Revelations

Ash got up feeling very warm and drowsy. 'Strange' he thought, 'why does the straw feel so smooth and heavy today?' He reached out his hand to stroke Pikachu only to find he wasn't there.

"What the?" He said aloud. He sat up and looked around. He was in a large four poster bed in the middle of huge expensive looking bedroom. At first he had no clue what was going on, but as he started waking up he began to remember the events of yesterday. A knock suddenly sounded at the door. He grabbed his mask and crown from the table and threw them on quick.

"Enter," He said, it didn't half feel strange ordering people around. Usually he was the one taking the orders. A servant with a tray of food entered the room and placed it on the table. She was a tall brunette with soft blue eyes. Ash relaxed a great deal when he saw her and took the disguise of.

"I'm very glad to see you May, how have you been?" Ash said.

"As well as can be expected. After the dance with Drew last night, I feel like I'm on cloud 9. I should think you feel the same." She said in a gossipy way. Ash rolled his eyes but still told her about what happened while he was getting ready in the bathroom. When he left he was as rich and handsome looking as he had been yesterday.

"Wow." May said. She'd seen him last night but was still blown away by the transformation. No one could tell he was really a poor, penniless muck boy.

"Well?" Ash said.

"Mm. Oh! Yes." May said remembering why she had come. "Well I have brought you some breakfast and am told to inform you that you are required in the throne room at 10:00." She said.

"When did you get so formal." Ash asked while picking up a croissant.

"I have to keep up appearances around here, guess I've kind of gotten into the habit." She said laughing. Ash laughed to, and took a bite out of his toast. He'd never eaten anything except bread and apples and lettuce and other left over foods when he was living on the farm. With the occasional pie or pastry, smuggled in by Dawn. He hadn't had a proper meal like this since he still had parents. It felt wonderful to have so many sweet flavours dancing on his tongue. He ate the entire platter of food, even though it could have fed at least 20 men. When he was finished he glanced at the clock: 9:49. It was getting quite late, he'd better head down to the throne room. He left his room and walked down the corridor to the main staircase. When he got about three floors down he looked around but didn't recognise anything. There was the fact that they had been in the ballroom last night and so he had no clue where the throne room actually was. He went running round the palace looking, but couldn't find anything. He was sure he was late by now.

"What am I going to do." He cried.

"Something wrong?" A voice said.

"Ash whipped round to see who it was. It turned out to be Cilan the prince of Unova.

"I can't seem to find the throne room." Ash said.

"Yes I had trouble myself, lucky I ran into Serena's maid Iris. According to her it's just over this way." He said pointing down the hall.

"Thanks," Ash said.

"I was just heading over there, want to walk together?" He offered.

"Sure," Ash said. The set off for the throne room and started to have good conversation about pokemon.

Meanwhile…

Paul was very frustrated. Never get in Paul's way when he's frustrated, everyone knows that. That was why he was on his own outside the palace. He began punching the wall to let out some of his anger. He stopped rather suddenly when he heard the sound of voices from the other side of the wall. There was a small crack in it just a few feet away. He peered through it and was surprised to see the owners of the voices were May and Drew.

"Do you think he'll ever tell her?" Drew was saying. Who's her? Tell her what?
"He'll have to eventually even if he needs a bit of a push. But it would be fair for him to pretend to be a prince forever." May said. Pretend? Prince? Paul was even more intrigued as to what they were talking about.

"Ash can't marry Serena under the name Satoshi of Alto Mare. It just wouldn't be right. If she loves him she has to love him, not the prince." Drew said.

"She'll love him for who he is. Who wouldn't?" May said. They both smiled and started walking away hand in hand. Paul now had an evil grin on his face growing right up to his ears. 'I'd better go talk to Trip.' He thought, and ran off to the village.

