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File Name: Crescent Blessing

Owner: WolvesAtYourDoor

File Type: Story:Adult:M/F

Details: Love can mean so many different things for different people, but for Jasper and Joy, nothing is better than the promise of a family. It sends them off to Full Moon island where they hope to earn the blessing of Cresselia herself to start the family that they always wanted.

The moon shone overhead, bathing the deck of the ship in alabaster light. It was nearly full, an almost perfect sphere that seemed to engulf the sky. Stars twinkled against a velvet curtain, small pinpoints of diamond that seemed so close that he could reach out and pluck them if he tried. The soft lap of the waves against the hull was a calming serenade that made Jasper’s head dip every few moments, but he forced himself back to reality whenever he felt the claws of exhaustion trying to drag him down.

“It should be starting soon…” Whispered a voice at his side, and a warm furry muzzle brushed the arm resting on the gunwale. “You can go a bit longer, right?”

Jasper looked down into a pair of red eyes that pierced the night like spotlights, their intensity softened somewhat by the gaze the bearer fixed on him. It was sympathetic, but also hopeful that their time together alone on the deck of the ship would last just a bit longer. Her dusky gray fur seemed to shine white in the light of the moon, her horn - dulled at the tip - pointing up directly towards the sky. Her tail swayed back and forth like a metronome, pausing every so often before it continued its dance.

The absol reared up and placed her paws on the gunwale of the ship, standing on her hindpaws next to him. A brief second spent alone with her felt like it lasted forever, and he smiled before resting his hand atop her paw.

“We can stay for as long as you want, Joy.”

Joy’s muzzle curled up in a smile and the fur around her neck puffed up slightly, before she pressed her cheek against his arm. She was so warm to the touch, chasing away the cool, salty sea air that caressed their forms. In truth, he would have liked nothing more than to slip back into bed, to feel her body pressed against his naked form.

That could come later, however. Right now their eyes were fixed on the horizon, waiting for the first sign of dawn’s kiss on the edge of the world. It came slowly, the dark sky beginning to warm with effervescent tones of red and orange, the darkness of the night banished as the moon began to fade from view.

He turned as the first rays of the rising sun prowled over the edge of the ship and touched his skin, banishing the cold chill that had been ever present until this moment. In the distance they could see their destination waiting, Full Moon Island.

“Was it worth it…?” He asked her, smiling coyly before he leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Her fur tickled his chin and made him stifle a chuckle, especially when she turned to face him and licked across his lips. Her tongue was a little rough, but nothing he wasn’t used to by this point.

The absol planted her head against his side, looking absolutely radiant bathed in the light of the new day sun.

“Every moment I get to spend with you is a moment I’ll never forget.”

—

The port was chaotic, a mess of workers rushing around through the throngs of people that were offloading from the incoming cruise ships. Jasper did his best to avoid the majority of them while making sure Joy was always at his side, one hand draped protectively over her shoulder to ensure he wouldn’t lose her. The salty tang in the air had been replaced by the smell of fish, of old wood and a hint of engine oil, but past it all was an atmosphere of whimsical delight that they bee-lined towards.

The town was small, no more than a hundred people, but the island was packed for the festivities. Stalls were set up on the main road of the village, people hawking wears and food of all kinds, the smell of which was enough to make his mouth water and make Jasper regret scarfing down the simple breakfast they had served on the ship. He was still a bit drowsy from their early morning, but the air hummed with energy that served to refuel him and leave him just as excited as everyone else.

Crescent Village held this festival each year during the first month of spring, a time when the land was awakening from its winter dormancy and coming back to life. Trees budded with beautiful flowers, adding to the intoxicating aroma in the air. He looked down and noticed Joy’s nose twitching as she stared at a stand that was offering fried bread, and he playfully rubbed the top of her head.

“You want some?” He asked, raising an eyebrow and making the absol bashfully look away. “You barely ate anything this morning, you must be starving.”

Joy looked back at the stand and then up at him, her eyes widening a bit, her head slightly downcast. It was a look he had gotten so many times over the years, a look that always won her whatever her heart desired, even when that desire was him.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He laughed and drew her along to stand in the short line of people on their way to the front of the stall. Next to the food seller was a table laid out with small, wooden figurines which he glanced at, biting down on his lip a little. There were a variety of different pokemon, but the largest and most prominently displayed was the very pokemon they had come here to hopefully catch a glimpse of.

With a spherical body and a crescent-shaped head, it wasn’t hard to find the depiction of Cresselia. She was beautifully carved from a rich red wood, the surface smoothed down, the rings that encircled her body holding her in place. He was left staring at it for so long that he didn’t realize that they had come to the front of the line, not until the man behind the counter cleared his throat.

“And what will you be having today?”

“Oh! Oh uh, Joy,” he said awkwardly, “what were you wanting?”

“The fried bread filled with rawst berry jam, please.” Joy shot her best smile up at the man. “A little underdone, if it’s possible.”

As the man turned to put together her meal, Joy looked at Jasper and cocked her head to the side a bit, nuzzling up against his flank in turn.

“Hey, is everything okay? You’ve been…distracted.”

Jasper looked around, making sure no one was close enough to hear them, and for the first time he released the sigh that had been building since that morning. It was hard for him to resist the urge, no matter how much he wanted to hold it back.

“Do you really think it’s true? That she can…?” He began, only to pause when Joy reached up to rest a paw on his side. It was an invitation that he took at once, gripping her paw in his own and giving it a firm, reassuring squeeze. “It just sounds pretty fantastical, doesn’t it?”

“It’s going to work. It has to work.” She said, and the sharp expression on her face banished any doubts from his mind. Joy was right, it had to work.

