Chapter 2

It was a long morning after the Rattata's misadventure.

Cinderella, Valiant, Rose, Ariel, Bella, Rex, and Mikey worked overtime as they juggled between recleaning the house and stables, washing the breakfast dishes, and getting everyone dressed and ready for the day. By the time Patricia, Sabrina, and their mother left for town, the Rattata were left with cleaning half the house from top to bottom. As the Rattata worked, Valiant started everyone's lessons.

This morning's lessons were music, posture, and dancing. This morning, Cinderella and her Pokémon sang to "Cherri Blossom Blooms" while she played the violin, Ariel played the piano, Rex played the cello, Valiant played the flute, and Bella played the harp. They had been practicing this for two months and the Pokémon could now sing it in human.

After their music lesson, they practiced walking and posture of nobility and practiced waltzing. In finishing school, Cinderella was at the top of her class as well as Ariel, Bella, Rex, and Mikey. Rose never went to finishing school as she wasn't even born yet at the time. However, she learned quickly over the last few months. She now knew how to stand, walk, dance, talk, and eat like a proper lady.

After taking a break for lunch, Valiant took the Pokémon outside for their battle training. Ariel, Bella, Rex, and Mikey had years of battle experience and were all quite strong. Rose wasn't as strong as the others when it came to fighting, but she was very good at defense. In fact, she found she could fight and dodge better when she danced.

While Valiant practiced with some advanced training with Ariel, Bella, Rex, and Bella, Cinderella and Rose rode off with Jamie for a little free time. They crossed the bridge over the creek and rode into the nearby forest.

They had been to this forest many times. They often came to explore and play here. It was their secret getaway to a whole new world. A world without a mean stepmother and stepsister. A world where they were explorers, princesses, and anything else besides servants.

Most of all, it was the place they first met.

The day after Cinderella's father left, her stepmother's bullying had become too much for her that she fled into the forest in despair. While crying under a tree, Cinderella found a thin, sickly Flareon wearing a gold pendant on a chain and with a newly hatched Eevee. The Flareon's name was Ruby and she already dying. She begged Cinderella to take care of her baby for her, giving the Eevee her pendant.

Feeling sorry for them, Cinderella took the baby Eevee home with her and raised her as her own, nicknaming her after her favorite flower, the rose. Cinderella and her Pokémon had secretly buried Rose's mother next to the graves of Cinderella's mother and her Sylveon. The two of them often went back to visit their mothers and talk with them. And of course, they hid Rose's pendant from the stepmother.

Rose had become Cinderella's reason to not give up hope. She had given her the heart to move forward and continue on through all their hardships.

They found the tree where they first met and sat under it. Jamie laid down next to them, relaxing in the shade.

"Cinderella, are we still going to the Perfect Princess Contest tomorrow?" asked Rose.

"Yes, we will," Cinderella replied.

"But, Ella," said Jamie, worried, "What if your stepmother and Patricia see you?"

Cinderella smiled. "They won't know we're there. We'll be in disguise and I'll wear a mask at all times. Remember how I've been competing in the Pokemon League Championships these last few months?"

"Uh, yeah," said Jamie, "You've been doing that for some time, but they've never seen you yet."

Cinderella smiled, "If no one recognizes me as the Masked Maiden, then they won't."

The Masked Maiden.

That was the name given to Cinderella outside her home. She was well-known throughout the kingdom for getting so far in the Pokémon League, but no one knew who she was. She always wore a mask to hide her face so her stepfamily couldn't recognize her. Just in case they did see her.

"Okay," said Rose, "What are the performances going to be?"

"They could be anything." said Cinderella, "A Pokémon battle, a waltz, even a race. You never know. But the last performance is always a freestyle performance, meaning you can do whatever you want in five minutes."

"So what happens if you win?" asked Rose, "Do we win something?"

"A prize money of 10,000 Poké and lunch for two with a nobleman of the royal court."

Rose smiled. "Lunch with someone sounds like fun!"

