CHAPTER 29

Date: October 8th, 111 P.A. / 2115 C.E.

Mew could not have chosen a worse time to call her meeting. And she knew it. Andes Mountains. Her ORIGINAL Temple, restored to its former glory after the Apocalypse by the resident there. The irony that she had had a religion worshiping her far before his intervention in the human's world, and now was criticizing him for his own Temple and anything related to it, reminded him of a sulky, jealous child who was no longer the golden creation.

Arei was close to her time now. In fact, today was her due date…and when he had left, she was showing the signs of discomfort that was usual for females in childbirth. He had ordered her to be taken to Doctor Zered, and had intended to stay with her after her first contraction shook her frail frame. However, no only Mew, but numerous others including Lugia and Rayquaza had summoned him. He now stood before the Legendary Birds and Dogs, the phoenix named Ho-oh, Deoxys, and other who he knew from his original regions, and others who he had never bothered to come to know well in their distance from him. And all of these powerful beings would not be denied, not even by him.

Still, he voiced his protest. "Let us confer swiftly. I must return to my land swiftly. My—"

"Yes, Abaddon, your mate is birthing your child. We all know, so do not bother to hide the affair. We respect your situation, so we will release you as swiftly as possible."

Mewtwo did not like hearing that his secret was so obviously known, or the tone that Moltres was using on him. Yet he remained silent, letting them go into the preliminary chatter, gazing around the Mt. Quena island which Mew had decided would suit their meeting. He had only visited this place twice before, during other summons, and he would admit, it was a pretty place. A border of mountains kept the world at bay as well as the hectic weather, the band of forest between them and the vast, clear lake. The chemical composition had healing properties that came from the spring upon this rocky outcrop of an island, which was littered with caves. As minutes passed, the scenery only further irked him as he thought about his wife. How was she? Had her labor truly begun? He set down his senses to the others, reaching out to his mate through their shared blood…searching….

Yes. She was in labor, and she was hurting. He bristled as he sensed this, but despite the pain…she seemed calm, collected. She wanted him there at her side…but understood his need to be here. Still, he cursed Mew. He wanted to be next to his wife as their child was born into the world…and he was here, thousands of miles away. He reached out with his sense, brushing her mind reassuringly, before being snapped back by Mew, who had snapped his head with the tip of her tail.

He growled at the sting, "What is it?"

"Do you plan to continue wiping out the Rebellion with your forces, even though they are a constantly growing number?"

Mewtwo was caring less and less for control, for vengeance, as the months passed by…and really, he was beginning to think it might be a relief, to let them return the world to its previous state. Some of the pantheon might disagreed, rather enjoying their continued freedom and that of their followers...but Mewtwo cared little. The more he thought of it, the more he believed it would be a relief to have the responsibility of controlling and caring for the human race handed back to their own kind. He could go to his and Arei's valley, staying with her without having to depart…he would be with them, always….

But then he remembered the Rebels and their desire to possess his child and turn it against him. He, the father who loved it and wanted only to care for it with Arei. Surely, they would continue to hunt for it, even as he stepped down. Humans were keen on vengeance, and even if they obtained what they wanted, they would not let him find his peace. To them, Abaddon possessed a threat…and human weren't keen on letting a threat survive.

He gazed at Mew, at them all, and said, "Yes, I shall. They would see me and my mate destroyed, our child used for their gains. I cannot let that stand. So yes, I will continue to try to eradicate them as long as they obtain that desire."

Mew's eyes were hard and cold, and conveyed more of her thoughts. "Very well. That was all we needed to know. You may go to your mate now."

He nodded to them all, and disappeared. And when he was gone, Mew turned to them all.

"As I told you all, he will not stop. And neither will the humans until they feel that justice is served. He would eradicate hundreds more to protect his family. While we all understand the strength that bond conveys, we cannot ignore what he will trade for them: hundreds of lives. And as for the humans…perhaps if they see him broken, they will cease their thirst for vengeance. I have a plan: are you interested?"

They were…and in the end, they agreed with Mew, not caring about her own goal of revenge. For they too had lost so much…their friends, their offspring, their freedom. As cruel as the world had been, they wished it to return to the way it had been. And if Mewtwo was to suffer further for his sins, so be it. Mew was not the only one who desired him to be rendered powerless as the innocents of the Apocalypse had been. And so, they made a pact…and began to prepare for the usurpation….

And presently then, Mewtwo neither knew nor would have truly cared. He reappeared outside the private infirmary, Doctor Zered cleaning his tools and talking to Marie, who had acted as midwife. Seeing the god appear, he set down his equipment and went to Abaddon. Mewtwo gazed past him, at the closed door, and asked if she and infant were all right. Clearly, the baby had been delivered already. The clone damned Mew for drawing him away at this special moment, but accepted it now that it had been done. Doctor Zered answered him promptly.

