Chapter One:

Little Crown

A flock of Starly flew past the window, cawing and chirping in happiness as they rode the wind. The townsfolk walked along the streets, warm smiles on their faces as the markets opened in the early morning. The farmers outside the main city, in the Field District began working on their crops with the usual Bidoof helping out.

Near the Rose Palace, on the third floor, an Eevee was spotted on the white marble stone railing on the third balcony. To a tourist of the capital city of Aurora, this would seem strange but to a person who lived in this peaceful city, it was normal.

Eevee's ears flickered, hearing the voices behind the dark purple violet double door behind her. She turned, seeing the door open as a young girl, around the age of sixteen, entered. Her sapphire blue eyes were filled with annoyance, her mouth set in a thin line. Her hair was in a high bun, a braid fashioned around her head that made it look like a head band. Her light green, long sleeved gown with a white corset wrapped firmly around her, silver linings of vine patterns covering it. The usual silver locket, in the shape of an oval with a crystal crescent moon on the front rested along her neck. The silver chain was long enough to reach just under her breasts.

"Go to your room young lady!" An adult woman's voice shouted from further down the hall.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm already in my room!" she screamed back before slamming the doors shut. Eevee jumped off of the railing and walked over slowly, watching the young girl remove the dress.

What did the two of you fight about this time? Eevee asked tiredly as the girl grabbed a simpler, more peasant looking light brown dress and throwing that on.

"She refuses to allow me to leave the castle," she huffed, undoing her hair and tying it back into a long braid. "Honestly, Mama is way over her head. Nothing is going to happen to me!"

Eevee watched as she dug through her wardrobe and grabbed a dark brown cape with a hood. She is just being cautious. With Lord Shigure out of the city, Lady Verona feels it is best to keep you safe.

She snorted. "Now you're beginning to sound like Mama," she commented, tying the strings of the cape around her neck into a firm bow before opening a large golden chest. Inside were things like some rope, a set of bow and arrows, a satchel and a few little trinkets. She grabbed the rope, closing the chest and walking over towards the balcony.

Are you forgetting something? Eevee asked, eyeing the high heeled shoes and she looked down, embarrassed and quickly changing them to some brown boots. I suppose you are sneaking out.

"Of course," she replied as if it were obvious. She tied the rope firmly around the railing, making sure it was tight and firm enough. She grabbed the rope and looked back at the Normal-type Pokémon. "Are you coming?"

Eevee sighed, walking over to the girl. Of course, who else is going to keep an eye on you? She asked, using the exact tone the girl had used just moments ago. Eevee jumped up and climbed into the hood of the cape, biting the back of the cape in front of her tightly as they absailed down the wall.

When her feet had been planted firmly onto the ground, she released the rope as one of the guards spotted her. "Miss Artemis, what are you—"

"Shh," Artemis hissed, glaring at the guard. "Don't say anything, I was never here."

He nodded and turned on his heel, walking in the other direction as Eevee jumped out of the hood. Artemis pulled it over her head as they darted out of the palace grounds, heading into the village.

Eevee walked beside her, on the lookout as Artemis smiled to herself. She was never one for being locked up in the palace like her mother. She had her father's adventurous nature.

"Let's get some things before we head out," she told Eevee as they made their way over to the bakery. Artemis entered the shop with Eevee not far behind her.

"Ah, Miss Artemis!" the barker, Alma greeted warmly as Artemis removed her hood and smiled at the old woman. "What can I get you this fine morning?"

"The usual," Artemis answered with a firm nod and she nodded, grabbing a loaf of bread, two sweetrolls and a few Ponigiri for Eevee. "Thank you, Alma and if anyone asks—"

"I never saw ya," she finished, accepting the fifty gold coins from her as Artemis placed the food in the satchel. "Do be careful dear, with Lord Shigure out of the city, other Warlords might invade the city."

Artemis nodded before leaving the bakery and headed straight for the stables. As she replaced her hood and saddled then mounted her Sawsbuck, she couldn't help but wonder when her father was returning.

I am sure he will return soon, Eevee said, as if reading her Warrior's mind whilst jumping onto Sawsbuck, sitting in front of Artemis.

