Here comes my first change to Gwen's Unova team. Here Ash gets a Tepig, but Gwen will get a Growlithe. I have nothing against Tepig, I just wanted Growlithe more.

~~**IV**~~

The Battle Club and Growlithe's Choice

Gwen couldn't hold in her excitement when the trees began to thin out. That meant Striaton City couldn't be too far ahead. A quarter hour later, she saw buildings through the trees! Racing out of the forest, Gwen looked upon Striaton City. It was down hill and Gwen could see the entire thing. Several buildings at least three stories high in an array of colors that set off well against the autumn air. It was surprisingly homey for a big city.

"Yes!" Gwen cheered, shifting her glasses. "We've finally reached Striaton City! Time for a Gym battle!"

"Pika!" Pikachu agreed just as excited.

"Uh, not quite, Gwen."

Gwen turned to see Iris just behind her. The girl walked right past her saying, "This is Accumula Town. Striaton City is the next town over."

Wait...this wasn't Striaton City? No! Gwen and Pikachu were supposed to have a battle! "You're kidding!" Gwen exclaimed.

"Nope!" Iris chirped. "Too bad."

Gwen groaned, not just at the news but at Iris's mocking tone. "Damn. I was so psyched to have a Gym battle!"

Iris turned to face her. "Then why don't you check out the Pokemon Battle Club? I'm headed there now."

"Pokemon Battle Club?" Gwen inquired. "What's that?" She'd never heard of it before.

Iris shrugged and rolled her eyes. "Of course you wouldn't know that, either."

Gwen raised a hand to her hip. "Sorry, I'm new," she snapped. "And it's not like I got a pamphlet of the Unova region, so don't expect me to know everything. We don't have them in Kanto, or even Johto."

"Well, come on," Iris said, waving her over and heading into town. They made for a large, modern dojo-like building. "This is the Pokemon Battle Club." She then pointed to an electronic billboard. "That's the Bulletin Board." She clicked the button on the screen and it began showing the profiles of trainers as well as their Pokemon. "See? Each Trainer enters their Pokemon profile as well as the type of Pokemon they want to battle against. It's an awesome place for Trainers to sharpen their skills by battling as they see fit."

Gwen scanned the screen, reading through the profile of a boy with a medium-sized snake Pokemon as well as a Deerling. According to the profile, he wanted to help tutor his Pokemon into learning Leaf Blade and then Mega Kick.

The two moved on to where Iris said the battle arenas are. Inside there were two trainers facing off. One had the green snake Pokemon and another had a blue otter Pokemon.

"Perfect timing!" Iris exclaimed. "Looks like they're just about to start battling."

Gwen pulled her PokeDex from her pocket, holding it toward the green one first. Servine, the Grass Snake Pokemon, and the evolved form of Snivy. Servine whips its opponents with vines and dodges their attacks by hiding in the shadows of thick foliage. Then the blue one. Dewott, the Discipline Pokemon, and the evolved form of Oshawott. Through rigid training, Dewott wuses the double scalchop technique to accomplish its fluid swordsmanship.

So those are the evolutions of Snivy and Oshawott, Gwen thought. Dewott the Discipline. That seemed unlikely when looking at her Oshawott, so much so that Gwen had to fight a chuckle. Oshawott was an innocent wild child.

"Servine!" the Trainer on the left called. "Use Leaf Blade!" The Servine's three-leaf tail glowed bright green and it leapt, ready to strike.

Looks like it learned Leaf Blade already! Gwen thought.

The Dewott's Trainer called a counter attack. "Dewott, Water Gun!" Dewott spouted a stream of water towards Servine, hitting it full force. Servine skidded right over near Gwen and Iris, looking disoriented. Wow, that must be a pretty strong Dewott if its Water-Type move could give such damage to a Grass-Type Pokemon.

"Okay, that's enough!" Came a deep, gruff voice. Gwen looked up to see an older man with weathered tanned skin and greyish black hair. He had thick brows and a mustache as well. He wore a loose-fitting navy tunic, trousers and comfy loafers. He had a dull red belt tied around his waist. "Take your Servine to be healed," he told the Trainer.

The Trainer ran over to his Servine, lifting it in his arms and rushed out of the arena. At least the Servine looked alright.

