Disclaimer: Bunny is mine, pokemon n’ Yugioh are not.

Timeline: 4 days later

Chapter 2: You can’t stay a child forever

Brock’s item had been the Eye.

The millennium eye pulsed, glowing on its stand, waiting for its new holder.

His father paced back and forth.

“Father?” Ash asked.

Giovanni shook his head. “I do not want to know who the Chosen one is, Ash.”

“But why?” And he did know, even as his mouth spoke lying words. Because the burden would destroy and warp her, even as the metal consumed her.

None of them was destined to have a normal childhood.

He didn’t have the Tauk, but he could see glimpses. Not nice ones, either.

Charlotte with the Eye, calling down fire from the heavens as the invading army charged the capital city…

Lance, the Tauk glowing at her throat, sacrificing their own citizens to capture their spirits, in order to save the future…

Himself holding the Puzzle, both of them frozen in tablets, fighting Bob for control of a ruined country…

Bob, using the dagger hidden in the Rod, to kill his own father…

He wanted to scream, to cry, to stop the vision, but it was true. He knew it.

Once she got the Eye, the events would prepare to be set. And when he himself gained the puzzle, they would begin to walk the path of darkness.

There was no other fate.

“Ash! Ash!” Giovanni shook his son as he dropped to the ground like a rock. “What’s wrong?!”

Ash began to cry softly. It wasn’t fair…

“Charlotte will get the Eye.”

Giovanni looked at him oddly. “How do you know?”
“It told me.” He pointed to the glowing object. “If she takes the Eye, we will all fail.”

“Ash.” Giovanni said. “What did you see?”

“Nothing nice…” The kid sobbed. “We are all doomed.”

The next day when she didn’t show up for class, he guessed what had happened.

And when she did show up a week later, looking painfully thin and drawn, with her hair covering part of her face, he was certain.

She was quiet and subdued when they talked, but she never abused her power to see into the minds of others.

At least that was a bonus.

After that, the years passed in the sands of time and soon, he was twelve. That was the year his father died.

Struck down by the plague that ravaged Egypt.

Lance’s eyes glowed as she cast spells, keeping the palace protected.

Bob snorted, but was unable to complain as he was also being helped. Ash knew there was some tension there, but didn’t pry.

Maybe it was jealousy.

But he had no idea why, unless Bob wanted to take her as his wife. Impossible. She was promised to him.

The puzzle glinted with almost an evil sheen, as the final ceremonies for Pharaoh Giovanni’s funeral were carried out, and Ash was initiated as the new Pharaoh.

However, if it would enable him to call out his beautiful shadow creatures, he didn’t mind.

Smart, beautiful, more powerful than mere humans.

He knew two lived in his heart, a dark and a light. Destiny and Hope, and Charlotte and Lance had their own Ka as well.

Ash smiled, as Destiny and Hope flew around the ceiling, sprinkling pure water over the area, to purify.

Soon, the tomb was sealed forever.

Ash took his duties as Pharaoh seriously, punishing those who did wrong and meting out justice, but without corruption or useless bloodshed. Nearly two years of peace dawned, but then Morty died and the Millennium Rod was bequeathed to Bob.

That was when the trouble started. Bob was abusing his powers too much, even fighting with his own father, who held the millennium Ankh.

Charlotte was antsy and nervous, and finally dragged Ash to her room one night, along with Lance.

“Bob is planning to revolt.” She said without preamble.

Ash’s eyes widened. “How-.”

Her golden eye glowed once, and she laughed harshly. “I used the power of course. I know it’s not nice, but I could see that his own Ka was getting darker so I just checked…”

Lance’s glassy eyes turned to them. “She is correct… the invading army is already on its way…we must protect this palace.”

“Permission granted.” Ash said with a heavy heart. Everything was coming to pass…

Lance and Charlotte respectfully made their bows and then headed to the village. It was time to act, no more philanthropically musing.

Like a whirlwind, they swept through the country on wings of night, taking the Ka of those who held powerful creatures.

And within a week they were back, with slaves following. Sixty great tablets rested on the sand behind them.

“It has begun.” Lance whispered, as they stood on the palace roof. “All has been preordained. Nothing is left to do but to fight against the invaders.”

With a heavy heart, Ash assented.

That night, the army of Kush struck. In horror their generals watched as the priests protected the pharaoh and the city, as the sky itself poured down fire and the shadow creatures charged, destroying and killing.

The realm of dreams was powerful, yes, but… as he watched them fight against the seemingly endless numbers of armed men, he could see their Ba gauges dropping lower and lower.

Bob, being the coward he was, hid.

Finally, Ash knew he had to put a stop to it, as the three older priests gave out and fainted, while Lance and Charlotte strained to keep their creatures alive.

Even if it meant his life as forfeit, it was a little price to pay for the safety of the entire country.

He sent Destiny and Hope fourth to attack, and heal their own wounded warriors. And for nearly another week, the battle raged on until finally, the invaders were destroyed.

But at what cost?

When the joyful pokemon returned to their masters, to their horror they found them already dead, the last of their lifeforce having been drained out to keep them going. The war had to have been won.

And around Egypt, protecting it forever more, was a ring of pale green light, visible only to them.

With a heavy heart, the pokemon returned to the dream realm, and waited for the day when their masters would call on them again…

End Chapter!
*Glares* Well… that was not how I wanted it to turn out, but oh well.

Started 12/25/03, completed 2//28/04