I wish that I had a plotbunny longevity herb…
Disclaimer: Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics own pokemon, I'm just a fanfic writer who creates nice things.
Notes: for thoughts, italics for pokemon musing, and for telepathy.
Chapter 14: Magic Psychic – VS Alakazam
"Murkrow, use Faint Attack!"
Ash's Murkrow beamed, as he knocked out the Abra. Tangela had already proved his worth against the Slowbro.
Very amusing.
Sabrina had actually laughed. Since she was usually rather quiet, Ash decided it had been a good achievement.
"Nice," Sabrina said. Now try facing Alakazam.
Several psybeams shot at Murkrow, but they just phased through.
"Screech!"
Murkrow cawed high in the upper register, and Alakazam immediately covered his ears. A second later, Murkrow crashed into it with another Faint Attack…
Alakazam toppled.
Ash grinned, giving Lance a peace sign. Lance clapped. He's doing quite well. Even though it's all pretty conventional, I'm sure he can figure out other tactics.
Sabrina tossed Ash his badge. Good work. I'll cheer for you when the championships roll around.
Thank you!
Without much further ado, Ash left. Lance followed him quietly, it could be considered stalking but Ash didn't care or notice.
"I suppose you want the Soul badge now?"
"I'm still thinking if I should train more."
Lance shook his head. "You are already much better than you were before."
"You think so?" Ash asked, remember that day when Lance had left him with only one pokemon in a thunderstorm. Jigglypuff.
They had learned a lot about each other and survival techniques.
Lance had repeated the process several times, with different pokemon. It did help. A lot. Ash stroked Murkrow's head as he remembered the time they had been out together.
It was uncomfortable, but you couldn't be strong and fluffy at the same time. Too… contrasting.
"Do you
want me to do it again?"
"Not yet." Ash said. "I still
need to recuperate."
"Ah.'
Murkrow watched the two with a beady eye.
Poli?
Oh, you called?
Yes.
Have you noticed?
you mean, how they act around
each other?
Yes! Are they mates?
Not yet… Venus broke in. I think one doesn't know.
Murkrow blinked. Doesn't know!?
Yes, strange, isn't it?
Very! If master wants the other master, why not just tell him?
Humans have some strange complicated ceremony to this.
What a waste of time…
Murkrow perched in a tree while Lance tossed Ash a soda and they both drank. The older boy watched through slightly slitted eyes, wondering.
He wasn't very perceptive when it came to emotions, but perhaps, there was something there.
Ash took a gulp and then coughed as the liquid went down the wrong pipe. Lance got up and whacked him on the back, solving the problem quickly.
"You okay?"
"Now I am." Ash said in a slightly strangled voice. "You hit too hard."
"I did? I apologize." Lance quickly pulled up Ash's shirt to check if there was a bruise forming. Satisfied that there was none, he walked back to his original seat and completely missed the flaming red Ash was turning.
A pokemon snickered. Now that was obvious.
I think he still doesn't know. Star said, flipping an ear in Lance's direction.
That's true…
Murkrow helped himself to the bugs the tree was full of and stuffed himself full. Humans. I'll never understand them.
He remembered when he and Ash had been trapped in the storm. Neither of them had known that it was just training.
The freezing rain had beat down and soaked them, while the wind threatened to blow him away. Master had taken off his own coat and wrapped him in it to keep him warm while they searched for shelter.
They did find a outcropping of grass that kept most of the damp out, but master still coughed. However, master kept him dry the entire night and talked to him to keep him from falling asleep.
Murkrow appreciated that.
Master had talked about his own pokemon and other things, many things that he couldn't remember, but poor master.
No parents.
Humans weren't like pokemon. Pokemon took care of their children until they were old enough to live on their own.
Why?
He wasn't a philosopher, just a battler. Murkrow ate another bug and flew back down onto Red's shoulder.
Let's go!
Yes, let's! Poli added, flexing his muscles.
Sometime, Poli had evolved into a Poliwrath. But, he was still the same pokemon inside. Evolution didn't hurt him at all.
So, that was good. Ash had enough to worry about.
Lance followed him as they began on the trail to Fuschia.
End Chapter
Completed 3/12/04