Showdown

by MeepMeep7913

Delia Ketchum died before she could even see her son go on his journey - or the legendary she helped make abduct Ash briefly. Her death was merely the prelude to a sequence of events and challenges that Ash would battle through on his journey with the help of Oak, Lance and others. All before Red helped plunge Kanto into civil war against the Team Rocket insurgency.

5. Chapter 4 - Homegoing

Ash woke up slowly, blinking. The young boy felt exhausted, his body sore and tired like he'd done nothing but physically strain it for a long period of time. Blinking his eyes to try and remove some of the grogginess, Ash sat up on the bed he was on and looked at the room he was in. It was a small room, just a metre and a half in width and three metres long. The bed took up a large portion of the space, with a wooden dresser in the corner of the carpeted space with room enough for the door left over.

Ash blinked as he started to remember the events of yesterday - eyes growing wide as he realised he had no idea where he was. All he knew was that Synergy had been involved in a fight with the big fire bird, and then a man showed up and took him with a dragon - and then when the robotic Pokemon came to get him back, the other dragon defeated her. Thus, he had no idea where he was with perhaps two strange men in the same house space.

It was then that Ash recoiled a bit as he saw the blue snake on the floor. Giving a yelp, Ash back-pedalled into the wall to put space between him and the snake, but it didn't work very well as it seemed he had roused the creature from its slumber. From where it had coiled on the carpet asleep, the snake was now blinking and looking around slightly, before raising its head and causing Ash to start being scared - before Ash blinked back at the blinking creature. It was clearly not a snake like he first thought - rather, it was some sort of Pokemon.

"Dratini." The serpentine creature cooed softly at Ash. It looked very friendly now to the young boy with its wide, oval purple eyes gazing at him with interest, the two elongated fins on the side of the, now self-identified, dratini's head actually making it look cute to Ash. It's body was a shimmering light blue with a white under-belly that Ash could see from the serpentine body holding up the bed. The dratini was uncoiling itself from the floor and straightening itself as it continued to look at Ash, appearing a good size of four feet.

Cooing once more and making Ash smiled, the dratini dipped itself at him before turning and beginning to slither out the door which was slightly ajar. Ash watched it go, before slowly scooting back into the middle of the bed and making himself comfortable. If he was being honest with himself, the boy was confused and had no idea what to do - he found himself in a strange situation without his mother or friend to lead him.

It was solved for Ash as some steps could be heard walking down the hallway outside, making Ash look at the door as the footfalls stopped outside of it. The dratini poked its head around the door first of all, making Ash perk up at the sight of the cute serpentine before the door was fully pushed open to reveal a man standing in the doorway. Ash could only blink at the sight of the rather unusual looking person.

There, stood in the doorway was the man on the second dragonite who had swiftly defeated Synergy as she attempted to retrieve him. The man was wearing a black shirt with a red jacket, whilst having a pair of quite big boots. A dark cape hung off of his shoulders, making it seem like the man had a specific preferred colour scheme to his style to compliment the short, spiky dark-red hair on top of his head. The brown eyes on the man turned friendly as he smiled at Ash, taking a step into the room as what was obviously his dratini slithered in with him.

"Ah, you're awake!" The man spoke out loud, his voice quite a prominent and energetic, semi-high pitched voice which the man seemed to be keeping deliberately lowered for his benefit, otherwise Ash could've sworn he'd have quite the boisterous personality. "I was beginning to worry since you've been sleeping for over eleven hours. Quite unusual for kids, you know."

"Eleven hours?" Ash voiced, a bit confused by the man's ramblings. Shaking his head, Ash looked at the red-headed man. "Who are you?"

"Oh, how rude of me!" The man spoke with a slightly higher pitch as he seemed to scold himself. "Lance Wataru, at your service. Famous dragon master, and champion of the Johto region."

Ash thought on that before his eyes went wide and he stared at the proclaimed Lance, amazed. "Wow, you're Lance?!" He spoke out, making the man's smile widen. "You're that great dragon trainer I saw on TV! You thrashed everyone!"

"Ah, I see you know me! How nice it is to see a fan." Lance responded enthusiastically.

"Yeah, you were great!" Ash complimented, making Lance beam at the boy and perhaps raising the man's ego as it normally did for a man used to having such a great fan-following. Ash then frowned as he thought of something, and looked at the man a bit dejected and confused. "But what are you doing here? This is Kanto, and you wouldn't just go out your way to see me?"

Lance's smile dipped a bit before he hummed. "Let me tell you something, - what was your name sorry?" Lance paused as he suddenly remembered that key detail, causing Ash's face to deadpan at him.

"Ash." The boy responded to the man.

Lance nodded at that. "Well, Ash, I was actually born in Kanto."

"No way!" Ash stated.

"Oh yes." Lance confirmed. "I was actually champion of this region for two years before I moved with my family to Johto, and defeated their champion to take the position. So you see, I do care a lot about what happens in the region." Lance stated as he sat on the end of the bed. "And you know, I did come out this way just to see you, as well as that Pokemon that took you. I'm good friends with Professor Oak you see, so when I got a call from him saying that he knew where you were and was asking for help; well, I came right over as you know."

"Oh. Thank you, sir." Ash said, getting the man to chuckle.

"No need, Ash. Just glad to help." Lance responded.

"But you were, well, wrong about something." Ash started awkwardly, looking apprehensive towards someone who had probably saved the situation (Ash wasn't too sure what had happened), causing Lance to pause and raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Oh?" Lance let out in interest. "Please, do tell my boy."

