I like Koga and Aya as a couple!
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 5
Kanna frowned as she watched Kikuko scry. “Is something troubling you?”
“Only that our Leader has not returned.”
“Wataru can take care of himself.”
“I know. I simply hope that it is not fangirls he is eluding.”
Kanna winced. “When you put it that way…”
Wataru frowned as he and Ptera soared away. In the distance, he could see a few specks that were probably fangirls on their Pidgey. He sighed.
“I don’t look that much like… it, do I?”
Ptera frowned. < No, why? >
< I just need reassurance. >
< … Red would be very jealous if he knew of this incident. >
< We’d better not mention it then. >
< Sly as ever, Master. > Ptera laughed, and they flew on.
“… Are you going to kill them?” Red asked as soon as Wataru returned.
Wataru sighed. “It is not for me to decide.”
“Don’t give me that Wataru! You’re the Dragon Master – and the Master of Dark Illusions. Heck most of them will follow you… even if it means death…”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Wataru said dryly.
Red flushed. “I don’t mind, but I feel kind of sorry for mine… you know… and yours too, in a way.”
Wataru’s eyes narrowed. “What?”
There was something in that tone… and while outwardly he remained calm for the most part, Red winced at the soft snick sound, as fingernails became sharp-tipped silversteel claws once more.
“You’re not jealous, are you?” He ventured.
“If you wish to call it that…”
Red shook his head. “I never did anything with Lance, Wataru! Trust me! He isn’t you! There’s no comparison!”
Wataru hesitated. The dragon in him wanted to tear the intruder to pieces, and then he would gather Red up and take him home and feed him delicious things and dress him in gold-washed silk, but….
But he should trust Red, right?
Red relaxed as Wataru shook himself. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right, Wataru…”
He let his lover hug him and pet his hair and promise sweet nothings. He probably should have been paying more attention though, because they both heard the gasp.
Ash was standing there, looking stunned.
Wataru raked his eyes down the boy’s form; then shook his head. This… Ash was too much like a child and not in the good ways either, that one, but the scientists could have done a much worse job.
Ash ran off, and Red rose to follow him, but Wataru shook his head.
“Why shouldn’t I stop him?”
“Because I have a feeling that … some things may have carried over.”
Red blanched. “You don’t think…. But that’s magic!”
“I have magic blood and so do you, in your later stages.”
“True, but… they’re not supposed to have our powers!”
“Did I say it as power? And you forget that they both gained empathy beyond a normal human, though they are only shadows of the real Guardians.”
Red sighed.
“Why are you here?”
Lance blinked as Ash ran into him, and retained enough sense of mind to hold him steady. He as shaking, and that frightened the older teen. He had never seen Ash so lost, not even when he had been held in a cell, Team Magma’s work, not even when Gyarados had attacked him a the Lake of Rage…
“… I came to talk.”
“So did I.” Ash sniffled. “I thought Red was different…”
“Did you to have an argument?” He hedged cautiously.
“No! It’s just that… I’m almost jealous. It’s like… Lance, why do you bother saving me?”
That gave him a shock, and he frowned. “Why would I not?”
“No, it’s just that it seems, every time I’m in trouble, you’ll bail me out. Like with Team Rocket and Team Magma… Am I that weak?”
What? Where was this coming from? “Of course not!”
“Because Red was telling me about his adventures, and he beat Mewtwo, can you believe it, all by himself!”
“…Ash…”
“And … well, I don’t want them here.”
“Who?”
“The… you know, how you’re a clone too?”
Lance nodded. He had not liked the fact, indeed, he dearly wished he had not known, but what was there to do once one knew the truth?
Forget it?
What good would that do?
“I have a feeling that they are cruel… those ‘Elite Four’…”
Ash blinked. “You mean they aren’t just powerful trainers?”
“I think that they are more than just powerful trainers.” Lance sighed. “And have you noticed?”
“Like what?”
“… I guess you didn’t see. I can read pokémon’s minds a little bit with my empathy, but Wataru, he can read their minds completely.”
Ash shivered. “That’s dangerous. And what about what that girl did to Lorelei? Is she all right now?”
“… She’s still recovering.” Lance said flatly. “I’m not quite sure what went on, but it seems… odd.”
“And Agatha.”
“Enough.” Lance shook his head. “We will deal with these endeavors as best we can. The world and those blasted legendary pokémon can demand no more of us.”
He turned to leave, but Ash refused to let go. Lance blinked.
“…Stay with me? I’m scared.”
“All right.”
End Chapter
Completed 7/27/06
Double the championshipping! ^^
And… damn, ff.net has some sick people on it sometimes. *Goes to scrub eyes and brain out*