Hmm. ^^

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

Chapter 3

“Yellow still has your Pika? Red…”

Red sighed. “I know. And Pika will be able to find me, no matter how far we run. His nose is too keen. I’m sorry…”

“That is quite a problem.” The Dragon Master said, as they stood on the sandy beach in Slateport. Lance’s Skarmory was snoozing on a beach blanket nearby, and Red’s pokemon were frolicking in the surf, though not the pokemon one would have expected to see. Eevee was firmly ensconced in Vaporeon form, Venusaur and Aerodactyl and Gyarados were hiding, and Poliwrath had benefited from some devolution spray and was now a Poliwhirl. He hadn’t protested the treatment, only smiled.

Loyal.

Of course, he would not devolve Gyarados, as that would be torture, but Venusaur had willingly chosen to become a Bulbasaur once again. It was almost like cheating death and extending life this way.

Still, as he watched them splash around in the surf, it was worth it.

Freedom.

How long would it last? Well, as long as Yellow did not come to Houen, it could last quite a long time indeed. He leaned back in his chair and watched the waves splash, while Lance purchased Soda Pop for both of them from the house.

Lance did look good though, even with his brilliant red hair now masquerading as white. It looked good on him.

He came back with the sodas and they toasted each other.

It was so peaceful; he wished it could last forever.

Green frowned as he turned to his grandfather. “It has been two weeks, and we’ve checked all of Kanto. Should we move onto Johto next?”

Oak sighed heavily. “It’s no use. I cannot track him using the pokédex. If I could, it would be quick…”

“What if he’s just out of range?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he might be in Houen or Cosmos…”

“No, it would be impossible to fly away that fast. And think of the load he was carrying… if we assume he took all his pokémon…”

Red’s house had been ransacked under the orders of the Kanto Governing Council, but nothing had been found. Most of his personal possessions were still intact, and the only things missing had been a change of clothes and maybe one or two of the dolls in his pokemon collection.

No one knew for sure.

Surely Red would not be that foolish?

“Will they come here?”

“They’ll search Kanto and Johto first.” Lance said. Red nodded.

“That would make sense.” He stood in front of the Lavaridge City gym, frowning. Ought he to challenge Flannery?

Perhaps he could, but… well…

How would things play out, he wondered. He could not enter the Championships here, of course, as that was much too dangerous, but it was worth a try to get his blood pumping again. Besides, he was using a team of water types, or so it seemed, while he was in Houen, so…

So really, it would be all right.

Plus, he might catch Team Aqua’s attention. Allying with them might not be a bad idea… especially since the Elite were now scattered.

He frowned. “If I call, will they answer?”

“Of course they will. We swore you an oath.”

“But what of Bruno? He never saw me.”

“You had better not call him then, but Agatha and Lorelei, certainly.”

Red nodded. He would consider it. For now, he entered the gym and went to find Flannery. He found her meditating with her Torkoal, and she was more than glad to battle him for fun.

A Slugma, a Magcargo, and a Torkoal composed her team. He could do this. He brushed his hands across three poke balls, releasing his chosen pokémon.

Vaporeon, who was really Eevee but could hold transformations for an hour now. There was Poliwhirl, who was once a Poliwrath but he would always be his faithful Poli and his very first pokemon, and finally, the last one, not Gyarados, because Gyarados would be too obvious, but… this one.

Flannery blinked at the Marill, recognizing it, and shrugged. “Shall we begin?”

“Sure!”

“No contact, mind you. I’m still recovering.”

Red nodded. Flannery was leaning on crutches, and it would be cruel to make her battle with her pokemon. He actually preferred standing back for once.

His behavior would not give him away as much…

“Begin!”

Blasts of fire and water flew everywhere. No orders were given, save occasional quick shouts of ‘dodge’ and ‘attack’.

Finally, his Marill crumpled, followed swiftly by his Poliwhirl. Vaporeon hissed at the Magcargo backing her against the ring, but surrendered.

Red recalled his pokemon with a small smile.

“You’re not half bad.” Flannery said. “You just need experience.”

“Really?” Red asked, putting as much chirp into his voice as he could.

Flannery shuddered. She hated some of these new trainers. They were so cheerful it was absolutely sickening. This had to be one of them. She wondered if he were from Johto. Probably the case, since he had two Johto-only pokémon.

“Well, I’ll see you around Ms. Flannery!”

“What’s your name, kid?” * And don’t take it romantically, this is only so I can remember to warn the others about you. *

“I’m Ash Ketchum from New Bark Town!”

Flannery shuddered again. “Great. See you around, kid.”

He ran outside, presumably to the Pokémon Center. Flannery decided not to go outside for a few hours until she was sure he was gone. At least he hadn’t asked her for an autograph, but that voice…

She shook her head and went to make tea.

It was unlikely she would see him again, unless he decided to come beat her every week. In which case, she’d hope his style improved soon so he could go bother some other gym leader.

“You lost?” Lance asked.

Red nodded. “It didn’t hurt. It was a fun battle.”

“Good.”

Red healed his pokémon at the Center, and then they started hiking up to Mount Chimney.

End Chapter

Completed 7/7/06

Fluff~! ^^
Lance: And when is the angst going to show up?

Phantomness: Wasn’t the angst at the beginning enough for you?
Red: Well, when you put it that way… let’s hope the rest of the fic is cute.