A note: All Pokemon in this story are Bi-pedal, meaning they walk on two paws instead of four, FYI.

Asriel was on a porch, the sun shining brightly on that summer day. Asriel sighed as he felt the breeze, the wind feeling like it was trying to lure him to sleep. "Asriel," a voice said, making Asriel turn around to see Akumu there, dressed in a robe and carrying a mug of tea. "Morning love," Asriel murmured, planting a kiss on her cheek, accepting the mug from her. Before Akumu could say anything else, the sound of children laughing brought Asriel's attention to look down.

Asriel woke up with a gasp, sitting up from the surprise of the dream. 'Was that a vision?' Asriel thought, looking down to see Akumu there, a smile on her face. Asriel could not help but smile himself as he laid back down, kissing Akumu on the head lightly; she rubbed her head against his chest, purring. Asriel could not help but hold her close, breathing lightly, content with the world with Akumu in his arms. 'She is beautiful,' Asriel thought, kissing her lightly on the cheek as she started to wake up. "Good morning, Akumu," Asriel murmured, smiling as her eyes opened, revealing the scarlet eyes that he fell in love with. "Good morning," she replied, yawning as she stretched. "Sleep well?" Asriel asked as he got up with her, smiling as she yawned again, looking at him with lowered eyelids. "Yeah, thanks to you," she replied, smirking back as she blushed. "Come on; let's eat something. What would you like? I can cook just about anything," Asriel offered as he led her to his kitchen/ dining room.

"Eggs sounds fine to me," Akumu said, taking a grateful seat at the table, wincing with pain, making Asriel look at her with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked. "Yeah; just sore from last night," Akumu replied, smirking as Asriel blushed at the indirect compliment. "O-oh, okay. Take it easy; breakfast will be right out!" Asriel said, moving to make their simple breakfast. Akumu watched him as he worked, smiling lightly with each graceful movement Asriel made. In his mind, Asriel decided to make flapjacks, making the batter as the eggs cooked over a low flame. "So, how did you decide to become an Assassin?" Asriel asked as he finished the eggs, placing a few small circles on the hot plate, a small sizzle coming from each one. "I just have a natural talent when it comes to sneaking around, and the Assassin guild contacted me when I was young," Akumu replied. "Oh? How old were you when you were contacted?" Asriel asked, interested as he watched the flapjacks. "I was ten," Akumu replied, making Asriel look at her in stunned surprise. "But, the youngest one can be drafted is sixteen!" Asriel protested, making Akumu smirk. "Except for the fact, I snuck past all 300 Assassins, invaded the Master's room, stole a coin purse and a few rings and hightailed it out of there without anyone finding me; I impressed them, I guess," Akumu replied, smiling with pride at the memory.

Asriel was impressed greatly as he slid the flapjacks onto the plates, pouring on more mix. "How did they find you?" Asriel asked. "You know, tracking spells. When the trackers brought me to the guild building, the Master could not stop laughing. He offered me a place to live on the spot," Akumu said, a smile on her face, but a sad glint in her eyes, one that Asriel picked up on instantly. "Where were you living before?" Asriel asked her gently as he flipped the flapjacks. "I was living on the streets, having to steal to live," Akumu said, tears in her eyes, regret surging off of her in waves. "You had to do what you had to in order to survive; I understand," Asriel said gently, placing a plate in front of her when the flapjacks were done, knowing how she felt living on the streets.

Akumu looked shaken as she sniffed, using a offered napkin to wipe her nose. "Eat; you will feel better after," Asriel said, smiling as he gave her a knife and fork. Akumu nodded her thanks before she started to eat, eyes wide at the flavor of the food. "Wow; you are an amazing cook!" Akumu complimented, looking as if she had a foodgasm. "Thank you; my master taught me how to cook as part of my training," Asriel replied, then it hit him. "Akumu, I need to go to the castle to check on the Queen; can you stay here for me? I have a lot of books you can read, scrolls too," Asriel said, wolfing down his breakfast. Akumu nodded as she laughed, eating her food slowly as Asriel got dressed, pulling some potions from his cabinet and placing them in a pack, making sure they would not break as he ran. "Alright; see you when I get back love," Asriel smiled, kissing her on the lips briefly before running out of the cottage.

Asriel ran to the village, having to slow down to catch his breath, but still moving quickly. 'I hope I can get there on time,' Asriel thought, moving quickly but clumsily through the crowd. However, as he was walking through the market, he was slammed into from the side, making him gasp in shock as he fell into an ally way, pain erupting in his side as he was kicked. "Hand over your coin or die!" a figure said, a dagger held at Asriel's throat making the Lucario unable to speak. Two Pikachus were standing over him, swords drawn while a Raichu held the dagger to his throat, only their eyes visible from their cloaks. Asriel held out his paws, remaining silent as he prepared to use magic without words; he knew it was dangerous, but he had to do so to save himself.

