For we are Chosen, and thus we do our duty, fighting alongside our legendary pokemon. And when Lugia’s balance tips, we are also drawn into the fighting…

What could have happened instead of the ‘Power of One’ movie, sí?

Disclaimer: Nintendo, Game FREAK and Shogakukan comics all own pokemon. Last time I checked, it did not belong to me. This is non-profit fanwork, distributed only by me. Please do not steal. I own what comes out of my own head.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics in case a pokemon talks.

Chapter 1: Prologue

It was a perfectly normal day in the Shamouti islands. The legendary birds all got on with their lives, as was… normal.

Moltres preened as she regarded her babies with a proud eye. They were hers and Zapdos’s both, but… it was perfect.

The caves filled with the flapping of little wings.

Zapdos was providing dinner, usually fish. It was quite easy for him, shocking the water’s surface always resulted in an influx of food.

Moltres smiled as she waited for him to return.

Zapdos flew over the sea, scooping up fish.

So many children to provide for, but it was for a worthy cause. And even if he was a strict, somewhat abnormal father, he still loved them.

Another unwary trout was dropped into the basket he carried.

Soon, he would have enough for the day.

Underneath the water, Lugia slept on, he was blissfully unaware of any danger.

Articuno had her own small brood of chicks to take care of, but as they were catching their own food, it was not as bad.

She studied the frozen body of the trainer who had tried to capture her children.

He deserved what he had gotten.

Mean old humans…

With a sigh, she stretched herself out, perched on the nest, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

Thus was the scenario when Lawrence III’s airship flew overhead.

Inside of Indigo Plateau, Lance stiffened, as her blue eyes widened.

“The teetering balance effect… as Chosen and Realm Guardian, it is time to stop this.”

Picking up her Dragon Blade and spreading her steel, razor-edged wings, she flew towards Shamouti.

After all, that was where the legendaries were currently staying, although sometimes Articuno was in Seafoam and Zapdos haunted the power plant.

It was time to stop this before disaster struck.

Elsewhere, Ash woke up from a strange dream. He had just started his Orange Islands journey…

“WHAT?”

Staring in horror at the little sparks dancing around him, he suddenly felt a tug, like the vitals of a fishhook, in his heart.

Something was calling him to go, and he did not want to disobey.

Quickly, Ash climbed on Charizard’s back and flew off. Pikachu was tucked into his backpack.

The sparks were not coming from Pikachu, that fact was certain enough.

So… it had to be something else. But what could it be?

Lance took in the scene. The strange flying gunship and the barrier shapes that would confine a legendary…

Her lips curved up in a wordless snarl as she attacked.

Even the thermo-protected airship would not escape unscathed from the wrath of an angered Chosen.

None of the legendaries were caught yet, but it was simply a matter of time…

Lance’s breath caught as two diagonal bars trapped Articuno.

Instantly, rage filled her mind as she drew the Dragon Blade out and morphed it into the blade of ice.

“As Articuno’s Chosen, I command the winter to destroy this intruder!”
Lawrence III gaped in shock as it began to snow. Huge icicle spikes slammed into the metal of the airship, destroying and tearing it.

“NOOOOOOOOO! What’s going on?!”’

Charizard sensed the conflict as he got nearer. Master Ash, it is too dangerous to continue on.

Oh. Pikachu gasped. It’s not safe at all!

‘What should I do then? I can’t just stay here.” Ash said, fretting. The pull had lessened, but it still hurt.

It would probably get worse if he got farther away.

So what choice was there?

He had to go take a look.

“I’ll try to protect us.” He said. “Fly closer please?”

Charizard and Pikachu exchanged looks, but did so. As the ice rained around them, a barrier of white light kept the snow off.

It wasn’t as if the snow was attacking them on purpose.

It seemed to be geared towards that giant metal hunk.

Ash frowned. * What is that? *

“I will not be defeated!” Lawrence III cried in exasperation. “Who are you?!”

Lance smiled, the blade of ice glinting in her hands. “Why, Articuno’s guardian of course!”

Lawrence did not really have time to say more, before her ice blade slammed into him.

Lance casually flicked the blood off with a semi-bored gesture, then went to work deactivating the bars.

< Chosen, be careful. Moltres and Zapdos may still be unsafe to approach. > Articuno warned.

< I will. > Lance said, finishing the process and tucking the wire cutters back into subspace.

Taking a look outside, she saw that Moltres was flying around in circles, but Zapdos had settled down on Thunder Island.

Good.

End Chapter

3/26/04