I did it! I'm a writing goddess! I got another chapter up before I went away! I wouldn't have gotten it done if I hadn't had some time to write in school today :3 I am very happy right now! Anyway, this chapter… well, I hate it. It was boring to write, and boring to read in my opinion. It's more of a filler, but I promise, swear to arceus, that the next chapter will get right into the plot line! As in, the next chapter is going to be her getting ready/going to the dance! :O

But… that won't be up for another two weeks x.x Cause tomorrow I'm leaving for seven days! No internet connection, no computer, no way to write. The three bad things?

My poor kittens aren't going to have me around D:

Walking a lot. (I'm lazy)

NOO WRITING DDDDD: *dies*

Well, that's that! On to the reviews :D

ZerOtodona: Haahaa –laughs hysterically- Ahem, sorry. You tickled a funny nerve there :D Isn't she a dork? But we all love her *snugs Lyra* Thanks for the review! Enjoy the upcoming chapter!

Naara: That, by far, was my favourite line I've written in this chapter! I'm happy you appreciate it!

Sapphiet: Lance is Lance, he can deal with anything! *believes Lance can do anything as long as he has his cape* Ethan's definitely something else! I'm hoping that you, and everyone else, enjoy watching their conflicted relationship develop! Maybe I'll hint in future chapters what happened to Kris all those times ago ;) Actually, I do believe that trunks have a handle inside you can pull that makes them pop open! *has been locked in a trunk before* Thanks for the review! I really appreciate them!

Splitheart1120: Lyra appreciates someone giving her some sympathy :D Thanks for the review!

MetalWingSkarm: I see Silver feelings approaching! Especially in the next chapters ;) Next chapter won't be for a while, but I hope you like this one! Thank you for reviewing!

I'm hoping to have some more Morty and Kris action later on! Enjoy this chapter! I tried to mix some humour in with it!

Chapter 4

"We already discussed this. I'm not wearing that."

Wendy gave me a tired look, "I think I liked you more when you were on drugs, Lyra. You actually looked excited when you saw this dress."

"I think I liked myself drugged more to," The words were muttered, but Wendy still heard them, giving a laugh. I sighed, resting up against the bunch of pillows my mom had propped on my bed. Ever since the 'accident', mom had insisted that I let her come and see me and the manor every day, and she hadn't missed one yet.

I may have been out of the hospital, but I still wasn't allowed to do any serious activities. I was bed ridden up until the day before the dance and when I wasn't confined to my room I had to be wheeled around in a wheelchair. It was ridiculous. It wasn't like I'd been seriously injured or anything!

"Will you at least try it on?" Wendy gave me a pleading look, but I shook my head.

"No can do, agent. I'm restricted from any tiring movements, and getting that thing on would definitely count."

Wendy gave me an odd look, "It's not even a corset. It's just a zipper!"

I sighed, reaching a hand up to tug at my hair, "I don't care. My shoulder is aching right now. So get that grey... prom dress away from me!"

Wendy threw her hands in the air, turning to pick the dress up from where she'd hung it on my door, "Arceus, Lyra. We talked about this yesterday! Everyone's going to be in dresses like this! I even looked for one that I thought you'd like, no frills or anything."

Maybe I was over reacting. I mean, the dress was pretty, no matter how much I hated it by default. It was a bluish grey and sleek. The chest line was rimmed with a pattern of silvery lace, the torso falling into layers. At where my hip would be there was a small flower, not extravagant at all and the same color, maybe a shade lighter, than the whole dress. From there, the dress flared out around my feet and Wendy was right about there being no frills. I may have even have picked it out myself if I had any desire to pick out dresses.

"It's going to show my stitches," Arceus, I was good at picking out flaws in things.

Wendy turned towards me, here eye twitching, "Listen here, Miss 'I'm a champion so I can do anything I want'. You are one of the stars of this dance so you are expected to stand out, and it's my job to make sure you don't make a fool of yourself. You are going to get into this dress the day of that dance, or I'm going to force you into it."

I swallowed nervously, but didn't back down, "No. I'm no-"

"I swear to all that's good and mighty, Lyra Kotone. I will make your life a living hell if you don't shimmy into this thing, for only four hours!"

Crap, she was serious now. I sighed and crossed my arms, "Whatever. We'll see. Can I go see my Pokémon now?"

Wendy looked like she wanted to go and jump off a cliff, but she swung the expensive piece of fabric over a chair, yanking my wheelchair from the corner of the room and wheeling it over to the bed, "Get on."

I gladly climbed into the seat, leaning back and planning on enjoying the ride. To try and smooth things over, I said in what I hoped was an interested tone, "So, how'd your date last night go with the boyfriend you won't tell me anything about?"

Wendy instantly perked up, picking up the speed of which she pushed my chair, "Oh my god! Amazing! We made out!"