Ever since they had found that book on folklore in the dusty old library in Canalave City, they had wanted to believe it was true. They poured over every word, tried to parse truth from fiction, and in the end they had agreed to take this opportunity. It was the only solution they could think of, and Jasper didn’t want to let it slip just how much he was starting to doubt their decision.

“Here you go, sir.” The man had returned and offered up the confection liberally dusted with powdered sugar, one end oozing jam onto the plastic wrap around it. “Enjoy the festivities.”

Jasper took it from him and walked with Joy towards a section of picnic benches. Joy reached for her treat, but Jasper held a hand out and gave her a playful wink. “And let you make a mess of yourself? That’s not going to be very ladylike when we meet Cresselia.”

The absol’s response was to roll her eyes, but she acquiesced and sat back on her haunches, waiting for Jasper to break off pieces before eagerly snatching them out of his hand.

“So,” Joy said between bites, smacking her lips together in delight, “how are we going to do this anyways?”

“Do what?” Jasper asked, earning an annoyed look from his companion when he dared to take a bite of her fried bread. He smiled sheepishly and broke her off another piece. “You mean…getting the blessing?”

“It’s not easy.” Chimed a voice right behind him, making him jolt in his seat before he turned around.

He hadn’t even noticed the woman before she took a seat at their table. She had a youthful face, but her blue eyes locked on his own. She was resting her chin in the palm of one of her hands propped up at the elbow, her mid-length blond hair dyed pink at the tips hanging partially in her face. She was wearing a white shirt with stylized golden rings on her wrists that clinked every time she moved her hand. She seemed amused by Jasper’s uncertain reaction, and giggled as she gestured towards the forest on the outskirts of the village.

“You’re talking about getting Cresselia’s blessing, right?” She asked again, tilting her head to the side like a curious vulpix. “That’s why most people come here this time of year. My name’s Celeste, it’s a pleasure to meet you…?”

Jasper was so distracted that when Joy suddenly bit into the remains of the fried bread - squirting a considerable amount of jam on her face in the process - he couldn’t stop her. Seeing the absol’s face covered in the sticky blue goo was enough to make him snort under his breath, and he grabbed a napkin and began to delicately dab at her face.

“You see? I told you that would happen,” he chastised her in a playful tone, before looking back at Celeste. “I’m Jasper, and this is Joy. Yeah, we thought we’d try our luck at getting a blessing.” He licked one of his thumbs and wiped at a tangle of fur and jelly to try and smooth it out.

“We’re going to get a blessing,” Joy corrected him, a little too fast, almost sputtering the words in her haste. She glanced at Celeste and offered a small smile, the fur around the base of her neck fluffing up in the way it always did when she was embarrassed. “We have to.”

Celeste’s fingers tapped idly on the top of the picnic bench and she nodded, humming under her breath in consideration.

“There’s a lot of people around here who want to get Cresselia’s blessing. You only have the one pokeball on your belt, so I’m guessing you’re not looking to boost your team’s fighting power.” She looked over the two of them with those sharp eyes of hers, a small smile playing on the corner of her lips. “You don’t strike me as the type that wants nothing but good fortune and money to come your way, either. So if you don’t mind me asking, why are you here?”

That question hung in the air between the two of them, and Jasper took the moment to wipe away the last of the mess on Joy’s face. His eyes met the absol’s red ones, and he bit down on the corner of his lip. He knew what she was thinking, and he hated himself for it. It was still…embarrassing to admit that he was in a relationship with his pokemon. It went against any norm that had been established between pokemon and humans. It didn’t help that Celeste was watching him closely.

“Joy…wants to start a family.” He finally said with a wry smile. “I intend to help her however I can.”

Joy’s nose twitched at his comment and she nodded, looking up at Celeste for a moment before back to Jasper. His stomach dropped to his knees under the weight of her unvoiced disappointment.

“That’s an honorable blessing to wish for,” Celeste said, smiling and showing off brilliant, white teeth as she pulled her legs out from under the table. “Well, I wish you luck, you’ll have quite a bit of competition ahead of you.” Celeste looked across the busy marketplace, at the menagerie of pokemon accompanying their trainers, and she sniffed softly to herself. “When the race begins, don’t bother looking around topside. Cresselia likes to hide underground.”

With that said, she walked away from them with a wave of her hand. She hadn’t even gotten to the next table before Jasper felt Joy’s paw smack against his leg.

“You’re STILL embarrassed about me? It’s just…natural.”

That was what the book they had read always stressed. It was natural that two hearts intertwined was the most wonderful thing in the world, even if they came from different species. Heat flushed his face and he bit down on his lip, gnawing on it slightly and finally nodding.

“You’re right Joy, I shouldn’t.” He reached down and took both of her front paws in his hands, his fingers squeezing around them tightly. He looked deep into her eyes, loving everything that he found in their reddish glow. “I should never be anything but happy that you gave me a chance.”

That warranted at least a hint of a smile from her, and she closed the distance between them, running her tongue along his cheek. Her breath had a sweet tinge of berry jam on it, some powdered sugar still caught on her muzzle. Jasper’s heart began to beat a little faster and he finally turned and kissed her on the side of her muzzle. It was a soft, quick moment, but one that seemed to satiate his lover, at least for the moment.

“Come on…let’s go check into our hotel.”

—

Night had fallen quickly on the island after a day spent exploring the marketplace. He had bought Joy plenty more snacks, had even gotten her a few knickknacks that she insisted on. She always did have the best puppy eyes, and it was hard not to give her what she wanted. The festival had only grown more lively as the night fell, burning torches illuminating the fairground in a warm glow that created large, dancing shadows against the walls of buildings. Dancers in vibrant outfits moved sinuously around a campfire to the music of a violin, the rambunctious clap of the audience keeping tune with the music creating an almost physical presence in the air. It was a pounding that resonated within him until he realized it was his own heart racing.

