Man, I didn't realize how long time had flown by. First work, then my projects, and now I've gone back to playing Pokemon for hours on end. And that doesn't even begin to cover the holiday time. Whew! But finally, update! Now that StarstruckKittenSweets has updated, I feel the need to try catching up!
...got a long way to go to do that! LOL!
Oh, and in the beginning, I did consider changing from Scraggy. Before I even owned my White Version, I fell in love with Mienshao. It has to be one of the most beautiful Pokemon, especially for a Fighting-Type. I raced through the entire game ASAP just to get one. However, watching the anime really endeared me to Scraggy, and now I love it!
Enjoy!
~~**XVII**~~
Scraggy-Hatched to be Wild
It was something Gwen just had to do: stare at her two earned Gym Badges. The Trio Badge and the Basic Badge. Not only that, but she also had her badge cases from Kanto and Johto as well. All of her accomplishments settled right on her lap. Though it unfortunately didn't count the placements within the Kanto and Johto Leagues - Gwen had to mark that on the inside just when she opened the cases, she'd have to be more creative with the Unova one - it was still enough to bring a grin to her lips.
"Just six more, Pikachu," Gwen said to her partner.
"Pika!"
"Axew axew ax!"
Gwen looked up for Iris's Pokemon, even if it was likely that he merely tripped over his own feet. Poor little baby had a long way to go.
Iris responded to him. "What's going on, Axew?" Gwen barely glanced over her shoulder as she listened for Iris's response, but the words nearly had her toppling off her seat. "Gwen! The Egg is glowing!"
Gwen leapt to her feet and went over to the rock where they's set their bags down and indeed the Egg was glowing from inside the incubator. Gently, she lifted the Egg out of it and the inside cushioning and placed it on the ground. Iris, Cilan, Pikachu, and Axew huddled around it alongside her. Gwen couldn't hold back her smile. "I remember this sight, don't you, Pikachu?" she turned to her partner.
He beamed. "Pikachu!"
"How many Pokémon Eggs have to owned?" Cilan inquired.
"Two," Gwen answered. "And two very good buddies. I can't wait for this one!" Cilan smiled at her and turned back to the Egg.
Axew stepped closer to the Egg, curious. Iris smiled at him. "Of course! You've never seen a Pokémon Egg hatch before, have you Axew?"
The little one turned to her, his head tilted. "Yew?"
Pikachu smiled. "Pika pika!"
"Everyone's excited, aren't we?" Cilan spoke aloud.
"You're gonna be a big brother soon, Axew!" Iris cooed.
Axew blushed, his hands at his cheeks as he marveled at thought. "Axew! Axew yew! Ax yew-" He started bouncing where he stood and he tripped over his own feet, careening right into the Pokemon Egg. None of them could react as the Egg rolled off the cushion and went down the hill.
Gwen sprang to her feet, already chasing after it and nearly tripping over her own feet in the process. "No!"
"Oh no!" Cilan called after her.
"Catch that Egg!" Iris cried.
What do you think I'm trying to do! Gwen inwardly screamed at her. But it was rolling faster than her legs could keep up. Pikachu, being faster on his feet, raced ahead of her. The Egg made to the curve of the hill and hit a rock, sending it skyward. Gwen screamed incoherently, begging there not to be a scratch on the Egg, or any damage to the Pokemon inside.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Gwen screamed. "Catch the Egg!"
Pikachu charged even faster for the Egg, leaping high as it started to make its free fall. And its free fall was heading toward another rock! Come on, Pikachu!
Her Pokemon leaped up and curled around just in time to catch the Egg and skid backwards on his back, Egg in hands.
"Pikachu!" Gwen cried, putting on a burst of speed. "Are you alright?!" She skid to her knees in front of him.
He carefully rose to his feet and gave a proud smile. "Pi pikachu!"
"And the Egg...?" Gwen stammered. Together, they looked over the Egg, Gwen taking it as if it would break at a moment's notice. There was no scuffing, scratches, or cracks anywhere to be found, and the shelling still felt firm under Gwen's hands. She sighed heavily, placing a hand on Pikachu's head. "Thank you so much, Pikachu."
