Well, here it is, the twenty-sixth part of the fifth and final installment in my 'Heart' series on the right day as promised. Dawn's caught her second Pokémon in Alola and with it she, Ash, and Iris have decided to return to the Pokémon School for training and to see what is next for them in their Alola adventure. It's not like anything else of note will happen before then, right? That is all the administrative stuff I have for this Part and as there are no guest reviews to respond to or questions to answer I will leave this off here but do please keep your reviews coming as I love hearing from y'all. That is it for this pre-Part note which means that it is once again time to sit back which and enjoy the latest installment in Heart of Champions. Part CCXV: The Traditional First Type.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.
Part CCXV: The Traditional First Type
"This looks like a good place for us to take a break." Iris said as they reached a small, grassy, clearing in the woods. "We're still a day or so out from the school but we've been walking all day so let's break here and then head on in an hour or so and find a better place to camp for the night that is nearer the school."
"Works for me, we can get some more training while we rest from all that walking." Dawn said as she put her bag down and pulled out her Poke Balls. "Come on out guys, we've got work to do."
With that Dawn tossed the three Poke Balls that she'd taken out into the air so that Popplio, Dragalge, and her newest catch, Jangmo-o came out and landed on the ground before her while Piplup leapt off her head to join in. As she did, Ash let out Florges for some training as well as she still needed a bit, with Pikachu helping of course, while Axew joined in and Iris pulled out her own Poke Balls to let her Pokémon out as well. With Dawn now having two dragon types and Iris in Contests it was a good idea for them to train together to help each other out.
It had been almost 2 days since Jangmo-o had appeared and revealed that it had been following Dawn since the Iki Town Contest because it loved Contests and wanted her to train it for them so that it too could participate. Of course it had also waited for the right coordinator that could make Jangmo-o stronger and better for Contests and that right coordinator had turned out to be Dawn.
Well, it was but only if Dawn proved herself which she did so now she had a Jangmo-o much to Iris's envy and happiness which when you added her new Popplio as well gave Dawn two Pokémon from Alola that she needed to train up. She may not have another Contest in Alola but she needed to be fully ready for the next region that they hit as she wanted to use her new Pokémon in that Contest, and naturally win it first time like she had in Alola.
In that vein they'd decided to cut their exploration short and head straight to the Pokémon School to have a good place for training. Well that and the other girls were all going to be in the next Contest that Dawn was looking forward to watching and she wanted to help them out as well as Iris so it made sense to head back now for all that. Plus the girls likely knew where the next Contest was so they could head to it early and show Ash and Dawn more of the region in the process as it was almost certainly going to be on one of the other islands.
For Ash's part he was still waiting on the challenge from Gladion but that wasn't expected for a few more days, or he'd missed it because he was in the woods and would have to accept it when he got back. Either way was fine with him, it gave Ash more time to prepare for it and enjoy Alola while also helping Dawn, Iris, and the others out where he could.
This was certainly a change of pace for Ash as he had no need for gym battles or other challenges for the first time in his career as a trainer so there really wasn't much to do besides see the region and train. Naturally, he did want to remain sharp for the PWC so training for a coming battle against the supposed best in Alola was just what he needed to keep himself at the top of his game and in shape for what was to come.
Ash also wanted to catch a new Pokémon while he was in Alola but so far that hadn't fallen for him. Dawn already had two new Pokémon which was great but Ash hadn't caught one yet though he knew that he just had to be patient as usually things like this worked out for him in the end.
It was as he was thinking this, and refining some of Florges's current moves so that they worked better in battle while Dawn and Piplup where showing Popplio and Jangmo-o how to use their physiological traits to their advantages in appeals as they'd likely start off in appeals and Iris's Pokémon were working with Dawn's Dragalge on something that Ash didn't get that he heard it. It was a high pitch caw like sound that got his attention and he turned in time to see something small, brown, and round fly out of the tree tops nearby and arc towards the ground.
"Rowlet!"
The cry came from the small round thing that had just appeared as it flapped wings but failed to stay aloft as it began to fall to the ground in the clearing crying out as it did. Ash acted without thinking or hesitation as he dove for the Pokémon that was falling and caught it in his arms as it fell though he bellyflopped on the ground in the process which drove the wind from him in a sharp exhalation of breath. Still he caught the Pokémon and held it up as he panted noting that it had a soft plumage.
