Yes, I know the last part of last chapter sounded childish, but remember, pokemon aren't born sophisticated, at least not most of 'em!

Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan comics. I only own this fanwork and my own ideas.

Notes: for telepathy, for thoughts, italics for pokemon chatter.

Thanks, Link Masters and Briememory!
Thanks to Terra and my other new reviewer too! Well, here's part eight. And in case you cared... Pokemon Special is COMPLETE on my webpage, all 31 parts of it. I'm not posting it here 'cause its shonen-ai and lots of people are tight-lipped and annoying and like to flame me for it, so just a heads up to let ya'll know!

Chapter 8: Fishing meeting – VS Aerodactyl

The next day, while Blaine continued to play with the pokédex, Ash went fishing. "Haven't run into Blue yet, I wonder where he is?"
Don't know.

Me neither.

Venus climbed into his backpack and fell asleep.

As he neared the beach, Red spotted another trainer. It was a boy with long red hair, who was also fishing.

"Hey." Ash greeted.

"Hi."

"I'm Red from Pallet Town." Ash said, holding out his hand to shake. The other boy took it.

"I'm Lance, from Blackthorn City."
"Cool. Johto?"
"Hai." Lance peered at his rod, before frowning. "Still nothing. I've been here for three hours already."

"What are you trying to catch?"

"A dratini, but they're really rare."

Ash nodded in understanding. "I see." He sat down a few paces away, pulled out his good rod, and let fly.

Unfortunately, his aim was off. Maybe it was the sea breeze, but in any case, instead of going in the water, the hook and sinker flew off the fishing line, hit Lance, and got tangled in his hair. The Good rod and the bait flew in another direction.

"Ah! I'm sorry!" Red said, as Lance began trying valiantly to remove the offending object.

"No… problem…" Lance said, tugging through gritted teeth. "Just help me get this out!"

"Right!" Ash ran over, and the two of them began yanking the hook in various directions, but it was no help.

"Maybe we'll have to cut it." Ash finally said, after twenty grueling minutes.

"I am not cutting my hair." Lance said firmly. He was a bit vain, but he liked his crimson hair with the gold and silver tips. It fell to nearly mid-back in its long spikes.

"You have a better idea?"

"Sure, just move."

Ash moved, and Lance dropped a poke ball, releasing an Aerodactyl.

"Aerodactyl… I need your wings."

Aerodactyl nodded, sizing up the situation immediately. In an instant, Lance's hair was sinker-free.

"Wow!"

"Yes. My Aerodactyl's wings are like knives." Lance explained. "Applying pressure in the right area caused it to pop off."

"Wow." Red repeated.

Lance smirked. "Well, now that that's over… you might want to rescue your Good Rod."

"EH?!"

Spinning around quickly, Red found that to his horror, that his Rod had been caught in the surf and was now nearly thirty yards out in the water and still floating out.

"Aeroy, let's go!" Red called, as his own Aerodactyl picked him up and they swooped down over the water, managing to rescue the rod in time. Unfortunately, whatever bait had been put on was long gone.

Oh well.

"Thank you!" Red said, thanking his new friend profusely.

"It was nothing." Lance replied, amusement glinting in his golden eyes. "So tell me. Are you a new trainer?"
"How did you tell?"
"I guessed. Plus, you look too young."

"Ah…"

"You have an Aerodactyl too." Ash said. "Did you resurrect it?"

"Oh no. I caught her in a canyon."

"Wow! I didn't know some still lived."

"Yes, they are extremely hard to find though." Lance finished. "I've been a trainer for a few years, but that was definitely one battle to remember."

"Mm.' Ash replied, as he dried off his fishing rod, before trying again. Fortunately, the wind was with him this time, and no accidents occurred.

Aerodactyl watched as his trainer talked with the other one.

He could tell just by looking, that was no ordinary trainer.

A Dragon Master actually exists?

Hm? Raichu asked.

I can feel it… Aerodactyl breathed.

Oh, all dragon pokemon learned the legend. When the time was right, the Dragon Master would rise, and summon forth Lugia, to save the earth.

It was a pretty story.

Of course, there had been a few petty dragon masters, but this was different. This was, in human terms, the real deal.

Strange that Red couldn't tell though, he was quite perceptive.

Oak had often wondered if Red was empathic.

He was, to some extent.

For example, Red knew if his pokemon felt hungry or cold, and could sense emotions. He could also sometimes feel the moves his opponents would make and counter that way.

From what he had heard, Red's father hadn't had anything like that. His mother was never home, so there was no proof it was from her side.

Maybe it was a special gift?

Right now, Ash was doing a very good job of training and caretaking, and Aeroy appreciated it.

After all, he was still new to the 'trained pokemon' deal. There hadn't been anything like that thousands of years ago.

End Chapter

Completed 3/6/04, created 3/4/04