Episode 199

*Runs around chasing plotbunnies* I need inspiration! Come back here you little scalawags!

Disclaimer: Oh I hate putting it in every chapter. I don’t’ own pokemon, okay? Nintendo does. Only the plot n’ characters belong to me.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics for pokemon talking.

Thanks to 2 ppl that reviewed

Episode 199: Fair play in all fairness

Lance supported Ash as he walked into the Dewford Town gym. Even though she had sealed his magic only three hours ago, he was still feeling disoriented.

“You okay, Ash?” Lance asked, as they successfully avoided all the junior trainers running around.

“I hope so.” Ash rasped out.

Lance frowned. “You know, if you’re in this bad of a condition, perhaps you shouldn’t battle.”

“But…”

“I’ll give you some elixir.” Lance said, handing him a bottle half-filled with golden liquid. “Sunspark. Now drink it all up.”

“Hai!”

“Have you picked your two?”

Ash nodded and pointed to two cards tucked into his belt. “Fighting type gym, so I’m ready.”

“Very well. Remember, any spells you use in this period will be very painful.”

“Hai!” Ash said again, saluting. He promptly collapsed in her arms a second later.

“Ash, drink the potion before you do any other strenuous activity.”

Shutting up, Ash did as Lance commanded and relaxed slightly as he felt trickles of magic flowing back into him from the sun.

Brawly was surprised when Ash approached him. From the video camera, it looked like the boy could barely stand, let alone battle. Maybe he was anemic.

“I challenge you.” Ash said softly.

“Very well.” Brawly felt sympathetic, but he did have a position to defend. “Let this match begin then? Three on three?”

“Sure.”

Lance gave Ash one last hug and then went into the stands to watch.

“Chimecho, I choose you!”

“Machop, go!” Brawly said. “Bulk up now!”

Ash frowned, as the enemy’s attack and defense both rose. “Not so fast… Chimecho, Confusion!”

Chimecho nodded as she blasted Machop with confusion waves.

Machop suddenly developed birds around its head.

Brawly tossed Machop a Bitter Berry and ordered a Karate Chop.

“Teleport!” Ash called, as Chimecho vanished from sight.

Machop next used Low Kick, but not dealing too much damage to the escaping Chimecho, who retaliated with another blast of Confusion waves, confusing the machop again.

“Now. Let’s finish this battle, Psywave!”

Chimecho immediately focused her psychic powers to a higher attack level, before crashing the blast into Machop. No questions asked and a KO.

Ash smiled, as Chimecho hopped back to his side of the field, her eyes merrily twinkling.

“Meditite, go!” Brawly called next.

“Hmm…” Ash considered for a second, before grinning. “Let’s show them what you’ve got, Chimecho. Shadow Ball.”

Chimecho’s eyes glowed crimson, before a giant ball of shadow hurtled out of nowhere and smacked Meditite upside the head.

Meditite looked angry, being hurt in its psychic aspect. It retaliated with reversal. Chimecho shook off the damage and used another Shadow Ball.

Meditite was whipped and retreated.

Ash switched Chimecho off; he was losing power from sustaining her out in the real world. Nodding, she returned to the dream realm.

Brawly’s teeth made little clicking sounds as he summoned another pokemon from its ball. “Go! Makuhita!”

Makuhita charged Ash, seeing no other opponent. Ash’s eyes paled slightly as he called out Mysdreavus.

Mysdreavus hissed her displeasure at this display from the other pokemon, and wrapped herself around Makuhita, choking it.

Makuhita struggled, but for a gaseous form, Mysdreavus was very powerful. Finally, lack of oxygen got to it and it fainted.

Satisfied, Mysdreavus floated back to her trainer and wound herself around him affectionately.

Ash grinned, looking beat but still cheerful.

Brawly cursed under his breath and handed over the badge. Ash pinned the Knuckle badge onto the inside of his jacket, waved goodbye, and absconded from the gym. He got about four steps away before he fainted.

Lance picked him up and sighed. “Well, it was a test of endurance.”

Pika-chan took full opportunity of the occasion and devoured Ash’s box of Godiva chocolates immediately.

Dragonair-chan gave her a good thrashing, much to Lance’s shock and pika-chan’s chagrin, but no lasting harm was done, and the chocolates were replaced, so Ash would not have to be informed of this incident.

He had enough on his mind to ponder and be preoccupied about.

Lance kept a keen eye on him for the rest of the day and night until he regained his senses.

Ash woke up to find himself in her lap, wrapped in a heavy black velvet cloak. Warm, his mind registered, as he drowsily snuggled up to her again, almost instinctively.

Lance caressed his hair almost as a passing gesture, as he fell asleep again. “He’ll be fine.”

Pika-chan continued stuffing her face.

“I know that.” Sabrina commented from where she was seated near the guardian. “It just seems so… clichéd.”

“Clichéd?”

‘The whole ‘destiny’ bit.” Sabrina explained.

Lance nodded. “Does it seem unfair to you?”

“Sometimes, I wonder what my purpose is now.” Sabrina confessed. “Master has both you and the other realm guardian to protect him. What good am I? I’m not nearly as powerful.”

“Sabrina,” Lance said, looking her in the eyes. “Don’t belittle yourself like that. You know Ash loves and respects you.”

“Yes, but…”

“No buts.” The guardian said firmly. “It’s the simple truth.”

Sabrina looked faintly shocked. It was evident she had not considered simply staying around before.

“Ash needs friends. I know you, and unlike them, you are worthy.” Lance said. “Let it go, Sabrina.”

Sabrina took a few breaths, looking visibly startled, and a stark contrast to her stoic demeanor normally. “Could I have some time to think on this?”
“Take all the time you want.” Lance said, encouraging.

Sabrina nodded respectfully and settled herself in a tree to begin processing this touchy material.

It wasn’t that she disliked it. Life with Ash was in a way, lazy. Although he tended to get himself into crazy situations, there was usually an escape route as well.

Perhaps she simply needed some action to rejuvenate herself.

As the moon waxed and waned, the guardian chose to stay.

A choice not out of duty, but out of the tiniest hint of love. A wish made to the night sky for stability and peace.

She was used to hanging out with him.

A guardian enjoys repetition and sensibility, and the option was both.

She knew what she had to do, and she allowed the future to come, as she embraced the new day with a smile.

Ash woke up a day hence.

He felt refreshed, feeling the magic caressing him as it flowed through his body and twined around his form, like dusky shadows.

His type was shadow, after all.

Lance sent him on a week long vacation to the dream realm, which the trainer thoroughly enjoyed.

Content and shimmering with new health and power, he returned.

It was splendid, Ash decided.

Life wasn’t perfect, but as long as she was with him to help and take care of him, he would be fine.

End Chapter!

Completed 1/24/2004, created 1/20/04

*Chasing after plotbunnies with a giant net and mallet*