"Pika, pi!" Pikachu cried out at Ash's actions worried for his human.
"Florges!" Florges added turning to make sure that Ash was ok.
"Ash?" Dawn asked turning as Ash got to his knees and examined what he'd caught from falling. "Oh. Well looks like it's time for another adventure."
"What do you…" Iris said also turning and blinking at what she saw in Ash's hands. "Is that a Rowlet? What's one of those doing here?"
"I don't know." Ash admitted as he looked at the Pokémon in his arms and saw that it was indeed a Rowlet. "Starters aren't usually found in the wild but this is clearly a wild Pokémon."
As Ash spoke he studied the Rowlet he was holding. It looked just like the one he'd seen in the Pokémon School so he could identify it right away and knew a bit about the species but given where they were and no sound of another trainer this one was a wild Rowlet which was rare for a starter. It also had it's eyes closed and was panting a bit showing that it was clearly exhausted. Instantly Ash knew what to do.
"Pikachu, Florges, get the fruit and berries that we bought in Iki Town and collected along the way." Ash said looking to his Pokémon. "Rowlet's exhausted for some reason so it should eat and drink. Dawn, can you got some water."
"Pika pi." Pikachu nodded.
"Florges." Florges agreed as she went over to Ash's bag and opened it to pull out the food in question.
"Of course." Dawn said as she hurried over to her bag while the Pokémon helped out as best they could.
It was a good thing that Ash had had this idea back in Iki Town though admittedly his stomach played a large role as the fruit had looked delicious. There was a practical side to it though as Ash wasn't the best cook and they and their Pokémon needed snacks so buying fruit was a good idea to meet that need, along with picking any berry or fruit that they recognized as edible or useful in Pokémon care along the way so that they had them for when they were needed.
Right now that was a really good thing as the mixture of fruits and berries were brought over as Ash gently placed the Rowlet on the ground so that it could recover from what it had been doing and chose what it wanted to enjoy. All that said, why Ash had felt the need to buy a watermelon was still a mystery to the girls and his Pokémon.
As Ash did Florges came over with the mixed bundle of fruits and berries in her arms and crouched down to put them next to Rowlet unsure what it would like as she didn't know this Pokémon species well while Dawn put a bowl of water out as well before she backed up. Florges didn't and addressed Rowlet, she may not know Rowlets as a species but she had plenty of experience looking after wild Pokémon, well her child, so she knew what to say.
"Florges." Florges said to Rowlet introducing herself and her human and teammate before gesturing to the berries and water and offering Rowlet its pick of them. "Florges. Flor, Florges."
"Rowlet?" Rowlet asked surprised that this Pokémon he'd never seen before, but with its appearance clearly had to be a grass type he thought, was offering him berries but he was hungry and tired as he'd been busy trying to get fruit or berries for his flock after he'd mistakenly brought something that wasn't fruit earlier. "Rowlet, row, row, Rowlet."
"Florges." Florges said with a smile and nodded that Rowlet could have as many berries as he'd like.
"Rowlet." Rowlet said with a happy bob and set about enjoying the fruit and berries provided chirping his enjoyment of them as he ate.
Rowlet was hungry and was going to get his fair share of fruit and berries and then he was going to grab something to take back to the nest. This was just what he'd been looking for, there was no mistake this time, and so he was sure Toucannon would be thrilled with something and already Rowlet had seen what he was going to take back. It was going to go down really well with the rest of the flock and make up for bringing that metal thing back earlier.
Ash, Dawn, Iris, and all their Pokémon just watched the Rowlet eat its fill before it dipped its beak into the water to wash that down when it was done with the fruit and berries that it had decided to eat. It was certainly interesting but it still didn't answer the questions of why it was here and why was it tired. Florges had even asked that but Rowlet hadn't responded as it was eating and hadn't heard her.
When it was done Ash was about to ask Rowlet what it was up to but before he could Rowlet let out a caw and leap onto the watermelon they had, grabbed it in its claws and then flapped off just as Ash was opening his mouth. That was surprising and at least answered why Rowlet had been exhausted, it was looking for food and hadn't found any before it exhausted itself, but there was still the question of why it needed to take some away now that it had eaten and naturally Ash wanted answers to that.
"Come on, let's see where Rowlet's going." Ash said excitedly as he grabbed his bag and hurried off after Rowlet with Pikachu and Florges running after him.
