A Dragon's Tail
Tail 2: Zetarus' Tail – Ambivalence
Tail 2-6: Two Successors
-Six Days Later…
"Daimyo Augustine Leafisite the Parasect of Principality of Leafburg has arrived!"
Every in the throne room bowed down as a Parasect accompanied by several grassy type and bug type Pokemon walked up from the door to the throne, where Emperor Garland was sitting.
"This sucks…" Diego mumbled. Right now, Zetarus and he were among the guests that came to join Prince Terrus' Succession Ceremony. The real ceremony will start tomorrow. Right now, there was a night banquet in the main hall of Desert Palace, and most guests were already here.
"Yeah…" Zetarus mumbled and looked around. "Why do we have to bow to someone just because they are a king or something?"
"Plus, the security system here sucks." Diego mumbled. "We could get here easily by just showing our card. Those idiots have no idea that they have led two criminals into this place…"
Zetarus looked around the hall. There were many Pokemon here. Most of them were nobles. At the back of the hall were two thrones. The one who sat on the thrones were Prince Terrus and the one Zetarus wished to kill, Emperor Garland. Behind the throne of Prince Terrus stood an unknown Aerodactyl.
Zetarus turned his attention from Garland and Terrus, who were greeting the ruler of Leafburg, to three Pokemon who stood near the throne. They were the trio he saw at the oasis, Princess Natasha, Prince Largo and Prince Fenrir Jr. of Shadowlost.
Zetarus looked around here again and finally saw Freya. She stood a bit far from everyone else. Zetarus could see a timid look on her face. But it seemed like she didn't notice Zetarus and Diego as they tried not to let her see them.
"Queen Nyxier Tundrafrost the Aurorus and Princess Misvale Tundrafrost the Aurorus of Queendom of Riverbrine have arrived!"
Everyone in this hall turned their attention to a group of Pokemon who had just entered the hall. The most outstanding Pokemon among them was a female Aurorus in a sophisticated dress that glittered as if it was made from ice. She also wore a crown made from Never Melt Ice on her head. Beside her was a smaller female Aurorus in a modest but beautiful dress. The rest of the group was either water type or ice type Pokemon.
As they walked toward the throne, the smaller Aurorus acted modestly toward everyone that bowed down to her. The other Aurorus, however, acted vainly toward everyone she met, be commoners or nobles.
"Hohoho!" The arrogant Aurorus spoke in a high-pitched voice as he reached the throne. She didn't even bow at Emperor Garland. "Long time no see, Emperor Garland! The last time we met was Empress Sharon's funeral, wasn't it?"
"…Queen Nyxier…" Emperor Garland mumbled.
"And you are Prince Terrus?" Queen Nyxier the Aurorus looked at Terrus. "What a fine Garchomp you have become!"
"Thank you, Queen Nyxier." Terrus said and turned her attention to another Aurorus. "You too, Misvale. You looked beautiful as ever."
"…Thanks, Prince Terrus." Misvale the Aurorus said with a calm voice.
"Hohoho!" Queen Nyxier laughed again and looked around the room until she saw Natasha, Largo and Freya. "That must be Princess Natasha, Prince Largo and Princess Freya, right? But where is another one?"
"…" Emperor Garland didn't answer Queen Nyxier's question, but it was noticeable that he was tightening his fist in rage. Prince Terrus also became restless once he heard Queen Nyxier's words.
"…One thousand PokeCoin that everyone in this room wants to give that bxxxh a slap." Zetarus mumbled as he looked at Queen Nyxier.
"Make it two thousand PokeCoin." Diego mumbled.
After she finished greeting Emperor Garland, Queen Nyxier and Princess Misvale walked up to where Princess Natasha, Prince Largo and Prince Fenrir Jr were, but Zetarus didn't pay any attention to them as he heard another announcement from the guards.
"President Voltson Millechu the Raichu of Republic of Civilight has arrived!"
Everyone turned the attention to another group of Pokemon that had just entered this hall. The first Pokemon was a Raichu in a white suit while the rest of them were Electric type and Steel type Pokemon in black suits. All of them except the Raichu wore blackglasses too.
