Finito!

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 13

All the people around him were vanishing. Bruce tried to scream, but like the hundred times he had tried before, nothing happened. He could not move any part of his body. It was as if time had frozen him in its tracks while the rest of the world gone on. It was the tenth day of the siege, and he was angry.

How dare those foolish pokemon trainers rebel against him?

It was inconceivable! Those greedy bastards!

And you are so quick to judge, Mr. President! Are you that blinded by your own folly?

The doors creaked open. A woman entered. Bruce relaxed, she was familiar… but then his mind whispered the reason why she was familiar.

Sabrina crossed her eyes as she eyed his prone form. < Well, well, Mr. President. How things have changed. >

You witch! I’ll not stand for this! He tried to shout, but his mouth was still immobile.

Sabrina narrowed her eyes. < I shall pretend that I did not hear that. >

You are all mad! We only want what is best for the government!

< You would eliminate pokémon training as a whole, Mr. President. That is not satisfactory to any of our goals. >

So? It was past time! With Silph gone…

< You always did hold the interests of business at heart, over the hearts of the trainers. They have had enough. >

How dare you! I only wanted the best for our region, he thought furiously.

Sabrina’s eyes went even colder, and she said no more. A moment later, they had both been teleported elsewhere.

The eyes that watched him as he appeared were all devoid of emotion save hate. He recognized most of the faces around the table, and felt his heart sink. There were many well-known researchers there, all the Kanto gym leaders and even a peek or two from Johto…

There were no words exchanged, but as he saw the figure standing in the center, holding the curved golden blade in hand, he had no doubt what they had planned for him.

Death…

Alas, his hopes were dashed as they began to speak in hushed tones. Finally, a woman he had never seen before with red hair and blue eyes, dressed in a black dress, called a halt to the discussion.

< That is enough. The choice truly belongs to the ones first accused. >

As she spoke, three trainers peeled from the ranks. A young man with brown spiky hair and green eyes, clad in a pristine white lab coat… a girl in a black dress with a hat on her head and an impish smile, and a boy with red eyes…

It could not be!

“I do not think he deserves death.”

“Nor do I.”

“Red… what do you think?”

The one who had spoken was another voice unrecognizable to Goodman, but Red obviously did know. He stiffened, before his eyes took on a predatory look.

“You’re right, Blue, Green… Death would be too kind for one such as he. For have not his crimes destroyed a country?”

“Yes.” Two voices echoed in tandem.

“Then he shall live as we might have lived…”

“Goodman, from this day fourth, you are prohibited from owning or training a pokemon.” Blue said.

“There is no appeal.” Green added with a smirk.

“All who see you will have orders to kill you on sight.” Red added with a malicious grin.

“That is our judgment.”

< Well spoken. > Lance whispered in Red’s mind, as he sat down once again. Red flashed him a brilliant grin.

He hoped Lance would sing soon, but he might kill Goodman in the process and that was forbidden now.

Well, in truth, it mattered not so much.

He was content enough.

Kanto was gone. Johto might be gone soon. Off in Houen, the Elite Four watched and waited, and hoped.

Such a scourge must never befall their lands!

Back in Kanto, after the last town had fallen, healing rain fell over the main continent. Off in the islands, the gym leaders and their trainers, and the wandering trainers also, built new homes.

The region would later be known as the Orange Islands.

But the pokemon were happy with Kanto, and for the time being, the legendaries were appeased.

And two hearts met as one, underneath the broad leaves of Viridian’s Forest, and the mother smiled.

End Fic

Completed 6/8/06

I already know I’m notoriously bad at endings. Quit harping at me!
~Phantomness signs off

Yep, I gave Lance bladed weapons but no seriously uber powers, at least nothing the manga didn’t already gift him with ^^… aside from his voice. *Sweatdrop*