I took a little break to get situated but now I'm feeling good about writing again. We're moving into the bulk of the story, but already people are asking questions about where this story is going. Yes; there will be a full lemon in this story and it's coming very soon. I'm not sure about the mpreg, though. I'll have to ask for more opinions.

This chapter get's a little creepy, but we're building to the climax.

Chapter 04: My Discovery

" I do not wish to go there. "

I could ignore his protests no longer. Lucario had been against the idea of me going into the Tree of Origin since the beginning, and he refused to tell me why. It was through him that I learned that our 'intruders' originated from the Tree in the first place! He explained that the creatures that he'd been sensing were artificially made Pokemon who were saved from their fate by my mother, and in turn work to protect the Tree of Origin.

... but why were they attacking us? We were doing the Tree no harm.

That much I did not know, but I have the growing suspicion that Lucario did. Stopping in my flight through the canyons, I turned to face him, my arms coming to fold over my chest in irritation. " If you're not willing to tell me what's going on, I'm asking my mother. " I said in irritation. In truth I was not mad at him but at those creatures. This past week my fighter had been pushed to the point where he could not sleep, or eat, or go a minute without filling the air with his tension.

Even now I could see the effects that it had on his body. Lucario was too prideful to admit that he was suffering some sort of anguish in this position, but he had lost noticeable weight and had problems keeping focus. His eyes came to meet mine the moment I turned, then started to dart anxiously in anticipation. " There is nothing to say ... " I could not imagine what his voice would be like if he actually spoke those words. It was only through telekinesis that he could speak so clearly. " Except that it would be wise to stay away from the Tree! "

" I am going. " I shot a glare back at him that I immediately came to regret. " You do not need to follow me. " I turned from him and started to fly without another word, fully expecting him to return to the nest.

Instead I heard the sound of two feet following in close proximity, and I smiled.

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The rest of our trip continued in silence up until we reached the core of the tree; the place where life remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Pokemon extinct in other parts of the world thrived in this place. It must have been the main reason security in the tree was so heavy. In spite of it all we reached the center of the tree without much fanfare. I noticed that Lucario didn't flinch or jump once since we entered. It was a good indication that we were not being followed.

That good feeling was not to last. The fighter walked out in front of me and into the grass. " I'm not going in any further. " He said quietly as he tilted his head back to look up at the ceiling. " This is the area of the tree the Regis are least likely to attack. "

" I understand. " That he would not go in and further, but I knew that I wouldn't get the reason from him. The whole point of this trip was because he refused to talk about it. It pained me that he obviously hid the truth from me, but I doubt even that would make me love him any less. I brought my hip against his side as I passed him, to let him know I was still there. " I will be back shortly. " I faced him briefly. Long enough to lead down and place a loving kiss on his forehead. " Try to eat a little while you're here. "

The kiss made him tense; his thoughts scattering in an instant. Before he could respond I had teleported away from him to speak with mother privately.

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There was something wrong here.

My best senses were telling me to leave the chamber immediately, but my drive to know what was to become of me and my lover pressed me to continue. The hallway leading into the chamber that contained the Tree's heart was oddly dark. It was typical that the crystals lining the walls lit the way, but those crystals were now an inky black and lost their luster.

Why did you do it, my son?

Her familiar voice echoed off the walls of my mind ... and it made my blood run cold. Mother never used her telekinesis to communicate unless she couldn't otherwise. The question that she asked made me wonder her intentions. I paused momentarily in the doorway, then I continued on into the chamber.

Mother was there. Hanging over the crystal in the center of the room with her head slightly bowed, her tail limp, and her paws close to her face as if she'd been pained or crying. My immediate thought was that she'd been in some kind of pain. I tried to fly over to her, but her voice cut through me again.

Stay away from me ... rapist.

I stopped completely, my mouth coming open though I could find no words to say in my defense. I did not know what had surprised me more; that she knew about the incident that I had tried to repress or that she spoke to me in such a way. That last word, that horrible label, was said with enough venom to kill a Wailord. " Mother ... " I had to say something, but what?

Don't even try to explain, rapist.

Mother's head lifted slightly to start the free flowing loop that would bring her body around to face me. Her eyes were boring right into mine with an emotion I had never felt from her before. It made me come erect in my hover in a defensive stance.

I had trusted you.

This wasn't happening ...

I had taken you as my son.

I loved her like a mother ...

I had put faith in you.

And in truth I had let her down ...

And this is how you repay me?

... I ... am ...

You came into my land and took what you wanted!

I did ... and I still regret doing it.

You ... forced that poor creature to do your bidding!

And though I did ... her words made me angry. " I did nothing of the sort! I love Lucario and he loves me! " I did not force him to train me, or stay with me, or kiss me, or anything else that came to follow.

Love? Mother came erect in front of me, a paw coming over her mouth as if suppressing a surprised gasp. Love, true love, is something that a monster like you cannot possibly comprehend! You lust for someone, a male at that, and you call it love! You do not love someone after you mate them. That's nothing but lust!

I couldn't believe she, of all Pokemon, was saying this to me! Mother was supposed to be the one who loved all living creatures and yet it almost seemed as though she hated me now. I wanted to believe that she spoke these words out of hurt, and that she didn't hate me. " I don't care what you think it is, mother. " Her heated words were getting to me, as I hissed those words out. " I will tell you that I know I am in love with him, and nothing you nor anyone else can do will ever change that. "

Are you sure about what? Mother gave me an odd look before canting her head off to the side. I feel as though you do not know what is best for you, so I may very well have to interfere with your twisted ideals.

It took me a moment to absorb what had been going on between us in relation to what happened before. The whole picture was beginning to make sense, and it put a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. " You ... It was you! " The idea clicked in my mind. " You were the one who sent those monsters to spy on us! "

That is correct. I won't deny it.

" You sent them there to protect Lucario. " My blood boiled. " I assure you that he does not need saving. "

That is a matter of perspective, and mine says otherwise.

" You think whatever you please. I will not stand around and listen to your ramblings. " I whirled away from her and started to leave, but instead of flying down the tunnels back towards the core I simply teleported once I got a sizable distance from her. The last words that I heard whispered from her sent a chill down my spine, however.

It is a shame it had to come to this, my son.

We could have been so happy together.