Whee! *waves happily*

Disclaimer: I wish I owned pokemon, but it belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics! This is non-profit fanwork, I’m not infringing on their copyright, and I own my own ideas and writing.

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

I know I switch from first to third person a lot in my fics, apologies!

Lance: Yes, bear with her…. at least her championshipping fics aren’t too bad… they could be a lot worse. *coughs*

Phantomness: Hey!

Timeline: 2.5 years later

Chapter 7: Rememory

The dream realm, it was, again.

It enveloped him in a warm, caressing manner, happy that its child was home.

Lance smiled as the seals on Ash’s arms broke. Yes, it was time…pretty little one…

Ash flung himself into his arms without restraint. Was it memory or truly accepted love? He wasn’t sure. Still, why bother with the trifles now? The most important thing is not falling.

But I want to change history! Why did mom have to die?

It’s so hard being a guardian… so hard being Chosen…

I know I’m selfish! I know that if I’m not careful the power will corrupt me! I’m not that stupid!
Yes, I am a naïve child at times, but… that’s not the point!

Lance-chan could have stopped Giovanni, maybe, but he didn’t want to, why?

I still can’t remember very well… I took the kodoku and some things are still fuzzy, is he angry with me?

He should be! That could explain the bitterness…

B-but… why can’t he forgive me? Did he forgive me, even? I’m surprised the memories came back with the Kiss he used.

Still… I can’t decide everything. I’m just a lost child who isn’t sure where to turn all the time, and I make mistakes.

I’m not special…

Ash went limp as his mind continued to whirl.

Lance shook his head. * This is not good… I should have just erased those memories completely, if he’s not shaken up then I don’t know what this is, and he blames me for it as well… that could turn out quite bitter… *

Still, distancing was not always the best way?

Lance’s eyes glowed as he prepared to use Amnesia wave. Why not? Blank slates were always better to work with.

The earth rocked.

< Nani?! >

< Calm, Chosen, calm… > was Lugia’s sibilant whisper. < Do not worry, it will all work out right. >

Lance choked back a harsh laugh. * Oh? Does it? Well… *

In any case, it was like love and hate. But to hate, you need obsession, and if one played on that string enough…

Gold diluted to argent for a few minutes before the ice calmed the dragon enough. Still, it was always an uphill battle. Nothing was ever certain.

Never.

But then again, I’m not the Chosen of Ice and Dragon and darkness for nothing, am I? I’ll find a way.

The blue died away, no attack commenced.

Well, let’s see how this plays out then…

Lance closed his eyes as the Fade technique began, it was always better to observe first.

Even if he didn’t like what he saw, it was life. life was sometimes masked by illusion, and illusion was prettier than reality quite a lot, but… so much better to face the truth, I can’t make the same mistake again.

C’est la vie…

Ash awakened soon enough, Hypnosis hadn’t been that strong anyways. Still, it was the thought that counted.

He attacked me? Why? Is he still afraid of me?

That’s scary, because I thought I was scared of him. Lance-chan is better than me at skill and power and the emotions…

Is this just a game to him then? I’m just something to be played with and now he’s bored?! That can’t be! He loves me! I know it!

… but…

I suppose I deserved it for breaking him, but why did he make me forget? Why? At least I could have learned from my mistakes!

How do I know he isn’t using magic on me right now?

I don’t! That scares me too, no use lying about that, I’m terrified! What if my emotions are just a toy?

It…I…

Trust is hard to earn, and one careless gesture can break it easily.

He’s so cold…

He could see the ice crystals dancing around the Dragon Master as he slew the poor unfortunate who had tried to access the dream realm. The blade of ice danced in his hands like lightning, fast slashes of magic.

He was afraid.

I-I’m afraid to trust you now…

It wasn’t as if the other hadn’t noticed, he kept a good distance.

No pressure… but somehow, things just weren’t the same. They could never be fixed perfectly, he knew that.

But… did Lance love him anymore?

I don’t know.

I’m alone, all alone… the pokemon don’t see, but the changes are rising and they shimmer darkness and death and destruction and it’s not pretty!

Ash actually found himself frightened when he used the Scales of Fate and Destiny. He knew he shouldn’t be – he’d used them countless times before – and they were guardian tools, but!

Charlotte was still gone.

Every time he looked at that flickering red orb, he remembered. And it did freak him out somewhat… alone with only a slightly off Dragon Master.

I’m all by myself, no one else can help me. So I have to grow up, without him.

It hurts – I think part of me still loves him, is that the problem with memories – but it has to be done!

I won’t let him control my life! I’ll forge my own path!

I can do it, I’m Thunder’s Child and I will not fail.

I won’t…

The night winds were chilly, but he didn’t feel them.

His blades glimmered as the Dragon dance completed. Bodies began raining down from the sky.

It was blood rain – pretty – and of course…

I won’t lose.

The Dragon Master smiled, cool veneer perfectly composed as he turned his back on the Rocket agents.

Ah, you just can’t leave my dragons alone, can you? Then you will just have to keep paying the price.

End Chapter

Completed 4/26/04