FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The next morning was shining more than usual. Perhaps that was because the sunlight was refracting through the water and off the crystals. That would be the most logical answer, but it wasn't the right one for the Seviper as he felt that it was all thanks to the Zangoose he loved who was cuddled into his coils and hugging him back.

Zane was still happily sound asleep and as much as Severus wanted to stay there, cuddled with him until he awoke, he knew after their first mating last night that Zane would be starving. He knew at the very least he was so he gently uncoiled himself from around Zane and laid him back against the cave wall so he wouldn't roll over and drown himself. Severus took note of the healing herbs that Zane placed over his wounds had fallen off sometime last night while they slept. They revealed that all his wounds had mostly healed over and left their scars behind. He was not exactly thrilled to be bearing battle scars on his body for the rest of his life, but he was just hoping that Zane wouldn't feel guilty about them even more so.

Severus shook off the remaining herbs, knowing he wouldn't need them for the rest of his recovery, and began making his way out of the cave to gather berries for him and his mate. He slipped into the water and began to swim through the waterfall but stopped short when he saw something off in the distance approaching the waterfall and the all too familiar figures, he spotted made Severus rush back in.

He quickly slithers over to Zane and wrapped his tail around his mate and began to shake him gently, trying to wake him up. "Zane! Zane! Please wake up! We have to get moving!"

The gentle shaking got Zane to groan a bit before Zane saw the shadows appearing in the waterfall and getting darker as they approached. Severus began to shake Zane harder and faster, but Zane just fell over to the ground on his back, still unconscious.

Severus groaned as he then turned Zane on his side, back facing him, before Severus whispered, "Sorry about this hun!" Severus then lunged down and used Bite on Zane's butt with his fangs jabbing hard onto his skin but not enough to puncture him as Zane yowled in pain, very much awake as he rubbed his butt. He glared at the Seviper and shot to his feet.

"What the hell, Severus!?"

"Look as much I would love to have you yell at me and I would make a joke about eating your ass, we have trouble!" Severus pointed over to the cave entrance as Zane looked just in time as the shadows emerged from beyond the waterfall to reveal the forest residents they ran into earlier. The Gallade, the Gardevoir, and the bulky Slaking all not stood in front of them with a blank stare in their eyes which was trained on Severus.

Zane felt the panic rise at the sight of these Pokémon as he looked at Severus and immediately saw the scars on Severus' body. He could see the herbs had stopped the bleeding and gotten them to close up, but he knew they needed more time to thicken out. If he got into a fight now, they would reopen, and Zane would not allow his mate to be hurt like that again.

Zane was quick to rush in front of Severus, his claws extended and held up at the ready. "Severus, stay behind me!" Severus was quick to do so as he shrunk down as best as he could to hide behind Zane and peek around him at the three brooding Pokémon.

"Be careful," Severus whispered to Zane who looked back and nodded his acknowledgement to his Seviper before glaring at the three.

The Slaking was the first to move as he stepped up onto the cave floor and approached the two. Zane prepared a Night Slash as darkness consumed his claw, waiting for the big brute to make his move. The Slaking soon began falling forward towards them, belly out and arms outstretched as Zane prepared to dodge out of the way of the imminent Body Slam.

That's when the Slaking suddenly pulled back and landed on the ground with a position where he was… bowing to them? Zane and Severus blankly stared down at the Lazy Pokémon and both blinked in sync, trying to register what was going on.

"Me sorry!" The Slaking suddenly shouted out from his position as Zane and Severus were now even more confused. While the Gallade and Gardevoir remained unmoving, another shadow approached and came through the waterfall which revealed a green Machamp as he stood next to them with his top two arms folded over his chest and the bottom two on his hips.

"Sorry, I'm late! Can someone clue me in what's going on?" The Machamp asked no one in particular.

"Boris found that Seviper that attacked our children!" The Gallade snarled.

"And that Zangoose who is acting unusually and not killing that monster!" Gardevoir screamed afterwards.

Severus looked away from them as Zane growled. "He's no monster! You don't know anything about him so don't you judge him!"

"How is it not?! That thing is a Seviper!" Gallade shouted back but Machamp held up his two right hands in front of the Gallade.

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, Shiro. That goes for you too, Lily. I think I know what's going on here." The Machamp soon approached them as Zane got in a battle-ready stance, preparing for a potential fight. But that also proved unneeded as the Machamp rubbed the Slaking's back.

"Stand up already." The Slaking did as he was asked before the Machamp continued, "So Boris, are these the two you fought before and the same two you saw together?"

"Is true. They are ones who give heart to other," Boris answered, looking upset.

Zane blinked at him before looking at Machamp. "Um… sorry what did he just say?"

The Machamp laughed as he looked at Boris. "Oh, don't mind him. He's got a bit of a special way of speaking but it's still adorable as ever~"

Boris seemed to blush at his words as he pointed to the Zangoose and Seviper frowning at their ignored question.

"Ahem. Sorry. He basically confirmed that the two of you who he saw were the mates from before," The Machamp told them.

"Mates from before?" Severus questioned them.

"Well, you see, Boris is my mate and I patched him up as he told me about the fight, he had with a Seviper and Zangoose and fled the lake when the Seviper went after the Zangoose. Initially, Boris believed the Seviper was going to eat the Zangoose and didn't want that, so he went back and hid himself behind a tree when he noticed the Seviper did something to save the Zangoose before the two hugged and began to comfort one another.

Boris told me he saw the love in you two the same way we express ours and I didn't think that was possible. Yet here I stand and see you protecting your mate from us because of what took place here before. What a beautiful sight!"

"So that's why he was apologizing?" Zane asked him.

Boris nodded. "Me not see you two givers of affection for other."

"W-Well, we weren't exactly mates back then but we most certainly are now," Zane replied sweetly as Severus smiled up at him before their attention and smiles deviated as Shiro began laughing.

"Oh please! Chad, do you honestly expect us to believe those lies they're spitting out? I don't know why you are protecting a Seviper when your species has been at war with the other since the dawn of time!"

Lily huffed at them. "I bet the Seviper has some kind of hypnotic gaze that made him his slave and that's their cover up story. That's the only logical answer."

Chad glared at the two dual-typing mates. "This isn't some made up human story! Next, you're gonna say the Seviper hypnotized a small boy with his multicolored eyes to lure him into his belly. How absurd!"

"You're the absurd one if you believe this nonsense! You're the hopeless romantic being blinded by this fake love story! You may be physically stronger than me, but this is our home, and I will not allow something that tried to gobble up my children stay here!" Shiro shouted as his elbows shot out to become extended blades as Zane took another fighting position.

But just before anything could happen a small, sudden gasp of air drew everyone's attention as they saw the little Ralts pop his head out from underneath the water. Soon the Kirlia girl followed.

"Yuri! Violet! We told you two not to come in here!" Lily scolded her children.

The Kirlia, Violet, pointed to her brother. "I tried to stop Yuri from following but he wouldn't listen!"

"I felt many negative emotions emitting from here and I couldn't keep away," Yuri explained as he and Violet were scooped into their mother's arms as she went to leave.

"Wait!" Zane called out as Lily stopped and looked back. "Your kind has those horns to sense emotions. You can use them to see that our love is real."

Lily let out a single laugh before responding with, "How preposterous. You only think you do because you're being forced to feel that way."

"Then if you won't then let your children do it," added Severus, "They seem to be in tune with their ability and they certainly won't be able to lie to you or judge as harshly as you do."

"How dare you! There's no way I'm putting my babies in danger just so you can eat them!" Lily shouted at them but just before she could leave, Yuri suddenly pushed himself out of Lily's arm and into the water as he began swimming to the cave floor. "Yuri!"

