Title: Heaven’s Lament

Author: Shadow/Phantomness

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Championshipping (Red x Lance)

Disclaimer: Don’t own pokémon. Do own Charlotte and new pokemon and new attacks and new items and well… you get the drill.

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

Warnings: AU, het, Fluff, angst

Princess Red stood at her window. Outside, fluffy clouds curled around the base of the golden palace she was currently ensconced in. She was not happy, but then, who would be?

“But I don’t want to get married! I’m too young!” The ten year old wailed.

“Now dear, you are not married, only betrothed.” Her mother said, fussing over her dress. “Just look at you! You’re all dirty! Get changed at once!”

Four maids ushered her back to her room. There, she was forcibly shoved into a gown of shimmering gold, shot through with bits of blue sapphire silk. It made her look like a bonfire, or a shining star. Either way, she wasn’t happy. No, the princess was not happy at all.

“I don’t see why I have to get married.” Red grumbled.

“Oh come on, Princess, you’re only betrothed, and betrothals can be broken.” Her nursemaid, Phoebe chuckled. “Besides, the Prince is supposed to be quite handsome.”

“If he is, you can have him.” Red muttered. “I feel so stupid…”

“Now, now,” Another maid said, busy weaving golden threads through her black hair. “You look lovely.”

Another maid dusted blushing powder over her cheeks, placed tiny stars on her ears… Red sighed. No point in fighting.

Maybe the Prince would fall in love with one of her maids. If he wanted them, by all means he could have them!

Meanwhile…

“So you and Father decided to go through it.” Lance said coldly.

Articuno looked at Lugia, who sighed. “It is for the best, Lance.”

“Do you expect me to murder her in her sleep before she finds out my secret then?” Lance asked, smiling bitterly. A dark blue coat brocaded with gold fell to his knees almost; underneath he wore black pants, a black shirt, and black boots, highly polished. White gloves covered his hands. Golden eyes looked outraged, and blood-red hair brushed with silver and gold fell almost to his waist.

“If necessary,” Articuno frowned.

“She’s still a child.” Lugia smiled. His white hair fell in front of his eyes, but Lance still felt the piercing blue stare. “Who knows? You may grow to love her. You’ll be spending several years with her before the engagement is concluded.”
“But I don’t love anyone except you and mother. And my darling pokemon… you know that.” Lance smiled.

A footman ran in. “Majesty! The ship has arrived.”

“Let us go.” Lugia offered a hand to Articuno – she looked splendid, long icy blue hair reached the floor, clad in a dress of stunning sapphire silk and diamonds winking, hair silvered with pearls…

Lugia was dressed simply but elegantly in a white tuxedo trimmed with silver, white cape with dark blue on the inside, pooling almost at his feet.

“Come, Lance.”

Lance followed his parents up the ramp. Ah well… everything would be fine…

He had no qualms about murdering those who were guilty, but an innocent girl, well, that was slightly different.

He’d wait and see.

“Lord Lugia! Lady Articuno!” Delia welcomed them warmly. “It is such an honor to meet you! And your son! He looks well.”

Her eyes roved over the boy appreciatively. Why, if she were ten years younger…

Golden eyes met hers, almost lazily, and she suddenly had the uncomfortable feeling that he knew what she been thinking. Lord Lugia was rumored to be a psychic, and Lady Articuno… well! Someone who had such a great interest in blue must have some connection to the sea. Their kingdom was small – several island chains, but it would be good to have an ally or two on the surface…

Their own kingdom was in the skies, and unfortunately, often the target of alien invaders. Delia snapped back to attention. She had to quit wandering off topic! Ever since her husband had died three years ago, she had borne the duty of running the kingdom alone, relying more and more on the ministers…

She really had no mind for ruling.

“So where is Princess Red?”

“I’ll get her.” A maid said.

A few moments later, Lance was treated to his first glance at the Princess Red. His first thought was surprise, then confusion. The girl looked so young – surely she couldn’t marry him? Perhaps there was a way out of the engagement after all?

“Excuse me, but how old is your daughter?” Articuno had noticed as well. * She looks… five? Six? No, perhaps seven or eight… *

“Well, she is ten now, but in a few years, she shall be old enough to marry.”

Lance froze. Ten? But he was sixteen. By the time she got old enough to marry, it would be… complicated.

Well. Yes. Not that he was having feelings – er, problems with lust, because Lance didn’t like sex. At least, he didn’t think he would. Even if there were beautiful, willing women around, it wasn’t his taste.

The thought of sex – and especially with a child like that – was appalling.

Besides, he always made a better killer than a lover.

Make love, not war? Hardly…

Make war, not love… now that was a motto that fitted him perfectly…

“Princess,” He sank to a knee gracefully in front of her and kissed her hand “A pleasure to meet you.”

Red blushed. He was really cute! And he looked cool too. He also had a sword at his side, sheathed – but he could probably fight…

She felt bad though, about her earlier misery. He didn’t seem mean. Perhaps this engagement wouldn’t be so bad…

Maybe she could hope?

Lugia and Articuno shared a smile and then bowed to Delia as she escorted them inside to discuss adult matters.

The ‘children’ could take care of themselves.

Lance rose to his feet after having released her hand. “So tell me, Princess… what would you like to discuss?”

Red shrugged as they walked into the palace garden – precious few plants grew here, so high above the ground, only some creeping vines and delicate flowers…

“I don’t know.”

“We have years to get to know each other better, Princess.” Lance smiled.

Red timidly smiled back.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad?

End Chapter

Completed 8/19/05

Edited 5/25/09

Lance: What’s my secret?
Phantomness: That’s a secret, obviously!

Red: Figures…