Chapter 9!
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

Chapter 9

He fed for goodness knows how long, until he felt sated and happy again.

Lance’s head rested on his shoulder, and her even breathing showed that she was peacefully sleeping.

He was getting better. If he could lull his victim to sleep in the same way, it wouldn’t matter how his fangs were. Her wounds had closed up instantly as soon as he pulled away.

Instant healing really helped.

Claire was not watching them. She was asleep. Ash blinked.

“Bizarre…”

He yawned as he dug a blanket out of his backpack and pulled it over the two of them. Oh well.

Sleep seemed very, very nice at the moment, so he curled up against her and fell asleep.

He woke up to hear someone crying quietly. It wasn’t Lance-chan, so it had to be the warrior angel. Claire, was it?

It made sense though. Shock did do that to a person.

Ash peeked open his eyes. Yes, Claire was crying. There were a lot of muttered threats towards the council too.

Closing his eyes, Ash went back to sleep, hoping she would compose herself.

Claire was, thankfully dry-eyed when she woke again. She was also quiet and would not talk.

Lance looked slightly worried at her cousin before she left, preparing herself for the last day of the Elite trials.

Poor, poor Claire! But she did have to grow up sometime.

“Dragonite! Hyper Beam!”

Altaria cried out as it collapsed. Lance smirked as Dragonite returned to her side. “Got any more pokemon, Kris?”

The other girl glared and released a Butterfree.

“Don’t’ make me laugh, please… Wing Attack!”

Gary watched excitedly. The finals were tomorrow, and his Elite Four would be decided.

And if she didn’t make it, which was highly doubtful, he would make her a special exception.

Lance rolled her eyes slightly as she caught that train of thought. * What a baka… well, he is insanely naïve towards the idea of me not being human though. *

Dragonite roared, sending the Lombre scuttling back, before dealing out another Hyper Beam.

Kris burst into loud, noisy tears.

“Oh, can it.” Lance said, irritated. She got up and left the dueling platform, before literally falling into air and disappearing.

She reappeared in the dream realm, landing next to Ash, who was still reading Gulliver’s Travels.

“Any change?”

“Well, Claire muttered something and stomped off to another region of the realm, said she need a bath.” Ash replied. “She’s been gone for a bit.”

“Ah…”

“And I’m almost done!” Ash said proudly, holding the book aloft.

“That’s good.” Lance said, smiling.

“But my wings are stiff.” Ash complained, folding them against his back. “I wanted to go fly, but since I had to watch her…”

Lance cut him off. “Go ahead.”

“Really?!”

“Didn’t I just tell you?” Lance asked, amused.

Ash cheered and flew off. * Yay! *

Was it a shadow guardian with the mind of a child? Possible.

Lance stepped through the swirling mists as she smiled faintly. Claire was sitting in a weeping willow, watching the languid pace of the river flow by.

She was not crying anymore at least.

“Claire?”

Claire jumped, before relaxing slightly. “Oh, it’s you.”

“Have you come to a decision yet?” Lance prompted.

“I still cannot believe what they have done, but I cannot discount it either.” Claire responded.

“I will stay. They will probably exile me or worse if they knew I knew the truth.”

“Very well.” Lance said, pleased.

Claire said little more, but was fascinated by a dratini that was playing fetch with her, so Lance left her cousin alone.

It would be for the better, after all.

Besides, dragons had always been her favorite.

A while later Ash flew down next to her, looking hyper. “Guess what! Articuno n’ her mate had more babies! They’re so cute!”

Lance smiled at his enthusiasm. “How many?”

“Um… a dozen or so.”

Lance rolled her eyes slightly. If the dream realm hadn’t been limitless, it would have been overpopulated long ago. Luckily, it was like a void so one could continue adding habitats.

“But they’re so cute!” Ash said. “Look!” One little one perched on his arm and regarded Lance with a chirp.

“Yes, they are Ash.”

The baby Articuno, pleased, cocked its head and regarded them both with wide black eyes, before flying off again.

Several chirpings filled the air, and Lance colored slightly.

“What did they say?” Ash asked intrigued.

“When my mate and I were going to have their own eggs.” Lance said, looking at Ash.

“…” Ash really didn’t know what to say to that statement.

“Interesting though.” Lance said before she kissed him softly.

Ash nodded quietly, surrendering to her embrace.

End Chapter!

Started 12/25/03, finished 1/4/04