Chapter 1

"Ash? Ash!"

A raven-haired young man groans at the sound of someone calling his name. He tosses and turns as he tries to go back to sleep despite the voice's interference. Unfortunately, he hears the sound of a door opening and the footsteps of someone walking towards him.

"Ash, come on, buddy. It's time to start the day," the voice says as the raven-haired man named Ash feels something shake him.

Again, he groans and ignores what is happening, hoping the person will give up.

"Well, we have no choice," the person says with a sigh. "Let him have it."

Ash only has a moment to realize what's about to happen next when he hears another voice.

"Piiiikkkaaaaaccchhhhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

Ash screams in pain as thousands of bolts of electricity hit his body. He moans as he reluctantly sits up to see a tall brown-skinned man and a Pikachu smirking at him.

"Good morning, sunshine," Brock says with a grin.

"Pika, pi," the Pikachu greets.

"Guys, do you have to do that every time?" Ash whines.

"Of course we do, you lazy butt," Brock chuckles. "It's time for breakfast. Get up so we can start the day."

Ash groans as he reluctantly gets out of bed.

"You're in a cheery mood, today," he says. "What's gotten you to hyped up?"

"Oh, nothing," Brock says with a grin. "I just have something for you after breakfast."

At this, Ash's eyes light up in excitement.

"Really? What is it?" He asks.

"You're just gonna have to come and eat to find out," Brock says. "Now get dressed. We don't have all day."

Without another word, Brock exits the room leaving Ash alone with Pikachu. Ash runs over to a wooden chest lying next to his bed, takes out his old, dirty clothes and changes into them.

This has become a regular routine for the two men and the mouse Pokemon over the past six months. Ever since both of their parents died shortly before Captain Powuru began to terrorize the people and Pokemon of the country, Brock and Ash have been living together as paupers with Ash's Pikachu and Brock's Happiny in a small-two story house by the city river. The two men and their Pokemon have been struggling to have any food on the table as both food and money have grown scarce all over the kingdom. The only comfort that the four souls have in this dreadful time is having a roof over their heads, especially since winter has come and thus snow has covered the entire country. Since then, Brock has become the leader of the group and so has taken it upon himself to try to feed four mouths and force Ash to help him look for ways to earn money so that they can get real food.

Ash walks down the steps to the main floor with Pikachu on his shoulder. He finds Brock stirring something inside a pot with his Happiny aiding him.

"I think that should do it," Brock says with a smile. "Happiny, could you bring the pot to the table?"

"Happiny!" the small, pink and white Pokemon squeaks as it picks up the heavy pot with ease and carries it over to the center of a wooden table. Brock, Happiny, Ash, and Pikachu gather around as Brock places a plate in front of everyone and they all hold hands and bow their heads.

"Heavenly Father, we thank you for this food and we ask that you bless it to our bodies," Brock prays. "We also pray that you bless this day as we do what we can to help each other so that we may not starve to death and whatever other troubles are out in the world we leave to you to handle however you will. In your holy name, we pray amen."

"Amen," Ash says.

"Pika," says Pikachu.

"Happi," says Happiny.

With that, Brock takes each plate and fills them with their breakfast, which is nothing more than a mere broth with crumb-sized amounts of solid food. Brock barely fills each plate with the so-called soup as this collection of cold water and crumbs is all that he, Happiny, Ash, and Pikachu have been able to eat for the past two days and he wants it to last as long as it can. Quietly, though reluctantly, the four poor souls eat their breakfast despite knowing that it's doing close to nothing to ease their hunger for real food. When everyone finishes, Ash turns to Brock who still has a happy grin despite having barely eaten.

"So what's the big surprise already?" Ash asks.

Brock grins as he walks over to another wooden chest and takes out a large pile of thick tree branches. Happiny jumps up and down in excitement while Ash and Pikachu are confused.

"You have tree branches?" Ash asks.

"Not just tree branches, buddy, firewood," Brock says with a grin. "I thought of the idea last night. Now that it's snowing, people are going to need firewood, so how else are they going to get it without buying it from someone first?"

"You mean someone like us?" Ash asks.

"Not us. You," Brock corrects. "I'm still going to try my snow cone idea with Happiny while you and Pikachu try so sell some firewood. The more things we try the better our chances are to get some money. So it's your job today to sell as much of this stuff as you can. Our goal today is to make one whole farthing so we can at least buy a small loaf of bread."

Ash and Pikachu look up in the air with a dreamy look as the idea of eating so much as one little loaf of bread sounds like a feast fit for a king. Their mouths begin to water before Brock clears his throat making the smaller man and his Pokemon smile sheepishly.

"So, what are you waiting for, buddy?" Brock rebukes. "Get your hat and scarf and let's make some money."

"Aye sir," Ash says with a salute.

"Pika," Pikachu says with his own salute.

Brock nods in appreciation as he takes out his snow cone tray and starts to leave.

"Come on, Happiny. Let's find some tasty snow to sell," he says.

