She was the only Pidgeot within the flock, and a rare sight in the wild. But unlike the rest of her flock, she wasn't a wild Pokemon. Though she hadn't seen her Pokeball in a long time, she was still bound to it. She lived a life as a wild Pokemon, forging with and protecting the Pidgey flock, but still having a trainer had it's ups. It was a handy trump card for when a trainer thought they'd try to take her from her flock after they saw her battle power, only to discover that the thrown Pokeball had failed.

It had been sometime since a trainer had tried to capture her, and she assumed that word had spread, which was fine with her. She was tired of flying to the Pokemon Center after a trainer had failed in capturing her, leaving her weaken, and therefore leaving her flock vulnerable for attack. While large in numbers, her flock looked to her as a leader, and panicked when she wasn't there. While exhausting at times, she wouldn't trade her flock for the world.

Often times Pidgeot though back on the day when she had joined this flock, the day she had evolved and the day her trainer had left her here in the forest to protect the flock from the Fearow. She had been worried for her trainer for sometime, with many of his Pokemon acting just as rashly as Ash had been, who would care for him? But with Fearow returning, this time with even more Spearows at his command, Pidgeot had found her focus turning towards her new flock.

Her worry for Ash had soon been proven to be misplaced, true to his word, her trainer had returned to check on her after finishing his journey. She had been overjoyed to discover that he hadn't just made it without her, but had thrived. Her little hatchling of a trainer had grown in his feathers, and now was exploring the world with his mighty wings. He had never failed to visit her after he completed a journey, each visit only showing how much the young boy had grown. Pidgeot was proud of the capable human she saw before her every time, the boy she was able to call her trainer.

She had never had the chance to return to Ash's team though, with Fearow constantly attacking, and recruiting more Spearow from route 22 to join his flock, Pidgeot had to remain with her flock. Her flock was growing as well, with other Pidgeys taking shelter within her flock as Fearow claimed the lands surrounding the forest. She took each little flying type under her wing, protecting them from the Spearow flock that wanted the forest for themselves.

Pidgeot ruffled her feathers as her thoughts turned to Fearow. The scarred flying type dedicated his focus to her and only her with each battle their flocks got caught in. It was almost habit now, Pidgeot and Fearow engaging in a one-on-one battle as their flocks fought below their aerial battles. The two flock leaders constantly pushed each other, each learning of the other's strengths and weaknesses with each passing fight. It was strange how familiar she had grown with Fearow from their battles; she knew his fighting style almost as well as she knew her own. Each of his expressions were crystal clear to her as they battled it out. She could see his frustration when she defeating him, and the victory each time he landed a hit. She had watched his gaze be a boiling rage each time he laid eyes on her, and how that had slowly faded to respect with time.

At first Pidgeot had felt nothing but a raw anger towards the Fearow, he was everything she was against. He didn't protect, he attacked. He attacked her trainer, the wild Pokemon, passing humans, and of course her precious flock. She had ferociously flown into battle against him, wanting to make him pay for everyone he had ever hurt. But as time passed, she had found her attitude changing towards him. She couldn't help but notice how powerful he was, even without a trainer, he must have put so much effort towards his training. She watched the way he counted his flock, making sure all the Spearows were with him. He would carried the injured Spearows that couldn't fly on his back, even though he was beaten up from his own battle against her. Fearow wasn't the nicest to other creatures, but the way he cared for his flock... She couldn't help but begin to respect him for that.

'Pidgeot... Pidgeot!' A nervous voice called to her, and Pidgeot shifted her gaze to a golden Pidgeotto flying next to her. The shiny Pokemon's feathers gleamed in the sunlight as she struggled to keep up to Pidgeot, 'Pidgeot! The Spearow flock is approaching! What are your orders?'

'Just engage, Aquila,' Pidgeot told the little Pidgeotto. The shiny Pidgeotto had spent a frightened life of fleeing from trainers, quickly becoming strong as she fought to avoid capture. Aquila was easily the strongest Pidgeotto within the flock, but the golden Pokemon always panicked. Pidgeot was sure Aquila would make a wonderful flock leader one day, if only she'd learn to calm now.

