Chapter 6

Eh... can I begin by saying I am incredibly sorry! I don't know if you can really remember this, but I finally managed to finish this update. If you followed my other fics, you'd have noticed I didn't update them either. I guess I fell into what could be considered the worst time of my life, writing wise. I dreamt up about 10 new ideas for brand new fictions, but I didn't really start on them. The project I've been working on for 4 year we left alone for six straight months, and most of my other writing was also not getting attentions. I finished about half of this chapter just after posting chapter 5, but yeah. I feel really bad, I don't want to be a bad updater. That being said, it was really weird finishing this. I had hoped that the writing came as naturally as it always did, and while it did at some parts, I struggled at others. As such, I'm not as confident in my return. Perhaps I'll be back to form in chapter 7, which is incoming on January 13. Yup. No more waiting. Walking in the Cold will update every ten days from now on, that's a promise.

Without realizing it, the first paragraph eerily foretold my future. Had I known back then (Chapter 5 was barely up when I started on Chapter 6) I would have tried to finish this entire chapter before my... er... I dunno? Uber-writer's block? Yeah, that's what it was.

Anyway, enough about my rambling, and on to what you're really here for! Ladies and the odd gentleman or two, I present, at long last: Chapter 6!

Distractions can sometimes be bliss. They tend to keep your sanity levels stable when you just can't think about your problems anymore. And me being me, I'd much rather think about the stuff that doesn't bother me. Not that it's a good thing, but I'm not somebody to spend so much energy on my problems. And that is, I think, my biggest flaw. I should be working on a plan, should be reaching for my dreams, but instead I'm standing here in the bliss of battle.

"Pika-CHU!" my Pokemon yelled as it dodged the tail of the Gyarados.

With incredible speed, the dragon-snake dove down, avoiding the bolt of lightning my Pokemon fired in the nick of time.

"Hydro Pump!" the cape wearer commanded from the other side of the beach.

Gyarados rose from the waters, spewing water from its mouth.

"Dodge it with a Quick Attack!" I ordered Pikachu, without really having to think about it. It was just a natural thing to do.

Pikachu started to move faster than I could see, and Gyarados' attack missed. For a second, Pikachu was nowhere to be seen, but then suddenly butted against Gyarados' head. Normally, the attack would've been highly effective, but with Gyarados' size, the dragon merely flinched. Its master ordered to retaliate with a tackle, and since the mouse hadn't recovered yet from the attack, was knocked back onto the beach. Pikachu jumped up, nearly unscathed from the attack, and ready for more.

"That's it!" I encouraged him. "Agility!"

"Dragon Rage!" Lance yelled at the same time.

The sky darkened as Gyarados prepared for the attack, but it was caught off guard when Pikachu suddenly appeared on its head.

"Thunder Bolt, now!" I ordered, and a second or two later, flashes of yellow sparks illuminated the area.

The dragon made sounds of agony – something between a roar and a cry. I glanced in Lance's direction, only to find him looking at me too. There was something in his eyes – it's something I was highly familiar with, it was something he was also seeing in my eyes, and it was something that made him smile. But it was more than a smile; it was a grin to meet my challenge.

Gyarados tumbled to the water; limp. "Good job," Lance said as he held out his pokeball. The red beam connected with his Pokemon, and Gyarados was gone. Pikachu had made his way to the top of a rock a little to my left, and he was regarding Lance – eager to see what he would dish out next. Lance's hand drifted across the row of pokeballs attached to his belt, and hesitated over the second last one. His challenge never faltered as he grabbed the pokeball, touching the front to enlarge it, and threw it towards the ground between us.

It burst open, ejecting bursts of silver light. The light tangled for a moment, before taking on the form of a large and familiar Pokemon. This was going to be interesting. The light stabilized, and faded to the colors of the Pokemon. Its wings seemed too tiny for its body, its face too cute for its size, and its tail too large to miss. Pikachu jumped from his rock to come to face his opponent. They were old opponents, and Pikachu was defending his victory.

"Thunder!" I yelled, and Pikachu was off.

"Flamethrower, Dragonite," Lance ordered his Pokemon.

The dragon took flight with unnatural speed, easily dodging Pikachu's attempt to latch onto the Pokemon. Pikachu was disorientated as he kept on soaring through the air – never hitting his target – and Dragonite blew streaks of flames towards Pikachu's back.

"Behind you!" I urged.

Pikachu's head snapped around, and in the nick of time, he touched the ground and jumped to the side. Dragonite lunged forward, dashing straight to my Pokemon. Pikachu prepared to jump to the left, but Dragonite brought his tail around, and slammed it against the tiny Pokemon mid-jump. Pikachu was flung to the side, and I was afraid he might not get up. But as always, the little guy surprised me, and managed to get up again. He was heaving, and looked at his opponent with hate.

