ALERT: I updated the end of the last chapter if you haven't checked my bio. I didn't like it. So I rewrote the ending to make it fit the story and plot.

This is a rather long chapter. Though it didn't take that long to write. And it also felt good to write.

Another thing. I have a forum! I just don't know how you guys will be able to access it... It's called "The Wolf Pack" (Generic I know). I hope through the forum that we'll be able to talk to each other and I'll be able to keep you better updated.

But with all that out of the way. Here's chapter 9. Enjoy!

Chapter 9:

The plague

Arthur ran to Ana's side and sat next to her. "Hey hey. It's alright. It's going to be alright," Arthur said worried. First his father and now it's Ana and her aunt. He looked at how her pink fur began to slowly fade into a darker shade and how her right foreleg turned brown from the tip of her paw all the way up to her shoulder. Arthur lifter her into his forelegs and held her so he could look at her.

Ana shook violently and looked up at Arthur. Even though Arthur knew she was hurting, Ana managed to smile. "Looks like your father isn't the only one," Ana said coughing.

"Don't talk. Save your breath," Arthur said rocking back and forth. Donnie sat between Dawn and Ana with an extremely worried look.

"Arthur. You said this happened to your father right? Are you sure they couldn't find a way to cure this. There has to be a way!" Donnie pleaded.

Arthur looked at the begging father who would switch between checking his daughter and his sister. "No. There wasn't a way. They said they didn't have a cure," Arthur said drooping his head low. Tears began to form in Donnie's eyes. Arthur looked over to Mrs. Peters who was crying her heart out in front of her daughter.

"There has to be a way… there has to be…" Donnie said bursting out crying. Arthur never thought he would see the stubborn man cry. He couldn't blame him. Everything seemed so impossible. Arthur thought he had found someone he could talk to. Someone that even after Arthur's insults, still had a smile on their face. Even now Ana was still smiling. But the last thing Arthur wanted to do was smile. He felt like now that he found this certain person the world was going to take them away from him. He couldn't fathom the idea.

This can't happen. I won't let it happen! Arthur thought before saying, "Mr. and Mrs. Peters. Take care of these two for now. I need to find the origin of this plague." Arthur gave Ana to her mother's embrace gently. Arthur walked over to Dawn and asked, "Dawn. I know this hurts. But you have to tell me where the wepear berries are."

Dawn struggled to move, but managed to say, "T-there in a cabinet closest to the back door i-in the kitchen." Donnie lifted his sister into his forelegs and held her gently.

Arthur got up and walked over to the kitchen. It was large and well organized. He saw a cabinet next to the back door and walked over to it. He opened the cabinet and saw many different types of berries inside. He looked for the wepear and found it at the bottom of the cabinet. He grabbed it and placed it on the counter behind him. He used his claw to slice it open. The inside looked perfectly fine. Arthur took a small piece on the tip of his claw and inspected it carefully. After tasting the pie and inevitably coughing it out he did not want to try it again. But Arthur knew he needed to figure this out. He slowly brought the claw towards his maw and put the small piece of the berry in his mouth. Though he feared he would have the same reaction as the first time. The berry tasted fine. This confused Arthur. "Maybe another ingredient was in the pie," Arthur thought walking back to the Peters. He sat beside Dawn again and asked, "Miss Dawn. I'm sorry to bother you again. But I need to know what ingredients were in that pie."

"M-mainly wepear berries, bread, some flour, some sugar, and a l-little bit of salt," Dawn said stuttering.

"Are you sure that's it? Those exact ingredients?" Arthur asked. He knew that bread, flour, sugar, and salt were main ingredients for a lot of different meals in the kingdom. So it couldn't possibly be those or the kingdom would've been in chaos already. Arthur thought curiously.

"W-well. If it means anything. I used the juices of the seeds inside the w-wepears in the recipe as well to add a little bit more flavor," Dawn said coughing.

