Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon, ok?

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks.

Lance and Catelyn are the same person but with two forms. You know, like Destiny and Hope?

 

Chapter 5: Unfair Advantage

 

            “I can’t believe I have a fiancée.” Ash said that night, while he and Catelyn sat in the garden together watching the stars. Pokemon ran around them, going on with their own lives.

            “Neither do I.”

            “I’m only twelve!”

            “Well, I’m twelve too.”

            Ash suddenly grinned. “I wonder what Brock would say?”

            “He doesn’t like me, does he?”

            “Oh no! You aren’t his type.” Ash reassured her. “Brock likes girls who are more… um… developed, and they have very big, er, eyes…”

            Catelyn hid a smile. “Am I your type?”

            “I think so! We’re both trainers. And you’re smart, and pretty, and nice…” Ash broke off, when Catelyn put her hand in his.

            “Good.”

           

            The two fell asleep under the stars that night.

 

            Ash ended up staying at Catelyn’s house for a few weeks, and then they flew off to Cinnabar together.

            Fortunately, he had e-mailed Misty and Brock to let them know the good new.

            Misty was shocked, she thought he was way too young to even think of romance, while Brock just commented that he was lucky to have a girlfriend.

            Very lucky!

 

            Catelyn put him to sleep every night, just in case. After all, it wouldn’t do for him to find out about her other side.

            At least, he had to be old enough to deal with it.

            Really.

            < Of course. > Lugia said at her hesitation. < You can’t hurt Thunder’s Child. >

            Catelyn grinned. < I know that. >

 

            It was raining when they flew to Cinnabar. Unfortunately, Pidgeot couldn’t fly in the weather, so they were taking a plane.

            Luckily, it was a small plane. So there were no whiny babies wailing in the seats, and definitely no inedible airplane food.

            Also, the plane was fast, which saved time.

            The two dismounted in front of the Center, and then waved goodbye to the pilot.

 

            “Cinnabar Gym now?” Catelyn asked.

            “Aren’t you collecting the badges?”

            “Already got all of them.” She said, pulling a silver case out of her backpack. “See?”
            “Wow!”

            “I’ll cheer for you though.”

            “Kay! Me and Wartortle!”

 

            They walked towards the volcano, still in the pouring rain.

            Ash held a black umbrella over both of them.

            “I hope it’s safe.”

            “Maybe.” Catelyn said. “But even with binoculars I can’t see much. It’s pouring too hard.”

            “On top of a field of lava…” Ash sighed. “So I’ll have to watch out for that.”

            Catelyn nodded sympathetically.

 

            After ten more minutes of walking, by then they were completely soaked, they made it to Blaine’s gym.

            “Growlithe, can you use Heat Beam?”

            Growlithe nodded, growling lowly as he dried his master and master’s mate off.

 

            Pikachu shook himself out. I hate being wet…

            I like it! Wartortle said. Water is so fun to play and dance in!

            Me too. Ivysaur said, smiling at Wartortle.

            Wartortle grinned back at his friend. Ivysaur beamed, her flower shaking slightly.

            “You didn’t have to follow us, Pikachu?”

            But I hate poke balls!

 

            “Looks like we’re not the only ‘couple’.” Catelyn said in a muted voice.

            “Mm?”

            “Those two… their friendship might develop into something deeper.”

            “Oh.”

            Like us, Catelyn mused, as they walked towards the junior trainers waiting.

 

            “Growlithe, go!”

            Ivysaur flipped Growlithe over and then doused him with Poisonpowder while Wartortle clapped.

            “That’s too fast!” The junior trainer yelled. “Growlithe, Flamethrower!”

            Ivysaur jumped around, dodging the fire, as the poison took its toll. Then, she sprayed Stun Spore right into Growlithe’s eyes.

            The blinded puppy could not fight. Plus, poison had leeched off most of its HP bar. The junior trainer sighed.

            Ash moved on to the next room.

 

            Two Vulpix and a Ninetails? No problem.

            Pikachu shocked them all, after having doused their flames with Rain Dance.

            Yes, that was useful.

            And then… there was a Magmar.

 

            Pichu proved her worth quite early only. Paralysis, Confusion, and Poison could not possibly be good for anyone’s health.

            Perfect combination.

            Toxic, Sweet Kiss, and Thunderwave… once those had deprived Magmar of its fighting ability, Pichu had used Thunderbolt twice.

            It ended well.

            And so, Ash walked into the main gym, looking for Blaine.

 

End Chapter!
Completed 3/16/04