Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon or any of the characters except my OCs.
This is the first chapter of Mysticum Ludos (Latin for The Mystic Games). There are going to be a lot of pairing but this is mainly commonershippinng. The shippings I am going to use are specialshipping, oldrivalshipping, franticshipping, mangaquestshipping, and soulsilvershipping. Anyone who read enough of my stuff knows that though -.- I won't update this for a while since I want to finish Teardrops in the Sea first (can't multi-task so don't even ask) I had this idea in my head for a while and wanted to post a commonershipping fic since I've been getting a lot of demand for it.
I must also add that this is an AU in a realm where magic dominates (for those who didn't guess from 'The Mystic Games')
"Hurry Ruby!" Red called out as he leaped towards another branch. He turned back to see his younger brother a few branches behind him. When the forest was quiet again and they felt that it was safe, they jumped down from the trees. Red leaned against the tree while his brother slumped to the ground.
"Why do you think they were chasing us?" Red asked.
"People don't usual like us." Ruby picked off the leaves that got caught in his midnight hair. "They're probably slayers."
"They're not slayers. They carry a different scent from them. At least we lost them but we should head to higher ground."
Red saw how tired his brother was so say next to him, "We'll rest a while but we need to find shelter before sunrise."
Red loved his brother but there were times he felt as if he cuddled his little brother too much. He knew he wouldn't be there for him forever so he had to teach his brother to survive. It would've been much easier if they were mortals. Red shook his head, no sense dwelling in what he couldn't change.
His brother had the same crimson eyes and midnight hair as he did. But while Red hair had a tendency to spike up in the front, Ruby kept his hair well groomed. Red knew that Ruby wore his white hat to hide a deep scar from his past.
He would teach his brother later, Red decided, when the moon rises next eve. Right now it was getting too close to sunrise.
Red ears twitched at the sound of rustling leaves. He threw his dagger. The sound of metal hitting metal rang through the air. Rudy shot straight to his feet in reaction to the noise. The sound was too close for them to run so Red got into a battle stance. He motioned for his brother to hide in the shadows.
Red didn't turn to see if Ruby obeyed him, he listened to the sounds of the forest instead. Ruby's scream caught Red off guard and he turned to help his brother. He felt himself being tackled to the ground and something sharp press against his back. He couldn't move, not if he wanted to live. Red cursed, why hadn't he realized that there was more than one following him?
He had failed his brother.
To Red's surprise, he wasn't turned to dust. Instead a deep voice told him, "You and your brother have been chosen to participate in the Mysticum Ludos. Be happy we aren't going to kill you, you bloody vampire."
Yellow drew back her arrow. Sweat collected on her brow as she centered her aim. Her arrow found its mark, embedding the silver arrow head into the tree. Several fruit fell from the tree, severed by her arrow. She looked around to make sure no one was around before turning back to the tree. She breathed steadily and willed the arrow back to her. It landed in her hand lightly. She bent down to pick up the fruit.
"You shouldn't eat that, Priestess Yellow." Yellow looked over her shoulder to see her two escorts, Crystal and Lyra. They were twins that the great mother assigned to protect Yellow while she was on her journey.
Despite the fact that they were twins, they were as different as chalk and cheese. Crystal had dark blue hair tied into two ponytails and light blue eyes. On the other hand, Lyra had light brown hair tied in a similar fashion and large brown eyes. The sisters had different occupations as well. Crystal would capture outlaws to put food on the table while Lyra played a more subtle role in justice by being a spy. Neither said it directly to Yellow and she felt guilty about invading their privacy as she did.
"You shouldn't eat them since they're poisonous." Crystal explained and Yellow dropped the fruit as if stunned.
"Thank you." Yellow said softly. "We should be arriving at the village soon. Thank you for your escort but I am able to continue on my own. I have been sent to heal the local doctor there."
"The great mother told us the watch over you. We have to bring you back to the church anyways." Lyra told her.
Yellow nodded and placed her bow over her shoulder. Inside she was dreading the next half hour. It wasn't as if she didn't like them, Yellow just never felt comfortable around others.
As soon as they reached the village, Yellow headed straight for the church. She walked inside and inquired the man about the doctor, saying that she was there to heal him.
"Just one moment Priestess. I must talk to the nun taking care of him." The man told her before walking out. A wind blew in, making the candle flames danced. Yellow saw that Crystal and Lyra had also entered.
"The man said you needed us." Crystal asked Yellow puzzles.
"I just entered and the man told me to wait here." Yellow fingers rested lightly on her bow. She saw the candle shift again, indicating someone was at the door. Crystal quickly drew a knife and threw it towards the door. Lyra released her tekagi shuko and threw the tiger claw weapons at the intruder as well.
