I despise Yellow; so don’t expect Specialshipping from me!

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

The Power Plant was chock-a-block full of electric types, but with a few Rock Slide and Earthquake moves, they were quickly dispatched. Red had the eeriest feeling that he had done this before, as he and Lance snuck through the darkened hallways. But that was impossible! He had never gone after Zapdos…

He had hunted Articuno, but then Gyarados had gone crazy, and Team Rocket had been there with that Muk… well, Articuno was … free now, he supposed. The merge had succeeded and Lance was alive!

Now…

He wanted in awe as Lance began to glow with a soft blue aura. That must be part of Articuno’s powers. All of a sudden, a brilliant streak of yellow shot out of the gloom and nearly put out his torch.

Who goes there?

I do. Lance spoke, but what came out of her mouth was not words in human speech but a squawking sound. The first of the Chosen legendaries of Kanto, the Mistress of Winter, I Articuno, greet you.

Zapdos scowled. Why have you merged with a human?

Can you not tell who she is?

I see before me nothing.

Then you are a blind fool. Feel her aura- our aura, and you will understand.

Zapdos rolled his eyes, but did as Articuno commanded. The backlash of power knocked him several feet backwards in the air and he flapped madly, a look of pure rage on his face.

Why didn’t you warn me?

Hot-tempered, are you not? No wonder you and Moltres make such an excellent pair. Articuno stated dryly. Well? You know what the future holds if we continue down this path.

I do indeed. I suppose that for the greater good, this must be done.

Articuno’s presence faded back into her mind as Lance took a shuddering breath. Zapdos cawed with amusement.

You have a great and terrible power; child… but you must learn how to wield it properly. We will teach you. For now, hold out your hands and accept my power.

Lance complied, and watched as Zapdos laid his beak along her palms. There was an eye-scarring bolt of jagged lightning, and then she cried out in surprise.

This was different from Articuno’s power, a slow creep of cold. This was a frenzied blast of thunder…

No wonder the birds were so different.

Red caught her as she fell. He looked sympathetic, and she noticed that she was wearing his gloves – the electric-proof ones.

“Shh. I bet you’ll need to rest for a while. Don’t worry about it; you’re pretty light. I can carry you.”

She wanted to ask, but nodded as her mind stretched to encompass a soul not it’s own.

Things would become quite interesting now.

He carried her outside, where their Aerodactyls waited. Ptera looked at him anxiously, but he gave her a pat and she returned to her Ultra ball without question.

As long as her Master was safe, she would not complain, even though things were… dangerous.

She would never betray her Master, never!

But where could they go? Blackthorn was an option, and it was certainly better than his house, so that was where they went. Clair was waiting when they arrived, along with a woman Red recognized. He blinked several times in succession at her face though.

“Agatha? Why are you here?”

“It is nice to see you as well, Red.” Agatha said placidly, as though she and Lorelei had not just blasted him several weeks ago. “How is she?”

“Why do you care?”

“Well, Lance is the Leader of our Elite Four, you know… but I have a more personal reason. After all, why wouldn’t I want to see my granddaughter?”

“… What? Lance is your granddaughter?”

“Catelyn.” Agatha corrected. “Yes, from her Mother’s side.”

That’s actually quite fascinating… it makes Green and Lance… he thinks about it, half-something. Their mothers are half-sisters, so… does that make them half-cousins? How bizarre!

Agatha laughed as he began to feel confused. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Is she pokemon from your half?”

“Well, only a little bit. Her father had dragon blood, and I have ghost blood, as you have no doubt guessed…”

Red nodded. It was… shocking, to find out that pokemon and humans could sometimes interbreed, but honestly, he cared little for it.

After all, he had red eyes. Who knew what they were from?

“Should we just put her to bed then?”

Agatha nodded. “Though I must say, I’m surprised that you would be with her.”

“I don’t hate her.” Red shrugged.

“Do you still love her?” Agatha probed. Red flinched.

“Would you believe me if I said yes?”

“Yes.”

That threw him off guard. “Why?”

“Would you believe me if I said I still loved Green as my grandson?”

“Of course!” A moment later, his brain snapped into place and he laughed. “Oh…” That made sense.

Love never had to make sense after all…

“Do you think she will be all right?”

“I know she will be. She’s strong.” Agatha brushed a hand over Lance’s forehead, and Red winced at the sparks but Agatha just laughed. “Though there might be a few… changes when she wakes up.”

“Why?”

Agatha’s smile boded ill, reminding him of a shark. “Articuno was a female legendary bird, Red, but Zapdos is a male.”

Red’s eyes widened in shock. “You mean she’s going to turn into a boy?!”

“It is certainly possible.”

Red thought that fainting was an acceptable thing to do in this sort of situation, so that is precisely what he did.

Completed 7/2/06

I just feel so uninspired… grr!

But yes, gender-bending fun~!