Just then, Jamie jumped to her hooves. "Oh, Ella! Look!"

Cinderella and Rose looked at what Jamie just saw. Something was stumbling in the distance with two caped figures. It was another Rapidash accompanied by a man and a Grovyle. This Rapidash was a shiny with a silver mane, but it was hardly burning. It was carrying another man in hunting clothes and an Umbreon slumped over it's back.

Cinderella recognized this man as her friend Philip. Both the Umbreon and Rapidash were his Pokémon, Alex and Lacy. All of them looked weak and ruffled like they had been in a fight and lost. Cinderella had no idea who the other man was or the Grovyle.

"Help… Bandits…" wheezed Lacy, "We've been poisoned..."

Lacy only walked two paces before she collapsed. Philip and Alex came tumbling down with her. The Grovyle and his master quickly knelt down to help them, clearly worried.

"Oh no, Cinderella, they're hurt!" cried Rose.

"Philip!" cried Cinderella.

Cinderella got to her feet and rushed over with Rose and Jamie. The man and his Grovyle noticed Cinderella and her friends as they approached. This man was wearing a black cape, a hat, and a mask that hid his identity from view.

"You know him, Miss?" asked the man.

"Yes, sir." said Cinderella, "I'm Duchess Ella Livingston. I'm a friend of Philip's."

"What's going on?" called a voice.

Cinderella jumped and whipped her head around. Valiant was standing behind her along with Ariel, Rex, Mikey, and Bella. The Lucario stared around at the scene in front of him.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Valiant, they need help!" said Cinderella.

"Please help us." pleaded the man, "We've been ambushed by bandits. My apprentice's Pokémon have been poisoned."

Valiant's face turned grim. "Ariel, teleport us back to the house. They need to be treated immediately. Jamie, run back and tell the other Pokémon to keep a lookout for bandits."

Jamie dashed away quickly. Ariel's eyes glowed as she concentrated. There was a flash of light and the group found themselves in the living room of Cinderella's house. Philip was laid down in one of the two armchairs near the fireplace. Alex, Lucy, and the Grovyle were set down close to the fireplace, which Rex lit up with Flamethrower.

"Please, draw the curtains." said the Grovyle, "We mustn't be seen."

Cinderella was surprised to hear the Grovyle talk human speech, but she and Ariel quickly drew the window curtains, making the room dark. Rex lit the chandelier candles to brighten the room. Bella lit up her ears and tail ball with Flash to further light up the room.

With the windows covered, the man removed his cape, hat, and mask to reveal a middle-aged man. He had greying black hair, a thick beard and mustache, and round green eyes were gentle, yet resilient. He wore the clothes of nobility and a sword embroidered with the kingdom's royal crest hung on a scabbard from his belt. The man went to the other armchair near the fireplace and sat down.

Cinderella, Bella, and Ariel hurried to the kitchen. They prepared a tub of warm water, some tea made of medicinal herbs and berry juice, and clean bandages. They then returned to the living room quickly. Valiant was trying to slow down the poison's effects with Heal Pulse.

Cinderella gave out the tea to their guests. "Here, drink this. It will help you."

The Pokémon all smelled the tea, which smelled good. They all took a sip. Cinderella and Bella held up Lucy's and Alex's cups of tea to help them drink more easily. They were surprised that it tasted really sweet. Philip's mentor and the Grovyle also drank some tea. The purple tinge disappeared from Lucy's and Alex's faces as the tea cured their poisoning. In just a moment, Alex and Lucy were already sitting up, reenergized.

"Alex!" chirped Rose as she snuggled him.

"Are you two alright?" asked Valiant, "How do you feel?"

"I feel great," said Alex, surprised.

"So do I!" said Lucy.

"What is this tea?" asked the Grovyle, "It tastes really good."

"It's a medicinal tea my mistress made herself." said Valiant, "Traditional medicines are bitter, but if you mix them with certain berries, it will cut down the bitterness without decreasing the effects."

