When Destinies Collide

[Last Exile]

Chapter 33 – Delinquent Duo

“Who am I?”
Sakura was standing on the same cliff edge where Ash had his life taken away from him. Looking down, she wondered whether Ash had felt fear when she saw the little pebbles slip from her shoes and fall down, down for what seemed like an eternity until they made a little ripple in the river below.
For so long, everything was clear. She knew where she wanted to go and had an idea how to get there. Even with life’s unexpected twists, she was still able to find her way. Even during this crazy trek, where her every move was being manipulated or coerced, she knew what she wanted and had some idea how to get it. She wanted to make Team Rocket pay for the murder of her mother. For the years that she never got to spend with her, sharing dressing tips, learning how to apply lipstick just the right way, share experiences with boys, feel the warmth of one of her hugs, hear a gentle reassurance from her sweet voice. She had the person that went through nine months of pregnancy and twelve hours of painful labour to bring her into this world, and then she was taken away from her. Sakura had never felt any regret or bitterness over the fact, but now there was a reason.
Her mother’s life had been cut short by someone that didn’t care about her one bit. There was a basis for hate and vengeance. Sakura had never really felt it until now. She always wanted to find a way to resolve a situation without resorting to violence or giving in to hate. She believed in the basic goodness in all people. But she’d found something devoid of sanctity, innocence, decency or emotion. She had found something so insidious, so despicable, so vile, so evil, that she was sickened to her soul.
She wanted vengeance. It was an awful feeling. It burned in her veins like burning fuel, billowing off pitch black smoke that smothered one and knocked them out cold. It was near impossible to put out. The only way to extinguish the fire, to quell the burning inside her that haunted her was to slay the source. She wanted Team Rocket wiped off the face of the planet.
And that meant one thing. She had to kill Giovanni.
There was no other way. The only way to kill the organisation was to chop off the head. Giovanni was the head. Therefore Giovanni had to die. Otherwise his legacy would endure beyond her lifetime. She didn’t want countless millions to suffer her pain. She was going to have to endure hers in order to make life better for others. It was a decision only a mature person could make. Not necessarily a mature adult. Through the ages, younger people have found the bravery to make those decisions to. Age is not the key to making such a decision. Wisdom and selflessness were.
But such and end did not make things easier. She knew the ends, but what were the means? She had lost nearly all of her magic, her mentor was dead, her lover was in enemy hands, and she was the next target of her enemies. How was she supposed to fight back when she didn’t know how?
“When there seems to be no way, make a way.”
Sakura jumped, then looked behind her. A floating figure was beside her, draped in robes that gave an impression that he was important, but he didn’t appear to be from a country or region she knew of. His hardened yet fragile brown eyes wove into her like a wisp of a thousand year old soul. His black hair made him look like a raven, one that was harsh yet sympathetic from years of experience. His skin was light brown, his face was a mixture of positive and negative feelings that switched from moment to moment. Looking into his eyes was like looking into the mists of time.
“You’re…you’re that guy from before. Who are you?”
The mysterious figure smirked. “Who am I, Sakura? I am but a player upon this stage of life, playing my part in this brief moment of a flickering candle, hoping that when it is extinguished it will come to mean something when tomorrow rises.”
Sakura groaned. “Okay, you can quote Shakespeare. I’m impressed that you’re a sensitive male. Now can you get the point where you say why you’re here?”
The figure straightened his expression. “If you wish me to be direct, then I will. When we last met, I said that I could be considered to be a guardian. You lost your spiritual guardian just now. Fate has chosen me to be your new guardian, Sakura.”
Sakura bowed her head and cursed. “I don’t remember asking for a new guardian. I was happy with the one I had, with my lover. I still have my friends. They can protect me.”
“Can they protect themselves?”
Sakura gasped, meeting the figure’s steely stare and his raised eyebrows.
“Is that a threat?”
“Hardly. There are only four people that I really care about in this universe, Sakura, and you are one of them. Any more, and I think I would fall apart. It’s hard enough keeping an eye on the four of you.”
Sakura couldn’t hide the wrinkles that formed on her forehead and the clueless expression on her face. “Four people? What are you talking about? Why am I so important to you? I don’t know you, what you want, or whether you have an ulterior motive. I’ve been betrayed too many times to trust you.”
The figure sighed, closed his eyes, then extended his arm out. “Touch my hand.”
“What?” Sakura’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open.
“Touch my hand. I promise I won’t hurt you. I’d never do that.”
Sakura held her breath, nodded her head, reached her arm out then let her fingers drift towards the figure’s hand. Her small, slender, shapely fingers tentatively drifted, and at the moment they were destined to touch his hand, she almost look away. If she had, she might never believed what had happened next. Her fingers fell right through his hand. Where there should have been flesh, skin and bone, there was only an ethereal presence. This was not a living being that was hovering before her. This was something that was bigger than her and anything she’d ever learned or thought about. This was something that defied logic. This was a miracle.
“You’re…not human.”
The figure smirked once more. “I told you, Sakura. I left behind my humanity a long time ago. I moved on. I am something different now. In a different plane. But I still pledge my allegiance to the people of this planet. My charges are my reason for being. You are one of my charges. I pledge my allegiance to you.”
Sakura’s hands began to tremble, not from fear for her life, but rather from awe. “But why?”
“Because I want to. I don’t live by all the rules. I live for what I believe in. I believe in humanity, even though many of my peers don’t. I know that there exist four people to salvage the good qualities of humanity. I will protect them.”
One particular comment stuck out more than the rest for Sakura. “Your peers don’t support you? Who are your peers?”
“Fellow guardians. Many of them have become disillusioned. They have given up on humanity. Sick of the things that humans do to each other. They don’t want to give humanity another chance. I do. But my allies are few and far between. I daresay that my popularity amongst the guardians is minimal at best. I am an outcast.”
Sakura felt an emotion well up in her that she hadn’t felt for a long time…compassion. It was like a lost child finding its way home. It was an overwhelming sensation that words could never truly describe.
“I’m sorry.”
The figure’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Why? You did nothing wrong. You never caused me any harm.”
