Title: Free
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #22. Pain Relief
Rating: PG-13
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: Fanon AU. Set in the same universe as “Mew Amulet”, roughly. Het

“Please… make it stop…” Red did not want to beg, and it was certainly not in his nature to beg, but as the sparks danced over his fingertips, he could do nothing but curl in upon himself. “Please…!”

The amulet of Zapdos glittered around his neck, but it was choking him… he could no longer concentrate, and the pain…!

He was going to die.

Why? What had he done wrong? Why had he failed? Had the whole test been a setup? He did not know, and it hurt…

* All I wanted to do was to help the Pokemon… *

One thought later, everything was gone.

Death was actually quite soothing. But the large floating palace he was in wasn’t empty. There was someone else there.

Golden eyes met his in amusement. “Oh, hello…”

“Do I know you?” Red asked.

The girl smiled at him. “I’m the holder of the Mew Amulet, Lance Dragyn. Pleased to meet you…”

“I see.” The Pallet Trainer pinched himself, vaguely disconcerted when it didn’t hurt. “I’m dead, aren’t I?”

She nodded.

“Well, that bites.” The Champion sighed, flopping down onto a bed that appeared out of nowhere. “So… are we in heaven?”

“Not quite.” Lance sat down next to him. “We’re in… how should I call it… not quite heaven. More of a resting phase.”

She was loath to give out too much information before he understood what was happening to them. No, he might make stupid decisions that way.

Red was still a child, while she was not.

“I don’t understand.” Red murmured. He looked down at himself, noticing the amulets. He touched the black one with the rough carving of a bird, and was unpleasantly surprised when his head began to throb with memory. “… Oh.”

“Yes.” Lance nodded. “It’s not nice, is it?”

“At least this way the pain is gone.” He mentioned. “And you’re here with me. What more can I ask for?”

She smirked, and he pulled her down into a kiss.

Next, he cuddled, feeling less lonely.

Lance chuckled quietly, holding him close.

End Fic

Completed 9/1/06

Edited 10/2/09

The end is in sight (I hope!)

Wow, sometimes my fic really rocks. ^^