Warming Hearts
A/N: Sorry for not updating this in a while. But, I had just got Beauty and the Beast on DVD a few days ago, so that got me distracted. Also, I had been pretty busy with some other things. So, I won't make any more promises about any story updates, since I don't know when I can.
But now, let's get on with Chapter 6, since some of you have probably waited long enough. Roll it!
Chapter 6
Meeting New Friends
Ash was slumped against the cold stone wall, feeling utterly defeated, even there wasn't a Pokémon battle that took place. Pikachu, though, looked ready to zap him into oblivion as he furiously paced as best as he could on two paws in front of the distraught teen.
"PIKA-PI!" He shouted. "PIKA PIKACHU?!"
In translation, he had said, "Ash! What were you thinking?!"
Even though his Trainer winced at the volume of the angry Electric type, he didn't answer him. Pikachu stopped his red-hot glare and saw a tear glistening in the brown eyes of the 18-year-old boy. He suddenly forgot his anger and cuddled up against his legs to comfort Ash. This was not the best time to get angry at him. He had just lost his mother and now, he was a prisoner. Ash was known to never stay in one place for too long. He loves his freedom, but now it was lost to him.
Ash petted the electric rodent down his back. "Don't worry, buddy." He said as he tried to look out the tiny window from where he was sitting. "We'll get out of here, someway."
"You do know that if you do that, the deal is off." A voice piped up.
Ash immediately stood up and Pikachu got into battle stance in front of him. "Who said that?" He demanded.
The iron barred door slowly swung open, making the two suspicious. Then, the same Swinub from before appeared.
"Hi, there!" It said in a feminine voice.
Ash and Pikachu yelped in surprise and jumped back, hitting the iron side of the door. The Swinub leaped back a bit from their shock.
"W-who are you?" Ash asked.
"The name's Leona." The Swinub replied cheerfully.
"And, you can talk?!"
"Well, of course she can." Another voice called out. The three turned and saw a Prinplup that had dark brown eyes instead of blue coming up the stairs. "That's basically all she does."
Leona stuck her tongue at him, and he returned it with a glare. "That's what you say, Kenny." Leona growled.
Ash was beyond shocked. The only real talking Pokémon he knows is Meowth from Team Rocket, and he sometimes wondered if that blabbering classy cat has an off switch somewhere. And other Pokémon that he had met before during his journey were just pretending to talk in human speech. But, it was definitely certain that these Pokémon were really talking.
"O-okay." He said to Pikachu. "This is getting weird." Pikachu could only nod his head in agreement.
"Well, now that's out of the way, let us show you to your room." Leona piped up.
"My room?" Ash asked. "But, I thought-"
"Oh, don't bother what our mistress said." Leona said. "She's so dramatic and a bit of a grump."
"Your mistress?"
"Unfortunately, yes." Kenny said.
"To us, you're not a prisoner." Leona added. "You're a guest. After all, it's been so long since another person had been in this place."
Ash was still a little hesitant about this idea. "Are you sure about this?" He asked.
"Don't worry." Leona assured him. "We can handle her."
Ash looked over at Pikachu, who shrugged his shoulders with a "Pika". It couldn't hurt, could it?
A few minutes later, Leona and Kenny were leading Ash through the castle with Pikachu on his Trainer's shoulder. Right now, they were outside on the turrets, showing them the view and to avoid their mistress.
"The castle is now your home, so you can go wherever you like." Leona said.
"Except the mistress' chambers over there." Kenny pointed with his flipper towards the west side of the castle.
"Yeah, except there, unless you want her to toss you out of the window." Leona added, making Pikachu shiver with fear, but he glared at the wing with his cheeks sparking. He was making a sure point that if she wanted to hurt his best friend, she has to deal with him first.
"I wouldn't even try." Ash replied as his eyes were glued to the west wing. "Not after what she did." His tone held obvious disdain.
Leona and Kenny shared a quick glance. This wasn't going to be easy.
"Well... let's keep going, then." Kenny said, trying to ease the tension.
Soon, they were back inside and out of the growing cold. Leona and Kenny then opened a pair of doors.
"This is your room." Leona said to Ash. "It's not that fancy, but it will do."
