After spending time with Tatsuya and the townspeople, I came to understand that the connection between Featherfall Town and Flying-type Pokémon runs far deeper than simply "feeding them" or "treating the injured," as outsiders might simplistically assume.
Generations of coexistence have created a symbiotic bond between the people of Featherfall Town and the Flying-type Pokémon inhabiting the surrounding canyons.
For countless years, their ancestors lived side by side with Pokémon, sharing the same skies, winds, and seasons. As Tatsuya put it, the very spirit of Flying-type Pokémon lives within the hearts of Featherfall's residents.
Elderly Flying Pokémon, sensing the twilight of their lives, make their final journey to the skies above the town, choosing to pass away near the place that raised them. Even in their last moments, they watch over Featherfall's skies like silent guardians. When they can no longer take flight, they return their bodies to the earth that once nurtured them, just as it nurtured the people.
Luther was stunned as he pored over the town's ancient records. For the first time, he felt a connection that transcended life and death, a thread stretching across generations, binding humans and Pokémon in mutual respect.
The strength of this bond was undeniable. Even during eras of global unrest, no conflict or betrayal had ever occurred between Featherfall's people and their Pokémon partners.
During the night festival, the streets were alive with excitement. Flying-type Pokémon glided down from the skies, landing wherever they pleased without hesitation. Visiting Trainers tossed Pokémon snacks playfully into the air, and the Pokémon caught them mid-flight with joyful chirps. Many stall vendors had also set out treats, inviting the Pokémon to sample their special festival fare.
Though the Flying-type Trainer Competition wasn't something Luther or Mai were participating in, the two happily wandered the lively streets with their Pokémon. They browsed stalls for supplies and indulged in an array of delicious foods.
Mai carried an armful of snacks as she hand-fed her Eevee and offered bites to Marill as well. Despite already having devoured several helpings of grilled fish, Marill still seemed ravenous; her bottomless appetite was something Mai had long since stopped trying to understand.
Meanwhile, Luther's Chansey had unexpectedly run into another Chansey.
The two Chansey locked eyes for a moment, then silently reached into their pouches, exchanging the eggs they carried with solemn care.
After the exchange, the two immediately launched into cheerful chatter, communicating in that uniquely Chansey way, until Luther and a Nurse Joy from Featherfall Town appeared, prompting both Chansey to return to their Trainers' sides.
After a brief introduction, Joy looked curiously at Luther and asked, "Are you a Pokémon Doctor as well? Your Chansey is in excellent condition. Just look at the healthy glow of her skin."
Luther smiled and replied, "No, I'm just a Trainer still making my way through the world. But this one's goal is also focused on battle."
He gently patted Chansey, who gave a warm, contented chirp in response.
"Really? Well, I have to say, this Chansey would have a very bright future as part of a Pokémon medical team."
"Joy! What are you doing? We need to sell the rest of our stock!" Her companion waved from the crowd, calling her back.
Joy gave Luther a quick, apologetic bow before hurrying off and disappearing into the crowd.
Luther gave Chansey a gentle pat. "You're Amazing, you've impressed even a professional Pokémon nurse."
Chansey puffed out its chest with pride, clearly expecting more praise.
Luther blinked in surprise, as did Mai, watching Chansey hold its proud pose with unwavering determination.
Suddenly, a Noctowl descended from above and landed on Chansey's head, swiveling its head to observe Luther and Mai. Then, it glanced down at the pink Pokémon beneath it, as if deep in contemplation.
After a few moments, it turned its head again and hooted at someone behind Luther. Puzzled, Luther looked back, unsure of what was going on.
While munching on a skewer of grilled meat, Mai caught sight of a green blur darting through the crowd. As the figure came into focus, she froze.
She reached out and grabbed Luther, who had been trying to interact with Noctowl, pulling his attention away.
A Chikorita came into view, carrying a small cloth satchel. Its leaf drooped slightly as it panted, using Vine Whip to pull the bag toward itself.
Chikorita's face was flushed from exertion. It had been tailing the low-flying Noctowl, trying to keep up. Its erratic movements had confused the owl-like Pokémon earlier, causing it to miss its intended landing spot and return with a puzzled hoot.
But not this time.