'Geez…' Zetarus thought as he watched President Voltson and his subordinates walked up to the throne. 'What's up with everyone from this nation?'
Zetarus looked at President Voltson, who was now greeting Emperor Garland. He then left the throne area at the same time the guards announced the arrival of the next guests.
"Prince Apollo Inferoar the Pyroar and Princess Artemis Inferoar the Pyroar of Fireview Kingdom have arrived!"
The fourth group that came into this hall were all either Fire type or Rock type Pokemon. Their group was led by two Pyroar, one male and one female, in royal garbs.
"That must be Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis…" Zetarus mumbled as he looked at two Pyroar that led the group into this hall. Then he noticed something.
"Diego?" Zetarus called his comrade's name as he noticed that the Charizard seemed like he was filled with rage. He tightened his fist and had a scary look at his face.
"Them…" Diego mumbled angrily. "Blood must spilled… Vengeance must be quenched… I will kill them…"
"Diego? What's wrong?" Zetarus asked and poked Diego's back.
"What?!" Diego turned his attention to the Garchomp. "Oh, it's you, Zetarus…"
"What was that reaction?" Zetarus crossed his arms. "And what's wrong with you when you saw those Pyroar? It seemed like—"
"I want to kill them…" Diego finished Zetarus' sentence. "In the most painful way possible."
"Why?" Zetarus asked.
"It's a long story." Diego answered. "Trust me, you don't want to hear it right now."
"…I don't know the meaning of the word 'trust'." Zetarus mumbled. "But if you don't want to tell me right now, it's fine."
Zetarus and Diego then looked at Prince Apollo and Princess Artemist bowed in front of Emperor Garland. They then had a little conversation before they walked up to join with other royals.
And at the very same time, the guards announced an arrival of special guests from the last nation.
"Pontifex Hawkins Gale-norval the Lugia of Theocracy of Venturnome has arrived!"
It seemed like everything had stopped for a moment as special guests from the last nation walked gracefully into the hall. All of them were Fighting type, Psychic type and Fairy type Pokemon. The most outstanding Pokemon among them, and also the most outstanding Pokemon in this hall right now, was a Legendary Pokemon, Lugia, in a royal garb suited for a bishop of the highest rank. Everyone's attentions were on him as he walked gracefully into the hall and to the throne. He then stopped in front of Emperor Garland.
"It's good to see you again, Emperor Garland." Pontifex Hawkins greeted. "Our meeting here must be a blessing from Goddess Yggdrasil…"
"…You too, Pontifex Hawkins." Emperor Garland answered with a softer voice, but before any of them spoke anything more…
"EHAEAEAH!" Their attractions were drawn to a high-pitched voice, followed by the coming of the Riverbrine Queen. "Pontifex Hawkins! Hohoho! I am so glad you are also here too!"
"The pleasure is mine too, Queen Nyxier." Pontifex Hawkins spoke with a soft voice. "And thanks to the blessing of Goddess Yggdrasil and God Arceus too…"
"EAHAEA!" Queen Nyxier let out a high-pitched laughed again.
"And a blessing for you too, Prince Terrus." Pontifex Hawkins turned his attention to Terrus.
"Thank you, great Pontifex Hawkins." Terrus said, but Pontifex Hawkins didn't look at him. It seemed like he was looking at something else.
"…Pontifex Hawkins?" Prince Terrus called the Lugia.
"Oh!" Pontifex Hawkins turned his attention from the thing he was looking back to Terrus again. "My fullest apologies, Prince Terrus."
"Hohoho!" Queen Nyxier laughed again, and three rulers continued their conversation, with Zetarus looked at them. Although he couldn't hear what they say, he could hear Queen Nyxier's words clearly.
"…A bxxxh strikes back…" Zetarus mumbled.
The banquet continued after all special guests had arrived. Everyone seemed to be very happy with this feast. Sometimes, a guest or two would approach the throne to speak with Emperor Garland and Prince Terrus. Prince Terrus seemed to be friendly to everyone he met while Emperor Garland had a grim look on his face.
The banquet continued until late night. Some guests started to leave for a rest and prepared to come back here tomorrow for the Succession Ceremony, but there were still some guests left at the banquet such as some nobles, most royals, Zetarus and Diego.