"Well, um." Ash stammered a little before coughing slightly. "Synergy never just 'took' me."

"Synergy?" Lance inquired. "Wait, do you mean the metal Pokemon who kidnapped you?"

"Yes!" Ash confirmed. "But she never kidnapped me!" Ash added on quickly.

Lance frowned at that, sensing something more than what he and Oak had assumed. "You're going to have to explain that one to me, I'm afraid Ash." Lance stated. "All we saw was, er, 'Synergy' taking you from your house and running from the police."

"I don't know really why she did that, but if it helps, Synergy was really confused at the time." Ash defended his friend. "She would have these times where she would act all strange, speaking weirdly and her eyes would be all different. It's like it wasn't her during those times. But Synergy treated me well, mister Lance! She carried me everywhere and took care of me, she wanted to be my friend!"

Lance's frown became a pondering expression. 'It looks like Oak was right in one of his ideas. It seems the Pokemon didn't just take Ash, but rather the whole chase scene was some sort of defence for Ash. It's loyal to him for some reason.'

Giving a sigh, Lance looked at Ash seriously. "I hate to press you Ash, but I do have to ask. Synergy here, was all the time just looking after you? Nothing more, there was nobody else involved or anything?"

Ash looked at Lance for a second before shaking his head. "Nope." Ash spoke bluntly. "It was just me and Synergy that whole time. And all she wanted to do was get off of the island we ended up on and go somewhere. She said she was confused on what to really do, but that going somewhere was a good start."

"I see. Thank you, Ash." Lance thanked the boy. "By the way, did Synergy tell you anything else? Like, any of her powers perhaps, or even..." Lance hesitated a bit before carrying on, finding it important. "Any connection to your mother?"

Ash's face truly downturned at the mention of his mother, but spoke all the same. "Well, Synergy only said one thing about mum. About when she was in that machine, of how she did something which..." Ash's face screwed up in concentration before becoming sad again. "Caused the energy to leave her. Synergy never mentioned mum again."

Seeing the boy being quiet, Lance asked only a couple more questions. "I'm sorry to keep asking, Ash, but I must know. Did you say that Synergy talked?"

Ash only nodded at the man, his face a bit confused. "Why, is that weird for a Pokemon or something?"

Lance only laughed a bit. "Very weird, I'm afraid." He confirmed. "It's so rare, Ash, that it is considered impossible for a Pokemon to talk by a lot people."

Ash seemed a bit shocked at this, pondering it as Lance shook his head of that startling revelation and asked his final question. "What of Synergy's abilities or powers, did Synergy do anything around you?"

Ash looked at Lance suspiciously at that, sad expression becoming a frown. "No offence mister Lance, but why should I tell you everything on my friend?" Ash's eyes further creased then. "Speaking of which, where is Synergy?"

Lance looked at Ash with a soft expression of concern, before sighing. With Ash's eyes on him, Lance reached into the inside of his jacket and took out a spherical object - revealed to be Pokeball in different colours to the abundant red and white colour scheme. Instead, its base was still a bright white, but the top it was a dark grey with two yellow stripes streaking across it. "She broke the first, normal Pokeball I threw, you know?" Lance mused out loud to Ash, who looked at him with more curiosity. "Even after fighting a legendary, Synergy here still had enough spunk to escape the ball and fight a bit longer. I'm afraid my dragonite had to give her a bit of a battle before I used an ultra ball on her." The dratini on the floor looked curiously at the ball, before looking at their master.

"She's not hurt, is she?" Ash asked the man, who only smiled and shook his head.

"No, no, I assure you, this is a regular thing for Pokemon, Ash." Lance reassured the boy. "For a Pokemon as unharmed as Synergy was, she just needs a bit of rest after her battles to recover."

He didn't mention of the harm Synergy had bestowed to Moltres, nor of how concerned he was of the Pokemon.

"Oh. That's good, I guess." Ash said. "Can you let her out now that she's probably slept too?"

Lance frowned at that - looks like he'd have to mention his concern after all. "Ash, you have to understand, Synergy is just days old, right?" Lance asked, getting Ash to nod. "Well, that means she's just started to experience this world. I have no idea of her actual intentions or power, even if she is as confused as you say Ash." Holding up his hand to stop the boy from interrupting, he continued. "I am just concerned, OK Ash? Like it or not, your friend here did put two police officers in hospital. I'm afraid she's going to have to stay in her Pokeball until I deem it safe, alright?"

Ash opened his mouth, then closed it and looked away, nodding. Lance smiled a bit at the boy, before posing his final question again. "That's why you can help your friend here, Ash, if you tell me anything you can about her. Any powers or abilities, or unusual for a Pokemon you might think of?"

Ash looked at Lance for a few moments before speaking. "Synergy never used any powers until she fought that bird, and tele-potting me to the island, she said. And there was one thing weird I guess." Ash informed.

"Teleporting, my boy." Lance corrected. "And please do go on."

Ash shrugged. "Synergy seemed to change overnight when I slept. She had wires showing on her before I went to sleep, and when I woke up, it was all gone! All there was, was this dark stretchy cover over those bits." Ash said, sort of confused as Lance only nodded in interest at Ash, urging him to go on. "There was another time, too. When Synergy was near me in the trees, she was all broken with all the wires and cracks and everything. But as soon as I got rid of that 'chip' Synergy talked about, she had all this light on her and then bam, she's all better and even bigger!" Ash narrated his story to the man.

