He took it. It was his. His beautiful— whatever it was. Two circles and some strange lines connecting them. Oh it was hilarious! He’d taken it right of a trainer’s face! It was classing, so classic! And not to mention, hilarious. The best part? He hadn’t even been seen. That sleeping trainer would be without their… whatever these were. Oh, but weren’t they just so shiny? Every angle he looked at them they were shiny and pretty and— what was that?!! He heard a rustle, or was it somebody talking??? NO! Immediately his body was assaulted by some sort of strange stinging sensation. Was that… was that… did something attack him?! He’d been lunged right out of his little hiding spot in the bushes. How very rude! He glanced up and saw that it was a trainer and their Pokemon- strange and oddly delicious looking Pokemon. Possibly a bug? He wanted to peck at that shiny bubble— but no! His steal! He flailed his wings and flapped with a few squawks right back into his bush.

Hana blinked. “I … I think you hit something."

Dewpider was beaming. < Obviously. > Her smile faded. < But not enough if it wasn’t unconscious. >

Hana slowly just looked over at Dewpider and gave a nervous laugh. “I mean, all you used was a bubble—“

< I’ll take that as a challenge! > Dewpider proclaimed, moving toward the bush a bit more. The thing hadn’t flown out of it yet, so she sent an Infestation into the bush to flush it out, and hopefully hit it.

The Spearow was taking deep breaths. They were attacking him. They were meaning him harm. Why? Oh, did they know that other trainer?! Where they after his shiny?!? His eyes frantically looked about the bush. Like he was trying to figure out what was happening or perhaps what that strange thing was that was itching his— < AAAAAAACK! > He screeched, gripping his prized shiny steal and flapping out of the bush. Whatever was on him stopped him from flying away fully, so he fumbled onto the ground and started his flailing once more, as a means to get whatever was on him, off. < No! It’s gotten me! I can feel it! The tunnel is slowly forming. That light at the end, the one the humans always gawk about, it’s there! It’s coming for me! The light is coming for me! >

In a way, Hana felt sort of bad for the Spearow. “He’s… really… sort of…pitiful.”

Without mercy, Dewpider sent another bubble the Spearow’s way. It gave a pained caw, flapping and moving it’s hand over it’s face. < Woe is me. I fear, it is the end. >

“C’mon! That’s enough!” Hana protested before moving over to guard the Spearow. “It’s had eno— Owe!” She winced, moving away from the Spearow that had pecked at her leg. He’d seemingly come back to life, pecked her, and then flopped back on the ground again, peeking an eye open to see if she was looking.

Dewpider gave a small snort. < And you thought him innocent. He’s a trickster. Look at the glasses in his beak. >

At her words, Hana looked over at the Spearow that was now fidgeting and squirming while trying to hop away. < I’ve got you, shiny, no worries, I’ve got you— Oh, ouch, it’s going to take forever to get these things off of me. >

Hana narrowed her eyes and huffed. “Unbelievable. Think he stole those?”

< No doubt in my mind. It’s a Spearow’s code. Either a group takes out something huge, or a solo artist finds his way by means of taking what looks best to him. This one mumbles a lot though… > Dewpider defended.

Clearly offended, the Spearow turned to glare at them. But, now words really came from his beak, just a soft mumble. < Idonotmumble. > It seemed to rise an anger in him, and he reared toward the Dewpider with a peck.

Hana huffed. “Don’t dodge! Grab hold of him and give him a close range bubble!” It would do enough damage to make the thing leave them be. One way or another.

Dewpider did just that. She allowed the peck, wincing at the damage taken. It did a great deal thanks to the cruelty of elemental advantage. She looked past it though, using a bubble on him close enough to get a very satisfying and weak growl from him before he hit the ground, leg twitching like he was unconscious. She used one of her pointed feet to poke at him. < Hm. Still strong enough to hold onto those glasses. >

The Spearow only had enough energy to rear up it’s head and glare at her. < I will die with these … what did you call them? Yes, these…. glasses…. > A dramatic sigh and he was turning his head to look away from them.

Before he could scamper off and get away, Hana threw a pokeball against his head to catch him.

< What benefit could you have possibly seen in that thing? > Dewpider snapped.

