Last time On Ashes:
Tapestries, friends, monster eggs, and a pikachu.
Quote: "Satoshi will have no monster."
Chapter Three: Spoiled
I swear I'll never give in
I refuse.
-Foo Fighters
A sudden and loud noise rallied the horse monsters into a brief shrilly panic. Hiroshi grasped the readied reigns of the nearest beast pulling its snout down so he could calm it. A bucket rolled, emptied of grain, and gently knocked against his heels.
Hiroshi turned to face a pink faced crown prince. Satoshi kicked the bucket again and it slammed into the far end of the stable, somewhere Hiroshi couldn't see from his position in the open stall. Hiroshi kept a firm grip on the reigns as the ponytas thrashed again.
"It didn't go well, I take it?"
Satoshi gave a half angry, half amused smirk before sliding down the wall opposite of the stall where Hiroshi stood. He said nothing, twisting and tormenting pieces of straw between his fingers.
Hiroshi waited patiently. He knew it wasn't wise to try with the prince's anger. Just as it wasn't wise to do the same for the King.
Finally, his words thick with fury, Satoshi spat, "Damn him. Damn him to God damn hell."
Hiroshi didn't bother to ask who. "Was the choosing not today then?"
Satoshi blinked as if seeing Hiroshi clearly for the first time. "Huh?"
"The choosing? Your monster?"
"Oh," A queer smile reappeared on his lips. "Oh it was."
Hiroshi released the reins and moved on to make sure the saddle was secure. He was always particularly good with stable monsters, which was why on occasion- when he was not needed at the side of their crown prince, Hiroshi worked with domesticated monsters.
Wary of the licking flames, Hiroshi straightened the saddle blanket as best he could. His eyes all the while glancing around Satoshi for a sign of a monster egg. But Satoshi wasn't even holding a satchel.
He paused, one hand on the saddle horn. "Where's…"
Satoshi leaned back against the wall, nonchalantly, "My father decided that I will not have a monster."
Hiroshi let his hand fall.
Satoshi said it almost as if he were bragging. And Hiroshi would have believe the crown prince was thrilled with the idea, with what he said that morning, if he hadn't know Satoshi better. The look he was giving Hiroshi was not one of pleasure.
"Surely you're joshing."
"Nooooope," said Satoshi with an even colder smile.
"He- But he can't do that. I mean…" Hiroshi paused as he tried to think better of his words. "Yes he's our highness but- it's tradition. You must have a monster to protect you. The highest honor… the highest honor denied? He can't- he shouldn't…"
"He did."
"Why? But I don't understand…" Then with a unintentional accusing tone, "What did you do?"
"Nothing!"
"Did you refuse-"
"I refused nothing. It was the King who decided I shant have one. I made my choice, he declined."
Hiroshi stepped out, latching the stall door behind him, and sat down next to Satoshi. He stared in complete bafflement at the floor as if looking at his prince would require acceptance.
"Why would he do that?"
Guiltily, Satoshi pushed his hands behind his back and shifted his weight onto them. He stared up the rafters for another moment or so, enough time for Hiroshi to collect his thoughts, before confessing.
"Probably because of what I asked for."
"What?" Hiroshi stared at him. "What do you mean? He thought your choice was poor?"
"In a matter of speaking."
Satoshi sighed and flopped backwards into the hard straw. While glaring at the ceiling he said, "I chose Pikachu."
He expected a shout. For Hiroshi to at least make some sort of reaction like those in the galleries had. When he didn't hear a reaction, Satoshi squinted over to Hiroshi. His servant did seem quite surprised but it was a different kind. One, Satoshi couldn't quite put his finger on.
"So you see. My father thinks I'm crazy. He won't let me have such a dangerous monster."
"Well he is right. Pikachu are dangerous," said Hiroshi at length.
"So you think I'm crazy too huh?"
Satoshi smiled up at Hiroshi. Hiroshi only shook his head, "No. You're not crazy, Sa- Crown Prince."
Satoshi ignored his servant's slip of tongue. Though he wished Hiroshi would just drop the titles when they were alone, Hiroshi was too good a servant. He followed all the rules just as he should. Sometimes even better than Satoshi did.
