Folders always arrange things strangely. Sometimes it’s a pain to try and find a file… speaking from personal experience of course!

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

Disclaimer: Nintendo owns pokemon. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to Phantomness under international copyright laws. Don’t take my work.

RECAP: Lance has problems reconciling life and… love? Ash beat Sabrina

Chapter 15

They returned to the Pokemon Center as if nothing had happened, but both were experiencing inner turmoil.

Lance sat inside his room as he stared out the window. * What to do? I can’t fail this mission – I can’t! *

He had been bred to be the perfect weapon, but now… was he going to shatter and fail and break?

Father would kill him if he failed. He had no illusions about that… well, perhaps not death, but punishment was never welcome.

He hadn’t tripped in years; he didn’t want to start now. Never!

I _won’t_ fail! I can’t! I refuse to fail…

Falling was not an option.

He carefully re-streaked his hair. Frowning, he took out a mirror and applied kohl around his eyes, just in case…

I’ll just win him before he wins me. He _must_ take my side!

Desperation strikes now…

Ash sighed as he groomed his Butterfree carefully, not brushing her feathery poisonous scales off. “Butterfree, I think I’m in love.”

I know.

We all do. It’s obvious…

“But what do I do?”

Tell him! Surskit urged, skittering around. If he feels the same, great!

“But what if he doesn’t?”
That’s a risk you’ll have to take. Scyther consoled.

“O-okay…”

Wait. We can’t pressure you into doing this. Beedrill said firmly. This is your choice Ash; remember that.

“I’ll try…”

“I won’t fail. I won’t.” Lance repeated as he rubbed his fingers nervously against the dragon clasp on his cloak. “Damn it, I won’t!”

His dragons silently watched him fume.

This is the first time I have seen master Lance lose control.

I as well, but remember, he’s not emotional. Normally.

Do you think this is a good turn of events, Dragonair?

Well… I’m not sure.

None of us are! Aerodactyl broke in. * we’re all uncertain and unsure… oh dear. * But Master Lance wouldn’t fail.

He trusted him.

They all did, in essence.

“I could… use this.” Lance touched Serebii’s poke ball with a slight grimace. * But then that would be cheating… *

Cheating in the game of love is cruel, right?

Right.

He would kill, but this was one thing he would not take without permission. * If he doesn’t love me, so be it. I’ll just have to kill him. That way, no one _else_ will have him… * Lance casually buffed his nails, nodding.

If Ash didn’t fall before the League was up, he’d brainwash him and bring him to Team Rocket. After his work was done, he would kill the boy and spare him the guilt of obeying TR as a mindless drone…

Perfect.

Several days passed in silence. Ash went out to train, but his mind was elsewhere. Luckily, his pokemon were strong enough to take on the much lower-leveled meowth and pidgey and bellsprout in the area.

Still…

It’s killing you inside, Master. Just tell him.

But…

“But what?” Ash paused. “Huh?”

The bugs all looked at him seriously.

We’re worried about you, Master ash.

Yes, we love you, you know.

Please be careful…

“Lance, I think we need to talk.”

Lance looked up from his book. “Oh?”

He had taken his care to look his best, he needed every iota of influence and this was one way to play his cards.

The air seemed to shimmer around him as he looked at Ash. Ash sighed, trying his best _not_ to drown…

But his eyes were so warm and golden and pretty…

Come to me…

“I…I…” Ash hesitated, but gritted his teeth and forged onwards. “I think I love you!” There! It was out.

Lance nodded. “I see?”

“A-are you mad at me?”

“Why would I be?” Lance queried in confusion. “After all…” Ash’s eyes widened as Lance kissed him.

Wow!

This was… wow…

Lance broke away, staring into Ash’s eyes. “Kawaii.”

“Lance… I…”

“Did I hurt you?”

“No! Nothing like that!” Oh, to hell with what people thought. He’d explain to his mom later…

Ash mewled softly as Lance continued kissing him, brushing gentle fingers down his throat and…

Yes…

This was right and good and so pretty…

Surrender.

End Chapter

Completed 9/25/04

Lance: …

Phantomness: What?
Ash: ^-^