawn quipped, earning a hearty chuckle from the old man.

"You're a funny young 'un," he intoned, extending his hand across the table. "Name's Seth McDuffey, by the way."

Dawn clasped his hand, shaking it firmly. "Dawn Platinum," she announced before her stomach rumbled loudly. "Uh, I hate to be a bother, but do you have any food? I haven't eaten in forever."

"No worries," McDuffey said getting up and sauntering over to his closet, he finally redirected himself towards Dawn tossing something towards her.

Dawn eagerly caught what appeared to be a croissant, her mouth watering at the sight of food after what felt like an eternity without a meal.

"An' for dessert, I got some ice cream," McDuffey drawled as he returned to his seat.

"Thank you!" Dawn replied gratefully, her gaze shifting towards Chimchar. "Do you have any Pokémon food? I mean, you've got that Houndour Pokémon I think you called it, right? So, you must have something."

McDuffey reclined in his chair, propping his legs on the table. With a casual nod of his head, he gestured towards the kitchen with his thumb.

Dawn's attention shifted to the kitchen, where Chimchar had already made himself at home. She watched as he rummaged through the fruit basket, leaving with a banana, an orange, a bunch of grapes, and a grapefruit in his hands.

The girl grinned, he always vanishes from my sight without me noticing... I'm starting to think he's showing off, she mused to herself as Chimchar sat back down beside her.

"Alright, let's mosey on down to business, shall we?" McDuffey said, leaning back in his chair further. "Ol' Crooked Wing Starly took somethin' of yours, you mentioned earlier, yeah?"

Dawn couldn't resist asking, taking a bite out of her croissant, "Crooked Wing Starly, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Y'remember what ya mentioned earlier?" McDuffey asked casually. "How its wings were bent all wrong. It didn't just sprout up that way one' mornin', it was born like that. Ever hear 'bout angel wing?"

"Dawn paused, lifting her teacup to her lips, contemplating. "Angel wing? No, I don't think I've heard of that before..."

"Alright, I reckon I'll break it down fer ya," McDuffey said, shifting in his seat and planting his feet on the floor. "Angel wing, it's this here mighty uncommon condition, seen in some of them flyin' critters. Them birds with angel wing, their feathers don't grow right, twistin' and pointin' the wrong way. Makes 'em look like they got some wings from some angel that ain't quite finished with 'em yet. They can't fly neither, cause they can't catch the wind proper with them bent feathers."

Dawn's eyes widened in realization. A Starly that can't fly... she pondered to herself. Then, she voiced her mind aloud. "It makes sense; why it was running instead of flying! It all finally makes sense!"

McDuffey leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Dawn. "You said that Starly snatched somethin' from ya, right? Lemme take a guess, was it some grub?"

"Yeah, an apple," Dawn confirmed with a bob of her head.

"Yep, that sounds like ol' Crooked Wing alright. Know you're not alone, every few days, that little flightless varmint comes to my cornfield, and he steals my crops. The thing's been doing it for weeks, no, months now."

"Why does it do it?" It have a big appetite or something?" Dawn inquired.

"You're askin' the wrong feller, I can't read its mind," McDuffey drawled. "The only thing I know is, it needs to be stopped. You see, I make my livin' from sellin' my crops to some Johto folk, but I might be out of work if that darn Starly keeps this up."

"So, you can't sell your crops thanks to this Starly, huh," Dawn remarked, taking another sip of her tea.

"Nope, ain't been able to for a good while now. Can't have my buyers runnin' off to other folks," McDuffey muttered. Then, a smile spread across his face. "But there's hope! Listen here Ms. Platinum, if ya get rid of that Starly fer me, you'd be doin' me a mighty big favor! I'll pay ya 10,000 Poké Dollars, and that's a promise!"

Dawn smiled; she didn't have any money on her in the first place, and 10,000 Poké Dollars would be a great help. "You got yourself a deal, Mr. McDuffey, but... what do you mean by 'get rid of'?"

"That's up to you," McDuffey said with a shrug, "I don't much care what happens to ol' Crooked Wing, long as I ain't gotta lay eyes on it no more."

"Then, you wouldn't mind if I caught Starly, would you?" Dawn asked, earning a grin from McDuffey.

McDuffey began suppressing his laughter, but it soon burst out. "You wanna catch Crooked Wing Starly? You lose your mind or somethin'? There's plenty of Starly in them woods, why'd you want the one that can't fly?"

