Where is this fic going?

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

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN POKEMON! *Takes a deep breath* this is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanwork, and since I wrote it its mine.

Chapter 12: Stop pretending

His pillow was wet with tears when he woke up.

It was all a dream…

Ash angrily pulled the blankets up to hide the evidence. He wasn’t supposed to cry! He was Chosen!
I am Ho-Oh’s chosen and I am not weak!

Somehow, that statement did not make the dull ache in his chest fade.

He scrubbed his face well that morning, no traces of the previous night’s activity remaining.

Dreams were personal things, after all.

Even nightmares.

A few weeks passed by quickly.

Despite Misty’s companionship, it just wasn’t the same. Misty wasn’t nice or anything, just there.

Being there was not enough.

It was almost as if Lance-chan were really dead.

Ash glared at that thought and inwardly seethed.

But… what if he really is dead?

No! He can’t be dead!

I…I…

I don’t know what to do.

That realization shocked Ash out of his senses quickly. What an epiphany. However, truth has its points.

Of course he didn’t know what to do! What was Lance trying to prove? Independence? B-but he didn’t want to be alone…

He wanted Lance back!
As soon as possible… I want him to come back to me… maybe I am too weak…

Will he come back if I can prove I’m stronger?

If yes, then…

Ash activated his key of starlight, grabbing the staff that formed, and then teleported back to Whirl Islands.

I’ll prove it then!

< Perfect. >

Lugia glanced at the transparent figure floating in front of him. < You seem awfully determined, Chosen. >

< Oh? > Lance smirked.

< I see your point, but… you’re hurting him. >

< I’ll fix him up afterwards. I know how, after all. >

Lugia nodded, still slightly worried.

Lance faded away from view as the blue glow of teleport announced Ash’s arrival. And so, the training began.

Three days later, he opened the gates to the Dream Realm.

Lance smiled, still cloaked in shadows.

His little one would find him soon… just wait, patience…

I can’t run forever.

Find me.

You know how, just use the key. Unlock your memory and it will all come to you… I’ll be waiting…

Kawaii one.

Ash smiled triumphantly as he downed the thirtieth wild pokemon in a row, using only magic.

He was getting better.

Lance would be proud of him!

Flareon.

A quick finish, and he paused to use Recover before he faced the next pokemon.

Speed…

That was his strong point, not power. But he was getting better at defending against attacks.

It kept his mind off Lance’s betrayal too.

Was it really betrayal?

That was too much to think on.

His heart hurt.

Pink and red and white dance, dance…

Dance for me.

Lance closed his eyes, as the last seal shattered.

It was time.

Those brown eyes were so sad… without a word Ash dashed across the clouds and flung himself into Lance’s arms.

The little one was talking nonsense now, hugging him and pleading and crying and so soft in his arms.

Of course I won’t leave you again, little one.

I’ve already proved my point, haven’t I?

You’ll do anything to get me back, just like I’ll do for you.

Hush, kawaii little one.

So pretty, you know?

Sugar and soft and trembling like a little bunny, but I’ll take very good care of you, ne?

Soft rose and velvet crushed ice and so delicate…

Glass.

Not broken glass, but a mirror, smooth and shiny.

Kirei.

Ash mewled, tingling in anticipation as those soft hands rested on his shoulders and dipped down to touch him.

Mine.

You are mine, my beloved.

I’ll never leave you.

You love me, don’t you?

Yes, I love you and I don’t care what I have to do. You are my world and my darkness and the night that holds me.

I want you to stay with me forever.

You are mine.

Beloved.

I am lightning and vengeance and I break their souls, but I will never break you, no, never, I’d kill myself first.

I am the dragon that breaks the world and tears reality to pieces, but you are mine and I will protect you.

I am the blood rain that falls, and the fire that burns forever, I am…

No.

… Kiss me?

You are light and hope and innocence, you are healer and adult, you are the one who weathers the storms of emotion and survives. You are the master of the shadows but they do not consume you…

You are snow and tempest, you are the tides that drown and the hurricane that destroys, you are steel, the sword of the legendaries anger, you are justice and vengeance and sparkling blood life, but…

Pretty little star-child

You are mine.

End Chapter

Whee! ‘Beloved’ makes its influence known again, *shrugs* what can I say? Overdosing on literary sections are not good either.

Complete 4/16/04