Chapter 17: Havo Night with the Princess

Off the Swan, Ash, Maria, Yukine and Pikachu rode on a ship to where Flora's train was stationed. After learning from the Headmistress about the Sacred Mechanoid, Excalibur, Ash knew he was meant to be here to stop a threat. It just happened to be from the Shitoreiyu Empire and its leader, Babalun. Soon enough, it turned out that Queen Flora had sought Ash's attendance and left the Swan. Before long, the armored train was in sight. Flora and her maids waited as the ship made its landing. Pikachu was on Yukine's shoulder as she led Ash and Maria off the vessel. "Maria!" called out Flora as she approached the departing trio.

"We came back with Ash, as you wished," Yukine promised.

"And I thank you for it," Flora greeted. Seeing Ash, Flora hugged the trainer and shook him. "You were unbelievable! I never would've imagined my daughter's love be a Sacred MechaMaster, let alone control Excalibur!" Ash felt shaken and Maria became worried.

"Mother!" she cried. She pulled Ash away from Flora. "We just got back and we deserve more about Ash's Sacred Mechanoid."

"Oh, I know…" Flora cooed. "But with such a warrior on hand, it's one I don't want out of sight!" She hugged Ash again. That's when Ceres and Hazuki arrived.

"Ash!" called out Ceres. Ash, Maria and Flora turned to C&H and Pikachu hopped off to meet the teen girl.

("Hazuki!") he cheered as he leaped into Hazuki's arms.

"Hi, Pikachu!" she cheered as Ceres reached Ash.

"I saw it!" spoke Ceres. "Man, you and Kenshi were awesome in the Holy Land coliseum! I wish I was there!" Ash smiled to knowing who cheered him on. "By the way, we're helping the students who were injured during the raid. Most were pretty big bruises and a few had broken bones. Luckily, Queen Flora's maids are reporting that it's just the few majorly injured that are still in need of rest."

"Well, that's good," Ash huffed. "At least I know Kenshi will keep the rest of our friends safe." Hazuki came to Ash with a bit of concern.

"So, now that you're a Sacred MechaMaster, are you worried about the rules applied to it?" she questioned. Ash shook his head about the topic.

"I'm more worried about Babalun's next move," he pointed out.

"That makes sense with the current circumstances," Ceres acknowledged. Flora came to the group with an idea.

"It's getting late and my maids should have food ready to serve," she suggested. Pikachu cheered for the idea. "That sounds like someone's hungry." They began to journey to a fort which was heavily walled in with iron grates all around.

"So, can we work on some training tomorrow?" offered Ceres.

"Sure, I can use a bit of a workout," Ash agreed. Maria giggled, believing Ash would practice with another Sacred MechaMaster. Inside the fort, the teenagers and Ash learned about Excalibur.

"And Excalibur's yours?" gasped Hazuki.

"I know, right?" shrugged Ash.

"And it's our main weapon to take on the Shitoreiyu Empire," Flora concluded. "But knowing Babalun, he's got a few surprises… but so do we." The Sacred MechaMasters wondered what Flora's surprise happened to be. Night fell, and Hazuki joined Ceres and Pikachu while Maria bathed with her mother. Ash was asleep. The next morning, the card was on the table that Lashara gave Ash. The sun began to bleed through the curtains of Ash's loaned room. It had been a full day since the invasion of the Shitoreiyu Empire and the reveal of Ash being a Sacred MechaMaster and pilot to the legendary Excalibur. As he started to rise… he couldn't. He looked down, finding a draped arm.

"Maria?" he quietly guessed. When he pushed his upper body upward, the blanket revealed the queen instead of the princess. Ash's face went pale.

"So, this is what it's like sleeping with a boy," she teased. "It's been about 12 years since I felt a male body." Ash's embarrassed and pale face switched red as Flora pulled up to Ash's face, her voluptuous breasts massaging his torso. "I can only imagine what Maria may expect when you become my son-in-law." If Ash's face could be more flushed, Flora found it. Suddenly…

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Aunt Flora!" sounded Lashara. Ash and Flora turned to the hologram image of an angry Lashara.

