Queen Sunstar: Chapter 10. Let the feels consume you. There's not much action here, just some new characters getting a moment in the spotlight. This is my version of the Hoen Elite Four, whom doesn't have a leader. They are a team and there's no I in team. I ship Cynthia and Lance.
Chapter 11 has been written and is currently being edited. Chapter 12 is mostly written. The Tapu are going to play a part in this story. Enjoy, and reviews are appreciated. I take all kinds, even flames. Do take the time to explain what it is that you hate. I can't fix it nor improve if you don't tell me. Don't be afraid.
"What is the word from Indigo City?" Cynthia paced within her League headquarters. Her mind was on Lance, and she was increasingly worried the longer the silence lasted.
"Madam, remember, no news is good news. Lance has a lot on his plate with the recent flood from Mahogany Lake, the sinking of Cianwood Island not to mention the drought." Lucian looked up from his computer where he was crunching data, "He is probably focused on repairs in Indigo City. The death count is currently at 1294, with 4000 injuries reported so far. Aid is coming in from Hoen, and I am coordinating our own aid."
"I'm worried. Why won't he call?" Cynthia stared at her cell phone. Lance had to be okay! Her phone rang, and she nearly dropped it. Quickly, she answered it.
"Cynthia, it's Satoshi. I'm a bit busted up, but am okay. I need a favor. Area hospitals are full. May I request a major Med evac? Steven is sending med teams from Hoen to pitch in, but I got critical that need to be evacuated." Satoshi didn't bother with pleasantries.
"Consider it done! May I talk to Lance?" Cynthia asked.
"I'm afraid you can't. Lance took a Hyper Beam head on in order to prevent Ash from escaping. He is critically injured."
"I want him rushed here to Lilly Valley Memorial! I'll get a med team on stand by!" Cynthia hung up and ran.
A short time later, she waited with the med team on the helipad. Other medical personnel waited. Cynthia paced. A cry went up. In the distance, a line of helicopters had appeared. One by one, they landed and disgorged patients and paramedics. Cynthia searched desperately for Lance. The helipad cleared out a bit to make room for more patients. A large medical transport landed. Its doors opened. First to step out was Satoshi, being helped by Delia. He looked like he had just come from a war zone, which actually wasn't far from the truth. One eye was swelled shut. Dirty bandages did little to staunch the blood from his wounds, and he held himself awkwardly, walking being painful. He likely had a couple of broken ribs. Delia supported him. Dirt clung to her cheeks and stained her clothes. Dried blood coated her hands, chest, and arms. Both the Champion and his wife looked exhausted. Her heart went out to them. They had lost their only son, and now their city had been hit. Why did Arceus let this happen? Satoshi was helped into a wheelchair, and didn't protest. He had to be feeling pretty bad. Usually he would put up a struggle. A commotion sounded behind her. She spun. A gurney was rushed off the plane, a paramedic on the gurney, doing chest compressions. Her eyes went wide. Red hair. Lance. Orders were shouted. A crash cart appeared. Cynthia was frozen in place, watching the desperate struggle to save the Johto Champion's life. She rushed over to them.
"Lance! Lance please! Open your eyes! Don't leave me! Come on, wake up!" She was crying now. "Don't go! Please don't go!" She watched the monitor. The lines remained flat. "You can't die! You can't! Come back to me! Arceus, save him! Don't call him to your side! Please!"
inside the hospital, Satoshi winced.
"Cynthia is praying, and she's not the only one. I'm useless! I can't even answer any prayers in my current state!" He growled in frustration.
"May be Zyta?" Delia asked.
"She isn't able to answer prayers in her current state. Some of her power returned when she evolved." Satoshi fought back tears, "I feel so useless! I can't even do anything for my own creations!"
Delia held him, being careful not to jar his ribs, "I know it is not easy being God. Even you have your flaws. I don't love you because you are God, but because of who you are. You are the most wonderful man I know. What ever needs to be done, you do it. You help everyone you can, both as a human and as God. You are an amazing father. Ash loves you so much. He thinks he has the best dad ever. Even though you were always so busy, you made sure that you had one day each week dedicated to me and Ash. The night Ash was born, you were amazing. Remember the storm? We couldn't get to the hospital. I panicked. You told me you had this. The power went out so you lit a bunch of candles. You kept me so calm and relaxed. I remember you holding me and telling me to let my body do what it needs to do. I don't think I even pushed at all."