“Cool it Queen.” Hana smiled, because she liked the nickname that settled so well with the Dewpider. “I’m trying to avoid future blindness for trainers in the route.” She nodded. And honestly? She didn’t want to turn around and get pecked in the calf again… that hurt.

NOTES. Attempted capture, -1 pokeball.
EXP GAINED. 442, Dewpider + 2 lvls! Dewpider is lvl 7!
5 » 6 442/200
6 » 7 242/225
7 » 8 17/250 ( need 233 )

Unaware of whether she liked the nickname or not, she decided not to comment just yet. Instead, she crawled up and over and onto Hana’s shoulder. < Queen. I could get used to such a title. I am a Queen, in a sense. >

“Well,” Hana smiled as she put the pokeball with the Spearow in her pack and then continued to walked down the route with the Dewpider on her shoulder. “You certainly act like you’re hot stuff- some sort of royalty, so it just sort of slipped.”

< Well done, it was a good slip. I don’t condone this slip. Yes, I think I’ll keep it. We could try and customize it just a bit. Something like, Queenie… >

Hana just let her talk, walking along the route and smiling.

< No no, you’re right, it’s a bit too girlish… oh, this is difficult. How do you trainers come up with decent ones? I once heard that a Squirtle had been named Shellshocker. Now that is very clever. What a worth and formidable title. Is Queen really intimidating enough for me? > She spoke, moved across Hana’s shoulder in a small pace, before finally popping her little bubble head over when her question was asked.

Hana blinked at her, looking back to the route ahead so she didn’t trip. “I think Queenie is cute, but once you evolve it might not stick so well, since you’ll be more intimidating then. Queen sounds good though. And as you evolve it will still hold the same weight, but with your intimidating nature and prowess in your evolved form there to boot.”

< Why… that’s the first thing you’ve said that has made any sense. Well done girl. > She even gave her head a patronizing tap, before becoming momentarily distracted by the way her hair felt. < My that is soft… >

After a bit walking down the route Hana had random braids in her hair from Queen's boredom. There was no argument from Hana, because it kept Queen occupied while they walked. She didn't seem terribly interested in whatever it was that the route had to offer. Hana on the other hand would stop just to get a good look and take a mental snapshot of some of the areas of the route. Just to remember the route by, mostly. But she halted in her steps as she heard a howl... that was oddly... familiar.

< Wonderful. We've come across a mutt. Hopefully it's not their territory. > Queen's small hands never stopped their movements and braiding, moving a few strands this way and that.

Hana grinned. "That's a Poochyena, I just know it." She confessed, looking up and over to Queen who scoffed at the movement because it made the hair in her clutches move.

< I don't care if it's an Entei, stop moving! > She huffed and tossed the hair. < You ruined it... >

Hana peeked her head this way and that before shrugging. "Is suppose we're out of their--"

< Hey! > Barked the pooch. < Excuse you, > she complained. < But exactly what do you think you're doing in this area? It's off limits. Shoo. Go away, you're infesting my air with you foul scents. > She growled just to prove her point.

< Wow. What an attitude. > Queen protested, moving her long legs down Hana's body to get to the route's ground.

"That coming from you is rich, I just want you to know." Hana chuckled out.

< The difference, my dear, is that I am royalty. This mutt simply wishes she could obtain such a high standing in her mixed packs of rabid dogs. > She turned her gaze to the Poochyena with a devilish sort of smirk, knowing every single word had been heard.

< Excuse. You. > Came the Poochyena with a snorted scoff. < I believe what you meant to say was, sorry for trespassing, and I'll be on my way. >

< Ha! Not in your wildest dreams fleabag. If you would like me to force you to move, I'll do just that. > Moving her hands over her bubble to be sure it was in pristine condition, the Dewpider gave a small clearing of her throat. < So then? >

< I would love to see you try, gnat. > The Poochyena growled, shifting so her front legs were lower to the ground, giving her a better stance as her fur bristled at the challenge.

And they were battling. Hana breathed a small sigh. Her Dewpider was already a bit weak from the previous battle, but the Poochyena was weak against her Infestation. A perk, sure... Instead of pulling out Hawlucha, who could easily win the battle, she decided to trust Queen. "Alright, let's get the show on the road you two." She grinned and moved closer to the two of them, looking the Poochyena over. "She's got experience, you can see it in her few scars. Try not to let her use howl too many times or you'll regret it." She warned Queen as she readied herself for the battle.

