Title: To Bind and Break

Title: To Bind and Break
Authors: Nephitari Champion and Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping/Watashi (Lance x Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon

Rating: R
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

Warnings: Shonen-ai, fanon, anti-Palletshipping, angst

Ash was scowling. That in itself was an unusual event. He'd just tried to kiss his boyfriend, and it had failed utterly. What was wrong with him?

Gary looked at him. “Is something wrong, Ash?”

"I think so." Ash hugged Gary. "Kiss me?"

Gary went to do so but again he had to move!

"Okay, something is definitely wrong." Gary said.

Ash buried his face in his hands. He and Gary had gotten together recently. They'd decided to build up their friendship again. One thing had led to another, and now… Why was this happening? Why did it feel so wrong?

They talked for a few minutes before Gary left, frustrated. Ash went back to Indigo Plateau.

Ash was feeling miserable. Why couldn't he kiss his boyfriend? This was ridiculous! It was almost like a curse or something. Maybe he should ask Agatha?

He bumped into Lance on his way in.

Ash didn't look at him.

Lance did not say anything either. He knew quite well what was going on, but chose to ignore it.

"Agatha?" Ash knocked on her door. "I think I'm cursed..."

The old woman frowned. She listened as he explained what had happened, before she sighed.

“Well, I suppose in your case it is a curse. There's a spell on you that prevents you from kissing or having sex with anyone other than your destined Mate.”

Ash blinked. "Huh?"

Lance stopped short, hearing that.

"What do you mean, Agatha?"

"I mean what I just said. Gary is apparently not the person you are destined to be with," Agatha said dryly.

Lance slipped out, glad that neither of the two had noticed him. He closed the door of his room, leaning against it as his knees buckled. Oh Lugia. The binding. The damned binding that had happened when Red was a dragon-girl...

“It was still here? How? Why?”

Why was it still in effect? Surely...

Lance slipped his fingers to his chest. He still had the Sacred Sword. It was ridiculous, that was what it was. He'd ask his Father how to break the spell. If Ash wanted to sleep with Gary, he would let him.

He nodded. He had to see Father now.

Lugia was sympathetic when Lance stormed into the Whirl Islands, and stroked his hair.

< And Ash wonders why I don't have hope! How can I? Every time he says he'll love me forever, the next life he's sleeping around! > Lance raged.

Lugia sighed. < A kiss will do it. >

Lance thanked his Father, and flew home.

Ash had flung himself into his paperwork, not wanting to think about the stupid curse. Why him?

"Ash," Lance stood quietly at the door. "About your curse..."

Ash looked up. "What about it?"

"I can break it." Lance said quietly.

"How?" Ash's eyes lit up.

Lance bent over his desk, and slowly brushed his lips across his. Almost at once, Ash felt an uplifting...

“Wow! That was it?”

Lance nodded.

Ash blinked as Lance left, noticing for the first time that Lance was quite handsome. The Dragon Master was hot! Then he shrugged.

He had a boyfriend already. And now, they could have sex!

The next day, Lance locked himself in his room and ignored Ash and Gary completely. He had little doubt as to what they were doing now that the binding was gone. Probably fucking like bunnies. Teenage boys were all the same…

"I want him to be happy..." Lance murmured. "So I won't take the Sacred Sword. Not yet..."

Ash found he still couldn't kiss Gary, much to his frustration. But that didn't stop Gary from kissing him and doing… other things. Still, after it was over, Ash was feeling cheated, as if something was wrong.

* Why did it feel so...wrong? * Didn't he like Gary?

He began to evaluate his feelings.

Gary was his rival, and had been his childhood friend, but did he love him?

After tonight, he could honestly say no, but... Why not...?

Ash slipped out of bed and put on a bathrobe. He walked down to the hall to the kitchen, hoping to get some hot milk to help him sleep, only to find Lance sipping a glass of wine.

He stopped just out of Lance's sight. Lance was different, though. Hadn't he always looked up to the Dragon Master?

Did he... like Lance, maybe?

Lance glanced up at Ash with slightly glazed eyes. Ash hadn't quite noticed how golden they were before...

He shook his head and went to get that milk he'd come for. Except, he didn't really want to go back in the room with Gary, so he poured himself a glass of warm milk, added chocolate syrup, heated it, and then sat down next to Lance with his hot chocolate.

"Is something wrong?"

"Hmm?" Lance gazed at him, but didn't really seem to see him.

Ash looked up at him. "Is something wrong, Lance?"