"Son!" Shiro shouted as he ran to collect him but was grabbed from behind and trapped with Chad holding him in a Nelson hold, immobilizing the Gallade. "What the hell are you doing!? Release me at once!"

"Does your son look frightened? Does he look like he wants to be stopped? He's a lot more open-minded and willing to listen than you two are. Let's allow him to do what he wants. After all, he may be small, but he is not the baby you're making him out to be." Chad said to him, his voice calming and relaxed as Shiro could only watch as Yuri tentatively began walking through the flooded cave flooring in front of Zane and Severus.

Yuri looked up at the towering Zangoose in front of him and the Seviper bundled up behind him before he bowed his head as his horns began to glow. Soon Zane and Severus felt a calming wave overtake their hearts as they felt the tensions within the caves dissipate, making Severus smile as he straightened himself to his full height and began to move.

Lily was about to raise her free hand and blast a Psychic attack at him but was stopped by Violet. "Wait!" She whispered to her mother as they saw Severus slowly wrap around Zane as the two gently yet firmly hugged one another with their hearts fluttering inside their mate's embrace.

Yuri smiled as his horns ceased their glow. "They are in love! It's as pure as Mother and Father and even Chad and Boris! Maybe even more!" He announced as he placed his hands over his heart, touched by the display.

Chad then released Shiro as Violet hopped out of Lily's arm as both fully evolved parents stared at this, completely stunned.

Violet ran up to stand beside her brother before she placed her hands together and closed her eyes before her horns glowed. After a brief pause, she smiled as her horns stopped glowing. "I can feel it too! There's no mistaking it! That powerful emotion of love is just overflowing from the two of them!"

Chad looked over the parents with two sets of folded arms. "Well? Surely you have to believe in your own children and their words. They wouldn't lie to you like that and we all know it."

The two could only look down in guilt as the Ralts laughed as he ran forward and hugged Severus, surprising everyone. "I'm sorry for being scared of you! I've never met a Seviper before and I was told they were all bad Pokémon! I never thought my first one would be so nice!"

"Yeah! Me too! I hope we can be friends!" Violet said cheerfully as she also hugged Severus.

Severus couldn't help but smile at their adorable faces staring up at him with eyes of intrigue so intently trained on him as they waited for his answer. "Of course, we can be friends! I'd like nothing more!"

"Yay! Can we play now?" Yuri begged.

"Now, now. He's gone through a lot just yesterday and he'll need some time to heal more before he can…" But Zane was cut off by Severus slapping his tail over Zane's face as he rubbed his nose in slight pain.

The two children couldn't help but laugh as Severus smirked playfully. "Don't mind my overprotective partner. I can do some light playing with you. Here, hop on my head and neck." Severus lowered his head down for Violet to sit on his back and wrap her arms around his neck as Yuri giddily bounded up to lay on top of his head.

"Keep a tight grip on me!" That was the only warning given before Severus sped forward as he splashed into the water and shot through the waterfall as he swam around the lake at top speeds as the two young Pokémon laughed and cheered, screaming for him to go faster to which he obliged and lowered his head a bit into the water as he picked up in speed as the two began getting splashed with water and laughed as they looked happily at each other.

Everyone else emerges from the cave as they all witnessed this wholesome sight with Zane smilingly at Severus seeing the absolute thrill of being accepted by others besides himself. As if in cue Zane saw in the corner of his vision the two Pokémon who were provoking him and Severus approaching with Chad and Boris beside them.

Zane folded his arms with an annoyed frown as the Gallade and Gardevoir looked at each other before nodding to one another and then bowing in respect to Zane. "We are so sorry for judging you so harshly." They said in synchronization.

"I'm not the one you judged. This apology should be meant for my mate."

Lily nodded as she spoke alone this time. "Yes, but he is busy with the kids, and we do not wish to bug him anymore than we already have."

Shiro continued her thought as he now spoke. "Besides we doubt he will forgive us for what we tried to do before, so we wanted to let you pass our apology to him since he'll most likely hate us for today."

"And how do you know that?" Zane asked them.

"W-Well I mean he doesn't seem like that…" Shiro was then cut off by Chad wracking the back of his head with a hand.

But before Chad could properly scold him, Zane raised a paw towards Chad, silently asking him to not do that. "There's no need to be rough with them. I can handle this though I appreciate the assistance."

Chad eyed Zane a bit before smiling and nodding to him as Zane looked back at the Embrace Pokémon and the Blade Pokémon. "You two need to see that assuming things of others will not make things better. You shouldn't make judgments on others based on what they look or seem like to you. Judging by one's actions is the correct path to making the lives around you be able to live together in peace and harmony. A passed down apology makes it seem like you're trying to avoid the conflict instead of facing it to make it better. Severus would be okay with getting that apology from me, sure, but I think he'd appreciate it more if it came directly from the source."

A moment of pause allowed the couple to take in their thoughts and soak in Zane's words as they both smiled and nodded to the other once again before their synchronized answer came out, "We'll go apologize to Severus. We thank you."

The two began to swim away from them, leaving Zane with Chad and Boris which soon became just him and Chad as the Machamp was whispering into his Slaking's ear before nodding back to Chad. The two hugged and kissed the other as Boris soon departed to join everyone else.

"Now that the drama has dwindled down. I think it's time for some proper introductions. I'm Chad, the green Machamp of the Mirage Forest."

Zane smiled as the two clasped their hands together and shook them. "I'm Zane, a lone Zangoose who is now a part of this neck of your woods though I was raised in a pack further east from here."

"Were you now? And yet they allowed you to have a Seviper as your mate?"

"Not… exactly." Zane began a brief explanation of most of the notable events that transpired the last few days and what became of him and his previous pack and how he and Severus got together.

Chad was silent throughout the entire story as he absorbed every word with a mix of emotions running through him as he placed a sympathetic hand on Zane's shoulder when he had finished.

"I truly am sorry about your banishment but at least you have the love of your life with you and the love of your adopted father."

"I do. Though he is not my adopted father. He really is my true father."

"Of course. Excuse me, I do not wish to offend you."

"No offense taken. One cannot get to know another without asking something that may be incorrect or bring up past trauma for them. But it is up to them to correct the other in a reasonable manner so there is no bad blood between potential friends and allies."

Chad laughed out at that. "You know, for a young Zangoose like yourself, you are certainly wise beyond your years. I can tell that your father has rubbed off on you in all the best ways possible."

Zane smiled at the compliment. "I'm glad you think so. As I said before, I was to lead my pack when my father retired and chose me to be his successor but now besides Severus and unknown future visits from Father… I don't know what my purpose in life is anymore."

Zane felt the weight of the loss of all those years he spent training for the chance to become his pack's leader hit him hard as he couldn't keep the smile from vanishing from his dropped head. Chad took notice of this as he grabbed Zane and lifted him up, surprising the Zangoose.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"I'm gonna take you somewhere! Hang on!"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not really!"

With that said, Chad used his three free arms and began swimming to the edge of the lake before he leapt out and ran off to a deeper part of the forest, leaving the others behind.

After a bit of a run into the forest, Chad slowed himself down as he placed Zane down before motioning with his hand to follow as the two began walking. They didn't walk for long as they soon came into a clearing and Zane blinked at the sight presented to him.

