New Life - Part 2

Saria laid in the grass as she enjoyed the short lapse of clear sunlight. It hadn't been such thing as a clear sunny day in more than a week, just short time spans in which the clouds slightly dissipated.

As the clouds blocked out the sunlight once more Saria sighed deeply, it would be long before Cotton got over it. This couldn't go on forever though, plants could only take so much rainwater in a short period of time before suffering out of an excess of it.

Still... She didn't blame it on Cotton completely. Had she suddenly been told that she would never be able to have a child of her own she would probably be inconsolable for weeks, months maybe.

Like if that was going to happen anytime soon. Full grown and yet still unable to even mention her feelings for the only one she ever saw ever forming a family with? No wonder why he probably still saw her as a child.

Well, it wasn't like she had been hiding it from him completely was it? She was sure she had been more obvious than she would have wanted to quite a few times, so obvious that in fact a lot of her teammates had guessed it already, but not him.

She shook this thought away, perhaps the lack of sunlight was already beginning to affect her. Or maybe not? The whole ranch's mood had been quite grim lately, the bad news had traveled fast and affected everyone more than she would have expected.

Saria was about to go seek shelter from the surely upcoming rain when she spotted a certain Lucario passing by, shortly followed by a female Infernape. The big smile on Vincent's face sure contrasted with the rest of the ranch and just looking at him even seemed to lift her mood.

It was strange how a bad thing could have eventually lead to some good. The news of Cotton had affected Napoleon more than she thought they would: he had fallen into depression, barely even eating, barely even living. Fighting was of course out of the question, and seeing one of the most enthusiastic fighters at the ranch lose all of its will had been difficult to anyone to completely grasp. Maybe it was out of empathy or just a show of respect, but no one at the ranch seemed to be in the mood to fight anymore.

Vincent eventually had enough and, in an attempt to ease up the grim atmosphere (And to impress a certain Infernape), he challenged Trevor to a fight. The Treecko wasn't in the mood for a battle but refusing the challenge meant losing his title as a member of the Elite Eight, the strongest fighters at the ranch, so he accepted.

The Lucario soon regretted that decision. The battle barely even lasted a minute but the results were disastrous. Vincent had never before felt so much pain, he could tell the Treecko had hold nothing back. Even with the right treatment it took him a few days to heal completely.

However, what happened on those days was the one thing that Saria would have never expected.

Veruka had been the one who tended his wounds. Apparently, without Napoleon challenging the Infernape to their usual practice matches she had been left with lots of time to spare. Veruka had been a really close friend of the Lucario since the latter one was really young so that was to expect, but what had really surprised everyone was that she had spent every waking moment by his side, making sure he was OK.

No one really said it, but something had become obvious: Veruka was fearing for Vincent's life. However, while the Lucario's wounds weren't a pretty sight they weren't anything that serious. Veruka was more concerned about her friends ever since the news of Cotton. As much as she tried to hide it she was more affected by the news than she would let notice.

How it all snowballed from there was beyond Saria's grasp. Perhaps it had been having seen Vincent on his most vulnerable state, the fact that the goofy Lucario had gone that far just for her, or maybe the lack of distractions had finally let her sort out her feelings for him. Maybe a bit of all of these? She couldn't tell for sure but the moment she saw the Lucario plant his lips on hers and Veruka kissing him back little did it matter anymore.

Sure, Veruka was still hesitant about making it public and would shy away if she saw anyone watching, but it was definite: Vincent's constant attempts at winning the serious Infernape's heart had finally given fruit.

The Leafeon was careful to go unnoticed and not disturb them as she hid behind one of many trees. Her common sense told her to get further away, this was none of her business; however, this was all too good to not watch. After all of these years of rooting for him Vincent finally had the girl of her dreams, and there was also something about looking at Veruka that happy that made her feel warm on the inside.

It also made her wish to have something similar herself. Everything seemed circle her back to that lately, why couldn't she just say it to him straight?

Well, it wasn't like she had many chances to do that recently. Ross had been acting strange whenever they were alone since a few days ago, so much that he would sometimes just walk away without even saying a word.

The sky grew clear once again and Saria realized she wouldn't probably even need shelter. She was about to make her way to the lake to clear her thoughts but stopped dead in her tracks. Instead, she went to find Cotton. The Lopunny was surely feeling better right now since the clouds weren't gathering. Maybe it was a good idea to ask Cotton to come along, keep her busy.

The more she thought of it the better she liked the idea. She hadn't really had much of a chance to talk to her lately and surely Napoleon could use a break too. She would even ask Ross to come along as well. Just thinking about what could happen if everything turned out right made her heart race. She had to steer her mind from that, not the right moment.

She then heard the sound of an engine revving. Saria turned around and noticed a huge delivery truck she recognized as the mail. While it wasn't unusual for her master to receive mail the fact that the mailman was carrying a larger-than-average package made her curious, and so the Leafeon decided to get closer.

***

Napoleon lied sitting right next to Cotton at a huge oak that stood over a cliff. The Lopunny had been inconsolable for nine days already, and yet there was little he could do about it other than staying by her side and be strong for her. While she was at least not crying anymore the fact that nothing he could do would make her stop feeling so miserable made him feel powerless; it was frustrating.

Then again, while not worst than her, he couldn't say he was by much better. It all had been so sudden, so unfair.

