Title: Learned Helplessness
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #20, Learned Helplessness
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

“You’re a fool.” She said quietly, as the other stared at her, aghast. The sword glittered on her fingertips as she turned away. “If you weren’t so soft and pampered, Princess, always relying on your Court to save you, perhaps things wouldn’t be at such a standstill, ne?”

She left without a word, and even as the others cried for her not to go, she opened the gates and flew outside, her black wings shimmering slightly in the moonlight.

Whitney patted Ashline on the shoulder comfortingly. “Red is just being stubborn.” She said, but none of them believed it.

Two lay dead – not any of the Outer Court, for if they had been, Red would not have been so polite. Jupiter and Mercury were dead.

“… She’s right though,” Ashline whispered. “They are dead…”

“I’m surprised you went.” Neptune got up from his chair as he flicked a lock of crimson hair out of his face. He left his trident leaning against the table, sensing that they were not in danger. “What happened?”

Red sighed as she turned to look at her husband. “They were talking about bringing us back to Crystal Tokyo to replace Jupiter and Mercury.”

Lance hissed angrily, his silversteel wings arching in displeasure. “That would leave our borders unprotected.” Was the Queen a fool?

“I said as much. Besides, she can’t fight any more. She’s useless, Lance. Can’t we take the Crystal from her now?”

“Soon,” He promised, and Red nodded with a half-smile.

Yes, it would be over. This false utopia would fall. They only had to wait, for corruption could not run rampant forever.

End Fic

Completed 12/11/06

Edited 8/30/09

More Sailor-Moon verse fic! I hate Ashline…