Queen huffed. < I simply won't let her get close enough. >

"She'll be faster than you think." Hana warned, but nodded. "Let's use range to our advantage then."

It was odd, fighting with a human. She had good insights though and it would be her second advantage against the mutt. She readied herself before watching as the Poochyena started to run head first toward them. Queen let out an Infestation which seemed to pretty well stop the Pooyena in her tracks. The Poochyena yelped and scratched at her eyes, then let out a howl in hopes to get the little critters off of her. < Oh, I think not, mutt. > Came Queen's oddly calm voice. She used yet another Infestation, which had the Poochyena growling and snarling, rolling a bit to remove most of them. She seemed to ignore the pain, closing in on the Dewpider faster than Queen could move. With a small grunt she was hit by the tackle, but she used the close range to get in a decent bubble assault. Another howl, though of pain, had the Poochyena stronger once again. Queen scurried up a tree as the Poochyena howled, using the moment to lock onto the Poochyena. A moment later and she was using yet another infestation.

An annoyed growl escaped her and she tried to shake the bugs off of her, but to no avail. < Alright! Stop! You can pass! Just stop getting these things all over me!! > She bit and chewed at herself to get them to leave. Weak enough from the battle, she laid down with her ears down. < Go on then, go away. > She commanded as she started scratching at her coat. < You've won your right of passage. >

Hana smiled, moving over to the Poochyena and bending down, she ignored the small growls coming from the Poochyena before starting to pet her, the infestation starting to ware off. "You offended her pride, I'm afraid. There was really no way to stop her from battling."

< And winning, mind you. > Came Queen as she moved to perch herself atop Hana's shoulder once more.

< Are you looking for praise in some way? You won't find it. > She snapped.

Hana shook her head. "No, I just wanted to make sure you were okay." She confessed before standing up. "I wouldn't want to leave you here... without anything around to protect you. Do you have a pack?"

Seemed Hana had hit a nerve. The Poochyena stood, snarling at her. < I don't need a pack! I can very well handle this myself, thank you! > Her legs were shaking, she couldn't very well handle another battle, not so soon.

Seeing this, Hana's eyes softened. She bent down and tilted her head. "Everyone needs a little help every now and then, it's not something to be ashamed of-"

< I said, no! > She barked, but a bubble to her face had her yelping and jumping backwards. < Hey! What was that for?? > She growled.

Queen held little remorse in her tone. < Hana is offering to help and you're being a child. Try and have some manners. She could have very well left you for dead. >

"It's fine." Hana told Queen before patting her small abdomen - because she learned not to touch Queen's bubble, ever. Even if her life depended on it. She turned her gaze back to the Poochyena. "I can get you some help if you need it, that's all. If you don't want it, that's fine... at least let me heal you a bit so you're not stranded here while injured."

< I said I'd be just fine. > Her tone was calm now, and she shook her head. < Go on about your route, have your victory, and leave me alone. >

With a sigh, Hana watched as the Poochyena started back off into the bushes. Seems they had won the battle and Poochyena had won her solitude. Moving back forward on the route, Hana smiled up at Queen. "And here I thought you were the biggest snob I knew."

< Oh, trust me dear, I still am. I'm simply on good behavior... > Because she genuinely enjoyed the time she was spending with Hana. Which was a big deal... But she wasn't going to tell Hana that.

NOTES. Hana opted not to catch Poochyena, unfortunately cause she is adorbs.
EXP GAINED. 791, Queen + 2 lvls! Queen learned Spider Web!
7 » 8 791+17/250
8 » 9 558/275
9 » 10 283/300

As Hana continued down the route with Queen, she withdrew the spider Pokemon after noticing her fatigue. She didn't have Hawlucha out either, or any of the Pokemon she had gotten from Cygnus Lake. Instead, it was just her, making her way down the route at about dusk now. She figured her Pokemon needed a break before they stopped for the evening.

That Poochyena had her thinking back on home, thinking back on times with her Uncle. Small things like simply eating breakfast together or taking his shoes off of his feet when he fell asleep on the chair after a twelve hour shift at the power plant. It was strange to think back on him so fondly, since he was usually the one to avoid her at all costs- because of her parents.

