A/N: Thank you so much for reviewing!

A sequel to the Brandon and Stella: A New Beginning story doesn't sound like a bad idea :O Maybe just maybe if I have more time later on, I try it.

R&R please!

Chapter 24: The true Keeper

Daphne pulled her sister in for a hug.

"Congratulations, little sis, you were brilliant", she said. Diaspro smiled,

"How very sweet of you, Daph. Dad was an excellent teacher", she said, gazing at Oritel who was greeting yet another group of citizens.

"So did he arrive?" Daphne asked suddenly,

"Who?"

"The person you were expecting. I heard you say this morning that you wished Sky would come",

"Oh, you mean Sky. I didn't see him amongst the crowd, or even after the ceremony", she said, seemingly disappointed. She had to find a way to bring Sky to her and soon. If the invitation didn't work than she´d have to take drastic measures.

"Princess, may we get an interview, please?!" the reporters asked Daphne, impatiently. The citizens and royals that arrived, not to mention the media, were more than excited to meet her. Diaspro gazed at her resentfully.

Daphne isn't a threat to me, nor will she come between me and Sky like her irritating little sister, so why not let her have some fun as well, she thought.

"Diaspro", Marion called.

"Your father and I have organized a special dinner tonight. We want to celebrate Daphne´s and your coronation ceremony. Nothing too extravagant, it´ll just be the family" she said, smiling.

"And by family, you mean…?"

"Some of our relatives want to meet you, honey. Oritel´s sisters, your cousins. We also have some very important relatives that live far off in Tir Nan Og" she explained.

"Are they from Domino, too?" Diaspro asked, slightly confused.

"They are, but many of them decided to move to their spouse´s realm once they were married. They hadn't known about Domino´s return, or that we found you, which is why we´ve invited them over for tonight. They´re very excited to see us all", Marion said, joyfully. Diaspro mentally rolled her eyes.

"Of course, mother, I´d be more than happy", she said, trying to feign her best smile.

"Marvelous, then its set",

"Sky, how much longer?" Bloom asked, for what seemed like the twentieth time. Sky simply turned to gaze at her, and took her hand in his.

"We´re almost there, Bloom. We´ll be landing in five minutes", he said to her gently. Bloom sighed, nervously.

Sky landed the ship in the same place he had earlier that day, just outside the palace. They stepped off the ship and began walking towards the palace gates. Bloom´s heart pounded inside her chest.

"Good evening, we would like to speak to the King and Queen, please", Sky said to the gatekeeper.

"That will not be possible my lord. The royals are busy at the moment. Palace visits can be made tomorrow morning-",

"You don't understand, this is urgent. I´m King Sky of Eraklyon and what I need to say to the King and Queen cannot wait until tomorrow" he urged.

"I must discuss this with the King before-"

"You have to let us in! Someone´s in there, taking my place. I´m princess Bloom of Domino and there´s an intruder inside the palace! Isn't your Kingdome´s safety important to you?" Bloom pleaded.

"I-I beg your pardon?" The guard asked, in shock.

"Move!" Bloom said, shoving him aside.

"Porta aperta" she chanted, opening the gates at once, with a spell.

"Bloom wait!" Sky yelled as Bloom ran through the gates and toward the palace.

"What the…? Only an extremely strong spell could´ve open this gate! It's been tested!" the guard exclaimed in disbelief.

She ran as fast as she could, and yet the entrance still seemed so out of reach. She continued despite Sky´s warnings and pushed open the palace doors, startling the doorkeeper. A tall guy with jet black hair and grey eyes, stared at her in shock.

"Ma´am, may I help you?" he asked while trying to catch a glimpse of the guards, looking over Bloom´s head.

"I need to speak to the queen" she said, breathless,

"Ma´am I understand, but the queen is busy at the mome-"he tried explaining, but someone´s laughter interrupted. Or rather a group of people were laughing, the sound was coming from the other room.

"Is there a celebration or something?" Bloom asked him, her eyes full of sorrow. Demetrius felt sorry for the girl, it didn't take much to realize, or at least suspect, who she was.

It must be the girl Hagen spoke to me about…the real princess Bloom. The girl Daphne saw the other day in the palace. But she mustn't be here! Not tonight! The King will be furious, their dinner will be a complete disaster!

"Bloom…!" Sky called, entering the palace.

"Good evening sir" Demetri greeted. Bloom stared at the grand dining room door.

"Excuse me", she said in a daze, pushing past Demetri.

"Bloom" Sky called.

"Sweetheart listen to me, you don't have to do this", he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yes I do", she said her voice full of determination.

"Please don't stop me" she whispered and placed a kiss on his cheek before heading to the dining room.

"Young lady, wait!" Demetri shouted, following Bloom. But it was a little too late. The King and Queen as well as all the other guests were staring at them surprised as Bloom, Demetri and Sky stood at the entrance, bewildered.