At the edge of town a white line had been dragged across the grass and already trainers were waiting, each one allowed only one pokemon at their side. The only thing that wasn’t allowed were flying types, but the majority of pokemon he saw were swift and athletic. A cinderace in particular was bouncing from foot to foot next to their female trainer as she tied a red handband around his forehead to keep his ears out of the way. Across from her a man and his vaporeon were speaking in bated breaths, both occasionally looking around and then chuckling to themselves as if they knew something no one else did.

He saw Celeste herself waiting towards the back of the pack, her arms crossed over her chest. Oddly enough, no pokemon rested at her side. She did give the two of them a warm smile and a wave as they passed by, but she made no effort to engage with them further.

The energy was palpable, hanging over them like a steel curtain just waiting to drop.

Joy had become more and more excited as the day went on, her muscles bunching under her fur as they approached the starting line.

“You ready for this?” He asked her, not even needing to hear the snort of amusement come from her to realize how silly of a question it was. His heart beat a little faster, one hand rising and resting gingerly on Joy’s head. “We only have one chance at this…”

Joy smirked, bearing her teeth in a semblance of a grin and shaking her body out. She was ready for this, just as ready as he was, and he took strength from her confidence. When things were looking uncertain, she was the one that always convinced him to keep pushing forward no matter what. She was the bold girl he had always wanted in his life, the one that wasn’t afraid to be who she really was.

It wasn’t for the first time that day that he considered just how lucky he was to have her in his life.

“I’m just hoping that you’re able to keep up.” She grinned even brighter at that and her tail rose a few inches, a growl building in her throat. “I’m ready for this.”

A hush had begun to fall over the crowd as one of the festival officials approached the starting line, pink and yellow dress flowing around their ankles with every movement that they made.

“Hellllllo everyone!” She called out, her eyes glistening in the torch light. “Welcome to Full Moon Island, home of our beloved Cresselia! We all know why we’re here, in hopes of gaining the blessing of our lunar matron!” There was a cheer that rose up from that, a few loud, shrill whistles. The violin had started to play again, a far more energetic piece that made the hairs on the back of Jasper’s neck rise. “The rules are simple! You are allowed one pokemon to make this journey with you. The first one to find Cresselia might be lucky enough to receive her blessing!”

She chuckled. “I say might, because our goddess is a fickle creature and may decide you unworthy, so I hope you’re able to plead your case if you do find her!” The official swirled across the line, her arms held out beseechingly to the gathered mass of trainers and pokemon. “I wish you all luck! Let the games begin!”

As if hearing her words, the clouds overhead parted, revealing a full moon that had been hiding behind them. It seemed large in the sky, and its light enveloped the audience in an alabaster gleam that caused the dew clinging to the forest trees to begin to sparkle. It had swiftly become an almost fairy-tale landscape, a pristine, pure place that Jasper almost felt poorly about intruding on.

A particularly energetic haxorus was the first to call out and charge forward, crushing past saplings and bushes as their trainer whispered apologies in their haste to follow him. Just like that the dam was broken and people and pokemon spilled across the starting line, disappearing into the glowing depths of the forest.

Jasper spared Joy a look and with that, the two of them raced off together, Jasper doing his best to keep pace with the long-legged absol at his side.

The cool night air whipped past his face as he reached the tree line, and he spared one last look behind him. The starting line had cleared out so quickly, the only ones left were the festival goers that were cheering them on, as well as Celeste. She walked calmly ahead, allowing participants to dart past her and making no effort to pick up her pace. Jasper turned his attention back to the forest ahead of him, and he began to run.

It was exhilarating, everything they had been waiting for finally laid out before them, and all they had to do was be fast enough to earn the right to claim it. Their long days spent on the road had prepared Jasper for this moment, and he tried his best to focus on his breathing. They darted over fallen logs, through paths cut by the more energetic members of the contest. He spared a glance down at Joy and was mesmerized by the sight of her movement. It was as quick as lightning and as smooth as silk, every part of her body moving in perfect sync. He felt pride swell in his chest at the thought that this was his lover, the pokemon that had stolen his heart and gave hers in return.

They splashed through a small stream, Jasper nearly slipping on the slick stones that lined the bottom. The sound of movement through the undergrowth surrounding them, diminishing as they moved further and further away from the majority of the pack.

What was it that Celeste had said? Cresselia didn’t appear on the surface?

That at least narrowed things down a bit, and he let out a shuddering breath as he began to slow. Joy, sensing this, slowed to a trot alongside him, her eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

“You’re not getting tired already, are you?” She asked, poking her tongue at him before she started to softly pant. “I shouldn’t have eaten so much at the festival.” Joy laughed, but there was an urgency to her words, one that begged him to keep running with her.

“We need to look for a cave. Rocks, anywhere there could be a cave.” Jasper said, before letting out a shaky exhale as he thought about it. “When we were coming into the island, the eastern shore looked rockier, maybe we should look there?”

Joy hummed under her breath, tilting her head to the side as she considered it.

“Do you think Celeste was telling the truth? I mean…she wants to win too, doesn’t she?”

Jasper had considered that, and it made him nibble on his lower lip. What would she have to gain if they were to beat her in this race? Was he willing to take the advice of a stranger? Especially when there was so much at risk and they had everything to lose? He looked down at Joy and found her staring at him, panting restlessly as he thought about this, and he let out his held breath.

“I…I don’t think she was lying. And it makes sense, doesn’t it? She wouldn’t just be out in the open.”

He dug into his pocket until he found a compass, and he turned it in his hand until he found east. This was a big chance; he could cost them everything with this decision…but it had to be true.