He nodded. "Pika!"
Iris and Cilan caught up to them. "Is the Egg alright?!" Iris cried, still frantic.
Gwen nodded to her. "It's fine," she told her.
The younger girl held a hand to her heart and sighed heavily in relief. "Thank goodness. And Gwen, I'm so so so sorry!" Axew hung his head and mumbled apologies as well.
Gwen gave her a tired smile. "No one was hurt," she told them both. She looked right at Axew. "But if I can ask you to be a bit more careful at times, okay? Live and learn." Axew stood straight and nodded curtly. Gwen reached out and scratched him just under his tusk. His known tickle-spot. That brought his cute little smile back.
"Gwen, look!" Cilan exclaimed. "The Egg is hatching!"
Gwen started back at the Egg, seeing it glow in full force. This was it! Carefully, she placed it on the ground and the five of them patiently watched for it to hatch. Gwen couldn't keep the grin off her face.
And Iris couldn't contain her excited squeal. "I'm so psyched!"
Within moments, the Egg burst into a flash of light before fading to reveal a tanned yellow Pokemon with wide eyes and slightly gangly limbs. "Scraggy! Scrag scrag!"
"It's a Scraggy!" Cilan exclaimed.
Gwen held out her PokéDex with a tilt of her head. "A Scraggy?" Scraggy, the Shedding Pokémon. The lower half of Scraggy's body is covered by a tough rubbery skin and when someone makes eye contact, it responds with Headbutt. Gwen looked at her new Pokémon, careful to gaze at the top of its head. "I'm Gwen," she introduced kindly. "Nice to meet you."
He new Pokemon nodded. "Scraggy!"
"Pika! Pikachu!" Gwen's partner came forward with a greeting as well.
Scraggy turned to Pikachu and stiffened, turning a glare at him. Pikachu shrunk under the gaze.
"It's Leer," Cilan clarified. "What do you know?"
With surprising speed, Scraggy pulled his head back and brought it down on Pikachu. Gwen's buddy was faster and dodged, causing Scraggy to skid on the ground, face-first.
Gwen cringed, gently lifting Scraggy back on his feet.
"That was Headbutt," Cilan stated. Gwen nodded, seeing that perfectly. Her question was why Scraggy did it in the first place.
"Why did it do that, though?" Iris sounded.
"Yew."
Gwen turned to Scraggy. "Why did you use Headbutt?" she asked it softly. She could hardly blame her little baby if he just happened to be rambunctious. "Do you want to battle?"
Scraggy's eyes widened. "Scrag?!" He looked toward Pikachu and his eyes narrowed. He nodded curtly and bobbed his head vigorously at Gwen.
Gwen smiled. "Perfect! Pikachu can battle you as a welcome gift!"
"Pika?!" Gwen's partner wasn't exactly thrilled at Gwen's proclamation.
Gwen gently shooed Pikachu off to the side while she ans Scraggy faced opposite him. "Now, let's see what moves Scraggy knows," Gwen said, taking out her PokéDex. Scraggy's moves are Leer and Headbutt.
"What? That's it!" Iris sounded from the sidelines.
Gwen quirked a brow at her. "Well, Axew only knows Scratch and Dragon Rage," she stated simply. The two were birds of a feather.
Iris blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. "Guess you're right, hehehe."
"Also remember, Scraggy just hatched," Cilan added.
Gwen nodded, turning back to her two Pokemon. "Alright, let's go! Scraggy, Leer!"
