GAMBLER OF FAITH V.2.
CHAPTER TWO: THREE OUT OF THE FOUR QUEENS
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon but I own this fiction and any other OC's in this story
ITALIC: THOUGHS
BOLD/ITALIC: POKEMON SPEAKING THE HUMAN LANGUAGE
(Pikachu): Pokemon speaking there language which only there trainers could understand.
"Is it done, Adan?" Alexander asked as he gazed at the freakishly tall, demonic yet dashing looking man (Think of the Undertaker only with red hair). Alexander was standing above a dozen of dead and beaten bodies, each of them had an expression of horror as their face were completely bloodied, their bodies having a huge hole in their chest. Alexander didn't look affected as he smoked a cigar.
"It's done, what about those dumb enough to be on his side." Adan asked as he fixed his crimson suit that was splattered with a lot of blood.
"I send the Raven Squad to handle them and knowing them, it's already done." Alexander exclaimed with a smile.
"Raven Squad huh," Adan inquired with a sadistic smile. "Yeah those idiots are as good as dead or worse." Adan exclaimed with a knowing tone. "So when will my nephew visit, I'm itching for a spar?" Adan asked curiously.
"He said he'll come tomorrow, knowing him, he has to settle some business that he couldn't face because of his other life." Alexander said as he and Adan entered an armor car before driving off.
"So it already happened huh, the thing that he predicted?" Adan asked with a barely control chuckle.
"Yeah, he manipulated those people he called friends and made sure that they betray him at that instant, how cunning of him." Alexander stated with a smile. "At least now, he's free."
"I would have probably shot them if I were in his shoes." Adan commented in a deadpan tone causing Alexander to cough a bit in discomfort. "It's easier, less hustle, and less painful." Adan added with a low smile.
"That's the reason why I can't see the resemblance between you and Ash, you act with your 'kill first and feel sorry later' philosophy while Ash would either destroy his opponents with tactics or financially kill them." Alexander stated causing Adan to snort.
"It's not my fault that I want my victims at my feet before they could even see my shadow." Adan retorted as he adjusted his hat so that it was hiding his smirk. "Plus I'm a hitman first and foremost; Ash is an informant, it's only logical for him to take a safe route in his fights." Adan stated with a proud tone.
"Regardless, I still can't believe that you're related to one of the most powerful man in the underworld." Alexander stated causing Adan to chuckle a bit darkly.
"Same goes for you, knowing my sister, she would have made sure that Ash will not even involve himself with Mafia and underworld business but yet, in six years, he has become one of the big names of the Mafia world." Adan said in humorously and proudly. "Although, even if I am proud of his achievements, I still wish that he hadn't involve himself in this world." Adan stated as Alexander nodded (A/N: YOU KNOW WHAT, LET'S JUST CALL HIM ALEX).
"Me too, involving one of my offspring to this cruel and dark world is bad enough bad having both of them in this world is almost unbearable." Alex said in a very depress tone.
The two sigh simultaneously as they merely looked at the dark road ahead of them. "The only thing we could do know is to prepare them for this life to the best of our abilities." Adan commented wearily.
"Ash already knows the ins and outs of this world, hell he's the only person in the underworld that knows what is happening in every corner of this sick and twisted world, Elena on the other hand still needs a bit more experience." Alex stated knowingly.
"She'll be fifteen tomorrow, right?" Adan asked but it was more of a statement than a question.
"Yeah, that means we could start grinning her to the ground with Aura training." Alex mumbled with a sadistic smile which was match by Adan.
"Can't wait for that, so were having a masquerade party to celebrate her fifteen birthday huh." Adan commented as Alex merely laughed.
"Yeah and you bet your ass that Ash will attend." Alex stated causing Adan to laugh hysterically and sadistically.
"I pity the fools who would lust over her." Adan said with a sadistic glee.
"Me too, for the first time I don't have to beat up boys with a stick because Ash would actually kill them." Alex said with a gleeful laughed as well.
"And when he kills, not even a single trace of blood, dust or evidence is found." Adan commented as the two friends laughed out loud. "He will completely remove them from the face of the planet." Adan added gleefully.
(Scene Change)(Time skip morning)
"Hey mama, do you think she'll come?" A beautiful and elegant white hair girl asked she looked at the sun rise. The older woman merely smiled as she affectionately patted a golden Arcanine beside her who was snuggling below her feet. The two of them, three if you include the Arcanine, were waiting in the living room.
"Of course honey she'll come, she is after all your best friend as well as your childhood friend." An older white hair woman said as she tried to comfort her daughter.
Elena can only be described as a rare beauty. She has a long white hair that hangs loose on her back. She wears a wearing a simple kimono, her clothing may not reveal much but a sane man can still see that she is hiding a sexy body. Her skin was smooth and pale. But the things that made her beautiful in the eyes of every man she knew were her beautiful blue eyes and her soothing complexion.
The woman beside her was like an older version of her the only difference was her body was more developed and her face was a bit older yet she was still radiating beauty. She was at her mid-thirties yet she was still amazingly fit and not to mention quite sexy in her own right.
"I know that but you know how busy she is, being the next Queen of a country is no easy task, Victoria is busy learning how to properly run a kingdom, maybe she won't make it." Elena trailed as she was suddenly embraced from behind.
"You wound me Elena; you think I wouldn't attend the birthday of one of my best friends." Victoria greeted with a gentle smile.
"Victoria you came," Elena squealed as she turned around and embraced one of her best friend.
"Of course I came, I would have been here a bit earlier but a certain event postponed my arrival." Victoria said as she tightly embraced the youngest of their group. "Plus I won't miss this for the world especially that this birthday is an important day in your life." Victoria stated with a smile.
"Thanks' Victoria," Elena said as she gazed at her best friend.
"So Elena, now that Victoria is here, I suggest that the two of you spend the day together and come back at night fall, we'll be done with the preparations by then." Her mother said as Victoria bowed at her.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Head Mistress." Victoria greeted as Elena's mother merely chuckled.
"Just call me Relena dear, the school year had not yet begun." Relena said with a smile as she suddenly remembered something. "Speaking of which, I have some business to take care of in the school, if you two would excused me." Relena said as she walked pass the two ladies.