"What do you mean Bloom left? Why wasn't I notified immediately?" Faragonda demanded.

"Ma´am, we didn't think it was such a bad idea. After all, Bloom only wants to meet her family" Stella argued.

"Yes, but must I remind you that Bloom´s family has mistaken her for someone else? I´m not saying that she shouldn't meet Oritel and Marion, it's their right as a family to be reunited. But there are other more subtle ways to handle a situation as difficult as this! Can you imagine their surprise when the real Princess of Domino shows up at their door, after they´ve just crowned someone else?" she scolded.

"Ms. Faragonda, we didn't think about the consequences", Tecna said, sheepishly.

"Exactly, neither of you thought about the consequences this could bring for both Bloom and her biological family. As Bloom´s best friends, you should have tried to dissuade her", she said to them.

"Ms. F is right. Diaspro is still on Domino, what if she tries to attack Bloom?" Layla realized. Flora bowed her head, sadly,

"Oh boy…"

"Well, what can we do now headmistress?" Musa asked. Ms. Faragonda sighed.

"Bloom must have arrived on Domino by now, there´s absolutely no point in trying to stop her. Now all we can do is hope that this situation doesn't get too out of control. We´ll have to wait for news from Domino", she said grimly.

"Girls, you´re dismissed. If Bloom contacts you please notify me at once", she warned.

"Yes headmistress", they answered and left her office. She was right, Bloom had taken an impulsive decision. And although no one could blame her, she was putting herself at risk and there was nothing they could do now to stop what was going to come.

"You! You filthy peasant!" Diaspro stood up from her seat, infuriated.

"Diaspro, what´s going on?" Oritel asked, shocked to know that his daughter could speak to someone that way. Daphne also stood up from her seat, unbelievingly.

"It's you…" she whispered.

"I´ll tell you what's wrong. That girl is nothing but an intruder!"

"Forgive me your majesties! I-I tried to stop her" Demetri stuttered.

"Diaspro that's enough!" Sky yelled, standing in front of Bloom.

"I see she´s convinced you too, my darling!" Diaspro snapped. Sky glared at her, and he couldn't understand how he could have been engaged to someone so vile...But then again, this wasn't the same Diaspro he had been arranged to marry a while back.

"Bloom didn't have to convince me of anything! Your mask finally fell off!" he yelled back.

"Young lady, what seems to be the problem?" Oritel asked, carefully.

"Why don't you ask Diaspro? I´m sure she can explain to you why I´m here" Bloom said, with tears in her eyes.

"Oritel…" His sister cautioned, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright, Emma" he said,

"Diaspro, honey, what is she talking about?" Marion asked warily. Diaspro ignored them both and glared at Bloom.

"Why don't we talk about this elsewhere?"

"No! We´ll talk about this now! I´m sorry to have interrupted your celebration, your majesties. But this has to stop!" she cried, ignoring the confused looks on each of the guests.

"Bloom…" Diaspro cautioned. Her parents shot her a confused look.

"Did you do it for fun? Hm? Did it amuse you to steal from me the only thing I´ve been looking for since the day I got here?" she demanded angrily.

"A peasant like you doesn't deserve anything!" Diaspro yelled back. The guests began murmuring amongst each other.

"Now, now girls. Why don't you both calm down and please explain to us what this is about, what is it that Diaspro took from you?" Marion asked Bloom, perplexed.

"You´re not seriously going to listen to her, are you?! She´s just jealous-"

"You stole my life, Diaspro! Wasn't it enough to try and take Sky away from me too? Haven't you caused me enough humiliation?!" Daphne kept her eyes engrossed on the redheaded girl.

"…Bloom…?" she asked, bewildered.

"Will someone please explain to me what's going on?!" Oritel shouted this time, losing his patience.

"Your majesties, there´s been a confusion. This young lady standing here before you, is the actual princess Bloom and keeper of the dragon flame. Diaspro is the intruder", Sky said, placing his arm protectively around Bloom´s shoulders as she sobbed.

Marion shut her eyes tight, shaking her head.

"No, that…can't be. Why would my daughter lie to me? Diaspro why would you lie to me?!" she cried franticly. Daphne took hold of her mother immediately.

"Mom, please! Calm down!" Daphne cried as the Queen fainted.

"Diaspro, do you realize the amount of pain you´ve caused?" Sky asked in disbelief.

"Diaspro…is this true?" Oritel asked, shocked.

But she remained silent, letting her own tears fall. Oritel remained speechless, a stone cold expression came upon his face.

"Are you saying that…she…is Bloom? My beloved niece…" Oritel´s sister asked, walking toward Bloom and cupping her face gently in her hands.

"Yes ma´am" Sky said quietly. The maids rushed to bring water for Marion and help her sit down,

"Was it Valtor´s idea or yours?" Oritel asked suddenly, his voice deep with anger.