Barely a month or so ago the idea had begun to seem attractive when he was asked (forced actually) by Mathew, Elisa's Honchkrow (And a really intimidating one for the record) to look after the Scratch and Sibelius since everyone else was apparently busy; including Cotton. While it had been a pain at the start in the end he had enjoyed it.

Sure, it had been no easy task keeping the two troublemakers under control, but it had been strangely refreshing. By the time Cotton came along he already had them under control, or at least entertained enough, playing with their ninja and pirate costumes from the previous Halloween that he had found by chance at the house when he was chasing after them.

The delighted look on Cotton's face alone would have been enough to make him agree to anything she would have asked for, it was mere coincidence that something similar to what she said had already crossed his mind.

Then, just when he had finally become comfortable with the idea of becoming a father, raising a child of his own, he was told he couldn't? It all seemed so unfair.

Sure, technically he could still have a kid of his own, it was Cotton the one unable to give birth. He had thought of that and the answer was simple: He woul00d first ask Mathew to chop off his arms and legs right away before even considering leaving Cotton for someone else.

The Floatzel let out a deep sigh. At least in due time he would get over this, Wasn't this most male's ream? A carefree life along with a beautiful partner with little to nothing to worry about? He hadn't even pictured children until a short time ago.

However, for Cotton it wouldn't be that easy to cope with it. He was pretty sure she had dreamed of having kids, perhaps a girl, since a very young age. She would have made such a great mother if they asked him, children already loved her and she could easily handle delicate situations that would have made him lose his mind if faced with them.

Fate had been cruel to them. He wasn't upset about him though; while he couldn't remember doing anything as terrible as to deserve this he did recognize he wasn't completely free of guilt. What really enraged him though, was Cotton's suffering. This was completely uncalled for considering he couldn't even picture the Lopunny having done anything to harm anyone intentionally. Heck! She even got out of her own way just to help someone in need more often than he would have wanted her to.

Napoleon eventually came to the conclusion that there was indeed something greater than them out there, ruling everyone's lives, and it simply didn't like Cotton. There was no other possible explanation.

He gently wrapped his arms around her tightly, she needed him more than ever and if by chance he could avoid her any further pain by doing this he was more than willing. As the Lopunny leaned her head against his chest he felt frustrated that no matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn't be able to fulfill Cotton's broken dream.

They suddenly heard a familiar voice. Turning around they saw their master, Elisa, was running at them looking really excited. On a closer look they noticed she was carrying something in her arms.

Even after Elisa was right in front of them it still took them a moment to actually grasp what was happening: it was an egg, and she was handing it over to them.

"It's not from around here, it just arrived on the mail. I have no idea of who sent it or what Pokemon will hatch from it but the package came from Unova. I could take care of it but... After all you've been through I was wondering if you two would take care of it, raise it as yours. What do you think?" Elisa offered, holding the egg right in front of them.

It was only until she had done so that she began to have second thoughts about it. Doing so had been risky, what if it was still too soon? What if this only made everything worse?

However, Elisa's fears were proven wrong as the Lopunny gasped, her eyes tearful in disbelief. She took the egg gratefully and cradled it in her arms as dearly and naturally as if it had been her own.

Napoleon just stood there, watching in sheer awe as everything unfold before him. Was this even possible? Just when he had given up every hope of bringing a smile back on Cotton's face, of becoming a father, they were being granted a second chance?

It suddenly became clear, it couldn't have been mere coincidence. Recently finding out that Cotton was unable to give birth had been a though blow, but it had happened for a reason. Had this egg arrived a few days earlier no one would have paid attention to it, eventually hatching and becoming a parent-less Pokemon, just like many other at the ranch. Fate had been more wise and merciful than it had let known at first glance. Cotton had been indeed meant to be a mother, however, to a Pokemon that would have otherwise lacked the love and guidance of one.

"Napoleon!" Cotton cried excitedly as she held the egg close to him. The Floatzel gently wrapped his arms around her, being extra careful not to hold her too tight and harm the egg. It probably wouldn't be exactly the same as if it had been one of his own but little did that mater to him right now, he was already looking at it as one of his own blood.

***

All of this time the Leafeon had been watching from afar. Saria sniffled loudly as the tears ran freely down her face.

Yes, she sometimes got a bit too emotive, she had to admit; but she simply couldn't help it as she saw a smile finally coming back to her friend's face. There was also something about seeing the couple so close to each other that always seemed to get her all emotional. The two had already faced so many complications but their love always proved to be true, like a fairytale of some sort.

Saria wiped the tears off her face before taking a deep breath and trying to calm down a bit. As she did so for the third time that morning the thought of Ross came back to her. Then, another thought struck her.

Life every once in a while gave second chances, it was up to one to take them or leave them. Just how many chances had she already wasted? On how many opportunities she had been granted to be alone with Ross had she either said nothing at all or just walked away out of nervousness?

She had been lucky so far but if this went on her chances would eventually run out. Either something terrible could happen to her or the Raichu could find someone else (He was a pretty good prospect for any female to go after in her opinion) just to mention a few possibilities.

The Leafeon took in a deep breath, arming herself with confidence. It couldn't be that hard to ask him, right? After all, she would never know his opinion if she never brought up the question.

A single decision was enough to change two lives. Hesitation still remained but she was determined, Ross had to know. No matter the consequences, she couldn't afford to lose any more chances...

"Saria! Saria!!! Look!!!" A familiar voice called over to her. She turned around to see Cotton running at her  excitedly as she held the egg in her arms.

Well, perhaps it could still wait just a bit longer, Cotton needed her right now.



To Be Continued...