'Yes madam!' The Pidgeotto turned, letting out calls to the rest of the flock, 'Pidgeot says to engage the Spearow flock, move out now!'

Several groups of Pidgeys sped forward with a Quick Attack, each lead by a Pidgeotto as they rushed to meet the incoming Spearow flock. Fearow let out a long call, his deep voice echoing through the forest and air, and chills raced down Pidgeot's back. She could just feel his strength from simply hearing his powerful cry, and the urge to return her own cry ran through Pidgeot, but she kept her beak shut. This was about protecting the forest, not a personal rivalry.

Spearows rushed forward from his flock, quickly flying towards the Pidgeys, lacking the neat formations that Pidgeot had her flock flying in. Pidgeot didn't even bat an eyes as the two flocks clashed in mid air, Peck attacks and Wing Attacks slamming against each other as the battle for control of the Viridian Forest began. These fights happened so often that both flocks saw it as no more than part of their routine. There was no more fancy battle declarations from Fearow, he knew he simply had to fly into her forest, and she'd come.

Pidgeot's gaze met Fearow's, and her heart skipped a beat as his dark eyes met her amber ones. He had a new scar running across his face, he had been fighting other Pokemon, and it looked recent. Pidgeot saw the downcast look in his gaze, and she realized that he must have lost that battle. Yet he had still brought his flock to fight her, like he didn't want to miss their usual battle. The two flying types watched each other for a moment, silent as the sounds of battle clashed about them as their flocks fought.

Finally Fearow pulled his head back, beak spinning with a Drill Peck. Pidgeot angled her wings, each feather gleaming as they faintly glowed, turning to a sleek metallic color. The Steel Wing whistled as she threw herself forward with a Quick Attack, rushing forward to meet her rival. She slashed him across the chest with the Steel Wing, knocking him off course. She didn't pause, wheeling around as he quickly recovered from the blow, like she had known he would. It would take more than a Steel Wing to keep him down. His wings beat furiously, Drill Peck still whirring as he brought it down across her wings as the Steel Wing faded, then quickly glowing with Agility, speeding away.

Pidgeot's eyes gleamed as she studied the Agility move, then she became outlined with the energy of Agility herself as she used Mirror Move, copying Fearow's move. She quickly caught up with him, then dove at him with her Quick Attack. He grunted as she slammed into him, and he flipped himself over, seizing her feet with his talons, forcing her to fall with him. Pidgeot let out a startled cry as she struggled to escape his grasp, but their feet were locked together. He watched her with his dark eyes, clearly humored with her struggles, even as they fell. Pidgeot flapped her wings, but she couldn't support both of them, at least not with the momentum they were currently falling at.

The ground came rushing up to meet them, and finally Fearow let go. With ruffled feathers Pidgeot quickly spread her wings, catching an updraft and freeing herself from the fall. She soared back into the air, swooping about, eyes flickering as she searched for Fearow.

With the grace of a Ninetales he pulled out of the fall, wings opening mere feet above the tree line. He skimmed across the roof of the forest, feet brushing against the leaves as he slowly rose back into the air. His beak was cracked part way opened, as if grinning. He weaved between the battling birds, swooping back towards Pidgeot.

Pidgeot watched his flight, as he took his time to get back towards her. Usually he'd jump straight into the battle, nothing holding him back as he tried to quickly claim victory. Yet he wasn't rushing towards her, carefully flying about each Pidgey and Spearow he came across, feathers puffed up as if trying to look larger. Pidgeot clicked her beak nervously, she couldn't help but notice that he was favoring his right wing. It was only slightly, barely noticeable. She had only spotted the small quiver in his flight due to how many times they had battled.

He swooped up, rushing past her, quickly gaining air. Pidgeot was forced to crane her head up, surprised that he didn't strike her when he had the chance. It was as if he was making sure she was watching him, seeing every gleaming feather and sharp scar. Pidgeot furrowed her brow, Fearows often dust bathed, since when were his feathers that clean?