Elena chuckled as she glanced at her mother. "See you later mama, me and Victoria will just take a stroll around the city for a while." Elena said as her mother glanced at her with bright smile.
"Just don't forget your whip or your gun dear." Relena said as she offered her daughter a devious smile. "Go to your room dear, I think there's a surprised for you there." Relena said as she suddenly disappear, which was a common occurrence in the Deverde household.
"A surprise huh," Victoria mumbled, not even startled at the sudden disappearance of the matriarch of the Deverde Family.
"It's probably a new whip or a new gun." Elena said with a shrugged as she heads towards her room. "But still a new weapon would be a good present."
"So how was your summer Lena," Victoria asked as Elena merely sighed.
"Boring as usual, Uncle Adan and Papa thought me the last set of assassination skills that I need before moving up to my Aura training, my grandparent started teaching me the politics of the underworld as well as the politics here, in short, it was boring." Elena exclaimed in a bored tone.
"Well at least you get to spend time with your family." Victoria said in a jealous tone. "Papa is too busy handling the council and all their whining and whenever he has free time, I have those worthless classes." Victoria said in understanding.
"Well this is our curse, we're born as Aristocrat's, will have to live as Aristocrats." Elena commented with a weary tone.
"Yeah, if I didn't love my country that much, I would have run away and be a trainer." Victoria said with a low giggle.
"And if the Deverde family was not in charge of keeping balance in the underworld, I would have done the same." Elena said in a weary tone. They have long pass the point of being sick and tired of their richness.
"But at least there is something good that happen to me yesterday." Victoria said as she reminisce her life threatening ordeal that she went through just the other day. That memory caused her to smile unconsciously and for her to blush a bit. "He was such a gallant man; I wish I had known his name." Victoria whistled softly causing Elena to smile at the look of her friend's face.
"I see that a man had finally gained the interest of the Princess of Atlantrome."Elena snickered as Victoria merely flush in embarrassment.
"Did I say that out loud?" Victoria asked as her friend chuckled at her expense.
"Yes you did, so who's the lucky guy that had captured your attention? Is it a prince from a small country or a prince from a big country, or is it a businessman that your kingdom's council had been forcing you to socialized with, or is it some noble from your country." Elena asked with a glint of deviousness.
Victoria merely looked away at her devious friend. "Well, I don't want to talk about it, you wouldn't even believe me even if I tell you." Victoria said causing Elena to snort.
"I live with a family that uses Aura and a family that kill people for the last two hundred years not to mention that I have seen things that would make ordinary man to be scarred for life, trust me I've seen and heard the impossible." Elena said causing Victoria to looked at her for a moment before blushing a bit.
"Yesterday when Alfred and I were heading here, we were attack by some thugs, we we're unprepared but Alfred tried his best to lose them but fail. They were trying to destroy the carriage and I thought I was a goner but then a man saved us." Victoria began with a bright smile. "This man, I don't know what were his motives of saving us but he just did. I didn't see it myself but I would guess that he killed those men because he said that he was a hitman." Victoria stated which cause Elena to be fully focused on what she was saying.
"I don't know what happen next but the last thing I could remember was the fact that my carriage was suddenly destroyed and I was suddenly thrown out towards a cliff. I thought I was going to die but suddenly, the same man that save us, dove down and took my hand before embracing me, I swear Elena, he have such warm hands and when he embraced me, I felt some feelings that I have never felt before, it was like my heart knows him or something. He then threw a grappling-hook and propelled the two us back to safety." Victoria said as she tried to remember the feeling that his touch gave her, it was still lingering in her mind. "Even after Alfred pointed his gun at him, he was still calm and polite, he's brown eyes were still radiating innocent which was unusual for a hitman, it was so intoxicating. And he even had the guts to kiss me but I didn't mind, in fact, I still wished that he had kissed me in the lips, instead of my forehead." Victoria stated as she touched her forehead that her savior kissed, blushing unconsciously at the memory.
Elena's expression varies for a moment; she was shock that a person would have that kind of impact to her best friends, second relief because she had finally found somebody she's interested in, and lastly glee as she laughs as her face, much to Victoria's embarrassment. "Don't laugh would you, I pouring my heart out here." Victoria said as she punched Elena on the shoulder but because of Elena's training, she didn't even felt an impact.
"Sorry, Victoria, but this is funny. Most of the boys in school would die just to have the chance to kiss you but a lone and mysterious hitman did that, consequence be damn, what's more is the fact that you actually like it. If you want, I know a guy that could track this hitman down even if he's in hell." Elena exclaimed between her laughs. "But jokes aside, welcome to the world of being in love, more specifically being in love at first sight." Elena said with a smirk.
"I'm interested in him but I'm not in love, knowing the life that we have, I would probably be given away to some prince to improve our kingdom's standing in the world." Victoria exclaimed sadly but she suddenly remembered something her friend said. "Don't tell me you're in love as well." Victoria commented as Elena merely blushed.
"I've been in love since I was twelve," Elena answered which almost caused Victoria to squeal but was stop by Elena who instantly covered her mouth.
"OK because you told me about this, I'm going to tell my biggest secret, hell my families biggest secret but you got to promise me, you won't tell a soul about what I'm about to tell you, are we clear?" Elena stated in a sharp whisper.
Victoria nodded as she attempted to remove her best friend's but found it difficult to. "Your very precious to me Victoria but the person I'm about to tell you is everything to me, if you tell anyone about this, I will be the one to personally gut you, I don't care if it will cause a war because you know the strength and the abilities of my family, we could annihilate seventy-five percent of your overall country before you take us all down. I want your word, everything I will tell you will be between the two of us." Elena stated again as Victoria nodded, nervously this time. Elena never actually threatened her before so whatever she will tell her was be one hell of a secret.
"Good," Elena stated as she let go of her. "Now let's just see what surprise is in my room before I tell you about my future, if I play my cards just right as he always does while gambling, husband." Elena said as she opened her room. The two of them was met by a strange sight.
Elena's room was decorated by countless black rose petals; every inch of her room was filled with petals giving an amazing aroma. In the middle of the room, was a bouquet of black roses with a note attached to it. The two of them walk to the middle of the room and Elena hurriedly picked up bouquet of roses before reading the note.