The seeds? It couldn't be… Arthur thought dashing back into the kitchen. He ran to the counter where the berry was. He cut it down to the core where the seeds were and pulled one out. He looked at it carefully and split the middle of it open with the tip of his claw. As soon as the seed was opened juices flowed out onto the counter. Nothing looked wrong with the liquids. But inside the seed was a small brown sphere. He ripped it out of the wepear and looked at it. It felt rough and it felt like it was pulsating. Arthur took a deep breath and cursed himself for what he was about to do next. He place the sphere in his mouth and tasted it. He immediately spit it back out coughing hard. He collapsed to the ground and clenched his throat. Blast you Scourge! Arthur thought trying to stand up.

He shook the feeling out of him and knew he had to alert the royal guard as soon as possible. But before he did he looked at the cabinet full of the berries and saw a lum berry. He pulled it out and cut it down to the core where the seed lied. He pulled it out and cut it open. Arthur froze as he saw another brown, pulsating sphere inside the seed. It can't be… Arthur thought as he repeated the same process with the other berries. Each one's seed had a brown, pulsating sphere inside. "Fuck!" Arthur said realizing that all the berries had been infected.

He ran outside of the kitchen where the family of four was still mourning. "I have to go! All of the berries in the kingdom have been infected. I need to warn the royal guard about it as soon as possible. But I promise I will do whatever it takes to find a cure for this. I promise!" Arthur said quickly.

Donnie stared at Arthur for a few seconds before nodding. "Please hurry," Mrs. Peters said holding Ana.

Arthur looked at the leafeon who was smiling at him. "Go," she silently gestured with her mouth. Arthur nodded and ran towards the door. He burst out of the shop and into the streets where he got looks of shock and confusion.

"Prince Arthur! You think you can just leave the castle for a few hours without telling anyone where you were going!" Master Henry yelled. Arthur saw the bisharp walking over to him with pissed off look. Other members of the guard were following him annoyed.

"Master Henry! I need your he-"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear it! You're coming back to the castle this instant!" Master Henry yelled again getting the attention of everyone around them.

"But-"

"I said be quiet and come here now!" Master Henry said.

Arthur's anger built up quickly. There's no time! Arthur thought.

"Hurry up bo-"

"Shut up and listen to your prince captain!" Arthur roared getting everyone's attention. Master Henry stared at him with surprise. "In fact! Everybody listen to me! The berries are poisoned! The Scourge have infected them with some kind of small brown rock! Tell everyone and anyone to stop eating the berries!" Arthur yelled. He thought that he had made his point clear and had hoped the people would listen. But instead he heard laughter. And lots of it.

"Prince Arthur please. Don't be so ridiculous. The Scourge could not have possibly have gotten into the kingdom. The walls are watched carefully everyday. No one gets in or out without the guards knowing. Now let's go," Master Henry said walking over to Arthur. He didn't know about Arthur's father.

Arthur's anger boiled to a breaking point. THERE'S NO TIME! Arthur raged in his mind. He felt a power deep inside burning up. Suddenly Arthur's body lit ablaze. "LISTEN TO ME NOW! THE BERRIES ARE INFECTED! I DEMAND YOU TO FIND ANY OF THEM AND DESTROY THEM OR SO HELP ME I'LL BURN THIS KINGDOM TO THE GROUND UNTIL NOT ANOTHER BERRY EXISTS!" Arthur roared angrily. The people stared at him with fear before scrambling into their homes. Master Henry backed up as Arthur approached the captain and his subordinates. "Well captain? Why are you still standing there? MOVE!" Arthur barked. Master Henry and the other members ran in several directions calling out orders to soldiers left and right. The blaze that lit Arthur's body faded away and left Arthur wondering where it came from. Can't worry about that now! Arthur thought running to the castle. On his way there he saw many citizens running around quickly with berries in their paws and hands.

The castle came into sight and Arthur knew who he had to find. Master Brandon! Arthur ran into the gardens and looked around. He saw a group of servants and maids gathered around the counselor at the center of the garden. He ran to the group quickly.

Master Brandon saw Arthur's approach as did the servants and maids. "P-prince Arthur. I'm glad your back," Master Brandon stuttered.

Arthur walked up to the counselor and said, "Brandon. I need your help. Find some of our best doctors and scientists and bring them to the dining hall as fast as possible."

Master Brandon looked confused and asked, "What has happened?"

