Chapter 14: Lance’s View

Two days later Kenta had advanced to the Elite Four challenges and managed to defeat all them. The rising star of Kenta soon hit its height; the last person he has to face now is Lance. Lance being the current reigning champion felt interested in Kenta’s extraordinary skill and handling. No one has ever shown greater resilience and pure determination not since five years ago.

Lance’s view was slightly different then others that viewed Kenta as being the next Ash. Lance saw within Kenta a person that could even surpass the vanishing champion. The vanishing champion was fourteen when he was won Kenta is nearing seven-teen. Age could be one reason why Kenta seems better, but not a true considerable factor. Whatever fueled Kenta’s motivation helped him get this far, now to see if he was good enough to be a champion?

Inside his battling area, Lance sat on his high seat waiting for Kenta to arrive. Kenta took longer than expected; the media was probably having their way with him asking him many questions about his life. After a few minutes Kenta walked in and Lance electronically shut the door behind him. Kenta became jumpy and tried to reopen it.

Lance: Its no use, the door is solid steel and is controlled by me.

Kenta: What’s this all about Lance?

Lance stood up and walked towards Kenta, with his cape flowing. The dragon trainer stood taller than Kenta, with an intimidating smile.

Lance: That door will keep the reporters out, so things don’t get too noisy during are battle. Kenta, this is your final challenge, defeat me and you will claim the most valued title of the entire world, Pokemon Master. Not only that, you will be our new champion. You’ve made such a big accomplishment making it this far, hardly anyone has even gotten here, and you must be very gifted.

Kenta: Thanks I do all I can.

Lance: There’s something special about you. You’ve shocked the world just like someone from a few years ago. I bet everyone thinks you’re the next Ash right?

Kenta: How’d you know, in fact how’d everyone know? Everyone is calling me that.

Lance: Was there anyone that thought of as Ash before you became this year’s phenomenon?

Kenta: Well just Prof. Oak the person that gave me the pokedex and Prof. Elm who started that whole concept. He’s the one that said since I got a pokedex from Prof. Oak I may become the next Ash, and so here I am.

Lance: Incredible, I’ve always thought that Oak had some type of sixth sense about this sorta thing. The way I view you is someone that could surpass Ash.

Kenta: But there’s only one-way to find out, I’d have to battle him.

Lance: Right, if you can find him. But look for him later; right now your fight is with me.

Kenta: Before we battle Master Lance, could you tell me about Ash?

Lance: Ash? Well where do I begin?

Kenta: Start from the beginning, that’s a good place to start.

Lance: Alright. I didn’t know Ash before he became champion; we only battled in the elite four challenge. But I did watch his matches and heard about his heroic acts. Having done a lot at such a young age showed what type of person he was. Some would call him the prodigy of pokemon, the chosen one, but as for today they call him the vanishing champion.

Kenta: I’ve heard of that, why vanishing?

Lance: If it was vanished that means he was gone completely, but vanishing means that there are sightings of him around but as fast as he was sighted is as fast as he disappeared like a ghost. His skills are uncanny; I was no match for him when we faced off. Hardly anyone could make it as far as he did and yet he defeated the elite four including me as if we were rookies. His true test was against his friend and rival, Gary Oak.

Kenta: Gary Oak, how good was he?

Lance: As good as anyone could get by training hard and developing a good strategy, he was able to defeat all the elite four as well. If it weren’t for Ash then he’d be the champion.

Kenta: Wow, and people compare me with Ash. I hardly think I am equal to him but I’m willing to try and see if I am. Alright I’m ready to battle now!

Lance: Eager, just like Ash. Alright, we shall!

The roof parted open to reveal the night’s sky. Torches lighted up at the corners of the battleground. Lance jumped high into the air and landed right at his platform. Kenta was amazed anyone could jump that high but not shocked that Lance could, after all, his nickname is Dragoon. Kenta walked over to his platform and climbed to the top ready to fight Lance and win against him.

*****

Jasmine replaced the damp cloth on Hiro’s forehead. They stayed together at the stadium medical room, Jasmine patiently waited till Hiro woke up. She turned on the monitor to watch the final battle between Kenta and Lance. Maybe the noise will wake up Hiro from his unconscious state. He looked pale, nearly sickly; he has been asleep for a few days since he lost to Kenta. Jasmine knew it wasn’t the losing part that drove Hiro to this but the sudden shock of realizing that he had proved himself already. The tough attitude of his, expressed how much he wanted to prove he was strong and intimidating. The whole time Jasmine traveled with Hiro she could sense his uneasiness for proving himself. It was to the point where he was never satisfied and had to keep on proving how strong he was.

*****

It was during one night as Hiro and Jasmine traveled through some woods, they spent a quiet evening together by a campfire not saying much. Hiro looked at the fire pondering while Jasmine wondered what Hiro was thinking about. Hiro’s eyes almost never looked at eased, his face always seemed cold and angry but Jasmine knew he wasn’t, he was just serious.