The note read's:
Happy Birthday My Sweet, Sweet, Elena. Expect me tonight in your party; I shall give you your real Gift tonight. I'll be the one wearing the white mask with a black lotus in the forehead, I'll make sure that I'll have your second dance…
May the moonlight shine upon you…
Your Favorite and Only Step-Brother (Trust me on that, I made sure of it),
ASK (A/N: THAT STAND FOR AS ASHURA SATOSHI KETCHUM IF YOU ARE ALL WONDERING)
Elena read the not over and over and over again, trying to make that it was not an illusion that her brother loved to make.
"Hey Elena, what does the note says?" Victoria asked as she gazed at Elena, what she saw almost disturbed her.
Elena was smiling beautifully ear to ear and has a feint blush on her face. Victoria looked stunned for a moment but was snapped out of that when Elena squealed so loudly that the entire city had heard it.
(Scene Change)
"I'm guessing that Elena just received my welcoming gift." Ash chuckled as he and Relena sat across each other, their respective Pokémons were sleeping at the other side of the room.
Relena chuckled as Ash handed her some papers. "You should really visit more Ash, she really does adore you a whole lot." Relena said as she read the papers that were given to her. "Everything seems to be in order, although I'm pretty sure that you had not yet taken your first year in high school and yet this paper's say's otherwise." Relena said with a small smile.
"Come on now Lady Relena, you wound me, I did finish first year of High School, jest asked my tutor." Ash said with a small smile.
Relena chuckled as she merely continues looking at the papers. "So true dear, everything is fine, nothing unusual but you still need to take a test." Relena said as she suddenly opened one of her drawers.
Ash sighed as he merely took out a pen. "I see that there is no helping it so it's fine." Ash said as he suddenly played with his pen. "Where is dad by the way, I thought that he would be here?" Ash asked as Relena merely shook her head.
"He's in a business meeting, he does not just run an assassination family, he's also in charge of running the family business." Relena stated causing Ash to smile a bit.
"Yeah, the biggest and the most successful beer and wine manufacturer as well as the biggest weapons manufacturer for the last hundred years." Ash exclaimed softly as he gazed outside for a while. "Tell me; is the contract between my company and yours beneficial?" Ash asked a bit sullen causing Relena to chuckle lowly.
"Of course Ash, your company may focus on the gadgets and computer aspect in warfare and we focus on the artillery but because of the changing ways of how people fight their battles, computer and artillery goes hand in hand now. Add to the fact that the Operating System, System Software, and the Application Software that your company has been giving us in a monthly basis is top notch and in high quality and the computers that your company produced is second to none." Relena said as she took out two sets of papers.
"Well at least you guys like the Computer Software and System's I design. When I die, the first thing I'm going to do is to invade Hell and thank the very person who thought me how to use the computer before killing him, again." Ash said with a cruel smirked as Relena gave him a questioner and a test paper.
"Please answer the test, the class that you'll be in will greatly depend on what the score you get in the test." Relena said as Ash merely looked at the questioner with a bored expression.
"This is going to waste thirty minutes of my valuable time, just great." Ash mumbled sarcastically as he answered the exam in a very fast manner.
(Scene Change)
"Mother why do I have to attend this party, I am not even friend's with the Deverde heiress. If you want to make a real lasting expression, then you should have brought sister and not me" A blond girl asked as she gazed at her beautiful mother.
"I know dear but I have been friends with Alexander and Relena for quite some time now, it would be a shame for me to miss this party and if I am correct, you are their classmate and acquaintance." A gentle, older, blond woman said causing the blonde girl to sighed in frustration
"That I might be but we never interacted beyond anything but school work." The blonde girl reasoned, not wanting to attend this party.
The older woman sighed as she glanced at her daughter. "Selene dear, you need to socialized more, the only time you socialized with people is when it involves a fencing duel, I know that you have issues with other people that look upon you as merely Cynthia's little sister but please, make some friends, and I'm not just talking about Pokémons, I'm also talking about people friends." The older blonde said with a smile.
Selene merely sighed again as she finger her rapier.
The blonde girl's name is Selene Shirona, she's the youngest sister of Cynthia Shirona, the most celebrated champion in all the regions. Unlike her sister, she didn't choose to become a trainer, instead she choose to follow their mother's footstep by becoming a model and an up and coming, talented fashion designer with very good reason. She looks quite similar to her sister only cuter according to the people who have seen the two of them together. Her golden blonde hair was longer and much shinier compare to her sister which was tied into a ponytail, her body may not be as develop like her sister and her breast may not be that big but the shape, the style and the posture of her body was elegant enough to cover all that up, the center piece of her beauty was her cat-like hazel eyes that was gleaming in boredom. She was also holding a rapier, a sign that she was a very good swordswoman, more specifically fencing.
Even though she's famous in her own right, she despised the people whom compare her to her older sister. People often times commented that she would do well in Pokémon training like her sister even after she had shown no interest in Pokémon battling, she may train and have Pokémons but she still prefers to fight with a sword.
"Plus I need to be there as well, if what I heard from Alex is correct, then the owner of A.P.W.A will be there. It will be finally be a relief to meet the owner of the fastest rising company in the world today.." The older blonde said causing Selene to sighed; she will be a having long night.
(Scene Change)
"Well this is a first." Relena exclaimed in disbelief at the test paper that she had just checked for a hundred times. "You actually perfected this test, not even my brightest and smartest students could do this." Relena complimented as Ash merely chuckled.
"Like I told you before, I'm not an ordinary guy." Ash said as he heads towards the exit. " By the way, remember our agreement, I would prefer not to be in the same class as Elena, not yet anyway. I would like to see the politics of this school and how this school is run by the students first but regardless, I will protect Elena in the shadows so expect a lot of boys in the clinic this school year."Ash said as he took Pikachu and exited the room. "By the way don't tell Elena that I'll be going in the same school as she, I would really want to protect her in the shadows for a while."
"See you tonight milady, I still need to purchase a tuxedo, it's my sister's birthday tonight so I need to look presentable." Ash said as he waved Relena goodbye.
"Seriously how could he be Delia's son or Adan's nephew, his nothing like them. He has a mind of a mastermind with the skills of a professional Assassin and the mindset of a merciful hitman and a dirty politician." Relena wondered as she stored the papers away for further use.
