Yes, I thought the last chapter was the last one but! Since the plotbunny continued on, I kept writing.

Disclaimer: If you’ve gotten this far in the fic and still think I own pokemon… then go tell that to Nintendo or Shogakukan Comics. I’m quite sure they do. Um… this is fanwork, don’t take anything, and I’m making no profit, k?

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon shall talk.

Timeline: 6 days

Chapter 13: Clarity

Brock watched the two with a barely-concealed veneer of disgust. True, he had listened to Ash’s rebuke, but it must not have done him any good. And knowing Lance was a girl did not exactly endear him to her.

After all, given Brock’s attempts to flirt with girls in the past, it was understandable…Very understandable.

Lance was looking at the clouds again. So calm, as if they had not just wiped out Dark City’s secret laboratory.

No blood…

It was even worse then Lance’s attack. Ash had done it himself. No weapons, except… air.

It was air destroying on its own? Impossible! But his eyes had only seen so much. Ash hadn’t cried either.

It was… twisted.

Yes! That was the word! Ash was obviously in trouble with this relationship but it didn’t seem like he cared!
What had changed the kid?

It couldn’t be death, because he was still himself. So it had to be … her.

Brock scowled.

But Brock had other things to worry about. Cindy was feeling sick again. Her cough was acting up once more.

Maybe it was a resurgence of the virus?

He had given her the antibacterial medicine, but it didn’t seem to help. It could be viral infection. What else?

What was wrong?

Misty and Gary didn’t know, and he really did not want to ask them. However, if there were no other choice…

Brock gritted his teeth as Lance flicked her fingers.

Something outside exploded in a whirlwind flame effect.

“Trespassers again?” Ash did not look fazed.

“Yes.”
Brock jumped. “WHAT?! They could have been innocent hikers!”
“Innocent hikers,” Lance said sarcastically, “Would not be able to break six of the seven barriers around this base.”

“League, right?” Ash asked.

“I sent Hakuryuu after them… so it shall be all right.”

“Hai.”

Ash looked into Lance’s eyes and smiled, shadow reflecting darkness. The dark clung to each other and sparkled and glittered in bloody threads together.

Brock actually caught the two looks and flinched.

It did not bode well for anyone.

It was dark!

That sounded vague. Well… fine! It was like death and destruction, okay? Okay?

But Cindy was sick and that was the important part!

He really didn’t want to ask, but as another few days passed, and she started coughing up blood and running a fever, it was inevitable.

Screwing up his courage, Brock knocked. The door wasn’t even much of a door, but that wasn’t the point.

Ash peeked out. “What do you want?”

“Cindy needs help!”
“Why are you asking me? I can’t heal.”

“But you’ve taken medicine, right?”

Lance cleared her throat. “No, he hasn’t. But, I will take a look.”
Frowning, Brock led her to the room where Cindy was being quarantined.

Lance took one look and shook her head. “Why did you wait so long? The infection has spread into her spinal cord.”

“I-infection?”
“How do you think they attached the wings? Surgery, of course.” Lance frowned. “And, to cut costs, they reduced the amount of immune system suppressors and blood transfusion. Not to mention that she can’t get the drugs here, so her body is attacking the invaders. But since pokemon since are stronger than humans, the cells are fighting back. It’s become a battleground, and like AIDS, the immune system has been weakened so even a common cold can become life-threatening.”

“DAMN IT ALL!” Brock yelled, slamming a hand into the wall. “I can’t help!?”

Lance raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t say it was hopeless, did I?”

“What can you do?!”

“Reincarnation’s our best bet.” Lance said.

“You want to kill her?”
“Did I say that? Quit assuming what I’m going to do.” Lance snapped. “She’s technically a dragon now, so I can tweak things.”

“Demo, Lance-chan, using your Dragon Master powers?”
“Lugia will not care, and I might as well make some use of them.”

Lance’s eyes glowed twice, bright flashes, before Cindy reappeared in Brock’s arms. Wings were gone but she looked fine.

Lance swayed slightly, but Ash caught her.

“You all right, Lance-chan?”
“Well enough.” Lance said, as the skies opened above them and a bloody rain began to fall. “Except I triggered a chain reaction.”

“Oh no!”

“Oh yes.” Lance sighed. “Well, we made the path, and walked it. It comes for us now.”

She did not mention that that had leached the last of her dragon magic away.

She had been healing and killing throughout the year, relying on nothing but. There was a limited supply, after all.

Ash nodded, holding on to her tightly. “Can I at least say I love you?”
“Sure.”

“Aishiteru.” Ash said, before they kissed.

Lance smiled, eyes closing, as she leaned against him.

Brock hugged his sister to his chest, not knowing what was going to happen, but feeling fear.

Misty and Gary held each other, shock rippling through them as the dream realm shattered.

Tierra del Fuego, reign…. Forevermore.

End Chapter

END OF FIC! This didn’t end too well but that’s why I have sequels n’ stuff!

Completed 8/13/04