Scraggy hauled toward Pikachu, narrowing his eyes hard toward her partner. Pikachu flinched momentarily, though easily rebounded from it. Gwen frowned. "Huh? Didn't seem to do much," she muttered. She shrugged, not at all hindered. "Fine! Scraggy, follow it up with Headbutt!" Scraggy leaned his head back and brought it toward to Pikachu. Pikachu yelped slightly, but it was more from shock than anything. Scraggy, on the other hand, was clutching his head in dizziness. Gwen stared for a moment before moving on. "Well, might as well let Pikachu have his turn. Alright buddy, use Thunderbolt!" Wait. Thunderbolt seemed a bit too...extreme for little Scraggy. "Make that a Thunderburp." She winked at her partner. Pikachu built up his stores of electricity and touched his paw to Scraggy. Her new Pokemon cried out in pain before falling to the ground. He panted loudly but stumbled up to his feet with the usual vigor.
"Scraggy still seems raring to go!" Cilan called out.
Gwen grinned. "I know! It's great! My kind of Pokemon."
"You know what? It looks like your little brother is kind of a pain," Gwen heard Iris mutter to Axew.
Gwen rolled her eyes and took her other Poké Balls from her belt. There was something else other than a battle to introduce Scraggy to. "Come on out, everybody!" Pidove, Buneary, Oshawott, and Growlithe appeared around Scraggy. "I want you to meet our new friend, so say hello to Scraggy!" The four Pokémon cheered their hellos, even the usually mellow Buneary.
Pidove was the first to step forward, waving her wing in greeting. As a usually jovial Pokémon, Gwen knew she meant the best but also noticed how she looked up into Scraggy's eyes. Uh oh. He glared and slammed his head into hers, causing her to yelp and run off. Gwen hoped she wouldn't retaliate.
"That's not what I mean," Gwen murmured, cringing.
Cilan chuckled. "I highly doubt Pidove was expecting a Headbutt as a greeting." Gwen nodded her head in agreement.
Oshawott stepped forward next and also received a Headbutt in greeting. Though unlike Pidove, he didn't run off. Instead, he glared and yelled at Scraggy, needing Pikachu and Growlithe to usher and push him away. Oshawott pushed through them and went straight for Scraggy. Gwen yelped, not wanting her new little Pokemon to get hurt, but Scraggy merely Headbutted Oshawott again. Oshawott didn't move, or perhaps even think, to defend and his scalchop was flung from him. The yellow shell landed just in front of Scraggy and he held it down with his foot, looking down at Oshawott in challenge. Gwen couldn't help but admirably chuckle. A newborn he may be, but Scraggy was fierce. Oshawott snatched it from under Scraggy's foot and slashed at the young Pokemon.
Gwen could have blanched at Oshawott as she caught Scraggy, though she had to admit Scraggy started it. Scraggy was only a baby, after all. He didn't know better. Oshawott could at least be the mature one.
Oh wait...it's Oshawott.
Scraggy, however, still had plenty of fight in him as he burst from Gwen's arms, knocking her chin in the process, and stalked right to Oshawott, who sucked up for a Water Gun. There was nothing Gwen could do except hope that Scraggy may finally get the message: stop antagonizing the other Pokemon!
But Scraggy was fully prepared for the Water Gun, pulling up the skin around his hips to shield him from the Water Gun. The force of it pushed him back a few feet, but he remained unhurt from it, just in front of Growlithe.
Gwen was stunned. "Wow." Scraggy was just born and he was this resilient? Definitely her kind of Pokemon! Cilan seemed to think so too as he stepped up right next to Gwen and commented on Scraggy's defensive tactic.
However, Gwen's impressed expression fell as Scraggy merely turned on Growlithe and gave him a Headbutt as well. Her head fell. "Are you done yet?" she muttered. "Or are you going to attack everything and everyone?"
"Scraggy's gonna be a handful, Gwen," Cilan told her. "I hope you're up for it."
Gwen turned to him, exasperated by her new Pokémon, but... "I once had a Primeape, who I swear tried to kill me on occasion. I think I can handle a relentless newborn Scraggy." Why was it always the Fighting-Types?
Iris scoffed in disbelief. "Let's hope Scraggy won't succeed where Primeape failed!"
"I remember you saying something about that," Cilan commented, moving their attention back to Scraggy. "But at least Scraggy is finally getting worn out." Gwen looked to see that Scraggy was indeed getting tuckered out. His head was bobbing back and forth and stars shown in his eyes. Next to him, Growlithe rubbed his head with absent-minded care. From behind Gwen, Iris giggled.