"I should really go myself, knowing my loved; he would still be either in the meeting or drinking in broad daylight." Relena exclaimed as she stood up and with a flash of Aura, teleported away to where her husband is.
(Scene Change)
"That is a big secret." Victoria exclaimed as she and Elena rested in Elena's personal and private spa. "But are you okay with this, I mean having a competition for the head of the family?" Victoria asked as Elena merely chuckled.
"Please, if you asked me, I would prefer to have my brother lead the Deverde family, he is everything a Mafia boss should and more but sadly, he doesn't want the title." Elena stated with a small chuckled. "My brother is the type of guy that hates power yet power loves him, not to mention that he values information and subtle powers rather than outright brute strength." Elena added as Victoria merely nodded.
"He must be one hell of guy." Victoria inquired as Elena merely nodded.
"He is, actually that doesn't even cover it. He has amazing assassination skills, his ability as a informant and as a spy is second to none, and don't get me started at how good he is at gambling, I swear he never loses any kind of gambling game. But the most terrifying ability he has is his charisma and Aura." Elena said as she closed her eyes.
"My brother has this heart and charisma that would make any sane woman fell for him not to mention that he could manipulate anyone with it and the fact that he is seven different kinds of dashing and sexy doesn't hurt as well and his Aura affinity is truly terrifying that words can't even describe how powerful he is in Aura." Elena stated as she shivered in excitement. "If Papa's assumption is correct, then he and Papa are in the same level now when it comes to Aura." Elena added causing Victoria to look at Elena in shocked.
"You're not playing with me are you Elena, are you telling me that your father, the strongest Aura Knight in the underworld and even in Atlantrome, hell the strongest Aura Knight in the world has an equal." Victoria exclaimed as Elena merely nodded.
"Yeah and he's only sixteen." Elena commented with a small smile. "Although dad shouldn't worry about him surpassing him, like I told you, he doesn't desire power but he desire a life where he could raised hell whenever and wherever he wants as well as continue helping people." Elena said as Victoria suddenly remembered something important.
"Hey I just remembered something, the Deverde code state that nobody in the family, especially the boss, should have an illegitimate son or daugther, if this code of law of the Deverde family is breach by a member, it will cause instants death to the said offspring." Victoria recited worriedly but Elena merely shook her head.
"That's why this secret is very well hidden, the only people who knows this secret is me, uncle Adan which is his biological uncle, Papa, Mama, and my Grandparents. My grandparents and mama already loves him so its okay and papa is trying to find a way to adopt him. I on the other hand have different plans." Elena said with a blush. "My family wants' him and his skills will be a great asset to the family not to mention that he is the richest gambler in the world and the owner of A.P.W.A and add to the fact that I love him very deeply. I intend to marry him and with our union, we will rule the Deverde family like no other." Elena concluded as Victoria nodded dumbly.
"Well the Deverde family does state that the marriage between blood and relative is okay." Victoria commented as she embraced her naked friend. "Now as your best friend, I'll be making sure that your brother will look at an angel tonight." Victoria stated as Elena merely laughed. This night will truly be memorable.
(Scene Change) (TIME SKIP NIGHT FALL)
"If it weren't for the fact that this is for my sister, I wouldn't be even wearing this Piplup suit." Ash mumbled as he fixed his elegant suit while walking towards his father's home, which pretty much resembles a castle, a Japanese feudal Castle.
"(Suck it up man; it's for the little angel)." Pikachu retorted as he gazed at their surroundings.
"I know that, why do you think I'm taking such a risk." Ash countered as he suddenly stopped and glanced at the large castle, surrounded by a small lake. It was the Deverde household and main headquarters, the house was filled with the best assassins, hitman, and Aura practitioners in the world but now, it was slowly being swarmed by politicians and business men, half of which he had beaten in gambling while the rest has required the services of his company one way or another, whether it be for information or computer's.
"For my Sweet, Sweet, little sister," Ash mumbled as he wore his white mask with the black lotus crystal on the forehead. "Pikachu take the sky, I may be at home here and this place might be well guarded for an ordinary and extraordinary assassin or hitman but I want somebody I trust guarding the sky's." Ash said as Pikachu suddenly jumped down from his shoulder.
"(Finally I could use that form)." Pikachu mumbled happily as a large spherical silver electricity suddenly surrounded his entire body.
Ash merely smiled as a magnificent dragon suddenly emerged from the sphere and flew up towards the sky. "Now that that's over, it's time for me to go to my sister." Ash mumbled as he walked towards the Deverde Castle.
(Scene Change)
"Why did I have to come here again?" Selene whined as she followed her mother to where ever she was going.
"Hush dear and just enjoy yourself, socialized with people for Mew's sake." Her mother told her much to her dismay. "And what's with the dress, you are not going to fight dear, you're going to dance." Selene's mother said as she glanced at the outfit that her daughter was wearing.
Selene was currently wearing an elegant, blue battle robe, complete with her rapier that was resting beside her hip. The outfit was even complete with some plate armor on her breast and shoulder.
Selene merely shook her head as she glanced at her. "Mother this is in style; you should know that better than anyone." Selene stated as her mother merely nodded.
"Fine dear but next time, don't dress up ready to fight, you could dress to kill but not to fight." Her mother lectured as Selene sighed before standing up.
"If you would excuse me mother, I'm going to go out to get some fresh air." Selene stated politely as she gently made a beeline towards the exit.
"Just come back before eight dear." Her mother said as Selene merely stalked off towards the exit, unknown to her a person was watching her with interest, and that person was Ash.
"She's quite a beauty, she moves like an elegant warrior and a beautiful noble, she has a benevolent air around her which strangely is quite strong, her Aura is latent yet very powerful, I wonder." Ash mumbled as he noticed that a mask fell down from her dress causing him to smile.
Ash gently walks towards where she dropped the mask and merely picked it up. "The party will start at eight; I think I would entertain the golden hair princess." Ash said as he traced the texture of the masquerade mask that he was holding. He then fingered his Katana excitedly, this would truly be interesting.
