A Dragon's Tail
Tail 5: Diego's Tail - Reprisal
Tail 5-7: Fighting Fire with Fire
-The Next Day…
Today was five days before the Prince Apollo's Coronation Day. It was also the day of Flame Blessing Ceremony, a ceremony where the crown prince, as well as the members of Fireview Royal Family, will pay a visit to the sacred volcano of Fireview and received a bless from the God of Volcano in the name of the next king of Fireview Kingdom. And the one who will perform this ceremony was none other than the Volcano Guardian himself…
And now, the royal family of Fireview Kingdom was on their way to the peak of Fireview Volcano. Because this ceremony was considered to be a sacred ceremony by everyone in the nation of flame and stone, the only one who was allowed to join the ceremony was the members of Fireview royal family, as well as the Volcano Guardian and his disciples…
"Oh… Such a grandiose and majestic volcano…"
The one who spoke up was an old Pyroar who led the Fireview Royal Family as they climbed the Fireview Volcano. He was none other than the current king of Fireview Kingdom, King Leonardo Inferoar the Pyroar.
"Your majesty, are you alright?" A matured female Pyroar who stood beside King Leonardo asked with a worried voice.
"I will be fine, Olivia." King Leonardo said as he turned his attention to his only descendant, Princess Olivia Inferoar the Pyroar.
"But it had been such a long time since the last time you had come to this volcano…" Princess Olivia said uncertainly. "I think you should stay back at the Palace of Flame instead."
"That won't do, Olivia." King Leonardo said. "The Flame Blessing Ceremony is an important ceremony for Apollo's Coronation. As a king of Fireview Kingdom, it's crucial for me to join this ceremony too, no matter what."
"But—" Princess Olivia tried to say something, but her words were cut off by an Arcanine who was walking by her side.
"Olivia, you worry too much about your majesty…" The Arcanine spoke up. "I am sure that he would be fine. After all, he had ruled over the nation of flame and stone for 30 years anyway…"
"…Yes, you are right, Orion." Princess Olivia said after she heard the words from her husband, Regent Orion Flararcane the Arcanine. "I am sorry, your majesty."
"I am glad that you understand…" King Leonardo said and turned his attention to two other Pokemon in the group, who were a pair of Pyroar twin, one male and one female. "How about both of you, Apollo and Artemis? Are you alright?"
"We are fine, your majesty…" Princess Artemis answered. "I have been here quite a few times already…"
"And I always come here to pay a visit to the Volcano Guardian too." Prince Apollo said. "Plus, as the future king of Fireview Kingdom, I must not let this little obstacle hinder my path."
"Good words, my grandchildren…" King Leonardo said before he noticed a cabin not too far from them. "Ah! That must be the Volcano Guardian's place… It had been several years since the last time I paid a visit to him…"
A group of five Fireview Royals slowly approached the cabin of the Volcano Guardian, and then they saw someone standing in front of the cabin. It was a young Charizard covered with blue tattoos.
"Greeting, your majesty." A Charizard bowed down to the royal family of Fireview Kingdom. "My name is Dinus Novaflare the Charizard. I am the disciple of the Volcano Guardian."
"Ah… You must be the son of Volcano Guardian…" King Leonardo said. "You look exactly like your father when he was younger…"
"Good morning, Dinus." Princess Apollo greeted. "I am glad to see you here."
"Me too…" Princess Artemis said. "And good day to you, Dinus."
"The pleasure is all mine, Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis." Dinus said and bowed down.
"…" Unlike King Leonardo, Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis, Princess Olivia didn't say anything after she saw Dinus. All she did was avoiding eye contact with the young Charizard.
"!" Unlike the rest of Fireview Royal Family, Regent Orion seemed to be shocked as he saw Dinus. A glimmer of anger suddenly appeared on his face for a blink before his face returned to its ordinary expression.
"How's Chronos, Dinus?" Prince Apollo asked. "I don't see him around here. Is he with the Volcano Guardian?"
"No. He won't be able to join our ceremony today." Dinus said. "He has something important to do today, so he won't be able to join today's ceremony. He, however, sent his words of apologizing to you."
"It's too bad, Dinus." Prince Apollo said. "But don't worry about it. I am fine with him."
"Then, let's go, everyone." Dinus said and pointed his paw to a path that would lead to the summit of Fireview Volcano. "The Volcano Guardian is already there. Let's not waste anymore time."