"To tell you the truth, I was scared." Satoshi admitted, "Everything that could go wrong flashed through my mind. You were already scared, so I told myself to panic later. Hearing Ash cry for the first time was amazing. I remember staring down at him, joy in my heart."
"Look at what we made!" Delia giggled, "You wouldn't stop saying that!"
"I was excited." Satoshi began to smile. "We will get Ash back."
"I will get stronger too." Delia added.
"Cynthia stopped praying." Satoshi listened, "It seems they got Lance back."
Up on the helipad, a cheer went up as the monitor beeped steadily. Quickly, Lance was rushed into the hospital, Cynthia following as far as she was allowed to. Shakily, she sank against the wall in the hallway. Her adrenaline was fading. Her body began to tremble. She swallowed, her throat sore from earlier. She choked down air raggedly. Gentle arms embraced her. Cynthia allowed herself to be held.
"Will she be okay? Do we need to activate military command?" a male voice whispered. Lucian.
"That means I take command." A younger male voice spoke up.
"Shut up, Flint! military command puts me in charge!" another male voice hissed.
"You mean it puts me in charge!" Flint hissed back, "I lead the Elite Four!"
"You do not!"
"Aaron, cut it out! We are here to support our Champion, not fight over who leads what!" Lucian snapped.
"We all know Aaron can't lead ants at a picnic."
"Flint!"
"Boys! Take it outside!" an older, refined female voice ordered. "The lad is young and strong. He will make it through."
"Oh Bertha! He looked so broken!"
"Shh, dear. Cry it out." Bertha held the Champion, "Boys! I said take it outside! Next one of you to throw a punch is getting thrown on my knee for a good old fashioned spanking!"
"But Flint started it!"
"I don't care who started it! I'll finish it!" Bertha snapped, "Nobody leads this Elite Four! There is no I in team!"
"Yes there is! It's in the A!"
"Flint, you are this close to getting yourself drop kicked into Johto!" Lucian snarled.
"Ha ha! Flinty is in trub-ow!"
"Ha ha, Aaron got sp-ow!"
"Did that knock some sense into you, you two?" Lucian hid a grin. Bertha had used her cane to poke both boys. They both were now on the ground, rubbing the bruises forming on their backsides. "Now, we are here to support Cynthia, not fight over who leads the Elite Four. Understand?"
"We won't fight anymore." Aaron said, "Right, Flint?" he elbowed the redhead.
"Don't elbow me!" Flint threw himself at Aaron, only to be grabbed by the collar of his shirt by Lucian.
"Flint, I have had enough of you and Aaron fighting! Now is not the time or place! Cynthia is very scared and very worried about Lance, her boyfriend, and soon to be fiancé. If you two can't behave yourselves, you both will be sent back to HQ, and locked into your rooms! Yes, I would dare!" Both boys swallowed nervously. Lucian really would do this if pushed enough. They both decided to behave. Cynthia needed them at the moment. Lucian let Flint go.
After an hour, a Nurse Joy came to them. She seemed a little nervous.
"If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the executive waiting area." she was also carrying a bag, "I was told to give you this. While removing his clothes, we found this." She held a small black box. Cynthia took the bag and the box. They followed the nurse to the waiting area.
The waiting area was more private. Instead of being open to the hospital, it was it's own room. It still held the bare bones feel of other waiting rooms; the same blue plastic chairs, the same couch design that could make one sick, the same coffee, juice, and water corner, the same beige carpeting, the same large TV, and the only difference were the plastic plants, blue walls instead of the standard vomit green, and a wall made up of a fish tank. Inside, a shiny Horsea, two Goldeen, several Barboach, a Remoraid, and two Finneon swam lazily about. A Shiny Phione darted after the Horsea, and a bubble war broke out between them much to the annoyance of the other water Pokemon. The Pokemon in the tank belonged to various staff members. Horsea and Phione belonged to a surgeon who had rescued the pair and nursed them to health. They had given themselves the job of entertaining those in the waiting area. On TV, reporters talked about the recent attack on Indigo City. A bar below the reporter revealed what was being talked about. It currently read, "Where was Satoshi?"
