Chapter 4 The King -
The guard led Ash away from the cheering crowd and brought him to a large white marbled stair case. The farther Ash was led up the staircase the more distant the crowds cheering became until eventually it could no longer be heard. At the top of the stairs was a long hallway with torches lined all along the walls "This way." The guard said walking down the hall. Walking beside the guard Ash noticed the portraits that were hung on the wall depicting different Knights and their Pokémon. One portrait that stood out to Ash was of Sir Aaron and his Lucario.
Heroically Sir Aaron stood, his staff glowing bright and his Lucario with his head held high towards his master. Nearing the end of the hallway Ash began to hear the crowd once more, gradually they began to grow louder and louder. The guard abruptly stopped in front of two large wooden doors, being guarded by two more guards. The guards immediately opened the doors upon seeing Ash and the guard. Past the doors was a balcony overlooking the large courtyard and all the people that filled it, on the balcony sat five stone chairs, two that where taller than an average sized chair and the other three of normal proportions.
The two guards shut the doors as Ash and the guard walked in "Wait here." The guard commanded. Walking over to one of the larger chairs he leaned in beside it and stood their saying something to whoever sat there. Once the guard finished talking he bowed then walked back over to Ash "The King will now see you." The guard led Ash around the sides of the balcony and in front of the five chairs and the five people seated there.
Ash looked at each person quickly. In the first chair sat a breath taking beautiful lady, she smiled at Ash a warm and disarming smile making him feel all fuzzy inside. Beside her sat a man that was probably in his fifties, he wore the same attire as Gareth and Kay did, except for the small golden crown that was placed upon his head, seeing Ash he stood up and approached him. The way he walked, the way he carried himself intimidated Ash almost immediately
"Greetings traveler my name is Arthur King of Camelot, what be your name?" his words were spoken kindly "My name is Ash Ketchum and this is my friend Pikachu." Ash replied with pride, Arthur nodded at this "What distant land have you traveled from?" "I come from Pallet town." When Ash said this one of the Knights that was seated next to Arthur shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I bid you welcome Ash Ketchum of Pallet town, to my humble home."
Arthur turned back to the women who was seated and motioned for her to come forward. Gracefully she walked to Arthur, her feet seemingly gliding over the floor "My wife and Queen, Lady Guinevere." "How do you do?" she asked as she extended her hand towards Ash. Ash gently shook Guinevere's hand as he would any other person, but as soon as he did this two of the Knights that had been sitting quietly, broke out into a fit of laughter. Not sure what he had done, Ash quickly let go of Guinevere's hand. Guinevere couldn't help but let out a giggle, making Ash go red with embarrassment. Seeing this Guinevere quickly changed the subject "Ash you did a marvelous job rescuing your friend." "Yes how did you manage to pull it off exactly?" Arthur added.
"Well, I saw my friend in trouble and I went to rescue him. I just did what any other person would have done." "Oh don't be so modest now Ash, there must have been more to it than that. Tell me were you not afraid?" Arthur asked. Ash thought for a moment "Yes I was afraid, but I had to push past that if I was ever going to rescue Max." "Max is the boy's name correct?" "Yes Max is his name." "Is that him down there in the green shirt?" Guinevere asked pointing at the table Ash had previously been sitting at.
They seemed so far away, Ash could just barely make out Max sitting there beside May. "Yep that's Max." "And who are those other people sitting beside him, friends?" Guinevere asked letting go of Arthur, and walked towards the edge of the balcony. Ash stood there motionless, Guinevere turned around and motioned him to come and stand beside her.