Lance meanwhile, had been interested right up until that last statement - at which point he became alarmed as his face paled slightly. Gently taking Ash's arm and turning the boy to see how serious he was, Lance spoke. "Ash, are you absolutely sure about that? That you removed a 'chip' part from Synergy?" The dratini gave a small trill at Lance's worry, cocking their head slightly.

"Yeah, why?" Ash confirmed Lance's fears. "She was all like 'error' and she was trying to save me from the bird, so I just made her better."

"Arceus, Oak has to know." Lance mumbled to himself, before looking back to Ash. "So, all Synergy did was care for you, right Ash? She truly was your friend?"

"Yes sir." Ash said, nodding his head.

Lance found his fears being alleviated somewhat, but rationalised that the only way to determine if the Pokemon was a threat or not would be to let it out and see what it did. "Alright then, Ash. Thank you for answering all of that."

Ash only nodded his head to the man, getting the man to frown on the inside. It seemed Ash had warmed up to him, but the boy was hurting, Lance could tell. The amount of times the child frowned wasn't normal, not to mention that the kid was currently going through the loss of the only family he had, being technically on the run, and now not allowed to see the Pokemon that had befriended him. It had to take a toll on the young mind. He may smile, but such a heavy topic would always return, no matter how distracted. And it could, would and had destroyed young minds.

"Come on, Ash. Let's go eat breakfast, you must be hungry, eh?" Lance encouraged, which got Ash to nod at the man and follow him from the room. Lance only swore he'd do what he could for the kid, however little it would be given he was a busy leader of a foreign nation to Kanto.

Lance only put the ultra ball back among the rest of his Pokeballs before looking at his dratini as Ash went down the stairs - the serpentine Pokemon looking back up. "Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm not the best at this." Lance spoke to the dratini, who trilled back up at him - raising an eyebrow from Lance. "Very funny. That's enough from you now. Rest, dratini." Taking out a pokeball, Lance shot a red beam of light out of the device which hit dratini before they could object, dissolving them into a cloud of red energy which was sucked into the ball.

Tucking it away, he then swept down the stairs, cape billowing behind him. Reaching the kitchen, Lance quickly ushered Ash in and sat the boy down at one of the chairs at the kitchen table, before humming and turning round to rifle through some of the cupboards. Ash watched the man as he did so, finding it oddly entertaining - Lance was unusual, there was no doubt about it, even to a seven year old.

"Ah, cereal!" Lance called out, before looking at Ash. "You fine with cornflakes, Ash?"

"Yeah." Ash spoke simply, gazing at the man who only then cheerily started rifling through more cupboards before pulling out a couple of bowls.

Ash really didn't know what to think of the man - especially when he pulled open the fridge and scowled at there being absolutely nothing there.

"Ah well, looks like we'll have to have them dry." Lance spoke cheerily to the boy as he put one of the bowls down in front of the child and sat down opposite. Ash only looked weirdly at the man, not knowing what he found weirder - the sudden flip in mood, or the act of having cornflakes dry; as Lance noticed. "Hmm? Sorry Ash, but there's no milk. I suppose Drake hasn't got the time to keep all his cabins stocked up."

Ash only nodded, looked at the cornflakes before shrugging and beginning to eat them. Lance looked at the child who had looked like he wanted to refuse it at first - but then changed his mind. Lance could agree with him there - it was frosted.

Ten minutes later, and Ash was now staring at the champion wondering what on earth to do. Lance also stared back, wondering what on earth to do.

To Ash, Lance wasn't really a stranger anymore, and he'd already proven he wasn't a bad man. Bad men didn't drag on something like this, for this long without doing something. He was weird, with his unreadable cheery moods, and occasional mood swings at an annoyance, but it was funny in a way. The thing Ash had no idea about was that he didn't know any of what the man liked, nor did he know what to do in this house; nor how he was going to get back to his normal life. Plus, it had been an exhausting few days - and the wounds still stung.

To Lance, he simply had no idea what to do. As a single man at twenty-five years of age, he had never really encountered this problem before, and he knew little about Ash.

Well, he just had to think about it logically. He didn't want to question Ash anymore than he already had, so if he didn't know what Ash specifically liked, then what did almost all children like that Ash could also? The answer to that came to Lance swiftly, as he berated himself for the pretty obvious answer now that he thought of it - many of his younger fans liked him purely because of how impressive his Pokemon were.

"Alright, Ash." Lance started, getting the boy to look at him. "You like Pokemon, right?"

Lance knew the answer immediately as the boy's attitude and head perked up, before he said a word. "Yeah! They're all cool!" Ash said excitedly.

Lance beamed at him. "Alright then. We've got to stay here for today, so that means we've got time to waste." Lance explained. "How would you like to see some of my Pokemon?"

Ash could only nod enthusiastically at the man, getting him to laugh as he unveiled a pokeball and ushered Ash onto the grassy plains outside of the cabin they were in. Enlarging the device from its small state, Lance spoke. "Have you heard of a Dragonite before, Ash?"

"Er-" Ash thought for a bit before nodding his head. "Is it the orange dragon you use?"

"That's the one!" Lance confirmed passionately. "Dragonite is a part dragon, and part flying type Pokemon. It can use a variety of differing type attacks, and it has one of the highest stats of any Pokemon. Here, have a look yourself." Lance stated proudly, giving Ash the distinct impression that he took the art of dragon raising very seriously. "Go, Dragonite!"