Cynthia sat on a chair and opened the bag. Slowly she drew out Lances cape. Tattered and stained with blood, it smelled of him. She clutched it to herself, faint whimpers coming from her mouth. She buried her face into the cape and wept. Bertha sat beside her and rubbed her shoulder. After a few minutes of silent weeping, Cynthia calmed down, save for the occasional sniffle.
"The lad will be fine. You will see." Bertha soothed.
"Stop kidding yourself, Bertha." Aaron spoke up, "Lance took a Hyper Beam head on. People just don't survive that kind of thing."
"I agree. Nobody has ever survived a Hyper Beam, especially head on." Flint added.
"Will you both cut it out? There is always a first!" Lucian's eyes flashed with anger, "Lance specializes in dragon Pokemon. I am very sure he has been on the business end of a Hyper Beam before. If he was hit by a Hyper Beam at full force, he would have been vaporized!"
the door opened to admit Delia and Satoshi, who was in a wheelchair, and clearly hating it. The moment the door shut, he rose from the chair, gave it a dirty look, and walked over to the Sinnoh Elite Four.
"Where were you, Satoshi?" Flint asked.
"I was pinned by debris. I told Delia to summon Arceus." Satoshi explained, "It is pretty uncomfortable being stuck under the wall of an apartment building."
"Arceus came?" Aaron asked, excited.
"The Forefather is required to respond to my call." Delia answered, "I am his human Guardian after all. I did not want to leave Satoshi. Cynthia, how are you holding up?"
Cynthia looked up, "Not very well. I'm so scared! I don't want to lose Lance!"
"Lance is a fighter. He is a Dragon Tamer, and it would be very embarrassing for a Dragon Tamer to be killed by a Hyper Beam. He will get better." Satoshi said. "I know Lance will not be felled by a Hyper Beam. He will not allow it."
"And Cynthia." Bertha opened the little box, "You are his fiancee now. He will fight hard for you. He loves you." She handed the box over. Inside rested a beautiful opal stone on a silver band.
"That's a piece of Dragon scale. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say that's a piece of a scale from a Dragonite." Delia said.
The door opened again to reveal a doctor. She came into the room.
"I am looking for the family of Lance Gold." She said.
"They are on their way." Satoshi answered, "I took the liberty of informing Lorelei, who called Claire, Lance's sister. Lorelei is their mother's little sister. She was 16 years old when she found herself being mom to Clair and Lance. Instead of complaining, she got a job, found an apartment she could afford, and still managed to finish her schooling. They should arrive sometime tonight."
"I see." the doctor turned to leave, "I'm Dr. She, resident in charge of Lance's case. I have to speak with family first. Rules."
"Can you talk to me? I'm his fiancee." Cynthia asked.
"Yes, I can." Dr. She turned, "Why don't we step into my office?"
"No. Here is fine." Cynthia braced herself.
"Alright. The biggest problem with Hyper Beam is that it causes crush injuries much like what you would see after a heavy impact. Lance is suffering from massive internal injuries. His organs are badly bruised, and we had to reverse a cardiac tamponade. His right upper arm is broken, his spine is bruised, and he has split his rib cage. He is still in surgery. Right now the focus is repairing his rib cage. He has lost a third of his blood supply and we are doing everything we can to keep up. Our blood banks are taking a huge hit with the injured from Indigo pouring in, and Lance has a very rare blood type. Are any of you by per chance RH Null?"
"I am. They say the RH blood type is the blood of Arceus." Satoshi stood, "My son is also RH Null. Lance saved his life long ago by giving him his blood. My twin is also RH Null too."
"Aren't there only nine known cases of RH Null?" Aaron asked.
"Oh look! Aaron used his brain." Flint grinned.
"Yes. Me, Ash, Giovanni, Bonnie, Lady J's husband N, Lance, Elder Gold, Algid Champion Kaito Shion, and his twin, Elite Four leader Akaito Shion. I can get Giovanni here and N too if needed." Satoshi said.
"Flint!" Lucian sputtered, "And they wonder why I've got an ulcer."
"I'll call Lady J." Delia said, "She and N often room with me and Satoshi while they are in Kanto. They are family. N even calls us mom and dad."
"Please do." Dr. She said.
"I heard Ash died of Rabies, so that makes eight cases now." Aaron said.
"Look! He used his brain again!" Flint said, "He did it twice! Somebody call the news!"