After he finished speaking, Dinus led King Leonardo, Princess Olivia, Princess Artemis, Prince Apollo and Regetn Orion to the path that would lead them to the peak of Fireview Volcano. However, as they continued their walk, Regent Orion started mumbling something to himself.
"It can't be… This guy…" Regent Orion mumbled. "But… It's impossible… How could he… and that guy…"
-A Few Minutes Later… On the Summit of Fireview Volcano…
The summit of Fireview Volcano was a very small plateau with a large crater that opened to the pit of Fireview Volcano. One could see the boiling magma down below from this crater. And… If someone fell down into this crater, they would surely be burned alive by the boiling magma below…
"I have brought them here, the great Volcano Guardian…"
Dinus' voice turned the attention of the a matured Charizard as he brought the Fireview Royal Family to the summit of Fireview Volcano. The Volcano Guardian was none other than Leonel. He was standing at an altar near the crater of Fireview Volcano. The summit of Fireview Volcano was decorated with many ancient tribal trinkets such as several torches on the ground, many holy threads that were stretched around the summit, and the altar of the volcano, which was where the ceremony would be performed…
"Good morning, the great Volcano Guardian." King Leonardo greeted as everyone in the Fireview Royal Family had already reached the summit of Fireview Volcano. "It has been the longest time since the last time I paid my visit to you. I am sorry that I couldn't visit you sooner…"
"Your consideration is such a great honor for me…" Leonel bowed down to the king of Fireview before he turned his attention to the twin royal of Fireview. "Good day, Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis."
"Good day, the great Volcano Guardian…" Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis said.
"I hope that you are prepared for our ceremony, especially you, Prince Apollo…" Leonel said.
"Of course, the great Volcano Guardian…" Prince Apollo said. "I will do my best for today's ceremony…"
Leonel nodded to Prince Apollo's answer, and then Regent Orion walked up to him.
"Greeting, the Volcano Guardian." Regent Orion spoke up. "I think that we haven't met each other before. My name is Orion Flararcane the Arcanine. I am currently working as the regent of Fireview Kingdom. I am also the father of Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis…"
"…I see…" Leonel said before he shook his paw with Regent Orion. "My name is Leonel Novaflare the Charizard. The pleasure of our meeting today is all mine…"
While Leonel and Regent Orion were shaking their paws with each other, Princess Olivia decided to approach them.
"…Greeting to you, the great Volcano Guardian." Princess Olivia spoke up. "…It has been 21 years since the last time we met…"
"…Greeting to you too, Princess Olivia…" Leonel bowed to the princess of Fireview before he turned his attention to the crown prince of Fireview. "Well then, Prince Apollo, I shall briefly explain what you need to do again. First, I shall stand at the altar and call upon the God of Volcano. All you must do is standing in the middle of this summit, following my words, and receiving the bless from the God of Volcano. When the blessing ended, so do the Flame Blessing Ceremony."
"Yes, the great Volcano Guardian." Prince Apollo said.
Leonel nodded to Prince Apollo's words before he started walking toward the altar of the volcano. As Leonel did that, Prince Apollo stood in the middle of the summit, and other members of Fireview Royal Family, including Dinus, stepped away from Prince Apollo to witness the Flame Blessing Ceremony.
However, none of Fireview Royal Family knew that there weren't 7 Pokemon on this summit, but 8…
-Meanwhile…
"Grrrrr…..!"
Diego had to use all of his willpower to restrain himself from going out of his hiding place and killed everyone in the Fireview Royal Family right now.
Up until now, Diego was hiding nearby at the summit of Fireview Volcano. From his hiding place, none would be able to see him here, but he could see all of them clearly.
'No… This is not the time…' Diego thought to himself. It was because, last night, he had learned from Dinus about what would happen during the ceremony, so he had created a perfect plan to get his revenge.
Diego continued hiding silently as Leonel stood at the altar of the volcano and said something that he didn't understand. It seemed like Leonel was communicating with the God of Volcano…
"…" Leonel chanted words that no one could understand as he reached his paw toward to the crater of Fireview Volcano. As he continued the ceremony, everyone could see that the boiling magma below the crater of Fireview Volcano had become more and more vicious, and the sunlight from the sky above had become brighter and brighter…
At last… It had been a few minutes since Leonel started the ceremony. Right now, the magma in Fireview Volcano Crater had created several magma geysers that started rising from the pit below the summit above! When he saw this, Leonel turned his attention to Prince Apollo.
