Title: A raindrop in an ocean
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping/WataShi (Lance x Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #24, Ocean
Rating: PG
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, fluff

He’s a raindrop in an ocean of misery, a face in the crowd. No one cares about him. He huddles inside the cardboard box, eyes closed.

It’s cold tonight, and there are storm clouds out. It’s probably going to rain.

He sneezes.

That catches someone’s attention, and he hears footsteps coming his way. He shivers, burrowing deeper into the shadows.

Green-gloved hands reach into his box.

He bares his teeth, but is too weak to fight.

“Oh! Who would abandon a Sneasal like this?” Ash blinked. “Poor thing.”

Strange, this new human felt warm and kind. He opened his eyes more fully. It was Thunder’s Guardian?

He felt better immediately.

Lance slipped his fingers out of dark fur, the blue light winking away. “There. Now he just needs a good meal and some rest.”

“I can keep him?”

“Sure. He’s probably an abandoned pokemon.”

Sneasal turned to look at the Ice Guardian. He could stay with them?

It was an honor to be a guardian’s pokemon!

They walked home, Ash carrying Sneasal in his arms. Pikachu barely raised an eyebrow when he saw the new team member. Ash was always taking in abused and abandoned pokemon. It was just his nature.

The boy poured a bowl of hot milk for his pokemon and then smiled.

Sneasal applied himself to the milk, and then had a can of salmon. Feeling better, he curled up in front of the fireplace with the sleeping Arcanine, who barely raised an eyebrow, snuffling.

It would take a few days before he could battle for his new Master.

“I can’t believe people still abandon pokemon!”

“You saw it happen often enough with Paul.” Lance pointed out, mildly.

“I know, but it’s so cruel!”

The Dragon Master ruffled his hair. “You are too kind.”

“Really?”

People might take advantage of Ash’s generous and helpful nature. That was why Lance kept him close now.

He would be safe.

And his boyfriend hardly minded. Ash liked being protected.

“I-I like to help pokemon, though…”

“I know.” Lance whispered. He kissed the younger trainer.

Chocolate brown eyes looked up trustingly.

“You’re a good child, Ash.”

Ash just beamed, and kissed Lance back. “Mmm…”

Yes, the man decided, he didn’t mind at all if Ash helped abandoned pokemon. It was cute.

And hopefully, others would follow his example.

End Fic

Completed 11/21/07

Weavile is so weak *sniff* and being stuck in holiday traffic for 4 hours straight does nothing to improve my mood…