Wings of Desperation

Fearow dived again.

A blur of wings and fury, its hooked beak aimed for Kira with killing intent. She froze. Machop was still down, his battered frame barely twitching.

"Pidgey!" Ray shouted, lunging forward. "Use Gust—now!"

Pidgey was shaking, bloodied, one wing dragging—but it flew.

Just barely.

It threw itself between Fearow and Kira, flapping wildly. Wind surged—not strong enough to stop Fearow's dive, but enough to shift its angle.

Fearow swiped past Kira and raked the ground instead, shrieking in frustration.

Ray landed beside her, grabbing her shoulder. "We need to run!"

"No!" Kira cried, clutching Machop. "We can't leave him!"

Pidgey landed hard, panting. It tried to take off again—but its legs buckled.

Ray's heart pounded.

Fearow – Level 37 | Deep GreenPidgey – Level 23 | YellowStatus: Critical.Next blow will be fatal.

He clenched his fists.

No. Not like this.

Fearow circled again, building speed for the final blow.

Ray looked into Pidgey's eyes. "I know you're tired. But just one more time. We're not done yet."

The air changed.

Something pulsed.

The Statsight shimmered as numbers distorted—then snapped back into place, sharper than ever.

Evolution Trigger DetectedPidgey is evolving…

Pidgey's body shimmered with radiant light.

Its wings grew broader. Tail feathers lengthened. Its chest puffed with strength, and the air around it swirled with wind and power.

In seconds, Pidgey had become Pidgeotto.

The aura of change lingered in Ray's vision, glowing brighter than ever.

Pidgeotto – Aptitude: Light BlueCombat Level: 27Ability Awakening: Aerodynamic Pulse Reinforced

Ray's jaw dropped.

An evolution… in the middle of battle?

Kira gasped. "Is that…?"

"Yeah," Ray whispered, eyes wide. "He did it."

Fearow shrieked again—and dove.

But this time, it wasn't so one-sided.

"Pidgeotto, Air Cutter—go!"

Wind surged into slicing force. It collided with Fearow's dive, cutting across its chest. The beast staggered, losing momentum and skidding through a thicket of underbrush.

It wasn't down—but it was wounded.

For the first time… it hesitated.

Ray didn't stop. "Aim for the injured wing! Keep it in the air, but off balance!"

Pidgeotto soared—elegant and sharp—and sliced through the air again. The blasts didn't defeat Fearow, but they kept it at bay. They bought time.

And time was all they needed.

Behind them, Ray's wristband flared red—the emergency signal activated.

A beacon shot into the sky.

Fearow shrieked again and lunged.

This time, Ray wasn't fast enough.

He braced for impact.

And then—

BOOM.

A shockwave ripped through the forest as a hulking figure smashed into the Fearow from the side.

Machamp.

Damos's Machamp, eyes burning, four fists ready.

Behind him, Damos appeared, cloak billowing, voice like thunder. "Back off my students."

Fearow screeched in panic—but now it was the prey.

Machamp didn't hesitate.

Fists flashed.

Branches shattered.

Fearow cried out—and finally, with a battered wing, fled into the sky.

Gone.

Ray collapsed to his knees. His body shook. Not from injury, but from everything.

Kira dropped beside Machop, already crying in relief.

And Pidgeotto… landed beside Ray, gently nudging his cheek.

"You did amazing," Ray whispered, eyes wet. "You saved us."

Later, as instructors swarmed in, injuries were treated, and the forest was declared clear, Ray sat in silence under a pine tree.

He stared at Pidgeotto—his partner—sleeping beside him, breathing evenly.

He smiled weakly.

He had so much to learn.

But today… they survived.

And they were stronger.