Chapter 22: Crossing Lihnea Lines
20 minutes passed since Ash asked Touya about how to use his smartphone. They soon reemerged in front of Linze, Lucia and Yumina. "That's just chilling to the bone," Ash gulped with the Pokémon watching.
("What's chilling?") wondered Jigglypuff. Elze entered afterward.
"No wonder you were anxious to see King Schlaf after that," Elze gulped. "Just the thought that they're willing to ax the king like that as a last obstacle can wreck anyone's nerve."
"Anyone with a heart at least," Touya added. "Still, it was funny to see their reaction after Erya vanished." Ash smiled, prepared to tackle the last part of the ordeal.
"So, I'll record Zabune before I Gate back," he plotted. "Should be easy to do."
"As long as you don't lose the phone, everything will work," Touya warned. Ash nodded, ready to face Zabune. However, a hand clasped Ash's. It was Elze, and Ash and Pikachu gasped to the grab.
"Elze?" he gulped. "Hey, what's up?" Elze held her head down.
"I'm sorry…" she muttered. "I just… I don't want to let you go alone." Everyone seemed puzzled to Elze's behavior.
"Elze?" wondered Lucia. Elze lifted and hugged Ash's arm.
"Ever since you came here, I was worried for you and your Pokémon," she confessed. "So much so that I was having thoughts of leaving Linze with Touya while I gone to your world, even though you have Sue." Everyone gasped to Elze coming clean.
"Sister…" awed Linze.
"I mean, I'd want to love you as much as Queen Yuel, Duchess Ellen…" listed Elze. Others seemed puzzled to the mentioning of Ellen and Yuel. Yumina realized Elze's list and snapped her fingers.
"You want him like a big sister," she assumed. Elze and Ash turned to Yumina. "It did seem a little vague that it was a motherly love." Elze relaxed herself.
"Yeah," she confirmed. "Maybe I was a little out of line with that…" Ash shook his head.
"No, I gotcha," he replied. "Don't worry, Elze. I'll be fine." Elze messed with Ash's hair in response. Touya applied the Invisibility Spell on Ash before he opened Gate. Ash was alone back in Lihnea. Despite the attendance of soldiers, Ash's invisibility held up. He found Wardack entering a room and followed. Inside was Zabune.
"Father, is there anything new?" he asked. Wardack sighed to the question.
"Interviewing the guards that were watching the tower, all they knew is that they were paralyzed by some form of magic," he reported. "Part of me believes someone infiltrated this kingdom and kidnapped her."
"Like, someone who's as sinister? Maybe Cloud had a hand in hiring him. If we prove it, that should disqualify him in being next to the throne and to allow me to have it."
"What we shouldn't do is rush to judgment, it is Cloud's mother. Even he knows that he wouldn't go after her just to be killed." The thought made Zabune groan. "Right now, we have the king in our grasp. If everything goes to plan, King Zabune is your title." A nod came from Zabune.
'If only they knew what magic we wield,' he grinned. Wardack left and Zabune snickered to the thought before he had a laugh. 'I think this is it.' Using Touya's smartphone, Ash knelt and pointed the device's back at Zabune. 'Time to make you a star, one that's about to fall.' Zabune took a deep breath before starting a monologue.
"It won't be long now before I become king!" he sneered. "Once I have the throne, Sushie Ernea Ortlinde will finally be mine… ALL MINE!" He laughed to the thought. "And once I marry her- by force if I have to- that beautiful petite little body of hers will surrender everything I want out of her!" He began to salivate from his thoughts. "Her innocence… Her purity… Her youth… even with such a tiny frame, she won't be able to fight back once it starts! She'll feel like putty in my hands… and if she values her life, she will obey everything I say! When I say strip, she'll show me her petite body to do what I want with it!" Ash growled while hearing Zabune's plans for Sue.
'Good grief, he's a lot sicker than Team Rocket!' Watching Zabune pound his hands on the desk, Ash did everything in his power not to react.
"She's so stupid that she'll believe whatever I tell her, even if it hurts the people of the kingdom! Oh, father and mother couldn't have given me a better brat to rape and sodomize, even become my baby farm to cause her insanity… and once I'm done with her, I'll take the rest of the women of that absurd and pathetic duke… Starting with the princess of Belfast!" Hearing Zabune, Ash's fears grew.
'Sue's only the start!? He's willing to go after Yumina and Linze and Renne!? That creep! I just want to pulverize him!' Then, a knock on the door.
