Gah, the angst, it burns…!

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

There was something wrong. Ash – no, Destiny now, might not be able to see it or sense it, but he could almost smell the wrongness. Perhaps he was just uneasy since one of the Three was gone, but it had to be more than that.

Lance hadn’t spoken to him once since he had entered the Realm.

For the life of him, he couldn’t remember if they had argued or if Lance was harboring some unknown grudge, but the feeling sent his nerves a-skittering on edge.

There was no one he could really ask though. Pokemon could really clam up tight when pressed, and Lugia certainly seemed violently angry with him.

What had Ash done?

If only he could remember, he would try to find a way and fix things…

You can’t atone for what doesn’t exist, after all…

“Are you really sure that it was better this way? It seems to me that things are just stagnating. Your relationship is not progressing anywhere.”

“I wonder if it would be fair to punish Destiny for Ash’s problems.”

“Lance, Destiny is Ash… albeit a more insane and powerful version, but…”

“I know, but he doesn’t know, and it wasn’t his fault. He is usually hard-pressed to take control. Indeed, you and I are in guardian form much more often.”

“Do you forgive him?” Charlotte hedged.

Lance shook his head. “That would be too easy. I’m just not… it doesn’t work for me that way. But I do think he’s suffering now.”

“Yes, well, as long as it stops before he breaks, everything should work out.”

“Exactly.” It might be callous, but if it worked, then it was worth it.

Did I ever do anything to make you hate me?

She looked at the water. She sneezed. Ash laughed and tossed her a berry.

He still didn’t notice. Well so much the better. This was a secret between the other two, and they would keep it. Someone had to, after all…

Someone had to play the adult, and it certainly wasn’t Ash.

“Why does Lance hate me, Charmander?”

Charmander-Charlotte shook her head. I do not think Master Lance hates you, Master Ash.

“Well, that’s certainly the feeling I’m getting from him. Did I do something wrong?”

She laughed in response.

Ash colored. “All right, so I have done a lot of things wrong, but even so, is there something in particular that…”

She almost fell out of his arms in her shock, but she settled for putting stubby arms on her hips. I believe Master Lance may be jealous.

“Jealous? But why?”

Was he really that dense? You did marry Misty, Master Ash. And you had children with her. I doubt Master Lance was very happy with that.

There. That should do it.

That seemed to shake him out of his stupor. “You think that’s why? But… I thought he was dead, so I moved on!”

It’s my best guess, Master Ash.

She hopped off his lap and went to find someone to play with. Being in Charmander form was a lot easier on her…

It saved energy.

Also, she didn’t have to deal with more complicated emotions.

“Are you angry I married Misty? Is that it?”

Lance frowned. “Who told you that?”

“Your Charmander did.”

“Ah…. Well, do you trust her advice?”

“Why shouldn’t I? Pokemon aren’t supposed to lie to a Realm Guardian.”

“They may, if another guardian decrees it so.”

“So it’s not the reason?” Ash put his hands on his hips, frustrated. “You know, I think you’re really twitchy, Lance.”

“Think what you will.”

“Don’t you love me?”

“What would you do if I said no?”

Ash froze, his next string of arguments melting to sawdust in his mouth “B-But that’s impossible…”

“Why? Did you think that you were the only guardian allowed to wander? You’ve loved Misty before, you know. How are you to judge if I love another?”

“But you can’t!”

“What, and you can? How hypocritical.”

“Who do you love then? Her? I’ll kill her!”
“Heavens no. Our elements are incompatible.” Lance frowned. “And so quickly you resort to violence. You have not learned anything, again.”

“I’ve learned plenty!”

“Must I chase your shadow forever, Ash? Is that what you would reduce me to?”

“But you’re supposed to love me! The binding…”

“How do you remember the binding? You were dead when I cast it.”

“I remembered…”

“You cannot remember what you never saw. Do not lie to me, Ash.”

“I’m not lying! I really do…” Ash froze as he saw Lance’s expression melt to one of rage and silver glitter on his fingertips.

“When will you ever learn?” Lance hissed, before his claws were out. Ash hurriedly summoned his guardian blade, but he was hard-pressed to keep his footing as they fought. He didn’t want to fight! Why was Lance being so mean?

Why was…

Something in depths of memory clicked. It was like a corridor he had never known was there suddenly flooded with light.

Lance’s expression did not change, and Ash shuddered at that expression of absolute fury. He didn’t want to die! He wasn’t sure if he could die in a dream, but it was better to be safe!

“Thunderwave!”

Lance smirked as the lightning glanced harmlessly off a hazy white shield that became visible around him. Safeguard.

Ash still had not learned to treat dragons with respect. Pity.

No wonder his Charizard didn’t obey him.

End Chapter

Completed 3/18/06!

Talk about pulling teeth to write! Ash is an idiot. And he deserves all the pain! *Nods*

Ash: *Sob*

Lance: *Shrug*