“I should be asking you that, Champion. I thought you and your boyfriend were occupied.”

“Well... I don't think what you tried worked.”

Lance arched an eyebrow.

The black-haired boy flushed. "Okay! So we did. But I didn't like it!"

"I believe," Lance murmured, "That you cannot blame your boyfriend's sexual inadequacies on me. I broke the spell."

Ash looked down. “It felt wrong, Lance, wrong. And…it didn't, when you kissed me...” Ash flushed. “I don't think I felt bad.”

Lance narrowed his eyes. "You are not saying what I think you are saying."

"What do you think I'm saying?" Ash stared at Lance.

Abruptly, he stood up, his cape rustling. "Never mind."

Ash watched him leave, bewildered.

"Wait, Lance! Are-are you mad at me?" He hedged.

Lance stopped. "No."

"Not at you Ash..." He said. "...Never at you..."

"Really?" Ash asked brightly.

Lance nodded. * I just hate myself... *

He blinked. "Why..."

Lance's eyes widened. Ash had heard his thoughts? Impossible!

Ash was very confused. Why did Lance hate himself?

"Damn it!" The Dragon Master fled down the hallway.

Ash goggled after the retreating figure as Lance fled. "Huh?"

He finished his hot chocolate milk and then went back to his own room, hoping to get some rest. He curled up almost like a dragon would and tried to fall asleep.

For the next few days, Ash didn't see Lance once. Just as a precaution, he distanced himself from Gary too. But he was starting to have strange dreams, of being submissive to a dark shape... And he was waking up with wet pajamas every morning.

Ash began to get depressed. He wanted to travel again. He needed to get his mind off this... thing...

Therefore, the next morning, Ash left the Plateau, but barely a week later, he was back. The stupid dreams hadn't stopped!

There were tears in his eyes. Was he going crazy?

Lance frowned as he watched Ash stumble in the door. “Champion, what happened? Are you quite all right?”

"I don't think so..." Should he say something about the dreams?

Lance hesitated, before walking over and scooping him up in his arms. “I'll take you to your room.”

That voice was so soothing...

* I wish I could stop these dreams! *

The Elite Trainer said nothing more. He carried Ash down the hall and tucked him into bed.

Ash watched Lance. Why was he being so nice and yet distant at the same time? He couldn’t figure it out.

He fell asleep a few minutes later.

Lance waited until he was asleep, before he kissed his forehead and slipped out. Had Father lied to him? It couldn't be... there was no trace of the binding in Ash's body anymore. They had both felt the spell lift. Unless... Lance felt his blood run cold... Ash's memories were coming back.

He was too young still!

It didn't matter what he might or might not have done. Lance was not going to rape a child. He went to seal them again and found… Oh no…

Damn, damn, damn. It was still there. It had died down when he'd kissed Ash, but... Lance wanted to throw himself off the roof of the Plateau now.

Ash suddenly jerked awake. "Danger..."

Lance blinked. * What the? *

He stared at Lance, blinking fuzzily. Lance couldn't take it anymore. He got out of there. He fell to his knees, panting, when he got to his room.

"I can't." He breathed. "It was bad enough last time. I can't go through that again! I'd rather die!"

He had to see Father again.

Lugia was as surprised as Lance was.

< Father, can't you put me in Sleep of Death, just for a little bit? So I don't have to feel this any more? >

Lugia nodded.

After that night, Lance hadn't come back. Ash had waited for him, but he hadn't come back. Time had passed, and the dreams hadn't stopped, and he just didn't want to wake up anymore.

One day, he didn't wake up at all.

Gary of course was panicked, but the doctors couldn't seem to find out what was wrong. They were all baffled.

He was dreaming. At least, he thought he was dreaming, because he was in a bed that wasn't his and he had breasts! And he was hurting, so bad... But then Lance came and it stopped...

Ash looked up and saw him – her?

It was hard to tell. There were so many dreams. Some of them were nice, but some of them were sad, and some were just downright horrifying....

The boy gasped as he jerked awake. How long had it been? He didn't know, but he hurt so much. There was only one way to make it stop. He had to find Lance!

Lance was coming out of Sleep of Death.

He carefully adjusted his clothing, watching as the last of the bubble dissolved. Well, at least it had been nice while it had lasted...

“Four months, Ash! You were in a coma for four months! You can't just run off on some harebrained adventure right now!" Gary yelled.

"But I... Gary... I have to..."

"Why?" Gary frowned. "What's so important?"

Ash looked away. “I need to find Lance..."