"Seems we're not the only early birds this morning," Flora teased. "Can't I make sure Ash has the right equipment for Maria? After all, if what's been said about Ash is true-" That's when Maria stormed into Ash's room and pulled Flora from Ash, her naked body exposed which included some hair between the legs.

"WE ARE HAVING A MOTHER-DAUGHTER TALK… NOW!" she bellowed. Before being pulled out, Flora winked to Ash with a blown kiss. Maria peered through the door. "She didn't take your pants off, right?" Ash reached down and felt his shorts still on.

"They're on," he confirmed. Maria sighed in relief.

"Thank goodness…" Finally, she left.

"Maria, you don't have to pull so hard-" pleaded Flora.

"Lashara's right, I can't trust you with men around!" shouted Maria. Ash sighed in relief from Maria's rescue.

"Aunt Flora can be a handful," Lashara huffed.

"I can only imagine what it would be like for Kenshi," Ash gulped. "Anyway, how's the meeting with the pope?"

"No word yet from the Headmistress. Chiaia… well, she nearly assassinated Kenshi." Ash gasped to the brief.

"He's okay, right?"

"She didn't carry out Sir Dagmeyr's order… though, we're not sure if it is an order or if we can still call him Sir." This made Ash think back to what Chiaia confessed to Ash and what Hazuki wondered yesterday.

"Now that Hazuki reminded me, I think Dagmeyr didn't want to obey the restrictions with being a Sacred MechaMaster and has preferred someone else."

"Not you, not that you need anymore love that we would give."

"I got enough with you and Maria as it is on the human scale. No offense." Lashara scoffed to Ash's shrug.

"None taken. Anyway, we'll need to retrieve Chiaia and then head to Shurifon Village." It took a second for Ash to collect a memory.

"Princess Aura's home? Any reason?"

"We'll need a coalition when we face Babalun. The king is a stern Dark Elf leader, but he's one of a few leaders we can turn to at this point."

"Okay, I'll be training with Ceres and a few others with a special weapon that's coming in today."

"Very well… We'll inform Kenshi after we retrieve Chiaia."

"Alright… Keep me posted." The hologram turned off and Ash got ready to train. After breakfast, Ash and Ceres armed themselves with a wooden sword and steel circular shields. "So, what's with these?" Ceres did a few practice swings.

"I've been told that you're getting a sword and shield for Excalibur," Ceres informed. "Anyway, let's get some practice in." Hazuki had Pikachu on her shoulder, both watching as Ash and Ceres squared off. "Ready?" With swords risen, Ash and Ceres dueled. They clashed swords and butted shields. Each thrust, each parry… Ash felt the sword and thought of a change.

"Hold on…" He switched hands with the sword and shield. Ceres blinked to the new holds.

"Isn't Ash suppose to be right-handed?" asked Hazuki.

("He normally throws right-handed,") Pikachu squeaked. Now, Ash stood with the sword in his left hand and the shield in his right.

"Ash, I don't know…" worried Ceres. Ash hoped to clear the idea.

"Allow me and Pikachu," he wanted to demonstrate. "Pikachu, let's work on this." Pikachu leaped from Hazuki's arms and entered the field. "Okay, I want you to use Iron Tail on me." Pikachu gawked to the idea.

("A-Are you sure?") he asked.

"I want to see how much I can withstand. Don't worry, I'll defend myself." Hesitant, Pikachu had to trust Ash and raced in, his tail aglow. He leaped up before swinging his tail hard and Ash braced, the shield absorbing strike. It was a struggle between Ash's shield and Pikachu's attack, but it was too much as Ash buckled and fell to the ground. Pikachu rushed to Ash's side as Ash sat back up. He petted his mouse. "Man, you've got a lot of power on that! Nice job!"

("At least you're okay.") Ceres came over and pulled Ash up to his feet.

"Might I suggest deflecting the strike?" he offered. Ash blinked but wondered to the idea.

"Deflecting?" he repeated.