Her parents, she could barely remember their faces, just barely. Her mother as beautiful as could be, long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Her father was where her blue hair came from, short and wild, with gorgeous yellow eyes. She could barely remember how they acted. She knew her mother was warm and nurturing and that her father was very whimsical and they played a lot together in the water.

Shaking herself from her thoughts, she gave a fond smile, eyes soft with the memories. This journey she had started out, being an ex-coordinator and now trainer to help better the world... it was good for her. It was going to be great for her. Yes, she'd get stronger, and get to where her parents would be proud of her.

NOTES. Excuse her rambling sappiness it's dusk

Walking through the route was both serene and a bit strange. Because Queen wasn’t much up to walking with her, and Hawlucha had walked with her back on the beach and such, Hana figured it best to sort of walk on her own down the rest of the route, really see and meet the rest of the Pokemon on the route to get a feel and learn about them a bit more in their natural habitat… right? Or maybe she just simply got a little too distracted by the small little gathering of Pokemon from the route. It was strange, to her, that they were all just gathered around. It was almost like they were ready to watch something. Curiosity caught her and she moved toward the small crowd, only to be stopped by what she could only assume was crowd control.

The small Cottonee that met at her feet waved her leaves frantically in an effort to shoo her away. < No trespassing! Go on then, shoo would you! > She demanded.

“Trespassing?” She asked with a curious brow raised. “How on earth am I trespassing?” Her curiosity was going wild, and she bent down to get a better look and feel for what sort of offense she had caused.

Clearly unamused by how this human lowered herself to be ‘on her level,’ the Cottonee huffed and moved herself over to point a leaf very close to Hana’s face. < You do not have an invite, girl. Now, go away. > She grunted, shifting and starting to waddle off.

“But, hey! I’m interested in the show!” Hana defended.

A small grumble came from the Cottonee as she drug her leaf over her face in annoyance. < I don’t have time for this… I didn’t get enough sleep for this… > She moved to glare, small wrinkles under her eyes showing how tired she was. < Please, girl, leave as quickly as you have shown up. > She waved her leaves again. < You. Do. Not. Have. An. Invite. You. Cannot. Come. Shoo. Go on then. Shoo. > Her tone sounded as tired as she looked.

Hana pouted before moving a bit closer before suddenly she felt the stinging sensation of all to familiar a fairy wind on her. She cringed, grunting a bit at the small pain, before glaring down at the Cottonee. “Hey! Did you just— you just attacked me!”

< You wouldn’t listen! > The Cottonee got a bit defensive upon seeing a Hawlucha materialize from it’s pokeball. < Oh dear… you’re one of those… >

“One of… those?”

< A trainer, obviously! > She exclaimed with a harsh sigh. < I really don’t feel like arguing with you… or your… very strong looking Hawlucha. Please, just— if I give you invites you can sit, and will you be less disturbing if I let you watch? > They didn't seem so bad, if she’d been honest with herself.

Hana nodded. “Yes! We would love to!”

Hawlucha was confused, but apparently Hana had simply gotten in too much over her head. He huffed out a small sigh and looked to the Cottonee. < She really, honestly, means no harm. Her curiosity simply gets the better of her at times, that’s all. We would very much appreciate an invite. Thank you. >

A grunted sort of straggled sigh later and the Cottonee was giving each of them an invite. < Please just be quiet. > She noted, moving her way back into the crowd of Pokemon to break up a few of the birds from pecking on each other. < Leave her alone! Her feathers just haven’t come in yet! Back off. >

For the next hour Hana witnessed a sort of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ play mixed with some hilarious Pokemon humor that Hawlucha was even able to understand. The play was amazing, and hilarious. About half way through, they helped the Cottonee. Well, mostly Hawlucha did. He would help her break up small little fights and would hush the louder Pokemon during the play. Once the show was over, Hawlucha returned with a very tired, nearly asleep, Cottonee. They had all three just finished cleaning up the place after the play.

< I swear, > the Cottonee started. < This is my absolute last time hosting. I’m through… > Then her eyes flashed up to the trainer. < You were both a huge help, honest… think you have room for one more in your holster? I could use a nice long nap… > She confessed, a small smile on her face.

Hana grinned and bent down, scooping the Cottonee up in her arms and humming. “You sleep.” She told the Cottonee with a bright smile. “We’ll take care of you, no worries.”

NOTES. Attempted 'capture,' -1 pokeball.