Ok Guys. The chapter 2 is here.
Thanks to all my old readers who are still following this. You guys are my motivation.
Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon.
I apologize in advance for any Grammar and spelling mistakes you may still find.
Chapter 2
In Frere Kingdom:-
Frere Kingdom, a nation of fire-types, lied far North-East of the Blitz Kingdom.
A kingdom originally founded by the nomads in the volcanic area, Frere Kingdom was built into the side of a volcano named Frere. What started off as a temporary settlement for the fire pokemon nomads soon developed a system of monarchy which led to the rise of this kingdom with royalty passed down from generations to generations. Home to many fire and rock type pokemon, as they could withstand the harsh climatic conditions of the volcanic region, the kingdom was able to successfully establish its strength in its first war against a conquering kingdom where they were heavily outnumbered but their wit pulled them through. After years of careful planning, strategizing and developing, they were now one of the most well known kingdoms in the world.
Much of the structure of the kingdom was built around the rocky terrains with its cities stretching over the Mountainous landscape, a topographical feature its inhabitants were long accustomed to. The castle was the closest to the Volcano with its walls artificially constructed around to guard the territory and the royal family. Frere Kingdom was one that was completely devoid of vegetation save for the garden of mountain orchids on the other side of the Frere Castle. Instead of the usual palace gardens with their brightly colored foliage and sweet scented fruits, Frere had a unique combination of lava pits and uneven terrain which were carefully maintained by the Magma, Magcargo and other official fire pokemon. The castle was a reflection of their identity as the dwellers of the fire nation.
Prince Blaze, the Young Flareon Prince and one of the last two survivors of the Frere Royal Family, was outside the castle grounds and inside the busy market place area of their capital city.
"That won't do, child!" A Camprupt growled, stamping his massive hoof with agitation. "Use your head, you fluffed up meat!"
Blaze frowned, his eyes fixed on the Houndoom growling at him and his ear slightly tilted in the direction the voice had come from. I don't need distraction. He thought grumpily before turning his attention back to where it was needed. He was in the center of the circle of many pokemon, all commoners, and he was face to face with one of the well-known wrestlers of the city. The Houndoom lowered his neck and growled, showing off its dangerous fangs bustling with red and orange flames.
I need to end this quickly. The Flareon Prince thought anxiously as he looked on, waiting for the Houndoom to make his move. The rules of this street sport were simple and he knew them. Two pokemon were to wrestle and the spectators would form a circle around them to create a ring for them to fight in. With each passing minute, they would close in, making the circle smaller so that the participants would have less space to fight in and would be forced to fight with fewer opportunities to dodge from the lack of space. He had already spent a sufficient amount of time and the field certainly did feel congested, making him unable to fight to his full potential. Perhaps that is what he loved about this sport; the thrill of the uncertainty and the odds growing against him.
The Houndoom charged forward, his jaws wide open, fangs bare with flames gone. Crunch. Blaze immediately thought and as soon as the Houndoom made for his neck, he jumped up just in time to dodge and sent the pokemon crashing on to the ground below with full force of its own attack. Blaze flipped in the air and aimed at the opponent below, hind legs in the air and unleashed his Rock Smash. The Houndoom below rolled over onto his back to aim at the Flareon in the air, its muzzle glowing a mysterious purple before shooting a shadow ball. The two attacks collided with great force and although his shadow ball managed to lessen the impact of rock smash, the Houndoom's weakness to the element itself resulted in his defeat. Blaze easily landed on his paws without so much as a scratch from the final blow but a good deal tired from the overall battled. His yellow mane was wet with sweat and his body heaved for every precious breath.
"To the victor goes the spoil!" The old Torkoal, the organizer of these fights declared. "The Flareon wins."
Prince Blaze relaxed and straightened up, his facial expressions softening and breathing slowing down. This is what he truly found pleasure in; a good fight amongst the commoners outside his castle grounds, a place where no one recognized his identity and a place where he could be free from royal obligations and duties and could simply relax and take in the busy life of the commoner's world. Although the fighters here were not of noble blood or 'good breeding' as his late father would have called it, he still found himself enjoying a good deal more with them then he did with the warriors of Frere Army. Much of their style was crude, basic and severely lacking in discipline. But if there was one thing the Flareon Prince was sure of, it was that these pokemon fought to win and that gave him a fun challenge.
"Your Highness!" The female voice made the Flareon nearly jump.
He turned around quickly and caught sight of her, standing amidst the crowd of much larger pokemon. He gave her the pleading look, eyes reflecting his anxiousness and saw her shrink back in embarrassment. Pitying her, he smiled and nodded at her, reassuring her that no harm had been done amidst the sound of the cheering crowd.
"I suppose you should take this," The Houndoom said. Blaze quickly turned his head to face him. The pokemon was holding a sack, the same one they had put the gold in before starting the gamble.
"It is alright," Blaze said, trying to speak casually, a tone that did not come naturally to the royal. "I do not need this. You can keep it."
