A Son is Born

It was a golden evening in the forest. Every tree, every bush, every blade of grass was bathed in the resplendent golden light of the setting sun. At the base of one tree were two Pokemon; a blue and black jackal like Pokemon, named Lucario, and a dark grey and red fox like Pokemon, named Zoroark. Both were bathing together in the glorious beauty and serenity of the day, Lucario resting against the base of the tree, and Zoroark resting against him.
"It's truly a peaceful sundown, isn't it?" Lucario asked Zoroark.
Zoroark opened her eyes and smiled blissfully. "It's wonderful... And I feel it's better when you have someone to share it with..."
"Then it's wonderful that I have you with me," Lucario said, also smiling.
Zoroark closed her eyes again. She and Lucario were now mates. It had been several months since they first met, perhaps four or five. She recalled how she had to learn to be familiar with having a companion. It hadn't been easy. Many of the situations were tense and awkward, the most prominent memory being when Lucario had arrived back to his territory. Zoroark had been resting upon her bed, but when Lucario approached her to wake her up, she had leapt up out of slumber in a panic and slashed him with Shadow Claw. The injury had been minimal, but it had taught Lucario to be cautious and gentle in attempting to befriend her.
And now, at the present day, their progress was enormous. They were as close as any Pokemon couple, perhaps even more so.
"Did you ever wonder if you would have a mate?" Zoroark asked.
Lucario also closed his eyes. "I hoped I would... I received what I always wished for... and more. And you?"
Zoroark opened her eyes in the slightest way. "I am honest in saying that I expected to never have someone in my life... I thought things would be as they always were."
"Then this is a pleasant surprise in fate," Lucario said.
"Indeed," Zoroark said, with a happy sigh. They were both silent for the rest of the evening, but no words were needed to convey their feelings...

After a couple of months, it was noted that there was a change in Zoroark; an obvious physical change. As soon as the villagers noticed it, they came to what they saw as a horrifying conclusion: Zoroark was with child. To the village, the thought of a second nightmare demon frightened them, and everyone was whispering about it.
On a day where both Lucario and Zoroark went to the village, they split up to find resources. Zoroark went to Mother K's shop, the only place where she was welcome, and Lucario went to the Kecleon Brother's stand.
"It's truly a disaster, Lucario," the green Kecleon brother said to him while they gathered the order. "After you so graciously took her under your wing."
"Pardon?" Lucario said, puzzled.
"Isn't it obvious, sir?" the purple one said from the back of the stand. "She's gone and mated behind your back, and now we can only imagine what kind of demon will be spawned. I shudder to think of it!"
Lucario said nothing for a moment, then spoke quietly, "The 'demon' that you speak of will be my child."
The green Kecleon brother, who had just set the order on the counter, froze. His brother was the one who managed to regain his speech. "But-but that would mean-"
"-That I mated with her? Yes," Lucario said, in that strangely quiet tone. Then he said politely, yet with an unmistakable coldness, "I think this is 500 Poke. Whatever is extra, consider it a tip." And he took the food and went to find Zoroark.

"Well, it looks like somebody be getting ready for mamahood," Mother K said genially.
"Yes... But this is the first time I have ever had a child," Zoroark said uncertainly. "I am afraid of the challenges that shall face me."
"Well, lemme tell you, you've got a good mate to love and support you, and I promise it helps," Mother K reassured. "When I had my first lil' babe, I was every bit scared as you are. But I've got my big man to help me out. He's a Rhydon; definitely no Alakazam, but he's a big ol sweetheart, and tough as nails, too!"
"And your child?" Zoroark asked.
"My lil babe grew up to be a big strong Rhydon, jus' like his daddy. He's gone off to find a girl for himself. She'll be a lucky one," Mother K chuckled.
Their conversation ended there, however, when Lucario arrived, in a slightly dark mood.
"Lucario, is everything all right?" Zoroark asked, concerned.
"Yes, everything's fine. I think it's time for us to leave." To Mother K, he replied, "I thank you for the kindness you've shown to my mate."
"Of course, of course. You take care now. Zoroark, here's your Pecha Scarf, it'll work perfectly for a baby blanket."
The two gathered their things and departed rather quickly. Later, when they had both arrived to their camp, Zoroark said, "I know when you are sad or angry, and I feel that you are angry now."
Lucario sighed, and sat down on his bed of straw. "The whole village has been whispering about our child. They call it a demon, a nightmare, various evil things." He rubbed his eyes slightly.
Zoroark, after a moment, spoke softly, "Then... It might be best if I were to leave."
Lucario looked up and quickly said, "No. That will not happen."
"Your name has been stained because of me," Zoroark said. "It shall at least be somewhat cleaner if I-"
"No!" Lucario insisted loudly. Then, calming himself, he said, "I would never abandon you when you are with child. And I would never abandon you if you weren't. Good name or not, it was my choice to choose you as a mate, and I stay with it." He wrapped one arm around her and pulled her up to him. "We are mates, and we must never abandon each other."
Zoroark let herself be held, but a small voice spoke in the back of her mind. What if he were to change his mind when the child is conceived? She told herself firmly, What can be lost? Life will be what it once was, and I have lived my life as a solitary Pokemon. But deep down, she knew she had become too accustomed to having a companion.

One certain day, Lucario woke up, and gently tried to arouse Zoroark. "We need to go get more food," he said to her.
However, she could only raise her head, and say, "I cannot."
Lucario was surprised, but then the realization hit him. "Is the child coming?"
"Not now... but soon," she said to him. "I know it."
"I'll stay then; the errands can wait," Lucario said, feeling the excitement and nervousness in his stomach.
"No," Zoroark said, kindly but firmly. "You need not be preoccupied with me. I must be alone for this."
Poor Lucario was torn between devotion and respect for his mate, but it was respect that won in the end. Strongly reluctant, he nuzzled her, and said, "I'll be back soon then..."
"Goodbye for now, then," Zoroark said, closing her eyes.
Lucario stood up, and left his camp with the heaviest feeling of unwillingness.

