Flying westward, I flapped my strong wings and focused my keen eyes on the horizon. I still had plenty of energy from the delicious Sitrus Berries I had eaten that morning, and I gracefully skimmed the treetops, leaves rustling with every one of my powerful wing beats. Maybe I should try flying at my top speed, I thought. I shook the thought away. Flying at twice the speed of sound had to wait for later. For now, I had to keep my eye out for Violet City.

As the lush, green terrain below me gradually gave way to rough, barren mountain peaks, I slowed down slightly and looked around warily. I knew I was entering unfamiliar territory, so I flew higher into the sky. I don't want to start any fights with the Pokemon living here, I thought. I need all my energy for my journey. I spotted several Donphan near a cave entrance, but thankfully they were sleeping. Good, I thought, relieved.

A sudden cold chilled my bones; shivering, I drew my feathers closer to my body. I realized that the air was thick with powdery snowflakes, some of them drifting onto my beak and making me sneeze, others coating and chilling my wings. Looking down, I gasped in astonishment when I saw that the mountain peaks were lightly capped with fluffy white snow.

I must be nearing Mount Silver, I thought. I must be brave. A vicious gust of wind tore at me; tumbling backward, I struggled to regain my balance in the raging snowstorm. Hail buffeted my body, threatening to push me down to the ground. The cold was almost unbearable now, and I felt like crying in despair. Keep flying, keep flying, I encouraged myself as searched the horizon for signs of civilization.

Gradually, the snowflakes slowed down until only harmless snow dust fell. The ragged mountain range below me gave way to greenery, and the storm clouds parted, giving way to warm, blazing sunshine.

Finally! I thought. As I soaked up the inviting warmth of the sun, I spotted, in the distance, a sprawling metropolis. Can that be Violet City? I asked myself. Yes! At the center of the city stood a tall, thin, cylindrical building which seemed to touch the sky. My heart skipped a beat. The Gym, I thought happily. No other gym in Johto is that tall.

Flying faster now, my spirits restored, I hovered closer to the gym. Circling the building, I spotted Lightning – strong and brave, as he battled a bulky, formidable Typhlosion on the rooftop battlefield. Lightning dived, swooped, and attacked gracefully and painlessly under Falkner's commands, while the Typhlosion struggled desperately to match Lightning's stunning speed. Battle commands filled the air: "Pidgeot, Quick Attack!" Falkner cried.

"Typhlosion, try your Flamethrower!" the challenger called.

The huge, fiery Pokemon lifted its head to fire a Flamethrower attack – but it just wasn't quick enough. Lightning skillfully rammed into the Fire Pokemon's belly, sending the Typhlosion rolling into a wall. It hit the wall with devastating impact, and its bright flames flickered and died out.

"Typhlosion is unable to battle!" cried the judge. "The winner is Pidgeot, so the winner of this match is Falkner!"

Wow! I thought. Lightning is one powerful Pokemon! As Falkner walked over to the young challenger and shook his hand, I glided delicately down to the battlefield and stood next to Lightning, who was singing a proud victory song.

"Congratulations, Lightning!" I chirped. "You were really great!"

Surprised, Lightning whirled around and faced me. "Oh, I do this all the time," he boasted. Then he studied me closely. "You look very tired," he chirped. "Where do you come from?"

"Kanto," I answered. I studied the battlefield – the challenger had recalled his Typhlosion and was getting ready to leave. "Lightning, can I talk to you in private about something really important? It's about a broken promise."

"Sure," Lightning replied. He hopped over to Falkner – whose face had a rather perplexed look on it – and pointed to me with his wing. Then, he gently headbutted Falkner on the chest.

Nodding slowly, Falkner walked away and disappeared behind the doors of an elevator. Then Lightning flew back to me.

"So, what is it?" he asked casually.

I swallowed hard, and managed to say, "Have you seen a trainer named Ash Ketchum?"

"Ash Ketchum?" Lightning sounded surprised. "He battled Falkner and I six months ago! I put up a good fight against his Charizard, but Charizard just had too much firepower… Oh, well. A defeat is a defeat."

I nodded slowly, though I felt a sharp pain in my heart. "Six months ago?" I asked softly, sighing. "I didn't know that Ash could move so fast."

"Why are you worried about this Ash?" Lightning asked, perplexed.

Taking a deep breath, I began my story. "My name is Thunder," I began. "I used to belong to Ash, but he released me in the Viridian Forest a year ago. He promised to come back for me after he retrieved a Pokeball for Professor Oak, but he never has."

