Greetings, everyone. Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. This chapter is between the next battle and the previous one. As you all noticed, the previous chapter ended with a cliffhanger, and I have much to cover in this chapter that isn't just added to what happened last time.
Chapter 74: Conflict and Family Matters
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
'Telepathy'
It was later that night, after Misty's match against Crasher Wake, as Ash and his friends were having dinner. However, they noticed that something was coming their way frantically.
Ash, Misty, Brock, Casey, and Daniel, who were in the room, headed down towards whatever was coming their way, and it was a big Pokemon. Ash noticed that the Pokemon was a Lugia. "I would ask what one is coming towards the mainland. It seems like it needs help," Ash said to the group as the Pokemon nodded, and its head came out of the water.
'I taken that one of you is the trainer or trainers of the Pidgeot, Charizard, and Dragonair on the fourth island?' Lugia asked the group as Ash stood in front.
"Yeah, they're my Pokemon. Has something happened?" Ash asked the legendary Pokemon, who nodded.
'Yes, you need to either bring some help that way, or you want to come and help as they are being attacked by a nearby human who is after your Dragonair, and I don't know who can help?' Lugia said to the group, who turned to each other and nodded and let out their Pokemon. Daniel and Casey let out their Pidgeos and explained the situation and what was happening. Ash lets out Lapras, and Misty lets out Gyarados to help and explain what is happening, as they aren't using them immediately.
"We'll help. I'm not going to let them get away with that?" Gyarados and Lapras said to Ash and Misty, who nodded.
"I know where the fourth Island is as it's where I was born, so that'll help if needed," Lapras told Ash through Slowbro's translation through his telepathy.
"Count, both of us in as well," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to Lugia, who nodded. "I may have a beef with Pidgeot, but I'm not going to turn a blind wing to helping a fellow flock member, so let's stop talking and go before things get worse for the group," Daniel's Pidgeotto said the Pokemon.
"Bring them here if you guys can. It's not safe if it's who I think it is that is after them. They might need medical help as well," Ash said to them, who nodded as they flew and swam off towards the fourth Island. "Please do not be Damien," Ash said, as the others were also worried.
Meanwhile, on the fourth Island, Pidgeot's group was up against a Charizard and a Dragonite, and it was indeed Damien who was there as he was after Ash's Charizard's little sister, given that she isn't officially a member of Ash's team.
"Just hand her over. You two weaklings of Ash's are no match for my team, given that he isn't here to protect you two," Damien said, crossing his arms and being more smug than he usually is as Dragonair stood behind her Brother and Pidgeot as the two wouldn't budge. "Well, I will show you two what happens when you disobey humans who order you to do something. You two show them that and don't hold back once we are done. I'll be taking my Pokemon here," Damien said to his two Pokemon, who nodded though Dragonite had no choice.
"I'll handle Charizard if you want to handle your brother, Charizard," Pidgeot said to Charizard, who nodded as they stood in front of the opposite of the said two Pokemon.
"What a coward you are, Charizard? Letting others fight your battles for you as your beef is with me," Scar said to Ash's Charizard, who stood his ground, not letting his childhood bully get to him this time.
On the other hand, Dragonair was watching this and could tell that her older Brother's trainer was not worth her time and was a significant bully. "Sis, get help and get out of here as soon as possible. Ash might be on the third Island. We can use the help as we can't take on these two in a non-fair fight," Charizard whispers to his twin, who nods as she is about to take off as a Dragon Breath is fired towards her as it comes from Scar.
"And where do you think you are going, young Dragonair? Watch as I show you that you are with the wrong trainer and how weak your so-called family is," Damien said as Dragonair knew that she wasn't going anywhere and had no choice but to stay, much to Charizards and Pidgeot's dismay not like they had a choice either.
The four Pokemon began to fight sadly, though. Scar and Dragonite were fighting the opposite of what Charizard and Pidgeot intended. Scar with Charizard and Pidgeot against Dragonite. Pidgeot was handling herself well against Dragonite, not just matching speed with Aerial Ace and Steel Wing to handle whatever Dragonite threw at her, those being Thunder and Ice Beam, but even impressed Dragonite during this.
