Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ 100_Moods ❯ Mood #93: Sympathetic ( Chapter 93 )

I wish that Microsoft Word and my laptop would quit freezing!

Title: Sympathetic
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #93, Sympathetic
Rating: PG
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

Warnings: AU, het

 

Red woke up panting the fourth night this week. He shivered as he pulled the blankets closer to his shoulders. It wasn't fair! Ever since he had moved into the Indigo Plateau, his nights had been plagued with terrible nightmares. Sighing, he pulled on a fluffy robe and began padding down the hall in his bunny slippers to try and make himself some hot chocolate.

A hand landed on his shoulder, and he jumped, screaming his lungs out.

“Red, it's me.”

Red shakily turned his head and saw Lance peering at him. His friend looked completely fresh and awake, wearing pajamas of dark blue silk with a little Dragonair embroidered on the front pocket. He sighed in relief.

 

“Are you all right?”

“N-Nightmares,” Red shivered. His teeth were chattering. Why was it so cold?

She nodded, and led him down the hall to the kitchen, where she made hot chocolate. He wrapped himself in the large animal quilt on the couch, watching as Lance melted chocolate and heated milk over the stove.

“Here you go.” She said placidly, placing a steaming mug in front of him and taking a seat next to him on the touch.

“Thanks,” He murmured, sipping the scalding brew gingerly. It made heat rush back to his body almost immediately, and he smiled.

“Couldn't sleep, I suppose,” Lance shook her head. “It usually takes a while to adjust to the atmosphere here.”

“Why, Lance?”

The Dragon Master shook her head. “It is better if you do not know what really lies here.”

 

That caught Red's attention. He put his mug down, turning to Lance. She looked like she really needed a hug, so Red hugged her.

Lance's eyes opened in surprise, but she made no move to push Red away as he snuggled into her arms.

The poor Trainer probably just wanted comfort. He was unused to the harsh reality here. For Indigo Plateau was a place of great despair.

One you came here, you never left. It was a mousetrap, a very cunning one. There was a reason why the first Champion had fled to Cosmos.

Of course, there was an aura of hopelessness. The Elite knew they were trapped, but it was not their pain that the air ran murky with. It was the despair of those foolish Trainers who came to test their luck, and their skill. They invariably failed in their battles, defeated mercilessly. Chickens banged their heads against stonewalls and bled to death daily. They were foolish, and would eventually pay the price.

 

Now that Red had actually defeated the Elite Four to become the Champion, others were trying to follow in his footsteps. They did not realize how futile their efforts were. She shook her head.

Even if they did win, they would join the mice already caught.

* Poor pathetic children… *

There was no escape, was there?

 

Red listened as Lance spoke, voice soft and whispery, but he really did hear everything, and words dropped like lead, plopping softly into his heart.

It hurt badly, like his heart was being torn to shreds, but he sensed she needed to tell someone, badly, so he continued to listen.

Finally, she stopped, and sighed, a single, long, bone-weary sound. Red did not know what he was doing, but he did not let go of Lance, even as his hot chocolate grew cold on the table, and outside, the first light of dawn began to peek in.

“I'm scared.”

“I know.” She rested her cheek against Red's shoulder, closing her eyes. “I'm scared too.”

It was such a simple admission, but she had hidden the truth from herself for so long, daring others to see it. She was blind, because she chose to be blind, to walk the precipice without fear. It was simply her shield, in the end.

 

“I guess… we can be scared together.” Red admitted. * It's better than being alone… *

Lance smiled. “You are wonderful.”

He was innocent, and it was refreshing.

“Me? But I didn't do anything.” He blinked, puzzled.

She kissed him, then, perfectly chaste, but it made his cheeks tint pink just the same. “I know.”

No, Red did not know, but he was too tired, and Lance was warm, so they sat there, huddled together, and watched the sunrise.

 

End Fic

Completed 9/21/06

Edited 7/16/09

See? I gave them a little bit of hope at the end! ^^

Misery loves company after all!