"Time to finish him," Lance said. "Hyperbeam."

Dragonite opened his mouth, and a small ball of glowing hot energy started to form.

"Time it carefully, Pikachu. Get past it, and use Thunder Bolt."

Pikachu gave a swift nod, and got ready to run. The ball got very large, and Dragonite aimed at Pikachu. I yelled, "Now!"

Pikachu jumped forward, but no attack came. Just before Pikachu landed, Dragonite blasted him with the beam. Pikachu soared through the air, landing hard on the ground – knocked out. I bit my lip as I glanced at Lance. I looked back to Pikachu and rushed over to where he lay. I took him into my arms and faced Lance again. His grin was ever present, and I could see he was enjoying this immensely.

I reached for my second last Pokemon. I still had the advantage – Lance was on his last Pokemon already. With the ball in my hand, I turned my cap backwards and I threw the ball with all my strength – somehow hoping the gesture would seem intimidating. "Infernape! I choose you!"

Much like with Dragonite, the silver energy erupted from the ball to reveal my battle-hungry Infernape. A grin crept onto my face. Who knew I would be battling an elite, defending my title as Pokemon Master, in Pallet Town? It was almost enough to make me want to back my bags and wander off again. Almost.

"So this is the infamous Professor Oak's lab," Lance said as we approached the familiar building. Lance looked genuinely interested, but not really excited. I guess being an elite four member for who knows how long makes him used to ooh-ah Pokemon figures and celebrities.

"Yeah, and my work place," I said coyly.

Lance scoffed, "Seriously, I can't believe you traded your walking shoes for a lab coat."

"I don't wear a lab coat!" I protested. "And I'm just taking a break. There's nothing wrong with that!"

Lance burst out in laughter. "Ash, relax. I'm pulling your leg. I must say, it's a bit disappointing to see a new Master drop off the radar, but hey, that's your choice."

"I do have some valid reasons," I defended with a slight blush.

"I'm sure," Lance laughed.

We approached the door to the lab, but stopped when we heard some loud yelling coming from inside. Lance glanced at me, but I concentrated on the voice coming from inside. It was Gary. I opened the door, and we stepped inside.

Gary was yelling at a new assistant, "I told you to run these samples at room temperature! In your efforts to preserve them, you totally fucked them up!"

The poor guy who was the victim of Gary's wrath was a scrawny little guy with large glasses. I could see the social dysfunction just by how his shoulders was withdrawn and that solemn look on his face. Then again, it could just be Gary. I mean, I had a hard time dealing with him, I can just imagine how others suffer too.

"Gosh, Gary," Professor Oak said as he came into the room, an Eevee sitting on his head. "I never taught you that word."

"And obviously you didn't teach these useless assistants! I swear, some day I just want to kill somebody."

Through all of this, me and Lance's presence had gone unnoticed miraculously. I stepped forward, feeling guilty on eavesdropping or whatever we were doing.

"Er, hi everyone," I greeted awkwardly.

All eyes in the room shifted to me, and I felt uncomfortable. Professor Oak had his usual sparkle, not fazed by Gary's fit. The aides were all happy to see I arrived, probably hoping I'd save them from evil Gary. And Gary, well, he also seemed happy to see me – a total mood reversal. That's surprising. Maybe he thought I wouldn't show my face so soon.

"Ash," Professor Oak greeted, "and?"

Gary's eyes darted to Lance, who was standing beside me. As if only noticing him now, Gary's eyes widened, and something settled on his face.

"Lance," Gary said, irritation high in his voice.

"You've met?" I questioned, giving Lance a sideways glance. He didn't mention meeting anyone from around town.

"Ash, he's an Elite Four. I should know who he is," Gary retorted, quite shortly. What the hell?

Lance snorted, "And I suppose that mentality only started today? You nearly knocked my socks off without realizing who I am."

"Whatever. Honest mistake," Gary said.

"Whoa," I interrupted them. "Did I miss something? Should I go hide the kitchen knives?"

"No," the two answered in unison.

"We're fine. Just some friendly competition, it would seem," Lance added with a cheeky smile.

"Competition for what?" I asked with what was probably a very blank expression.

Lance smirked at Gary, and Gary huffed out a sigh. "Nothing. If that's all, I'll leave you in Gramp's hands. I gotta fix the mess the stupid assistant caused."

And just like that, he left.

"Excuse him, he's in a very bad mood today," Professor Oak sighed when Gary was out of the room.

I wonder if Gary thought that I should still be mad at him. I still feel hurt, but I'm not angry anymore. Not after talking to Brock. Aw man, and I'm an idiot! With Lance here, I won't be able to talk to Gary. Great, just great.

