Another chapter…

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 11

Lance looked at Ash. “So, don’t scorn easy tasks.”

Ash paled and nodded.

“I could show you another example or two, but luckily there aren’t many. I learned to be careful. You should do the same.”

“Hai!”

Lance pulled away and they spent the afternoon reading in Lance’s room, took a quick dip – well, as it turned out two hours, in the pool for exercise value, and then it was dinner and bed again.

“Do we get new missions as soon as we complete our older ones?”

“Hai.”

“Okay.”

They reported to Giovanni’s office at eight-thirty precisely.

“Well, you have completed your first mission.” Giovanni said a bit carelessly. “For your next one, here’s the report.”

Lance nodded respectfully as he took the folder and he and Ash both quietly exited.

“So, what this time?”

“Not catching.” Lance said in interest. “Surveillance?”

“Hmm?”

“There’s this trainer named Marina who we should keep an eye on, it says…”

“Why?”

“Well… she has potential it seems. But is it enough to be a threat? That’s the question.”

“Hmm?”

“Team Rocket has many enemies. You must know that.”

“… Why?”

“Because, it’s a difference in opinion.” Lance finished.

“Hmm?”

“You know, how when you first found out I was here you said ‘You can’t be in Team rocket, you’re not evil?’” Most people think Team Rocket is the embodiment of evil.

“… Oh…”

Lance smiled. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Wait! You can’t wear that!” Ash cried. “She’ll figure it out immediately!” Lance blinked before he realized he was wearing his black uniform.

“Thanks for reminding me.”

In a few minutes, Lance was dressed in the trainer’s outfit he had worn when Ash had met him.

“Let’s go.”

“Hai!”

“She’s been spotted near Azalea.” Lance said, as they climbed on Dragonite’s back and she took off.

“Hai!”

They landed in the forest, and then strolled into the town normally. Ash spotted a junior trainer and challenged him to a battle.

Unfortunately, the trainer accepted.

“Go, Rattata!”

“Kadabra, can you?” Ash asked sweetly as his evolved Abra nodded, her spoons bright as Psybeam knocked out all three Rattatas.

One-hit KO!
Then, there was another junior trainer!
“Go, Kakuna!”

Lance sweatdropped as Ash just grinned brightly and released his new charmander.

“Charmander, Ember!”

Kakuna was not really able to retaliate, being a stiff, frozen cocoon.

Jenny cursed. “Fine then! I use Bulbasaur!”

“But fire beats grass.” Ash said, as Charmander jumped up and down, before releasing Flamethrower and torching the grass-type.

The words suited the action, or vice versa. In either case, Jenny didn’t really last long. But she was a junior trainer.

“Grr!”

“I’m amused.” Ash remarked, sotto voce.

Lance chuckled as Jenny threw out a Pichu. “Now that’s a cute little pokemon.”

Ash’s expression fixed itself in a scowl, but he nodded. * Reminds me of that Pikachu I traded to him… am I ever glad I did! Plusle is so nice. *

“Hah! Scared now, are you?”

Ash did not respond as Bulbasaur appeared out of his poke ball, and a flurry of razor leaves calmly got rid of the Pichu.

I’m the best!

“You do like fighting electric-types.” Ash nodded with a smile.

Yes! I’m powerful, and I like it!

“Hai, hai.”

Jenny stalked off in a huff, as another junior trainer approached. It was almost like a Battle Tower.

“Go, Raticate!”

“Well, that’s slightly better…” He said. “Not.”

Plusle happily fried the Raticate, and the Pidgey that followed, while he briefly wondered if there were any decent trainers around here.

Marina better show up soon…

At least they paid, right? That was a good point. He treated himself and Lance to root beer floats, and they sat together on a bench while scouting for her.

Lance peered through his binoculars again, and shook his head. < Say, Ptera, see anything from the sky? >

Unfortunately not!

< Well, I guess we keep waiting then… >

“So this one could take a while.” Ash said.

Lance nodded, taking a sip of the creamy soda. “These are quite good.”

“I like them too!”

“I figured as much. You like all sweets, don’t you?”

“Hai~!” Ash cheered.

Lance grinned. “I suspected as much.” That was when yet another junior trainer showed up.

Ash blinked as Tony released a Magmar and challenged him.

“Well, if you insist…”

“Fight me now, punk!”

“…?” Shrugging, Ash let Poliwrath take the field. One good surf attack was all it took. “Still no Marina, Lance?”

“No.”

Ash sighed and went back to his food.

End Chapter

Completed 6/24/04