Studying is so boring…

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 3

Lance didn’t particularly like the idea. He himself had been controlled most of his life, but if it was for the best, well, then it had to be done. < You are going to seal his magic away, are you not? >

Charlotte nodded. < We are. We will seal him with sacred fire and ice. It’s the very best combination we have. > * It is the only combination we have… *

He felt pity for the child, but it had to be done, and for the sake of the world innocents had to fall, once in a while…

< Are you ready then? >

Lance nodded, and before Ash knew what was happening, he had caught fire! He was about to put it out when he noticed that it wasn’t hurting him. Instead, the fire was drawing little patterns over his skin. It tickled a bit. And after a few minutes, the flames turned a silvery blue color and were colder. He giggled.

It was done.

Ash now had a small band of red and blue intertwined around his left elbow. He poked at the tattoo curiously, but didn’t seem to mind.

Lance felt a tinge of remorse, but he shoved it aside. They were always working for the good of the country, perhaps even the good of the world. Sacrifices had to be made. It was inevitable. There was no victory without some small degree of loss, after all.

And when Ash was older and wiser, they would remove the seal. All they were doing was protecting innocents for now.

Wasn’t that what they were supposed to do?

“I suppose you want me to take him.” Lance finally stated. < You are not exactly the type who can take care of a child, Charlotte. >

< No. >

< Of course he does. Didn’t you see them? >

Lance paused, turned back to Ash, who had fallen fast asleep on the temple floor. He was smiling.

< See what? >

< So you didn’t…. pity. >

< Saa, sometimes you’re no fun at all, Lance… check his pockets. >

Lance did as she had told, and almost dropped the stones.

< Careful! They will get damaged. >

< No … I’ve never seen any of these before… > Lance breathed. The beasts were vaguely cat-like, but of different elements. Fire, water, and lightning…

The elusive lightning element, known only to the little Pikachus that ran rampant in a few of the forests…

Fascinating.

< That is why I said he had the power of Creation. Do you doubt my Sight? >

Lance laughed. < Don’t get all worked up, Charlotte. I trust you. Where should I take him? >

< You cannot return to the dragons, and any temple would be no place to raise a child… that leaves only one place. >

< You cannot mean the Realm of Dreams! >

< Of course I do. >

< What about the entrance fee? >

< He has a strong Gift. That will be enough. >

< Lugia will not let such a fate happen to you, even if you were not strong enough, he would tip the Council’s favor in your case. >

Lance cracked a smile. < Yes, I suppose he would. >

< You know the incantation. I’m counting on you, Lance. I won’t say something sappy – he’s not our world’s last hope, but that power is enough to turn the tide of battle. Do you understand? >

< Perfectly. >

He picked the boy up, slipped the marbles back in his pocket, and focused. It was easier, here. The temple resonated with Wild Magic. There…

His eyes lost their golden hue and for a second, became pure, flat silver.

He vanished.

She smiled as she felt the surge. < It has succeeded then. May Moltres bless them. And may Serebii not interfere… >

There was no reply.

He felt water, hardening into ice and then ice changing into wildfire. He opened his eyes cautiously, having closed them instinctively when the gates had loomed. He faintly thought they were gold-chased silver, inscribed with symbols the world had forgotten eons ago.

But it had worked. The Gates had opened, and they were safe.

The Realm of Dreams had opened for them. What an achievement. Any human would have been proud…

But he was too relieved to think on that.

Now, if only he could remember.

The realm was a dark secret, whispers reaching only the most successful of those who practiced Wild Magic. It could reflect earth, and at the same time, be the complete opposite. But they were in a meadow, and there were flowers blooming, and it looked normal enough to him.

He felt the Dragon Blade sing. Of course… it was one of the legendary artifacts that had been forged here, in this very realm.

He sighed.

What had he gotten himself into? He had never raised a child before. But he would train this child, teach him how to fight and how to survive, and when his magic woke, he would teach that too.

What else could he do?

End Chapter

Completed 5/13/06

Gyah. Should be studying!

For some reason, Charlotte acts very Seer-like at times, but is also a realist. Odd combo…