*Sniff* Angst alert!
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*
Chapter 8
Red would have rushed out to challenge Steven immediately and avenge Yellow, but Lance tactfully reminded her that she had no armor any more. Even with her near-immortality, the sad fact remained that there was nothing they could do about her lack of arms, and fighting nude out there was not an option.
Her mother, Jessie, rose from the waves that night.
“Red…”
“Mother, I need new armor.” She said. “I have to avenge Yellow.”
Jessie had tears in her eyes. “Red…”
She knew that now, it was too late.
“I will bring you armor, sun-bright, but it will not save you in the end.”
“It does not matter.”
She held her for many long moments, stroking her dark hair, and wishing that she had never come to Shinou.
Her daughter, the last of her line…
Why must fate be so cruel?
When the sun rose, Jessie brought back a beautifully forged shield, a breastplate and greaves and a skirt of mail. She watched as Red kissed her cheek, a farewell, and sank beneath the waters.
Mortals always had to die, but her daughter…!
She did not wish this Fate for her!
If only she could have stayed married and safe at home…
Lance was silent as they lined up their ranks. There was a curious tension in the air. It was a battle just like any other, but as the sun rose high into the sky, Red spotted her prey.
A cruel smile curved her lips.
Steven saw the so-called Champion bearing down towards him. A peaceful feeling suffused his body.
He would not die here.
He would show the arrogant Amazon that Shinou would prevail!
He would defend his country and his wife!
Their spears broke on each other’s shields at the first parry, and both called for more. The onlookers silently backed away, unwilling to interfere.
Misty cried in her room, not wanting to see, but seeing all too clearly in her mind the images of death and destruction.
There would be no hope.
Steven was overconfident. Red was blessed, and she knew it.
She didn’t want to see her brother’s broken body! Oh, how she cursed her foresight. And poor, poor Wallace…
How would she feel?
If only Ashline had never come!
If only Paul had never brought her here!
If only Lady Lorelei had not used her arrows of love…
The second and third spears met the same fate.
“This is getting us nowhere.” Red purred, and drew her sword.
Steven gave a grim smile and matched him action for action. His armor flashed and sparkled.
Red nodded inwardly. She knew that armor – her armor – well. It was quite surprising that the man had worn it, even more so that it fit. Ah well…
They circled each other warily, sparks flashing as bronze blades clashed. From the city walls, the Shinouites watched, while the Kantoites and Johtoites cheered for victory.
Who would prevail?
Yes, the sturdy bronze was good protection, Red admitted, as the blade glanced off her shoulder and she parried another blow. But there was one secret to everything…
Nothing in this world was invulnerable.
And there was that one spot, right below the chin, that was unprotected…
She hissed as blood ran down her arm, but the sacrifice was worth it and she drove her sword right into the spot above the collarbone, seeing blood spurt out of pale flesh.
Gray eyes were dilated in shock as the owner crumpled.
Red casually pulled the blade out, flicked crimson droplets off it in a careless gesture.
Up on the wall, Wallace screamed in despair. She swayed unsteadily, looking like she was about to topple over the turrets. Hastily, Max caught her before she fainted.
“You…”
“I will not apologize for killing you.” Red said quietly. “You killed my cousin.”
Steven understood.
War was war, after all, and at least his death was honorable…
Red drew back, as the men around Steven bore him back into Hearthome, and then the battle continued.
There was no peace in this land.
Ashline sobbed when she learned of Steven’s death. Another pointless sacrifice! Paul’s older brother had always been polite, had never blamed her for the calamities that had befallen their city…
He had been her only friend.
Paul was enraged. Red had killed Steven?
He would find some way to defeat the woman. Their kingdom would NOT fall!
Alas, his prowess on the battlefield was sadly limited, and there was no way he could fight Red hand to hand.
He was not suicidal.
Well, the minstrels could sing what they would, but he would find a way to kill Red, proper or not.
It was time to consult Karen…
The women prepared Steven’s body for burial, though Ashline was red-eyed for several days afterwards.
What could he do?
It was too late, wasn’t it? No matter what she tried now, it would all be for naught.
She wished that he had never left Gary. She felt no love for Paul, nothing at all, save despair, and anger, and disgust.
There was no emotional connection, and she was sick of being used as a sex toy. A pawn. A pretty doll!
Paul had let Steven die, and he had run away when Gary had challenged him.
Paul had no honor!
No, Ash did not love Paul, and she only wished with all her might that Shinou would lose, so she might see Gary again.
But would her husband still take her back?
End Chapter
Started 11/12/07
Completed 11/30/07
Edited 5/27/09
Reviews make me *happy*. I need motivation to write Palletshipping, okay? Come on, people. I finally finished writing this fic, but I’m not posting it unless I actually get reviews.
And Comashipping SUCKS.