"Again?" Did they even make it to the dinner this time? All I ever heard about was how much of an amazing kisser this 'mysterious boy' was.

"Of course again! We have been dating for two weeks, you know." I could practically see her smirk, "I'm proud to admit that... we took our shirts off!"

Arceus. Too much information, "Ah, very nice, hon. You gonna tell me his name anytime soon?"

"Nope! A surprise!"

"What type of surprise is it for me if you're the one making out with him?"

"Uh..." Luckily, Wendy was saved by us reaching the large battle room where my Pokémon were currently residing. It looked like a huge gym, with brick walls and a sleek floor, but a large pokeball, signifying the battle area, was painted onto the sleek wooden floor.

The moment I entered the battle area, the wheels of my wheelchair screeching as they fought against the sleek floor, my Pokémon roared in greeting. A smile touched my lips and I looked up at my team, which all moved towards me. It was no wonder that Wendy took a step back every time she helped me in here. They were intimidating.

First, both in coming towards me and being my starter, was Meganium. She was closest to me, so it was only natural that she reached me first. Reaching out a hand, I caressed one of the flowers growing around her neck, letting her rest her head in my lap.

My ariados followed behind, slowly lowering himself from the ceiling to land on the handle of my wheelchair, just sitting there. Ariados could rush, but only during battle. He preferred to mosey and waste time. I'd had him since he was nothing but a spinarak, barely big enough to fight off a weedle.

Ampharos approached, shocking me with a paw to grab my attention. I smiled at her, instantly reaching out a hand to run my fingers through her soft fur. She might have been a joker, but she was also one of my closest Pokémon. She had been my second Pokémon, obtained as a little tiny mareep outside of Violet City.

"STEE, LIX, ELIX, STEEL!" I flinched at Steelix's roar, looking up at the towering steel and ground type. I'd obtained him in a trade and it wasn't exaggerating to say that he was my most formidable Pokémon, and my loudest.

Smash

"Steelix! No!" I watched in dismay as my Pokémon raised its tail in excitement and smashed it back down on the ground, demolishing the carefully tended wooden floor. Behind me, Wendy sighed and I could practically see her shaking her head. I copied her.

"We'll have to get that fixed..." I trailed off as I was a sprinkled lightly with water. From the little pool in the middle of the room, Kingdra watched me, floating lazily. I gave him a small smile, acknowledging the fact that he was there.

To finish off my team was Shakra, the only Pokémon I'd nicknamed, but like always she was off playing with Kris's baby, who was at my mom's house. I always saw my baby chikorita getting given to that little baby in the next years to come.

"How's everyone?" I gave my Pokémon a smile, and was greeted by a roar of noise.

"Meg, an, anium, megani!"

"Ari, dos, aria, dossia!"

"Amph! Amphar! Phar! Phar, hos!"

"STEELIX!"

"Ki, dra, king, drak."

I smiled even brighter; glowing in the presence of my Pokémon; there was no other thing I liked to hang around with than my Pokémon, "Well, that's great guys! I hope you enjoyed your vacation, though I am sorry that it had to be cut short..."

Nobody looked altogether annoyed at the fact, so I leaned back in my chair, watching as my Pokémon began to wander off. Kingdra instantly sprayed Steelix in the back of the head, and then pretended it wasn't him. Steelix, being the big oaf he was, got confused, looking around for the attacker.

"I'm gonna go to the kitchen, Lyra. I'll be back with some crackers!" I gave a distracted nod of acknowledgement for Wendy, watching my Pokémon. Ampharos and Meganium where going at it again, grappling around the arena, but gently. Can a Pokémon even fight gently?

"Lyra?"

I jerked, looking over my shoulder, "Lance! What are you doing here?"

The red headed man slowly strolled into the arena, looking at my Pokémon with an arched eyebrow, "You know, I've never seen a stronger team of Pokémon than yours."

I laughed, scratching my leg, "Yeah right! We both know that Red surpasses me hugely! He's like, a living legend."

Lance smirked, lowering himself to the ground beside me and crossing his arms, that cape of his spread out behind him, "So are you, Lyra."

I snorted, "Yeah right. I'm just the champion of Johto."

"But you are also the girl that single handily took out Team Rocket, got sixteen gym badges and haven't been beaten once."

That was a lie. I HAD been beaten once. It had been when I'd first gotten Meganium and we'd run into Silver with his stolen cyndaquil. His Pokémon had demolished mine, not surprising since I hadn't know any of her moves at the time. I decided not to state that.

"Why are you here, Lance?"

Lance stared out at my Pokémon, before muttering something under his breath. I gave him the look, "Spit it out, boy."

Lance smirked, then went serious again, "I don't think you should go to the dance."

