I just watched the King Arthur movie, so why not a fanfic on it? Who knows, it might just cure my writer’s block! *Authoress crosses fingers*

Disclaimer: Phantomness does not own pokemon. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me. I suppose King Arthur and his knights belong to history, and the movie belongs to whoever made it. I’m only saying this once though, too much trouble…

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks.

Started 12/26/04

Title: Swords and Sacrifice

 

            Blue sky. Green hills. A faint breeze…

            The wheels of a gilded carriage rumbled faintly across a weather-beaten dirt trail. Four soldiers in scarlet and gold armor resplendent with lions rode before the cart, and five behind it.

            Eyes watched from the treetops.

            Another pair of eyes watched from the sky.

            Still another pair watched from the lake that was suspiciously close to the road.

 

            One pair of eyes moved. With a yell, roughly thirty topless warriors in blue and white paint charged the soldiers, waving their short axes and firing arrows that mostly missed. Five of the soldiers immediately went down.

            In the wagon, the bishop hid beneath a cushion.

 

            The remaining four soldiers drew their long swords and attacked.

 

            From the sky, a hawk screamed. This was the signal. From the water sprouted – a dragon? A fish? It wasn’t immediately identifiable, but it attacked, blasts of ice freezing several of the barbarians solid.

            Seven men in combination chain and plate mail charged down the hill on galloping white horses, their weapons drawn. The battle immediately shifted into a haze of screams and blood.

            Within moments, all the painted figures – the Ceruleans, were dead or gone.

 

            Opening the carriage door, one of the mounted figures sighed, seeing a man with an arrow through his skull. “Well, the bishop’s dead.”

            Another figure, with a golden mouse on his chest plate, walked up. “That’s not the bishop, Bruno.”

            The man slipped his blooded knuckle-blades off. “You sure, Ashura?”

            “Yes, I’m sure.” As if on cue, one of the two remaining soldiers in crimson dismounted.

            “Ah, Ashura! You’re the spitting image of your father.”

            “Bishop Giovanni. Welcome to Johto.” Ashura said softly, sheathing his blade. “We’ll escort you to the fort.”

 

            “So these are the famous Knights of Johto.” Giovanni said. “I thought there would be more of you.”

            “It’s been twelve years,” Ash said softly. * So many of them have died… there were once twenty-four of us knights, and now only six remain… one fourth… * He didn’t count, being the Commander of their group.

            The rest of the knights were riding behind the carriage, discussing things.

 

            “So, finally, tonight’s the night we’re free.” Bruno laughed. “I can’t wait to see my wife and all my little bastards.”

            Falkner whistled. “Here, girl…”

            A lovely Pidgeot swooped down and somehow landed on his arm, shrinking down to Pidgey size.

            “You love that bird, don’t you?” Morty asked quietly. In his pack was a set of twelve throwing daggers. Of course he wielded the sword and bow, as all knights were required to, but the daggers were his specialty, like Bruno’s knuckle-blades. Falkner himself was an expert at the bow beyond all the others, so that was his.

            “Of course he does.” Another voice broke in. Brock yawned widely, having stowed his long-handled mace. “Sometimes I wonder if it’s the only thing he likes.”

            “Lance, what are you doing when you’re free? I mean; you practically live for the battle and nothing else…”

            The trainer shrugged, having stashed his twin blades. “Oh, I don’t know. Home for me is just a distant memory.”

            “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m going home. I still remember it clearly.” A timid voice broke in. Bugsy, the youngest of the knights smiled.

            “Well, I do have so many lovely sisters… I wonder if any of them got married…” Brock said, musing.

            Bruno slapped his cousin on the back. “Well, good fortune to you!”

            “Maybe I will take one of your sisters as my wife.” Falkner teased, as looks of shock appeared on all the other’s faces.

            “What?”

            “I can’t imagine you settling down either.” Lance frowned.

            “Did I say I was going to?”

            “No, but… you’re not taking my little sister traipsing all over the world are you?” Brock suddenly roared.

            Falkner rolled his eyes.

 

            Soon enough, they arrived at the fort.

            Joe the stable boy came up and took their horses.

            “Ah! My wife! Lorelei!” Bruno said in ecstasy as he spied his wife and nine children. “Come to me!”

            Lorelei sighed, a baby on each hip. “I can’t move, Bruno.”

            Bruno flushed as the others whacked him on the back.

            “All man, eh?” Brock laughed.

            Bugsy grinned as he stole an orange from a nearby stall. “Ah, sweet freedom…”

            Falkner gave his Pidgeot one last pet and then sent her off to hunt for her own dinner. “I can’t wait for some real food though, ‘stead of those disgusting biscuits we’ve been having all week.”

            “Couldn’t help it if we were too busy tracking those bandits instead of cooking.” Morty said, between bites of an apple.

 

            “Ah well, why worry? We’re free now.” Brock grinned. “As soon as Ash gets our discharge papers, I’m out of here.”

            “Here, here!”

            “So,” Lance said with a smile, turning to Lorelei, “Why did you marry Bruno, my dear cousin?”

            “None of your business!”

            “Touchy, touchy…”

 

            Inside of Ash’s quarters, location Mount Silver between Kanto and Johto, the bishop and his servant were unpacking.

            “How kind of Ashura to give us his quarters. But of course, it is to be expected.” The man smiled.

            The bishop nodded.

            Joe came up to help.

            “Now,” The bishop’s servant said, “My master will sit at the head of the table and be seated first.”

            Joe nodded silently. * Well, then the joke’s on you, my friend, because… it just so happens that our table’s *round*. *

           

 

End Chapter

Completed 12/27/04

Ash: New fic?

Phantomness: Yes

Lance: Luck to you, you’ll need it