Title: To Rise
Above
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #9, Float
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
Red peered out of the hot-air
balloon as he glanced over
“Shoot! Don’t run!” The trainer said. He hastily dug a piece of bait out of the bag at his waist and threw it down.
The pokemon eyed the food and began to eat. Red took a breath, and threw another Safari Ball. This time, Carnivine was caught.
The boy cheered as the ball returned to him. Really, the hot-air balloons were a good idea. They saved one from walking through waist-deep swamp mud, though they were pricey – five thousand pokeyen for half an hour. Walking was only a tenth of the price for the same time.
If only he was allowed to bring his own pokemon inside… well, all right, he was, but he couldn’t use them to battle. The rules were the same as the Zone in Kanto…
Red checked his watch. He only had seven minutes left and he’d wasted a lot of Safari Balls earlier trying to catch a Skorupi, but to no avail – the pokemon had fled. He smiled. He still had one trick up his sleeve…
“Oddish, use Sweet Scent.”
The small weed pokemon began to emit a sweet-smelling aroma. Several Wooper peeked out of the marsh, along with a Bibarel and another Carnivine.
Red took aim, throwing two Safari Balls at once. The Bibarel squeaked, but could not resist the lure of the Safari Ball, and succumbed. The Wooper broke out and dived back into the water. Its companions followed.
“Well, Sweet Scent again.”
Oddish obeyed, but only one Wooper emerged this time.
Red threw another Safari Ball, slightly irritated when again the pokemon broke free. He threw two more, and was on his last ball when the timer rang.
The hot air balloon began to return to the docking platform.
“Did you get a good haul?” The warden asked politely. “Come again!”
Red resisted the urge to smack the man. Honestly, did they think he was an idiot? He closed his eyes, glad that at least he had caught something this time. It could be a lot worse, right?
Lance was waiting in the inn when he returned.
“Well, how did it go?”
“Not too bad I guess. I got two, and I would have gotten a third if the timer hadn’t rung so fast.”
“Well, the game is mostly determined on luck.” Lance conceded. “I’m ordering dinner from room service. What would you like?”
Red checked the menu, smiled at it. The selections all looked quite tasty.
“Mm, I’ll have an order of tempura udon.” Red grinned. “And an order of Maguro nigiri.”
Lance nodded. “Ebi and Unagi for me, and hmm… Hamachi and Ika.” He dialed room service. Moments later, their food had arrived.
Red dipped a piece of sashimi into soy sauce. “Lance?”
“What is it?”
“Why did you suggest that we come to Shinou?”
“For a vacation of course.” Lance smiled. “We were both burning out.”
Red flushed. He had been rather temperamental lately, and Lance had been more standoffish than usual. The explanation made sense. They lived a very stressful lifestyle – of course they would get worn down eventually!
They ate the rest of their meal in silence. The ingredients were very fresh, the sushi well prepared. Red felt a lot better afterwards. Catching pokemon in the Safari Zone had helped too…
Lance knew him so well.
Afterwards, when they had concluded with some kappa maki, they cuddled together on the bed, watching pointless television and just relaxing. Red was not too surprised when Lance turned and kissed him, questioningly.
“Yes.” He agreed. It had been far too long, and quick escapades and hasty motions between working just didn’t cut it.
They made achingly sweet love until dawn, when Red fell asleep in Lance’s arms. Lance sprawled against him lazily, feeling sleep overtaking him as well.
Yes, a few more days of relaxation, and then they would return. His spirit felt light and free, and he was sure Red felt the same way.
Red floated in sweet dreams that night.
End Fic
Completed 10/16/07
The pokemon regions are based in