*Phantomness does writing dance*

Disclaimer: Don’t own pokemon. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This belongs to me. Do not take my writing, that’s plagiarism.

Chapter 8

 

            Ash finished grooming his Vaporeon and gave her a fond smile.

            “You know, Vaporeon, it’s odd.”

            What’s odd?

            “She’s being so nice… Argent I mean. I think…” Ash blushed slightly. “I think she really cares about me.”

            Well, Exeggutor did say that she seemed nice and that there was no lie in her kindness. I agree with him.

            “I know, but I didn’t need him to test that. I trust her…”

            Vaporeon yawned. I know. I can see it in your eyes.

            “My eyes?”

            Yes, your eyes. Before, here was only emptiness in them. Now, though, there is somewhat of a light, just a little bit of light…

            “Light in my eyes?”

            The light of life once again shines. Your life is your own once again. Enjoy that! Vaporeon stretched and then fell asleep promptly.

            Ash blinked. What about the light of life?

            What on earth did that mean?

           

            He’d been staying at Argent’s for maybe two months, just recuperating. She never pressed, never spoke…

            He appreciated that.

            Well, he knew that her voice was… he couldn’t remember what it sounded like now. She hadn’t spoken him since that night, and whenever she wanted something, the pen and notepad would come out….

            However, he didn’t care. He liked her silence. It helped him sort through his own feelings without interruption. He appreciated that…

            The sound of the door opening with a heavy bang startled him from his reverie. He blinked sleepily, wondering what would have made Argent so angry as to-…

            Wait.

            That wasn’t Argent.

            That wasn’t Argent!

 

            Blue eyes blazed with hells fire beneath a fringe of golden blonde hair, as the man shoved his way into the house, followed by his Dragonite.

            “I know you’re here, Lance!”

            “Justin?” Yes, now he remembered who this was… Justin…. The man who had cheated him out of payment…

            Justin carelessly knocked a priceless glass vase off a small table. He’d had enough!

            Even if Argent weren’t here, he wouldn’t allow this rude man to barge in and wreck her house!

            “Xatu! Use Confusion!”

            Justin staggered back from the onslaught of waves. “What-who are you?”

            “Don’t you remember me?” Ash asked, rising from the couch with an angry expression. “You still owe me the stud fee for Dragonite.”

            “You’re that kid! Ash Ketchup!”

            “Ketchum.” Ash growled. “Now why are you wrecking Argent’s house?”

            “So you call him Argent, is it? Hm. Figures the bastard wouldn’t use his own name. No wonder I couldn’t find him!”
            “Him?” Ash blinked. “Argent is a girl.”

            “…What?”

            “Argent’s a girl.” Ash repeated, wondering if there was something wrong with this trainer’s hearing, or if he was simply denying the truth. “Now get out! You’re trespassing, and breaking as well!”

            “Shut up! Dragonite, Slam! I must have my revenge!”

            “Revenge only hurts people!” Ash called, as his Xatu teleported and dodged the move. “Use Confuse Ray!”

            Birds went ‘round the dragon’s head…

            Ash slammed the door after he had left, glancing at the holes in the wall, and wondering how to explain this.

 

            “Dragonbreath!”

            Oh dear, there went the door… Ash growled, swapping Xatu for his Nidoking. “Thunder!” That ought to fry the flying type…

            Dragonite roared in pain, slamming into Nidoking with outrage…

            “Horn Drill!” Ash instructed, hoping… he guessed right, and this time, it was a one-hit KO.

            “Why are you protecting him?” Justin demanded, exasperated. “He brings only death and pain!”

            “Who is this ‘he’ you keep referring to?” Ash demanded in response. “Argent’s like a second mother to me! She’s nice and pretty and she would never hurt me!”

            “Oh yeah?”

            “Yes! Why are you destroying her house in any case?”

            “Who is this ‘her’?
            “I’ve already told you,” Ash was now getting rather worked up and hot under the collar. “You’re rude and annoying!”

            “Why you little brat!”

            “It’s the truth! I’m calling the police!”

            Ash ran for the phone, but barely made it two steps before a heavy weight slammed into his body and he fell down, crushed under the weight of a Kingdra. He flailed helplessly for a few seconds before Dragonbreath paralyzed him.

            “Well, at least I found the kid.” Justin grinned. “I guess that’s a good thing…”

 

            He loaded Ash onto the back of his Gyarados, which had knocked out Nidoking with Hydro Pump, and took off.

            Now he would finally have his revenge!

 

            He returned to the house half an hour later, glancing around at the destruction with an impassive eye.

            So it had finally begun…

            Very well, Justin! It seems that the fever has reached its pitch. Your sanity has already been burned in the flames of desire…

            Baka, you can’t force someone to love you!

           

            His head hurt. That was the first feeling he noticed. The second was that there was… something in bed with him. Ash did what any child would do in the situation. He screamed.

            Unfortunately, said noise woke the other occupant of the bed, and immediately, a heavy hand clamped down over his mouth. He struggled, but his head hurt so much, and his whole body ached…

            What was going on?

            And then there was a sharp bright stab of pain and tears rolled down his eyes as he tried to fight but couldn’t…

 

            “It has already begun.” He smiled, as Ptera flew him towards his destination. “It is time for the reckoning…”

 

End Chapter

Completed 5/19/05

Lance: …

Ash: I'm worried...

Phantomness: *giggles*