This plotbunny is very stubborn. >.< Takes forever to write. Some stories are faster, this is not one of them… various fics are dated differently.

Disclaimer/Notes: See chapter 1. I don’t own pokemon, that’s the most important deal. I am making zero profit off of this fanfic, and… *thinks* since I wrote it its mine! So don’t take my ideas/creations/writing.

This fic spawns off post-CCA, Dragon’s Love, Mirror my Reflection, and Pokemon Special.

Red = Ash

 

Chapter 2

 

            One step.

            He fell.

            The water was so inviting, and maybe he could see his father if he looked hard enough.

            The step was so easy….

            He slept.

 

            Lance paced back and forth in the room as he waited for the little one to revive. That bloody stupid stubborn-minded kid!

            Well, it wasn’t his fault he couldn’t remember, but still! Seriously, those Chosen memories were such a pain to deal with.

            The cuts still stung a bit in the open air, Lance quickly grabbed a bottle of Peroxide and winced as he took care of the two long slashes on his arms.

            At least they’d heal quickly, he’d use the Power tomorrow when his magic replenished itself.

            Yes…

            These things had to be done quickly and carefully before the last breath of life extinguished itself. Luckily, the Dragon ceremony was already over or he might be the one in the grave.

            Lance sighed. * That little one will be the death of me… but as Ho-Oh’s Chosen, he should have rebirth in the ashes. Still, we had better not press our luck. *

            No, luck was usually not with the ones tested by Serebii and the others. So you had to count on skill and power and knowledge. The more, the better off you were.

           

            < Will he be all right, Dragon Master? > a worried voice asked.

            < Yes, do not worry. >

            Dragonair curled herself up, nodding. It was lucky, so very lucky, that Aeroy had somehow, who knew, managed to contact the Dragon Master.

            It had been a long night, but it looked like Red would make it.

            Thank Lugia.

 

            Gyra yawned, even keeping vigil was tiring him out, and it must be the stress. Lance told Aerodactyl and he to get some rest, fretting would do no good, so finally, they did. Dragonair slept too. As for Lance himself, the magic burned brightly in his eyes as the last threads were woven and separated and written out.

            Lucky indeed.

            Red did not wake for a week, but when he did, he was cured, the last traces of darkness having been wiped out. Annihilated, those seeds of destruction were.

            Perfect.

            He stared in surprised at the trainer who sat across from him.

            “You are?”

            “Call me Lance.”

            “Did you save me?” Red asked, frowning as he tried to remember what had happened. He wasn’t in the hospital, was he? No, the sheets were black.

            “Yes. You tripped and fell into the water, can’t swim?”

            “H-hai.” Ash said sheepishly.

            “Well, lucky I was passing by then.” Lance said. “You’ve been out for a few days, but you seem okay now.”

            He took a few cautious breaths and nodded, smiling in spite of himself. Yes! Very lucky! * I guess I do have the devil’s luck. *

            “I’m a little hungry.”

            “I made turkey broth.” Lance told him, indicating a tray. “You want?”

            “Thanks!”

            Ash finished the soup, and then felt strong enough to leave his bed and make the way to the bathroom down the hall.

            He spotted another bedroom, something that looked like a study, and a kitchen. This must be Lance’s house.

            Still, why didn’t he take me to the hospital?

            Red shrugged, at least he couldn’t be fan-mobbed here. Wait! Lance wasn’t a crazy fan, was he?

            Seemed normal enough… still, one couldn’t be too careful.

            Red made a mental note to check, after he got his pokemon back. Where were they? He had seen Pikachu eating an apple, but that was about it so far. I’ll ask later, he decided.

            A shower helped clear the fog in his mind, and then he went back and found Lance web surfing.

            “Lance?”

            “Hmm?”

            “My pokemon, do you have them?”

            “Yep, they’re in the backyard.”

            “Thanks!”

            Sure enough, not one was missing, and all were very glad to see him. He collected all his pokemon, thanked Lance, and then waved goodbye to the friendly trainer, hoping he’d see him again in the future.

            Maybe he would, who knew?

 

            < Wait, I don’t get it. Since you had him, why you let him go? >

            < It’s easier to pick up the pieces. So much more so… >

            < Hmm? >

            < Foresight, Lugia-san, foresight. >

            < Oh. >

            < I can see many things… > Lance said, golden eyes glinting blue. < And, I know exactly what cards to play. >

            < You have always been devious, my Chosen. >

            < Of course. > Lance said. < Also, his Aerodactyl is loyal to me as well…. Let us see how it works out. >

            Lugia mentally smiled back. * Yes, let the games begin! *

            Games were always fun to watch, especially for very bored legendaries. ^_^

 

Started 4/12/04, completed 4/30/04

Dramatic irony is an important literary term…