"A plague. I'll explain later. For now do what I told you and hurry," Arthur said. Master Brandon still looked confused but nodded anyways and ran into the castle. Arthur turned to the servants and maids staring at him and noticed Belle was also in the crowd. "As for the rest of you. Find all the berries in the castle and bring them to the dining hall. Do not eat any of them or you'll become infected to. Tell the others inside and stop anyone from eating them understood?" Arthur said looking around.

The people around him bowed and ran into the castle. Belle also bowed and began to run before Arthur grabbed her arm. "No. I need your help. Take me to where the berries are grown," Arthur said letting go of her arm.

She looked shocked before nodding and running in a certain direction. Arthur followed her through the gardens and back into the city. They ran pass the buildings and pass many other pokemon running around. This is chaos! Arthur thought as the kingdom had turned from peaceful and still to loud and unstable. This is exactly what they wanted! Arthur thought following Belle into a field of berries. She stopped breathing heavily. Arthur walked to her side and patted her on the back. "Thank you Belle. I want you to return back to the castle as soon as you are able to and help gather the berries," Arthur said walking into the fields.

He walked through the fields inspecting each plant carefully. He walked over to a grown plant and pulled it out of the ground. It was an oran berry. He cut it open and pulled out the seed. He split it and saw another small brown, pulsating sphere. He cursed underneath his breath. He threw it to the ground. Flamethrower. He inhaled the air before expelling fire from his mouth onto the berries. He turned in circles creating a massive blaze. He ran through the fields breathing fire on everything he passed making sure no berry was left untouched. He continued to do this until he was done running through the fields. He looked around to check if the he had gotten everything.

He froze in place as he saw a brown, distorted figure in the midst of the inferno facing him. Arthur looked closely and realized it was an arcanine like him. Arthur felt that burning power rise again as his body lit ablaze.

The Scourge arcanine slowly began to walk towards Arthur. Arthur responded with doing the same. The Scourge arcanine picked up the pace making Arthur do the same and before he knew it they were running towards each other. "COME ON!" Arthur roared as their bodies clashed against each other. The force from the Scourge arcanine body was immense and sent Arthur flying backwards. But before Arthur hit the ground he noticed he had also sent the Scourge arcanine flying as well. They both hit the ground hard. Arthur saw his vision blur for a few seconds. He pulled himself up off the ground and dashed towards the Scourge arcanine who was still struggling to get up. But before Arthur was able to reach the him. He got up and leapt out of the way with lightning speed. As soon as Arthur flew by the monster slammed its head into Arthur's side sending him flying. Arthur hit the ground hard again and felt the air push out of his lungs.

He gasped for air as the Scourge arcanine ran towards him with incredible speed. Oh no you don't! Eruption. The ground beneath Arthur burst out in flames that shot high making the Scourge arcanine jump back. Arthur saw the opportunity and took it. Flame charge. Arthur's body became a flame and with amazing speed shot into the Scourge arcanine sending him flying. Arthur saw it hit the ground hard. It struggled to get up but Arthur wouldn't let it have the chance. He ran towards the Scourge arcanine.

Before the Scourge arcanine was able to react Arthur tackled him to the ground and they both fought to get over each other. Arthur found footing and used it to pin the Scourge arcanine to the ground. The monster fought against Arthur. But he wasn't able to do anything as Arthur held him in place. Arthur lifted his head and inhaled. INFERNO OVERDRIVE. Arthur breathed a powerful, immense stream of fire onto the Scourge arcanine. The ground cracked beneath them as Arthur continued to unleash fire onto the Scourge. After a few more seconds passed Arthur stopped the fire coming from his maw. The Scourge beneath him had been completely burned and melted in some places. The ground that Arthur had pinned him against had turned into a massive black crater. The Scourge arcanine twitched and Arthur noticed he, "it" was still breathing. "Good. I need you alive," Arthur said. He lifted himself off the Scourge arcanine and the fire that engulfed him vanished.

"Prince Arthur! Prince Arthur where are you!" Master Henry called out.

"I'm over here!" Arthur called back. He saw jets of water put out the inferno he had created. As the smoke of the fire cleared he saw a group of people and soldiers including Master Henry walking towards him. As they approached Arthur they noticed the crater and looked with disbelief.

"What in Arceus's name…" a male empoleon said.