Before he could, however, all three of the bandits cried out in pain at the same time as they fell to the ground, arrows in their backs, each one a killing shot. Asriel was greatly confused as he looked up, but was no longer surprised when he saw a Quilva standing there, a bow in his paws and arrow notched in, ready to fire if needed. "Are you okay?" the fire-type asked, scanning the ally quickly for danger. "I am fine, thank you," Asriel said, getting off the ground with a slight burst of pain. The Quilva nodded before he removed his arrow, placing it back in his quiver with a fluid grace that came from being an Archer. "I am Ryan Flamearrow; nice to meet ya!" the Quilva said, shaking Asriel's paw. "I am Asriel Asphodel," Asriel introduced as they left the ally, Ryan calling for guards. "Where are you heading?" Ryan asked as they walked away, the crowd seeming to be less packed. "I am heading to the castle; I am watching over Queen Elizabeth during her pregnancy," Asriel said, naming his job as he wove through the crowd.

"Follow me; I can get you to the castle in a matter of minutes!" Ryan said, grabbing Asriel by the arm and leading him through a series of ally ways, only to appear in a clearing suddenly, one that gave a clear view of the castle from Asriel's point of view. "Wow; how did you know where this was?" Asriel asked, walking forward with Ryan into the forest. "I have been an archer for a good portion of my life; I just became a master not too long ago," Ryan replied, a proud look on his face. "Congratulations!" Asriel said, clapping for the Quilva as they walked. "I am just an apprentice in the healing arts, but I am working on honing my craft," Asriel told Ryan, getting the Quilva to look at him in surprise. "But, you are, what, nineteen? How are you still an apprentice?" Ryan asked Asriel, confused. "My master died before I could finish my training," Asriel replied with a downcast look, his emotions not hitting him as hard.

"Oh, I am sorry," Ryan said, looking away with embarrassment. "It is fine; he is still teaching me things though," Asriel explained with a sheepish smile. "Really? Is his spirit communicating with you from the grave?" Ryan asked, interested and confused. "No, not really," Asriel said, not sure how to explain it to him as they reached the castle. Luckily, he did not because Ryan was pulled elsewhere by other archers, who were in an argument. Shaking his head, Asriel ran to the Royal Bedchambers, where Elizabeth was, resting lightly. "She just fell asleep," Arceus told Asriel as he set his pack down, looking over his wife with love in his eyes. "Okay; I will be here if she wakes up, my king," Asriel said, bowing to his king before he started to take out his things.

Nodding to Asriel, Arceus left, the bedchamber quiet as Asriel set up, Asriel knowing that he had to be. Asriel placed two potions for sleeping aside as he waited for the Queen to wake up, taking out a book on developing children to read while he waited. He did not have to wait long, as Elizabeth woke up yawning, pulling Asriel out of his book. "Good afternoon, my Queen. May I check the children again?" Asriel asked, his paws flaring up a faint white. The Queen giggled before nodding her permission. Asriel pressed his paws to her swollen stomach, closing his eyes to look at the children, smiling again as he watched them move around in their mother's stomach. He checked them over, making sure that they were fine before he removed his paws, opening his eyes.

"The children are doing fine, my Queen. Do you need a sleeping potion?" Asriel asked, taking note of her shadows under her eyes. "Yes, please," the Queen murmured, clearly tired, despite her waking up from her nap. "I will give two to your husband to give to you. How are you feeling?" Asriel asked her, speaking like he was talking to his mother. "Fine; the children are just kicking a lot, that is all," Elizabeth replied, sighing as she held her stomach. "Do you need pain removers? I can give Arceus a bottle of them if you want me to, but you can only take one every six hours," Asriel said, going through his bag to look for them. "Yes, if you have any," she replied, wincing suddenly as one or both of the children kicked her in the ribs.

After a thorugh check-up, Asriel told her that she just needs to eat and rest. "I will be here again tomorrow," Asriel told her, bowing the king and queen before excusing himself, sighing. 'I wonder how Sale and Glace are doing; I should go check up on them,' Asriel thought to himself, going to where Sale's room was, knowing that they would be there somehow. Opening the door without knocking, Asriel's eyes widened at what he saw.

I know, a lame end to a chapter, but hey, it is a cliffhanger still. Anyway, I hope that everyone found this chapter okay; Chapter 10 will be better, that I promise! To Pokemonfan472, I hope you like how I introduced Ryan!

Till next time,

Peace out mi Pokemans!