WARNINGS: DARKFIC, CHARACTER DEATH

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 7

He took off on wings of water and soared through the air seeking for someone to aid him in his quest, but his quest was futile for he found none. Even the pokemon he found did not speak, utterly crushed by their injuries and ruined lifestyle.

If the pokemon died, the humans would not be far behind. Only larger size and better detoxifying systems in some cases had helped.

Oh, the lawmakers were panicking, but did their panic help the population? Of course not! In return, the people began to steal, abandoning law for survival as they fought for food and firewood, once basic necessities now selling for high prices.

It was sad, and he mourned for them, though he knew not why…

“You are the last of your kind.” Lance said, as he faced the Tentacool. “Even poison types such as yourself find it too difficult to live here. Even poison types can be poisoned under high concentrations, though it not be common knowledge…”

The Tentacruel who led the Tentacool swarm nodded.

“Do you seek sanctuary within the realm of dreams?”

Yes, Dragon Master, we do.

“Then go in peace.” The last of his healing magic faded away and the pokemon watched as gates opened in the sky and they were lifted upwards on gentle currents of wind before the gates closed tightly shut.

His time was wearing to an end. Without pokemon to protect, the time of the guardians had closed. He caught a brief glimpse of a smile as he sighed.

Why must Ash be so stubborn! Why did he suddenly have to grow a backbone? For Lugia’s sake, these people did not deserve to live! And yet here he was trying to help them!
“He has forgotten the Code that was written when Serebii first brought it to us. He has forgotten the rules that a guardian must abide by, or his rank forfeit. And a rank forfeit is a life forfeit, for without rank there will be no rebirth for you…”

Didn’t he understand how stupid he was being?!

“I understand.” The voice was sorrowful, but resigned. “Let me be the one then.”

“Fire Guardian…”

“I know he is not my responsibility as much as he is yours, but it would hurt you more to do this.”

Lance bowed his head in silent acknowledgement of her words. “Yes, I understand. You always did know me well…”

“Too well, perhaps, for we are all alone here.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Not so.”

“I suppose you should not be. Otherwise, the jealousy would have withered you away to a husk soon enough.”

A tired smile was his response as eyes flared red-gold. “I am tired, Lance. Tired of dying for them.”

“I understand, and that is why you wish to stop him.”

“Yes! He is ignorant of the pain his choices cause us, for we suffer the most, as his fellow guardians. He is still such a child!”

“I normally find it endearing, but now is not one of those times.”

“I suspected as much…”

“How long will this continue?” She shivered as her wings of phoenix flame settled. “I cannot hold out for much longer, Lance. This must end.”

“Should I accompany you?”

“I’d appreciate it if you did.”

“Then I will.”

“You two.” He replied. “Why are you here?”

The woman did not reply, even as she pushed her hood back and he gasped in horror at the sight of her face.

“It’s even worse for him, you know.” She spoke, though her voice had shifted, become deeper and… older?

< Yes, but although I suppose I’m faring better. On the outside > Lance retorted.

“What do you mean? Why can’t you two just stay out of my business! You promised, Lance!”

< I did. > Lance replied. < I hope you find the price worth it. >

< Indeed. >

“What price?”

< Have you learned NOTHING in all your lives? There is never everything for free! Have you finally realized it? >

< Maybe he needs a demonstration. > Lance said ruthlessly.

<Yes, maybe… >

< I’ve had enough of playing a pawn. > Lance hissed. < Take the lead. >

She nodded as she held out her hands, feeling flame settle on her fingertips. < Now you shall feel what you have made us feel. >

Lance nodded, ice and frost already forming on his fingertips even as his steel wings extended behind his back in glistening arcs of jagged light. < You shall suffer what you have made us suffer. >

< By the power of the flame, by the power of the ice, by light and dark and dragon and water… >

< By the phoenix that burns in ashes and is reborn, by the dragon that endures and never dies… >

< By the first of the three… >

< By the second of the three… >

< By Moltres, Entei and Honou… >

< By Articuno, Suicune, and Lugia… >

< We beseech the last of the three… >

< Zapdos, Raikou, and Serebii… >

< End this farce you have woven! >

Ash, even in his semi-disguise as Hope, brought his hands up to his face and screamed in pain as what seemed like a million needles jabbed into his flesh. He felt as if he were on fire one moment and freezing to death the next. The transformation melted away as he collapsed in a small pile on the ground.

Charlotte looked at Lance, who shook his head.

Ash could very possibly be faking, or playing on their affections, but after countless lives wasted to his whims, and even then the lessons were often not learned, it was not worth it!

No, it was not worth the price.

“Why?” He asked brokenly, even as he felt the changes rippling through his body stripping him of youth and power. “Why did you two do this to me?”

“Because, Lance replied, equally softly, “You did it to us first. We just reflected the damage back on you.”

“So you see, Ash,” Charlotte spoke, “You should have listened to our advice and never embarked on this foolish crusade.”

“It’s not foolish! I don’t mind dying for them!”

“Brave words, but we take offense when you sacrifice our lives cruelly to your whims!” Lance spat. “Did you not know? You kill us – you are stealing our energy to save these people! You ran out of your own power long ago! As soon as you began to think, to feel for them, to save them, you were stripped of it all! You are only a guardian of the Pokemon, to bring balance!”

“I… I didn’t know?”

“It ends now.” Charlotte nodded as she turned to Lance. “Honors?” In her hands, a sword appeared, flames wreathing a bronze hilt and handle.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“It ends now. Gomen nasai, Ash.” Charlotte said, as she brought the sword down upon his prone form.

He screamed.

END FIC

Completed 12/17/05

I am totally a believer that Ash should pay for his mistakes, and boy is he paying for it now. Ash was stealing Charlotte and Lance’s energy to save people, and it was killing the other two guardians from the inside. True, he was unaware, but he should have been smart enough to realize what he was doing was wrong. Ah well. That’s all I have to say!

Ash: *cries*