"Well looks like it's time for an adventure." Dawn said with a smile as she recalled her Pokémon. "Let's hurry, Ash might get lost if we're not with him."
"True though I do know these woods well." Iris said as she too recalled her Pokémon before she and Dawn, along with Piplup and Axew who weren't recalled, hurried after Ash. "I'll admit I'm curious to as a Rowlet out here isn't common."
Dawn nodded at that as she too knew how strange it was to run into a wild starter, well strange for anyone but Ash, as she hurried into the woods after Ash. It didn't take long for her and Iris catch up with Ash and as his Pokémon as they hurried after Rowlet who was gliding through the air in front of him still carrying the watermelon and cawing happily.
None of them knew how far they traveled, it was hard to tell in the woods, but eventually they reached an area where the ground was overgrown with vine covered branches that seemed to be over a pit or canyon, it was hard to tell, with a clear nest in on it. That was where Rowlet was going and so Ash, Dawn, Iris, and their Pokémon came to a stop before they walked onto the branches and just watched from where they were as Rowlet flew to the nest.
Sitting in it was a large white and black avian Pokémon with yellow cheek circles and a massive multi colored beak that Rowlet happily flew towards with a caw. Unlike most Alolan Pokémon, however, this was one of the few that Ash and Dawn instantly recognized which only added to the confusion of what was going on as they new that it was not an evolved form of Rowlet.
"Woah that's a Toucannon." Iris said as they watched the Toucannon great Rowlet in a deep voice and note that it sounded pleased as Rowlet dropped the watermelon in the nest where several other fruits and berries had already been gathered though between the size of the nest and how far out it was the trio couldn't identify what kinds of fruits and berries they were. "And it seems like the Rowlet is part of its flock."
"Flock?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah no doubt there are a bunch of Pikipeks and a Trumbeak or two around as well with this Toucannon as the leader." Iris said. "They tend to be in flocks when they're deep in the woods like this and they're a common on Melemele and Akala, at least Pikipeks are. They are the Alolan normal and flying birds after all just like how Pidove and its line are in Unova though there is no gender differences in this one."
"Actually, this is something we already knew before coming to Alola." Dawn said surprising Iris. "Toucannon was the first Alolan Pokémon that wasn't a regional variant that we saw in fact though we soon met a fire type Oricorio as well."
"Right, Kahili had hers out when we ran into her at that Fire Festival." Ash said recalling it and finally placing where he'd seen Toucannon before. "She said it was the Alolan version of Talonflame though normal not fire so like Pidgeot, Staravia, or Unfezant."
"I keep forgetting that you met Kahili in Kalos." Iris said. "She's a flying specialist who's Toucannon is almost always out of its Poke Ball so you already know this Pokémon then."
"We've met it but I don't think we've actually learned about it as our Pokedexes weren't calibrated for Alolan Pokémon at the time." Ash said as he pulled out his Pokedex while Rowlet nuzzled Toucannon's beak pleased that he'd done well this time. "But now's the chance."
"Toucannon, the Cannon Pokémon." The Pokedex chimed as it scanned the Toucannon before the trio. "When it battles, its beak heats up. The temperature can easily exceed 212 degrees Fahrenheit, causing severe burns when it hits."
"Huh, that's a different way to fight but with a beak like that I can see why it would be useful." Ash said already thinking of the battle strategies he would use if he had a Toucannon. "So why do you think it's with a Rowlet?"
"Likely Rowlet either ended up here as a young Pokémon or even an egg and just ended up part of the flock." Iris said with a shrug. "There's no way that this Toucannon is alone so it wouldn't bat an eye at raising another flying type."
Iris wasn't wrong because as she spoke there was a caw in the air and the trio turned to see a bunch of small bird Pokémon following a slightly larger one as they flew towards the nest through the trees. It was clear at a glance that the one leading them was the middle stage of the Alola bird type line while the smaller ones behind it were the first stage that were the common ones Ash would have expected to find. Naturally he was thrilled to see the whole line in one place and couldn't help but study the Pokémon as they flew in.
Both Pokémon had the same coloration for the most part with the majority of their feathers being black and those covered their backs, tails, the backs of their wings and neck and head, and bellies. Only their chests, the undersides of their wings, and their faces were covered in white feathers. Where they differed, other than size, was the fine details.