“That still doesn’t mean that I can’t feel anything over you being in pain. You’ve card for me, obviously. You’ve probably watched me for a long time. Made sure that nothing too crazy happened to me when I was young, saw me as a Cardcaptor, watched me grow up, and now you see me as an adult. I probably owe a lot to you, but this is the first time we’ve met. I could’ve gone through my whole life without even knowing you existed. That’s not something I want.”
The figure then smirked once more and a soft laugh emerged from his lips. “That’s so you, Sakura. You’re always caring about others. It’s your best quality. But beware, for it may get you into hot water if you’re too trusting. You’ve been betrayed, you know.”
Sakura ducked her head. A tear ran down her right cheek as her breathing became laboured. “I know. But that doesn’t matter. I will get Ash back.”
The figure’s smirked turned into a cold frown. “You may want to save Ash, Sakura. But I tell you this right now. Ash does not want to be saved.”
Sakura felt her blood freeze as she heard those words. Almost maliciously, she stood herself mere millimetres away from the mysterious figure. “How would you know? You may have watched over me, but I doubt you know Ash that well.”
“I don’t need to. I know his enemy. I know his enemy all too well.”
Sakura felt her heart stop. The mere reference to the name of the person that was the cause of her misery made every hair on her body stand on end. “Spirit Reaper?”
“I don’t know how someone like Giovanni could ever manage to convince someone like Spirit Reaper to join him. Spirit Reaper is a menace that has blighted humanity for 5,000 years. He is a heartless thief that always gets what he wants. His specialty is stealing souls. And believe me, many innocent people have found themselves suffer from his cruel lust for souls.”
Sakura’s hands fell defensively over her chest. “Why does he steal other peoples’ souls? What can he possibly gain from that?”
“Immortality?”
Sakura gasped in horror, her pupils expanding to the point they virtually encompassed her entire eyeballs. “Immortality? He simply switches from host to host? For 5,000 years?! So many people, so many lives.”
“But this situation is different. Ash’s soul was a special target for him. For Spirit Reaper really isn’t fussed as to whose soul he claims. He was ordered to by Giovanni.”
“I know,” replied Sakura harshly. “I saw the secret communications between the Team Rocket leaders. They wanted Ash because he’s some…Fire Angel. And now they want me. Something to do with what they’re calling…Fallen Angels?”
“The Fallen Angels are the last line of defense for the planet against the forces of evil. Whenever they are needed, the Fallen Angels are always there. Four souls, exceptional and willing, ready to do whatever it takes to protect life on Earth. They change from person to person as each generation goes past. As fate would have it, Ash and yourself are two of the Fallen Angels. You are a guardian of this planet.”
Sakura felt like a great lump of lead was hung around her neck as she struggled for breath. “I’m…a guardian of this planet? Okay, now that’s a little far-fetched to believe. Of all the wacky things I’ve come to believe, this is going a bit too far.”
“Why? You said it yourself. So much that you can’t explained has been shown to be real. Now you’re saying that you can’t believe this? Sakura, you’ve already shown yourself to be a hero in your youth. It is only fitting that the universe would select you as one of its ultimate champions.”
“I never asked to,” replied Sakura solemnly, her eyelashes blurring her vision as tears accumulated in them. “I just want to be a normal person. I’m sick of being the hero. Heroes are only appreciated when they’re needed.”
The figure’s smirk instantly shifted into a menacing scowl. “I figured that cynicism is something that Ash would resort to whenever he was up against it. But I never thought you’d be such a wimp and cop out like that. Normal?! There is no such thing as normal!”
Sakura felt a sharp jab in her stomach and began to shrink down, trying to keep her eyes away from the figure. “Shut up, just shut up, please.”
“No, Sakura. You will listen. There is no escaping destiny. You either embrace it or let it slide by. But it will find you. It will confront you. And you’ll be faced with a decision that only you can make. Only you have the power to do that. If you don’t, then I might as well give up on humanity after all.”
That was the breaking point. Sakura felt something surge in her heart once more. A raging gale, swirling and encapsulating her soul. “What?”
“So heroes aren’t always appreciated. Does that mean that heroes shouldn’t exist? Does that mean good people should turn their back on innocent victims when hard times fall upon us? If we did that, we would be people without empathy. And there is a word for a person who is unable to feel empathy, Sakura. Evil.”
It felt like the word was burning into Sakura’s chest. Burning at her fear, her malice, her desire, her love. It was stirring up so many things inside her it felt like she was going to explode. Her head was swimming. She wouldn’t be able to take much more…
“I am not evil! How dare you even accuse me of that!” Sakura clenched her fist, gritted her teeth and stared down the figure, who hadn’t even moved a muscle.
“You accuse others of being cold. Why should you not be accused of the same thing? No one is innocent, Sakura. But that doesn’t mean that people don’t deserve a second chance. Very few people are willing to give them that. You have a chance.”
“But when will it end? I can only give so much.”
“It will end in the near future. There will be others to help you. But for now, you’re on your own.”
“I hate doing it on my own.”
“Sakura, be serious. You had to face so many trials in your youth on your own. You overcame them and turned into a great person. You still have so much to give. We’re all alone in a way. Even when we find the one we love, there’s still parts of us people will never know. We have to accept the fact that no-one can actually stand in our shoes and see the world from our point of view. But you won’t be alone this time.”
“I know. I have my friends. But I can’t live without Ash. And if he is one of the Fallen Angels, then if Team Rocket break him, we’ve lost something we can never get back.”
The figure dared to smile. “Very perceptive, Sakura. For that was just what I was going to say. That is exactly what Team Rocket is doing to Ash right now.”
Sakura’s face contorted in shock. “What? They’re…breaking Ash down?”
“I did tell you that Spirit Reaper is the best at stealing person’s souls. Your dear Ash is stronger than anyone he’s faced before, but he’s got all of Team Rocket’s resources ready to help him. Team Rocket is obsessed with Ash. They want him badly, so badly they’ll stop at nothing to convert him to the dark side. I don’t know where they are holding Ash, but I can hear his soul screaming out. He is weak, barely clinging onto this life anymore. Very much like how you were slipping away not so long ago.”
Sakura buried her face in her hands. “History repeats itself. I don’t care if a part of Ash hates me and for what we’ve done to each other. He saved me one. I have to save him. I love him. Maybe I wasn’t sure before, but I know now. If he leaves me, I’ll have a hole in my heart that’ll never be filled. It’ll eat away at me until I have nothing left.”
“Then you know what you must do.”
“But how can I do it? My powers are gone. I have nothing left to fight with.”
“On the contrary. Your powers are greater than ever.”

