Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Satoshi Tajiri, 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: Adultery, het

Chapter 9

There was death waiting in the wings.

Red knew this, and yet, she could not flee her fate like a coward. Her honor would not permit her to leave Hearthome, not when the city waited for destruction. War was an addiction, true enough.

Nonetheless, she had a plan. She had won her glory, and now, she wished to retire from the battlefield.

Yellow’s death had been avenged. There was no need for the needless slaughter, not any more. And truthfully, she missed her home.

Would she ever see her aged father James again?

Lance strummed his lyre idly, though his mind whirled with thoughts. It was already the tenth year, and yet the high walls still stood.

What was missing?

Surely, the prophecy that Hearthome would fall was true. Unless…

Within the walls lay the fabled Sun Stone, given to the first King by the God Pryce. As long as this artifact shielded the city, victory was uncertain.

In that case… sacrifices had to be made.

Charlotte chuckled quietly, watching his actions from the skies. Yes. He had realized the paradox.

She could trust Lance to do what was right.

There was no way Hearthome would endure now!

Gary brooded, as the Shinouites withdrew behind their high walls and made no more forays towards the black ships. A truce was called, one week long, for the dead to be buried and proper sacrifices made.

The skeins of life were tangled now. The Fates spun onward, as the gods and goddesses watched with interest. The affairs of mortals could be quite entertaining indeed! They sipped their ambrosia while the men struggled.

It was all for naught.

Hearthome would fall.

Ashline gave a quiet gasp as Paul walked into their chamber. He was not alone. The news had been buzzing through the city all morning!

An old beggar had sought shelter inside their city. He was an aged man with bleary eyes and a noticeable limp, back covered with bloody weals. He had whined and pleaded, pulling out his graying brown hair.

Paul had been reluctant at first, wanting to toss the man over the wall, suspecting a spy, but he was now satisfied. This beggar had given them plenty of valuable information on the Kings of Kanto and Johto.

Now, he knew everything!

Apparently, Red was planning to leave this land. The rift between her and Gary had widened further, and he had not sworn the Oath.

Paul was quite pleased. If their greatest enemy were no longer here, he would not need to dispose of her. Nonetheless, his father pressured him to avenge his brother.

Steven had been a fool!

The Prince poured himself a measure of wine with a smile. “Now,” He turned to the tramp. “This is my wife, Princess Ash. She is to be treated with utmost respect.”

A wordless nod came in acknowledgment.

“And Ashline, I want you to treat this man as our honorable guest. See that he’s bathed and given decent clothing and a good meal. He’s given us quite useful information – though of course, I expect you to use your wiles to extract even more from him.”

Paul finished his wine, and headed off to enjoy his newest conquest.

Ash watched him leave bitterly.

Who was this stranger? Had he truly betrayed his homeland? Or was he a spy?

If he were a spy in truth, the Kings must be getting desperate…

Ash nodded to her maids. They took the beggar off to be properly bathed and dressed. When her guest returned, with his back bandaged and his hair neatly trimmed, she almost couldn’t stifle a gasp.

Brownish-gray hair and black eyes were not uncommon. Yet…

The maids brought wine and barley cakes, cheese and onions. They retreated when she dismissed them.

Her guest knelt before her, not speaking a word.

“No. Please rise.” Ash said uncomfortably. She did not deserve such obeisance. Even if this man was a traitor, she was still higher in station.

She was nothing but a whore now.

But that face….

“You play a strange part, my lord Lance.” She said slowly. “Even stranger than when you came to court me.”

Those dark eyes widened. “Princess Ashline! It is unkind of you to compare me to the man I despise. That monster was the one who caused my injuries!”

She flushed, embarrassed. “My apologies then, kind sir. However, you do resemble him greatly. Are you a relation, perhaps?”

“I am only a poor soldier, nothing more.”

He protested when Ash began to serve the meal, but the black-haired teen would have none of it. She grated the cheese and onions and arranged them over the bread, frowning.

That voice…

Lance felt uncomfortable as he watched Ash. She could still be considered beautiful, but sorrow had etched faint lines around her eyes, and her movements betrayed hidden wounds.

So Paul had not treated his wife well…

The only saving grace was that Ashline had not borne the purple-haired Prince any children. It would be difficult enough convincing Gary to take his love back, what with the slight to his pride and the lonely nights he had spent.

The drugs in his eyes would not last much longer. As soon as the meal concluded, he should make plans to steal the Sun Stone.

“So this is the secret entrance into Hearthome.” Red spoke, as she pried up a small grate disguised in the marshy swamp where the drains ended. The smell was foul, but the tunnel would fit her. Thank goodness she was slim!

Richie gave her an ingratiating smile. “Yes, my lady.”

He followed Red into the citadel, where Volkner was waiting.

“Now,” The aged king said, “Let us discuss the truce you propose.”

End Chapter

Started 12/1/07

Completed 2/11/08

Edited 5/27/09

… This was on hold for a bloody long time…

Lance and Red are both sneaking into the city, though Lance is in disguise (albeit one that required some painful procedures). And I don’t think they know each other is there…

Paul sleeps around. *Nods* with everyone and everything…