"Bring this 'thing' to the castle. Keep it alive. It's got some answering to do," Arthur said walking towards the castle. The pokemon stepped out of his way whispering. What is this? Arthur thought trying to understand what he had done back there.

O O O

Arthur stood looking himself in the mirror. Any injury he had sustained from the battle with the Scourge arcanine had healed incredibly fast. He took a deep breath and said, "Okay Arthur. Time to go figure this out." He walked towards the door and out into the halls of the castle making his way to the dining room. He thought of all the things that had occurred in the past two days. What he had done within those two days. He knew the people had questions and the counselors had even more. This was his problem now and Arthur planned to make things right.

"Prince Arthur. Wait up," Belle said from behind him.

"What is it Belle?" Arthur asked as the mienshao caught up to him.

"I wanted to know something. Remember that lum berry juice tea I gave you this morning. If all the berries had been infected. Then how did you not become plagued?" Belle asked.

Arthur stopped and remembered the tea he had that morning. It didn't taste bad or disgusting like the pie he had tasted earlier. In fact. If he thought the taste was awful enough to make him cough out blood. Then how did Ana or Dawn not notice the taste? "I don't know. It tasted fine this morning. Did you put the juice from inside the seed inside the tea?" Arthur asked.

"I did," Belle responded.

"Did you notice a brown sphere inside the seed?" Arthur asked.

"I didn't check. I just split it and just dumped the juice out," Belle said.

"I don't know then. Hmm. Well. For now I must attend the meeting. We'll talk about this later," Arthur said continuing to walk down the hall.

"Yes my prince," Belle said following him.

They turned a corner and saw a large group of servants, maids, and citizens looking into the dining hall. They walked over to the doors hearing lots of talking coming from inside. The people noticed Arthur's approach and moved out of the way creating a path for him into the dining hall. Belle stayed behind with the other maids. In the middle of the table laid a pile of berries stacked upon each other. The crowd from inside fell silent as Arthur walked over to the head of the table where his father was supposed to be. He approached the empty seat and sighed. He sat in the chair where everyone was staring at him. "This meeting is now in session. Due to my father's illness he cannot attend. And since both my sister and my mother are attending to him I will be the taking their place for now. Tell me counselors. What have we discovered about this plague?" Arthur asked.

"Well. From what we have observed the orbs lying inside the seeds of the fruits contain some sort of dark blue liquid. This liquid seems to be pulsing almost like a beating heart in a way. As much as it disgusts us we would like to assume this is some kind of blood. And after talking with the people who have been affected with this plague. They tell us that when they tasted the berries that they tasted normal. They didn't notice any weird taste," Master Brandon said.

Blood? What kind of blood persists after leaving the body? Arthur thought. "Hmm. How many people have been affected by the plague?" Arthur asked fearing the answer.

The counselors whispered amongst each other before a female purugly stood up and said, "There are currently five hundred thousand residents between the castle and the inner walls and two and a half million living between the inner walls and the outer walls. From reports by the royal guard. Over two million and one hundred thousand residents have been affected in total." Gasps and talk rang through the room. The groups inside the doorways shuffled worriedly.

"Enough!" Arthur yelled throughout the room making sure all heard his voice. All eyes were on him again. "Have we found a cure?" Arthur asked.

"No your majesty. The blood only infects the host. It cannot be reversed," Master Brandon said depressingly.

Arthur closed his eyes and looked up to the ceiling. He opened them and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before saying, "Alright. Bring in the Scourge." Some guards on the opposite end of the table blocking a door pulled it open. Master Henry and a few other guards dragged the burnt monster who was in chains across the ground and slammed him to the floor in front of the table. They held spears next to its neck and legs. The groups and the counselors all began to gasp and whisper in disbelief.

"What happened to it?" a male toxicroak asked.

"I did," Arthur said getting off the chair and walking down the length of the table. As he walked by he heard more whispers some shocked and others saying that it wasn't possible. He reached the front of the table and stood in front of the burnt monster. "Can you speak beast?" Arthur asked coldly.

The Scourge arcanine said nothing and instead spit at Arthur. Arthur walked closer to the monster and put his paw on its back. His paw heated up quickly and started to burn the Scourge's back. It began to screech in pain. Others around Arthur winced at the sound but Arthur held steady. "You did this to our kingdom. You. Will. Speak," Arthur said at the beast as he heated his paw up some more. Arthur let the monster cry out for a few more seconds and then took his paw off the Scourge beast.

