Don’t think this will have romance in it, and definitely not AAMRN…

Disclaimer: The plotbunny is mine, so is Charlotte, I guess Nintendo owns the rest… I know Nintendo owns the rest. Non-profit fanwork and mine by copyright, this piece of literature.

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

Link masters – well, Lance might know, but I’m not sure about the others.

Takuya – thanks!

Star’s dreams – k!

Akewataru – no, I won’t add Brock.

SS2 Megami-sama – thank you! *bows*

Dragi – yes, yes I know you really want me to update.

Sammi-san – well, I’m not telling… imagination!

Briememory – the best I can say is to not use Mary-Sue/New Trainer since people don’t like them… at least not more experienced readers. I suppose if you wanted instant gratification you could write sappy AAMRN, as that usually works.

Gigglygal – sorry, I never read New Trainer because I’ve been disappointed every time.

Chapter 8: And the war continues…

“This is insane.” Lorelei said, staring at the report. “What do you mean Saffron and Lavender have been captured!”

“Don’t worry, Lavender is not really a loss.” Bruno said. “But Saffron City is the heart of Indigo Island.”

“I know that! How did it happen!?”

The Jenny gulped. “The rockets simply overwhelmed us…”

“I thought you had two gyms in Saffron City.”

“Yes, but… Sabrina was absent, and the fighting dojo’s pokemon were not very good against the ghost-types the rockets used…”

“I cannot believe this.” Lorelei said, putting her head in her hands. “So it’s useless?”

“…Yes…”

“Not so fast.” A cold voice cut into the conversation. The group looked up while Lance stalked in, cape billowing behind him.

“Lance… I know you’re a good trainer, but god, we’ve lost Saffron!” Bruno wailed. “Can’t you see how dangerous it is?!”

The Dragon Master smirked. “Bruno, I find your lack of faith disturbing.”

Lorelei looked up. “You have a plan?”

“Perhaps.”

“Quit being so mysterious!” Bruno complained.

“All right then, I’ll show you.” The Dragon Master said. He closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them again, they were now a solid, silver color. A chill wind began to blow in the air, and when it finally died down, there in front of the stunned people, stood, the first of the legendary birds, Articuno.

“See?”

Lorelei spent a few minutes gaping. “Lance, how did you capture it? Dragons are weak to ice-types!”

“Yes, but… well, I can’t tell you, it’s my secret.” Lance said, stroking Articuno’s head. The bird squawked softly. “But think about this. How will they stand up to a legendary bird?”

“Or this?”

This time, Lorelei’s jaw did drop as she saw the legendary cat Suicune, purring by Lance’s feet.

“How does he do it…” Bruno muttered as a subdued group exited the conference room.

“I don’t know, but I have a feeling there’s a lot he’s not telling us.”

“There probably is.” Agatha agreed in her gravely voice. “But if it ensures victory for us, why pry?”

Lance smiled and vanished. * Ah, there is so much you don’t know, but I cannot tell you. The balance is fragile and will not allow disturbances. *

< Suicune, I’m counting on you. >

< I know, my guardian, I know. Do not worry. >

< I am just worried. What has Serebii done to cause this? >

< That I wish I could answer. Perhaps Lugia knows the answer. >

< No, I’ve asked. If this is just another ploy to keep us apart… >

< At least your sacrifice ensures the balance will remain, despite her attempts to destroy and revamp it. >

< Yes. > Lance said with eyes shadowed. < But if both guardians have fallen to darkness, Serebii will not have to play with the balance. It will fall on its own. >

Suicune looked worried as he took off. < I will do my best to stop them. >

Ash was dreaming.

He couldn’t help it. In his dreams, he saw himself, fighting… various pokemon keeping him company, Charlotte? And there was also a girl with long blonde hair.

Who was she?

He couldn’t remember anything at all.

Strange dreams…

“Wake up, Ash.” Jessie said.

Ash blinked, before shrieking as he was hit by a can of ice water.

“IIE! I’m up!”

“Hehehe, come on, you two! We’re heading off to Lavender to inspect for possible rebel groups!”

“Hai!” Ash saluted.

Charlotte yawned. “What’s that racket?”

“Hurry up! Meowth is starting the balloon!”

“… Coming…” Ash muttered, still half-asleep.

The two climbed into the balloon and promptly fell asleep. Jessie sighed as the balloon set course for Lavender.

“Hope they’ll be awake by the time we touch down.”

“Me too.” James replied.

After a long hour, they arrived in Lavender. And that was when the water gun smashed into the balloon, bursting it.

“Weezing, go!” James called, as the gaseous pokemon appeared. He and Jessie clung on as it enlarged in size and began floating them to the ground.

Ash jerked awake and released Xatu, as he and Charlotte clung onto it.

A trainer with spiky blonde hair stood there, along with a… blue dog?
“Suicune! Now!”

The dog nodded and unleashed a torrent of water over the assembled group. Startled, Ash panicked and tried to teleport, but found that ability jammed. Charlotte had fainted instantly, and as he rushed over to help, he did not see the sparkling silver mist that surrounded him.

A minute later, he fell forwards, unconscious.

< How bad is it? >

< Very bad, Lugia. They have both been hyper-evolved themselves… >

< BOTH?! >

< Yes. > Lance replied sadly. < And I can’t purify them. >

< So that means… > Lugia stared.

< Yes… > Lance whispered as she looked at Ash. < I’m sorry… >

A black glow wove around him, before he jerked and then stiffened, glassy eyes rolling open.

Serebii put a hand to her throat in shock. < She! I can’t believe it! She actually- I thought! >

< Thought what? > A sarcastic voice cut in as Articuno drifted down.

< Oh, it’s you. > Serebii muttered.

< My Chosen is not as weak as you make her out to be, Bakayarou. > Articuno said, beak curving up in what resembled a sneer.

< But! >

< Oh, don’t worry. She wouldn’t actually kill him. She’s just gotten rid of his temporary form. So only Destiny, Hope, and the Thunder’s Child are left. Ash doesn’t exist anymore, only Thunder’s child does. >

Serebii continued to stare as Articuno smiled.

< And Fire will sleep now… so she holds her own power. She’ll heal him and undo all of this. You’ll see. >

End Chapter! ^-^

Started 6/20/03

Completed 2/13/04