“Where…am I?”
“You are home, Ash Ketchum.”
Ash’s blurred vision slowly rippled away, clarity reforming in front of his eyes. The light pierced them, stinging at first, then relieving. He felt like he wished he was still asleep. And after he began to take in his surroundings, he wished he head.
He was strapped to an operating table. The cold, lifeless marble sapped the heat from his body in a vampire-like fashion. The light itself was artificial, fake, devoid of warmth. His skin was laced with a thin glaze of sweat that felt like ice.
“Forgive me if I sound ungrateful, but this hardly seems like home to me.”
“I can see why you’d say that.”
Ash felt himself go even more rigid. He knew that voice. He knew it all too well.
“Okay, now I know this is definitely not home. Home is a place I’d never find you.”
The devilish smirk on Giovanni’s face was the one thing in Ash’s view. “Well, well. I bet you thought we wouldn’t be meeting again so soon, and definitely not under these circumstances.”
Ash groaned. “Knowing you, nothing really surprises me anymore.”
“Come now, Ash. So cold! I swear I don’t think I deserve such an attitude. But then again, I have done you wrong, haven’t I? I can’t expect forgiveness from you just yet.”
“You can expect me to wrap my hands around your neck until you drop dead, you heartless bastard!” came Ash’s scathing reply.
“My parents were married, Ash,” replied Giovanni casually. “But enough small talk. I grow tiresome of this. I shall get straight to the point. You know why we have you here, don’t you?”
Ash struggled to break free of his constraints, but that only succeeded in tightening them even more. “I have not a clue, so enlighten me before I lose my mind, because I’m dying to know,” he replied sarcastically.
Giovanni sighed heavily, then looked as he could have strangled Ash at that moment.
(Side note from Giovanni to readers: As you have already determined, no doubt, since you readers have brain while this here fool doesn’t, I think it would be boring and pointless for you to have to listen to the whole Fallen Angels story again, so since you know what I’m going to say about that, we shall switch back to the other scene of this chapter. We will return shortly.)
“Okay then. Let’s start from the beginning…”