There were small groups of many Pokémon of different varieties and species gathered around as they chatted amongst themselves in front of a nest of caves scattered along a small cliffside for a rocky hill. Zane saw a Swellow that was feeding a little Taillow, a Jolteon and Umbreon that cuddled close as they napped together, a Manectric and Mightyena nuzzling each other affectionately, a Plusle treating an injury on a Minun while conversing with one another, a Shroomish and Seedot chasing each other playfully, and a Salamence approaching with food for a Flygon with an egg in the Flygon's care. All were too preoccupied to take notice of Zane and Chad staring at them from a distance as Zane looked up at the shiny Machamp.

"Who are all these Pokémon?" Zane questioned Chad.

"They are Pokémon like you and me. Ones who haven't got a group or pack or flock or just those who chose to leave that family behind for whatever reason. At first the only ones that would take up refuge here were me and Boris when we found each other here and became fast friends and eventually mates. But soon Shiro and Lily showed up with an egg and baby Violet in their care and asked us to let them stay here. We had no reason to refuse since we didn't take anything besides our one cave as our home, so they took the cave next to us and became neighbors.

Then after some time, more small families and individual Pokémon seemed to find their way here and claim another cave until a small community of sorts founded itself. We all know each other by name and try to help each other when one of us is in need but even then, we're not at all organized and there are occasional disputes that can get very out of hand. Some get so bad that it can lead to fights and discord runs rampant among us, trying to settle things down which may take days, sometimes weeks, to resolve the issues.

And yet here we have another two more Pokémon who have now joined us, yet I see our unique group finally getting the one thing we've needed for too long. A true leader to take charge."

Zane blinked as his eyebrows furrowed over his eyes before he looked up at Chad to see he was staring down at him with a knowing grin. Immediately Zane's eyes widened in alarm as he realized what Chad was getting at as he shook his head madly.

"Uh-uh! No way! I can't do that!"

"Why not? You have the potential and the knowledge. Don't pretend I didn't see how you motivated Shiro and Lily into talking to Severus themselves. That's something only a true leader can handle."

"Y-Yeah but that was about Severus who I know! I don't know how to handle any of these Pokémon! I've only been trained on leading other Zangoose!"

"You didn't know how to handle a Gallade and Gardevoir but you gave them the courage to do something they were uncomfortable with. Did your father train you to lead Gardevoirs and Gallades as well as other Zangoose?"

"Well, no but…"

"Leadership is not on a species-by-species basis. It's universal throughout all Pokémon instincts and even humans possess this trait. It's a quality we all share like so many other aspects of life such as courage, compassion, and respect."

"That… is true. But these Pokémon surely won't acknowledge someone they don't even know as their leader. Why don't you take up the role as leader? You're certainly strong enough and you being one of the first ones here means everyone knows you and would accept you."

"Not true. If we go by that logic, Boris or maybe even Shiro or Lily could be a leader since we all were the first adults to live here. Then there's the fact that Boris is a bit special to make a proper leader and Shiro and Lily are too high-strung and quick to anger as you have seen. As for me, I may not be as easily angered, but I tend to let my body react before I think about how to handle these situations. You saw how I smacked Shiro around a bit when he was being difficult multiple times and it's like that for everyone. Even the rare times with Boris, I don't always hold myself back.

However, you don't retaliate as fast as I do. You're analytical and patient, observing what is happening before you react. You used your knowledge of the children to your advantage to diffuse the potential fight where you weren't making a move to attack until you thought you were being attacked. That's why you are the one to become our leader.

I truly feel that this was meant to be. You said it yourself that you believe that Arceus planned that storm to force you to go to that human cabin and meet the Seviper who is now your mate. I now believe you were meant to leave your pack behind because your skills as a leader were not needed with your pack but here with us with a mate that will be accepted here among us. So? Will you do it?"

Zane looked down as he felt another internal conflict arising. On one hand, it did sound like this was planned out by Arceus. But on the other hand, could he really lead all these Pokémon who didn't even know him?

Just as he was contemplating on what to do, a shouting erupted from the caves as the Shroomish and Seedot was seen fleeing with fruits on their heads from where the Salamence and Flygon lived as the Salamence came rampaging out after them.

"Now's the perfect chance to show them what you're made of kid!" Chad said as he suddenly yanked out Zane, who yelped, and himself from behind the shrubs so the others could see them.

The Shroomish and Seedot ran and changed their course when they saw Chad as they went towards him.

"Chad! Thank Arceus you're back! Frederick is trying to kill us again!" The Shroomish cried out before he stopped at the sight of Zane next to him. "Who's the freak?" But due to him suddenly stopping, the Seedot ran right into him as the dropped the fruits they were carrying on their heads.

"O-Oops! My b-bad, Marvin," the Seedot stuttered.

"Look what you've done! Now we have to coordinate again to pick up the food again!" Marvin scolded the timid Seedot who only recoiled from the shouting Shroomish but both quickly fled behind Chad when Frederick came roaring and charging after them.

Chad threw up his four hands to grab at the rampaging Salamence as hold him back. "Let's me at those miserable twerps! I'll give them the thrashing they deserve!"

Chad used his immense strength to shove Frederick away as he held his arms out. "Just wait! Before you do anything too rash, I want you guys to meet someone new who will be living with us and who will act as a leader and mediator for our conflicts!" He motioned one hand over to guide their attention to Zane.

Marvin blinked at the Zangoose before letting out a small laugh. "This guy? He doesn't look so special to me. Right, Corrin?"

The Seedot looked at Marvin with panicked eyes. "W-W-Wh-What?!" But Marvin glared at him as Corrin winced and slowly nodded in favor of agreeing with Marvin's statement, making the Shroomish grin with exultation.

Frederick sighed in annoyance as he shook his head. "Look, I know you're trying to do what you can for our group, and I appreciate the notion, Chad. But these little thorns can't be dealt with unless they get a good thrashing from me!"

Zane suddenly jumped in and held his paws up, defensively. "Wait! Please! There's no need to get carried away! Before we take things to such an extreme, why not explain to me what they did to you?"

"What they've been doing every day! Stealing the food that I'm bringing into my cave!"

"Are not!" Marvin shouted at him before Frederick growled at him, making the child stick out his tongue and blow a raspberry at Frederick in disrespectful retaliation.

Frederick lost his temper and roared before charging again before Zane once again blocked his path, making Frederick skid across the ground to stop himself as the taunting sound Marvin was making was heard when the Salamence was stopped. "Get out of my way! That little piece of…"

"ENOUGH!" Zane screamed out as he not only silenced the two Pokémon but all the other mentioned Pokémon in the area finally took notice of the commotion going on as their attention was set on the scene happening.

Zane pointed a claw directly in Frederick's face with an enigmatic glare. "You need to keep control of that temper of yours! You're letting a child get to you and make you act out so irrationally! Get it together!"

Frederick felt his cheeks redden with embarrassment as Marvin laughed at him but was met with the same scolding claw now pointing at him. "And you need to shut it right now before I let this Salamence make a roasted mushroom out of you if you keep interrupting and antagonizing him!" That alone made the Shroomish gulp in sudden nervousness as he was effectively silenced.

With a quick moment to calm himself down again now that the main distractions thwarting him from solving the issues were taken care of, he turned his attention back to Frederick. "Why do they keep trying to steal the food you're taking to your cave?"

"I don't know. I've been going out every morning to restock our supply and they keep sneaking in after me to steal the food we're storing," Frederick explained.

Zane nodded as he listened. "Did you ask them why?"

"N-No… I would just chase and yell at them for doing it," he answered bashfully.

"Then let's do so now so you can understand their motivations," Zane said before he turned back around and knelt down to their level as Marvin eyed him suspiciously and Corrin looked away upset. "Why would you steal food from Frederick? There's plenty of food in the forest to go around."

"Not at the rate of food foraging that greedy bastard is doing every morning for nearly a week now!" accused Marvin.

