Birth of a Prince
CHANSON DU SOLITARE
VII.
The day'd finally come, all those months later. Oak had taken Crystal to the delivery room, and Takeru followed. Crystal had been freaked out by that (she'd made him promise to still have sex with her after that, although when she was pregnant, he was too scared he'd hurt the baby, and so he never even touched her.), but it still happened.
"Push!" Oak yelled. "C'mon, almost there..."
"AUGH!! DAMN YOU, YOSHI! DAMN YOU FOR MAKING GO THROUGH THIS!!!" Crystal yelled.
"Come on, honey, almost..." Takeru replied, ignoring her.
"Push! Push...OK!" Oak yelled, indicating the baby was born.
He wrapped it in a blanket, and handed it to Yoshi.
"A son. Congratulations." the Professor said.
He handed Takeru the baby, who walked over so Crystal could see himâ�"the baby was a Riolu. Crystal smiled, and looked at the babyâ�"and then they both figured out the stark reality.
"My God," Takeru said, "we're parents now, Crystal."
"Yeah," she said, smiling.
Takeru then looked at the Professor, and took out his wallet.
"Professor," he said, "I owe you greatly for the service you have given us. Here," he said, pulling out a few bills, "here is 1,000,000 yen."
The Professor was dumbfounded. "I can't take that," he said.
"You must," Takeru said. "I insist. Use it to contribute to research, or something to that degree."
"I can't. It violates the ethical code I swore to uphold."
"There must be something I can do to show you my gratitude."
"Well, you could pay the 2,000 yen I needed to pay your room and board, I suppose..." the Professor began.
"Gladly!" Takeru said, handing him the money. "But surely, there is something else I can do to assist your research!"
"Well...where are you from, again?"
"I am King of Harberia, why?"
"Ah...do you have Pokémon there?"
"Why...yes, we do...ah! I know just the thing! You could go to StarKrieger Laboratory!"
"StarKrieger...what is that?" the Professor asked.
"It's the most prestigious Pokémon lab in all Harberia. They have over 1,000 species on fileâ�"most of which are rare, and on Earth, at that; and a massive, 125,000 acre field with many rare species and research posts. I could get you in there, if you wish..."
"I'd love to! Where's Harberia?"
"When the war ends, I'll contact you."
"Very well. Now then, why not attend to your new family?" the Professor said.
"I'd best do that," Takeru replied. He shook the Professor's hand, thanked him once more, and went to his family.
He looked at his son. "He has my hair," he said to Crystal, "but your...err...everything else, really."
She laughed. "I hope he didn't imprint on Oak," she said.
"I think he knows who we are." Takeru replied, equally as cheerful.
He pulled up a chair, and sat.
Looking suddenly solemn, he spoke, "We've got a lot of plans to make."
"I know," she replied.
"I'm still a regular soldier. With the war going on...I could go off any day...and never return."
Crystal then put her finger over his mouth.
"Shh," she said. "Don't say that. That won't happen...it can't happen. Don't you control the military anyway?"
"I do, but I'm still a soldier. Every soldier sees war in one form or another. And some...some don't return to tell of it."
"But certainly, you'll live? You're a skilled fighter, I've seen you train."
"Thank you...but the Nyonians are fierce. Don't worry, thoughâ�"we should concentrate on the child, no?"
Crystal sighed.
"You're right. He's our future now." she said.
"Crystal," he said, "What shall we call him?"
"Your call," she replied.
"Then I say...Corey," he said.
"Very well," she said.
Corey was arguably the most rambunctious youth of his era. He was also attached to his father, who he'd always ensure was nearby; although that's not to say he neglected his mother, who was more clingy than Takeru, although he loved the youngster more than anything. He decided he'd raise his son the way he was; to learn to value poverty and simplicity, knowledge over strength, and freedom over tyranny; only then would he tell his son that he was the heir to Harberia.
Meanwhile...
The vessel was 50 km from the ISS. Aboard the bridge, Admiral Mateo stood there, looking at Earth from the observation deck on the bridge.
"Admiral," a soldier said. "Preliminary scans show multiple beings of extreme power, all on a chain of islands off the coast of a land called 'Asia'. The islands are called 'Nippon' by the locals. We believe the King is there...as is the Heir of Nyonia. But oddly enough, two of these beings possess similar DNA, but a different biological structure."