"Zabune, what's with all of the laughter?" sounded Dacia. She opened the door as Zabune quickly eased up. "Was there something funny you read?" Ash turned off the recording and put the smartphone away.
"It's nothing, mother," Zabune denied. "Just thinking about what I plan to do when I ascend the throne."
"Is that it?" wondered Dacia. "From the sound of your laughter, it sounded like they were big things to plan for." Zabune nervously giggled and itched his head. "Regardless, Prime Minister Wardack seeks you for something."
"What does father want, now?" complained Zabune. They left and Ash smiled to the sudden removal.
'Thank you, Dacia,' he minded. 'Now, I can get out of here without notice.' He turned to the wall before he focused. "Gate." Summoning, Gate appeared before Ash hopped in and vanished. He came back to the mansion and to the foyer.
"Ash, you're back," Leen spoke as she and Tempest approached. "Did you find anything from your trek?"
"Yeah, more than even Charlotte would want to absorb," he briefed. "Zabune is downright evil, and he's got ambitions that makes mine look so tiny."
"I'm actually afraid to ask," Tempest squawked. "How… big are you talking about?"
"Sue is only one girl he wants to violate," Ash reported. "He'll come after everyone in the mansion, including Renne." Leen nodded, suspecting the claim.
"Depravity has been his middle name," she teased. "You and Touya have all we need to make this bastard pay for his crimes." Ash nodded to the idea. "By the way, hearing that Sue is willing to marry you immediately instead of waiting for years-"
"Whoa, slow down!" irked Ash. "She only did so to keep Zabune from taking her!" Leen sneered, seemingly humored to his reaction.
"You just wanted to get a reaction from him, huh?" guessed Tempest.
"His innocence is a thrill for me to see," Leen teased. Ash mulled to Leen's giggle. "Let's face it, I saw Elze come to him to confess her feelings. If not for Sue, Elze would've been a fine fit." Ash and Tempest didn't seem satisfied with Leen's response. Touya and Pikachu appeared from another room.
"Did you get the shot?" he asked. Ash brought out the smartphone.
"Would you like to review it?" he asked. Touya took the smartphone and saw the video file reading "ZABUNE."
("I'm not sure I want to,") Pikachu refused.
"It's okay," Ash assured. "We're not forcing you to hear it." Pikachu sighed in relief. They entered another room with Elze, Yae, Kohaku and Bajra. They heard the video Ash made about Zabune before the girls became horrified.
"Part of me now wants to flambé his skin and bones!" roared Bajra.
"I cannot believe Zabune would continue his reign on women so callously!" steamed Yae.
"And once he's done with you, would he come after me?" gulped Kohaku. "After all, I'm also part of this mansion." Touya, Ash and Pikachu seemed perplexed to the addition.
"Now, that's just disturbing," Touya shuttered.
("The thought is bad enough,") Pikachu murmured.
"I may love my Pokémon, but that's a bridge too far," Ash shook. Touya recovered to face everyone.
"We have tonight for King Schlaf to address the Kingdom of Lihnea," he noted. "I have told them of what Prime Minister Wardack has planned for him and Cloud."
"Oh, so Zabune would want to know who the Prince of the Duchy of Brunhild is," Elze pondered as she looked to Ash.
"And if anyone of them act out," Yae mentioned. "We'll strike back."
"We hope to use that as a last resort," Touya mentioned. "However, there is something for Ash." Curious, Ash and Pikachu turned to Touya.
"What is it?" asked Ash.
"Well, I made a request to have a similar jacket to mine for you," he started before showing Ash a black jacket that was similar to Touya's.
"You big lug, you shouldn't have!" he laughed. Trying it on, Ash felt the warmth and comfort through his tunic. "Nice!"
"And Elze already started to claim to want to raise you as a big sister," Yae teased. Ash and Pikachu seemed more confident with the new wear. Touya used Gate to port to Lihnea where evening settled in. Scores of people have filed into the throne room where a darkish-gray haired man with a full beard and short mustache sat in the front with Dacia. Cloud joined Touya, Elze, Yae, Ash, Kohaku, Bajra and Pikachu while invisible.
"Packed house tonight," Ash noticed.
"When the notice for an emergency conference came out, my father had everyone join for the announcement," Cloud explained.