"Diego." Zetarus spoke up. "I will sneak into the other areas of this palace to start my work. Will you come with me?"
"No." Diego answered and looked at two Pyroar, who were speaking to Princess Misvale. "I will continue observing them, and I will kill them when the time comes. So, good luck, Zetarus."
"I hope you succeed with your kill." Zetarus said before he sneaked out of the main hall into the other areas of Desert Palace.
Zetarus sneaked silently in the shadow around Desert Palace. With his high sneaking skill, the guards didn't notice him, making him able to sneak around this place easily. He first went to the eastern wing, which the first floor had no room worth of his time. He then went to the second floor and found many rooms there such as reading quarters. He also found three bedrooms on this floor. He then sneaked into all of them and found that all rooms were very luxurious as if they were meant for royals. The difference between these three rooms were the first room had several bookshelves full with books, the second room had many training gears such as Macho Brace and Thick Club, and the last room had nothing extraordinary, but Zetarus noticed that it seemed like the last room was empty until recently.
'…The first room is Princess Natasha's. The second room is Prince Largo's. And the last room is Princess Freya's.' Zetarus thought.
Zetarus then moved to the third floor, which had only two bedrooms. When Zetarus went into those rooms, he found that they were bigger than the bedrooms on the second floor. But both rooms were very different from each other. While the first room was full with many things such as books and training gears, the second room was…empty. There was nothing here, not even a single bed or chair.
'…Why?' Zetarus thought.
As there were no more floors to go, Zetarus decided to leave the eastern wing and headed to the western wing.
In order to head to the western wing, Zetarus had to walk across a lonely balcony located above the main hall of Desert Palace. Luckily, it seemed like no one was around here.
"…" Zetarus walked silently across the balcony, but just as he reached the middle point of the balcony, he saw someone coming here from downstairs!
"!" Zetarus quickly hid behind a pillar and used the shadows to conceal himself. He then found that the one who came here to this balcony was the Aerodactyl who were standing behind Prince Terrus' throne.
"…" The Aerodactyl flew up to the balcony and looked at the crescent moon. He continued looking at it until another Pokemon appeared.
"Soryl? What are you doing here?"
It was Prince Terrus' voice. Soryl then turned his attention back to the Prince of Dustorm Empire who was walking up to him.
"…Just catching some fresh air." Soryl answered as the prince of earth stopped beside him. "What about you, Terrus? Shouldn't you be in the banquet?"
"I told father that I need some rest." Terrus answered. "Today I am so tired, especially…"
"Because of Queen Nyxier, isn't it?" Soryl spoke up. "I agree with you, Terrus. I still don't understand how could you endure her…attitude."
"Right." Terrus nodded. "But… Soryl, did you know that she is actually one of 14 Hero/ine of Legend who saved Symmetria from Fallen Crisis?"
"What?!" Soryl looked at Terrus. "A…Are you sure?!"
"Yes. It is because I have read the record of the Fallen Crisis." Terrus answered. "Right now, most of 14 Hero/ine of Legend are still alive, and three of them have come to this banquet too."
"Three?" Soryl recalled. "We have Emperor Garland and Queen Nyxier. What about the last one?"
"It's me."
A heavenly voice turned the attention of Terrus and Soryl (And Zetarus) to a Lugia who had just appeared at this balcony. This Lugia was none other than the Pontifex of Theocracy of Venturnome.
"Pontifex Hawkins?!" Terrus spoke up. "Why are you here?"
"We will talk about it later." Pontifex Hawkins answered. "But both of you were talking about 14 Hero/ine of Legend who saved Symmetria from the Fallen Crisis 30 years ago, right?"
"Right." Terrus answered. "And I was telling my friend that you, father and Queen Nyxier are also one of them too. And… Father is the Hero of Ground type, Queen Nyxier is the Heroine of Ice type and you are the Hero of Flying type, right?"
"That's right." Pontifex Hawkins nodded. "But do you know about the other 11?"
"The Chancellor of Shadowlost Territory, Prince Fenrir's mother, is the Hero of Dark type." Terrus answered. "And if I remember correctly, the Archsage of Theocracy of Venturnome…"
"That's right." Pontifex Hawkins spoke up. "The Archsage of Theocracy of Venturnome, who is actually my wife, is also one of them too. She is the Heroine of Psychic type."
