Chapter 85

Interestingly, as Misty approached me, I noticed something off about her. She was carrying a pokemon in her arms, or rather arm since she was waving to me with the other.

And it wasn't Togepi.

It was an Oddish.

"Haven't seen you in a while," Misty grinned as she stopped in front of me, "How've you been?" she asked.

"Better than you," I grinned back as I looked her over. She was dirty as all hell, scuff and mud marks over her clothing and bare skin, "Had it rough on the way here?"

She scowled and glared over her shoulder at my words, "Yeah, somebody thought it was fine not to ask anyone for directions." she replied, pointedly looking at Ash as he and Brock approached.

"It's not my fault Brock can't read a map." Ash shrugged.

"Hey, you weren't any better either," Brock shot back, before nodding at me, "Hey Jord, You and Fearow are looking good."

"He's right, have you gotten taller?" Misty nodded in agreement looking me over, "And you're a lot broader now as well, how'd that happen?" she noted appreciatively.

"I train every day with my pokemon," I shrugged, placing my hand on Fearow's long neck and patting it fondly, "Gotta be tough to keep up with these….guys." I trailed off when I noticed Fearow wasn't leaning in to my touch.

In fact, the large bird pokemon was ramrod straight and staring, or rather glaring bloody murder at the small yellow mouse pokemon on Ash's shoulder, and at Ash himself.

And Ash seemed to notice as well, "Hey Jord…is something wrong with your Fearow?" he asked hesitantly.

Oh yeah…

"Yeah…he really doesn't like you and your Pikachu," I winced and explained, "You kinda smacked him on the head with a rock."

Ash's eyes widened, "Ah, that Spearow!" he said in realisation, before rubbing the back of his hat wearing head and giving Fearow a sheepish smile, "I'm really sorry about that Fearow, can you forgive me? I was a big idiot." he actually didn't hesitate to apologise

"Pika pika, pi Pikapi!" Pikachu added and gestured from Ash's shoulder towards my pokemon.

In response though-

"Row!" Fearow reared up on his feet and spread his wings wide and challengingly at them both.

Despite his massive wing span, I didn't feel threatened even standing right next to him.

The other three on the other hand.

They all quickly leapt back out of the way, getting some distance. Quick reactions on their part. As expected really, since both Brock and Misty were technically Gym Leaders and Ash was well…Ash Ketchum.

"I don't think Fearow accepted the apology." Brock grimaced.

I tightened my grip on Fearow's neck a bit, not squeezing, but making sure he felt my hand, "Calm down," I ordered and the huge bird whipped around to glare at me, the first sign of disobedience he'd given me since that very first day. I glared back, "Don't look at me like that, you aren't mad about the rock, it was your pride that got hurt because Pikachu beat you back then even with your huge flock backing you up."

"Row!" Fearow barked at me, angrily.

He wasn't happy about me bringing up that loss. And I don't entirely blame him. It was one thing to lose to Pidgeot one on one, and even two on one, but a thousand to one?

That was just plain embarrassing.

If one guy kicked my ass alongside a thousand others that I was ganging up on him with, I'd be embarrassed too.

"Suck it up and stop being a pansy," I barked right back, staring him right in the eyes, "I don't train pansies. There's a world of difference between the you of back then and the you now."

We glared at each other for a few seconds and I could practically see the electricity sparking between us, before finally, Fearow reluctantly looked away.

I sighed, reaching over and placing my hand on his neck once more, squeezing gently and fondly. Pidgeot wasn't my only pokemon that had some of my same traits, "Don't worry, I'd be no better in your place," I assured him, before looking over at the three, specifically at Ash, "How about you get your own back now, taking Pikachu on one on one?"

"Row row Fea?" Fearow perked up at my words, eyes shining now with glee at the thought.

I grinned and nodded, before looking over at Ash, "You up for a battle? Fearow won't be happy with you and Pikachu until he gets a chance to prove himself." I asked.

Ash blinked, "Is that all?" he asked, then grinned widely when I nodded, "Heck yeah, fine with us, right buddy?" he thumbed his nose and asked Pikachu.

"Pika!" Pikachu grinned as well, looking over at Fearow, cheeks sparking. Fearow's beak somehow split into a malicious grin.

"Oh c'mon, it's always a battle with you," Misty groaned, "You battled like at least five trainers a day on the way here, I'm dirty as all hell and need a bath and to clean my clothes, and you want to battle?"

"Go ahead if you want," Ash shrugged, "No way me and my pokemon will back down from a battle though. Especially from Jord! I've wanted to take him on ever since Brock told me how he beat him."

"Lighten up Misty, it won't take that long," Brock assured her, "Besides, I'm curious to see how strong Fearow has gotten since facing my Onix, Fearow was just newly evolved then after all and had only been with Jord like a week."

"…Fine…" Misty grudgingly agreed.