"Care to elaborate?"

"What's to elaborate on? There's only his and his wife living there and they're hogging so much food! If they keep hoarding all that food by picking so much every morning, there's not gonna be any left for us or anyone else!"

"So, then you haven't asked Frederick or his wife why they are gathering so much food then either. Is that right?"

Zane's line of questioning seemed to be getting on Marvin's nerves as he didn't answer but a small squeak came from the Seedot as he responded, "N-No. We haven't."

"Well, did you see they have an egg with them?"

Marvin glared at him. "What kind of dumb question is that?! Everyone here knows they have an egg! It's all anyone can talk about around here!"

"And that's exactly why Frederick is storing all that extra food. For the day the baby hatches."

Corrin blinked in surprise as he looked at Zane with peaked curiosity. "Really? H-How so?"

"See, a lot of baby Pokémon can get very hungry and may need to eat a lot in one day and while the mother may be able to provide them with milk, it's not always enough as she needs time to replenish her supply when she runs out. So, it is customary to stock up on extra fruits and berries to ensure the baby has food to eat as well as both parents and gives the mother a chance to rest," Zane educated the two young Pokémon as Corrin looked intrigued by this knowledge and Marvin did seem to dart his eyes away in guilt.

Corrin immediately bounded out from behind Chad and began to nudge some of the food on the ground over to Frederick's feet. "I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. I wish I had asked why you were doing that so I wouldn't have."

Frederick seemed a bit shocked but smiled at Corrin but Zane's own curiosity about the Seedot came up as he looked at him. "Corrin, may I ask why you have been doing this? You don't exactly seem like an extroverted troublemaker."

"It was my fault," a voice admitted guilt as Marvin slowly walked out from behind Chad's leg. "I pressured him into doing it. Corrin is innocent in his actions. I'm the one who should be roasted alive for doing Frederick and his family wrong. But not until after I return all their food back to them first."

This further surprised Frederick as Marvin followed in Corrin's footsteps and began to gently nudge the fruits over to the Dragon Pokémon before awaiting the punishment he knew was coming with tightly closed eyes. But when nothing came except two gentle taps against his foot, Marvin peeked an eye open and was confused to see oran berries at his feet.

He looked at Frederick who was smiling at him before saying, "Let's just call this even by letting these berries be my apology to you for letting my temper get the better of my reasoning."

Marvin beamed happily at this before he nodded and accepted the invitation of apology by taking one berry in his mouth and placing it in front of Corrin which that action now surprised the Acorn Pokémon.

"You deserve the first berry. After all, you weren't at fault for getting involved the way you did and for me being a bad friend to begin with," Marvin explained himself.

Corrin felt a light blush peppering his face as he seemed to smile which he would if he had a mouth to actually do so. "Thank you, Marvin. I forgive you."

Corrin happily reached down with the stem on his head as it suctioned onto the berry and got stuck on as Corrin lifted it above himself and began absorbing the nutrients inside the berry as Marvin began eating into his own. Frederick smiled at this before gathering the rest of the returned food and took it back inside his cave as his wife smiled at him as he cuddled next to her and their egg as he kissed the top of the Flygon's head lovingly.

Zane felt his heart swell with pride as he smiled back at Chad who winked at him before a bustling was heard as the other Pokémon had begun making their way out to Zane as they all gathered in front of him. Zane felt a bit overwhelmed with so many new faces in front of him but kept that hidden away from them.

"That was amazing!" The Umbreon began praising Zane, "Usually it takes a lot more scolding to get Marvin to behave and way more brute strength to keep Frederick from killing anyone around here that gets on his nerves! I'm very impressed with how you handled that situation!"

"What did Chad say your name was?" The Jolteon next to the Umbreon asked him.

"It's Zane," Zane reminded them.

The Umbreon with unnatural, blue-colored rings on his body bowed, his semi-deep voice a starting contrast to the more tenor voice the Jolteon possessed as he introduced them. "I'm Orion and this is my twin brother, Indra."

"I'm delighted to meet you!" Indra squealed joyously as he bounced up and down with energetic gusto.

"The pleasure is mine, I'm sure!" Zane told them as Indra's eyes seemed to gaze over him.

"Say, you're really cute. Has anyone ever told you how cute you are?" Zane blushed at the flirting the Jolteon was being so forward with as he looked to his brother. "Don't you agree, Orion? Don't you think he's just our type~"

"You know if he is for you, he is for me. We may be somewhat polar opposites in our personality but our tastes in men are the same. But I think you're making him uncomfortable," Orion lightly scorned his brother.

"Oh no! I'm flattered honestly. It's just that I already have a mate." Zane confessed.

"Hey, I don't mind! The more the merrier I say~" Indra eyed him suggestively which earned him a slap in the face from his brother's tail.

"You'll have to excuse my brother's forwardness. He doesn't always respect the boundaries of others and I try my best to keep him in line. Though I will admit it is a bit disheartening to hear you already have a mate."

"I'm sorry, Orion." Zane apologized.

"No need to be sorry. While I may not have a mate yet, I am definitely content with Indra staying by my side after all these years."

Indra looked shocked at his words; pun not intended. "How could I not?! We're twins! We'll always be together!" Indra then rubbed his head into his brother's neck as they hugged one another as canine Pokémon do.

Zane looked over at the Plusle and Minun as they were the next ones to approach him.

"Wow! You handled that way better than any one of us could have! So, you're Zane, right?" questioned the Minun to which Zane nodded with a hum of approval as he continued. "I'm Vesper and this is my wife, Beatrix!"

"How wonderful to make your acquaintance!" Beatrix gleefully cheered as she hopped in place as she was eventually held down by a paw resting on top of her head by Vesper.

"I must apologize in advance if she begins to annoy you. She can be a bit hyperactive and cheery. Sometimes too much for other's tastes," Vesper told Zane with Beatrix only giving a slight shrug of acknowledgement, not taking any offense to her partner's words.

"I honestly don't mind it. I think it's nice to have a little bit of enthusiasm from time to time." Zane admitted.

Vesper shook his head before replying, "She may be small but it's not a little bit, it's a lot and I mean a lot. Also, it's not from time to time, it's all the time."

"Better than your downer attitude. I swear he can take any great situation and make it into something negative," Beatrix fired back.

"I just have a realist view of the dark world we live in and how it's all going to be swallowed up whole with all of us someday when the evils of the world consume everything in its wake until Arceus comes down to smite the evils and destroy it all over again until there is nothing left but ash and dust."

Zane blinked at this unexpected development as he felt his feet screaming at him to sneak away from this conversation immediately. To which he did just that as the couple began going back and forth in a friendly argument.

The next pairing, he approached was the Mightyena and Manectric as they greeted Zane with a bow of their heads. The Manectric spoke up first. "Salutations, new leader!"

Before Zane could respond, the Mightyena suddenly popped in by saying, "Oh that introduction of yours was so cute! It totally suits you and your adorable personality!"

The Manectric beamed at him before his tail began wagging. "You really liked it?"

The Mightyena's tail began wagging just as fast as the Manectric's tail was as he nodded enthusiastically. "Without a doubt!"

The Manectric blushed as he rested his face against the Mightyena's neck, nuzzling him as the Mightyena placed his chin over his partner's face as they seemed to forget Zane standing in front of him.

Zane felt awkward standing there, feeling forgotten by the couple, as he cleared his throat to recapture their attention again as the two slowly looked over and gasped in sudden realization.

"Oh goodness! Forgive us! We got distracted again!" The Manectric bowed his head in shame.

"It's fine. I'm Zane. May I know your names now?"