"It's about time, Prince Apollo." Leonel said as he stepped away from the altar. "Please step onto the altar and received the bless from the God of Volcano…"
Prince Apollo nodded to Leonel's words as he slowly walked up to the altar of the volcano and stepped onto it.
"Very well, then… Let the ceremony continues…" Leonel said as he turned his attention back to crater of Fireview Volcano and continued chanting.
'Just a bit more…' Diego thought to himself. 'According to Dinus, during this part, there would be a ray of sunlight from the sky above down onto the heir to the throne of Fireview Kingdom… At this part, Prince Apollo would be most vulnerable… And this will be my chance…"
"…" Leonel continued chanting, and Prince Apollo was standing at the altar of the volcano, ready to receive the bless from the God of Volcano…
And then…
"!" Everyone was surprised as they suddenly saw a ray of sunlight from the sky above gradually shined down to the summit of Fireview Volcano!
"T…That must be…" Princess Artemis mumbled.
"Right. It's the bless of the God of Volcano." King Leonardo said. "It will shine onto the rightful heir to the throne of Fireview Kingdom. In this case, it was Apollo, the eldest prince of Fireview Kingdom."
Everyone turned their attention as the ray of sunlight gradually shined from the sky above onto the altar of the volcano down below. It was the moment that everyone was looking forward too… Including Diego.
'There…!' Diego started to get impatient as he saw the ray of sunlight shining down below. 'Just a bit more…'
It was the moment that everyone was looking forward to…
The memorable moment… Of Fireview Kingdom…
However…
None of them would have any idea that things will not end up as they hoped for…
When…
"!"
The ray of sunlight, which was the bless from the God of Volcano, didn't shine onto the crown prince of Fireview Kingdom! Instead of the ray of sunlight being shined onto Prince Apollo's body, it shined onto the body of someone else!
"W….What's this?!" Everyone said as the bless from the God of Volcano didn't shine onto Prince Apollo's body. Instead, it shined onto someone who was hiding around there instead!
"WHAT THE FXXK?!" Diego said as the ray of sunlight from the sky shined onto his body instead of Prince Apollo's body! Moreover, this would mean…
"Y…You there!" Regent Orion roared as he looked at where Diego was hiding. "Who are you?! Show yourself!"
"…" Diego didn't say anything, but since he didn't know a better choice, he decided to show himself up. His appearance shocked everyone on the summit of Fireview Volcano, especially Prince Apollo, Regent Orion and Princess Olivia! It seemed like they…
"Y…YOU!" Regent Orion roared as he realized who this Charizard was. "You were that gladiator who—"
"Hehehe… Long time no see… Regent Orion…" Diego spoke maniacally as he appeared from his hiding place. "I hope that you are well-prepared for your death today…"
"My death? Huh? Don't be absurd…" Regent Orion said. "I let you go once, and I did not plan to let you go twice!"
"The owner of those words should be mine…" Diego said as he picked up his Bronze Naginata. "Regent Orion, I challenge you to a duel to the death!"
"W…What is this?!" Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis said.
"Oh, don't worry about this, dear prince and princesses…" Diego said. "Once I finish with this guy, you two will be my next targets…"
"I see…" Regent Orion said asked he drew out a sword. "In order to protect everyone in Fireview Royal Family, I, Regent Orion Flararcane, accept your challenge!"
"W…Wait!" Princess Olivia tried to protest her husband not to get into a fight, but Regent Orion and Diego had already gotten into their offensive stance, preparing to attack each other!
But then…
"Hold on, both of you!"
An old but powerful voice turned the attention of both Regent Orion and Diego into the owner of the voice. It was none other than King Leonardo Inferoar the Pyroar!
"King Leonardo?!" Everyone said.
"What do you think both of you are doing?!" King Leonardo said. "We are in the middle of a sacred Flame Blessing Ceremony! How dare both of you interrupt the sacred ceremony with your duel?!"
"Forgive my impudence, your majesty…" Regent Orion spoke up. "But take a look at this filthy gladiator, the very same creature who tried to kill the crown prince several months ago at the arena! Not only that, but he also stole the bless of the almighty God of Volcano!"
