Story Notes:
This story has been bouncing around my head for a while now, I'm not sure but I'm fairly certain that this idea is origonal if nothing else.Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 11
Simon smiled down at Crystal as she lay back down her body wrapped around their kits "We should get back" he said
Crystal gave a half nod as her eyes closed and her head lolled
Simon turned to Gemma, "Do you think you can carry them all?" he asked
Gemma shook her head "No, sorry" she said softly "Not with the kits this young, in order to keep them in place I'd have to bind them quite tightly and that could harm them"
Simon nodded "I was expecting that response" he said truthfully "It doesn't matter" he reassured Gemma "Just carry Crystal" he said "I'll take the kits."
Gemma nodded her vines snaking out and lifting Crystal up carefully before retracting and pulling Crystal to her back and binding her in place.
Simon smiled and bent down scooping up the kits carefully, each one no bigger than his palm and cradling them in his arms. He paused to make sure Gemma's vines were holding Crystal in place properly; although he had total faith in Gemma some part of his brain wouldn't let him start again until he had double checked her work.
Simon smiled standing up "Alright" he said "Let's get going" the group started moving, their pace slightly faster than before as they hurried to reach the den.
As they walked Crystal slipped in and out of consciousness, once or twice waking confused as to why she was tied down and where she was. Like their mother the kits were also drifting in and out of consciousness, however the most they did was to let out a few weak squeals and wriggle to get more comfortable before falling asleep again.
The group reached the den five and a half hours later, having picked up their pace somewhat, Crystal remained comatose for the most part but she was beginning to show signs of returning to the lands of the living. As they entered the den, Gemma explaining the door mechanism to Pisces since she was the only one capable of opening it at that time, a few Pokemon came up to Simon to ask questions but they shut their mouths as soon as they saw the pups in his arms.
Finally in their room Simon asked Gemma and Pisces to check on the pack for him since with Crystal still sleeping he couldn't understand anyone, he carefully placed the pups on the bed and turned back to Crystal gently shaking her awake.
"I'm up, I'm up" Crystal muttered yawning as she lifted her head and looked around
Simon smiled "We're back in our room" he explained seeing the confusion in her eyes "the pups are over there sleeping" he added pointing to the bed
Crystal smiled, a sense of relief washing over her as she spotted her pups "Good" she smiled
Simon gave a small smile "Are they supposed to sleep this much?" he asked worried
Crystal giggled and nodded "Yeah, its fine they need a few days for their metabolisms to start up properly" she gave Simon a small glance before adding "Besides, they'll wake up the moment we need sleep I can guarantee it."
Simon chuckled "I guess..." he sighed looking over at the pups "I just wish I knew what to do" he muttered sadly I mean I barely know anything about what to teach them or what they need to eat or know" he sighed again "How am I supposed to be a good father when I don't even know the first thing about them."
Crystal rubbed against Simon "I'm sure you'll be a great dad" she said softly
Simon gave a small smile "Thanks" he muttered "but will they even accept me" he muttered "I mean, I'm human and they're quite clearly not"
Crystal sighed pouncing on Simon and knocking him onto his back so she was standing on his stomach "You'll do fine" she reassured him leaning in and giving him a small kiss "Trust me you'll be a great dad" she giggled kissing him again "I can tell you that without needed to look into the future"
Simon smiled leaning up and kissing Crystal gently "Thanks" he said feeling less nervous about the whole thing although nothing could completely dissolve his fears and doubts "There's something else that's been bothering me" he continued
Crystal gave a small nod stepping off Simon and letting him sit up "Well spill then" she smiled "Or I can just rip the question from your mind"
Simon chuckled clamping his hands over his forehead as if that would protect him "I think I'll tell you" he replied
Crystal stifled a giggle and looked up into Simon's eyes waiting for his question to come
Simon sighed "I guess there's no easy way to say this.." he muttered "What's the deal with you and Scar? You said you loved him but I killed the guy yet you don't seem to mind! Heck I haven't seen you mourning at all!"
Crystal sighed a pained expression flashing across her face for an instant "I did love Scar" she said softly "And I love you too" she continued flashing Simon a smile "You're just applying your human values to our society, we grow up with death around us and we all expect the alpha to get killed; in that respect I was preparing to deal with his loss since the day he took over and I treated every day with him like it was our last" she smiled "I do much the same with you too" she admitted
Simon nodded "Sorry about bringing that up" he said "It's just been eating away at me for a while now."
