191…
Disclaimer: Do not own pokemon. I do own this fanfic, though, so don’t take it!
Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics for pokemon talking.
Should I even continue this arc?
Jarzard – this last arc is optional. I meant they didn’t die in the original CCA arc, which this is not a part of.
Zapdos Articuno – sorry, but I don’t think Lance will be returning… good idea, didn’t think of that. *Slaps forehead* Well, I don’t feel like writing anymore, maybe somewhere else, sometime, in another fic…
Link Masters – thanks! Um, do you mind e-mailing me Microsoft word or html files of your stories? It would be easier for me to upload them that way. By the way, Winter’s Child is up, but its in the No Pokemon Romance section on my page.
Akiko Koishii – thank you!
Ranma – I really do apologize…
Episode 191: Can I say foreshadowing?
The day of the funeral dawned mildly cloudy, as the cahoots gathered in the funeral home to mourn the loss of one.
One of them was her boyfriend Fredrick, who laid a bundle of white roses next to her tombstone and tried to be a man.
It was hard for him to swallow his sobs though. He didn’t understand why Ruby had died. It seemed so unjust.
But what could he do?
Kenneth said a quick prayer for her soul, even though he didn’t mean a single word of it, and continued on his way.
Elsewhere, Ash continued his observation of a boy named Juan.
I think I’ll spare him.
< Why? >
< He’s a rare thing to find. How very interesting, a trainer who isn’t abusive or stupid…>
< I see. >
Spreading his black wings, Ash flew off in search of a teen named Curtis.
On the way, he paused to make a stop at the Plateau. Perhaps it was time for championships again.
Checking the calendar, he found his guess correct, so he entered the building and entered the passkey to his room.
The interior was starkly white, an interesting contrast to his inky emotions.
He stared as sparkles swirled around his arms, a soothing feeling.
“Ash?” A voice asked.
“Come in, Lorelei.” He said. The ice master came in and smiled.
“It’s nice to have you back.”
“Hai… reminds me of the old days.” Ash said, referring to the few years before Lance had died, where the Elite seven and Champion would go on trips together.
“True.” Lorelei demurred. “Well, looks like we’ll have a bunch of hotshot new trainers trying to win again.”
“Tell me…” Ash sighed. “Why is it so easy?”
“No badge requirements… I really don’t get it myself.”
Ash sighed. “Well, talk to you later. I’m going to get some grub for dinner.”
“Take care of yourself, Ash.”
“I will.”
Ash hit the all you can eat buffet at the Sunshine Parlor and returned full and happy to the plateau.
He slept well, and the next morning, was refreshed when the long line of challengers made itself known.
The first challenge was a Hiker named Sven.
Ash grinned. * This ought to be no challenge… * He quickly shielded himself in the necessary illusions and got ready to battle.
< Let’s go. >
“Go! Marill!” Sven called.
“Well, that was different… Plusle, you’re up!” The red-eared mouse squeaked and clenched its paws in a front stance.
“Marill! Rollout!”
< Type advantage. Use Thunderbolt now. >
Marill cried out shrilly as it was fried.
< No contest. Next pokemon? >
Next was a Tyranitar, much to Ash’s surprise. Plusle quickly surrendered the field to one more able, and Vaporeon did her master proud, felling three in a row.
< Excellent work. >Ash sent, and a warm gush of love and loyalty flowed back towards him.
It was an exhilarating feeling.
Sven swapped for his Magcargo, but it proved to be a fierce defeat.
He was garroted, essentially. Beaten down by sheer power and type advantage.
Vowing to do better next year, the chastened man left.
A girl followed, Sibyl, but she fared no better. Ash shrugged and left the field, letting the Elite take care of the rest.
Lorelei’s Lapras and Dewgong and Cloyster flattened most of the opposition wonderfully, Will’s psychics short-circuiting the rest.
It did seem a bit unfair, but they weren’t complaining.
“I’m so glad these championships are only once a year.”
The nineteen-year-old master nodded and adjusted the clasps on his shadowy cloak with the silver trim.
“Ugh.” Karen said, as her Houndoom toasted another trainer’s pokemon. “I really need a long vacation after this.”
“Hear all, hear all!”
Will downed another bottle of strong caffeine and moaned. * Ugh… and these last a week too. *
“I’ll go help after I get a bit more rest.” Ash promised.
“Thanks!”
True to his word, in a bare hour, Ash was once again on the front lines of the rampaging waves of eager little trainers.
“Sandslash! Earthquake!” Ash called, sending another pokemon to the center. “Good! Now use Fissure on his last pokemon!”
Kit cursed and quickly left.
“Xatu, Espeon, Double Team and then Psychic!”
Will had decided to go for speed and was fighting two trainers at once.
Both trainers’ pokemon, one Beedrill and one Duskull, were eliminated from the field.
“Good.” Will gulped down another coffee and continued to battle.
“Lapras! Surf!”
“Charizard!” Elaine gasped. “Beedrill, go!”
“Blizzard.” Lorelei intoned. She quickly fed Lapras a Mysteryberry to rejuvenate lost moves and continued into the fray.
“Go, Electabuzzes!” One trainer said, releasing six.
“Jynx, Lovely Kiss them all!”
“Yikes!”
Koga’s poison types were sapping the opposition, while Karen was still busy.
It was a hectic day.
When the day finally ended a couple of hours later, seven tired trainers were sprawled out on the couches in the pokemon center, waiting for healing.
“This is the pits.”
“You said it!”
‘I say we should go on a leisurely cruise after this. We deserve it.”
“Deal!”
“Me too!”
Pika-chan walked by carrying an armful of chocolates.
Ash shrugged. He had made who knows how much money and didn’t mind if she spent a little.
Three starshine potions had certainly helped his healing process though.
Ash yawned and began daydreaming…
*Flashback mode – A few months after Ash becomes Lightning Master, 5 years ago*
Ash snuggled up against Lance’s sleeping form as he yawned slightly. It was only around three in the morning, and he didn’t feel like getting up.
< Still awake, Ash? > A sleepy whisper.
< Hai, Lance-chan. >
She moved slightly, so she was face to face with him. < You ok? >
Ash nodded and rested his head in the crook of her neck as she pulled him against her. < Never better, koi. >
Lance nodded and drifted off to sleep again.
Ash’s POV
It’s not like love is a bad thing.
So I love her. Of course I do! I’ve put her through so much pain but she never complains…
It makes me feel ashamed a lot of the time. And on those nights she’ll hold me close and let me cry, and stroke my hair softly, and she’ll promise not to hurt me over and over. And she’ll dry my tears and make me hot chocolate and just keep me company.
I doubt a normal person would understand.
We fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, and it would be a disaster if one of us were gone…because she’s my soul mate, and I need her to be here with me. It’s not an option to lose her, not that I would want to.
And she’s the darkness to my light, but we’re perfect, and as long as we’re together, it will be all right.
Ash yawned and cuddled up next to Lance before he fell asleep as well.
End chapter! Still in flashback mode!
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A lil’ fluff at the end?
12/16/03 to 12/26/03
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