The middle stage had a red collar of feathers around its neck, blue gray legs and talons, and a long beach that was orange as the base, red just past the middle and black at the tip. Meanwhile, the first stage had red feathers in a stripe from its beak to the top of its heads and in the front of its ears, gray legs and talons, and a gray beak with a sharp, black, point. The beaks were the same shape and sharp, pointed ones compared to the massive and slightly hooked beach of Toucannon, just different colors and sizes with the exception of the tip.
It was what Ash would have expected from the regional avian Pokémon as they ended to be pretty similar through the lines just getting bigger, stronger, faster, and more pronounced as they evolved. It was a kind of Pokémon that Ash knew well having caught a normal and flying type in every region that he'd been in and in every case that it had been available he'd caught the ones that had two evolutions though Kalos differed from the others with the type change after the first evolution. Even in Johto and Hoenn where there wasn't a 3 stage normal and flying type he'd caught the two stage one though Johto he'd caught the evolved form.
In all honesty Ash was tempted to catch one of the Pikipeks and train it up as it was basically tradition at this point that he'd catch one of the bird Pokémon in a new region but be stopped himself form doing so. It wouldn't be hard if he'd wanted though, they were flying types so weak to an electric type like Pikachu, but it was clear that they were all friends and part of a family.
Ash could tell this by the fact that all the Pokémon were carrying berries in their talons and bringing them back to the nest where Toucannon and Rowlet were. As they cawed to the Pokémon in the nest, Toucannon and Rowlet returned them with happy greetings of their own to the rest of the flock.
"I get it now." Ash said his Pokedex still out. "They're the rest of the flock and they were out looking for berries and fruit for the group so that they could all eat. That's why Rowlet was exhausted, it was looking for fruit and so when it was done it took the biggest piece it could for its friend and flew off with it."
"Florges." Florges said with a nod as she too understood it. "Flor, Florges."
"Pika pi." Pikachu added getting it as well.
"Which means that there's no point in breaking them up." Ash said with a smile. "Their friends and family so I'm glad we could help them out. See I told you buying that watermelon would be useful."
"You got lucky this time, Ash." Dawn pointed out. "But yes it was useful and will be appreciated better than we could do so."
"Right, well let's leave them but before we go I do want to learn more about these Pokémon." Ash said as he held up his Pokedex to the Trumbeak that was flying towards the nest glad to have the moment to scan it. "We are here to learn as much as we can about Alola after all so let's see what their common bird Pokémon are all about."
"Agreed." Dawn said as she pulled out her own Pokedex to do the same with one of the Pikipeks. "And for an adventure with you this is pretty tame with no action but nice at the same time as usually this is when Team Rocket shows up."
"Please don't jinx it Dawn." Iris said as Ash's Pokedex beeped. "I've enjoyed not dealing with those morons and would like to keep it that way."
"Trumbeak, the Bugle Beak Pokémon and the pre-evolved form of Toucannon." Ash's Pokedex chimed as he scanned the Pokémon the sound cutting off any chatter as Ash and Dawn listened to the entry, Iris already knew about this Pokémon. "By bending its beak, it can produce a variety of calls and brand itself a noisy nuisance for its neighbors."
"I can certainly see how that would be annoying." Ash said as Dawn's Pokedex chimed as she was scanning Trumbeak's pre-evolved form, Pikipek. "But there could be uses to that as well."
"Pikipek, the Woodpecker Pokémon and the first stage of Toucannon." The Pokedex said. "It can peck at a rate of 16 times a second to drill holes in trees. It uses the holes for food storage and for nesting."
"Well all this is good to know in case we run into more of them but for now let's get moving." Ash said as he turned leaving the flock to their fruits and berries now that the rest had returned. "There's training to do and who knows what else we might find in…"
Before Ash could finish, or the flock could start eating, there was an animalistic roar from the direction that the Trumbeak and Pikipeks had flown in from and the sound of heavy footfalls running towards them, along with the sounds of breaking wood. That instantly got the trio's attention and they turned to it in time to see a pair of trees be ripped apart by a two powerful looking claws and suddenly a bipedal Pokémon standing almost 7 feet tall that neither Ash nor Dawn had ever seen before was closing in on them and the nest.