They both stared in shock when their weapons stopped in midair and fell to the ground with a clank. Yellow felt a great weight on her shoulder until she slumped to the ground, unable to stand. She saw that Crystal and Lyra were also affected.
"You three has been chosen to participate in the Mysticum Ludos."
"Hellfire!" Green cursed as he stomped over to the back of the room. His desk was riddled with a substance he didn't recognize. He could guess who was behind it as well. The school's fool wasn't able to cast a simple rain spell but found the time to torment his other classmates. If the idiot had any sense, he would be concentrating in his studies instead of pulling silly pranks. The man was twenty two for God sake!
Green looked around and saw Gold, the school's fool, smirking at him. Muttering a spell beneath his breath, Green turned Gold's into a pile of snakes. He had to hold back a smirk when Gold fell and screamed at him.
"Attention class." The professor's voice brought everyone back to their senses. "The results of the class's evaluation are now posted. Green and Gold, the evaluator wants to speak with you two in the courtyard."
Gold and Green left the room and headed to the courtyard.
"What do you think they want?" Gold asked.
"They probably want to discuss the test scores." Green answered flatly.
"Welcome you two." A sunny woman greeted them. "We are offering you two a chance to participate in the Mysticum Ludos. Green you had the highest score in the exam. A great wizard like you will be a great addition to game. Gold, you had the lowest score but we see much potential in you. We know you are truly hiding your true abilities. The winner will become a full wizard."
Gold eyes twitched a little but showed no other outwardly sign of shock.
"I want no part in it." Green turned and walked away. "I have never heard of the Mysticum Ludos before and we are already full wizards. This school is for wizards that want to go on to teach younger wizards. I don't see what potential you see in this guy. Next time you want to trick us, get information correct. I'm leaving."
"But I can't let you do that." An evil smirk appeared on the woman's face as she lifted her hand. Green felt his feet still. His body began to move without his approval and walk back towards the woman. Fire leaped from Gold's hand but it was too late. He couldn't move his arm anymore.
"You two wizards have been chosen to take part in the Mysticum Ludos. Refusal is not an option."
Sapphire looked down at the neatly scribbled words on the paper. The faded flyer had been slipped under her door. She opened it to see who was gave it to her but no one was behind the door.
Now she sat there wondering how she should react to the strange offer. It took her some time to make out the words since she wasn't the most educated person in the world. But from what she could make out, it was an invitation to a Mysticum Ludos. It seemed to be a tournament for warriors, demons and other creatures. She couldn't decipher what the prize was but it seemed the tournament was a battle royal where they would be put into an arena and they would all fight... to the death?
"How are you feeling?" Sapphire quickly hid the flyer in her bag as her father walked in.
"I'm fine." Sapphire assured him. "It was just a flesh wound."
"I'm still against you going off and putting yourself in dangerous situation. I know you can protect yourself but must you?"
"I'm a warrior father, it's who I am. I kill demons and slay dragons. I do it because more than my life is at stake. If I don't kill them then they'll kill others. Wizard, demon, or vampire, they're all the same to me."
"I'm just afraid you'll do something you'll regret." Her father told her softly. "I need to check on the others."
Sapphire didn't say anything as her father left.
She quickly took out the flyer and read the dark words at the bottom.
You have been chosen to participate in the Mysticum Ludos. Your dragon magic and slayer ability will make this game more interesting. The battle of demons, wizards and humans will help shape this new world. Please come to the location listed below.
Sapphire checked her amulet and saw that she still has enough dragon magic for a few more intense battles. If there were monsters participating, then she was going to participate as well. She left her father a quick note, saying that she was going training and would be back in a month before leaving through the window.
"Blue, you gave been charged with grand theft and murder. How do you plea?"
Blue stared at the judge with hard eyes. She fought against her bonds but they restricted her magic so she couldn't transform. She looked over and saw the stark fear in her brother's eyes. She stood up straight and rigged.
"I plead guilty. It was my decision to act and mine alone. I will take any punishment you wish upon me."
"No Blue, don't do it!" Silver rushed forward but several guards held him back. Blue sensed Silver's demonic power raised and said quickly, "I will only go willingly if you let my brother Silver go free. I'll tell you where we hid the treasure. As for the man I murdered, he was going to kill my brother so I have no regrets ending his life."
A blonde man walked up to the judge and whispered something in his ear. The judge nodded and spoke.
