Title: The Dragon's Secret
By: Nephitari Champion
Chapter Two
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
Description: Ash and Misty have a large secret that they have to hide from the world, they are dragons, and the only problem is that they travel with a human. However it is nearing the Mating season and with the Dragon's Child having just reached the age of Mating, his protector needs to get him back to Blackthorn before the end of the week but when they get lost again what will happen to the Child as the first day grows nearer and nearer? Will he and his protector have to spill an ancient and fiercely pokemon secret to a human?
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Two days later the two dragons found themselves lost in the Ice Cave.
"Great…" said Ash grimacing. "Of all places we had to get lost in the Ice Cave…"
Misty didn't like it either, but there wasn't much they could do. Plus not only were they both weak to ice, but Ash, who was undergoing the changes for mating was especially vulnerable. "I don't like it either, but there's really nothing we can do about it…"
Ash nodded in understanding then sneezed. It looked like he was getting sick. His changes certainly weren't helping… he was getting the chills. "Darn ice…" he sniffled.
"Yeah…" Misty replied. "I'm afraid that you will get really sick if we stay here…"
"I know that Misty!" he shook his head. "We've got to find a way out…"
They heard footsteps and a voice. "Hey guys, did you get lost?" it was Brock.
"Yeah we did Brock…" Ash replied.
Brock shook his head and motioned for the two dragons to follow him. "The exit is this way guys."
Ash got up to follow but then slipped and fell to his knees. "Oww…" he began to cough hard.
Misty rushed to his side and helped Ash limp to Brock's side so they could get out of this frozen hell. "He's freezing…" she murmured. She chewed her lip wondering what to do, neither she or Brock had fire pokemon that could carry Ash and keep him warm, the only possibility was Cyndaquil… but the fire pokemon was too small to carry Ash… she remembered her medal coat, that was very insulating… "Ash? I'm going to let you wear my medal coat ok?"
He nodded, shivering. "B-Brock... h-how long u-until we're o-out of t-this ca-cave?"
Brock checked his map. "Only five to ten minutes."
Misty looked up from her backpack with a smile. "That's good." She went back to her pack. "But I'm afraid that Ash will be really ill by the time we get out…"
Brock looked at her. "What is it?"
"I'm trying to remember if there are any hot springs near Blackthorn. I've been there a few times when I was younger and don't really remember, did you know that Ash lived here for a little while? Let's see…there are! I remember now. They're near the Dragon's Den and are said to have special healing powers that work for certain people and pokemon!"
"We need to get Ash to those springs?"
Misty nodded as she found what she was looking for.
Ash knelt there and tried to remember if any of his small snatches of training had to do with controlling the temperature around a person. Unfortunately Lance hadn't gotten there when Ash and his mother had been forced to leave. He looked up when he felt a coat being wrapped around his shoulders. "Misty…"
"It's ok Ash. We'll be home in no time!"
He smiled weakly as Misty helped him to stand so they could follow him out of the cave. Ash smiled shakily when they got out of the cave. As soon as Ash felt the warm air outside the cave on his face he collapsed.
One of the teen dragons had seen them emerge from the cave and ran up to them, she knew Misty and Ash. "Hey!" she knelt to check on Ash. "Is the Child ok?"
Brock didn't catch on to the fact that 'child' was a title for Ash. "Ash is ill…"
Misty nodded. "The Child and I got lost in the cave and he's gotten Freezer Burn."1
The girl winced. "That's very painful normally, I know, I've had it before…. I've never had it this close to… you know what I mean? And this is his first time right?"
Misty nodded.
"Then he's going through the changes… and that hurts… and he has Freezer Burn on top of that? The Master and his pokemon are at the springs… shall I go ahead of you and tell him?"
"Please?"
"Sure!" the girl gave a painful smile. "No problem Misty."
"Thanks Ruby."
Ruby nodded and ran ahead to the springs.
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Lance looked up and blinked as Ruby stumbled over to where he was leaning on the side of the spring. "Master, The Child has arrived…" she said looking away.
"What's wrong Ruby?"
"The Child has Freezer Burn…"
Lance winced as well. "I think all Dragons have gotten that at one point… Ash has always been very healthy though… How did he get it?"
"They just came out of the Ice Cave."
"Ah, alright, I'll ask when they get here."
Ruby nodded.
They looked up when they heard rustling from behind a bush. Misty came out with Brock right behind her; Misty sighed in relief when she saw Lance.
"What happened?" asked Lance. "How did he get Freezer Burn?"
Misty looked sheepish. "We got lost in Ice Cave…"
The other dragons winced. "Misty…"
"I know, I know I'm supposed to look after him and protect him! It's partially my fault we got lost anyway…"
Lance sighed and stood. Standing, the water was up to his waist.
Misty nodded and stripped Ash to his boxers and held him out for Lance to take.
Lance took Ash. "Poor little one…" he sat back down and pulled Ash to his chest, he glared at Misty and then looked back at Ash, who was waking up. Lance smiled; the water had brought Ash's color back to normal. "I see you're awake pretty one…"
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1 Freezer Burn is what occurs when a dragon is in a very cold environment for too long. Only dragons can catch this ailment. It is like a severe cold for humans; only if left untreated, a dragon can die from Freezer Burn.