The gazes that fell upon the Indigo Stadium ranged from bored (Erika and the Sisters) to slightly interested (Koga and Karen) to absolutely starstruck (just about everyone else). It wasn't hard to see why - despite the fantastically powerful psychic barriers shielding the onlookers from the effects of the fiercely raging battle below and the sheer distance, the stadium shook with every impact in the Finals of the Indigo Conference.

Lance crossed his arms and shrugged his shoulders as Michael's mighty Snorlax finally fell in a great heap that kicked up a small cloud of dust and debris. It shrouded the air, but failed to hide the brilliant light of Snorlax's return. He was impressed with Ash, though he'd expected nothing less. He'd come a long way from the young trainer Steven had (quite irresponsibly) dragged onto the mission in the Sevii Islands.

The Champion smiled. There was hope for Steven yet.

"It's over," his fellow Champion remarked from his place at Lance's side. Steven shook his head ruefully. "Ash has put up a good showing, but he won't recover from this. His inexperience is shining through. Michael had him as soon as he removed Magmortar and Nidoking from the battle."

"True," Lance agreed, though he focused mostly on the battle. Ash's overly friendly Tangrowth didn't seem badly off, but that could change quickly in a match of this caliber. He knew Michael just well enough from their brief interactions and the lengthy file of the so-called 'Champion of Orre' to expect him to have a perfect counter. The Orrian had played his hand wisely so far, though the loss of his Jolteon had been a classic case of bad luck. It was easily Champion-level and significantly more powerful than anything else the Orrian had to offer.

Blaine downed another shot, eliciting a disgusted look from Janine. What was the old geezer at now? Twelve? The old Master didn't seem too affected. Lance had no idea how his liver was still working. "It's been over for a while. Since his Kingdra was knocked out. The brat lost one of his powerhouses in the first two rounds - stupid of him to play his hand like that."

Lance couldn't argue that, although he'd put it differently. Ash should have been more cautious in dealing with a powerful opponent like Michael (especially since Michael had more tricks up his sleeve than Ash had ever come up with) but Lance could hardly blame him. He'd practically pissed himself under the pressure of the crowds the first time he'd reached the Finals. It took a lot of practice to thrive under the energy of the masses.

But Ash? To be frank, Lance was surprised that his protege could even function. It didn't take a genius of Blaine's caliber to pick up on the boy's antisocial attitude. Ash didn't hate people, he just didn't relate well. He'd have to keep Ash anchored to the human world somehow or another. Otherwise his student would drift away, lost in his own whims.

It was practically a staple of the League culture: a young genius loses themselves in pokemon, retreating from the world they were born in. Ten years later you have an asocial, lunatic Master wandering around the woods causing havoc everywhere they roamed. Those Masters - Nomads, they were called - were common enough that the League maintained contact and psychics to nudge wandering humans away from them.

Nomads were inconvenient enough as normal Masters. But someone who would reach the stars and conquer them all like Ash?

No way. Not on his watch.

A comforting flair of Flame from the Feather seared him in agreement. Lance smiled at the almost-pain of the Feather. How could he live without it? The shadow of Fire - Moltres, he corrected himself - had lived within his own shadow since his arrogant display at Mt. Ember's peak.

His gut wrenched at the thought of what his arrogance had cost Ash. Lance had as good as killed Infernus. If Moltres hadn't stepped in...well, it was just one more thing to thank the Legend for. A flush of heat warmed him.

"There we go!" Surge boomed, practically scaring one of the waitresses bringing Blaine another flask witless in the process. His gigantic hands clutched the arms of his comfortable chair tight enough for the structure to groan beneath his strength. Lance turned his attention back to the battlefield, pleased to see Dazed standing near the collapsed Arcanine.

Ash was still fighting. Lance knew he would never give up. His willpower and determination were nearly inhuman - he'd never met anyone with the force of mind to persevere through what Ash had. His dedication to training and his team would be legendary in time. Ash might remind Lance of a younger version of himself (moodiness included), but even the young Lance would have struggled to keep up with the Prodigy of Pallet.

Gary Oak and the other two (James and Ashley? Lance didn't pay them much attention) had proved themselves, but Ash was the one who had claimed the spotlight. A smirk tugged at Lance's lips even as the final bout of the Conference began between Dazed and Michael's Dusknoir. Ash Ketchum had become a celebrity at the tender age of eleven. He doubted his student knew what an impact he'd made on the world.

"Hey! Don't eat that!" Lance chided Gible as the chubby little dragon tried to snatch up one of his sandwiches. The newest addition to Lance's team looked the Champion square in the eye, stole the food, and ran behind Lorelei's chair. Gible knew Lance wouldn't follow him there. That situation was still way too awkward. "Ugh."