"You and your brother are sentence to death by water! You will be thrown into the Serpent's Pass and left to drown. If the great mother sees it fit for you to survive then you're set free." The judge ordered. The men moved to drag Silver away and Blue jumped forward. Her brother couldn't swim; he had no chance of surviving.
"Please, I am to blame. Don't hurt my brother. There must be another way!"
"There is. The Mysticum Ludos are going to be held soon. If you or your brother wins, then you will both be set free. Do you agree to participate?"
"Yes, we'll participate."
"Good day Missy." Dia sent Platina a radiant smile as he exited the stables. She flushed lightly before she regained her composer.
"Good day Dia." It was most improper to call the knight by his name and not his station but after Diamond insisted, she resigned to using his first name. "Will you saddle my Rapidash?"
"I already did." He grinned and handed the reins to her fire horse. "I thought you might want to go for a ride this afternoon."
"Thanks Dia. I need to get some fresh air before my father's party starts. I know he means the best but I don't want to get married."
"I thought it was every princess's dream to get married. Have something against marriage?"
"I just don't want to marry a man I don't know." Platina told him. Dia felt the grip on his heart loosen. At least she didn't say that she was already in love with another.
"Let's go live your freedom to fullest." Diamond helped her mount on the fire horse. Platina gasped a little when she felt his hands around her waist. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing and placed her on the horse. His hands lingered a little longer than appropriate and she felt the light touch send tingles up her back. But no matter how much she wanted him, they couldn't become. The friendship between knight and princess was scandalous enough. Anyways, she was nothing more than a friend to him.
Dia quickly mount his horse in one easy leap. "I'll race you Missy. Shall we ride to the hollow tree?"
Platina nodded and with a flick of the reins, her Rapidash raced towards the forest. Once they cleared the courtyard and were out the gate, Platina lost her cool exterior and laughed. She wasn't afraid to let herself go when she was alone with Dia. A part of her dreaded getting married and having to leave Dia but the other part of her knew that it was her duty.
They reached the tree by the river in short time considering that it was some distance from the manor. Platina was the first to stop with Dia closely behind her. She slid of her Rapidash and led the horse to the edge of the lake for a drink.
This was the spot she fell in love with Dia. They were just five at the time but the moment was embedded in her memory. He was studying to be a squire at the time and in her young innocence, she followed him wherever he went. They had stumbled upon a group of kids tormenting the fiery horse, knocking it into the river. Dia didn't think twice before rushing forward to save the horse. It was a losing battle though and Platina remembered threatening to banish them if they didn't leave.
Dia decided that Platina should keep the horse, saying that she was the real hero. From then on the horse had been her trusted mount and she named the horse Rapidash.
Dia smiled down at Platina. He never felt so far from her as he did then, he loved her but couldn't have her.
When he was going to tell her, it was time to leave, an arrow flew through the air. His body moved before his mind reacted to the arrow. He tackled Platina, knocking them both into the water. He got off her so quickly, it was as if he bounced right off her. He quickly drew his sword and moved so his body was blocking Platina.
"Show yourself!"
"You have been chosen to participate in the Mysticum Ludos. The Lady has been sentence to death." a man walked out of the shadow. He threw his bow aside and took out his sword.
Platina gasped as Dia lunged forward, his sword clashing with the man's. "As if I would let you kill Platina."
"No, her fate will be something different." A man stepped forward. He had dark skin and white hair, a blazing scarf floating in the breeze. Dia cursed under his breath, pushing the man he was currently fighting to the ground. He turned to attack the white haired man. The man was faster than he anticipated, slamming his fist against Dia's head. Platina screamed and ran to Dia side.
"Our orders have changed. The two of you are chosen to participate in the Mysticum Ludos."
Platina's head was ringing as the guard threw her roughly to the ground. She quickly rose to her knees when a man threw Dia down beside her. "Dia!"
He groaned and had a nasty bump on his head but besides that he was fine. She let out the breath she was holding and shifted so that his head rested on her lap.
"Whoever you are, please set us free. My father will pay a ransom for our safe return."
They didn't say a word to her. Platina looked around the room and saw that there were others staring at her strangely. Some had their hands bound while others looked scared and confused. They seemed to be in a theater; the stage looming above them.
"Who's in charge here?" Platina demanded.
"That's what most of us want to know." A man with green eyes said stiffly. "Gold and I were taken to be a part of some Mysticum Ludos. They said it was supposed to turn us into full wizards."
"My brother and I were sent here to enter as well. They said if we didn't win, we'll be sent to death." Another woman spoke softly.
"Attention!" They all turned to see a man walk up on stage. He had blond hair that curled upwards and clear amber eyes. Platina gasped when she recognized the man. He was Pearl, the head of her guard.
