[attr="class","juliaw"]


[break]Julia had no idea why Momo, Snuffles, and Cupcake were so interested in her new egg. It was normal for her other Pokémon to be curious about any new team members, but these three were borderline obsessed with this egg. If it had just been one of them, then Julia would have assumed the egg would hatch into a baby version of them; after all, she had no idea what was actually growing inside the shell. But having three totally different species of Pokémon so attached to this egg was one heck of a mystery.

[break][break]The weirdest part was how well they all got along around it! It was a good kind of weird, but it was still an unusual sight with how often Snuffles and Cupcake would fight over food despite their usual dispositions. Maybe something about caring for an unhatched baby helped calm them down? They all took turns holding and warming the egg, though the other two would still stay nearby whenever they could. Julia could have sworn she saw their noses twitch a few times, too...

[break][break]The three Pokémon and their trainer gathered eagerly around the egg as it began to hatch. Off-white fur with yellow accents was visible through the cracks, and when the shell broke open, a puppy Pokémon emerged. It blinked its beady black eyes as it looked between the four witnesses to its hatching.

[break][break]"Hey there, little fella," Julia said softly. "Welcome to the world."

[break][break]The puppy took a careful step forward, not used to walking just yet. Its body, especially its rounded ears, reminded Julia of uncooked bread, and as the newborn stepped closer, Julia caught a whiff of something sweet. Apparently, so did her Pokémon. They all stepped forward as if in a trance...

[break][break]"RUFF!"

[break][break]The Fidough's high-pitched Roar was mighty for such a little thing. Momo, Snuffles, and Cupcake all stepped back, and even Julia jumped in surprise. She raised a brow at her three Pokémon, and all three turned away, seeming embarrassed.

[break][break]"Is that why you three were so attached to the egg?" Julia asked.

[break][break]Only Momo's soft chitter answered. Julia sighed fondly and reached over to ruffle all three's head fur.

[break][break]"She's a friend, not food, you sillies!"

[break][break]Julia reached out her hand to let the Fidough sniff it. She giggled as her hand was licked. "Aww, good girl! Now what am I gonna name you...?"

[break][break]Julia gently scratched the Fidough's head as she thought. Slowly, Momo inched forward, looking apologetic. The Fidough gave him a suspicious look, but he just reached out his hand like Julia had for her to sniff. She did just that after a few seconds and then gave Momo a smaller lick. Snuffles and Cupcake followed Momo's lead, though Snuffles's legs were too small for her to offer a hoof, so she got a lick on the nose, instead. Julia smiled. How sweet!

[break][break]"Oh, I've got it!" Julia exclaimed. "What about Puppernickel? It's like pumpernickel, only with 'pup'!"

[break][break]The newly dubbed Puppernickel's bark was quieter this time. Julia didn't know if that was her approving of her new name or just joining in Julia's excitement, but that was okay. Puppernickel was part of the family now.

[break][break]She just had to make sure nobody tried to eat her again.