Currently, there was only one Pokémon Scraggy had yet to greet head on. Buneary. But it wasn't long before he spotted her settled a short ways away, gleaning in the gentle sunlight. Predictably, Scraggy shot right for her, and Buneary hopped up and before Scraggy could halt, she flipped over him and Jump Kicked him face-first into the ground. That still didn't stop him as he dizzily ran right for her again. This time, Buneary used her ears to him him back until he ran himself face-first in the ground again and then hopped away.
Gwen knelt down next to her new Pokemon. "Aren't you done yet? For real, this time?" She hoped he was. But he wasn't, as he jumped right back up, hitting Gwen in the nose this time. She groaned, holding her nose as she saw Scraggy glare at Axew where he poked out or Iris's hair. Don't you dare! But Axew plunged back into Iris's hair and Scraggy turned away, satisfied.
Cilan approached and leaned over Gwen, concern on his face. She slowly removed her hands. "Is my nose bleeding?" she asked.
Cilan cringed. "A little," he answered. "It doesn't look broken though." He curled his hand around the back of her shoulders and helped her sit up. He also handed her his handkerchief to hold to her nose. "Did your Primeape really try to kill you?"
Gwen shrugged. "I don't think it was intentional," she told him.
His brows rose. "Do I even want to know what happened?"
"Maybe not, but we did part as friends," she said with a slight grin.
Scraggy finally, truly, settled down, leaning his head down on a rock and falling asleep. He didn't seem to be dizzy or injured from all the scuffling he'd done with Gwen's other Pokémon, so she let him be. He stayed that way until dinner was finished but instead of coming to eat with them, he hopped up on the rock and stayed there.
Gwen sighed. Scraggy was going to be a handful in more ways than one. She rose from her chair and called out to him. "Scraggy, why don't you come over and eat with the gang?"
He didn't even look over at them, instead held his head higher in indifference.
Iris sighed as well. "I have no idea what Scraggy's thinking."
"He probably isn't," Gwen muttered. "This is probably his pride and ego. I've seen it before with Mankey. He was the exact same. Something about Fighting-Types."
"It might be," Cilan said. "But be patient with Scraggy." He paused before continuing. "Mankey wasn't one of your previous newly hatched Eggs, was he?"
Gwen shook her head. "No way. He was as wild as could be. In fact, we met similarly to Buneary, but Mankey never had a trainer before me. He just like being antagonistic. After evolving into Primeape, he was even worse."
Iris shivered. "Well, if you managed to become friends with Primeape, then Scraggy should be easy." She didn't sound convinced.
Well into the evening still had Scraggy sitting atop the rock defiantly, but he was undoubtedly getting hungrier as the hours past. Gwen was always hungry right after she woke up, hatching would probably be little different. Before going to bed, Gwen placed a bowl full of Pokemon food nearby Scraggy and returned to her sleeping bag.
Just as she knelt down to fish out her sleepwear, Scraggy came down from his rock and began munching on his dinner. "About time," she said. "An empty belly overrules as stubborn temperament every time."
Gwen gave her newly hatched Pokémon a couple more minutes to eat before grabbing his Poké Ball. "It's time to get in your Poké Ball, Scraggy," she told him. He frowned at her and raced behind the big boulder, glaring at her. "What? You don't wanna?"
His glare darkened. "Scrag scrag scrag!" Gwen rolled her eyes. What a pain.
"Maybe Scraggy wants to stay out because it was just hatched," Cilan suggested.
Gwen crossed her arms. "Yeah, well Scraggy will have to learn how to behave, and that's not by flying off the handle at me."
"Gwen," Cilan went on patiently. "You can't force Scraggy to be cooperative. Think of Mankey."
"I am thinking of Mankey!" Gwen grated out through gritted teeth. "I don't want to make the same mistakes again."
"Remember, Scraggy is a baby," Cilan continued. "You have more time to break through to him than you did Mankey."