They began to walk at a brisk pace, no longer in a dead sprint. It gave him time to truly admire the beauty of the island’s towering trees, the soft coo of a night bird in the distance marking their passage with a despondent cry. The dew-slick grass reached up to his ankles, leaving his feet damp as they trudged forward. Loose blades had stuck to the absol’s paws, making her chuckle as she tried to shake them free. Under the moon’s white light she was glowing vivid white, a figure of beauty carved from the purest marble and animated at his side.

He let his hand drop to rest on her upper shoulder, and he paused before getting on one knee next to her. She was about to ask what he was doing before he met her lips in a tender kiss, one that he held for a long, lasting moment. The adrenaline surged through him and he turned his head to the side, pressing his tongue against her black-skinned lips and letting it slip slowly into her maw.

Joy gave in to the kiss, letting their tongues mingle before she pulled back and let out a gentle chuckle.

“What was that about?”

“Just…doing what I should have done in the marketplace,” Jasper admitted, his fingers running through her silky mane. It was so damn soft, he wanted nothing more than to press his face into it. Something told him that even if they didn’t win this asinine competition, he would still be happy with the outcome. “I love you. And moments like this…it just…”

The absol laughed softly, a sweet sound that carried around the clearing they had found themselves in. “You’re hopeless, you know that?” She laughed again, shaking her mane out and standing a bit taller. “I don’t know what I did to get lucky enough to get stuck with you.”

“I’m…sorry I’ve been so worried about other people seeing us.” He turned and began to walk again, making sure that she was following him as they progressed through the tightly clumped trees. “It’s not fair to you.”

“Heh…you don’t have to get so deep about it. I understand, Jasper, you’re a human and I’m…it would be nice if others were more accepting.” She looked down at her front paws, but her tail had begun to slowly wag like a clicking metronome. “We’re stuck with each other, like it or not.”

He liked that idea. It made him smile.

The clouds had begun to encroach on the moon the further east they went, causing the glowing light of the forest to begin to fade away. Some paths became darker, more shadowed to the point that he stuck to the one they were following. At least he was able to see his way forward, although he cursed himself for forgetting to bring a flashlight. Joy could see well enough to guide his way, but he wished he could have been of more assistance.

It was strange how their path seemed to stay ever lit, however, as if they were following a trail that was laid out for them. The ground soon became harder, grass giving way to rocks and boulders as the trees started to thin out. From here they could hear the sound of waves in the distance crashing along the shoreline. The salty tang of the sea was filling his nose along as the last of the trees gave way, and they found themselves standing on the precipice of a cliff overlooking the water down far below.

The ocean lay before them, its dark surface undulating and shifting as waves came in from distant lands, carrying with them the whispers of other lives. It was captivating to watch as the surface glittered under the fading moonlight. He reached his hand out and rested it on the back of her head, giving her a small scratch. Was that the mainland of Sinnoh, way out there? If they succeeded, what would await them when they returned?

If they did start a family, would that mean settling down somewhere? They had lived on the road for so long that giving up their nomadic lifestyle was both frightening and exhilarating. The thought of coming home every day to Joy and a child made him feel complete, as if it were the end of the line and everything had fallen perfectly into place. He sighed and pulled his eyes away from the ocean, only to pause.

He hadn’t seen it at first, but the moon was illuminating a small, rocky path that descended down the cliffside. It looked safe enough, more dirt than loose stone, but they would have to go one at a time if they wanted to take that path.

“There could be something down there.”

“There could.” Joy agreed with a soft mumble. “Should we do it?”

Jasper stepped forward, placing one foot on the path descending downwards and found that it supported his weight. He took another step, using one hand to keep himself balanced against the wall. It was slow progress moving downwards, and every time the wind kicked up they were buffeted by gales laden with ocean water. He shivered in the damp air and looked behind him to make sure that Joy was making her way. If anything, she was having better luck than he was since she could use her claws to help hold herself in place.

The path ended where the beach began, his shoes sinking partially into the white sand. He released a shaky breath he didn’t realize he had been holding and looked back up the way they had come. It was darker now, dark enough that he found it difficult to find where the path spiraled upwards. He was thankful to see the light of the dock in the distance though: at least they could follow the shoreline back to town without having to make that climb again.

“Jasper…”

He turned towards Joy and found her standing in front of a yawning chasm that descended into darkness. It was set back against the cliffside, nearly invisible if you weren’t standing directly in front of it. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck begin to rise. The thought of walking into it was frightening at best, but they had already come this far, what was a little further?

“She could be in there…” he said, making Joy nod in agreement. “I think we have to.”

The descent downwards felt like they were sinking into an umbral shroud that completely covered them from head to toe. Jasper needed to keep a hand on the absol’s shoulder to make sure they weren’t separated, and he was thankful that she had better vision in the dark than he did. Down, down, down they continued to descend until the sound of waves disappeared, replaced by the steady drip of water in the distance. They came across no pokemon of any kind, nothing jumped out at them, nothing waiting to take advantage of their poor vision.

Further ahead, a dim light grew brighter the closer they got to it. He took a deep breath and hurried his steps, kicking aside rocks and pebbles in his haste to escape from the all-consuming blackness. Joy was at his side through it all, a reassuring presence that reminded him that this was the right path. As long as they were together, everything would end up okay.

The tunnel opened up into a large cavern, a hole in the ceiling high above letting a ray of moonlight cascade downwards. It illuminated the walls, causing them to glitter with sediment and minerals and the wetness that clung to them. He inhaled sharply, for what he saw before him was enough to take his breath away

“There you are. I was wondering when you’d show up.”

Sitting on a throne that looked like it had been cut from the very earth itself sat Celeste.

With her legs kicked up on the arms of the throne, Celeste smiled down at them, toying with her hair as Jasper and Joy walked up. The drip of water falling onto the stone floor was a constant chorus that joined with the beating of his heart and the tightening of his fists. The whistle of wind traveling through the cavern produced a forlorn note that caused the sinking sensation in his chest to intensify.