"Wh-what?" Diaspro asked, fearfully.

"Answer me! It was Valtor who brought you to us. Did you come up with this, together? Did you both plan to make fools out of Marion and I?!"

Diaspro´s expression changed suddenly. Despite her tear stained face and dripping mascara, she smiled cynically.

"Doesn't make much of a difference now, does it?"

"You and Valtor are exactly alike!" Bloom growled.

"You´re not worthy of Sky or the crown of Domino! Valtor knew that, and so do you!"

"Diaspro, that's enough!" Daphne said defensively.

"Guards!" Oritel suddenly commanded.

"Don't you dare…!" Diaspro growled.

"Enjoy the rest of your feast…your highnesses" she said glaring at Bloom and leaving the dining room. Her time here was done. But the war wasn't over. She had managed to ruin Bloom´s life enough for the time being, but she wasn't through with her yet. This palace was meant for her, these riches and jewels, they were given to her! Never mind Marion and Oritel. But this luxurious life was hers to keep and she would claim it back soon enough.

Daphne left Marion´s side and walked, until she found herself standing before Bloom. They looked at each other for a moment, neither one spoke. Suddenly, Daphne threw her arms around Bloom, embracing her tightly as she cried.

"I knew it was you…!"

Oritel left the dining room without another word and hurried after Diaspro.

"You haven't answered my question", he said sternly, just as she was about to leave the palace. She turned around to face him, annoyed.

"What?"

"Was it Valtor´s idea? Or yours…" Diaspro huffed,

"If it really matters so much to you, you're royal highness, then yes. He planned the entire thing. And I agreed to help. I accepted out of pure convenience. I know things look bad, but nothing is how it seems. I had it pretty bad myself, so I was almost forced to accept. Just know, that I really did see you as the father I never had", she lied, trying to make him feel sorry for her. She would need him on her side for later. But Oritel´s expression didn't change in the slightest. He looked hurt, disappointed, angry…a mixture of emotions that Diaspro wasn't willing to continue witnessing.

Oritel returned to the dining room where the confusion continued. His wife had passed out and was being attended. Before them, stood a beautiful young girl who looked broken. With bright red tresses of hair, much like Marion´s, and she definitely had her eyes.

"Oritel isn't she beautiful?" his sister exclaimed. Oritel tried to give her a small smile amongst the pain.

"Sky...is your name?" he asked. Sky nodded.

"Thank you for…bringing her to us" he said. He gazed at his daughter, his real daughter, who couldn't seem to utter a single word.

"Bloom…" he whispered. Bloom stared at him, tear faced. Her eyes reflected exactly what he was feeling at that moment. Brokenness. He still had so many questions. But he couldn't stand to look at Diaspro´s face long enough to get the answers he needed. She certainly proved to have the dragon flame when she first arrived. He sensed it! And when he trained her, at first her power was low, but during one particular training session it had amazingly increased! How was it possible? Had Valtor given her a portion of his own dark dragon flame? His plan had been so perfectly thought out! Valtor had them eating out of his hand like fools! Now he understood why the wizard didn't want them to have any contact whatsoever with the outside world. He knew that eventually someone who knew the real Bloom would contact them.

The coronation ceremony was broadcasted all over the magical dimension. That must've been how Bloom found out. Valtor might be intelligent, but his assistant didn't consider her moves carefully enough.

He placed a hand on Bloom´s head, smoothing out her hair. He wanted to be careful not to startle her.

"If only you´d seen Marion when she was your age" he chuckled. Bloom smiled, spilling a few more tears…

"Bloom…I don't know what to say", he felt a strange sense of relief as he said his daughter´s name,

"Forgive me. I should´ve known Valtor would try and pull something like this. I-I should´ve paid more attention. I never should´ve believed in his words!" he said regretfully, as Daphne placed a hand on his back. Her father was being too hard on himself! They all should´ve listened to their instincts and investigated further. And yet, there was something about the way Valtor lied that made it so hard to do so. He always tended to say exactly what a person wanted to hear, he promised to make their greatest wishes come true. And having "Bloom" back in their lives was the greatest gift of all. So they hadn't bothered to dig deeper for the truth.

"But I promise", he said, kneeling down slightly to see her eye-to-eye.

"I will make it up to you",

"May I…?" Oritel asked gently, asking for a hug from his daughter. Bloom nodded, still not trusting her voice enough to speak.

This was it. It was definitely his child and the one and only source of the dragon flame. Any great wizard, warrior or magical being would sense it. And now. They would fight back. If Valtor brought Diaspro to them instead of Bloom, there had to be a reason. And knowing Valtor he could already suspect what it was. Valtor wanted Bloom. And he wasn't going to give her up without a fight, that was for sure.

And he would be ready to fight for his little girl …even if it meant another war.