Title: Hidden Emotions
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Ash/Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #32, Hidden Emotions
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. Zensho-verse

Warnings: Shonen-ai, possible shota

“Red?”

“What is it, Lorelei?” Red glanced up from where he was grooming his Charizard. The dragon purred contentedly, as the Ice Master frowned.

“Something has come up.”

That sounded serious. Lorelei almost never used that tone of voice, so he nodded and followed her to the meeting room where the rest of the Elite were gathered. Wait. Where was Lance?

“He’s missing.” Clair said, “I haven’t seen my brother since he left for the Orre region three weeks ago. We’re afraid that something’s happened to him.”

“And you want me to go look?” Red asked.

Agatha nodded.

Red grinned. “I’m on it.” He hadn’t done anything adventurous in a while, and this might be fun! Orre might even have new pokemon!

A week later, he was feeling much less cheerful. He had toured the few cities in the region, noticed the utter lack of wild pokémon, much to his extreme disappointment, nearly gotten robbed by Team Snagem agents three times, and had to be hospitalized once for dehydration.

It was not fun after all.

“Lance… where are you?”

It did not seem reasonable. Perhaps the Dragon Master had already left the area. But he had just called Clair and Lorelei last night and they had reported nothing…

Something must be going on…

If only he knew what!

Lance… where are you?

“Scyther, Slash!”

Unprepared, caught off guard, and there were so many of them. He should have brought his full team, but he only had Scyther and Charizard with him at the moment, there was no way he could defeat all of them…!

They were losing. Even skill could only take you so far…

Suddenly, a sharp beam of yellow light caught the towering Steelix in its grip, and shattered it. The pokemon screamed, even as the others began to scatter.

Red glanced upwards cautiously, hoping beyond hope that it was the one he sought.

Lance’s smirk was bright as he flicked his fingers. Dragonair exploded from the sound, the twins causing a dizzying cyclone of wind with their agility attacks. Dragonite whipped up a fierce Twister that sent many agents flying, while Gyarados filled the air with rain clouds to halt the sandstorm a Cacnea had kicked up.

He descended, flashing a smile. “Need some help, Champion?”

Red blinked twice, before he threw his arms around Lance in a fierce hug. He choked for a second but the tears still came.

“I thought you were in danger!”

“Red…”

“I was worried! That was why I came to Orre to search for you! And… and…”

“Shh.” Lance soothed. The rest of the dragons made quick work of any remnants, as Lance scooped Red up. “I’ll take you home.”

Red sniffled, burying his face in Lance’s shoulder. “All right.”

Afterwards, he would chide himself for being childishly emotional, but did it matter? Lance was safe!

He had been worrying over nothing.

But still…

Lance did not mention his outburst to anyone, and it was nice of him to keep it a secret. Still, that didn’t stop Red from spending a month in Lance’s rooms before he felt safe enough to confess to the other Elite Four.

Lorelei just smiled and said they expected it.

Agatha was friendly, though Bruno was rather disgusted, but it all ended well.

End Fic

Completed 10/23/06

Tutoring is hard work…