Crystal shook her head "It's no problem" she said "anything else you want to talk about?"
Simon shook his head "No, not really" he sighed "Sorry I guess I'm just a little wound up right now"
Crystal giggled and turned around shaking her rump at Simon "I know a way to unwind" she said seductively
Simon laughed, blushing slightly, and gave her ass a light slap "Is that all you think about?"
Crystal turned back around to face Simon "My stomach feels so empty" she whined "I want you to put your kits there"
Simon blushed, he doubted he could get her pregnant at all although he kept that thought private, "Not in front of the kits!" he defended
Crystal nodded "Fine tonight then?"
Simon blushed and nodded "Yeah, tonight" he turned to the kits "So what shall we do with them?"
Crystal giggled "We take them to the nursery" she said "Then I think we should explain our position to the pack."
Simon nodded reaching down to pick up four of the kits, Crystal picking up the other three by the scuffs of their necks and carried them out after Simon.
After leaving their kits with a Shinx, apparently called Idoi, and giving her a brief summary of the news so she wouldn't have to come to the meeting Simon and Crystal headed over to the sandy patch meeting up with Gemma and Pisces along the way.
Simon gritted his teeth in preparation for Crystal's call whilst Gemma plugged her ears with her vines. Pisces gave them an odd look but Crystal must have explained telepathically since she too quickly followed suit lowering her head and putting her front paws over her ears.
Crystal opened her mouth the distinctive call echoing around the cavern and setting everyone's ears ringing, Simon quickly recovered his composure however the ringing dying down faster than last time.
As the pack assembled Pisces couldn't help but find herself impressed by both the efficiency of the calling and the speed with which the large group of Pokemon managed to assemble.
As the group assembled Simon kept his eyes peeled for the Absol he was so sure he had seen, spotting nothing more than a flash of white that could have easily been a Growlithe.
Finally the last few Pokemon trickled in, and Simon stood up "Alright" he called above the quiet chatter "I have three important announcements to make!"
As soon as he called this the room fell silent and every eye fell on Simon as the pack waited anxiously for the news.
Simon faltered slightly as he felt every eye settle on him, public speaking had never really been a strong point, "Alright first off," Simon began "it has been brought to my attention that it is the practice to kill all male children born?" he paused and a few grumbles or affirmatives floated back from the crowd "Well I want that stopped now!" Simon called out "No-one is dying on my behalf!" he continued, there was a brief pause whilst what he said sunk in before the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers; Crystal, Gemma and Pisces joining in.
Simon waited for the cheering to die down a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks "Okay" he finally said once the cheering had dropped to level where his voice could be heard, the crowd quickly quieted down although some whispers could still be heard, "Next I want to let everyone know that the attacks have been dealt with, I'm sure there'll be no more unpleasantness near the border" he said earning another, although somewhat less enthusiastic, cheer from the crowd.
"My final announcement is about a guest" Simon said, this sent ripples of talk through the crowd as every head turned to Pisces, who shied back giving a small wave "This is Pisces," Simon explained "she's a visitor from Alex's pack and I expect her to be treated as you would treat Crystal." He tried to keep his voice friendly.
The talk picked up as Simon fell silent, "Is there any news that I should know?" he asked wanting to catch up on what he missed.
A Houndour stepped forward "The envoy was sent to the Charmeleon as you requested" she spoke timidly "he has agreed to help us defend our land as long as we don't bother him."
Simon smiled "Good" he nodded "Anything else?"
'The Growlithe.' Crystal told Simon 'You need to call the Growlithe who wish to mate you forward.' She continued
Simon blushed and gave a subtle nod, when no-one spoke up he nodded smiling "Ok then" he clapped his hands "Can all the Growlithe who need me to help with their heat please come to my quarters midday tomorrow." He asked, a few barks of acceptance sounded out from the crowd "Okay then I guess the meeting is over" he said.
As the crowd dispersed Simon turned to Crystal "We've got a good few hours before we have to turn in" he said smiling "Want to go see our kits?"
Crystal nodded eagerly "Yes" she called bounding ahead of Simon who soon gave a small laugh before breaking into a run to catch up. They quickly found themselves at the entrance to the nursery Crystal bounding in without breaking a stride whilst Simon paused outside taking a deep breath to quash and residual worries and doubts from earlier before stepping across the threshold.