“My powers are stronger? But I don’t even have any!”
The figure in front of Sakura sighed. “I thought it was already clear. You’re a Wind Angel. That doesn’t even sound powerful to you?”
Sakura paused for a moment, composed herself, then raised her head. “Well, I guess so. But I thought my magic cards would be better. I’m sued to them.”
“Believe me, Sakura. The powers of those cards pale in comparison to the powers of a Fallen Angel. A Fallen Angel virtually has the world in the palm of their hand once they understand their powers. Can you comprehend that?”
Sakura gasped, unable to imagine such a thing. “That’s a bit hard for me to imagine.”
The figure almost looked as if he was ready to explode, then he composed himself and continued. “Put it this way. You’re going to need it. Team Rocket need to be stopped. And furthermore, Ash is running out of time. In 24 hours, Giovanni will have succeeded in converting Ash to his cause. And if that happens, you’ll lose him for good. His actions over the last day or two have already shown that he’s slowly being converted.”
Sakura gulped. “Well, he has been acting weird, but I get the impression you’re about to say he’s done more than I know about.”
“Well, to put it bluntly, he threw away all of his Pokemon into a river, then one of his former ones came and set him on fire to initiate his awakening as a Fire Angel, then he willingly left with Team Rocket. Does that spell it out for you?”
At that moment, whatever restraints that were on Sakura’s composure were completely. She felt rage flare up inside her like never before. Her hair felt like it truly was fire. Her eyes were venomous, her skin glowing. “That does it! I’ve had enough of being jerked around! If I do have the power to settle this once and for all, then this will end today. Team Rocket will regret the day they messed with me! And I’m not going to be that quick to forgive Ash either!”
“So you’re ready to do what is necessary then?” asked the figure solemnly.
“Hell yes!” came Sakura’s vicious reply. “I want revenge.”
“Good,” came the figure’s firm reply. “It is time to initiate you into the ways of the Fallen Angels. Meet me in the fields on the outskirts of Strontium City in ten minutes. I have a quick matter to attend to.”
“I’ll be there!” And with that, Sakura sped out of the room towards her destination, for once full of determination and knowing what she wanted to do.
The figure stood there for a moment, then smiled to himself as a second person materialised next to him in an aura of green and blue.
“I’d figure you’d show up sooner or later…Crystal.”
Crystal couldn’t help but smirk herself. “We were bound to meet again soon. Better now than later. I’m surprised you didn’t show up earlier.”
“Your presence made things easier on my part. Although I didn’t anticipate Giovanni learning about Ash’s and Sakura’s true identities so soon. This is not a good sign.”
Crystal nodded pensively. “We have to make sure the identities of the other two Fallen Angels remain a secret until the time comes for the four to unite. If we lose any one of them, the plan will fail.”
“Yes,” replied the figure. “Ash is almost lost to us. But I have faith.”
“That is all we can have now,” replied Crystal, smoothing her hair out. “She is capable. But I’m leaving the initiation up to you. I will aid you during the final battle, but until then, I must not involve myself, lest our true identities be revealed.”
“That is paramount,” replied the figure. “There will be a time with we can disclose that information. But until then, it must remain a mystery. I must say, I was incredibly impressed with how you’ve managed not to arouse any suspicions of theirs regarding you.”
“You flatter me,” giggled Crystal. “But I think there’s another quick stop you have before the initiation. I won’t hold you up any longer…Alex.”
Alex paused then smiled. “You’re right, as usual…my dear. I won’t be long. If you wish to watch the initiation, you may, but try to keep out of Sakura’s sight for a bit.”
“No problem…dear.”
“Until then.” Alex levitated towards Crystal until their faces were mere millimetres apart. Crystal wrapped her arms around his face and smothered his lips with hers in a passionate kiss.