(Scene Change)
Selene stood at a hidden area in the Deverde family's personal forest, she had got too handed to the Deverde family, they've spend no expense to build their home to be exactly like castle only seen in horror movies. The mansion, which resembled a castle from feudal Japan, emitted a dark Aura of death around it and the vicinity around the castle was guarded by dozens of men wearing an Italian design suit, complete with a fedora, those men were armed with heavy guns and swords. Heck, the only reason she was able to wonder around was because she has an invitation. Which was lucky of her because if she doesn't have an invitation, she would have been shot or cut down without warning nor hesitation what so ever.
'I never thought the Deverde's are this rich but considering that the family has been around for the last hundred years, selling wine and weapons not to mention that the current headmistress and owner of the University is also part of this family, is shouldn't be surprising.' Selene thought randomly as she drawn her rapier and went into a unique fencing style.
As she prepared to perform a fencing Kata, Ash watched her with great interest. "Normally she would have been dead by brining a weapon in the castle but it seems that she still doesn't pose enough or any threat at all to the guards around here." Ash said as he chuckled lowly. "Funny, the first time I was seen in this place with my Katana, I ended having to knock out a hundred guards." Ash reminisced with a smirk as he watched the girl perform her kata while taking a pocket book out from his pocket.
Selene took a deep breath as she began her kata. She began thrusting her swords in a strange pattern as she moves in a dance like pattern while frequently kicking and doing some elegant summersaults. Each of her steps and sword thrust were précised, accurate, and elegant and her form was quite gave the expression of a strong warrior. Ash on the other hand has different thoughts.
"Her movements are fluid and elegant but a bit sluggish, her strikes are précised and accurate yet lacks force, her form is average at best, Arceus, why does western fencing is slowly declining?" Ash mumbled as he continued to watch Selene perform her kata and noted one thing. "She has potential, if she goes to the same school as I do; I might probably give her some tips in how to improve her skills."
Selene then suddenly changed her form and shifted to another and began moving in a different pattern, this time it was much more faster and her movements was more fluid, which Ash took note off. Her movements were now more of a waltz and her thrust was faster, but for Ash it was merely a good show.
After ten minutes, Selene stopped and impaled her rapier to the ground and for the first time that night, she smiled. She was always happy when she was training or using her sword.
Her happy moment was cut short when she heard a clapping sound behind her. She instantly grabbed her sword before looking at the person behind her, a man wearing a strange masquerade mask was the met her sight. The said man was also smiling, sending a gentle shiver down her spine.
"Not bad for a western swordswoman," Ash said as he applauded her performance. "Although you have an excellent reflexes and you movements are quite fluid, you lack the strength behind your strikes will be your downfall if you get into a serious fight." Ash commented as he suddenly shifted his head as her rapier suddenly appeared beside his face.
Selene didn't know why but hearing his comment made her aggravated that she just merely grabbed her swords and charged at the mysterious man, consequence be damn. Even know, even after dodging her first strike, the man was still smiling at her, much to her aggravation. "I do not need the words of a stranger who does not know how to hold a sword." Selene stated coldly causing Ash to chuckle.
"You know, the party will start an hour from now." Ash commented as he suddenly unsheathed his Katana that he was hiding out of nowhere. "Shall we dance with our swords and find out what's more superior, an assassination eastern-base sword style or a traditional western style fencing style." Ash said as he suddenly deflected her blade before grabbing her hand and pulling her close to him so that they were staring at each other's eyes. Selene, even if she was being challenge, can't helped but blush at the sight of the two beautiful brown eyes that she was staring at.
"May I have the honor of this dance?" Ash mumbled as he effortlessly threw her across him. Selene landed on her feet and unconsciously blocked a hard strike that came from Ash sword.
"At least you know how to block." Ash commented as Selene growled before smiling.
"You want to waste time, fine let's waste time." Selene exclaimed as jumped back away from Ash before attacking him with another sword thrust. Ash smiled as he dodged the attack but was quickly followed by another one which he effortlessly diverted, he then threw a diagonal slash which she dodged effortlessly and she instantly followed it up with another sword thrust, this time on the other, Ash merely dodge by shifting his body slightly to the side.
Selene then shifted her weight and began a barrage of sword thrusts towards Ash while occasional throwing some fancy kicks towards him as well. Ash merely shook his head as he dodged her attacks with little to no amount of effort as he smiled at the girl that he was fighting. If a person had come and watch this duel, they would have interpreted it as a deadly and beautiful dance of steel as sparks fly around when their swords occasionally clash, Ash didn't need to block some of her strike because of the lack of force behind them, and death because one wrong move from even one of them, will result to death or a very large wound.
Selene's face adorned a frustrated smile as she tried to at least make the guy in front move an inch, even if he was dodging, he was barely moving, he was just merely shifting his body weight from left to right to dodge her strikes, hell he was barely moving his sword to block her strikes. In a weird way, she felt content with this for she had finally met somebody that actually look like a novice, with the exception of Professor Adan Ketchum (yes he teaches in the school), nobody had ever outclass her in a sword duel before and being outclass like this made her a bit excited.
Selene suddenly jumped back a couple of feet away from Ash before jumping towards Ash again, thrusting her rapier in an unbelievable speed and with force to penetrate steel. Ash seeing the danger of that strike merely smiled as he shifted his body to the side, dodging the attack but getting some strands of his hair by the air pressure done by the attack. Ash chuckled at that, it was time to take this duel to the next level.
Using the momentum that the attack gave her, Selene shifted her stance and was about to do the same attack but was shocked when she notice that the mysterious swordsman that he was fighting was no longer behind her. 'What the,' Selene thought in confusion.
"Behind you, little Angel," A sweet voice said as she looked behind her only to see the same man preparing to strike from behind. Selene instantly raised her sword to block but was useless as the force behind the attack was enough to push her back a couple of feet away from her mysterious rival.
'Amazing, such strength behind a normal attack,' Selene thought in awe as she landed on her feet and glanced at her opponent, only to see him position his sword on his side while lowering his body and his center of gravity.
"Moonlight Tribute, Basic Step; Basic First Form of Assassination: Flow." Ash mumbled as he charged towards her while threw a sword slash at her.