The Scourge arcanine breathed heavily. It then started to make this deep cackling. So that's how it's going to be. Arthur thought annoyed. "Captain Henry? Cut its leg off," Arthur asked.

"It would be my honor," the bisharp said using one of the blades on its wrists to swiftly cut off the Scourge's left hind leg. The beast bellowed in pain as light blue blood began to gush out. Arthur looked at it and became curious. "So you bleed light blue blood but not dark blue. So it isn't your blood in the berries. Then whose is it?" Arthur asked.

The Scourge arcanine cackled again before saying in a broken voice, "Yoouur p-peopleee aare d-doooomeed. Oonly thee truue bloood o-of thee beeast whoo suppplied it caan curee yoour peeoplee."

"And whose the beast who supplied it?" Arthur demanding stomping on the wound where the Scourge's leg used to be. It hollered in pain again. The groups in the doorways all watched in horror.

"Thee greeat Titan Zulev!" the beast yelled cackling hard.

Cries and talk bursted out in the room. Arthur froze. A titan's blood. Arthur thought fearfully. From what Arthur remembered in his lessons with Master Brandon. Titan's were great, giant Scourge beasts that held enormous amounts of power. No Titan had ever been killed before and for good reason. The other thing that frightened Arthur was he knew who Zulev was. Everyone did. The Titan that haunted the west mountains outside of the kingdom's borders. And now they needed it's blood to save the people who were plagued. "I see. Master Henry. Take this 'thing' out of my sight. Treat him well will you. Make sure he's comfortable in the dungeons," Arthur said in a deep voice.

"Of course your majesty," Master Henry said bowing before dragging the beast out of the dining hall and back through the doors where they pulled him from.

Arthur sighed and turned around to the arguing counselors. "Quit your bitching!" Arthur demanded.

"Then what should we do prince Arthur? We can't challenge Zulev. We'd be slaughtered within minutes," a female pidgeot said. The other counselors nodded and agreed with the pidgeot.

Arthur sighed and walked back towards the head of the table. "I understand the situation," Arthur said stopping in his tracks. Though Arthur understood the situation. He did not know how to solve it. Killing a Titan was not something a group of people could just do. So how in the world are we going to get its blood? Arthur questioned in his head. Another thought came into his mind at that same moment. Ana. Arthur remembered the leafeon. How the gorgeous color of her fur darkened. How her right foreleg became brown. How she smiled even when she was in pain. Arthur needed to see her.

"Then what are we going to do?" Master Brandon asked.

"We'll come back to this tomorrow. It's been a busy day for all of us. Counselors. I want new berries planted. Check them first before planting. Send food out to sick and make sure they are taken care of," Arthur commanded the counselors. He turned to one of the soldiers and said, "I want the royal guard to double their efforts. Keep a watchful eye on anything that comes in and anything that goes out. I also want the city searched. Every nook and cranny. Leave no stone unturned. We can't afford another situation like this. Am I clear?"

"Yes your majesty!" the soldier said bowing.

"Good. This meeting is now dismissed," Arthur said walking towards the door.

"Wait my prince. Before you go. How did you hurt the beast so bad? We heard rumors from some of the people. But we hardly believed they were true," a female asked behind Arthur.

"Plus. Any Scourge beast is a formidable opponent," a male said.

"I burned him. That's all," Arthur said walking away hearing more questions behind him. He chose to ignore them and continued to walk away.

"My prince," Master Brandon said walking beside Arthur. "Where are you going? Your quarters are the other way."

"I know. I'm going to see the sick… and a friend…" Arthur said thinking about Ana.

"I see. My prince. I'm sorry about telling you to stay away from that girl. I thought it best for you not to get too attached due to you being a prince and she being someone new from Conter Valley. I see now that I was in the wrong. I hope you can forgive me," Master Brandon said.

"There's nothing between us counselor and there never will be. Even if there was. All is forgiven," Arthur said.