"And there's one more…" Prince Terrus continued. "It is the 'Hero of Justice', right? He is the Hero of Fighting type."
"Correct." Pontifex Hawkins nodded. "And what about the other 8?"
"I don't really know much about them…" Terrus answered. "But I remember that they have the power of Normal, Grass, Fire, Water, Electric, Rock, Steel and Poison type, right?"
"Excellent." Pontifex Hawkins complimented. "As expected from the perfect prince of Dustorm Empire."
"Thank you." Terrus nodded.
"But…" Soryl spoke up after listening for some time. "You spoke about the Hero/ine of Normal, Grass, Fire, Water, Electric, Flying, Rock, Steel, Ground, Ice, Fighting, Psychic, Poison and Dark type. What about the Hero/ine of Fairy, Bug, Ghost and Dragon type?"
"They didn't appear during the Fallen Crisis." Pontifex Hawkins answered. "They may appear soon in the future crisis of Pokemon World. But right now, only 13 Hero/ine of Legend exists."
"13? But what about the other one?" Soryl asked.
"…Both of you may don't know this…" Pontifex Hawkins looked at Terrus and Soryl. "Empress Sharon was also one of 14 Hero/ine of Legend who saved Symmetria from the Fallen Crisis."
"What?!" Terrus spoke up.
"Right. She was the Hero of Poison type, but she had passed away since ten years ago. So, right now, there is no Hero/ine of Poison type, but I believe that her title and power will be passed to Princess Natasha when the time come."
"…So, you want to tell me that Natasha will one day become the Heroine of Legend, just like me after my Succession Ceremony tomorrow?" Terrus asked.
"Absolutely." Pontifex Hawkins replied. "I feel a bit bad that, while you and Princess Natasha will become the Hero/ine of Legend, Prince Largo and Princess Freya will never become one…"
"It's alright." Terrus spoke up. "I live with them almost my whole life and I am sure that Largo and Freya will understand this."
"He is right." Soryl spoke up. "He always told me about his siblings and I must say that bonds between four royal children of Quakersand family are very strong."
"…And it would be better if…" Pontifex Hawkins' face became serious. "The other one is still alive, right?"
Terrus spoke nothing but nodded in response, while Soryl seemed to be confused by Pontifex Hawkins' word. "What does that mean?" Soryl asked.
"…When Prince Terrus and Prince Natasha were born, Emperor Garland's life was filled with happiness…" Pontifex Hawkins spoke up. "But 21 years ago, 2 years after Princess Natasha's birth and 2 years before Prince Largo's birth, Emperor Garland was supported to have another child with Empress Sharon. Unfortunately, that child was never born into this world. I don't know what happened that day, but Emperor Garland had fallen into grief. The grief became worse when Empress Lylalia died and Princess Freya was born, and it reached its peak when Empress Sharon died…"
"…I remember that…" Terrus spoke up. "Father was very kind to me, but after the incident 21 years ago, he became much more serious than before… And when Empress Sharon died, I had never seen him smile again…"
"He had changed drastically." Pontifex Hawkins continued. "Emperor Garland was a great ruler, but after all he had endured, he was turned into a merciless emperor who ruled his empire with an iron fist… And… What happened at the Windsky Plateau…"
"…You want to tell me that Emperor Garland started the War over the Windsky Plateau because he was mad after his empress died?!" Soryl spoke up. "Sure, I feel a bit bad after hearing what had happened to Emperor Garland, but there's no way I could forgive him for the thing he had done!"
"…I knew you would say that…" Pontifex Hawkins said. "But that's not what I come here for… I come here to ask you, Soryl Hurricloud the Aerodactyl, for a huge favor."
"…And what is that?" Soryl looked at Pontifex Hawkins.
"…As you may already know, I have only one son." Pontifex Hawkins continued speaking. "And I am sure that he will inherit the title and power of the Hero of Psychic type from my wife instead of me. And do you know what will happen when the Hero of Legend died without a descendant to succeed their power?"
"The power of legend will choose a new Pokemon to become the next Hero/ine of Legend." Soryl answered.
