Kamon: Xigbar's Office
31st January 1594
I could hear Iris breathing from the other side of the room. She was shaking and was wondering about aimlessly. Iris ordered a plump Italian doctor to give her and her family a health check. I was curious to what he would have said about Pagan's unexplained bruises, but I never heard anything about them. The doctor simply said that the boys and Iris were healthy and that there was nothing wrong with them.
Cilan's health check had seemed to go on for hours and they had not finished discovering what was happening. There must have been something wrong with him. He's possessed. Maybe they've found the devil in his ass. Those whores Larxene and Xion will bare his children anytime soon. It will bring those ladies doom and their children will be tossed aside.
Xion was already in labour. Every member of the council were in the room, gathered around a table. They were ready to bring Cilan to justice. Iris and Cilan's arguments have gotten worse, but they managed to make up somehow. It was never a healthy relationship to begin with. The truth was out. I knew she wouldn't sign the warrant for Cilan's arrest. Lady Caitlin signed it on her behalf and also signed the warrant for the arrest of Chili and Cress. The meeting with the royal council had been a disturbing session. In one night, Iris felt that her perfect world had been disturbed and her dreams in tatters. It really pissed me off.
I should be pleased, I want Cilan to go down, but I didn't want to upset Iris in the process. I should have been more careful. She really loved him and he just used her. Xemnas's chamber now belonged to Xigbar. It was now a bright office with white lighting to highlight the white marble walls. Now that Xigbar was the new commander of Her Majesty's army, the room was more adapted to his tastes. Iris was sitting on Xemnas' so-called throne whilst the rest of them sat around the round table.
Saïx, Xigbar, Hilda, Bianca, Cheren, Caitlin, Shauntal, Marshall, Grimsely, Alder, Benga, Drayden and I were sitting on the table whilst the senior dukes stood around them.
Iris' face ached as her lips trembled. She wanted to scream, and I wanted to confort her. She didn't want to cry in front of everybody, but there was no way she could maintain a dignified pose. Iris held onto her axew as Haxorus comforted Iris.
"I'LL KIll HIM!" Drayden bellowed. "I'll teach that boy to keep it in his pants."
"Why did no one tell me this before?" Iris sobbed.
"I thought it was another of Xemnas' malicious lies," Cheren replied. "I didn't think it was true until Larxene's belly continued to grow. I should have told you earlier."
A delibird ran into the office and passed Xigbar a peace of paper. The delibird bowed then shot off.
"What does the note say?" Iris asked. She slammed her head on the table.
"It is a note from Axel," said Xigbar. "Xion has given birth to a little girl. Larxene is still in labour. No doubt Larxene will pay the price for what she has done."
"What will happen to the children and their mothers?" Hilda asked.
"We will ask Queen Cynthia if she would like to adopt Xion's daughter. I will take Larxene's child under my wing. When Larxene has recovered, she will be tried for treason. As for Xion, no charges will be made against her as long as she follows my orders."
"Larxene will be safe," Saïx declared. "Xion is very cooperative."
Lord Gropius walked into the office with frozen lips and a lowered head. His green hair was all muffled and tangled. He sighed and fell into Hilda's arms.
"What's the matter?" Hilda asked.
"Cilan was very distressed. He was talking about how much of a failure he was because he was infertile."
"He gave his fertility away to that whore!" Iris yelled. Everyone knew she was referring to Larxene. "That's why I haven't got a daughter yet."
"I don't think that's how the body works," I heard Bianca whispered to Hilda.
Nobody expected Riku to enter the room. Unlike the rest of them, Riku appeared to be cool, calm and void of tension and guilt. "Is the queen here?" Riku asked.
"Yes," Iris responded. She stood up and faced Riku.
"Your Majesty for you bigamy, your marriages have been declared null and void."
Null and void was enough for Iris to collapse on the table. Her fists gave a huge bang that shook the people sitting down. Bianca bounced and hugged her from behind.
"Bigamy?" Cheren asked.
"I'm not the one whose cheated!" Iris snapped.
"You were still married to Lance when you married Cilan," said Riku.
"But she divorced Lance," Xigbar said. "Everybody knows about the divorce."
"His Holiness states that the divorce was never finalized nor approved by His Holiness, so it is unlawful in the eyes of Arceus. As His Holiness has declared both marriages invalid, your sons are to be declared as bastards until you marry. His Holiness has also requested that as soon as you are engaged, you come straight to The Vatican."
Fucking bastard.
Iris huffed and slammed her head against the table. A stinging sensation rustled in her head like it was being stretched apart. She slapped her face with her palm. She muttered to Riku, "Get out!"