King Leonardo turned his attention to Leonel, who was standing silently not too far from them. "The Volcano Guardian, what's the meaning of this? Can you explain how could something like this happen? Can you tell me how could this gladiator steal the bless of the God of Volcano?"
"…The bless of the God of Volcano couldn't be stolen…" Leonel answered. "There's no way for one to steal the bless from the almighty God of Volcano."
"Then, explain the thing that's happening right here!" King Leonardo said.
"…There is only one explanation to this situation…" Leonel said. "The bless from the God of Volcano will only be given to only one person, and that person is the rightful heir to the throne of Fireview Kingdom…"
"!" Everyone's attention was at Leonel.
"According to the Royal Rule of Fireview Kingdom, the rightful heir to the throne of Fireview Kingdom is the eldest prince either born to the current king or, if the current king doesn't have any male descendant, the current king's female descendant…" Leonel said.
"Then…" Everyone turned their attention to Diego, who still was shined by the bless of the God of Volcano.
"…He is the true eldest prince of the Fireview Kingdom…" Leonel explained. "…As well as the true rightful throne to the Fireview Kingdom."
Everyone was shocked by the conclusion from the Volcano Guardian. It was something that none of them didn't expect before!
"M…Me? P…Prince?! H…Heir to the throne of Fireview?!" Diego said. "W…What are you talking about?!"
"That's right!" King Leonardo said. "I demand the explanation of this!"
"Then… Allow me…"
Regent Orion spoke up, turning the attention of everyone to him.
"O…Orion?!" Princess Olivia spoke up.
"It started 21 years ago… When I was engaged with Princess Olivia…" Regent Orion spoke up and turned his attention to his wife. "Olivia, did you remember what happened just before you were engaged with me?"
"I…I…" Princess Olivia said.
"Despite being engaged with me, you didn't have any love for me…" Regent Orion said. "Moreover... Despite having me as your fiancé, your heart did belong to someone else!"
"Orion!" Princess Olivia started crying.
"That's not even the worst part…" Regent Orion continued his story. "Even in the end, you had to part with that 'someone' whom you loved so dearly, but what was left with you was a Pokemon Egg of a Pokemon born from you and that man!"
"!" Everyone was shocked after listening to the revelation from Regent Orion.
"However, you couldn't take care of him because it will make everyone knows that you already made love with someone else, instead of me, who is your rightful husband. So, you decided to leave your bastard son in the care of one of your guards and told him to take care of your son in the place of you…" Regent Orion continued his story.
"!" Diego had just realized the rest of his story.
"As soon as I discovered all of this, my heart was filled with rage and grief…" Regent Orion said. "So, I need to take care of that bastard child, as well as the soldier who took care of him. However, if I immediately executed them, everyone will be suspicious of me. So, I branded them as traitors and threw them into the pit of the arena, hoping that they would die soon."
"Y…You!" Diego roared.
"Unfortunately, while that soldier didn't make it, the bastard child survived the life in the arena until right now…" Regent Orion said and turned his attention to Diego. "And you… You are that bastard child of Princess Olivia!
"NO!" Diego roared. He couldn't believe it! He couldn't believe what he had just heard!
"You all may wonder how could I know all of this, right?" Regent Orion spoke up. "It was because I have spies everywhere in this kingdom, so I know everyone. However, I couldn't believe that the bastard child I tried to kill will be right here, at the summit of Fireview Volcano… And the God of Volcano would be able to tell who is the real rightful heir to the throne of Fireview…"
"…" Everyone was still shocked by Regent Orion's unbelievable story.
"…Orion…" Princess Olivia spoke up. "You know all of this… since the start?"
"Yes, my dear Olivia…" Regent Orion said as he turned his attention to his wife. "Do you know how much pain I was forced to endure after knowing that my wife, whom I love to the deepest part of my heart, didn't have any love for me, but had her love for someone else?!"
"I…" Princess Olivia said.
"It was my mistake…" Regent Orion said as he turned his attention to Diego. "I should kill you since when you were just a child! But I let you survive and grow up into a strong dragon, who is now trying to kill me. So… In order to atone for the mistake I have done, I must atone for my sin by killing you right now and right here. So, I shall enter a duel with you. This time, fair and square."