“Here I was worried I was going to be waiting here all night.” Celeste repositioned herself on the throne, fidgeting a bit in it. “Was it everything that you thought it would be? The thrill of racing through the night, chasing the dream that you were so desperate to find?”

“You beat us here,” Joy whispered from where she stood at Jasper’s side. “Did you…?”

“That’s right.” Celeste said, spreading her fingers out and looking at them with a callous wave of her wrist. “I got the blessing.” She moved and sat up straight on the throne, smiling down at them, her lip turned up in a hint of a smirk. “Sorry about that, better luck next year.”

Time seemed to go still before it all came crashing down around Jasper. He felt Joy pressing up against his side, heard her whimper, and in a moment he was down on his knees. He curled an arm around her, pulling her into his chest and slowly running a hand down her back. In seconds her face was pressed into his chest, held there firmly with no attempt to pull away from him. All Jasper could do was hold on to her, whisper soft words into her ear.

“There’s always next year.” He reminded her, reaching up with one hand to press his fingers against the underside of her chin. He met immediate resistance, and then the absol allowed her face to be lifted, her tear-stained eyes meeting his own. It was shattering seeing the way Joy’s facade had crumbled, leaving her whimpering, her lower lip trembling a bit. “There’s always next year,” he said again, more to himself this time than to her. “We’ll try again, and…and we’ll keep trying. No matter how long it takes.”

Joy opened her mouth, but then thought better about what she was going to say and gave a firm nod. She swallowed before darting forward and pressing his tongue against his lips in a firm, soft kiss.

“N…Next year…” she agreed, although it choked her up to say those words. “We’ll try again next year.”

The two stood there holding each other for some time, and only when Jasper began to stand did they hear Celeste clearing her throat. He looked to her, wanting to feel some modicum of anger towards the woman that had stolen their chance at happiness away from them, but all he could feel was a hollow defeat. They weren’t fast enough, it wasn’t her fault that they hadn’t been able to get here before her.

“You know, I did find your choice in blessing to be rather refreshing.” Celeste leaned forward in the throne, elbows resting on her legs. Her head cocked to the side much like it had the first time they met her, one eyebrow raised. “Not for money, not for power…Just a family. I find that very respectable.”

Jasper felt Joy tense up in his arms, and he sighed, the absol’s eyes boring into his own.

“A family of own,” he whispered.

The book in Canalave City had spoken of a human marrying a pokemon, of how desperately in love they were. It had resonated with them both, and he read it over and over again to Joy, each time wanting so desperately to believe the words in that dusty old tome.

“We wanted to start a family,” Joy reaffirmed, sounding a little stronger this time. Her tears were beginning to dry and she hung her head, before lifting it once more and shooting Jasper a weak attempt at a smile. “At least…I still have you in my life.”

“That’s right,” Jasper said instantly. He hesitated before slowly getting to his feet, immediately feeling the absol move into position next to him. It was a little easier to look at Celeste now, although the droop in his shoulders made him feel so weak. “I hope…I hope that you’re happy with your blessing. We’re going to…to head back to the village.”

“Seems a shame that you’d come so far and leave without anything.” Celeste whispered, the rings on her arms jingling a little as she reached up and placed them behind her head. “You were my favorites this year.”

Celeste watched them with eyes of the deepest blue, staring at them so strongly as if to pierce through their very souls. With a smile, she finally nodded and sat up straight, falling back in the throne and letting out a soft sigh.

“Do you know what I wished for?” she asked, turning both of their heads towards her.

Her skin began to darken as the shadows of the cave surrounded her, wisps of darkness clinging to her body as she stood. The storm of shadows coalesced around her legs, growing and rising up along her body. They seemed to chase one another as if they were living things, playful and capricious with no rhyme or reason to their motions. Her shoulders lengthened, extending into narrowed points as her legs vanished from sight, her hair turning a pure white and extending outwards from atop her head. A collar of ruby red hair grew around her neck, and as the shadows dashed away, the woman that had once stood before them was gone.

“I wished that the blessing would go to someone that deserved it the most.”

For the longest time neither Joy nor Jasper knew what to say. They could only stare, a faint recollection from the back of the book weasling its way into Jasper’s mind. He had only glanced at it once or twice, the faded picture having seemed so much more intimidating than the creature that now stood before them.

There was a giggle that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once, and the dripping water, the whistling wind, it all stopped at once.

“Really, Darkrai, you enjoy the role you play far too much.”

The legendary pokemon raised a hand to their chest and leaned forward in a hint of a bow to the unseen speaker. “It is simply my duty to serve, dear Cresselia. I knew the truth in their words as soon as I heard their intent.”

A pinpoint of light began to form in front of them, swirling and spinning with the glow of starlight, wisps of ethereal glows falling to the floor as a figure began to take shape. They had a circular body with a long tail, rings of the purest pink encircling her body. Their head was shaped like a crescent moon, glittering with golden like the light of a thousand stars embedded in their skin. When they shook themselves, scatters of fairy dust fell to the cavern floor and burned out of existence.

Darkrai reached forward with one large hand and rested it on the back of Cresellia’s neck, the embodiment of darkness nodding their head slowly.

“I believe we should gift our blessing to them.”

Jasper opened his mouth and then closed it, trying to find something, anything to say in that moment. Even Joy was awestruck, in fact, she dipped her head in a bow of respect before gently tapping on Jasper’s leg. He understood right away and dipped his head, before taking it a step further and dropping to one knee before the two legendaries. The cavern had felt so cold, but now, wherever the light of Cresselia’s body touched him, he felt a soothing warmth, like the remnants of a sweet dream that were fading into the ether.