"As if...there were a prince there. Tell Captain Listol that I want him to scout out the area and report if he detects the King."
"Yes sir!" the soldier said, running off.
A minute or so later, Listol appeared with the soldier. He was a burly man, six foot nine, and held two assault rifles, one in each hand, and a Desert Eagle holstered away. He had straight, brown hair, and green eyes.
"You wanted to send me on recon?" he asked.
"Yes," he said. "I've set Pod 1-9 to the coordinates. Contact me when you see him."
Listol saluted, and walked away to board the pod.
Meanwhile, Malakar and Santiago's spies followed the group; a Lucario named 'Dreamstalker' and Viktor, to be exact.
The group below, busy ensuring Corey was safe, didn't notice the spies, but soon heard a loud, crashing sound. Corey began crying, and Crystal soon calmed him. The pod, however, crashed meters from them, unlike as Viktor predicted. The pod door opened, and Captain Listol emerged, a SCAR in each hand.
"Listol!" Takeru yelled, "What're you doing here?"
"King Takeru," the captain replied, "you're alive! Thank God!"
"How'd you get to Earth, soldier?"
"Admiral Mateo sent me. The S.S. Katana is in orbit."
"Perfect! Ah, forgive me. Everyone, this is Captain Listol. He's a hero of the Battle of Second Vale Moon. Listol, this is Ash, Brock, May, and Max. As well, this is Crystal, and Corey."
"Heh, so where's Corey's father?"
"He's talking to you now."
"I assume you're going 1700s on me. So...that Riolu's the new prince?"
"Yep."
"I hope for the nation's sake he's as hell of a fighter as you are. This war...she's gonna be long."
"Figures. Hey, can I have one of those SCARs?"
"Sure," Listol replied, handing Takeru the gun.
Suddenly, they heard Dreamstalker accidentally rustle some leaves.
"Crap," the Lucario said.
"Waitâ�"what the hell was that?" Listol asked.
"Maybe some spies." Crystal added.
Takeru pointed the SCAR at the woods.
"Reveal yourselves!" he yelled. "Now, or I'll shoot!"
Viktor and Dreamstalker looked at each other.
"Run on three," Viktor whispered.
"Fine," Dreamstalker replied.
"3...2...1...GO!"
Immediately, the two spies took off. Viktor threw a smoke grenade at them, and then fired a .44 magnum to distract them. Listol and Takeru, however, were not fazed, and fired their SCARs into the cloud of smoke, which, when it cleared, had no trace of the spies. Suddenly, Crystal began sniffing around, as if trying to detect something.
"Something up?" Takeru asked.
"Dreamstalker," she replied, fearfully. "That's his scent."
"The hell's Dreamstalker?" Listol asked.
"A stealth warrior from the colony," Crystal replied. "He kills and captures defectors, although I didn't expect they'd come for me...they hardly noticed me when I was there."
"But I could swear there were two of them." Takeru said.
"There was one Lucario, though."
Takeru thought for a moment, and then picked up the casing of one of the bullets Viktor had fired. It had a runic insignia, and then Takeru spoke, trembling.
"Our worst fears are realized. A Nyonian commando fired these bulletsâ�"the insignia is that of their SPECOPS division."
"Do you think they're working together?" Max asked.
"I'm sure of it."
Captain Listol then spoke.
"Santiago must be on the planet...Mattéo detected three powerful beings on this archipelagoâ�"you, Santiago, and someone..."
Listol then looked at Corey, and realized the truth.
"Perhaps the Riolu is that being. He is the son of a mythical Pokémon and a Harberian King...a combination that could help us...or kill us. Keep the Nyonians away from him."
Listol remarked.
"Possibly...oh, yeah, that reminds me. Tell the Admiral I'm alive, but I'm going to have to stay for a year or two, Galactic Standard." Takeru said.
Listol's jaw dropped.
"Sir, we need you back home! The Nyonians are fiercer than ever at this point; we need a leader, a fighter...a savior!"
"Captain, you look to me for a Messiah...and I wish I could be one. But I have a child, and Crystal, my fiancée...I can't just abandon my family, not to mention my friends here!"
"You can't abandon your people either!" Listol shouted.
