Chapter 7
In Frere Kingdom:-
Blaze angrily entered his room, slamming the wooden door behind him.
Once inside the safety of its four walls, he began to pace the room back and forth, his teeth gritted in an effort to muffle the scream forming down his throat. His fur was burning from the flames inside him, a sign of how infuriated he really was with himself. Apart from anger, guilt seemed to be his second companion. The thoughts of what happened and what could have happened flooded his mind, making his head ache and further fueling his desire to scream.
Why does he not understand? Blaze thought to himself, his pace quickening as he walked from one end of the room to another. It was a strange thing how royalty would choose to act when not given what they wanted to hear. Right now, all the Flame Prince wanted to hear was that his brother would not be fighting in the battle. Sadly, this was not to be.
"Your Highness," Fennekin addressed him, closing the door behind her as she came in, uninvited.
"Leave me be, Fennekin," Blaze growled at her before she could utter another word. "This really is not the best of times."
"I am not here on your brother's command, Your Highness," Fennekin replied. "I come at my own will."
Sighing, he hung his head down and continued his pacing, his brows furrowed in annoyance and ears laid back. Watching her prince, her closest friend, in this state of distress worried the little Fennekin. She followed him with her eyes as he walked aimlessly around his room, wondering what she could say to comfort him. Truth would be bitter and quite possibly not the safest course of action. However, she was determined to at least try.
"That could have gone differently," she began. "All he asked was for your support."
She immediately regretted what she said as soon as the words escaped her muzzle. By no means had she intended to come across as someone who defended the King's word. This was bound to provoke the fury he'd been containing inside. She expected Blaze to lash out at her and display the hot-tempered nature the Fire pokemon were often known for.
"Do you not think I know that?" Blaze said sadly, the tone of his voice surprising her. He looked into her eyes. "He is my brother! I love him! But I don't fight to kill! And I don't see why he has to march out to battle! I want him to live."
"No King ever lived who didn't protect the ones he loved," Fennekin answered softly. "And the ones he loves are within the walls of this kingdom. He must."
Blaze sighed heavily, tearing his eyes away to hide the tears forming in his eyes. He began pacing again. As much as he liked to deny it, Fennekin was right. His heart was simply not accepting the truth. His brother, the King, had been charged with the duty to protect the kingdom and therefore, he had little in choice. Blaze, in contrast, did. As the King's brother, he could only be expected to support but was, by no means, bound by duty which is why he was free to pursue the more carefree lifestyle he was accustomed to while sharing blood with the ruler.
However, Blaze did not particularly have fond memories when the subject of war was put into question. He had lost his parents to it. Arcanine had led the Frere army into battles in the past, but never had he ever asked Blaze to accompany him. He always came back alive, much to the relief of his brother. Although Blaze had confidence in Arcanine's ability as the leader, a good deal of it was shadowed by bad memories.
"I have to leave," Blaze spoke suddenly, making Fennekin jump.
"Your Highness!" she gasped. "I don't understand!"
"I said I have to leave!" Blaze repeated, this time his voice ringing with anger but shaking with hesitation.
"Blaze," Fennekin said, addressing her friend by his name now. "Don't."
"I simply cannot wait here and pray for his safe return! I have to get out of the castle!"
In blitz Kingdom:
It was night time and the moon and stars had already dominated the sky. The courtroom was filled with warriors who had served Blitz in many battles, a service that had earned them the pleasure to be in Zekrom's company this very night. Menetrics, Raichu, Luxray and Electrivire, all stood in their respective files, heads held high and eyes where the legendary would appear.
Volt entered the throne room where the ceremony was going to commence, followed by Pachirisu. The Jolteon Prince was in a surprisingly good mood. Having accomplished his goal of stripping Sapphire off her title, Volt was absolutely sure Zekrom would declare him the heir to Blitz Kingdom. This was one Ceremony of the Ancients he was quite eager to attend. His father never invited him to attend many but today, he was the honorary guest.
Volt walked swiftly across the throne room and took his place beside his father, King Ampharos. Pachirisu, not being as privileged as the royalty in the eyes of Zekrom, took his place behind the two pokemon. With everyone in position and all preparations done, the pokemon were ready for Zekrom's arrival. On cue, Ampharos and Volt knelt simultaneously, hanging their heads low and casting their eyes down unto the ground.
A loud cackle of lightening was heard from outside. A blue thunderbolt was barely visible between the dark black clouds that hung over the kingdom now. Blue lightning began to flash across the sky, its thunderous sound echoing. Inside the throne room, a floating white light could be seen, blue electricity crackling dangerously over its edges. The ball of light began to spin faster, growing larger as the sounds of lightning became louder. The ball finally burst into a thousand lightning bolts and Zekrom emerged from within it, roaring loudly to make his presence known.
"Rise Ampharos and Volt and the little nitwit!" he grumbled and they all stood up. Pachirisu was fuming for being called a nitwit for the hundredth time but managed to keep his anger hidden in case he offended the legendary pokemon.