The Pokémon in question looked like a very strong and solid bear, so much so that it didn't appear to have a neck, with black fur on its front and legs was while its back, head, tail and the pads of its forepaws were pink with the paw pads being a few shades darker than the other fur and darker rings of pink around the base and middle of its tail. It's muzzle was white, however, and it had a headband of white fur that connected its white ears and white claws on its feet. It's black eyes were beady and just above its muzzle as it glared at the fruit that had been taken.
"What is that!" Dawn exclaimed her eyes wide as she looked up at the big Pokémon that had suddenly appeared and was now just standing there in front of them but looking past them at the nest. "I've seen Ursula, even caught one, before but that's more intimidating and much more solid."
"It' a Bewear." Iris said recognizing it from her studies but she'd not actually seen one yet while in Alola. "A fully evolved normal and fighting type that is native to Alola. I knew that there was one that claimed these woods as its territory but I'd not seen it before. This isn't good though as they are physically very strong. I hate to admit this but I'm actually glad we have a fairy type with us."
"Florges." Florges said annoyed at the phrasing but regardless she stepped forward ready to protect Ash and the others and get some training in if she could.
"Well let's check it out at least." Ash said as he moved his still present Pokedex and scanned it as he got a sinking feeling in his stomach but he still had to voice his hope. "Maybe it's not a bad thing that it's here."
"Bewear, the Strong Arm Pokémon." The Pokedex chimed as it identified the Bewear. "This immensely dangerous Pokémon possesses overwhelming physical strength. It's habitat is generally off-limits."
"Or maybe not." Ash said. "I have a feeling that those berries were stolen from it and now it wants them back."
"Florges?" Florges asked the Bewear to confirm this for Ash.
"Bewear." The Bewear roared answering Florges's question affirmatively and instantly Florges knew that this was another female and one with strong protective instincts like hers so likely a mother as well. "Bewear."
"Flor, Florges?" Florges asked trying to confirm what it was saying as Bewear had also added that the berries weren't just for her but her Stufful which was a Pokémon that Florges had never heard of before. "Florges?"
"Bewear." Bewear said a note of sadness in her voice confirming that the berries were also for said Stufful. "Be, Bewear."
"Florges" Florges said nodding as she understood everything now and began to explain her own past so that Bewear understood as well. "Flor, Florges. Flor…"
That was because this Bewear was like her, it was a mother, or at least a motherly figure, to a Pokémon that she evolved from but that Pokémon had been separated from Bewear and she didn't know where it was rather than being sick and not getting better as Floette was for Florges. As such, Bewear was looking for her Stufful but couldn't find it so in the meantime she was gathering berries for herself and her child should she find it and she'd been out looking earlier for it, as she did every day, when the Trumbeak and Pikipeks had raided her stash.
She'd come to get them back and tell the Pokémon off for taking them when they were hers. If they'd asked she'd share as it was better than them going to waste if she couldn't find Stufful, but clearly her presence had caused issues.
Florges got it better than anyone else could as she chatted with the Bewear while Ash, Dawn and Iris just blinked unable to understand though all the Pokémon did. They heard as Florges shared her own story with Bewear and the mistakes she'd made but that she understood them now thanks to her human with whom she was atoning for them. Her human was great and very helpful but alas they weren't going to be in this area long enough to help find Stufful like Florges wanted but thankfully the dragon loving human was staying was one her human trusted so she'd help Bewear find Stufful.
"Bewear?" Bewear asked amazed at what Florges was offering, her eyes wide as she sought confirmation on this. "Be, Bewear?"
"Florges." Florges said with a nod as she pointed at Iris volunteering her to help Bewear find her child. "Flor, Florges."
"Wait why are you pointing at me?" Iris asked looking at Florges while pointing at herself. "This isn't a dragon type so I'm not going to be well suited to training it."
"Florges." Florges said to Iris in a tone that said that Iris had no say in the matter before turning to Ash and gesturing to herself and then to him as she tried to get her point across to him. "Flor, Florges, Flor, Flor, Florges."
"Wait, is this similar to how we met?" Ash asked. "Is Bewear only here because it needs the berries for something good and not because it's here to attack?"
"Florges." Florges said with a nod and smile, her human really was smart and astute, at least about matters of Pokémon as according to Pikachu he wasn't when it came to matters of mates, so she knew he'd understand as she then pointed to Bewear and then herself before miming how she held Floette hoping that Ash would continue to understand. "Florges. Flor, Florges."
"I see." Ash said. "So this Bewear is a bit like you, it's protecting someone close to it and those berries were for that Pokémon."
