Not sure if this plotbunny will live…

Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon, it belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics! This is non-profit fanwork, I’m not infringing on their copyrights, and since I wrote this it’s my work and mine under international copyright law.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Ashura = Red and he is not Ash! Ash is from the anime series

Red is 17, Lance is 25, Ash is 13

Chapter 3: Is darkness falling?

“I wonder, though.” Red mused, as he sat up. “There can’t be two versions of me here. Wouldn’t that destabilize something important?”

Lance nodded. “These things wear off in a week at most, usually.”

“But still… it’s not safe.”

Red sighed. Lance shook his head. “He’s just a child, Red. That shouldn’t be dangerous…”

“Kids can be very dangerous.”

“Only if they are trained up to be weapons like you, my little one.” Lance whispered, placing a kiss on his forehead. Then, she pushed him back down on the bed. “Now get some rest!”

“…” Red sighed. * All right… *

Let’s see how it goes…

Ash continued walking along, occasionally bumping into a Geodude, which Squirtle or Bulbasaur would drive away.

Why did he get dumped with this job? Sure, it was adventure, but it seemed really unsafe! And why did it have to be him?

Misty and Brock were safe in that ultra-protected underground base, while he had the bad luck of being stuck outside!

Why me?

Ash sighed. * Ugh… this is not fair… I’m going to die! *

He tried tno to freak, but that was hard. Pikachu finally broke him out of his musings.

Sandshrew might know…

“Hmm?”

Sandshrew is around here, so shouldn’t it know where the base is? Pikachu asked.

“Oh! That’s right! I’ll ask it!”

A fainted Sandshrew popped out of the ball. Ash sweatdropped.

“Oops…”

Thus, they were forced to break camp and wait until Sandshrew regained its senses and woke up.

That took at least the night and half of he next morning.

But luckily, Sandshrew promised to lead the way, so they set off, fighting more pokemon.

That was the way things were. After two weeks, they reached the castle. There was no other way to really describe it.

Strands of white misty ebullience surrounded a building.

It wasn’t a typical medieval castle, but more like a black island? Seven spires rose towards the sky.

Bizarre. What a weird choice of living accommodations.

“What kind of people live _here_?”

A stick cracked behind him, as Pikachu shocked whatever it was.

Unfortunately, being as the attacker was an Onix, and without the aid of fire sprinklers, nothing happened.

Onix charged, using Slam.

The last thing Ash knew was a lot of pain, and something really heavy, before he blacked out mercifully. Thank goodness.

Staying awake for the attack just made it worse.

They wouldn’t kill him, of course. Just do a little questioning and send him home before he wrecked things.

Bruno picked up the kid and carried him back inside. There, Lance healed him quickly, but not happily.

He didn’t condone murder, but still…

Lance hated to leave her poor Red, no, Ash, but really, Ashura.

She quickly ran back to his bed.

“I’m fine, Lance-chan.” Red reassured her.

“I doubt it. He’s here now, the pressure is greater, ne? Don’t hold it in, cry if you have to.”

He didn’t have to lie to her anyway. He cried, cried as the pain tore him apart inside and she held him.

Please… I don’t want to die…

Send him home, I don’t hate him, but, why is he here?!

He just let loose, didn’t bother to man the floodgates, and it hurt so much but crying did help.

And she held him, gently, like always. Protector forever.

I love you, Lance-chan.

I know its stupid of me, thinking this while I’m in pain, but I love you and you and only you, because we are two of a kind.

That is the way things are.

Ash woke up soon enough. He freaked immediately, but Pikachu and his poke balls were still there.

A girl was waiting, she had long red hair and glasses.

“Let’s begin. How did you get here? We want to send you home.”

Ash’s heart jumped. * What? Aren’t they the enemy? *

“Why?”

“Because you’re killing someone.”

“Never!” Ash said, stoically denying it.

His adamant tone caused chuckles around the table.

“Do not worry, Ash, that’s your name, right?”
“Right.”

“Just tell us how you got here. And it’s true.” Gary told him. Ash sighed and recounted his short tale, not wanting to die.

It was simple enough. All they had to do was repeat the procedure, and snap, no more problems.

Yes… no thorn in the side anymore.

“Let’s get started then,” Lorelei said, and they quickly set up a battle arena.

End Chapter

Started 10/10/03, completed 1/7/04