Now high above her he prepared to dive into a Drill Peck, taking great care with each move, as if going for show rather than power. Pidgeot pulled back as he came rushing down, avoiding the attack. She watched him uncertainly.

Was he trying to show off?

Coming to face her after a fight, injured but not even letting that stop him. The way he was slowly turning this battle into a performance. Pidgeot couldn't help but shift uncertainty, she knew Fearow, and this wasn't his fighting style.

Pidgeot closed her eyes. She had a battle to win, a forest to protect, and a flock depending on her. She couldn't get distracted by his powerful form. She pulled her wings back, focusing as she prepared her strongest attack: Hurricane.

She released the powerful blast of wind at Fearow, sending the fierce normal type falling towards the ground. He didn't have time to pull out of this fall, and he crashed into the forest. The Spearows all quickly turned, panic in their small beady eyes as they watched to see if their leader was okay. The Pidgeys didn't attack either, all watching hopefully to see if Fearow was down this earlier in the fight.

Worry and irritation washed over Pidgeot as she scanned the treeline, waiting for some sign of her adversary. He couldn't be down yet! She had seen him battle harder, injured or not she wasn't going to let him be done this soon! Fearow was stronger than that! Where was he?

Suddenly a golden glow shown through the forest roof, as if a sun was rising from within. All the flying types let out nervous chitters as the glow grew, and then Fearow rose out of the forest, draped in a powerful golden energy. Pidgeot started at him in awe as the Sky Attack gleamed brighter, she had never seen him use this move before! He stayed still in the air for a moment, allowing the light to highlight him, before launching himself straight at Pidgeot with a dramatic cry.

The Sky Attack hit her like a Thunder, the sheer force of the blow stunning her as the breath was knocked out of her. Her flock let out a call of alarm as she started to fall, while the Spearows let out a triumph cry. Pidgeot groaned, but forced herself to throw herself back in flight. It was a sloppy recovery, but it was enough to keep her from crashing into the forest like Fearow had. Her chest burned in pain, aching from where Fearow had struck her. She couldn't hide her pain, wincing with each wing flap as she struggled to stay in the air.

She looked at Fearow, waiting for him to quickly take advantage of her weakened state. One more Sky Attack would be more than enough to take her out. Perhaps if she could manage to dodge with a Quick Attack she could try to get another hit on him...?

But Fearow didn't attack, he just watched her. His beak quivered, then he looked towards his flock, opening his beak.

'Retreat,' He ordered to the shock of his flock, who call quickly let out calls of protest. He gave them a sharp look, and they quickly fell silent as he glided higher into the air. He didn't even glance at Pidgeot and her flock, who were stunned at his sudden orders as well. His flock pulled out of their battles with the Pidgeys, flying after Fearow as he flew away. The Pidgeys hovered in the air for a moment, clearly still too stunned to react, until Aquila let out a victorious cry.

The rest of the flock took up the call, quickly celebrating the short battle and the retreat of their enemy. A few Pidgeottos flew after the Spearow flock, as if to make sure that they were truly leaving. Pidgeot blinked a few times, until she slowly fluttered down to the forest, alighting upon a tree branch. She closed her eyes, huffing in exhaustion, confused and relieved at Fearow's sudden retreat. One by one the rest of her flock came down to join her, landing in the trees surrounding her. A cheerful chatter soon filled the air as the Pidgey's began celebrating their early victory.

'You were amazing madam!' Aquila cried, landing next to Pidgeot. The shiny Pidgeotto had a grin in her eyes, 'Even after learning one of the strongest moves a flying type can learn, you still come out on top in your battles with him! Amazing madam! Would you like us to bring you something to eat? The Beedrill said they'd bring us some honey for chasing off the Fearow!'

Pidgeot opened one eye, 'No thank you Aquila, I just want to rest. Please let the rest of the flock know that we'll be nesting here for the night. Make sure you thank the Beedrill for their gift as well.'

