Tribal

49

The morning finally arrived, and Clover gave birth to three wonderful little mantis children. She and Reed spent the entire day fawning over their newborn children. They invited everyone to come and see the children, all of whom were admiring the little mantises as well.

"They are adorable!" Daisy exclaimed.

"They seem to be very healthy," Ash commented.

"Sleepless night sweetie?" Stan asked Haley.

"Oh, you have no idea," Haley said tiredly.

"Cousins!" Markus shouted.

"Yes Markus, cousins." Clover laughed at the little pill bug's words.

"Ash, will our children be this cute?" Daisy was not entirely considering the surrounding audience when she spoke, embarrassing Ash.

"Daisy!" Ash exclaimed, very flustered.

"What?" Daisy asked, confused by his irritated embarrassment.

"Aww, what's the matter, Ash?" Clover teased.

Everyone was cutting up and laughing with one another, Reed seemed to be passed out next to Clover though, holding two of their three children in his arms. Both were fast asleep just like him. While the child Clover held was being particularly active.

"I wish Acacia could be here," Clover said longing. She had hoped her cousin would be there for the birth of her children.

"Who says I'm not?" Acacia said, walking through the door of the hut.

"Acacia! You made it!" Clover said.

"We would have been here sooner if someone didn't get us lost." Acacia looked behind her, Ghost following shortly.

"How was I supposed to know there would be a roadblock on the road? Detours are not my forte." Ghost said, failing to defend his case.

"Relax you two, I'm just glad you could be here," Clover said warmly.

"Hey kiddo, don't forget about us," Thorn said as he and Ivy walked in.

"Mom! Dad! You made it!" Clover exclaimed.

"Wouldn't miss this for the world," Ivy said.

"I would," Violet complained from behind.

"Mom," Ash said sarcastically.

"Don't Mom me young man. You see one baby, you've seen them all." Violet tried to hide the fact that she was really happy to see her niece's children, she had most people fooled. But not Clover.

"Sure Aunt Violet," Clover said.

"Don't call me Aunt. Makes me feel old." Violet said, setting her hunting spear on the door.

"But you-" Ash was cut off mid-sentence by Violet grabbing him by the throat.

"You want to finish that sentence boy?" Violet glared at her son.

"N-No ma'am." Ash choked out, and Violet released him.

"I see we are still fighting like hatchlings." A voice spoke from the doorframe.

Another mantis walked in, she had long spikes on her shoulders, and her body was obscured by a long cloak.

"M-Mother?" Acacia asked.

Every mantis in the room took a knee, allowing Acacia's mother to walk directly up to Clover. The intimidating mantis removed her cloak. Revealing the spikes were a part of her body, she stepped into the light. One of her eyes had glazed over and had a large scar stretching from her forehead to her waist. She was missing an arm but had replaced it with a blade. Her horns branched off wildly, she looked more animalistic than Violet. Violet appeared as a normal person compared to this mantis.