A/N: Written for The Light's Refrain…as a very late birthday present. For some reason, Ritchie was harder than I thought he'd be. :D
Also for the Indigo League Challenge on the Pokemon Fanfiction Archives, Route 2 task.
The Promise of a Precious Battle
Ritchie hadn't known Ash for very long, but he knew Ash wasn't the sort to just forget about – or abandon – a battle. Or a promise.
That was why he was so sure Ash would come. He'd already be there if he could, in the opposite trainer's box, and they'd probably be partway into a heated battle. It might even have been a Pikachu vs. Pikachu match. Ash's eyes had glowed even brighter than his at the thought; he wouldn't just throw the match.
Ritchie understood that, even if he didn't know much about Ash: his favourite colour, the Poke-doll he'd slept with when he was little, whether he had any siblings. He did know the other's passion for Pokemon, for battling and forging new ties…and what else did he need to know?
Except perhaps the reason for Ash's delay. Because despite how certain he was, he worried: worried Ash would be too late, that the battle they'd both wanted would vanish into smoke. Worried that victory by default and a missed opportunity would be something he'd regret – but time was ticking away, and even his plea wouldn't forever keep the flag at bay.
Ash just had to get here soon.