Disclaimer: I put this in every so often, but I really don't own pokemon. Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics do.
This is non-profit fanwork, don't steal it or else I'll flame you.
Notes: for thoughts, italics for pokemon talking, for telepathic communication and I think that's it.
Chapter 21: Cumpleaňos: VS Rattata (2)
Ash woke up the next morning to the aroma of fresh baked something. He sniffed, couldn't recognize it, and quickly climbed out of bed.
"I wonder what Lance is making?"
Something good, I imagine. Kadabra remarked.
"That's not what I meant. Maybe he made pancakes!"
What are pancakes? Rattata inquired from where she was shining in a patch of sun.
Pancakes! Oh, I had one once! Ninetails said excitedly. There are like sweet, flat rocks.
Really!
Really. I hope we get some.
Ash brushed his teeth and showered, before putting on a clean black t-shirt and jeans. Leaving his jacket lying on the bed, he went downstairs to see what was going on.
"Morning." Lance said.
"What did you make?" Red asked with sparkly eyes.
"Oh, I'm not telling yet." Lance said, sliding a plate of buttered toast and scrambled eggs to the other trainer. "That would ruin the surprise."
"Surprise?"
"I can't tell you."
Red sulked, but as soon as the first bite of food reached his mouth the scowl melted away to be replaced by an expression akin to bliss.
"Yummy…"
Lance chuckled, pouring himself a glass of orange juice. "I guess you like my cooking?"
Ash nodded fervently, taking another bite. "I love your cooking."
"You've only had two meals, Ash."
"I don't care. It's great! Did you eat already?"
"Yes, actually I did. I woke up about an hour ago."
Ash checked his watch. "Wow, it's eight already?"
"Didn't Raichu's morning song wake you up?"
"No, I always sleep through it."
"Ah…"
Various pokemon filed in, and they finished up the remainder of the food. It was lucky Lance had made a lot.
Most of them had various expressions of rapture as well. Some had fainted at the first bite.
It was very amusing.
I didn't know my cooking was that good?
It's not that. Lugia told him. Even though you are a fine cook, you prepare the meals with love. That's what counts.
Love? I see…
Lance wasn't quite sure what Lugia meant. If it was the affection he felt for all of his pokemon and Ash, certainly that made sense. But if it was something else, he had never heard of it before.
Ash finished everything on his plate, drank the milk and orange juice, and then went upstairs to get his equipment.
It would be another fun day of training.
They spent the morning battling various pokemon around Pallet town. Sandshrew played his cards well, managing to defeat some flying types. Lance's dragons flew off to train by themselves, but it wasn't out of the ordinary.
"Sandshrew! Slash!"
The Rattata quailed in fear, already having been subjected to a Fury Swipes. The slash finished the attack and it fainted.
Ash checked his pokédex. "No, I already have an Rattata." He thought fondly about the pink one waiting at home.
He walked on.
"Don't you already have everything around here?"
Ash frowned. "Hmm…"
He did already have the Pidgey and Spearow chains. Also, the Ekans chain, and of course Rattata.
"I still need… Hoothoot.'
"I think those are only found in Johto, Ash."
"Oh well." Ash said brightly. "I have a lot more pokemon." Sandshrew suddenly began to glow with white light, before a Sandslash is revealed.
"You certainly train quickly if time demands."
"True," Ash replied impishly. "Is that a bad thing?"
"Of course not. Efficiency should always be rewarded."
"I'm just doing evolutions and things now, I'm not catching that many new pokemon." Ash said, as he checked over his Sandslash to see if it was suffering from post-evolution trauma.
Apparently not.
Satisfied, Ash fed Sandslash some berries, which it ate happily, and then continued training.
Several raticate and arbok were downed.
They returned to the house for lunch, just peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and milk, but still quite filling.
Lance opened the oven. "Well, take a look."
Ash peeked in. A wave of cinnamon spice and apple wafted out enticingly, and he had to clear his mind before he realized what sat there.
It was a cake.
Two layers, golden and fluffy, iced with whipped cream and apple slices. His mouth started watering at the sight.
"L-lance?"
"Happy birthday, Ash." The older trainer smiled. "You didn't forget, did you?"
"No!" Ash said, hugging Lance tightly. "Thank you!"
"Wait, wait. I haven't even gotten your present yet." Lance put on a pair of oven mitts and pulled out the pastry, before cutting Ash a generous slice. "I'll be back in a second."
Lance returned with a small package wrapped in silver paper. Ash had not yet taken a bite of the cake, still staring at it with awe.
"Here you go."
Ash took a bite of cake, feeling the warm cinnamon slide down his throat. "Mmm…" Opening the package, he found a necklace with three shiny marble-like stones on it, one red, one blue, and one yellow.
"Kirei…"
"That's not all, Ash. Those are evolution stones."
"Really?" Ash's eyes teared up, wondering at the expense Lance had lavished on him. He gave another hug to the trainer, not letting go.
This was his best birthday ever. He wouldn't have to worry about Star being in pain ever again.
End Chapter
Complete 3/21/04