A bright flash of light outside of the house in Veilstone City dimmed to reveal three very battered figures. Hunter was kneeling on the ground, Taren's limp body in his arms. Umbreon, worn out from using one move, collapsed on its side.

Hunter was anxiously looking at Taren, willing his student to open his eyes. "Come on, Taren. Please. Wake up."

The door opened above them and Riley, Maylene, and, being supported by both, Mara, came out.

Hunter didn't notice. He was slowly losing control, tears starting to roll down his face at the thought of what he might have done. "You can't die, Taren. You have to live. For us. For Mara. For your kid."

He looked up briefly, his eyes telling Maylene and Riley all they needed to know before looking back at Taren. "Mara's pregnant, Taren. Remember? She's almost due. You can't give up. Not when you're this close."

He hugged Taren's body closer. The tears were starting to flow faster. "Please. Don't die. I won't let another friend die because of me."

Mara crawled over to Taren. Her eyes were filled with both astonishment and disbelief. She cupped a paw to her mate's cheek, and when she spoke, her voice was worried. Taren? Taren, it's me. Mara.

Taren didn't respond. Mara looked at Hunter at the same time he looked at her. His eyes told her everything.

No! she cried. Please, no!

She began anxiously patting Taren's face. Taren, wake up! You were so excited! You can't die now! Her anxiety eventually faded, giving way to unspeakable sadness. No, she whispered. No.

She looked at him again, then moved her head in close and kissed him on slightly parted lips.

Hunter's tears had stopped. They wouldn't do any good. Riley came around and rested a hand on Hunter's shoulder. It was a long time before Mara broke away from Taren to bury her head in his chest.

Hunter hugged Taren close to him, then tensed slightly at the addition of three bright lights to the scene.

He looked up as the light dimmed. And his mouth dropped open in shock.

Floating above him, silent and unmoving, were the three legendary Pokémon of Sinnoh.

Azelf was closest to Hunter, with Mesprit near Mara and Uxie near Maylene. Riley's Lucario, which had come out with them, growled anxiously.

Azelf fixed Hunter in its wide, piercing gaze. He heard a voice, surprisingly calm for something that small, ring in his head. Do not fear. We shall make him breathe once more.

All three began to glow, then bright beams of light shot from each one into Taren's body. Hunter closed his eyes to slits, then opened them again ten seconds later, when it was done.

He looked at them all. For whatever you've done, thank you.

None of them responded, merely disappearing in bright flashes.

Hunter looked at Taren, then up at Maylene. Could it be, he thought, that they didn't do enough?

What he heard next dispelled that doubt. A voice, calling him a title that he never knew he'd earned.

Dad?

Hunter looked down to see Taren, his eyes half open, looking at him. He smiled, tears brimming to his eyes once again. "I'm here, son," he whispered, resting his head on Taren's. "I'm here."

Taren could eventually stand on his own, though he needed support to walk. As soon as they found this out, Mara chose the most inconvenient time ever to suck in a sharp breath.

Taren was instantly alert. But it's not time yet!

They got Mara into the house as fast as possible, then all crowded into the living room around the couch and set Mara down on it. The female Lucario was beginning to scream and thrash; signs that the pain was getting worse. Hunter placed his hand on Mara's paw, then closed his eyes.

Inside of Mara's stomach was a bright glow. As if…

The egg was hatching?

His eyes snapped open. "We have to get it out. It's hatching prematurely."

Taren looked at him, shock written all over his face. What?!

"The egg's already hatching. Otherwise it probably wouldn't be this bad."

But what can we do about it?

"If I can channel my Aura through Mara it may be enough to push the baby out. Just hold her still."

He put his hands on Mara's paw again, then concentrated as hard as he could.

Mara continued to scream and thrash, until Hunter finally shouted at Taren. "Hold her down or I won't be able to help!"

Without thinking, Taren threw his arms around Mara, holding her close to him. It's alright, Mara! It'll be alright!

He then grunted with pain as Mara bit down on his shoulder, her healthy, razor-sharp teeth scissoring into his body.

Maylene gasped and Riley took a step forward.

No! Taren shouted. Stay back! I'm doing this for her!

Hunter smiled grimly as he forced more Aura through Mara's body. That's my boy.

He forced more and more as Mara screamed around the mouthful of Taren. Blood was flowing like beer on New Year's Eve. Taren's shoulder was already soaked with it.

Hunter gave one last push.

There was a small pop.

Mara stopped screaming, giving a muffled sob of relief.

There was a tiny squeak.

Taren gasped.

Maylene quickly ran upstairs and then came back down with a blanket.

Very carefully, Hunter wrapped the slimy, tiny form of the newborn Riolu in the fabric. Smiling, with tears of joy brimming in his eyes, he could only think one thought. I'm a grandpa.

He held the baby out to Taren, who, releasing his now death-like grip around Mara, took it. Hunter felt obliged to whisper in the silence. "It's a boy."

Taren looked at the baby as if he didn't know what to do with it. Mara gently took her teeth from Taren's shoulder. The Lucario's arm was now soaked with blood and Mara's teeth were a bright red.

Regardless, Taren held the Riolu close as if he'd never let go. Mara took it from him, nuzzling the tiny, sleeping form. She looked at Hunter, smiling, but not showing her teeth. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Hunter smiled back. You're welcome.

Riley went to get a bandage. Blood from Taren's arm was dripping onto the wooden floor, and the Lucario swayed woozily until Riley came back and quickly tied the bandage tightly around the wound.

Taren smiled at Hunter. I…I can't believe it.

You'd better, son. It's yours.

Taren brushed away a piece of blanket that had flopped over the baby's face. I'm a father. I can't believe it.

Hunter looked up at a new presence in the room. Lucario stood behind the couch, grinning hugely. He cocked his head to one side. A grandpa? Who would've thought?

Hunter grinned back. He stood there, watching the baby snuffle and squeak, with his friends,

Yes, and family,

Around him.

Don't worry, there's still an epilogue. (That was in there for you, Autumnchronicles, so you don't assume again.) Another birth. And so it starts again. Little Lucar will feature into the story a bit more, but he won't be as important as Taren. Hope you liked it! Stay watching for the epilogue!