Chapter 16: Excalibur's Past
The Swan had been flying for an hour after the Holy Land was attacked by the Shitoreiyu Empire led by Babalun and Dagmeyr. Thankfully, Ash and Kenshi teamed up with Excalibur and the white Sacred Mechanoid to hold Dagmeyr's forces back to allow the students to escape the carnage. Ash and Kenshi were in the Infirmary to check in on injured students while Mexiah… or Doll's class marveled at Ash and Kenshi being Sacred MechaMasters. "So, you and Ash are really Sacred MechaMasters?" asked Grynio as Kenshi handed out the food. She proceeded to clutch his arm and hug it. "That's so nice!"
"And a really powerful pair at that!" added Wreda.
"You're so cool!" cooed Yeliss. "I really hope I get a chance to marry you!" Kenshi seemed surprised while Wreda came up.
"Either you or Ash!" she opted. "Either one will be great for a Male Sacred MechaMaster!" As the girls praised Kenshi, Ash was in a tent applying a splint to an injured student.
"From what Hannah said, you'll need to give that arm a week to properly heal before you get back to work," Ash recommended to a pepper-haired girl.
"Thanks, Ash," she praised as Ash tore the wrap off from the roll and taped it together. "You must be in high spirits knowing that you and Kenshi are Sacred MechaMasters." Ash sighed, not wanting to enjoy the prospect of his new power.
"It's not all that's cracked up to be." Seeing the grief on his face, the injured girl realized that Ash felt terrible about the struggle in the coliseum. After a little while tending to other students and Kenshi with food, Ash stepped outside. Clearly feeling the guilt of killing one of Dagmeyr's Sacred MechaMasters, he looked up to the sky and wondered. Without warning, a small ship flew from the draft and onto the clearing. Stepping off, Maria, Yukine and Pikachu spotted Ash with his favorite Pokémon and the Havoniwa's princess rushing over to him.
"Ash!" cheered Maria.
("You were awesome!") chimed Pikachu. They reached Ash as Lashara also joined in shock.
"What is that cousin doing here!?" she growled. When Pikachu saw Ash's glum face, he sensed a problem. Maria reached and palmed Ash's arm.
"What's wrong?" she asked. That's when she spotted a tear from Ash's eye.
("Dude, don't start crying,") Pikachu pleaded. Ash turned his head away.
"All that blood from the core…" he muttered. "I… I can't shake-" Lashara came to the scene and sighed.
"What did we discuss, Ash?" she snorted. "It's war with the Shitoreiyu Empire and Babalun. Lives are lost every time, there's no avoiding it." Maria gasped to Lashara's lack of tact.
"Lashara, not like that!" she warned.
"It's true," Lashara replied. "It may not be our intention but those who fight have chances to die. We had little choice." Pikachu crawled up Ash's body to the shoulder to which he tried to console.
"We understand but, hear us out, Ash," Maria started. "You don't want to take a life, but sometimes, it's the people you save that are more important. I know it's not pretty but it's the truth." This made Ash look to Pikachu and the cousins.
"You tend to forget…" teased Lashara. "We are still here… because of you." To prove their word, Lashara and Maria scooped Ash's arms and draped them onto their shoulders before hugging Ash in unison. This surprised Ash as he gazed to both Lashara and Maria.
"Lashara…" he awed. "Maria…" The cousins kept their hug firm.
"Honestly, we want you back in your world and back to your adventures," Maria wished.
"…With at least one of us," Lashara sneered. Maria gasped to Lashara's selfish desire.
"Lashara!" she snapped. Before Lashara's had a chance to react, Ash hugged both of them while tearing up.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to make you worry." The apology made the cousins hug back.
("Everything's okay,") Pikachu assured. Kenshi soon found the three younger ones and approached.
"Ash, there you are!" he called. Ash, Pikachu, Lashara and Maria turned to Kenshi as Ash's Koro was on his shoulder.
"Has something come up, Kenshi?" asked Lashara.
"Well, seeing you here, Princess Maria…" His nervous laugh made the others nervous. "Anyway, the Headmistress wanted to see you about your Sacred Mechanoid." Ash blinked to the news. To Lashara, news about Ash deserved her attention.
"Then we'll come along and learn about Ash's Sacred Mechanoid," she ordered. Kenshi felt that he'd be punished if he denied Lashara a chance to know..
"Alright, let's go," he agreed. "I'm actually interested myself." Following Kenshi, everyone entered the Headmistress' office where the Headmistress and Lithia waited.
"Oh, Princess Maria!" the eldest woman noticed. "Is Yukine with you as well?"
"Yes," Maria confirmed. "There are many questions about Ash's ability as a Sacred MechaMaster." After everyone found a seat, the Headmistress began.
"It seems we've received a crisis that came with a miracle with Ash and the legendary Sacred Mechanoid known as Excalibur," Ash, Kenshi and Lithia gasped to the discovery.
"Excalibur?" repeated Kenshi.
"Did the Pope confirm the findings?" asked Lithia.