“Why…” Jasper began, before swallowing to try to clear the lump in his throat. “What is….what is going on?”

He could sense Cresselia approaching even though she remained completely silent as she hovered over the ground towards them. That reassuring warmth, that cherished light made him feel so much better, chasing away his dark thoughts. He couldn’t resist the urge to wrap an arm around Joy’s side, pulling her closer to him.

“My dear…you needn’t lower your head in my presence.” Cresselia spoke candidly, as if they were old friends that were meeting once again. “I am not royalty. I am not divinity, I am just another living thing, like the both of you.”

Jasper raised his head and found Cresselia smiling down at them, her eyes closing partially.

“Every year when I come to this island, I request Darkrai’s help in finding someone who truly needs my blessing. It is a little…fib that I will only grant one blessing, and I request you don’t allow anyone to know that.” She looked back at where Darkrai stood near the throne, “you found a wonderful pair this year, my dear.”

Darkrai nodded their head and drifted closer to Cresselia’s side, letting the moment build before speaking.

“The two of you remind me much of ourselves,” they said, their voice softer than they had heard it before. When they reached out to caress Cresselia, the legendary pokemon shivered and a small smile broke out across her face. “So different and so alike in so many ways. Allowing your love to blossom despite the hardships that you faced along the way.”

Joy was shaking a little, tears forming in her eyes. There was no sadness there, just happiness that couldn’t be hidden away any longer. Her nose twitched, and her eyes widened when the legendary pokemon began to glow with a soft light.

Darkrai lifted the hand that wasn’t resting on Cresselia’s back, her blue eyes illuminated with a tender warmth. Soon, Jasper began to glow faintly as well, the sensation like being enveloped in a warm blanket on a cold night, chasing away doubts, fears, leaving him with no shortage of excitement. He felt like he could have run all the way back to to hotel without stopping for a break. Hell, he felt like he could have circled the whole island without so much as breaking a sweat.

“You have my blessing,” Cresselia whispered finally as the light began to fade away, leaving behind that warm glow that was slowly beginning to grow. It was as if an inert ember had been lit in the pit of his stomach, catching fire and growing, spreading through his body slowly but surely. Joy had begun to shift and fidget at his side, her body tensing up like a coiled spring about to release. “I’m sure you have no desire to put off forming your family any longer.” She chuckled and dipped her head to them. “I wish you nothing but the best.”

“Same here…” Darkrai said smoothly, before sliding their large hand down Cresselia’s back. “I think we have…matters to attend to ourselves, my dear.”

Cresselia smiled at that and spared Jasper and Joy one more wink before her body began to grow ethereal, sparkles and motes of light dancing off of her and Darkrai’s form before they vanished. The sound of dripping water returned, the wind dancing through the tunnels in a victorious symphony that made Jasper’s heart beat faster.

Joy looked up at him, and without a word she turned and darted back up the cave tunnel they had come from, her tail rising just high enough for him to catch sight of her dark-skinned sex.

—-

The hotel room was dimly lit with yellow fairy lights strung along the wall illuminating the dark red covers of the bed. An open window let in a cool wind that did little to chill the fire raging in Jasper’s stomach, and by the way Joy’s tongue hung from her mouth, he knew it was doing little to calm her heat. He turned and made sure the door was locked before hearing a creak of springs, and when he looked back he found that Joy had taken the initiative. She was laid across the bed on her back, legs partially spread and one paw slowly dragging its way through the valley of thin fur that surrounded her pink nipples.

The tantalizing display caused that warmth to surge in him again, burning into a raging inferno that threatened to engulf him from within. He wiped some sweat away from his forehead and then grabbed the bottom of his shirt, drawing it over his head. Their constant traveling left him relatively thin, although Joy had a tendency to tease him regardless. He didn’t have much in the way of muscles, nothing impressive, at least.Still, he was usually strong enough to move Joy exactly how he wanted her.

He wanted to be strong for her, and had always been that shoulder for her to lean on when they spent late nights talking about the family that they wanted. The family that they were about to create.

The thought alone was enough for his pants to tighten, as if the display wasn’t enough to captivate him into motion. He unbuttoned his pants as he began to step towards the bed, letting them fall around his ankles to show his tenting boxer shorts. Her fur was soft under his hands as he grabbed hold of her haunches and pulled her towards the edge of the bed, making the absol eep at the sudden movement.

“You…you look as desperate as I am…” Joy whispered, her lips glistening with saliva that she slowly licked away. “Jasper…”

Hearing her say his name like that made everything so much sweeter. It was a voice that he could hear whispered into his ears every day for the rest of his life and never grow sick of. It was a voice that he wanted to wake up to every morning.

He dropped to his knees before her, pulling her legs a little further apart so he could get to what he was so desperately wanting. The musky scent of the absol’s wet sex greeted him, her puffy lips standing out against the greyish fur more than usual. He had only ever seen her this way when she was in heat, when she was so desperate for sex that they rarely left the bedroom over the course of the week while waiting for her needs to subside. He inhaled the intoxicating aroma deeply, releasing a shuddered breath and darting his eyes up to look at her.

“I love you so much,” he whispered, before taking the plunge with one quick movement.

His tongue pressed against the underside of her spade, right where the fur became soft, delicate flesh that he couldn’t resist rubbing against. Her taste was rich, sweet with a bitter tinge to it that made his tongue tremble as he lapped away some of the juices that had been dribbling down the cleft of her sex. He murred to himself, eyes going half-lidded as he plunged in again, this time running his tongue from the bottom of her spade all the way to the top. Her delicate petals spread apart for him, welcoming him in desperation, hoping to capture the elusive muscle. He didn’t allow it, not yet.

