Ray's POV, enjoy!

A beautiful melody wafted through the air, a traditional ballad of this land… one of union and harmony. It was almost time for the wedding. It had to be an outside wedding to accommodate everyone. Even then, there were so many people that the crowd must have stretched out for about a mile. The actual seating was taken up by those who had gotten here days ago. This was the event of the century for some reason.

Well, no, I could understand why it was. There would not only be a new prince, but a new heir to the throne in me. Plus, so many people were fond of Meliae, we had to beef up security to make sure nobody crazy tried to stop the ceremony because they wanted her for themselves or something. That was pretty messed up, but we did what we had to. I had been one of those fans before I got the chance to court her.

I was a little anxious… all these people here to watch me. I was used to being in a large crowd of people, but to help them out or hang out with them or something… not like this. Every eye on me. But, the king said it was something I would have to get used to, having the attention of the world on me. I would get used to it. Maybe I could just… tune them out? Well, easier said than done. I felt like a wave of noise was coming at me, and I wasn't even near them yet.

I was inside the palace. Our staff hurried around me, making sure every last little thing was perfect. They really didn't have to do this, but then again, I suppose they did. If this ceremony was just for me, I would say no to all of this. I did not need all this pomp and circumstance to marry Mel and be named the next in line to the throne. But, this ceremony was not just for me, it was for the whole kingdom, and I suppose they did want this kind of thing. If they wanted a celebration this grand, I guessed I wasn't one to stop them. It was just that a simple ceremony would have been just fine for me.

For example, I didn't need this little top hat and jacket I was wearing. It fit very well, because it was made for me by some tailors. It was made with very fancy black and purple materials. It was more for show than for comfort, though. I would be a very happy Rayquaza when I could take it off. The top hat, though… I could get used to the top hat. Looking in the mirror, it looked pretty snazzy on me.

I felt a little bad now, for asking for more food from the chefs yesterday. I did not realize just how many people would be coming. I sort of doubted there would be enough food for everyone, as it stood. Hopefully some of the citizens thought of that and brought some of their own food? Maybe? I didn't want my guests to go hungry. I didn't want my people to go hungry. That was why we did things like give our meal leftovers to them.

"Are you ready, Master Ray?" Emilia asked. She was a good maid, she was good to me. I thought to myself I should find out some more about her personal life. I was a little blinded by Meliae sometimes. I had a bit of… tunnel vision, when it came to her. That was something I had to work on, too. As king, my first responsibility was to my people. There would be time for Mel, too, but I couldn't do what I did now.

"I've been ready for hour, I was waiting for you all." I chuckled. Despite any problems the future might bring, I was in a good mood now. This was a party, after all. I had taken a look at the cake, it looked delectable, one of the most incredible confectionary delights I had ever set my eyes upon. I didn't know why I was so gung ho about the food…

"Very well. The ceremony will be starting soon. You remember your cue, yes?" She asked. She had been appointed to watch over me during this ceremony and make sure everything went smoothly. I sort of resented the idea that whoever's idea this was thought I needed a babysitter. However, it was a complicated ceremony with a lot of moving parts. It was probably for the best that there be somebody to remind me what all was supposed to happen.

"The doors will open, and I will fly out, down the carpet, and under the canopy. The king will name me heir. Then, Mel will come in and we will be wed." I repeated by route.

"Very good, one thing at a time, though." She replied.

"Hey, so… just curious, why do you talk like that?" I asked. She had a bewildered look on her face, as if she hadn't been expecting a question like that, or any questions at all, really.

"Talk like what?" She asked back.

"It's… it's effected, somehow. It's like you're putting on a voice." I observed. She gave me a strange look. "I'm sorry, was that too personal?" I asked. "Or maybe that's just your voice, in that case, I'm sorry. That was really insensitive of me, I just-"

"Calm down, Master Ray. You are correct. I use this way of speaking on purpose. If you sound fancier you live fancier, don't you know?"

"Is that right?" I asked.

"It got me this job." She said.

"I thought that was your skills and winning personality." I said. Emilia shrugged and gave me a strange smile that seemed to say "who knows."

