Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

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

Warnings: Het, adultery, character death

Chapter 10

 

            They ate silently. Suddenly, Ash gave a quiet gasp. A rim of gold had appeared around the man’s eyes.

            She knew only one person with eyes like that…

            “Lance! It is you!”

            “Shush!” The disguised king hushed her, cursing inwardly. He should have used a higher dosage of hydra venom, but that would have caused blindness. “Do you wish to betray me?”

            Blood rushed to her face. “O-Of course not…”

            “Is your loyalty still to Gareth, and to Kanto?” He asked harshly. “Because if it is not, I will kill you right now and spare your husband the agony.”

 

            Anger flashed in brown eyes. “How can you say such a thing?”

            “You did run off with Paul.” Lance pointed out dryly. “However, he seems to have not been a perfect match.”

            “He’s an abusive tyrant. Once he had me, he grew bored soon enough.” Ashline said bitterly. “I wish I could leave.”

            “Then why don’t you do something about it? Haven’t you tried to escape?”

            “I tried to scale the wall six times. I was always caught.” She scowled. “Who are you to judge me?”

            “Your infidelity has caused many to die.” Lance stated.

            That accusation was true, and it stung. The Princess slowly nodded.

            “I know…”

 

            For a moment, they simply surveyed each other.

            “Why are you here?”

            “I am here to ensure that the city falls.”

            Ash gave Lance a look. The king didn’t trust her. Actually, Ash didn’t trust herself very much. Nevertheless…

            “Will you help me escape?”

            She almost cursed how hopeful she sounded.

            Lance stared at her, as if in surprise. “Only if that is truly what you wish.”

            “It is.” She elaborated. “This city is a prison. All the women, nay, even the men, watch me with hatred in their eyes. I know that I am the cause of their suffering and yet, I am too cowardly to take my own life.”

            “High King Gareth may not take you back.” Lance warned.

            “I don’t really expect him to. I would love, but… love is such a fallacy now.”

           

            “So Red will be leaving the city soon?”

            Richie nodded.

            Paul smirked, dipping his arrows in poison. “And she is wearing no armor?”

            “Why would she? She came in peace, after all.”

            “Excellent.” The Shinouite finished making his preparations, before walking towards the temple.

            He would offer a sacrifice to the god of archery, and his aim would be true.

            Now, Red would die.

 

            Volkner exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. The negotiations had been surprisingly simple. Red would leave Shinou, and in return, all she wanted was a ship full of gold and silver.

            Although their resources were stretched, this bribe was worth paying. Women!

            Wallace watched her leave. At least now, no more men would die at her hands…

 

            The two of them began making their way to the temple, when Lance stiffened. Ashline gave him a curious look.

            “Paul is up on the battlements.”

            “Yes.” She paused. “Is that significant?”

            “I feel a strange sense of foreboding…” Lance began walking towards the wall. His companion struggled to keep up.

            “What are you doing?” Ash asked.

 

            Up on the wall, Paul watched for his prey. Aha…

            Lance ran faster. What was this feeling of dread? Was Red in danger?

            He gasped for breath as he leaned against a wall. Peering through an arrow-slit, he froze.

            What was Red doing right outside of Hearthome’s gates? For that matter, why was she not wearing her armor?

            What had happened?

            Paul grinned as he readied an arrow. * Excellent… *

 

            “No.” Lance breathed. “No!”

            At that instant, the bow twanged. Red stumbled, an expression of shock marring her features.

            What…

            The arrow lodged deep inside her heel. She hissed in pain, before her vision began to blur. Poison!

            But how had this happened?

           

            “Oh, for a bow and arrow, I’d shoot him even if it cost my life!” Lance swore, wishing he could do something, anything…

            How could he watch his wife die like this?

            What had gone wrong? Why had she been in Hearthome in the first place? Why had she not spoken to him? What foolishness was this?

            Red pushed herself to her feet, but she swayed.

            Paul sneered and readied another arrow. Three more shafts thudded into Red’s body. She crumpled, even as shouts of disbelief and triumph mingled from the battle lines.

            No!

            The chariots leapt forwards, and the battle began.

            Satisfied, the Prince tucked his shafts away, and walked towards his chambers, humming a love-song under his breath.

 

            Ash gasped. She wasn’t sure what Paul had done, but…

            What was going to happen now?

 

            Lance raced through the city, until he arrived at Charlotte’s temple, where the Sun Stone was hidden. A few moments later, the orb was tucked inside his tunic and he was making his way through the underground maze.

            There was a traitor in their camp… and he had a good inkling of who it was.

            He only hoped that it was not too late.

 

End Chapter

Started 2/11/08

Edited 5/27/09

Yay! Come back here, plotbunny!

So, remember how Lance got hydra venom from Giovanni in the first chapter? ^^ Here’s one practical application!

There was a reviewer who wanted me to have Ash sleep with Lance, but I’m not sure I want to write that.