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

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me.

Chapter 3

It wasn’t as if he had friends. Pokémon were friends, but they didn’t really count in the current situation.

It was just so… weird.

Ash put on his swimming trunks, waved goodbye to Lance, and went off to find Giselle again.

Lance waved goodbye, before turning back to his other pursuits.

Eyes carefully studied the painting of a Quagsire – a Nuoo, battling against a formidable Onix. The water/ground hybrid would win though.

It was just elemental affinity.

Shadow was powerful. Sun and Moon beat Shadow, but they were allied with Sun, and Moon… well, their kingdom was on the verge of collapse in any case.

Was the Waterflower kingdom a threat?

Perhaps. However, he had carefully covered every inch of sand with protective spells that would kill any mermaid from the Waterflower Kingdom that dared venture onto this soil. So far he had caught six.

Maybe those annoying fishes were finally running out of firepower.

Lance knew that one Dragon clan lived in the water, the Magikarp Clan, but the rest flew the skies and mountains.

No matter. He had eyes in many places.

< Report. >

< Magikarp number six. > The reply came. < Waterflower is still battling Aquarius. Aquarius begs the shadow kingdom for help. >

< What assurance have we they will not turn traitor? >

< They have sent the Mermaid Tear to you for safekeeping. >

< They have? They must be quite confident of my alliance. >

< Of course. >

Lance smiled, as the Mermaid tear, a perfectly pear-shaped drop of white, landed in his hands. < They shall have it then. >

Within hours, the shadow dragons and water pokemon had joined the fight against the mermaids. And unlike humans, pokemon did not have compunctions. They tore them apart and consumed them.

Ah… well, perhaps it was well Ash was too busy flirting with that fish girl to pay attention to state affairs. He could handle it. A pity though, the boy had potential…

Yes, Lance had been telling the truth. He *was* supposed to dedicate his life to protecting Ash. However, the definition of protection was his to define…

Ash found Giselle writhing in pain on the sand. “Giselle!”

“Ash! I’m … *sob*… dying!”

“Why?”

“Someone’s put a curse on the water! I can’t breathe!”

Ash’s eyes widened. “Lance!”

There was no reply.

Glaring at nothing in particular, Ash reached out and *tugged* on something invisible. A second later, Lance appeared.

“Lance, did you curse the area?”

“Hai, my lord.”

“Why?”

“To protect you from assassins, my lord.”

“Lance, look at me when I’m talking to you!”

“I cannot.”

“What do you mean you can’t? I’m losing my patience here!” Ash took Lance’s chin and forced him to look into his eyes.

Lance froze, as silver bracelets snapped into place on his wrists, locking shut with a clicking noise. * No! I-! This can’t be! NONONONONONONONONO! *

“Lance?”

“Hai, my lord.” The voice that came out this time was dead and emotionless. The bracelets glittered slightly.

“What happened?”

“The Protector must not look into his Master’s eyes if he wishes to keep his life, for it is a crime that will slowly destroy him…”

“Ack! Are you saying?”

“If you are inquiring as to my health, yes. I have approximately two weeks left before the power binding wears off.”

“I’m so sorry, Lance! I didn’t mean to!”

“This cannot be undone, Master…”

Giselle writhed once more and then died in agony while Ash was still agonizing over what to do.

Glitter and silver and shimmery and… so pretty…

“Lance!”

Ash caught the slightly older boy as he keeled over. This was *not* good! What to do? What to do?

Well, first thing he should probably get back to the castle.

Ash concentrated, teleported, and then summoned his shadow Chansey and Blissey to aid with first aid.

What could he do? He had power, as the heir, but he didn’t’ really use it! Sure, he had his black-feathered wings to fly with and he could teleport, but he’d never really bothered learning how to use magic.

He’d always been too busy playing, sure his parents would take care of things, and then after *they* died, Lance had taken over.

He hadn’t minded. More time to play!

But now…

“I just made a horrible mistake didn’t I?”

I think you did.

“What can I do?”

Nothing now…Master, please stay out of our way.

Tearing up at the brusque-yet-deserved remark, Ash fled to his room. He had never felt so alone before.

It wasn’t as if he and Lance were friends, but Lance had always been there; well, to protect him, he guessed.

What if Lance died? What would he do? The Kingdom!

Oh no!

What could he do?

I don’t know!
I’m clueless! I haven’t the faintest idea how to run a kingdom! I’m too young for this! Why’d this have to happen to me?

What did I do to deserve this?

Plenty, a different voice hissed. You spoiled brat, you… can’t you see how horrid you’ve been? Taking up with an enemy…I’m ashamed of you!

That was when Ash thought back to Giselle. He snapped open Lance’s magic wall-length bronze mirror to check. Well, she was definitely dead. Twisted in a pose of undeniable agony, too…

“No! I’ve killed them both! I’m a horrible ruler!”

You certainly *are*, not even noticing the enemy in your face.

“Shut up!”

Why?

“I want you to!”

You think you can order me around? Selfish child! I can’t believe I related to you sometimes! Sheesh!

“F-father?!”

Who did you think it was? You should have listened to Lance.

Ash fainted dead away.

End Chapter

Completed 9/20/04