Chapter Two:
Bring Honour To Us All
Nine Months Later…
The curtains were pulled back over the canopy of the king sized bed. A figure laid resting amongst the dark purple silk sheets, refusing to wake up. Eevee however, woke to the sounds of footsteps in the room and was stretching.
You must arise, little one, Eevee informed her as Artemis grumbled, burying her face deeper into her pillow. Come now, the Hand Over won't start itself.
Artemis opened one eye, glaring at her Pokémon before sitting up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I fail to see why I have to attend. I'm not interested in marriage."
That may be so but it is expected of you now to be at least wed and have an heir on the way. You cannot dodge this any longer than you already have.
She sighed; Eevee was right about one thing. Artemis couldn't keep ignoring and denying the suitors and requests for her hand in marriage. At least with the Hand Over ceremony, the suitors will hopefully find the village girls more suitable than herself.
Artemis climbed out of bed, grabbing her long, royal blue dressing gown and threw it over her white night gown. Her hair was out and flowing down her back, stopping just below her butt. She slipped on her white sandals and walked out of her bedroom, walking towards the East Wing where the make-overs for the village girls were taking place.
Since this ceremony was not only her ticket to get Senator Tenzin, her mother and the priest off of her back about marriage, but an important moment in the young women of Aurora lives, Artemis decided all participants were to get dressed and get ready at the palace.
The guards who stood at the white double doors, golden vining patterns along the sides, bowed in greeting before opening the doors. "Lady Artemis has arrived."
Girls between the ages of fifteen to sixteen, all at different stations of their own, looked up and every person in the room bowed or curtseyed at her.
"I am not Lady Artemis," Artemis called, walking into the room with Eevee beside her as the doors closed behind her. "During the duration of this ceremony, I am nothing but Artemis."
They smiled as two maids walked over and escorted Artemis to her own station. First they disrobed her and placed her in the stone bath that the guards had moved down earlier. As she soaked in the warm water, the maids washing and massaging her, all of them began to sing.
"This is what you give me to work with?" An elder maid with jet black hair rolled her eyes, dragging a red haired girl away from the door and threw her into the bath. "Well honey, I've seen worse. We're going to turn this Tepig's ear, into a silk purse."
Artemis surveyed the room, more maids singing along to the sweet melody as they continued to dress each and every girl. Even the two maids taking care of her began to join in.
"We'll have you washed and dried, primp and polished until you glow with pride. Just my recipe for instant bride, you'll bring honour to us all,"
Artemis smiled to herself as she climbed out of the bath, allowing the maids to dry her with white, cotton towels before dressing her in a robe, covering her naked body.
"Come," they said together, taking her to the hair stylists and sat her down. A young looking woman with blonde hair and blue eyes smiled, running a brush through her slightly damp hair.
"Wait and see, when we're through boys will gladly go to war for you," she winked at Artemis as she began to curl her hair. "With good fortune and a great hairdo, you'll bring honour to us all."
Artemis watched as the girl's beamed with excitement, knowing she was bringing smiles to her people sent a warm feeling into her heart. She glanced down and saw a maid place a cute yellow bow around Eevee's neck, much to the Normal-type's displeasure.
"Don't you look adorable," Artemis teased and Eevee growled at her, an unhappy look on her face.
I finally understand why you hate being dressed up so much, Eevee grumbled and Artemis chuckled.
"Our girls can bring her family great honour in one way. By striking a good match, as this would be that day!"
"All done," the stylist smiled, pushing back the final curl into place before allowing the maids to escort Artemis to the stylists, the dress she was to wear already in place.
"Ready?" the main stylist, a woman with brown hair, lines of grey poking through, asked her and Artemis nodded.
"Men want girls with good taste,"
"Calm."
"Obedient."
"Who work fast pace."
"With good breeding and a tiny waist," Artemis gasped at the tight feeling of the corset wrapped around her body. A soft, yellow long sleeved gown was thrown onto her, hands poking in places as they dressed her. "You'll bring honour to us all…"
"We all must serve our Warlord as she guards us from Warriors. Men by bearing arms and girls by bearing sons,"
A small, petite young girl replaced the stylist as they finished dressing Artemis, putting soft make-up on her face. "There, you're ready," she smiled at her as the stylist placed matching heels on Artemis's feet.
"Thank you," Artemis smiled, standing up and walking towards where other finished girls were. "How are you all feeling?"
"Nervous," a girl with red hair, a few freckles and chocolate brown eyes answered. She was wearing an emerald gown, making her hair stand out more.
"Don't be, this is your moment to shine," she told them gently before turning and watching the others girls finish getting ready. She fiddled with the locket her father had given her, the crescent moon on the front, in her hands.
"Scarier than the undertaker, we are meeting our match taker,"
"Blessed be, all our girls, as your future as priceless pearls. Please look kindly on these cultured girls, each a perfect porcelain doll…"
Soon all girls were finished and ready, guards escorting them out of the East Wing and towards the ballroom. Along the way, Artemis spotted her mother and paused in her steps.
"My, you look beautiful," Verona smiled softly and Artemis chewed the inside of her lips. "Please, do what is asked of you."