Ash and Pikachu were in awe at the so-called simplicity of the room. Despite all of the thick dust that coated much of everything, there was a large bed with deep velvet blue sheets and white pillows. The walls were high, painted beige with silver designs all over. On one side, there was a large dark oak wardrobe; beautifully carved.
"Whoa." He breathed.
"Pika." Pikachu chirped in agreement.
"Please excuse the dust." Kenny said, examining the room. "This room hasn't been used in a while."
"I can tell." Ash replied. "Does every Pokémon that lives here talks?"
"Only the servants." Leona answered. "The wild Pokémon still speaks in their own language."
Suddenly, a wild Starly flew in through the slightly open window, chirping cheerfully. When it saw Ash, it squeaked in surprise and immediately hid behind the bed. Ash cautiously walked to the edge and saw the timid Flying type. He smiled warmly at it.
"Don't be afraid." He coaxed, slowly stretching his hand towards it. "I'm not gonna hurt you. Come on. It's okay."
Slowly, the Starly walked up to the 18-year-old boy. When it saw that he was being honest, it rubbed its feathery head against his palm, cooing.
The two cursed servants were shocked. That particular Starly wasn't that trustworthy of humans, and it was awfully shy. Yet this stranger has it in the palm of his hand with just a smile and a few gentle words.
"Hey, do you think you can help us clean up this place a bit?" Ash asked Starly.
The Starly chirped out an agreement, making Ash and Pikachu and the other two Pokémon servants smile. Ash reached into his backpack pocket and pulled out a few handkerchiefs. He then handed one to Pikachu, one to Kenny, and one to Leona, leaving the last one for himself. Together, along with Starly; who was flapping a soft Gust to blow away the dust from the furniture, the room was soon clean.
"That's more like it." Leona said, admiring the room.
Ash turned to Starly, who was right now perched on his arm. "Thanks, Starly." He said. Starly gave him a happy chirp in response, and then flew back out the window.
Seeing how Ash is kind and selfless, the small sprout of hope in the two servants' heart began to grow. But now, if only they could make him see who their mistress is inside. And if only she should be humble enough to listen.
A sudden burst of the doors opening made everyone jump. A Lopunny came in, dancing happily. But the eyes were light blue instead of a light hazel, and it had bracelets on its right wrist and left ankle.
"Leona! Kenny! Is it true that there's a boy in the castle?!" She squealed excitedly.
"Yes, it is." Kenny answered, still a little on edge from her excitement.
Leona turned to Ash while gesturing to the Lopunny. "This is Paris, the royal dress designer. Paris, this is..." she paused for a second. "Oh, silly me! We don't even know your name, kid."
"I'm Ash Ketchum." The Trainer introduced himself. "And this is my buddy, Pikachu." He petted the Electric type on the head.
The Lopunny named Paris began examining him up and down. "Let's see. Gorgeous eyes, strong arms, fit chest." Ash felt his face grow a little bit warm. No one other than his mother would really describe him like that.
Paris' eyes lit up. "Oh, I have the perfect design for an outfit just right for a young man like you, maybe even worthy of a prince. I'll be right back." She then skipped out of the room.
"Sorry about her." Kenny said.
"She was definitely... interesting." Ash answered.
Leona giggled. "That's Paris for you. Oh, I just remembered something." She began pushing Kenny towards the door. "We have to prepare some stuff. Enjoy your quarters, Ash." With that, the two left, shutting the doors behind them.
Once Ash was sure that they were gone, he rushed to the window and opened it. He and Pikachu looked down and saw that they were pretty high up. And the window was too narrow to balance on.
"Great." He said. "Now what?"
Pikachu looked around the room and saw the wardrobe. "Pika-pi!" He called, pointing to it. Ash saw the wardrobe and opened it. Inside were old clothes that were worn out and tearing in a few places. He then had an idea.
"If we both could just get down to the bottom of the tower, we can let Talonflame out and we'll fly out of here!" He exclaimed.
"Pikachu!" His partner agreed. Together, they began to tie some clothes from the wardrobe together in a rope, starting to initiate their escape.
A/N: Well, that's all for Chapter 6! I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter, we will see what's going on back in civilization. But remember, I'm not making any promises about when it will come.
I'll see y'all in Chapter 7! Please leave a review about what you think!
Got to fly! ;)
