A New World, A New Conflict

by Evowizard25

Kidnapped (Day 4)

Lia loved to be around others. That was a certain fact. She loved to make new friends and have fun. However, she liked having a little privacy every now and again. Having an older brother who commanded an army and a mother who was a nurse meant that she was often swamped by others nearly all the time. She liked the attention, but a some breathing space was always appreciated.

So she had used her own brand of command and ordered a couple of Lairons to keep watch at her door. She didn’t want to be disturbed. Her passion was best let loose when she was alone:

Painting.

Lia, the littlest Kirlia, loved to paint. Nothing brought her greater joy and bliss then to let her imagination flow forth. Her harm clutched the brush delicately. Her strokes were dainty, but elegant. Every action brought the greater picture together. No movement was wasted. No touch needed was absent. Everything fit and Lia did her best.

She had a secret to her technique. She painted from the heart. The heart, her mother had said, was the most powerful thing in the world. Whole nations rose and fell to its tune. Her brush swerved to the rhythm of the beat. Lia was at peace.

For the most part.

Lia was finishing up her piece by faintly coloring her mother’s hair. Her ‘human’ mother’s hair. She had nothing against her mother now, far from it. She thought it was cool she was a pokemon, yet….

‘Arceus is a big meanie,’ Lia thought as she frowned. ‘He changed mommy ‘cause he doesn’t like humans. Well, she wasn’t like the others. Why did he change her? Why did he take us a way without asking? Why didn’t he award my big brother for his efforts? He deserved to be recognized. WHY DIDN”T HE DO ANY OF THAT?!!!’

Lia was finished, but far from done. She knew Arceus was their god. He was always right…but he messed with her mommy. He made her big brother faint. No one, be it god or mortal, messed with her family.

So she painted humans. She knew her big brother wouldn’t like it, but she would do it anyway. Someone had to remember who and what they were. She was going to remind the world what a human was. Generations would remember who they were. ‘They will remember my mommy forever and ever….and my big brother too.’

Lia smiled as she looked at her painting. She, Sev, and Joy were sitting together, just smiling and enjoying each other’s presence. It was like a photo of sorts. ‘One big happy family.’

She made sure to have this at full display, along with all her other painting. She was, however, unsure of one select painting: Herself smacking a large hammer into Arceus’s head. ‘Eh, maybe for April Fools.’

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Lia called out.

A Sableye opened the door. “Princess, it appears King Trotankhamun wishes to converse with you.”

“Me?” Lia looked shocked. No one asked her to do anything by herself. “What about big brother?”

“They say he’s also waiting,” the Sableye soldier answered.

Lia sighed in relief. “Alright, tell them I’ll be out in a moment.”

Quick as lightning, not the pony but still pretty quick, Lia put everything back to its prim and proper place. She smiled and headed out the door. Three zebra guards stood at attention. “Okay, take me to your leader.”

The two PLA guards groaned at that.

“Let me have that one,” Lia crossed her arms and pouted, before going off with the guards.
________________________________________________________________
*Lightning*

Lightning Dust was on edge. She wasn’t used to being beaten and those dogs had been…tough to say the least. She wouldn’t admit it though. She was a ‘Dust’. Her family was the toughest, swiftest fliers in all of Equestria. It was her family that started the wonderbolts, tracing their lineage back to Firefly herself.

So it was no brainer that she loved to fly. No, flying was what she was made for. She felt at peace when she soared the heavens and felt adrenaline as she broke the speed barrier with just some flaps of her wings. She needed this.

Why? Well, a guy liked her. At least, it seemed he did. She hadn’t known him long, but he seemed interested. It shouldn’t, but it did. She…never had anyone interested her like that before. Shocking, but it’s true.

‘I don’t even know the guy,’ she reminded herself. This was true. She and Sev hadn’t exactly had much time to get to know each other, but he seemed like a fun guy. She wouldn’t say that to his face, but she would admit it to herself.

She had a very major problem. She wasn’t the type to go blushing over some guy, or even a snake. ‘A snake. A BLEEDING SNAKE FO CRYING OUT LOUD!’

Of course, even that had an explanation of sorts. Her older sister was a big fan of manga and….yeah, she kept some rather ‘inappropriate for kids’ stuff under her beds. Unfortunately for her, Lightning was an inquisitive little filly. She also loved messing with her big sister, so routing through her stuff was a win-win in her books.

That is until she found her adult manga….And kind of grown an attachment of sorts to the serpent kind, be it naga or regular. It was a secret that she would tell no one. Even her older sister never found out. The only mare to do so was that blue braggart that got her sent to Zebrica in the first place.

‘It wasn’t her fault. I went too far, but why did I have to leave that manga out? WHY?!!! If we ever meet again, and I hope we don’t, I’m going to buck in her face for looking…And she’s probably already told everyone else about it. Element of Harmony my firm flank.’