"I see that little Eevee of yours failed to show up!" Zekrom growled, lowering his neck and gazing down at the three small pokemon, his blood red eyes glowing. He was breathing heavily, almost as if he was holding himself from tearing the place apart with his giant claws. His black body was as dark as the night sky, contrasted only by the mysterious electric blue glow.
"She evolved into an Ice type," Ampharos said, bowing his head low. "It was exactly how you foretold years ago."
Zekrom gave a soft growl, his eyes blinking slowly as he took in what his subjects reported. The sudden change in the air made the fact known that Zekrom was surprised to hear this. He had revealed how his daughter had a destiny not granted to the ordinary pokemon. However, he had never expected it to come so soon.
"Where is she now?" he said, growing impatient with every passing second. "I command you to present here to me at once!"
"I exiled her," Ampharos said slowly, his voice full of hesitation.
Zekrom growled angrily, his eyes now reflecting the fury. Ampharos had made the biggest mistake of his life, all under the treachery of the selfish Jolteon Prince Volt. And this mistake of his was provoking the wrath of a colossal legendary that stood before him.
"YOU! What?!" Zekrom roared, showing his rows of dagger-like teeth under his blackened muzzle.
Ampharos fell to his feet, burying his face in his hands in an attempt to plea. Zekrom roared like the dragon he was and stamped his giant feet, shaking the entire room around him. Surges of blue electricity were hurled wildly into various directions and the clash of thunder could be heard from outside as if the skies were sharing in the fury. None of the warriors dared to raise their heads.
"My Lord!" Ampharos exclaimed his hands and legs trembling in fear. "She is not electric. She can't rule Blitz Kingdom! I had to exile her! Did you not say that she could lead Blitz to greatness or cause its downfall? This evolutionary form she acquired, it was a sign enough."
"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE WATCHING HER!" He roared, his temper losing control. His drill-like tail began to glow a bright blue and spin rapidly. One sudden movement and he could tear down the castle wall. He snarled in the King's face, showing the deadly fangs. "EXILE WAS OUT OF QUESTION! THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS! SHE WAS DIFFERENT! SHE WILL BE THE REASON FOR THE DESTRUCTING OF YOUR EMPIRE! THE FALL OF THE BLITZ KINGDOM! FIND HER IMMEDIATELY!"
He gave out a loud roar that rang in everyone's ears. A few of them were sure they had gone deaf but thankfully, this marked the end of this ceremony. Zekrom disappeared into a flash of blue light, his final command still echoing within the walls of the Blitz Castle.
Ampharos was quivering in fear, eyes wide and heartbeat accelerating by the second. Volt, standing next to him, was breathing heavily, sucking in as much air as he could to keep himself from fainting. Why? He thought. Why is she special? And how can she destroy the Blitz Kingdom!?
Servants came to help Apmpharos up his feet. "Your Majesty! Are you alright?" they asked, helping him to stand up on his old bones. He felt weak in the legs and it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to make the slightest of efforts.
"Sapphire," he said. The events of last night were rushing into his mind like a wild rapidash running on the empty plains, leaving his heart aching. "I did wrong by my own daughter! We must find her!"
He was sweating like crazy and his head was spinning with all sorts of horrible thoughts of what might have happened to Sapphire.
Unlike his eagerness prior to the Ceremony, Prince Volt was now in a shockingly nasty temper.
"No, she won't come back," Volt muttered under his breath. "Not while I'm here." He frowned and channeled his electrical energy into his fur, making them stand on its ends. I will not allow her to sit on the throne!
Out on the desert:-
It was pitch black. Prince Blaze had no idea where he was headed in this darkness. All he knew was that he was stomping on his royal status and breaking his brother's trust with every step he took away from the Volcano of Frere, the place of the Frere kingdom.
He had managed to walk past the guards of Frere without much difficulty. Funny how a few lies and a royal status could get one out of so many questions which others may otherwise not escape. He did not even have to outrun them. Walking within the halls he grew up in, he managed to make it out of the castle premises very smoothly. His years of experience in sneaking out of the castle proved much helpful. Having had run along the rocky paths and through the cities of Frere, the prince was now dashing through the desert that lay ahead, leaving the Frere Volcano behind.
The rush of the adrenaline was strong within his veins, urging him to keep going. His mind was spinning with all the good times he had had with Arcanine, his brother and King. The memories were tempting, constantly remindinf him of how he was betraying the only family he had.
Flashback:
"Blaze!" King Arcanine called his brother closer to the lava pit in the gardens of the castle.
Their land was free from any vegetation and not a single flower could grow in the hard grounds of the volcanic land, yet, it was captivating all the same with its hot lava pools and collection of Torkoal and Slugma everywhere. The fire element was in all its glory under the fortifications of the volcano, nurtured and kept alive by the ever-burning passion of the fire pokemon.
"Yes, Brother," Prince Blaze said, trotting over to his brother's side. He wagged his tail like an obedient little brother, his eyes glowing with excitement.