Gwen stared hard at Cilan before sighing. "Something tells me this won't end well."
Cilan winked. "But at least you know how to handle the challenge."
Gwen scoffed with a smile and curled into her sleeping bag.
The smell of the sea wafted through her nose and the cries of Wingull filled the air above her. A good sized flock soared right towards their destination. A brand new destination. A brand new region for her to explore. A range of new Pokémon to meet. And as always, Pikachu right by her side. He stood on the rail of the ship, his goggles shining in the bright sunlight. He cooed in an excitement complimentary to Gwen's own.
A warm hand winding around her own made her realize she wasn't alone. She turned to face him-
"Wake up guys!"
Gwen's eyes shot open at Iris's cry and she shot into a sitting position. She grasped for her glasses and placed them on, looking at Iris. "What is it? What happened?" She looked downright terrified.
"Pika?"
"Gwen, Scraggy's gone!" Iris told her.
It Gwen was still sleepy, she wasn't anymore. "What? You're kidding?!"
"Scraggy's gone?" Cilan stammered, waking up himself.
Gwen looked up to the boulder Scraggy was sitting on before she went to sleep. He wasn't there. She wove around the rocks but he wasn't there. This was why she wanted Scraggy back in his Poké Ball. Turning back to her friends, she had to bite her tongue at remembering Cilan's remark before they went to sleep. She merely shook her head at them.
Cilan called out for Gwen's Pokémon. "Scraggy!"
Gwen joined in. "Where are you?!"
"Pika pika!"
"Hey, Scraggy!" Iris called.
"Axew axew!" Iris's Pokemon caught her attention and pointed to the ground just in front of him.
"Huh?" Iris went over to him. "What's wrong?"
"Yew yew!" He pointed again.
Iris turned to Gwen. "Come here! There are foot prints! I think they're Scraggy's!"
Gwen raced over. Indeed there were foot prints, and they were about the size Scraggy's would be. She looked on to see a good trail, so she followed it with Cilan and Iris on her heels. The muddy ground slapped under Gwen's boots as she looked out for her new little Pokémon. She was beginning to worry if Scraggy was going to be Mankey all over again. Sure, he was a baby, but he was so adamant and rambunctious. "Please don't let Scraggy get into any trouble," she muttered.
"As I said before, you'll know how to handle it," Cilan told her.
She looked over her shoulder at him and leveled a glare at him. "You know, I can blame him running off on you. If I'd had my way, he would be in his Poké Ball."
"Which he could break out of," Cilan remarked. "Oshawott does it, so why can't Scraggy?"
Of course, Cilan knew every angle. "Let's hope Scraggy doesn't get any ideas," Gwen growled. "Because I'll blame that on you too!"
They eventually found Scraggy Headbutting the base of a huge tree. He seemed angry. Gwen raced up to him. "Hey Scraggy, what are you doing here?"
Pikachu was just as upset as Gwen was, putting his paws on his hips. "Pika pika!"
Scraggy turned to them, glaring. "Scrag!"
A low growl coming from the tree caught all their attention. Pounding footsteps came the tree and a large, yellow, spider-like creature came out from behind the tree. It's beady eyes rounded on Scraggy and it growled, its large yellow mandibles twitching.
"It's a Galvantula!" Iris cried.
Gwen didn't care what its name was. Its dark eyes and twitchy body, along with its fuzzy legs were all that was needed to get her heart pounding and her chest heaving. She screamed at the top of her lungs.
Scraggy didn't take the same reaction Gwen did to Galvantula, instead, craning his head back and went for a Headbutt. Predictably, it was no use and the Galvantula shot a web of electricity and shot it at Scraggy. Stunned and afraid, Gwen stumbled back and fell down.
Pikachu then took charge, using Iron Tail on Galvantula, hitting right at its mandibles. The Galvantula whined and retreated back into the tree. Despite it being gone, Gwen couldn't move from where she half lay on the ground. Scraggy lay knocked out a couple feet from her, but she couldn't find it in her to move.
