Title: Conflict of Interests
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #44, Conflict
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Warnings: Shonen-ai, partner betrayal, Bruno-bashing

“It’s not that I don’t love you any more, it’s just that I want to experiment.” Ash was trying to explain his reasoning to Lance with little success. The Dragon Master sat stiffly, his eyes hard as he stared straight ahead.

“So was he better than me?” He asked coldly.

“Will you be mad if I say yes?” Ash ventured.

Lance did not reply, silence saying more than words ever could. Ash fidgeted, uncomfortable. He felt annoyed, too. Lance was too stuffy!
“What’s wrong with you? If you really loved me you’d let me do what I wanted! How can you say you love me when you act so stuck-up and selfish?” With that, the boy stormed off angrily.

Why did he love Lance anyways? If all they did was have sex together, he could totally find a new boyfriend!

“I suppose I judged wrong again.” Lance said. “Perhaps I should quit loving altogether. What do you think, Ptera?”

Aerodactyl cocked his head to one side, peering at his master through one beady golden eye. It is your choice, Master.

“I wonder if he will really be happy this way?”

But Master, if he cares not for your happiness, why do you care for his?

“Because that’s what love is supposed to be.” Lance said dryly. “I think. You’re supposed to put the one you care for first. But I don’t like sharing. Maybe I am too traditional in that aspect…”

Master, it isn’t your fault!

“Maybe not, but I still wish we did not have this difference in opinion, and I have too much pride to apologize.”

He does too, Master.

“Exactly. But it’s a necessary sacrifice. I’m sure we will both be better off separate.”

Aerodactyl did not contradict Lance’s words, but he settled his wings, frowning. This would not turn out well…

Lance let the wind ruffle his hair as he stood on the balcony. The stars were quite beautiful tonight, and he could pick out the constellation of the legendary dragons. Rayquaza, and then the new ones from Shinou, Parukia and Diaruga glittering in the northern quadrant, and of course, Lugia and a proud Dragonite…

He ignored the movements in the bushes down below. He was quite sure he knew what was happening down there, but he chose not to see. He picked out the brightest trace of wings, that cluster over there could almost be an Aerodactyl…

A sudden flash of brilliant light caught his attention, and he blinked the glare from his eyes, stunned. What was that?

“What the hell was that for?” A vaguely familiar voice roared.

“I told you no already!” Ah, that was Ash’s voice. Lance headed inside, not wanting to eavesdrop on an argument he had no intention of investigating.

“You liked it well enough the last time, you little bitch.” Bruno glared.

“Well, I’ve changed my mind.”

“Too bad. I’m not letting you go that easily.” Bruno shoved Ash to the ground, yanking his pants down. “So finish what you started.”

Ash frowned, and that was when Pikachu hit Bruno with a Thunder attack. The Pallet Trainer hastily dashed back into the Plateau. Perhaps it was time to go off journeying again. It was too stifling to stay here… his summer internship would be over in a week, so he just had to tough it out until then.

“Lance?”

Lance glanced up when he saw Ash enter. He wished that Ash had never come over this summer. It was true. Those relationships just wouldn’t last once normal life started again. What did he want now?

“Yes?”

“I…it’s just…” Ash gulped, before he shook his head. “Nothing. I’m sorry for disturbing you.”

He left, and Lance went back to his paperwork.

Three months later, Ash was in Shinou, when he received the news that the Dragon Master was dead.

“Can you really pull it off?”

“I think so.” Lance studied his reflection in the mirror critically. “How do I look?”

“Different.” Charlotte admitted.

The trainer smoothed down the wrinkles in his new outfit with a half-smile. “It’s all right, Charlotte. As long as I stay away from him, he won’t know.”

“Then take care.” The Champion waved goodbye as Lance left, and wondered if this was really the right thing to do.

End Fic

Completed 5/3/07

I hate having the flu! *Sniffles* and Ash is a promiscuous dork. *Nodnod* and this may have a sequel if I get bugged.