"Makes sense," Yae prepared. The king sat down on the left throne while Dacia sat on the right.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice, despite your busy schedules," the man with the crown addressed. "I felt that it was of the utmost importance to tell everyone that I will concede the throne and retire." Wardack sneered, realizing that the man with the crown was no longer ruling. Dacia smiled, doing her best to hold back her desire. The crowd gasped and started to discuss the ordeal.
"That's one way for your dad to get everyone's attention," Ash muttered.
"My father has the words to acknowledge the crowd," Cloud said, his father being the crowned King Schlaf Zep Lihnea.
"Henceforth, all royal duties will be in the hands of my successor," Schlaf informed. "This moment marks the turning point for this kingdom, the Kingdom of Lihnea… our new hope." Zabune felt the anticipation of being crowned to lead Lihnea as did Wardack. "The next king, the new ruler of Lihnea, will be my son… the first prince…" Finally, he opened black eyes and glared to the crowd. "CLOUD LIHNEA!" Gasps filled the room as Zabune and his parents gawked to the announcement of Cloud succeeding the throne. "CONGRATULATIONS, BOY! I KNOW YOU WILL DO LIHNEA PROUD!" Stunned looked painted Zabune's family.
"Time to shine, Cloud," Ash urged before Touya removed the Invisibility spell on Cloud. "We're right behind you." Cloud nodded before he walked to Schlaf, Zabune and his folks.
"He's here?" gulped Zabune. "But how?" A realization seemed to dawn on Zabune. "Wait… it can't be!" Cloud reached Schlaf before kneeling and placing a hand over his heart.
"I humbly accept this task… father," he acknowledged. "I vow to spare no effort in continuing the legacy that you have championed during your time. I promise to make Lihnea as strong." Schlaf looked up to Cloud, accepting his offer.
"I have good faith that you will," he returned. Zabune and Wardack dashed to the throne.
"Now wait just a minute, your highness!" shouted Zabune. "No one discussed this with me!" Wardack wove a hand to Zabune, hoping to resolve the matter.
"Sire, please forgive me," he spoke up. "But as you and I know, it is a time-honored tradition for the First Prince to inherit the throne… and I'm sorry to say, but not even His Majesty has the authority to disregard it." Schlaf seemed to understand Wardack's recollection of Lihnea's laws.
"That is a very good point," he agreed. Wardack believed that everything was handled. "Which is why I yield the throne to Prince Cloud!"
"Dear, Zabune is the firstborn, not Cloud!" interjected Dacia. "By law, Zabune should be king!" That's when Schlaf snickered before having a belly laugh in Dacia's face.
"Something tells me the king has heard enough," Elze sighed.
"Yep…" agreed Kohaku before she joined Touya's side and Bajra to Ash's.
"You certainly are a bold one," Schlaf taunted to his wife. "Aren't you… Dacia? Did you believe I wouldn't find out?" Dacia gasped, thinking Schlaf found evidence of her misgivings that Wardack didn't destroy.
"What do you mean!?" she cried. Footsteps had everyone turn to see Touya, Ash, Kohaku, Bajra and Pikachu. Kohaku and Bajra had morphed into their true forms. The crowd gasped more at the sights of the Beasts.
"Who are those two and their ugly pets!?" irked Zabune. Schlaf looked as well.
'That must be Ash and one of his mythical beasts,' he believed. 'Still, I must play it off as though I know neither one of them.' He held his hand out. "You two, who are you and why have you come? This is strictly upon the people of the Kingdom of Lihnea!" Touya stood first with Ash by his side.
"I am Grand Duke of the Duchy of Brunhild, Mochizuki Touya," he named himself. "By me is the Prince of the Duchy of Brunhild, Ash Ketchum."
"We have come to offer the truth about Prime Minister Wardack, Queen Dacia and Prince Zabune," Ash pointed out. Zabune gawked to seeing Ash.
"Wait a minute," he figured out. "He's just a child… just like Cloud claimed! He was telling the truth!" Yae and Elze came out with Yae standing by Touya and Elze standing by Ash.
"What do you mean, 'offering the truth'?" questioned Wardack. Touya brought out his smartphone and pointed it at a wall. There was a projection of a video of Wardack and Dacia.
"And when Prince Zabune ascends to the throne," Dacia pondered on the video. "What will we do with King Schlaf?" Wardack scoffed to the thought.
"We make him… disappear," he plotted. Wardack gasped to how Touya caught him admitting his plans.
"But… But how?!" he trembled with Dacia also gasping.