There was a silence again. Or as much of one you could get in a stable full of domestic monsters. Satoshi watched the ponyta at the far end of the stable scraping up what she could get out of the bucket Satoshi had kicked earlier. A few of the animals locked in their stalls neighed and brayed with encouragement- as if they could coax her into sharing.
"Why did you want a Pikachu, if I'm not too bold in asking?"
Satoshi looked directly back into Hiroshi's question stare. "It felt like the right answer."
Hiroshi's expression remained unreadable. He shouldn't have, but he took it. It seemed to make just as much sense to Satoshi as it had to him. And Satoshi was dying to know why.
Sometimes Satoshi wondered if Hiroshi were testing him. His questions always seemed to come with the expectation of certain answers. Sometimes he was disappointed. Sometimes seemingly satisfied. Why did he ask? What spurred such a insatiable curiosity? Surely not just good work ethic.
Satoshi decided then it was his turn to ask.
"Hiroshi, are we friends?"
Hiroshi's composure broke. "Wha-what?"
"I'm just curious. I don't have- at least, I don't remember having any. So are we, are we friends?"
Hiroshi's confusion broke into what seemed like a kind of... dare he say, happiness. Contentment. He smiled; his shoulder touching his cheek as he did so. And he said, "If you want us to be, Crown Prince."
"I do, do you?"
Hiroshi nodded.
"Is that it?" continued Satoshi. "Isn't there some sort of… trick to it?"
"Well usually we would both need sign some sort of deeded agreement in blood from our pricked forefingers."
Satoshi sat up abruptly, "What, really?"
"No," chuckled Hiroshi.
Satoshi playfully punched his shoulder. In retaliation, Hiroshi threw a fistful of straw over the prince's hatless head. So naturally, Satoshi had to do what any prince should do in his situation. He tackled Hiroshi to the stable floor, attempting to shove his face into the straw while Hiroshi tried to do likewise for him.
They wrestled until the stable keeper chased the two adolescents out for disturbing the animals. Dirty, his tunic slightly torn, and exhausted- Satoshi couldn't have been happier. It was the most fun Satoshi ever remembered having.
Which was why Satoshi decided that he would have to steal from a Pikachu nest. He had to nab a pikachu egg for himself. He just had to.
It cannot be done. That was all his advisors had been saying all afternoon.
They all sat around the circled table. His five most trusted units of command, bickering pointlessly with one another.
Kanna, his personal advisor was a shrewd, bitter and icily sarcastic woman. The kind that King Sakaki typically liked to avoid. But it was better that she be on his side than anyone else's.
Kanna had a superior intellect that rivaled that of any opponent she can come across. She was spectacled, with cold violet hair that dipped down to her small slender breasts and a smile that was always careful never to show her teeth. And unlike most women, she dressed in dark colored tunics that were specially tailored to discreetly expose her cleavage.
Kyo, commander of Tokiwa's espionage unit was a as cruel a man as he was cunning. He served double the time as being both a overseer of spies in the various kingdoms and tutor to the young prince. When he wasn't keeping up with secret information and heading out on important individual quests for King Sakaki, Kyo taught the prince his geography, mathematics, self defense, fencing, horse back riding… etc.
The man usually wore loose fitting robes and underneath them, tight dark netting. His hair was a black as his heart. And his smile always cold and calculating. It was needless to say that Satoshi never enjoyed his lessons.
Lieutenant General Matthies and General Shiba were the best of Tokiwa's troops even before promotion. While the blonde muscle brained Matthies worked as a powerhouse, his impulsive actions were never unsupported by his will. He was a solider that you knew you could out wit but never out fight.
And although Shiba was just as brawny, he had the calm resolve of a true warrior. He never attacked without reason. And force was backed up just as efficiently with strategy as with strength.
And of course, Lady Kikuko, the kingdom's most powerful mystic. The old blind hag that King Sakaki had every right to be afraid of.
They disapproved. Every last one of them. Preposterous! Completely ill advised. An impulsive action that needed remedy. He had heard it all by now, and quite frankly Sakaki was tired of listening to it.
"What do you want me to do about it?" The King finally snapped, tired of keeping quiet while his delegates argued over his poor choices as if he weren't there. "The boy made his choice. A pikachu. A pikachu! Suppose it killed him? The kingdom of Tokiwa would be left without an heir. Civil war. Political upheaval. And that's just if we get lucky and don't get invaded after my death."