"Yeah!" confirmed Ceres. "Watch!" He stepped away and turned to Pikachu. "Alright, use this Iron Tail on me!" Pikachu's hesitation grew again. When Ceres nodded, Pikachu leaped up and used Iron Tail and Ceres caught it with his shield… before swinging it down, making Pikachu flip. Luckily, he landed on his feet. "Again!" Pikachu jumped up and swung another Iron Tail, but Ceres swatted it aside and a few more times with Ceres winning each block.

"So that's deflecting… Nice…" Ash prepared his shield again as the Academy students emerged. They came to see their new Sacred MechaMaster in action as Ash deflected an onslaught of Iron Tail attacks. "Keep it up, Pikachu! You're doing great!"

("Are you sure I'm doing great!?") snapped Pikachu as he was over Ash's head with one more Iron Tail from above, which Ash braced for it. Ash's shield caught the Iron Tail at the edge in which he flipped over. Ash turned to see Pikachu and smiled.

"That was an awesome move," he complimented. "I might have an idea." Ceres, Hazuki and Maria sensed Ash's thoughts.

"This must be the Pokémon Trainer speaking," Maria cooed. "It's also why you've garnered so much attention from the Holy Land students." Looking over, Ash, Ceres and Hazuki glanced to the students cooing at Ash being a Sacred MechaMaster. Flora clapped before she faced Ash and Ceres.

"Two battle-hardened Sacred MechaMasters who seem ready to help my niece against that darn Babalun," she admired. "It's wonderful." She now turned to Ash. "Excalibur's weapons have finally arrived. Let's get suited up and you'll join Yukine soon." Ash nodded. A little while later, Ash released his Pokémon to observe Excalibur lifting a pearl white shield. It had a crown-like top and a point at the bottom. Flora stood on a platform while students and maids glanced on seats in a large arena. "Ash, what you're holding is Excalibur's shield, the Shield of Hikari. It's lightweight and made from a special ore that's indestructible with Ahou encircling." Using Excalibur, Ash weighed the shield.

"It's light, alright," he studied. In a green Sacred Mechanoid, Yukine prepared a giant rifle.

"We shall make sure with a test," she issued. She aimed the rifle at Excalibur. "Ash… ready on your mark. I have several ores converted with Ena." Ash gulped at the size of Yukine's rifle. However, he wanted to be sure that it's as unbreakable as possible.

"Let's go!" Signal received, Yukine fired a round to which hit Ash's new shield in the center. The shot pushed Excalibur back a few feet. Ash's Pokémon became worried but when Excalibur began to move again, they sighed in relief. Ash looked at the shield. "I see… It's not too great with defense but it may provide a great counter to when I could get in for close combat." That's when he turned to the Pokémon with a plan. "Torterra, Buizel… I need you two to combine your Energy Ball and Water Pulse attacks at me." Torterra and Buizel blinked at the ploy. Giving in, Torterra fired a green sphere from its mouth and Buizel fired a blue sphere. Their spheres combined, creating a teal sphere to which Ash braced with the shield. When the bigger sphere hit the shield, Excalibur held its ground for as long as it could before it left the ground, knocking over the Sacred Mechanoid. It smashed into the ground hard. The Pokémon became worried again. Then, Excalibur stood up in spite of the strike.

"Are you okay?" Hearing Yukine's concern, Ash grinned and stood up.

"I may have an idea on using my Pokémon but I don't wanna risk it. Alright, let's get working on the defense. I'm ready!" Ash's confident shout made Yukine smirk. She fired her rifle which Ash watched instinctively. With a twisting motion, Excalibur deflected the shot with the shield. Ceres came with his own Sacred Mechanoid and rifle and shot Excalibur, but Ash's reflexes worked double time as he deflected every shot at him.

"His reaction time is incredible," Ceres noted. "If the legends are true, he may in fact be Ashvalha's new champion."

"Except Ashvalha's only a memory," Yukine reminded. "Or did you forget?" Ceres irked at Yukine's deadpan response.

"When it comes to jokes, you're lousy." A little while later, Ash picked up a steel rod.