"C'mon," the Champion muttered to himself as Michael's Dusknoir spewed an unearthly mist that shrouded the entire field from view. Probably an anti-psychic technique. It was smart - it would passively weaken Dazed while also amplifying Dusknoir's own abilities. But if Ash was lucky he might just pull out of this ahead. Managing to keep up with a renowned trainer like Michael proved that he had the ability. It was just a matter of whether or not the cards played in Ash's favor.

His heart sank over the course of the next few minutes. Dazed was no match for a powerful ghost like Dusknoir, especially given her youth and inexperience. She was strong, but she didn't have the versatility to take on a ghost yet.

Lance glanced over to Steven, who had his trademark frown plastered all over his face. "Thinking about something?"

"Just deciding what I'll teach Ash if he accepts our offer," his friend said quietly, though his voice had a unique quality of making itself heard through the load roars of the stadium. "He's not very versatile, is he?

"He's a blunt hammer that wrecks everything in his path," Lance stated proudly. It was everything he could ask for in a pupil. After a moment he turned more serious. "But no, he's not. I only had him for a month. I figured overwhelming power would be easier to train than advanced tactics and technique."

Steven rolled his eyes. "Of course. What else would I have expected?" He said drily, though acknowledged Lance's point. It was the most practical option by far. "I'll try to smooth out his edges."

"It won't take long. He's a quick learner," Lance said fondly, looking down at the dejected boy as he stared at his Hypno's fallen form. A twinge of sympathy went through him. If he reached out through the Feather he could feel Ash's overwhelming disappointment and shock, though he pulled away quickly. Lance wasn't about to invade the boy's privacy. "He'll be the teacher soon enough."

"Of that I have no doubt," Steven chuckled. His eyes narrowed. "Would you like to know my plans?"

Lance chuckled. "Of course," he said, though quickly interrupted Steven before he could speak. "Give me a chance first. Let's see," Lance raised a finger, "you're going to drill him until he's a walking PokeDex. Then you're going to run him through a bunch of hypotheticals until he can strategize properly on the fly. Then you'll start with the practical stuff."

Steven looked disappointed. "Am I that predictable?"

"More than you could imagine," Lance grinned, shifting a bit in his chair. The Champion's Mantle made sitting a bit uncomfortable, but he'd grown accustomed to it over the years. Steven really was predictable...it was his greatest weakness. Steven might be a frustrating opponent due to his vast knowledge, stupidly powerful cornerstone, and elaborate planning, but he'd never been versatile on the battlefield. If you could take him by surprise he'd crumble. He and Cynthia had been overjoyed to find all the hundred ways to make Steven's house of cards collapse. "Go on, tell me what you have planned."

"Conservation of energy is foremost," Steven slipped into his 'professor mode'. Lance held back a groan...this was going to take a while. "I've seen Ash's team waste plenty of energy throughout the Conference. He'd be in a much better position if he would just fight more efficiently. His team lacks real stamina, although their dedication keeps them fighting longer than expected.

My second objective will be specific techniques to counter Ash's inexperience and lack of maturity."

Lance raised an eyebrow. Steven always had an eye for interesting techniques. He specialized in steel-types, but he knew enough to shape some impressive techniques for any type.

"The only one I've thought of in-depth is Hypno," Steven admitted. "She would benefit greatly from Remote Teleportation and Elemental Synthesis."

"Fitting," Lance said, a bit distracted as he watched Ash slip out of the Stadium. Hopefully he would manage to avoid the crowds…

"Indeed."

He watched his protege leave with a frown. Ash would be fine. Come next year he'd demolish the Ever Grande Conference, although they'd have to play fast and loose with the rules so that he could actually compete. Ash was a talent that came once in a generation.

It was good that he'd have Steven's support. Ash would reach Champion-level eventually (inevitably, in fact) but Steven would be good for him. Lance had taught him power and endurance, Steven would teach him tactics and technique, and Cynthia would probably be the one to round him out entirely.

Assuming they could get her on board, anyway. She'd been occupied with her research as of late. Not to mention the Galactics. But she'd always loved teaching and training. Cynthia probably had five or six students running around at any given moment. Her experience would be good for Ash, especially since she wasn't a true specialist.

Lance couldn't help but grin at the thought of facing Ash in three or four years. If Lance's plans worked out (and they usually did) he'd finally have someone who could challenge him. It had been many years since a challenger had threatened to usurp him, and even then none had succeeded.

But Ash was the perfect mix. His determination and grit had gotten him this far. He'd experienced events and witnessed creatures that Lance could scarcely imagine even with Fire at his hand. He'd proven himself time and time again.

In time, Lance hoped that he would see Ash truly surpass them all. A trainer with Lance's power, Steven's skill, and Cynthia's brilliance would be unstoppable.

Lance sighed and turned to discuss more of their plans with Steven, throwing his dreams to the side for now. There was too much to be done for the Indigo Champion to waste time daydreaming.

He couldn't wait for Ash to take this job from him...

I hope everyone enjoyed!

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