In the thick canopy of Sunset Forest, Corviknight, the leader of the bird Pokémon, was perched on a branch, nibbling on a delicious berry to calm his shaken nerves.
Because today, he had witnessed the most terrifying scene of his life.
That raging gorilla, Rillaboom, had picked up Ogerpon's thorned club and was swinging it around like a pro. Not just one club—two!
If that thing hit someone once, wouldn't they lose consciousness?
If it hit them twice, wouldn't they ascend to meet their ancestors?!
"Gaa!"
Corviknight flapped his wings. He needed to clear his mind.
Maybe taking a flight around the forest to check for new bird Pokémon would help.
Spreading his massive steel wings, he took off, weaving between the towering trees.
Though he preferred soaring freely in the open sky, this low-altitude maneuvering was also beneficial. It trained his reaction speed, helped him adapt to the forest terrain, and most importantly—allowed him to observe his surroundings closely.
A true leader couldn't afford to miss anything, especially when it came to his bird brethren.
Gah-gah, there's my pride and joy—that handsome blue fledgling. He's training hard. Before long, he'll evolve into a majestic Corviknight, just like me!
Gah-gah, that little duckling—practicing flying, huh? That's the spirit! That's how us bird Pokémon should be. Keep it up, kid, I'm rooting for you!
Gah-gah, oh? That's the new Delibird. Hah, what a good-hearted guy, sharing his food with the Pokémon in the Icewood Forest… Wait. Oi! Don't give them bugs!
Before he knew it, Corviknight had flown into the tropical rainforest section of the forest.
He was about to stop by to greet the Toucannon and Oricorio families when something suspicious caught his sharp eye.
A Victreebel, creeping around shiftily.
It kept glancing around, as if making sure no other Pokémon were nearby.
Then, confident it was alone, it extended a vine and wrapped it around an oval-shaped object, preparing to stuff it into its mouth.
Gaa?! Those markings… that's definitely a bird Pokémon egg!
No way. Not happening. I'm stepping in!
A razor-sharp air blade sliced through the sky, cleaving off most of Victreebel's leafy cap.
Startled, the plant Pokémon snapped its gaze upward, only to see a giant, black-armored bird descending from above, blood-red eyes glaring down mercilessly.
"Viiiictree!"
To the uninformed, Corviknight was a terrifying figure—a winged executioner cloaked in steel.
And worse, he was a Flying-type—Victreebel's natural predator.
The plant Pokémon immediately made a decision.
It flung the egg into the air as a distraction and bolted, hopping away into the dense underbrush as fast as it could.
The egg, now plummeting toward the ground, was about to shatter upon impact.
Corviknight swiftly flapped his wings again, but this time, he didn't unleash a cutting wind.
Instead, he conjured a gentle, spiraling updraft, cradling the egg in midair before lowering it softly to the forest floor.
Landing beside it, Corviknight tilted his head.
Though he had saved it on a whim, he had no idea what kind of bird Pokémon this egg belonged to.
Almost as if answering his thoughts, the egg began to shake.
A crack formed across its surface.
"Gaa?!"
Corviknight stiffened.
Wait… he had seen this before…
Was this egg… hatching?!
"Gah-gah-gah!"
A loud, urgent caw echoed outside the cabin.
Summer, who was in the middle of a video call with Marnie, didn't even need to guess.
It was Corviknight.
Judging from his frantic voice, something big had happened.
Probably.
"Sorry, Marnie. Sounds like Corviknight's got an emergency—I'll go check it out."
Marnie smiled and waved. "Mm, go on. We'll talk when you have time."
She had already confirmed Summer's safe return, and he seemed full of energy, meaning his journey had gone well.
As for Ogerpon's story—she was curious, but not in a rush.
There was plenty of time.
Besides, Summer would always put Pokémon first. That was just who he was.
For now, she could let Corviknight borrow him.
…However, not everyone in the room agreed with Marnie's generosity.
Rillaboom and Ogerpon sat with their arms crossed.
That loud idiot—Corviknight.
If this wasn't an emergency, they'd definitely find an excuse to spar with him later.
As Summer stepped outside, he spotted Corviknight on the ground.
But there was… something round on his head.
Before Summer could take a closer look, the brown sphere twitched.
Then, two tiny wings flapped, and a small, excited face popped into view.
"Row-koo~!"
"Gaa?!"
Corviknight's gaze snapped upward.
Oi.
Oi.
Why are you trying to do this again?!
I'm not playing with you, brat!
"Oh, a Rowlet." Summer nodded.
"Row-koo?"
Rowlet tilted its head 180 degrees, blinking in confusion.
"Gaa!"
Corviknight shook his head violently.
I already told you! I'm not your dad!
I'm an elite, high-class bachelor!
How could I not have a mate yet, but already have a kid?!
"Corviknight, judging from how flustered you look… and this Rowlet, I assume something happened?"
"Gaa!"
Listen, Summer! This little runt hatched from an egg and immediately imprinted on me!
As Corviknight ranted, Rillaboom and Ogerpon exchanged glances.
Yep.
They had seen this coming.
Summer, however, remained calm.
"It's a natural instinct. Newborns tend to bond with the first thing they see. And since you're both bird Pokémon, the effect is even stronger."
"Gaa!"
Corviknight gawked.
That's not the problem here, Summer!
This is about my future! My legacy! My—
Summer sighed. "Corviknight, don't you realize? You're the leader of the bird Pokémon here. You already look after all of them."
Corviknight hesitated, then nodded.
Summer continued, "So what's one more? Especially when this one clearly likes you."
Rowlet chirped happily, snuggling against Corviknight's armor.
"See? And besides… haven't you always admired your mother? Didn't she take great care of you?"
"Gaa!"
Of course! If not for her, I wouldn't have evolved into Corviknight!
Summer smirked. "Then why not surpass her? Raise this Rowlet into something even stronger."
Surpass my mother?
Corviknight froze, then burst into laughter.
Haha! That's brilliant!
If I train this kid well, it'll prove that I'm not just a strong warrior, but also a masterful mentor!
And once the other bird Pokémon see how capable I am…
I'll be even more irresistible!
"Row-koo~!"
Rowlet flapped excitedly.
Corviknight sighed. Fine. Just this once.
With a powerful caw, he soared into the sky.
"From now on, you're my adopted son!"
"Row-koo~! Yay, Dad~!"
Watching the new father-son duo disappear into the clouds, Summer chuckled.
"…I just hope the forest doesn't end up with another crazy bird."
(End of Chapter)