Lightning interrupted, "When Ash met Falkner and I, he said, right in front of our faces, that he used to own a Pidgeot and wanted to return for it someday… and he hasn't returned for you so far?"

I shook my head in despair. Ash is such a liar! I thought angrily. Now I've got to find him and ask him why he's lied to everyone: My flock, Falkner, Lightning, and me.

"That's crazy!" Lightning cried. "He broke a promise! If you want to search for Ash, Falkner and I will definitely be able to help."

"You don't understand," I protested. "I want you to come with me! Do you think a single Pidgeot can travel all the way across Johto alone?"

Lightning was silent for a moment, and then sighed, "I can come with you, as long as Falkner allows it. Wait here."

I watched curiously as Lightning hopped over to the elevator, pushed a white button next to it, and waited.

In just a few moments, Falkner stepped out of the elevator door. "What is it, Pidgeot?" he asked.

Lightning pointed to me with his wing, then stepped back silently.

I gulped. How was I going to explain my situation to a human who couldn't understand my language? Looking around, I spotted a pile of ashes, probably left over from the battle against Typhlosion. Perfect! I thought. I hopped over to it and pointed at it with my beak.

"Ash?" Falkner asked, scratching his head. "What's so special about ash?"

He doesn't understand! I thought despairingly. I pointed at the ashes more urgently; then looked up at Falkner pleadingly.

"Oh, I see now!" Falkner exclaimed. "Pidgeot, are you referring to a trainer named Ash?"

I nodded vigorously.

"I remember a trainer named Ash," he said. "Ash came through Violet City six months ago and won a Zephyr Badge from me. When I met him, he told me he used to own a Pidgeot and wanted to go back to it someday… wait, are you his Pidgeot?"

I nodded again. Yes! He finally understands! I thought happily.

"And did Ash keep his promise of coming back to you?"

I shook my head sadly.

Falkner exploded. "WHAT?" he yelled. "He broke his promise? That's outrageous! What was he thinking? He just insulted an awesome bird Pokemon! I would never allow anyone to insult a bird Pokemon!"

"What's up with Falkner?" I whispered to Lightning. "Ash never acts like that."

Lightning giggled nervously. "Oh, never mind that," he whispered back. "Falkner hates it when people insult bird Pokemon. Sometimes he gets a little carried away."

Finally, Falkner calmed down and said to me, "Are you going to look for Ash?"

I nodded, and pointed at Lightning, who hopped forward and rested his head on Falkner's shoulder. Falkner was silent for a moment, and then gasped as he figured out the meaning of Lightning's gesture.

"My Pidgeot," Falkner whispered, "Are you trying to say that you want to accompany Ash's Pidgeot on its journey to find Ash?"

Lightning nodded and chirped sadly. Will Falkner let Lightning go? I wondered. I hope. I don't know how I'll find Ash without Lightning.

Falkner sighed and threw his arms around Lightning. "I understand," he murmured. "I know that Ash's Pidgeot will need some help finding Ash. I know that I'll be losing my best battler for a while, but I understand your need for adventure. You may go, Pidgeot. Goodbye."

I stared at Falkner. His eyes were stained with tears – was Falkner actually crying? How could I do this? I just made Falkner lose his best Pokemon! What was I doing to Falkner and his reputation? I sighed and shook my head. I hated having to do this, but I had to take Lightning along with me. I glanced at Lightning – he was crying too. Swallowing hard, I resisted the urge to cry along with them. I had never felt so guilty in my whole life.

A while later, Falkner stood up and disappeared behind the elevator door again. When he returned a few moments later, he was carrying a peculiar device with a red button on it. As he hung it on Lightning's neck, he explained, "This is a tracking device, so I pinpoint your location at any time. If you ever need me for any reason, just press the red button. I'll be with you as fast as I can."

As Lightning cooed his thanks, Falkner patted me on the head. "Why don't you stay here for at least tonight?" he suggested. "You can get plenty of rest, and I can make my special bird Pokemon food for you. It's made of Sitrus Berries, Oran Berries, Lum Berries, Wacan Berries, Charti Berries, and Yache Berries. You'll love it; I guarantee it!"

An hour later, I was munching on the Pokemon food, my first human-made Pokemon food in a year. It tasted delicious, much better than the Bug-type Pokemon I had to eat when I lived in Viridian Forest. When I finished my delicious meal, I lifted my head up to gaze at the stars – there weren't as many stars here as in the forest though. However, the few stars that twinkled in the sky all seemed to send the same message – Good luck. Good luck.

Good luck. I needed it.

To be continued…