Gary: Viridian Castle

17th July 1593

Ash being king is laughable, but then again, I've always been one step ahead of the game. I have everything I need. He says he'll never remarry if something was to happen to his marriage to May. That's far too safe; you can never have too many mistresses. Uncle Giovanni says that I live a foul and disgusting life, but at least I didn't have to slaughter innocent people to get to the top.

If it's true that Giovanni wants to destroy Cilan, then he's a very shallow man. Despite what everybody wants to believe, he's a good guy. Cilan and Iris are good together and I think it will bring more harm than good if people try to break them apart. They should leave Iris alone; let her be happy. Sadly, my uncle doesn't understand the meaning of the word.

Iris and Lance were never a suitable couple in my opinion. The age gap had nothing to do with it, but it's just the fact that they never displayed true public affection. I understand it's against their tradition to display such emotion, but I think it's wrong when somebody is banned from being able to express their true feelings. Especially towards the end of their marriage, Iris looked miserable the last time I saw her with Lance.

I'll be honest, I hate their policies but I want Iris to have a happy life, because I don't think her marriage with Cilan will last for very long. There are too many selfish people out there for their personal gain. As for me? I just want to enjoy myself. You only live once after all. Misty is a great wife; she's caring, strong and graceful. I don't think Kanto could have had a better queen than her. It's just Sinnoh's Princess Dawn gives me feelings that I've never felt before. Dawn gives me an urge to live.

I guess that's why I feel such mutual respect towards Iris. We're not close and we're not friends, but I feel as if we've both have a lot of things in common. Her divorce was a major event; everyone was talking about it. Everyone had a split opinion about it. I think Ash is stupid for acting like a trophy son for Giovanni and now it's going to be Kamon's turn.

I know my Uncle too well. He doesn't care about anyone apart from himself. There was devastating poverty that had accumulated over the generations at Cinnabar Island. I decided that enough was enough. I raised taxes and built a fund to the residents had enough to keep their businesses going. Then one day the bank was broken into by a clan of ground type pokemon and the money had all been stolen.

Giovanni was the only person who could have done it. He knew exactly where everything was, and he was the only nobleman in Kanto who specialises in ground types. Pokemon would never steal from anybody unless they were taught to do so. The way Ash and Kamon stand by him despite everything he puts them though is the reason I've lost respect for them.

Ash promised me from the bottom of his heart that he would try and get it back. I don't even know if I can believe him anymore. He said he would do things for me, and he had forgotten about them in the past. I guess it runs in his blood to betray his loved ones.

"Don't worry," Dawn told me. Dawn and I would secretly meet each other. We took it in turns to visit each other to avoid suspicion. I went to meet her in Sandgem Beach and enjoyed an intimate night strolling around the shore. This afternoon she flew on her togekiss for two hours just to see me. It made me feel special. Even though I was used to being spoilt rotten with various gifts, Dawn's presence was the most sentimental for me. Dawn made the effort to come and see me, even when she was busy. That's why I loved her so much.

"Ash has betrayed me," I stated. "He said he would never follow in his father's footsteps."

"But it seems to me that he really is happy with May."

I stood up from my throne and marched around the deserted hall. "He's only happy because he's a king. If May was something more humble like a geisha, he would never have set eyes on her. I know Ash, he is not the romantic type. He is the one that breaks traditions." As I'm ranting, I'm secretly hoping that I don't scare Dawn off. Dawn is one of Ash's greatest allies.

"And I know Ash wouldn't betray you on purpose."

It makes much more sense coming from Dawn. Every time I've wanted to start a war on Hoenn, Dawn was always there to stop me. And I listened without any hesitation. She would have made a good queen if Cynthia gave her the power to be Queen. But Cynthia and Dawn had to get special permission from Pope Mickey and he accepted on the condition that Dawn was never allowed to call herself a Queen.

It's insane: but that's the way it goes.

Ariana Ketchum: Petalburg Castle

19th July 1593

Lance will not find another queen. Deep down, I knew my baby boy would never rape or give sexual advantages against anybody. I do think that Caroline was nowhere near as guilty as charged, and I don't think Caroline, Lance and Xemnas would be plotting together to destroy any chances of Ash becoming king. It's just everything my brother says... he says it with such force and determination. I feel obliged to believe my brother weather he's right or wrong.

Sitting around the round table made me feel as if I had attended a sloppy family reunion. The left side of Ash's collar was being washed in May's tears. Kamon had his arms folded with his eyes rolling to the ceiling. Norman was frantically moving from corner to corner whilst my brother stood with his arms by his side. The curl on his lips was a sign that his plans were succeeding.

"Caroline was a great supporter of Lance," Norman stated. "She was his godmother. So it. Was no surprise that she was open about her dislike to the divorce."

"She was a traitor put in her place," Giovanni exclaimed. "She plotted to bring us all down for her personal fortune."

"You're wrong," Norman said. "She was innocent. She did not deserve all this. The sooner my daughter declares war on Unova, the better."

"Do you think that war will solve all your problems?" I asked curiously. "What can Hoenn gain from a war."

"That's easy," Giovanni was quick on the ball. "More land, fortune, possible expansion of the Hoenn Kingdom and if we work hard enough, we can build an empire that will rule the earth." Giovanni bowed his head and slammed his hand against Ash's shoulder. He told Ash, "When you meet Iris you are to say nice things about your brother. Make her feel the urge to meet him."

"What are you up to?" Ash said. "You're trying to..."

"Of course not," I intervened and squashed Kamon into my arms. "We want to clean Kamon's name of any bad reputation he has received."

"Because you can't justify what Lance has done?" May asked .

"That was a long time ago," I said as I let go of Kamon. I stood corrected, but there was nothing I could do about it. As mother to a king, I had to respect his choices, good or bad. "He did his duty and you did yours."

"Very soon May will declare war," Giovanni announced.

"You can't make her," Ash snapped. "She will declare war when she's ready. Right now she needs time to mourn."

"Well as far as I'm concerned," Kamon said as he jumped out of his chair. "This has nothing to do with me. So if you don't mind, I would like to take my pokemon and go back to Littleroot Town where I live."

"You will stay in Hoenn," May announced, sounding as if she was choking in her tears. "You will be closely monitored by your father, aunt and my father."

"Please, you can't trap me here any longer!" Kamon slammed his fists and Giovanni stood behind the pair of us. After Kamon had finished speaking, Ash growled as if his blood was boiling. I pulled Kamon away from him, I had a gut feeling that Ash was about to commit fratricide if I didn't do anything.

"SHE IS THE QUEEN OF HOENN! YOU WILL DO WHAT SHE COMMANDS YOU TO DO!"

I had never seen that side of Ash. Maybe I'm just so used to seeing that wandering ten year old with a pikachu on his shoulder. Ash yelled so loud, the ocean could hear him.

"You won't have to stay in a cell," May told Kamon. "You can go anywhere you like in Hoenn. We just need to make sure that you're okay."

I thought May was being fair and square. I know Kamon can fend for himself, but it's just too dangerous for him. We don't want to lose him, and I will make sure my nephew is safe. I noticed that Giovanni had been nodding his head the whole time. That means that they must be doing the right thing because in my eye's Giovanni is always right.