'Yes madam!' Aquila cried, flying off to do as Pidgeot said. Pidgeot sighed, ruffling her feathers and she began to preen herself. She carefully cleaned each feather, laying it in place as she thought back on the strange battle of today. Sometimes the clashes between the two flocks could last for up to an hour, but this one had been minutes. Fearow had never called for a retreat before, they always fought until the flock couldn't go on. Then there was just something strange about Fearow's behavior in general... Was he...?

Pidgeot shook her head, and redirected her attention to her celebrating flock. The forest was safe, that was all that mattered. She had all these little Pidgeys to take care of, she had no time to think of herself. Pidgeot settled down onto the tree branch, clicking her beak. Even though nightfall was still a ways off, she was ready to sleep.

The Viridian Forest was quiet, the gentle moonlight shining through the trees as the Pidgey flock slept. A few Zubat flew overhead, hunting for a nightly meal as the forest below snoozed on. The Pidgey flock wasn't the only Pokemon in this part of the forest, all of the Pokemon that called this place home had joined the Pidgeys in celebrating the fall of the Spearow flock in this battle. The tales the Pidgeys as told had seemed to grow more intense through the night before they had settled in, even to the point where Pidgeot had been said to be the one to pull off the powerful Sky Attack, though the flock leader quickly tried to end these rumors before they spread.

Pidgeot was asleep on the same branch as before, her head tucked under her wing as she slept. She had recovered from the battle for the most part, only confusion remaining, even as she slept. Next to Pidgeot was Aquila, feathers shimmering in the moonlight, snores escaping her open beak. For such a rare and majestic looking creature, the shiny looked almost laughable now.

A dark figure glided overhead, large wings opening up and landing on the same branch as Pidgeot and Aquila. The creature glared at the shiny Pidgeotto in his way, clicking his beak unhappily. His dark eyes flickered up towards Pidgeot as Aquila stirred. The Pidgeotto blinked a few times, staring at the Pokemon that was now above her. The shiny's eyes widened as she found Fearow next to her, and she quickly opened her beak to cry out a warning.

'Madam-' Fearow glanced down at Aquila. He lashed out with his front talons, pinning the Pidgeotto against the tree branch, silencing her. The two flying types glared at each other, and Pidgeot's eyes flickered open, Aquila's call awakening her, but the rest of the forest remained asleep. Pidgeot blinked, looking around in worry, pausing as her eyes fell upon Fearow and Aquila.

Even with Fearow pinning down an important member of her flock, Pidgeot felt no worry as they made eye contact. Aquila lashed against Fearow, shooting meaningful glares at Pidgeot. One Steel Wing would knock Fearow out of the tree, and one cry would awaken the whole flock, and then Fearow wouldn't stand a chance.

Perhaps that's what kept Pidgeot from panicking, the fact that he had come here despite the danger. He wasn't hurting Aquila, simply keeping her quiet. Pidgeot watched Fearow carefully, then she spoke, 'Aquila, hold still please,' Pidgeot requested, 'He means us no harm.'

Aquila shot her a look like she was crazy, but faithful to her flock leader she went still in Fearow's grip.

'How do you know that I mean no harm?' Fearow asked quietly, not blinking.

'If you meant harm then Aquila would be in much worse shape right now. Please let her go, she'll stay quiet,' Pidgeot replied. Fearow blinked, but opened his claws from around Aquila's beak. The little bird sat straight up, gasping for air, quickly rushing to Pidgeot's side. The shiny Pokemon huffed, glaring at Fearow, 'What do you need, Fearow?' Pidgeot asked calmly.

For a moment he didn't reply, snapping his beak together nervously, 'I- I want to talk to you. Alone,' He said, eyes darting about.

'Madam,' Aquila whispered fiercely, 'You cannot-'

'Hush Aquila. Peace is the first thing that we try to do, and if he simply wants to talk then that's what I'm going to do,' Pidgeot tried to maintain eye contact with Fearow, but he wouldn't look at her.

'But alone-'

'I can handle Fearow in a battle, I believe I can handle him while we talk,' Pidgeot gently chirped at Aquila, 'I'll be back later, okay?'

