Initially, I was going to end this on the last chapter, but… *shrugs* Well, anyways, I hope you like happy endings better than depressive ones.

Disclaimer/Notes: See chapter 1

Yes, Lance is Lugia’s child in this story.

Chapter 5

< What’s wrong? >

Lance sighed. < Lugia-san. >

< Now, now, no need to be so formal. Did you two have a fight? >

< He’s so, amazingly blind! > Lance replied. < Does he truly believe in the goodness of heart? >

< I suppose. >

< Well, father, I’m going to go and break things until I feel better. > Lance said. Lugia chuckled.

< You’re still a child in ways yourself. >

< No, I’m using my anger positively. > Lance said, as he wiped out a fishery. < I only target people who deserve it, father. I don’t see why we can’t just use the destruction waves again. >

< Because, society hasn’t fallen that far yet. Be patient. >

< Hai. >
Lance slipped on his silver bracelets and then flew to Houen to take a look there. Ash found him back in his room a few days later, humming.

“Lance?”

“Well?” Lance asked, as he used flannel to clean the blood off his many weapons. “Have you made a decision yet?”

Ash gritted his teeth. “Hai! I’ll stay no matter what!”

“Determined, aren’t you?”

“Baka, I love you.” Ash said. “I wouldn’t leave because of some silly argument. Or, anything else.”

“That’s good.” Lance said, as Ash sat down next to him, picked up a polishing cloth, and began to help.

He had learned to deal with his lover – no, that that yet – more like his older brother slash ultra-protective guardian’s quirks.

It was a strange twist of fate how they had met though.

“Why would he kill her though? I thought he loved her, and they lived together for so long…”

“I’m not sure.” Lance said honestly, picking up another blade and cleaning off the possible traces of rust. “Maybe he grew tired of her.”

“But why?”

“Most people are fickle – I try not to be.” Lance said, at Ash’s worried look. “Besides, don’t you know what I did?”

“… What you did?”

“My healing power can’t heal what’s not there.” Lance said. “That butcher knife took out a good chunk of your chest, but since you blacked out from the pain you wouldn’t quite know that. Hm…. So, I linked your lifeforce with mine to keep you alive, it’s a good thing pokemon heal faster and they _can_ resurrect…”

Ash stared at Lance. “You did?”

“How else would you still be alive now?”

“B-but!” Ash shuddered. His father’s image: an angry face, butcher knife in hand, impinged on his memory.

“Make it stop!” He yelled suddenly. It would have been random if not for recent events. The nightmares had been coming every night and Lance hadn’t been there to talk to since he was off touring Houen.

Lance grabbed the thrashing boy and pinned him down to the ground, as he used Hypnosis.

Sighing, he put Ash back to bed. “This could get to be a serious problem…”

< You could just block those memories… >

< I could. > Lance agreed. < But it will break him worse when they resurface. >

< True, that… but you should have been prepared to take the risk. >

Lance sighed, nodded, and felt his steel wings rustle around his shoulders. < Yes, father. >

< Take care of yourself. >

Lance nodded, and then flew off into the night sky. He had another visit to make.

“Well, I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I know, Claire.” Lance said. “So, what do you want in exchange?”

Claire shrugged. “The Dragon Shard isn’t even mine to use, you know that. I just guard it. Do what you will.”

Lance raised his eyes in puzzlement. * Unselfish? Rare trait, that… I might as well give her a reward then. I’m in a pretty good mood… *

Claire jumped, and then looked at Lance accusingly when her body blurred and shifted into a Dragonair’s.

“Have fun Claire.” Lance said cheerfully as he walked into the shrine.

She would.

He woke up screaming.

Instantly, the other was there, warm next to him and hands on him, supporting him. But…

“My… eyes…”

“They take the longest to heal,” Lance had said, while bandaging him up from his self-inflicted pity. “You should take better care of yourself.”

And really, really, he was selfish, because the afternoon as soon as he was free he had tried to drown himself, but he had gotten caught again.

Unfair.

But…

Sometimes it hurt to breathe.

< You should really stop doing that. >

Ash frowned as Lance combed his hair. < Demo… I can’t seem to stop it, aniki. What’s wrong with me? >

Lance snapped back to Ash. * Aniki?! Why is he calling me that? I’m not really his brother… oh Lugia, no, don’t tell me his last attempt snapped his mind… I cannot deal with this… *

< I will… make you forget it all. >

He didn’t fight it off.

Lance closed his eyes, took Ash’s hands in his and concentrated. Soon, it was completed.

He had the perfect little doll to play with now.

< So kawaii… > Lance whispered, as he began closing the doors of memory behind him. < Don’t worry anymore. >

< Aniki? >

< I will protect you forever… >

Ash smiled. “I’m glad, aniki.”

Snow fell on Pallet Town.

“Hello.” A voice said, as the door exploded inwards.

Jacques and Matilda scrambled to their feet, watching and waiting to see who it was.

Golden eyes and red hair met their vision.

“Why mother, you don’t remember me?” Lance teased, as underneath his sleeves he felt the blades ready, humming in anticipation. “Pity.”

“L-lance!”

“You thought I was dead too? Poor Ash.” Lance said, mock-dramatically. “Oh well. It’s family tradition and I won’t break it.”

Jacques looked horrified as Lance slammed him into a wall. “Two died by your hands, so I’ll just pay it back…”

“Stop! What are you, insane?!”

“Very amusing, I should be asking you, right? You killed him.” Lance smiled, eyes crinkling up. “I really wouldn’t have minded a little brother, but that’s all right. You’ll burn soon enough.”

“Eh?”

Lance smirked, as he pointed at Jacques. “Cast Phoenix curse… this will be so much fun… oh, and don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll see Delia soon enough. Remember how you killed her? Yes, that’s very interesting…”

His laughter haunted the two long after he had flown off on Dragonite.

Matilda looked shaken. “You k-killed…”

“Matilda! Please, believe me! I only got rid of Delia so I could have you!” Jacques pleaded.

“No! I can’t accept it! What if you find someone you prefer later?” Matilda gasped. She ran out the door, away from him.

“MATILDA!” Jacques screamed.

He went looking for her.

Flashlight beam met red.

White.

Red.

White.

Scream.

“Aniki?”

“Yes, Ash.” Lance said, as Ash kissed him. “I…”

“Aishiteru aniki.”

“I love you too.” Lance replied. * Mine. *

End Chapter/END FIC

I scare myself with my writing. *nods*

Completed 6/17/04

*Cries* I had this nice little ficlet for cuteness all planned out when I originally started writing ‘Moonlight Sonata’, heck, now it sounds more like ‘Darkness Sonata.’ *cries* This isn’t fair! Stupid plotbunny!

Yes, this isn’t R yet and there is no way I can write a lemon for this.

Ash: >.<

Phantomness: Quiet, you. You don’t have to drive. *glares*