"What a brilliant and exciting plan," Dacia agreed on the video. "To think, our son will soon be this country's king…" Wardack laughed to Dacia's belief of an outcome.
"Indeed," he replied. "It'll be the start of a new royal family." Wardack raced after Touya.
"I don't know what stunt you're pulling!" he argued. "But this charade needs to stop-" Bajra and Kohaku roared at Wardack to step back, which he did. The crowd seemed to be aghast to the information from the video.
"Prince Zabune's father is the Prime Minister?" one man realized.
"That means Prince Zabune's not of Royal Blood," another man assumed. Zabune started to panic as Wardack faced Schlaf.
"Your Majesty, I fear there's been some grave mistake!" he tried to reason.
"I do agree," Schlaf assessed. "I made an error in judgment trusting you many years ago, and I've been a fool ever since. Did you laugh while I treated your son as if he was my own? Did my struggles to raise him amuse you?" Wardack irked to the truth. "Because Erya is safely returned, I have thrown reasons to hold back against you, Wardack." He turned to Wardack, an anger in his eyes. "As of this moment, you are relieved of your duties as Prime Minister!" The harsh scold made Wardack stumble and fall on his backside.
"So much for it being Prime Time," Ash teased. Schalf had more.
"A king must place the welfare of his nation above all," he continued. "Because of you, I bent to your will, only to protect my dear Erya. For that, I will be eternally ashamed." Cloud realized Schlaf's struggles.
"Father…" he quietly called.
"Listen, your highness," Ash voiced. "I understand making mistakes, and that we need to take responsibility for them, but don't let their manipulation be what the people remember you by. You did keep the Kingdom of Lihnea as peaceful under the power you have. As you said, you placed the welfare of Lihnea above others. That's what these people should remember you by, a king of kindness and consideration." Schlaf seemed humbled by Ash's words.
"Prince Ash, your words show true confidence and consolation," he smiled. Touya came forward.
"Your Majesty, I have a question," he spoke up. "What will you do with these three turncoats?" Zabune seemed shocked at being called a turncoat.
"Wardack and mother are the ones who devised this fiendish plot to kill you, father!" he pleaded. "Not me! I had no involvement in this!" Schlaf wasn't so quick to accept this claim.
"You have committed misdeeds so numerous that I'd lose count quickly!" he rebuffed. "Did you honestly think I wasn't aware of them? It's more than enough to sentence you to the Death Penalty." The consequence made Zabune tremble.
"The Death Penalty?!" he repeated. "A little mischief now and then shouldn't cost me my life!" Now, Ash scoffed to Zabune's claim.
"Mischief you say?" he repeated. "Ha! What a bad joke… just like you!" Zabune steamed at Ash's insult.
"You dare mock me!?" he snapped. Realizing Zabune's fears, Ash seemed ready to present more of Zabune's treachery.
"And this brings up something we'd like to call… Exhibit B," he named as he turned to Touya. "If you don't mind…" Touya shook his smiling head as he started the next video file. Elze, Pikachu in her arms, Yae and Bajra prepared for the crowd's reaction.
"This is gonna be good," Elze whispered.
"I'll say," Yae quietly agreed.
("He's really in for it, now,") Pikachu quietly squeaked.
"Here we go…" chuffed Bajra. Touya handed the smartphone to Ash before he projected the video like before.
"It won't be long now before I become king!" sneered Zabune from the video. "Once I have the throne, Sushie Ernea Ortlinde will finally be mine… ALL MINE!" His laugh echoed through the hall. "And once I marry her- by force if I have to- that beautiful petite little body of hers will surrender everything I want out of her! Her innocence… Her purity… Her youth… even with such a tiny frame, she won't be able to fight back once it starts! She'll feel like putty in my hands… and if she values her life, she will obey everything I say! When I say strip, she'll show me her petite body to do what I want with it!" Stunned silence blanketed the crowd that a pin drop could be heard. Shocked, the crowd became dismayed to the disturbing details from the video.
"No!" cried Zabune by Wardack as he tried to stand up. "Stop! I order you to cease this at once and-" Bajra snarled as his mane was aflame in anger. Zabune yelped in a girlish tone.
"Oh, but it gets better," Ash grinned. The video continued.
"She's so stupid that she'll believe whatever I tell her, even if it hurts the people of the kingdom!" sneered Zabune in the video. "Oh, father and mother couldn't have given me a better brat to rape and sodomize, even become my baby farm to cause her insanity… and once I'm done with her, I'll take the rest of the women of that absurd and pathetic duke… Starting with the princess of Belfast!" His wicked and traumatizing laugh was the last part of the video. The crowd seemed to react to Zabune's behavior from the video as Zabune began to profusely sweat.