Ash looked over at Arthur who nodded "So tell me, what are the names of each of your friends?" Guinevere asked as Ash approached the balcony. Ash looked at the table where his friends were seated. He saw Brock was attempting to flirt with one of the girls that sat beside him, Ash laughed to himself as he tried to imagine what Brock could possibly be saying "That one right there with the spiked up black hair that's flirting with the girl, that's Brock." Ash watched as Brock's Croagunk released its self from its Pokeball and delivered a swift jab to Brocks side "Oh dear it seems your friend has just been hurt by his own Pokémon." Guinevere said concerned "Nah, Brock's fine but sometimes his Pokémon does that if he gets to out of line with the ladies, which is pretty much all the time." Guinevere giggled at this "I guess he doesn't get very many ladies that way, now does he?" "Ha, no I suppose he doesn't." "And what about you Ash?" Guinevere asked turning to face Ash "What about me?" "Do you have a lady that you're close to?"
The question made Ash smile as he looked down towards May who was happily carrying on a conversation with Sir Gareth "Yes, yes I do." Guinevere looked were Ash was looking "She's beautiful; tell me what's her name?" "May" Ash replied not taking his eyes off her "You are very lucky to have her." "Lady Guinevere." A voice called.
Both Ash and Guinevere turned to see one of the guards "Yes, what is it?" "A messenger has arrived asking for you, he says it's urgent." Guinevere turned to Ash "I'm afraid I must go, it has been a pleasure to meet you Ash Ketchum of Pallet town." She extended her hand again towards Ash. Ash looked at it then at the Knights who were trying to hide their laughter. Even so Ash reached out and shook her hand the same as before, the Knights bursting into laughter. "It's ok Ash you'll understand later." Guinevere said gently tapping the back of Ash's hand.
Then gracefully Guinevere exited the room, the doors slamming shut behind her "Come Ash." Arthur said putting his arm around Ash "I have three people I want you to meet." He said bringing him to the three Knights.
Arthur began to introduce them "This here is Sir Lancelot one of my most trusted companions, together we have fought numerous battles and have shed precious blood, sweat, and tears." Sir Lancelot stood up and bowed to Ash. Ash looked at him, he wore a half black and half white tunic with a red Ho-oh in the center, underneath it was a chain mail that covered all of the parts the tunic didn't except for his hands and neck area. At his side he wore a long sword that could only be gripped by a single hand. Something struck Ash as very familiar about him. Ash felt like he had seen him before but he wasn't quite sure where. His eyes a dark brown reminded Ash of somebody "Have we met before?" Ash asked, Lancelot shook his head "No." Was the blunt reply, Ash remained unconvinced but before he could question it any further Arthur introduced him to the next Knight.
"This is Sir Gawain; you will never meet a more chivalrous Knight." Sir Gawain stood up and bowed the same as Lancelot "It's a pleasure to meet you young Sir." He wore a sea green tunic with the mark of a red Ho-oh in the center and below it his chain mail armor, he reminded Ash of Gareth both in looks and speech. The last Knight Arthur introduced was Sir Bedivere, this Knight was no different from the last two, except he only had one hand. Arthur explained to Ash he lost it in one of their battles.
Once Arthur introduced the three Knights he pulled Ash aside again "Now Ash, feel free to stay here for as long as you wish. Anything you need just give me or one of Knights a call and we will do our best to help you out." Arthur's words were genuine "Thank you Arthur, I really appreciate it." "Pika Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed joyfully. Arthur laughed at this and patted Pikachu gently on the head "Go now Ash and enjoy the rest of the celebration." Ash shook Arthurs hand one last time and thanked him for his hospitality, as Ash started to leave all hell broke loose.
A violent explosion erupted extremely close to the building causing a massive ripple effect bringing Ash to his knees. The laughter that once filled the court was now replaced by the terrified screams of woman and children. "We're under attack!" Lancelot yelled jumping to his feet along with the other knights, each with sword in hand.
Ash had just recovered from the first explosion when the second one hit. The second explosion literally picked Ash up off the ground throwing him violently onto the wall, with both him and Pikachu crying out in pain. A dark haze filled the room along with the sounds of grinding metal. Ash fumbled around on the ground trying to find his way back out, until he came to the base of the door. He swung open the door and crawled in the hallway. Still unable to see he felt himself crawl over something with metal on it. It wasn't until he propped himself up against the wall that his vision began to clear, revealing a horrific sight. The two guards that once guarded the doors now lay on the floor dead with their throats cut clean across. Ash frantically pulled himself back up horrified at the sight.
