Well, that was a depressing start to a fic, wasnft it?

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

Warning: I tend to jump tenses as I write. Tis just the way my brain works. Donft like it, donft read it.

Chapter 2

 

            He had to get away from Kanto, and he had to give his family the news. Red did not want to think about it, but someone had to tell Clair, and so, he was flying to Blackthorn, his heart feeling heavier with each beat of Aeroyfs wings.

            Clair was waiting when he approached, an anxious look on her face.

            gRed! What happened?h

            He shuddered, as she continued speaking. gWe heard about Cerise Islandc was my brotherc?h

            Redfs expression must have shown her the truth. She gripped his shoulders. gNo! It cannot be!h

            gIfm sorry.h He whispered, but she did not hear him.

            gHefs really dead thench

            gI-Ifm sorrych

            gItfs not your fault, Red!h Clair cried. gThere was nothing we could do. It was his dream and he died fulfilling it, didnft he?h

            gNo.h Red choked out. Far better if Lance had, then only glory would follow his deeds, however heinous. gTheyc they took him toch

 

            Neither of them says the word. They know. Therefs a place where they send the worse offenders in Indigo, all the murders and the rapists, the scum of the world, and if Lance was therec

            gOh Lugia,h Clair breathes, and for a moment, she curses the fact that she is a gym leader. She would rather not know. And Redc

            Red knows about Lance only because he is Champion.

            Red is trying to be brave, he really is, but she knows how badly he is hurting inside, so she holds out her arms and he cries. They both cry.

            And anger begins to burn in their eyesc

 

            gI would not have minded if it were a clean death.h Clair said, stabbing her fork viciously into her slice of blueberry cheesecake. Red nodded as he toyed with the long straw in his drink.

            The waitress came over and asked if they wanted refills, but neither of them answered. Red glumly stared into his chocolate milkshake – Clair had insisted on paying, but neither of them was hungry.

            Still, at least this café had private booths, and it was better than emotional displays in the middle of a public street.

 

            gI would not have minded either.h Redfs voice was barely audible, so much so that Clair had to lean forwards to hear him. She was family, but Redc Red had been in love with Lance.

            Still, they both felt the pain keenly.

 

            gWhat else did they tell you?h

            gSomething stupid.h Red muttered. gSaid he bit off his tongue. Ifll bet that he used Viridianfs power one last time.h

            gThat is a bet I would surely lose,h Clair said, smiling a bit at the joke, crude though it is.

            Red looked down, as he began to methodically tear his napkin into shreds. gIt just seems so unfair. All the others escaped.h

            gAre you holding their lives against them now?h

            Clairfs tone of voice warned of impeding doom, and Red caught it. gNo, but it just seems cruelly unfair.h

            gIt is a sad fact that life as we know it is rarely fair.h Clair commented. Then she slammed her fist into the table. gBut why did it have to be my brother?h

            The waitress came running. gMafam, Ifm afraid that I must ask you to leave-.h

            gI understand.h Clairfs tone had shifted into sweetly polite, but only a fool would have missed the anger boiling in her eyes. She slapped the money to cover their bill on the table and stormed out. Red tagged at her heels, almost running to keep up with her long strides – ridiculous, since she was the one in high heels.

 

            gExcuse me!h A voice shouted.

            Both Red and Clair stiffened. Clair reached for her Dragonairfs poke ball, Red reached for Aeroyfs.

            The caller was a young boy with wispy green hair.

            gI just wanted to get your autographs!h

            Slowly, warily, the Champion and Blackthorn Gym Leader signed their names. Then they continued on their stride.

            Red did not ask to know where they were heading. He knew. Even though he had never before entered, Lance had told his stories.

            It was where the Clan trained.

            Dragonfs Denc

 

            Clair ignored the tiny man in dragon armor who tried to bar their way. Apparently he was their grandfather, though Red almost stopped in shock. The man was short, barely a foot and a half tall.

            Well, it mattered little.

            He followed Clair as they went deeper into the cavern.

 

            gDo you know what happened to his pokémon?h

            gI assume they escapedch Redfs voice trailed off. Lancefs dragons were loyal unto the point of death. Surely they would not have abandoned their trainer in his hour of need? If they had, it would have been a severe discrepancy.

            gNo. They did not.h Clair sighed. gThey are dead.h

            gcDead?h Red squeaked.

            c Lancefs pokémon were dead?

            One part of his mind reminded him that Lance would not care either way, being dead himself, but the other part raged.

            Why? And how?

            He had seen them still alive and breathing as they had fled Cerise – cowards.

            Why would they be dead now? It made little sense, unless the League had taken them as well?

            Red shivered.

            As much as he wanted to believe in the goodness of the Pokemon League, now he had grave doubts.

            They had killed the Trainer. Why then would they hesitate to kill the instruments of destruction? No wonder he had seen no sign of the armies that had attacked the cities. They were probably all deadc

            He shuddered, and Clair put a hand on his shoulder.

            gWefre here.h

 

End Chapter

Completed 6/20/06

No, Clair is not Lancefs sister. Shefs his younger cousin (theyfre first cousins), but she calls him eelder brotherf in the manga.

You know, sometimes I wonder about the people who put me on Author alert. They obviously hate the shipping I lovec so why do they put me on Author alert? It better not be to remove every new story I put up. *Growl* Yes there are rampant flaming AAMRN writers who do this.

You may disagree with some of the statements in this chapter, but it is not a factual list. Red and Clair are both biased, so please remember that. The author is also biased.