"Happiny," the little white and pink Pokemon says cheerfully as she follows Brock with her own snow cone tray as they exit the house.

Ash sighs as he grabs his hat and scarf and helps Pikachu put on his own scarf.

"Alright, buddy, it looks like we got a job to do," Ash says with a confident grin. "Ready to make some money?"

"Pika!" Pikachu says sharing Ash's confidence.

"Then let's do it!" Ash says shaking his fist in the air as they exit the house and face the snow-covered city.

The bed curtains fly open to reveal the morning sun. A young man with black hair and blue eyes groans as he buries himself under the covers. This is Prince Timothy, and his hopes to go back to sleep are proven hopeless as he feels a small tongue licking his face repeatedly until he opens his eyes to see a Pikachu standing in front of his face.

"Good morning, Electchu," the young prince says with a small smile. "Sleep well?"

"Pika!" the Pikachu nicknamed Electchu replies happily. The young man pets the cheery, yellow mouse until he notices a Lucario standing next to his bed.

"Time to get up, master," the Lucario says telepathically. "Sir Markenal is expecting you within the hour so you better get your breakfast soon."

Timothy sighs as he sits up to face the Lucario.

"Alright, Odyssey. I guess I have no choice," the prince grumbles as he gets out of bed.

"I hope you took some time after training to study, master," the Lucario nicknamed Odyssey says as Timothy gets changed in his room divider. "I sense Markenal is going to pop quiz you again on trigonometry."

"Of course, he is," Timothy calls out from the divider. "It's his job as my tutor to educate me on things that are as important to ruling a kingdom as a Magikarp knowing nothing but splash."

Odyssey rolls his eyes having heard his trainer rebuke the head of the household for his secondary duties as the royal tutor many times like this before.

"Master, with all due respect, must you always be so quick to complain like a child over your lessons?" The Lucario protests.

"As far as I'm concerned, expressing how I feel about my lessons is one of the few things that keep me sane around here," Timothy replies as he comes out of the room divider, dressed in his royal clothes. "After years of being taught so many different subjects whether they have to do with Kalos itself or not, I think I can safely say that trigonometry is hardly something that can help a man take care of a country and all the people and Pokemon that live in it."

"I'm sure your father would not have told Sir Markenal to teach you the subject if it wasn't necessary to prepare you for when you take the crown," Odyssey suggests.

Timothy scoffs as the two of them leave the bedroom with Electchu on Timothy's shoulder.

"Honestly, Odyssey, I would have considered that to be true six years ago, but nowadays I'm half convinced Markenal is abusing his power as the royal tutor by teaching me whatever he wants just to keep his second job," the prince says as they walk down the hall. "I feel like I've learned everything there is to learn about being a king ever since he's been teaching me less about history or politics and more about the different sides of a triangle. It hardly feels like I need to learn something like this for matters concerning the economy or holding negotiations with other kings."

Odyssey doesn't say anything but nods in understanding. Eventually, the three of them make it to the royal dining room where a servant serves the three of them their breakfast. Afterward, Electchu and Odyssey go to the castle gardens outside to be with Timothy's other Pokemon while the prince sadly goes to the castle study where a tall man with long gray hair and a small beard is waiting for him.

"Good morning, Your Highness," the man says in a monotone voice.

"Morning, Markenal," Timothy says bluntly as he sits down on a desk in front of Markenal. "How is my father doing?"

"The royal physician has informed me that he's beginning to improve today," Markenal answers plainly. "He says your father managed to eat his soup on his own earlier and was able to talk properly."

A small smile enters Timothy's face. This is the most improvement his father has had with his health in a couple of days. The king's health has been going back and forth ever since he became ill. The only comfort Timothy has for his father's condition is nothing has shown signs of his father's life in danger as the royal physician has assured Sir Markenal that it doesn't look that way despite the fact that he can't figure out what the king has.

"Shall we begin today's lesson, sire?" Markenal asks, snapping Timothy out of his thoughts.

"I can think of little reason why not," Timothy says reluctantly.

"Very well," Markenal says before clearing his throat. "Now to review, all triangles have three sides and the relations between these three sides are known as ratio. Trigonometry is the branch of government. Don't forget it, sire."

"As heaven is my witness, I will do everything in my power to forget it when the time comes, you stubborn man," Timothy grumbles in his mind. Bored and unwilling to listen to the teacher entirely, the prince begins to daydream to pass the time. His mind begins to wander as Markenal's lecture grows fainter until he doesn't even hear the old man's voice at all. After a second, Timothy starts to look away from his notes and glance at the window.

His eyes suddenly become attached to the outside world as from Markenal's study he can see many people outside of the castle walls living their lives. Over by a small river, children are laughing and giggling as they throw snowballs at each other with glee. Some of them are sliding on the frozen water trying not to slip. And over by the bridge, a young couple is sitting on a bench happily. The couple intrigues Timothy the most as he sees even at a distance how complete the couple feel to be in each other's presence. The man holds the woman close as she snuggles her head on his shoulder with her arms around him as if the simple embrace is filling her with indescribable joy. Timothy finds himself smiling until his thoughts are interrupted by a ruler slamming right in front of his desk.