I arched an eyebrow, looking over at the former champion. Was I just imagining it, or was he cringing? Did that man actually think I wanted to go to the stupid dance? I could help it, I let out a laugh. Lance, being the wimp he is, flinched, before I just stood up slowly out of my wheelchair, careful not to pull my shoulder, walking towards my Pokémon, Lance scrambling to his feet to follow me.

"What if I tell you I want to go, Lance?"

Lance frowned, jogging to my side, "I'll have to try to persuade you not to. It's just too dangerous. You've already had one attempt on your life, we can't risk another. Next time, whoever shot at you could have better aim."

Maybe I shouldn't have laughed over such a serious topic. Lance obviously disapproved according to the dark look he gave me. I sighed, stopping by the pool of water that Kingdra was floating in and reaching out a hand to caress her slightest wet snout. Crouching down beside me, the red headed man dipped his fingers in the water, trailing them around.

"I'm not the one you have to convince, Lance. Go talk to Wendy about that, though I doubt she'll let me not go. She'd rather me be shot then miss this dance."

Lance flinched, but a smile touched his lips, "Trust me, I would never cross that wom-"

"Lance?"

Cue Wendy. I peered over my shoulder to see Wendy gaping at the back of Lance's head, a blush rising up her cheeks. That wasn't uncommon. When Wendy had first met Lance I'd had to listen to her rant about how 'hot' he was and how she totally had a crush on him... for about one day.

Lance looked over his shoulder at Wendy, rising to his feet and turning, his cape swirling out around him as he bowed his head formally, "Good afternoon, Wendy. I have a proposal to make."

"A-a proposal?"

Oh Lance, you were not approaching this the right way. If he had any Wendy-knowledge, he would have started this conversation off with the dangers I was in, not by just stating the question. Too late now.

"I'd like to propose the Lyra skip the upcoming dan-"

"No way in hell!"

Lance blinked, mouth dipping open, "What?"

All embarrassment had vanished from Wendy's face and I could practically see the smoke coming out of her ears. She strutted right on up to Lance, poking him in the chest with one well-manicured finger, "She is NOT missing this dance. I've been planning it for two months, and have been looking for a dress just right for her for almost seven days! A week. So get off your high horse, Lyra can take care of herself!"

While I snickered to myself, Lance spluttered and tried to dig himself out of the hole, "Wendy, please hear me out! It's just too dangerous! She's already been shot at once. The chances of her being shot again are to hi-"

"Like I care. Let her get shot! I want this dance to be perfect!"

Good lord, did she really just say that she didn't care if I got shot? "Wendy, calm down..."

"I'm calm! I'm totally calm! Except I'm a little annoyed that everyone seems to want to sabotage my dance! You can set up some guards or something, mister dragon man, if you are oh so worried about your precious little champion!"

Lance stared down at Wendy for a moment, before leaning down and whispering something in her ear, to quiet for me to hear. She instantly flushed bright scarlet, before stomping her foot and shoving him in the chest, "No way! I'm not gonna let you persuade me with tha- Oh my god, Lance!"

It was almost comical, that shocked look on Lance's face, as took a step back to steady himself after Wendy's shove. Except there was nothing behind him but a pool, so we all saw him fall backwards...

SPLASH!

"HOLY SHIT! LANCE!" Wendy slammed her hands over her mouth, eyes going wide while I burst out laughing, cackling like a mad woman. Lance burst above the surface, spluttering wildly.

Kingdra, on the other hand, didn't like sharing his pool and began to spray the side of Lances head, clearly stating, 'get out of my water, you douche!'

"W-we'll set u-up some guards a-around the p-perimeter of the dance, just to m-make sure n-no Team Rocket g-grunts come in a-and out. There w-will have to be high l-level security to g-get everyone in."

We were all out of the battle arena now, sitting around the round table in my kitchen, Wendy stared at Lance with a bright red face, me leaning back and grinning, and Lance wrapped in my much to small light blue bath robe.

"I was seriously hoping you could get me out of this, Lance..." I sighed dramatically, and then started to snicker again.

Lance glared at me, "Stop laughing!"

Once again, Wendy buried her face in her hands; even her neck flushed bright red, "I'm sooo sorry, Lance! I didn't mean to! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so-"

"We already discussed this Wendy, it's find. A little water had never hurt anyone."

"But I may have ruined your cloak!"

"I can always buy a new one."

"Sorry Lance, I heard that their only selling pink ca-"

"Shut up, Lyra."

I crossed my arms, leaning back in my chair and trying to look snide and annoying, "That's mean and makes me stressed, you shouldn't say that type of stuff to me, not when I'm injured."

Lance sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, his wet hair falling around his face, "Lyra, can't you take this serious, just once? I swear to arceus, you were more serious back when you were ten."

