Sometimes you have to leave a fic alone for the inspiration to return…

Disclaimer/Notes: See previous chapter. The most important bit is that I don’t own pokemon.

Started 5/31/04

Chapter 4

“It is an honor, Lady Delia.” The black-clad leader said smoothly. “To what do we owe the honor of this visit?”

“Cut the crap, Lance.” Delia spat. “Where is he?”

Lance raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“You know very well who I’m talking about! My son, Ash, who you kidnapped!”

“Do you have any proof? It is terribly unbecoming to make threats without proof.” The Dragon Master said.

Claire inwardly applauded her cousin’s masterful eloquence.

Delia snarled and stormed into the shadows outside the hall.

“Lance? Are you sure that’s safe?” Morty asked.

Lance shrugged. “Well, it’s her choice. Besides, everyone knows about the shadows that inhabit this realm. I wonder if they’re that hungry for light…”

Aya repressed a shudder, but it was gone an instant later in an eye blink as Koga put an arm around her.

It was fine.

She had grown used to it all, just, well… Delia wasn’t some foolish mortal. She was a Goddess!
She couldn’t die, could she?

No, that would be impossible.

They scattered to the winds and back to their posts.

< Master Lance… >

< Do you really think I’d let her take him away from me, Miniryuu? >

The Dratini shook her head. Of course not!

“I’m glad you have such faith in me.”

< You won’t really let him go will you? >

< I doubt she can find him now. > Lance said, opening his Dark Mirror. < Look. >

Ash sat in a circle of pokemon as he read them a story, all of the pokemon leaning into each word. That wasn’t the problem though.

From his back grew a pair of darkly crimson wings.

< They’re pretty, aren’t they? >

< How? >

< Miniryuu, I’m not this Realm Guardian for nothing… I can change certain things, as I wish. >

The Dratini nodded.

< So if I let him taste the shadows, it certainly can’t do any harm… isn’t he pretty? >

Dratini frowned. I suppose…

< Don’t worry about a thing. >

After hours of fruitless searching, Delia gave up and left. She was feeling nauseated from being in darkness all this time.

But she vowed to return.

Lance just escorted her out politely without a word.

Ash didn’t know, and didn’t care.

It wasn’t as if he would, in any case, Lance observed. A smile curved across his face. * Excellent. *

You are mine.

The sealing was complete. Shadow replaced light.

The next day, the child came to him of his own free will.

Of course he didn’t want to deny his little sweetling anything… and it was so, sweet…

Light was so pretty. He still sparkled.

It was unfortunate that Delia returned weeks later just as he and his little one were… playing.

“Lance! What have you done to him!”

Sleepy blank eyes focused in Delia’s direction for a second, before the owner closed them and snuggled deeper into Lance’s chest.

Lance smirked. “Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that! You’ve killed him! Ash! Ash! Look at me!”

Ash didn’t move from his position in Lance’s lap, as the prince of darkness placed a kiss on his forehead.

“It’s no use, Delia, I’ve won. He’s mine now.”

“You wicked twisted vile excuse of an immortal! I’m taking him with me!”

“As you wish…”

Delia approached the throne, but as she neared she was shocked to see Ash cling to Lance tighter, fingers turning white around the edges. “No!”

“Ash, I’m taking you home dear, don’t worry.”

“No! Leave me alone!”

“What is wrong with him?”

< It’s a pity, lady Delia. > A voice said, as Sabrina appeared. < Truly a pity. >

“What have you done to my son!”

< I did nothing, my Lady. Simply, he has tasted darkness and found it to his liking. > Sabrina trailed off as she adjusted her gloves idly.

“You lie!”

< If that gives you comfort, treat my words as such. But he is a child no longer. That cannot be denied. >

“You!”

< That’s enough, Sabrina. > Lance sent, and the guardian smiled a half-smile before she waltzed out.

Delia wasn’t about to take no for an answer though. She grabbed Ash by an ear and then teleported them out of the realm.

“Now don’t you worry, dear, you’ll be back to normal in no time.”

The next day, Ash and his pokemon sat listlessly under the sun.

It was bright, and warm, but it didn’t feel right.

He missed the dark shimmery shadows.

He wanted Lance-chan.

Why didn’t his mom see that?

Pikachu nudged him. Ash?

“I want to go back…”

You can’t! Your mom wants you to stay here. you can’t go back anymore.

“I…but I miss him.” Ash sighed. “I want to go back.”

Pikachu shook her head. Now what?

What could she do?

End Chapter

Completed 6/6/04

Remember, it does take time, lots of time, for me to write…