"No, but I realized the design and stories behind Ashvalha's Sacred Mechanoid," Headmistress started. "Never in my wildest dreams and blessings have we realized that Excalibur rested beneath the Holy Land."
"Is that so?" pondered Lashara. "What is the tale behind Excalibur, if we may ask?"
"Yes, of course," Headmistress prepared. "Centuries ago, there was a kingdom in a far off distance called Ashvalha. Its king, Arthur, sought guidance on how to stop a convoy of opposing armies who found Ashvalha as a sanctuary kingdom. This meant that when they entered, they were protected by any law that would remove them, and they were coming in droves. The goddess heard Arthur's claims and with the discovery of Ahou Conversion, she sent forth the Sacred Mechanoid… known as Excalibur. That is the Sacred Mechanoid that you've acquired, Ash." The story made the crowd stunned.
"Whoa…" Ash awed. Kenshi cupped his chin in thought.
"Huh, that sounds awkwardly similar to another Excalibur," he brought up.
"Oh?" wondered Lashara. "How so, Kenshi?"
"Well, some of the names remain the same like King Arthur," Kenshi started. "But Excalibur was a sword that was forged by the 'Lady of the Lake' before being embedded in the infamous 'Sword in the Stone.' It was only to be removed by 'the True King' as mentioned by the wizard, Merlin. Many tried to remove Excalibur, but only Arthur was deemed worthy and helped him become King of Britain." This made everyone a little puzzled.
"So, let me get this straight, Wild Beast," Lithia studied. "Our Excalibur is an ancient Sacred Mechanoid and your Excalibur is a sword? Ha! I'm already laughing at the obscurity!"
"Speaking of obscurity," Headmistress voiced. "Ash, you've had no formal training to be a Sacred MechaMaster, yet the way you've handled yourself with Excalibur exceptionally well…" Ash crossed his arm and looked up.
"Well, I actually panicked a little since…" he started before pointing back to the Headmistress. "You pointed out, but then I had this surge enter my head and suddenly, everything inside was clear as day as to how to move Excalibur." The befuddled looks made his situation more cloudy.
"To us, it sounds like Excalibur was designed for you, little brother," Lithia teased.
"I guess so… but something else about Excalibur…" brought up Ash.
"Is there something wrong, Ash?" wondered Maria.
"About Excalibur… I've been hearing a voice while I was near it before Wahan escorted me to the warehouse during the invasion." Recalling the past, Kenshi obligated to Ash's information.
"I can vouch and say that he's been hearing the voice and that none of us could hear it ourselves," he added. The Headmistress pondered to the voice and its contact with Ash.
"Hmm…" she thought. "Could it be that the spirit of King Arthur's within Excalibur? Considering the comparisons of our Excalibur and Kenshi's Excalibur, it's no secret that Arthur felt that no one but a chosen king would pilot that Sacred Mechanoid… but why would Ash be the one unless there's a force only you would comprehend?" None of the girls had an idea, but Kenshi believed an item overlooked.
"Of course!" he snapped. "Your aura!" Ash irked to Kenshi's guess.
"My… aura?" he repeated.
"The aura that links the chosen king and the weapon is the aura that bonds the two, Kenshi explained. "Ash has an aura that bonds to about everything and brings a king's morale to the mix." It finally dawned on Lashara and Maria who believed Ash was far superior than they imagined.
"Ash is the chosen king!?" they gasped. Even Ash seemed taken aback by the result.
"This certainly got interesting," Lithia sneered. A little while later, Ash and Pikachu found Chiaia with a sword on hand and looking incredibly miserable.
"Chiaia?" he called out. Chiaia didn't respond as her mind was focused on what happened in the coliseum.
"It… still feels so surreal…" she whimpered. "Dagmeyr… Mexiah…" Pikachu leaped onto Chiaia's shoulder to console.
"Doll took me by surprise, believe me." Chiaia turned to Ash, stunned about not mentioning the other item.
"Dagmeyr and I grew up together. As soon as he completed his training to be a Sacred MechaMaster, I wanted to marry him and become a Mest." Suddenly, she turned to Ash. "But you knew that Dagmeyr back-stabbed us, didn't you?" Ash sighed, the cat out of the bag.
"Even if I did tell you, would you believe me?" That made Chiaia think a little and cry.
"You're right, I would've dismissed it. I still wonder why Dagmeyr would do so? And Mexiah?" Hearing about Mexiah, Ash had to say something.
"Listen, Mexiah isn't lost. She can be saved." She stood up and handed Pikachu back to Ash.
"And so can Dagmeyr. I will bring him back." She rushed out and left Ash and Pikachu a bit stunned. Wahanly emerged to which she smirked.
"Alright, let's see if Dagmeyr will spill the beans," she prepared. Ash and Pikachu blinked to Wahanly.
"What did you do?" asked Ash.
"I put a hologram card into Chiaia's pocket. That way, we'll know what Dagmeyr's after, especially with the Sacred MechaLord." The plan made, Ash bobbed his head in approval. "By the way, I heard you're the chosen king and that Excalibur's your weapon." Ash sighed to the concept.