Aquila shot Pidgeot a look that was clear that her leaving was less than okay, but the shiny Pokemon didn't put up a fight as she spread her wings. Fearow was watching Pidgeot, as if stunned by how much trust she was giving him. He didn't say another word as she rose up into the air, and he followed her, flying above the forest and into the night sky.

No words passed between them as they flew, the cool night air bushing between their feathers Fearow kept glancing at Pidgeot. He hesitated, then finally took the lead. Unlike in their battle earlier, he wasn't showing off flashy moves and his powerful speed. He simply flew far from her flock, until he finally landed in a tall tree, one that stood a little ways above the rest of the forest canopy. His talons dug into the branch as they landed, and Pidgeot couldn't deny that her wings were trembling nervously as they perched in silenced.

'...I can't believe you followed me...' Fearow finally muttered, and Pidgeot was surprised by how foreign his voice seemed. This was a Pokemon she saw continually, but his voice almost seemed unfamiliar to her.

'...You were different today,' Pidgeot replied, 'I was worried, you weren't yourself.'

'You were worried about me?' Fearow asked, tilting his head, surprised.

'Yeah...' Pidgeot muttered, 'I was... You were favoring your right wing,' She glanced down at the wing, 'You also had a fresh scar on your face. You just had a battle before we had ours, didn't you? That's part of the reason why you retreated, right? Your flock had just been battling, and you didn't want to push them...' Pidgeot looked at him, 'Why did you challenge us today then?'

Fearow blinked at her, 'We always battle. I couldn't miss it.'

Pidgeot gave him a disapproving glare, 'If you're injured then you miss it. You could have made your injuries worst! A battle isn't worth your personal safety.'

He let out a dark chuckle, 'And why would you care about my personal safety? I attack that trainer of yours every time I see him. I lead constant raids on your home. I hurt your flock. What reason do you have to care about me?'

Pidgeot blinked, not sure of what to think of the question, then finally she spoke, 'Well... I care because you're like me,' Pidgeot replied, and he watched her, 'You lead a flock of Pokemon you care deeply for... You wish to live within a forest where they have plenty of resources... You love the thrill of a battle, and you train hard for next time we face each other. You're dedicated, even putting yourself at risk simply to keep up a battle we always have,' She looked at him, 'Why did you bring me out here?'

He shifted, 'I'm going to be honest... That thing about me wanting to talk to you alone was a lie,' He looked away, 'I wasn't planning on talking to anyone, but once you and that stupid Pidgeotto woke up I had to think of some excuse for why I was there... And I figured that you'd never trust me enough to talk to me alone, so you'd just make me leave...' He watched her with a confused gaze, 'But you did trust me...'

Pidgeot frowned, '...If you didn't want to talk to me, then why were you in my forest?'

Fearow's eyes widened, and he quickly turned away. Pidgeot saw the scars running across his wings, and she couldn't help but wonder how many of them she had given him... Fearow stamped his feet nervously, and Pidgeot couldn't help but hold back a laugh. This was the Pokemon that'd mercilessly attack anyone that looked at him the wrong way, and he was nervous! She had never seen this side to him before.

'...I was worried, okay...' He muttered, lowering his head, 'Even though we retreated, my Spearows were celebrating me learning Sky Attack suddenly like that... They were bragging to the Nidos and the Mankeys back on my home route about how powerful I was, and how they could hear bones snapping when I attacked... They claimed the reason why I retreated was because I wouldn't fight such a pitiful opponent. I was worried that I had caused more damage than I had meant to,' He glanced at Pidgeot, 'So I came over here to see what kind of shape you were in, and it seems that my Spearows were lying about hearing bones snapping...'

Pidgeot chuckled, 'My Pidgeys were exaggerating as well, they were telling the other forest Pokemon that I was the one that had learned Sky Attack instead of you...' She tilted her head, 'You asked me why I would care about your safety, yet you snuck onto my territory to do the same.'

He looked away again, 'Yeah... I guess I did...'

Pidgeot moved closer to him, 'I have a question, about the battle today. Why were you... acting so... different...? It was like you were trying to show off rather than battle...'