"What, you think I want to leave them? I don't! I didn't come to Earth to fall in love, I came because I was forced to hide with my tail not tucked, but taped, between my legs! I don't want to leave my people, but I'm a father now!"
"You're a father to us too, damn it! You're our king! You're everything to us! You're our moral compass, our friend, our brother, our protector!"
"If I'm such a damned protector, why'd they keep me away from war?!"
"We couldn't protect you then! But we need you now!"
"So I'm supposed to just come back when you want me? What am I, a freaking 117?!"
"No, damn it! You're our guide, our torch that lights our way!"
"Well, I'm staying here! You damn well can't keep me some my family, you bastard!" Takeru yelled.
"You have no choice here, boy." Listol replied.
Suddenly, Takeru flew into a rage.
"Well, you know what? FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU, AND FUCK ANYONE WHO TRIES TO SEPARATE ME FROM MY FAMILY!"
At this, Corey began crying, and everyone else was fearful, except Crystal, who had just about enough.
"Shut up, both of you! This isn't going to solve a damn thing! It's just making the baby cry! Now, we can talk about this rationally," she said.
"You're right," Listol said. "Truce?" he asked Takeru, offering out his hand.
"Truce," he replied, shaking the Captain's hand.
"Thank God," Crystal sighed. "Now, let's try to work things out. Iâ�""
Suddenly, fifty or so soldiers appeared, armed with M9s and riot shields.
"Alien life forms," one yelled. "Drop your guns, and come with us!"
Listol began to aim the SCAR, but Takeru pushed the barrel down.
"What do you want?" the King asked.
"The Prime Minister wishes to speak to you," the officer replied.
"Then," Takeru said, "I believe allowing us to keep our weapons in good faith would be the proper diplomatic gesture."
"We call the shots here, not you!" the man replied. "Drop your guns, or we'll take you by force!"
"I warn you, though, if I refuse, and you attack us, my friend and I are warriors with the capability to easily destroy you on sight. We'll walk there with you, but we refuse to drop our arms."
The officer then took out a radio device, and spoke into it. A voice came out of it (presumably the Prime Minister's), and after a while, the officer angrily put it down.
"Fine! Keep your weapons, but we will keep our eyes on you!" he said.
"Fair enough. Let's go."
VII.
The day'd finally come, all those months later. Oak had taken Crystal to the delivery room, and Takeru followed. Crystal had been freaked out by that (she'd made him promise to still have sex with her after that, although when she was pregnant, he was too scared he'd hurt the baby, and so he never even touched her.), but it still happened.
"Push!" Oak yelled. "C'mon, almost there..."
"AUGH!! DAMN YOU, YOSHI! DAMN YOU FOR MAKING GO THROUGH THIS!!!" Crystal yelled.
"Come on, honey, almost..." Takeru replied, ignoring her.
"Push! Push...OK!" Oak yelled, indicating the baby was born.
He wrapped it in a blanket, and handed it to Yoshi.
"A son. Congratulations." the Professor said.
He handed Takeru the baby, who walked over so Crystal could see himâ�"the baby was a Riolu. Crystal smiled, and looked at the babyâ�"and then they both figured out the stark reality.
"My God," Takeru said, "we're parents now, Crystal."
"Yeah," she said, smiling.
Takeru then looked at the Professor, and took out his wallet.
"Professor," he said, "I owe you greatly for the service you have given us. Here," he said, pulling out a few bills, "here is 1,000,000 yen."
The Professor was dumbfounded. "I can't take that," he said.
"You must," Takeru said. "I insist. Use it to contribute to research, or something to that degree."
"I can't. It violates the ethical code I swore to uphold."
"There must be something I can do to show you my gratitude."
"Well, you could pay the 2,000 yen I needed to pay your room and board, I suppose..." the Professor began.
"Gladly!" Takeru said, handing him the money. "But surely, there is something else I can do to assist your research!"
"Well...where are you from, again?"
"I am King of Harberia, why?"
"Ah...do you have Pokémon there?"
"Why...yes, we do...ah! I know just the thing! You could go to StarKrieger Laboratory!"
"StarKrieger...what is that?" the Professor asked.
"It's the most prestigious Pokémon lab in all Harberia. They have over 1,000 species on fileâ�"most of which are rare, and on Earth, at that; and a massive, 125,000 acre field with many rare species and research posts. I could get you in there, if you wish..."
