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 10: All I want is you. Is that too much to ask?
In less than a month, Kanto had been destroyed. Lance and Red moved onto Johto, and then Houen and the many islands after that.
It was not an easy task.
They killed, yes, but after that, they had to help the pokemon rebuild. There was also a way to re-introduce the pokemon that had been murdered by the hands of humanity.
It was hard work. He didn't know how many times he cried when he saw the circumstances the pokemon were living in.
It hurt, that he could hardly help.
Lance was going to sleep drained every single night, and there was hardly anything he could do about it. He felt useless.
Yes, he could destroy, but…
He did not know how to heal.
Nearly a year had passed since that fateful decision, and he was still working. Trying, failing, a vicious cycle of self he had been thrown into.
Do you regret it? Lance asked.
His friend was currently lying in bed, looking elegantly tired, but he knew it wasn't just a façade.
Lugia had warned him that they by accepting this power, their lives had been cut in half or more.
Red wasn't sure of the right answer to that question. True, he had wanted to help. But now he felt that he had lost himself in the process.
Was the trade-off worth it?
Sighing, he sank down into the downy fluff and leaned against Lance tiredly. (Lance… I never regret meeting you. I never will.)
She smiled and trailed kisses down his face and shoulders, butterfly kisses.
(I know, love, I know.)
The Dragon Master and her love had been worn to the point of insanity, nerves frayed and emotions raw, only the call to keep going and their love for each other kept them alive, as they created and demolished.
Red stopped, putting his hands on Lance's shoulders, and easing off the heavy velvet cloak his lover was wearing.
(Rest, please… you'll die.)
Lance barked out harsh laughter. (I can't die, remember?)
The Champion frowned at the stinging acid behind those words. He had not considered that fact seriously.
But if what Lance said were true, what would happen to them?
Lance was startled when Red suddenly flung his arms around her and clung to her like a drowning sailor.
(I won't let them break us apart! We're already doing this for their sake!)
(The legendaries, you mean?)
Adamantly, he nodded, turning tear-filled eyes on his partner. (Don't leave me… please…)
(Red, I have already promised you that I will not leave of my own free will. And it is in Lugia's best interest to keep me alive.)
What about the others? He whispered.
Lance stroked his soft hair as she considered. (I am not sure.)
(Just hoping isn't enough… I want you to promise me again.)
She chuckled. (All right.)
She twined their fingers together as she faced him. (I swear on my honor as Dragon Master, that I will not willingly leave you. Happy now?
Biting his lip to prevent a fresh overflow of tears, he nodded.
It wasn't fair.
Life had never been fair, but now, every day, as he and Lance helped the pokemon re-establish their lives, he felt the pain keenly.
He was always worried that Lance would vanish one day, and he would be left alone. It was a chilling clarion call of death he could not ignore.
He rubbed the gem on the necklace, remembering when his friend had lived there. It was still a very beautiful necklace, but it just wasn't the same.
Lance was currently healing a group of Magikarp. No pokemon were left out when they rebuilt.
Finished at long last, she backed away as the fish swam into the clean stream, glad to be home.
Hard to believe that days ago, eutrophication had completely choked off the oxygen supply to that habitat, making it inhabitable.
Algae that had once lived there had been killed by natural means of extreme heat, which also sterilized the water.
Then, the smaller insects and pond-dwellers had been called back, and within two weeks, it was ready for the pokemon to live.
Still, all of it was necessary work. Miss one step and the full food web fell. One missing link cut the whole chain to pieces.
Red was learning more than he needed to know about pokemon lives. He was sure that if Pokemon Centers still existed, he would be an excellent Nurse.
A little Weedle smiled at him as he finished clearing the meadow of toxins, making the plants safe to eat. "All done."
Well done. Suicune congratulated him.
"Thank you, Suicune." Red said.
I admire both of you, and yet… Suicune paused. Are you angry with us for this state of affairs?
He jumped a little, surprised. * How did he know… *
Ah…
"No, no!" Red said quickly. "I just don't want to lose him."
Suicune nodded. Your mate. I can sympathize. There is a way…
"There is?" He asked, trying not to sound too hopeful. * Can it really be true? I won't have to leave Lance? *
As you know, she cannot die. If you like, I can grant you the same power.
"Can you really do something like that?" He asked, surprised.
Yes. Do not worry. We are all watching over you. When your work is done, we shall seal you in the sacred realm of pokemon, and you shall live forever with each other there.
Feeling reassured, he went back to work on the meadow as he planted some seeds and pruned some weeds.
(Love you.) Lance whispered into his mind.
(I love you too...)
He would not recognize the significance of Suicune's words until later.
End Chapter
Started 2/27/04, completed 3/14/04
Edited 5/10/09
Had to remove the fan girl Japanese too! Fortunately, there were only one or two instances!