I hate it when my desktop gets wiped…
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.
Lance: I’m going to die again?
Phantomness: Hopefully not
Chapter 4
When he woke up, the voice was there, nagging him again.
“You can’t be my father, father’s dead!”
I’m a ghost you idiot.
“Hey! I’m the king now!”
So? I’m your father? Listen to me! There’s only one method that can be used to bring back a guardian from the ‘dead’.
“You mean Lance?”
Who else would I be talking about? Your mother?
His mother… she was beautiful, except she hadn’t been a dragon like Lance. She’d been a bunny, but with powerfully clumsy attacks.
He nodded. * So what do I have to do? *
< Finally! We can talk through our minds now. >
Ash concentrated. * So what do I have to do? *
< It’s complicated. You don’t have a girlfriend right? >
“Um, no? Father! That’s personal?”
< Yes, but this is important! His life is on the line! Now pay attention! I need you to… > Well, the instructions were garbled, but Ash got the meaning loud and clear, if his rampant blushing was any indication.
< Well? >
“Father, that’s horrible!”
< What do you mean? >
“I won’t do it!”
< Fine, spoiled child. Leave him to die and who’ll protect you for the rest of your life, hmm? >
Ash twitched. What to do? * Argh… why is life so complicated? * But then again, it was a lot due to his fault.
What to do? What to do?
If he wanted to act, he couldn’t waste time. But maybe there was another method?
Still… even if there were, he probably wouldn’t be able to use it.
However much he doubted his Father, Father wouldn’t barefaced lie to him, right? He thought his father had liked him!
Guess I remembered wrong…
Lance lay on a bed, eyes closed, breathing relatively even. He didn’t look like he was dead, but then again, he wasn’t dead *yet*.
Blissey’s basket of soft-boiled eggs rested by the bed. In case Lance woke up, he would have them within easy reach. Those eggs healed, after all.
Chansey got up from her vigil and politely bowed, earlier annoyance gone.
‘How is he, Chansey?”
Not too good, Master Ash.
“Can you be specific?”
Certainly. His mind has begun to shut down. His other systems are still running, but this is all a matter of time. I believe he overestimated his time. Most protectors only live for a day once they’ve seen…
“A day?!”
From my current diagnostic, I’d say he has a week, not two weeks as originally thought, so if you want to try something, Master Ash, I’d suggest utmost haste.
Ash was about to reply when something buzzed.
A small circular mirror flipped open and a face appeared.
“Lance, is that you?”
“Charlotte!” Ash said, recognizing the warrior-queen of the Sun Kingdom, well, island. * Why is she calling? *
“Well, if you’re not here.” The voice continued, “I’d like you to know that the Waterflower Kingdom is in no shape to be battling anymore, all the mermaids left are hiding in their castle. Those shadow dragons of yours were excellent. I’m keeping the princess hostage on the island like you requested…” Charlotte trailed off as Ash picked up the mirror. “Oh. Greetings, heir of the Shadow Kingdom.”
“Charlotte!”
“Yes?”
“Listen, I need your help.”
“My Kingdom would be honored to help.” Charlotte said, glad Ash was finally taking an interest in his kingdom’s affairs.
“Lance is dying!”
“What?!” Well, that hadn’t been what she had expected…
“I need to know! Is there a method of resurrection?”
Charlotte frowned. “I believe there is…”
“Please tell me!”
“Well, aside from binding the soul to an object – you can’t bind a soul to another person, that’s failure guaranteed, you need three items.”
“What three items?” Ash asked eagerly.
“The Mermaid’s Tear of the Aquarius Kingdom, the Phoenix Tear of the Sun Kingdom, and the Angel Tear of the Moon Kingdom.”
Ash hastily scribbled the instructions down. “Arigato!”
“Wait.”
“What is it?”
“Ashura, do you have any practical experience with magic whatsoever?”
“Err… well, now that you mention it, no.”
Charlotte sighed. “You don’t think you can just waltz over to the Moon Kingdom and get the Angel Tear, can you?”
“Um… yes?”
“Hate to break it to you, kid, but you know nothing about ruling a kingdom.”
“Don’t say anything! I already got a lecture from Father!”
Charlotte’s eyebrows raised several centimeters in surprise. * I thought the king was dead? Oh well, none of my concern as long as they’re not trying to attack my island. If they did, I’d have to use the Phoenix Tear. *
“Yes, well, I can lend you the Phoenix Tear.”
“Yay!”
“What are allies for?” Ash hastily scribbled another note (allies = good) in his notebook. He needed all the notes he could get!
If Lance really died he’d be stuck running the Kingdom! Eek!
“So… Aquarius. Yes, you’re allied with them too last time I checked.”
“That’s good…”
“For the Angel Tear – I’d suggest stealing it, except for your lack of skills…”
Ash pouted. However much he wanted to deny it, it was true.
“Nonetheless, maybe you could buy it? Their kingdom is on the verge of collapse anyways, who knows, they might need the money.”
“They…don’t…” A weak voice said.
“Lance!”
The Protector slowly sat up. “I have the Mermaid’s Tear… Aquarius sent it to me for safekeeping and as a guarantee of trust…”
“Cool! Only one left then!”
Charlotte nodded. “Good luck.” Hanging up, she waved goodbye.
“So how do we get the last one, the Angel’s tear?” Ash asked, as he helped Lance sit up.
“Steal it… like she said… Moon… too proud to… sell…”
End Chapter
Completed 9/25/04, started 9/20/04
So, what *did* Ash’s father say? Hehehehehe, you’ll find out later!