Chapter 8: Fin

 

            What’s done has to be done. There is no way of squirming out of duty, no backing out, and no escape.

            For that is the fate of the guardians: all of them, not just the Three who hold the balance and weigh the lives on the Scales of Fate and Destiny.

            The bonds of duty could not be broken easily, if at all.

            For that was the way.

 

            Ash slept fitfully, nightmares keeping him asleep and yet awake.

            Lance watched over him.

            She always would…

            She never left him, she was his protector, forever and ever as long as he wanted her there.

            He knew he could break her so easily, with just a look, but he didn’t want to.

            He clung to her as his lifeline. She was all that remained constant, besides his pokemon, in the future. She always protected him.

            She always cared for him.

            Wasn’t that what really counted? Besides, Francine was gone, and the stone was destroyed. Their duty in this life was over.

            They could simply enter the dream realm now. Would that not be much simpler?

            Lance closed her eyes, resting her forehead against his, as she sighed.

           

            Ash came to, feeling drowsy and warm, but drugged.

            “Lance-chan?”
            “Are you all right?”

            “I think so…” Ash tested his strength, and nodded.

 

            “That’s very good.” Lance said. “Ash… I know you want to remember her sacrifice. But, Charlotte does not want you to continuously beat yourself over the head.”

            “Hai…”

            “I’m not lying!”

            “I know.” Ash said, as Lance put her hands on his shoulders. “I can deal with it.”
            “Can you? Those nightmares are taking quite a toll. I had to use Hypnosis.”
            “Honto ni?”
            “Yes.”

 

Ash sighed. “I will. Because unless we face the future, we will remain trapped in the past forever.”

“Very noble sentiments.” Lance commented.

“Honor, at least I still have… Love, yes… Power? If I didn’t’ have this power I would not have the responsibility either. But we will wait.”

Lance nodded, as they looked to the future together.

 

It was unsure, but then again, even using Future Sight was not a guaranteed method.

They would just face it one day at a time.

That was nothing but the truth.

 

I don’t write very long endings now I think… hope you enjoyed the fic. if not, I didn’t force you to read it.

THE END