Maybe I should write lemon… *Starts staring googol-eyed at screen* Nah, Lance has some morals in this fic, so not until Red grows up. Pity. *Brood*

Red: *Grins*

Lance: >.< ()

Phantomness: *Smirky smile*

Shoyko: Its lucky Phantomness doesn’t own pokemon! There! I’ve disclaimed!

Warnings: Angst

Chapter 6

 

            When Red woke up with a horrible headache, she found Lance mixing something that smelled really good. He walked over with it steaming and handed it to her.

            She drank, without thinking. It tasted like maple syrup, but it made her headache go away.

            “What happened?” She asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

            “You got drunk.” Lance said. “I presume it would be a good idea to stay away from wine from now on.”

            “Really,” The Princess blinked. “Wow.”

            “Are you feeling better now?”

            She noticed that Lance was now wearing a dark blue robe patterned with silver fish scales. “I’m good.”

            “Excellent…”

 

“What time is it?” She asked next.

            “Almost dinner,” He replied.

            “What? I slept for almost the whole day?”

            “I’m afraid you did…”

            She blushed in embarrassment. * Oh… *

            “That’s not the worst of it.” Lance smirked. “Poor little girl… You’re really much too young for that sort of thing.”

            She paled. * Did I do what the maids said adults did? * She hoped not!

 

            Lance laughed. “I am only teasing. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t take you unless you wanted me to, and trust me, that won’t be happening for a long time.”

            Red frowned, catching something unsaid. “Lance…. What do you mean?”

“I’m leaving soon. Cerulean is infringing on our territory. I’m to be home for negotiations and… other things. If the situation deteriorates, which it predictably will, we’ll fight.” He replied.

            “You’re leaving?”

            “Unfortunately,” He looked at her. “I must leave.”

            “Why?”

 

            Lance laughed. “You would not cry for me if you knew the truth, Red dear, but I’ll tell you just the same. My parents really have no wish for me to marry you. However, as tis the only way your mother will consent to the alliance….”

            Blurry brown eyes met his. “How do you feel?”

            “I love you.” No lie, that… “But my love for you is not the type of love you want from me.”

            “You love me?” Red blushed.

            “Hush, my adorable fiancée. I’m glad I met you, at least.” He kissed her deeply, ignoring her startled look. “Sleep well…”

            And then he was gone.

 

            “She will hate you for this.”

            < I don’t mind. >

            < I’m sure you don’t, Child, but are you sure? >

            < She’ll fall in love later, I’m sure. > Lance said, as he peeled off his clothing, leaving himself in silversteel armor.

            < They’re coming for us. > Articuno whispered.

            < I know. I’ll always protect you, Father, Mother. >

            < Or you will die trying. > Lugia and Articuno chorused in unison as Lance unsheathed his sword, spread his silversteel wings, and flew into the sky.

            Missingno hissed, and the battle was joined.

 

Time jump – 4 years later…

 

            “Lance!” Red rushed to the window.

            “It’s not him.” Mary and Sue said in unison. The prince had left that night, fought the Cerulean Kingdom…

            They hadn’t heard from him since…

            Was he dead? Who knew?

            It was rumored that King Lugia was dead, though.

            “Princess, he could be dead for all we know. Why do you care so much?”

            Red turned teary eyes on her maids angrily. “I love him!”

            “But he’s dead!”

            “I don’t care!” Red cried. “I miss him, all right? And unlike what you four hormonal people think, we didn’t do anything! But I almost wish we had! That way I would have something to remember!”

            Rebuked, the four maids dispersed.

 

            Once they were gone, she tugged the golden crown out of her hair. Her mother was dying. She didn’t care. And if Lance didn’t come back, they’d engage her to someone else…

            Who was left? She supposed she wouldn’t mind marrying King Surge too much – it was rumored he already had a lover and all she had to do was pop out an heir, after all.

            She was so tired, and angry.

            But that changed nothing…

            * Lance, I miss you… *

            Maybe she was in love.

 

            A soft tapping came at her window.

            She looked outside into familiar golden eyes. “Lance?” She breathed.

            The Prince slid the window open and landed silently in her room. A flick of his hand and the door was bolted tightly shut.

            Red threw herself into his arms. “Lance, I missed you so much!”

            “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come.”

            “What? Of course you should have! We’re betrothed, aren’t we?”

 

            “Red, there is a lot you don’t know about me.” Lance said. “I’m not what you think I am. You can’t love me. It’s too dangerous.”

            “What do you mean?” Red frowned, pulling him into a kiss.

            “I’m not… who you want to marry.” He frowned.

            “I don’t understand.” She put her hands on her hips. “You’re being edgy…”

            “Fine,” Lance decided to go for the most direct route. “I’m not a man at all. I am a Pokemon who is able to take human form. My parents were the same way.”

            It took a few seconds for Red to comprehend this.

            “WHAT?!”

 

            “So,” Lance said, extricating himself from Red’s grasp. “You really shouldn’t love me. In fact, I’d love it very much if you hated me. After all, I won’t be able to give you an heir. I am sterile, after all. Plus, I’ve been lying to you all time. The person you love doesn’t exist. I killed him.”

            He popped open the window and was about to jump out onto the waiting Aerodactyl when Red grabbed his arm.

            “Wait!”

            Lance sighed. The Princess had a firm grip when she wanted one. “What is it?”

            “How do I know you’re… not just lying to me?”

            He smirked as the silversteel of her armor began to shift, as he blurred into the form of a strange white dragon. “Is that enough for you?”

Seconds later, silver wove over his pale skin again. The silversteel was what allowed him to take human form in the first place, as it dampened his draconic powers.

 

            Red stared, open-mouthed, at her fiancé. * No… *

            “Is this enough for you, now?”

            “You…!”

            Lance did not wait for a reply. There was a flash of lightning, and then he was gone. The war was still brewing, after all.

            Crushed, his bride fell to the ground and began to cry…

 

End Chapter

Completed 8/20/05

Edited 5/25/09

Red: What? Why didn’t I do something useful?

Phantomness: And how could you find Lance? He knows teleport, ya know.

Red: >.<