"Sire, please give me your undivided attention," Markenal says calmly yet harshly.

Timothy frowns and reluctantly obeys. And yet as hard as he tries to keep his attention on the lesson, his mind drifts to the couple and how much he wishes he could have something like that with someone. For in his mind, he fears he will never gain any of that with his arranged marriage between him and Princess Serena and there is nothing he can do about it. It will just be something forced upon his life just like everything else is father has arranged for him since birth.

"Can this life get any worse?" He thinks to himself.

Unknown to the young prince, things are prepared to get worse. Deep in the lower sections of the castle, a young, pale man with long black hair and menacing brown eyes is entering the halls of the royal guard. This is Calem, son of Captain Powuru and second-in-command of his father's troops. While not as experienced in the art of war as his old man, the sergeant has been trained in every possible way in the art of combat along with his own personal Pokemon. He shares his father's desire for overthrowing the king and is eager to learn what it's like to rule a kingdom and to wage mindless war against Kalos' own allies.

As Calem walks through the halls of the royal guard, he watches his men eating and drinking the food they have plundered from the people and their Pokemon. Some even brought harlots to laugh and drink with them for company. Calem rolls his eyes as he does not see the value of desiring such company. His father has taught him since birth how such things are a pitiful means to an end. Powuru even told him how his mother who was also a harlot was nothing more than a living tool to fulfill a brief phase in his father's life.

Finally, Calem makes it to the Captain's quarters where his Absol has been napping, waiting for his return. The Pokemon wakes up just in time to greet his master with a smirk and Calem merely pets it before walking toward a desk where a tall, bald, muscular, pale man is sharpening his long sword with a cold look. Captain Powuru stops sharpening his weapon to glance at his son before turning back to his sword.

"Report, sergeant," he orders bluntly.

Calem stands up straight and salutes to his father and captain.

"Sir, our scouts report that Princess Serena's carriage is soon to arrive," the young man announces. "They are likely to reach the castle this afternoon."

The bald man stops sharpening his sword again and a cruel smirk enters his face.

"Excellent," Powuru says. "Soon, we will have the final piece to carry out our plan as soon as the king dies."

Calem looks at Powuru confused.

"Excuse me, father, but I don't understand," he says. "Last I've heard, the royal physician has declared that the king's life is not in danger."

Powuru laughs loudly, amused by the sergeant's words.

"Of course, he did. I made him say that," he says. "With my threats against his family, he has willingly agreed to tell that to Sir Markenal, the prince and the castle staff so that foolish boy will think his daddy will get better."

"And I take it that's not the case?" Calem asks.

Powuru smirks at his son in amusement.

"The physician is allowed to tell the truth about the king's condition to only me," he says. "If the king is lucky, he will live to see the end of the week and at worst he will perish within a couple of days. Either way, I will finally be rid of that peace-loving fool and I will carry out my plan to start a new, illustrious war with the assassination of the prince and his fiancee."

"Yes, I've been meaning to ask about that," Calem says. "Have you thought about how we're going to do that?"

"I have," Powuru answers. "Word is when the king dies, the boy will be crowned and shortly after that, he and the Kanto princess will be married. I'm thinking after the wedding festivities where the boy and his bride are alone, that's when we will sneak in and kill them. You will plunge a knife from Hoenn right in the girl's stomach while I grab that boy by the throat and slowly crush it with my bare hand. Thus I will take over the throne and declare war on our allies starting with Kanto who will blame us for allowing their beloved princess to be killed and Hoenn after we blame them with the dagger as proof. Thus the glorious days before will finally continue after over 25 years and we shall inherit all the spoils that go with it."

"You mean like with all the plundering we've already done against our own citizens?" Calem asks.

"That is but a taste of what we will do against the other kingdoms, sergeant," Powuru says with a wave of his hand. "Besides, when we declare war, we will make an announcement to ask men to enlist into our ranks with promises of food for their starving families. Those little rats won't hesitate to enlist and fight to their last while we get all the plunder and eminence that we rightfully deserve."

"Of course, father," Calem says. "It will be just like you've taught me."

"That and more," Powuru says eagerly. "Now, select a dozen of our men to take with us for when we greet and escort the Kantoian princess to meet her groom."

"Yes, sir," Calem says with a bow.

"And Sergeant," Powuru says venomously before Calem leaves. "Don't let me hear you call me your father again. I am your captain and you're my sergeant. Is that clear?"

Calem pauses for a moment before he calmly says, "Crystal, Captain."

Powuru nods, still keeping his displeased glare before he waves his hand at his son and says, "Dismissed."

Calem bows again and leaves his quarters with his Absol following behind. Powuru turns back to sharpening his sword and a mischievous grin grows on his face as he thinks about what is to come.

"Soon, my old friend," he says to the weapon as if it's a living person. "Soon."