"Hold on a second…" King Leonardo spoke up, which turned everyone's attention to him.
"Father?" Princess Olivia spoke up.
"…There's yet one more question that I need to know…" King Leonardo spoke up. "…If this Charizard right here is the bastard son born to Olivia and another man, then who is this 'another man', as well as the father of this Charizard?"
King Leonardo's question gave a strong impact to Princess Olivia and Regent Orion. Princess Olivia didn't say anything. All she did was just making no eye contact with anyone. Regent Orion, on the other hand, had a crafty smile on his face.
"I think I can explain this too, your majesty…" Regent Orion said. "According to my spies, this Charizard right here wasn't the only bastard child born to Princess Olivia…"
"What?!" King Leonardo, Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis said.
"That night, Princess Olivia didn't give birth to only one, but TWO Pokemon Eggs…" Regent Orion said. "While one of these Pokemon Eggs was in the care of Princess Olivia, who later passed on to one of her soldiers, the other Pokemon Egg was taken by that man, who raised the child born to him and Princess Olivia with his utmost care… As well as planned to make that child the successor of his legacy…"
Regent Orion's words shocked everyone again. This time, everyone was able to grasp what was going on.
"I…It can't be…" Dinus mumbled.
"And that man…" Regent Orion turned his attention to Leonel, who didn't make his eye contact with him. "The great Volcano Guardian, I think you know the rest of this story…"
"…" Leonel didn't say anything. All he did was looking at Diego, Dinus and Princess Olivia…
But then…
"…No."
Another voice turned the attention of everyone to its owner, who was none other than the Charizard who was now receiving the bless from the God of Volcano.
"!" Everyone looked at Diego.
"That guy… The Volcano Guardian…" Diego spoke up. "He… He is not my father."
"What?!" Everyone said.
"I am not the son of any princess…" Diego said. "And I am not the prince of Fireview!"
"W…What did you just say?!" Regent Orion said.
"Didn't you hear what I had just said?!" Diego said. "I say that I am the son of NO ONE! No matter what happen! I am still me! Your story changes nothing! I will never become the prince of Fireview, and will NEVER BE!"
"…Interesting…" Regent Orion said. "The real rightful heir to the throne of Fireview refuses his own heritage… Very well, then… If you do not accept yourself as the prince of Fireview, then, allow me to get rid of you in our duel…"
"Bring it on!" Diego said. "Once I finish with you, I can move your to those two over there…" Diego said and looked at Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis.
"And for me…" Regent Orion said. "Once I finish with you, I will move onto the other Charizard over there…" Regent Orion looked at Dinus, who seemed to be confused of everything that had just happened. "Because, even without you, there's still one more bastard child of Princess Olivia who need to be eliminated… But first, let me eliminate you!"
"Grrr…. YOU FXXXXXG BASTARD!" Diego roared. "I WON'T FORGIVE YOU! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAD DONE TO ME! I SHALL KILL YOU RIGHT NOW AND TEAR YOUR BODY APART! CHARRRRRR!"
-Meanwhile… Somewhere in the Fireview Kingdom…
"What is Diego doing?!" Rachael asked impatiently. "Why didn't he come back to us yet?!"
"Hm… I think this isn't natural…" Richard said. "I don't think going onto the volcano would take him this long… Something must have happened to him there…"
"W…What?!" Rachael said. "T…Then, s…shouldn't we go and look for him?! He may at the risk of his life right now!"
"… Even if that's true, it's not necessary…" Richard said. "Diego said that it was his business, and he must do it alone."
"But—" Rachael tried to say something, but was interrupted by the Garchomp who was with them too.
"Diego will be fine…" Zetarus said. "He isn't such a weakling. He is strong, maybe even stronger than all of us here. I trust that he would be safe… I trust him…"
"Well… If you say so…" Rachael said.
"Moreover…" Zetarus said. "Why don't we continue gathering more Blancer and Noiria? I am free right now, so I think that I would be able to help both of you."
"Your help would be the most appreciate, Zetarus…" Richard said. "There was a cavern that would lead to an underground pit of Fireview Volcano. This cave was too dark and too dangerous for Rachael and me to go, but with you, I am sure that we could find more Blancer and Noiria."
"Then, let's go." Zetarus said.
"Right behind you!" Rachael and Richard said.