Gary sighed. "Well, whatever."

"I'm sorry Gary..." Ash took off on Charizard. He flew to Whirl Islands. He was in the air when he saw Lance walk out and Lugia's head pop out and nuzzle him.

Ash smiled.

Lance closed his eyes. < Thank you, Father. >

< You’re very welcome, Child. Oh! Your Mate is here... >

Lance stiffened. His wings came up behind him protectively.

"Hi, Lance!" Ash chirped.

"Hi, Ash..."

Ash ran to hug him. Lance let him, but stiffened slightly when the younger trainer made contact. His wings came around them.

"Lance...."

"Champion." Lance said formally. "What brings you here?"

“I was in a coma for almost five months! You tell me!”

“Are you accusing me of putting you there?”

Ash glared at him, but there was no real heat in it. "You went into the Sleep of Death, didn't you?" He asked quietly.

"What does it matter?"

"How long?"

"For as long as necessary."

"That's why I was in a coma then..." Ash frowned. "Lance, I went to bed one night and didn't wake up for almost four months! They were almost ready to choose a new Champion and Leader of the Elite Four!"

He paused for breath. "Lance... Why do this to us?"

"Us?" Lance's voice was harsh, brittle. "Interesting choice of terms, Champion. I apologize. Needless to say, I will not be taking any more of your valuable time."

Ash looked up at Lance, shocked.

"I remember, Lance..." He whispered. "I remember it all..."

Lance looked like he was going to faint.

Ash pulled away. "I don't expect anything more from you then you being there Lance... That's all I need right now..."

Lance kissed him, slowly. < The binding... >

< You don't... mind? >

< No, I was sick of hurting you... >

Lance stared at Ash as though he had grown another head. < You were sick of hurting me? > * What is he trying to pull? *

Ashura nodded miserably.

< It's not your fault. > Lance said quietly.

He looked at Lance. < But that doesn't mean it's your fault! >

The Ice Guardian looked down in shock.

Quietly, he looked at his lover with tears in his eyes. < Lance... >

< Why do you chase me? I'm not worth it! >

< You are! Stop putting yourself down! > Ash wrapped his arms around Lance's waist, refusing to let go.

< Ash... >

Ash sniffed. < Because, Lance, I am yours... >

Lance's arms came up around Ash's shoulders.

Ash tipped his head up. < Kiss me? >

Lance bent down. < All right… > He gently kissed Ash, eliciting a mew of pleasure from the boy. He knew that they couldn't go any farther then this but... It didn't stop him from wanting it! He pulled away hastily.

Ash blinked.

"I'll hurt you if we go any farther..." The Dragon Master breathed.

"It's ok... I'm not going to force you this time."

"What if," Lance asked, "What if I want to?"

Ash blinked. "I'm not afraid of you, Lance.”

Lance kissed him, harder, sliding his tongue into Ash's mouth.

< What are you going to do about it? > Ash almost challenged.

Lance raked his claws across the other’s clothing, shredding it in seconds, before he pushed him to the ground and mounted him roughly. Ash cried out in surprise, but he didn't fight.

< You are mine. > Lance growled, as he began to piston in and out of Ash's body, ignoring the blood leaking from the boy's hole.

Ash panted. He didn't feel any pain. He gazed up at Lance, seeing dragonfyre blazing in those golden eyes as Lance mated him. Oh yes...

< Yours... >

Lance did not answer, as he kissed Ash again, before gasping, filling Ash's body with his seed.

Ash came from the feeling. So good…

Lance pulled out of Ash, before pulling him into his arms. < My precious Chosen One... >

Ash enjoyed being cuddled.

Lance licked his throat. < Mine. >

< Mm… > Now, he felt sleepy.

Lance stroked his hair as he watched Ash fall asleep. He smiled. He could deal with this. He tried to figure out why Ash had got into a coma when he had gone into the Sleep of Death... It didn't seem to make any sense! If Ash was technically too young to mate, the binding shouldn't have stuck. Or at least it should have been inactive until he was sixteen.

Lance frowned. Perhaps Fate or the legendaries were meddling...

Honou really hadn't meant any harm. He just wanted Ash to be happy...

Ash had said Serebii though...

Did it matter, as long as they were together?

He didn't think so, and he certainly hoped not... but... was this permanent? Because if this situation were permanent, things could become quite uncomfortable… Not that he minded having Ash, but would Ash feel forced? He didn't want to force the Chosen One...

He didn't want to force Ash into anything!