"I'd love to! Where's Harberia?"
"When the war ends, I'll contact you."
"Very well. Now then, why not attend to your new family?" the Professor said.
"I'd best do that," Takeru replied. He shook the Professor's hand, thanked him once more, and went to his family.
He looked at his son. "He has my hair," he said to Crystal, "but your...err...everything else, really."
She laughed. "I hope he didn't imprint on Oak," she said.
"I think he knows who we are." Takeru replied, equally as cheerful.
He pulled up a chair, and sat.
Looking suddenly solemn, he spoke, "We've got a lot of plans to make."
"I know," she replied.
"I'm still a regular soldier. With the war going on...I could go off any day...and never return."
Crystal then put her finger over his mouth.
"Shh," she said. "Don't say that. That won't happen...it can't happen. Don't you control the military anyway?"
"I do, but I'm still a soldier. Every soldier sees war in one form or another. And some...some don't return to tell of it."
"But certainly, you'll live? You're a skilled fighter, I've seen you train."
"Thank you...but the Nyonians are fierce. Don't worry, thoughâ�"we should concentrate on the child, no?"
Crystal sighed.
"You're right. He's our future now." she said.
"Crystal," he said, "What shall we call him?"
"Your call," she replied.
"Then I say...Corey," he said.
"Very well," she said.
Corey was arguably the most rambunctious youth of his era. He was also attached to his father, who he'd always ensure was nearby; although that's not to say he neglected his mother, who was more clingy than Takeru, although he loved the youngster more than anything. He decided he'd raise his son the way he was; to learn to value poverty and simplicity, knowledge over strength, and freedom over tyranny; only then would he tell his son that he was the heir to Harberia.
Meanwhile...
The vessel was 50 km from the ISS. Aboard the bridge, Admiral Mateo stood there, looking at Earth from the observation deck on the bridge.
"Admiral," a soldier said. "Preliminary scans show multiple beings of extreme power, all on a chain of islands off the coast of a land called 'Asia'. The islands are called 'Nippon' by the locals. We believe the King is there...as is the Heir of Nyonia. But oddly enough, two of these beings possess similar DNA, but a different biological structure."
"As if...there were a prince there. Tell Captain Listol that I want him to scout out the area and report if he detects the King."
"Yes sir!" the soldier said, running off.
A minute or so later, Listol appeared with the soldier. He was a burly man, six foot nine, and held two assault rifles, one in each hand, and a Desert Eagle holstered away. He had straight, brown hair, and green eyes.
"You wanted to send me on recon?" he asked.
"Yes," he said. "I've set Pod 1-9 to the coordinates. Contact me when you see him."
Listol saluted, and walked away to board the pod.
Meanwhile, Malakar and Santiago's spies followed the group; a Lucario named 'Dreamstalker' and Viktor, to be exact.
The group below, busy ensuring Corey was safe, didn't notice the spies, but soon heard a loud, crashing sound. Corey began crying, and Crystal soon calmed him. The pod, however, crashed meters from them, unlike as Viktor predicted. The pod door opened, and Captain Listol emerged, a SCAR in each hand.
"Listol!" Takeru yelled, "What're you doing here?"
"King Takeru," the captain replied, "you're alive! Thank God!"
"How'd you get to Earth, soldier?"
"Admiral Mateo sent me. The S.S. Katana is in orbit."
"Perfect! Ah, forgive me. Everyone, this is Captain Listol. He's a hero of the Battle of Second Vale Moon. Listol, this is Ash, Brock, May, and Max. As well, this is Crystal, and Corey."
"Heh, so where's Corey's father?"
"He's talking to you now."
"I assume you're going 1700s on me. So...that Riolu's the new prince?"
"Yep."
"I hope for the nation's sake he's as hell of a fighter as you are. This war...she's gonna be long."
"Figures. Hey, can I have one of those SCARs?"
"Sure," Listol replied, handing Takeru the gun.
Suddenly, they heard Dreamstalker accidentally rustle some leaves.
"Crap," the Lucario said.
"Waitâ�"what the hell was that?" Listol asked.
"Maybe some spies." Crystal added.
Takeru pointed the SCAR at the woods.
"Reveal yourselves!" he yelled. "Now, or I'll shoot!"
Viktor and Dreamstalker looked at each other.
