I will try and make this the last chapter, so this series can wind down.

 

Disclaimer: NOT MINE. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo, 4Kids, Shogakukan Comics…

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics for pokemon talking.

Timeline: Let’s say a few months later

 

Chapter 10: Living Onwards and Ever

 

            Ash’s eyes were closed as his Sharpedo fought the trainer’s Gardevoir.

            It was winning; type advantage and two good Crunch attacks had brought Gardevoir down to its last legs.

            “Now.” Ash said. Sharpedo nodded, and Surf KO’d the pokemon.

            Ash hugged his rough-skinned pokemon gently, taking great care not to brush against the scales the wrong way, as Craig left.

            Lance watched with a smirk.

            “Perfect, little hikari.”
            “I’m not hikari anymore.” Ash said, looking into her eyes. “I’m a child of shadow.”

            Lance nodded, as a pale blue glow glimmered in her eyes. “I know. But I still love you.” Without another word, she yanked him against her and kissed his sun sweet hair.

            Ash’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected movement, and accidentally tripped her, sending them both sprawling onto the ground.

            Hearing the crash, Lorelei and Charlotte both came running, before they both took off again, not wanting to interrupt a moment.

 

            “L-lance-chan…” Ash was now turning redder.

            “Hai?”

            He blushed. “That was forward.”

            “So?”

            “Um… I know you love me?”

            Lance sweatdropped slightly. “Never mind…”

            “But, I just want you to know, I love you back.” Ash said softly.

            Lance’s eyes lit up, and she glomped him happily, before taking off in the direction of her room.

            “Eek!”
            Ash scrambled to keep up with her, watching as Lance bolted the door shut and flopped down on the bed next to him.

            Lance grinned wryly. “Well?”

            Ash blinked.

            “You thought I was going to fling you onto the bed and make mad, passionate love to you?”
            Ash turned possibly the deepest shade of scarlet known to mankind. “LANCE-CHAN!”

 

            “I won’t force anything on you, don’t’ worry.” She reassured him.

            Ash blushed again.

            “Sorry…”

            “It’s not a problem.” Lance said lightly. “I know you’re not ready yet.’
            “Okay…” Ash said, as she stroked his hair and sat there. Silence roamed the halls of the Plateau. Elsewhere, Charlotte and Lorelei returned to their movie watching.

 

            “Seems those two need some quiet time together.” Lorelei chuckled.

            Charlotte popped some more caramel popcorn into her mouth and laughed. “Well, why not?”

            “I think they make a cute couple.” Lorelei squealed.

            “Yes! If they’re getting married, we should plan the wedding.”

            “Totally!”

            “I know blue would be fashionable.”

            “Hmm…” Charlotte grinned. “And we could make our own bridesmaid dresses.”

            “Oh! I’ll go get something.”

            Lorelei skipped off.

 

            Ash finally fell asleep… again.

            He just felt more relaxed whenever she was with him.

            They did click like puzzle pieces.

            Ash smiled.

            Lance yawned slightly and poured herself another glass of club soda. Mini refrigerators were useful things.

 

            “Hmm… this does look good.” Charlotte said approvingly as she glanced at the pale blue fabric.

            “I knew it!” Lorelei cheered.

            Charlotte grinned. “So! Should we do rhinestones in the middle of those little rosettes, pearls, embroidery…”

            “Hmm…” Lorelei put her glasses on and peered at the fabric more closely.

            “Why not the pearls in rosettes instead?”

            “Why not?” Charlotte agreed. “Let’s do it!”

            And so, they began measuring, pinning, cutting, and sewing. It was never too early to plan!

 

            Ash was very surprised and embarrassed when he found out though. Sure, a private wedding would be great, but how could they arrange it without telling him a word?

            Women. Such untrusting creatures, he mused.

 

            Soon enough though, the day broke through clearly, when the vows were read and the contract signed.

            The couple was subdued but happy, as the ceremony was private with only three witnesses.

            After that, life was rather simple. It was simply a matter of hiding the secret from the press.

 

            Lance shrieked out three words in poke speech as a swarm of reporters descended on the plateau. A second later, a vortex opened and sucked them all in.

            Dragonite picked up some of the equipment dropped and studied it.

            Can I keep this?

            Why?

            Might be useful someday.

            “Blackmail, Dragonite?” Lance asked. “I should have known.”

            You’re not a good influence, Master.

            Who said I was? Lance said, before disappearing in a haze of blue smoke.

            Dragonite yawned. Well, I hope you live happily ever after.

            “I wouldn’t count on it.” Charlotte said, walking up. “But they deserve a shot at it. So, I’ll play this game a little longer and see how it turns out.”

            With a key, she locked the door on the gateway, and from then on, became the watcher.

            And the night and the day melded, and became shadow, with dawn and dusk, nevermore.

 

 

Fin

 

*kicks bunny* If it hadn’t been for you dying on me… ah well. Hopefully the next fic will be better.