Togetic and Mightyena
His brown hair had straw bits and dust in it, from redoing the bedding of the stable's Pokemon. His tanned skin had scratches as some of the war Pokemon were difficult to handle. And he smelled like the castle stables, all musty, sweaty, and mucky. His clothes were somewhat decent, being that royal servants were treated decently, but still dirty from work. Perhaps the dedication that showed was making him reluctant. "Why are you taking me, Sir Edwin?"
On the other hand, the young knight was in clean trendy clothes, with a feathered cap that was quite popular in the castle town. He had a few scars from training and duels, including one dent on his nose that he liked to say came because he defended a beautiful girl. And his smell was considerably less than the stable hand's. "Because Josh, the Pokemon the King wants is said to be attracted to those pure in heart. When the chancellor said that, you were one of the first I thought of."
Josh rubbed his nose. "I heard all the other knights were escorting girls for this."
Edwin grumbled. "I know that. But I got into trouble a while back and… well let's jut say that usually if I take a maiden out into the woods, they usually don't come back that way."
"That's probably why most of the lords are against your promotions so often," he replied, setting a shovel in its corner. "You keep trying to woo their wives and daughters."
"They probably did the same thing when they were younger. See, that's why I thought of you. We're about the same age, but you don't show any interest in girls, rank, advancement, money… or heck, anything. You seem happy to just be in here looking after the Pokemon."
"I am happy."
"And I know it's not because you're into love in other ways. You're as much pure, if not more so, than some of the maidens the other guys are talking to. And if you and I succeed, I'm sure the King will agree to let you become its caretaker if you ask."
Josh considered that. The war Pokemon were his least favorite; he preferred to look after the work and companion Pokemon. "So what is the King after?"
"A Togetic," Edwin said. "But before you go asking why he doesn't just get a Togepi, which would be a heck of a lot easier, apparently the chancellor discovered that a Togetic that was captured in the wild would be more powerful than one raised in captivity from a Togepi."
"A Togetic, huh?" It was said to be a pretty Pokemon, one that brought great luck to its allies. That was probably why the King wanted it. But, maybe it would grant more luck to the one who cared for it.
The knight tried not to grin. He figured that would get Josh interested. "And we've had reports confirming at least one in the Dark Woods. It's a dangerous place, but that's why you'll have me along. I hope to head out tomorrow, but first I need your agreement."
Josh nodded. "Okay. Did you want one of the Pokemon here to bring along?"
"Yeah, get Spartan ready for the search."
Spartan… Josh swallowed nervously. "Ah, all right Edwin. I'll see you tomorrow, then."
One of the pens that the stable workers dreaded going into was where the Mightyenas were kept. The knights had no trouble handling the great canines, as they were recognized as strong and skilled by the Pokemon. But for the castle servants, only Josh and the stable master could regularly get them to cooperate. The stable hand still didn't like being around them for long.
But they were quite strong and highly valued in their kingdom. The royal family even took on their images for their own coat of arms. Thus, the castle had a pack of twelve Mightyenas living in it. For the safety of the servants, the canines were kept locked away unless someone who could command them was keeping an eye on them.
Last night, Josh had explained that he was taking the day off and the stable master had agreed to it. He stayed around to help groom the Mightyenas that were going to be taken out today, including the one Edwin had requested. Spartan wasn't the pack's leader (as that one was the King's favorite), but he was one of the strongest. He also had a well-earned reputation for biting without warning.
Josh was careful as he ran the wire brush through the Mightyena's thick fur. But it seemed that this was one of Spartan's more stoic days. He held still and did nothing more than eye another stable hand wandering too close to the pen's fence. Once he was done with that, Josh got up and snapped his fingers twice. "With me, Spartan."
The Mightyena obediently trailed a little behind Josh as they went back to his room (for the things he had packed last night), then out of the stables. They met with Edwin at the inner gates; the knight was wearing enforced leather armor today. On seeing him, Spartan left Josh's side and went to sit by the knight. The Mightyenas tended to take orders from whoever they perceived to be the strongest leader.
"Here, catch," Edwin said, tossing Josh a leather coat armor.
"What am I wearing armor for?" he asked.
"To keep you from getting killed, of course," the knight replied. "The Pokemon in the Dark Woods will attack, and even with me and Spartan there, you're at risk unarmored. Although the Togetic itself shouldn't be trouble."
"Fine." Josh put on the armor; it was the first time he'd worn anything like it, although he often wore leather gloves to deal with rougher Pokemon.