He didn't reply for a little bit, long neck craned up towards the moon, 'You noticed that, huh...? Hmm... Glad my Spearows didn't... Do me a favor and ignore what I did, alright? I wasn't really thinking straight.'

Pidgeot furrowed her brow, 'But... But I've swear I've seen that battle style before, not with you, but-'

'What?!' He cawed, wheeling around, eyes wide, 'Another Fearow has done that to you?! Who?!' Pidgeot was taken back at the rage in his gaze, and he looked surprised as he realized how close Pidgeot had moved towards him.

'No, it wasn't done at me...' Pidgeot muttered, and Fearow relaxed slightly, 'And now that I think about it I believe it was a Spearow doing it, not another Fearow. It's a strange battle style, showing off your looks and speed rather than attacking... But you were displaying your battle power too, and all of your scars and stuff...'

'You really noticed all that?' He asked quietly, snapping his beak together. Pidgeot slowly nodded, and he fluffed up his feathers for a moment, 'If you're that observant then I believe I know when you've seen that before. Last spring, when you lead an attack in my home territory, one of the few times you've made the first move.'

Pidgeot thought for a moment, '...Oh, I remember. For some reason you weren't attacking, and all my Pidgeys were worried that you were planning something, so we flew over to route 22 looking for you...' She nodded, 'Yes, I remember, all of your Spearows were battling through the air with one another, we thought you were preparing to fight, so I ordered an attack... But they were just displaying all of their skills, weren't they? Did we interrupt a celebration or something?' Pidgeot asked.

'Or something,' He replied, not looking at her. Pidgeot frowned, thinking carefully, the pieces slowly clicking together in her mind.

'...That's the Spearow's line courtship ritual, isn't it?' Pidgeot muttered, 'Battling one another while showing off... To show that they can be a worthy mate, but it's still battling, a trait Spearows are known for loving...' She looked up at him, stunned, 'Wait, you were doing that to me-!'

"Fear!" Fearow let out a loud cry, springing at Pidgeot, talons out. She was too stunned to react, and they were sent tumbling through through the trees as he knocked her off the tree limb, 'I said to ignore it!' Fearow cawed in frustration, talons wrapped around her. They broke apart as they hit a lower branch, and he was able to open his wings to pull out of the fall, but Pidgeot kept tumbling. Fearow's eyes widened as he watched his rival fall. He quickly went after her, but Pidgeot had already landed on the forest floor, groaning. She stumbled to her feet, heart and mind racing to catch up with everything that had just happened.

'Ow...' She muttered.

'Are you alright!?' Fearow called, wings flapping wildly. She lifted her head to look up at him, 'I'm sorry- I didn't mean too-' He couldn't seem to piece together any words. He looked panicked, eyes darting about. As soon as he was sure she wasn't injured he rose into the air, hitting branches as he scrambled to get away from her. Pidgeot could hear his frantic calls, clearly expecting retaliation. Pidgeot simply blinked, processing what had taken place, and the explanation for his actions earlier.

He had been trying to court her... Fearow, the Pokemon that she should hate with every fiber of her being, the Pokemon that had hurt Ash and attacked her flock had tried to court her...

Pidgeot let out a loud call, spreading her wings and rising out of the forest after him. She broke through the tree line, and she could see his faint form in the distance, racing back towards route 22. The full moon illuminated him as he rushed away, and Pidgeot sped after him with a Quick Attack. She knew from experience that she was faster than him, but with access to Agility he could outspeed her.

'Fearow!' She called, and her voice seemed to increase his speed. Pidgeot huffed, but ignored the pain from her fall and sped up herself, 'Fearow, please wait!' She cried as she rushed to catch up to him. Fearow glanced back at her, eyes wide as he realized how close she was. He tucked his wings in, clearly preparing to go into a dive to avoid her. Pidgeot huffed, preparing a Hurricane attack, and releasing it before he could pull off his dive.