"Not bad. I can see why my little Brother likes you, Pidgeot. Still, orders are orders, sadly, so please don't take what happens here today anything personal, as it wasn't my plan," Dragonite said to Pidgeot, who wasn't buying it, given she knows the history with Damien and his Pokemon.
On the other hand, Charizard was holding himself well against his childhood rival, much to the latter's dismay, and showing the fruits of his labor of training since they've been on the Island. However, Charizard knew that he would do anything to win as Charizard landed a Dragon Breath on Scar hard.
"Ugh, how can you be this strong? You were weak the last time we last saw each other. how?" Scar said to Charizard, who kept his guard up.
"Don't underestimate the son of a Champion, and I'm not the same kid you knew back then, not to mention a gym leader's daughter either in Pidgeot," Charizard said to Scar, who growled at him and used Dragons Dance, which caught Charizard off guard and was behind him holding his wings.
"Charizard," Pidgeot said as she was about to get to him, only to be blasted by an Ice Beam to the wing by Dragonite as she was sent to the ground hard.
"Time to show you why you are still beneath me and why I am your better replacement," Scar said as he used his arms to damage Charizard's wings. Everyone was surprised as Charizard yelled in pain. "Consider this for the permanent scar on my eye now for your other wing," Scar said as he was about to do the same thing, only for an Ice Beam and Thunderbolt was sent towards him from the sea as he let go of Charizard as Lapras caught Charizard before he could hit the water as both Casey's and Daniel's Pidgeot helps Pidgeot out.
"Stay out of this, all of you. This is trainers' matter, not some weak Pokemon's matter," Damien said to the Pokemon, who stood their ground.
"Can you fight, boss," Daniels Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot, who nodded.
"We can talk later, but neither of you know Twister. Let's shut Damien up, and Charizard cannot fight." Pidgeot asked the two, who nodded. "Good on my mark. When his guard is down, we'll fire it at him," Pidgeot said to them as Dragonite and Scar were still mad that they were now interrupted by all this. Pidgeot turned to Gyarados and Lapras, who figured that Pidgeot had something planned and nodded they were ready to fight to protect them.
Scar and Dragonite were about to go after the two flying types, only for Lapras and Gyarados to use Ice Beam towards them, diverting their attention to them.
"Ugh, why are you so wanting to be involved in this? Maybe you two are willing to join my team after this," Damien said to the Pokemon, who shook their heads as Pidgeot noticed his distraction.
"Now, you while his guard is down," Pidgeot said as the three used Twister, causing a massive tornado to send Damien up and straight into the water hard as Gyarados was guarding the Island, preventing him from ordering more as Scar was about to attack Gyarados only for Dragonite to held his arm out to him.
"Fall back, Scar, we're done here. Take a hint. They won't let us do more than already has been done," Dragonite said to Scar, who grumbled and was ready to fight him. "Fall back unless you want to end up in the water tail first like our trainer. I suggest you do as I say. You are in no position to fight me knowing that I will win, so what is your answer," Dragonite said to Scar, who glared and nodded.
"Fine, you win this time, but don't think this is the end," Scar said to Charizard and the others as he grunted at Charizard. "You are lucky that your older Brother stopped me, and I managed to damage your wing. Next time, it won't be reparable. Charizard, same with either of you. If we meet, you don't know who you are messing with," Scar said to the group, who wasn't phased.
"Oh, and take your filth of a Trainer, will you," Gyarados said, slamming her tail and sending him in Scar's arms as he took off as Dragonite was about to leave.
"Dragonite, wait," Daniel's Pidgeotto called him out, who turned to him. "If you are his older Brother, why to be with a trainer like that guy? Do you not see what he's doing is hurting your family from an older sibling to another? Why listen to him."
"I have nothing to say to you. You aren't involved with this or know what he is known to do," Dragonite said to Pidgeotto, who was about to say something only to be interrupted.
