And so the Heavens will cry for their child, which has fallen in love with that which she can never have…

Lance: And that explains the title?
Phantomness: *Smirky smile*

Chapter 7

He was a Pokemon?

Red slowly rocked herself. Lance was a Pokemon. That didn’t make sense. If it hadn’t been… even with the banded silver curling about his form, he had looked perfectly human. Of course, it was hard to argue with the fact that he had transformed into a dragon right in front of her!

She sighed.

It hurt. It hurt a lot. And she should hate Lance, but for some reason, she couldn’t.

Why not?

“I could like him as a friend.” Red reasoned. “He was a good friend. And he didn’t really take advantage of me.”

Red had to blush as she remembered the past – she would have gone willingly to the Prince’s bed but they had never done anything but kiss…

So did it matter?

She could go marry King Surge after all. But did she want to? She wasn’t sure anymore…

* Why did you leave? *

At least Lance was alive, but if he was a Pokemon, then it was wrong. Things couldn’t be settled. Wouldn’t people find out?

No one had found out, and she wouldn’t have known if Lance hadn’t told her.

At least he told me the truth in the end.

* But I don’t hate him. Should I? I don’t know…*

She decided to sleep on it. That would work.

She dreamed.

“You cannot win.”

Misty laughed. “Only a lie, Lance. No man can defeat me. I have the power of the ocean at my command.”

“You think so?” Silversteel glittered between his fingers with a smile. “So... then my fighting you is futile, isn’t it?”

“I’m so glad you’ve come to your senses, Lance.”

Lance smirked, and that was all the warning Misty got before the bonds holding her captive shattered.

“What? But how?”

“It matters not. By the ice and the dragon I banish you to the darkness!”

And then everything hurt too much to bear, and then there was silence.

Lance watched as the rest of his dragons broke free from the watery trap. “Foolish. Water will never defeat Dragon, much less with the combined forces of Ice and Psychic backing as well.”

We know….

We know… your Father and Mother would be proud.

“Pity they aren’t here. And should I feel guilt for killing her? No, I don’t think so. She killed them in cold blood… so what does it matter now?”

Where will you go now, Master?

“I will bid my Princess farewell and then return home.”

No man could defeat her, but what of a Pokemon in a man’s skin? Now that was another story…

Red woke up and blinked, images still freshly imprinted in her memory. Lance was… oh! Now she knew!

Home being… mermaids. Right. Okay.

How to get there?

She looked at her poke belt. Fearow. Pidgeot… and… her hand settled on the poke ball. A gift, two years ago, but now she suspected who had sent it.

She released the not-bird.

The water/flying type peered at her.

“Come on, Mantine,” Red said softly. “Let’s go home…”

Mantine looked at her quizzically, but flew off just the same…

She found Lance talking with a purple-haired mermaid.

“So you told her the truth?”

“Yes.” Lance smiled. “Ah, Lorelei… the paths of love never did run smoothly, did they?”

“Tis our fate and we all know it. You try to fight it – why?”

“Because I refuse to let fate hold me. Destiny may lead, but surely not my every move is monitored? Otherwise, I’d consider Serebii a voyeur.”

Lorelei laughed. “Bruno is quite dashing.”

“You love him.”

“Of course I do, as strange as it is.” She paused. “Do you think I should tell him?”

“That you made Clair fall in love with Drake – and that’s why she’s been gone for three years? Heavens no. I hated the idea of Bruno marrying my cousin. He was a horrible man, but if you think he has changed…”

“Then you don’t object?”

“If you love him, let it be.” Lance shrugged. “I am the monarch now, after all. And I’ll be damned if anyone tries to break you two up. After all, the dragons are mine to command, and the ocean obeys my will…”

“Is that enough?”

“Power is intoxicating,” He smiled. “And if I try hard enough, I’ll love it instead. It just takes time…”

“Don’t you feel sorry for her?”

“She fell for an illusion. She’ll hate me for shattering it. And that suits me fine.”

Lorelei did not look convinced. True love took patience, after all.

Behind a rock, Red had, of course, heard all of this.

Lance was so confident that… Well, did he want to be hated?

Anger began to spark in her heart as she watched. Fine then! If she was so repugnant, than she wouldn’t bother!

“Take me home.”

Mantine soared off.

Red closed her eyes tightly, but the tears came anyways.

Lance and Lorelei watched it fly away.

“You knew.”

“Of course I knew.” Lance idly pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders. “It’s easier to play oblivious at times though.”

“What will happen to her now?”

“She’ll marry Surge, I suppose.” Lance shrugged. “And she’ll be happy.”

“You sound so certain…”

“If this act wasn’t enough, I don’t know what will be…”

“But if she’s happy, what will happen to you?”

“I’ll watch her – and I have my power. That’s enough.”

End Chapter

Completed 8/20/05

Edited 5/25/09

Lance: Damn you for your honor and ‘noble sacrifices’ Phantomness!
Phantomness: *Smirk*

Ash: *hides*

Shoyko: The authoress demands my … loyalty again. *Shuffles forwards* can’t you write anything that’s not darkfic?

Kairo: I doubt it, dear…