Yay for angst! Seems I can only write angst! Anyways… lots and lots of angst!

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

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me. STEAL MY FANFIC AND I FLAME YOU. Or I’ll prosecute, somehow…

Chapter 8

 

            Red went home, broke down, and married Surge a week later. If this was her revenge, it backfired.

            She couldn’t stand the man, but at least… he had someone else, so she didn’t see him much.. Outside, she played dutiful, loving wife.

            Inside, she died…

           

            Surge looked at his visitor. “You don’t want to see the Queen? I suppose that can be arranged. But why are you insisting on a favor like this?”

            Lance lifted a gloved hand to his lips < I cannot speak of it. >

            Surge jumped, and then remembered that some of the royal families had inherited psychic powers. It looked like King Lugia had passed them on to his son. “Why?”

            < She was … upset when our betrothal was cancelled. It would not be pleasant. >

            Ah. Politics! Damned politics! Surge nodded and welcomed his guest in…

            < I hear you are expecting your first child. Congratulations. >

            “Thank you.” Surge said uneasily. “Yes, I’m sure our son will be a joy to all…”

            Lance nodded curtly and then made his exit.

 

            < She loves you… >

            < She married him. > Lance flopped down on the bed. < I’m simply here to see how things are working out. They seem marvelous to me – their child will be born in a few months and then she’ll be too busy to think of me. So it works out. >

            < Child, you’re killing yourself… >

            < Does it matter? If tis not meant to be, then I shall suffer for my folly. > He looked at his fingers, shrugging. < I will only be here for a few days, and no one will see me. What can go wrong? >

            < I hope so… >

            < Do you not trust me? >

            < I trust you. I don’t trust her. >

 

            Red poked at her distended stomach angrily. Somehow, she had not thought that having sex with a man without protection could get her pregnant, and now, she was wearing the effects around her waist. She was not a happy camper.

            Surge was… flat. He spent most of his days reading up military reports or out with his army. She was bored.

            She looked up as a maid entered.

            “Queen Red? I have some information that might be of interest to you…”

 

            < You have loyal staff. > He admitted, when she arrived. Inwardly, he was attempting not to panic.

            “What are you doing here?” She demanded.
            < This is a diplomatic visit. > Lance paused. < The question is; what are you doing in my quarters? >

            “I… I came to see you.”

            < Oh? > A single coppery eyebrow rose. < Are you sure that is wise, my Queen? It could be seen as an act of adultery… >

            “Not really.”

            < Surge doesn’t know my secret, you know. >

            “Do I care? For once I’d like a straight answer out of you!”

            < How do you know I cannot escape even now? >

            “I’m hoping you’ll grant this favor. Is that too much to ask for?”

 

            < Perhaps I will give you one then. > Silversteel wings folded lazily on the owner’s back. < So tell me, Princess – oh, I’m sorry, Queen… what answer did you so ardently desire of me? >

            “The truth,” Red frowned.

            < The truth is a many-headed Hydra… and there is no one truth. You had best be more specific. >

            He was only giving one question, after all.

 

            “Fine,” She huffed. “Did you really love me?”

            < Of course I did. But you didn’t love me. >

            “What? That’s not true! I did love you! I did!” Red demanded. How dare he try to blame her!

            < You married another. You share his bed. You bear his child. I think that quite succinct in saying you do not. >

            “I still love you! It’s just different!”

            < So you love me as a friend. >

            “Er… yes,” She hedged.  There was no way she could leaver her husband, after all! Besides, hadn’t he betrayed her first?

            Red knew she was not in love with Lance any more. She knew it.

            < And I will love you that way as well. This is a love that will harm no one. >

 

            “I see…” The Queen said, before shuffling out, with tears in her eyes. Lance watched her leave and then snapped his fingers.

            Dragonair looked up.

            < We’re leaving. >

            The dragon looked discomfited. < We just got here! >

            < She might change her mind. And I will not let that happen. > He retorted. * No, Red-chan, you are not mine… *

            < You… enjoy being miserable? >

            < No, I do not. > Lance laughed. < Red is still precious to me. This separation is simply necessary. The world comes before my love, after all… >

            < It hurts you, Master… >

            His answer was chilling. < This is the right thing to do. >

 

            The right thing was not always the romantic thing. Doing the right thing was not always what hurt the least, either. But love was hardly a surefire cure-all, and one of them had to act the adult in the relationship.

            That was that.

            * I’m sorry, Mate. *

            She did not see him again.

 

END FIC

Completed 8/21/05

Edited 5/25/09

Ash: *Strangling the author* MORE ANGST?

Phantomness: Passes out

Shoyko: At least she can’t write more now…

Lance: She’s back at college. She’ll be writing little now…

Kairo: Yay! A break for the poor muses!

Phantomness: *Revives and starts chasing muses with a giant broom* and no, I don’t promote adultery, so Red isn’t going to run off with Lance. I may consider a sequel if people want one. Email me if you do