"That is who- or I should say, what Zabune really is," Ash finished. "A sick and disgusting predator who will go after any little girl. He doesn't deserve to be called a human after all that." Zabune scoffed to the accusations.
"Now, honestly," he remarked. "Who takes what I say seriously?" Sensing the vibe being intense Ash had a serious grit to his face.
"Just look around you," he pointed out. Zabune blinked before looking around. Glares of death were aimed at the real illegitimate son. "It's clear what everyone thinks of you, now that the evidence has shown… and evidence doesn't lie." Zabune seemed to be fearing the words of those he believed would rule over.
"You're the devil, Zabune!" a man yelled.
"You're an absolute disgrace to humanity!" another man scolded.
"Keep that disgusting demon away from my daughter!" a mother cried out.
"He's a threat to all womankind!" another woman shouted. More catcalls rained down on Zabune who started to back away.
"Everything you just said in that recording clearly shows what you truly are," Ash added.
"Not to mention that we've heard stories of how you also did it to other girls and women and were scarred by your inhumane actions," Touya interjected. "You used your power to abuse everyone around, but those days are over! There's no title for you to hide behind. You're just a criminal now!" Ash cupped and rubbed his chin with his thumb and fingers.
"I… don't think criminal is appropriate for someone like him, Grand Duke," he mocked. "Zabune is a freak!" Zabune's head heard "Freak!" repeatedly.
"Freak?" he repeated himself. "Freak!?" His meltdown began fast. "FREAK!?" His new manic state pointed to Ash. "YOU'RE THE FREAK HERE, YOU INSOLENT BRAT! YOU'VE TAKEN MY BRIDE FROM ME! HOW DARE YOU WIN THE LOVE OF WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE! ALL YOU ARE IS A COMMONER SHE CHOSE! NOBLES AND ROYALTY SHOULD NEVER FALL FOR COMMONERS LIKE YOU IT IS INSULTING! IT'S AN OUTRAGE! A SCANDAL! SO WHAT IF I INDEED PLAN TO DO ALL THOSE THIGNS TO SUSHIE?! I DON'T CARE WHETHER IT HURTS HER OR NOT! THIS IS WHAT I DO TO ALL THE WOMEN AND I AM NOT ASHAMED ONE BIT! THIS IS WHO I AM, AND I AM PROUD OF IT… BUT MARK MY WORDS, I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR RUINING MY PLANS, HUMILIATING ME AND STEALING MY SUSHIE ERENA ORTLINDE FROM ME! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY! I'LL…" The room became dead silent. "I'LL…" He let out a scream as if he was a banshee before he raced after Ash with a dagger. "I'LL KILL YOU! GIVE ME MY SUSHIE RIGHT NOW!" Ash didn't bat an eye.
"Boost…" he whispered. Ash flickered a glow before he dashed at Zabune with his arm cocked back. In the blink of an eye, Ash was underneath Zabune's dagger before throwing an uppercut, smashing into Zabune's crotch. Zabune's eyes shot out of his face in pain, the bones around his pelvis shattering. Everyone cringed, most looking away while others covered their nether regions. Touya had his smartphone out when Ash cocked the other arm back before leaping at Zabune's head, scoring another uppercut to his chin. The punch launched Zabune into the air.
"SHORYUKEN!" the smartphone played.
"Touya, why?" a pained Yae complained. Zabune flipped onto his head, hitting the ground with a crunching thud. His body fell into a heap.
"Son!" called out Wardack.
"My baby!" cried Dacia. Elze soon recovered from watching the painful strike.
"That's the first time someone got two headshots in one strike," Elze whispered.
"DOUBLE KILL!" the smartphone played.
"Yeah…" winced Yae. "Still, that seriously has to hurt, not that he didn't deserve it." Bajra chuffed to the sight.
"That's my master," he applauded proudly. Touya placed a palm on Ash's shoulder, causing Ash to look back.
"You good, Ash?" he asked. Ash took a deep breath and exhaled, calming down.
"Yeah, I'm fine now," he sighed. Touya patted Ash's shoulder as he faced Schlaf. "Your majesty, I apologize for overstepping." He bowed upon the retiring monarch.