"Florges." Florges said holding her right arm up and waving her hand in a 'kinda' gesture. "Flor, Florges."
"Similar?" Ash asked and Florges nodded glad that Ash was understanding. "So there is a Pokémon that it's protecting, likely an earlier stage."
"Florges." Florges said with an emphatic nod at that so that Ash knew that he was right.
"That would be a Stufful then, it's Bewear's pre-evolved form." Iris said helpfully and she was starting to get it a bit as Ash had told her the crazy story of how he ended up with a Florges, it was crazy even by Ash's standards, but she wasn't quite there yet as she assumed it was the same as Florges's situation. "Is it sick?"
"Florges." Florges said shaking her head.
"Missing." Ash said getting it now.
"Florges." Florges said with a nod.
"And its looking for this Stufful?" Ash asked.
"Florges." Florges said with another nod smiling at Ash's astuteness.
"And you told it how I helped you and that we can help again." Ash deduced. "Because we helped Floette get better and clean up the misunderstanding in the Wetlands."
"Florges." Florges said shaking her head and making the 'kinda' gesture again before she point to Iris and then to Bewear. "Florges. Flor, Florges."
"Oh I get it; you volunteered Iris for the job of finding the Stufful because we won't be staying long and this may take a while which we don't have." Ash said and Florges nodded. "That's very clever, Florges. Iris will be able to help for sure and I trust that she can get this done."
"Florges." Florges said beaming her eyes closed at Ash's praise.
"Do I get a say in this!" Iris exclaimed.
"Florges." Florges said opening her eyes to turn and glare at Iris and shake her head no, the dragon lover was going to help in Ash's stead. "Flor, Florges."
"Apparently not." Dawn said as she tried to follow what was going on. "I don't think Florges likes your attitude but she knows that Ash trusts you so I presume that's why she volunteered you for this task. I do wish we could help and feel bad being the reason we can't but we are on a super tight schedule and we don't know where to start with finding a Stufful."
"Florges." Florges said comfortingly to Ash's mate, she wasn't to blame for this, this was just a situation that they couldn't have expected and unfortunately couldn't aid in. "Florges."
"Thanks." Dawn said smiling at Florges understanding enough to know that Florges wasn't blaming her for what was going on.
"Great, well at least it won't be to hard." Iris said as she accepted the task. "Kukui and the others can help find Stuffuls and learn how they ended up where they ended up. Alright Bewear, I'll help find your Stufful."
"Bewear!" Bewear said happily her face breaking out into a smile as she bounded over to Iris.
"Wait, no, don't…" Iris began but before she could finish Bewear was on her and wrapping her in a literal bear hug as Iris was lifted clean off the ground.
"Axew!" Axew yelled as he leapt out of Iris's hair and to the safety of the ground as Iris was lifted up and hugged tightly.
"Wait, stop or else…" Iris began as Bewear hugged her before there was a cracking sound. "Never mind, there goes my spine."
"Florges." Florges said pleased that that had been sorted before she turned to the flock and began to scold them for stealing another Pokémon's gathered berries shaking one of her finger things at them as Bewear hugged the life out of Iris behind her. "Flor, Florges. Florges. Flor, Flor, Florges."
"Toucannon." Toucannon said stepping forward to defend its flock as they had to get food for themselves as well so they needed a lot. "Tou, Toucannon."
"Florges." Florges said shaking her head as she gestured to the woods around them and noted that it was clearly big enough for everyone to share and get food on their own if they wanted before she launched into an explanation that Bewear would share if they just asked. "Flor, Florges, Flor, Flor, Florges, Flor. Florges. Flor, Florges."
"Toucannon." Toucannon retorted saying that the flock didn't know that the fruit and berries belonged to Bewear because it wasn't there when they found it. "Tou, Toucannon."
"Florges, Flor." Florges said shaking her head at the excuse and saying that wild Pokémon should work together not fight, she'd learned the hard way that that didn't end well and she was still atoning for that so she'd teach the lessons of her mistakes so that other Pokémon didn't make them, lessons she'd learned from Ash. "Flor, Florges, Flor, Flor, Florges."
"Toucannon." Toucannon said before it turned to Bewear and addressed it to ask if what Florges was saying true. "Tou, Toucannon, Tou, Tou, Toucannon?"