"I see," Master Brandon said taking a right down another hallway. Before he vanished out of sight he turned around and said, "And prince Arthur. I just want you to know that I'm proud of you. And I know your father would be proud of you as well for what you did and how you acted today. I see now that you possess the qualities of a king."

Arthur closed his eyes and said, "No. I'm sorry Master Brandon. But I am no king and I never will be. From now on your lessons must go to my sister. She must be the one to sit on that throne. Not me." Arthur walked away not waiting for the counselor to respond. I can never be king. Arthur thought.

O O O

Arthur walked through the city where the mood had grown foul and depressed in the night. He visited many houses on his way to the Peters shop. The people who had been plagued had already lost hope. And their families had already begun to mourn them. It hurt Arthur to see the people like this. There had never been such an infiltration before. Especially in the food. It sickened him to think that the Scourge had used blood to plague the kingdom. He continued to walk towards the inner walls exchanging quick glances with people here and there.

After walking for another ten minutes Arthur had reached the shop. It looked so still and dead. Ironic. Arthur thought shaking it out of his head. He walked over to the door and knocked on it softly. After a few seconds Mrs. Peters came down the stairs and walked over to the door. She unlocked it and pushed the door open. She had tears in her eyes.

"Hello prince Arthur…. I suppose you've come to see Ana?" Mrs. Peters asked.

"I have. If it's alright with you?" Arthur asked.

She nodded and stepped out of the way saying, "Ana and her aunt aren't doing to good. Please be quick so they can rest."

"I will. Thank you," Arthur said walking towards the stairs. He walked up and towards the door where Ana's name was. He took a deep breath before opening the door. The room was dimly lit and a leafeon laying under a blanket was looking at him.

She smiled and said, "Hey. Come to mama to shake off some tears again?"

Arthur chuckled and walked over to her. "Something like that," he said sitting to the side of her bed.

"Thought so," Ana said quietly.

"I have good news and bad news Ana. Good news. We know how to cure this," Arthur said.

"Great. What's the bad news?" Ana said.

Arthur looked down feeling sadness engulf him. "The bad news is… we need Zulev's blood to make it," Arthur said grimly.

"Who's Zulev?" Ana asked.

"Really? Wow. The people of Conter Valley have a lot to catch up on. Zulev is a Titan. A really big Titan," Arthur said looking at her.

"What's a Titan?" Ana asked giggling softly.

"Oh come on," Arthur said laughing quietly.

"Don't worry. I know what a Titan is," Ana said laughing before coughing hard. Arthur placed his paw on her shoulder.

"Easy. You should get some rest," Arthur said.

"I know. It's just hard. I wish I could've lived longer that's all," Ana said laying her head on the pillow with tears in her eyes.

"Hey. Don't say that. We'll find a way. I promised we would," Arthur said.

"Arthur. Nothing has ever killed a Titan before. It's okay," Ana said.

Arthur felt his body begin to tremble. I can't lose you… Arthur thought. Suddenly an idea came to his mind. He looked at his paw. He remembered how his body had lit on fire hours earlier. He remembered how he produced a crater from fire alone. He remembered how his body had healed incredibly fast. Arthur felt something surge in him. I won't lose you! Arthur thought looking at Ana. "Ana. I want you to promise you'll do your best to hold on until I get back," Arthur said.

"What do you mean?" Ana asked looking at him.

He smiled before saying, "I made a promise that I would find a cure. I intend to keep that promise. Even if it kills me. Even if I have to fight thousands of Scourge. Even if I have to tear out Zulev's heart myself. I will bring his blood back and I will save you and this kingdom."

Ana stared at him wide eyed. "No. Don't say such a crazy thing. Stay here," Ana said.

"I cannot. My mind has been made up. I would be no help if I stayed. And even if I attend the meeting and the next and so forth. They will not know what to do. I have to do this. No one else can. It's my burden. The people already hate me. So if I die. Then nobody will care. And I'll die knowing that I tried," Arthur said.

"I'LL CARE!" Ana yelled clenching her head. Arthur rubbed her shoulder. "I'll care damn you. I don't want you to die trying to save me. Please Arthur. Don't do this," Ana pleaded looking at him with tears in her eyes.

Arthur smiled and patted her head. "I'm sorry Ana," Arthur said turning towards the door and walking away.