The man came over to Gwen and Iris. "We'll take care of your battle needs," he said. "I welcome you to the Pokemon Battle Club. My name is Don George. I'm the battle manager."

"My name is Iris," she introduced, then gestures to Gwen. "I'd like to introduce you to Gwen."

"Iris was just telling me that anyone can have a battle here if they want to," Gwen added.

Don George nodded. "Right. That's correct."

Gwen smiled. "I'm gonna challenge the Striaton Gym!" she told him. "And I want to get ready."

Pikachu jumped onto her shoulder, agreeing. "Pika!"

Don George gasped upon seeing Pikachu. "A Pikachu!" He seemed as glad as Iris did at seeing him as he rubbed Pikachu's head fondly. Pikachu cooed. "How unusual to see one in the Unova region."

"Excuse me," came another voice. Gwen turned to see the Trainer with the Dewott approaching her. "Is that Pikachu yours?"

Gwen nodded with a grin. "Yes, it is."

"Would you like to have a Pokemon battle with me?" he asked. "I've always wanted to see one in action."

Gwen's grin grew. "Well, you come to the right girl and Pikachu. We were just looking for an opponent. Let's go!"

"Pika!" Pikachu rose to the challenge.

The two of them went to their respective positions on the battle field. Pikachu leapt off Gwen's shoulder and faces the Trainer, ready for battle. Suddenly, with a flash of light, Oshawott jumped out of his Pokeball. "Oshawott!"

"Huh?" Gwen exclaimed. Why did Oshawott burst out of his Pokeball? How? "Why are you out of your Pokeball, Oshawott?"

He turned and grinned at her, tapping on his scalchop. "Osha!" What, did he want to battle or something?

Pikachu went up to him. "Pika pika!" he tried to reason. But Oshawott just pushed him to the side, wanting to battle.

"Dewott, let's go!" the Trainer called from the other side of the arena. Dewott stood at the other end and smirked, his eyes set on Pikachu and Oshawott.

Oshawott shrunk away, intimidated by Dewott. He shifted Pikachu to face it and stood back as if to tell Pikachu that this was his battle.

Gwen rolled her eyes at Oshawott's antics. She pulled out Oshawott's Pokeball. "Well, now that that's settled, return Oshawott." At least he returned to his Pokeball with no protest.

Pikachu leapt back to his feet, facing Dewott and ready to go. "Pika!"

"Begin!" Don George called from the sideline.

Gwen called out the first move. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu charged up and sent his signature move toward Dewott.

"Dodge it, Dewott!" the Trainer called and with a hardy grin, Dewott leapt away without even being brushed by the attack.

Gwen gaped at its speed. That's one fast Pokemon! Not many have the speed to dodge Pikachu's best attack! "Let's try Iron Tail!" Gwen quickly called.

Pikachu's tail glowed into a shining grey and he swiped Dewott directly. It doesn't matter that Steel-Type moves are not very effective on Water-Type Pokemon, Pikachu's strength on impact would do a good amount of damage.

"Now, Volt Tackle!" Gwen ordered. Pikachu wasted now time in getting into his pace, yellow electricity encasing him as he raced for Dewott. Dewott managed to dodge that as well and the Trainer called out Razor Shell.

Instead of just a single scalchop like Oshawott, Dewott had two scalchops at its sides and grabbed them both to make his weapon. Double attack, double power. Both of them make direct contact with Pikachu. He's still standing after the attack, but before Gwen could make a move, alarms ring out.

Gwen flinched at the piercing sound in her ears. The alarms are over in a moment though and three guys, assistants she assumed, enter the battle room. "Battle Manager, sir, it's the emergency alarm!"

"Something's in the storage room!"

"Probably that mystery Pokemon!"

Don George nodded. "Right." He then turned to the two Trainers. "We'll have to suspend your battle for now." With that, he left the arena.

"Mystery Pokemon?" Gwen mumbled.

Iris came over to her. "How cool is that?"

"How about we check it out?" Gwen said. She then turned to the other Trainer. "I'm sorry our battle got interrupted."

"It's okay," he replied. "From what I see, you've got an impressive Pikachu. Dewott and I have been battling all morning, so it's about time I took him to the Pokemon Center." He returned Dewott and left the arena.

Iris and Gwen run after Don George. "Hey, Don George!" Gwen called as they left the battle room. He stopped and turned toward them. "Can we be of any help?"