The Mightyena was quick to nod in approval. "Of course! At once! My name is Romeo!

"And I am Julien! We are pleased to have you joining us!" The Manectric greeted Zane.

Zane smiled at that. "Romeo and Julien, huh? I can't place it but it sounds right when you say your names together like that."

"I know, right? It's like we were made for each other!" Julien elated as Romeo licked at his cheek.

"I was just about to say exactly that!" Romeo chimed in as Julien's fur seemed to stand on end as they began giggling like lovesick puppies, which was exactly what they were.

"You two really make each other happy. How long have you been together? A week or two?" Zane asked inquisitively.

The two smiled as they locked eyes and sighed in content. "It has been a whole year since we became mates."

Zane's smile unintentionally dropped as he wasn't sure he heard right. "Did you say a whole year?"

Julien nodded dreamily. "Yeah, but every day with him feels like a new beginning when we're together."

"Aww baby! You're so romantic!" Romeo cooed as the two leaned in and began affectionately rubbing their noses while making cute noises at each other.

"They act like they just got together yet they've actually been together for a year? Not even me and Severus act this lovestruck and we just became official mates last night," Zane thought as he forced a smile so as to not raise any flags of awkwardness he was feeling. "So then how did you two actually meet?"

Romeo smiled even bigger as he looked eager to answer that and Zane was immediately regretting ever asking such a question.

"Julien was living here long before I came around and while his backstory is a bit more personal, all I'll say is we both shared some bad blood with our respective families and left our packs behind. I had left mine because I was intended to take over as pack leader but when it came time to choose a mate, I was only given females as a choice, but I flat out told my parents I wanted a male mate and they instead tried to force a female of their choosing onto me, so I ran away. I was on my own for half of the autumn and winter seasons before I found this place and found my true love along with it."

Zane couldn't help but smile at the sweet story he wasn't expecting. "That was a nice story. You know I was supposed to be the leader of my pack too."

"Is that right? Well then, seems you and I share a great deal in common then too," Romeo said as he suddenly began eying Zane the same way Indra was from before.

"Well, not exactly…" But before Zane could get another word in, Romeo suddenly tensed up as an electric discharge surged across his body as a very displeased look dawned onto Julien's face.

"Oh, so then I'm not good enough for you anymore because I don't share a leadership past like you do? Is that what you're implying?"

Romeo began to panic as he violently shook his head. "No! No, I didn't say that! I would never insinuate that!"

Julien jerked his head away in disgust as he stood up. "I don't want to hear your excuses!"

Romeo watched for a second as the soured Julien began to strut away before he rushed after him, begging for forgiveness.

Zane felt a sweat drop fall from his head as he watched the now quarreling lovers walk away. "That was not what I was expecting." He said to himself.

"Don't worry about those two lovepups," A voice called over as the Swellow flew down from the nearby oak tree his nest was built in as the little Taillow followed after him, both landing in front of the Zangoose. "This is not the first time these two have gotten at each other's throats. Give it maybe five minutes after Romeo thinks of some cliché poem to recite to Julien to get him fawning all over him again. Last time it was Julien crying out in a dramatic manner 'Romeo oh Romeo' or something like that."

"Well at least I can go about my day not worrying about Julien trying to take me out," Zane sighed in relief.

The Swellow chuckled inwardly at that. "I think it's safe to say you'll be just fine. But I must say I have never seen one of our conflicts handled so exceptionally well as you made it seem. So many of us here are too stubborn to listen or get too physical too fast and just prolong the problems that arise here."

"It wasn't easy since I'm dealing with complete strangers."

"Well let's not keep it that way," the Swellow held out a wing and flourished it a bit before bowing, "I am Nathaniel, and I am looking forward to working with you."

Nathaniel then caressed the Taillow below him before he nudged her with his wing. "Hi. I'm Diana," She chirped out shyly.

"She's still working on her social skills," Nathaniel whispered to Zane which made Zane smile at her.

"Well, I'm very pleased to meet you, Diana and your brother too for that matter." Zane said gently to her.

Diana seemed to blink at him before her eyes widened and then without warning, she began laughing hysterically. Zane was puzzled by this as he looked to Nathaniel for an answer. The Swallow Pokémon seemed a bit nervous now as he shuffled a bit on his feet.

"Ehehe. Well, um that's the thing, she's not my sister. She's my daughter," Nathaniel admitted.

"Whoa what!? I would have never guessed. It's just that you don't seem to be much older than me and I thought Swellow's generally don't breed for eggs until they grow into maturity."

Nathaniel seemed more nervous as Diana settled down and he saw Marvin and Corrin. "Sweetie, why don't you try and play with the boys and let the adults talk the boring talk, okay?"

Diana gulped in nervousness as she obediently carried out her father's wish as Nathaniel's expression grew sorrowful as she left.

"I-I hope I didn't offend you," Zane apologized to which Nathaniel merely shook his head at that.

"Don't worry you didn't. It's just best if she's not around to hear the truth." Zane could feel the sadness emanating off Nathaniel now as he looked him in the eye. "The truth is she's only my daughter when she hatched and believed me to be her father, but I did not help birth her egg."

"So, she's adopted?"

"More like rescued," Nathaniel answered which made Zane cock an eyebrow to show confusion, prompting him to elaborate. "The flock I came from was a powerful one and every Swellow and even the Taillows in our flock was extremely adept in battling. We flexed our power to get what we wanted, and we all felt invincible because of it. But our arrogance proved to be too much when we became targets for human poachers.

We didn't think anything could defeat us and we forgot the ingenuity of humans and the Pokémon they capture in those steel rocks of theirs. These poachers began strategically taking us all down one by one and captured my entire flock. They almost got me when one Swellow took the fall to save me. She begged me to return to the nests and protect her and her mate's egg from being taken by the poachers. I quickly did so as I knew none of them would ever return. I barely managed to escape as one poacher's Kilowattrel chased me back to the nests."

"Kilowattrel?" Zane questioned him, confused about the Pokémon he mentioned.

"A big and powerful electric-flying bird Pokémon from a different region. That thing showed no mercy as it chased after me by the commands of its human master. I barely made it back to the nests and got the egg before I had to keep flying to try and escape its wrath. I was very fortunate to spot a lake and waterfall during my run as I tucked the egg close against me as I sped through the waterfall, but the Kilowattrel gave up its pursuit. I noticed it didn't have much oil on its feathers that other bird Pokémon naturally produce to keep our feathers water resistant so I knew it couldn't risk flying through the waterfall after me without the risk of drowning from the waterfall pushing it down into the lake. I think it also just believed I had died trying to escape. After I crashed against the wall of that cave with my back to protect the egg from the impact and then did the same when I fell to the ground, I blacked out.

But when I woke up, I found myself in the care of Chad and Boris as they had seen me crash through the waterfall at the end of my chase and found me unconscious inside with the egg. I was scared the egg had cracked or got too cold from the water, but they reassured me that I protected it, and they kept it warm for me. That same day, everyone here built a nest for me and the egg and after one day of living in that nest and laying on that egg, it hatched and Diana was officially born into this world, unaware of the truth of her parents or our flock. I want to tell her when she gets older, but I don't know how to go about it when the time comes."

Zane was all too familiar with being told about tragic backstories as he recently went through that himself. He smiled as he stepped up and patted his shoulder. "You don't need to worry about that. When the time comes when she is old enough, I'll help you with it."

"You will?"

"Let's just say she and I share something in common that we can relate to."

Nathaniel picked up on the double meaning as he hugged Zane in his wings with Zane returning the hug, giving silent regards to the others former group. But their tender moment was forced to end when Diana came running back to Nathaniel, bawling her eyes out as the two Grass-type children ran up after her.