A few moments passed in awkward silence. Everyone moved around me, and I felt the need to move as well, but I didn't have anywhere to go, so I fixed up my jacket and hat again, readjusted them. I could swear time was moving slower. I just wanted to do this already.

And then, after what must have been the longest time, the doors flew open. The light of day hit my face. There was a deep purple carpet running from the massive front doors of the palace to the canopy made of leaves and branches found all around the kingdom. It was a delicate structure, meant to represent the intricacies of life, connecting us, watching over us. Nature provided everything, and we gave back what we could. It took quite some time to make the canopy, because it could only be made with branches and leaves that had already fallen from the trees. It took quite a while to find enough of those. I appreciated those who took the time to make all of this for us. Although, again… I didn't need it to have a good time.

I slowly floated forward to the canopy. I could feel the eyes of the entire world on me. Even those who weren't here… although I found it hard to believe there was anybody who wasn't here… could probably see it on some sort of psychic entertainment broadcast. It wasn't something I had ever used, but I heard about it from citizens every so often. It sounded interesting. You could close your eyes and tune into a projection. There were actors and everything. There were people sketching pictures of me, admiring the clothing. They seemed very enamored with the clothing. Was the designer famous or something, or was it me somehow?

Whatever, it didn't matter, I couldn't let all of these things distract me or overwhelm me. I waved at the crowd, but didn't really see them. I heard them, but I wasn't really listening. I couldn't. How could anyone possibly pay attention to this many individuals at the same time.

I arrived at the canopy in front of the best seating, the seating for the residents of the palace. My family was front and center, and I was so glad to see their familiar faces in a sea of anonymity. The king was also there, under the canopy. He had a fancy golden mantle and was wearing his crown. He smiled warmly at me.

He was the one who made the decision to make me the heir. It wasn't that I was marrying the princess, and that made me the heir to the throne, it was quite the opposite, or rather, a fun coincidence. The king took me under his wing and decided that I would be his heir. The fact that I was also courting the princess was an incredibly convenient coincidence. This marriage would certainly secure my place in the royal line, though.

"Ray, bow your head."

"Yes, my king." I said, and bowed my head deeply to him. He placed his hand on my forehead and started to chant under his breath. There were traditions, payers to be said, but the king and I were of a similar mind. He did not need to make it big and exalted. He would be heard all the same. This was one reason we got along so well. My eyes were closed and it was strange… it felt like it was only just the two of us, everyone was quiet, trying to hear. This was the power of the king. He did not need to command attention, rapt attention was freely given. He didn't have to do a thing. Once he finished, his hand lifted off of my forehead, and I opened my eyes.

"I declare you my direct and rightful heir to the throne. When I shall step down, or if something should happen to me, none other than you will take the throne, so long as you are able to do your duties as king of this realm. And now, I will give to you my daughter, the princess Meliae."

That was her cue. Mel had also been waiting in the palace, but in a different part of it. We weren't supposed to see each other the day of until just now. Although, I'm not sure I would have seen her, even if that wasn't a rule. I just had this jacket and top hat. From what I understood, she had a whole elaborate… everything.

The doors to the palace opened once more… and there she was. The leaves on her back were stylized, and there were beautiful pink flowers intertwined in them. She walked, but she looked like she was almost floating. Her white fur looked even brighter than it usually did. She was amazing… and she was about to marry me. She walked up to me, and put her small paw in my clawed hand. What did I do to deserve a lady like her?

"It is my deepest pleasure to join the two of you today." The king started.

Then the doors burst open again. That… that was not supposed to happen. We all turned to see who in the world it could possibly be. I mean, no ceremony of this size was going to go completely smoothly, but letting another person burst out the front doors seemed like a really big oversight. Or was that supposed to happen? I looked over at Mel, she seemed just as confused as I was. Ok, that meant this wasn't supposed to be happening. She knew this whole affair better than I did.

The Pokemon who came through was… Emilia? She wouldn't do something like that? She knew how important this marriage was, and she knew exactly how it was supposed to go. Why would she do something so obviously off script? Did I do something wrong and she was coming to correct me? She floated to me with great speed and effort, right up to us… in front of everyone.

"Master Ray…" She panted. "Your call as a chosen one has come."

Hope you enjoyed, have an awesome day!