“... State your business, wretch.”

Merlot’s voice echoed lowly through her castle’s throne room. The Lugia was giving audience to a visitor of hers, and she was none too pleased about it. Even having her head maid and closest servant, Udon, accompanying her did little to keep her mood up.

The Sneasel cowered before her, only to be nudged by one of the two others behind him. “Uh... on behalf of the Slasher gang, we were sent to inform you--”

“Silence!” Merlot’s voice boomed, nearly flooring the Sneasels before her throne. It even startled the Dragonite next to her a little! “I will not accept you as some sort of messenger boy for that idiot. Fetch him to speak to me personally, if he wishes to take any of my time.”

The terrified Sneasels looked at each other in panic, then shoved the one in front, who stumbled forward a few steps. Looking up at the unamused Lugia, he attempted to reason with her, “B-but Lady Merlot, he is very busy, and--”

“Do not talk back to me!” Merlot shouted once again, causing the Sneasel that had spoken to her to run all the way behind one of his companions and hide behind him in fright. As quickly as she had become angered, Merlot took but a single sip from her glass of wine and calmed right down. “You would make ugly servants. If you do not leave, I will simply have Udon beat you for my amusement.”

The Dragonite next to Merlot flashed a wide grin at the three terrified Sneasels, cupping one of her paws and balling the other into a fist, connecting them together with a threatening smack.

That display was all the Sneasels needed to bolt right down the carpet that had lead them into Merlot’s throne room to begin with, exiting her castle post-haste.

The cloaked Lugia sighed, taking another sip of her wine before idly resting her cheek on one of her wings. “I really don’t understand my luck, Udon. My castle is surrounded by an entire forest full of Pokemon, and they’re all horrid and ugly. Good help is so hard to find, is it not?”

“Yes, mistress Merlot. Would you like me to prepare a warm bath for you to relax after this stress?” Udon was quick to offer the sorts of luxury she knew Merlot enjoyed.

“No, thank you. It would seem that band of misfits actually wants something from me. We’ll be likely to hear from them again soon, and if nothing else, I want some entertainment out of this.” Merlot explained, gazing at her wine glass as she gently swirled it about, watching the colored liquids sway against the sides as she waited to grant another audience.

=====

Part 1 of Ch2 of 's story.

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