Got another chapter for ya!

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

He woke up the next morning feeling sore but happy, noticing that it was not his bedroom he was in but his father’s. He yawned and snuggled up sleepily, feeling happy.

This was a wonderful life. It was like he had soared into heaven. Well, maybe not, but it sure was better than everything else he had dealt with while living with the Jameson’s. He was even leaving on his journey soon!

He was happy…

“I don’t think it’s safe for him to go out alone, regardless.” Lance said.

< Well, you can give him my old pokemon to protect him. Or, you could accompany him in disguise. >

“That’s not a bad idea…”

< I know you care about him, Lance. I’ll be watching his dreams; so don’t worry about danger from that angle. >

“Thanks.”

< My pleasure. > A pause. < And don’t feel guilty about the sex thing. We both know it was necessary. >

“I just feel as if I betrayed him…”

< Yes, that is a very unfortunate step, but without it, he would not have been born… and that would have been worse. >

“Point taken.”

< You fret so much. >

“You would rather I were frozen yet?”

A laugh. < I meant no offense, you know. Take care of him when I cannot. >

“I always will. I promised, didn’t I? And we guardians do not break our promises.”

Her smile was just a bit sharp in return. < I only wish he could hold to the rules. Hasn’t this experiment of theirs gone on long enough? >

“I would I knew…”

< I wish I did as well… >

“You sound tired. Did something come up?”

< Not yet, but I feel foreboding on the wind again. Not yet, he’s still young, but soon… it will come for him, and he will become her. >

“What?”

< I… I can’t stop it! >

< Don’t move! > He ordered, opening the gates and flying through. He found her being guarded by a fierce Moltres even as the last of the glaze faded from her eyes.

< What is it? >

< It… he has… he… >

< Spit it out, Charlotte. What is it? Another enemy we can take care of, even if sacrifices are required. >

< No, it’s not that! She… >

< What? >

< If he bears your child… it will be a demon that will destroy us all… >

Lance looked stunned. < Guardians cannot have children! This life was… >

< A mistake, definitely, and the legendaries know it. They’re trying to wipe the slate clean. They might even wipe your memory this time. >

< But why? We never… we gave our lives to protect the pokemon, again and again! Why… >

< Because now that we two have had a child, it is possible that you and he could and that must never happen. Our elements are fire and ice and they will balance, but together, lightning and ice will make a monster stronger than we have faced before, and I’ll bet you my power that it will become a grass type Serebii can control. >

< Damn. > Lance cursed, remembering the incident with May, so long ago. < Why must she torment us so? >

< I know not, but if Ash ever slips… >

< I know. >

< You’re braver than I am. >

< It hurts more, but I always was more duty-oriented. We’ll manage. >

< I hope so… >

< Are you all right? > He was struck by how pale she looked. < Did you really drown, or was it her interference again? >

< Didn’t drown. Let the water quench my fire so it would free my light. >

< Why would you need your light… > an expression of pain flitted across his features. < I forgot about that. My dark energy hurt you, didn’t it? >

She nodded.

< I… >

< It’s not your fault any more than tis mine. We knew what might happen and went ahead with it anyway. I was always the weakest in any case, so it matters little if I fall… you are still balancing well. >

< Charlotte, I worry about you, but I trust you. >

She nodded, before she focused and a small ball of white energy surrounded him. He didn’t flinch, and she sighed in relief.

< It was not this joining. Ash is still safe. >

< Thank Lugia… >

< I’ll give you this to prevent possible conception. > The flame ruby was warm in his hand and he tucked it into his shirt, feeling it burrow into his chest as a comforting presence. Warmth.

It was not the same as Ash’s brilliant shadow, but it was welcome just the same and he bade her farewell before he left.

The next morning, Ash found a pokedex and five poke balls waiting by his plate.

“Were these mother’s?”

“Yes. She wanted you to have them.” He tucked them into his backpack, breakfasted, than kissed his father goodbye and left.

Lance waited until Ash was gone before he smiled.

< Good advice, Charlotte. I think I’ll take it. >

A brilliant cascade of water surrounded his form, his red hair losing the streaks of gold and paling until it was a shimmering blonde. Golden eyes ran until they were green, and his height shrank until he was only a few inches taller. Clothing shifted into black jeans and a black sweatshirt depicting an Articuno, and with an added backpack and sleeping bag, he was ready. One last spell and the doors of the mansion locked behind him, secure until the two wanderers returned.

He smirked and spread his wings, feeling them flare to life behind him, silver-grey, and headed for Celadon.

End Chapter

Completed 12/21/05

I like Charlotte, since she’s my OC.