He had to taste every bit of her, to make sure she was ready for him even while his own need throbbed almost painfully between his legs. The wet slurp of his tongue joined with the soft moans of the absol, a whispering growl hanging on the edge of every noise that she made. One of her paws raised, finding the back of his head and applying a pressure that became firmer with every swipe of his tongue. He welcomed it, allowed it to guide him in deeper.

He pressed the tip of his tongue to the center of her sex, slowly at first, before more urgently trying to pry it apart. The resistance began to give way, parting and welcoming his tongue into her hot, wet depths with a gasp from Joy that caused him to double his efforts. He didn’t stop until his lips were pressed against her spade in a pseudo kiss, held there for quite some time. He could feel her throb around him with every heartbeat, the way her sex enclosed around his tongue.

The paw on the back of his head had grown firmer, the pinpricks of claws digging into his hair as Joy’s moans became more feral, deeper and more demanding.

“Don’t…stop…” she panted, tongue hanging from the side of her mouth while drool spilled shamelessly down the length of it to pool in her fur. “Don’t you dare stop…”

Who was he to disappoint his lover? He pressed his tongue to the right and slowly dragged it down her inner walls before sliding it along to the left side, moving it in a circular pattern to touch as much of her as he could just the way he knew would make her squirm and moan. One of his hands released her leg and instead moved up through the valley of fur on her stomach until he found what he was searching for.

Her nipples were hard, a testament to the skill he had gained after all the time he had spent going down on her. He gave them each a playful squeeze in turn, making her grunt and groan for him depending on how gentle - or rough - he was with her. The first time he’d tried this, she’d teased him about treating her like glass, but her rising moans told him exactly how hard she wanted it. He could only hope the walls were thick enough to shield their neighbors from their fun. Joy could get rather loud the further they went, and they had been interrupted in the past by annoyed staff members sent to tell them to quiet it down.

It felt like there was nothing that could stop her tonight, however, this special night they had been waiting on for so long.

He darted his tongue deeper into her tight depths, relishing the squeeze and the gush of bitter juices that met his tongue. His tastebuds trembled, seeking out more of it to try and quench the insatiable thirst that was building in him. Never enough, he could never get enough of her.

Her other paw pressed on top of the first one, shoving him so hard against her cunt that his nose pressed into the fur above it. All he could smell now was her arousal, each breath tinged with her heat odor that drove him wild. Every little part of him wanted to reach a hand between his legs to give his desperate manhood some kind of relief. It took everything in him not to give in to the urge, to resist, at least for now, until the sweet moment when he was finally able to sink into her.

It seemed like that moment was fast approaching, if the rate of Joy’s moans and their deepening pitch was any indicator. Her juices flowed as his tongue darted in and out of her, retracting back into his mouth only to shoot back out again along her silky walls. He wasn’t given the chance to pull away, only to lick, lap, and savor his lover for everything she was worth.

Joy was never subtle when she came for him, and she certainly let him know this time. Her teeth clenched together, a low hiss escaping her before she tossed her head back against the bed and arched her back up towards his face. With a few short, desperate humps, her cunny exploded with the force of her climax, coating his mouth and chin with glistening juices. His tongue never stopped working, even when she let out a low, keening whine that wanted so desperately to turn into a howl.

Only when the paws began to loosen their hold on him did he begin to pull away from her, and he made sure to bury his tongue to the roots before he drew back. He knew she was watching, squeezing around him to try to keep him from slipping free, but alas, with a wet pop he finally managed to pull out of her.

He wasn’t surprised at the one word that she gave him, one that came with a demanding growl that sent shivers down his spine.

“More.”

“Of course…” he whispered, releasing her legs for the moment just so he could get back to his feet, before he grabbed his boxers and allowed them to fall to the floor.

Jasper was certain that a male absol had to be larger than he was, he was also certain they possessed something called a knot at the base of their penis that would lock them to a mate. He was only five inches long, his cock head on display with no foreskin to be seen. He slapped his erection against the front of Joy’s groin, feeling her jump from the action. It was enough to make him grin, especially as he began to slowly grind his hips against her.

“Fuck…fuck me…” Joy moaned, her eyes barely able to focus on him, moisture rising at the corners. “Make me a mother…please…”

Jasper leaned over her, feeling her warm fur press against his bare skin in a tantalizing embrace that made him whimper under his breath. It chased away any chill that the night could produce, made him feel so safe and secure. Their lips met, a little awkwardly at first, but they had had plenty of practice kissing one another. Joy turned her head to the side and opened her muzzle partially, allowing Jasper to draw her tongue into his mouth. Despite the remnants of her climax still heavy in his mouth, the absol whimpered for him, begging for more.

It was no challenge to angle his hips until he felt the warm wetness that awaited him. Though he knew that Joy usually preferred it in the style that was normal for her kind, he couldn’t resist this opportunity to look in her eyes as he sank into her welcoming warmth. The bliss coming over her writ itself in the way her nose quivered and began to slowly close as he applied just a little more pressure, so tantalizingly close to sliding into her. He felt the natural resistance of her body beginning to fade away, and he took that opportunity to push his hips forward.

They both gasped as his tip reached the widest part before it slid into her, her walls closing around it in an instant and trapping it in place. She was so much hotter than she usually was, it left Jasper breathless enough to break the kiss, his tongue pulling free of her maw with a wet slurp.

They both panted, joined in their building lust, the heat of the moment engulfing their souls and leaving them perfectly entwined. He reached up and grabbed one of her front paws, giving it a firm squeeze and looking deep into her eyes before whispering the words he had wanted to say for so long.

“You’re going to make a beautiful mother…”

No other word needed to be said, he heard her growl, demanding and feral in a way that wasn’t like her. Even when she was in heat she didn’t grip his hip with such ferocity, the tips of her claws digging in enough for white-hot pinpricks of pain and pleasure to wash over him. He took a deep breath of air laden with the musky aroma of her lust mixed with the cooling breeze coming in off the ocean.