"I hope so, Mama is unbearable when he's away," she muttered before clicking her tongue. Sawsbuck, signalled to head off, rode out of the stables and down the road. It was around mid-day when Sawsbuck arrived at Artemis's secret hideout.

It was further away from Aurora, in the middle between Aurora and Fontaine. The entire area was surrounded by trees, a waterfall further in the distance that ran into the Kohaku River that surrounded most of Fontaine. Wild Pokémon often called this place their home, to Artemis though, this was her safe haven.

White lillies surrounded the bushes, with some Oran berries and Pecha berries as well. A few Combee were in the trees, some Marills hanging around in the water.

"Everyone, we're back," Artemis called, climbing off of Sawsbuck as the Pokémon began eating some grass. The other Pokémon cheered and happily greeted her back as she removed her hood. Eevee jumped off of Sawsbuck as Artemis smiled warmly to herself.

oOo

Eevee yawned, stretching and arching her back like a Glameow. We best return before it grows too dark.

Artemis squinted up at the sky and saw it was growing dark before sighing. "I really don't want to return," she grumbled.

Let's not give your mother a heart attack any more than we already have.

Artemis begrudgingly agreed, standing up and brushing herself off before mounting Sawsbuck. Eevee jumped onto Sawsbuck, her usual spot in front of Artemis as they left the haven. On the ride back, Artemis was dreading her mother's furious face. That is, if she had realised her daughter had left the city in the first place.

When she arrived at the stables and handed Sawsbuck over to the stable boy, she saw the city had gone into lock down and two guards spotted her.

"Miss Artemis!" one of them called, both running towards her with their swords drawn. Artemis looked at them in alarm and they saw this, hastily putting their swords away. "You must come with us."

"What's going on?" Artemis frowned, following them back into the city as they escorted her back to the palace. Eevee felt a dread in the air and exchanged a look with her Warrior. "Did someone invade the city?"

"No, milady," they both answered as they arrived at the palace grounds. A woman with similar looks to Artemis but older, wearing a cream coloured long sleeved gown with her brown hair tied back into a bun, a gold vine woven crown resting against her forehead.

"Artemis!" she cried out, running towards her and hugging Artemis close to her chest. "You don't know how worried I was!"

"Mama, what's going on? Why is the city in lock down?" Artemis shrugged out of her mother's grasp and Verona swallowed, the tears flowing down her face.

"Oh Artemis, my baby girl," she choked, the struggle to tell her was clear on her face. "It's your father."

oOo

Many people had gathered for the funeral service, wishing Lord Shigure's soul a peaceful journey to the afterlife, to the gods. Notable ones present were a few Warlords, Kenshin of Illusio, Shingen of Terrera, Motonari of Greenleaf, and Yoshihrio of Pugilis. It seemed every Warlord across Ransei and a few of their underlings were present; except for Nobunaga of Dragnor, No of Spectra, Ieyasu of Valora and Mitsuhide of Nixtorm.

Artemis could feel eyes on her, all of them filled with pity that she did not want. She would have glared at them, put the black veil covering her face concealed her expressionless face. Her eyes however, were filled with grief, anger and hatred. Tears fell down her face as she felt her mother's eyes on her. Artemis was the only one present with her face covered.

It was tradition, when the Warlord of a city passes away then the next in line for the position must cover their face at the funeral. This was believed to shield the grief and ward off any negative vibes so the new Warlord may rule in peace and full of life.

"In the eyes of Osiris, may Lord Shigure be welcomed into his embrace and be safely delivered into the afterlife," the priest concluded and the funeral ended as the coffin containing an empty body was lowered into the ground. They never found her father's body…

"She's too young to become Warlord in my opinion," Hideyoshi of Ignis sneered, making sure he was loud enough to be heard by Artemis. "Honestly, the city would be better under the hands of someone who knows how to run it."

Before Artemis opened her mouth, Shingen and Kenshin glared at the Fire-type Warlord. A few others glared at him in disgust, as did Verona who wiped her eyes with a white silk handkerchief.

"Hold your tongue boy," Shingen growled at Hideyoshi.

"How dare you disrespect Lord Shigure's name by insulting his daughter. At his own funeral no less!" Motochika exclaimed, glancing at the silent girl who walked over towards them. Everyone fell silent, watching and waiting for her to make her move.