Riku bowed. "I apologise for any inconvenience caused." He left the room and was assumed he made his way back to The Vatican.
Then an even unexpected guest entered the room: my father bowed.
"Forgive me for the interference, but can I borrow my son?" he requested.
"Don't make it long," Iris replied. "I will need him. He is a great friend to me."
"I assure you that it will only for a brief moment."
I marched out of the room and walked past Father, who followed me out of the room and into a discreet room.
Father told me, "You understand that because Ash is the eldest, that I need to have him as my priority."
"I understand."
"But now that Ash has settled down in Hoenn, I can concentrate on you. So my son, how are things."
"Not well," I replied.
Father chuckled. "Why is that?"
"Cilan has been arrested for adultery and incest. On top of that Pope Mickey has declared both marriages invalid and that her sons are bastards."
"I would say that is excellent news," Father said. He patted Kamon on the back and grinned. "This is what you want. All your obstacles have fallen. This is a great opportunity for you."
"I know it is," I said, "But watching Iris get so upset... I find it really frustrating. I could have punched Riku. I want Cilan dead, but you know I didn't want to hurt Iris. I should have told Lance the truth. I played along with Pagan's story."
"Well it looks like you're doing well," Giovanni said. "You should write to your mother more often. She prays for you and brother everyday. So tell me, have you bought the ring?" I nodded. Out of my pocket, I took out a red box with golden ribbons. I untied the ribbon and revealed the ring to his father. Father widened his eyes at the ring and then we looked at each other. We were smiling at each other. I closed the box and fastened up the ribbon as Father spoke. "It looks beautiful. Where did you get it from?"
"Custom made by Steven Stone."
"He makes wonderful jewellery."
"I should go," I said. "Her Majesty needs me."
"Very well and congratulations, you have succeeded in earning my blessing."
Pikachu: Petalburg Castle
31st January 1594
It was a quiet evening in Petalburg Castle. Giovanni was late. He told Ash he would have been there at seven. The clock struck ten when May rested against Ash's shoulder. I had a bad feeling about things. Cilan was in trouble and Giovanni had placed Kamon in grave danger all for the sake of fame and fortune. It's a sad day.
"I wonder what happened to him?" Ash wondered. Ash and Giovanni had their differences, but I can still tell that they really care for each other. "He said he would be here by now. I hope he's okay."
"I'm sure he's fine," May said, "As long as Gary hasn't arrested him for treason."
"I think he's wise enough to stay far away from Kanto."
"Sir," one of the servants came in and bowed. "Your father is here. He wishes to apologize for his lateness."
"Apology accepted," Ash responded with a smile. Oh no, Ash is going to be disappointed. I just know it.
"Send him in," May requested.
"I bring you the most exquisite news from Unova," Giovanni called out. He came in like a Lucario that knew headbash. Ash sat quietly on the throne with May.
"Really?" Ash asked. "So Iris is pregnant?"
"No," Giovanni replied. "Even better, Cilan has been arrested for adultery and Iris' marriages have been declared by His Holiness: invalid."
I don't think I've met anyone as foolish as Giovanni. How can he honestly expect Ash to be delighted that one of this best friends has been arrested for crimes that he didn't commit? Ash gasped and jumped out of his seat. He stomped over to his father and roared, "HOW IS THAT GOOD NEWS?"
May raised her eyebrow at Giovanni. "You do know that Ash is a great friend to Iris and Cilan?"
"My son has many friends," Giovanni announced.
"He's innocent," said Ash.
"But there is lots of evidence against him," Giovanni explained. "He committed adultery with his enemy's maids, got them pregnant, and took part in incest."
"That's all lies," Ash cried out with his hand pointing at his father. "Cilan would never do that to Iris, nor would she have the guts to send him in that dungeon."
"If you don't believe me then and come and see for yourself."
"You should leave," May told Giovanni. "We will discuss this in the morning."
Giovanni nodded at The Queen, then turned to face his son. "Would I lie to you?" he asked before he left the room none the wiser. He should watch what he's saying because I can picture Giovanni meeting a very sticky end.
Pikachu: Opelucid Cathedral
3rd February 1594
Deep in his heart, Ash felt that he had to do something to get Cilan's name cleared. Giovanni explained to Ash why Cilan's death would benefit their family. The King of Hoenn was having none of it. He thought that Pope Mickey's decision to annul Iris' marriages was hasty and unwise. If he was in Pagan's position, he would have been distraught that all his training to become king would have all been for nothing. He would have felt as if his destiny had been snatched off him.