Crystal gave a half nod as her eyes closed and her head lolled
Simon turned to Gemma, "Do you think you can carry them all?" he asked
Gemma shook her head "No, sorry" she said softly "Not with the kits this young, in order to keep them in place I'd have to bind them quite tightly and that could harm them"
Simon nodded "I was expecting that response" he said truthfully "It doesn't matter" he reassured Gemma "Just carry Crystal" he said "I'll take the kits."
Gemma nodded her vines snaking out and lifting Crystal up carefully before retracting and pulling Crystal to her back and binding her in place.
Simon smiled and bent down scooping up the kits carefully, each one no bigger than his palm and cradling them in his arms. He paused to make sure Gemma's vines were holding Crystal in place properly; although he had total faith in Gemma some part of his brain wouldn't let him start again until he had double checked her work.
Simon smiled standing up "Alright" he said "Let's get going" the group started moving, their pace slightly faster than before as they hurried to reach the den.
As they walked Crystal slipped in and out of consciousness, once or twice waking confused as to why she was tied down and where she was. Like their mother the kits were also drifting in and out of consciousness, however the most they did was to let out a few weak squeals and wriggle to get more comfortable before falling asleep again.
The group reached the den five and a half hours later, having picked up their pace somewhat, Crystal remained comatose for the most part but she was beginning to show signs of returning to the lands of the living. As they entered the den, Gemma explaining the door mechanism to Pisces since she was the only one capable of opening it at that time, a few Pokemon came up to Simon to ask questions but they shut their mouths as soon as they saw the pups in his arms.
Finally in their room Simon asked Gemma and Pisces to check on the pack for him since with Crystal still sleeping he couldn't understand anyone, he carefully placed the pups on the bed and turned back to Crystal gently shaking her awake.
"I'm up, I'm up" Crystal muttered yawning as she lifted her head and looked around
Simon smiled "We're back in our room" he explained seeing the confusion in her eyes "the pups are over there sleeping" he added pointing to the bed
Crystal smiled, a sense of relief washing over her as she spotted her pups "Good" she smiled
Simon gave a small smile "Are they supposed to sleep this much?" he asked worried
Crystal giggled and nodded "Yeah, its fine they need a few days for their metabolisms to start up properly" she gave Simon a small glance before adding "Besides, they'll wake up the moment we need sleep I can guarantee it."
Simon chuckled "I guess..." he sighed looking over at the pups "I just wish I knew what to do" he muttered sadly I mean I barely know anything about what to teach them or what they need to eat or know" he sighed again "How am I supposed to be a good father when I don't even know the first thing about them."
Crystal rubbed against Simon "I'm sure you'll be a great dad" she said softly
Simon gave a small smile "Thanks" he muttered "but will they even accept me" he muttered "I mean, I'm human and they're quite clearly not"
Crystal sighed pouncing on Simon and knocking him onto his back so she was standing on his stomach "You'll do fine" she reassured him leaning in and giving him a small kiss "Trust me you'll be a great dad" she giggled kissing him again "I can tell you that without needed to look into the future"
Simon smiled leaning up and kissing Crystal gently "Thanks" he said feeling less nervous about the whole thing although nothing could completely dissolve his fears and doubts "There's something else that's been bothering me" he continued
Crystal gave a small nod stepping off Simon and letting him sit up "Well spill then" she smiled "Or I can just rip the question from your mind"
Simon chuckled clamping his hands over his forehead as if that would protect him "I think I'll tell you" he replied
Crystal stifled a giggle and looked up into Simon's eyes waiting for his question to come
Simon sighed "I guess there's no easy way to say this.." he muttered "What's the deal with you and Scar? You said you loved him but I killed the guy yet you don't seem to mind! Heck I haven't seen you mourning at all!"
Crystal sighed a pained expression flashing across her face for an instant "I did love Scar" she said softly "And I love you too" she continued flashing Simon a smile "You're just applying your human values to our society, we grow up with death around us and we all expect the alpha to get killed; in that respect I was preparing to deal with his loss since the day he took over and I treated every day with him like it was our last" she smiled "I do much the same with you too" she admitted
Simon nodded "Sorry about bringing that up" he said "It's just been eating away at me for a while now."