"Bewear." Bewear said with a nod and a smile as it dropped Iris to the ground who instantly collapsed and clutched her back as Axew came over to help her. "Bewear. Be, Bewear."
"Toucannon." Toucannon said with a bow of its head before gesturing to the berries that had been brought back with its wing and offering them back to Bewear with an apology for taking them. "Toucannon. Tou, Toucannon."
"Bewear." Bewear said shaking her head and holding a paw up to let Toucannon and his flock keep the berries as she had more than enough for herself back in her den but asking that they just ask her for some in the future and to keep their eyes out for her precious Stuffel in case they saw it around the forest. "Bewear, Bewear, Bewear."
"Toucannon." Toucannon said with a bob of its head agreeing to this before turning to Florges and apologizing for the flock and thanking her for sorting this out while the flock chirped their own apologies except for Rowlet who'd done nothing wrong and was watching the whole thing in amazement as he looked between Florges and her human, the male one called Ash that had caught and fed him. "Tou, Toucannon."
"Florges." Florges said shaking her head and pointing to Ash who was watching everything stunned at how Florges had solved it and unaware that she was crediting him with it as she explained to Toucannon and his flock what Ash had done for her and how amazing he was as a human who'd made her better both in so many ways to the point that she could aid in a situation like this. "Flor, Florges, Flor, Flor, Florges, Florges, Flor."
"Toucannon." Toucannon said understanding it.
"Bewear." Bewear said getting Florges's attention as she lumbered over to her and picked her up in a hug. "Bewear."
"Florges." Florges said as she patted her fellow mother on the chest and told her to watch her strength as her body, while sturdy, wasn't something that Bewear was used to so had to be careful. "Flor, Florges."
"Bewear." Bewear said as she let go of Florges and Florges fell to the ground and bowed her head once more. "Bewear."
With that Bewear turned and walked off the way she'd come the whole thing fully diffused by Florges and now Bewear had new friends to help out as well, and who would help her in return adding to the aid she had in finding Stufful. She'd keep an eye on the human as well, she was going to help to and Bewear was going to protect her in return for that kind help.
"What, what just happened?" Iris asked as she slowly rose her back still hurting. "That was unusual even by Ash's standards."
"If I had to guess there was an issue with stolen berries that the flock took from Bewear and Florges solved it." Ash said. "While volunteering you to find her Stufful."
"Huh, when you put it like that it seems almost normal for us." Iris said. "That or the pain is dulling my mind."
"Probably both." Dawn said with a smile as she began to look for something for that in her bag, after the various injuries she'd had in recent years Dawn always carried some form of over the counter pain relief just in case. "This is a bit different as it was entirely Florges who sorted it out but it worked out and there was not battle."
"True." Ash said as he turned to head off. "Thanks Florges. Come on let's got, Rowlet and his friends have plenty of fruit now and Bewear isn't angry and has help so all has gone well. Let's leave them to it."
"Florges." Florges said with a nod as she turned with Ash and they began to head off.
"Pikachu." Pikachu said in agreement.
"This is a bit anticlimactic." Dawn noted as they began to walk away and back towards the small clearing where this had all started. "I was expecting something more though I'm not complaining that there was no action."
What none of them noticed was that as they were walking off Rowlet was looking after them a longing look in his eyes, or mor specifically looked at Ash as he walked away. He'd heard Florges's words of praise for her human and seen the kindness first hand. He could learn a lot if he was with Ash as well, he seemed like he was a good human who knew Pokémon well if he could turn Florges around based on what she'd said, but at the same time he didn't want to leave his flock.
"Toucannon." Toucannon said with a smile as it bent down and pressed its beak to Rowlet to nudged him forward and after the male human. "Tou, Toucannon."
Toucannon too had seen the desire in Rowlet and knew that it was time for him to leave the flock. There came a time when the others would as well be it on their own to form their own flocks or with a human and this was Rowlet's time.
The Cannon Pokémon had heard what Florges had said about Ash, he was clearly a great human based on all that Florges had recounted about him, and he'd helped Rowlet out to the point that Rowlet realized it as well. Now Rowlet wanted to join Ash and who was Toucannon to stop him. It was just glad that Rowlet had made a good choice for a human to bond with and was looking forward to seeing what Rowlet made of this.
"Rowlet?" Rowlet asked looking at the Pokémon that had helped him hatch by warming its egg with its beak and then raised him despite Rowlet being different to the others in the flock so he owed Toucannon so much that he wasn't sure if he could leave. "Row, Rowlet."