In the throne room…

"So then I attacked with a shadow ball but he countered with flamethrower." Morrison had said. The princes of the many regions had all gathered in the throne room and were discussing their previous battles. Ash really liked all of them, aside from Gary. He did nothing but stare daggers at Ash from the side of the room with a scowl on his face. Ash decided to at least try to get to know him.

"Hey." He said. Gary looked him up and down and then told him to stay away from Serena.

"Sorry?" Ash said.

"Look I know you think you're all that. "Prince Satoshi of Alto Mare" But lets get one thing straight. I am far superior to a loser like you and the only one who will be marrying the princess. Got it." Gary said. He then walked away, leaving Ash very stunned and hurt. The others noticed Gary had been very rude to him so they went up to speak with him.

"Just ignore him." Brock said.

"Yeah he's nothing but a sore loser." Morrison said.

"His palette does have a rather bitter flavour," Cilan added. Ash was pleased to have friends kind enough to stick up for him.

The doors opened to reveal Serena and her Grace. The two took their places on the thrones and Grace gestured for the princes to line up before them.

"Now," she said. "You are all eligible suiters for my daughter and I have been informed that she has finally decided which of you she wishes to marry." She nodded at Serena who stood up to announce which of them would become her husband. She walked down the steps so she was level with them.

"I have decided to marry… Prince Satoshi of Alto Mare." She said.

"What!" Gary cried.

"What?" Ash said. He was thrilled but completely surprised. The two ran into each others arms and cuddled each other very happily. The other princes, aside from Gary who was now fuming, were congratulating Ash and Serena. They then all left the palace to returned to their kingdoms. They would have stayed if they didn't have a duty to care for their people. Only Ash/Satoshi, Serena, Grace and Gary where left. Gary said he could stay a while longer, though secretly he was hoping to find a way to change Serena's mind.

Grace was beaming all over and insisted the two announce their engagement right then and there. So the four of them walked out to the head of the large steps leading down to the square. The trumpets sounded, earning the attention of everyone in the square. Including Paul, Trip and Damien.

"I would like to announce the royal engagement between Serena princess of Kalos. And Satoshi prince of Alto Mare." Grace said. Ash and Serena waved as the crowd cheered. They looked at each other and smiled before joining hands and gazing lovingly at each other. Nothing could ruin such a perfect moment, nothing. Except…

"STOP!" Was suddenly heard blasting across the crowd. Serena and Ash both turned to see none other than Trip marching through the crowd. Ash felt a small feeling of nervousness stir within him. He was sure Trip was up to no good. "The princess cannot marry this man." He declared pointing an accusing finger at Ash. Ash's grip on Serena's hands tightened in fear, he had a bad feeling Trip knew the truth. Unfortunately his feeling was right.

"Why?" Questioned the queen.

"Because the law states that the princess must marry a prince and he is no prince. He's a fake." Trip yelled. He practically spat the sick words in Ash's face; he was now right in-between him and Serena. The entire crowd gasped in shock. Prince Satoshi, a fake?! "Yes!" Trip exclaimed as Ash backed away in sheer horror. He knew what was coming next. Trip ripped off his mask to reveal his face and knocked his crown off so his messy black hair could fall around his head again. There was yet another gasp from the crowd including Serena and Grace this time as Trip merely smirked in triumph. "You see, he's not prince Satoshi just the loser muck boy Ash Ketchum!" Trip said giving Ash a shove so that he lost his footing and fell back into a large puddle of mud. The villagers suddenly erupted into laughter. Ash pushed himself up but found he hadn't the will to stand. He was utterly humiliated and heartbroken.

Queen Grace was furious, a muck boy! A muck boy! A muck boy was going to marry her daughter!

Serena herself was in total shock.

"It's him." She whispered staring at Ash. She realised he was that boy she met when she snuck out. Ash, he was the handsome prince she'd fallen in love with. She didn't know what to say so she just kept staring at him.

The crowd was still laughing at Ash, he was horrified. He looked at Serena. She was just staring, positively transfixed. Ash didn't know if this was good or bad and he wasn't all that sure he wanted to find out.