Dawn smiled, taking another bite of her croissant. "Just because it can't fly doesn't mean it can't be a strong Pokémon... besides, who doesn't like an underdog?"

"Well... do whatever ya want," McDuffey grunted with a dismissive wave. "Like I said, don't matter to me none, long as that pesky bird's far away from my farm as possible."

The girl furrowed her brow as she pondered her next move. "Okay, I'll do it... but, how am I supposed to find that Starly anyway? It could've gone anywhere by now," she questioned, looking back at McDuffey.

"Alrighty then," McDuffey hollered, scooting his chair. "Reckon we better talk strategy now."


Rainfall fell steadily in the forest, pattering on the leaves and soaking the ground below. Trees swayed slightly with every gust of wind, their branches heavy with water.

Dawn stood in front of a large oak tree, slightly poking her head out from behind its trunk. Before her laid the entrance to a dark cave. The mouth of the cave was wide and jagged and was framed by thick vines and moss.

Inside, the darkness of the cave seemed to swallow the light with only the faintest glimmers of reflected water visible.

Behind his trainer, Chimchar waited impatiently, repeatedly tapping his foot against the ground. Being a fire-type, he wasn't too eager to be drenched in the rain. His tail flame flickered with every single drop of water, much to his annoyance.

"Char, Chim, Char!" Chimchar grumbled at Dawn, they had been waiting for what felt like an eternity now.

Dawn tore her gaze away from the cave's entrance, meeting Chimchar's eyes with a sigh. "I know, Chimchar... I'm just trying to figure things out, okay?"

"Char!" Chimchar huffed, crossing his arms defiantly and looking away.

Dawn's gaze returned to the cave, her thoughts swirling. Does Starly really hide in this cave? I hope Mr. McDuffey knows what he's talking about. Her eyes flicked back to Chimchar. I've never caught a Pokémon before. Sure, Chimchar's with me, and he seems more cooperative lately, but...

"Chimchar..." Dawn's voice was soft as she addressed the Pokémon, her gaze drifting away momentarily. "We're friends, right?"

Chimchar's arms fell to his sides, and he looked up at his trainer with a dazed look on his face.

"Listen, we need to work together here. Pokémon are stronger when they work together with their trainer. Please remember that," Dawn spoke with conviction, determination in her eyes.

Chimchar's brows furrowed, his eyes betraying a hint of reluctance before he let out a weary sigh. Shaking his head, he cast a glance toward the ominous mouth of the cave. With no hesitation, he propelled himself forward, darting past Dawn on all fours.

"Hey!" Dawn called out, her tone sharp as she began to run after her impatient Pokémon. "What did I just say!?"

The Chimp Pokémon bolted into the cave; his fiery tail casted a flickering light that illuminated the surrounding darkness.

Dawn caught up to her starter, disappointment etched on her face. "Hey, are you deaf or something? You're my Pokémon! You've gotta start acting like it every once in a while!"

Chimchar had no time to heed his trainer's nagging. With startling speed, a powerful blow struck him, sending him crashing into the cave wall with such force it cracked audibly.

Starly loomed over Chimchar, its form casting a shadow over the dazed fire-type. With an intense stare, it emitted a fierce growl, asserting its dominance directly in Chimchar's face.

Dawn's breath caught in her throat as she belatedly registered the swift attack. "So fast... I didn't even see it coming!" she exclaimed, surprise evident in her voice.

Chimchar lunged forward, claws extended, aiming a scratch attack at Starly's face. The sound of slashing filled the cave as Chimchar's claws connected, sending Starly careening backward, crashing into the opposite wall with a thud.

Struggling to rise off the ground, Starly emitted a weakened "S-Star..." as it attempted to lift its battered form from the cave floor.

In the blink of an eye, Chimchar swiftly closed the distance, reaching Starly in mere moments. With a loud stomp, it planted its foot on one of Starly's crooked wings, immobilizing the struggling Pokémon.

"Starrrrr!" Starly let out a cry of pain as Chimchar's weight pressed down on its wing, its voice echoing through the cave.

Dawn watched in awe as Chimchar stood over the flying-type triumphantly. Her mind racing with the realization of her Pokémon's strength.

As Starly squirmed beneath its opponent's foot, it mustered enough strength to lash out with its talon, aiming for Chimchar's legs.

Reacting quickly, Chimchar jumped up to evade the attack, inadvertently releasing its grip on Starly.

