Legions of the Ancients

Chapter 2

Introductions Part 2

"Ho ho!" King Norman chuckled, "Great joke, Oak!" "Thank you Norman!" Emperor Oak laughed, "Oh Ash!" he called out, and Ash came, "Is there any more food you need for your dinner?" Ash asked and saluted. "No no, mah boi!" Oak told him, "Come here!" "If your majesty asks of it.." Ash said and walked up next to him, "Norman, Catherine.. I've showed you this lad before?" he asked them, "Yes... He's the noble, right?" Catherine asked, "Yes!" Oak told her, "Now Ash here needs a woman, and through merchant and sailor tales, I've heard there are many beautiful women in your country...". Ash looked down in embarrassment, "Hm... I don't know.. Ash here is a noble.." Norman mumbled, "So he'll have to go through the regulations, would he not?" "Yes! Glad you thought of it!" Oak mumbled, "Are there any noble women in your country?" "Only a handful.. Daughters of Lords and Dukes... most had men.." Catherine responded, "Plus, there is our daughter.. she is of age too.." "Hm..." "Your highness.. I strongly object.." Ash mumbled, "Why? May is a beautiful young lady!" "But Your-" "What!? Don't you like her!? She's beautiful, she's rich, she's got huge- Tracts of Land!" Oak finished listing, "He's right lad, Hoenn is one of the biggest places there is.." Norman supported him. "But-" "Great! We'll set you up to court her!" Catherine said merrily, "But-" "It's agreed!" Oak chuckled, "Ash.. Prepare yourself.." "But-" Ash stuttered, but left abruptly soon after in pure embarrassment.

0(Atlean Border..)0

"High Brendan.." an official bowed down, "The barbarians are taking their places... What are your orders?" "Well.. We take the Atlas fist maneuver.." Brendan spoke, "Put the infantry in Torkoal formation to avoid the archers, then use the cavalry to strike down the infantry that is forming on the flanks, covering the infantry, giving them a chance to strike down the archers. Finally, get the Salamance riders to pick of the remaining force.. That is if they didn't accepted our terms.." he mumbled. "High Brendan.." another soldier came in, "The messenger returned!" "Excellent! What news does he have?" Brendan asked, "Well.. I doubt he could use speech without his cranium.." The soldier mumbled, "I do not think they accepted our terms.." the official said, and all of them walked out at the sound of yells.

"SALAK TUKA!" a barbarian on the other side of the battlefield roared, holding the head of the messenger, "LUKI GHATAK!" he continued and kicked it aside, "Men!" Brendan yelled, "Take your places! Ballistas and catapults! Arm yourselves! Archers, load!" he started to give orders around, "Infantry! Torkoal formation! We are commencing the Atlas Fist! We are going to smash them!" "YEAH!" his men roared as they took up ranks, placing their shields up and around, giving them a shell like appearance, hence the name. "Men! ATTACK!" Brendan yelled and charged with his men, "HYUIT! SAKARA!" the barbarian leader yelled and all his warriors marched to meet them, their archers firing at them, "Balistics! Fire!" the official stayed behind to order the long range weaponry, "Yes sir!" the men and the archers responded and fired their projectiles, hitting many a barbarians on the battlefield. "Hah!" Brendan yelled as he drove his spear into two enemies, "GRAKU!" a barbarian came from behind and struck him in the leg, only for his sword to snap when in struck his skin, "Ha ha!" Brendan laughed at the shocked expression and impaled him as well. Any arrow that struck Brendan went through his armor but bounced off his skin, "I love being invulnerable!" he yelled and kept helping his men fight.

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"RIOGHU!" the barbarian leader yelled and all of them started to retreat, only to be cut down by the excess cavalry that circled around, "Now Men!" Brendan yelled, "The Atlas Fist!" he ordered and all his soldiers exited the Torkoal and charged at the trapped barbarians, smashing them, in similar way to a fist hitting the other hand, hence the name, into more spears, swords, and Pokemon element fire. The battle ended in in favor of the Atleans, who had minimal casualties, while all the Barbarians were killed by the sword and annihilated, their tribal villages and territories became part of the Atlean Empire, but even in this great victory, Brendan still had remorse as he saw the the captive women, elderly, and children of the barbarians march through their encampment, the look of lament on their faces as they saw their fathers, husbands, sons, and Pokemon being buried nearby. "Why are you down, High Brendan?" the official asked him, "You achieved your first victory, plus you showed your god Warrior skills on the battlefield!" "I don't know if I am doing what is correct.." Brendan mumbled, "My powers are meant to help and unite people.. Not to kill.." "You are uniting people! These will soon become part of the Atleans, along with the rest of the world!" the official said, pointing at the captives, Brendan just grumbled in confusion.

