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Luther vividly recalled the legend of Ho-Oh and the Bell Tower in Ecruteak City. Three hundred years ago, the tower, once Ho-Oh's roost, was engulfed in flames during a time of human conflict, severing the sacred bond between humans and the Rainbow Pokémon.
Before departing the charred remains, Ho-Oh used its mystical power to revive three Pokémon who had perished in the fire, Suicune, Entei, and Raikou, the Legendary Beasts known to all.
But instead of gratitude, humanity responded with fear. Terrified of Ho-Oh's power to revive the dead, people once again resorted to violence and hunted the three revived Pokémon.
Betrayed and heartbroken, Ho-Oh vanished from Ecruteak City and never returned, despite the townspeople's attempts at redemption. Even after they rebuilt a new Bell Tower beside the ruins, Ho-Oh's absence lingered like a silent judgment.
Luther had come across this history during his research. The people of Ecruteak still claim that Ho-Oh turned its back on humanity, unwilling to be seen again. Yet in reality, Ash had encountered Ho-Oh more than once, and even shared those encounters with the townspeople, though most dismissed his words as fantasy.
It's widely believed that Ho-Oh only reveals itself to righteous Trainers. By that logic, Ecruteak's atonement remains incomplete. A rebuilt tower alone isn't enough to heal such a wound.
Luther hadn't expected to hear an even older tale of Ho-Oh here in Featherfall Town, one that took place in an age when Ho-Oh still had faith in humankind, and once saved a dying land from ruin.
According to this legend, Ho-Oh's feather revived the land, and afterward, Flying-type Pokémon began dropping feathers as signs and omens, a tradition that endures to this day. Luther could only marvel at how this region must have been home to a people deeply in tune with Pokémon.
Every action has its consequence. If the people here had been like those in Ecruteak three centuries ago, that sacred feather might never have fallen from the sky.
Had they not lived in harmony with the Flying-types of the canyon, it's hard to imagine they would've survived such a brutal winter.
Luther, who had once dismissed such legends as fanciful stories, now found himself deeply moved by their truth, kindness, and beauty. It stirred something primal within him.
Thanks to that handful of feathers, the doctor's attitude toward Luther and Mai softened considerably, though he still sighed at Chikorita's stubborn determination to follow them all this way.
"By the way," Luther asked, "what exactly is the grand finale of the Featherfall Festival?"
He had overheard Tatsuya discussing something about it earlier with the townsfolk, but when Luther asked directly, Tatsuya only smiled mysteriously and said, "You'll find out at midnight."
The doctor pointed toward the feather in Mai's hand. "At midnight, all the Flying-type Pokémon in the town will take flight together and circle above us. Then, one by one, they'll swoop down and glide over the people they wish to bless, dropping feathers as a sign of goodwill."
"Afterward, those who can withstand the cold will return to the canyon caves to rest through the winter. The more sensitive ones will migrate south to warmer regions, returning next year. Some may choose to stay here, resting in the small shelters built by the townsfolk."
Rather than just a blessing ritual, this ceremony is a living symbol of the deep spiritual bond between the Flying-type Pokémon and the people of Featherfall. It's a connection that's been nurtured over thousands of years, woven into their very way of life.
Though the ritual itself has evolved, replacing solemn rites with music, food, and festive lights, the heart of the tradition remains unchanged. Both Pokémon and humans still honor the bond with sincerity.
Chikorita was eventually wheeled out in a stroller that resembled a baby carriage. Wrapped snugly in a blanket, she slept peacefully, the leaf on her head gently swaying with each dream.
Her condition wasn't serious. With some medicine and a full day of rest, she would recover.
That small reassurance brought enormous relief to both Luther and Mai.
Today, there weren't many Pokémon in need of care at the Pokémon Center, so the doctor wasn't especially busy. He sat quietly to the side, watching the fireworks blooming beyond the windows with a soft smile on his face.
Nurse Joy walked in, arms full with a large bag stuffed with various items. She paused when she noticed Luther, then, after taking in the situation, reached into her bag and handed Chikorita a piece of soft candy she had bought earlier. Then, she settled beside Luther, holding a snow cake in one hand, and joined the others in watching the festival unfold through the glass.
The grand fireworks display was drawing to a close. A brilliant final burst erupted in the sky, splitting into countless smaller blossoms of light that drifted and shimmered as they fell.
Chikorita stirred awake, her eyes catching the dazzling "flowers" blooming above. Mesmerized, she stared at the night sky until the fireworks began to fade and a chill crept back into the air. Then, she turned to Mai, stretched out her tiny paw, and called out softly.
The gentle voice snapped Luther and Mai out of their daze. Seeing that Chikorita seemed more alert, they hurried to gently hold her down, worried she might try to leap up in excitement.
"Take it easy," Mai said softly. "You only just had your medicine. Just rest, okay?" She picked up the soft candy Joy had given. "Can she eat this now?"
"It won't interfere with her medication," the doctor replied. "As long as she doesn't overdo it, it's fine."
Mai offered the candy to Chikorita, who eagerly nibbled on it, her eyes lighting up at the sweet taste. She even gave Mai's fingers a little lick, clearly satisfied.
With a happy sigh, Chikorita shut her eyes again, savoring the lingering sweetness.
"Is it starting?" Luther asked.
Both Joy and the doctor had stood up, gazing out the window.
Flying-type Pokémon were gathering, perching on rooftops, mailboxes, by fountains, and throughout the town. It was as if some unseen force was drawing them together. One by one, they began flapping their wings and lifting into the sky, the rapid flutter of wings echoing like a string of firecrackers crackling in the air.
Visiting Trainers spilled into the streets, cameras and Pokégear in hand, eager to capture the spectacle.
Luther had seen documentaries on migratory flocks before, but this was different. Even though the number of Pokémon in the sky wasn't the largest he'd ever seen, there was something extraordinary in the way they moved.
Each wingbeat seemed to follow a shared rhythm. Their flying patterns, their synchronized spirals and arcs, it was mesmerizing.
No one had choreographed this. It was as if the sequence of movements had been passed down in their very instincts.
When the final black "tail" joined the formation above, the swarm of Pokémon formed a perfect black "donut" in the sky.
Then, that ring stretched and twisted, transforming into a serpentine dragon-like shape that circled the outskirts of town in a graceful aerial dance.
For nearly ten minutes, the dragon formation soared silently through the twilight. Eventually, it curved back toward the town's central park and coiled into a "donut" once more.
The sky had darkened into a soft orange hue, and from the ground, the townspeople could clearly see the elegant silhouettes of the flying Pokémon gliding above.
"Are they about to drop their feathers?" Luther asked.
Joy nodded. "They've already surveyed the town. Now comes the blessing, one by one, they'll fly over the people they choose and let their feathers fall."
"You're not going outside?" Mai asked.
"In past years, we usually don't," Joy replied. "There's always a lot to handle around now. Some Flying-types get scraped up mid-flight, and visiting Trainers unfamiliar with local customs sometimes get into misunderstandings. We stay ready for treatment just in case."
"Still… don't you feel like you're missing out? It's such a beautiful moment."
Joy smiled gently. "We're different."
"For others, feathers fall into their hands. For us, they fall into our hearts." She gave Mai and Luther a small push toward the entrance. "Now go, take Chikorita and share this moment with her. It's special. A little fresh air won't hurt."
Before they could reply, Joy had already guided them out of the Pokémon Center.
Outside in the courtyard, several other Trainers were gathered, all staring up at the sky with wide-eyed wonder, waiting for the flying Pokémon to descend.
(End of Chapter)