Fun! ^-^
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
Chapter 4
Charlotte watched impassively as another cloudbank settled over Viridian, drenching the area with acid rain. Stone crumbled and weathered while a few wooden buildings toppled completely.
“Heh.”
“Remove the guardians and their ability to clean up the environment, and look at the changes.” Lance remarked.
Ash nodded as he munched on a chocolate ice cream.
“Bakas… they never appreciate us until we’re gone.”
Charlotte shrugged. “Their loss, not ours.”
“You seem awfully calm.”
“Ash, how many times have I died?” Charlotte began ticking off on her fingers. “It really doesn’t matter much anymore. Nothing except you and my own pokemon.”
“Ah…”
“It would seem shallow,” Lance continued. “But death desensitizes us.”
“Well, why would I care for some abusive or plain useless trainer if my pokemon’s life is on the line?”
“Dying yourself really freezes the pain, doesn’t it?”
Lance raised her eyebrows. “Interesting word, Ash. Ever seen what happens to me without you?”
“…”
Ash suddenly shivered as a memory skittered away from him, barely on the edge of his consciousness.
“Not pretty?”
Charlotte winced. “Evacuations. Dream realm was quite crowded during that time.”
“I see…”
The guardians sat in silence as they watched the rainfall.
Anton cursed. Some stupid sailor had given him the wrong directions. Now, he was wearing three raincoats and trying to get to the Smoky Island chain on Blastoise, but he was getting soaked.
“Are we there yet?’
no.
“How much longer?”
I don’t know.
Anton scowled. “Stupid Ash…”
Blastoise frowned. I have a bad feeling about this…
Soon enough, they reached the barrier. And as expected, it did not let them through. Not at all.
“HEY! Let me in!” Anton screamed.
There was no reply.
Anton continued to curse at the clear shield for a good hour before a pokemon finally came up. It was an Espeon.
“Yes?”
“Let me talk to Ash!”
“No.”
“You stupid pokemon! I’m the Chosen One!”
Espeon
flicked her tails. Liar.
Master, calm down. Blastoise said.
Look, I don’t have time for this. Do you want to see the guardians or not?
“Yes!”
Fine. the shield went down, allowing Bob and Blastoise entrance.
A pair of golden eyes watched. “They’re coming.”
“Should I make tea?” Charlotte asked, getting up.
“It might help diffuse the situation.”
“Ok, then let's go.”
When Anton came in, the three guardians were sitting around a table laden with tea and iced cakes.
“Hi.” Ash said, waving casually.
Espeon nuzzled her master before she left the scene.
“Ash! How did you get here?”
“What do you mean? I live here.”
Anton’s jaw dropped. “B-but! This is a pokemon sanctuary, isn’t it?”
‘True. But I help run it. Why are you here?”
Anton sighed. “I have bad news.”
“Is mother dead?”
Anton looked horrified. “No! Not that…”
“…” Ash helped himself to a blueberry-iced cake and frowned. “It would help if you told me what was wrong.”
“Are you blind?” Anton asked starstruck. “Do you not see what goes on outside of this… sanctuary?”
“Oh, you mean the fact that basically the environment has been destroyed and the pokemon killed or escaped?”
“How can you talk about it so calmly? YES!”
“So?”
Anton stared at Ash. “It’s the environment!”
“Why do you think I can help?”
“Are you crazy? You beat me, so you must have some serious power on your side!”
“Ah…” Ash leaned across the table. “So you want my help.”
“Yes.” Anton gritted his teeth at the shame.
“Can’t give it. I made a promise.”
“WHAT?!”
“I promised not to interfere, because the guardians…”
Lance sat up. “Ash, stop it.”
“Gomen, Lance-chan…” Ash said meekly as he returned to her side.
Anton raised his eyebrows. * What the? *
“Ash, poor little thunder guardian… I know that it hurts you to see the destruction. But until the lesson is learned, we cannot help.”
Ash nodded miserably. Lance picked him up and kissed him gently. “Shh…”
Anton’s eyes bulged out. “WTF? You’re – you-you-.”
“What? Are you homophobic?”
Anton scowled. “Look, I need your help, okay?”
“And we’re not giving it, get that?”
‘Grr…”
Charlotte got up, drawing Anton’s notice to her. “Say, settle this with a match n’ whip him again, little brother.”
“You know, that’s a good idea…” Ash considered. “Okay Anton! For every pokemon of mine you defeat, I will clean up one area. Fair?”
“Fair!”
Lance led the way to the underground battling arena.
End Chapter!
Completed 12/28/03