-Meanwhile… On the Summit of Fireview Volcano…
"AND TAKE THISYOU FXXXXXG BASTARD!"
Diego ferociously attacked Regent Orion with an uppercut strike using his Bronze Naginata, and then slashing him and his unprotected underbelly, giving him a very harsh damage!
"ARRR!" Regent Orion roared in pain as he got a final blow from his opponent. Right now, he was too injured to continue fighting!
"Hm! Weak!" Diego said after the duel between him and Regent Orion had finally ended with his triumph over his opponent.
"Haha… Y…You are s…strong…" Regent Orion said with a shaking voice. He didn't even have enough strength to stand up! "I…I should have k…killed you s…since when…I… have a c…chance…"
"But you did let me go so I could come back and finish my revenge…" Diego said. "And now, I am going to kill you."
"Haha… Do it as you please…" Regent Orion said.
"N…No! Father!" Princess Artemis spoke up. "You can't die now!"
"Right!" Prince Apollo said. "You mustn't die here! Father!"
"Apollo… Artemis… My children…" Regent Orion spoke up. "I am so sorry that I could not be with you any longer… Artemis… I am sorry that I didn't spend very much time with you… Apollo… I am so sorry that I couldn't be with you at your coronation day…"
"Father…" Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis said.
"Your majesty…" Regent Orion turned his attention to King Leonardo. "I am sorry that I am such a failure as a regent of this realm… Especially the part that I allied our nation with Civilight dragged this nation into the Bloodmoon War, resulting in the ruins of our nation… I am so sorry…"
"…" King Leonardo didn't say anything in response.
"And… Olivia…" Regent Orion turned his attention to Princess Olivia, who reluctantly looked at him. "I am sorry for not be able to make you fall in love with me and prevent this tragedy. But… Until my last breath… I will always love you…"
"Orion…" Princess Olivia mumbled.
"Are you finished yet?" Diego said as he pointed his Bronze Naginata at Regent Orion.
"Yes." Regent Orion said. "I am ready for your revenge. But… Before I die, could you please grant me my last request of your name? I want to know the name of the rightful heir to the throne of Fireview, as well as the one who kill me…"
"…No." Diego said. "Why should I do something like that? Moreover, leaving you in the dark will make your death even more miserable."
"I guess that you would say that…" Regent Orion said. "Very well… Do it now. As a regent of Fireview Kingdom, my schedule is quite full. I don't have much time for you…"
"You…" Diego mumbled as he raised his Naginata up. "YOU FXXXXXG BASTARD! CHARRRRRR!"
"SLASH!"
"EAHEA!" Princess Olivia and Princess Artemis cried as they saw Diego slashing his Naginata at Regent Orion's neck, immediately cutting it out from his body!
"Hm! Pathetic…" Diego looked at the now-dead Regent Orion in front of him. "Even at your last moment, I have never seen anyone as pathetic as you…"
"…" Everyone didn't say anything as they looked at Diego. Right now, none of them didn't have any idea what do to next, until…
"…Diego…"
It was Dinus. He slowly approached Diego, who had just killed the regent of Fireview Kingdom.
"What's up, Dinus?"
"So… Your story that you told me last night… And… This is…" Dinus said and looked at the headless corpse of Regent Orion.
"Yes." Diego said. "Now, the flame of vengeance that I have toward this bastard has already been quenched… But… Still…"
Diego turned his attention from the lifeless Regent Orion to the twin royal children of Fireview, Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis. "I still have something I must do with these two…"
"W…Wait!" Princess Artemis said as Diego slowly approached her and her twin brother with a blood-soaked Naginata in his paw. "W…What are you thinking that you are doing?"
"Simple. After I finished my revenge against your father, it's now your turn…" Diego said as he slowly approached the twin Pyroars, preparing for another revenge...
But then…
"STOP!"
A voice echoed through the summit of the Fireview Volcano as the owner of the voice stepped between Diego and the twin royal children. It was none other than Princess Olivia.
"M…Mother?!" Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis said.
"W…What?!" Diego said.
"Please… Don't do it…" Princess Olivia said. "Why did you have to do something like this? You are doing all of this for whose sake?"
"For no one." Diego answered. "Now step away, or I will not assure that you will not end up like your husband over there."