"No Zoroark today?" Mother K asked.
Lucario had gone to Mother K, to tell her what was to happen. "She is not well today. The child comes."
Mother K gasped. "Oh my stars! The babe's comin'?!"
"Yes," Lucario said, feeling a strong wave of anxiety.
"Well, I knew she wasn't gonna keep gettin bigger an' bigger, but my, it's still a surprise!"
Mother K pulled a screen over the stand, and came out to meet Lucario. "I'm guessin' you came here to talk, am I right?"
"Exactly my reason," Lucario said, grateful that she understood immediately. Mother K pulled up a large log with ease, and a rock for Lucario to sit upon. "Lemme sit these old bones down. Now tell me what's pickin' at you."
Lucario sat down on the rock, and told her his worries. "She told me she had needed to be alone, but what if she needs me? I have to be there to help her if something happens..."
"I'll tell you somethin: When my time had come to give birth, I told my mate to give me a little privacy. He kept insistin' that he should be there when his babe was born, no matter if I yelled or bellowed at him. My time was gettin' closer and closer, so I had to finally give 'em a Dizzy Punch, an I shouted 'Rhydon, I promise it'll get uglier than it is gonna be if you don't scat!', so he shamefacedly turned tail and ran. I knew it wouldn't hurt him, but it made him a little more respectful."
Mother K's eyes twinkled. "My point bein' is that every mama, first time or not, needs that time alone to birth her babe. It doesn't mean you gonna love her any less if you obey her request. It actually means you listen to your mate well enough so that she's your equal; you respect her as much as you love her."
Lucario felt somewhat reassured, yet he could not shake the gnawing fear that he had.
"I think now's the time you should be gettin' back," Mother K said, "I'll bet your little one is finally born into this world."
"I'm grateful for your comfort," Lucario said, with meaning. He got up, but before he left, he turned and said, "I know Zoroark would approve if she were here, so I wish to ask that if anything were to happen, would you take care of our child?"
"Me? Godmama?" Mother K laughed. "You know good an' well I'll never leave a child of yours and Zoroark's in the wild. Yes, I would."
Satisfied, Lucario left, and headed to his territory. But the distress he had felt earlier returned.
If she dies in labor, I can never forgive myself, he thought. I should never have left. Privacy matters naught as long as you can ensure security. The thought that Zoroark might have died in childbirth suddenly spurred him into a frenzied sprint, and he tore across the forest as though being pursued.

"Zoroark! Zoroark! Are you there?" Lucario called, as soon as he was close to the camp. He finally came underneath the canopy. "Zoroark, is everything all right?"
He saw Zoroark lying on her bed, and quite still. Instantly, Lucario was stabbed with terror. He rushed over to her and was looking over her shoulder on his knees. "Zoroark! Please answer me!"
Zoroark slowly raised her head to meet his gaze, and gave him a weary yet content smile.
Lucario was filled with immense relief. "Oh, you're safe, you are alive..." The rest of his words faded off into a soft murmur as they nuzzled each other lovingly.
"Lucario..." she said, after they had ceased.
"What is it, my mate?" Lucario asked.
Zoroark said nothing, but she slowly rose only to her paws and feet.
What had been hidden from his view was a tiny curled up ball of black and red fur. It took shape when it stretched, and yawned.
Lucario was awed. "Is this...?"
"Your son," Zoroark finished for him. "I think you should hold him." She tenderly scooped up the small kit, and handed him to Lucario. Lucario held him as though he were crystal.
The baby kit was two different shades of black. The ruff around his neck was darker than his body, and he had a small tuft of fur between his ears, which was colored red at the tips. But what struck Lucario the most was his eyes, when he opened them. They were a bright turquoise color, filled with an inquisitive yet playful nature. Upon opening his eyes and seeing his father, the tiny pup emitted a squeak of pure delight, and wagged his little tail.
"After he was born, he snuggled against me for a short time, then he went over to your bed. He sniffed it a couple of times, then he turned his head, looking this way and that. He was looking for you."
"He knew me?" Lucario said incredulously.
Zoroark smiled again. "He wanted his mother and his father."
The feeling of being a parent was something Lucario had never felt before, but he loved every moment of it. This small creature, this helpless infant, was his flesh and blood, as well as Zoroark's.
"I am sorry, though," Zoroark said, ashamed.
"For what?" Lucario asked, confused.
"I wish he had some attributes of yours, but... he is of my species. I was afraid you might feel disappointed somehow..."
"He is as beautiful as his mother," Lucario said, with the truest feeling. "And I know he is my son; I can feel it." He set the baby down gently, and the latter crawled back to his mother, then turned and stared expectantly.
Lucario went over, and taking Zoroark's paws in his own, laid down across from her, so that there was only a space of about ten inches, in which baby Zorua lay.
"Good night, my mate," Lucario said.
"And sleep well, Lucario," Zoroark replied.
No sooner had she said this when Zorua crawled over his mother, and took a hold of the end of her hair.
"Zorua, it is time to rest now. There is plenty time to play tomorrow," Zoroark said.
"Wait, look at what he does," Lucario pointed out.
Sure enough, little Zorua dragged the end of Zoroark's hair back into the space between his parents, and while curled up against his father's chest, he covered himself with his mother's hair like a blanket, and was fast asleep.
Both his parents laughed softly, then they too fell asleep, finally granted peace and serenity.