"I'm not kidding, Flint!" Lucian snapped.
"FLINT!" Cynthia whirled to face the red head, "I am sick and tired of your jokes! I know you are only trying to cheer me up, but please, no more! I am not in the mood to deal with another petty squabble between you and Aaron! I have way too much on my plate right now! It's so heavy!" She was crying again. Flint took a step back and hung his head in shame.
"Let us help you carry your load, dearie." Bertha responded, "What can we do to help you?"
"What needs to be done? We can handle it. You stay here and focus on Lance. We will deal with Sinnoh." Lucian responded.
"I'm shutting the league down. I want curfews, extra patrols, routes blocked, the works. The budget needs to be balanced, settle a land dispute between Crasher Wake and Fantina over Route 212, and stop Roark and Gardenia from declaring war on each other! Don't try bringing Byron into it. I already tried. His excuse was to let them fight it out." Cynthia answered.
Flint is great with math. He gets the budget. Bertha is good with people, so she'll handle the shut down and what goes with it. Aaron can deal with Wake and Fantina, and I'll deal with Roark and Gardenia. Everybody okay with that?" Lucian asked.
"I am the only one who remembers the great shut down, so yes, leave that to me." Bertha nodded.
"leave the budget to me. Aaron should deal with Roark and Gardenia as he is their boss. You just don't want to deal with Fantina, do you?" Flint watched as Lucian visibly paled, "Oh yes, I forgot. She's your ex."
"She's my nightmare." Lucian shuddered, "Aaron can deal with them."
"Lucian, you were once married to her. She can't be all that bad." Flint said.
"if you don't mind me asking, what happened between you two?" Delia asked.
Cynthia conversed with the doctor.
"We used to be so close. Fantina was my Pokemon tutor. She taught me all about the fine art of battling Pokemon. We married pretty young, me 19, her 18. at first it was great. We even talked about being parents down the road. I became a member of the Elite Four, and she became a Gym Leader. We barely saw each other awake. Then I became leader of the Elite Four, and I wouldn't be home for weeks at a time. Fantina was also very busy. Three months went by before we actually saw each other. We both discovered we missed each others birthdays and our anniversary. I wanted us to move to Lilly of the Valley so I could be close to the league. Fantina wanted to stay in Hearthome City. We tried putting weekends aside for us, but it never worked out. Than Fantina found out she was pregnant. We both promised to take time off and focus on us and the baby. It wasn't to be. There was an accident in her Gym, and the shock sent her into labor. Our son was born very premature. He only lived for two weeks. Fantina suffered the most. She had to have an emergency hysterectomy to save her life. The loss of our son plus knowing she would never bear another child hurt her far worse than I thought. I brought her here to heal. We really tried to heal, but In the end, we annulled our marriage. It was Fantina's wish. I reminded her too much of our son, and what she lost. We both felt that distance was what we needed. We haven't talked in years." Lucian sniffled, "I do miss her."
"This could really help you both. You two could finally start to heal. Don't be afraid. I bet she misses you too. Satoshi and I had our own struggles. After he became Champion, I too barely saw him. I felt very lonely. Satoshi and I had a long talk. Our solution was that he put aside one day each week to spend with me. Often, I would go up to his apartment in Indigo and surprise him. We worked out what works for us. After Ash was born, he had me move to the apartment in Indigo for a few months. I actually didn't mind. I had help from Agatha, Lorelei, Lance, Bruno, Karen, Koga, and Will. They all pitched in, giving me and Satoshi time to sleep and to ourselves. Lance was 16, and he was our babysitter. Ash loved him. I also had Arceus, who was the one to suggest the temporary move. In Pallet, I didn't really have anyone around to help. Oak had his own grandson to worry about. Giovanni was up in Viridian, and had a son of his own he was raising on his own. I am happy I agreed to the move." Delia got wistful.
"Lance taught Ash how to throw a poke ball." Satoshi said, "He also introduced Ash to the world of the Pokemon Trainer. I once caught him in battle, Ash in his carrier on his chest, facing forward, and having a ball. Lance let him 'help' throw the poke balls." Satoshi smiled at the memory, "Ash will not let Lance join him on the other side."