The movement of her opponent was surreal as she barely block the powerful strike the was thrown at her but that didn't end there, her rival continued attacking her with a fluent and rapid sword strike with enough force to cleave a boulder in half, hell she was wondering why her sword was not snapped in two by now. As she tried to move away from him, she discovered that it was basically impossible as his movements resembled a quick, high speed, dance like maneuver that made it impossible for her to even create a small distance away from him.
She was so busy blocking the attacks that he didn't noticed that Ash was smiling as she was able to hold her own, even if barely, against his sword style, even if it was using the most basic step in his swords style's arsenal, it was still impressive, especially that, in normal circumstances, his opponent would have been reduced to a corpse, in normal circumstances.
Ash seeing that the girl was struggling to block and was on the verge of making a mistake, decided to end this before he accidently reduced her to a corpse. Ash gently, yet with some force, pushed her backwards before he spun in an incredible rate, hitting her sword with continuous sword strike.
Selene held her sword tightly as sparks began to fly in front of her; she can't take much of this, the force behind her opponents attacks were out of this world and it seems that he noticed that she was not going to last long because the last sword strike caused her gripped to the sword to loosen and for her sword to fly out of her hand. That strike was also enough to send her to the ground, Selene closed her eyes and prepared for impact but it didn't come.
"Thanks for the challenge; you actually lasted for more than five minutes." Ash commented as he held her by the hip.
Selene slowly opened her eyes and was met by the sight of her rival holding her by the hip, pulling her closer to him. Even thought she didn't know this man, she can't help but blush at the closeness that they were in right now, their bodies were actually touching and because of that she was feeling warmth that she had never experience before and add to the fact that his eyes were shinning benevolently caused her heart to skip a couple of beat.
Regardless of what she was feeling right now, her pride still has the last say. "Let go of me, right this instant." Selene demanded coldly while Ash merely chuckled before pulling her closer to him, much to her aggravation and, still unknown to her, delight. Hers' and Ash's chess were now in contact as they stared at each other, Ash taking great pleasure at seeing the strong girl squirm in his arms.
"Let me tell you a secret, I like your eyes, they shined with benevolent power that you haven't yet discover." Ash said as he took out her masquerade mask that she had dropped early on. "By the way, you dropped this." Ash stated as he put the masquerade mask on her, causing her to be startled a bit as her blush got even deeper.
"And this," Ash stated as he suddenly took out a black rose from out of nowhere, "Is my thank you for great warmth up." Ash said as he suddenly tucked the rose just above her right ear. Ash smiled at the surprised look on her face as he spun her away from him, similar to a dance.
As Selene finally stop spinning face the direction to where the stranger used to stand, she discovered the he has been long gone, black rose petals flew towards her. Selene didn't know why but as the black petals touch her skin, she felt amazing warmth surround her, it was not similar to the warmth when the stranger held her but this was nice as well. She unconsciously took the rose that was given to her by the mysterious man and smell the fragrant aroma, the fragrant was so wonderful.
"I wonder if I'll get a rematch." Selene whispered as she played with the black rose in her hand.
(Scene Change)
"Well that was an interesting duel." Ash mumbled as he entered the Deverde castle once again. "I wonder how many interesting people are here." Ash wondered loudly as he walked aimlessly in the corridors of the castle.
"Let's see, according to my watch I got fifteen minutes to waste before this blasted party starts." Ash commented as he gazed at his watch. "I wonder what I'll do at that time span." Ash wondered as he suddenly felt an Aura that he had only come upon to once.
"Another reason why I like Arceus, she is so giving." Ash said as took the mask that he was wearing and hid it in his pocket. He then swiped the nearest bottle of wine that he could find as well as two wine glasses before he made his way towards the source of that benevolent Aura.
(Scene Change)
Victoria let out a relief sighed as she gazed at the night sky, the sky was always beautiful every night and it was great relief for her to gaze at such beauty. It has been quite a hectic after as she and her best friend had literally ransack every mall in the city to find a perfect dress for her little friend, it seems that the information of having her step brother attending her party made her extremely nervous that she had automatically dragged her and her bodyguards, as good of a fighter that she is she still needs some bodyguards much to her annoyance, all across the city to find a better dress than what she already has, It greatly annoyed her bodyguards but they knew that her father and mother would literally removed them from existence, they would first torture them to a thousand deaths before actually finish the job or worse, they could hand them to Adan and he was well known for breaking people's will to live and making them beg for death. But still, they would rather be in one of Adan's torture session than see two rich and powerful girls shopped for clothes, that much she was sure. It took them the whole afternoon but Elena had finally picked one simple dress that she was sure that her brother would like, if not, she said that she would personally hunt down the designer and gut him/her to death.
Victoria giggled at the sudden change of demeanor that her friend had just displayed when at that news; it was relief for to know that Elena could act as an ordinary girl. She was always worried about Elena because she often times act more like a hire assassin than an ordinary girl, it was an effect of her constant training to run the biggest and most powerful assassination family and organization in the planet, so she expected as much. But still, it was a relief that there was something that could make her act like a simple girl.
"I wonder what kind of person her brother is, if he could actually make her act like an in love school girl, then he must be a very good guy." Victoria stated as a cold beverage was suddenly push thought her cheeks, causing a cold shiver run down her spine as well as causing her to jump back in surprised.
"Hello little princess, I see that we have meet again." Ash greeted as he raised a wine glass at her.
Victoria's eyes widen at the sight of the man in front of her, it was the same man that save her just yesterday.
"I hope I didn't scare you, little princes." As h said with a chuckled as Victoria's eyes soften a bit.
"Actually no, I was just merely startled a bit." Victoria said as she regained her composure and approached the, man that saved her from death yesterday.
Ash chuckled as he bowed his head in respect. "Sorry for my intervention princess but you should really be with a guard right now, especially that this house is filled with the best hitman and assassins this world had ever produced." Ash advised as Victoria looked at him with a questioning eye.
"So I guess you know this family's real history." Victoria stated as Ash merely nodded.