"Stand down, Pidgeotto. It's not worth it; he's only doing this cause he's trying to get Damien off our family's back, and it seems like he found out that little sis has evolved," Charizard said as Pidgeotto stood down as Dragonite sighed, seeing his Brother in pain.
"On the island, there's a bunch of herbs and mud that can help with his wing enough so you can get him off the Island, but he'll need medical attention," Dragonite said as he turned his back to the group. "A word of advice, Brother, and you two sister, if you want a good chance of this not happening again, you two should fight me, not Scar. Take Dragonair and train her well for the rest of us, little Brother," Dragonite said as he took off.
Both Pidgeottos were about to take off after them. "Unless you want to end up like me, I suggest you let him go, and it's not worth it. Two, and I don't want you two to get your trainers in trouble for what happened to him," Charizard said to the two flying types, who nodded, knowing that they were still human-trained and couldn't let this ruin their trainer's reputation.
"Right, now we need to find those herbs, and we can move Charizard afterward. However, one of us needs to stay behind just in case he comes back," Pidgeot said to her fellow members of her evolutionary line, who nodded.
"I'll stay behind, just in case, and I can ask these two to send a signal if someone from Damiens team comes back," Dragonair said as Lapras and Gyarados nodded to what she said as the three flying types nodded and took off.
During their flight to find the said item. "I do appreciate you guys' help back there, though I'm surprised that you were willing to help me out like that, Pidgeotto, given our history together," Pidgeot said to both Pidgeottos as both nodded, and Daniel's Pidgeotto shook his head to the last part.
"I may have a past with issues with you, but I'm not going to turn down helping a flock member in need of help, boss or not," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot, who nodded. "I know that you have questions. I can see it on your face. We can clear some air between us once we get Charizard healed up but do not make this situation not as sad as dealing with what happened before you became flock leader. Losing my status is off the table of questions, agreed?"
"Deal, I wasn't planning on it after all this, though I do have a few questions, and what you said to Dragonite is one of them," Pidgeot said as Daniel's Pidgeotto nodded.
"I don't know what your two issues with each other are, but we can't be at each other's throats during this either, so whatever your questions with my cousin here are, I want to listen as well," Casey's Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot who was taken aback.
"Thanks for opening your beak there, cousin," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to her and turned to Pidgeot. "She's a former member of our flock before you became flock leader and daughter of my aunt, who isn't with the flock anymore. She was who I was watching when we ran into each other at the Poke Ringer, Pidgeot."
Pidgeot nodded and figured, given that this Pidgeotto did look a bit young, that would explain why she looked up to her as she looked around and noticed the herbs that were mentioned. " Down there, that must be it, as it's the only thing that looks like herbs," Pidgeot said to the group, who nodded as Pidgeot looked to see how many they needed.
"At least six is needed from the looks of Charizard's wing from the looks of these herbs," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to the group. "After all those poacher attacks, I learned how to help with injuries and what is needed to help them."
"Fair enough, we'll grab two and maybe an extra few just in case. If it's not enough, never too safe to be sure," Pidgeot said to the two, who nodded as they grabbed a total of four each between them just in case it was needed and was ripe enough. "Alright, let's take off, and it seems like they learned their lesson from that," Pidgeot said to the group, who nodded as they took off.
They arrived at where Dragonair and the others were and managed to get some of the herbs on his wings with Daniel's Pidgeotto's orders to make sure that it worked without a hitch, and boy was the extra needed as it was all done. Charizard wing was covered in the herbs, though he was still grounded.
"Give him an hour so he can regain his strength. It's enough for him to get up, but flying isn't an option here unless he wants permanent damage," Pidgeotto said to Charizard and the others who were concerned, and while Lapras was willing to give him a ride, she couldn't change his tail ending up in the water.
"I'm no fool. I'm not going to ruin my wing or body like that. Boy, as prideful as I am, I won't hurt myself or my little sister like that or my career. You all did good out there," Charizard said to everyone who nodded.
