Another chapter!
DISCLAIMER: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to me under international copyright laws. Do not take my work!
Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

RECAP: Lance and Ash decided to travel together, and we get to see Lance’s plan…

Chapter 12

 

            People with bug-type empathy, of all things, were hard to find. Yes, very difficult… was that why Father wanted him so badly?

            Bugs were powerful pokemon if utilized properly. Team Rocket knew this. They were secretly breeding stronger, more venomous strains of Beedrill and Venomoth and Parasect and Butterfree…

            Oh, but they couldn’t control them. That was why they needed Ash. A true bug master on their side would be very handy.

            Koga and Aya were poison masters, so they did have some control, but not enough to mount a full-scale attack.

            Ash would be a good pawn.

 

            The boy yawned as he woke up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He blinked as Lance walked out of the bathroom with a towel around his hips, another around his shoulders.

            “Good morning, Ash.” Lance said, incognizant. “Did you sleep well?”

            The poor trainer could only nod, being rendered temporarily mute. His vocal cords seemed to have taken a leave of absence…

            Lance turned around and began dressing. Ash valiantly averted his eyes, but did not succeed wholly. He did sneak a peek or two…

            Sigh, you might want to tell him. Butterfree recommended.

            You’re so shy! If you like him just say so!

            “Is something wrong Ash? You’re being uncharacteristically unsociable.”

            Ash gulped. “It’s nothing.”

            “Are you sure? I could ask Nurse Joy to give you a checkup.”

            “Fine, I’m fine!” With that, he made a flying tackle into the bathroom.

 

            “…?”

            The Reader is to be reminded that Lance, being brought up in an abnormal childhood environment, was not emotionally open. He could fake them well, but that was all it was, fakery.

            Therefore, he had a slight problem understanding Ash. Oh well.

            Lance finished drying his hair and carefully re-streaked it. the highlights were very attractive, if he said so himself.

            Six months was plenty of time!

 

            Giving the boy some time to compose himself, Lance headed downstairs, where there was brunch laid out. He poured himself a cup of milk and some shredded wheat and began eating.

            Clock ticked away nearly ten minutes before Ash came downstairs. He sat down next to Lance quietly and helped himself to toast and sticky golden marmalade.

            His bugs went outside to hunt for food, whether it was insects, nectar, or small prey. Ash silently watched Lance as he peeled an orange.

            Lance sipped his second glass of milk quietly, waiting for Ash to initiate the conversation.

            “Um… so where did you want to go?” Ash finally forced out between shaky lips. * That sounded stupid… *

            “I don’t know. I mean; it’s a while until the league…”

            Ash nodded.

            “We could go and see if Saffron’s open now.” Lance suggested. “Or…”

            Sheepish look flickered across the younger trainer’s physiognomy as he realized an important fact.

            “Wait! I need to go home.”

            “Home? Oh, right, your birthday.”

            “My mom misses me too.”

            “Can I come along?”

            “Sure, I’ll introduce you! She’ll love you.” Ash gushed. Dragonite flew them home to Pallet as soon as breakfast was over and the bugs had been collected.

 

            “Ash, you’re home!” His mom joyously welcomed him. “And you brought a friend! How nice!”

            “Hello, Mrs. Ketchum.” Lance said politely. “I’m Lance Dragyn.”

            “Nice to meet you!” She shook hands and then invited them in. “By the way, Ash, did you remember to change your-.”

            “Yes!” Ash quickly cut her off before any embarrassing information could be revealed. * He doesn’t need to know that! *

            Lance raised an eyebrow at Ash’s panicked expression. * Interesting. * While Ash and his mom chatted downstairs, Lance examined the house. It was nice enough, well kept and maintained, not on the large side, but for only two people it was sizeable enough. Homey, overall, good atmosphere…

            A few hours of chatter later, Ash came upstairs. “Sorry, Lance. I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

            “No, it’s fine. You must have missed your mom a lot on your journey.”

            “Y-yes.”

            “Well, at least you have a mom…” Lance went silent as he faked a pained expression. Ash immediately gave him a sympathetic hug.

            “I-I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to remind you.”

            “Really, Ash, I can deal with it.”

            “O-okay…”

 

            Ash quickly changed the topic to something less… sensitive emotionally. “I wonder if there are any more bugs around here?”

            “You could try to catch a Paras.”

            “Oh! I’m so stupid! I saw one in the Safari Zone…” Ash sighed, whacking himself lightly on the forehead. “Oops.”

            Drawbacks of short-term memory…

            The Dragon Master chuckled. “Well, you can always pay some more cash and go again, right?”

            “Right! You’re so positive!”

            Not as much as you are, Lance privately pondered. * How can he be so cheerful? It’s almost infectious… *

            Cheerfulness felt nice though. The feeling was new, he was used to being cold, but even being around Ash for such a short time was… melting?

            Melting?! But he wouldn’t let emotions interfere with his mission! * Still, I won’t let this consume me. I will _not_ fail. *

            Robotic repetition did have its own reinforcing power.

 

            The morning of Ash’s birthday dawned respectfully cloudy, low fog rolled in the sea, unfortunately, so Delia had to cancel the picnic she had planned. I daresay that it worked better that way though. There were no moochers gobbling up all the food. Ash enjoyed the two-tiered double chocolate cake his mom had baked. However, he was hesitant about opening his presents in front of Lance.

            What if she gave him underwear again? Oh… that would be humiliating!

            “I daresay you will make much better use of this than me.” Lance said, proffering a poke ball. Ash carefully pressed the release button, not sure what would emerge.

            It was blue, small, and cute. A spider?

            “Wow…”

            Ash’s pokédex failed to make any identification. Lance smiled. “This is a present from the future, as such. She’s a Surskit.” * after all, Serebii is _my_ pokemon, so I can do what I will… *

            “A… water type bug?”

            “Correct, my dear.” Lance grinned. “So, you like?”

            Ash responded with a furious hug. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

 

End Chapter

Completed 9/23/04

Pika-chan: Fluff! See! It’s fluff!
Phantomness: As you will. *Yawns* I’m tired… I nearly got run over three times today! Stupid drivers! I had the right of way and they were running red lights! >.<