"Run on three," Viktor whispered.
"Fine," Dreamstalker replied.
"3...2...1...GO!"
Immediately, the two spies took off. Viktor threw a smoke grenade at them, and then fired a .44 magnum to distract them. Listol and Takeru, however, were not fazed, and fired their SCARs into the cloud of smoke, which, when it cleared, had no trace of the spies. Suddenly, Crystal began sniffing around, as if trying to detect something.
"Something up?" Takeru asked.
"Dreamstalker," she replied, fearfully. "That's his scent."
"The hell's Dreamstalker?" Listol asked.
"A stealth warrior from the colony," Crystal replied. "He kills and captures defectors, although I didn't expect they'd come for me...they hardly noticed me when I was there."
"But I could swear there were two of them." Takeru said.
"There was one Lucario, though."
Takeru thought for a moment, and then picked up the casing of one of the bullets Viktor had fired. It had a runic insignia, and then Takeru spoke, trembling.
"Our worst fears are realized. A Nyonian commando fired these bulletsâ�"the insignia is that of their SPECOPS division."
"Do you think they're working together?" Max asked.
"I'm sure of it."
Captain Listol then spoke.
"Santiago must be on the planet...Mattéo detected three powerful beings on this archipelagoâ�"you, Santiago, and someone..."
Listol then looked at Corey, and realized the truth.
"Perhaps the Riolu is that being. He is the son of a mythical Pokémon and a Harberian King...a combination that could help us...or kill us. Keep the Nyonians away from him."
Listol remarked.
"Possibly...oh, yeah, that reminds me. Tell the Admiral I'm alive, but I'm going to have to stay for a year or two, Galactic Standard." Takeru said.
Listol's jaw dropped.
"Sir, we need you back home! The Nyonians are fiercer than ever at this point; we need a leader, a fighter...a savior!"
"Captain, you look to me for a Messiah...and I wish I could be one. But I have a child, and Crystal, my fiancée...I can't just abandon my family, not to mention my friends here!"
"You can't abandon your people either!" Listol shouted.
"What, you think I want to leave them? I don't! I didn't come to Earth to fall in love, I came because I was forced to hide with my tail not tucked, but taped, between my legs! I don't want to leave my people, but I'm a father now!"
"You're a father to us too, damn it! You're our king! You're everything to us! You're our moral compass, our friend, our brother, our protector!"
"If I'm such a damned protector, why'd they keep me away from war?!"
"We couldn't protect you then! But we need you now!"
"So I'm supposed to just come back when you want me? What am I, a freaking 117?!"
"No, damn it! You're our guide, our torch that lights our way!"
"Well, I'm staying here! You damn well can't keep me some my family, you bastard!" Takeru yelled.
"You have no choice here, boy." Listol replied.
Suddenly, Takeru flew into a rage.
"Well, you know what? FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU, AND FUCK ANYONE WHO TRIES TO SEPARATE ME FROM MY FAMILY!"
At this, Corey began crying, and everyone else was fearful, except Crystal, who had just about enough.
"Shut up, both of you! This isn't going to solve a damn thing! It's just making the baby cry! Now, we can talk about this rationally," she said.
"You're right," Listol said. "Truce?" he asked Takeru, offering out his hand.
"Truce," he replied, shaking the Captain's hand.
"Thank God," Crystal sighed. "Now, let's try to work things out. Iâ�""
Suddenly, fifty or so soldiers appeared, armed with M9s and riot shields.
"Alien life forms," one yelled. "Drop your guns, and come with us!"
Listol began to aim the SCAR, but Takeru pushed the barrel down.
"What do you want?" the King asked.
"The Prime Minister wishes to speak to you," the officer replied.
"Then," Takeru said, "I believe allowing us to keep our weapons in good faith would be the proper diplomatic gesture."
"We call the shots here, not you!" the man replied. "Drop your guns, or we'll take you by force!"
"I warn you, though, if I refuse, and you attack us, my friend and I are warriors with the capability to easily destroy you on sight. We'll walk there with you, but we refuse to drop our arms."
The officer then took out a radio device, and spoke into it. A voice came out of it (presumably the Prime Minister's), and after a while, the officer angrily put it down.
"Fine! Keep your weapons, but we will keep our eyes on you!" he said.
"Fair enough. Let's go."