"Of course, the Deverde family is a noble family that has existed for the past two hundred years, first establish in Kingdom of Atlantrome as their best assassination family and squad in the Great War. The Deverde family has moved from the Kingdom of Atlantrome to Sinnoh five years after the war for the simple reason of keep the balance of power in the Kingdom at check yet even now, the Deverde family and the Kingdom of Atlantrome is still in friendly terms and still in an alliance, an alliance that has been establish since the first establishment. And if my information is correct, the Deverde family is still an independent military force that serves under the current King of Atlantrome, exclusively." Ash explained as Victoria was taken a back at the information that he had said, something that Ash noticed.
"Don't worry little princess, I know that information for the simple reason that the Head of the Family, Lord Alexander, had personally told it to me, for reason that I still do not know." Ash explained as Victoria visibly relaxed at that yet another question pop in to her mind.
"So you're a hitman trained by the Deverde family." Victoria asked as Ash shook his head.
"No, I am a self train hitman and assassin, the reason why Lord Alexander gave me that information is because my case is quite, for lack of better words, 'special'." Ash answered as he offered her a glass filled with wine.
Victoria blushed a bit as she accepted the glass of wine. "What do you mean by 'special'?" Victoria asked as Ash merely shook his head.
"It's better for you to not know that princess and I think the interrogation is over." Ash said with a bit of force as he smiled at her."You look angelic by the way princess." Ash commented causing Victoria to giggle a bit. Ash was actually telling the truth, she look absolutely breathtaking because of the dress that she was wearing.
"You don't look half bad yourself." Victoria answered with a smile as the two started their very first conversation and for the first time, Victoria felt at ease with a man that was not her father and it was very pleasurable experience.
She didn't know it yet but that man would greatly influence her life.
(Scene Change)
"So you're an informant?" Victoria asked again as she drank another glass of wine. The two of them had been conversing for twenty minutes, the best twenty minutes that Victoria had with a boy ever, neither one of them giving any important information about each other. Ash because he lives a dangerous life and that he was currently talking to his sister's best friend while Victoria was careful not to give any information about her or her country. The two of them had just been conversing anything under the sun, something that she really enjoy.
"Yes, I am an informant first and foremost while an assassin second." Ash said with a far out look. "To be honest with you Princess, I'm a better informant and spy than an assassin." Ash stated knowingly, he had proven that fact over and over again in his life in the underworld.
"Is that the reason why you know me before I even tell you my name?" Victoria asked with a bit of suspicion.
"Of course, as an informant I should always be updated of the future figures of the world and you are at the top of that list you majesty." Ash explained as he suddenly looked at him with a serious expression. "I suggest you watched your back princess, I don't know why I'm telling you this but figuring that you would converse so freely with a person like me, then you should know this. I don't know if the Deverde family knows because I have yet to discuss this with them, but there is buzz in the underworld about multiple assassination attempt against you and your and coup 'd'état. I don't know much details yet but I suggest you watch your back until you reach your seventeen birthday, if my information, assumption, and even basing it by what kind of Aura I'm feeling at your presence is correct, then you would have full control over that power you have by that time." Ash exclaimed slowly which caused Victoria's eyes to widen, her indigo eyes turning crimson for a moment.
"How did you know about 'that', that information is classified and only a few people know about that information about me?" Victoria exclaimed shockingly, her eyes glowing crimson and her body was slowly licking psychic energy.
Ash chuckled a bit at the power that he was feeling before place his index finger on her forehead. With a sudden Aura spike, Victoria's eyes turn back to normal and her body was no longer leaking psychic energy, much to her confusion and shock. "Psychic is just another form of Aura, it is only natural that if a more powerful Aura clash another weaker Aura, the stronger Aura would win, but do not fear, I merely block your Psychic energy before anybody else notices it. You should really learn to control your power princess; it will greatly help your kingdom." Ash answered her unasked question.
"As for me knowing that information, I'll tell you this right now, there is no information in this world that I do not know, there is no important event happening in the world without me knowing, there are no influential or powerful people that I do not know, and more importantly, there is no secret that I do not know. My wings stretch far and wide, farther and wider than anyone could even imagine." Ash said as his hand glowed black with Aura.
"I must go now princess, please head my warning. I really would like to see you again." Ash said as the black Aura suddenly turned into a black, crystal feather. Ash then put the crystal feather on the palm of her hands before kissing her on the forehead once again, much to her great delight.
"Can I know your name Assassin?" Victoria asked once again with, her cheeks bright pink as Ash merely chuckled.
"Princess, you have been asking me question's all night. I would tell you honestly that half my answers are all half lies and half truths, I could not afford any people knowing who I am." Ash answered as he suddenly looked at her eyes. "The next time we meet, I promised you, I will tell you my name personally but for now, let's just says that I'm a man that stands in the middle of heaven and hell, between angles and devils, and let's just says that I am merely a man who is ruled by his morals." Ash said as his body shattered like a mirror, creating an effect of diamond dust that went through Victoria.
"And most importantly, I am a man known for his illusions."A voice whispered to her as Victoria smiled at those words.
"I don't know who you are but, thank you for the wonderful evening." Victoria whispered as the voice she heard merely chuckle in delight. She didn't know why but she stayed at the balcony for thirty more minutes as she held the crystal feather in her hands. That was enough time for Ash to give his sister her present without her actually knowing his identity.
(Scene Change)
"Ladies and Gentlemen welcome and thank you for coming to this event." Alex said as he greeted the guess that came to their 'humble home' (yeah right, they live in a freaking castle). "Today, we celebrate the fifteen birthday of my lovely daughter, Elena Del Gloria Deverde." Alex exclaimed as both Relena and Elena emerged from the curtain for the world to see. The gathered guest applauded them as the main celebrant show themselves, some of her suitors, whom Ash has already put in his company's and personal hit list, eyed her lustfully as they saw how beautiful she is with the dress that she was wearing.
The evening gown that Elena wore was simple yet elegant, the gown was pure white and backless and sleeveless, it was like a silhouette of a sheath dress, was made by fine and luxurious fabric, and was showered by glistening glitters. The dress perfectly fits Elena like a glove, because the gown showed off and emphasized her beautiful and sexy figure, the gown as well shows off her bare shoulders and slender arms and a white, soft fabric was the only thing covering her bare, smooth back. She was wearing a white mask, decorated with random jewels.
