Chapter 12: The Bandit King of the Skies

Holly crouched low in the tall grass, her sharp eyes scanning the skies above the riverbank. She and Sakumo had been tracking a Pidgeotto flock for nearly an hour now, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the distant caws and cries of birds above. Holly had seen plenty of Pidgey during her trek, but she wasn't interested in just any Pidgey. She wanted the strongest, the fastest, the most cunning—a Pokémon that could command the skies.

And then she saw him.

A massive Pidgeotto, larger than any she'd seen before, perched atop a gnarled tree branch overlooking the river. His chest was puffed out, feathers sleek and well-groomed, his sharp eyes watching over his flock like a ruler surveying his kingdom.

Holly smirked. Found you.

This wasn't just any wild Pokémon. This was a leader, a bandit king of the sky, and if she wanted him, she had to earn it.

Aerial Outlaws

Holly had noticed something interesting while tracking this flock—they weren't normal Pidgey and Pidgeotto.

These Pokémon were smarter, working together to steal food from passing travelers, dive-bombing fish in the river, and even snatching berries from the trees without ever touching the ground.

They moved like a coordinated unit, and their leader—the oversized Pidgeotto—was clearly the mastermind.

"That's our target," Holly whispered, barely moving her lips.

Sakumo let out a low growl, his ears twitching as he stared up at the bird Pokémon.

But taking down a seasoned leader wasn't going to be easy.

The rest of the flock was alert, their heads twitching at the slightest noise. If she made the wrong move, she wouldn't just be facing one Pokémon—she'd be facing an entire squad of airborne thieves.

She needed a plan.

The Challenge

Holly reached into her bag and pulled out a small pouch filled with Pokéblock treats, specially crafted for Flying-types. She opened it just enough for the scent to drift into the wind.

Pidgeotto's head snapped toward her direction, his sharp eyes narrowing.

Gotcha.

"Come on, big guy," Holly muttered. "Take the bait."

A flicker of mischief crossed Pidgeotto's face before he took off in a blur, his powerful wings kicking up dust and leaves as he dove down.

He was fast.

The second he was within reach, he snatched the pouch with his talons and veered back into the sky.

Or so he thought.

Holly was already moving.

"Sakumo, Agility—now!"

Sakumo shot forward like a bullet, his form a blur as he leaped onto a boulder, then a fallen log, and then—

He launched himself into the air.

The Growlithe's fangs snapped shut around the pouch, yanking it right out of Pidgeotto's grip.

The bird Pokémon let out an indignant screech, flipping midair before twisting around to face them.

Now he was interested.

Pidgeotto flapped his wings once, sending out a powerful gust of wind that sent Sakumo skidding back.

Holly grinned. There's that fighting spirit.

"You want a challenge?" she called up. "Then fight us for real."

Pidgeotto's golden-brown eyes gleamed, amusement flashing through them. Then, without hesitation, he dove straight for them.

The Battle for the Sky

Holly barely had time to react.

"Sakumo, dodge!"

The Growlithe rolled to the side just in time, avoiding the razor-sharp talons that slammed into the dirt where he had been standing.

Pidgeotto wasn't playing around.

The air crackled with power as he swooped back up and immediately dove again, this time faster.

"Flame Wheel!"

Sakumo's fur ignited as he curled into a spinning ball of fire, launching himself forward.

The two Pokémon clashed midair, Pidgeotto barely twisting out of the way as the fire singed his feathers.

But instead of retreating, he retaliated—hard.

A powerful Wing Attack slammed into Sakumo's side, sending the Growlithe tumbling backward.

Holly gritted her teeth. This Pidgeotto isn't just fast—he's strong.

"Alright," she muttered. "Let's even the field."

She pulled out a Poké Ball from her belt, gripping it tightly.

"Sakumo, keep him busy!"

Sakumo barked in understanding, his fur bristling with adrenaline.

Pidgeotto dove for another attack, but this time, Holly was ready.

With one swift movement, she hurled the Poké Ball with precision, aiming straight for Pidgeotto's blind spot.

It hit.

The Poké Ball snapped open, sucking the bird Pokémon inside in a flash of red light.

It dropped to the ground, wiggling violently.

Once.

Twice.

Three times—

Ding.

Holly released a long breath, her heart pounding.

They did it.

She walked over, bending down to pick up the Poké Ball, still feeling the residual heat of the battle in her veins.

She turned to Sakumo, who was panting but grinning, his tail wagging.

"We got him," she murmured, rolling the Poké Ball in her palm.

A king of the sky, a leader among thieves—and now, her partner.

She smirked.

"Welcome to the team, big guy."

The Need for Wings

Holly sat at the edge of the river, rolling Pidgeotto's Poké Ball between her fingers. The weight of it felt right, like a missing piece of her puzzle had finally clicked into place.

She hadn't just wanted any Flying-type. She had wanted the best.

She needed speed. She needed power. She needed mobility.

Having a fast land Pokémon like Sakumo was great, but speed alone wasn't enough. There were situations where running wouldn't cut it, where the only escape route would be up.

Pidgeotto would give her that.

More than that, he was a leader, a Pokémon with battle experience, cunning, and pride.

If she trained him right, he would become a Pidgeot—one of the fastest aerial Pokémon in Kanto.

A protector of the sky, the land, and, once she found Magikarp, the sea.

Her team was coming together, and now she was one step closer to true security.

Holly smirked, pocketing the Poké Ball as she stood.

"Alright, big guy," she murmured. "Time to see if you can keep up."