I suppose we’ll be winding down soon. You know, I totally wanted to make Lance guilt, but this doesn’t seem the right setting for it…

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

Retaliation was swift and merciless. It was so laughably easy that Red knew Giovanni had gotten complacent.

Giovanni had sent them out, and Red had dialed Oak, and he still had his pokédex – Giovanni had never bothered to relieve him of it, oddly enough, though he wished he had remembered to bring it to Johto – and then, well, things were simple.

They managed to link the transfer system up with the pokédex – Bill really was innovative, and moments later, all of Giovanni’s little brainwashed pokémon were gone. And then?

Lance released Mewtwo.

He had seen enough from discreet memory reading to know that Mewtwo would go for Giovanni first. And so he did, and they just sat back and watched as the place was razed to the ground.

It was such a shock to the people of Viridian City to find a Team Rocket base right under their noses!

Then again, it was over soon enough, and Giovanni was – well, Red did not like thinking about that so he didn’t.

But now he and Lance were hailed as heroes, and Team Rocket was quite, quite gone, at least in Kanto. They had taken the three legendary dogs and birds separately and released them into the while where they belonged, and he could have sworn he saw Articuno wink at him as they all took off.

Even Raikou didn’t look too angry.

Lance was quite glad about the Giovanni decision. He had slit the man’s throat himself, disguised of course, but it had been true and he had felt the other shudder. In the back of his mind, the number of Viridian’s children ticked down to two.

Himself and one other…

It did not matter. He was Mother’s favorite, after all, and she gave him her power freely. He felt knowledge flow through his mind now, how to bring the Rocket’s pokemon back, to the way they were supposed to be.

But what about Red?

Viridian sounded amused. She approved of him – she had seen how he had protected baby pokemon in her heart.

But he was not one of her Chosen.

No, he was not.

Then from whence did his power come?

Mother just smiled and told him not to worry, so he did not.

Red flew in on his Aeroy, smiling. Lance looked up from his computer as the Champion entered, giving him a smile.

Red had managed to defeat Green in the Ninth League Championships and now, he was the Pokemon Champion of the Kanto Region.

“Hi Lance!” He chirped.

“Hello to you too.” Lance smiled. “You’re rather cheerful, Red.”

Red grinned. “I guess I’m just in a good mood.”

“Do tell.”

Red pouted. “Quit working on that report and look at me.” Amused, Lance closed the document and shut down his computer, turning to look at Red with an expectant expression.

“What is it?”

“I brought you a little something.” Red said coloring. Lance raised his eyebrows as Red reached into his shirt and pulled something out.

His eyes widened. “It can’t be…”

“It is.” Red smiled up at him. “It’s all right. Keep it.”

“Red… I…”

“Shh.” Red placed a finger on Lance’s lips. “You helped me reach my dream. Now it’s my turn to help you with yours.”

He shook his head. “You don’t understand…”

“Of course I understand, Lance. I’ve seen your memories; remember? And I don’t care if the world thinks you’re evil. I won’t abandon you now.”

“Red…”

“You didn’t abandon me, Lance. Don’t you want your dream to come true?”

Oh he did, badly, but Red was…

“I’ll be by your side every step of the way, Lance. And if it takes time before we can be together again, I will wait. I can wait forever.” There was something sad in that smile, but Red continued on bravely, heedless of the tears beginning to spill down his cheeks. “I…”

Lance kissed him then, chastely, and Red saw the beginnings of understanding in those pretty golden eyes.

They were so warm now.

“Come with me.” Lance said, and Red giggled, as they hopped on Dragonite’s back. The pokémon seemed to pick up on his Master’s happy mood, and they soared off quickly. Wind flew beneath their wings.

Soon, Cerise Island loomed before them. Almost hesitantly, Lance floated over the center of the volcano, and held out the Earth Badge.

It began to glow, white light so bright he had to close his eyes shone, and he saw the glittering outline of the one he had wished to call for so long.

Lugia…

< What is thy desire? >

Lance held his body steady, unwilling to show fear. Red clung to his waist tightly, having no such compunctions. < To cleanse this world of humanity’s evil. > He said simply.

Lugia paused. < And what if it leads to your death also? >

Lance smirked. < I will embrace it gladly. >

A prickly heat washed over him, and Lugia laughed in his mind. < You are a brave child, Lance of Blackthorn. Very well. I shall grant your wish. >

Lance held Red close as they watched the waves spread. They were a very lovely shade of red, Red noticed with surprise. It matched his eyes.

Well, it mattered little…

Both of their wishes had been completed, had they not? And everything that came after could come after.

Red smiled at him, and Lance laughed, as Lugia vanished and they flew back to earth on dragon’s wings.

Everything would work out eventually.

It was time to live happily ever after.

End Chapter/END FIC! YATTA!

Completed 6/25/06

Aww, look! It had a happy ending! And Lance isn’t dead? Is that enough for you buzzards? ^^ *Wink*