Starly leaped into the air, its talons gleaming as it unleashed a relentless Fury Attack. Each strike landing with precision and power, driving Chimchar back with every blow. The force of the assault suspending Chimchar midair as his body contorted with every hit.

Finally, Starly raised a talon into the air, and with a swift motion, it brang its talon down with incredible force, striking Chimchar squarely in the face. The impact sending Chimchar hurtling towards the ground, where he crashed face first into the earth with a resounding thud.

"Chimchar!" Dawn cried out, it was clear to her now that the battle wouldn't be as easily won as it seemed mere moments ago.

Chimchar lifted himself from the ground, a grin spreading across his face as he brushed off specks of dirt from his cheek.

Starly touched down on the ground with a swift descent, his crooked wings unfurled, casting a striking shadow against the ground.

The fire-type eyes flashed red for a brief moment, before igniting into a swirling vortex of fire, his entire becoming a blazing wheel of fire.

As he surged forward with incredible speed, flames licked at the air around him, leaving a scorching trail in his wake.

"That's..." Dawn's voice trailed off, her eye widening in astonishment as she watched Chimchar's fiery torrent. "Flame Wheel...?" she murmured, in awe of the Pokémon's newfound power.

With a thunderous roar, the Flame Wheel paved its way forward, engulfing Starly in its blistering embrace. Starly was flung backward like a frisbee, hurtling through the air until it collided with the cave with bone-rattling force, the shockwave reverberating through the cavern with an almost-ominous rumble.

"Star... ly..." The wounded Pokémon whimpered, its voice barely above a whisper as it slid down the wall in defeat.

Chimchar fixed a strong glare upon his nearly unconscious adversary, pounding his chest with a triumphant screech, a primal display of victory.

With a wide grin still plastered on his face, Chimchar swung his head towards his trainer as she approached. But before he knew it, Dawn ran past him without a word, rushing to Starly's side.

Dawn knelt before the injured Starly, her voice filled with concern. "Are you alright?" she asked softly, her eyes showing genuine worry. "I'm sorry about Chimchar. He can be so aggressive at times. You'll come to forgive him when you're my Pokémon."

Starly blankly stared at Dawn, its expression initially puzzled before registering her words. "Starly! Star! Star!" It began to cry out loud, clearly distressed.

Dawn took a step back, startled by the sudden outburst. Despite the shock, it wasn't an unfamiliar experience for her. In Twinleaf, she had tried on more occasions than she could count to befriend wild Pokémon, and never once did it succeed.

"W-what's the matter!?" The girl cried out, her heart sinking. "Don't you wanna be my friend!?"

Suddenly, a piercing cry reverberated through the air, sending shivers down Dawn's spine. Her eyes darted towards the source of the sound, catching sight of a pair of crimson eyes glaring fiercely at her from the darkness of the cave's depths.

A majestic figure emerged from the dark, its silhouette outlined by the faint light filtering into the cave. With deliberate steps, the creature revealed itself to be a Staraptor, its imposing presence filling Dawn with fear.

The Staraptor's growl echoed through the cavern, a chilling sound of dread. Sure, Chimchar was strong, but he didn't have a chance against a fully evolved Pokémon, especially not one as revered as Staraptor.

Despite the fear he felt deep down, Chimchar strode forward, claws glistening in the dim light of the cave. He showed zero signs of backing down, not even against a foe he couldn't hope to defeat.

As Staraptor advanced menacingly without an ounce of fear on its face, its imposing figure suddenly faltered, a grimace of pain contorting its features.

With a weakened stumble, it collapsed to the ground, its once-intimidating stature vanishing into thin air.

"What the...?" Dawn's gasped, her breath caught in her throat.

Seeing his golden opportunity, Chimchar seized the moment. With fierce determination in his eyes, Chimchar charged forward, his claws once again extending like glinting blades, he was ready to strike once again with a powerful Scratch attack.

The Staraptor could hardly even move. Labored breaths escaped its beak, its feathers ruffled and dulled by whatever sickness it was clearly suffering from.

Despite the pain coursing through its body, Starly refused to stand idly by. It dashed forward. Positioning itself firmly in front of the injured Staraptor and right in front of the dreaded Scratch attack, ready to shield its fellow Pokémon from harm.

Chimchar didn't stop of course, at least not until Dawn swiftly stepped forward. With arms outstretched in a protective gesture, she interposed herself between Chimchar and Starly.