Lance tossed the Pokeball across the field, causing it to open in mid-air and divulge a mass of red energy, which quickly shifted and expanded to form the very specific shape of a large, seven foot tall bipedal Pokemon. Thickly formed legs with a strong joint attached to the body formed first, giving way to form the large mass of the dragonite's torso. A striated, white belly was on the front with an orange back formed of smooth, rounded scales. A strongly muscled tail, a metre long, developed behind the beast as powerful arms with converging hands attached to the torso, with the feet and hands ending in three claws each. Small wings which curved downwards, with a teal membrane colouring the complete inside of the wings, formed on the back as the head of the dragonite finally formed. A wide facial area with a large snout with two nostrils made of the same orange scales was visible, two thin antennae on top of the head with a crushing jaw full of razor-sharp teeth backing up the fearsome look of the dragon. However, it wasn't all fearsome, as the large, blinking eyes with green pupils gave it an owlish, cuteish look to many when its jaw was completely closed. "Dragonite." It said with quite the high-pitched, simple tone - belying a beast of such strength and size.

"Wow." Was all Ash had to say, as the Dragonite turned slightly, shifting its body to look at the boy before looking back at Lance with a questioning look.

Lance gave a smile to his Pokemon and scratched underneath the chin of the Pokemon in a specific spot, making sure Ash was looking as he did so. "They're quite the softies, you know - these dragonites." Lance stated leisurely as a blissful look was visible on the dragonite as its tail swished slightly with each scratch. "All you have to know is how to handle them right and their putty in your hands, I honestly don't know why everyone says they're so difficult." Of course, Lance never said how he'd spent years raising his dragons through their pre-evolutionary phases, imprinting upon them years of happy memories and training which ensured the happy and loyal Pokemon he had today.

Dragonite only gave a groan as Lance pulled away, causing Lance to laugh and pat dragonite. "Now, now. I brought you out so that Ash here could take a look at what a true Pokemon looks like, yes?" Lance said to the Pokemon who responded with a quiet, short roar and slamming its hands together before turning to look at Ash with a tough face.

Ash looked in awe at the dragon's strength, getting the Pokemon to smirk at how easily they had impressed the boy - before Lance burst their bubble with a laugh. "Don't take any notice of this bravado, Ash. She isn't the strongest Dragonite I have." Lance spoke, causing both Ash to laugh, and for Dragonite to huff and glare at its trainer.

Lance smirked as his plan worked - Ash had been very impressed with what he'd seen thus far, and he was well on the way to making the boy's day better. It was just a matter of keeping the child occupied - so why stop now?

"Alright, Dragonite!" Lance spoke out in a more commanding tone, causing the Pokemon to drop all its joking and look at its trainer seriously. "Let's start simple! Flamethrower in the air!"

LATER THAT EVENING.

Lance was lounging in the chair against the cushion as he observed the game before him.

It turned out to Ash, that they were staying in one of Drake's cabins on another island Lance hadn't bothered to find the name of, as Lance wanted to make sure Ash was rested before attempting any flights. And seeing the exhaustion in the boy that morning had convinced the man that it would be best the boy didn't fly today either, so he was fine with waiting another day.

And so, here they were, man, boy and dragon, sat playing a card game in the kitchen area of the cabin area. Playing simple games like snap, Lance kept it simple, easy for Ash, hard for his Dragonite and himself as the dealer.

Dealing out the cards, Lance split the deck into three and handed out two of the piles to his Pokemon and Ash. Looking to his left, he motioned for Ash to go first, who looked at the unrevealed cards before picking one up and putting down a black four of spades. Looking to Dragonite who was looking back and forth at the card on the table and those in his big hands, Lance decided to have some fun.

"You know, Dragonite." Lance spoke casually and getting his dragon to look at him. "You're supposed to just put down the first card in your hand. Or is there a small brain in that thick head of yours?"

Dragonite blinked at Lance for a bit before her face morphed into one of huge offence, growling a bit at Lance before plucking a card harshly from the end of her pile and slamming it forcefully against the table, making it rattle. Looking to Ash's face, which was quivering slightly as he knew the boy was trying to keep a straight face, Lance knew he'd done a good thing.

"Whoa, big guy. Take it easy." Lance commented with a humorous tone, drawing a disgusted glare from Dragonite and a quiet giggle from Ash.

The game continued in succession, as over the hour Lance won a few times, Dragonite won once and Ash won over half the rounds. Lance knew it was cheating and perhaps unfair on his Dragonite, but the behemoth was over a decade old and one of his best fighters. She'd get over it, and he had a boy to distract and entertain.

However, he did take pity on his Pokemon at her put-out face as re-shuffled the cards and dealt out a new round. "Ah, cmon Dragonite, it's just a game." Lance commented, drawing a raised eyebrow from his Pokemon. "You can win in battle or card games against the other Pokemon when we get back to Johto."

Looking remarkably better, Dragonite gave a grunt and placed down a card to start the round. It continued for a few minutes as that round proved to be one of the longer ones, as Lance put down his fifth-last remaining card. "Someone's gotta win anytime soon now, or it'll just be another stupid draw." This got a 'yep' from Ash and made Lance look at his Dragonite when she snorted, looking at Lance with a dry expression. "OK, I apologise."

A loud 'snap!' from Ash as the boy slapped his hand on the pile at the two matching sixes made Dragonite lose her cool, gaining a loud huff from the Pokemon which sounded like a huge groan as she threw her last four remaining cards on the table and crossed her arms in a sulky mood. Ash looked perturbed at Lance, but he only shook his head. "Ah, don't worry. Dragonite's just a sore loser. She'll get over it."

Patting dragonite's arm as she huffed at him again, Lance spoiled the reassuring mood. "Besides, it could be worse. Last time she flipped the table over."