The force of gale she released sent him spiraling off course, forcing him to cancel the dive and struggle to regain balance. While he was fumbling about through the air Pidgeot went after him, diving in front of him and opening up her wings, forcing him to stop. The duo hovered in the air for a moment, staring at each other, wings flapping wildly. The night was silent, and the moon gleamed down on them.

Fearow looked away from her, 'I'm sorry...' He muttered, darting side to side as he looked for an opportunity to flee, 'I didn't mean to knock you out of the tree... I didn't mean to try to court you... I don't know what was going through my mind, I guess after all this time of losing to you I couldn't help but begin to admire you...' He spoke quickly, fumbling with his words as he muttered the hasty apology.

Pidgeot knew that she should be angry, angry that someone so violent had even tried to court her, someone that constantly hurt her flock and trainer... But... but she wasn't angry.

'Heh, that's kind of funny...' Pidgeot muttered, and he flinched, 'It wasn't your strength that attracted me, though I did notice it... I began to respect you once I saw how much you cared about your flock... I guess that even after all the times you attacked I realized that you were just trying to take care of a large and battle hungry flock... You loved your flock, and I guess that's when I began to admire you...'

Pidgeot flushed under her feathers as the word "admire" left her mouth, she was going to say respect again, but... But as she thought back on her words she realized that "admire" was the was truth. She remembered the chills she had gotten when she had heard his battle cry, and the concern she had felt when she saw that he was hurt. She didn't just respect Fearow...

'W-what?!' Fearow squawked, staring at her, too stunned to say anything else, 'You...?'

Pidgeot chuckled at how flustered the beak Pokemon was, and she moved closer to him, 'As impressive as the Spearow line courtship ritual is, but must say that I like the Pidgey one much more... Fearow's are said to have a lot of stamina... Let's see if you can keep up.'

With several powerful beats Pidgeot's wide wings carried her straight up into the air. She could feel her heart racing between her chest, trying to keep up with her as she pushed herself higher into the sky. She could feel the wind rushing by her as the forest shrank below her. Fearow hesitated for a moment, before following her up into the cloudless night sky. His large wings flapped wildly as he rose to keep up with her, body not build for the graceful movements Pidgeot was pulling off.

She leveled out, allowing Fearow to catch up to her as an ancient instinct took hold of her, unless under a trainer it was rare for a Pidgey to reach their final evolved form, and even rarer for a Pidgeot to encounter another as a potential mate. So when they did meet, there was never great clashes with each other to prove their worth to each other like with most species, but simply a great flight through their vast skies, and the urge to soar higher gnawed away at Pidgeot, a desire to show Fearow the limitless world had their talon tips.

Fearow had caught up to her, and he was still staring at her as if he had never seen a Pidgeot before. She swooped past him, savoring the feeling of the cold wind rushing through her feathers. He came after her, trying to mimic her broad glides and swift turns as they sped above the forest. The Viridian Forest was quiet, the emerald leaves still as the moon above them as the two great birds flew between them. Pidgeot drew back, weaving behind Fearow, before diving under him and speeding up, quickly taking the lead once more.

She repeated this process, falling back then flying ahead, several times before Fearow joined her, each taking turns of taking the lead of their path. The two flock leaders continued weaving about each other in the aerial dance, the silence of the flight providing the music to their avian ballet. Soon they fell neck and neck, tips of their wings brushing as they flew side by side.

Pidgeot glanced at Fearow, whose dark eyes were staring into her amber ones, blinking a few times. Just as his dramatic battle had been foreign to her, the aerial show they were putting on was unfamiliar for him, but still he flew with her.

'The dance represents unity,' Pidgeot told him in a quiet coo, breaking the gentle silence, 'And loyalty. Pidgeots don't choose mates by strength, making it to this form in the wild has already proven that. As a leader is faithful to their flock, Pidgeots as loyal to the ones they chose to share the skies with.'

'"Share the skies with",' He repeated, 'Are Pidgeots always so... poetic?'