"I have done what is asked of me," Artemis replied coldly. "You should do yours and be back in bed. Your health is more important than a silly engagement."
Without waiting her mother to reply, Artemis walked off, joining the girls as they began to line up along the stairs leading to the bottom floor. Men, ranging from seventeen to twenty-five were standing around, nicely dressed from all parts of Ransei.
"Welcome to the Hand Over ceremony," Senator Tenzin greeted at the bottom level, out of her sight. "May I present to you all what Aurora has to offer, ladies from our fine city ready to meet their soul mates. Under Yue-Lao's divine grace, may you meet your true love within these walls!"
The men cheered as the girls filed down the stairs, each blushing or grinning with excitement, a few shyly smiling as Artemis stayed on the top level. When most men had a partner to dance with, music playing along and filling the room with soft melodies, did she sneak out to the garden.
You honestly think Senator Tenzin will allow this? Eevee asked, following her Warrior as Artemis bent down, taking the bow off of her partner. Eevee was grateful for that as they walked over the small bridge, a small river running underneath it.
"I will deal with Tenzin later, what mattered most was those girls finding their own true love," Artemis waved it off as they sat in the white gazebo. "Besides, what can he do but yell at me?"
Eevee snorted, laying on the marble bench next to her as they listened to Starly chirp and sing in the trees. A couple of minutes had passed before the peaceful moment had ended, Eevee hearing footsteps and growling at the intruder.
Artemis turned her head, finding who Eevee was growling at. It was a guy roughly her age, dark chocolate brown hair tied back into a low, small ponytail. He wore a deep, scarlet red kimono with a dark purple sash around his waist, sandals on. His chocolate brown eyes were surprised to see her and Artemis found no recognition in his eyes.
He must be from another city, she thought, standing up. "Are you alright?"
"Ah yes," he quickly collected himself, blushing slightly as he realised he was staring. Artemis felt a small smile cross her face, finding his blush adorable. "I just wanted to get some fresh air but I can see this place occupied."
"Stay, I could use the company."
He nodded, nervously walking over and sitting down, Eevee resting between them. His eyes widened in surprise, finding an Eevee and looking up at her.
"I heard the Warlord of this city had an Eevee," he said and Artemis mentally kicked herself. The last thing she wanted was someone recognising her, having suitors and this whole idea going to waste.
"Yes, she's Lady Artemis's partner," Artemis said smoothly. "Unfortunately, Her Grace is unable to attend to today's ceremony so she sent Eevee in her place."
"It seems Eevee doesn't like crowds," he noted and they both chuckled while Eevee twitched her ear, hearing the sound of her Warrior's laugh after so long.
"I can't say I blame her," Artemis admitted, pulling a face as she glanced back at the ballroom. Through the windows, they could hear laughter and the music from where they sat. "I'm not one for crowds."
"Neither am I," he smiled and held out his hand to her. "Yukimaru of Terrera."
Artemis felt herself smile, gently grasping his hand into hers. "Diana of Aurora."
Yukimaru pressed his lips against the back of her hand gently, a small blush crossing her face. "It is nice to meet you."
"Would you like to explore the garden? It's one of Lady Artemis's safe havens," Artemis said quickly, standing up and taking her hand back.
Yukimaru raised an eyebrow. "Do you know Lady Artemis well?" he asked, standing up and joining her as they began to slowly walk around the garden, loving the peace and fresh air.
"I work here as her personal maid," she lied, already feeling a little guilty but held back blurting out the truth.
How is it that you can lie so easily? Eevee wondered and Artemis ignored her, continuing to tell him a little about herself and he, in turn, told her things about him.
Yukimaru was a Warrior from Terrera and Lord Shingen's apprentice. His partner was a Pokémon named Charmander who was currently residing back home. Lord Shingen thought the Hand Over would be a good idea for Yukimaru to get over his awkwardness around girls and sent him. He enjoys spicy food, autumn, his favourite colour was red and he has two older brothers.
"It's my dream to take over as Warlord of Terrera," Yukimaru continued as Artemis listened closely. "To be able to fight and protect my people is something I want to do."
"Do your brothers work under Lord Shingen as Warriors?" Artemis asked curiously and Yukimaru shook his face.
"No, my brother Takuya is a doctor and my other brother Kyoya works as the senator for Yoshimoto," he answered and he sighed. "I hope Lady Artemis stays away from the ceremony."
This spiked her interest. "Why?"
"Because the senator from Ignis is inside."
Artemis swallowed the lump in her throat, shooting Eevee a worried look as the Normal-type understood her concern. Any person from Ignis, directly involved with Lord Hideyoshi was never a good thing.
oOo
Nine Hours Later…
Artemis sighed tiredly, collapsing onto her bed in exhaustion after the ceremony finally ended. Every girl had gone home with a fiancée, something she was pleased about. Only a small handful of men went home empty handed.
I thought that Yukimaru was a fine gentlemen, Eevee commented, jumping onto the bed as Artemis laid on her back. Why didn't you say anything to him?
