Yanmega and Oshawott

Patriotism was a very big deal. It was all over the place, that although their kingdom was made up of many kinds of Pokemon, they were all united in one land and it was a mon's duty to defend the homeland against the other kingdoms. While the other kingdoms were also inhabited by Pokemon, they were different, and worse. The others didn't do things right; they had no class or manners. Their kingdom was the best.

But there were times when all that talk about patriotism didn't seem right. There was when one ran into trouble and a Pokemon from another kingdom helped out without hesitation. And there were times when two Pokemon met and began talking, only to realize later that they belonged to different kingdoms. While they might be friends otherwise, patriotism insisted that they could not be. Then there were times like this.

Captain Wyrewing the Yanmega of the Dawn Guard was preparing his unit for battle. They were to take back a section of forest that a neighboring kingdom had stolen from them. At least, that was the official statement. Wyrewing had fought this battle before, though. He had fought it many times, as one side would claim that area of forest, and then the other side would claim it back. As for who it had originally belonged to, he had no idea. He just knew that the forest was a valuable resource, for its healing mineral waters and powerful herbs, berries, and other plants that grew there. He didn't see why they couldn't arrange a treaty to share it, but it wasn't his place to think on things like that. He was to protect his kingdom by continuing this battle.

For the most part, the strategy was familiar too, one that had worked well in the past that had been adapted so the enemy didn't guess it too soon. There was just one part of it that worried him. one important part of this plan was taking out the Pokemon who maintained a barrier around the enemy camp so that the greater part of the force could get to the enemy Pokemon faster, without fear of getting pinned in a bottleneck. Normally, this kind of role would go to a Dark or Ghost type that could sneak around easily. This time, the royal army's tactician had inexplicably set an Oshawott to this task.

After he had given out instructions to the rest of the unit, Wyrewing met with the Oshawott in private. "So who are you?" the Captain asked.

The Oshawott saluted. "I'm Shelby the Oshawott of the Castle Guard, sir. I got transferred here for the next month."

"I know," he said. "Odd to get a Castle Guard sent out here; the fights are different in this area. But you have to be good to get in there, so I'll trust you."

"Thank you, sir." Shelby paused. "I was a little concerned about getting sent out here. It's an area populated by a lot of Grass Pokemon."

Wyrewing waved a pair of legs on his right side. "Not as much as there are Bugs like me out here. And the enemy tends to bring in Fire Pokemon here, so you'll be a help. You young or just unevolved?"

To his credit, he replied with no shame, "Just unevolved. I haven't been able to afford the time to get over to the evolution springs. But it's near here, so I might be able to; I wanted to before I got married."

He chuckled. "Married, huh? You got a girl?"

Shelby smiled. "Yeah, I've got a wonderful girl, Emilia the Prinplup. I've known her for several years now."

"That's sweet. But at this time, we need to focus on the battle yeah."

"Yes sir," he said, nodding.

Wyrewood then went into an explanation of his job. Shelby listened closely and didn't seem put off by what he was being asked to do. Still, the Yanmega felt that there could be trouble for him. "I'm going to fly you in and help you out," he said, deciding to go against the established plan some. "I've got my assistant running the main attack force, so we'll work on making things easier on them."

"I'll do my best, sir."

Sometime later, the Dawn Guard was gathered outside, on the last preparations for the battle. Wyrewing spoke with his lieutenant, then went over to where Shelby was loading a modified handcart with a bomb. The cart had no wheels; instead, it had a frame that extended over it. The Yanmega landed on the top of the frame with his back pair of legs, bringing his tail wings up and buzzing to keep himself balanced there. "You figuring out how to connect it all?"

"Yes sir," the Oshawott said. "Almost done. Can you handle the cart with me and the bomb in it?"

He laughed. "It's no trouble at all. Tell me when you're ready and I'll give the word to head out to everyone. Oh, and brace yourself; the draft of my wings gets pretty strong."

Shelby took the yellow scalchop off his stomach and used it to cut off another length a rope to secure the bomb in place. It seemed pretty sharp based on how cleanly it cut the thick rope. Once they were certain that the weapon wouldn't slip off and explode early, Captain Wyrewing latched onto the cart's handle and took off carrying it into the air. The Oshawott hung onto a part of the frame to ride into position.

Deep into the forest, Wyrewing and Shelby were the first to come to the enemy camp. The Yanmega had been flying slower than usual, more to keep the noise down than any trouble in carrying the cart. He kept the cart bomb high, and tried to keep out of notice. If they were using the unit's own Ghost Type, a Misdrevous, she could have blending into the trees and the ground in order to get close, and to get out once things were done. The Oshawott stood out in the green and brown forest by being a light blue and white better suited for water camouflage. In the cart, he was observing the camp through a spyglass and watching the path the rest of the unit would be using. When he spotted them, Shelby waved the signal up to Wyrewing and put his spyglass in his bag. He then started work to trigger the bomb.

The enemy camp had barriers set up as expected; it was fairly standard procedure. But they only reached up so high, like a fence maintained through Psychic powers. Flying over that, Wyrewing made a quick look over the camp and decided to drop the bomb nearest to a tent set apart by the flags of the neighboring kingdom. That would be either their meeting place or the commander's tent. Very likely both too. Shelby leapt off of the cart as it was falling, then rolled onto his feet, snatched his scalchop, and attacked a Magmar that was there before he called further attention to them. Wyrewing then rammed into another soldier that was stunned at seeing them. A few extra seconds might not be much, but it might make a difference. The two then rushed away from the cart, towards the nearest barrier Pokemon.

And the cart bomb exploded, sending the enemy camp into chaos and giving Wyrewing and Shelby free attacks on the Bronzor they had singled out. Thus the battle over this patch of forest raged once again. This time, though, Wyrewing wanted to come out of it without any deaths on his side.

To Captain Wyrewing: that was a well-won battle you conducted, although I fear that using a cart bomb there may have been unwise. Such a thing may cause them the escalate their tactics next time; set up your station there to be as secure as possible. I must say that the plans you sent back were not the ones I would have written up. I was in the process of planning the battle when I heard that it had happened already. What you sent back is a copy of the plans from a couple years back in a similar scenario. I most certainly would not have put that Oshawott in the position of breaking the barrier. As you say, he may be an excellent fighter, but he is not naturally effective in that area.

I am uncertain of where those plans are from, but I have my suspicions. I'm not sure why it would be done that way, though. It all seems extreme. And yet, things have been uncertain back here in the castle. A number of people aren't happy with the new King; he's certainly not like his father. He isn't putting the right things into priority, such as how he seems to be pursuing a girl named Emilia. It is undecided what to do yet, but several people I know have been talking.

Hold the forest for now and secure your position. That should be enough. From Tadd.

Wyrewing reviewed the letter he'd gotten from the royal tactician. This certainly wasn't good. Feeling he ought to at least tell Tadd that Emilia was engaged to Shelby, he started writing a letter back. He was supposed to be doing as the King ordered. But then, he has sworn his loyalty to the kingdom, not necessarily to the king. Now how to do this without bringing harm to anyone else...

…

Oshawott White entry: The scalchop on its stomach is made from the same elements as claws. It detaches the scalchop for use as a blade.

Yanmega Heart Gold entry: This six-legged Pokemon is easily capable of transporting an adult in flight. The wings on its tail help it stay balanced.

Tricky one, actually. Gave me writer's block for weeks. But I like the Yanmega's name.