"Hey Lancey. How's it feel to not be the champ?" Karen walked into the chambers of the champion's den, the scorch marks on the floor the only sign of the previous battle. Lance sighed and ran a hand through his red-ish/ orange-ish/ pink-ish, spiked back hair. (A/N: Seriously, I have no idea what color his hair is. It's an orange-red in most cases, but in the Pokémon anime it's pink…)
"Actually, I'm not sure," Lance said softly, staring at the floor beneath his feet, then shifting his gaze the red and white PokéBalls sitting on the ledge of the small step before the Hall of Fame's entrance. Karen tilted her head in thought.
"Wait…if he's the new champion, why are we still here?"
"Well, he had a choice: Kick Will out and be the final fight, or explore Kanto. He picked Kanto," Lance explained, folding his arms across his chest. Karen nodded slowly.
"I see…I'm guessing he's like those rabid Pokéfans who just have to catch 'em all?" she asked, watching Lance sit down on the step next to the PokéBalls.
"I suppose…but he might be after the badges. That way he can prove he's the best." Karen nodded again and sat on Lance's lap. He stared at her.
"Why do you have to sit on me?" She smiled.
"Because I'm not about to sit on the soot-covered step, dear Lancey." As if to prove her point, Karen drew her finger through the dark powder on the step and touched his nose. He went cross-eyed trying to look at it. She giggled.
The sound of a creaking door was heard, and Koga stuck his head in. Karen turned around, still sitting on Lance, and the former champion shifted his gaze to the other Elite Four member.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." The poison-master smirked. Lance turned a bright pink.
"No no, you're not." Karen glanced at him before standing up and allowing him to follow suite.
"Well, anyway, I'm going to Fuchsia to see Janine. That okay?" Koga asked, scratching the back of his head. Lance nodded.
"I heard she's the new gym leader," Karen put in, smiling. Koga grinned.
"Yeah."
"Send her my regards, Koga. And try not to hurt anyone…" Lance said, turning around and looking over his shoulder. Koga chuckled.
"Will do, Lance."
"Are you sure you want to go? Lance is buying, and that hasn't happened in a while." Karen glanced at Lance, who had put his face in his hand.
"That's right. I can't believe I forgot…" Koga chuckled again and shook his head.
"Sorry guys, I'd rather spend a few days with my daughter." She nodded.
"M'kay. Have fun!" Koga nodded and walked back out the door. Lance sighed and turned around. Karen frowned.
"Lancey…you're burnt."
"Hmm?" She walked over to him and tilted his chin up.
"Yeah…that's a pretty bad one, too." Lance gingerly touched his cheek, grimacing.
"Must have been the remains of a Flame Thrower…" She shook her head.
"Anyway, get your Dragonite out. We're flying to Celadon!" With the Elite Four, it was a tradition for the last person beat when a challenger came to buy dinner in Celadon City. Since Lance was the champion for a long time, he never had to buy anything. But since that guy came and claimed his title…
Chuckling lightly, Lance grabbed a PokéBall
"You do realize that none of my Pokémon can actually fly, right?" Karen frowned.
"But they all have wings…so how did we get there last time?
"To be honest, I'm not really sure."