"I have more things to deal with than a boy who fancied my interest," Artemis answered in a deadpanned tone, sitting up and looking at her partner in concern. "What I'm more worried about is the fact that the senator from Ignis was here."
What do you suppose that means?
"Nothing good."
And to back her answer, the alarm bells were rung outside, signalling an invasion. Artemis jumped out of bed, running out her room with Eevee right behind her. The two of them ran out of the palace, a guards running beside her.
The people of Aurora were running inside, the younger generation not knowing what to do whilst the older generation did, remembering all of the old times of invasions before Lord Shigure came to power.
"Who is it?" Artemis demanded the guards at the front gates as they drew closer.
"Warriors from Ignis, Your Grace," one of them answered and she silently cursed.
We will fight until the end, Eevee growled and she nodded, ordering them to open the gates.
"You can't possibly fight them on your own!" a few guards protested but were silence by one glare from her.
"It is my duty to protect my home. Now open the gates!" she barked at them as the gates opened. Artemis stepped out, coming face to face with two men. One of them had dark skin, brown hair held back by a golden metal headband and green silk clothing wrapped around him. Standing beside him was a Tepig, glaring at her.
The other had green hair in an afro style, wrapped around an orange headband with simple leather armour on. A Bidoof with a determined look on its face stood beside him.
"Ah look Nagayasu," the dark skinned man sneered, eyeing the dress Artemis still wore from the Hand Over ceremony earlier. "She's come to hand over her kingdom in style."
Nagayasu snorted. "Not much of a fighter then, is she Koroku?"
Artemis narrowed her eyes at them, unimpressed by their jibes and insults. "If you have to come continue this pathetic banter, then I suggest you leave."
"Nah, we rather like this place," Koroku eyed the city walls behind her. "So much that we might give it to Lord Hideyoshi as a present."
"And it won't be much of a battle, you're all alone," Nagayasu snickered as Artemis clenched her fists. Her father never recruited Warriors as he believed that would invoke conflict, something that Aurora didn't need nor wanted.
"She's not alone!"
They all turned to the right and found a girl, roughly sixteen with copper brown hair brown eyes stood with a Jigglypuff next to her. She wore a long white sleeved top with a light blue skirt, a pink with golden lining outer skirt around her hips and matching cuffs around her shoulders. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail with a flower clip on the side. She wore socks with sandals underneath.
"Lady Artemis," the girl begged. "Allow me to join you."
"Sure," Artemis replied, allowing the girl to stand next to her as Jigglypuff got into a battle stance next to Eevee.
"Bidoof, use Headbutt on Eevee!" Nagayasu ordered, the beaver Pokémon charging forward head on.
"Counter it with Swift!" Artemis shouted, watching as Eevee ran forward, jumping into the air and throwing stars out of her tail. The stars hit and exploded against Bidoof as Eevee landed behind it.
"Use Ember now!" Koroku commanded his Tepig, pointing to Eevee.
The girl was quick, something that Artemis took note on. "Quickly cover Eevee with Double Slap!"
"Jigglypuff!" Jigglypuff exclaimed, running forward and just as Tepig was about to let loose sparks of flames from its nose, Jigglypuff began slapping it furiously. The force of Jigglypuff's slaps was so strong that it knocked Tepig unconscious.
"Oh come on!" Koroku complained, kicking the ground furiously as Artemis smiled at the girl who smiled back. Nagayasu knew they had a plan cooking up and he wasn't sorely disappointed.
"Eevee use Quick Attack!" Artemis shouted as Eevee ran towards Bidoof in blinding speed.
"Hyper Voice, Jigglypuff," the girl called as Eevee tackled Bidoof to the ground. Not wasting any time, Jigglypuff jumped over Eevee, landing in front of her and opened its mouth, letting out a high pitched scream. Everyone present covered their ears, wincing at the loud volume their ears were forced to endure.
When Jigglypuff finally closed her mouth, cutting the scream off, Bidoof collapsed onto the ground, unconscious. Both Nagayasu and Koroku yelped, grabbing their Pokémon and glaring at the two women as the guards behind them cheered.
"Oh man, we can't go back to Lord Hideyoshi now!" Nagayasu exclaimed, worry on his face as Koroku hit the back of his head.
"You idiot!" he shouted, running off with Nagayasu following right on his heels. Artemis let out a sigh of relief and bent down, rubbing Eevee's ears as Jigglypuff allowed the girl to pick it up.
"Thank you for your help," Artemis smiled, standing up and looking at her as the girl held Jigglypuff close to her chest. "I don't even want to think what would have been the result without you."
The girl smiled sheepishly, blushing a little from embarrassment. "I just wanted to help you; I've wanted to serve you since you came to power."
"What's your name?" Artemis asked, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Oichi, Your Grace."
Artemis smiled was she began walking back into the kingdom. She turned around and found Oichi still standing there, looking unsure and lost. "Come in, Aurora is your home now."
Oichi's eyes widened and she beamed, running after her as the gates closed behind them.
Song: Bring Honour To Us All from the movie Mulan. My idea of Ransei is bascially western/ancient china theme if you get what I mean...