Alex was now in a deep underground tunnel. Dripping water flowed all around him. The odd sound of an insect or a rodent could be heard. Two people were standing next to him, ripe with anticipation.
“I thank you for your assistance in this matter. Saying those exact words set off a chain reaction in her. Sakura will awaken at last, and now that the exact location of this base will be revealed, this is the chance you two will have to finally get your lives back. By midnight tomorrow, you will be free once more. And rest assured that your deeds here have more than nullified any harm you were forced to commit under this vile organisation.”
“You are most gracious.”
“Well, that is all. I must begin the initiation. Have nice lives, you two.”
Alex quickly shimmered out of sight. The two figures were left it darkness, but that couldn’t hide their smiles.
“Well, Misty, looks like it’s goodbye to this rathole,” joked Li.
“Indeed. I’d say things are looking up for once,” smirked Misty.



Well, I hope you enjoyed that. Because I've made a decision:

The next chapter of WDC will be the LAST!

That's right, the end is near! The sequel will be happening soon! So hopefully before the latest awards are done, this can be completed and archived. Hope you enjoy how it turns out.

[Andrew]

Guh, I'm confused

I got the part where Ash um like turned evil and stuff. But can we have perhaps a short mini chapter about what Happened to the Pokemon, and um where they turned up, that'd be tops thanks Mainly because otherwise I'll spend the entire sequel going "OMG WHAT ABOUT PIKACHUU!!!!"

So Sakura is a wind angel.

Are the other two Crystal and Madison? Or Misty and Li? Or that new fellow? Or is it like Amy... I liked the robed fellow, perhaps he could've been a bit snarkier

So Giovanni stealing Souls, sure this isn't a Buffy B Plot

And regarding the Clow Cards, why not have them "Absorbed" into Sakura, that way we don't have to see them again, and stuff

But I hope in Ascension Ash learnt to read. And Maddy's taken a backseat now So is Meowth and Togepi still with them? Our last remaining Pokemon Links.

Good work, but you confused me.

[Last Exile]

OzAndrew: Well, eys, I kinda expected that. The last chapter will explain some things and leave some open for the sequel. You've guessed something that happens in the last chapter though, so your wits are about you Andy! As for the characters, they are going to be phased out a bit. 4 mains in the sequel doesn't leave much room for that many extras.

[ZeldaFan20]

Boy, that chapter sure was a shocker! So Ash and Sakura are guardians?! and Crystal is in league with this "Alex person"?! But, still, how did he manage to get to Misty and Li? Gee, so many questions---and I'm guessing we'll all have to wait a while to get them answered. Great story, but don't keep us guessing for too long!

[Snakes N' Legends]

Interesting chapter. Sakura knows her true identity and she is off to save Ash before he is turned to the Dark Side.

Ash: Get away from me, Giovanni.

Giovanni: Ash, I am your father.

Ash: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Sure, I couldn't resist. It does sound like something out of Star Wars if Giovanni was Ash's father but I'd doubt Giovanni would do that to his son ... although Giovanni could pull a Lionel Luthor and treat Ash the same way Lionel treats Lex.

Question, if Yami and Amy are the two other guardians which I believe is correct (though I don't understand how you can have Yami with Yugi), how will the help out? Yami is a Pharoah or a spirit of a Pharoah if you are going for modern times and Amy is a Sailor Scout. If Ash is a Fire Angel, Sakura is a Wind Angel, then Amy must be a Water Angel (Well she does use water attacks along with Ice Attacks), then what type of Angel is Yami if he and Amy are the two other guardians ... if I am right which I am probably wrong?