"Are you alright, Gwen?" Cilan asked, kneeling down next to her.
Gwen sobbed, finally getting her arms to respond. She rose off her elbows and into a sitting position. "I'm fine," she replied.
"You're crying," he noted.
She immediately swiped at her cheeks with her sleeve, tucking back her glasses after the movement skewed them. Iris made her way to Scraggy when Gwen hadn't, Pikachu next to her. She turned to them. "Scraggy's hurt really bad. And I think he's paralyzed."
"He took a direct hit from Galvantula," Cilan commented.
Gwen swallowed hard. "H-Hey Cilan, is there a Pokémon Center around here?" she stuttered. She couldn't leave Scraggy paralyzed like that.
She watched silently as he took out his small electronic map and turned it on. After a few moments, he frowned. "I'm afraid not," he answered.
Iris gently scooped Scraggy up into her arms. "Let's get back to camp," she said.
Gwen saw her little Pokémon trembling, the tell-tale sign of paralysis and ached to hold her little baby, but her arms felt sluggish. "Come on," she heard Cilan murmur as he hauled her to her feet. He kept an arm around her shoulders as well a hand at her elbow as they followed Iris back to camp.
As soon as they returned to camp, Cilan helped settle Gwen down and started a small fire. Gwen held out her arms to Iris who gently transferred Scraggy. The little Pokémon trashed in Gwen's arms. "Scraggy, stop it!" Gwen growled, though her voice wasn't nearly as forceful as it could have been.
"Leave it to me, Gwen," Iris said. "Axew and I will find some herbs to cure the paralysis." Gwen nodded, not even having the energy to offer any help. She didn't want to run into another Galvantula. Iris turned to her little partner. "Axew, let's go!"
"Axew!" The two of them took off.
Gwen took a long, shaky breath, cradling Scraggy in her arms. Something heavy falling on her shoulders made them tense. Realizing it was just her blanket, Gwen slowly let out her caught breath. Cilan sat down next to her and rubbed her back.
"You freaked out pretty bad back there," he commented.
Gwen closed her eyes and nodded. "Sorry about that," she said. "I acted more childish than Scraggy. Even if he ended up like this, he at least stood up for himself."
"There's nothing childish about having fears," Cilan told her. "We all have them. We're all fine now, and as soon as Iris and Axew return, they'll have herbal medicine for Scraggy. He'll be as right as rain in the morning."
Gwen sniffled. "You may not think it, but I sure feel it. Luckily Pikachu took initiative." Her partner cooed as nuzzled his head against her knee.
Cilan scooted slightly closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "May I ask what happened to be so afraid of Galvantula? They aren't native to Kanto."
"No, but they look enough like Ariados and Spinarak," Gwen said. "I can't even remember it clearly, I must have only been about four years old, but it was a Spinarak that scared me so bad. Each and every time I see a Spinarak or Ariados, I freak out. I can't help it."
Cilan hummed and reached over and touched Scraggy's cheek. It was almost like he was holding them. Gwen shivered. He must have felt it, as his arm tightened around her shoulders.
Not too long later, Axew and Iris returned with the herb and crushed it with the mortar and pestle, just as Gwen had when Pansage was sick. When she was done, she knelt in front of Gwen and scooped a spoonful of medicine. "Here Scraggy, eat this," she coaxed. Scraggy reluctantly swallowed it down, shuddering as it spilled down his throat. Iris also had another bowl of healing medicine for him to take. "This will make you feel better." It also had to be a bitter one as Scraggy stuck out his tongue at the aftertaste.
Gwen then gave him a good few sips from her water bottle to help wash away the bitterness and rocked him in a her arms.
"Now Scraggy needs a nice rest," Iris said.
Gwen nodded absently, continuing to rock Scraggy.
"You need to rest too, Gwen," Cilan told her. "You'll feel less shaken in the morning."
Gwen took her time curling Scraggy in her blanket before crawling into her sleeping bag. Cilan moved his sleeping bag on the other side of Scraggy. "Everything will be alright in the morning," he said.
