Chapter 4: The Chosen

"C'mon kid! 50 more and you are done!" Surge screamed at Ash as he was struggling to do another pushup "If you are tired already, trust me, we haven't even begun!"

Ash's arm shook before collapsing into the ground. Cerberus went next to him and licked his face "I'm fine buddy..."

"Hound?"

"...Not really..."

Surge sighed "Fine, we are done for today. I've kept you for 5 hours, let's get breakfast."

As they ate in the cafeteria of the gym, Ash's body was hurting after doing military training since 5AM...

"So, excited for meeting Lance?" Surge asked and Ash nodded.

"Yeah! I mean... he is my hero." Ash smiled as he ate his rations.

Surge frowned "Why is that?"

Ash raised a brow "I mean; he is Lance! He inspired me to become a trainer, and even if I don't plan to get any dragon types, he is proving you can specialize in one type, just like I plan. Besides, he is so cool! The cape, the swagger, his attitude... he is great!" Ash exclaimed excited and Surge nodded as he chuckled.

"I get, I get kid. But do you know the saying; never meet your heroes?"

"Yeah, but... how bad can it be? It is-"

"Lance, I know. From the Wataru clan, Master Dragon, Indigo Plateau champ, blah, blah, blah. You told me all this time." Surge smirked seeing Ash frown "Just keep in mind that he is full of himself."

"How much?"

"Oh; you'll see."

*Hours Later, SS Anne VIP Section*

"Okay guys, here's the thing; don't embarrass me." Ash said to his team as he was wearing a red tie over his usual clothes, without his hat as his hair was slicked back. "I really want to make a good impression."

"Sand...?"

"Mur-Krow?!"

"Hound!"

'Sure?'

'When I have embarrassed anyone!?'

'Fine!'

Ash smiled and nodded "Great! He should be here any second now, so let's wait."

Ash sat down as he was moving his legs to the sides, Cerberus and Chad was by his side and Roc on his shoulder.

One hour later, Chad was sleeping, Cerberus chasing his tail and Roc went to the lamps as Ash looked at his Pokedex, seeing all what he had seen.

"Any second now." Ash said as he waited.

Two hours later, Cerberus was chasing Chad as they played tag, even if Chad thought it was lame but it isn't like there is something better to do, as Roc slept on the candelabrum.

"He is the champ; something must have come up." Ash kept telling himself.

Three hours later Ash had enough "Where is he!? I've waited for three hours!"

He groaned as he rubbed his head. He can understand he is busy, but could he at least someone tell him he is going to be late?

The door was open as he saw him enter. His impeccable black cape, his fiery hair... there he was... Lance Wataru.

He smirked at Ash who still looked annoyed "Ash Ketchum I presume. Sorry for being a bit late, I was busy with other matters."

Ash nodded "Right... what was it exactly?"

Lance chuckled as he sat down in front of Ash and crossed his arms and legs "Nothing you should worry about. It is only a champion can do."

Ash nodded "Sure. Well, I am hungry after waiting, so should we order?"

Lance nodded as he closed his eyes "Indeed." He snapped his fingers as maids and butlers entered the room and placed a buffet in front of them. "Feast your eyes; a meal worthy for a champion! No need to thank me!" He smirked and Ash nodded.

"I will anyways, it all looks great, thanks." Ash said as the placed the food in his plate.

Lance chuckled "I've noticed you only have dark types, say; are you trying to prove something?"

Ash stopped eating and raised a brow "What do you mean?"

Lance smirked "Well, dark types aren't that strong. If you fought them against a dragon, it should be a one-sided affair, can you agree?"

Ash frowned "No, no I can't." Lance looked confused at him "Yeah, dark types aren't the strongest and lose most matchups in paper, but if you manage to make a competent team out of them, train them, even the strongest Dragonite won't be able to do anything."

Lance for his part, looked slightly uncomfortable. He coughed into his fist "Well, what you say have some truth, yes, but... maybe you can be interested in having a Dratini? As you know, Dratini is the first form of Dragonite, that way you can add some bulk into your team and become-"

Ash pulled his chair back and stood up. His team looked at him "Come on guys, we are leaving."

Lance frowned and looked at him "Did... something happen?"

Ash sighed "Here's the deal; I looked up for you, for years. You showed me, that with hard work, perseverance, you can do anything. Even becoming the best with a monotype team. But meeting you here, talking to you... you are just fake. You are just like everyone else."

Ash left and Lance looked at the closed door with a frown. He slumped into his chair and sighed "Goddammit Lance... what happened?"

*Next Day, Gym*

"I take it the dinner didn't go well?" Surge asked the mad Ash that was stuffing his things on his backpack.

"He is an idiot." Ash said and Surge nodded.

"Well, Ash has been the champion for so long, that maybe he lost something from where he was younger. Who knows."

"Yeah, and who cares really?" Ash said and Roc on his shoulder nodded.

"Krow!"

"Yeah, I agree. It is not worth thinking about it."

Surge patted his back "Well kid, why don't you go to Celadon now? Erika is the Gym leader and she might give you a challenge, but I doubt it with your Murkrow and Houndour. Good luck kid, and here." He handed Ash a number "In case you are ever in trouble, call me."

Ash smiled "Thanks Surge." He mocked saluted and Surge laughed.

"Don't mention it! Now go!"

As Ash was about to leave the city towards Celadon, he stopped seeing someone in his way "What?"

Lance took a deep breath "I'm sorry. You are right, I am fake."

Ash blinked "How comes?"

Lance sighed as he sat on a fallen log "When I left my home to start my journey, I was just like you. I wanted to prove you can be great with Pokémon you love. From Dragonites, to a Gyrados." He smiled "People told me, you need a more balanced team to cover weaknesses, you will never get to anything like this, you dragon freak."

Ash sat next to him as he listened "But I did it. I proved everyone wrong, and I became the champion. But when you are at the top, they ask you to act some certain way. You need to show, that you are the champion. You need to act how a champion should act. I've been like that so long, that I forgot how I got there."

He held Ash shoulder "I know, that you are champion material. No matter what type you specialize in, I know I will meet you at the end of the Elite 4 Challenge."

Ash smiled "Thanks... I guess you are not that bad."

Lance chuckled "Sorry for keeping you waiting yesterday, I know it sounds ridiculous, but the league insists I am late."

Ash laughed "Why?"

"Some stupid reason those geezers have." Lance laughed "Besides, the Rockets are becoming dangerous."

"The what?"

"A criminal organization. They steal and sell Pokémon, be careful where you travel."

Ash nodded "I will. Thanks for the advice, Lance."

"It is nothing. Where are you headed to now?"

"Celadon. Want to come along?"

Lance huffed "If you invite me, I can't refuse." He smirked "Matter of fact, Ash Ketchum; you are now my apprentice!"

Ash laughed "I'm serious!" Lance said and Ash nodded.

"I know, I know. Thanks for choosing me, I guess. But I am not taking the Dratini."

Lance nodded "Is there a way to convince you to have a dragon Pokémon?"

Ash hummed "I guess if it is dark type too, I will take it." He joked and Lance nodded.

"So, you are saying there is a chance... Now, to Celadon! I will use this chance to train you and talk with the local Gym Leader."

Ash chuckled and nodded. The Chosen of the Champion... it has a nice tone to it.

Next Chapter: The Hound from Hell