Yes, that was a mouthful but I can simplify it in two questions. Are Yami and Amy the two other guardians and what are their powers? (And how are you going to do the whole Yami thing if you are going to set it in the present instead of the past?)

Anyways, I will be glad to read the sequel to this.

[mr_pikachu]

*shoots SNL* Shuttap! You give away too much! CCC is cunning author! You are fool to give secrets away! [/fake Russian voice]

Erhem... Well, this was certainly interesting, though I pretty much expected the Sakura = Wind Angel part. The mysterious guy shows up again... but what the hay?!? Crystal knows him... and MORE! *gasp* No way... you can't be serious! That's... crazy!

Note to SNL: See, THIS is how you say you know something without giving it away to everyone else. *smacks back of SNL's head*

Anyway, I DID have a relevant comment to make, believe it or not. I noticed that there were a LOT of typos in this chapter, much more than your usual average. You might want to go through it once more to pick those off, because I know it isn't like you to make that many errors. Also, pardon me if I say Alex is a bit Shadi-ish. (You know what I'm saying!)

And Misty and Li escaping! Yayness! ^_^


P.S. I know everyone's expecting me to say it, so I will.

OMG WHAT ABOUT PIKACHUU!!!! *winks at Oz*

[mistysakura]

Well, that explained quite a bit... shockingly. I'm not going to repeat the events of the chapter, becuase I always thought that was kind of pointless (although I always did it.)

Anyway, I think that it's good that Misty and Li are free now, since nothing seems to have happened with them for ages. I hope that stuff like what they actually did to help Alex etc. will be revealed sometime. (Shoot me if you've told us already... I've a knack for forgetting vital parts of fics, as mr_pikachu knows.)

Sakura's personality was portrayed well -- she does have her weak moments. I like it when characters are human.

Watch the typos; or maybe it's just my weird computer that doesn't display stuff properly. Also, the dialogue, although better than previous chapters, sounds a bit weird -- not conversational enough (even though "conversation" seems too casual a word.) I'm not talking about Alex, since he's probably meant to be like that, or Giuovanni and Ash, who are good enough. Sakura, on the other hand, seems to talk a bit too... I can't find a word for it. "Poetic"'s the closest I can find. I wouldn't expect most people to speak like that.

Nothing against your writing aility, but one of the most shocking phrases in your post was "The next chapter of WDC will be the LAST!" That's quick... I know it's alreaday 33 chapters, but there's still so much. I guess that's why sequels exist. Now I'm hoping (already) that the Yu-Gi-Oh! side of it will be interesting enough for me to bother to understand... but I trust you.

[psychic25]

I read part of this a really long time ago, and thought it was excellent (but never had time to respond). And I just finished reading the whole rest of the thing! This is an INCREDIBLE story, and I have to say, CCC, you are an awesome writer. I try, but... I can never do anything like this.

[Pig on the Wing]

I've been reading this fic for some time now...

I'd just like to say that it's a top quality fanfic. I'll be sad to see it end although I look forward to the sequel.

A note on Alex, have you played a game called Golden Sun by any chance, as there is a character named Alex who seems very familiar to the Alex here. Probably coincedence though...

[PancaKe]

Brilliant.

Need I say any more?

Well, I will. Sequel should be great, although the sudden "guardian" shocked me, I can sort of understand it. Thing is, I dont trust you Ryan. You could make that guardian Alex turn evil, as it sounded when he was talking to Misty and Li. Because, weren't Misty and Li wearing guns and planning to kill a few chapters ago???

ANyway

God bless!

~Mist

[Last Exile]

Well, things will be coming to an end soon.

Firstly, thansk for your support in the awards. 7 awards, and mainly in categories I thought were appropriate. Thanks guys!

I've actually written more than the first chapter of the seuqel than the final chapter for this one! And I'm been watching anime as well. I can tell you three things though:

1. The final chapter, Chapter 34, will be called....'Infection'

2. One certain aspect of WDC will be completely wiped out for good in Fallen Angels, the sequel.

3. If anyone that reads this has watched the anime Shingetsutan Tsukihime (True Tales of the Moon Princess, a vampire/romance anime), you will probably figure out how this is going to end. If not, you might want to read up on it. I watched this one in order to help me write this last chapter.