Nathaniel glared at Marvin. "Are you harassing my daughter again, Marvin!? I thought we went over this!"

"No! There's a monster coming after us!" Marvin screamed in terror to which Nathaniel scoffed in disbelief.

But that disbelief turned sour once Corrin added, "It's true! A big, mean snake is coming this way!"

Zane immediately knew who they meant but he couldn't say anything before they heard Frederick shouting, "A dangerous Seviper is nearby! Kids! Get to my cave with my wife and stay safe! Everyone else, come with me!"

Nathaniel flew up and after Frederick with Vesper, Indra, Orion, Beatrix, Romeo, and Julian all rushing out to take on the Seviper together as the kids fled into Frederick's cave and Zane ran to Chad.

"Chad! They're going after Severus!"

"I know but shouldn't they have seen Boris and the others with him? Where are they?"

"I don't know but we have to stop them!" Zane shouted as they chased after the group.

Severus was out by a tomato berry bush as he was eating his fill for breakfast as he reached down to grab another berry, but his fang caught one as it splattered all over his face, mouth, and neck. He retreated back as the juice splattered right next to his eyes as he closed them tightly to prevent the juices from flowing into his eyes.

"Dammit. Now I gotta try and find the lake to wash this off before I burn my eyes off," Severus grumbled in irritation as he slowly slithered away in the direction, he believed the lake was. Just as he had left that area, the group had arrived and gasped in horror.

"Oh Arceus! It's devoured someone already!" Julien shouted in disdain.

"Was it one of us it ate?" Nathaniel asked nervously.

"My bet is on Yuri," Vesper blankly guessed.

"Vesper!" Beatrix scolded him.

"What? He is the smallest one not with us who could've been eaten whole."

Frederick chimed in. "Or it was a random Pokémon but no matter what we are going to stop it! I can see a trail! It went that way towards the lake! Let's kill it!" They all raced off after Severus just as Zane and Chad were just about to catch up.

Zane looked down at the mess and smacked his head. "They think this is blood. I don't think they considered this to be juice from the tomato berries that are right there next to that mess!"

Chad sighed. "I'll admit it, that's pretty sad they overlooked such an obvious hint."

"They must have gone to the lake! If Severus is there, he's in trouble."

"Then let's go!"

Severus was using his tongue to smell his way to the lake which worked in his favor as the faint smell of the pristine water grew as he neared it. "Finally." He quickly dunked his face into the water and began shaking his head to wash off the tomato berry juices just as the other arrived and glared at him.

"There it is," Romeo growled.

"I'll take it on. Nathaniel, Indra, I want you two to cover me in case I need assistance," Frederick told them as he stepped out with the two close behind.

Severus then lifted his head and breathed in a gasp of air before a snort was heard as he slowly looked behind him to see the Salamence tower over him. The intimidation of the Dragon Pokémon made Severus shrink with a nervous gulp.

But just as Frederick began charging a Hyper Beam, Zane and Chad came running out as they booked it past everyone and towards Severus. Zane was screaming as he got there in time to shove Severus aside and Chad grabbed around Frederick's neck to yank his face up. Neither were fast enough as the Hyper Beam had already begun just as Frederick was forced to look up as the powerful attack had hit Zane and sent him flying back into the lake while the rest of the Hyper Beam petered out as it fired straight through the sky.

Everyone was in shock from this as Severus felt his heart in shambles as tears fell when he saw Zane hit and flung into the lake. "ZANE!" Severus shrieked out as he instantly swam out to retrieve him.

Nathaniel was about to go after him but was yanked down by Chad jumping and grabbing his feet before throwing him down to the ground. Chad then glared at them all before snarling out, "Don't. Anyone. Move."

Chad was heard yelling at them, but Severus was laser focused on Zane's limp body before he wrapped him up and began to swim him back to shore. That's when Severus heard a collective shout of "WHAT?!" come from the shoreline as Severus dragged Zane back onto land and placed his head over Zane's chest. He felt his head rise as relief finally claimed him upon hearing his breathing.

"Thank Arceus," Severus whimpered as he cuddled next to Zane as the others gingerly approached them. Severus looked up at them as they all still seemed shocked at the sight in front of them.

"So, you're Zane's mate?" Orion asked.

Severus nodded and replied, "I am. Who are you all?"

"We'll explain but first things first, let's get Zane back so we can help him." Chad told him as he picked up Zane from Severus' grasp and soon, they all began making their way back home.

---

After feeling his senses coming back, Zane soon felt himself slowly waking up as he was suddenly hit with pain. "Ow!"

But before he could grab at the source, was suddenly held down. "Whoa, whoa hey! Easy there, Zane! Calm down!" The familiar voice had a warped face before Zane's vision soon cleared up enough to see the familiar green face.

"Chad?"

"That's my name and don't you wear it out anytime soon," he laughed as he slowly helped Zane to sit up. Zane noticed how his left arm was wrapped in healing herbs and tied into a strange bag that held his arm up and across his body.

"That sling your partner had me tie on you using the healing herbs was a genius move on his part. In fact, everyone thought so. Isn't that right guys?"

Zane turned himself around to face the cave entrance and saw multiple eyes on him as most of the other resident Pokémon of the group he'd acquainted himself with were staring at him with relief, but none were as wet as Severus with tears of joy careening out. "Oh Zane!"

"Severus!" Zane used his free right hand to reach for Severus, who immediately took up the invitation as the two carefully embraced each other.

"I was so scared you wouldn't wake up," Severus whispered out as he nuzzled Zane's cheek before peppering his face with kisses.

Zane soon looked at everyone else as Nathaniel stepped forward. "Listen, we all want to apologize for what happened. We all were unaware that he was your mate, and we are sorry for trying to attack him and for getting you hurt in the process."

"I understand. Don't worry, I'm not mad. I mean it is my fault for not mentioning that my mate is a Seviper. I doubt anyone would have realized that besides those who met him before then," Zane said as he looked around. "Where's Frederick?"

Corrin stepped forward to answer. "He's hiding in his cave with his wife, feeling the absolute worst for what he did to you."

"It was an accident. I'll be able to look past this with no ill will towards him or anyone else," Zane reassured the Seedot.

Chad shook his head. "You're too forgiving. I wouldn't have let this go unpunished."

"What kind of leader would he be if he wasn't compassionate towards those he's meant to lead?" Severus asked.

"Wait what?" Zane asked, surprised by what he just said.

"You've been unconscious for hours now and so we all caught each other up on what happened while you were out. They told me what you did when you and Chad separated from me and I told them everything that I did with Boris, Shiro, Lily, and their kids before they left ahead of me while I stayed back to finally get some much-needed breakfast after using up what little energy I had when playing with the kids," Severus explained to Zane who nodded in understanding.

"We would have stayed with Severus if we knew this would have happened and we are sorry for that," Lily told Zane as he shook his head.

"No more apologies. I'm not mad at anyone. It's no one's fault what happened and I want us all to move on and become stronger from this," Zane told them as everyone there smiled happily.

"Sounds like Zane has accepted his place as our leader. But now comes the question of what we call ourselves," Chad noted.

"What do you mean?" Marvin asked.

Severus spoke up. "He means a particular group of Pokémon species is generally known as something like a pack or a flock or a colony but because we have a large mismatch of Pokémon species among us that giving our group an easy title to call ourselves is not going to be that easy."

"Well, Zane and most of us came from packs so we should just call our group a pack," Romeo offered.

Julien nuzzles him, lovingly. "I love that idea."

