Well, I wonder where the Blade of Thunder is hidden? It’s not much of a guess. And the Blade of Ice was in the waterfall between Kanto n’ Johto! The man in the silver robe is Pryce, at my best guess and at my worst guess it’s not a man…

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*

Chapter 10

The castle… was that where the Blade of Thunder was hidden? It would make sense, for had not the waterfall held the Blade of Ice? Yet… an oddity swam before his eyes and he staggered.

Lance caught him, a slight frown etched over his features.

“Are you unwell, Ash?”

“No, I do not think so…”

Koga and Aya exchanged looks, and commenced setting up their tent in absolute silence. Ash snuggled into Lance’s bedroll with him inside their tent, knowing that it was childish but needing reassurance.

The two blades, ice and dragon, lay next to each other under Lance’s pillow as they drifted off to sleep.

Neither one noticed the faintest tinge of pitch-black aura manifesting around both of them, especially prevalent around their joined hands.

Ash liked Lance, even if he really did not show it well. After all, Lance had taken him in after his Mother had cast him out, and Lance was cool. He glittered.

Ash secretly wanted to be just like him. But he was too soft, too childish, and too lazy… even a Chosen One could have flaws.

And even one who was Chosen could be so very, very blind…

Koga and Aya talked quietly, Aya had put up her Shadow spell even though there was no indication the others were listening.

“What do you think is really happening, Aya?”

“I wish I knew, brother. I get the feeling that Lance is the Chosen One, not the boy Ash – after all, it is he who carries the Blade of Ice, and he already boasts one Mystic Weapon. To have two is unheard of…”

“I agree with your points as well.”

But if Lance were the real Chosen One, why would he defer to a child like Ash? It made little sense…

< Chosen, I worry for you. > Moltres sighed as she looked at Charlotte. < It will be painful. >

< I do what I must, and I guide as Fate dictates. I am content. >

< But they are dancing down the path into darkness. >

< Then let them dance, my guardian… >

< I do wish you could have lived out this lifetime in quiet oblivion. Am I selfish for wishing that? >

< No. > A pause, a half-smile… < It really makes you seem more human. >

< I do not know whether I should take that as a compliment or an insult, Chosen! > Laughter bubbled through memories.

< Tis a compliment this time around. Next time, it may not be. >

May Fate help all under her wings... please... save us...

He did not know when it began. Somehow, the child had wormed his way into Lance’s life, though to be honest, that had been borne out of necessity. The Dragon Rider idly wondered just how much longer the seal on Ash’s powers would hold.

Had they been sealed at all?

It did not seem so. Either that, or the seal leaked. Then again, the Realm of Dreams magnified Wild Magic to several times its base power.

Who could say what the truth was, in this convoluted loop of a simple smile?

“I want to touch you.” He whispered, and his eyes were wide in a pale face. His hands trembled with a longing his body scarcely recognized, yet somehow, he knew it intertwined neatly with Lance. Lance was a spider, and he had been caught in its web.

Somehow, he did not mind so much.

Lance raised an eyebrow. “You are.” He remarked philosophically.

Ash’s hands seemed to move of their own accord, and brushed Lance’s cheeks. “But I want more.”

“You do not know of what you are asking.” Lance told him, quite certain that Ash was not thinking properly. It had been a long, stressful day after all.

“I do! I’m not a child any more, Lance!”

“That is what you think.” He shot back.

Ash seemed genuinely hurt by his dismissal. “Am I not pretty enough for you?”

He could feel the beginnings of a headache manifest. “That is not why.”

“Then why? Do you already have a lover?”

He could feel his eyebrows making their way into his hairline. “No.”

“I don’t understand then!”

“Perhaps I want something more than a brief bout of pleasure with you.” Lance stated, trying to ignore Ash’s wandering hands. Impertinent child!

“But I really do want you.”

He shouldn’t. He should have more self-control. This was just… wrong. But it would be so simple to fall... “You understand that although I may feel affection for you, I am not in love with you. I am not the type of man to passionately shower you in gifts and profess my undying love.”

“Of course. That just is not you.” Ash was being unusually thoughtful for once. A pity he was never this serious with more important issues. Well, it mattered little.

“Are you certain you wish me to relieve you of your virginity?”

Ash nodded.

Lance kissed him.

He felt part of him melt. Lance really was a good kisser. Ash wondered idly if he’d had a lover in the past, and expelled the thought. It would portend ill to ponder this now, of all times!

Besides, Lance had accepted him, had he not?

His hands drifted down to their trousers of their own accord, and as for the rest, it was not too difficult once he got the hang of it.

End chapter

Completed 5/24/06

Please be a good bunny and not die!

Shoyko: *Yawns* Darkness ho!

Ash: *Blush* Why do you have to be so… romantic?

Phantomness: Romantic? Me? Why I never! Was that romantic? *Rubs eyes* Maybe I’m hallucinating because of lack of sleep, ne?

Lance: *hugs Ash*