Title: Fire
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #74, Fire
Rating: PG-13
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: Shonen-ai, AU, anti-Palletshipping

“Damn it Lance! Let me in!” Ash pounded against the door with his fists, but the unyielding oak held firm. Nearby, Gary stood, looking supremely awkward, hands shoved in his pockets, slouching.

“No.” The Dragon Master said. He doubted they would be able to get past his barricade, after all. He finished deleting all the files on his computer, ignoring the muffled thumps coming from the doorway. There should be no evidence left. Ah.

He calmly poured himself another glass of Russian vodka, before he released his Charizard. The pokémon peered at him quizzically, before laughing softly.

Master… you would go this far…?

“Of course.” The Leader of the Elite Four smirked. “Do you doubt me? If this is the only way to leave things behind, I choose it readily.”

It will be painful…

“I know.” Lance said, even as he released Ptera. “But… it’s worth it.” With that, the two of them soared off.

Charizard huffed out a puff of smoke, before he breathed a Flamethrower attack out. The room began to smolder and burn, the alcohol hissing angry flames, before he flew after them.

Outside the room, Ash frowned at the silence, before a loud crackling noise caught his attention. He paled as the door burst open in a swirl of flame. A badly burnt body lay slumped near the bed.

“No!” Ash cried, running over, heedless of the fire. “No!”

“Ash, come back here! It’s too dangerous!” Gary yelled.

“No!” Ash sobbed. Gary rushed over and dragged him away, while water pokemon descended on the scene. Hours later, the corpse was proclaimed as Lance and Ash passed out as soon as he heard the news.

“And so it ends.” Lance smirked, as he closed his eyes.

“I don’t mind if you crash here for a while.” Red smiled. “But I’m surprised. I thought you loved him.”

Lance shrugged. “If he did not love me back, what was the use?”

“Then do you love me because I look like him, Lance?”

“Of course not.” Lance half-smiled, gazing into Red’s crimson eyes. “You are purer in heart than your little brother ever was. I found his naiveté rather charming, but…”

“But he only wanted your affection.”

“Yes, and he slept with Gary, so really, there was nothing between us. Emotionally, perhaps, I was useful for a time.” Lance shrugged. “Can you fault me for feeling used?”

“No.” Red clambered onto Lance’s lap and kissed him. “Never. But you’re dead now, Lance.”

“Does it matter? I’ll go to Cosmos, if you’d like.”

Red nodded, before he kissed Lance again. “I missed you… and I was jealous. I thought you’d love Ash more than me, since he was cuter…”

“Shh.” Lance soothed. “It’s over now.”

“Yes.” Red gripped Lance’s shoulders tightly. “Now, it’s over. Now you’re all mine. I’m never giving you away. And Ash will never have you.”

He smiled.

Lance smiled back, and no more was said.

End Fic

Completed 12/23/06

Hehehe… Red can be jealous of Ash, and vice versa!