Lancelot came running out the door almost tripping over the bodies, he looked down at them then up at Ash "Come with me, quickly!" Ash hesitated not able to take his eyes off the bodies. Lancelot saw this ran over to Ash "Look at me!" he yelled turning Ash's face toward him "There's nothing we can do for them now they're dead, now follow me." Ash looked back down at the guards then back at Lancelot. "Lead the way." Lancelot nodded and began sprinting down the hall with Ash and Pikachu close behind.
The white marbled stair case that had once glimmered with beauty was now stained black, but was nothing compared to the court. Walking down the staircase revealed the true extent of damage the explosion had created. The gauntlet was reduced to nothing more than a pile of burning wood, the podium where the announcer had once stood was now stuck on one of the axes. Everywhere fires were burning, tables were flipped over and the moans of the wounded filled Ash's ears. "May!" Ash yelled out, suddenly remembering she was still down here. Ash ran to the table where he and his friends had been sitting.
Ash looked around "May…Max…Brock…Dawn!" "Over here." A weak voice responded Ash sprinted over to the voice. It was Dawn; she was pinned underneath a large wooden plank. Ash picked up the plank with Lancelot running up beside him to help, together they through it aside "Dawn are you ok?" Ash asked picking her up in his arms, carried her over to a large support column and gently set her down. "I'm ok" she said weakly "Dawn have you seen May?" Dawn began to close her eyes "Dawn wake up!" Ash yelled shaking her a little "Ash let her rest." Lancelot said putting a hand on his shoulder Ash reluctantly agreed, as he let go. "Lancelot…Lancelot help" both Ash and Lancelot turned in time to see Sir Gareth collapse before them. "Gareth!" Lancelot exclaimed picking his friend up "Ash help me!" Ash put Gareth's left arm around him, and laid him next to Dawn. Lancelot knelt down beside him "Gareth, tell me what happened." Gareth grabbed his stomach wincing in pain as he tried to speak "It's ok Gareth, rest now." Lancelot said getting back up "Mordred…it was Mordred." Gareth managed to say before passing out.
Lancelot froze in his place "It can't be." he said in shock "Who's Mordred?" But before Ash could get an answer he felt someone grab his leg, he looked down to see Dawn beckoning him to come closer "What is it Dawn?" Ash asked kneeling down closer to her "Ash…he took her." "Who Dawn!? Who took her!?" "The man with the yellow eyes." Ash's heart skipped a beat "Where Dawn, where did he take her!" But Dawn had already passed out. "Lancelot, Ash!" Arthur yelled approaching them, behind him Bedivere was carrying Max and Gawain carrying Brock.
They set them down beside Dawn and Gareth, Ash ran over to them and knelt beside them "They'll be fine." Gawain assured Ash placing a hand on his shoulder "Lancelot what happened?" Arthur asked "Sir Gareth said it was Mordred sire." "Mordred, but how?" "I don't know" Lancelot shrugged. Suddenly the doors at the end of the court opened, a guard came running in wearing what remained of his clothing and shouting "They've taken her! They've taken Lady Guinevere!" He managed to shout before falling forward at Arthurs feet, dead with an arrow in his back.
Everyone stood there in silence taking it all in "Sir, I will send myself and our best men to find her." Bedivere offered. Arthur shook his head "No, that's what he wants and besides we don't know where to even begin looking." "I do." Everyone turned to Ash "You know where they have taken her?" "No, but I know someone who does." "And who would that be?" "The prisoner Riley took to the dungeon." Arthur nodded at this "Gawain Bedivere, gather a group of your men and Pokémon to begin taking these people to get treated for their injuries. Lancelot Ash follow me" Gawain and Bedivere obeyed, running off to gather a group of men and Pokémon.