She let that thought go however. Lightning didn’t want to stress herself over something she didn’t control. Instead she twirled, spun, and simply enjoyed the freedom of the sky. Of course, everything had to come to an end. For her, it would be nothing but spectacular!

Lightning Dust picked up speed, her characteristic lightning trail flowed after her. With a flourish of skill, she literally cleaned up the skies of Cairo in nine seconds flat. ‘Beat that Dash.’

Lightning landed upon the ground, satisfied with herself. “Now that was a good workout.” She wiped some sweat from her brow.

“Indeed.”

Lightning’s eyes nearly bugged out of her skull. The voice she heard was the exact one she had been avoiding. It was so slick, with a hissing noise, but carried such a charismatic tone that you couldn’t help but want to listen to more. It sounded kind of sexy….’If you like hissing…which I don’t.’ She turned around ever so slowly to see Commander Sev.

“A masterful performance,” Sev grinned. “Why, I have never seen a flying type do better than that.”

“Well,” Lightning beamed. If there was one thing she liked, it was praise. She casually rubbed her hoof against her chest. “I am Lightning Dust, Equestria’s fastest Pegasus.” ‘Screw you, Dash. I’ll make a Sonic Rainboom ten times as awesome as yours….Wait, don’t think like that. That’s what got you in trouble in the first place….but I will! I swear to you!’

“A title earned,” Sev stopped just short of her.

“Why are you here?”

“I had grown bored of the triviality of politics,” Sev scoffed. “The local lords do not comprehend my greatness. They resist me and my people.” He moved his tail about in an aggressive manner. “But they will learn the folly of that…But let us not dwell upon those who are not worthy to bask in my radiance. I wished to merely converse with you. We haven’t really done so before.”

“Well, we are now. So what do you want?”

“A chance,” Sev bowed. “That is all I ask, fair maiden. A chance to take your hoof for my own.”

Lightning sputtered, blushing. “W-what? My hoof? Who do you think you are asking for it, idiot.”

Sev frowned and straightened up. “I am Commander Sev, chosen warrior of Arceus and the leader of the PLA.”

“I didn’t mean….” Lightning face-hooved. “That’s not how this works. You have to date me first. Actually get to know me.”

“I know enough,” Sev said earnestly.

“Yeah,” Lightning raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“You like flying,” Sev said, before frowning. “………..Perhaps you have a point, Lightning. I do not know you that well and I am in dire need to fix that. Very well, we shall go on a date. Mind you, I am excellent on those. I had plenty of experience.”

“Oh really?” ‘I doubt he’s even kissed a girl yet.’

“Yes,” Sev nodded. “Now, what is your answer?”

Lightning was silent for a moment. She had been bloody well training up in the sky for the past two hours trying to avoid this guy. Now he wanted to actually take her on a date? Get to know her? ‘But wait. Wasn’t one of the reasons I didn’t want to go with him is because he didn’t know me. Now he wants to? A mare of an entirely different species?’ She didn’t know whether to be flattered or think Sev was even crazier than she thought. ‘Probably both.’

“Fine,” a small blush adorned her cheeks. “One date, this afternoon. Make it worth it or that’s all you’re going to get…stupid snake.”

Sev seemed to ignore the insult as a happy smile lit his face. “Great. You shall not regret this….and if you do, I’m sure it won’t be serious. My army hasn’t suffered any grievous injuries since we got here. Four days is a record!”

‘Yeah…record.’ Lightning sweat-dropped.
______________________________________________________________________
*Lia, outer rim of Cairo*

Lia couldn’t’ help but think something was off. Her guides had kept themselves rather uncomfortably close and seemed to avoid other pokemon. What’s more is that they were taking her to the outskirts of the city. ‘Maybe this is a secret meeting?’

“So…” Lia started in a desperate attempt to break the silence. “Did they tell you what the meeting was about?”

She was met with only silence.

“Did my big brother tell you guys to remember to stop by an ice-cream parlor? Because he so owes me one.”

Again, the guards didn’t say anything.

Lia frowned. “Are you guys going to talk at all?”

“No.” One of them said.

“But you just did.” Lia pointed out.

“No I didn’t.” Was the answer.

Lia giggled. “You’re funny.”

“Yeah, I’m a real comedian….Well, we’re here.”

Lia stopped to look around. ‘An abandoned dark alley? This is where the secret meeting is? This isn’t my big brother’s style at all.’ Something was definitely up and the little Kirlia didn’t like it one bit. “Are you sure? Seems more like a place for an ambush to me.”

“…..No it isn’t.”

“You just paused,” Lia looked at the soldier with a deadpanned expression.

“You only thought he paused,” another soldier answered.

“….Okay then,” Lia rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “Where’s my big brother and the king?”

