Hi!

All right. Wichita was mentioned in episodes 178-180 of CCA. I was requested to do a little story off it, so I am.

Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to me. Do not take my work!

Ash quickly released Altaria, who caught the prince and flew him back. At least that way he had a soft landing.

“Are you all right?”

Firmin blubbered as his father fawned over him.

Lance paused; putting the rest of his poison darts back in his cloak and instead used Hyper Beam himself.

“Sugoi…” Ash whispered to Pika-chan.

< Isn’t he? >

Ash grinned. “Hai~!”

He released Pidgeot, Arcanine, Scyther… all favorites, and let them loose. The rest fled, and two were left behind for questioning.

“Why are you attacking my kingdom?” King Broom asked, shaken. “I thought we had a treaty with the kingdom of Macaw.”

The man spat out a bit of blood and refused to answer.

“Let me handle this.” Ash said. “Poliwhirl, could you? Hypnosis?”

The man did fall asleep.

Ash grinned. “Now… Mysdreavus?”

The ghost’s eyes glowed as she began scanning. After a few minutes, she stopped.

< Their group was paid sixty gold bars for Prince Firmin’s head. They are known as the Black blades; they work for whoever pays them, but they did originate in Macaw. So… some of them used to be soldiers of the army and kept their armor. >

“Is there a reason?” Lance inquired.

< No. >

“Pity, we should have captured the leader.” Lance frowned.

“It’s a filthy, villainous, cowardly plot!” Sir Guy yelled, than noticed whom he was yelling at and shut up.

“Who would benefit from a war if Macaw and Wichita fought?” Garth, the Minister of Peace mused.

“The other two countries here are Tokol and Lazen.”

“Tokol… we export much of our oil and shellfish from Tokol.” Keith said.

Pascal, Minister of Trade, looked slightly miffed, but nodded.

After all, Keith was concerned – very concerned – with money, as the Minister of the Treasury.

Katrina, Court Physician, checked over Firmin and declared he was fit, just shocked, and advised some scented oil and a bath.

“Lazen, then?”

“We are not certain. We import peaches from Macaw, and they rely on our grain, being mostly a desert country…”

“So why would they attack?”

“Because we would not expect it?”

“What about Lazen?”

“Oh, well… er, relations haven’t been too good, but surely they would not attack us this obviously?”

“Do not forget that they do not think as we do.” King Broom scolded. “They have a completely different system of government.”

“Hai.”

“Also, if another country wanted to frame Lazen, it would be…”

The King and Ministers began arguing. Ash and Lance walked off; not needed anymore, as did the knights who had rushed into battle.

A few went to see Katrina to get patched up.

“Who do you think it is?”

Lance shrugged. “I do not particularly care.”

“Why?”

“Lazen… they are a small clan, of very dedicated fighters, but they wear loose robes and no armor, and attack from a distance, using arrows and poisoned spears and darts. They could not dent our defense if they attacked directly.”

“I see, but what of Macaw and Tokol?”

“I do not think Macaw would betray our peace treaty, which is effective for two more years. Two of the king’s daughters married into that family.”

“I see…”

“Tokol… I believe Princess Angelica married there.”

“Hmm…”

“Princess Lydia is still here, along with Princesses Lauren and Laurel… I believe one of the twins will be sent to marry into Lazen.”

“That’s the way it is… I’m glad I’m not a princess.”

“Hai.”

“It must be horrible, though…” Ash mused. * To marry someone you don’t know just to get peace. *

But it was a trade-off… and unfortunately, the children of royalty had their lives used as chess pieces.

Still… they lived in the lap of luxury.

Was it fair, then?

“You are being very quiet, Ashura.”

“Ash.”

“Hai, Ash-san. Is something troubling you?”

“Maybe a little…”

“Well, I am sure you will resolve your own problems. I have faith in you,” Lance said quietly before he exited.

Ash blushed.

If only he knew…

“Pika-chan…”

“Be patient, Ash. Two months, remember?”

“Hai, but its so hard!”

“Well, then you’ll _learn_ patience.”

Ash coughed slightly, looking at Pika-chan, who shrugged. * What’s it to me? *

Some teacher…

He busied himself and spent another day, cleaning out his rooms. They were a mess, he decided, as he stuffed yet another robe into the wardrobe.

And dust everywhere!
He sneezed as he pushed the broom around. Afterwards, he left the window open so he could air out the inside.

Fresh air filtered in with honey-gold sunlight, and it was pretty. He managed to get his scrolls and books in order on a shelf, although he knew that wouldn’t last long, and he polished his weapons too, to relieve boredom.

That was good… it took four day’s time in all.

End Chapter

Completed 7/28/04