← Day 6 / Contents Page
Zeraora Fanfic – The Lone King (Collab with ZDX36)
【 Day 7: Departure 】
The seventh day. The last day. Zephyr and Z ate breakfast quietly at the dining table, served by a Banette maid instead of Froslass. The only thing audible were the little clatters of their cutlery against their plates, the two of them not knowing what to say or where to start. So much had changed in one week, and they were still mentally trying to catch up with the events and make peace with it, and accepting that Zephyr would be leaving today as well. The silence was suffocating, so Zephyr decided to start a conversation.
“Your Majesty… We still have the whole day. Let’s not think about our farewells yet. Let’s enjoy today till the end instead!” He said, smiling at the king. “It was quite rough yesterday, but I hope that you’re feeling better now. It’ll be nice if you can have a happy face when I leave you, since that’s what I’ve stayed here for–to cheer you up.”
“Zephyr… Thanks,” Z said with a little smile, putting his fork and knife down.
“Do you have something you’d like to do?” Zephyr asked.
“…Actually, I do. Come with me.”
Zephyr followed Z to the castle library. He wondered if Z wanted to show him another book and read together, so he was surprised when he found Grafaiai waiting for them there, easel, canvas and paint ready.
“Your Majesty. And Zephyr!” Grafaiai greeted, waving happily at them.
“Oh, hi!” Zephyr greeted back, quite happy to have a chance to see Grafaiai again before he had to leave. He looked at the empty canvas and asked. “You’re drawing something?”
Z chuckled, answering for Grafaiai.
“Us! I commissioned him to paint us together. It’ll be nice to have something to remember you with after you leave. Will you pose with me for the painting?”
Zephyr’s eyes lit up excitedly. “Your Majesty! I think that’s a brilliant idea! Let’s do it!
Grafaiai giggled, happily rubbing his hands together as he finally got to draw Zephyr.
“Can’t believe I get to draw two beautiful Zeraora together! I’ll make sure it’s a good painting!” He said, taking out his palette and preparing his paint and tools. “Ready when you are!”
Zephyr smiled, going to pose with Z on the couch by the window. The three of them chatted while Grafaiai painted, spending the time in a relaxed manner. Grafaiai finished by sunset and showed them the painting to marvel at. Z and Zephyr were quite satisfied, looking at his masterpiece in wonder.
“Thank you Grafaiai, Zephyr… I’ll cherish this painting,” Z said. The other two smiled at him happily. The king walked over to a window and looked out at the setting sun.
“A day… A week flew by so quickly,” he said, sighing sadly. “Are you… really leaving, Zephyr? Won’t you stay just a few days longer…?”
“……” Zephyr stayed quiet for a moment, before looking away. A part of him wanted to play with Z a little longer.
“Sorry, Your Majesty. I’d love to, but I’ve got to go. My friends at home must be worried for me. I… miss them,” he finally said, “But I’ve really enjoyed my time here and had such interesting experiences. Thanks for having me.”
“Heh, I can’t stop you then,” Z said, walking back to the couch to sit with Zephyr. “When you first came, I was desperate to keep you here because the kingdom was so quiet. We were all lonely, but you helped breathe a little life back to this place. Thanks for coming, Zephyr. You can keep the clothes I gave you. And here, have this little portrait of me as well. Please don’t forget us and Euhitras.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Zephyr took the portrait, smiling reassuringly at Z. “When I get back, I’ll tell people about you and this kingdom. I hope you don’t mind? Maybe there’ll be other Pokémon like Grafaiai who’s interested in living here. A kingdom needs its citizens!”
There was a spark of hope in Z’s violet eye, but he seemed unsure. What if the ones who came turned out to be thieves and traitors again? Grafaiai seemed to notice his distress, so he hopped up to the couch to pat Z’s shoulder comfortingly.
“Don’t worry! As a former Unclothed, I think you’re a good king and I love Euhitras for all the inspiration it provides me! The Ceruledge guards, the servants and I are all here to support you if there’s any trouble. Let’s bring Euhitras back to life together!”
“Zephyr, Grafaiai… Thank you…” Z smiled. “Euhitras is counting on me, so I’ll do my best!”
Zephyr and Grafaiai grinned, cheering for him and the prosperity of the kingdom.
Z opened Euhitras’ magical barrier temporarily and Zephyr prepared to leave after that. Z, Grafaiai and all the inhabitants of Euhitras wished him well, smiles on their faces. Zephyr also spotted Mismagius waving at him from among the crowd, so he grinned and waved back at her.
Satisfied with his deeds and gaining a new confidence in himself, Zephyr charged the electricity in his paw pads and took off into the misty night skies. He headed back to Mesagoza where Team Rhyme waited for him, bringing with him an amazing tale of a lost kingdom and its mighty lion king.
← Day 6 / Contents Page