He nodded. "I could use another couple pairs of eyes. Follow me." The girls follow him into the security room where his assistants are at the computer.

"Have you seen the security footage?" Don George asked, closing the door behind Iris.

"What's been going on here?" Gwen asked.

"The food in the storage room has been stolen a lot in the past couple months and there have been unidentified Pokemon sightings as well," Don George answered. "So we found it necessary to set up this security system to get to the bottom of all this." He turned to his assistant. "Is the footage ready?"

"Yes," the assistant at the computer answers. "I'll replay it now." He presses the playthrough button and they all watch the screen. For a couple heartbeats, nothing happens. But then a black shape bounds out of the storage unit. The alarm then goes off and three familiar people stumble back out of the storage room. Team Rocket.

"Two people!" the man at the computer exclaimed.

"Those two are Team Rocket," Gwen said. "They've been trying to snatch my Pikachu since I got here. Made three attempts in the last four days." She hadn't seen them in the two days since she and Iris had left the hot springs, but it seems they were back.

"Not them again!" Iris groaned.

"Well," Don George added. "The security system caught more than those guys. Play back the footage."

The pupil at the computer slowly scrolled back along the tape. Before Team Rocket stumbled out of the storage unit, a small black figure leaped out of it first. The feed was paused there. It seemed skinny and cubby at the same time. Small ears on its head and what perhaps looked like tufts of fur. The closest thing Gwen could come up with was an Eevee, but the ears were all wrong and it was a bit too big. Houndour? No, Houndour had short fur. What could that Pokemon be?

"Dark and skinny?" Iris described aloud. "What could it be?"

"I have a few ideas," Gwen said, "but none that really fit the bill. The closest I can get to it would be a Poochyena. But those don't stick around city areas."

"So, you're saying it's a Poochyena?" Don George asked. "What does it look like?"

Gwen paused before answering. "It's just a loose guess. There's one thing that doesn't match up." She pointed to the screen. "This figure seems to have a tuft of hair on the top of its head and it ears are floppy. Poochyena is a last guess. We might even have the color all wrong from the angle of the camera."

"Well, either way, we should all go looking for it," Don George announced. "We can't allow it to keep stealing our food stores."

"What would you like us to do, sir?" Iris asked.

"Head back to the storage unit and wait in case it comes back," Don George told them. "Set up some bowls of Pokemon food to try luring it out."

"What will happen to the Pokemon once it's found?" Gwen asked, worried. Yes, it was stealing food, but with how skinny it was looking, it was probably starving. She didn't want it to be punished.

"Don't worry about that, Gwen," Iris told her. "I'm going to catch it! That way it won't have to scavenge for food anymore."

"That's a good idea," Don George said. "Now, let's get started."

Gwen and Iris opened a single box of the Pokemon food and began setting out bowls nearby. There were about seven bowls full of Pokemon food, and there was still some left over. Gwen was amazed at how many boxes were inside and how many Pokemon this single storage unit could feed.

Gwen placed down the last bowl. "Okay, its all set up. Iris, are you all set up?" she called.

Iris sushed her. "Quiet." Gwen held up her hands surrender. "I think the best thing we can do is split up so we can keep a sharp eye on the place," she started. "That Pokemon is probably very hungry, so it'll definitely fall for this. I'll be over here." She started around the storage unit, stopping until her head was poking around it. "Now, if you see it, let me know. I'm planning to catch it, if you don't mind."

Gwen felt a chuckle leave her lips. "Of course."

A small little nudge came at her hip and she turned to see Oshawott had burst from his Pokeball again. "Why do you keep doing that?" Gwen exclaimed. But Oshawott merely looked at her with those cute little eyes and her annoyance turned to amusement. She would never be able to stay mad at him.

"Oshawott! Osha, wott."

"You want to help out?" Gwen asked. Oshawott nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, Pikachu," she turned to her buddy, "you and Oshawott stay here. I'm going to put Pokemon food around the other storage building."

Gwen turned the three corners to the other storage unti and placed two bowls of food down. Hiding in the bushes, she scoped out for the mystery Pokemon. About ten minutes passed and she went from her knees to an actual sitting position once her knees began to ache. Five more minutes passed before she noticed a figure turn the corner and approach the Pokemon food. She pushed her glasses a bit further up her nose so they completely covered her vision.

