I’m not quite sure how to work Championshipping into this, but I shall try my best…

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

Chapter 7

A week later, Red returned from Viridian’s Pokemon Center with Lance’s pokémon in tow, Aerodactyl and his two Dragonair, cooing happily, followed by three baby Dratinis, bright-eyed and chirping in high voices.

The Dragon Master smiled, and spoke softly to his pokémon before he recalled them, to Red’s surprise.

“I thought…”

“I don’t want to risk tainting them.” He said. “It would be safer for them to belong to another trainer, but they are still young.”

Red goggled at Lance. Hakuryuu was more sympathetic, and she licked his face. Lance flinched back, shaking his head.

“Storm…. Please don’t…”

Why, Master? You are hurt. Let us take care of you.

Tempest and Ptera nodded in agreement. Red watched, wondering what Lance would do.

Such loyal pokémon…

Surely Lance was not completely irredeemable?

“But I don’t deserve it.” Lance said quietly. “And I don’t want you to die as well.”

We are strong, Master. Ptera bared his fangs. We will not let you down.

And you will not hurt my children. Storm reassured him.

“How do you know?” Lance cried. “The only way to keep them safe would be to deny battling all together, and I cannot do that…”

Tempest coughed. Master… that would be terrible…

Ptera looked into his eyes, searching for signs of possession, but found none. He thought for a moment, before his glance shifted to Red.

Red involuntarily backed up from the pokémon. True, Lance wasn’t giving orders, but…

What if he was unable to control his pokémon now? That was a scary thought.

Ptera eyed the Pallet trainer for a few moments, before he moved so fast that even Pikachu jumped. Lance fell over as his Aerodactyl perched on his chest, the new cuts on his arms trickling blood.

Red gaped in shock.

Lance just half-smiled as his dragons gathered around him.

This will make it fair, right? Ptera purred. We won’t kill you, Master; because we love you so much, but if this stops the guilt… we’ll do anything to keep you safe.

Lance closed his eyes with a curt nod, and Red twitched, deciding that perhaps he should leave the room.

Half an hour later, Lance was perfectly composed, sitting on the couch and petting the baby Dratinis in his lap while his other dragons snoozed, with the exception of Ptera, who was perched on the shelf above his head like some guardian angel.

Pikachu narrowed his eyes. What did you do?

It is none of your concern, rat. Ptera hissed.

Yes it is!

Ptera bared his fangs. I hate you.

Well the feeling’s definitely mutual then!

Why do you care?

Because my stupid trainer cares for him and wants me to check if he’s dead or not! Pika squeaked in exasperation.

Lance blinked. Red cared enough to ask if he was dead? It was almost touching, in a way…

“I’m fine, Pika. And Red, you can stop hiding behind the door now.”

Red looked a bit sheepish. “I’m sorry… I’ll leave if you don’t want me here.”

“I don’t mind your company, Red.” Lance said dryly. “Besides, don’t you want to see them?”

The three Dratini cheeped, and Red colored.

They were awfully cute…

He reached out his hand to pet one, and nothing happened. None of Lance’s pokemon attacked him. Lance gave him an injured look, and Red grinned as he picked one up, cuddling it.

So soft and warm and cute!

The Dratini smiled at him, and chirped. Red put it back down on Lance’s lap, watching the other two snooze… it was really too adorable.

Funny, he’d never imagined Lance could look innocent, but at the moment, he did, as he petted another one.

The Dratinis were really very nice, and after a while, Lance got up and made dinner for both of them, which surprised Red, because he hadn’t known the Dragon Master could cook. For that matter, where was he getting groceries?

Those were questions to ponder another time, and as Lance slid a plate of spaghetti in front of him, he ate without even considering that it might be poisoned.

It wasn’t, of course, but when Pika reminded him later, he felt a bit guilty.

Still… Lance was different, right?

He had to be!

Otherwise… Red shook his head.

It was safer not to think about what had happened…

End

Completed 12/6/06

Writer’s block is such a bitch! *Fumes*

Lance: I’m domestic?
Phantomness: Well, you’re pretty independent, so I guess you know how to cook?
Red: ^^ *Hugs Lance*

Lance: *Smirk*

Pikachu: >.<

Pika-chan: *Hits Pikachu over the head with a giant strawberry pie*

Shoyko: *Laughs*

Kairo: Oh, that was humorous!

Red: I’m in denial…

Lance: *Molests Red*