Elite Circle

Disclaimer: I still don't own it.

A/N: I apologize for the wait. Computer has been out of commission for a while. Will try to update more now that it is back.

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Lance stands in the stadium waiting for the challenger. He managed to make it past all of the others. He chuckles a bit remembering the last time this happened. Karen almost went ballistic. She would never hurt her pokemon, there was no question on that, however a stray building or two wouldn't be so lucky.

"Well, here's hoping she calmed down a bit." He says to himself. His challenger appears at the other side of the arena. Lance gives him a nod, then they both unleash their pokemon. And the battle begins.

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**In the Caf.**

"Well, that sucked." Bruno says. Will just shakes his head. Koga doesn't seem fazed.

"You kids are too soft. You have to expect to lose sometimes." He says. Karen gives him a dirty look.

"You call me a kid one more time...." Karen leaves the threat hanging. Koga doesn't even seem to care.

"You're a kid." He says to Karen. Karen looks like she is going to explode, then just walks off. Bruno and Will know what is coming, and they quickly go up to the counter and get their meals. Koga looks at them strangely. "What gives?"

"Let's just say you might want to either start cooking your own food, or make sure you like things REALLY spicy." Bruno says. Will is trying not to laugh. A few moments later, Lance comes in. He looks at Will and Bruno, then at Koga. A moment later, it dawns on him that Karen isn't there. He gets a worried look.

"Is the food safe?" he asks. Bruno chuckles.

"If you hurry, I don't think she got back there yet." He responds. Lance quickly goes up and grabs his lunch. Koga looks at them all like they are from another planet.

"I don't see what your problem is." He says. Lance looks at him.

"Charizard is supposed to breathe fire. Not you." He says. A waitress shows up, which gets curious glances from three out of four. The general rule here is 'you want it, you get it'. She puts a plate of something in front of Koga. Will decides it is time to find out where exactly Karen is. He finds her (psychically, of course) one room over peeking through the door. Meanwhile, Bruno is giving Koga the 'nice knowing ya' bit. Lance is trying to figure out if that stuff is really food or radioactive waste.

"You're all a bunch of babies." Koga finally says. He grabs a forkful and puts it into his mouth. And almost chokes. The others were prepared, and in a few minutes, everything is under control. And Koga is pissed.

"We tried to warn ya." Will says. Koga calms down a bit. Karen comes back in.

"Awww...poor baby can't take a little spice?" she says laughing.

"I think that was more than a little." Koga says. Karen takes the plate, then releases her Houndoom (I think I will nickname it "garbage disposal" he seems to eat anything) and puts the plate in front of it. It is gone within a minute, and Houndoom is wondering why there isn't more.

"See, he likes it fine." Karen says petting her Houndoom. She looks up and finally notices Lance. "When did you get here?" she asks. Lance gives her the wounded pride bit.

"Lets see, about a half hour ago, I believe." He says.

"So who won?" Karen asks. Lance looks down.

"The kid isn't even 15 yet," Bruno says, "there is no way he could have gotten enough training in to beat..." he trails off as Will starts snickering. Lance tries to deck him, but Will is quick enough to dodge.

"You messed it up!" Lance shouts at Will. Will holds up his hands in the surrender position.

"Sorry! I couldn't help it!" he says laughing. The others finally realize what Lance had been trying to pull.

"You little!" Karen says. Then she starts laughing too. Bruno just shakes his head.

"Next time you decide to pull that, make sure Will is 'busy' elsewhere." He says. Lance gives him a nod. Then the group turns back to their own meals.

To be continued.........