"Pearl, what are you doing here?" Platina hoped that he had sent word to her father before he left to save her and Dia.
"I was never good enough for you. No matter what I did, you never loved me, never so much as looked at me!" Pearl shouted at her. "You and your family had looked down on me long enough! I will get the recognition I deserve. I will become the new lord of the six regions!
"I have already sent thousands of my men to capture the six regions. I have also captured warriors with unique abilities so that one of you may become my new general. This lucky man or woman will lead my army to rid the world of evil. You will all be put into a coliseum where your skills will be tested. There are twelve of you currently but only one will survive."
"You don't expect us to kill each other, do you?" Yellow gasped. She didn't have any fighting ability; she wouldn't last the first hour!
As if Pearl had read her mind, he said, "Each of you will be given a choice of weapon. If anyone refuses, they will be killed. Speak up now."
No one spoke for several moments before Blue stepped forward, "I was told that if my brother or I won, we would be pardoned. I only agreed to join on that condition. How do you expect us both to be set free when you say only one can survive?"
"I did promise you that, didn't I? I am no liar so if both you and your brother survive to the end, you will become my general and your brother set free."
"That's not fair!" Crystal exclaimed. "I'm not going to murder my sister!"
"There are more of us than you!" Fire erupted in Red's eyes. "We can easily defeat you."
When Red would've jumped onto the stage and attacked Pearl, a dark knight knocked him back. Platina recognized him as the man that attacked her and Dia at the pond.
"That's enough, Darkrai." Pearl ordered and the knight stepped back. "Is there anyone else who will oppose me?"
Sapphire stepped forward, her eyes hiding all emotion. She stepped right to the edge of the platform and met his eyes.
"My weapon shall be the Butterfly Swords and my dragon magic." She announced. She turned away and walked over to Darkrai who held out the twin swords to her. She took them and looked back to the group. She silently walked back to a dark corner. If she was going to be forced into battle, at least she could bring down some demons with her.
"I shall use my Cestus." Blue announced. If this was the only way to save her brother, then so be it. She just needed to make sure they stayed together and survived. Blue nodded to her brother as she pulled on the gloves with spiked knuckles. Silver joined as well, saying he didn't need a weapon.
"I shall use my magic." Green sighed. At least now he had a better chance at surviving.
"I shall also use my magic." Gold announced.
Lyra and Crystal looked at each other. Neither wanted to fight but it seemed like there was no other choice. Crystal lifted three of her fingers and Lyra nodded.
"I shall use daggers. I have several of them on my person." Crystal announced.
"I'm going to use my tekagi shuko."
"I choose the Claymore for my weapon." Red stated. He needed to buy some time for him to think of a plan. Ruby stared at his in shock but Red gave him a small reassuring smile. Ruby sighed and chose the flamberge for his weapon. The others spoke but the others that didn't were killed. Pearl sword bringing an abrupt end to their life.
"I want my long sword." Dia sat up. He turned to Platina and lowered his voice so only she could hear him, "I will protect you no matter how bloody this battle might get. They might fight to survive, for the kill but I will fight to protect you. Now quickly choose a weapon Missy."
Platina felt tears gathering. She couldn't ask Dia to do something like that for her. Even if he did defeat everyone so that they were the last two, they would have to fight each other. Dia tightened his hold on her hand and Platina took some of his strength.
"I choose to use a stiletto knife." She said softly.
Pearl finally turned to Yellow. "What is your choice?"
"I am very weak. I can't use magic for battle or wield a sword. What use am I to you?"
"You wish to die?" Pearl asked.
"Let her live." Yellow gasped and turned to the man who spoke. He was the one that challenged Pearl. Maybe if she teamed up with him, they could find a way to free themselves.
"I want to use my bow and arrows." Yellow said quickly, hugging her quiver to her body. "I won't use any other bow."
Pearl nodded and went back on stage. "One last rule: if anyone is able to kill Platina, then he or she will go free even if they're not the last standing. Let the games begin."
Yellow gasped when a dark pit appeared below her and she reached for something to steady her but her hands found only air. Dia saw a dark hole appear under Platina and lunged to help her. He was able to grab her hand but her weight caused him to fall in after her.
Dia pulled her small body closer and held her against him, "I will protect you Lady."
Hope you like it so far and review if you do. At first I was against making Ruby and Red vampires because people might judge it as a Twilight fic worst book ever written) but I went with it anyways because they had red eyes. Sorry if you don't know some of the weapons but you can search them on google since I'm not good at describing weapons