"Don't be over dramatic, milord," piped up the particularly nonchalant Kyo. "Should the boy, heaven forbid, pass from this world- the Kingdom would just naturally pass into the hands of… heavens, what's his name again? Milady's sister's…?"
"Hiroshi," grumbled Kanna.
"Ah yes. Hiroshi Nagashi. Rin's bouncing baby bastard. No harm done," Kyo took another sip of the offered tea before adding rather distastefully, "The kingdom would probably be in far more capable hands then, no offense meant, of course."
Sakaki didn't trust himself to answer.
It was no secret that Kyo disapproved of the crown prince. Kyo never sang the boy's praises. Quite the opposite in fact.
The crown prince is dull witted. No better than a servant. His servant is better fit to wear the crown. Slow, impatient, and impossible to teach. If only Kyo had been tutor to King Sakaki as well. He wouldn't have to wonder where the boy got his impossibilities from.
"I refuse to leave the crown to her family when I have a more than capable heir already."
"But sire, to leave the prince without a monster?" said Shiba warily. He was always more carefully speaking than his second in command, but no less questioning.
"Ludicrous, that's what it is. You're leaving the child wide open not only to ridicule but to attack," snapped Kanna sharply rapping her sharp knuckles against the table. "The easiest time to assassinate a rising prince is when they are not with a monster."
"So you suggest I give him a pikachu?"
"I suggest nothing," Kyo chuckled leaning back in his chair. "I wipe my hands clean of this."
"Like with most things," Kanna muttered.
"Might there be a way to protect him from the pikachu?" asked Shiba, rising an inquiring eyebrow Matthies' way. "You deal with those dangerous beasties on occasion, Matthies. What do you suggest?"
"Best protection is to avoid them," said Matthies with a wink.
Sakaki took note of the various scars lacing the man's limbs and decided to take his word on it. He knew only too well of the man's obsession with the dangerous lightening beings. Curiosity earned him the defacing scar that split from eyelid to chin.
Sakaki had his own battle scars from the mistakes he made; some he had even given to Satoshi without the boy's consent. He didn't intend for his son to end up with anymore.
"Have you tried giving the boy a different egg?" asked Kyo smugly. "He'd probably be so excited when it hatches, that he'd forget all about his silly whimsy for a pikachu."
"You all pretend to be ignorant of the boy's origins," came the low gravelly voice of Kikuko. She sat at the table's peak, directly opposite of the King. Her hands tenderly stroking the sides of the tea cup, the tea inside long since gone cold.
Her sightless empty eyes met with those of the king's as she spoke, "The boy did not ask for a pikachu by mere happenstance. His tutor has been particularly meticulous in avoiding such topics that might invoke… consequences."
Kyo huffed but said nothing. No one dared to interrupt the mystic on the rare instance she chose to speak.
Kikuko neatly plucked the spoon up off the saucer and swished the cold contents around. Three turns, two delicate clicks dislodging any leftover liquid from the spoon, and then back to the saucer again.
"The boy is remembering."
"If the boy were to remember who he is and what he's seen, he will no longer be of any use to us," said Kanna with a reproachful look in Kyo's direction.
Kyo ignored the glare.
"Who's to say he's any use to us now?" muttered Shiba, all eyes casting in his direction. He swallowed the rest of his tea and set the cup down on the saucer with a loud clank- letting the air ring with the severity of his question.
"If Satoshi remembers how to use his unique ability," continued Shiba. "It could be, without saying, the right catalyst to bring back all his memories. But without his memories, the boy is equally useless."
"Damned if we do. Damned if we don't," rumbled Matthies under his breath.
Shiba pressed on undaunted. "Our enemies have both stolen and carefully repackaged a powerful weapon that was meant to be our own. If we pull the wrong string…"
Kyo made a long exaggerated noise that sounded similar to a cannon ball smashing into the curtain wall of a castle front. Just enough kaboom to spray Kanna with spittle. She wiped her spectacles off on her tunic with certain disgust.
"I'm glad you find this so amusing, Kyo."