"Toucannon." Toucannon said with a small nod as it pushed Rowlet towards the leaving humans giving Rowlet it blessing and wishing him the best of luck while Trumbeak and the Pikipeks chirped in agreement and told Rowlet that he was always welcome to come back and visit. "Tou, Toucannon."
"Rowlet." Rowlet said smiling and thanking Toucannon for everything as he accept it happily and let Toucannon give him one final push away to boost his momentum.
With that Rowlet took to the air and flapped his wings as he flew the short distance to Ash and then dove right into his open backpack before he could leave the area. That instantly got Ash's attention and he turned taking his bag off to stare wide eyed at Rowlet as Rowlet sat in his backpack.
"Rowlet?" Ash asked surprised as he stared at the Alolan grass type starter that was smiling up at him. "What are you doing here?"
"Rowlet." Rowlet chirped with a smile as he fluttered out of the backpack and landed on the ground before Ash.
"Florges." Florges said understanding and smiling as she fully agreed with Rowlet's decision, after all she'd made the same one herself not so long ago.
"Do you want to join me?" Ash asked getting it as he continued to look at Rowlet.
"Rowlet!" Rowlet said bobbing up and down in agreement his tone thrilled.
"Well I can't say no to that, welcome to the team." Ash said grinning as Dawn and Iris stared at what was going on though they weren't surprised at all as this was Ash after all. "Here, let's make it official."
With that Ash pulled off a Poke Ball and tossed it at Rowlet who chirped happily as he flew up and into the Poke Ball so that he hit it in midair. The moment he did the Poke Ball burst open and he was sucked into it in a flash of red. it then fell to the ground and shook as the button flashed red for a few moments before it clicked and remained still indicating a successful capture.
"Alright." Ash said grinning as he picked up the Poke Ball before he thrust it into the air in his victory pose. "I caught a Rowlet!"
"Florges." Florges said happily.
"Pikachu." Pikachu concurred eager to meet the new teammate and welcome him properly.
"Rowlet." Rowlet said as he burst from the Poke Ball and into Ash's backpack which he'd decided he liked better than the Poke Ball so he'd hang out here when he was with Ash.
"You want to stay in there?" Ash asked.
"Rowlet." Rowlet said with a nod.
"Alright then, I don't mind that." Ash said as he put the bag on so that Rowlet was on his back smiling the entire time. "That works for me. Come on, let's get moving so I can introduce you to the others when we get back to the Pokémon School. Seems like my streak of catching at least one native flying type per region continues."
"Rowlet." Rowlet said happily as Ash headed off with all three Pokémon out.
"There we go." Dawn said with a smile feeling a tension she'd not felt leave here. "That's more typical for one of these adventures. It was odd that nothing like that had happened yet."
"That it is, such an Ash thing to happen." Iris said shaking her head. "But we should catch up so I can lead the way back. This will make for a great story when we get back."
"That it will." Dawn said as the girls hurried after Ash to catch up and begin the trek back to the Pokémon School that they should return to tomorrow.
To say that it had been a strange adventure that they'd not expected would be an understatement but when you traveled with Ash Ketchum these things were par for the course and both Dawn and Iris were used to this by now. Besides, it had been interesting and Ash had caught his first Alolan Pokémon and kept his tradition alive of catching a flying type or a Pokémon that was either flight capable or would evolve into a flying type as his first new Pokémon in a region, a tradition that only Kalos had bucked.
It was all in a day's work for Ash though and it would make a good story as the trio headed to the Pokémon School. It was time to continue Ash and Dawn's Alola adventure with their new friends as both wondered what was next for them in the region.
I think that's a good place to end this Part on, a nice capture in as part of this small travel arc where Ash and Dawn see and experience more of Alola. Now Ash has his first capture and yes this is meant to be the canon Rowlet and caught similarly to how I understand Rowlet was caught in canon only with no Team Rocket and the effects of his capture of Florges earlier shown as Florges was present to sort things out and inadvertently hype Ash up for Rowlet. A good adventure for them overall, especially after Dawn caught Jangmo-o, but it's time to return to school and see what's next as the short Alola arc soldiers on. That is all that I have for this Part though so I will leave it off here. As always if you like my work then please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), if possible leave a review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.
Stringdog