NEXT DAY, OAK'S LABORATORY.

Ash and Lance landed with a soft descent as Dragonite touched down gently in Pallet Town - right on the grassy lawn right before the entrance to Professor Oak's laboratory. Having been flying for just over an hour and a half, with Dragonite taking it slower at Lance's command to make the journey easier for Ash, the boy was finally back in his home town.

"Right, here we are my boy." Lance let out with a sigh as he jumped off of Dragonite now that he was on solid ground. Hauling Ash off from in between the wings with both hands, the orange dragon then stood up properly and stretched, helping to make it's back feel better with a few presses of its hands as several audible 'clicks' sounded out.

Ash was about to comment on that when the door to the lab suddenly swung open, revealing the famous Professor Oak himself, in his typical white lab coat and slicked back, grey hairstyle. Seeing the two humans and dragon, he hurriedly made his way over. "Ah, Ash! You're back, safe and sound!" Oak expressed with relief evident in his tone, grasping the boy's shoulders and making the raven-haired boy look at the worried researcher. "When I saw you disappear right before my eyes, I was so worried, so worried..."

"Alright Professor, you don't have to manhandle the boy now..." Lance interrupted as he patted Oak's arm, before being surprised himself as Oak forcefully grabbed his right hand with both of his and shook it fiercely.

"Lance! You returned Ash home! I can't even begin to express my gratitude to you now, for returning Ash to us here and for dealing with that situation you called me about in the Archipelago, you did us all a favour there..." Oak gushed on, making Lance laugh.

"OK, Professor, please calm down. You don't owe me a thing. Just doing what was needed." Lance reassured, getting Oak to pause and then nod, lowering his pitch of voice.

"Well, OK then. I suppose we have many things to discuss now, don't we?" Oak spoke rhetorically, noticeably much calmer as Lance agreed.

"Indeed." Lance responded. "If you'd lead the way, Professor?"

"Certainly," Oak spoke, just taking a step forth before then wagging his finger. "Wait, although Ash was involved, he is a bit young for our conversation. Perhaps he'd be better off with one of my assistants whilst we talk in my office?"

Lance looked poised to agree, before then speaking before Oak could say anything to Ash. "Wait, Professor. I have a better idea." Lance said to Oak, who gestured for him to continue. Instead, Lance turned to Ash and Dragonite. "Oi, Ash! Dragonite!" The champion called out.

With a deep, rumbling announcement, Dragonite looked about - seeing Ash and smiling, before then looking to its master as Ash looked up as well.

"Here, Ash, go with dragonite for a bit, would you please? Just keep out of trouble and play whilst the adults chat, OK?" Lance requested as Ash replied affirmatively to the man in an enthusiastic chirp. "Keep him safe, Dragonite." He spoke to his Pokemon who only let out a short cry before looking to Ash. The small human looked up to the seven foot tall dragon who blinked back down at the boy with its usual large eyes and doughy expression - before Ash took off running, giggling as Dragonite took a second to process that before releasing a short roar; shaking its arm and stomping after Ash.

Oak let out a short chuckle at the scene before turning around and walking back into the lab, Lance right behind him as the two men walked down the corridors and into Oak's office. Ushering in Lance into a spare seat, the professor locked the office door to ensure some privacy for their conversation before then taking a seat at his desk with a sigh and swivelling to face Lance. A second of silence passed to establish a comfortable atmosphere, before Lance then broke it with a short cough.

"I believe we need to talk on recent events, do we not Professor?" Lance spoke, receiving a firm nod from Oak.

"Indeed we do." Oak responded in affirmation. Taking a second to think, he then gestured towards the man. "Do you have the Pokemon?"

Lance grunted as he fished the ultra ball out of his jacket, setting it down on the desk in a spot halfway between the two men. "It was stubborn, but after fighting Moltres, there was no need to use a master ball to capture a potential legendary as you warned me about."

"Good, good." Oak murmured as he then picked up the Pokeball and stared at it as if he was analysing the Pokemon within. Looking back at Lance, he set the device back down before crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. "I hope you have no problems if the Pokemon remained here for us to study, do you Lance? It is technically your Pokemon now, after all."

Lance only grunted before shaking his head. "No, none at all, Professor. It would be best for it to stay here anyway - it came from this very town, you've got all the current info on it, and your fully briefed on what it can do and what it is. Besides, it would never listen to me anyway. The only 'problem' is, can you keep the steel type under control?"

Oak only raised an eyebrow at the man who then chuckled sheepishly at the question. "I'll have you know that just because I'm old and a researcher now, doesn't mean I wasn't champion too, Lance. My charizard was the best of its species before I lost to that challenger, and it's still roaming the ranch as part of its security." Oak lectured Lance who looked more sheepish as he went on. "You know full well what my best team is capable of when you only just managed to beat me a few years back - I'll be just fine thank you." Oak finished as he pulled out a bottle of water from a desk in his drawer and took a sip. "Besides, I most likely won't have to lift a finger to get it to cooperate."

Lance frowned in confusion at Oak. "What do you mean?" Lance questioned, before it dawned on him. "You mean Ash, don't you?"

Oak only nodded as he put the water down. "Yes." He confirmed. "With Ash staying here, the Pokemon will remain here too, probably. Can't be certain, but it is a captured Pokemon now. That gives us more breathing room." Oak paused before gesturing to Lance. "You remember how I told you of the inhibitor chip which gave the Pokemon certain commands to follow, right?"

Lance grunted. "Yes, and I called you to let you know it had been removed."

