I can’t believe the fic is this long!

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

 

            “Lance?”

            “What is it?” He asked, eyes closed. Ash was lying on his bed holding an ice pack to his forehead.

            “I feel dizzy…”

            “Perhaps the effects of alcohol.” He hadn’t had any wine since that disastrous instance with cheap alcohol.

            “I haven’t drunk anything! I only had chocolate milk and those scones this morning!” Ash protested. “Unless there was something wrong with them?”

            “Never mind.” Probably the damned ring acting up again…

            “I’m tired…”

            “Go to sleep then.” Lance snapped.

            “Why are you so touchy?”

            Why was he so touchy? He didn’t know. The Dragon Master sighed, found an excuse that seemed reasonable. “Lack of sleep.”

            “Oh.” That Ash could identify with. “All right. I’ll shut up.”

            He felt something… he wasn’t sure what, but he suddenly fell into sleep almost immediately. Lance closed his eyes; sure that Hypnosis had done its work by now, and closed the curtains.

            Easier to resist temptation that way…

            The images danced cruelly behind his eyes, dancing in fire… scalded on, almost. Oh you poor fool, did you think you could really forget?

            Dragons remember everything… and you’ve still got dragon blood, no matter what, at least half-dragon…

            Ash came back to himself when he felt… something. He woke up. He found Lance sleeping on the floor.

            Lance was sleeping on the floor?

            He didn’t look asleep though. He looked like he’d… fainted.

            Lance didn’t faint.

            Ash slowly slid off the bed to get a better look, only slightly unsteadily. Something was wrong here. What was it?

            “Lance?”

 

            The ring on Lance’s finger was glowing blue… but it was still red. It was flickering back and forth though. That didn’t look good.

            Lance gave what sounded like a cry of pain.

            “Lance! What’s wrong?” Ash rushed to his side, and…

            Oh Lugia… the blood…

 

            Lance’s hands were pressed to… something, but he was bleeding, and his skin was turning pink!

            “Lance, are you all right?”

            The eyes that met his were glazed with pain, before Lance gave another cry and pressed the ring – the gem.

            This time, it solidified on blue and quit flickering… and to Ash’s surprise, Lance suddenly… changed.

            “You are a girl!”

            “Unfortunately,” The Dragon Master choked out. “Damn! I thought that if I left him alone he would heal but- Father, why?”

            Is it because you’re dead and now I have nothing left? That the dragon blood only works as long as you live and then for a time…

            Am I too weak now?

            “Lance, are you all right? You’re bleeding!”

            Lance gave a strangled cry as the ring suddenly cracked in half. “Damn it, Aphrodite! What did I ever do to you?”

            Now Ash was getting quite confused. He did not understand this at all! What was going on? And why did it have to be so annoying?

            “Lance…”

            “Just let me die…” Lance whispered. “Serebii… I give up. If this is a test, fail me. Please. Just let me die. I can’t live without him.”

            Something prickled in the back of Ash’s mind. Jealousy? “You can’t live without who?”

            Lance didn’t seem to hear. “I can’t just be… I need him! And now he’s gone, because you tied it to that piece of jewelry! I won’t stand for it! I’ll find bitterflame or liquid ice if I have to – oh good, I still have a stash left…”

            “Lance, pay attention to me!”

            Lance didn’t seem to, she had pushed him off and was now rifling through the cabinet. Ash sighed, apologized mentally, and then rushed forwards, tackling her to the ground and making her drop whatever it was she had finally gotten her hands on.

            “Lance!”

            “I… won’t let them win…” The Dragon Master hissed. “I… will not write the story for them if this is the way!”

            “Lance, calm down! Please! Tell me what’s wrong!”

            Seeing as his words were doing nothing, Ash went for the more direct confrontation. He kissed her.

            Lance twitched.

            Ash blinked.

            The Dragon Master sighed inwardly. *Dying would be selfish though, wouldn’t it? I can’t strand the dragons here… *

            It didn’t make it hurt less though!

            Wait.

            Was she Dragon Master anymore?

 

            “Lance?”

            “Let me go…”

            “Not until you tell me what’s wrong!”

            “It’s none of your concern what happens to me. And you are married. Why do you keep hitting on me?”

            Ash flushed. “That-!”

            “See?” Lance pushed Ash off her and then concentrated. There was a faint blue glow… but then…

            Nothing happened.

            The girl stared at herself in horror. “No…” She whispered. “Father…”

            “Are you all right, Lance?” But even Ash, being an idiot, could see that Lance was not all right, she was shaking horribly and there was still blood all down her front…

            “Damn you Serebii!” Lance shouted. “Look, just kill me if it makes you feel so much better! It was his fault, not mine this time, and now I’ve lost my power! I’m nothing without it! I don’t even have my dragons now! I hope you understand how I feel… I hope you understand my curse…!”

            “Lance!”

            “Let me die, please!” Lance said, before her eyes lit up with brilliant blue – blue? Male Lance had gold eyes…

            Suddenly, a twisted smile curved her lips. “Wait a second… I’ve trespassed onto the bounds, haven’t I? A non-dragon-master using the blades of the Dragon Master – the punishment is... Perfect. I accept the punishment.”

            She closed her eyes.

 

End Chapter

Completed 8/9/05

Lance: Why am I suicidal?

Phantomness: You aren’t, not really in the traditional sense. You just feel worthless… well, since without power…

Lance: I know…

Ash: *hugs Lance*