I think a subplot has finally reared its head!

Disclaimer/notes: See previous chapter

Timeline: 2 days later in real world, 3 weeks later in alternate dimension

 

Chapter 7: Seeking Harmony

 

            “Lance?” Will asked, as he knocked on the door. “Are you in there?”

            There was no reply. Will frowned. Nobody at the plateau had seen the champion for a week.

            And since he wasn’t off on a training trip, he had to be here.

            Finally, Will teleported into the room and froze. Lance was slumped over his desk, eyes closed. But that wasn’t what got his attention. It was the swirling vortex that dominated the ceiling, strands of glittering black energy trailing down to touch him.

            Will quickly backed away, murmuring a quick prayer under his breath. Whatever was in there was beyond his capability to solve, and it did not look good in any way.

            < Legendaries, help him… >

            Without another word, the psychic master shut the entrance and hightailed it out of there.

            Better safe than sorry. Definitely.

 

            Elsewhere…

 

            Ash sighed.

            “Garnet, please. I don’t think you acting like a harlot and throwing yourself at me will secure my eternal devotion.’

            Garnet paused. How had he known?
            “It’s very disturbing.” Ash added. “And plus, I already have someone I love.”

            “I’ll be your second wife!”

            Ash blanched. “No thank you, princess.”

            In a huff, Garnet fled with her Igglybuff following.

 

            “Sheesh.” Ash muttered, as he took refuge in the library and an interesting book on the history of wild sheep.

            So much more concrete than her flirty conversation.

            And the information might come in handy someday.

            Ash turned the page to a graphic illustration of two rams fighting.

            “Always survival of the fittest…” He murmured, stroking his deck of cards affectionately.

            A warm wave of energy pulsed through him in return.

 

            Two hours later, Ash selected another book, this one a short collection of witty love stories, and was thus occupied until the noon meal.

            During the meal, he tasted only a sip of the white wine, but the food was good, although a bit too rich for his taste. Luckily, there were fresh fruits and juices offered. Ash was eating a peach when the king asked him to marry Garnet.

 

            Ash spat a mouthful of pulp out, before swallowing audibly.

            “I would, my lord, but I have a betrothed…”

            “You do?” Gregory looked disappointed.

            “Yes, to my joy. Her name is Katerina.” Ash said, lying through his teeth. It wasn’t too far from Lance’s real name. Drawing a gold chain with a locket on it out of his shirt, he showed them a picture of Lance with her hair down, dressed in a dark blue gown sprinkled with diamonds.

            Gregory sighed, but his mind was ticking.

            There had to be some way. He usually did not kill women, but the situation was starting to look bleak.

 

            Ash nearly burst out laughing at that thought, but he coughed politely into his napkin instead.

            Lance didn’t even exist in the dimension.

            Besides, he was doing these random acts of kindness to increase his power and save her, so marrying Garnet was simply laughable.

            Ash smiled to himself as he took a small glass cup filled with chocolate mousse and ate with the tiny spoon provided.

            He would stay here for a bit longer, and than leave.

 

            “My liege.” Nora told the king, as she walked up to him. “I bring grave news.”

            “What is it now? I am very busy.” Gregory snapped.

            “We have no champion for the annual tournament to decide the balance of power between kingdoms.”

            Gregory paled. “Oh no…”

 

            “Indeed. If they see we are weak they will attack.” Darryl told him.

            Gregory continued to stammer incoherently.

            Ash looked slightly more interested, before shaking his head. After the last revolt, the king had cut taxes down to thirty percent, still a burden but not as bad as before. And luckily, the land seemed more fertile now, so more horticultural items were being produced.

            He yawned slightly as he folded his hands together and finished the luscious pudding. It was a good thing that Pika-chan was still in the dream realm, or she would have stolen it for sure.

 

            Glenn nodded as he cut up his steak into neat, bite-sized pieces and ate properly with his left hand, as Victorian manners dictated.

            Ash felt a brief stab of pity for the yellow-robed man. He was himself betrothed to another princess.

            Gregory continued to burble.

            Finally, a concubine politely handed the king a glass of heady, thick wine and knocked him out with it.

            Well, okay. The fumes from the alcohol were enough to inflict serious damage… *whistles*

 

            Sufficed to say that Gregory was now silent.

            Ash excused himself after finishing another dessert, this one a very nice slice of loganberry pie with thick cream.

            He felt satiated, which was a good thing, as the cards still fed off some of his energy.

            True, the dream realm helped, but he did not have the almost limitless power as full realm guardian to satisfy them.

            < Wait for me… > Ash sent down the line, and felt encouragement flowing back to him in return.

            He waited in his room, for the inevitable to occur. It would happen soon.

 

End Chapter!