Sunlight shimmered through the stained glass windows, and silence echoed in the grand room. Two grunts stood firm on either side of two, tall gold doors. Stone pillars towered over fifty feet above anyone who entered the grand hall. At the center of the room was a stage of polished granite. In the center of the stage were two thrones, crafted of the world's finest marble. One throne was decorated in precious gems in shades of red and gold. The second stood slightly taller than the other, it was decorated with gems in shades of purple and green. Insignias were engraved in this throne and painted gold. In this immaculate throne sat it's king. A king of tea green hair and porcelain skin. His face held an indifferent expression as surveyed his thrown room. He should feel satisfied, not just contempt. He had achieved his goal of liberating the pokemon of Unova, along with becoming king.
He glanced to his right; his to-be queen sat beside him. Her face radiated triumph and glory; something he should've felt. Her name was Dmitria and the king certainly did not love her. She was the daughter of sage; the king was to marry her for nobility purposes strictly. In fact, he was sure she didn't care for him either. She was in it for the power, for glory, for the wealth.
"Natural?" Dmitria's voice rang out. The king was pulled from this thoughts; he didn't realize he was staring at her while he was thinking, "Natural, what is it?" she asked. The king, or N, closed his eyes and sighed. He turned back to look straight ahead and noticed the golden doors were ajar. The two grunts had their heads poking through the opening. 'Are they talking to someone?', N thought.
"Nothing, just thinking," N replied. He stood briskly, "Guards!" he called. The two grunts jumped in surprise and turned to face their king.
"Sir!" They shouted in unison. N hurried towards them and scowled down at them.
"Care to inform me of what is transpiring?" N asked impatiently. One of the grunts composed himself quickly and addressed the king,
"Your majesty, we have received word of a rebel movement in Nimbasa City. We have deployed a brigade to break up the protest. Do you wish to join them, sir?" The grunt stated. N thought for a moment, he was puzzled. It had been just over a year since he defeated the champion of Unova; were his people still fighting against him? Perhaps the champion had more influence on others than he thought. She certainly had an influence on him. Before he could stop himself, N was drifting off into his memories. Then it hit him. Perhaps if he went to one of these movement, he might be able to see her face again...
"I think I will. Prepare my ride." the king said. N looked to the second grunt, "Please make sure the...queen...doesn't get up to anything. I rather not have another problem on my hands today." he sighed heavily. N pushed the golden doors open and strode down the hall, with escorts of course.
As N began turned into the last hall before the exit, he was approached by his father. The sage's face was bright red with anger; N immediately went stock still.
"Are you really going with that army of dolts to stop a petty riot? You have real work to attend to! We are less than a month away from the queen's coronation, and you're busy playing soldier? Focus!" Ghetsis scolded. N's expression did not falter from indifference, but he felt fear strike him inside.
"Father, I am aware of the upcoming events. But as the king, my say overrules your own, does it not? As king, I am going to investigate these uproars. I would like to know the severity of these outcries. If I see that they are nonthreatening, then I will not bother with them again. However, if I think they must be dealt with, then I will end them now." N said quickly before hastily leaving the castle. Ghetsis stayed behind, in disbelief and anger.
It was a bright and warm afternoon in Nimbasa City, but it was not serene. Hundreds of people marched, holding signs and chanting in the city demanded to have their pokemon back, to have their friends back. Leading the march was a resilient, young girl. She held a megaphone and stood atop a picnic table, chanting along with the crowd.
"Give us back our friends!" they shouted, "Stop the king!" they continued.
"That's right everyone! Declare your outrage! Make the king notice us!" The girl encouraged. Her bright blue eyes glittered with excitement as she viewed her followers. Just as she was about make another declaration, she was yanked off the table.
"Hilda, I just heard that the king and a team of grunts are on their way. We need you to get out of here before he shows up. He's going to want to have you arrested. You need to go now." A young man told his lively friend.
"Cheren, I can handle this. Besides, we've never actually had the king witness us before, this is exactly what we need! An audience with power!" Hilda enthused, "N won't hurt me, he has no interest in me at all anymore." Hilda finished somberly. Hilda and Cheren had been friends since childhood. Cheren was definitely the brains of the two; he typically helped Hilda with her decisions. However, this time, Hilda thought it best that she make her own judgement.
"We can't risk your exposure to the king. The grunts were one thing, but you two have history. He could be holding a grudge against you for not agreeing to be the queen!" Cheren warned. His face turned hard and serious, not very tolerant at the moment. Hilda laughed and patted Cheren's shoulder.
"Ah buddy, even if I had agreed to be the queen, Ghetsis wouldn't allow that. N's also too kind to be angry for more than two minutes, he probably doesn't even know I'm here." She said confidently.
"That's not the point! You're so naive! He's probably furious that you denied him! If you he sees you here, he'll arrest not only you, but everyone! He'll want to get back at you. We can't to afford to risk our efforts for your petty attempt to get N's attention. You actually had clear mind before you met him, where'd it go?" Cheren ranted. After couple of minutes Cheren shook his head, sighed, and walked away. Hilda was extremely offended by her friend's outburst. She ignored it for now, got back on the table and continued to inspire her crowd.
About half an hour later, a white limousine pulled up near the crowd; the doors opened and grunts poured out. Only few noticed at first, then whispers poured through the crowd. Soon enough, the entire cluster of rebels fell silent and left Hilda shouting into her megaphone,
"End the cru-...um...hello?" Hilda looked down at the crowd in confusion. She glanced around to see what hushed them, and saw the white limousine. Her breath caught in her throat and she quickly hopped off the table. She couldn't see over the tops of anyone's head, so she listened instead. Seconds later, the entire gathering was overtaken by single loud gasp; the king was here.
"The king, he's here." some whispered, "That bastard, N, finally acknowledges us." another huffed. Hilda smirked at that comment.
"Citizens of Nimbasa, I've come to put an end to this foolishness. It has been over a year since my victory. I implore you to end this rebellion, it is futile." N addressed the crowd, "Now then, my guards tell me you had leader, only moments ago, encouraging you to continue this behavior. Bring your leader to me and I will not arrest any of you." At that moment, Hilda maneuvered her way out of the pack. She pushed and shoved people aside; she hoped no one would turn her in.
Just as she reached the end of the crowd, a cold hand wrapped around her wrist. Hilda's blood became ice. 'He got me. He really got me', she thought. Hilda looked over her shoulder to face N, her captor. But to her utmost shock and heartbreak, it wasn't N.
"Cheren…" Hilda uttered out. His face was stoic; stone cold. Cheren yanked her through the crowd, toward N, "Cheren, please don't do this." Hilda pleaded.
"The rebellion needs a leader, not a childish activist." Cheren spat. Before she could process his words, Cheren had thrown her in front of the king. Hilda looked up slowly. N's face was different since the last time they were together; his bone structure was more prominent. It looked almost too serious for such a delicate soul.
"N, you're here." Hilda whispered. Her whole body trembled with fear; this was the end. N's lip twitched up in the corner at the sight of her quaking form. He knelt down beside her and whispered,
"I always will be from now on." N had two grunts lift Hilda to her feet and taken into the limousine.