Title: Light
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #48, Light
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. Game-verse

Warnings: Shonen-ai

“You’re so innocent.” Lance sighed. “You really shouldn’t be here, Red.”

The Champion glanced at the Dragon Master, surprised. “Why not?”

Lance crossed his arms, looking Red in the eyes. “Do you know what it means to be Champion?” He asked softly.

Red blinked, momentarily speechless.

“I suspected not.” The former Champion stood, cape rustling behind him as he walked over to the bookcase. Smiling, he picked up a single book, and the bookcase slowly swung on its hinges to the side, revealing a hidden passageway.

“Follow me.”

Red stood up and did so, amused but a bit frightened as well. They walked down a flight of steps, before they reached a room below. Red had to shield his eyes at the stark brightness, and as he walked closer, he realized what the source of light was. A giant egg lay on a stone pedestal, glittering with the colors of the rainbow.

“What is this?”

“What do you think?” Lance asked softly.

Red pondered the question as he admired the refraction of light off the glittering surface. “A giant diamond shaped like an egg?”

“No, Red.”

“Then… it’s a pokemon egg?”

“Mmhmm.” Lance stated. “Now, one more question. Which pokemon is the most powerful of all?”

That threw Red for a loop. “Mew?” He guessed.

“Not quite. This pokemon is not native to our region, but it has power untold.” Lance paused, before he smirked. “Aruseus.”

Red gaped at him. “T-This is an Aruseus egg?”

“Yes. It has lain here for countless centuries. The duty of the Champion, the hidden duty, is to protect the egg. Poachers, Team Rocket, Greedy men… I could name many who wished to have it.”

Red gulped nervously, as Lance led him up against it and pressed his hands to the surface of the shell. A strange energy crackled through his body, and he cried out in surprise, but it didn’t really hurt…

Lance stepped back and watched, and for a moment, Red swore he heard a voice speaking to him, but then it was gone.

How… odd…

Afterwards, Lance led him upstairs and closed off the passageway. The book went back on the shelf, appropriately titled “Money, Power, and Fame.”

< What happened? > Red asked, and then jumped, realizing that he wasn’t speaking out loud.

< Aruseus accepted you as its new protector. > Lance said matter-of-factly. < I will take a few weeks for your body to adjust to that influx of power. >

< It… made me psychic? >

< Not quite. True, all who have protected the Aruseus egg – that includes Lorelei and Agatha too, for they were also Champions once – can talk mind-to-mind, but it is limited. No, what Aruseus gave you is power to protect him, though the power takes different forms for every one. He gave Agatha the power of the ghosts she loves. He gave Lorelei the ability to freeze her opponents into ice, even separated by distance and time. He gave me the Dragon Dance… for to protect Aruseus the power of pokemon alone will not be enough. The trainer must have power too. >

< I’m not sure I understand it all yet. > Red said hastily sinking into a plushy armchair. Lance chuckled.

< Do not worry, my dear Champion. I shall guide you. >

< Really? >

< Yes. And I will protect you, if you want me to. >

< I’d … like that. > Red said shyly. Lance smirked and walked over to his chair, before he bent over and kissed him, watching him blush.

< Mm. > The Dragon Master purred. < Then I will. >

Red grinned, as he tipped his chin up for another kiss.

End Fic

Completed 12/15/06

Oh Red, you are so adorable! ^^ I like molesting you! Um, I mean, I write Lance molesting you in fanfic all the time…