Cinderella could now check over Philip. His jacket sleeve was torn and his arm had a cut near the shoulder. Thankfully, it was just a scratch. Removing Philip's jacket and rolling up his sleeve, Cinderella gently cleaned and bandaged his wounds.

She looked at this face as she nursed his injuries. Philip was a handsome young man with dark brown hair and was at least a head taller than Cinderella. Years of fencing and Pokémon riding and training had made him quite strong and given him tough hands.

As Cinderella was tying off his bandages, Philip moaned as he came to. He blinked his blue eyes at her.

"Ella?" he said softly.

"Philip!" said Cinderella, "You're alright!"

Cinderella smiled. She was greatly relieved that her friend was awake and alright.

Philip looked around the place. "Wh-Where am I?"

"You're in the living room of my house," said Cinderella.

Suddenly, Philip tried to get up, but Cinderella stopped him.

"Wait! Where are Alex and Lacy?!" he gasped.

"It's alright," said his mentor, "They're right here."

Cinderella showed Philip his Pokémon by the fireplace.

"You have nothing to fear, our friend." said Valiant, "They are cured of their poisoning and are fully healed. They'll feel better in no time."

Cinderella gave Philip some tea. "Drink this. It will help you feel better."

Philip sipped the tea and color returned to his face. Philip's mentor smiled gratefully at Cinderella.

"Thank you for your hospitality." he said, "You are most kind."

Philip looked back at Cinderella. "I thought we were done for. Ella, Valiant. Everyone. Thank you. You saved us."

"Well, I couldn't stand there and do nothing." said Cinderella, "You're my friend. I had to help you. But Philip, what happened? How were Alex and Lacy poisoned in the first place?"

"Well," said Philip, "My mentor and I were out with our Pokémon in the forest to hunt for Pokémon to train with, when we were ambushed by two men with Pokémon."

"Who were these men?" asked Valiant.

"We don't know." said Philip, "We knew they were bandits, though. They had a Houndoom and Venusaur with them. The Venusaur knew Venoshock, which poisoned Lacy and Alex. We barely managed to escape from them. We tried getting help from a woman and her daughters. One daughter wanted to help, but her mother and sister wouldn't let her. They thought we were bandits and insulted us."

"Was one of the daughters named Sabrina?" asked Valiant.

Philip was surprised. "Why, yes. She was the one who tried to help us."

"That must've been my stepmother and stepsisters." said Cinderella, "I'm really sorry."

"What your stepmother did is not your fault, Ella," said Valiant.

Cinderella shook her head. "But they don't know what they're doing."

Just then a man's voice from outside made everyone jump. "Search this area! They've got to be around here somewhere!"

Cinderella and her Pokémon had no idea who that was. Her stepmother didn't say anything about any guests coming over, and they certainly wouldn't come while she was out. Cinderella went over to one of the windows and peeked through the curtains.

Outside the house were two rough and mean-looking men. Both of them wore traveling clothes with shabby armor and were armed with swords and bows. They had a Venusaur and Houndoom with them, too. A withered flower, broken horns, and their dull appearance showed two Pokémon who had seen better days. The Pokémon were sniffing the air and ground, searching for something.

That wasn't the only thing. Tied up and gagged with them in a carriage was Cinderella's stepfamily.

Patricia, Sabrina, and their mother were locked inside the carriage along with the driver. Their Pokémon were also tied up, chained to the carriage like prisoners. Blair and Berry were the most scared, trembling near the windows.

Cinderella opened her mouth to say something, but Philip ran over and covered her mouth with his hand. He took one peek through the curtain.

"That's them!" whispered Philip, "Those four are the ones who attacked us!"

"Those men?" said Cinderella.

Valiant took a look through the curtain. "Bandits holding my mistress's stepfamily hostage? That's a mistake they'll regret."

He began to make orders. "Ariel, Bella, secure house. Rex, Mikey, take Lester and hold them off at the front door. We're leaving out the kitchen door for a surprise attack."