"No…" Princess Olivia said as she slowly approached Diego. "You… My son… I am… so… sorry…"
"!" Diego looked at Princess Olivia. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"You too…" Princess Olivia said as she turned her attention to another Charizard who stood behind Diego. "Please… Come here…"
"…" Dinus said nothing as he slowly approached Princess Olivia and stopped beside Diego.
"Ah…" Princess Olivia said as she looked at Dinus, and then looked at Diego. "Both of you… You are really my children…"
"…" Diego and Dinus said nothing in response.
"I am so sorry that I have caused you two so much pain…" Princess Olivia said. "I shouldn't do these terrible things to you… I am so sorry that I failed you as a mother…"
"…" Diego and Dinus still said nothing in response.
"…Will you… forgive me?" Princess Olivia asked as she looked at Diego and Dinus, hoping to hear their answer.
"…My mother… She is already dead…" Dinus spoke up. "She had already died since the day I was born… Right now, I don't have any mother… All I have is my father…"
"For me, I don't have anyone in my family…" Diego said. "I was born from nothing, and I will stay in the emptiness for the rest of my life."
"!" Princess Olivia looked at Dinus and Diego, as they gave her the answer that she didn't hope for!
"In other words…" Dinus continued speaking. "I don't have anything to forgive you, Princess Olivia."
"And for me, I have my own definition of forgiveness…" Diego said. "I will only give my forgiveness to someone who's worthy of it, not handing it out to everyone like what most Pokemon who claimed to be a forgiving person does."
"I… see…" Princess Olivia said. "Dinus… I am… so grateful for your words… Diego… I have never met someone who definite their meaning of forgiveness likes that… I know why you think like that… Your life must be so painful… So you will have to create your own meaning of forgiveness in your heart in order to protect yourself… Diego, I am sure that your forgiveness will become your strength, not your weakness…"
"…" Dinus and Diego didn't say anything after hearing the words of Princess Olivia… Who was their mother…
And then…
"And now…" King Leonardo spoke up as he approached Dinus and Diego. "Since both of you are, despite being bastard children, truly the grandsons of mine. I must ask both of you… to join us in the Fireview Royal Family."
"WHAT?!" Dinus and Diego were shocked by King Leonardo's words. They couldn't believe what they had just heard from the king of Fireview Kingdom, their grandfather…
"Despite being bastard children of Olivia, it will not change the fact that you two carry the blood of Fireview Royal Family in your veins… Especially you…" King Leonardo said and looked at Diego. "Being the eldest child born to my own descendant, Princess Olivia Inferoar the Pyroar, you are destined to become the next king to the throne of Fireview Kingdom…"
"No." Diego said. "I am not your grandchild, and I am not the prince of Fireview. I will never become the king of Fireview Kingdom."
"But you must." King Leonardo said. "The Royal Rule of Fireview Kingdom clearly states that the eldest child born to either the current king of Fireview or, in the case if the current king of Fireview doesn't have any male descendant, the female descendant of the current king of Fireview."
"…No." Diego shook his head.
"There's no objection, my grandchild." King Leonardo said. "The God of Volcano had already given him his bless. You will become the next king of Fireview Kingdom, no matter what."
"NEVER!" Diego said. "I don't care what your fxxxxxg god is thinking, but I will NEVER become the king of Fireview!"
"WATCH YOUR WORDS, DIEGO!" Dinus said angrily, but Diego didn't listen to him.
"You have no choice, young one." King Leonardo said. "You are destined to become the king of Fireview Kingdom since the day you were born. You will have to accept and follow your fate destined by the almighty God of Volcano!"
"Fate isn't something to be predetermined, old man!" Diego said. "I will make my own fate! And no matter how much you say, I WILL NEVER BECOME THE KING OF FIREVIEW!"
Everyone, including King Leonardo, was shocked by Diego's angry words. They didn't think that Diego would say something like this!
"Now, get this sxxt into your brain…" Diego said. "And just let me go!"
As he finished speaking, Diego turned his back to King Leonardo, Princess Olivia, Prince Apollo and Princess Artemis and was about to walk away from them…
But then…
"…I'm afraid that I couldn't let you do something like that..."
To Be Continued…
Dragon of Vale: A very serious chapter, indeed… So many things have been happening in this chapter, and so many things have been revealed in this chapter too… Very well… Right now, the fifth tail of this story is about to come to the end…