Gwen had been expecting a dark colored Pokemon, which this Pokemon was from dirt and twigs that coated its fur. But it was actually a lighter colored Pokemon. And orange colored Pokemon. "It's a Growlithe!" Gwen exclaimed. Its cream colored crest on its chest was also darkened from dirt. Not only that, but...there was some sort of muzzle on it. The Growlithe scratched at it, but the metal didn't budge. It sniffed at the food, but was barely able to open its mouth. It managed to snag one bite past it, but that was all. And it took a whole minute to accomplish it.

Gwen slowly rose from her spot in the bushes, but the Growlithe took notice of her and started running. Gwen chased after. "Growlithe, wait!" She ran after it, running into Iris along the way.

"What is it, Gwen?" Iris called after her.

"I found the mystery Pokemon!" Gwen called back. "It's a Growlithe!" She quickly followed the Pokemon as it turned a corner and made straight for a dead end. It huddled against one of the corners, cowering from Gwen. She slowed her pace, saying what she hoped were soothing words toward the Pokemon. "It's okay. I won't hurt you."

She slowly made her way toward the Growlithe and gently placed her hand on its head. It jerked away and sent a small spew of flames at her. It was only a small ember, but Gwen's hand became singed. Hissing slightly, Gwen bit back the pain and placed her hand back on Growlithe's head. "You don't have to be scared of me," she told the Pokemon, shifting her fingers behind it ear, rubbing it in a way she hoped would be comforting. The Growlithe shook under her hand for sereral mintues, but Gwen continued to gently rub its ear, slowly moving down to its jaw in soothing motions. She heard Iris kneel down behind her, careful not to make a sound.

Growlithe stopped shaking and looked up to Gwen, fear shining in its eyes. Gwen felt her heart break. She knew plenty of Growlithe and how they were proud and playful Pokemon. Partners of Officer Jenny and loyal companions to kids and adults alike. But this little one seemed so hurt and negelected. Who would put a muzzle on a Pokemon?

Slowly, Gwen moved her hands to the back of Gowlithe's head where the muzzle was buckled on. "Let me get this off you," she mumbled. Growlithe started shaking again.

"Careful, Gwen!" Iris whispered, noticing Growlithe's reaction as well.

Without looking to Iris, Gwen asked her a favor. "Could you get a bowl of Pokemon food for me? It looks hungry." It was so small and skinny, Gwen wondered how long it'd been muzzled.

"Okay," Iris replied, rising to her feet to do as she was asked.

Gwen gently pulled the muzzle off Growlithe. "That better?" she asked gently. Growlithe widened its jaw as far as it would go, passing the alotted movement that the muzzle would have allowed. "You need to get cleaned up," Gwen muttered, picking twigs out of the Pokemon's fur. "I know you're a Fire-Type, but you're covered in dirt." She wished she had her brush, but it was in her bag back in the club.

Iris came back with the bowl of Pokemon food and placed it in front of Growlithe. "Here you go. Eat up," she said.

Growlithe dove for the food vigorously, even going to far as slobbering all over the bowl. Chuckling, Gwen placed her hand on its back, "Slow down, you'll get a tummy-ache."

Growlithe lifted its head from the bowl and began to cough, half-eaten Pokemon food spewing out of its mouth. Gwen and Iris chuckled. "Be careful next time," Iris crooned. Growlithe did indeed slow down its eating, taking its time to chew for several heartbeats before swallowing and leaning down to take another mouthful. Gwen and Iris watched, their eyes not leaving Growlithe.

A quarter of an hour passed by and Gwen and Iris walked back to the Battle Club, Growlithe asleep in Gwen's arms. Iris wanted to give him more Pokemon food but Gwen insisted he'd get sick if he ate too much. Oh, and they also found that Growlithe was indeed a he. His breath tickled Gwen's shoulder and she had to fight not to squirm, but failing to keep the tickled grin off her face.

"Hey, Gwen! Iris!"

The girls turned to see Don George and his pupils approach them. They stopped short just in front of them.

"Hey," Gwen replied, keeping her voice quiet. She didn't want to wake Growlithe.

"We thought we found the mystery Pokemon," Don George began telling them, "but it was a complete hoax."

