Title: Transference
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red), past WataShi (Ash x Lance)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #1, Transference
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: AU, fanon, Het, past shonen-ai

Lance hissed as he spun around, Dragon Blades already flickering into place on his fingertips. She stared at him in disbelief, before Lance relaxed.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” The Dragon Master sighed.

Red put her hands on her hips. “I don’t think so. This is the third time this week that you’ve jumped when I came around! Do you hate me or something?”

He sighed, shaking his head. “You’re wrong, Red-chan. I don’t hate you. I hate him. Everything is his fault.”

She tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean, it’s his fault? Who is he?”

Did Lance have a boyfriend? That was not something she wanted to think about!

“His name was Ashton Ketchum.” Lance paused. “He was quite a brave Trainer, adventurous, a hero…”

Yes, Ash had never backed down, even when faced with unbeatable odds or legendary Pokemon. However, that trait was undesirable when it came to personal feelings.

Red frowned. “So what happened?”

She did not like the way this was going.

“He had problems with relationships,” Lance shrugged. “He was not loyal, and did not seem to understand the concept of monogamy, so I had to… dispose of him.” Something in that tone added the word ‘permanently’, and she shuddered. “But he looked like you, only with darker skin and messier hair. He was shorter, too. Of course, you’re a much better Trainer than he ever was.”

Ash had never won the Kanto League, or defeated him.

Perhaps that should have been a clue.

“… So I remind you of your old boyfriend?” Red asked incredulously.

“That’s about right,” Lance agreed. “I apologize. You shouldn’t take it personally. I will try not to jump.”

The new Champion stared at the Leader of the Elite Four, not sure what to say. Finally, she settled for leaving quietly.

Once she returned to his room, she flung herself onto the bed, hot tears trickling down her cheeks. This was all the confirmation she needed. Why was she cursed to look like someone Lance hated?

She did not want to resemble a stupid, cheating boy!

It wasn’t fair. Lance would never like her now…

* Damn you, Ash Ketchum! I hate you! *

End Fic

Completed 12/1/06

Edited 6/14/09

Transference is another one of Freud’s brainchildren. *Sigh* It seems similar to ‘Displacement’. Someone who resembles someone else in an emotional context… hmm, that makes little sense.

Poor, poor Red! Poor Lance too, since Ash is a faithless bastard…