FYI: This story's rating will be changed to M soon. There is currently no lemon planned, though.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Piplup POV:

I felt surprisingly warm and comfortable as I awoke. I opened my eyes and was greeted by a dark ceiling, indicating I was inside something. Curious, I sat up and observed my surroundings. There seemed to be some sort of entrance with a view of the ocean, its waves rhythmically crashing onto the sandy shore. I realized that I was in a beachside cave; and it wasn't just any cave. It was the same one I had met Articuno in earlier.

My thoughts were interrupted at the sound of two Pokémon talking behind me, and I quickly recognized both voices. One of them belonged to Oshawott. He sounded calm, casually chatting with the other Pokémon. But the second voice; I knew it was Articuno's. But why was she here? And why was she conversing with Oshawott?

I turned around and confirmed what I was hearing. Oshawott was sitting on the ground with his back resting against the wall of the cave, looking completely unafraid of Articuno, who was nestled down several feet away. They were casually chatting about something, like two Pokémon who had known each other forever.

The absurdity of the scene was laughable, there was no way this was real. I chuckled to myself; I must still be dreaming. It was the only explanation.

Hopefully Buneary didn't show up. Otherwise, this might turn into some kinky sex dream. I swear she could somehow enter other's dreams and screw with them, literally! Damn pervy rabbit.

"Hey, look who's awake" Oshawott announced. I'm awake? Was there a chance this was real? Articuno turned her head to me and smiled.

"Hello again Piplup" she casually greeted, as if nothing about this situation was absurd.

"I'm still dreaming, right?" I asked incredulously. "I mean, there's no way this is real. You two have never met, so this is not possible. I must still be asleep." Oshawott chuckled, to my utter disbelief.

"Nope, you're wide awake, and this is completely real" he said, an amused look on his face. Really? A million questions were running through my mind.

"But, what happened? Where are Buneary and Pikachu? What's going on?" I questioned Oshawott, before turning to Articuno. "And why are you here?"

"Don't worry, those two are long gone" Oshawott started explaining, grabbing my attention. "They went to get Dawn and everyone else's help after you passed out." He chuckled briefly. "I thought I was mad at Pikachu for insinuating your mother was disappointed in you, but boy was Buneary furious! She yelled at him for the mother reference, and I bet all of Undella Town heard her after they left!" He slowly shook his head with a chuckle. "Anyways, I stayed behind to protect and care for you until they returned. It had only been a few minutes when Articuna appeared out of nowhere. Geez, did she startle me!" He looked up and met her gaze for a moment before returning to me. "She said she wanted to show us something, and suddenly we were in this cave." He paused. "We talked while we waited for you, and she told me about the saying and its origin. And I have to say, it certainly explains a lot about Emolga being gay!" He smiled at me. "Thank Arceus you told me about Articuna being a friendly legendary, or I would have had to fight her!"

I took a moment to think about what he said. It was certainly a lot to process. But one thing really stood out…

"Articuna?" I questioned, looking at the legendary bird. "Why is he calling you Articuna?" She shrugged.

"Because that's what everyone calls me" she replied. "They use an "a" instead of an "o" because I'm a girl. Hence Articuna."

"Should I call you that too?" I asked, hoping I hadn't offended her by calling her Articuno. I was surprised to see her smile warmly at me.

"You can call me whatever you want" she gently responded, much to my surprise. "To answer your earlier question, I'm here because you were having nightmares about your brother" she started. "He said you killed your mother because you were laid, right?" How did she know what my dreams were about?

"Yeah, I was" I said. "It's true too. I did kill my mother, and I'll never get to know her." I looked down as several tears trickled down my face.

"That's not entirely true" Articuna said, much to my confusion.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "Are you saying she's not dead?"

"Yes and no" Articuna replied, making me even more confused.

"But how can it be both yes and no?" I questioned, totally confused. I stared into her ruby eyes, hoping for any hint as to what she meant. I was surprised to see a glimmer of sorrow and sympathy cross her eyes, followed by a glint of…affection?

"You have more than one mother, Piplup" She revealed, her expression unreadable. "And she is very much alive."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had another mother, and she was alive?! My legs gave out and my rear slammed on the ground. I felt the arms of Oshawott, who had been sitting silently, wrap around me in a comforting hug.

I did not know what to feel.

"Wh-what?" I meekly uttered. "How is that even possible?"

"It's…complicated" Articuna answered. "I cannot easily explain it, so I'm going to show you instead." She looked at Oshawott. "You should see this too." She looked back at me. "So should your friend, Buneary. She's been supporting you, and she deserves to know."

Before I could respond, the red irises of her eyes glowed like before, and suddenly Buneary appeared out of nowhere in front of me. Her eyes went wide, and she reeled backwards.

"BWAH!" she exclaimed, sounding utterly shocked and looking just as confused as I was feeling. How did Articuna get her here like that? "Piplup? But how?" She looked to her sides frantically. "Where are we? And where's Peeky?"

I couldn't help but snicker despite how bizarre the situation was. 'Peeky'. Oh, was I going to tease Pikachu about that!

Buneary looked behind her to where Articuna was. She stiffened and froze in place. "Um, hello" she squeaked. I patted her on the back, hoping to relax her a bit.

"Don't worry, she's friendly" I whispered to her.

"Hello, Buneary" Articuna greeted cheerfully. "It's good to finally meet you. Piplup and Oshawott will explain what's going on while I prepare the dream." Her eyes started glowing once again. "This isn't my specialty, so give me a minute."

With Articuna now occupied, Buneary turned around to me and Oshawott. "Guys, what in the name of Arceus is going on?" she questioned, obviously bewildered. I certainly could understand why, too. "One moment I'm walking with Pikachu through the villa's front yard, and the next I'm in a cave with you two and a legendary Pokémon. Explain this to me!"

"Articuna said she wanted you to see something with us" Oshawott said. "That's all I really know!"

"Okay, but how am I here?" she asked. Buneary huffed in exasperation. "Can you at least tell me how I got here?"

"Honestly, I have no idea" I admitted. Buneary frowned, clearly disappointed with my answer. "Please just roll with it for now."

"Fine, but you owe me a long explanation later" she said, to which I nodded. She deserved it, after all.

"Okay, the dream is ready" Articuna interrupted, her eyes no longer glowing. "What you are going to see is after Piplup's egg was laid, but before Piplup hatched." She looked at each of us. "Are you ready?"

"Yep" Oshawott confirmed.

"Yes" Buneary answered.

"I am" I stated.

Articuna nodded, and I immediately started feeling Drowzee.

A few seconds later, I fell asleep.

/

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