Ash and Lancelot followed Arthur to the dungeon on the other side of the castle. There was an odd calmness as they walked down the path, with birds chirping and the sun shining brightly down upon them, you would have never known something terrible just happened. They crossed a long wooden bridge where on the other side was a sword that was rammed into a piece of stone. Ash almost commented on it but held his tongue instead. They continued down the path until they came to a small concrete pillbox with a single door made of steel.
Outside the door was a small lantern "It gets a little dark in there." Arthur said taking the lantern and lighting it with his hands, it glowed a light blue. Walking inside the pillbox Ash found all it was, was a flight of stairs going down "Careful" Arthur said walking down the stairs, with the blue lantern light lighting the way. They came to another door, this time Arthur put his hand on it and whispered a few words, the door swung open.
Walking in Ash found himself in a dim room with rows and rows of cells, there were no guards or anything, just an eerie silence. At the end of the hall Ash saw the Team Rocket member lying down. The Rocket member stood up as he saw them approaching "This is him" Ash said as they came to his cell. Immediately Lancelot unlocked the door, throwing it open he ran at the prisoner and grabbing by the throat hurled him up against the wall. Ash was caught off guard by his aggression and looked to Arthur, who was equally shocked.
"Where is he!" Lancelot yelled "Where's who!? I don't know what you're talking about." The prisoner said terrified "Don't play games with me! Tell me where he is!" "Who the hell are you talking about!?" "Mordred! I know you know where he is, now tell me!" Lancelot flung the prisoner to the other side of the cell "I-I don't know any Mordred honest!" He pleaded "What about Shadow, you know him?" Ash asked, the Rocket member looked at Ash then back at Lancelot "Nah, no I've never heard of him." He lied "Ok then, Arthur may I?" Arthur nodded "Wha- what are you going to do?" "I'm going to ask you a couple of questions." Lancelot replied grabbing him by the collar "I'll give you one more chance." "I'm telling you I don't know!" Lancelot paused for a moment, then drawing his sword thrust it into the man's thigh, the man screamed in agony as Lancelot twisted the sword. Lancelot yanked it out then put it against the man's neck "Now will you tell me? Or shall I stab the other leg." Lancelot said coldly. The man whimpered in pain as he grabbed his leg, Lancelot grew impatient and began to put pressure against the blade "OKAY!" The man cried "Ok I'll talk." Lancelot slowly put his sword down "Go on" The man took a deep breath while rubbing his throat "Last I heard, he makes his base deep within the mountains in the Johto region, it's heavily guarded and can only be accessed by one path." Lancelot looked back at Arthur who nodded. Sheathing his sword he then left the cell closing the doors behind him "Wait! I told you what you wanted to know, now set me free!" The Rocket member pleaded, but no one heard him.
Arthur brought Ash and Lancelot back up to the surface, he led them back to the bridge then stopped and turned to Lancelot "Lancelot I want you to go and rescue my dear Guinevere and bring her back." "It will be done." Lancelot replied, then began walking off "Wait, I'm coming to!" Ash said running up next to Lancelot. Lancelot stopped and faced Ash "You got heart kid, but I can't let you come it's too dangerous. Besides you don't even have sword." Ash looked around and saw the sword in the stone "You say I can't come because I don't have a sword, right?" Lancelot nodded "Well Lancelot that's where you're wrong." Ash walked past Arthur and onto the stone, the sword there shined bright as Ash approached it on the blade was a small inscription "Never shall a man take me hence but only he whose side I ought to hang; and he shall be the best knight of the world."
Ash put his foot on the stone, grabbing the sword with one hand pulled it out in a single motion and held it above his head. The sword began to glow bright blue and beside the stone appeared an empty scabbard. Ash reached down and grabbed it, sheathing his new sword he turned back to Arthur who was smiling at him "Lancelot I think you've found yourself a companion on this journey." Ash looked to Lancelot who couldn't help but twitch a smile "Alright then Ash Ketchum of Pallet town, gather your things for tonight we ride."