"That was a wonderful battle," Arcanine commented, looking over the small Torkoal getting out from the other side of the pool. The bigger one was feeding them something burnt. The kids seemed to be ravenous and liked it all the same, fighting for a bite with their delicate brown necks.
"Yes, it was," Blaze chirped, and then made a teasing face. "But you are no fun anymore! You used to be!"
"I'm no fun?" Arcanine asked, feigning arrogance as he pawed at his brother's belly. Blaze jumped in time to dodge, his small size only allowing him to land a few steps away.
"Yes," Blaze groaned. "Before you became the king, you used to battle me too and have fun."
"I can still have fun," Arcanine snickered.
"Is that so?" Blaze answered teasingly, walking closer to his brother now.
He frowned and stood up on his hind legs, pawing Arcanine's mane and nudging him to battle him. Arcanine made a swift movement with his paw and in the next second, Blaze found himself drenched to skin in the lava pit.
Arcanine took off, running to the other side of the garden, laughing and prancing about. Blaze realized just how much he missed that. He pulled himself out of the lava pit, and then attempted to chase Arcanine in pursuit of revenge.
Arcanine slowed down on purpose so his brother could catch up with his tiny legs. Blaze tackled Arcanine on the neck and grabbed on to his mane. Arcanine could feel the sharp tingles of his brother's claws scaling across his body and he chuckled. Clearly the younger one wasn't strong enough to pierce through his roughened skin. Having climbed up, blaze bit Arcanine in the neck.
Arcanine laughed like mad dog and tried to shake his brother off, who dangled from the ear, grabbing it tightly in his maw. Blaze clung to Arcanine's fur with the claws of his hind leg and with a little effort, was on his head.
"I missed this, brother," Blaze said, peering down at his brother from the top of his head while Arcanine panted for breath, a smile on his muzzle. It had been a while since he last played like that with Blaze. What could he do? Royal duties could seldom be delayed.
"So do I," He sighed, straightening up and raising his head, Blaze going up in the process.
"Tell me Brother," Blaze asked. "We'll always be together right?"
"Yes," Arcanine responded, looking above to the volcano's opening and catching a glimpse of the half moon.
"And you'll always be there for me right?" Blaze continued to ask, showing every sign of naivety.
"Yes, absolutely," Arcanine said, putting his paw up on the head and patting Blaze, messing up his yellow mane. "I promise you that."
Flashback ends
Blaze frowned at the memory. It was a broken promise and a broken heart and a broken brotherhood; all in the name of one bloody war. He shut his eyes tightly and tried to run faster, pushing himself to the limits. I don't need him! He repeated inside his head.
So far, he hadn't spotted any pokemon in this darkness and it was nothing new. It's not like he'd be able to see a pokemon in this darkness. He was so used to the fiery environment of his kingdom; the darkness was overwhelming to the Flareon Prince. Suddenly, he had an idea.
He fired a small fireball. It lit up his surrounding for a fraction of a second and he was able to grasp that he was now in a desert plain and certainly had not been followed. He shot multiple fire balls, trying to find his way around in the dim light. The fire balls would fly off into the distance, the flames burning out and then, the light would disappear altogether. Blaze kept firing more until something different came into view. A lake. He was sure of it.
"I'm at Aquanesia," he mumbled, coming to a halt on his four paws and panting for breath. "I really am far from home now."
He shot a fire ball to catch a glimpse of the lake just to confirm. As he did so, he didn't see the attack fade away into the distance and disappear like his previous one. Instead, he heard a loud whack, followed by a feminine howl.
"Who's there?" he asked, panicking. His fur stood on ends, a clear sign he was frightening. Someone must have followed me after all! He thought hastily. He eyes were fixed in the direction the voice had come from, body now burning with anticipation. He fired another fire ball and the next thing he saw was a rapid water body aiming straight for him from the darkness. He jumped and barely managed to dodge the water gun and attacked with a flamethrower, catching a glimpse of a pokemon diving into the darkness of the lake and out of the view from the temporary light.
It's a water pokemon! He thought. I don't stand a chance! He wasn't scared to battle it. It would be a question of his honor as Frere royally if he did not give this foe a fair fighting chance. But knowing you're at a type disadvantage can be extremely discouraging. Blaze held up his flamethrower, moving it around like a beam of fire to find the pokemon in the darkness. Several times, he saw it from the corner of his eye, breaking the surface of the lake and then diving back in again.
"Stop!" Blaze pleaded, snapping his mouth shut and clenching his teeth to keep the flames from escaping. "I come in peace!"
Prince Blaze stopped attacking the unknown pokemon. Instead, he waited for the opponent to calm down and catch the gist of the situation itself, then reveal herself.
It did not go as he had hoped. Instead, Blaze was hosed down with a massive Surf attack. He limped about, trying to stay upright but his legs gave way and toppled over. His eyelids felt heavy and he closed them slowly, his consciousness fading.