“Not here,” the third guard said from behind her. All of a sudden, Lia found herself within the confines of a net.

“A net?” Lia’s deadpanned gaze hit them hard. “Really? How cliché can you get?”

“Shut up,” the first kidnapper said. “You’re our hostage.”

“Really?” Lia asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Really.”

“Really?”

“Really!”

“Really?!!”

“REALLY!”

“Confusion!”

“Confusewhat?”

Lia’s eyes glowed and the net unfurled itself. Within seconds, the three guards were tied up with it and their heads knocked against one another. They groaned. Lia stood before them with a proud smile on her face. “HA! OWNED! That’s right. I beat you.” She stuck out her tongue.

And just like that, she felt something prick her upper right arm and the world went black.
________________________________________________________________________

Crowland had taken many jobs he despised in the past. He did them anyway. It was his job to do them, but still. It all felt so wrong sometimes. He kept that to himself. No use complaining about past deeds and stuff. He had plenty of blood on his hands. Yet, as he walked over to the little creature he just darted, he couldn’t help but hate himself a little.

Little Lady seemed to share the sentiment.

So, he just stood over his quarry for a moment. ‘So young and innocent.’ He knew it was about to end. He knew he shouldn’t have taken this job. He knew it and did it anyway. He was a damned soul one way or the other. If he didn’t do it, someone a little rougher would.

“Spear.”

“I know,” Crowland sighed. “Dirty business this is, but it’s got to be done.” He bent down and gently picked up the strange creature. She was rather light so it didn’t affect him any to carry her bridle style. “Nothing personal.” He calmly walked off.

“HEY!” One of the other kidnappers said. “What about us?”

“Little Lady?” Crowland spared her a glance. In his short time, he’d seen her do a few rather interesting tricks. Mainly besting other small creatures like itself.

Little Lady nodded and quickly flew over to the other group. With a flurry of attack, her beak pecked clean through the net. The kidnappers grumbled.

“Alright,” one of them said. “Now hand her over.”

Crowland frowned. “No doing. I knocked her out while you lot were too busy trying out for Hearth’s Warming Eve presents.”

“Damned holiday,” the zebra growled. “We got her here, so we’ll take her in. We earned the money, chicken.”

Crowland tensed. “Chicken?” It should be noted that no griffin worth their salt appreciated that insult. It was a rather…touchy name. “Boy, I think it best you end it here before I have to clean my claws.”

“Oh yeah?” The kidnapper drew his sword. “There’s three of us and only one of you.”

“Two,” Crowland grinned. “Little Lady.”

“Spear.” Little Lady flew up a ways before turning to face him. Within in seconds, she flew at him at full speed, flipped in the air, and became covered in light.

The zebra guards were chuckling at the little bird’s display…before she smashed into one of their chests, knocking him clean off his hooves and several feet back. With a laughing caw, Little Lady perched herself back onto Crowlands’ shoulder.

He smiled at his new hunting companion. “You’re getting better.”

Little Lady simply cooed in delight and nuzzled his cheek.

Crowland turned back to the shocked, and injured, zebras. “And that was just my little friend here. Would you like me to have a go?” The killer glint in his eyes that he sent them made them gulp in fear. They said nothing. “Good, now follow me. You are not to touch or talk to our new guest at any given moment. This is going to be a quiet trip back, so if I hear so much as a peep, then I’m going to be putting zebra stew on today’s menu. Am I perfectly clear?”

They nodded.

“Good,” Crowland walked off with them in toe. ‘Sometimes,’ he glanced at his new catch, a little girl by the name of Lia. ‘I hate myself.’

Author's Note:

Almost done with day four and our conflict is finally showing some fruition.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please leave a comment.

Comments

[mooneyboys]

Was that a Hellsing abridged reference i saw in there?

[Evowizard25]

5229374 Yep. Couldn't resist.

[Serpentking789]

Welp, this is going to end in death, tears, and/or mind-crushing (for anyone that isn't Lia, that is).

[V-Oblivion]

Commander Sev is best character.

And I don't know why... but I want to draw Lia's drawings O.O

[Ausbrony]

*sigh* So they kidnapped Lia... Y'know, I'vs seen things... stupid things, like pissing off a disturbed Kadabra, brainwashing a legion of Pokemon, shit all over someone's wedding and possess innocents for revenge...

But kidnapping Lia... that just took stupid to a whole new level.

Jokes aside, this was a good chapter and Lightning is still adorable.

P.S. Rika may steal that 'Take me to your Leaders' joke~

[Evowizard25]

5232643 Of course. She is their relative. Jokes run in the family.
And yeah, the villains just opened up a can of worms with this idea.

[Wyrme]

They're all gonna die...painfully.

[shynight]

[Raul]

5617671 what he said.