0(Kanto)0

"So..." Ash told May as they sat at the royal dinner table, "Do you like mutton?" "Mutton? Ugh.. I only eat vegetables and the harvest of the earth.." May responded and ate some vegetable stew, "Oh... But you should try it..." Ash mumbled and bit into his Grumpig meat, "Sweet glorious deliciousness that is called mutton!" he groaned as the taste invigorated his mouth, "Wow... It must be good..." she giggled, "But I have one question, why are my parents or the Emperor not here with us?". Ash's eyes shot open, "W-Well Princess.." he stammered, "They went to do some... Diplomatic things!" "Is thou lying?" May asked, "Um... Um... Yes.." Ash mumbled in defeat, "They wanted me to court you... But I am a big flop... I'll just take thine plate and return to my quarters.." he said hopelessly as he stood up and reached for her china, "I never said you were a flop.." May told him, "I find you quite interesting, now take thy seat and talk to me." "Are you serious?" Ash said with a sparkle in his eyes, "Yes.." May reassured and Ash quickly took his seat.

"I had a wondrous time!" May said as she put up her napkin, "I did too.." Ash chuckled, "I never knew you were a professional fisher!" "And I never knew you were the heir to the throne.." May giggled, "Well... It is kind of weird, since Gary is his grandson.. I still wonder why he gave it to me.." Ash mumbled, "Well maybe because you're kind, generous, brave, considerate, and have the makings of a great king!" May responded, "You're right..." Ash said bashfully and both proceeded to inch their heads closer, "I, don't think I've felt this way before.." May mumbled and drew her lips closer and closer.. "May, Dear!" Norman yelled as he came quickly down the stairs with wife, "We must leave!" "Why father?" May asked, "A Salamance mail has come! It's from my commander, a huge mass of Atlean troops are moving across the continent!" Norman responded and started sending men to pack up the carriage, "Oh no!" May gasped, "Yes... I'm afraid the courting is over.. We apologize for any inconvenience sir Ash.." Catherine told him as she grabbed May's hand. "None taken, your highness.." Ash said at the running monarchs, "I hope I'll see you soon May!" he yelled before they went out the door, "I hope too! I'll pray to Kyogre for us!" May responded, and the door shut behind them. "What a shame.." Oak said, startling Ash, "It sure is, your Majesty.." Ash mumbled, "I hope their problems with the Atleans are fixed so you can continue your duty.." Oak told him, "I hope too... I'll be in the cathedral to pray to the Highest Deity..." Ash mumbled and started walking off, leaving Oak to feel empathy for the lad.

0(Road from Ecutreak to Goldenrod Castle Town..)0

"My lady Lyra.." the coach driver told her, "Yes?" Lyra responded, "I want to inform that Goldenrod is just 15 minutes away, so I suggest you get ready for the Prince.." he said, "You're right... I've heard that Prince Ethan is a picky one... I hope I'm the one he chooses.." she said pessimistically, "Calm down, my lady... Thou shalt be his first choice! By Ho-Oh I decree it!" the rider reassured and smiled at her, making her smile too. "Thank you... I'll see to it that you are rewarded.." Lyra told him as they rode through the night, the moon making the carriage glow in the dark, starry night.