Like his father and his brother, Ash believed in his heart that it was his destiny to become king. But Ash was different to the other Ketchums, and he had more power than his family combined by default. Ash had accomplished his dream of becoming king, whilst his father and brother had a long way to go. As far as Ash was concerned, he did it the right way. Ash and May had won the hearts of other small regions including Orre, Fiore, Almia, Oblivia, The Sevvi Islands, and The Orange Islands. All of the regions counted Ash and May as their king for queen from saving their regions from utter ruin. If Ash or May were crowned in another estate, then they would lose their title as King and Queen, and would be known as Emperor and Empress of Japan.
Afterall he was my trainer and we were destined to meet as appointed by our great God Arceus and our Holy Mother Mew. Ash has been appointed as the chosen one and the chosen one chooses me. Ash was not the kind of person to wish bad luck to anyone, but his father's proposal churned his stomach. When Ash was angry, he would never hide it. His eyes were intense and he growled as if he was about to breath fire. Kamon wanted to propose to Iris on the first day of Cilan's trial and he wanted to propose to Iris in front of everybody in some village. The hated their intentions with a passion. If Giovanni's plan, Ash would be reluctant to accept it.
Ash knew that Kamon had admired Iris, but he didn't think that Kamon would go as far as he did, nor did he expect his father to be encouraging the madness. Cilan was one of the best friends Ash ever had. He had forgiven his father and Kamon for many things, but if Cilan died, he wasn't sure if he could forgive them. They had already had a plethora of chances to change their ways.
Giovanni always spoke in pride about his path to redemption. Ash really wanted to see it, but no matter how much he tried, he could still see the criminal in Giovanni's eyes.
Both Ash and Kamon wanted to be great kings. Giovanni expressed great pride in Ash on his day of coranation in Hoenn, but now he was trying to make Kamon swim to the throne in Cilan's blood. Even though there were both members of his close family, he couldn't bring himself to let them succeed. Ash had defended them in many situations in the past that caused friction between Ash and his beloved cousin, King Gary of Kanto.
The King Of Kanto would no longer reply to Ash's letters and even stopped Misty, Kanto's free-spirited queen from visiting him. Ash was devastated, and he thought by finding a way to save Cilan, that he would find peace with his cousin. It's kinda sad though because I remember Ash and Gary being the best of friends.
He dashed over to Unova and had a chat to Queen Iris. He said no bad word about his brother and father. In fact, he told me last night it would have been wiser not to mention them at all. He continued to protest that Cilan was innocent. He could see that Iris wanted to believe in Cilan. But Queen Iris was torn and confused, so was not making decisions as wisely as she used to.
"Cilan needs an attorney who will believe in him," Ash told Iris. "May I suggest Phoenix Wright?"
"Who is he?"
"You don't know who Phoenix Wright is?" Ash gasped. "He's one of the best lawyers a man could ever ask for. You must have at least heard of the Armandos?"
"The lawyer couple: Mia and Diego who live in The House Of Grossberg?"
"There's the ones," Ash responded. "Phoenix was employed by Lady Armando!"
"They have a good reputation." Iris and Ash finally reached the end of the maze where Kamon stood waiting for Iris. "Mr. Grossberg was a kind man. On my first wedding he gave lemons as a present." Iris had made up her mind. She raised her hand as if she had a eureka moment. "I will see if Phoenix Wright would like to defend Cilan."
"I'm sure he would be happy to defend Cilan," Ash said. "Because he is innocent and Phoenix will make sure the truth will be revealed in the trial."
"Your Majesty," Kamon mouthed as if it were an urgent manner with his brisk tone. "Lady Bianca has brought Larxene's son into court. Larxene shortly died afterwards."
"We'll need to ensure that Elijah is right at home."
Kamon smirked. He should wipe it off his face. Cilan is innocent and he knows it deep inside. "Is that what you're naming your son?"
"I think it's a nice name."
"You know I really think that Lance should come back to Unova's court," Kamon suggested. "It would make your children very happy."
Iris laughed. "He'll be like a tennis ball."
"His Majesty will do anything to see his sons," Kamon informed The Queen. "He would even sneak into their room if he had the chance."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he's already done that!"
"I still don't agree with the way he cleansed his country," Ash muttered.
Kamon turned around to his brother. "Our Father did help Lance with it."
"And they're both criminals for it," Ash declared.
"They are family," Kamon said calmly in contrast to Ash's voice strained from the stress. "Surely you would have forgiven them. It was bad what they did, but they have martyrs." He steered his eyes over to Iris as he said, "We must have a positive look on the future."