"But it doesn't work since not all of us are dog Pokémon," argued Shiro. "Why not just make it simple and call our group just that? A group."

"Because that's too plain! It doesn't have any appeal to it!" Chad fought back.

"What about the happy loving team?" Beatrix suggested as everyone simply glared deeply at her as she simply shrugged it off. "Oh well, I liked it at least."

Severus looked to Zane, who seemed lost in thought. "Do you have an idea?"

Soon a smile formed as Zane nodded. "I do. Let's just be called… family."

"Really? But most of us aren't an actual family. We just live together and help each other as friends," Orion reminded him.

"True but if you think about it, that is a family. We don't need to see each other as a family because it's convenient but because we want to care for each other like we were blood brothers and sisters. It makes things easy if more family members want to join us as so many others have already and for the days when others may wish to leave since the possibility is there. Being called a family is not only a warm and welcoming name for our group, but it's what I believe we already are. I certainly feel like I can call you all family, don't you agree?"

Everyone fell silent as they all began to think about it. But it was quickly broken as Severus was the first to answer. "Of course, we are. How can we see ourselves as anything less? Being a family sounds more inclusive and not restrictive to anyone wanting to join or for those already in the family. I'm in favor of becoming an official family! All in favor?"

After another brief pause, every other Pokémon present raised a hand, paw, or wing and exclaimed at once. "Aye!"

Chad smiled as he nodded. "It's agreed upon! Zane is the new leader of our family!" Everyone began cheering as Severus cuddled close to Zane. And rocked him back and forth soothingly.

"You'll be the best leader for the best group of Pokémon that ever existed. I already know it," Severus whispered to him.

Zane merely answered back by saying, "As long as I have you by my side then I know I can do anything."

"Always and forever."

The two leaned their heads in closer to seal this happy moment with their love but suddenly a scream stopped them as everyone looked back at a now panting Frederick as he stopped just outside the cave.

"Frederick? Okay is you?" Boris asked worriedly.

But soon an overexcited expression quickly overcame Frederick's features as tears began forming as he managed to say, "Our egg is hatching!"

Everyone gasped in surprise as they all began racing after Frederick back to his cave as Severus and Zane had to slowly walk over with Zane needing time to recover before he could attempt running again and Severus refusing to leave Zane's side.

Eventually, they reached the cave and peered inside with everyone else as music seemed to fill the air as the Flygon slowly lifted her head up to reveal the newly birthed baby's backside that faced them all before it yawned and stretched out as it rolled over to reveal a green baby Bagon.

That's when the music in their hearts hit a crescendo as the mother looked at her baby and began to sing.

_ Now that you're here _

_ My sweet little dear one _

_ ** I thank heaven for sending its angel to Earth** _

_ My prayer for you, love _

At the dawn of your life

_ ** Is joy and laughter and dreams that come true** _

_ I love you~ _

The baby Bagon smiled at the Flygon as she licked at her baby with love and affection as everyone watched this with joy swelling in every soul that was there to witness this beautiful moment of life. Frederick approached and kissed his mate's head before he did the same to his baby who cooed at him, recognizing them as the parents.

Indra squinted his eyes as he tried to look at the baby close as he then gasped out. "It's a boy!"

Vesper looked at Indra and then the baby before deadpanning, "That's Kiyoma's tail."

"It's a girl!" Indra immediately corrected himself using the same cadence as the first time.

"So that's her name," Zane whispered. "I never did get the chance to meet Frederick's wife and mate."

Frederick looked at Kiyoma with interest. "We still need to name her." He gently reminded her.

Kiyoma looked down at her baby before her eyes caught Zane and Severus. "Zane, will you and your mate come closer?"

Zane smiled but Severus answered with a frown. "I think it's best if only Zane goes. I don't want to spook your baby." Severus said, a hint of sadness not hidden in his voice.

"Severus…" Zane whispered about to console him but Kiyoma cut him off.

"Please. I want you both here with us," she insisted as Zane took hold around Severus and pulled the reluctant Seviper inside alongside him.

Once in front of them, Kiyoma asked, "I want your opinion on what you think when you look at my baby." Zane leaned forward to get a closer look at her, but Severus refused to do so.

"I can't do it. I don't want her to cry when she sees a scary Seviper for the first time," Severus whimpered, refusing to let his tears be seen. "I don't understand why you want me here."

"Because I know I can trust you and I want my child to be able to trust you. You only think yourself scary because that's how the world views your species but from what I've heard from Frederick is how you are the purest Seviper ever and I want my baby to not see the scary Seviper you think you are but the beautiful and kind Pokémon you are. Please," Kiyoma softly pleaded to him.

Severus felt his walls broken down by her words as he slowly lowered his head down and opened his eyes, awaiting the crying to begin. The baby Bagon stared at Zane with interest before her eyes landed on Severus. The Seviper instinctively recoiled as he prepared himself for scaring the baby and that's when the sound came. But the cries never sounded as the baby instead began to laugh and squirm as she waved her arms and kicked her legs at Severus as she laughed.

Severus was taken aback by this as his eyes were fixated on her in shock and without even thinking he muttered, "By the Great Arceus! What a brilliant, shining angel she is!"

Kiyoma smiled warmly at this as she looked up to Frederick. "We have our baby's name. Angel."

Severus looked up at them in even more shock as Frederick nodded and replied, "I couldn't agree more. Thank you, Severus, for naming our child. I think it's only fair for you to become Angel's godfather. And as her godfather, you may get to hold her as well."

Severus now felt his heart beating faster as all this was said. "W-WHAT?!"

Immediately everyone else began to cheer in encouragement as Severus was being overwhelmed by all this support that was so unfamiliar to him. That is until he felt a furry paw caress his cheek and he looked back at Zane with that pure and sweet smile that made Severus' heart flutter as he nodded at him to do this. With that being the final nail in the coffin for him, Severus finally had the courage to do as the family wished as he coiled himself around the newly named Angel and lifted her up, away from her mother's arms.

Little Angel garbled and spoke joyous baby talk as she was lifted closer to Severus. The Seviper couldn't believe this baby was so excited to see him, but he would never be prepared for what would come next. Out of nowhere, Angel reached up and managed to grab hold of his face with both hands making Severus gasp at first before the Bagon pulled his head down enough for her arms to reach at full length around his fangs as she hugged herself against his face and cuddled close against Severus as she let out a sigh of content, her head rubbing lovingly against his.

Severus could not hold back any longer as tears and quiet sobbing began flowing out of him as he carefully returned the love he was receiving from Angel as the wholesome sight left everyone in tears. "Thank you for accepting me, Angel," Severus softly cried as he kissed her head before he regrettably pulled away and returned the now sleepy baby to her mother's embrace as she positioned herself so Angel could begin to feed on her milk as Frederick nodded at Severus to thank him before he laid with Kiyoma.

Severus was overflowing with so much joy he turned to Zane and latched his mouth tightly against Zane's as the two lovers shared a passionate kiss in front of everyone, not caring and knowing there was no reason to do so. Soon they broke their kiss and pressed their foreheads together, feeling immense love of all kinds in that moment as Severus once again spoke without thinking. "I want to have a child with you and become a real family."

Zane smiled at this declaration as he then thought of something immediately as he left his mate alone for a moment before he approached the Mushroom Pokémon and the Acorn Pokémon but stopped in front of the Seedot.

"Corrin?"

"Y-Yes sir?"

"You don't need to tell me the specific story but are you an orphan?"

Corrin looked down in sadness and meekly answered, "Yes. Me and Marvin would play with the other Seedots and Shroomishes until a forest fire forced us to run. Me and Marvin were separated from everyone else including our parents and we got in the river to stay safe but once the fire was gone and we went back… everyone… everyone was…" Corrin was now trying his best not to cry as the memories became too much for him to say anymore.