"What you hope to gain by words than on the battlefield by coming here is an insult to my father and to me," Artemis said in a calm voice, a hint of anger and a silent warning behind her words. "Leave the city and do not return unless it is to fight."

Hideyoshi's face turned bright red with anger and embarrassment as he turned and stormed away, his two lackeys not far behind him with a few of Aurora's guards escorting them out of the city.

"Lady Artemis, your father would be proud by those words," Shingen smiled sadly as she turned her attention towards the Warlord of Terrera.

"If you are ever in trouble, know that you have my support," Kenshin bowed his head politely.

"As do mine," Shingen quickly added, not wanting to be outdone by his long-time rival. Artemis felt a small smile creep onto her face at their glares to each other.

"Thank you, if you'll excuse me, I need to be alone for a while," she murmured, walking away from the crowd and heading to the palace. She felt dozens of eyes watching her as she went, Eevee by her side as they walked back to the palace.

It was when they were safely back into her room, the door closed firmly behind them, did Eevee look up at her. You may cry as much as you want, little one.

Artemis ripped the veil off of her face, collapsing onto her knees as sobs broke out of her chest. Eevee was by her side, her own small tears falling out as they both mourned the loss of a great man.

oOo

Three Days Later…

It was on her seventeenth birthday that they held the ceremony.

All of Aurora had gathered in the large courtyard at the palace, watching from the sides as the guards made sure everything was clear and safe for the ceremony to begin. A large red carpet rested on the ground, from the entrance of the Rose Palace to the front gates of the palace.

Artemis looked out the window, seeing the many people waiting to spot her. Eevee was at her side like always, watching as well. The past three days were spent in her room, crying and continuing to mourn the loss of her father. Verona was left to organise the ceremony, something she believed Artemis should have done.

"I don't want to go out there," Artemis said bitterly. "I don't want to pretend that I'm thrilled to be Warlord. I never wanted it and I especially don't want it now!"

I understand, little one, Eevee looked up at her Warrior. But it is what your father would have wanted. To take his place and look after his beloved city.

Artemis swallowed back the lump in her throat, refusing the tears to be spilt as they threatened to appear. Footsteps behind her forced her to turn around, finding Verona standing further away with her skin pale, dark circles under her eyes. She was no longer wearing the golden crown, symbolising her loss of status.

"The ceremony is about to start," Verona informed her softly.

"I know," Artemis replied in a hard voice, turning away from her and taking her place at the doors. A moment later, they opened and the crowd cheered at the sight of their new Warlord. Artemis began walking down the red carpet, the bottom of her golden gown and white cape trailing behind her.

As she walked, people cheered and cried out her name as she continued to look forward. Finally, at a small platform were the priest and Senator Tenzin waiting for her as she stepped onto it.

Senator Tenzin gave her a sad smile as Artemis knelt in front of the priest who held a golden vine woven crown above her head. This crown however, held a rare silver circle shaped gem in the middle.

"Do you, Artemis of Aurora, swear to serve the people of Aurora. Protect this great city and her lands from any danger?" Senator Tenzin asked her in a loud voice, carrying across the entire courtyard that had fallen silent. "Do you swear to fight and defend in our name? To govern the people into peace and prosperity? To honour the gods and your precursors?"

As she felt the cold metal resting on her head, the gem just above her eyebrows, Artemis looked up at the priest. "I solemnly swear so to do."

"Then rise."

Artemis stood up and stood in the middle of the two men, Eevee in front of her.

"Introducing, Her Grace, Lady Artemis the Huntress, Warlord of Aurora!" Senator Tenzin declared, the people of Aurora cheering and crying out in happiness at the sight of their new Warlord. Amongst the cheers, there was one in the crowd who looked up at the young girl with distain.

He turned and disappeared into the crowd, an idea forming in his mind.

The song 'Little Crown,' is from the game Atelier Meraru (I think that's how you spell it,) Apprentice of Arland. It's a good game and a good song so go listen to that!

Trivia: Kohaku River is a river in Japan. Osiris is the Egyptian God of the Underworld.

So hopefully you like the new and improved version on this story, I am!