"It's okay, Professor. We all know Gary," I said with a slight smile, then turned to Lance. "Well, except you, but you can already guess how he gets."

He chuckled, "It's okay. I find it entertaining."

Professor Oak also laughed, "It is, actually. Now, what did you boys come here for? It's Saturday. You don't have to work today."

"Oh, I know. It's just, since there's no Pokemon centre in town, we thought we could let them rest here a bit," I replied.

"Hmm?" Professor Oak quirked his eyebrow. "Did you two battle?"

"Yeah, and he really is a Pokemon Master," Lance said, giving me a sideways smile.

Professor Oak gave a huge grin. "Well, that's good. With you missing work yesterday, I was afraid that you might just take off again."

"Sorry about that."

Man, I feel like crap for neglecting my work like that. I mean, there could've happened something to the Dratini, or they could've needed me somewhere else.

"I understand, Ash," the professor said while taking off the Eevee that was still sitting on his head. He held the little Pokemon in his hands. "This Eevee was hurt, maybe your Pokemon can spend the day recovering with him. Maybe play even a little. I mean, you two's Pokemon has reached that level where recovery is swift."

"It's settled then," I said, and Professor Oak led us outside.

"My God, they all look so sick!" Lance gasped as I showed him the bunch of Dratini in their tank.

"Yeah," I said as I extended my hand to one of the Dratini drifting at the side of the tank. "And just when we think they get better, total relapse."

Lance looked as if somebody close to him had just died. He must really have a huge soft spot for dragons, because, seriously, he looked on the verge of freaking out. He took one of the sickest looking Dratini from the tank into his arms, not even bothering to dry it, and held it close to him.

"I have some Dragonair in storage. Do you think they'll help?" Lance asked without looking up from the Pokemon in his arms. "You know, to comfort them. Like older brothers or something."

Professor Oak walked into the lab just then, with Gary at his side. They came to stand next to us, with Professor Oak speaking, "That could work. However, we're not sure how this disease works. It's viral, we're pretty sure of that, but it doesn't seem to infect people or other Pokemon, at least not by more common means of transmission."

"But if the disease is hard to transmit," I began, hopeful, "then it would be okay to bring the Dragonair into contact with the Dratini, right?"

"Perhaps, but this disease might only affect Dratini. In which case, it would most likely also affect Dragonair and Dragonite," Professor Oak went on.

"And since we have no cure, or even have an idea what's wrong with them, we just can't jeopardize other Pokemon," Gary said, rather calm.

Holy crap, talk about PMS. Gary had been really weird these past few days. First I find him crying, then he's so nice, then we get drunk, then we fight, and now, now I don't know how he is. Is he angry? Happy? Emotionless? Maybe that's a good thing – me not being able to read Gary at all. Maybe that mean he's back to normal? He's always had his mood swings, so…

"How did you find them?" Lance asked.

Damn, during my whole time here, I hadn't thought of asking that once. I just assumed that some lab gave up on treating them and asked Professor Oak to look after them.

"They were found by one of my aides on an expedition on Cinnabar Island. We got word there might be some rare fossils there, so I sent over some men. Instead, they found these Dratini in a pool inside a cave," Professor Oak explained to us, turning so he could look at the Pokemon in the tank.

If one didn't know better, one would say they were calm and serene. But I guess they were just too weak to really move around that much. What on earth was wrong with them?

"Have there been any other reports of sick Dratini?" Lance asked as he put back the Dratini he was holding. It swam a bit, but then also just resorted to drifting around.

"Luckily, no. A thorough search of the area was done – we called in the local authorities. I would've loved to go there myself, but with my age, and these Pokemon needing attention, I left the work up to my aides," Oak explained further.

"And they found nothing? Nothing that can explain what's wrong with them," I asked, causing Gary to look at me with those haunting eyes of his.

"No, nothing at all. Although, that already tells us something," Gary started. When Lance and I both gave him quizzical looks, he went on, "This is an isolated case, happening to what seems like a small colony of Dratini. So, if this disease is natural, it has to be very rare."

Lance's face wrinkled as he regressed into thought. "What makes this disease so hard to treat?"

Professor Oak sighed, "Well, we're pretty certain it's a virus, but we can't be entirely sure until we've identified it. This is a very sneaky virus. For some reason, I just can't track it down. If we could do that, I could take a look at the virus' composition and maybe find a way to kill it."

"The cures we've tried already were based on what the effects of the virus are, comparing them to other viruses, and building the medicine from there," Gary continued for the Professor. "But obviously that didn't work."

Lance let out a sigh in frustration. He looked at the Dratini with forlorn eyes. "How can we help? I'm no scientist, but I would like to help where I can while I'm here."

