Title: Top of the World
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #35, Top of the World (Theme Set #2)
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

Red flicked his fingers as Sceptile exploded from its poke ball, slashing the opponent Graveler into pieces. The Hiker cursed and threw out an Onix. The rock snake pokemon was intimidating, but he did not think he would lose…

A Dragonbreath was unexpected, so he smirked and swapped for Blastoise, letting Blizzard smash into the Onix.

Game over.

The Hiker handed over the money and left, swearing profusely all the while. The Champion said nothing, his fingers resting in his prized Pikachu’s fur as the electric pokemon nuzzled his cheek.

You knew this would happen.

“It always happens. As soon as I become Champion everyone tries to defeat me. It’s so exhausting.” Red sighed.

They’re not worthy of you.

“Pikachu…”

It’s true. After all, pokemon behave in much the same way. What you need is a strong mate.

“Pikachu!” Red colored. “That has nothing to do with my seclusion here! I just wanted privacy, but somehow, people keep coming here to challenge me anyway!”

And if you had a mate, wouldn’t they leave you alone? Pikachu asked.

Red colored. “Well, maybe, but still…”

You don’t want one?

“T-That’s not it either! Pikachu!”

Of course, I can understand if they’re too weak for you… Pikachu mused. I wouldn’t want a weak mate.

Red was tomato-red, and quickly tuned the little mouse out. He walked to the Pokemon Center located in the thicket, where Nurse Joy smiled and healed his pokemon.

Still…

Maybe Pikachu was right. He might want human company once in a while. He was about to leave when he saw a flying pokemon land in front of the Center.

Lance jumped off his Dragonite’s back and smiled when he saw Red. “Hello, Champion.”

“Hi Lance.” Red grinned. “What’s up? Come to train?”

“Mm. Needed a break.” The Dragon Master agreed. “It was quite fun, burning all of your paperwork… we lit a bonfire, and then we had marshmallows. I thought I sent you an invitation.”

Red grinned at the thought. “What about President Goodman? Won’t he be angry about this?”

Lance blinked. “Haven’t you heard? He died yesterday. Liver failure. But the strangest thing is, he named you as his heir and the next President.”

Red gulped. “M-me? That’s so sudden!”

“And I doubt you wanted to read through all that legislation…”

“Well, thanks.” Red muttered, mind still awhirl. Goodman was dead? And he was his heir? That made no sense!

“Of course,” Lance said casually, “Considering that he’s embezzled nearly twenty billion dollars in League Funds, we’re a little suspicious… so we’ll be disbanding the Governing Council for the time being.”

“… Wow…” Red breathed. So suddenly…

“That’s why I came to give the news.” Lance turned to Red. “Will you come back to the Plateau now?”

“Sure. No reason not to.”

“I thought as much. The League will be closed for at least three months while we sort, and you know how red tape can take years…” He smirked. “And you’ll be free, at least a bit.”

“Thanks for telling me, Lance.” Red released Charizard, and the two of them flew back to Indigo Plateau.

Lorelei and Agatha greeted them. Bruno was off training in the mountains again, and in any case, what they discussed was of no importance to the fighting type trainer. He didn’t fall high enough within the hierarchy of the Chosen.

“So now you’re practically the ruler of Kanto and Johto. What will you do?”

Red shrugged hopelessly. “Try and fix things, of course, but I’ve never been really good at diplomacy.”

Lorelei half-smiled as Lance hugged Red. “You’ll have us.”

“That’s true.” Red grinned. “I’ll just appoint you as my official advisors, and then… we’ll take care of Indigo. I promise.”

Lance nodded. “That’s all we can do.”

“At least we know now that this country will be in good hands.” Agatha spoke quietly, and the Elite and Champion shared secret smiles.

End Fic

Completed 11/19/06

Aww… this was really fun to write! ^^