I HATE doing dissections in biology lab! *Shudder*
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
He had everything planned out. It was a quiet weekend, and he had a picnic lunch in hand. He was simply going to enjoy one last meal with his dearly departed wife. There was nothing wrong with that, though some might find it macabre.
He spread the cheerful red-and-white checked cloth over a smooth grassy patch, and took out the paper cups and plates, the plastic cutlery, and the food.
He poured lemonade out for both of them, toasted her empty seat, and unwrapped the sandwiches. There were four of them, and he started with peanut butter. Delicious. He worked his way through the egg salad and ham, and finally came to the last one.
It was delicious chocolate syrup sandwiched between two pieces of sweet bread.
After he finished eating, he closed his eyes and waited. It would surely be quick.
Inside of Ash’s mind, a spirit that had become increasingly less dormant gave a startled cry and transformed in a blaze of golden light. Black wings swept out, razor-edged, and golden eyes slitted.
“What a coward. I can’t believe I would stoop so low as to do that…”
There was no reply. The other two were still quiescent. It was usually unwise for more than one facet of Ash’s personality to awake.
Usually, the other guardians split their personalities, like Lance did, leaving Catelyn and Crystal in the dream realm, or suppressed them, like Charlotte, who was always the Fire Guardian.
Still, it was interesting.
Destiny hissed. Ash was weak sometimes. But this time, he had stooped too low for the crime to be ignored.
It was most unfortunate…
Why hadn’t the others interfered?
Well, it was time to pay them a visit, wasn’t it?
< He is coming. >
She nodded, before her form shifted, blurring into that of a Charmander. He smirked in response.
It was too hard to look underneath the underneath. No matter who Ash was, some things still remained… and Destiny was too hotheaded to check carefully.
Pity.
“Why?” he demanded angrily “Why didn’t you stop me? Why didn’t you come save me – I thought you were dead and gone! You lied to me!”
“I didn’t.” Lance relied coldly. “You believed what you wanted to believe. Besides, you were happy.”
“But it wasn’t real!”
“On the contrary. I’m sure your life was very real. You have children now, don’t you? Quite interesting they are too…”
“But that’s not the point, Lance.”
“I am not your pet.” Lance hissed. “I have no obligation to make myself accountable to you for my actions. I simply chose not to interfere this time. The cost was too high.”
“You mean you’d die again?”
“Worse.” Destiny – Ash spoke of death so flippantly. But then, he suffered death only once every few millennia. The other guardians died in the course of duty all the time, laying down their lives to save the youngest.
Did it make them jaded?
Perhaps, but it also simmered anger in their hearts.
“Worse than death?”
Clearly, Ash had still not learned that yes, there could be things worse than death. Life itself could be a punishment sometimes.
Charlotte looked at him.
He shook his head, petting her on the head as she sneezed out a small splutter of flame. “I have no reason to explain my motive. Suffice to say we would be facing world collapse had I interfered.”
“But why? Aren’t we both guardians?”
“Yes, I suppose we are, but I rank higher than you on the guardian scale. Do not forget that….”
Destiny scowled. “I see.”
That cinched it. Something was wrong. Lance normally wouldn’t pull rank on him for any reason. He looked around.
“Where’s aneki?”
“What do you think?”
“She’s dead then.” He sighed. “I should have known.”
After all, a guardian’s life was not an easy one, and to die in the course of duty was expected, even honored.
That was just the way things were.
She sneezed.
He patted the Charmander on the head and did not bother to say more.
He watched as Ash, it was still he, even if in a different form, flopped down on the grass with a sigh, retracting his wings and letting his armor melt into comfortable black robes instead.
It was far easier not to look.
Otherwise, temptation dug her claws in deep…
“Cute Charmander.” He said, but between them, no more words were exchanged. It just hurt too much for Lance, and Ash was clueless.
It had to be done though.
Lance would never see himself reduced to a concubine. Never!
Perhaps it was pride then that kept them apart. Vanity could be the downfall of so many… and the guardians could be vain, if they wished.
It wouldn’t be easy for things to resume their normal course. In all honesty, Lance wasn’t sure if he wanted things to resume.
Was it worth it?
He couldn’t answer truthfully this time.
End Chapter
Completed 3/18/06
Honestly, this sequel sucks. I have to fix it up somehow *Pissed* It’s too much talking and not enough action. Heck, I’m boring myself!
DESTINY, HOPE, and the MASTER OF HIDDEN SHADOWS are all Ash. Thus, they will also be referred to as Ash sometimes. They are essentially the same person. Think of Ash with a host of spirits possessing him… that are more emphasized facets of him. Yeah… I know it makes little sense.