…. Okay, yes, I know that Lance wouldn’t eat pokémon (I think), but he doesn’t have any control over these events… plus I can make him angst over it later! ^^
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 2
It took about a month. Ptera recovered more quickly, as was wont with pokémon, and he was more than happy to help. The two Hakuryuu were quite pleased – they had already consumed Gyarados’s entire corpse, save the bones, and Aerodactyl’s wings were sharp enough to slice through Dragonite’s skin.
What should we feed him? Tempest asked.
Storm
stifled a yawn. Well, I know that the heart and the liver are very tasty…
After a few days, Ptera was back up to full strength, and Lance was showing signs of groping towards consciousness. Storm smiled as she gave him his daily grooming, noting that his skin was still clear and he hadn’t lost extreme amounts of weight. Then Tempest fed him regurgitated meat and made sure he ate all of it.
Once he was better, maybe they could move on to fish – oh, and seaweed, Master seemed to eat that – so Master Lance wouldn’t get angry…
Three weeks later, Lance opened his eyes to find Tempest curled protectively around him while Ptera fed him bits of raw fish chopped into tiny bits. It wasn’t quite what he had expected, but the pain in his body had faded and he blinked, startled.
“Hakuryuu…”
We’re here, Master. She smiled.
“Ptera…”
The Aerodactyl was scarred, but his body had healed and he stretched out his wings proudly.
“… Where are Kairyuu and Gyarados?” Lance asked, frowning. Tempest exchanged looks with Storm.
Master…
Lance glanced around, but saw no sign of his other two dragons. A strange feeling of panic began to well up in his chest.
Kairyuu…
He remembered seeing Dragonite fallen, and trying to revive him with Viridian’s Power – he must have overexerted himself, but!
Did that mean…
Ptera comfortingly pressed his wing against his Master’s back as Lance’s eyes widened. “He’s not… he can’t be…”
I am afraid he is gone Master, and Gyarados also. Storm said softly.
“No.” The Dragon Master hissed. “No!”
I can lead you to their bones if you’d like. Tempest offered kindly. This was probably not the best thing to say, but it was meant in good faith.
The pain welled up in his chest, and he drew in upon himself, his pokemon quietly surrounding him, as they listened to him cry.
“I became Dragon Master to protect the dragons, and in the end, could not even save my own…”
No, Master! It is not your fault! Storm protested. They were willing!
“And that makes it all right? They still died for me!”
Master…
“I am not fit to be your Master, Ptera…” Lance sighed, seeing the patchwork of scars on Aerodactyl’s body.
Don’t say that! Storm protested. You are wonderful, Master!
“Am I, truly?” Lance sighed. “Well, there is no use in changing the past, and for all of Viridian’s Power I cannot raise the dead. Let us see.”
They walked down to the beach where the corpses had once lain, now nothing but bleached bones picked clean by scavengers, and Lance knelt down and spoke things that his dragons did not listen to, but finally, they worked together and pulled the beach sand over their fallen friends, and that was that.
Hakuryuu frowned as she looked at her Master. What will you do now, Master?
“I wish I knew.” The Dragon Master shook his head. “It would be folly to attempt to capture Lugia a second time, for fortune rarely smiles twice and I have no desire to sacrifice any more of you.” He paused for a second, before he nodded. “It will take… time. I know not yet which path to follow.”
We can wait. Tempest murmured, and Lance sighed.
“Yes, I suppose it would hurt less.” A moment passed, and then he continued. “Storm… Tempest… if you two wish to cry… it is all right.”
The two Dragonair glanced at each other for a moment, and then the tears began to fall, and Lance spoke soothing song to them while he held Ptera close, for he knew almost without knowing what had happened.
After all, it wasn’t too hard to guess. He felt slightly different, almost sharper, his senses more attuned, and Ptera nodded almost imperceptibly.
He sighed.
Why were his pokemon so loyal? He didn’t deserve it… he had condemned them to death, and yet the ones still living would be willing to follow him into hell.
It made him ache inside, and after the two of them had sated their grief, he recalled them to their Ultra Balls. The sun was going down, and he’d be able to make it home without too much trouble…
He and Ptera flew to Pallet Towns on silent wings. The house was located near the outskirts, and it was midnight, so no one would be out and about. He landed silently as he pressed his fingertips against the automatic lock. The door clicked open at his touch and he entered.
Everything was as he had left it, as if he had not spent months chasing a madman’s dream…
He sighed as he walked into his bedroom, and into the bathroom, stripped off the rags left from Cerise and showered. He meant to leave afterwards, but he was tired, and surely, one night couldn’t hurt…
Changed into blue silk pajamas with Hakuryuu embroidered on the front pocket and climbed into bed, falling fast asleep.
He did not notice crimson eyes that had marked his entry.
Red yawned. That was odd. He could have sworn that house was abandoned, but maybe he was wrong…
He’d go visit tomorrow…
Vee slept soundly on a pillow, and he climbed back into bed, wishing that tonight, he would have peaceful dreams. Alas, he was denied, and woke up covered in cold sweat and gasping for breath.
No. He was safe. The ice was gone. He was no longer frozen…
A new neighbor might be just the thing to take his mind off the Elite Four…
End Chapter
Completed 11/27/06
Yes, I know that it was cruel of me, but dragons are practical pokemon, I think… and they probably would eat their dead friends.
I have no idea why Lance lives in Pallet. Probably because it’s close to Viridian, he can keep an eye on Red, and it’s better than a cave?