Phantomness hates her computer…

Disclaimer: Phantomness does not own pokemon. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me! Don’t’ steal my work!
Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokémon talks…

Aight, I know a lot of you don’t like Charlotte. Pity, she’s in this fic for quite a while…

NOTE: This is also kind of a pre-fic bit! Just in case anyone actually cares about Lance and Charlotte…

Chapter 3

The eight-year-old girl paused as she put down the storybook she had been reading. What was that sound?

It sounded like… muffled voices?

No, not muffled, just soft. Soft and clarion ringing like twinkling silver bells, but the undertone glowed rich and brassy.

Hmm…

What was it? Whatever it was, it seemed warm…

Charlotte got up, and began slowly walking towards the sound. Finally, she found it; a strange, old book, not really special, except for it’s white leather binding. She opened it, wondering what on earth it was.

That was when the spirits came.

< Hail to thee, the messenger; the first of the Chosen! >

“What?” Looking around, eyes tried to figure out where that voice had come from. A ghost?

< Oh stop it; you’re scaring her. We’re right here! >

Charlotte stared. Was it the book? The _book_ was talking to her? That was impossible! It was a book!
No, wait!

Pale, translucent shapes of varied colors were starting to float out of it. Stifling a scream, Charlotte scrambled back as fast as she could.

< Do not worry, Chosen, we will not harm you. >

A warm feeling, reminiscent of melted honey and warm sunshine surrounded her. Why was it so hard to think? She felt sleepy…

And the spirits surrounded their host, and melded with her.

When she awoke, she felt… different. More alive, almost, as if she had been sleeping beauty and a prince had kissed her, even though boys were icky and disgusting. Still… something in the back of her mind _knew_ of the change…

Of course…

Pale blue eyes darkened slightly, only slightly, but it was enough. The changes had begun. From that day on, the spirits led their Chosen, and made her into who she was.

She was fifteen when her mother finally gave up the ghost. Charlotte let the changes fill her fully this time.

Black and gold and snapping of dark blue… not what one might expect from fire, but no matter… but either way, her blood had turned to fire, curing the sickle cell anemia and granting her power in one boost, though she feared water and rain like the plague now. It was worth it.

“Let’s go.”

She picked out a Charmander and set out on her journey, and that was that. What else was there to do until the summoning?

“Dratini!”

Catelyn slowly cradled the injured pokemon to her chest. “Hush now, it’s all right. I won’t hurt you.” * Not like them, stupid greedy bastards… *

Anger rushed through her, adrenaline filling her with power, and yet… this was different. Sparkles of pale blue and yellow drifted from her body.

In surprise and awe, she watched as the baby dragon’s injuries faded, and that was when she knew.

“I am Chosen.”

I am not like those stupid humans. I have a purpose. I do not know yet what it is, but when the time comes, I will fly away and no one will be able to stop me.

It will be *perfect*.

Three months passed, four, and with the changes of time came the changes of life.

‘Catelyn, you will marry Magnus Smith!” Her father; Thomas Vongard fumed.

“Why? I’m only *nine* father!”

“Yes, but by the time you marry legally, it will be fine. It will only help our social standing and financial future.”

“So… you want me to marry him because he’s rich?”

“Catelyn, don’t be so impolite!”

Catelyn’s blue eyes flashed stars. “Mother, I don’t want to get married!”

“That is none of your concern, child. Go to your room at once!”

Catelyn huffily did so, carrying the trailing skirts of her elaborate pink-and-white flounced and lace-encrusted gown.

So they want me to play the lady in bed as well? I could take the masquerade when I was free, but now I’ll be tied to a man! Yuck!

No. I won’t let them do this to me.

I’m Chosen, aren’t I?

Therefore, I will _not_ be bound by petty humanity’s laws, if those dreams of power are true. Very well.

Catelyn picked up a pair of scissors, and then swiftly and efficiently cropped off her long golden hair.

Then, she changed out of the dress, pulled on a pair of comfortable sweats that her parents had expressively forbidden her to wear, and called Dratini.

Together, they headed into the Master bedroom.

Dark fell. They waited, huddled together in the closet.

Finally, the wait was over. Faint rumbling snores could be heard.

Catelyn smiled sweetly as she walked out. “Dratini, Thunderwave…”

The dragon obeyed.

Lightning-swift motion as she swiftly plunged the scissors into both of their hearts. Perhaps it was not the most effective weapon, but it worked.

Smiling, she waited.

Drip… drip…

As the blood coagulated and formed in puddles, she laughed, cold and distant. And with that, the gates of power opened. Freezing winds whipped around, her, streaking her hair with crimson, her eyes with the gold of fury, her body… well, it was no longer acceptable to say ‘her’ anymore.

Lance laughed as the icy wings grew from his shoulders and cloaked him in midnight. “Come Dratini, let’s go.”

They flew.

Articuno laughed with glee as her Chosen entered. “Ah, I’ve been waiting for you…”

Lance smiled in return as he felt the ice flood his veins. “Yes…”

End Chapter

Completed 12/1/04

This was written before I found out the tragic news ‘bout me eyes… *cries*