Gwen nodded. "Thank you." She snuggled into her sleeping bag and closed her eyes to a dreamless sleep.
The following morning, Gwen woke before Scraggy did. She reached her hand out to his cheek. He was no longer clammy like he was last night. That was a good sign. And Gwen no longer felt in shock. Her muscles didn't feel as swimmy as they did last night.
"Good morning," she heard Cilan call gently.
Sitting up, she saw Cilan cooking over the camp fire. Gwen inhaled, hoping she could smell what he was making. There was nothing like a meal cooked over a real fire. It lent a smokey flavor where a camp stove couldn't. Along with camp fire smoke, Gwen smelled a faint dry spice. "Are you cooking with Occa Berries?"
Cilan smiled at her. "You certainly know your flavors," he commented. "I wonder what your cooking would taste like."
Gwen blushed. "Not as good as yours, I'm sure."
"I'm sure it will be terrific," Cilan told her. "One of these days."
Gwen shook her head with a smile and climbed out of her sleeping bag. Scraggy was still asleep and Iris was being the usual late sleeper she was. It was odd learning how much of a grouch Iris was first thing in the morning. The first time they'd met, Iris had been awake and gone at the break of dawn. Perhaps it was just one of those rare occurrences.
After dressing out of her night clothes, Gwen sat down next to Cilan. It so happened that he was cooking scones with the Occa Berries. "They're almost done," Cilan mused. He took his fork and carefully cut a piece off and held it out to Gwen. "Try some?"
Nodding, Gwen held her hand out under the spoon just in case it slipped off the fork. The spicy and sweet flavors were well cooked into crumbly pastry. "Mmm, now this is five-stars," she complimented. And with the Nanab Berries she saw sauteing on the other pan would go perfectly with them. Both berries had sweetness partnered with other flavors, a slight bitterness in Nanab's case.
"Many thanks," Cilan replied. "I'm glad to see that you're feeling better." He then turned to where Scraggy was sleeping. "Scraggy should be waking up any moment."
As if he knew they were talking about him, Scraggy rolled over and awoke. He rose and blinked, shaking his head of sleep. Gwen went over to him. "You feeling better, Scraggy?" she asked.
"Scraggy scrag scrag!"
Gwen nodded. "Good. You took quite the hit last night."
Scraggy's eyes narrowed. "Scraggy!" He hopped up from his blankets, making his way back to where the tree was.
"Wow, nonononono." Gwen stepped in front of him and halted him in his tracks. "You are not going back to that tree. You'll be hurt by Galvantula again."
Scraggy glared at her. "Scrag scrag!"
"No!" Gwen snapped.
He leaned his head back. "Scrag ggy!"
Gwen put a palm to his forehead before he had the chance to finish his Headbutt. "You're not going to run off on me again, Scraggy!"
"Scraaaa ggyyy!"
Gwen growled and gave Scraggy a leer of her own. Scraggy returned the favor and both had a little showdown for several moments. And then Gwen released Scraggy's forehead, however she didn't blink at him. "I just want you to listen to me, Scraggy," she told him softly. "Don't get in over your head."
Scraggy huffed. "Scraggy."
Gwen sighed. "Let's have breakfast."
Breakfast had just finished cooking as Iris rumbled awake. And as prepared as he always was, Cilan prepared Pokémon food for everyone as well. Bowls were spread out an Scraggy yet again moved his away from the group. Gwen decided not to press him on it. He was eating at least, and not getting himself in trouble.
Iris hummed as she took another bite of the scone. "Yummy!"
Cilan nodded. "Thank you. Next time we get to see what tasty meal Gwen can make for us."
Gwen nearly choked on sauteed berry. "What? When did I say I'd cook?"
Cilan and Iris laughed. "Are you sure you just won't burn everything, Gwen?" Iris teased.
"No!" Gwen snapped. "I've made my own food before!"
Another laugh came from Iris just as they heard cries from Scraggy and Axew. The three looked over to see the two young Pokemon butting heads. "Axew, you shouldn't fight!" Iris hollered.