Ariel teleported Bella and herself away as Philip and his mentor followed Cinderella and Valiant towards the kitchen. Rose, Alex, Lacy, and the Grovyle followed close. They left the living room into the entrance hall, to the drawing room, and into the dining room. They were just entering the hallway to the kitchen when they heard the front doors rattle. Then there was pounding as something kicked on the doors.

"They're breaking in!" gasped Rose.

"Don't worry about that, my lady." said Valiant, "Just keep moving. Make haste."

Rose did as she was told and everyone ran into the kitchen. They all exited out the side door and raced around the side of the chateau for the front door. The two men were trying to kick in the door themselves. As they started to attack the door again, the doors swung open and the bandits were met by an angry Charizard, Absol, and Purugly, hissing and growling at them.

Rex stood tall as he flexed his claws and spread his wings wide in a show of strength. One of the men ignored this warning and drew his sword.

"Out of our way, you overgrown flying lizard, or I'll knock your head clean off!" he growled.

Rex roared as he breathed a Flamethrower attack at the men. They staggered back with a yelp. Valiant summoned an Aura Sphere into his paws and threw it at the Houndoom. The Houndoom was blasted into a tree and fell on the grass, knocked out cold. The bandits and Venusaur turned to face the one who attacked them.

The most scarred of the men smirked as he saw Philip and his mentor. It seemed that he was in charge.

"There you are!" said the bandit, "We've been searching for you because we're not done with you! Hand over all your valuables and Pokémon if you wish for these fine ladies to live!"

Cinderella grew more and more scared as concern grew for her stepfamily. Patricia and her mother may have been mean to her and her Pokémon, but she didn't want them to get hurt by two bandits. Sabrina was also among them and would likely be hurt, too. Or worse.

"You cowards!" shouted Philip angrily, "You're more low than I thought! Alex, use Shadow Ball!"

"Grovyle, Leaf Blade!" Philip's mentor ordered.

The leaves on Grovyle's arms glowed green as he charged forward. At the same time, a sphere of dark energy formed in Alex's mouth and he shot it at the Venusaur. The Shadow Ball hit Venusaur, but it hardly did much damage. Grovyle reached the Venusaur and started to slash at it with his arm leaves. Venusaur headbutted him and Grovyle was knocked back. Grovyle backflipped to avoid crashing and stood back with Alex.

"Venusaur, Venoshock!" ordered the scarred bandit.

Venusaur fired a glob of purple ooze towards Alex and Grovyle. Cinderella got scared. If that attack hit Alex, he would get poisoned all over again.

"Rose, use Protect!" cried Cinderella.

Rose jumped in front of Alex and Grovyle and formed a magical barrier, blocking the attack. The bandits didn't expect this. Philip was equally surprised, yet relieved at the same time.

"Leave them alone!" Cinderella yelled at the men, "And let my family go! They have nothing to do with this!"

"Maybe so," said the tall bandit, "But we can't let Pokémon like that slip away. These Pokémon could fetch a high price. Venusaur, Razor Leaf!"

"Quick!" Cinderella said to Rose, "Deflect it with Swift!"

"Grovyle, Bullet Seed!" shouted Philip's mentor.

Rose summoned several gold stars and, with a flick of her tail, threw them the at vines. At the same time, Grovyle began rapidly spitting a barrage of seeds at the vines. The two attacks collided with the vines in a loud explosion.

Cinderella's friends started to attack, but Valiant stopped them.

"Stop." he said, "This is Ella and Philip's battle."

The bandit leader sneered. "You've got some nerve, girl. You and that boy want to battle? Fine, then let's have a battle."

"Just one thing," said Cinderella, "If we win, you have to let my family and their Pokémon go."

"And if you lose?" said the bandit leader.

Cinderella swallowed as she stole all her courage. "Then you take me and my Pokémon instead."

"What?!" shouted Patricia, "Is she crazy?!"

"No, Ella! Don't do it!" cried Sabrina.

The bandit leader seemed satisfied with this deal.

"Fine," he said, "You win, we leave empty-handed. I win, you and your Pokémon go, the others stay. Let the battle begin."