The air was clear and clean that night. By taking a closer look, every star was visible on the black night's sky. The only thing you could hear were the rustling leaves of the tight forest's trees. Every now and then you could see some glowing Noctowl's eyes, searching for food.

"It's that late already and they are still up? Well, I guess, if you sleep the whole day, you hardly have any other option… Nailah, can you spot anything? I really need some sleep… Guard duty is so hard since we lost Bosco… I'm gonna miss him, he was just too young to die like this…"

The deep voice came from a tall, green creature with a powerful body. It was battle-tested, as the countless scars on its green back, which was covered in yellow seeds, and its green belly, patterned with one big, red stripe, were telling.

It wore a black headband with a snow-white crescent moon in its centre, which ends in two long bonds drifting in the gentle wind.

Right beneath that headband it had two yellow shining eyes, watching at a nearby cave. It had a tail that somehow resembles a shrub and its hands and feet were equipped with razor-sharp claws, ready to instantly tear intruders apart. Its best weapons however were long, extremely sharp-edged, solid leaves, two of them attached to each of its arms, right above its wrists.

"Nailah?"

"Shh! You're gonna wake Gale and Micah if you keep on being so loud… They both need as much sleep as they can get, you know that! They just hatched today, that took almost all of their energy… Imagine you and me training for two days and nights without any breaks, that is how they feel!"

Another creature stepped out of the cave, which was going deeper inside than it looks at first glance. It had long, red feathered legs with bushy yellow feathers at the bottom. With one view at the creature's slim, also red feathered torso and the long, strong arms, ending up in big maulers, equipped with sharp talons, you could tell that this Pokémon must have been in not only a few battles as well. Its head was covered in long, white feathers, almost looking like a mane, and featured a pointy beak.

It wore a black scarf with the same snow-white crescent moon in its centre, as the other creature's headband had.

With yellow shining eyes, it looked at the Sceptile, which stood a few meters in front of it on a meadow, barely illuminated by some torches, and turning in its direction.

"*sigh* Sorry, the feeling of being a father is just still so new to me... Father of two such wonderful sons." He looked at the cave. "Well, you're right... It is all new to me as well... Now, we don't have to protect only ourselves anymore, Torak... Some whole lot of responsibility awaits us! But, knowing that we aren't the last ones anymore, gives me relief..."

With a glowing expression of hope in his look, meaning that he agrees, Torak looked deep in her eyes. "Within them lies new hope for the preservation of our clan! We have to protect them at all costs!" His voice darkened. "Bosco died to protect us! In the name of Arceus, I will take vengeance for the death of that brave Marshtomp! These bloody Dystopes will pay for that!"

His voice rose in volume. "These gutless cunts will learn what it means to mess with the father of the last Noscates, I will make the- *ugh*"

The Blaziken punched him in his flank.

"I said, don't be so loud! The last Noscates' father will soon be torn apart if he's not going to let 'em sleep! Besides that, you will only attract attention onto us. If the Dystopes discover our hideout, we can say goodbye to this world, and Gale and Micah can just do the same! Is that what you want?"

Torak looked at her in disbelief. "Of course not! I know that this is our only retreat!" The disbelief in his eyes was wiped away by a deep wave of affection and love. "I love you, Nailah, and I love Gale and Micah! Before someone could harm you, they first have to pass me, and you know as good as I do, that this is barely possible! My Frenzy Plant is the most powerful in the whole world, before anyone gets through it, I am a pink Magikarp!"

Nailah was giggling a few moments, but then changed her mood back to seriousness.

"Oh, I truly am aware of that, but there surely are forces out there, which even we don't know yet." She started grinning. "And what do you even mean by 'pass you'? You know as good as I do that I can watch myself quite decently! In battle, I am still better than you!" She began poking her partner with one of her claws. "You oversized bush!" She laughed.

Torak didn't want to put up with the poking anymore and pushed her over. He laughed and let himself fall next to her, into the soft grass.

"Well then, you should be glad being a fire-type and not a Floatzel or a Sandslash, if that would be the case, you wouldn't stand a chance against me!" He grinned furtively. "Those are some big words for someone who isn't even capable of- *hrmpf*"

The Blaziken was surprised, as Torak suddenly rushed towards her and kissed her. She blushed, but then returned the kiss. After their lips separated, they both sat up. "You know... These are moments that make me forget all the horrible events we were facing... All the desperation, all the tormenting questions we had to ask ourselves lately..." Nailah nodded. "Just make sure you'll nonetheless always keep them in mind... These things are the ones that remind us about our duty everyday! We have to prepare our sons for what awaits them... It's gonna be tough enough for them, we have to support them as long and good as we can!" "You're right..." He sighed. "But... For now, just let us enjoy this moment... I love you!" He gazed deeply in her eyes, then they both looked skyward. "The stars are so beautiful tonight..." "May they always watch over Gale and Micah..." "Yes..."

After some time, Nailah pointed at the cave. "You should rest... I got some sleep right after Gale and Micah fell asleep this afternoon, so I can take guard duty." The Sceptile looked at her with an expression of gratitude on its face and kissed her cheek tenderly. "Thank you... I'll take the next two guards, promise!" She nodded "Get some sleep, we got some work to do tomorrow..." Torak sighed "I know, I know..."

He went to the cave, entered the familiar room and looked at his sons, which were sleeping the deep sleep of the innocent. "Indeed... A new generation was born... A new ray of hope for the Noscates' clan..."

He laid down on his nest of leaves and moss and could hear Nailah humming in front of the cave's entrance. He closed his eyes and sleep overcame him.