"She's right!" Gwen called. "Scraggy, you too!"
The two of them pulled their Pokémon apart just as Cilan exclaimed an idea. "I've got it!" The girls looked up at him. "I just realized Scraggy would be the perfect training partner for Axew!"
Gwen blinked. Axew vs Scraggy? Scraggy was newly hatched, but then Axew was quite young as well. Why hadn't she thought of that? Gwen grinned, looking down at Scraggy. "What do you think?" she asked her little baby. It would be perfect. Scraggy would release his pent up energy without getting into real trouble.
Scraggy nodded. "Scrag!"
"Would you like to have a battle with Scraggy, Axew?" Iris asked. Axew nodded enthusiastically. "Awesome! They're both so psyched!"
"Then let's battle!" Gwen cheered.
The two girls and their Pokémon settled opposite each other with just enough distance as a regular battlefield with Cilan in the middle as a referee. Axew and Scraggy stared each other down. What had the air of a tense battle was almost adorable to Gwen.
"Axew, you can do it!" Iris called.
"All the way, Scraggy!" Gwen encouraged.
"And, begin!" Cilan called.
Gwen took the first move. "Alright Scraggy, Leer!" Scraggy bounded into action, squinting his eyes at Axew who shrunk away in fear. "Now use Headbutt!" Scraggy leaned back and slammed his head against Axew's making stars explode in the little Dragon-Type's eyes. "Good job, Scraggy!"
Iris rose to the challenge. "Axew, use Scratch to counter!" Axew's paws glowed and he slashed at Scraggy, making him wince. "That was great stuff! Scratch, and keep using it!" Axew repeated slashed against Scraggy in back to back attacks.
Gwen grit her teeth. "Don't give up, Scraggy! Use Headbutt!" Just as before, Scraggy slammed into Axew head first.
"You can't give up now!" Iris cried. Axew stood his ground. "Yeah! Dragon Rage, let's go!"
Gwen had to keep herself from gaping. Not Dragon Sneeze! "Use Headbutt one more time!" she countered.
As Axew powered up its move, Scraggy slammed right into its belly, causing Axew's mouth to close shut and for the Dragon Rage to become its signature sneeze. A small explosion went off and Gwen buckled her knees to keep from falling over. When the smoke cleared, both Axew and Scraggy lay in the dust, knocked out.
Iris chuckled with little humor. "Hehe, it didn't work again."
"We countered too fast," Gwen told her. They both made their way to their Pokemon.
Cilan also met them in the middle. "So, I think I'll be calling this a draw."
Gwen nodded. "But it sure felt like a real battle, huh Iris?"
The younger girl beamed. "You bet!"
Gwen knelt down to her baby Pokémon. "You found what you're looking for, Scraggy?"
His eyes fluttered open and he sat up. "Scraggy!" His eyes curled into a smile.
"You wanna try harder next time?" Gwen asked.
He nodded. "Scrag scrag!"
Iris scooped up Axew in her arms. "I want you to get stronger too, Axew."
Her Pokemon cooed. "Axew!"
"Well, I'm looking forward to seeing the two of you refine your skills," Cilan commented. "Along with your Pokémon friends, of course!"
Gwen looked down at Scraggy. "So Scraggy, why don't you get a little rest?" She held out his Poké Ball and he smiled and nodded. Gwen grinned. "'Kay, let's e good friends!" She tossed the Poké Ball up into the air and was pleasantly surprised when Scraggy leapt up to meet it. He was sucked in and Gwen caught the Poké Ball, watching until it clicked shut. She smiled, looking up at her friends.
Cilan beamed at her. "I knew you could handle it!"
So, I decided to change up the ending a little bit, testing the steel of Gwen and Scraggy. Moreover I wanted the end to be a little more simple. And I don't think Gwen was ready to face the Galvantula again.
As for Gwen being afraid of spider-like Pokémon. I am an absolute arachnophobe. No other which way about it. Also, as I finished writing that part, I realized it would make a good compliment when Cilan freaks out over Purrloin later in the series.