"Thank this Islands, Guardian, for helping you guys out. She came to our trainers when she saw him attacking you three, and we all agreed to come after you to help," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to the three as Casey's Pidgeotto, Lapras, and Gyarados nodded.
"I must say you did well with all that, Pidgeotto. I can see why you were asked to be the flock leader before I joined the flock. I don't know what happened back then to cause you to lose it, but I'm not going to ruin this moment for you," Pidgeot praised Daniel's Pidgeotto, who nodded as he took the last part to heart as if she did have a point.
Sometime later, as Charizard was resting, Pidgeot and Daniel Pidgeotto knew it was an excellent time to speak to each other without causing issues with the group as they were on the other side of the Island, away from the others to talk.
"Before we begin, I must say you did well handling the situation there, Pidgeot, and as you said earlier, I can see why you are flock leader here, not me," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot, who nodded.
"I have three questions, two of which are about what you said to Charizard's older Brother and me earlier. If you don't mind, I want to clear the air between you and me, as sooner or later, we will be joining flocks, and I don't want to alienate you from all of it while bad blood is between you and me, what is your issue with me anyway Pidgeotto? Is it cause I took over your family's flock, or is it cause your status was taken away from you? Per our agreement, I won't pry about that incident before joining, so what is it?" Pidgeot asked her former flock member, who sighed and nodded.
"That's a fair question there, Pidgeot, and I know I won't be at your level as flock leader. Most of the stuff you have done for the flock is much more than I can ever do for them. It's more that my flock chose you once you helped them out, a non-family member running a flock I do not know of, and Fearow asking me to report about you during your time as leader. I still don't know why the rest of the council members won't talk to me about you during that day you officially became flock leader," Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot, but not in a harsh tone, but more of a hurt and not sure of what to make of its tone.
"Did you try at least to ask them who I am? I did the same to them, and they were reticent about it as well, other than what they wanted me to see you as to the flock when I told them who my father was," Pidgeot said, who nodded to her.
"They said that you are close to the flock and someone that my father knows and nothing else, not to mention you are the one who will remain the leader of the flock, and when I asked Fearow about it, he told me not to get too much into it," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot who was taken aback by what the council said to him.
"I was told something different about you when I asked about you?" Pidgeot told him, who turned to him now curious about what she meant by that. "When I asked, they told me that you were a family friend of my family, and at the time, I didn't think anything about it, but now something feels off about that, and it has to do with one of my questions?" Pidgeot told Daniel's Pidgeotto, who was also suspicious about what the flock said to her.
"We can save that question for last, as I have a feeling that is the case I have taken that you are wondering about my relationship with Fearow, given he is my guardian?" Daniel's Pidgeotto asked Pidgeot, who nodded.
"I was curious about that given that you have free reign to move between flocks, and according to Skarmory, he's been very tight beak about you in many things," Pidgeot asked as he nodded and sighed. "But, I wasn't planning on it if you don't want to talk about Pidgeotto?"
"I told him that he could tell you guys if you asked about my connections between me and him. I don't mind telling you, given as of right now. I'm a member of his flock until the merger; he's my godfather," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot, who felt that was the case but was still surprisedas Pidgeotto looked up. "It's been almost three years since I was placed in his care by my father's requests as Fearow planned on helping me get ready to be flock leader one day, but through my father's ideals, not Fearows," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot, who nodded.
"I had a feeling that would be the case, that he was that to you concerning you when you said he was your guardian. Does Skarmory know of this?" Pidgeot asked him, who nodded.
"Yeah, she found out during her last visit to the flock before I turned a Pidgeotto, and you can see why she's very calm towards me even after our discussion," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot, who nodded. "I will say this, Pidgeot: your leadership is similar to my father's teachings, that's for sure."
"It's what I learned from my father, and using it to my advantage, Pidgeotto, and that leads to my last question. You mentioned that you are an older sibling. You wouldn't happen to have a younger sister, would you?" Pidgeot asked him who was taken aback by this.