0(Vreill Sea..)0

"Centurion Lucas!" a soldier reported to him, "Yes?" Lucas asked, "The ships of the Black Mist have been sighted in these waters!" the soldier continued, "Hmph... Pirates.. Plundering, looting, killing, it makes me sick.. Wait.. what's that?" Lucas said, sighting a dark object on the water. "I don't know sir.." the soldier said, trying to get a closer look from the portbow, "It looks like a boat!" "It is!" another soldier came in, "Bring it in then!" Lucas ordered, and the soldiers went to grab rope. "Heave!" a soldier yelled as all the soldiers strained to get the craft aboard, "Ho!" they continued, the boat inching closer to the deck, "And Heave!" the last groan sounded and the craft came on board, armed soldiers running to inspect it soon after. "Centurion! There's a girl in here!" a soldier reported and Lucas walked over, seeing a young woman in there, "She looks like a Marian.." a sailor observed by her tattered clothing, "Looks like she is... Hm.. Why is she all bruised up?" Lucas asked as he neared her, "Hm.." "HYAH!" the woman yelled as she quickly stood up and aimed her bow at his face, only for the soldiers to draw their swords to her neck. "Put them up.." Lucas ordered, and they reluctantly did, "Tell me.. what is your name?" he asked, "I-I am Dawn... Lady in waiting from the Kingdom of Mare." the lady responded, "I was visiting my father in a coastal town when it was attacked by the Black Mist and her pirates.. I resisted capture though, and they beat me and sent me adrift for dead.." she mumbled, "Those bastards.." Lucas grumbled, "Men! Search the seas! We will find the Black Mist!" "Yes sir!" the soldiers said and took their places, "Now you... Take a rest in my quarters.. you look exhausted." Lucas turned to Dawn, "Thank you, my lord.." Dawn mumbled and walked over to the only room on the ship, "Looks like she's got you good!" one of the sailors chuckled, "Be quiet!" Lucas grumbled, "Looks like our leader is in love!" another soldier laughed, along with his comrades, "Get back to work!" Lucas yelled and stormed into the steerer's deck.

"Wow..." Dawn said as she observed Lucas' room, "My lord does have many artifacts.. Almost as much as I, only in a small ship room!" she looked around, "Omnes homines aequales creantur... The Vreill motto.. Very beautiful indeed... Those wise philosophers...". "I'm sorry.." Lucas walked in, startling her, "We lost the Black Mist... We'll be returning to port soon though... Then you'll be on your way.." he said, "Oh... Thank you, Centurion.." Dawn mumbled, "So... You're good with the bow right?" Lucas asked, "Yes... My father taught me how to wield it since infancy... I actually took out a group of pirates before I was beaten.." she chuckled, "That's really impressive!" he exclaimed, "Yea... I'm also part of the Marian Army... A woman.. He he.." she continued,"Oh no! I don't have any problem with women in a military force.." Lucas reassured, "Though my culture frowns upon violence on women... If we are fighting a good cause, then it is all right... So how art thou?" he asked, "Not so good..." Dawn mumbled, "I am pretty beaten up, my lord.." "Please.. Don't call me lord! My name is Lucas!" Lucas told her, setting his helmet aside. "Oh.. Ok.. Lucas... So.. Are you only a naval-man?" Dawn asked, "No..." Lucas sighed, "Just momentarily, Vreill is looking for the Black Mist... It's actually very strange that my country has a military... But people say we have the best cavalry in the world... Which I find that somewhat correct.. I am actually a cavalry leader.." he explained, "Oh.. Is that so? That must be very entertaining.." she told him, "It's hard being part of a military and a lady in waiting, like myself... Does thou ever enter Mare's seas?" "Not really.. Just if the Black Mist enters and we see it..." Lucas said and took off his breastplate. "I wish I could talk more.. But I have to get some studies done.." he said and walked over to his desk, "Oh.. Your Philosophy is very important.. Is it not?" Dawn asked, "Yep.. And you probably already read the plaque on the wall there, so that was basically your crash course.." he mumbled, "You also know Vreill is lead by the Head Philosopher, Socralato, a very wise man and leader he is.. Now back on track... Vreill philosophy is that all men are created equal, having rights that have been bestowed by the Highest Deity that they cannot be separated from, so with this, even the Head Philosopher is the same as the common man, even the peasant, for we are all running the same race, Are we not?" he asked, "Right.." Dawn responded as she covered her cuts in cloth. "Unlike your monarchs, the common man can come and present his objections freely without the fear of imprisonment or death..." Lucas continued, "The reason we frown upon war is that it shames other human beings and makes bloodshed... But we had to make an army either way... Since a state cannot live without protection, so using the flat plains of Vreill, we made the Cavalry you see today... I would explain more.. But I really have to study.." he mumbled and grabbed his quill and ink.