Another chapter has cometh.

*Makes sure plotbunny is securely duct-taped to my computer*

Disclaimer: No, I don’t own pokemon. I do own this non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic so don’t take my writing!
Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks. Is this even relevant?

Very short, vague, and dark series!

Chapter 3

He moved silently through the halls, invisible, cloaked in darkness.

The Aquarius group was certainly… lively.

Thrown objects sailed through the air constantly. Where was the leader? They couldn’t just be a mob, could they?

… On the other hand, they could be.

In any case…

The blades glittered between his fingers as he began.

“YOU!”

“It is nice to see you in my office, Jenna.” He said softly. “To what do I owe this honor?”

“You’re insane, Lance!”

“Am I?” He looked at her sideways, enjoying her discomfort grow at the sight of the mask, silver dragons glinting in half-light.

He loved shadows.

“You killed – they were innocent, Lance, damn you! You killed them all!”

“Exactly what are you referring to?”

“Don’t play dumb!”

“I am at a loss as to why you are bothering me with your presence.”

A stream of fire shot at him…

Only to be deflected by two quick slashes of his wings.

“I consider our treaty invalid, then, Jenna.” He said softly, and that was the last thing she heard before the world went dark.

True, he had killed the humans, but someone else had been there, and it was that someone…

Poor mutants.

It had to be Leiliang. But how had they managed to infiltrate without being noticed? How?

How…

He did not find the answer to the question, because it was then that the skies fell.

It wasn’t mindless killing after all.

This was science at its best.

Red stared at the dirt in mute horror.

No!

This couldn’t be real, couldn’t be, couldn’t be…

One image burned in his mind, inciting hatred.

Misty…

All humans were evil, weren’t they?

How _had_ the scientists gotten in and planted those explosive devices without anyone knowing? There was a traitor in their midst.

But first…

He listened to the screams.

Houen was burning as well, now wasn’t that fair? Isn’t it fair, isn’t it? You killed mine and now I’ll kill yours.

A few remnants remained…

They needed a leader though, and he wasn’t that leader, hadn’t been a leader in Akutsuki, not really… He only followed orders, and he didn’t have to see, to care... He couldn’t lead, could he? Could he?

Akutsuki was founded on the hatred of one… can it be reborn with the same hatred?

Can I learn to be like him, not see?

You’ve torn away my shield from the world.

“Red?”

He looked at the assembled faces around him. “We destroyed the Leiliang base, but that is no guarantee they are dead.”

“What can we do?”

Still, if he didn’t take action now, the group would fracture and become separate, fighting little groups and they would kill each other and, and…

And then Aquarius – or what was left – would destroy them, or Leiliang would, and really, really, they had to have a leader!
But I can’t be that leader!

I’m not Lance…

He repeated the syllables over and over in his mind, until they seemed to blur. The faces were expectant, waiting.

My life… is not my own any longer.

Without a word he flew off, promised he would be back in a few minutes.

He stood above the remains and cast out his sight, searching… yes, it was there… yes it was…

It was not chance that such a thing had survived. Couldn’t be.

Now, he had one last duty to fulfill.

Carefully, he closed his red eyes one last time, and when they reopened, they were gold, such a pretty gold…

Fingers gave one last caress to the diamond flower, before it was laid down on the dusty ground in tribute.

I’ll be seeing you…

He didn’t need a mirror to see the changes, as he relished the feeling of flight, light metallic beats as he flew back.

They need a leader.

I still owe that debt I never repaid.

It is time…

Shifted, settled. Heard the gasp as he entered, and the hush that fell over the crowd. Heard his voice addressing them coldly, instructing them on what to do next as they scurried to meet his orders.

Left him alone, as they scattered.

Lips curved up in a half-smile, as he felt the cool metal against his face, and took one step forwards, quietly.

“We won’t lose to humanity. Ever.”

THE END

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Completed 7/17/04, and I liked writing it. Do talk on my Yahoo! Group if confused…