In the soft glow of the hanging lights, he drove himself a few inches into her, instantly making her toss her head back and moan for him. It was almost a sharp bark, a snarl, any animalistic expression of lust she wanted to give tempered by her need to remain somewhat quiet. He leaned further over her, pressing his chest against her own and meeting her lips once more in a passionate kiss that came with sloppy licks of the absol’s tongue. He wrestled with it as he drew his hips back an inch before thrusting forward again, working himself deeper and deeper, forcing her body to accept him. The deeper he went the more her resistance began to fade away, the natural inclination for her body to accept a hard breeding giving him all the leeway he needed.

He never released her paw, gripping it so firmly in his own while his other hand landed on her hip. Jasper was awash in a golden glow of pleasure that felt more intense than any he had experienced before, the cascading moonlight flowing in through the open window brightening the absol’s features. He breathed heavily as he looked at his feral lover, at her face that was so distinct from a human’s, and yet so similar. It carried all the same emotions and depth of a woman desiring a child with her mate.

Joy’s wet, rough tongue danced around the interior of his mouth, exploring and wandering like a lost soul trying to find respite. He didn’t dare stop it more than giving it a few firm licks here and there, he felt her drool spill down his chin, but he didn’t wipe it away. The wet slap of his hips against her own came suddenly, so suddenly that it left his head spinning with the orgasmic rush that almost slipped free of him. He had to temper himself, to hold back from ruining this moment before she could reach the same heights as him.

It was hard, Arceus knew it was difficult for him.

He was that young virgin man again, finding solace and comfort in his pokemon for the first time and unable to control himself. He was that youth searching for the love of his life and never realizing that she had always stood at his side. His heart burned with lust and love in equal measure, and he growled for her, receiving a rumble deep in her chest in return. With his balls pressed to her twitching spade, he pulled back an inch before forcing it right back into her. Again and again, the wet slap filled the room in time with the beats of their hearts, wild and untamed by anything other than need for one another.

Jasper’s head was spinning, the room miles away, everything but Joy fading away in that moment until she became his entire world. The heat she radiated with awe-inspiring, enough that he couldn’t believe she weren’t a fire type in that moment. Her juices ran freely from her cunt, perfectly lubing his journey forward. She tried to squeeze around him, to prevent him from slipping free, but he refused to allow her to hold him in place for long. His grasp tightened on her, that pinnacle of pleasure that had approached so swiftly returning much stronger this time, and he knew that he wasn’t going to be able to last much longer.

By the way she twitched, by the sounds she made, he knew that she was nearing that magical moment herself. After all this time he knew exactly when she was getting close, when she was going to lose her mind in that final explosive moment when everything was perfect. And in this moment, he knew that it would truly be perfect.

With one last thrust of his hips he bottomed out in her, holding himself against her and embracing her as tightly as he could. Sweat dripped from his overheated body onto her, their mouths breaking apart as he let out a desperate cry of thanks to the heavens above. His climax came harder than it ever had before, several heavy, thick spurts that painted her walls with white and slipped deeper into her. Her hips jerked against him, trying desperately to keep him pinned, to make sure he wouldn’t move away.

Joy’s orgasm came with a grunt and then her head darted forward, her jaw clamping on his shoulder hard enough for him to gasp in pain. Her howl was muted, held back by sheer willpower alone, a whining keen that filled the air and slowly tapered off. At the same time, her spade began to loosen around him, no longer wringing him so desperately.

He looked down at her as she panted, finding it difficult to catch his own breath while that all-consuming heat that had been burning a hole in his stomach began to disperse. Jasper rolled slowly onto his side, pulling her up against him and listening to the melodic noise of her panting. Finally he rolled them so that he was on his back and the absol lay atop him, his manhood still skewered deep in her overheated pussy.

His arms rested tightly around her, keeping her there and ensuring nothing would ever separate them. As they rested, he slowly began to regain his composure that had been thrown to the wilds, leaving him more beast than man in that moment, and he bent forward to kiss her forehead.

“I love you, Joy…”

“I love you, Jasper…”

They laid there, bodies intertwined as the sound of waves crashing onto the shore rolled in through the open window. The moonlight that had shone so brightly into the room had begun to dim, leaving the two lovers in the dim light and allowing crushing exhaustion to overcome them.

—

The ship’s horn sounded loud and long, signalling the departure while Jasper and Joy stood on the deck. It had been a few days since their meeting with Cresselia and the two had been unable to separate from one another; even now Jasper had one hand resting on Joy’s stomach, his fingers slowly feeling around for any indication of what he so desperately wanted to find. When he found it, he shivered and held her tighter.

“How does it feel, love?”

“It’s yours, and that’s everything I wanted.”

It was a firm, round object in her lower belly, the egg that they had so desperately sought after for so long. Pokemon reproduction was fast, but it would still take a while before she delivered it, and he had every intention to be there for her every step of the way. Once they got back home he would make sure she was happy, healthy, that her every need was catered to.

“So what do you think of Samantha?”

“Hm, not bad, but what about…Celeste?” Joy asked with a sly wink.

For the first time in his life, Jasper had no problem leaning down and kissing her on the lips in public. He cared not for the looks that they received, some amused, some disapproving, but all that mattered was the smile on Joy’s face.

“So…when we’re ready for another…?” Joy asked, a playful smirk coming across her face. “We’re going to come back, right?”

Jasper chuckled and gently patted her stomach before looking up to see as they pulled away from Full Moon Island. Somewhere on the island he knew that Cresselia was waiting for them, and he nodded.

“You always said you wanted a big family.”