Aight, let’s see what happens now.

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me! Do not take my work.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks! Ash’s dad may be talking in <> or italics, depending.

Chapter 5

“But how?” Ash asked, as he fed Lance a soft-boiled egg and watched some color return to his face. “I don’t know how to do anything.”

“You… can’t go alone… my lord…”

“I have to, Lance! There’s no one left!”

Lance was about to protest, but suddenly, he nodded. “You could send… a pokemon… my lord…” However, even Ash knew that probably wasn’t the best idea.

“A pokemon might die, we both know it.”

“Hai…”

“I can’t go by myself.”

“No… my lord…” Somewhere, Ash’s mind registered that the emotionless Lance had worn off, but now the ‘real’ Lance was dying, so that wasn’t a fair trade at all! What could he do?

“Then what do I do?”

“Can you… carry me?”

Ash blinked in surprise, but found Lance surprisingly light, even for his somewhat scrawny frame to carry. “Hai.”

“To get to the Moon Kingdom… we must first cross the maze…”

“A maze?” Ash shivered. He couldn’t get out of a maze! Heck, he got lost in his own castle all the time!

< And what a useless child you are. >

“Shut up, Father! This is better than your stupid idea!”

Lance was silent. “Oh! Not you, Lance! Sorry! What should I do now?”

“We’ll need food… some rope… there’s a black crystal in my tower… could you get it?” Ash quickly packed his heavy-duty pack with all the necessary items and handed Lance the black crystal.

“Thank you… now… you’ll have to carry me…”

“No problem!”

The blue glow of teleport warped them away. They landed inside a black-walled, moss-covered structure.

“Are we in the maze now?”

“Yes…”

“Where do we go now Lance?” Ash inquired, looking in all directions quite frantically. * We can’t be lost, can we? Oh no! *

“Shh… I’m thinking…”

Ash shut up. * I’m so sorry, Lance. *

< Yeah, yeah, get all sappy. Are you sure this will work? >

Pupils slid to slits in anger. * Yes! It’s better than *your* stupid idea! I’m not marrying the Waterflower princess just to get their sacred ambrosia! Even if I were, it wouldn’t be fair! *

< Big deal. Life is never fair. >

Ash did not reply.

Lance pointed left. “That way… be careful, it’s quicksand.”

“Quicksand?”

“I’m sorry, my lord…” Ash quickly ran across the swampy bog. “Huh? Sorry for what?” He hadn’t sunk.

“Too weak to cast… walk on water…”

“That spell? Don’t sweat it, Lance. Save your strength. We might need to fight later.”

The Protector looked surprised, but nodded slightly. Ash continued walking in the same direction. After four doorways, Lance coughed.

“Oh! Sorry, Lance. What did you say?”

“Turn right... my lord…”

Ash turned left… right into a wall of flame that suddenly sprung up. “Eek! Hot, hot, hot! Yeowch!” He frantically tried to brush off the flames that were threatening to incinerate him to a crisp.

Lance’s eyes glittered slightly, and then there was a rush of cold air. Ash hesitantly opened his eyes again, to see that the flames had been frozen solid.

“Sugoi!”
Lance smiled faintly. “The Protector is given special power to protect his or her Chosen, my lord… left is that way…”

Ash blushed and took the correct path. He walked along for about five minutes before a giant, salivating black hound came running at them.

“Fly… it’s fierce but slow…”

Confused, Ash obeyed. Indeed, as soon as he lifted himself into the air, the dog stopped chasing. However, he was getting tired, so after another twenty minutes, he sat down and put Lance down to take a break.

“How big is this maze, Lance?”

“Normally takes… one day to pass… my lord…”

“Lance, you can drop the ‘my lords’. Save your strength.”

No reply came.

Wondering if he had passed out, Ash pulled two revives out of his backpack and checked on Lance. Nope, still breathing.

Maybe he was just tired?

Ash helped himself to two chicken-salad sandwiches and a bottle of water while he rested to regain his strength. True, Lance was light, but loath as he was to admit it, he wasn’t used to hard labor… Err, any labor at all…

Soft king-to-be he was! He’d start training when he got home! Really!

< You should. >

“Shut up father.”

< You know, I can guide you through this maze. >

“Don’t trust you.”

< Fine, if you want him to die while you waste time here arguing with me, it’s your choice. >

That little barb stung Ash’s conscience to the quick. “Fine. Which way do I go?” He stretched his legs for a few minutes, listening.

Then, he picked up Lance and continued on.

However, half an hour later, he was worn out again. He needed a longer rest. He shouldn’t sleep, but…

So tired…

Ash fell asleep, holding Lance against his chest, a blanket pulled over them both. Warm… it felt… *nice*…

How odd… but right?

Whatever.

End Chapter

Completed 9/25/04

Ash: Is it shipping yet?

Phantomness: *glares* I’m working on it!

Lance: *sighs* Why am I nearly dead?