The fire-types momentum slowed to a halt, his sharpened claw coming within a hair's breadth of his trainer, a razor-sharp edge poised dangerously close to her skin.

Dawn's gaze flickered away nervously, unable to bear the sight of Chimchar's sharp claws mere inches away from turning her into swiss cheese. Then, with a deep breath, she steeled herself and turned back to face her Pokémon.

Chimchar's conflicted gaze softened as he lowered his arm, though he was confused as to why his trainer would be stupid enough to step in and nearly get herself sliced.

Dawn gave a sigh of relief before pivoting to meet the wide-eyed gazes of Starly and Staraptor, both Pokémon fixing her with expectant stares.

"I think I finally understand," Dawn began, her voice soft but resolute. "Why you stole my apple earlier, why you stole crops from Mr. McDuffey. You want to take care of Staraptor, don't you?" She directed her words to Starly.

"That's very kind of you," Dawn smiled warmly. "You're a lot nicer than this guy behind me, no offense Chimchar," she added, casting a playful glance over her shoulder to her Pokémon.

"Char..." The fire-type mumbled, his fiery gaze narrowing with irritation as Dawn's words hit home.

Starly's attention remained trained on Dawn, but its attention quickly shifted as Staraptor winced in pain. Concern etched across its features as it turned towards Staraptor with concern on its face.

Staraptor's cough echoed through the cavern, all raspy and strained. Pieces of corn stalks tumbled from its beak, covered in saliva too of course.

Getting the perfect idea, Dawn's hand darted into her bag, retrieving a small, round berry that caught Starly's eye.

"Here," Dawn said softly, extending her arm towards the sick Staraptor. "It's called an Oran Berry... Mr. McDuffey gave it to me. He said it makes Eat up, it'll make you feel ten times better."

Staraptor's beak hovered curiously over the Oran Berry, and it began to nibble slowly, each bite taken with cautious anticipation. As the berry took effect, Staraptor's condition gradually improved, its energy beginning to return.

After devouring every last bite, Staraptor steadily rose to its feet, its gaze meeting Dawn's with newfound respect. "Staraptor," it uttered with a dignified cry, nodding its head in acknowledgment.

Starly's gaze glistened with emotion as it gazed at Staraptor, overwhelmed with gratitude it dashed forward, wrapping its tiny body around Staraptor in a heartfelt embrace.

Dawn's smile widened as she observed the touching moment. "They're cute, wouldn't you agree, Chimchar?" she remarked, placing a hand on her Pokémon's shoulder.

"Char!" Chimchar huffed, shaking off Dawn's hand from his shoulder, sidestepping away from the girl's touch.

Dawn giggled, quickly bringing her hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter. "Chimchar, you're pretty cute too," she said with a smile, her eyes dancing with affection for the little guy.

Chimchar's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at Dawn's words, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with the girl.

The girl turned her attention back to the flying-types, who met her gaze with eyes full of gratitude and appreciation.

"Let's see... um, you may be feeling better Staraptor, but don't overdo it, okay?" Dawn advised, wagging one finger. She then turned her attention towards Starly, her expression softening. "And Starly... to be honest, I came here with the intention of catching you, but even I can see how happy you two are. Just promise me one thing, you won't take any more of Old Man McDuffey's crops again, yeah?"

"Star..." Starly murmured softly, its gaze dropping to the ground as it emitted a gentle coo.

Dawn's smile widened, "Okay you two, I hope our paths will cross again someday."


"You've gotta be pullin' my leg," McDuffey drawled, his chair creaking as he rocked back and forth. "You reckon I'm fixin' to shell out 10,000 Poké Dollars, when ya couldn't even shoo away that pesky Starly? Now, ain't that a pickle, Ms. Platinum?"

"You said it didn't matter to you how I got rid of Starly, as long as it never came back to your farm again, remember?" Dawn countered, settled in the chair opposite to McDuffey with Chimchar by her side. "I could tell by Starly's eyes, it's not ever setting foot anywhere near her again. There's no need to worry."

"I wish I could have your blind faith, but I ain't one to be hoodwinked," McDuffey grumbled, his glare fixed on Dawn. "I said I'd pay ya when Crooked Wing Starly was gone, so unless you go back to that cave and drag him out yerself, I ain't payin' you a dime."

Dawn rose from her chair, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "Well, it can't be helped. Thank you for the food and tea earlier, Mr. McDuffey," she said, straightening her posture and tucking in her chair. "Chimchar, let's go!" She cried as she walked for the door.

