Chapter Text
Bernard hummed a little tune as he flew through the village. He had just finished his final delivery for the day and just clocked out. But there was still plenty of daylight left. Perhaps he could stop by the mart and get some food. Then, he heard something. Bernard stopped and flapped in place. Did he just hear a small cry? Straining his ears to listen, he heard it once more. 'Is it coming from below me?' He wondered. Descending down, he landed in a clearing in the forest. Looking around, he could see the devastation from the storm last night.
His heart ached for all the pokemon who couldn't get away. Looking through the broken branches and tarnished greenery, he kept an eye out for what made the cry. After a few minutes of searching, he heard the cry again. Quickly, he ran over to the spot where it came from. Removing the foliage, his eyes widened upon what he found. It was a Rookidee! And from the severe lack of feathers, it was clear that it was just a hatchling. 'The poor thing. Where are its parents?' Bernard wondered, gently picking it up.
It was shivering and looked very weak. 'I better get it to the pokemon center.' Bernard concluded, flying as fast as he could. By the time he got to the pokemon center, he was exhausted. Wings drooping on the ground as he approached nurse Joy. "I found this Rookidee hatchling all ALONE. Can you PLEASE help it?" He asked with concern.
Nurse Joy nodded and quickly took the Rookidee. "Of course! I'll get it treated right away!" She says as she headed to the emergency room. Bernard sighed as he collapsed on a nearby bench. Wigglytuff handing him a bottle of fresh water. "Thank YOU Wigglytuff." He thanked as he chugged the water. Now that the immediate stress was over, he took a deep breath and retracted his wings. Now, all he had to do was wait. It was a good thing he was patient. After probably three hours, he heard the beeping and looked up to see nurse Joy return with the baby Rookidee in her arms.
"After a thorough check up, I've made sure that she's completely healthy. I also gave her some vitamins." She explained as she handed over the Rookidee. "However, it's not safe to return it to the wild while it's so young. Have you seen her parents?" Bernard shook his head. "No, I didn't see ANY sign of her parents." He answers. Then, he made a decision. "But I'LL take care of her! Then I'll release her once she's strong enough." Nurse Joy was surprised for a moment before she smiled. "Alright. Then let me tell you everything you need to know."
Over the next three weeks, Bernard had been taking care of the young Rookidee. Following the directions that nurse Joy gave him, and searching up various information about Rookidee. It was difficult managing both his job and raking care of her, but it was oddly rewarding coming home to her happy chirps. Though he tried not to, he got attached to the little one. It was basically his child now. Watching her grow strong, all of her feathers growing in, he was basically her dad. And he was starting to dread the day he would release her back into the wild. But ultimately, she was still wild.
So, when he came home one day to see her evolved into Corvisquire, he knew it was time to say good bye. Reluctantly, he opened the window. "Well, you're not a hatchling anymore. I guess it's time for you to head back into the wild." Bernard says quietly. Trying to ignore how his heart was ripping into two. Corvisquire looked at him before nuzzling against him, and Bernard could feel the tears forming in his eyes. "Thank you. I know you'll do just fine." He whispers. Corvisquire let out a soft caw before flying out the window. And that was the last Bernard saw his accidentally adopted Corvisquire.
Until...one year later. He had just started training to be a member of the Rescue Corps, having met Shepherd during one of his deliveries. However, one day during training, he had broken one of his wings. He had accidentally turned too hard to the left and hit the cliff side. Now, here he lay in the dirt. Covered in scrapes and with a broken wing. And all he could do was groan in pain. Then, his ear twitches as he heard flapping wings. Looking up, his eyes widened behind his sunglasses. Landing in front of him was a Corviknight. Something about its eyes reminded him of the young Rookidee.
"COULD it be..?" He murmurs quietly to himself. After an intense stare off, the Corviknight leaned down and nuzzle him. "It IS you!" He exclaimed with a bright smile. Reaching up to gently pet her. "I'm SO happy to see you again." The Corviknight let out soft coos before pulling away. Carefully, she picked him up with her metallic talons. Then she carried him back to the village. Once he was treated, he approached her with a luxury ball in his hand. "If POSSIBLE, I'd like for you to be my partner!" He says as he holds out the luxury ball. Corviknight didn't even hesitate before tapping the ball with her beak.
After shaking three times, it clicked. Bernard smiled as he held the luxury ball to his chest. "Welcome home...Azure."
"Ok, just a LITTLE to the left Azure." Bernard says as he helped Azure set up the banner. They had just gotten back from the biggest mission they've ever had, so Shepherd decided to celebrate. Collin did the cooking, Dingo, the Rookie, and Yonny helped keep the pokemon in check, and Shepherd was setting the table. "And DONE!" Bernard exclaimed as he flew back a bit to get a good view of the banner. "It looks great Bernard! We'll done you two!" Shepherd complimented. The banner had a drawing of everyone and their pokemon partners, so they had to make sure it was hanged up properly to get a good view.
The pokemon let out happy cries as they admired the banner. Once the food was ready, everyone served their respective partners before sitting at the table. "As captain, I'd like to say that I'm very grateful for everyone on this team. The mission couldn't have been done without a single one of you. So cheers to all of you."
"CHEERS!" Everyone cheered as they clinked their glasses together. Their pokemon partners letting out various cries, caws, and roars in response. As everyone ate and mingled, the mood was happy and light. Though more missions will undoubtedly arise, the Rescue Corps knew they could rely on each other and their pokemon partners.
For now, they'll celebrate another successful mission.