sings

Disclaimer: I wish I owned pokemon. Sadly enough, all I have is a lot of fanfics. -

Notes: for telepathy, for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks.

Chapter 27: Facing the past: VS Jon (2)

            "Of course I trust you." Red said, staring into the taller boy's eyes. "Why wouldn't I?"
            "Very well… firstly, you cannot use your legendary pokemon in this battle, that includes Aerodactyl and Eevee."

            Ash nodded, understanding. I don't want the world to know about them… they'd take them away from me.

            "And secondly…" Lance said, trying hard to ignore the nagging voice in the back of his head. "I need to give you some of my magic for protection."
            "That makes sense."

            "Close your eyes then."

            Ash obediently did so, not suspecting anything. He was slightly startled when he felt Lance's hands on his shoulders, and then a kind of warmth. It felt alluring, beckoning him to sink into it, so he did…

            Don't worry, I'll always be here to protect you…

            I'll never leave you, little one…

            Never…

            Lance gently brushed his lips against Ash's briefly, and completed the magic transfer, having touched all of the magic channeling spots already, butterfly kisses gently over the trainer's torso. Tendrils of blue and silver snaked all around the trainers, weaving themselves into shields and reflectors and healing threads. Please protect him…

            Ash continued to sleep, leaning against Lance's chest. Lance picked him up, ignoring the dumbfounded stare from Gengar and some other of Ash's pokemon, and teleported them back to their resting area.

            Once the two trainers were settled, Gengar dashed off to gossip.

            They kissed! They actually kissed!

            WHAT!? And I missed it! Star bewailed.

            Yep! Gengar laughed.

            How was it? Venus inquired, as a sweet fragrance of peonies drifted through the air in her excitement. I'm so happy for them!

            Oh yes!

            All the pokemon cheered quietly.

            Lance tucked Ash into bed and then left the room, only to find all of Ash's pokemon staring at him.

            "What?"

            KAWAII! Star yelled, jumping up and down. I can't believe you two finally got together!

            Lance looked quite startled. "What?"

            You didn't?

            "Where did you get that idea?" A thoroughly confused Dragon Master queried. "All I did was magic transfer to protect him tomorrow."

            Star's ears drooped, the eevee looking saddened. Oh…

            Eevee walked up to his mate. Don't worry about it.

            Okay.

            Lance still looked slightly bemused, wondering where on earth that idea had come from, as he went to make some soup.

            After all, Ash might be sick from all the excess magic.

            After chopping up the necessary herbs and preparing the soup stock, Lance carried a steaming bowl to Ash's room to see if he was awake yet.

            Ash was, looking slightly pale but mostly fine.

            "Are you in pain?"
            "No, no pain…nothing hurts… I just feel different." Ash confessed.

            "In a good way?"

            "Yes… I feel stronger. Is that supposed to happen?"

            "It means the transfer succeeded." Lance said. He put down the tray and started spoon-feeding Ash. "Stay in bed. You'll need your strength tomorrow when you face Jon."

            "Yes…"

            Ash blushed, as what seemed like a dream fragment superimposed himself in its mind. He could have sworn Lance had kissed him, but it must have been a dream.

            Still, it was a nice dream…one could hope.

            Ash obediently drank all of the soup Lance provided. It didn't taste bitter, just different.

            Herbs, Lance said, when he asked.

            Well, traditional remedies were always nice.

            Ash slept well that night. Lance kept a close watch over him, before drifting off to sleep himself, as the wall of protection flared outside the building.

            He woke up the next morning to find Lance fast asleep next to him, although breakfast was waiting.

            Ash quickly ate the fruit and cereal, not wanting to fight on an empty stomach. Lance was still asleep.

            Ash was stricken by the fact that Lance actually looked tired. Did I do this to him?

            Lance's steel wings were outstretched behind him, glinting in the early light. Glittering threads of white magic trailed off outside, somewhere where he could not follow.

            Master… wake up… Lance's Aerodactyl said, shaking him gently.

            Lance's eyes slid open, shocking Ash with their silver color. He was used to the blue and gold, but this?

            Extra power boost. Lance said, inside his head. It's a type of evolution.

            "Oh."

            "Are you ready to leave now?" Lance said, as the magic strings vanished along with his wings.

            Ash nodded.

            "Then let's go."

            Minutes later, Red stood opposite Jon in the ring.

            "This battle for the championship will now begin! Six on six, no time limits!" The announcer cried. "Go!"

            Jon released a Haunter. Kadabra popped out and teleported Ash to safety, avoiding a potentially dangerous Dream eater move, and then whacked it out with a Psychic to the head.

            Haunter fell on Jon but did no damage since it was a ghost.

            Jon swapped for a Bellossem, but Kadabra quickly Ko'd it before it could move. The same fell for Victreebel.

            Next, was a Kabutops…

            "Raichu." Ash said. "Thunderbolt."

            Sizzling seafood, anyone? Needless to say, the second to last pokemon, a Starmie, was also quietly dispatched. That left…

            Groudon.

            And into the ring it came, Fissure knocking out Raichu instantly as Ash jumped onto his Gyarados' back, trying to figure out a way to win.

End Chapter

Complete 3/30/04