"Are you sure?" The Houndoom replied, looking surprised. He dropped the sack near his foot. "But you won. It's only fair."
"It really is alright," Blaze reassured him. "I do not fight to gamble but for the sake of the sport. I'll be off now."
With those parting words, he turned and began to walk away. The other pokemon came running around, some congratulating, others questioning about where he had learnt to fight. While Blaze was tempted to engage in this interesting topic, he knew he didn't have much time before someone at the castle found him gone.
"I really have to leave," he said, excusing himself. "I promise! I'll answer next time!"
He made a run for it, leaving behind the confused group of pokemon. He ran straight down the market street and turned left, making a run for the other section of the market. The sound of the feet following him put a smile on his muzzle and he slowed down, knowing full well that his best friend had followed him through the crowd. By the time she caught up, the two had slowed down to a walking speed and were now making their way through a crowded market area.
"Your Highness," she said in a protesting tone. "We really should be heading back."
"But we are heading back," Blaze said, ruffling the Fennekin's mane. "This is the route back."
"I do wish you would stop this," The Fennikin continued her protest, pouting a little. "These excursions outside the castle walls are not something you should be investing your time in."
"But look how much fun we are having," Blaze answered, chuckling at his Royal Advisor's usual requests. "Also, I told you. You need not follow me. You do so anyway."
"That is because I am answerable to the king should something happen to you," she answered, laughing a bit herself now. She had to admit. The outside world was so much more fascinating then the confined world inside their palace walls.
"Ah yes, my brother," Blaze said, shaking his head and smiling. "You do realize that I am willing to take full responsibility for…for…for…well my irresponsibility. However, I would never let you take the fall for something I chose to do."
"You hesitated," she said, smirking at him. "You struggle with your words, Your Highness."
"Oh be quiet you!" Blaze said, playfully shoving her aside with his paw. "And please. Stop referring to me as royalty. We do not want the word to get out."
Fennekin chuckled at his response and the two continued the journey as silence fell between them.
Prince Blaze was generally a more adventurous type of a pokemon and had no desire to rule. His simple wish was to be free from all his royal obligations so he could travel the world and see different kingdoms. His lifestyle had been a boring one under the confinements of his own palace walls where he was taught how to act like royalty and expected to live by it. His Father had been a hardheaded ruler and as a kid, Blaze had been repeatedly told by the servants that the king had no time to spare for the young prince. He never knew his mother. The Queen had passed away in his infancy. Blaze had grown up hearing plenty about his mother, but never remembering her warmth. One of such stories included how the death of the Queen had left the Frere King heartbroken. A few years later, the King took a second wife and of course that was the end of that rumor. The new Queen was already mother to a child, a Growlithe, who became Blaze's stepbrother. When the initial sibling rivalry passed away, the two grew quite close to each other and were inseparable since.
Life seemed to have fallen in place for the lonely Prince until tragedy struck and the King and the new Queen both were killed in a war. As one of the last survivors of royal blood, Arcanine, being the older of the two, took over the throne as King and resumed controlled over the Kingdom. Prince Blaze, who expressed no desire to take up the throne, served his brother faithfully by his side. Those days had been hard for the two royals. One moment, it was carefree days of racing around the castle premises and the next moment, it was running an entire kingdom.
Thinking back to those days, Blaze smiled a bit on how far they had come.
"Oh, I nearly forgot," Fennekin said, pulling Blaze out of his thoughts. "His Majesty said that the Ceremony of the Ancients was to be today."
His ears pricked up in shock as soon as he heard the news.
"When exactly?" Blaze asked, fear evident in his voice.
"This noon, Your Highness," Fennekin answered hesitantly as the reality dawned on her. It was almost noon.
The two made a run for the castle.
In Blitz Kingdom:-
"Your Highness? Where are you off to?"
Princess Sapphire turned around hastily to see who had called out to her. A beautifly and a Butterfree came flying over to catch up to her. She smiled as she recognized the two and stopped to spare them a moment. The two were gardeners in the palace castle alongside many other Lotad, Bellossom and a few Meganium. She had remembered them well from the many times she had encountered them while on her walks in the garden.
"I am headed to the colosseum," She answered enthusiastically, her brown tail swishing from side to side in excitement and anticipation. "My brother summoned me! Do you believe it?"
"His Highness, Prince Volt?" The Beautifly asked, hovering back and forth with her Butterfree partner. "If I'm not mistaken, My Lady, I do remember you telling me that the Young Lord was far too busy for you."
"That is true," Sapphire replied, thinking for a brief moment. "But he had sent his own personal royal advisor as the envoy. I do wonder what it is that he has called me for."
"I see!" the Butterfree chirped. "Then it must be him! Hurry along then, Your Highness. You mustn't keep him waiting!"
"Absolutely!" Princess Sapphire agreed and she quickly turning around to run again. "Have a nice day!"
"Thank you, My Lady!" Beautifly called out to the running princess.
"She will make a wonderful Queen one day," Butterfree said as she began to fly back towards the flower beds.
