(A/N: For those who don't know, I made a small change with the beginning credit music, which now is the track "The Legend of Ashitaka" from the movie "Princess Mononoke.")


Chapter 7: The Council

"The Council is rather similar to a Senate or House in democratic governments," Leon explained on the way. "There are seven people in all, and they are each in charge of certain areas like the military, agriculture, health care, etc."

"And what do you do?" Dawn asked.

"Well, it's best not to say it around them, but I have some higher authority over them," Leon said. "Pretty much, I'm the one who supervises and makes sure decisions are made and laws are passed. We're having an emergency meeting due to yesterday's events." Once they got to the one door, he then stopped and turned around. "Alright, listen carefully. The Council already isn't going to happy that I have you all along with me, so I'm going to do the best I can to explain. But, they cannot know why you're truly with me, so I suggest you say nothing unless they address you personally. Is that understood?"

"Yes," the three of them said. Leon then turned around and opened the door. The inside room contained many windows, allowing much light to pour in. There were paintings around the room as well as art on the ceiling and the sides of the room. In the middle of the room stood a rather long table, which held eight chairs.

There were people sitting in seven of those chairs and quickly had their eyes on the three trainers. "Okay, now that we're all here, let's get this meeting underway," Leon said, sitting down and putting on his reading glasses to look at the documents in front of him.

"Your majesty, I hope you have good reason as to why these teenagers are here," one of the councilmen said.

"Oh, I didn't already mention it?" Leon asked. "This is Ash, Dawn, and Brock, my new representatives." He then looked over and saw that the three of them were still standing. He then looked over to one of the servants in the room. "Excuse me, but I think our guests need somewhere to sit." The servant then nodded and quickly left and came back with a bunch of chairs. "Please, take a seat," Leon then said. "Now, to introduce you to the Council. This is Tyranus, the chief councilmen and in charge of the city's treasury, which I believe is still in good shape, right?"

"Indeed, your highness," Tyranus said with a nod.

"Sarah here is in charge of the agriculture, dealing with the food we eat, the shipping of products, and other things. Lazarus is in charge of the building projects. What you see here and elsewhere in the city has been because of his work and of those before him. Drebin is in charge of the main activities, such as PokeBlitz and is even the chairman of the sport. Fawn is our foreign nations analyst and has just recently returned from the Hoenn region."

"And I must add that the area is quite beautiful, as well as the other regions surrounding it," Fawn said.

"Indeed," Leon said. "Markus here is charge of the city's defenses and helps play part whether we go to war or not."

"The king usually makes the final decision," Markus explained.

"And finally, there is Vasquard, who you've already met. He is the commanding officer of the military and has been my most supporting figure since taking the throne."

"My duty is to serve, your highness," Vasquard said, bowing slightly.

"Now that we've all been introduced, we can finally get started," Leon said. "Obviously, the recent attack proves that we are under a huge threat. The question is, how do we respond? Vasquard, since this is more of a military situation, I'll let you say first what you think should be done."

"Well, it's rather obvious that this is situation is far more critical than what some might think," Vasquard said. "Yes, the attack was rather minor and could've been worse, but I fear this is far from over. I think Zion as we speak is mustering all the forces it can find and will try to take us out with one sweep. If we do not find a way quickly, this very well could be the end of Cerenia and her people."

"Fawn, while you were last in Hoenn, did you happen to see if we could get any aid?" Leon asked.

"The most they have is their police force," Fawn said. "Of course, they could send in supplies, but that could take up to a day at least and chances of them making it can sometimes be slim."

"Unless, we take the fight to them," Drebin suggested. "If we attack them on their turf, we could have the element of surprise."

"We don't even know how many of them are there," Lazarus said. "We could be easily walking into a trap."

"Right, and the main target is Zion," Tyranus said. "As long as it lives, this situation will never end. If we go there, Zion must be destroyed!"

"Easy Tyranus," Leon said. "Going there without a plan will leave us all dead. I am currently working on a way that we could end this situation altogether." He then took a glance over to where Ash, Dawn, and Brock were. "Of course, I still need some time to get this idea fully worked out. But, what we have to decide is what we're going to do for the time being."

"Well, I think Vasquard and Markus would agree with me when I say that all non-active soldiers need to be put on active duty," Sarah said.

"Of course," Vasquard said.

"Not to mention this is a rather large island," Markus said. "The city is the most important but there's always the chance they could attack from different sides. That forest is so large that there could be an army there lying in wait, and not even the Pokemon there would be able to stop them. We'll have to deploy some troops into the outside parts of the forest."

"Are you crazy!?" Lazarus almost yelled. "If there are demons in the forest they could very easily corrupt the Pokemon that live there and turn them against us. No one would be able to venture into those woods then since it would be a deathtrap."

"It was just an idea..." Markus muttered.

"Wait a minute, what about you three?" Tyranus asked Ash, Dawn, and Brock. "Surely those who are representatives of his royal majesty must have some sort of idea."

"Well, to be honest, we aren't exactly used to coming up with ideas," Ash said, smiling sheepishly.

"As for me, I'm not sure what to come up with," Brock added.

Dawn, however, sat there, deep in thought as she held Piplup in her arms. She then gasped a bit as an idea suddenly came to her. "Wait, if these so-called "demons" are planning another attack, and with larger numbers, won't that leave a large gap in their world for a certain number to sneak through?"

The Council looked at her in surprise, not only because it seemed like the perfect plan, but also because none of them had even thought of it. "You know, I think the girl may just have nailed it," Markus said.

"With a large enough force, they'll leave their defenses wide open," Lazarus said. "We could sneak in with a small force."