"Now that my dear daughter has reach fifteen, she is now ready to learn the greatest aspect and to take part of the 'business' that our family has been doing for the past two hundred years and I know for a fact that my daughter would one day inherit the family head title from me and she will run it like the past head family before her and I know that she will make me and her ancestors proud." Alex said as the crowd applauded even louder.
"I know that all of you came here to dance so without further ado, let's us start the party." Alex said as he offered his hand to Elena which she took wholeheartedly. Alex smiled at her daughter before glancing at his wife. "Now dear, take the hand of one of the boys in the crowd and he will have the privilege of having Elena's second dance." Alex announced as all of Elena's suitors step in front of the crowd of the crowd, hoping to be picked by her mother.
Relena merely chuckled at those boys as she walked to farthest edge of the ballroom, she would rather die than let those worthless and spineless boys touch her little angel. For her, there is only one man who deserves her hand and that was her step-brother, the moment that she had the privilege of knowing him is the very same moment that she had thank the person who had made the Deverde code because it allowed marriage between families with blood relation.
Relena passed all the boys that had those kinds of looks on their eyes before she nonchalant grabbed a random guy who was merely leaning on a wall. That guy was Ash. Ash chuckled as he guided Relena towards his father and his smiling sister, oblivious of the glares he was receiving from the other boys around him.
"How you could easily shatter my illusion, I would never know." Ash mumbled as he and Relena walk towards the center of the ballroom.
"You are a powerful illusionist Ash but you are still lacking the strength, the power, and the experience to even stand in the same ring as I am at that regard." Relena commented with a chuckle.
"I know," Ash whispered as he face Relena and prepare to dance.
"Good evening, my sweet little sister." Ash greeted as he glanced at her.
"Good evening my beloved brother." Elena greeted back with a delightful smile as well.
Alex and Relena smiled at their interaction as the music played. The four instantly waltz near each other dancing around each other in a near proximity as people began entering the dance floor.
"So dear, are you serious of pursuing him?" Alex asked as his daughter nodded.
"I know that you are against family to family relationship, it's a given fact, but I love him dad, I love him since the first time I laid eyes on him. Sure when I discovered that he was your son, I tried to kill, and you know how that ended." Elena stated with a slightly embarrass tone.
"Yes of course, I never would have expected that Ash was an illusionist, he may not be in darling's level but he's almost there." Alex commented as Elena nodded.
"Yes, that was the reason why he beat so effortlessly. How he could use both dark and light as the power source of his illusions, I would never know." Elena said with a smile as she returned to the matter at hand. "But regardless, he is everything I want, his caring, goodhearted, ruthless, powerful, handsome, devious, and much, much more. With him and me together, we could run the Deverde family in more proper manner." Elena exclaimed as Alex nodded.
"Even though it's legal in our family code, I'm against close-kin marriage but if you are able to make him fall for you, then I will allow this marriage to happen but do not force him, he may know everything happening around the world and in every corner of the underworld but he is still clueless about love." Alex said humorously as Elena giggled.
"How a powerful guy like brother not knows about love, I would never know." Elena stated with a smile as well.
"How are your illusions coming along Ash?" Relena asked as the two waltzes casually.
"Same old, same old, I'm experimenting on a new one but because my opponents were already dead before I could try it, well you get the idea." Ash said as Relena chuckled softly.
"That's the curse of being strong Ash especially that the illusion that we both could cast are both high quality, disturbing nightmares." Relena said as the two nodded, they really could make illusion that would be consider as nightmares for others, especially Relena because she prefers to destroy her opponents mind and leave them in a vegetative state rather than Ash who prefers to cast illusions around his opponents before cutting them down in a very painful matter. They are both excellent assassins in their own way because of their abilities to cast illusions with different power source, with different mediums, Ash use a sword while Relena use a flute.
"By the way it's almost time." Relena said as Ash nodded.
"Fine, by the way tell dad that I will talk to him tomorrow, there is something urgent I need to tell him." Ash exclaimed as Relena nodded.
"Is the underworld in chaos?" Relena exclaimed as Ash shook his head.
"It's about the Kingdom." Ash answered as he suddenly spun her around before catching Elena in his arms. "Hello my sweet sister." Ash greeted once again as Elena buried herself in his chest.
"Hello my beloved brother." Elena greeted with a smile.
"I'll give you your present later, but for now let's dance." Ash explained as the siblings dance lovingly, causing more boys to glare at the black mask boy.
Elena enjoyed this moment very much and as much as her hearth's content, this was the first time that she held her brother this close and having to dance with him was not that bad as well. She could already feel that all the boys there were glaring at Ash but knowing him, if they actually showed any hostility towards him, then they had already forfeited their lives. And Elena knew that he will leaved soon right after he gives her his present, the reason why is because he despised social parties and especially that he was in the lion's den, the Deverde's castle.
The two had been dancing for more than ten minutes before he suddenly leaned towards her. "Balcony, now, I have to leave soon so I need to give you your present." Ash whispered much to Elena's displeasure.
"Do you really have to, I mean….." Elena was cut off when Ash places his index on her lips.
"I hate to, trust me even if I hate social parties like this, I would rather stay here with you for your birthday, especially that I don't like the way those boys are looking at you." Ash stated as he glared at the boys behind them before blasting them a mild killing-intent, causing them all to feint momentarily. That caused a hustle as Ash dragged Elena towards the balcony.
Elena smiled at how over protective he is, it was enlightening that he was very 'possessive' of her, well technically he is just overprotective but let us no shatter her illusion just yet.
OKAY, FIRST THINGS FIRST, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REVIEWS THAT YOU GUYS SEND ME, IT REALLY HELPS MY MOTIVATION TO WRITE THIS STORY….SECOND, THIS STORY WILL ALTERNATE BETWEEN ASH'S SCHOOL LIFE TO ASH'S JOB IN THE UNDERWORLD AND THE WAY HE RUNS HIS COMPANY….THE NEXT EIGHT CHAPTERS ARE ALREADY PLANNED BY THE WAY….
BY THE WAY…..IF YOU GUYS ARE CURIOUS AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS CHAPTER…..WAIT TILL NEXT CHAPTER…IT WILL BE THEIR IN A FLASHBACK….
READ, ENJOY, AND REVIEW….
NEXT CHAPTER; THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS, ENTER THE FOURTH QUEEN…..