"Yes, but that's exactly it. It's proven it's own intentions already." Oak stated to the man, the dragon master looking at the professor with intrigue as he gestured for Oak to continue. "With the chip gone, there was no forced commands to inspire loyalty, to Ash or not, or no harm upon humans, if indeed those commands had remained. It doesn't matter now that it's gone, but take note of this - even once the chip was gone, 'Synergy' here, right?" Oak looked to Lance who nodded to confirm the name of the Pokemon. "Yes, she chased after Ash anyway to get him back. She didn't have to, and yet she did so anyway. Synergy still wants to ensure Ash's wellbeing."

Lance gave a single laugh at the professor. "That sounds devious, Professor. But it sounds like you'd make Synergy Ash's Pokemon in order to keep her happy."

"A Pokemon of her power?" Oak spoke as he raised an eyebrow. "Yes, that's a good idea actually. We could give her to Ash, she could protect him, and it keeps a potential legendary nice and happy and most importantly, non-threatening. As well as right here at the lab where we can run some tests and keep an eye on her to ensure her intentions."

Lance nodded at that. "Alright, when you put it like that professor, it does sound like a good idea. You'd have to teach Ash about how to handle a Pokemon, but with Synergy being... as special as she is, Ash won't have to do anything really in terms of caring for her. And she'd stay right here, which is good for me Professor to report back to the League with about this new Pokemon." Lance was about to continue when he frowned and looked sharply at the Pokemon researcher who looked back questioningly at his expression. "Although, I can't help now that I have caught on to what you just said, professor. You said, 'to protect him'. Why on earth would Ash need protection, here in your lab? I understand that thieves may be after such a Pokemon, but you make it sound like there's more to it."

Oak only sighed before sipping more water. "There's much more to it, Lance."

Lance's expression turned truly serious as he sat up straighter. "Well, don't keep me waiting, Professor."

Oak nodded with a serious expression. "Do you not know who Ash is the son of, Lance?" Oak questioned.

Lance raised an eyebrow, but the pieces were starting to fall into place. "I'm afraid not, Professor. I don't know his surname." Lance stated. "You make it sound like he's the son of the Team Rocket boss."

Oak choked on his mouthful of water before then spitting it at the plant pot on the window. "What? Good heavens, no man." Oak let out somewhat aggressively as he regained his breathing. "No, take note of his surname then. It's 'Ketchum'."

Lance's face went taut then as a dawning expression came onto it. "Ah, I see. So, still just as bad then."

"Worse, probably." Oak stated. "If word truly gets out about how Ash was involved in this Orange Archipelago incident, he'll immediately have half a dozen parties after his head simply for family connections."

"Sins of the father, passed down to the son, eh?" Lance murmured as Oak's grave face matched Lance's tone. "Very well, this will indeed have to be kept on the down-low, professor. We can't have people out for revenge harming the boy. He will be fine in this quiet little town, probably why Delia was here working for you instead of some more well-paying job she could've gotten with her smarts."

Sitting quietly for a few seconds, Lance then spoke again. "Try and make this Pokemon friendly to humans, Professor. We've got enough legendary Pokemon in this world who are apathetic, or even hate, humans as it is. If not, at the very least try and foster this relationship between Ash and Synergy."

Oak only nodded at the statement.

THAT EVENING.

"I didn't know they had takeaway like this in such a small town." Lance expressed as he was sat at the table. The three of them were currently sat in the upstairs of the laboratory, which was a very small extension added onto the lab when Oak had moved in of just four rooms. A master bedroom for Oak as he stayed at the lab following his retirement from Pokemon battling and picking up researching, a spare bedroom, a bathroom and a living space for his use.

The boy and two adults were sat in the living space where a rectangular, wooden table with two chairs on each of its longer sides set in the middle of the room. A TV hang on the wall on the side of the room, though it was currently switched off as the three were staring at the takeaway food in front of them.

"Well, of course it would if you think about it." Oak explained. "Not only does it serve the tourists who pass through the town, quite a few of my staff put in overtime and stay late to work on their projects - they usually order a bite to eat when they do so."

Lance only shrugged. "OK." He spoke, before then picking up a container. "OK, let's see - you went with fish and chips, Oak? Really? Could you not have gotten anything more simple?"

"Hey, I'm a simple man with simple tastes." The researcher defended as he took the box off of Lance and started dolling it out onto his plate in front of him.

"Noodles for Ash." Lance continued as he passed over a box to Ash.

"Thanks!" Ash spoke before opening the box and beginning to eat the noodles straight from the box with his fork, ignoring the plate - before halting at Oak's withering glare.

"Hmm." Oak let out purposefully with a scolding tone, finger tapping on the table. "We're going to have to work on your manners, young man. You don't eat until everyone has their food."

Ash however, looked confused as he finished the mouthful he had as he put the fork down. "Why's that?" He asked.

"Just the system we humans have invented over the years, my boy." Lance spoke heartily, before rolling his eyes as Oak's glare focused on him - already feeling the professor's scolding for downplaying the importance of manners to the boy. "It's a sign of respect, Ash. You wait for others so then everyone can join in at once."

"Oh." Ash let out as he then waited for Lance to finish scooping chicken out of a tub onto his plate.

"Well, thank you for paying for this wonderful meal, professor." Lance spoke as he stabbed a bit of chicken onto his fork.

"Yeah, thanks Mr Oak!" Ash said aloud as he began eating the noodles again.

Oak only chuckled as he tucked in too. "No problem."