A shadow suddenly cast itself over him. He looked up only to meet the gaze of Trip, Paul and Damien.

Trip started laughing cruelly "I can't believe you actually thought you stood a chance with a princess!" The others began laughing to. "you see muck boy, no matter how much you try you'll never be anything other than a loser." The crowds laughs suddenly grew even louder and Ash looked like he was about cry. He'd had enough embarrassment for one day. He got up, unintentionally allowing a tear to fall as he did, and tried to run. But he was stopped by a hand grabbing his wrist. He looked round startled. He was even more startled to find that the hand belonged to Serena!

"Stop, please don't go." She said, tears began falling down her face. "I… I…" No she wasn't going to chicken out this time. "I love you!" She finished. Everyone gasped at what she said. Ash nearly fainted with surprise, he stared hard into Serena's eyes and was absolutely certain she was telling the truth.

"What?" He asked quietly still in total amazement.

"WHAT!" Came a scream. Everyone looked up to see that it was queen Grace who had spoken (or more precisely yelled). She was practically seething with anger now, her face was bright red and her breathing was heavy as lead. "You can't seriously love this, this freak!"

Now it was Serena's turn to be angry. "I do mother! And don't you dare call him that." She yelled. She was surprised at how much confidence her voice held, was this one of loves side effects perhaps.

"But he's nothing. Just a pathetic loser muck boy. An orphan, an urchin, a worthless piece of garbage. Why would you care for a loser like this when you could have a rich handsome prince like Gary." She said looking to prince Gary directly beside her. He smirked happily at the queens compliment and the array of insults she threw at Ash; who was now looking at the ground wishing more than anything that it would just swallow him up. Serena's grip on his arm tightened slightly at her mothers words and she was now just as furious. How dare she talk about Ash like he was nothing but trash. She'd heard enough and decided to let her mother know it.

"Thats it!" She cried. Everyone who'd been laughing or snickering suddenly stopped to look at Serena. "I will not allow you to control my life anymore mother, I'm 18. I love Ash and he is the only person I will ever marry. You may try but you will never force me to marry another and if you do try then so help me I will run away with Ash and one of your poxy prince's can run this kingdom!"

Everyone just stared in shock. Serena was panting, exhausted from all that yelling but pleased that for the first time in 18 years she'd actually said what was on her mind. Ash was completely awestruck at what Serena had said. He was both surprised and thrilled.

"You really mean that Serena?" He said hopefully.

"Of course I do Ash." She said turning to look into his chocolate brown eyes. He smiled warmly and took both her hands once again. They were slowly becoming lost in each other when the moment was broken abruptly by the queen.

She started laughing. Just burst into it like she'd lost her mind. she smiled and composed herself before opening her mouth. "Awe." She cooed "Now aren't you two just adorable." She flashed an evil smile. Serena suddenly felt very nervous she didn't know what her mother was thinking but she was certain it spelt trouble. Trouble with a capital 'T'.

"Very well then Serena you leave me no choice." She snapped her fingers and the royal guard suddenly surrounded everyone.

"Mom what are you doing." Serena cried, clutching Ash as tight as possible.

"I'm sorry but it's for your own good. Guards seize them." She ordered. The guard suddenly grabbed Ash and Serena who tried desperately to hang onto each other. They screamed and yelled for each other but it was no use. They were both restrained and Serena was dragged over to her mother. She looked up at her only to find she was more focused on Ash. Grace strode down the steps to him. He looked at the queen with pleading eyes and tried to speak but one of the guards holding him gave him a kick in leg causing him to fall to his knees. Serena cried out and tried yet again to brake free but she wasn't strong enough.