His whimpering was hushed by Zane as he petted the top of Corrin's head to soothe him as he looked up at Zane as Zane spoke words, he was not thinking he would hear.

"Corrin, would you like me and Severus to adopt you?"

Corrin's eyes widened at this as he looked unsure of what to do before he felt a nudge from behind. He looked to see Marvin smiling at him beside giving him a firm nod. His eyes watered up more as he looked back at Zane. His voice was barely heard as he squeaked out, "Yes…"

Zane smiled as he picked up Corrin with his right arm as the now happily crying child was now cuddled into Zane chest as Zane carried his new son over to Severus as they hugged Corrin in between them as his eyes may have tear falling but they also showed the pure happiness he was feeling in this moment.

Marvin felt happy to give his friend the push he needed to accept their offer but frowned as it reminded him that he was now the only child without any real parents as he began to walk back to his cave alone. He couldn't help as he began to cry in depression over this loneliness that now feasted upon his heart.

"Marvin!" A voice called out to him which prevented the Mushroom Pokémon from getting far as he looked back to see Romeo and Julien approaching him. Julien then continued once they saw Marvin looking at them. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going back to my cave. I need to get Corrin's food for his new family," Marvin bitterly answered and was about to storm off.

Just before he could, Julien said, "But home is that way." The Manectric pointed towards the north side of the caves.

"No, it isn't. My cave is south of here. Yours is north."

"Not anymore. Your cave is now that way."

"I don't get what you're getting at," replied Marvin in annoyance.

"Well, me and Romeo have been talking for some time now about this…"

"Really? We've only discussed this now after Zane and Severus…" But before Romeo could get another word in, Julien without taking his eyes off Marvin slammed his paw down onto Romeo's as the Mightyena yelped and whimpered in pain as Julien smiled like nothing happened before continuing where he left off.

"We have been discussing this for some time and we want to adopt you," Julien announced to him.

Marvin blinked at this with an unamused expression. "You must be fucking with me, right?"

"No, we're not. Why would you think that?"

"Because you hate me! Everyone here hates me! I know I've been a snot to everyone here and am seen as the bad seed. Not even Corrin was safe from my negativity."

Romeo quietly whimpered through the pain he was in as he said, "Well to be fair you were acting like a major brat and…"

_ *CRUNCH* _

This time Romeo cried out as Julien lifted his hind foot off of Romeo's now bent up tail with Julien not breaking his poker face or eye contact from Marvin.

"You don't need to cover up for your partner. I know what he's getting at," Marvin huffed as he looked away, hurt. "I only acted the way I did because I wanted someone to take Corrin in officially because he was the one who was suffering and needed a family again."

"So, you took up this persona of a bad seed to try and get someone to adopt him? You took the fall so he could prosper?" Julien interrogated him.

Marvin looking away in silence was all Julien needed for his questions to be answered as he approached the Shroomish and nuzzled him.

"That is all the more reason we want to adopt you. You accomplished your goal to get Corrin adopted and now we want to give you something new to strive for. A chance to live a life with not just one family but two with me and Romeo acting as your guardians and fathers. That is if you'll give us the chance."

Marvin didn't look back and only seemed to turn himself away more. Julien felt his smile deteriorate the longer Marvin remained silent as took his silence as his answer. The Manectric stood up and began walking back with Romeo as the two slowly began walking away to their cave, leaving Marvin standing there alone.

"I'm sorry I kept messing things up. You would have convinced him if I had just shut the hell up," Romeo beat himself up but noticed the tears stinging Julien's eyes with a sad smile on his face.

"It's not your fault. It's mine. I just desired to help him and make him feel wanted after seeing the sadness of not being adopted along with Corrin. I just wish I could've reached out to him sooner. Maybe then he wouldn't feel like he was hated and alone all this time. If I wasn't such an ass when he needed support, maybe we could have helped him."

Julien felt utter regret and misery fill him as Romeo hugged him close and let him cry into chest, trying to console his mate as the Manectric just trembled and wept.

But a small gasp that escaped Romeo's lips made Julien look up to see Romeo staring wide eyed behind them. Julien followed his gaze and let out his own gasp as he saw Marvin had followed them and was standing right there. "I don't want to be alone anymore," Marvin confessed as he began crying as openly as Julien was.

Julien and Romeo both simultaneously leaned forward on their hind legs and opened their front paws to Marvin as Julien said, "You won't have to be now that you have us."

Marvin's lips trembled as he rushed forward and leaped into his new parent's embrace as the two dog-like Pokémon clutched onto Marvin and each other as they all began to cry happily together.

All this was seen by Zane, Severus, and Corrin as the two lovers smiled extremely satisfied by the beautiful scene of acceptance they witnessed.

"So does this mean everything has been resolved for us?" Corrin asked his new Fathers.

Zane surprisingly shook his head as he responded with, "Not yet. There's still one last thing that needs to be done." He then looked over and called for Nathaniel before approaching him and whispering in his ear as the Swellow nodded at him before taking off and flying away.

"Where's he going, Papa?" Corrin asked Severus.

He smiled at his son and said, "I already know where he is going. He's going to take care of unfinished business."

On the east side of the forest, the Zangoose pack was filled with cheers and celebration as a previous hunter had risen to power as the new pack leader. He swore to live the life of a true leader their previous one had inspired him to be as the now demoted leader and new pack elder and advisor to this new leader he chose was away from the celebration as his spirit could not be one of that with his people's. He felt his heart ache and his soul wasting as he felt more alone now than he ever felt when he lost his mate because back then he had his son, then he had two sons, yet now he had no one.

Favian had wept every night since leaving Zane and banishing him while condemning Zander to a lifetime punishment of serving under the entire pack. His life was in shambles when one son betrayed him by attempting to kill the other. But that did not hurt as much as everything he had done to Zane from telling him every truth, he kept from him to outright banishing him from the pack. To Favian, he lost his one true son that day and feared for him every day.

Yet as he cried for his lost son, a swoosh of wind broke him out of his depression as he saw a proud, Swellow perched on a tree branch. The following message that was being relayed to him suddenly filled Favian's soul with astounding joy and tranquility as he learned about what had happened before the Swellow had traveled over here to tell him. He soon gave a message to this new friend who made sure to memorize every word spoken perfectly as he took to the skies and left behind a Zangoose now filled with pride and fulfillment.

Zane and Severus waited multiple days for Nathaniel's return as Corrin and Diana played happily together with Marvin quickly coming to join the fun. When it seemed another day was to pass with no sign of the Swellow's return, that's when Corrin ran over to them and jumped in their embrace as he noted that Nathaniel was finally seen returning home as Diana raved off into the air to reunite with her father. Zane also knew by the smile on Nathaniel's face that his mission was a success, and he would have a message of love from his father to pass on to him while Zane would listen to every word with the loving company of his family beside him. His family as a whole, his precious son, and especially his one lover and his other half to make him whole. His Severus. His mate.

---

The human cabin was seen in the dead of night as a lone shadow observed its surroundings and noticed the cracked open door before peeking inside. He noticed the fresher ashes in the fireplace, the blanket on the ground with only scraps of leftover berries seen mostly eaten and scattered across the floor, and the damaged walls and furniture from a small scuffle that took place inside. The shadow held up two Pokéballs as they popped open with that iconic sound effect as six red eyes were seen on the now three shadows that loomed inside the darkened cabin.

"He's out here somewhere. Our search continues and we won't rest until he's back where he belongs."

To be continued...?