The meal passed silently after that, only a few comments made by Lance and Oak, such as the TV being switched on by Oak at some point throughout due to Lance's demand that the Kanto Today channel be switched on as they were reviewing the champions of the different regions.

It was as everyone was just about finished eating when the TV got to the last champion to talk about - Lance himself. Perking up at his name, Lance gave the channel his full attention as did Ash, whilst Oak only half-glanced at it occasionally, preferring to finish his dinner.

"Finally we're onto our last champion on the agenda today, as chosen by the random name generator. Lance, the dragon master - the strongest specialist to wield dragon type Pokemon and champion of the Johto region. Tell me, Averill, what do you think of the dragon master?" The news reporter on the show turned to direct her question to the man beside her.

A Pokemon watcher was sat in the chair, and clasped his hands in thought at the question. "Well, Jasmine, it's no question that Lance has had a very successful career. He's been a Pokemon trainer for over fifteen years of his life now since he was ten, and we've seen very impressive achievements during that time. Two wins in the Indigo League, one win in the Johto League and he has been champion twice. For two years in the Kanto region, before three years ago moving to the Johto region and becoming champion. Although five years is by no means the longest anyone has held the title of champion, it does show he has a solid grip on the position." Averill paused to think.

"Just think on that." Averill continued. "Being champion twice means he went up against two teams of elite four, and two champions, in order to take those titles. That's quite the number of high-end battlers for anyone. As it stands, Lance is the second-strongest champion currently ranked, just behind the current Kanto champion, and it shows just how strong this man really is. If I ever saw the dragon master in person, I would congratulate the man on all his splendid achievements. Not only is he one of the strongest champions, but all his other achievements are up for show too, such as being a master and specialist of the notoriously difficult and rare dragon type Pokemon. He has undoubtedly made his mark in Pokemon history besides all the masters and other champions."

Lance was smirking at the TV as the man's praise continued, Oak rolling his eyes as he spotted Ash's awed face as he gazed at the champion sitting next to him. However, Oak snickered as Lance's bubble was burst by the next few statements.

"Though Lance might want to watch out, and keep a strong grip on that title." Jasmine the news reporter spoke in a cheery voice. "Who knows what's around the corner?"

"Indeed, Jasmine." Averill agreed. "Though I don't envision Lance losing his champion position anytime soon, there are a number of things that can happen. Take for example, one of the champions we've already discussed, the rising star in Sinnoh who only became champion last year, Miss Cynthia Shirona. As shown by her exhibition matches in this year's tournament in Sinnoh, she's only gotten stronger - she's a sure fan favourite for someone who can climb the rankings of becoming one of the strongest champions."

Lance switched off the TV then with the remote, giving a nervous laugh and a smile as he turned to Ash. "That's enough of that, I'll just have to keep training!" The man spoke, getting Ash to nod and for Oak to shake his head.

Before Lance could continue, Oak cleared his throat to get their attention. "Now, Ash, I'm sure you're wondering what's going to happen now." The researcher spoke, getting Ash to properly focus on the professor as Lance watched on in interest, already knowing what the Professor had orchestrated.

"Yes sir." Ash spoke with a curious tone.

"Well, my boy." Oak started. "You're going to need somewhere to stay, of course. So, I've already let the police know your back here, safe and sound, so they don't have to waste anymore time looking for you. Officer Jenny will be over tomorrow to probably ask a few questions and ascertain that your alright, as well as another thing." Oak paused as he looked at Lance who only urged him on with a gesture. "You see, Ash, I knew your mother - Delia, very well. I guess you could say we were friends and that I did owe her a few things."

"Well, yeah." Ash stated in an quiet tone, a mood quickly forming on him. "You were her boss."

Oak gave a short laugh to dispel Ash's mood and refocus his attention. "Yes, but fellow colleagues can have friendships with one another, Ash. I knew your mother well on a friendly level." He explained.

"OK." Ash stated, but his voice took on a confused tone as to where this was going.

Seeing he needed to get to the point, Oak sighed. "Ash, let's not beat about the bush then. You don't have any godparents or family left other than your father, do you?"

Ash's face became sadder then. "Ah." He said in a quiet tone. "No."

"Cheer up my boy." Oak spoke in a friendly tone as he patted Ash's shoulder, causing the boy to look at him. "Me and Lance talked about it, as well as I notified the authorities - how would you like to stay with me here in the lab? You know me already, and you love all the Pokemon in the ranch, so I thought it'd be a nice place for you to stay. Of course, I understand if you want to go elsewhere, but I just thought-"

Oak didn't get to finish as Ash stood up and smiled at him. "Mr Oak, I'd love to stay here!" Ash shouted out to the man who looked startled at the interruptive outburst at first before then smiling back. "Thank you!"

"Wonderful, Ash, wonderful." Oak stated as he beamed.

"Well, that's good." Lance spoke aloud then. "It's nice to know that you and Professor Oak will get along just fine, Ash."

"Well, what about you, Mr Lance?" Ash asked then, getting Lance to raise his eyebrow at the child. "I mean, not stay with us, but you can visit right?"

Lance hummed at that, before speaking. "Of course I can visit, it's not a problem dipping in and out of neighbouring regions when you've got a dragon that can fly faster than sound... it's just when." He mused, before he pulled a device out of his jacket and began pressing on it.

"Hey, what's that?" Ash asked the man as he stared at the weird device in the man's hand. It was a device with two sides to it on a hinge that meant it could flip open, a screen on the top side on the inside as a keypad lay on the bottom side. It had a dark red casing on the outside of the device.