"Correct." Pontifex Hawkins said. "If I die, a new Pokemon will become the Hero/ine of Flying type, and that Pokemon is now standing in front of me."
"WHAT?!" Soryl looked at himself, and then looked at Pontifex Hawkins. "Y…You mean that I will be the next Hero of Flying type?!"
"Yes." Pontifex Hawkins nodded. "21 years ago, I had a vision of a certain Pokemon born at the plateau of the wind that will inherit my power. And when I saw you at the banquet, I knew that you must be the one…"
"…It's true that I was born 21 years ago…" Soryl spoke up. "But are you really sure that it is really me?"
"Absolutely." Pontifex Hawkins said. "And… I come here in order to… pass my power to you, Soryl."
"WHAT?!" Soryl became shocked. "A…Are you really sure about this?!"
"Yes, I am sure." Pontifex Hawkins spoke up.
"B…But, why now?!" Soryl asked.
"I have my own reason, but I can't tell you. The only thing that I can tell you is, if I don't give my power to you soon, something terrible would befall on the continent of Symmetria for sure." Hawkins spoke up.
"B…But…" Soryl said. "I…I can't! I am just a commoner! I couldn't receive a power like that from you!"
"Please, Soryl. I beg you." Pontifex Hawkins said and kneeled down in front of Soryl, which made everyone around here surprised. The ruler of Theocracy of Venturnome kneeled down before an unnamed Aerodactyl…
"…Are you really sure about this?" Soryl asked again.
"I have already answered that question, and I will not answer it again." Pontifex Hawkins answered.
"…Fine." Soryl spoke up.
"Thank you, Soryl." Pontifex Hawkins stood up. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"…What must I do?" Soryl asked.
"Just stand still and I will take care of it."
Pontifex Hawkins reached his wing-like paw forward at the Aerodactyl and released a violet aura from his paw to Soryl. The aura then surrounded Soryl, giving him an enormous power!
"I… feel…" Soryl slowly spoke up as he felt a new power awaken from within his body. "So…light and…nimble… Is this the power of being a Hero of Flying type?"
The violet aura now faded from Soryl's body. Pontifex Hawkins then wiped his sweat.
"Whew…So, this is the feeling of living without the power of legend flowing through my veins…" Pontifex Hawkins mumbled.
"Pontifex Hawkins, are you alright?" Soryl asked.
"Don't worry about me, I am fine." Pontifex Hawkins spoke up. "And now, Soryl, you are the Hero of Legend who holds the power of Flying type. I hope that you will use your power in the right way."
"Thank you for the power, Pontifex Hawkins." Soryl answered. "I promise to use my power to protect this world from evil."
"And, as you are now the Hero of Flying type, this thing is yours."
Hawkins picked something up and handed it over to Soryl. It was a circular weapon with a spiky outer edge. The spikes on the outer edge were glowing violet as if they were made from some kind of gemstone.
"That's Amethyst Chakram." Pontifex Hawkins explained. "Each Hero/ine of Legend carries their personal weapon, and the Amethyst Chakram is the personal weapon of the Hero of Flying type."
"This chakram… I could feel its power by having it on my paw…" Soryl mumbled.
"Terrus." Pontifex Hawkins turned his attention to the perfect prince. "You will also receive the personal weapon of the Hero of Ground type from Emperor Garland tomorrow too. If I remember correctly, his weapon is Garnet Rifle."
Upon hearing Pontifex Hawkins' word, Terrus became restless about something. "What's wrong, Prince Terrus?" Pontifex Hawkins asked.
"While he is called 'The Perfect Prince', his skill with a ranged weapon is the worst." Soryl answered instead. "He always misses his target no matter what."
"P…Please, Soryl!" Terrus spoke up. "It's embarrassing!"
"Oh, I see…" Pontifex Hawkins looked at Terrus. "Don't worry about it, Prince Terrus. I heard that a personal weapon of Hero/ine of Legend will change their kind of weapon to match the new Hero/ine of Legend's skill. So, if you aren't good with ranged weapons, I am sure that Emperor Garland's Garnet Rifle will change into something that suits your fighting skill."