"She and the babe are resting. The delivery was a success…and someone out there is the lucky father to a bright, healthy son."

He said it a bit too knowingly, but Mewtwo did not care. He had a son. A baby boy. He brushed past the others, and as he opened the door, finding Marie and Byron chatting quietly with a tired-looking Arei, he said, "Leave us. Arei and I have much to talk about."

The loyal ones obeyed with a smile and closed the door behind themselves. Now it was just Mewtwo, Arei, and the newborn she held in her arms. His gaze immediately softened as he gazed upon them both, his heart beginning to melt. He crossed over to them and slid his body beside Arei, resting his back on the headboard. Smiling, he kissed his wife's cheek affectionately, and she sighed, curling up against his side.

"Hey…we have a son, as predicted by the fates."

"I heard…."

He gazed down at the tiny, very human-appearing infant in her arms. How fortunate…if one didn't know any better, he could not be connected to Mewtwo. He could slip into a crowd when he was older and not have to worry about being singled out. And now, for this much longer, they were safe from discord and persecution. Sensing his fatherly longing, Arei, a bit shyly, asked him if he would like to hold him. He smiled, breathing out a yes at that. As if he could not! Gently, his wife handed the little being to him, showing him how to rest the babe in his arms. As soon as they were comfortable, she leaned back down, exhaustion evident in her movements. She was sweat-streaked, aching…yet triumphant. And happy, too…and the feeling almost burst her heart as Mewtwo held and gazed down at their son with such delight.

"He's wonderful, Arei…."

"Yes, he is…he sort of looks like you."

Indeed…snowy lavender hair, paler skin, the tone of his beneath his fur. The fuzz was feathery, like duck down and just as soft. As the child stirred awake, he blinked open his wide, big, amethyst eyes at his father…gurgling, reach up to his muzzle. Mewtwo obeyed, getting closer, taking in his child's scent. Milky…. He chuckled, happier than he could ever remember being. He noticed that as far as physical features, their son seemed to take after Arei…but only time would tell if he would become tall and a little like his father.

Then, the child began to fuss…and Mewtwo instinctively knew why. Their son was hungry. He hugged his son close, then gently healing him back to Arei to feed…wrapping his arms and tail about her, watching as she unbuttoned her shift, revealing a bare breast to the child, who swiftly latched unto a nipple, suckling greedily, his small hand kneading into her for milk. As their little one fed, Arei kissed the top of their son's head gently, happily…she was content right now, more at peace than she could ever recall being before.

"What will you name him, my dear?"

She glanced up at him at the curious inquiry, surprised, and a little suspicion that he was trying to tease her. "Mewtwo…that's your right—"

He shook his head with a smile. "No, Arei…all I did was sire him. You were the one to carry him…to bring him into the world. Yes, I supported you, got you whatever you desired during this time…but you put in for more effort and energy into the act of keeping him safe and supporting him. What I did was minuscule in comparison. You have more of a right to give him his name than I. Besides…I know you have been thinking about it, and I would not deny you the name you wish him to have."

She blushed…then, she smiled, pressing her cheek to the top of their child's head, savoring his soft warmth, the feel of his tiny body curled up against hers. "…Jonah. Jonah Dovasary. That's what I want to name him."

He smiled, kissing her face. "Then that's what his name shall be."

She rested her head against his shoulder, and after burping their son, rested him in her arms. Mewtwo buttoned up her shift, then was content to watch their little one sleep. He was smaller than a normal baby, but not enormously so. And he, little Jonah, would grow, in time. Yes…and Mewtwo liked the name. Jonah. "Blessing" in one of the old tongues. It was indeed fitting….

After a time, he felt his mate's mood shift into sorrow….

"What is it, Arei…?"

She shivered. "Mewtwo…will you promise me something?"

"Anything."

She met his eyes…hers were teary. "If…if something happens, and I die…will you make certain he's cared for? That he had another mother figure so…?"

Mewtwo's brow furrowed. "…Arei…I won't allow anything to happen to you. I will protect you…so do not worry."

"Yes…but just in case, please, swear to me," she pleaded.

He took her face in his paws, his muzzle against her nose. "Very well…I swear to you, if something happens, Jonah will be cared for by someone who will love him. Namely, myself. You are my wife…if you die, I will pine for you, Arei. I will take no other mate…I could not bear to. But…that will not happen. Together, we will love and raise over Jonah. We shall."

"I…I really hope that's that case, Mewtwo."

In that moment, the joy and fear mixed, creating a bittersweet effect that permeated them both. Yet, little Jonah's gurgling drew his parents from their somber states, and they delighted in him as any new happy parents would. For he was their miracle…their blessing. They baby. And they loved him more deeply than all the world….