*Chases after plotbunnies with a net* Come back here, I need you!

Disclaimer: Satoshi Tajiri owns pokemon. I only have my fan creations.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics for pokemon talking.

Timeline: 2 months later

Episode 197: Walking the Tightrope

Ash flashed his eyes as he banished ten dozen trainers to the dream realm. “Done!”

Lance nodded, as she helped him to his feet as the energy wore off. “Get some rest, Ash.”

“I did! Plus, I drank one of the elixirs.”

“All right then…”

Ash steadied himself, glad that his resistance had gotten stronger.

“Where to next?”

“Sootopolis, I believe.” Lance consulted her map of energy lines.

“So I can grab a badge as well?”

“Hai.’ Lance said. “I’ll go take care of the stranded Relicanth School and you go challenge the leader.”

Ash nodded and ran off. His guardian robes shifted into a dark blue coat and black pants, with red scrolled kanji around the back of the coat in a circle.

Soon, he was in the ice gym. Instead of falling through a hole, the ingenious trainer decided to have Mysdreavus float him through the gym until he reached Wallace.

Wallace frowned as Ash landed next to him. “And you are?”

“A trainer.”

“So you want to battle?”

“That would be correct.”

“As you will, let us begin.” Wallace said, moving to another arena. Ash trailed him and in a second, the battle began.

“Milotic, go!”

“Sunflora, I choose you.” Ash said. “Sunny day.” Sunflora nodded, as she flooded the area with light.

“Water Pulse,” Wallace frowned. “And then try Hail.”

“Absorb.” As the water neared the plant, she extended her roots and sucked it all up. “Now. Petal Dance.”

Milotic screeched in pain, cuts appearing along its sinuous body and flower petals covering its eyes. It flailed around wildly.

“Calm down!” Wallace cried, trying to soothe the pokemon, but to no avail.

“Now! Solarbeam!”

With Sunny Day no charge time was required. Even as the hail began to fall, Solarbeam smashed into Milotic and he fainted.

Wallace quickly recalled his pokemon.

Lance swam underwater as she talked to the leader of the Relicanths. Frowning, her eyes flashed blue for a second as she felt the tiniest changes in pH and water composition.

They are dumping their sewage into the ocean?!

Yes, guardian. Relicanth looked furious as well as heartrendingly sorrowful. We are not made for this water.

Any fool can see that. Lance said, noting the faint patches where fungus was beginning to grow, a very unhealthy sign. You do not wish to move?

If it were possible, guardian…

Hmm… Lance closed her eyes and scanned. I do know of two underground caves where you would be welcomed. If I simply purified the water here, the problem would not cease. As long as the inhabitants continue their pernicious ways, you will always be in danger.

Then…

The other alternative would be to destroy this town. Lance said firmly with steel in her voice.

Perhaps…

Perhaps. Lance agreed, eyes solidifying into silver.

“Sealeo, Ice Beam!”

Sunflora dodged, then let loose another Solarbeam, damaging Sealeo enough for it to exhaustedly slump over. Then, she hopped over and used Giga Drain, healing herself again.

Wallace cursed under his breath. Seaking was also down. He certainly had no desire to use Luvdisc… it was pathetic in battle.

But if he used Whiscash, it was a dual disadvantage.

“I surrender.”

Ash smiled as he picked up Sunflora and twirled her around, breathing in her sweet aroma. “Great!”

Wallace put down the Rain badge and TM, before bidding Ash good day and returning to his gym.

Ash recalled Sunflora and then dove underwater with Storm to see how Lance was doing.

He found her busy relocating half of the Relicanth tribe.

Problems?

Somewhat. The pollution has wiped out Relicanth’s habitat.

Oh… Ash grimaced at the implications. They’ve upset the entire ecosystem?

Yes. I would instantly banish them, but if that happened, more people would just move in.

Ah…

Sooner or later, they will have to see what they are doing to the environment…

Lance chanted the purification spell for the water, and then used her magic to seal off all the factories in Sootopolis, hoping that would solve the problem.

Maybe it would.

She didn’t feel like using future sight.

It was too depressing, often. And it wasn’t just her future. She could see other people’s most of the time, so…

Better not risk it.

The two guardians floated on the water’s surface, having shifted their clothing to bathing suits.

“Ash?”

“Hmm?”
“Take care of yourself, okay? I don’t like seeing you drained every night.”

“There’s so much to do in so little time.” He retorted mildly, but there was no malice in the words.

“I know.” Her own tone was dark. Ash flinched slightly as he realized just how well she did. After all, she’d been holding the balance for years, and that meant she’d been doing it as a kid.

“How did you have time?”

‘My parents never noticed, and it was easy to create a copy.” Lance replied. “And then I ran away. Making time wasn’t so hard.”

“Right…”

“And as an Elite, I can luckily get out of a lot of bureaucratic jobs.”

Ash nodded as they floated to shore. “Wish…”

A star streaked across the sky as the guardian cast the Wish on the city, before he fell asleep.

Lance sighed as she scooped him up. Pretty little one, but always worrying, poor little one…

Sleep well…

From her back sprouted her steel wings.

She focused, as her eyes glowed again, and they teleported away. A few minutes later, Ash woke up to find himself in bed.

Recognizing the place, he smiled.

“Ice Island?”

“Hai.”

Ash sank down into the sheets wearily as Lance fed him some cut up peaches with clotted cream.

“This situation really annoys me…”

“All the work?”
“Hai. I wish I was as patient as you.”

Lance smiled wryly. “I’m not very patient.”

“Yes you are.” Ash insisted.

“I’m just cold. I don’t’ allow myself to become emotionally involved with everything because that is just too careless.”

“…?”

“Never mind.” Lance said, as she hugged him tightly. “Ash, I’ll warn you now. Letting your feelings run away with you has dire implications. Don’t forget that.”

Confused, Ash promised to listen and remember.

End Chapter

Completed 1/17/2004, created 1/16/04

There’s only a few episodes left! *Gasp*