"This… can't be the main weapon for Arthur, right?" he questioned.

"You mean that the Ena Sword is not to your liking?" asked Flora.

"How can it? I'm holding a rod." This puzzled Flora.

"I'm sure the Ena Sword's that. Maybe it needs Ahou for power." Flora's mentioning made Ash think.

"Ahou? Ena?" His repeating of words had Ash take a deep breath and concentrate. Everyone watching braced for the truth. Without warning, a white light emitted from the rod. The light beamed forward before stopping. When it reached, it nearly bulldozed Yukine. When Ash opened his eyes from the concentration, he nearly choked. Beams of light hooked around the hand holding the rod as it emitted two thin and flat triangular prongs. The students and Pokémon gasped at the size of the blade as it seemed to be two swords made into one on a hilt. "The… Ena Sword?" Excalibur rose the Ena Sword to the sky. "I can feel the power. It's awesome!"

"It may be but you may want to power down to like, half? From what I read, the Ena Sword is also imbued by the Ahou being converted to Ena. The more conversion at once, the quicker it is to exhaust the operational limit." Irked, Ash breathed to calm his concentration. The Ena Sword soon dropped its size to about the length of Excalibur's arm.

"I see… I burn too much Ahou into this during a fight and I'm a sitting Psyduck." Flora irked to heaing Ash mention a Pokémon.

"That's… one way to put it," she gulped.

"And with my spar with Ceres and Pikachu, I may know what to do with this. After all, the best defense is a good offense." That made Ceres snicker.

"Defense is offense…" he repeated. "That's one hell of a mindset." Maria got on the communicator with a plan.

"Anyway, let's rest up and get the Sacred Mechanoids recharged," she suggested. "I do have something for you, Ash. My mother's maids will get you prepared." Ash wondered to the occasion. After stepping off Excalibur, the maids cleaned and began to dress Ash up as Wahanly emerged on the hologram device.

"So, Excalibur's weapons are now your own, huh?" she brought up to a topless Ash. "The Ena Sword and the Shield of Hikari… Hopefully, they'll help since Babalun acquired the Shield of Gaia." Ash rubbed his arm as Pikachu marveled at the device.

"So both sides are stockpiling for a big showdown down the road," Ash huffed. "I can only imagine the Shitoreiyu Empire's offensive weapon to go with Gaia."

"Right now isn't the best time to think of what they'll have and how to counter. After all, it's you and Kenshi that'll be on the front lines." That's when she noticed Ash putting on a white dress shirt rather than the sleeveless shirt Kenshi gave him. "By the way, why are you gowning yourself?"

"The maids and Maria insisted since they wanted to have me prepared for a 'fancy dinner" as they call it." Wahanly gulped to believing the situation.

"Whoa, Princess Maria's making her move…" After donning a black tuxedo without a necktie.

"I feel as if they want to discuss my new role. By the way, are you at the Shurifon Village?"

"Yep. We're expecting to reason with King Shurifon. Lashara's disciplined Chiaia and we hope to reason with the Dark Elf kingdom."

"Alright… I'll see about coming by before you guys leave." Wahanly turned off the device from her end. A maid knocked on the door.

"Sir Ketchum?" she called out.

"I'm decent!" he replied. The maid opened the door and seen Ash switched his blazer top for a vest.

"Yes, you very are. I prefer the vest anyway." They laughed before the maid guided Ash to a new room to which candles were strewn around the perimeter, and a few of them on a table. Ash came to the table when another maid entered and spotted Ash.

"Tonight's dinner will be five minutes," she informed. "In the meantime, presenting Princess Maria Nanadan VII." She stepped aside to view Maria. She was in a white gown and heavy but silky skirt, and also wore pearl white arm-length gloves. Ash looked at Maria, mouth agape.

"Is it… too much?" she wondered in conern.

"No!" snapped Ash with embarrassed red cheeks. "No, I'm just in awe." He approached Maria before escorting her to the table and held the seat for her to gently plop into. After that, Ash walked over to his table as Maria giggled.

"I can say that I'd prefer you better in that vest than in a full tuxedo. There's some men that work the tux but I won't name them."