McDuffey let out a heavy sigh. "Why didn't ya just nab that Starly like ya promised?"

Dawn paused at the door, her hand resting on the knob. "Staraptor means the world to Starly, at least from what I saw. I couldn't bear to tear them apart."

"Yeah right, I still reckon that Starly's only aimin' to make me miserable," McDuffey grumbled, rising from his chair making his way to the drawer. "Here," he added, tossing something green in Dawn's direction.

Dawn reached out and caught it, in her hand, she counted 6,000 Poké Dollars.

"I'm subtractin' 4,000 from the agreed amount, jest in case that varmint decides to come pokin' round again," McDuffey explained, his arms folding around his chest in a firm stance.

"Thanks," Dawn replied, a grateful smile playing on her lips. "You're too kind."

With a gentle push, Dawn swung the door open, only to see something she hadn't expected standing in front of the porch. She stood transfixed, her eyes wide with wonder.

There, perched on the grass with its crooked wing outstretched, was the very Starly she had spared earlier.

Starly glanced up towards Dawn and Chimchar, its eyes bright with excitement. "Starly!" it exclaimed cheerfully, its tone filled with warmth.

"Hold yer horses, what in tarnation's got you so—" McDuffey started, but his words hitched as he laid eyes on his mortal enemy standing right before him. "C-C-C-C-C-Crooked Wing... Starly!?" he blurted out, jumping back in startled belief.

"You okay, Mr. McDuffey?" Dawn inquired, swinging her head back towards the man.

"N-no, I ain't okay!" McDuffey answered, a vein pulsing on his forehead. "You done goofed about that flightless critter! Here it is, fixin' to pilfer my crops once more!" He jabbed a finger accusingly, his hand trembling with frustration. "Them Poké Dollars I forked over, I reckon I'd like 'em back now!"

Dawn tore her eyes away from the agitated man, redirecting her gaze towards Starly. "So, what're you doing here anyway? I know you're not here to take more from the crops, right?"

Starly shook its head solemnly, it wouldn't do that kind of thing anymore, as promised.

The girl's eyes sparkled with realization. "Hold on a minute... don't tell me, you wanna come with me?"

"Starly, Star, Star!" Starly chirped excitedly, nodding its head vigorously in agreement.

A smile spread across Dawn's face. "I hear you loud and clear," she said, retrieving an empty Poké Ball and enlarging it. "Alright then, here goes nothing!" With a confident toss, Dawn released the Poké Ball, sending it soaring through the air.

With a burst of enthusiasm, Starly leaped into the air and delivered a swift headbutt to the Poké Ball. The ball shimmered briefly before engulfing Starly in a beam of red light, drawing him inside.

As the Poké Bal fell to the grass with a soft thud, it trembled twice in quick succession, then, with a sudden blink, it signaled that Starly had successfully been captured.

It felt surreal, to say the least. Starly wasn't Dawn's first Pokémon of course, but it was her first successful capture, and she didn't even have to battle for it. All it took was her words and kindness, an approach that had always failed for her in the past when it came to getting Pokémon.

"Alright!" Dawn exclaimed with excitement as she swooped down to pick up the Poké Ball. "I caught... a Starly!" she yelled triumphantly, throwing her arm up in celebration.

A smile tugged at the corner of Chimchar's lips before he even realized it. He quickly averted his gaze, feigning disinterest as he looked away, though he was doing a poor job at it.

Dawn studied the Poké Ball in her hand, her thoughts drifting to the Starly captured within. A Starly that can't fly, she mused quietly to herself. Maybe some people see that as weakness... but I think different. You probably have to work twice as hard as any other Starly, which makes you strong. Incredibly strong...

She turned towards McDuffey with a mischievous glint in her eyes as she held up the V-sign. "Well, I reckon you owe me an extra 4,000," she said with a sly grin.


Hey Dhar Mann fam! (I can't believe I just said that lol) Anyways, that's this chapter! If you've read the original Metal Platinum, you'd know one of the first Pokémon Dawn obtained was a Starly who can't fly, there's just something I really like about that concept, I just had to do it over considering Starly's arc never finished last time.

Anyways, angel wing, the thing I described is a real disability birds can be born with, or they get it over time through external factors. But anyways, please leave reviews, it gives me motivation to keep going, I appreciate all reviews, even negative ones.

yonas813, out.