"H-how did you know that? Not many of my family are known to those outside of my flock aside from my father, that is...Wait, a minute, Pidgeot, are you saying what I think you are saying?" Daniel's Pidgeotto asked Pidgeot, who nodded.
"Remember, siblings can't run flocks unless they're either the second of command to the other or a merged flock. Think about it. Pidgeotto, it makes more sense given that the flock has been distant with us about who we are, and if we need more proof, we can get tested when we move Charizard as he will need medical attention," Pidgeot said to him, who thought about it and nodded. "I think we are coming up to the hour. We can discuss this later on."
"Pidgeot, wait, even if we are or aren't siblings, I think the whole thing between us after talking is now officially over, and I can tell you this: I'm no fit to be leader, that's for sure, and I'm older than you as well, and that's not saying that to be mean," Daniel's Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot who nodded and smiled as they flew off to where Charizard and Dragonair were at.
Charizard was recovering, but it was still not enough for him to get up as Dragonair was concerned about him and what happened, especially what her older Brother did today.
"Hey, don't be like Dragonair. He knew the risk when Damien forced him to stay on the team. It's not like Dragonite can get out of his team if he wanted to," Charizard said to his sister just as the flying types arrived where they were.
"How's your wing?" Pidgeot asked Charizard, who sighed and nodded.
"A lot better than before, but I can't get up now. I'm in no position to fly back to Ash, and I know you two wouldn't be able to carry me over there either, no offense," Charizard said to Pidgeot, who nodded.
"Not going to lie, Charizard, I'll let that comment go 'cause it's the truth. When you are ready, maybe we can ask either Lapras or Gyarados to get you over there," Pidgeot said to him, who nodded.
"Maybe I can help," A Female voice called out to the group. As they saw a Lugia in the sea, the Charizard, Dragonair, and Pidgeot were surprised to see a legendary before them. "Given that I was the one who asked your trainer and their trainers to help you, I think thanks is in order, you three," Lugia said to the trio, who nodded and thanked her.
After what to be twenty minutes, Charizard could walk, but his wing had seen better days and got on top of Lugia while making sure that he wouldn't fall off, and everyone took off and headed back to the third Island.
Pidgeot knew this Island wasn't safe for them just in case Damien returned for them as both Daniel's and Casey's. Pidgeotto was flying beside her, Dragonair was beside her Brother, and Lugia was more concerned about him. "He'll be alright. Don't worry about it, Dragonair, I promise you that," Pidgeot said to Dragonair, who nodded.
After a long time, the group arrives, where Ash and the others are on the third island. Lugia landed with the others, and Lapras and Gyarados arrived on the mainland. Lugia kneeled her head, so Charizard got off. Ash noticed what was going on and ran over to him.
"Charizard, you okay," Ash said to Charizard as Ash let out Slowbro to help with the translation, and he noticed how Pidgeot and Dragonair were acting and how Charizard's wing was that he knew who did this. "Damien, he did this to you, did he?" Ash asked Charizard, who nodded. Ash turned to the others. "Thanks, you guys, you earned that for helping them out," Ash said to his rival Pokemon and Lapras and Gyarados, who nodded.
Everyone returned their Pokemon to their balls except Pidgeotto for Daniel, as Pidgeotto asked him to keep him out for a reason. Ash returned Charizard to his ball and thanked Lugia before they went to the Pokemon Center and filled in what was going on to Nurse Joy so far, who took him in; however, Pidgeot and Pidgeotto stood in front of her as well.
'They're asking that you test them to see or confirm if they are related. They can wait until after Charizard is alright to do so, as he is more important,' Slowbro telepathically said to Joy, who nodded as she went to heal up Charizard.
Dragonair was still worried about her Brother as Ash walked towards her and petted her horn on her head as she murred from the pet. "Hey, he'll be alright, and if you don't want to stay on the team after that, tell Slowbro, and I won't make you battle after this girl," Ash said to Dragonair, who shook her head.