"I was also naïve. I can't live my life in fear, Lance! If I did that, I'd probably never leave my house, and I definitely wouldn't be where I'm at right now. As in, the champion of Johto and Kanto, with twelve badges under my belt."

Lance stared at me for a long moment, and then shrugged, "Whatever, Lyra. We'll still set up the security system, but this also means that you have to go to the dance like Wendy wants."

Oh right… I could see Wendy's smirk out of the corner of my eyes and I frowned, "Can't I just go in for a few minutes and make a spee-"

"Sorry, Lyra. You are going to dance at this thing, whether you want to or not. Hopefully with a guy, if they aren't all repulsed by you," I glared at Wendy, who looks pleased with herself. I could have torn her little head off.

"Fuck you."

"Language, Lyra."

I sighed, "Lance, did you never swear when you were my age?"

Lance chuckled, leaning back, "Of course not. I was always a good child."

"And I wasn't?"

"I don't believe so."

Standing up abruptly, I turned and walked towards my window, leaning my hands on the railing and staring out the window. My mansion looked over a cliffy area with a twisting road leading up to it, covered with sharp, ankle breaking rocks. I could just barely see Blackthorn City below, the lights twinkling in the dim light.

There wasn't many times a year that there wasn't a bunch of paparazzi sitting around my lawn, so it was a relief to see the barren grass. The peace and quiet made it possible for me to sleep well rested. I had reasons to believe that Lance had somehow stopped the reporters from climbing the mountain.

"Away from the window, Lyra!"

"Lance…" I tried to make myself sound stern, but it just came out tired, "I really don't think anyone's going to shoot me."

"Team Rocket wants you dead, Lyra, and they have good reasons to. It's too dangerous for you to be anywhere nea-,"

I turned around violently, strutting up to the table and slamming my fist down on it, "Lance, will you shut up? If it was you who had gotten shot at, you wouldn't be cowering behind someone. You'd be doing everything in your power to find out where Team Rockets base is! So stop complaining about how I'm going to die and just frigging tell me if you've found anything out about Team Rocket!"

Lance stared at me for a few moments, fiddling with the bottom of his robe until the sound of the dryer finish went 'ding'. Standing up, I had to carefully keep my eyes averted from down there since the robe was almost too short; he frowned and turned, walking towards the washing room and disappearing.

I slammed down in my chair, burying my head in my hands. When I looked up at Wendy, her face was bright red. Whether it was from mine and Lance's argument or the fact that we'd both gotten a view of that, I didn't know.

"Stop mooning over him, Wendy, you have a boyfriend now."

Wendy flushed brighter, then nodded her head, her perfectly set hair bobbing around her chin, "I- I'm not mooning over him!"

I managed a chuckle, but it died halfway, leaving me to stare at my desk. Looking up at Wendy, I slowly shook my head, "Am I not being careful enough? Should I be hiding away in my room?" The worried feeling inside of me reminded me of what I'd felt when Silver accused me of being a bad trainer. The only thing that'd got that off my mind was actually seeing my Pokémon.

Reaching up and mussing up my hair, I stood up and started to walk to my bedroom, not bothering with asking Wendy to wheel me there, "Tell me when Lance is gone. I don't want to talk to him right now. I'm going to the dance."

Was the only reason I was going to the dance because I wanted to prove Lance wrong? I mean, just a few minutes ago I'd been thinking about how I wasn't going to this dance, no matter what happened. Maybe I was being reckless, maybe I was being stupid, but I sure as hell knew that I wanted to live a little before I hit my thirties.

Reaching my bedroom, I rubbed my hands together nervously, sitting down on my bed and leaning back on my pillows to stare at my ceiling. I could hear the faint voices of Wendy and Lance in the distance, both of them talking in hushed but heated tones, probably arguing over the dance.

I let my eyes trail over to the dress. I maybe, just maybe, would put that on, just to satisfy Wendy. It didn't look to uncomfortable. I was surprised she wasn't trying to squeeze me into a corset and high heels about as high as my knees.

Well, I hadn't seen the heels yet.

I heard the bang of the door as Lance left and scrambled out of bed, leaning over to my window over my desk and watching the tall, red headed man strut down the path, his cloak flapping around him. He would have had a more dramatic look if his hair wasn't plastered to his head.

I turned and stared down at my pokedex, pushed into one corner of my desk and left there to gather dust. It brought back memories of my journey as a child, from running through forests, fighting Team Rocket members and facing down legendary Pokémon like Ho-oh and Lugia. I'd never bothered to catch them, that was too cruel in my opinion.

"Lyra! Lance is gone!" Wendy's flustered voice came from down the hall and I could hear her walking, her heels clanking on the hard wood.

I reached forward a hand, taking my pokedex and opening it, staring at the blank, dead screen, "I know... I know."

So! Did you like it? Hope you did! R&R!