[Last Exile]

Okay, i've made a decision todya.

I will not ever be writing the final chapter of this fic. I'm scrapping this altogether. It's been interesting but I think I'm capable of better. Basically in the last chapter Sakura would have been awakened as a Wind Angel, save Ash's sorry but and wreck the TR base, Gio lives another day, Misty and Li get away, Madison and Meowth were saved. Ash feels like killing himself over the whole thing but Sakura won't let him because she loves him too much. He eventually gives into her and that's the way things end.

So I'm giving my time to something more important - the sequel, Fallen Angels. Because I went to a writing seminar that lasted all weekend by a professional fantasy author that lives in my state, Fiona McIntosh. She's a wonderful woman and has 4 novels published, with two more on the way soon. Her ideas have inspired me to make Fallen Angels something more than a silly little fic just for here. I'd like to write it properly and make it something more. So I wrote the first chapter, and she said she'd give me some editing advice every now and then. She said she likes my idea for this, and has some feedback to give soon. Once I make some more adjustments. I'll start posting my new fic.

Look, sorry if you're disappointed, but hey. From now on, I'll be writing something a lot better. There will be no references to anime or the like at all. This is going to be a mixture of realism and fantasy elements. Something that could potentially be published one day. So expect to see that up soon.

[PancaKe]

I think thats actually where many of the older members on this board are heading. Definantly not all, but most. more and more non pokemon fics are coming up latley, and i think that some of us could well have them published one day. You're not the first to take this step away from the familiar territories of already existing characters and places into new creative worlds, but I know you can do it.

Im dissapointed, but I know that whatever you hand out to us will be your finest yet and I support you all the way.

Luv yew!

~Mist

[Andrew]

Ah Ryan, I know how that feels, morphing your fic as you grow and develop, but I'm sad you abandoned it just right at the end... oh well.

Tara, I absolutely agree, we're all moving away from Pokemon, and BBP had a MASSIVE ***** to me the other day on AIM about it saying basically Fanfic was awful because we didn't have any fics on Ash and Misty anymore.

Ah well, the next thing should be fun eh?

Thanks Ryan.

[mistysakura]

*sees WDC's topic active* *thinks "the one day I'm away he has to post the final chapter...* *clicks topic* *damn*

Heck, there's no lying; I'm disappointed. Although I knew you were losing interest, I thought at least you'd continue it until the end... I'm not accusing you of anything, in case that's what you're thinking. But it's your choice, and without you we wouldn't have this wonderful fic in the first place! This is always going to be a classic.

Have fun wirting the sequel!

[mr_pikachu]

Originally posted by mistysakura:

*sees WDC's topic active* *thinks "the one day I'm away he has to post the final chapter...* *clicks topic* *damn*

*sees WDC's topic active* *thinks "the one week I'm away he has to post the final chapter...* *clicks topic* *damn*

Aw, man! I hate that this has to end like this, after such an inspiring effort. You've done such a great job on this fic that it kind of stings to see it tossed away. Like mistysakura, I wish you could've finished it off. But I understand, too. I've had times I've really wanted to quit a writing project, and I usually just force myself to write until it's a total piece of junk. It's understandable that you'd prefer putting it away to finishing it inadequately. I've kinda been worried that this might happen, but I was just hoping it wouldn't. I also see your point about making fics non-Pokemon; you can't really do much of anything with fanfics except put them on fanfic sites. I've tried to write some purely original fiction myself, lately. So it's understood, believe me.

On a final note, this is, IMO, one of the best fics to ever be put on TPM. I mean it. In my time here I've read a lot of writing, but most of it doesn't come close to holding a candle to this. It's good stuff, man. You're a good writer, and don't let that go to waste.

Guess I'm a Fallen Angels reader now...

[Gavin Luper]

I know exactly what you mean Ryan.

It's like Tara said, we're all growing away from pokemon now - by we, I mean everyone who's been here for a few years, and is a bit older.

I've been starting to do the exact thing that you've done, too. LTL is drawing to a close, and I want to write for real - like, something I can really be proud of and take into the real world in some way or another.

So it's sad to see this end, even though I haven't been reading for ages.

But Fallen Angels looks awesome - I had a glance at it today, and I have to say that once I catch up, I'll be an avid reader of your work once more!

Cheers mate!

PS: This is Collingwood's year, I tell you! WE WILL WIN!