Nidoqueen and Bonsley

-There is an intriguing phenomenon among Pokemon Trainers: most start out very strong around nine or ten years old, then weaken considerably around sixteen and don't recover until their mid-twenties. Some people don't understand why or how this happens. But if you think about it, the answer lies within the nature of the Pokemon themselves. (J.G., Wilderness Observations)

Shafts of moonlight filtered through the canopy of leaves. A spring breeze carried the scents of late-blooming flowers and tree pollen. Throughout the woods, a multitude of sounds came from Pokemon, plants, and a small stream. The gurgle of the stream was punctuated by splashes of startled fish. Long howls communicated between various watchers of the night. And the crinkle of thick undergrowth indicated that something was walking a wild path.

The crinkles and soft rustles disguised the true size of that creature. She was six feet tall, with a broad body covered in pale blue scales. The Nidoqueen was making her nightly rounds to check on the condition of her territory. On her shoulder, there was a smaller brown Pokemon with little tufts of green growing on his head. The Bonsley felt quite secure there, and watched around eagerly at all the details of the forest.

"It is quieter than usual in this area," Nidoqueen said softly.

"I see a red thing!" Bonsley replied, blinking his eyes at a branch.

She looked closely at the tiny thing. It was a piece of thread, about three inches long. After sniffing it, she was fairly certain of its origins. "A human thing. Odd. Most Pokemon would not mind encountering a human. So why is everyone away tonight?"

"Is it a mean human?"

"Possibly."

"What are humans like?"

Nidoqueen continued walking, at a slower, more cautious pace. "They're clever creatures, child. Their power is that of making things. You know a human thing because it is unnatural. They also have the power to make us very strong. Many Pokemon seek out the humans in order to become stronger."

"Can I go with one?"

"You're still fresh from the egg; you should stay with me a while longer." She glanced over at her charge and noted the shine below his eyes. "Are you crying again?"

"Too wet tonight," he replied, blinking the tears out of his eyes. "I don't like the wet."

"Hmm. You are an odd creature, not like any I've cared for before. One would think, upon looking at you, that you would like water."

"Too much water makes me feel icky." Bonsley thought for a moment, then asked, "Momma, why are you my momma? I'm not like you."

"That doesn't matter," she said with a smile. "Although the moon has seen it fit to bless me with great power, I cannot have children of my own. It is a cruel twist of my life, in a way, since I feel at my best when I have a child to take care of. So I take in lost and abandoned eggs, like yours was. It matters not to me if my children are like me or not, just so long as I have someone to love and care for."

"I am thankful that you are my momma. I was just wondering."

"It's all right, child." She stopped as the snaps of a fire and the scent of smoke tinged the air. "I think we have found the humans. Quiet now."

"?" Words came through the trees, but could not be understood. They came from a male voice.

"..." The reply came from a deeper voice, one that seemed amused.

"What's that?" Bonsley whispered.

"We can't understand them as we are," Nidoqueen answered softly. "But those with them can understand, or so I've heard. Humans make very clever things." She approached the campsite.

There were three adult humans, the two males and one female. They sat around the fire eating their supper. Nearby, there was a green pick-up truck. In the back of the truck, there was a human child, a girl who was tied up. She seemed very upset and scared.

The woman got up and took the mouth gag off the girl. "..." She didn't speak kindly.

"!" The girl cried, getting a harsh response from the woman and laughter from the men.

"They don't seem nice," Bonsley said.

"Some aren't." She snarled. "They have no right to treat one of their young that way. I'd do something, but that great metal thing, I've seen those before. They move extremely fast. One of my sisters got killed by one."

"I think I can jump into that metal thing."

"Are you sure? It's dangerous and those humans certainly are as well."

"I'll do it. We're meant to help others; that's what you taught me."

"Good. You go up there quietly and try to get that rope off her. I'll take care of the adults." She picked Bonsley off her shoulder and placed him on the ground.

"Gotcha." He hopped off into the undergrowth.

The end of the truck was open, so the young Pokemon managed to jump into it when the adult humans weren't looking. Once he started gnawing on the rope, Nidoqueen leapt out of hiding and roared. "You shall be punished, no matter how clever you are," she growled at them.

Two of the adults stumbled back in a fright. The third grabbed a Pokeball from his belt, but she shoved him onto the ground. Although it was against the unspoken laws to severely injure a human, self-defense and defense of a child were acceptable exceptions. She snagged his belt with her claws and ripped it off, preventing him from calling his own Pokemon.

In the meantime, Bonsley had gotten rid of the rope. He hopped on the edge of the truck. "Come on!" He jumped off to the ground.

"..." she replied, anxious.

"!" The other man noticed their captive was getting away. He pulled out a knife and began running for her.

Nidoqueen left the downed man and rammed her shoulder into the other; he crashed into the truck. In the meantime, the woman had gotten into the cab. The engine roared to life. The two Pokemon moved to protect the girl while getting away from the truck. Wary of taking Nidoqueen on themselves, the two men brought out their own Pokemon: a Vulpix and a Hypno.

"I hope you don't mean to harm this little one as well," Nidoqueen snarled at them.

"It's the master's orders," Hypno replied. "We must obey, for he knows what's best."

There was a flash of light. Two forest Rangers and a Kirlia appeared in the firelight. "!" one of the Rangers declared.

"We're protecting this girl from the mean ones!" Bonsley called out.

"Very well," Kirlia responded.

"!" the girl cried.

Nidoqueen turned to her. "It's okay, child."

Since that didn't seem to calm her much, Bonsley hopped up to Nidoqueen and nuzzled her leg. "It's okay; she's my momma and wouldn't hurt you."

The Rangers had stronger teams than the kidnappers did, so the men got into the back of the truck. With tires squealing, the truck took off into the darkness. The girl ran over to the Rangers and hugged one, apparently trusting them.

"..." a Ranger told Nidoqueen with respect.

"We thank you for your help," Kirlia translated. "She was reported missing from another campsite a mile away. We'll get her back to her parents now."

Nidoqueen picked up Bonsley and put him back on her shoulder. "Good. I'm sure we'll see each other again." She then went back to her nightly patrol.

"Are those humans nice?" Bonsley asked.

"The Rangers? Yes. I help them out on occasion. They take care of the forest as much as we do."

"Maybe I'll go with one of them when I'm old enough. When will that be, momma?"

She chuckled. "In time, my child, in time."

-Since some Pokemon species have always been scarce in number, and others difficult to breed, their instincts guide them to defend any immature creature in order to secure the survival of all. This includes humans, and this is why the strong Pokemon of children are more difficult to defeat in battle. (J.G., Wilderness Observations)

…

Nidoqueen Emerald entry: It is adept at sending foes flying with harsh tackles using its tough, scaly body. This Pokemon is at its strongest when it is defending its young.

Bonsley Pearl entry: It prefers arid environments. It leaks water from its eyes to adjust its body's fluid levels.

Originally posted for Mother's Day. The J.G bits (from Jane Goodall!) are some of my theory on why ten-year-old Trainers are better than adults in the games.