Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon! It belongs to Nintendo… this is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic that I wrote, so I own it, k?

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

Chapter 6: Sea Anemone

It really wasn’t that unexpected, Ash decided, as he lay staring up at the ceiling in the aftermath.

Sure, Lance was powerful… Solaris had told him, so why not?

But the sight of those dragon pokemon, real pokemon, even if colors were somewhat off, after months without any glimpses of the creatures, was incredible.

And Lance had promised to teach him. So his dream was not that false, was it? No, he would bring the others here.

He smiled.

Flashback

“Pretty, aren’t they?” Lance asked, as he led Red into the icy caverns. “I’m sure you’ll like them.”

Ash nodded, somewhat confused. * Hmm… *

Then, the ice had slid open, and the first thing his eyes had landed on was an elegant Dragonair.

“Dragonair!”

“Interesting name.” Lance commented. “I call him Hakuryuu.”

“… Real?”

“Of course they’re real.”

Lance was only mildly surprised when Red practically pounced on him and asked him to teach the technique.

Of course he would.

The little one was so warm and cuddly, too…

Ash whimpered, feeling aroused in spite of himself as Lance kissed him without much warning, but it felt so right, and... well, things had led to other things, and….that was that.

End Flashback

< Ash? >

Ash jumped, Solaris startling him out of his thoughts as crimson colored alabaster. < Y-yes! >

< Do not fret. >

< I’m just a little jumpy…. >

Solaris chuckled. < Perfectly understandable. >

< Hmm? >

< It’s not every day you find yourself the target of attraction, especially by someone like him. >

Ash colored further. Lance, okay, he had thought the older boy was hot, there was nothing wrong with that!

But…

What if I go home? Can I still go home now?

To his shock, he realized that the cling was far less powerful. Only his mom would call him back, who knows, maybe he could summon her?

Then everything would be perfect.

I’m being selfish, very selfish, I know that!
Gaia was just energy cords, but he could feel what felt like kindness and a touch of amusement.

I want him though…

That thought was certainly shocking. But it was nothing more than truth. He did want Lance, almost… almost like an addiction? But how had that happened? Red had never had any relations other than very close friendship, so had friendship evolved into love?

Or maybe it was just lust?

“No, that’s not it.” Ash mused as he completed the weaponry spell that sent spears shooting all over the place. At least his concentration had improved.

Solaris dodged them while talking to him. < I don’t think so. >

< Huh? >

< Gaia is more than a force, and I think she would like her children to be happy. >

< … that’s true enough. > Ash said.

Gaia seemed to hum in its energy waves around him. laughing? She was laughing at him? Why?

Gaia didn’t talk, she showed her thoughts through actions.

Ash yelped when he landed on the ground after a levitation spell fizzled out. Well, he hadn’t meant to let his mind drift, but…

It was hard to forget such a pleasant memory.

Pink suffused his face again as he tucked the obsidian charm underneath his robe, nestled against his chest.

Almost like… touching him.

Solaris laughed again. < Oh Ash, you are so jumpy! I can’t say Red was too much different though… >

< But I’m lying to him, I’m not Red. >

I’m not Red…

I’m not Red… and I find myself suddenly jealous of a dead version of me. Why? Is it because Lance loves him and not me?

This is just a fantasy.

I’m lying to him, I have to tell him! Oh my God… what have I done?!

What have I done…

I can’t believe it! I just want to go home!

Please…

Ash’s mood abruptly shifted from blissful elation into a spiral of depression, it would be good preparation for the Shi Shi Hokkaido if he knew that move…

In either case, it was not a welcome feeling.

Lance found him sitting in a corner of his room, with the lights off that night.

“Red-chan?”

Ash suppressed a shiver. –Chan was so nice, like a friend, but…

I’m not your friend, not the one you remember! You don’t love _me_!
Damn it all!
Hot tears forced themselves out despite his frustration at the situation.

Lance put his arms around the trembling mage, not quite sure what was going on. “Red?”

“But I’m not Red…” Ash said, voice muffled by the fact he was still crying.

Lance blinked. “What do you mean?”

Ash cleared his throat and repeated himself. “I’m not Red.”

“Of course you are, you’re just suffering from amnesia still.” Lance said. “I suppose many of your memories are still gone, but that’s no reason to worry.”

“B-but you don’t love _me_.”

This was different. Lance tipped Ash’s head up and looked into his eyes. “Of course I love you.”

“No! I’m not Red! You love Red but I’m not him!”

“Yes you are.”

“I’m not!”

“I believe in second chances, Ash.” Lance said, before he kissed him.

Ash’s eyes widened. * What? He-! *

End Chapter

Hehehehe….

Completed 4/28/04, created 4/27/04

If there are any strange discrepancies, blame my spell-check I guess…