'She says she isn't blaming you nor will let this cloud her reason to join your team. She's more worried about Charizard 'cause she saw her brothers involved in this,' Slowbro said to Ash, translating what she said.
"What happened? What did Damien do?" Ash asked as Dragonair, through Slowbro, explained what happened.
They were attacked just as they were done eating dinner and were calling it a night, only for Damien to show up. He heard that Dragonair was still a wild Pokemon and wanted to catch her without taking no for an answer, whether by will or force. Ash was getting more mad from hearing all this, as this was the last thing he hoped to happen.
"You can't blame yourself, Ash, for what happened on that Island," Misty said to Ash, who calmed down, sighed, and nodded.
"You want to be captured by me so this way you won't be attacked like that, Dragonair? I know it's against our agreement, but we didn't expect this to happen?" Ash said to Dragonair, who nodded. She didn't need to be told twice, and Ash caught her. Luckily, he had enough room on his team so she could stay with them.
Hours have passed, and Charizard has been patched up. "He's fortunate that your Pokemon got to him in time, and whatever your Pokemon did with those herbs, it softens the healing time for Charizard, but he's out for a week until further notice, and I overheard what Slowbro told you, and I agree with Misty you are not to blame," Joy said to Ash who sighed and nodded. "Dragonair, you are okay to go and visit him, given you are family to him," Dragonair nodded and went to him. Ash sighed, as did Pidgeot. Joy turned to the two flying types.
"I did run that test on the feathers on both Pidgeot and Pidgeotto, and you had every reason to ask whether you two are siblings?" Joy said as the two flying types turned to her. "It's confirmed that you two indeed share the same marking DNA-wise with each other more, closer to each other than you think. You two are indeed Brother and sister to each other; did you two not notice or what's going on?" Joy said as the two Pokemon looked down.
"You two didn't realize that was the case. Pidgeotto?" Daniel asked his Pokemon, who nodded.
"It would explain why he's been at Pidgeot, not realizing that he's related to her, but how is that going to work with your flock," Ash said.
"Well, I am planning on letting him go to visit his flock tomorrow as per our agreement when he joined the team after Slowbro gave me the ability to understand my Pokemon in return for Pidgeotto listening to me, so I'm sure he will want to talk to his flock," Daniel said to Ash as Pidgeotto nodded.
"We can discuss a way to mitigate that tomorrow. Let's let them be for now, and I'm sure they need the rest, so let's let them be for now," Ash said to Daniel, who nodded as Pidgeotto and Pidgeot sighed and nodded as the group left. Pidgeot looked at Charizard and Dragonair, who were resting beside each other.
"You don't need my permission to go there to keep him company, sis. After all, you are old enough not to let me tell you what to do," Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot, who sighed.
"I wished we would've talked sooner, but it wasn't the case now. What are you planning on doing when you return to the flock?" Pidgeot asked him.
"Getting answers not just from the council members of our flock, but Fearow as well, and don't worry, I won't don't do something to get me kicked out of the flock; I already learned my lesson since I left the flock that day, go and be with Charizard you two are meant for each other that's for sure," Pidgeotto said to Pidgeot who nodded as she walked towards the patient room.
"It's good seeing you again, big Brother. Even if we were at each other's throats, we'd talk again before you leave," Pidgeot said to him, who nodded as she left to be with Charizard.
With everyone safe, Charizard is now out of commission until further notice. Ash will need to do something with Damien still out there to help his Pokemon out. What is in store for our heroes as the Journey continues?
Stay tuned.
Done and done. This was from the Cliffhanger at the end of the previous chapter. Initially, I had planned on doing only part of the chapter on this, but after a poll on Deviantart, people wanted this chapter. You also added the whole thing with Pidgeot and Pidgeotto. That would be bits and pieces during that, but from what I remember, it was the original plan when I wrote this story. I know that it was long-winded, but I also wanted to get that out of the way. We'll return to the Whirl Cup in the next chapter, and please review. The views on have yet to show, and the reviews have been coming in late. Also, give my other stories a read, please, and thank you. See you next time.