"No! Arthur… please don't go…" Ana begged behind him. He heard her begin to cry behind him.

Arthur walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. At the end of the hall was Donnie staring at him with tears in his eyes. "That 'thing' will kill you Arthur. Are you willing to sacrifice that much for her?" Donnie asked.

"It doesn't matter how much I lose. I'll die if I have to," Arthur said.

"Are you really so stupid? It's a suicide mission. I knew my daughter liked you the minute she met you. I made you promise to me to stay away from her. That doesn't mean I want you to go kill yourself god damn it," Donnie barked.

"I have to do this Mr. Peters. Nothing will change my mind," Arthur said walking for the stairs.

As he made his way down he heard Mr. Peters yell, "Then forward unto death Arthur Drachen!"

Arthur reached the bottom of the stairs and walked towards the door. I'll save you Ana. I promise. Arthur said walking out the door. But first. I need supplies. Arthur thought running to the castle.

O O O

Arthur packed food and water from the kitchen in a satchel he grabbed from his room. He made sure not to be seen by anyone on his way through the city. No one could know he was leaving. They would most likely try to stop him. So he wore a cloak over himself and kept to the shadows. At times like this he wished he was a dark type pokemon or even a ghost type could have helped. But he had to work with being a fire type. So he was silent as he could be as he walked through alleys between the houses. He was grateful for the night that hid him from the royal guard patrolling the roads. This also proved a problem. He had told the royal guard to keep a sharp eye on anyone that came in and anyone that left. That meant he had to somehow get pass the royal guard without them following him. How? Arthur thought.

"You need help yes?" a voice came from behind him. Arthur whipped around and noticed an old lucario wrapped in a hooded cape that hid his body from sight leaving his face barely visibly. The lucario smile and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you prince Arthur. My name is Vincent. I assume you're trying to find a way out of the inner walls without getting spotted am I right?"

"What is is to you? And how did you know where to find me?" Arthur asked cautiously.

Vincent looked at the wall. "There is no need to worry prince Arthur. I am just a wise old man simply trying to help you on your journey. Come now. We must not waste any more time as it waits for no one," Vincent said walking towards the streets.

"We'll get caught if we go out that way," Arthur said.

Vincent stopped. He turned his head and said, "Arthur. These people are dying. Ana is dying. Your only way of saving them is by using Zulev's blood to cure them. If you wish to see them live. You have to trust me."

Arthur had no idea who this guy was or how he knew about Ana. As much as he did not want to trust Vincent. He had no other plans of getting pass the wall and the guards. He had to take this chance. Arthur walked to the side of Vincent. The lucario nodded. Together they walked out into the streets and started to make their way towards the gate.

A patrol was walking towards the direction they were coming from. Arthur kept his head down as he watched the patrol walk by the two without saying a word. Weird. Arthur thought as he continued to walk with Vincent towards the gate. There were at least four guards watching it. Two facing the castle and the other two in the opposite direction. Arthur looked to Vincent who had a smile on his face. Arthur also noticed a glow in the eyes of the lucario. What are you up to? Arthur thought. They began to walk through the gate and as they did the four guards keeping watch didn't even budge. Arthur thought they were just stupid. But they looked as serious as they could be. Arthur and Vincent walked out of the gate to the outer walls like they were completely invisible.

"How?" Arthur quietly asked.

"Do not worry about it prince Arthur. I told you I simply wanted to help you make your journey. I plan to do just that," Vincent said while Arthur followed him.

"You have a lot of explaining to do old man," Arthur said.

"I know. I will try to answer to the best of my abilities," Vincent said.

Arthur took a glance back at the kingdom believing he might never see it again. He thought about his family. He thought about Ana. He wishing he could've told all of them a proper goodbye. But he knew they would try to stop him if he did. Ana proved that. But Arthur's mind had already been made up. He could not, would not turn back now. He had to save his people. He had to save Ana. I'm coming for you Zulev.

Wow. That took forever. Glad that I'm done though.

I knew a long chapter was coming. I just didn't realize it would be this long. But when you got something going you can't stop (Unless it starts to become bad).

But as always. Criticism and reviews are appreciated. See ya.

"Make the leap" - Nice Guy Wolf