"I'm not too comfortable as a king to be at this point."
"Yeah, give it a few years… but regardless…" That's when she knelt to Ash. "My liege…" Ash wasn't sure what to say, but Pikachu got a little upset.
("Not now, Wahan!") he yelled. As Ash walked to help Wahanly back to her feet, Kenshi joined Lashara and Maria inside.
"Aunt Flora wants time with Ash?" questioned Lashara.
"My mother has some equipment for Ash after she told us after seeing Ash with Excalibur," Maria explained. "Still, looking into my mother's behavior, it wouldn't surprise us if she wants to have him as a knight to protect the royal Nanadan family." Lashara grumbled to Flora's desire.
"Kind of a surprise that she's focused on Ash than she is about me," Kenshi awed.
"Which is a bit of a surprise on its own merit," Lashara added. That's when Kenshi began to think.
"But you know, I'm willing to think Queen Flora is mainly after Ash's tactics," he believed. Lashara and Maria blinked as they turned to Kenshi for a clearer explanation.
"What do you mean, Kenshi?" urged Maria.
"Well, remember when Ash plotted to free the Sacred MechaMasters back in Havoniwa?" reminded Kenshi. "Ash was able to coordinate the rescue mission and save everyone. Then, just recently in the coliseum and how he defeated some of those rogue Sacred Mechanoids." Lashara and Maria turned to each other, the expectant reason being confirmed.
"So, Aunt Flora wants to preserve Ash so that he could organize other Sacred MechaMasters for more of Babalun's buffoonery," Lashara concluded. "She's never let her tomfoolery of intuition off."
"But maybe Queen Flora has a weapon for Excalibur to use," Kenshi thought. "After all, Wahan got me a rifle and I can use Ahou to convert with Ena." Maria listened, thinking if the equipment Kenshi brought up was with Flora, Ash would want to see them. Ash was seen with Headmistress, Lapis and Yukine. She briefed the Headmistress about the plans.
"So, Ash will be with Queen Flora for the time being while I've made arrangements with the Pope," the Headmistress reviewed.
"Yes, Headmistress," Yukine agreed.
"What about you, Headmistress?" wondered Ash. The Headmistress offered a laugh.
"Ash, you need not to worry," she eased. "I will seek attendance with the Pope and discuss the ordeals with you and Kenshi. We hope to plan actions against the Shitoreiyu Empire, namely Babalun." Ash hoped to hear good news.
"We promise to give a good word to the Pope," Lapis offered. "After all, the mess with the Holy Land isn't gonna be easy to explain after all that happened." Recalling the destruction, Ash and Pikachu understood the concern.
"Tell us about it," Ash giggled. Maria came to see Ash and the women.
"Alright, Ash, Pikachu," she called. "We should get going. Mother said that the Excalibur will have additional equipment so we'll have it with us when we see her." Ash nodded as he started after the princess and her attendant. However, Lashara soon came to the group but came to Ash.
"There you are!" she growled. When she arrived, she took a deep breath. "Just to let you know, Excalibur's safely stored and will be shipped to where Aunt Flora's staying."
"Thank you, Empress," Yukine replied. To Ash, Lashara needed some company.
"If it's not too much, I can loan you Pikachu until we come back together-" he offered.
"No, though as much as Wahan wouldn't mind," Lashara refused. Then, she handed Ash what seemed like a card. It had a jewel in the middle of it. "Here. This is a hologram communicator. This way, we'll remain in touch. We suspect Aunt Flora will do something against our wishes." Ash gulped and Pikachu squeaked in concern.
"I will make sure mother does no such thing!" promised Maria.
"Will that apply to you as well?" countered Lashara.
"We've been forced into a war with Babalun," Maria reminded. "It would be reckless if I did such an act." Lashara doubted Maria's answer but she had nothing to use on her cousin, especially at the time.
"Very well, then…" she surrendered before turning to Ash and Pikachu. "Hopefully, when we see you again, you'll be helping in the fight against Babalun."
"And I'll be ready to protect you guys as well," Ash promised. "Anyway, how long will you be staying?" Lashara scoffed to the question.
"Information like that will come in an orderly manner," she expressed. "However, this information will be between us." She reached Ash's head and kissed him on the lips for a few seconds. After being adored by Lashara and Maria, Ash smiled and accepted the smooch.
"I'll make sure to come back with a better one," he urged. Lashara irked to Ash's wish, believing he'll kiss her back when they reunite. Ash's Koro rushed up and nuzzled to its keeper. "You want to come along as well?" Koro answered with more nuzzling and squeaking. "Okay, but it'll be rough." After that, Maria, Yukine and Ash boarded with Pikachu on Yukine's shoulder. They entered a ship which had a flying cargo crate behind. Once loaded, the ship departed from the Swan. Lashara watched the ship leave, hoping Ash would make good on his promise. Ash now had a new title in mind but it would wander for sometime about it… all for acquiring Excalibur. What could Flora have for Ash when the current queen and the possible future king meet?
TO BE CONTINUED…