Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

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

Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Chapter 3

The next morning, Lance had dressed in a clean bodysuit and was helping himself to some cornflakes that hadn’t expired yet when a knock came at the door. He quickly slid his sunglasses on and yanked his hair back in a ponytail, glad it was out of its spikes but wishing the color were more normal. Then he went to open the door.

Red stood there.

“Ah … hi. Mr. McGregor, right?”

Lance nodded, wishing he had thought of a better pseudonym to hide his identity other. Still, it would do. He pitched his voice lower than usual. “How may I help you?”

“Ah… nothing. Just wanted to say hi. And mom said to give you these.” Red thrust the basket forwards. It was full of blueberry muffins.

Lance raised an eyebrow at the offering, but forced a smile. “How nice of you. Would you like to come in?”

“Oh, all right…”

Red settled himself on the couch, admiring the room. Though it was small, it seemed cozy, and he liked looking at the paintings on the walls. They all seemed to be picture of pokemon though, but they were nice ones. “Do you paint?”

“Ah, these aren’t mine.” Lance chuckled. “They’re from a friend.”

“I see.”

Red frantically sought for a topic to talk about, and decided on the most obvious one. “Are you a trainer?”

Lance nodded.

“Cool.” Red grinned. Common ground right away! “That’s cool. I’m a trainer too.”

“Ah yes, the Ninth Kanto League Champion.”

Red flushed. “You knew that? I guess a lot of people do.”

“I saw your championship battle.” Lance said quietly.

“Oh!” Red blushed and looked down.

Lance applied himself to a muffin. They really were quite good. And it was… different, to be sitting here with someone in his living room and for once, not thinking about how to best manipulate people and pokemon to his will. Maybe he could get used to this…

Besides, Red was cute.

Lance frowned as that thought popped into his head. While he had no qualms about bedding someone of the same gender, this was the first time he had really thought about anyone sexually. He sighed. Perhaps it was just stress and hormones…

And the dragon’s blood that now ran through his veins. He saw memories, deeper than the Viridian Power and he felt tears prickle in the corner of his eyes as he thought about his Kairyuu and Gyarados.

He had become Dragon Master after Miniryuu and Koiking had died, choked of life by the pollution, but…

But he could not even save their powerful evolutions…

They were dead by… his hand.

It hurt.

Red coughed, as McGregor stopped talking. “Um… are you all right?” He asked.

Lance snapped out of his reverie, shaking his head. “Sorry. I was just thinking of my pokemon.”

Red nodded, convinced. “So um, Mr. McGregor…”

“I’m not that old.” Lance sighed. “Just call me Wataru.”

“Wataru…? Okay.”

They continued their conversation for a bit, and then Red went feel. He felt edgy, though he knew not for what reason…

Maybe it was just nerves. He was jumpy. But the Elite Four were gone, and Kanto was at peace once again, right?

So he had no reason to worry…

End Chapter

Completed 11/27/06

I have no idea why I called Lance Mr. McGregor. It just popped into my head!

Short chapter, because I wanted to imply some fluff first!

I think Wataru is a girl’s name. At least it was when I checked last time…

Miniryuu = Dratini and Koiking = Magikarp