"It was so adorable. I just couldn't get mad." Delia added, "Ash is watching over Lance." Delia raised her cell phone and dialed Lady J's number. It was answered on the third ring. "Lady J, it's Delia. How fast can N get to Lilly Valley Memorial? It is urgent. Lance was critically injured during the battle for Indigo, and he is in need of a blood transfusion. Yes, Satoshi is here, but he was injured himself. He is going to give blood. Lance was hit head on by a Hyper Beam. He has serious crush injuries and is bleeding internally. Being injured, Satoshi can't give very much. I'm going to call Giovanni too. Okay. I'll see you soon." Delia looked up, "N and Lady J are here in Sinnoh. They are on their way. Reshiram and Zekrom will get them here, and they have both Luka, their daughter, and Zeshirom, the daughter of Reshiram and Zekrom. Zeshirom was born alive instead of hatched."
"Oh yes, the legendary baby Pokemon. Has her name been finalized yet?" Bertha asked.
"I don't know. They've been calling her Zeshirom, a combination of both her parents names."
"She is technically a new Pokemon. I bet numerous Pokemon Professors are fighting for the chance to study her."
"She was born at the Oak Pokemon Preserve. Oak has claimed the rights to study her. Luka was born in the same field at the exact same time. Lady J flat out refused to leave Reshiram's side. I was there. N was a mess. Oak delivered Luka while Gary and N delivered Zeshirom. I coached Lady J."
It makes you wonder, could other legendary Pokemon become pregnant and give birth the same way?"
"It does." Satoshi said, "Ho-Oh has been seen mating with Moltress. There has been no nest building observed from ether of them. The mating may be just for pleasure."
"Lance is going to be out of surgery soon. They are keeping him in a medically induced coma." Cynthia choked back a sob, "I can't lose him!"
There was no pain. That was the first thing he noticed. The next thing he noticed was the hard surface he was laying on. Opening his eyes, he bolted up. This place was very familiar. It was in fact his personal battle grid. He looked left and right. Yep, same bleachers, same artificial stone, same smokey smell, same bright white wall paper. Wait, white wall paper? Lance took another look. Blue sky? The sun? That wasn't wall paper ether. Was this Heaven?
"I am not going out by Hyper Beam." He said out loud.
"Oh, you are awake. I was beginning to think you lived."
Lance looked around, and spotted the owner of the voice. Yveltal. "I'm not dead."
"Technically, you are dead. Brain dead, that is." Yveltal landed.
"So, this is my coma then. I'll just wake up."
"Your brain is dead. Fin. Over. Ended. You can't wake up."
"Hate to break it to you, but I'm thinking, aren't I? I crafted this, didn't I? Therefore, I am not dead nor brain dead. You are just an annoying figment of my imagination."
"Zyta, you are good. This will be easier than I thought. You want to wake up? You will have to defeat me, using him." A Metapod appeared. "He only knows harden and is level five. Good luck."
"Seriously? I am the Champion of Johto for a reason. This will actually be quite easy. Metapod, use harden six times in a row."
"Oblivion Wing."
the attack streaked toward Metapod. It missed, much to the shock of Yveltal.
"You missed." Lance said. "Metapod, evolve." Metapod glowed white, becoming a Butterfree.
"How?" Yveltal asked.
"I had him use harden six times. The first five times maxed out his defense. Number six pushed him into evolution to raise that defense once more. It is called a defense evolution. Thanks for missing, though. It would help you if you aimed first. Now, Butterfree, use Electroweb."
Yveltal took the attack. He landed and clacked his beak, the bird version of clapping. "Just what I expected from a Champion. Status induced evolution is a little known tactic. I am curious though. How did you know of this method?"
"I discovered it on my own and talked to Satoshi about it. He explained it to me. You can use attack too. It doesn't work with speed, or special attack and defense. Do I get to wake up now?"
"Are you absolutely sure you want to wake up?" Yveltal explained Lance's injuries, "You can let go. I will not let it hurt. All I do is run you through with my beak. You will return to dust and drift away on the currents of the River of Stars. This is what I do, even when I'm in my 1000 year nap. I leave it up to you."
"The choice is easy. I live. I've got someone to fight for. No matter what it takes to recover, I will do it." Lance responded, "So let me wake up."
"You don't want to wake up just yet. You are in the middle of being operated on to stabilize your separated rib cage." Yveltal said, "I wish I could stay, but I've got other humans to see, including one very stubborn man who flat out refuses to let go." The death bird faded.