"No apologies necessary, Prince Ash," Schlaf excused. "Both you and Grand Duke Touya have done a great service to this kingdom, and I am deeply and eternally grateful for it. Former Prime Minister Wardack, my ex-wife Dacia and Zabune must atone for their crimes, death was not my call to make. Their fates are no longer in my hands. I shall leave the sentences of these three criminals up to our new king, Cloud." The newly crowned Cloud bowed.
"Soldiers!" he ordered. "Take them to the dungeon at once!" The soldiers escorted Wardack and Dacia away while others carried the unconscious Zabune by hands and feet. Elze came to and hugged Ash from behind. Days passed as Cloud began his reign on Lihnea while Schlaf and Erya came to Brunhild to see the other girls, mythical beasts and Pokémon. Elesia, the slave Touya freed, became one of Cloud's newest maids. She was proud to serve the new king. Schlaf apologized to Sue for how her life was put in danger. At the courtyard three days after Cloud was crowned, Ash, Touya, Pikachu and Bajra settled down as they enjoyed cold drinks.
"Man, am I glad all that craziness with Illegitimate Zabune and his parents is over now," Touya huffed.
"You and me both, Touya," Ash agreed. "Loved the way you exposed Wardack and Dacia with that recording of yours. Let's also not forget that Cloud reassigned Marquis as Prime Minister again." Touya chuckled, accepting the praise.
"Are you kidding? Your recording of Zabune seriously tops mine! Talk about a way to show everyone the kind of monster he really is."
"Thanks… but believe me, it was not easy for me to keep my cool hearing Zabune running his big mouth about what he planned to do with Sue while I was invisible back there. I swear, I just wanted to charge in and tear him apart, piece-by-piece with my bare hands… but I knew that it would've jeopardized the mission, so I managed to keep myself under control… but like I said, it wasn't easy."
"I don't blame you, Master," Bajra barked, back in his tiny form. "If I was there, I would've burned him alive with my claws and fangs before devouring him." Pikachu squeaked in agreement to Bajra's rage. Touya's smartphone rang in with the translation.
AND I WOULD'VE ELECTROCUTED HIM 'TIL HE'S WORSE THAN A CRISP
Touya giggled to Pikachu's plan. "I hear ya," he agreed. "I would've done the same thing… but I'm real proud that you didn't, Ash… and now, Zabune and his folks are finally dealt with and getting what they really deserve."
"Yeah…" shrugged Ash. "Though, I gotta admit, I'm just a little bit disappointed that those three didn't get the death penalty."
"Well, look on the bright side: They'll be doing nonstop labor being slaves in Sandora with barely any food or sleep… plus, slavery is pretty much a fate worse than death, especially for people like them." Ash scoffed to the counterpoint.
"I guess you've got a point there. Still, I'd feel a lot better if their sick lives were cut off, along with their heads." Knowing Ash, Pikachu shrugged and squeaked some more, prompting Touya's smartphone to translate.
NO ONE WILL REMEMBER THEM EITHER WAY.
Touya nervously giggled to the fluster. "I think I get it, you guys," he eased. His frustrations out of him, Ash sighed. "I also heard a rumor about how the Princess of Palouf has an interest to Cloud."
"Whoa, already?" awed Ash. "And after Wardack wanted to declare war on them?"
"I know, right? Well, the princess is Lucienne Dia Palouf. I had a chance to see her and she's a nice choice, much better than her younger sister in Rachel. She's someone that's not worthy, even for you."
"Yikes! At least I have Sue."
"And Rachel's engaged to the prince in Ernest. I don't want to go any farther." All Ash did was nod.
"Regardless, what's done is done. Now, is there something we can do?"
"Right? Now that things with the Lihnea Kingdom have been settled, I can refocus on the Frame Gears."
"Oh, those… Do you need help?"
"Sure. Let's start with-" He paused when he saw something… or someone coming fast and at Ash. "Um, on second thought, we can work on the Frame Gears tomorrow… or maybe the day after." Ash became skeptical to the change of plans.
"Why's that? Did you remember something important?"
"Not me, but I've a feeling you will be for quite a while." This left Ash and the creatures confused.
"Me? What makes you say that?" All Touya did was giggle nervously.
"You're about to find out." Pikachu and Bajra turned to see what Touya found, only to realize Ash was the target.
("Uh-oh…") gulped Pikachu.
"Incoming, Master!" warned Bajra as he and Pikachu bailed. Ash still had no idea.
