Title: Conclusion
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #21, Conclusion
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: AU, het, death

“It’s better this way.” Lance whispered. “Red, we both knew this was not meant to be, so at least there won’t be any scenes…”

Red shook his head. “How can it be better when you’re dying?” He protested.

She looked at him, golden eyes clouded. “It wasn’t meant to be. You’re still young, you know. You can find someone else. You’ll forget me soon enough.”

“But I don’t want someone else!” He protested. “I just want you to stay with me! Lance, you promised! You promised you wouldn’t leave me!”

There were tears running down his cheeks, and she stared at him, startled.

“Why… are you crying?”

“How can I not cry?” Red sniffled. “I’ll be all alone again.”

“I’m sorry.” The Dragon Master murmured.

Red leaned over very carefully, and kissed her, listening to her breathing slow. Moments later, she slipped out, before the doctors and nurses came rushing in, too late.

Lance….

Suicide would be so very easy, but it wouldn’t be right. Maybe Lance was right, and he would find someone else, but for now, he would try to remember the good memories, the happy times they’d had together.

What else could he do?

End Fic

Completed 6/7/07

Edited 11/13/09

Note that I carefully do not mention why Lance is dying. Draw your own conclusions!