𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐘𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐋 | [Royal!Sycamore/Hybrid!Reader] | POKÉMON

II

𝐈𝐈
𝐩𝐨𝐯.: 𝐲/𝐧

You've been watching the landscape draw past you from the small barred window, lazily leaning against the closed door.

It's dark by now, but with your eyesight, you have no problems making out your surroundings.

The longer the ride continues, the more dense the rate of the houses passing becomes, as well as the population. By now, you're being rode across a real street made of cobblestone, not just dirt,- the hooves of the Mudsdale tapping against stone rhythmically.

Houses and market stands align, everything is drenched by the faint lights of street lanterns. It smells... Pretty dang good. Everywhere's food, weird statues made of wood, many signs you can't read and hell- people keep yelling to buy their stuff.

It would probably be annoying if you weren't as excited to see it all as you are. Decades trapped. This is all new and foreign to you.

A steep street leads up a big hill. The castle sits on its crown, granting high ground against attacking enemy forces. The giant stone walls, carved with windows and decorative elements, make you feel small and unimportant in comparison.

You're brought through a big gate. The carriage comes to a halt in the middle of the courtyard.

"What goods do you bring us today, Nihei?"

A knight peeks through the window, the face behind the visor grimacing as he lays eyes on you.

"Caught another huh?"

"Didn't catch it," a voice answers from the front of the carriage. "The prince, he-"

"The prince!"

As the holler reaches the other knights, everyone stands on their marks, saluting as the young prince gallops through the gate you just came through.

You can see his smile from miles away. The giddy expression he wears seems unsuited for a situation like this, but given what you heard of him,- which to be fair, isn't a whole lot, this is the usual.

"I hope you're still feeling well after this long ride," he says as he arrives by your window. Now it's his horse that elevates him above you. He stares through the bars at you, smiling faintly. You can't help but growl. You hate being put in place.

You muster a low, "Why?"

His smirk widens. "Simply an... experiment." His voice is hushed down. Then all of a sudden, he winks and you're not quite sure what the thing you're perceiving is. All you know is that it makes you furious.

You growl again, though he's unfazed.

"Try not to make too much trouble for my servants. They're only listening to my orders."

And just like that, he goes off again, most likely in the direction of the stables. Your mouth hangs agape, watching the noble hatchling stride away on his high horse, back straight and chin lifted.

"Close your mouth, no one wants to see your fangs," a knight orders, you obey out of habit. Not like you have any anyways. You understand there is no use in struggling right now. Not yet. You had to observe first, then weigh your options. There has never been a better chance to escape.

The door is opened, you're surprised to see at least ten knights with iron spears waiting for you. They're standing in a circle, weapons directed towards you. Only one has his hands unoccupied, and he's the one who grabs and leads you- under the supervision of the others, to wherever they wanted to have you.

You can't help but scoff at their stupidity. As if ten humans were enough to stop a monster on the lose.

The halls you're soon lead through are covered with soft carpets, dipped in hearty red and bright orange. The candle holders aligning the walls are crested with gems and gold and holy shit, the money spent just for decoration could most likely feed hundreds of poor families.