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

Chapter 79: First Steps

Beyond the Ursaring cave, Route 45 dropped through ledges, narrow ridges, and turns that looked safe until the wind struck sideways. Blackthorn remained high above us, while New Bark waited far below.

The morning after Teddiursa became Ursaring, the whole route felt sharper. One side of the path fell into a rocky ravine, while the other rose into cliffs where roots gripped stone instead of soil. Every few steps, East made us stop so he could check whether the ledge ahead would let us turn back or force us down another one-way drop.

Gligar glided ahead with far too much confidence for a Pokémon that had crashed into me twice yesterday. It caught one gust beautifully, spun around a cliff, and then nearly smacked into a pine tree because it celebrated before landing.

Pikachu braced his paws on my shoulder as Gligar wobbled past the pine. "Gligar is going to land on you again if it keeps showing off like that."

"I heard that," I muttered.

Lillie laughed while keeping one hand on the case holding the Special Egg. "At least Gligar is happy."

East walked ahead of us, reading the ridges with the kind of focus that made even Ethan quiet down. After yesterday, he seemed more determined to keep searching Route 45. He had watched Gligar choose me without complaint, but his eyes kept returning to the sky.

Reisa noticed too. "You are listening for wings again."

East nodded without looking back. "Gligar isn't making all of those sounds. I keep hearing metal wings above us."

Kris looked toward the cliff walls. "There are metallic marks in the stone."

She was right. Thin scratches shone along the rocks, and several silver feathers were stuck in branches, tree trunks, and even one old wooden sign. The feathers looked beautiful until I saw how deeply they had cut into the wood.

Lillie reached toward one, then stopped herself. "Those feathers are sharp."

East's voice tightened. "Do not pull it out barehanded."

A metallic cry rang above us.

Several Skarmory dropped from the ridge, wings flashing like blades in the sunlight. One swept low enough to slice leaves from the branches over our heads. Another struck the ground in front of us, throwing sparks where its talons scraped stone.

"Everyone down!" I shouted as wings flashed above us.

The Skarmory swept across the path, climbed toward the ridge, then dived again. Each pass pushed us farther from the cliff. East followed their turns with narrowed eyes.

Espeon stayed close to Lillie, her ears flattened toward the ridge. "They're frightened. They keep looking back toward the nests."

Metal wings hissed through the branches, and loose feathers gleamed from the path like little blades. I kept my hands away from them while East watched the ridge.

"They are guarding something uphill," East said. "They are not chasing us down the route. They want us away from that cliff."

A Skarmory swooped toward Lillie. Togetic darted in front of her, wings glowing, but I lifted a hand before she attacked.

"Wait!" I called. "Do not hit them unless they force it."

Pikachu sparked, ready but holding back. The leading Skarmory landed on a rock above us, glaring. Its metal feathers stood rigid. "Those humans took our fallen feathers and frightened the nest. Keep their tools away."

Lillie's expression shifted from alarm to sympathy. "Someone has been taking their feathers."

Kris pointed farther along the ridge. "There are footprints near the nests, and some look human."