"What's going on, guys?" he asked. Finally…
"DARLING!" shouted Sue. Ash turned, but he didn't see Sue in time as she tackled him to the ground. Sue hugged him while laughing. She sat up still on Ash's lap. "My father told me the news! He told me of how you took down that stupid prince so he wouldn't marry me!" Ash recovered and sat up to face his fiancee.
"Well, first of all," he started. "It's not just me. Touya deserves some credit as well. It was actually something he showed me on his smartphone that helped set the stage for Zabune's fall." Touya giggled to the praise.
"Hey, I mostly just handled Zabune's parents," he corrected. "You're the one who took Zabune down." Ash shrugged to Touya's sidestep.
"Fair enough," he understood. "But that's not all. Believe it or not, it turns out that Zabune wasn't really a prince at all." Sue gasped in shock to the detail.
"He wasn't?" she gulped. "So, he's not even royalty?"
"Nope," Ash answered. "In fact, Zabune's actually the son of the Prime Minister, not the king… but he was indeed a freak… and he was certainly obsessed in marrying you, especially in what he planned to do after." Sue became curious.
"What did he want to do?" she questioned.
"Trust us, you're seriously better off not knowing at all," Ash advised. Touya nodded in heeding details.
"He's right, Sue," he confirmed. "The sort of things Zabune wanted to do after marrying you is beyond sick and inhumane." Sue trembled to the warning, hugging Ash tightly.
"Were they really that bad?" she guessed. Ash nodded, knowing the consequences.
"Let me put it this way," he tried to clarify. "If you so much as learn what he wanted to do, you'll probably suffer nightmares that'll haunt you for the rest of your life." The warning was enough to cause Sue to gulp.
"I guess they must be if it explains why mother and father insisted that I sleep with them for the past few days," she believed.
'And with very good reason after showing them the recordings when I visited them the other day,' Touya minded. 'I never saw Duke Alfred so pissed off, and poor Duchess Ellen was in tears when she watched. I didn't want to show them the recordings, but they really needed to know the truth behind Zabune's intentions. At least they can relax knowing that the maniac's got what's coming to him along with his parents.' Bajra pawed Sue's leg.
"But don't you worry, Miss Sushie," he barked. "Master here really showed that evil human who's boss!" Remembering the low blow, Pikachu cringed a little.
("And then some,") he muttered. Excited, Sue gleefully hugged Ash.
"Oh, Ash!" she cheered. "You really are the best! I'm gonna have the greatest husband in the whole world that I can't wait to marry!" Ash blinked before remembering his promise as a means to protect Sue from Zabune.
"You can't wait?" he repeated. "I mean, with him out of the way, we can have all the time and preparation in the world before we marry. Are you sure you want it done as soon as possible?"
"I really do! You're the only one for me…" Thinking for her safety still, Ash caved.
"Okay, I guess we can have it as soon as you want," Sue cheered to the acceptance.
"I'm so happy... and these are your reward! Come here!" She tackled Ash back down before pelting him with a barrage of kisses to the face.
'You know… this isn't bad at all,' he thought. 'I can take this reward any day.' Watching the kissing barrage, Touya and the creatures decided to let Ash take it all in.
"I think we'll leave you two be," Touya shyly excused himself.
"Good idea, Touya," Bajra agreed. "Wanna go play, Pikachu?"
("Sure thing!") accepted Pikachu. ("See ya later, Ash! Have fun!") He joined Bajra as they scampered out of the courtyard and to places unknown while Ash and Sue share a longing and passionate kiss. In the Great Sea of Trees at night, a caravan with horses and a carriage were heading to the Kingdom of Sandora. Team Rocket was seen.
"So, this is who our client asked us to retrieve," Jessie awed.
"If it means returning to our boss, let's go," James urged.
"Right," Meowth whispered. They ran out and threw a giant fishing net. The horses were caught, and the soldiers were tangled. Spores rained down on the soldiers before they were struck. They fell, paralyzed. "Sorry, but we have orders." They opened the door, finding Wardack, Dacia and Zabune. They looked to Team Rocket.
"Everyone, out of the car," Jessie ordered.
"Are we there?" wondered Wardack.
"No, but someone saw ya get usurped," Meowth briefed. "At least, dat's what he said. At least we've saving ya."
"Let's get you out of there before we see him," James urged. They entered the carriage to free Zabune and his parents. Who would want the family that tried to take over the Kingdom of Lihnea?
TO BE CONTINUED...