He sighed as he got up and placed his lover on a mossy rock, wrapping him in his cloak. What to do? It looked like getting rid of the binding was impossible... And if he died, so would Ash. Lance buried his face in his hands. What a mess...

The prophecy was nil now, unless…

A frown appeared on his face. The Time Guardian was messing with things again.

Lance spread his wings, as he flew towards Ilex Forest. The time traveler had some explaining to do!

Serebii was waiting when he arrived.

< Serebii... > Lance hissed. < Why do we have this binding on us? >

< What do you mean? I've seen your pain, Lance. It's to prevent him from straying. > Serebii said as she appeared.

< But then it practically makes him a doll! > The Dragon Master retorted. < And what happens if we need the Sword and Shield? > Lance demanded.

< What do you mean? >

Lance sighed. < If I call the Sword, I will die. If Ash is linked to me when that happens, who's going to save the world? Besides, if he likes someone else, then... That would be unfair to him. >

The legendary frowned.

Lance sighed. < Can you break it? >

She fluttered towards him, taking a closer look. < Actually, no. I can't get rid of it... >

Lance looked murderous.

< But... I can delay it. > Serebii hastily mentioned. < First, I need to know how long you were in Sleep of Death, Lance. >

< Six months. > Lance said. < Why? >

< And Ash? >

< He was in a coma for four or five months while I was... gone. >

She frowned. < You realize you can't use the Sacred Sword as an escape anymore? >

< You are cruel. > Lance said.

< I'm sorry Lance. >

< Are you? Really? > Lance's eyes were cold. < I'm sorry I'm not a pretty little doll for you to play with. >

< Yes, I am. >

< No matter which way I look at it, > Lance slid to his knees, < It's still my fault for binding him in the first place. >

< Would you rather he be bound to a mortal? > She asked.

< Well... no… > Lance shook his head. < If I bound him he would have died, yes, but he's a Guardian! >

Serebii was actually crying. < I’m sorry… >

Lance nodded and gave the pokemon a hug.

Serebii looked sad.

< Maybe Serebii... you should choose another Guardian... instead of me. >

< Why? The three of you work so well together! >

< Really? >

< Yes! Why fix something that isn't broken? >

< But the prophecy doesn't matter now, does it? > Lance shook his head.

Serebii blinked.

< I... > Lance sighed. < If Ash doesn't love me when he doesn't have his memories, then it's obvious that he doesn't need me! And since I can't even call the Sword anymore, I'm *useless* as a Guardian. The prophecy is no longer necessary. He's strong enough, and he'll have her if he needs support, but he does not need me, and… > He hesitated for a second.

Serebii shook her head. < Are you saying you want Ice to forget and Thunder to remember? You knew this would happen when you bound your love to him! >

< Yes! Which is why it is entirely my fault! > Lance screamed at her.

< Do you want me to change it then? > The legendary asked. < Because I don't trust your power to anyone else! >

She paused. < There's no need to scream, Lance... >

Lance sighed. * What would I give to be just an ordinary mortal... to never remember again... * Lance sighed. < To remember, but not to love him. >

her eyes were distant, as though she were looking into the past. Perhaps she was doing so.

< Then... > Lance looked at her with tears in his eyes. < I... understand. > * Because I am bound forever because of my foolish, foolish love... and I am damned for it. And I will be damned, for all eternity... *

< All right then... I have something to propose... > Serebii sounded weary. < One more life, before I change the Prophecy. Ash will have to prove to you that he can love you without his memories... How does that sound? >

Lance nodded. < And if he can't? >

< Then I will change the Prophecy. >

< Thank you. > Lance said.

Serebii watched him leave sadly. * Oh Ash... you hurt him so much… how many betrayals can his love endure? How much more must this child suffer…? *

Ashura woke a few minutes later. He found Lance watching him. Lance had shielded his thoughts so that no sign of his conversation with Serebii would show.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Wonderfully."

Lance smiled and ruffled Ash's hair.

Ash grinned.

Lance kissed him again. "You'll never leave me, will you?"

"I'll try. And definitely not this life."

Lance nodded. "Thank you." He wondered just how long that promise would hold, but for now, he was content.

End Fic

Completed 9/23/07

Started 9/22/07

I have no idea what happened to Gary? Perhaps later I’ll write a scene that fits inside. Whee.

So Lance is ready to take action. He’s sick of Ash falling in love with other people. And he’s sick of being in love with someone he can’t have. So he’ll just try to kill that love…

The Guardian is vicious, ne? ^^