Disclaimer: Again, I don't own pokemon
Chapter 15: No certain cure – VS Zapdos
"Ninetails! Flamethrower!"
A whole group of oddish ran off.
"Is that really necessary, Ash?"
"Well, the air was full of stun spore. I had to make them leave somehow."
"True, that."
Lance's eyes glowed faintly, as he kept Lugia's words in mind. I wonder if his empathy is related to power…
"We're almost there."
Ninetails preened. I love being powerful.
It's very exhilarating, is it not? Lance's dragonair asked.
Yes. True…
Lance touched Ash's arm for a second. "Are you sure?"
"What do you mean?"
"It should not take a week to get to Fuschia. We have been walking in circles."
"Nani? How
can you tell?"
"Special talent." Lance said.
"Team Rocket, we know you're out there."
As Red watched, he saw the woods turn into dry sand. Trails of footprints crisscrossed it.
"Very good." A voice said. "But it ends now. Zapdos, Thunder!"
Ash jumped, rolling in midair as Aerodactyl flew up to battle. Murkrow grabbed his trainer, yanking him to safety.
Lance didn't move. A minute later, the electricity fizzled against a clear shield.
"Pathetic." The dragon master said. "Hakuryuu, Dragon Rage."
As Zapdos prepared more electricity, a twister slammed into it, knocking it onto the sand.
Dragonair hissed, as he and his twin attacked.
One summoned gale force winds, the second ice and snow, as they twisted around Zapdos in a series of complicated waves, both elements doing plenty of damage.
The rockets, sensing trouble, threw out a variety of poison pokemon.
Red and Murkrow charged, first picking up a Golem and hurling it at the rockets, then hiding in the smog a Koffing had creates for distraction, and finally, bursting out with scattered pecking drills.
Skarmory appeared, drilling through the ranks. The poison moves just slid off his steel armor.
In minutes, the rockets had been cleared out and fled.
"What do we do about Zapdos?" Ash asked. "It looks terrible…"
Lance didn't answer as he closed his eyes and placed his hands on the legendary pokemon's wings.
A soft blue glow surrounded both.
When it cleared, Zapdos stood up and flew off. No wounds marred it.
Ash stared. What did he do?
"This is the power of the Viridian Forest." Lance said in an oddly disjointed tone. "Every few years, a child is given the power to heal and to understand pokemon's thoughts."
Artic ice was breaking in the north seas.
Ash took a deep breath, drawing the clean air into his lungs. Softly scented with flowers, even though they stood on sand.
He could accept this.
It would take time, what things do not? Still, it was another side to the trainer he considered a friend or more.
It was a simple test, really. If this fact broke their relationship, there obviously wasn't a solid one to begin with.
Lance waited patiently, not saying a word. Let us test him, Lugia…
He drew in another quivering breath, but felt no fear, oddly enough.
"I'm not afraid of you."
Lance's eyes crinkled up in half-amusement.
Pretty, pretty little one. You're still so innocent, aren't you? Don't worry, I'll never force you to step into the dark with me.
Stay a child of light, little one. Shine.
Shine.
You see, you don't want to fall into the dark like I have. That can't happen.
Another breath, and another… Safe.
"Very well. Shall we continue on then?"
Ash nodded, climbing onto his Ponyta as Lance did the same to his Dragonair. And off, they went.
Ponyta was one spirited girl, as soon as she got a whiff of fresh hay she took off like a lightning bolt.
Red clung on, glad that this was speed training.
Lance followed, trying hard not to laugh at the sight. Red was only hanging on to Ponyta's mane with three fingers.
"Red, throw your weight forwards, that might help."
"Okay!"
Ash leaned forwards, and sure enough, Ponyta slowed long enough for him to get his legs back over.
It worked.
Soon, Ponyta was gorging herself on the plants while Ash was up in a tree picking acorns for Raichu.
Raichu was obsessed with acorns for some reason, almost more than ketchup.
Raichu cheered as acorns rained down.
Oh! Lovely, lovely fruit!
A few of the other pokemon showed slight interest, but not much. It was just a bunch of food.
Raichu smiled as he stuffed his cheeks.
I still remember when Master took me acorn picking for the first time. Old master used to say he would, but he always made me fight first.
It wasn't my fault I lost! My species hates fighting rocks.
Old master's child seemed different though. His fur was soft. He had no spiky, hard skin.
We went to the oak tree many runs from our den. And sure enough, there were acorns. He climbed up and dropped down some for me.
Maybe that was when I knew I would stay with him.
Other pokemon might say I was stupid, just because he took me acorn picking I stayed.
But, I think no.
He is different from old master. He cares and keeps his promise.
That's important.
End Chapter
Completed 3/14/04