"Well, it was lucky for me that I usually fight with a chakram, so I am pretty good with it…" Soryl said.
"…Thank you, Pontifex Hawkins." Terrus spoke up.
"Me too." Soryl said.
"Don't worry about it. But, Soryl, do not tell anyone that you inherited the power of legend from me until the right time comes, okay?"
"I promise." Soryl answered."But why?"
"It wouldn't be a good thing if everyone knows that you, instead of me, have the power of Flying type, right? They may think that you stole my power from me…" Pontifex Hawkins said.
"Okay…" Soryl said.
"Well then, why don't you go back into the hall? The banquet isn't over yet…" Pontifex Hawkins said.
"Alright. Thank you for everything, Pontifex Hawkins." Terrus and Soryl said and left the balcony to go back to the main hall of Desert Palace, leaving Pontifex Hawkins (And Zetarus) here…
"'If I don't give my power to you soon, something terrible would befall on the continent of Symmetria for sure'… That's it?" Hawkins repeated the words he told Soryl as he saw that Terrus and Soryl already left the balcony. "Well… Giving the power of legend to him or not will result in a very same thing, a catastrophe. No matter what happens, my death will bring a great terror upon the continent of Symmetria, and this terror will raise ten monsters from their slumber… Ten monsters… They will plague Symmetria and bring her an absolute destruction… Thus, begins a new task for 17 Hero/ine of Legend… But I wonder… Who is the monster and who is the hero?"
Pontifex Hawkins then ended his mumbling and left the balcony to go back to the main hall. Now only one Pokemon remained here on the balcony, Zetarus.
"…" Zetarus left his hiding place and continued heading to the western wing of Desert Palace, but Pontifex Hawkins' last question was still stuck in his mind…
The western wing of Desert Palace, like the eastern wing, had many rooms. The most notable room on this wing was Emperor Garland's bedroom, which is located on the fourth floor of the western wing, but the way to that room was guarded heavily, so Zetarus had no choice other than leaving it alone. The third floor of the western wing was the location of the deceased empresses' bedroom, which both were empty. The second floor had no room worth of his time. And finally, Zetarus reached the first floor of the western wing…
"Who's there!?"
'Crap!' Zetarus thought as there were two guards around here, and they already spotted him! Zetarus then started running away from them with high speed!
"Hey! Come back here!" The guards said as they chased after Zetarus.
Zetarus said nothing and ran away from the guards along the dark corridor of Desert Palace. It was lucky for him that the darkness prevented the guards from seeing what kind of Pokemon he is, but it was unlucky that…
'Sxxt!' Zetarus found that this corridor led him to a dead end! The only way to go forward was the door at the end of the corridor. Zetarus then decided to open the door and went into the room the door led to!
"W…Where did that bustard go?" One of the guards said.
"I saw them going into that room." Another guard said and pointed his paw at the room Zetarus just went it.
"They went into that room?!" The first guard said. "Then, our job is over."
"Right." The second guard said. "No one, other than the Royals, had ever gone into that room and came back alive…"
"Just let them take care of our work…" The first guard said, and then both of them left here and went back to where they were before chasing after Zetarus…
Zetarus was now in a very dark room. He couldn't see anything in this room.
"…What the heck did I get myself into?" Zetarus mumbled, and then…
"WHAT?!" Zetarus was shocked when he saw several blue flames suddenly appeared on the floor. The flames were surrounding something in the middle of the room that seemed like an altar…
Zetarus slowly approached the altar. This altar seemed like it was to be used for some important ceremony…
"WHAT?!" Zetarus was shocked again because as he reached the altar, he saw someone standing at the other side of an altar. That Pokemon was… very strange because it didn't seem like a Pokemon, it seemed more like a…spirit.
"W…Who are you?" Zetarus asked.
"…You've finally come." The spirit spoke up. "I have been waiting for you my whole life, Zetarus,my one and only great-grandson."
To Be Continued…
Dragon of Vale: This chapter is long and boring, but we learn more about Emperor Garland's past and Diego's target. We also see Soryl becomes the new Hero of Flying type!
And now, the second tail almost comes to the end. Only a few more to go…
A special thanks to Ridin Valon for helping me with the error correction.