As they walked through the castle town, pedestrians gave them a wide berth because of the fearsome Pokemon with them. They didn't know that Spartan would not attack unless ordered to. Then again, some foolish knights would try taking less mannered Mightyenas though town. That often ended badly.
From the outer castle gate, there was a road that went three ways, all through farmland. But if one walked around the castle and went north, it was not that far until the Dark Woods began. Even at the edges, it was a thick forest, with only fragments of light cracking through the green canopy. Many people said that these woods were haunted or magical. They were definitely mysterious, as any attempts to tame it, even just putting a road through it, would always fail completely.
"Did the chancellor say anything about how to lure the Togetic out?" Josh asked. "I brought some Pokemon treats I thought might work."
Spartan lifted his ears at the word 'treats', but showed no other interest.
"Well that's part of our problem," Edwin said. "The Togetic should see or sense you somehow, then come out to see you. I don't know if it will come out when I'm around, yet I don't want to get too far from you in this place. And there's a bit of luck involved about if it gets close enough to us. The treats might work as a lure. Otherwise, we may have to make sure it notices us."
"Hmmm…" Josh looked around at the old trees and the thick bushes. "My mother used to say that singing lured Pokemon like Togepi and Togetic out."
The knight grinned. "I know plenty of good songs. I use them on girls all the time."
The stable hand gave him a skeptical look. "Edwin, you know a lot of bawdy songs. I doubt it would come out to dirty lyrics."
"That could be true." He stretched his arms up. "How about you sing?"
"I don't think I'm any good at it," Josh said.
"You still sing to the Pokemon to calm them down and they don't freak out."
"True." He thought for a bit, then started singing.
But it was several hours before they got any results. A few other Pokemon tried to attack them, but Edwin and Spartan could fight or even just threaten them off. Because of that, Josh started walking ahead of them. His friend had told him to stop if he saw or heard anything suspect. And that's what he did when he heard a humming sound.
He put his hand up to let them know to hold back for a moment. Then he looked over to where he heard the humming. Quickly, it moved to over him, then to the other side. A flash of white appeared among the trees, and then the Togetic was hovering in front of him. It was a lovely little creature, with white feathers all over, red and blue speckles on its chest, a long neck, and two dainty wings. However, it didn't seem to be using those wings to be hovering.
"Krrrrukkkuuu," the Togetic trilled, happy to see him.
"Hello, Togetic," Josh said. "The King…"
"Spartan, snatch it!" Edwin called out.
"Wait, no!" the stable hand called.
But the Mightyena followed his orders, rushing their way with sharp bark. Josh panicked at the sight, knowing what this Pokemon was capable of. The Togetic was also startled. Thinking that Josh was in danger, it stirred up a gust of wind trying to knock the Mightyena off course. While it rattled many bushes and leaves, Spartan kept going and leaped at the Togetic, grabbing it with his teeth.
"Edwin, stop him!" Josh yelled.
"We were told to capture it."
"You're going to hurt it badly."
"Okay, drop it, Spartan. Back to me."
The canine dropped the smaller Pokemon, huffing because he thought they'd been hunting food. But he went back to Edwin and sat by him. Now that Spartan was away, Josh knelt down and looked over the Togetic. It had several wounds from being bitten and its left wing was broken at the bone
Fortunately, Josh had thought to bring some healing plants and bandages, although he hadn't expected to use them on the Togetic. He brought out a cloth, but didn't use it quite yet. ""I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen. I'll help you, if you let me." A wild injured Pokemon, even one like this, could be dangerous.
It trembled, but allowed him to wrap the cloth so as to stop the bleeding. "How else did you think we were going to get it?" Edwin asked.
"We could have tried talking to it," Josh replied, careful to keep anger out of his voice as he didn't want to scare the Pokemon. "Or putting it to sleep; I did have some of the treats laced with sleepy berries. Now we're going to have a hard time earning its trust."
"You seem to be doing just fine. I just thought that'd be the fastest way…" Edwin's voice trailed off and he looked down at the ground.
So he was just being his usual one-track self. "If you want to help, get a campfire started and find some water to boil so I can clean it up good. And you might want to set up camp while you're at it, as it's late."
"I suppose. Stay where you're at until I have a good camping site." Edwin snapped his fingers twice at Spartan and the two of them started looking around.
Although several groups had gone out into the Dark Woods, Josh and Edwin were the only ones to come back with a Togetic. The King was delighted even though she was injured and had a group of rooms in the castle remade into a place for her and her caretaker. And he readily agreed to make Josh that caretaker. Josh then spent most of his days taking care of the Togetic, although he still had to go down to the stables as they needed him to help the stable master with the Mightyenas still. Edwin got a cash reward and had his past record of getting in trouble cleared.