"I agree," The Beautifly nodded as she followed her partner.
Princess Sapphire soon reached the gates to the colosseum and stood before it, breathing heavily. The pampered princess was certainly not used to running at full speed for an extended period of time without breaks. She had been taught to be more composed and calm as a princess. At the most, she would rush from one music class to another when she was running late, which seldom occurred as the habit of strict punctuality had also been indoctrinated into her. She stood there before the colosseum gate, choosing to rest and catch her breath before presenting herself to her brother.
Princess Sapphire never fully understood why she and her brother were being raised in two entirely different ways and had often questioned her teachers. Their only answer was, 'he is a Prince. And you're a Princess.' With this information, her only conclusion was that this was how the law of her nation expected both the genders to behave. Never once had she been told that she would be crowned Queen. Sapphire had always been a big supporter of her brother as the future King and sincerely believed he would do brilliantly as the next Ruler of the Blitz Kingdom. Her sole motivation for doing well was so she could serve him well when he succeeded their father, fulfilling her role as the Princess of the Kingdom.
Having caught her breath, the Eevee Princess stood up and made her way into the colosseum. She entered in without fear. What reason had she to be afraid if her brother was waiting for her inside? He would surely protect her from anything that posed a threat to her. Well, whether he would or not was something she was about to find out.
Sapphire began to walk slowly into this new environment, her eyes darting from left to right as she looked at several pokemon working out and training. Luxray, Eletrivire, Zebstrika and several other pokemon caught her attention, all of whom appeared to be ten times larger than her petite figure. Her ears shrank as fear finally began to settle in, eyes still searching for the familiar figure of her Jolteon brother.
"Sapphire," A gentle voice rang in her ears.
She turned around, fears forgotten and ears pricked up in excitement. There he was, making his way towards her from the left side of the colosseum. Sapphire could hardly contain herself and she began to trot up to her brother.
"Good day to you, brother," she said as she bowed to her own older brother.
"You look fine this morning, my lovely sister," Volt said, flattering his little sister. He put a paw around her shoulder and hugged her to him, his golden fur against her creamy brown.
"Thank you," Sapphire replied cheerfully as she flashed her brother one of her usual smiles. "May I ask what it is that you have summoned me for?"
"Ah yes," Volt replied, smiling down reassuringly at his younger sister. "Follow me."
The Jolteon Prince led his sister to the west side of the colosseum and through a gateway beyond which was his own personal chamber for training sessions. He led her to the bench where he motioned for her to sit down. She did so obediently.
"Oh, my apologies," Volt suddenly said. "I forgot something."
Sapphire tilted her head in confusion and blinked at her brother. She couldn't make sense of what he was trying to say or why she had been called here at all. He was being terribly discreet about whatever it was inside his mind.
"Now just you wait here," Volt instructed his sister as he began to run for the door. "I need to fetch something. You'll wait for me here, won't you?"
"Of course," Sapphire answer. "Whatever you command."
Satisfied, Volt ran for the door and exited the room, closing the door behind him. He did a good job at looking hasty and even worried and he was absolutely sure his sister believed every word he said. An evil smile on his muzzle, Volt locked the door behind him and left his sister inside.
Princess Sapphire waited patiently for her brother for what felt like hours to her. The anticipation of what her brother could have possibly left to fetch was killing her. Was this supposed to be some sort of a surprise? She began to think up of all the possible things it could be but failed. As much as she loved her brother, she had not spent enough time with him to know exactly what he was thinking. She would just have to wait to find out.
She began to hum a song as she waited for her brother to return to the chambers. Just then, something in the air began to feel heavy and the realization dawned on her that she wasn't alone. Why does the air feel so chilly all of a sudden? She thought to herself. Her ears pricked up and she began to listen carefully to the sounds around her.
"Are you Princess Sapphire?" A loud, rough voice questioned her.
She gasped and began to look around frantically, searching for its source but found none. Fear began to consume her. She instinctively stood up from the bench where she had been instructed by her brother to stay and began to walk towards the center of what she thought appeared to be a fighting arena. For some reason, walking around felt safer to her than sitting in one spot.
"W-Who are y-you?" she managed to utter the question though she stammered twice with fright evident in her voice.
She heard a strange sound coming from the center of the arena. She narrowed her eyes at the spot where she could see the ground churning in a strange circular motion she could not explain, afraid to the core but still curious. Soon enough, a pokemon popped out from under the ground and turned around to face her. He had a round body with no arms and legs and appeared to be floating. Two black horns stretched out from his head. His face appeared to be stuck in a permanent frown and a grin. He was the very vision of malice and mischievousness, or so Sapphire thought.
She led out a shrill cry but her voice went unheard. She made an attempt to run for the door but tripped on her tail and fell flat on the ground.
"You must be her," The pokemon, Glalie, said, laughing at the tiny Eevee. "Let us begin then."
I'll be back in the next 5 days with the new chapter.
Leave a review and let me know what you think.
