Title: Legendary
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Ash/Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #45, Legend
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Warnings: Shonen-ai, fanon

“You shouldn’t exist.” Red says, looking at him. “You’re dead, Lance.”

The shade smiles at him, and he has to admit that it looks exactly like his lover did, before he sacrificed himself to bind the legendary pokemon. He still remembers that wistful smile like it was yesterday. Now, he is twenty years older and perhaps as much wiser, and he knows that the dead don’t come back to life.

“Why are you here?” Red asks. “Is my time already up? Am I going to die?” He laughs mirthlessly. “It doesn’t matter that much. I’m ready to die – I’ve been ready for years. Without you, I’m really nothing…”

It doesn’t say anything, and encouraged by silence, Red goes on.

“The other Elite Four weren’t cruel, or condescending, but they were… different without you. Bruno turned into this horrible braggart, and Lorelei went cold, and Agatha retired two months after… and then Karen came, but I didn’t know her at all, and she wanted to be Champion, but I said no, that belonged to you – and maybe me, and I fought her, and I won, but it just made me hurt so much inside… you should have been there, Lance. It wasn’t fair!”

Golden eyes meet his, and finally Red breaks. He reaches out to touch, expecting his hand to go through, but… it’s different. Lance feels solid – maybe slightly cold, but it’s definitely him. And there’s no way they could ever make a clone to replace the Dragon Master.

“Come on,” Lance says, “I’m taking you home.”

Red expects death, but it really just feels like flying, so he opens his eyes, and they are flying, and he’s young again, and the wings on his back are black and gold.

He laughs, and then Lance kisses him, and nothing in the world can fake that, so now he knows, and as the floodgates of memory open, he relaxes in Lance’s arms.

End Fic

Completed 9/8/06

FLUFF!

Red: *Blush*

Lance: *Smirks and huggles Red*