The "donut" formation in the sky began to dissolve, and one by one, Flying-type Pokémon emerged from its center, gliding gracefully over the crowd below as if each had a specific destination memorized.
As they passed overhead, a few delicate feathers fluttered down, landing neatly on coats, hoods, and even clinging to the fur or scales of nearby Pokémon, some simply drifting to the ground at their feet.
There was no scrambling or fighting for the feathers. Each Pokémon seemed to have a clear intention, delivering its blessing with precision. The targets were unmistakable.
Those lucky enough to receive a feather burst into cheers, smiling brightly and clutching their prizes. Those who hadn't been chosen could only watch with envy, applauding others while quietly hoping for their turn.
Once the feather blessing had concluded, the Flying-types, just as the doctor had described, didn't linger. Some soared higher into the night sky and disappeared to the south, while others returned to roost in the cliffs of the nearby canyon. A few glided down into specially built roosting shelters around the town, resting their wings after the flight.
Luther and Mai's Pokémon stood still, gazing skyward in awe, caught in the atmosphere of wonder. All around them, people murmured in excitement, offering warm congratulations to each other.
Luther held his camera, just like the others around him. He instinctively turned off the flash, not wanting to disturb the serene display, and began snapping quiet photos of the retreating silhouettes against the night sky.
As he clicked through a few quick shots, Luther suddenly noticed three distinct shapes appear in the frame, figures flying directly toward the Pokémon Center.
He thought of capturing a few more pictures, but the crowd around him had already lowered their cameras, eyes fixed above with anticipation, watching as feathers began to descend once again.
Fearow, Pidgeot, and Noctowl led the way. Behind them, Spearow, Pidgey, and Hoothoot trailed in formation.
This small flock of a dozen or so Pokémon began to circle above the Pokémon Center, stirring excitement among the people gathered in the courtyard. Hands pressed tightly to their chests, many closed their eyes and began to quietly offer their hopes and thanks.
Chikorita, too, paused. Something about those figures overhead felt… familiar.
A Pidgey suddenly swooped low, releasing a single feather that floated down near a traveler with a camera just a few steps from Luther. The trainer picked it up reverently, beaming with joy as they waved toward the Pidgey. Their Surskit mimicked the gesture with its small legs, bouncing in place.
"Thank you, please grow up healthy, too," The traveler said earnestly.
In moments like these, blessings felt mutual.
Spearow and Hoothoot took turns diving gently, dropping feathers to those gathered below. Nearly everyone in the courtyard received one, sparking laughter and cheers all around.
In previous years, such a concentrated visit from an entire flight group had been rare. The sheer number of Pokémon in this one spot left even seasoned locals watching in amazement.
However, something strange began to happen. The Pidgeot, Fearow, Noctowl, and a few others that hadn't yet dropped any feathers showed no signs of leaving.
They hovered in place, gliding gently on the air currents, as if waiting for something.
A long moment passed, and then, as if by silent agreement, the three large Pokémon began to descend slowly, their wings flapping in a synchronized rhythm.
Luther watched in stunned silence as the trio flew straight toward him and Mai.
Feathers as light as mist floated down from the three majestic Pokémon. While most people received only one or two feathers, Luther was showered as at least three or four from each Pokémon landed near him.
Chikorita caught one drifting right in front of her, holding it delicately in her paw. She called out to the trio, who, to everyone's surprise, descended all the way to the ground.
The three Pokémon touched down quietly, then turned their gaze toward Luther, and then Mai, with remarkable clarity and intent.
In that moment, everything clicked.
Luther wasn't slow. It was obvious now: the feathers that had mysteriously appeared in Chikorita's bag before… they had been left by these three Pokémon.
No wonder that Noctowl looked so familiar.
Even Chansey seemed to recognize it, resting her head shyly on Noctowl's side, smiling as she perched comfortably, just as she had before.
"We'll take good care of Chikorita, we promise…"
The intense gaze fixed on Luther and Mai gradually softened, and the three Flying-type Pokémon turned toward the Pokémon Center.
Nurse Joy and the doctor were already watching from the building, gazing out at the courtyard with astonishment. Neither of them had ever witnessed a feather-blessing ceremony quite like this before.
The number of feathers scattered across the area was unusually large, and under normal circumstances, the participating Pokémon should have already taken flight and departed.
'Could some of them be injured?'
That thought occurred to both Joy and the doctor at the same time. Sharing a glance, they quickly stepped outside together.
As they approached the three large Pokémon, Fearow, Pidgeot, and Noctowl, they immediately noticed the clear look of relief on the Pokémon's faces.
Joy hesitated, her eyes lingering on Pidgeot and Fearow. They looked oddly familiar… That feeling tugged at the back of her mind, just as a gust of wind lifted her hair and swept past.
Then, the three Pokémon flapped their wings again, soaring upward to rejoin their flock. They circled once in the night sky, then began a slow descent. As they glided past Joy and the doctor, a flurry of feathers filled the air around them.
Joy blinked, briefly losing sight of them in the swirl of feathers. When her vision cleared again, she saw Pidgeot and Fearow heading toward the canyon, while Noctowl took the lead, guiding the younger Pidgey and Spearow southward.
As she watched their retreating silhouettes, a memory suddenly resurfaced.
It was from long ago, back when she had just earned her Nurse Qualification. Near a town close to Featherfall, she had rescued a battered Pidgeot and a Fearow with bent claws, wounded and weary from a storm.
She had healed so many Pokémon since then that she could hardly remember all the details of what she had said or done that day. But what stuck in her mind was the image of those two Pokémon silently taking flight together after they recovered.
Just like now.
"That Pidgeot and Fearow… their time is nearly up." The doctor's voice echoed in her mind.
"The sheen's gone from their beaks, they're brittle. Their claws are worn down. Didn't you hear how labored their breathing was when they took off? And the feathers they dropped were rough and frayed. These are two very old Pokémon. This winter won't be kind to them."
Chikorita was still playing happily with the feathers, blissfully unaware of the weight behind the doctor's words. But the other Pokémon and the people in the courtyard understood.
The Pokémon were the first to respond, calling out with loud cries in the direction that Pidgeot and Fearow had gone.
Luther, still draped in feathers gifted by the trio, gently lifted one from his shoulder. As he held it, the feather felt heavier than before.
"Take care, and may we meet again!"
"Don't forget to visit sometime!"
The shouts of the people rose to join the Pokémon's cries, voices blending together in a chorus of emotion. The two distant figures grew smaller and smaller, eventually vanishing into the night sky.
Noctowl was without a doubt the youngest of the three leaders, now entrusted with the responsibility of guiding the younger generation in the sacred art of migration, an art passed down by Pidgeot and Fearow themselves.
One day, these young Pokémon might fly beyond even the widest skies… but they would carry the memory of this flight forever.
If they chose instead to remain and protect this peaceful little town, they would always have warm homes waiting for them, safe, welcoming roosts in the very place their mentors once flew.
That choice had been left entirely to them.
The future now rested with Noctowl and the others. Pidgeot and Fearow had passed on their hopes to him… and left their heartfelt blessings behind for the people of this land.
And as for the tiny Chikorita they had watched earlier, clumsy, uncertain, and full of promise, it was still only beginning to see the world.
Which meant it deserved all the more blessings for the journey ahead.
(End of Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 30 chapters on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
PS-"For every 100 power stones, I'll release one bonus chapter (Current-0)! (Resets Every Week on Monday)"