Wai! Wai! Another chapter!
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic written by me and so I own it.

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

Lance = Crystal

Chapter 3

 

            “Oh Ash, I’m so sad you’ll be leaving again.” Delia sobbed.

            Ash patted his mom on the back and tried his best to look manly, despite only being thirteen, as they left the house four days later. “I’ll come home, mom, I promise.”

            “All right dear!”

            “So, where are we off to now?” Misty asked.

            “Crystal brought up a good point. I should catch more pokemon.” Ash said. “After all…”

            Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charizard, Lapras, Pikachu, and Tauros might not be enough. He should catch a few more pokemon.

            Besides, he did need to complete the pokédex for Oak!

 

            The two girls seemed to be busy with something, so Ash listened in.

            “What? You have a horsea? Can I see?” Misty squealed.

            Lance frowned. “Well… no.”

            “Why not!”

            “She’s not a horsea, per se.” Lance said, flicking her wrist as the ball opened. Kingdra smirked.

            “Woah!”

            “This is Kingdra.” Lance said. “They’re only found in Johto though…”

            “Then let’s go there next!”

            “But you haven’t even caught all the pokemon here in Indigo yet!” Misty protested. Ash flushed.

            “Right.”

 

            “Prepare for Trouble!”

            “And make it double!”

            “To protect the world from devastation!”

            “To unite all peoples within our nation!”

            “To denounce the evils of truth and love!”

            “To extend our reach to the stars above!”

            “Jessie!”

            “James!”

            “Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!”

            “Surrender now or prepare to fight!”

            “Meowth, that’s right!”

 

            “Kingdra, Twister.” Crystal said in a deadpan voice. Team Rocket went blasting off over the horizon before they could say – or do – anything else.

            “Wow.” Ash said.

            “Then why do you need tips from him?” Misty demanded angrily. * She can’t just want him for herself, can she? *

            The competitive spirit sparked inside of her. * That’s it! I’m not losing to some cheap hooker that just happened to walk by! *

            Lance caught the thought and grinned. * This will be more fun! *

 

            Ash released Charizard. “I know. Let’s go to Celadon first. I’m sure there will be something for everyone there.”

            Crystal nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

            The two of them climbed on Charizard, leaving Misty fuming. “And how am I supposed to get to Celadon?”

            “Er… Charizard can only carry two people…”

            Misty scowled further.

 

            “I’ll pick you up later!” Ash said obliviously, as Crystal clung to him, arms around his waist, the fire dragon lifting off the ground.

            Misty continued to scowl after his retreating form, before she stomped back to the house to wait in comfort.

            Sheesh! Why was he such a – such an irresponsible brat!

 

            “Oh, hey. I remember you.”

            Misty looked at the boy in front of her. “RUDY?”

            “Yes, you remember me too.” The boy grinned. “So, why are you here?”

            “I could ask you the same question!”

            “Fair’s fair, I came to see you. Your sisters told me you would be with Ash, and I figured he’d come home after the Orange League. I’m surprised he won.”

            “Me too.”

            “Then… you don’t like him?”

            Misty sighed. “No, I don’t think so.”

            “Would you – would you give me a chance then?”

            A smile began to dance across Misty’s face. Two birds with one stone! She could get Rudy’s help to look for the King’s Crystal, and use jealousy to make Ash want her back! Perfect!

            “I’ll try…” She said shyly.

            Rudy’s smile rivaled the sun’s.

 

            “We’re here.” Ash said, giving charizard an appreciative pat and a handful of berries. “Have you ever been to Celadon before?”

            “Um… I don’t think so.”

            “Well, I’ll show you around! Actually, I haven’t really seen it myself either… so do you want to explore?”

            “I’d like that.”

            “Just don’t shop too much.” Ash begged, remembering how Misty had acted on girl’s day.

            “I don’t really like shopping.”

            Crystal smoothed down her white clothes – still pristine white, Ash noticed, after that flight.

            “Oh? Really? That’s hard to find in a girl.”

            “Mm. I think it’s a waste of time. Plus, I make some of my own clothes.”

            “That’s so cool!”

             They were sipping fizzy cherry lemonade together, a lone shopping bag between them – and it contained pokemon vitamins, not clothes – when Ash realized something.

            “Oh no…”

            “What’s wrong, Ash?” She asked in concern.

            “I left Misty back in Pallet! We totally forgot about her! She’s going to kill me-. What?”

            Crystal had pulled a white mirror out of her pocket. “No, I don’t think so. Look.”

            Ash’s eyes widened as on the surface, it showed Misty and – Rudy? Yes, that was Rudy, the Trovita gym leader! And they were kissing?

            “I don’t think we should bother them.”

            Ash paled. “Yes…”

            If he interrupted that, she’d hit him harder.

            In any case, he might as well spend the day with Crystal, since she was with him. “Want to go see that display over there?”

            “Oh, those dolls are so cute!”

            Ash smiled as they walked towards the store together.

 

End Chapter

Completed 6/9/04