Jasmine: Hiro, what are you thinking about, you look so serious.

Hiro: Its nothing.

Jasmine: It is something; I can tell by your expression.

Hiro: If you really want to know, I’m just thinking about how to be stronger.

Jasmine: Stronger? Well I guess a lot of training and care for your pokemon would be the answer.

Hiro: Yeah, I know. I’m also thinking how it feels to be strong; will everyone praise you, acknowledge you, and know who you are?

Jasmine: Probably, look at the vanishing champion Ash he made the history books.

Hiro: I want to be like that. I’m gonna get there anyway I can. I won’t rest until I do.

Jasmine: Is it really that important?

Hiro: Yes!

*****

Jasmine: You’ll end up killing yourself one day.

Turning back to the monitor the battle between Kenta and Lance raged on but it wasn’t as intense as Kenta and Hiro’s match together. Kenta gained the upper hand early on defeating Lance’s starting pokemon with little effort. The grand champion seemed to be struggling, it seemed that Kenta would win this with very little effort.

The sounds of the battle woke Hiro as he opened his eyes to see how his rival is doing.

Hiro: K . . . Kenta . . .

Jasmine turned towards Hiro to check on him, he was finally awake.

Jasmine: Hiro, your awake! Don’t strain yourself, you’ve been out for a few days now.

Hiro: Kenta, you better now lose . . . I’m the only one that can beat you.

Hiro rested his head back on the pillow and watched the monitor. Jasmine held his hand tightly thankful for his recovery. Hiro turned towards her and wiped her silver tears off her cheek reassuring her he was alright.

Hiro: Thanks for taking care of me.

Jasmine: Its okay. Watch the match, you don’t want to miss any more.

*****

Everyone in Ash’s house gathered together at the television watching the match between Kenta and Lance. Kenta had defeated most of Lance’s pokemon, only one remained, the trump Dragonite.

Ash: Ah it’s the same Dragonite I faced off against; it looks stronger.

Gary: Probably is but not as strong as Kenta’s pokemon from what I can see.

Ash: No kidding.

Midori: Are they stronger than yours Ash?

Ash: . . . maybe.

Ash grinned; if Kenta won against Lance then this new champion may be bit of a challenge for him.

Gary: Hey why don’t you make a surprised appearance after Kenta wins his match, it’d be cool to see the champion that vanishes go against the new champion.

Ash: Oh please, I’m sorta retired so no go.

Misty: But Ash, you still feel like you want a challenge right?

Ash thought about it for a moment, Kenta could bring the challenge that he wants and finally make him feel complete ever since he won the championships a few years ago.

Ash: I guess I do. Every since I won the championships a few years ago I always have this hungry feeling for some type of challenge but I can never find it. But maybe the answer is as simple as this up and coming champion Kenta.

Gary: So you ARE going to challenge him?

Ash: I didn’t say that but that would be a nice challenge.

Misty: Yeah, maybe you just need some type of great challenge that wasn’t part of your goals when we were still adventuring. Maybe that way you’ll finally be satisfied.

Ash thought about what Misty said, what she just said made perfect sense. The challenges he had to go through during his adventures were to lead up to his main goal, now that he has achieved his goal, it would be a new experience to battle a real good opponent for no reason in particular, just a challenge.

Ash: Hmmm interesting . . .

The sudden boom had everyone focusing at the television again. Something major just happened.

*****

Kenta shielded his eyes from the brilliant flash that just happened. Two attacks collided, his Lapras’s Ice Beam and Lance’s Dragonite’s Hyperbeam. The smoke cleared to show that his Lapras has been knocked out but Lance’s Dragonite was still up.

Kenta: You did all you can, Lapras’s return! I guess it always up to you Typhlosion. Go get’em!

Lance: Hmmmm . . .

Lance thought about how Kenta battled and the spirit he showed. It was obvious that he’d win this match and in Lance’s view Kenta had already won before the official ring bell. Now it was time to see what’s the best attack Kenta and his pokemon can do.

Kenta: Dragonite, he’s really proven himself hasn’t he.

Kenta: Your opponent needs to recharge, do Sacred Fire!

The fire move connected with Dragonite, its HP slowly drained lower from burns. Lance examined the statistics on his monitor, Dragonite was holding on with the aid of a force band to remain up.

Lance: It’s not necessary, in my view he is the champion. Dragonite prepare defensive stance!

Kenta: Huh?

Lance: Give me your best-shot KENTA!!!!

Kenta: You want it, here it is, FIRE BLAST!!

The burning fire projectile traveled from Typhlosion to Dragonite knocking it out for the victory.

Lance: He did it, he won . . . as if there was any doubt he’d win. Ash, if you saw this then you know, you will finally find the challenge you have longed for these many years.