But it was still several days before Josh would fully accept Edwin's apology about ordering Spartan to attack the Togetic. Serena, as the Togetic had been named, was wary of the Mightyenas and Edwin while she was injured. But she healed up fast and could soon hover in short bursts. She would come near Edwin for a greeting, but then return to Josh.
"We do capture some Pokemon with violence," Edwin said one day. "Although, I didn't think until recently that maybe that's not so good. That's just what they told me to do."
"You never had to care for those injured newly caught Pokemon like I have," Josh said, redoing the bandages on Serena's wing after checking up on her healing bone. "And sometimes I think that if you apply real thought and energy into things besides seducing girls, you could do great things."
The young knight laughed. "Maybe. But I don't get the same kind of reward for other things, you know?"
Josh shook his head, but smiled. "And sometimes I think it might be too much effort for you to be a decent person," he joked.
"Well not everybody finds it so easy being an angel like you," Edwin teased back.
The doors opened suddenly, startling the Togetic. The King, his personal guard, and two Mightyenas came in. Of the latter, one was Spartan and the other was the King's favorite, the pack leader Nox. Josh bowed hurriedly, then finished taping up Serena's wing. Edwin saluted.
"How is she doing?" the King asked.
Bowing again, Josh turned to him. "Your Majesty, she's recovered her feathers so the bite scars are hidden. Her wing bone is still healing, but she seems not to need it to hover. She should be just fine in another week."
"Good," he said softly. Then he held his hand out to her. "Serena, come to me."
The Togetic squeaked uncertainly, eyeing the two Mightyenas. Then she hovered up to Josh's shoulder and sat there. From the way she was crouched down, she had no intention of going over to the King.
"Come to me," the King said sternly.
Trying to help, Josh walked towards the King. "Your Majesty, she is newly caught and I'm sorry, but I've been healing her and haven't had much time to train…"
Serena squealed and took off from Josh's shoulder to hide in a potted plant. Even if she liked Josh, she wasn't about to go near the King.
"She's supposed to bring good fortune to our lands," the King said with a threatening tone. "So you had best get her to obey before she can fly away, boy." He stepped towards Josh, causing him to shrink back.
And then a strange thing happened. The two Mightyenas lowered their ears and started growling. But not at Josh. No, Nox and Spartan were both backing away from and growling at the King. It seemed that even if they recognized the King as strong, they weren't about to let him get away with threatening one of their caretakers.
"Stop at once," the King demanded. But they didn't listen. "Silence!"
"Nox, Spartan, back off," Edwin stated firmly.
They listened to the knight, stopping their growls. Both glared at the King, then went over towards Edwin and Josh, making it clear that they weren't going to let this disrespect slide.
As for the King, he looked furious. But he knew better than to mess with the Mightyenas. "Get her trained and get her to stay," he said, then left with his bodyguard.
"As much as I appreciate their help," Josh said, looking to the two canines, "Serena still doesn't like them."
"I'll handle them," Edwin said. But he was more serious than usual. "We, we could be in trouble for this. The King doesn't take disrespect from Pokemon well. I'll ask around and see what strings I can pull if it gets dangerous."
"You have strings you can pull?" Josh asked, trying to make a joke to dispel his nervousness. Making the King angry was not a smart move.
The knight smirked. "Hey, maybe I get guys jealous, but there's some powerful ladies that might lend us a hand if I ask. Don't worry, I'm looking out for you, I promise." He snapped his fingers twice to get the Mightyenas' attention. "Nox, with me. Spartan, post yourself outside the door. Protect Josh and Serena, got it?"
Spartan wagged his tail and gave a soft woof, then trotted out of the room to stand guard. Nox obediently walked alongside Edwin as he went to go check on things. Once they were gone, Serena came back to Josh's shoulder. She cooed worriedly.
Gently, he patted her neck. "Don't worry. He may do a lot of dumb things, but he doesn't break his promises."
...
Emerald entry: It is said to be a Pokemon that brings good fortune. When it spots someone who is pure in heart, a Togetic appears and shares its happiness with that person.
Mightyena FR/LG entry: It will always obey the commands of a skilled Trainer. Its behavior arises from its living in packs in ancient times.
Togetic's Diamond and Pearl entries are more amusing, but I've already got at least one druggy kind of story here, heh. That Emerald entry made me think of unicorns.