"I would agree, I'd see Kenshi in one, another is Brock…" That's when Maria noticed something absent.

"Um, if it's not too much to ask, where's Pikachu?"

"Before I went inside to change, Hazuki had asked if she could have Pikachu for the night. It's been awhile since I'd seen her and I believe she may still linger from the invasion back in Havoniwa, the first time around. Now that I think about it, I'd rather bring them to the Pokémon World. That way, they can live their lives without the restrictions from rules of being a Sacred MechaMaster in Ceres' case." The maids brought out the food on two plates, placing them adjacent to the mineral water glasses. They had scallops, chicken sauteed in wine, mussels cooked with garlic and cider, pesto soup and a beignet dusted with powdered sugar.

"I do believe Hazuki is willing to forgo the laws pertaining to the clause of Sacred MechaMasters and after all the work you and Kenshi did to protect them, I'm sure a discussion with the Pope will be in order. Speaking of, any word on what happened with him and the Headmistress?"

"Yeah, during the meeting, Lashara released the locks holding the Swan to pursue Chiaia to bring her back from Dagmeyr. It's also been discovered that Babalun had acquired the Shield of Gaia." Maria nearly choked to the word.

"The Shield? Of Gaia? Oh my…"

"Yeah, Wahan told me about it, but until I see it and know what to do, I won't go engaging that. Also, Chiaia said that Dagmeyr wanted to help Babalun since they're family." The news made Maria scoff.

"That won't be an issue now that you've acquired the Ena Sword. Still, for you to acquire the legendary Sacred Mechanoid and command it, word around Geminar's swiftly spreading." The name made Ash blink.

"Geminar? Well, that's the first time I heard of this world's name."

"We weren't trying to keep a secret from you about it, but now you know. Meantime, those who saw the struggle with the Shitoreiyu Empire and you and Kenshi, everyone is willing to know of Excalibur's pilot and the world's future king." Ash stopped for a few seconds and contemplated on the task.

"Maria, I… don't feel ready to be a king. I'm just a Pokémon Trainer who wants to travel the world to become a Pokémon Master. I didn't think about becoming a Sacred MechaMaster and having a Sacred Mechanoid, let alone Excalibur."

"Perhaps not now, In truth, I would want to see this world myself. Still, I can understand that you're not ready for that responsibility." Ash nodded as they finished each dish. Ash escorted Maria to his loaned room.

"Thanks for the invite. That was some top-notch food your mom's maids made."

"Thank you… though I think this is her apology to me for trying to take your virginity." Ash laughed as he unbuttoned his shirt. Maria started undoing her dress. "You know, speaking of the laws… you don't mind if someone of affluence would claim you as a potential husband according to the guidelines?" Shirt undone, Ash turned to Maria with his bare chest coming out in the open.

"If that someone loves me, I can ac- ACK!" He saw Maria with nothing on, her sizable breasts making Ash concerned and embarrassed. Aside from her hair, all that Ash saw on Maria was skin, no hair betwixt her legs. All she had left on was her stiletto heels.

"In all wishes, and before my mother has a chance with you in bed again, I would happily make love for you in bed." She tackled Ash onto the bed, her breasts rubbing on Ash's chest. She kicked off her stilettos as she wrapped her legs around Ash's waist. "I wish tonight allowed us to be like this forever. Even if you're not willing to be king, I still want to be considered your queen." She leaned in to give Ash a kiss, but he leaned back.

"Maria, I'm sorry." Maria gawked to Ash's refusal.

"It's Lashara, right?"

"No… I'd rather wait until I'm married before I go into… that. Besides, I do wanna stop Babalun and his family from taking over this world." Maria sighed in defeat.

"Very well… If not some time under the blanket, I could replace Pikachu for the night."

"That, I can get behind." The invite allowed Maria to snuggle, her naked and young body allowed to rub on Ash's skin as the two shared a kiss. Ash knew that he needed to help his other friends at Shurifon Village. He now had new weapons and a newfound relationship with the princess.

TO BE CONTINUED…