"Let's be honest. We don't even know if the boy can do what everyone says he can. I mean, have you ever seen this boy with monsters?" said Kyo before letting out a heartily laugh. "He rides the ponies like a jackass. Can barely get them up to a canter. He's uncoordinated. Incapable of learning even the basics of elemental conflicts. He breaks anything he touches. Injuries himself at every opportunity. Need I go on, sire?"
"No, you really needn't," King Sakaki waved his hand before placing his forehead in it. He was feeling a headache coming on.
"Well maybe you are just a poor teacher," said Kanna with a snide smile. Kyo returned one just as spiteful.
"If he stood out, exceptionally so, he would not be the one we were looking for," rebuked Kikuko. "The colorful fish is the first one caught and eaten, Kyo. Do good to remember that."
At last, Kyo pursed his lips and fell silent.
"They are right, Milord," continued Kikuko, her naked white eyeballs grotesquely fixated back on the king. "The boy needs a monster. You will have to choose one for him."
"But you don't understand. Satoshi wants a pikachu egg or no-"
"Or no egg at all. Yes, I am perfectly aware my King. Your son inherited his mother's stubborn defiance and your noble pride. He will never relent. So, you will have to force a hatchling on him."
"A hatchling?" repeated the King.
"Kikuko, you're mad. You release a terror upon our castle. A wild monster… just roaming the halls-"
"Hush Kanna," said Shiba gently taking her arm. "Hush."
"Surely there were a few… that hatched before the prince's choosing?"
"Yes, a few."
"Good. Take the most unscrupulous monster and give it to your son."
"Sire I-"
"Sit down. Kyo, Kanna. You are not being addressed."
"But Sire we must-"
"Enough. Enough of you," bellowed King Sakaki, stunning the argumentative couple into silence. "Open your ears! Kikuko has found our solution. A way to regain Satoshi's abilities without regaining his memories. Give him that monster and see that that the two of them are never out of each other's sights."
Kikuko cracked a wry but wise grin. And on that note, the meeting was dismissed. The members rose from their respectful chairs, gave the bows to whom it was due, and took leave. They filed out until only Matthies was left- feet still crossed and rudely laid upon the table.
"No son of yours shall ever be accused of being spoiled," muttered Matthies.
Instead of punishing the man like King Sakaki normally would for his impudent behavior, Sakaki laughed. And he continued laughing all the way out of the room.
Satoshi lunged, his foil poised for Hiroshi's heart. And rather easily, Hiroshi once again side stepped him, avoiding the blow completely. Although both of them had started learning fencing at the same time, Hiroshi seemed to have a knack for it. He made the complicated footwork seem natural and started glancing blows with Kyo almost immediately.
Satoshi still couldn't practice with his instructor. Most because Kyo was merciless and on top of that- didn't like him. An instructor without patience was just as bad as a student without patience. They both annoyed the other.
Hiroshi parried and took the opening between Satoshi's arm. Satoshi flung his body back, almost stumbling.
Kyo called the match.
Sighing with both irritation and exhaustion, Satoshi looked over to his instructor. Kyo looked back with equal disapproval.
"You fell out of form, crown prince."
"I did not."
"Look at your feet."
Begrudgingly, Satoshi did so. Kyo was right, his one foot slipped behind the other, but Satoshi wasn't about to say so.
"Try it again."
Satoshi turned back to Hiroshi. They held up the foils in the traditional salute. And almost immediately, Satoshi lunged. Exhaustion egged him on. Hiroshi backed up and shot his foil for the same opening.
Anticipating it, Satoshi swung his arm around, slicing at Hiroshi's tunic with the tipped end.
"Stop," called Kyo.
"Hit! Hit! I hit!" exclaimed the beleaguered Satoshi.
"Illegally," snapped his instructor. "That is not a thrust, crown prince. That was a hasty swing that nearly took off your gentleman in waiting's head."
"It would have worked in a real sword battle," said the prince. "All this fancy footwork will do no good if I am sword fighting with someone for real."
"It's to teach you balance, poise, and dignity. Things which you lack."
He nodded to Hiroshi taking the boy's foil from his hands. Hiroshi nervously stepped back.
Satoshi did not waver. "None of those matter in an emergency."
"On the contrary, my prince," He saluted. Satoshi quickly did the same.
