Looking into the distance, Aiden Flint saw a flock of Taillow flying in from afar.
The leading Taillow were clearly larger than the Pidgey, and their potential ranks were all Green-tier.
It was obvious—
Pokémon that were more aggressive, more experienced, or simply stronger often possessed higher overall potential than ordinary individuals.
As the Taillow flock arrived, the Pidgey and Pidgeotto immediately surged upward, claiming the skies.
In an instant, two groups of Flying-type Pokémon faced off in midair, each defending their own territory.
Aiden couldn't help but feel surprised.
He'd originally thought that Spearow and Pidgey were natural enemies—he hadn't expected Taillow and Pidgey to clash so violently as well.
Curious, Aiden and Treecko stayed at a safe distance, watching the aerial battle unfold.
The leading Taillow were the first to attack, diving straight at the Pidgey and Pidgeotto flock.
The response was immediate.
Large numbers of Pidgey and Pidgeotto burst forward, white flashes streaking across the sky—
Quick Attack.
Facing the incoming assault, the Taillow leader screeched sharply.
In the next moment, countless Taillow charged forward to meet them head-on.
Once the battle fully erupted, the sky looked as if it were raining birds.
From time to time, Pidgey or Taillow would fall from the air.
Relatively speaking, the evolved Pidgeotto had the upper hand in raw strength.
Wherever a Pidgeotto passed, Taillow were knocked down one after another.
But Taillow were not the type to surrender easily.
They were called Taillow for a reason—their pride and fighting spirit were as tough as steel.
Just look at Ash's Swellow.
That monster could take a direct Thunderbolt from Pikachu and keep fighting.
Even when defeated and knocked to the ground, the Taillow would struggle back to their feet, desperate to rejoin the battle for their flock.
If one Taillow wasn't enough, then three.
If three weren't enough, then ten.
In terms of sheer numbers, the Taillow flock far outnumbered the Pidgey.
After all, this was the Hoenn region—Taillow were native here.
Watching this brutal, survival-of-the-fittest conflict between wild Pokémon, Aiden felt a heavy emotion rise in his chest.
The battle lasted more than an hour.
Only then did the remaining Pidgey and Pidgeotto retreat, escorting their injured companions away from the area.
The ground below was littered with fallen Pokémon—Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and Taillow alike.
Many were severely injured.
Some had even lost their lives.
Unable to bear the sight, Aiden quickly retrieved a large number of Oran Berries from his System Space.
These Berries were common, but they restored stamina—exactly what these defeated, exhausted, and critically wounded Pokémon needed.
"Treecko," Aiden said softly, "let's do what we can. Help as many as possible."
Treecko nodded firmly.
Soon, Trainer and Pokémon were busy moving among the injured, feeding them Berries and stabilizing those that could still be saved.
Aiden genuinely loved Pokémon.
He couldn't stand the thought of them dying right in front of him.
Even so, the power of one human and one Pokémon was limited.
By the time they finished, night had fallen.
Thanks to their efforts, several hundred Flying-type Pokémon recovered enough strength to fly again.
Many Pidgey and Taillow looked back at Aiden with gratitude before leaving.
However, because the Taillow flock had won the territorial battle, the Pidgey and Pidgeotto had lost their habitat and were forced to migrate deeper into the wild.
After an exhausting day, Aiden and Treecko finally rested.
Despite the fatigue, the joy of seeing Pokémon regain their vitality made everything worthwhile.
During the rescue, Aiden had used the system to quickly scan many Flying-type Pokémon, allowing him to prioritize saving those who could still recover.
Most Taillow—like Pidgey—were White-tier in potential, with a small number reaching Green-tier. He didn't spot a single Blue-tier Taillow.
Aiden didn't feel much desire to capture them.
In his view, any Pokémon he accepted as a long-term partner should have at least Blue-tier potential in its base form—ensuring it could reach Purple-tier after full evolution.
Potential was divided into seven tiers:
White, Green, Blue, Purple, Gold, Red, Rainbow.
For ordinary Pokémon, Red and Rainbow were almost impossible—those tiers belonged exclusively to Legendary Pokémon.
That made Blue and Purple extremely rare and valuable.
To Aiden:
White-tier Pokémon were everywhereGreen-tier appeared once every few dozen to hundredBlue-tier might be one in hundreds—or even thousandsPurple-tier could be one in thousands, or rarer still
As for Gold, Aiden hadn't seen a single one yet. It likely required a fully evolved Pokémon of exceptional rarity.
Today alone, Aiden had helped hundreds of Pidgey and Taillow—
Yet among them, he'd found only one Blue-tier Pokémon.
A Pidgey.
Aiden had considered capturing it.
But if that Pidgey didn't want to leave its flock, he wouldn't force it.
A Pokémon that followed him needed to be willing to fight, to grow stronger, and to walk the path of a journey together.
Otherwise, even if he captured it forcibly, resentment would only grow—and that would be counterproductive.
That night, Aiden and Treecko rested within the Taillow flock's territory.
Because he had helped them, the Taillow allowed him to sleep there peacefully.
With dozens of Taillow standing guard, Aiden's safety was assured.
The next morning, after sunrise, Aiden and Treecko ate breakfast and bid farewell to the Taillow flock.
Before leaving, the Taillow leader brought Aiden several Berries as food and thanks.
Aiden accepted them with a smile and continued toward Petalburg City.
But just as he stepped out of the Taillow territory—
A Pidgey flew straight toward him.
"Pidgey!"
Hearing the flap of wings and the familiar cry, Aiden stopped.
The Pidgey landed in front of him, holding a fish in its beak, offering it to Aiden.
Aiden froze for a moment.
Pokémon truly were incredible creatures.
They remembered kindness—and repaid it.
Checking the Pidgey's status, Aiden felt a surge of surprise.
This was the only Blue-tier Pidgey from the entire flock.
Pokémon: Pidgey
Divine Authority: None
Level: 14
Ability: Keen Eye
Type: Normal / Flying
Potential: Blue
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust, Quick Attack, Steel Wing
Friendship: 80
Background: Injured while defending its flock. Saved by the host, now deeply grateful.
Preference: Loves soaring through the sky and protecting its kin
The wind rustled softly through Petalburg Woods.
A choice was quietly being placed before Aiden Flint.
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