Luther crouched down as Chikorita dragged the bag over. Its leafy head swayed faster than a handheld fan, and Luther was at a loss for words. He had traveled a long way to get to Featherfall Town, yet somehow, this little Chikorita had managed to keep up, all while carrying that heavy-looking satchel.
Chikorita collapsed onto the ground with a tired but bashful smile. It simply couldn't take another step.
Mai peeked into the satchel and pulled out a handful of Berries, along with a few loose feathers.
Meanwhile, Noctowl seemed to be whispering something quietly to Chansey, but Luther didn't pay attention. He gently wiped the sweat from Chikorita's face with his finger.
"Exhausted, huh?"
Chikorita gave a weak nod.
Mai took a bite from one of the Berries. It was sweet, but it also had a strong astringent flavor, and there wasn't much juice inside. Once, she would have never let her Pokémon eat such Berries. But now, she has finished it herself.
"Thank you for your gift. We really appreciate it."
Chikorita's eyes lit up at her words, sparkling with delight. Mai started to say more, but Chikorita suddenly swayed and collapsed completely.
Both Mai and Luther stared in shock.
When they placed a hand on it, they realized the little one was burning up with a fever.
Without hesitation, they rushed to the Pokémon Center with Chikorita in their arms. Despite the town's biggest festival being in full swing, trained medical staff were still on duty inside.
"How could you let such a young Pokémon run such a long distance in this kind of weather? She's exhausted, drenched in sweat, and exposed to the cold wind. Sudden temperature shifts like that can easily cause serious health issues! What kind of Pokémon Trainers are you? Don't you have even the most basic sense of responsibility?!"
The Pokémon Center doctor scolded Luther and Mai sharply. The two of them had no excuse, they could only nod repeatedly and promise to be more careful next time, anxiously hoping the doctor would help Chikorita recover quickly.
Without replying, the doctor turned and walked straight into the treatment room.
Left behind, Luther and Mai slumped into the waiting room chairs, both sweating with guilt. After sitting in silence for a while, they suddenly spoke at the same time.
"I'll raise her."
Startled, they glanced at each other, then, after an awkward pause, both said, "Then you do it."
"Alright, I'll do it."
For some reason, both of their faces turned beet red.
"...Why don't we just raise her together?"
The thought struck them at the same time, and instantly, they both covered their faces in embarrassment.
"We'll ask Chikorita once she's feeling better," Mai said. "We still don't even know who she was trying to catch up with."
Just then, a doctor walking by noticed the feathers in Mai's hand and asked curiously, "That's odd, it's not the season for molting. Where did you collect so many feathers?"
"Collect?" Luther repeated quickly, concerned the doctor might misunderstand. In Featherfall Town, Flying-type Pokémon were held in especially high regard, and any misstep during the celebration might be seen as a sign of disrespect.
He explained everything: the Noctowl, Chikorita's chase, the bag, and the feathers inside. As he spoke, the doctor's expression changed, growing more solemn as he reached out to examine the feathers himself.
"A long time ago," the doctor began, "the ancestors who settled here once saw a magnificent rainbow stretching across the entire sky. At the heart of it flew a Pokémon whose wings shimmered with radiant light, each beat scattering colors like a living rainbow."
"At that time, the land had just endured a brutal winter and widespread hardship. Many Pokémon were injured, and the townspeople were starving. Spring had yet to arrive, and not even the strongest moves from Grass-type Pokémon could bring the land back to life."
"But then, something miraculous happened. Wherever that Pokémon flew, life returned. Injured Pokémon were healed, and even dead branches began to bloom again. Fruit grew where none should have."
"According to legend, that Pokémon dropped a single feather, and when that feather touched the ground, the land itself was healed."
"Because of that miracle, our ancestors renamed the town 'Featherfall.' This story predates even the saying about falling feathers. And thanks to this legend, when a Flying-type Pokémon offers you one of its feathers, it's seen as a sacred gesture, a wish for safe travels and good fortune."
Mai listened with wide eyes, enchanted by the story. Luther, however, was struck by a deeper realization.
A rainbow that brings life... wings that scatter shimmering light...
Could it have been Ho-Oh, the Rainbow Pokémon captured only in legends and photographs?
(End of Chapter)
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