And when Kyo moved forward to hit Satoshi's torso, he turned last minute- swinging out his leg and knocking the young prince on his back. Satoshi stared up at the sword now dangerously near his neck.
"You were the one who didn't want to play by the rules. Don't think I haven't forgotten what you did to that poor servant who decided to be your partner during our self defense instruction."
Satoshi grinned. "He had an opening."
"In street brawling, yes. But in a dignified sportily match, the crotch is not a place to aim your kicks. That's the third partner this year I've had to replace. I'll be lucky if Hiroshi even wants to bother being partnered against you and your underhanded ways in fencing anymore."
"Oh sir. I don't mind," Hiroshi said helpfully.
But if Kyo heard, he didn't let on. Instead he withdrew the foil and heavily pulled the crown prince to his feet. Kyo pulled the prince close so only he could hear, "This isn't a carnival act, boy. It's a sport. And you'd do good to follow the rules."
Then he released him. Satoshi stumbled backwards but was careful not to let any hesitation show on his face. Kyo approved the look.
"Go at it again."
But even before Satoshi could get back into position, and Hiroshi retrieve his foil- a messenger came in. He spoke in an urgent hushed whisper into Kyo's ear.
"What's going on?"
"Maybe he'll cancel today's lesson," said Satoshi hopefully.
Finally Kyo shooed the messenger off and turned to Satoshi with a smile. Satoshi was given a start, hoping the man hadn't heard him.
"I'm afraid today's lesson will have to wait, crown prince," said the smirking Kyo. The smirk didn't ease Satoshi's nerves. On the contrary, it put him quite on edge.
"It seems an early birthday present has arrived for your highness. If you will just come with me, we shall retrieve it."
He swept aside his flowing cloak, beckoning the prince and servant to follow. Both did so warily. Satoshi shot a few glances Hiroshi's way but his friend never met his eye. Hiroshi looked even more suspicious than Satoshi felt. And that didn't make Satoshi feel any better.
They entered the dank corridors. Kyo led them passed several rooms that Satoshi himself hadn't quite seen yet. Until at last the reached a small room in the curtain wall.
He opened the door and ushered them inside. Satoshi stopped dead in the doorway. Hiroshi only just squeezed past him.
Just near their feet stood a small monster on four fat legs. With a wide mouth, large ruby eyes, and green tinted skin- the monster ruffled the plant on its back and looked up at them.
"A bulbasaur!" exclaimed Hiroshi "Wow, I heard they were real rare."
"It certainly is a jewel," said Kyo. "For a hatchling."
Hiroshi who had been reaching out a hand to pet the monster, quickly withdrew. He looked back to the door, exchanging glances between Satoshi and Kyo.
"You mean it's wild?"
"My father gave me a wild bulbasaur?" said Satoshi in a low voice.
"You didn't chose an egg. So your father chose for you. A hatchling for you to take care of. I'm sure it will warm up to you in time."
The bulbasaur waddled closer to where the crown prince stood. Satoshi retreated back into the hall, shuddering. It was clear the monster terrified him. Half dinosaur, half plant- it certainly wasn't the most attractive of monsters.
His instructor smirked, "Have fun then."
He left both Hiroshi and the crown prince to figure out how to care for the wild monster. Satoshi's reaction only confirmed Kyo's opinion. In a week's time the monster would have suffered enough neglect to die peacefully.
And then no one would believe that Satoshi was anything special.
To Be Continued…
Please Read and Review!
I couldn't help myself. I love bulbasaurs. I just wanna give it a hug!
Anyways, we're slowly getting somewhere. I promise that Kasumi and Shigeru will be making an eventual appearance. Kasumi first of course.
Next time, Ash tries to live with bulbasaur. And enters Tokiwa forest looking for a pikachu nest.
GLOSSARY:
Satoshi- Ash
Hiroshi- Richie
Sakaki- Giovanni
Kikuko- Agatha
Matthies- Lt. Surge
Kyo- Koga
Kanna- Lorelei
Shiba-Bruno
Tokiwa- Viridian
Rin- Hiroshi's Mother (Original Character)
Thanks to those of you who reviewed last time: lord Martiya, Mowcat, Dreamlight, prettygirl17, HannahsaurusRex, esm8m, YumeTakato and Hero07. I really appreciate your feedback!
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