Disclaimer/Everything else: See previous chapter. I don’t own pokemon, k?

Ash: ^-^ Thank Mew…

Phantomness: *picks up her scythe* Excuse me?

Chapter 3

“I’m fine.” Ash said, “But I don’t think he is.”

“Serves him right for being so arrogant.” Misty said selfishly. “Hah!”
“Misty! That’s not nice!” Brock said. “Hopefully he’ll only be unconscious.” It was a pity Nurse Joy was still out, otherwise she might be able to help.

Fergus, Neesha, and Corey stayed in the background. Somehow, they sensed that a very important drama was playing and they were uninvited guests.

< Lance-chan, please be okay… >

He sensed weight on his chest, slight as it was. Lifted it up and smiled at Destiny’s amulet. * Of course… *

Why not?

It all made sense… besides, Lance _might_ have died and fate never wanted to be left without a guardian.

Yes, that made perfect sense. He closed his eyes, reached within and found the weave of violet and black thread.

Luckily, Lance’s was still violet, just with a streak of black. As long as it wasn’t pure black he wasn’t dead.

He would probably need a few days to recover then.

It was at this moment that a Dragonite dropped down. I’ll take him home to his father.

< Arigato, Kairyuu… >

You remember? Well, that is for the better. Dragonite smiled, before he picked Lance up and flew off.

Misty and Brock stared.

So did the remaining three trainers. With an inward sigh, Ash used Amnesia. He didn’t know how to do Amnesia Wave. That was Lance’s special move. It didn’t matter though, amnesia worked well enough.

He would remember though.

They were all back at Porta Vista, the storm died down, and they went on their respective journeys…

Well, most of the trainers did.

“You don’t want to travel with us anymore?”

“No, I think it’s unfair.” Ash said, as he handed Misty $500. “I hope that covers the cost of your new bike.”

“… Well, thank you.” Misty said. She was quite speechless. This wasn’t like Ash at all… what had happened to his irresponsible nature?

“I’m twelve, almost thirteen, really… so I should act my age.” Ash said quietly. “I hope you two can fulfill your own dreams.”

“Where will you go?”

“Where the wind takes me.” Ash replied quietly. “Let’s go.”

Without a word, Charizard flew off.

Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Pikachu, and Pidgeotto stood by Ash.

It was fine.

He didn’t deserve Charizard, he had behaved like such an arrogant, stupid little brat, that he was surprised he had not been toasted more often. But dragons were patient. When he had matured, he would return.

“Shall we go?”

Mute nods were in answer.

He willed them away with a wisp of magic, and soon they were home. His home. Ice Island….

It was a bit unnerving though, being Destiny this early. Well, one could never tell how the cards of fate were stacked.

And this time, it seemed like Lugia had a stacked deck.

Well… all right, Lugia liked stacking the deck all the time but that wasn’t the point. It was his choice to make.

He didn’t mind being a puppet _that_ much… besides, as long as life was mostly his, it was better than nothing.

The old ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ chant still rang in his blood over and over. But it had been paid for, and the cost of failure was much too high, so guardians did not fail.

We cannot fail…

For the price to follow, costs me everything…. I have to surrender my dreams to the legendaries wills eventually.

But that is all right, if I have… him…because the reward is worth it in the end.

< Chosen? >

< I’m all right. > Lance sent back.

< Just checking, Chosen. > Lugia said, as he inspected Lance. < After all, you’re very special to me. >

< Hai, Lugia-san. >

He slipped into Sleep of Death for two days just in case, and came out feeling refreshed and much better.

Why didn’t people like it? Well, perhaps it was because normal people would actually _die_ when attempting the technique. Well, it was their fault for being so flighty and unpredictable, it had nothing to do with him…

< Chosen? What of the other? >

< He is still young, Lugia-san. I am afraid I miscalculated. >

< Perhaps you did, but he will have time to come to terms with his feelings, will he not? >

< Hai. >

< So it may work out for the best. >

< … Perhaps… >

Insert convenient time jump… 6 months later…

< Master Ash. >

Ash looked at Bulbasaur. < What is it? >

< Look. >

Ash blinked, before he blanched. < How did? >

< That is what I would like to know also… >

There was a horde of swimmers congregating on the sandy beach of Ice Island. This seemed to happen every few lives…

If they were after Articuno…

He would just fry them all.

As it turned out, that was unnecessary when a manned Dragonair flew overhead and they all sent out their pokemon to attempt capture.

Lance closed his eyes for an instant, not wanting to watch. The screams told their answer though. Frying people was just so… inelegant.

He shifted slightly, just in case any were left he could easily access the blades used in Dragon’s Dance.

“Hi Lance!” Ash said cheerfully, as he landed. “I missed you!”

Lance smiled as Ash hugged him tightly. “So did I. Have you been a responsible guardian, little one?”

“Hai~!”

“Honto Ni?”

“Hai!”

He didn’t even have to check, there was no lie in that tone. Ash just didn’t normally lie, which was valuable.

End Chapter

Completed 7/14/04