Crystal shook her head "It's no problem" she said "anything else you want to talk about?"
Simon shook his head "No, not really" he sighed "Sorry I guess I'm just a little wound up right now"
Crystal giggled and turned around shaking her rump at Simon "I know a way to unwind" she said seductively
Simon laughed, blushing slightly, and gave her ass a light slap "Is that all you think about?"
Crystal turned back around to face Simon "My stomach feels so empty" she whined "I want you to put your kits there"
Simon blushed, he doubted he could get her pregnant at all although he kept that thought private, "Not in front of the kits!" he defended
Crystal nodded "Fine tonight then?"
Simon blushed and nodded "Yeah, tonight" he turned to the kits "So what shall we do with them?"
Crystal giggled "We take them to the nursery" she said "Then I think we should explain our position to the pack."
Simon nodded reaching down to pick up four of the kits, Crystal picking up the other three by the scuffs of their necks and carried them out after Simon.
After leaving their kits with a Shinx, apparently called Idoi, and giving her a brief summary of the news so she wouldn't have to come to the meeting Simon and Crystal headed over to the sandy patch meeting up with Gemma and Pisces along the way.
Simon gritted his teeth in preparation for Crystal's call whilst Gemma plugged her ears with her vines. Pisces gave them an odd look but Crystal must have explained telepathically since she too quickly followed suit lowering her head and putting her front paws over her ears.
Crystal opened her mouth the distinctive call echoing around the cavern and setting everyone's ears ringing, Simon quickly recovered his composure however the ringing dying down faster than last time.
As the pack assembled Pisces couldn't help but find herself impressed by both the efficiency of the calling and the speed with which the large group of Pokemon managed to assemble.
As the group assembled Simon kept his eyes peeled for the Absol he was so sure he had seen, spotting nothing more than a flash of white that could have easily been a Growlithe.
Finally the last few Pokemon trickled in, and Simon stood up "Alright" he called above the quiet chatter "I have three important announcements to make!"
As soon as he called this the room fell silent and every eye fell on Simon as the pack waited anxiously for the news.
Simon faltered slightly as he felt every eye settle on him, public speaking had never really been a strong point, "Alright first off," Simon began "it has been brought to my attention that it is the practice to kill all male children born?" he paused and a few grumbles or affirmatives floated back from the crowd "Well I want that stopped now!" Simon called out "No-one is dying on my behalf!" he continued, there was a brief pause whilst what he said sunk in before the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers; Crystal, Gemma and Pisces joining in.
Simon waited for the cheering to die down a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks "Okay" he finally said once the cheering had dropped to level where his voice could be heard, the crowd quickly quieted down although some whispers could still be heard, "Next I want to let everyone know that the attacks have been dealt with, I'm sure there'll be no more unpleasantness near the border" he said earning another, although somewhat less enthusiastic, cheer from the crowd.
"My final announcement is about a guest" Simon said, this sent ripples of talk through the crowd as every head turned to Pisces, who shied back giving a small wave "This is Pisces," Simon explained "she's a visitor from Alex's pack and I expect her to be treated as you would treat Crystal." He tried to keep his voice friendly.
The talk picked up as Simon fell silent, "Is there any news that I should know?" he asked wanting to catch up on what he missed.
A Houndour stepped forward "The envoy was sent to the Charmeleon as you requested" she spoke timidly "he has agreed to help us defend our land as long as we don't bother him."
Simon smiled "Good" he nodded "Anything else?"
'The Growlithe.' Crystal told Simon 'You need to call the Growlithe who wish to mate you forward.' She continued
Simon blushed and gave a subtle nod, when no-one spoke up he nodded smiling "Ok then" he clapped his hands "Can all the Growlithe who need me to help with their heat please come to my quarters midday tomorrow." He asked, a few barks of acceptance sounded out from the crowd "Okay then I guess the meeting is over" he said.
As the crowd dispersed Simon turned to Crystal "We've got a good few hours before we have to turn in" he said smiling "Want to go see our kits?"
Crystal nodded eagerly "Yes" she called bounding ahead of Simon who soon gave a small laugh before breaking into a run to catch up. They quickly found themselves at the entrance to the nursery Crystal bounding in without breaking a stride whilst Simon paused outside taking a deep breath to quash and residual worries and doubts from earlier before stepping across the threshold.