Professor Oak gave a gentle smile, and put his hand on Lance's shoulder, "Your offer is greatly appreciated, and we'll keep you posted. In the mean time, relax, we make this disease sound very bad, while all it might do is induce chronic fatigue and irritation. In the mean time, Ash can show you around the lab, if you want. We've got some interesting Pokemon here."

I had shown Lance around the lab and surrounding facilities for a while, before I went home. It was a bit weird, Lance was here in Pallet just to see me – apparently because he 'wanted to make sure the Pokemon Master is still alive'. I just know he was lying and wants some good old revenge. But that wasn't the problem – I was the only one he knew here, and it felt wrong to let him just stay at a hotel (the one in Pallet had like, three rooms). So I offered him to stay at our house.

Mom was surprised, but said he could stay nonetheless. But now came the other weird/bad/maybe-not-so-bad part – I had to practically babysit Lance. I couldn't just leave him and wander off; he was my guest. Maybe it's just me, but it felt insanely awkward.

We entertained the idea of battling some more, but figured we owed it to our Pokemon to get in a good rest after what was for sure an intense battle. Besides, we had left our Pokemon at the lab to rest up. That pretty much left us bored, and since Lance and I were kind of only acquaintances, we didn't have that much to talk about. See where the awkwardness comes from? Lance had voiced his worries over the Dratini, and that's where most of our conversation were at – we came up with theories of what could be wrong and how they could've gotten sick. But, naturally, me and Lance being trainers and not Pokemon scientists, we were never really sure if we could figure it out. I mean, I know the common Pokemon sicknesses and how to treat them, but that's existing illnesses treated with existing medication, I doubt I could figure out what was wrong with the Dratini if Professor Oak and Gary couldn't.

It was late afternoon when our doorbell rang. Lance and I had resorted to watching TV. They were broadcasting a tournament from Jhoto, and it was mildly interesting. I got up to get the door, and was surprised to find Gary. He claimed that he brought our Pokemon back, since he figured we'd forget. If I didn't know Gary, I'd find that insulting. Then again, I know me, and me forgetting is a very natural thing to happen.

"Do you wanna come inside?" I asked Gary. "We're so bored."

Gary shifted his weight as he thought about it, "Actually, I hoped we could talk. I feel I need to apologize."

"Oh," I said, feeling somewhat happy that Gary would show actually humility. It meant a lot to me. "I guess I can leave Lance alone for a while. Come in."

I told Lance there was something Gary and I needed to discuss, and he was cool about it. Apparently his favorite soap opera was about to show, and he never missed it for a thing. Hmm, Lance likes soap operas? How… unexpected. Haha.

Instead of going to my room, we went to the kitchen. I made us some tea, all the while Gary was just standing there, silent. I figured I would let him speak first, him wanting to apologize and all. I had practically forgiven him – it was my fault after all for leaving the door unlocked. After I handed Gary his tea, he remained silent, and it afforded me some time to think back on what Brock had told me. On the one hand, it was hard taking Brock seriously when he could never get a girl, but on the other hand, what he said made some sense.

Be sensitive, understanding. Give breathing space, and go slowly. However, be pushy enough to show you're interested. Listen, and always respond. Always think through what you're about to say, but never seem like you're hesitating. Most of all, be confident and natural.

He didn't say it like that exactly, but that's what it boils down to. It didn't seem too difficult, and I reckon I can do it.

"I don't know how to say this without sounding incredibly stupid or whatever, but I'm very sorry I yelled at you like that," he began. I looked at him, but he was looking at the cup in his hand.

"Gary-"

"I'm not done yet," he interjected, then went on, "It's just these last few days has been really difficult for me. I've been so confused, and you really didn't help."

I really didn't have a clue what he was talking about, but I let him finish.

He thought for a few second, then said, "It's been a question of should I tell you or shouldn't I, but I think I finally know the answer." He was silent again, and looked at me with hopeful eyes. "Ash, I'm miserably in lo-"

Lance stormed into the kitchen, distraught, "Oh my god, you're living room is on fire!"

A/N: Urm, don't yell at me for that cliffy. I know your trust in me has been shaken, but I promise - ten days. I hope this satisfied you. I feel that I owe you more than the standard lenght chapter, but I was afraid that I might just fall back into that writer's block. But now I'm certain I'm outta it, and instead I make the frequent update promise. If my math is correct, we're about a third into the story now. I think this is going to be around 16-18 chapters. But no fear, I'm already working on a new Palletshipping idea that's gonna blow your socks off. Think Pokemon with a very Final Fantasy feel to it. Epic. That one will difinately have more characters and places from the canon. Walking in the Cold is way more personal and intimate. Till next time!

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