1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 30: Clear Wings

Route 35 opened north of Goldenrod with tall grass, bright fences, and a road that curved toward National Park. After the Contest Hall, Whitney's Gym, and the dairy fields, the open route felt quiet enough that we stopped beside a shaded training patch.

Lillie knelt beside the two Eevee Bill had given us. The curious one chased Totodile through the grass, while the cautious one stayed near Bayleef and watched every step before following.

At the training patch, I released Wooper beside the puddle and Shiny Hoothoot near the fence. I sent out Aipom beside Pikachu and Quilava beside Ethan as Ethan released Exbo. East's Noctowl was already circling overhead.

Wooper splashed into a shallow puddle and smiled as if muddy water were the best thing Route 35 could offer.

Shiny Hoothoot settled on a fence post and watched East's Noctowl cross the sunlight above him.

Shiny Hoothoot blinked slowly. "His wings know where the wind turns. I want to learn that."

Lillie smiled after hearing him. "Then keep watching. He does not mind."

East guided Noctowl through three marked paths between the fences. "If something runs, we move it toward open ground instead of surrounding it."

Pikachu and Aipom practiced quick turns around the fence posts. Bayleef helped Oddish and the cautious Eevee move between patches of shade. Quilava and Exbo worked on short flames that died before reaching the dry grass.

Reisa practiced simple hopping rhythms with Marill. Croconaw pretended not to notice when Totodile copied one step and nearly fell over.

East moved the marker stones twice as Noctowl changed direction overhead. The bird never followed exactly the same path, and Shiny Hoothoot began turning his head before each banking movement instead of after it.

Shiny Hoothoot watched another pass. "He looks at the fence before he reaches it. That is why the turn starts early."

"You caught that quickly," Lillie said after listening.

Pikachu and Aipom stopped long enough to watch too. Aipom tried copying Noctowl's early turn around a fence post, using her tail-hand as a pivot instead of waiting until she reached the wood.

"That worked better," Pikachu told her.

Aipom swung backward with a pleased grin. "Owls are useful even when they are not playing."

Shiny Hoothoot gave her a slow blink that might have been approval. East's Noctowl descended to the lowest marker, turned without touching the fence, and rose again. This time Shiny Hoothoot shifted his feet before the turn happened, already following the line with his eyes.

"He is getting it," East said.

"He likes having another owl to study," I replied.

Totodile immediately tried teaching the curious Eevee the same hop. Eevee copied the first movement, missed the second, and rolled straight into Wooper's puddle.

Wooper bounced beside the muddy Eevee. "Another puddle friend!"

The cautious Eevee watched from Lillie's side. "I think I will watch one more time before trying that."

"That is perfectly fine," Lillie said, stroking between its ears.

A blue blur suddenly circled Lillie's shoulder.

"Ash?" she asked. "Did you see that?"

The blur stopped in front of her face for half a heartbeat, revealing four clear wings and enormous red eyes before darting toward me.