The queen looked down at Ash with pure disgust. "Ash Ketchum." She said formally, "You are herby arrested for committing treason in the act of lying and dare I say deceiving me and my daughter." She then turned to the guards, "Take him to the dungeon to await trail." She then turned back to Serena as Ash was dragged away. He kept his head down the whole time and Serena could just make out him speaking. "Why?" He whispered. Serena couldn't believe what was happening, her own mother was throwing her true love in the dungeon just because she loved him.

Was this all her fault? That was all she could think about as she was dragged inside and locked in her room. She tried banging on the door screaming as loud as she could. But it did her no good, so she gave up and collapsed on her bed.

"Fennekin." Fennekin began licking Serena's feet trying to cheer her up. But unfortunately she was so distraught she didn't even notice.

Meanwhile in the dungeon…

The guards flung Ash into the cell. They laughed and spat at him, calling him a loser and a freak. He said nothing; just lay on the floor where they'd thrown him, too hurt to move. The guards left laughing. It wasn't till they were out of ear shot that Ash finally allowed himself to cry. He pushed himself up against the wall and just cried. He was silent just letting tears stream down his face. He only hoped Serena was ok.

With Serena…

"Ahh!" Serena cried as she was dragged into the throne room. Grace was sat on her throne looking smug, she had a plan in mind that would insure her daughter marry someone actually worthy of her.

"Ah, Serena darling how are you. I do hope you've had enough time to think things through; remember dear I only want whats best for you." She said in that fake sweet tone that made Serena sick.

"Well in that case you can release Ash and allow us to be together. Come on mom don't you want me to be happy." She begged.

"Happy. How can you be happy with a loser like that Ketchum boy. He's nothing." Grace said.

"Your wrong," Serena said, tears started to stream down her cheeks. "Ash is sweet and kind and brave and he really cares about me. Can't you see that it's true love." Serena wailed. She fell to her knees hopping her mother would be merciful.

"Love! What has love got to do with this. Do you think I loved your father, humph! Not in a million years. But I married him because he was a prince and it was my duty as a princess to marry someone worthy. Which is why I have arranged for you to marry prince Gary on the following saturday." She said. Prince Gary immediately stepped forward and bowed before her.

"What! No I won't." Serena said. She stared hard at her mother to make sure she knew she was serious. Unfortunately Grace had expected this and was more than ready to make her daughter do as she wished.

"I see. Well if you won't marry prince Gary then I guess you won't marry at all. As I have decided that as punishment for his crimes you little boyfriend shall be executed." She smiled as she spoke, thoroughly enjoying her daughters distress. She completely broke down crying claiming she would do anything just so long as she didn't kill Ash. "Very well then." Grace said solemnly raising her hand. Serena stopped mid sob and looked up into her mothers eyes. "I will spare his life." She said.

"Oh thank you." Serena said smiling.

"But." Grace continued. "Only if you marry prince Gary."

"What?!" Serena said. She couldn't believe her own mother was blackmailing her into marriage. However she couldn't help but feel guilty, like it was all her fault Ash was in this mess in the first place. She sighed and knew she had no other choice but to meet with her mothers demands.

"Ok." She said, looking at the ground so her hair prevented anyone from seeing her expression. "If you promise not to kill Ash I will marry prince Gary."

Grace smiled and leaned back in her chair. She knew she had won. Gary descended the stairs to Serena. She stood up and faced him. He took her hand and kissed it gently before leading her out of the room.

"Don't worry." He whispered darkly in her ear. "You'll soon forget about that loser and realise just how superior I am." She flinched slightly and her heart took another stab. But she held onto him just the same, knowing if she made just one wrong move Ash would pay the price.

"Oh by the way." Grace called as the two where just out the door. "I've decided that instead of death the muck boy will be sentenced to a milseries instead."

"Huh! NO!" Serena cried running towards the closing doors. "Please you can't!" She screamed just as the doors shut.

"Well, thats all taken care of. Now bring me the prisoner." Grace commanded the guards. They saluted in unison then exited to the dudgeon. Grace leaned back in her chair and smiled. Evilly.