Gwen felt her brow knot. They were supposed to be at the other side of the building. Growlithe couldn't have traveled from there to here that quick. What Pokemon did they see? And how was it a hoax? "Well," she started. "I believe Iris and I found the missing Pokemon." She nudged her head to Growlithe leaning over her shoulder.

Don George peered at the Pokemon in her arms, matted, dirty, and skinny. His brows then shot to his hairline. "Say, I remember this Growlithe!"

"You know Growlithe!" Gwen gasped out. Iris did as well.

He nodded, a remorseful look on his face. "Yes. A Trainer who once visited our Battle Club simply abandoned Growlithe. He lost the battle and his Trainer said he had no use for a weak Pokemon. So he tied Growlithe up with a muzzle to keep him from howling after him and left. I wanted to unmuzzle Growlithe, but he ran off before I got the chance. He must have stuck around to search for his Trainer."

Gwen's jaw dropped. How could a Trainer abandon his Pokemon for losing a battle? If she did that, she wouldn't have any Pokemon. "Poor Growlithe," she murmured.

From beside her, Iris fumed. "If I ever meet that Trainer, I'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget!"

A small whine sounded and Gwen felt Growlithe shift on her shoulder. He sleepily curled his head around Gwen's neck and peered at the people in front of them.

"Oh, I'm sorry we woke you, Growlithe," Gwen told him. Growlithe didn't seem to mind as he shook the sleep from his head yawned widely, much more awake afterwards.

Don George placed his hand on Growlithe's head and give him a slight scratch. "How about the two of you go to the Pokemon Center and get him a check up and cleaned off."

Gwen nodded and began to leave, but as she turned, she saw two familiar people with a shouldered sack. "Team Rocket!"

The two crooks turned to see Gwen, Iris and the entire battle club management staring at them. Jessie grips the sack tighter over hier shoulder. Both look quite surprised to see them. "It's the twerps!" Gwen heard them call.

"Not you guys again!" Iris ranted.

"What are you up to now?" Gwen called, giving the two of them a hard glare. For a moment she wondered where Meowth was, but there were more important matters at hand.

James scoffed. "You and your assumptions. Ciao!" The two of them began bounding off.

Right behind them, Oshawott raced behind, crying out and pointing to James and Jessie. Still not familiar with Oshawott's dialect, Gwen was unsure of what he was trying to say. "What's going on, Oshawott?" she asked.

"Osha! Osha! Oshawott!"

He was still pointing to James and Jessie and looking closely, Gwen noticed the sack over Jessie's shoulder began to wriggle and muffled sounds were coming from it.

"Pika pi!"

Gwen gasped, recognizing that voice. "Pikachu!?" How he ended up in a sack over Team Rocket's shoulder, she had no idea. But he was and Gwen was not going to let them take off.

"Who's that voice, so naive indeed," Jessie started, turning to them with a smirk.

"We'll answer you when we feel the need!" James finished.

Bringing the white light of evil into the future.

Thrusting the hammer of justice onto the black darkness of the universe.

Carving our names in the rock of eternity.

The fiery destroyer, Jessie!

And with thunderous emotion, I am James!

Wisest of the Wise, I'm Meowth!

Now we gather under the name of Team Rocket!

Exactly where Meowth had popped out from was a mystery.

"It's that talking Meowth!" one of the pupil's exclaimed.

"Which means Meowth is one of the bad guys," Don George finished.

Gwen didn't bother to comment as she glared at the would-be thieves of her Pikachu. "Give back Pikachu!" she hollered.

James made a scoffing laugh. "Not after you left it in a box!"

"How could you abandon your Pokemon?" Jessie added with a smirk. "We just saved Pikachu from harm. Form a Trainer of the lowest order."

Gwen had no idea what James was referring with Pikachu in a box, but she would never abandon her Pokemon. None of them. "You have Pikachu in a sack and then have the nerve to call me a Trainer from the lowest order?" she scoffed back. "Yeah, right! Oshawott, use Water Gun!"

Oshawott shot off his attack, but before it could connect, Meowth clicked on some device and some sort of shield formed in front of Team Rocket, protecting them from the attack. Not only that, but it began to hover away. And Pikachu was still with them!

Gwen chased after them, little hope that she would manage to catch up, but still ran as fast as she could. Not having taken even ten paces, Growlithe hopped from her arms, turning to face her with a determined expression. "Growlithe!"