"It'll take more than that to defeat Zion," Vasquard said. "I think we would all know that after what happened with-" However, he stopped in mid-sentence after catching a sharp glare from Leon. "Well anyway, it will take more than that, I'm sure."

"Don't be so sure," Leon muttered low enough that no one heard. "Well, I think that will conclude our meeting for today. However, we may be one step closer to solving this situation. Councilmen, I thank you for your time." The Council then nodded and got out of their seats. "Ash, Dawn, and Brock, follow me," he then said.

"Leon," Dawn then said once they were outside the room. "Commander Vasquard was about to say something before..."

"It's nothing," Leon said. However, Dawn just gave him a look and he realized he couldn't hide it from her. "About ten years ago, there was a major battle taking place. This was when my father was still in power. We had breached the demons' garrison and were about to make the final strike. However, two soldiers who happened to be a bunch of daredevils decided to take on Zion itself by themselves. Unfortunately, it was a suicidal move as only one of them survived. But that is just another story."

"Leon, you never did mention anything about your parents..." Brock said.

Leon sighed. "No, I guess I didn't. You see, back then when I was younger, my father ruled the land as king and my mother as queen. I come from a royal bloodline of course. Anyway, about four or five years ago, my mother suddenly got sick, developed cancer. The family doctors did everything they could, but it didn't help. She only was able to last a year. My father was torn by this, and it wouldn't be long before he would pass away as well, most likely from depression, even I don't know. And, here I am now, as king and protector of this land."

"Leon, I'm so sorry," Dawn said.

"Do not worry about it," Leon said. "They are in a better place, for sure. I just wish I could do the same for my people."

"But, do you have any heirs at all?" Ash asked.

"I'm afraid not," Leon said. "I am the last surviving heir to the throne, and even my time is on the clock. We are in very dark times. But enough of that, since you will be staying here for the time being, I will have some of my servants show you to your rooms."


(A/N: Okay, I do have a song coming up here, but it's main purpose is to be background music, and you'll see why soon. I had my ideas for music, but finally decided to use this song. It's a song you should know very well, called "One More Time" by Daft Punk. If you can, try finding the real long version, like six minutes or so. You will not meet him now, but soon you will be introduced to another character who plays a major role in this story, one I think you will like very much.)

The day then passed by very quickly, soon turning into night, and one other thing the city was known for was it's large population of young adults. And for them, there was nothing better to do on a late night than going to the local club, which the city had plenty of.

Eric was making his way through the city, hoping to find the same bar he had gone to ten years ago. However, as he made his way to it, he saw that the bar had been extended into the one of many local clubs. "Great, now even my favorite bar is practically gone," Eric thought. "Whatever, the younger generation is getting bigger and I really need a drink."

He then made his way towards the club, where a guard was standing. "Sorry buddy, VIP only," the guard said.

However, this did not stop Eric. "Here, maybe this will he do," he said, walking by while pressing some bills into the guard's hand.

*Inside, the place had changed a lot. There was a huge dance floor where just about everyone was, partying the night away despite the fact the city had been attacked the night before. However, he did see what appeared to be the bar section of the club and quickly walked to it, while going through the crowd.

He quickly got looks from people, but ignored them. It wouldn't be in his best interest to cause any problems. Soon, he got to the bar area and quickly took a seat at the table. "Disaronno, on the rocks," he said to the bartender, who quickly went to get his drink.

"Eric, is that you?" He turned around and saw a man about his age with blonde hair.

"Kirk? What the hell are you doing here?" Eric said, laughing as he gave his one old friend a hug.

"Well, night was becoming kind of crappy so I decided to hit the bar as usual," Kirk said. "But seeing you here now makes the night somewhat better. How have you been? Still living up in the mountains."

"Very funny," Eric said sarcastically. "As a matter of fact, I am."

"You realize you can't be seen here," Kirk said. "Even after ten years, they'll still recognize you. Actually, if you don't mind me asking... how is it?"

"It's fine," Eric said. "Nothing's happened since that day, but I know it isn't gone."

"I see," Kirk said. "So, what are you doing down here anyway?"

"Looking for someone," Eric said as he got his drink and sipped it. He then pulled out the same photo he had been carrying for so long. "This person look familiar to you?" he added, showing it to him.

"Say, isn't that-" Kirk was about to say but Eric put a hand around his mouth.

"Shut up!" he said quietly. "Yes it is, but I can't say her name outloud, especially not here. Someone's after her and I need to get to her before they do."

"And what, you think she would be here?" Kirk asked jokingly.

"I would hope not," Eric said. "I'm sure her mother wouldn't approve of that."

"True, very true," Kirk said, agreeing. "But she isn't here, is she? I thought she was still in Sinnoh?"

"Up until now she was, apparently," Eric said. "I don't know who's after her, but I have a feeling I may know why. I need to see King Leon."

"Eric, don't be a fool," Kirk said seriously. "You know what happened and what the consequences were. Leon may be a new king, but I doubt he'd be willing to pardon you."

"That's a chance I have to take," Eric said. "If he knows where she is, he can at least protect her until I find her." He then finished the rest of his drink. "Sorry Kirk, but I can't stay in one place too long. It was good to see you again though." He was about to leave but then turned back. "Bless the Sacred Land, Cerenia."

Kirk just smiled as Eric left, remembering the old motto used back in the day. "Still loyal to your country as always, Eric," he said.


(A/N: Okay, just so everyone knows, Kirk is what I call a "one-chapter character," meaning you won't see him again. Brian was the same way. Anyway, I decided to have a Council in this because a kingdom cannot be ruled by a king alone, meaning there's a mixture of autocracy and democracy. Well, hope the chapter wasn't too boring, I really feel I need fillers in this or else this story might come up too short, literally. So until then, good night and good luck.)

FoxMcCloud7921