"The emperor's son? I'm not sure I heard you right."
Luca replied.
"You did, and I'm sure of it."
Xavier replied, turning to the small Pokemon in front of him.
"Is it true? Is shadow your father?"
Xavier asked.
"Yes, he was."
The young Zorua replied.

Xavier was stunned. He didn't know what to do and neither did Luca. Xavier felt a heavy sense of guilt- he had just made the young Pokemon an orphan.
After a short time, Xavier looked at the young Pokemon again.
"Cmon, we'll get you out of here. It's dangerous here."
Xavier suggested. The Zorua backed up a little.
"Cmon, don't be scared. You have nothing to fear. We won't hurt you. Trust me."
Xavier have him a reassuring smile. Hesitantly, the Zorua allowed Xavier to pick him up.
"Good- now don't look, okay?"
The three walked past the emperor's body, blood still dripping from his wound. Luca looked at the emperor's body for a moment before sighing, shaking his head and leaving the castle.

The battle outside was still going on- the imperials were still yet to know about their leader's death. Ryan and Zap met them outside.
"What took you so long?"
Ryan asked, shooting down another imperial.
"Yeah- we've been waiting for you."
Zap added, striking down an imperial with his daggers.
"We were saving this little guy."
Xavier replied as Zap and Ryan looked at the little Zorua.
"Who's that?"
Ryan asked.
"This is the emperor's son. We're taking him with us to ensure he doesn't get into any trouble."
Ryan and Zap took a moment to think about what they had just heard.
"This is madness- you're taking the enemy back home?"
Ryan asked.
"Ryan, he's too young to be left alone. We need to bring him with us, and we will. Is that clear?"
Xavier demanded.
"Yes, General."
Ryan replied, sighing.
"Good. Escort us through the land back to our camp on the shore. We'll take him back on one of our ships."
Xavier continued.

They reached the shore a few hours later, with Xavier, Luca, Ryan, Zap and a few other Sentinels gathering on a ship. The journey home would be a long one.

Xavier took the Zorua under the ship's deck, sitting him down on a bed to talk to him.
"I'm sorry to take you away from your home, but I can assure you that it'll be okay. We won't hurt you, I promise."
Xavier assured him. The Zorua nodded, letting out a small whine.
"Are you alright?"
Xavier asked.
"Yes, I'm okay. I just miss my father."
He replied, making Xavier feel remorseful.
"What happened to him?"
Zorua asked. Xavier wasn't sure whether or not to tell him the truth.
"He was killed- by someone on the other side. I'm sorry- he must have meant a lot to you."
The Zorua shed a tear.
"He was all I had."
The Zorua continued, beginning to cry.
Xavier felt terrible- if he had known the emperor had a son, he would have had second thoughts of killing him when and where he did. He had other questions though.
"What happened to your mother? What do you remember of her?"
Xavier asked. The Zorua stopped crying for a moment.
"She was a Zoroark too, like my father. She was really nice to everyone she met, and she loved me, very much. One day, she got sick, and I saw her in a room in the castle everyday after that. One day, I wasn't allowed to go in, and when I asked why, they said she had died. That's all I remember."
He replied.
Xavier was hesitant to ask the next question.
"And your father? What happened before he was killed?"
Zorua thought for a moment.
"My father was always happy when mother was alive. He was always smiling and sounded happy when he talked. After mother died, he changed. He became angry, and never spent time with me anymore. The last time I saw him, he told me to stay in my bedroom and not to come out. I heard fighting though, and when I came to see what happened, I saw you."
Xavier nodded.
"You've been through a lot, I can see. You'll be cared for with us- I'll make sure if it."
Xavier patted his head before getting up.
"Would you like to stay down here or come up with me?"
Xavier asked.
"Can I stay down here? I'm tired."
"Of course. I'll come back later."
Xavier walked up to the main deck.

"What did you find out?"
Luca asked.
"He's been through very rough times. He lost both of his parents and was put into a situation no young Pokemon should be in. This war wasn't his fault."
Xavier replied.
"Right. What will we do with him?"
Luca asked.
"That's what I'm going to ask the queen. I'll leave it up to her."
Luca nodded.
"Well, we can't be far now. It won't be too much of a wait."

The finally arrived on Verana's shoreline to be greeted by sentinels defending it. They made their way through the country and arrived at the queen's fortress. They entered her throne room with Zorua still in Xavier's arms.
"General Xavier! I was immensely happy to hear of Ornera's loss of our lands. I take it the emperor has been killed?"
She asked, awaiting an answer.
"Yes my queen. He is, however we have another problem."
Xavier showed her Zorua.
"My goodness, isn't he small? Where did you find him?"
"In the imperial fortress. He's the emperor's son."
Xavier's words shocked the queen. She never would have expected the emperor to have a son.
"The emperor... Has a son?"
She asked.
"Yes, my queen. We need to make a decision on what to do with him. He needs somewhere to stay."
Xavier replied.
She thought for a moment.
"Keep him with you for now. I will discuss with Richard what to do with him. Come back tomorrow and we will inform you of our choice."
The queen commanded.
"Very well, my queen."
Xavier left the castle where the other three were waiting outside.
"What's going on? What did she say?"
Zap asked.
"He's to stay with me tonight and they said they'll decide what to do with him tomorrow."
Xavier replied. Luca nodded.
"That's fair. It must be a big decision."
"I'd say it was. We'll have to see what they decide tomorrow. Cmon, Zorua. You're staying with me tonight."
Xavier said, the Zorua following him.

They arrived at Xavier's house, and they both entered. It was he first time Xavier had been home since before the war. He always loved coming back as he knew he was safe to relax there. Zorua walked in and looked around.
"This place looks nice. Where's your family?"
He asked.
"I live alone. I lost my family long ago."
He replied solemnly."
"Oh... I guess that means we both have."
Zorua replied.

They settled in and Xavier prepared something for them to eat.
"What do you like to eat?"
He asked.
"I like Oran berries, but Sitris berries are good too."
Zorua replied. Xavier nodded, giving him an Oran berry. He took a Pecha berry for himself.
"Xavier?"
Zorua asked.
"Yes?"
"If I'm allowed to stay with you tomorrow, would you let me?"
Xavier met Zorua's gaze, seeing a look of hope in his eyes.
"Yes, I would. I'd be happy to help you grow with me and I could keep you safe. I would just need someone to look after you if the queen needs me."
He replied. Zorua smiled weakly.
"Thank you..."
He lay on Xavier's side, which surprised the general. He began to pet the Zorua, wondering what the queen would say the next day. It would decide the Zorua's future, and he knew the queen would make the right decision.

Hey guys! Just a little side note- this is not the final chapter. I still have a few things planned for this story, so look forward to seeing future parts to the story. Hopefully you enjoy what's to come next, and until next time, see you all later!