It took Gwen a moment to figure out what he wanted to tell her, but then a grin settled on her face as she did. "You want to help me out?" she asked. Growlithe gave a firm nod. "Okay," Gwen nodded, "use Ember!"

Growlithe pivoted toward Team Rocket and sent out a spew of flames that went straight for the shied they were in. It hit straight on and caused a small explosion. The sack falling away and Pikachu tumbling out of it. Gwen raced for her buddy, leaping with her arms out in front of her and catching Pikachu before he hit the pavement. Bad Trainer? No way. Gwen would never allow any harm to come to Pikachu if she could prevent it. She landed right on her bum and was quite sure she'd have a bruise in the morning. But the important thing was Pikachu was safe and unharmed. Trainer and Pokemon exclaimed over their reunion and held fast to each other. Team Rocket flew away in the background. Gwen growled at their escape yet again, but was glad they hadn't succeeded in their plans.

From behind her, Gwen heard soft padding on the grass and turned to see Growlithe approaching her with his eyes toward the ground. He stopped at her side and raised his head to look at her, his eyes smiling. "Growlithe."

Gwen smiled at the little pup thankful for his assistance. "Thanks for your help with saving Pikachu, Growlithe," Gwen told the Pokemon. Growlithe gave a happy bark in reply.

Iris came over to them and squatted in front of Growlithe, seeming impressed by him as well. "I've gotta say, Growlithe, you're a cuite!" she sighed, her hands going to his ears and scratching them slightly. But soon she began pulling on his face in a similar manner that she'd done to Pikachu the day before and even Oshawott. Seriously? And Iris called Gwen a kid? Gwen found herself shaking her head at the girl by treating Growilthe in such a way. Sure, it was nothing horrible, but it probably felt more annoying than it looked. "You're so furry and fluffy!" Iris continued. "You know what? I think I'd like to catch you!" The girl then rose to her feet, Pokeball in hand.

But Growlithe shook his head at Iris. He stepped closer to Gwen and sat at her knees, his tail wagging. From behind them, Don George let out a booming laugh.

"It appeared Growlithe has chosen Gwen," he said. "After all his hardships, I believe Growlithe knows a good Trainer when he sees one. Raise Growlithe well, Gwen."

Gwen turned to Growlithe with a smile, pushing up her glasses. "You want to be my partner?" she asked. Growlithe affirmed this with a bark. Gwen stood and pulled out her Pokeball, tossing it to Growlithe, who didn't mind being batted on the head as he was pulled into the Pokeball. Gwen pocketed the Pokeball with a smile, but then turned her attention to Pikachu, remembering something. "Hey Pikachu," she started, "remember what Team Rocket told me? So what were you doing inside a box?"

Pikachu's face fell as he began speaking. He lifted his hands in the air as if motioning to something before they fell and he smade what seemed like an exploding noise twice before bemoaning that it had really, really hurt but Gwen still had no idea what happened.

Gwen sighed. "Nevermind," she said. "I'm sorry for whatever happened to you and I'm glad you're feeling better. Now let's head to the Pokemon Center. Someone needs a bath."

Nurse Joy gave Growlithe a small check up, stating that he was suffering from slight malnourishment. She told Gwen to keep him eating at a steady pace rather than trying to overcompensate and that he would be fine and even battle-ready in a few days. Gwen then had a small tub filled with water and set a brush and shampoo on the side. When Growlithe emerged from his Pokeball and saw the water, his tail immediately fell between his legs.

"I'm sorry Growlithe," Gwen sympathized. "But I have to get you clean." There were certain dry shampoos for Fire-Type Pokemon to get clean in place of using water, but sometimes they got dirty enough to have the need for a dunk in the tub. Growlithe didn't openly protest, but his dour face said it all. Gwen made quick work to scrub the dirt off his fur and massage water against his skin, making sure he was thoroughly clean. The deeper the clean, the longer rest period he'd need for the next one. After Gwen finished combing through Growlithe's fur - quite a bit had shed off after only three brush strokes, Growlithe had shed a lot of dirty fur - both she and Iris held blow dryers to the pup as he shook all the water he could from him, more than glad the process was over. Despite the grueling bath, Growlithe knew that his new Trainer only wanted what was best for him.