Pidgeot couldn't hold back a laugh, 'I don't know,' She replied, flying closer. Her heart sang within her, mind and soul finally harmonizing on how they viewed the Fearow she had fought against for so long. He wasn't aggressive and fierce, but brave and strong. Behind his mighty battle cry was a caring creature, struggling to protect a flock. Fearow was still watching her, and she saw the burning respect that he often emulated around her, yet now there was a familiarity to it, a realization that they felt the same, as if staring into a mirror. And like so many individuals she had once hated the reflection she saw, but now she realized that she cared what she now viewed.

This is what she wanted, someone she could trust and depend on. She wanted it more more than battles, more than returning to Ash's team, even more than peace.

But...

'Pidgeot?' Fearow asked quietly as she looked away.

'Fearow,' She said quietly, his name gently flowing from her beak, '...We can't do this.'

He watched her, confusion and rage flashing through his gaze for a second. He opened his beak to speak, but Pidgeot cut him off.

'Our flocks Fearow,' Pidgeot reminded him, 'You know if two leaders become a pair then the flocks merge... Our flocks couldn't do that Fearow, it would destroy them. This war for the forest would become a civil war, you know that peace couldn't be maintained between like that, they've done nothing but battle each other for so long...'

Fearow turned away, recognizing the truth in her words, 'Perhaps we could...' He trailed off, thinking

Pidgeot clicked her beak, 'And our flocks have grown, if they were to become one we would overwhelm any environment. And your Spearows, they need a fight, it's in their blood. If that desire isn't calmed by fighting with the Pidgeys, then they'd turn to other Pokemon. I couldn't let that happen, all the forest Pokemon depend on me protecting them.'

'...We could leave,' Fearow suggested quietly, 'In the night, fly far from here. We could start a new flock, one that would never know war.'

The suggestion was tempting- a chance to care for her own offspring rather than the many Pidgeys under her. A fresh start, one without so much responsibility. The chance to be with Fearow in an environment that didn't require them to battle.

'I couldn't leave my flock Fearow, and I know you couldn't leave yours,' Pidgeot replied, 'Things would descend into chaos without our leadership. If we were to leave the fighting would rise to new levels... I couldn't do it,' Pidgeot sighed, 'Besides... I still have Ash.'

Fearow scowled as she said the name of her trainer, 'That stupid little brat?'

She nipped at his wing, 'Don't call Ash that.'

'He threw a rock at me,' Fearow growled, feathers ruffled as he recalled the day, 'Then he took out my flock with that stupid rat...'

'He was just a hatchling then,' Pidgeot replied, 'Just learning to test his wings. He's matured,' A coo escaped her throat as she thought back on Ash's visits, 'As much as Ash can, that is.'

'Please don't tell me that you're going to drop your future simply for a trainer that you see once in a blue moon. You live the life as a free Pokemon Pidgeot,' He looked at her, 'Don't tie yourself down for him! You have the right to chose the path you take!'

Pidgeot went into a gentle dive down towards the forest as they reached the edge. Fearow followed her, clearly wanting an answer. She landed on a tree branch, giving her aching wings a chance to rest. Fearow landed next to her, his obsidian eyes baring into her.

'No, I'm not dropping everything for Ash,' She replied, looking up at the moon, 'I'm doing it for our flocks too. Leaving them is wrong, and forcing them to combine is also wrong. I want to be with you Fearow... I'd love to start our own flock, and I'd love to live in peace, but,' She looked at him, head tilted, 'It wouldn't be peace if we abandoned our flocks. The fighting would remain, along with the guilt in our hearts.'

'...I understand...' Fearow finally replied, but he didn't look happy.

Pidgeot pressed up against him, her soft feathers brushing against his rough ones. She cooed, 'Perhaps we can't leave tonight Fearow,' She replied, 'But one day. We can't leave our flocks, but we can make peace between them. Once we do that... Once we know that this fighting can end...' She closed her eyes, 'Then I'll take you up on that offer. A new start, far from this forest, and a flock of our own.'

Fearow ran his long beak through her colorful feathers that fell down her back, '...I can live with that. I can wait.'

'Good,' Pidgeot replied, and the two birds closed their eyes, side by side, resting under the soft silver moon.