"Hmm, this?" Lance asked as his eyes flickered to Ash before looking back to the device in his hands. "It's a Pokegear, comes from the Johto region. It acts like a phone and a computer at the same time, it's got several tools like a map, calendar, calculator and a lot of other things, but it's mainly used as a communication device. I'm just seeing when I'm next free - it's a busy role, being leader of a region you know..."

"Eh?" Ash stated, before pointing to a computer machine, a blocky cube device with a wide screen and receiver attachment for speaking into, on a small stand in the corner of the room. "But that's a phone."

"Actually, Ash." Oak took over for Lance to allow him to finish. "That's a video phone. It's used widely, very popular, and it's in every Pokemon centre, hospital and other places. But devices like the Pokegear are portable, which makes them more practical. They may be new, but they're showing a higher rate of popularity than the video phone when it launched. I remember that, you know, it's incredible how far technology has come..."

"Alright grandpa, that's enough of the 'olden day' talk." Lance interrupted as he snapped the device shut and put it away, getting a glare from Oak again. "I'm free next week, actually. I'm not available every week, but I'm usually free on Saturdays, I like to designate that as my day off."

"Will you come then?" Ash asked Lance excitedly.

Looking at the boy for a second, Lance then gave a chuckle and patted Ash's shoulder. "Sure, OK kiddo. I don't know why I like you so much, but I promise I'll visit."

"Alright!" Ash let out excitedly. "Thanks, Mr Lance!"

"No problem." Lance responded, ruffling Ash's hair who laughed at that.

"OK, that's enough. Now that Ash here has been fully informed of everything he needs to hear, and stayed up way later than he should - don't protest young man, I know you like talking to Lance but it's half nine at night!" Oak spoke sternly, shutting down Ash's objections as Ash's face looked like he wanted to protest. "It's time for bed for you. You've got the guest room, that'll be your room from now on. We'll go into town tomorrow and get a few bits for you after Officer Jenny visits. You'll find it on the right, after the bathroom." Oak informed.

Ash only nodded, standing up and going to the doorway, before turning back and waving. "Goodnight Mr Oak, bye Mr Lance!"

Lance chuckled again, giving a wave back as Oak did. "Cya next week, kiddo."

Ash gave a grin before turning back and disappearing through the doorway. Oak watched Ash go to his quarters of the laboratory, following the instructions he'd given the boy. Just as Ash rounded the corner, Oak turned his head to see Lance watching after Ash with a forlorn smile, the caped man seeming to regret the day coming to a close.

"He likes you, you know?" Oak spoke with a noticeably quieter tone now that Ash had gone to bed.

"I hope so." Lance responded with a short statement, picking up his drink and finishing it.

"You've grown attached to him, haven't you?" Oak questioned the man, but his tone and certainty of it made it seem more like a statement as the eccentric man dipped his head.

"I can't lie to you, Professor." Lance mused in a soft tone. "I have. It was a great day away from official duties with a child who focused on nothing but enjoying himself."

Oak gave a chuckle which broke the champion out of his sentimentality and look at the Professor before laughing softly himself. "Well, you did promise to visit next week. Don't go breaking your own heart whilst your at it." Oak stated as he gave a heavy pat to the Johto champion's shoulder before beginning to guide the man to the exit as the two men stood up and went downstairs.

"Oh, I won't Professor. You won't miss my voice when I come back." Lance joked as the two men reached the main door to the lab.

Oak looked at Lance with a fake withering glare before smiling. "No, I most certainly won't. In fact, I shall relish the peace of the week before you return."

"Professor, you wound me!" Lance theatrically gripped his own heart, causing the two men to start laughing again.

"Well, Lance, it was great seeing you again." Oak stated as the chuckles died down, the aged researcher sticking out a hand to his good friend. "Goodbye, my friend."

"Goodbye, my old friend. I'll be in contact before I return. Oh, and stay in good health, would you?" Lance seized the hand and shook it firmly.

Oak's eyebrows raised at the caped man's rhetorical question. "And what's that supposed to mean?" The Professor fired back.

"Oh, it's you know, probably hard to stay in top condition for a cranky old codger like yourself." Lance cheekily joked with a wagging eyebrow as he spoke and a wide, anticipating smile.

Oak blinked in shock at the statement, before his brain put two and two together. "Cranky old codger?!" He shouted out in an indignant rage, before simmering down as he heard Lance's chuckles escaping through the closing door, instead turning into a small smile as the door clicked shut. Waving a hand dismissively at the door, Oak lapsed on himself as he muttered. "Bah, that hopeless imbecile... no wonder he's still single..."

THE GUEST ROOM.

Ash was sat on the bed, gazing at the room around him, pondering about how this was the fourth set of surroundings he was in - in just four days. But this time, he was here to stay apparently. He compared the room he was in to the one he had at the cabin - it was definitely bigger, being four metres by five this time. Vanilla walls made up a monotone colour of the room, right up to the window which overlooked the Pokemon ranch. Looking outside, Ash could see a flock of pidgey descend onto the trees in one of the biomes, and knew he was going to like that view. The rest of the room was simple and plain, having a small cuboid wardrobe and dresser sat next to one another in the corner opposite the door, a desk just under the window. A plain, light-blue carpet making a soft environment for his feet.

It looked plain now, but Oak had promised they'd go shopping tomorrow. It'd look better in no time. With a small shrug, Ash climbed into the bed and settled down - it'd been an exhausting adventure he'd had. He'd worry about whatever he had to worry about tomorrow.

He never thought of the bad times that had occurred just a few days ago, or the fight, as he was too much in a good mood from being distracted all day.