The Iron Grip

Chapter 1

**Warning** This story will use cuss words, cover delicate topics that people consider triggers and might have some mature scenes, but I do not know how to write fluff.
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It was a normal day in Alola, and the children at the pokemon school were handing in their homework.

"Who would like to read their story first?", Kukui asked

"Meeeeeeeee", Lana screamed.

"Pick me, pick me!", Ash gestured.

"Professor, can I read my story out to the class?", Lillie said exitedly.

"Sure Lillie, why not?", said Kukui kindly.

Once upon a time, there was a girl. Her name was of course Lillie, and she lived in a giant castle up in the mountains. Her mother was the Queen, and her brother was the Prince.

Today however, was more than just a regular day. Today, on Lillie's 13th summer, she would meet the father of the person she would eventually marry. At this time, arranged marriages were common, and it just so happened that Lillie had been slotted into one.

The young Princess had no reason to object, it was all that she had known, apart from the maids and butlers. After all, a royal did not meet their subjects untill their comming of age.

"When will mother be ready?", Lillie asked impatiently.

"Her majesty will be finished soon Miss Lilllie", Hobbs assured her.

"Why does mother have to take so long?", Lillie asked once more.

"Her majesty must look presentable in front of her people", Hobbs explained. "Do not fret Miss Lillie."

"Where is Gladion then?", Lillie said.

"Gladion is in the stables with the stable boy, Hau", Hobbs said.

"I do not understand why Gladion likes the Mudslale so much", Lillie said, clearly confused.

"Miss Lillie, I think Gladion goes there for reasons other than large beasts covered in mud", Hobbs was cut short as Queen Lusamine walked out of her chambers.

Lusamine was dressed in the most extravagant garments, the finest of silks and the crude iron gauntlet that concealed her mauled hand. "Lillie and Hobbs, follow me then", Lusamine prompted.

They walked towards the huge wooden castle doors that spilled out into the city. At first glance, the Aether City looked normal, but after a few minutes one began to see beyond the poker-face the citizens made whenever the Queen was nearby.

The streets reeked to high heaven, their gutters draining out into the polluted river nearby. Carts trundled past, sliding through the oozing concoction of mud and animal waste.

Yet for Lillie, a Princess who had only ever been to the forest that lay west of the castle, the biggest surprise came when they reached the main square.

On a raised platform, high above the dingy street stood the gallows. The hangman's noose swayed gently in the light breeze, bearing the mark of all those it had ruthlessly executed.

This was too much for Lillie. This should have been taught to her when she was little, so that it would seem relatively normal. It was too late to go back, so Lillie acted on impulse. She ran.

She ran through the cramped streets towards the river, before plunging in to icy current that swept her away beneath the city walls.