Now, let me have another chapter! *Plays reborn the Plotbunny*

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic written by me. Take and die.

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

Chapter 14

They flew to Mount Moon in half an hour and then began looking through the tunnels. It was dark, musty work.

Also, it was hot and annoying. But they had to wear the protective helmets and coats just in case there was another cave-in…

Ash sneezed.

“Is the dust making you antsy?”

“Kind of… I’m a little claustrophobic.” Ash lied. Actually, if he were close to Lance, he could kick that fear right out of his mind, but Lance didn’t need to know that!

“Don’t worry, we’ll find it soon.”

“You’re very confident Lance.” Ash said bemusedly.

Lance smirked as Dragonair’s throat jewel began to glow. “Ah, there we go…”

Soon, they had two Moon Stones and were back on track.

“You’re doing well.” Giovanni said.

‘Hai!”

Ash looked down bashfully. Even if the missions weren’t that hard, he still liked being praised…

“Rest tonight and report here in the morning.”

“Hai!”

The two went back to Lance’s room. They still shared a bed, as it was just too much trouble trying to fit another cot in the room.

Ash didn’t mind.

Besides, he was getting better at ignoring his hormones. So that was good! Yes, he would get better…

Otherwise it would just be a waste of time…

They slept well again.

Lance sighed. * Not again… why do I keep getting the same dream? I can’t take Mastery now! *

But… it was so compelling.

He was afraid one day he would throw caution to the wind and fight just for the sake of fighting.

Dangerous thoughts! He had to keep himself under control better…

Life was all about control. One slip-up and the entire tower could fall. I must be careful…. And not fall into the flames.

Heroes who fly too near to the sun melt their wings of wax and plummet to their doom…

I will not be an Icarus.

Sleep was good though… they slept well that night.

Tired minds + tired bodies = need rest = Sleep! Yay!

Lance’s alarm rang at seven, and they quickly showered, dressed, and ate breakfast at the dining commons before heading to Giovanni’s office.

He was waiting, as usual, behind his desk with a manila folder.

At a signal from Lance, Ash took the folder, bowed, and they exited.

“What is it this time?”

“Hmm…” Lance skimmed the wordy report briefly, smiled. “It’s not too hard. We need to capture a Squirtle.”

“A squirtle?”

“It’s not just a normal squirtle, luckily.” Lance said. “Supposedly, this is one of the rare ‘shiny’ pokemon.”

“Kakkoii…” Ash said. “But that doesn’t give it special powers, does it?”

“We need to catch it to find out. Do you think we’ll need to obtain any equipment from the quartermaster?”

Ash shook his head. “I have Plusle, and in any case…”

“Yes, I know. Your pokemon are quite capable of taking on most dangers. We should finish quickly then.”

Neither of them liked wasting time, together they made a good team.

Lance and Ash climbed on Dragonite’s back, as Ash wrapped his arms around Lance’s chest, and they took off.

“Where is the Squirtle though?”

“It was last spotted in the Pokemon Tower in Lavender town, we’re going to look there first.”

“All right.”

Ash smiled as he leaned his head against Lance’s back and closed his eyes.

*****************Flashback Mode ***************************************

“Ekans, use Poison Sting!”

“Abra!” Ash gasped, as the little psychic pokemon blinked in confusion. “Teleport! Quick!”

Abra did, hiding herself behind Ash.

… And of course, the poison sting hit him instead.

“Shimatta!” The trainer cursed, and quickly ran away, not wanting to be implicated in possible death of another trainer.

Ash winced as he made to pull them out, but Lance spotted him.

“Poison stings have barbs on the end, if you just yank them out randomly, you’ll damage your skin and tear what’s underneath... You don’t want to do that.”

“Then…”

Lance pulled a pair of tweezers out of his jacket. “Feel free to yell if you have to, that will help, since this hurts quit a bit.”

Ash cried out as Lance slowly and painfully removed all nine green-tipped bits of… energy? Well, whatever poison stings were made out of.

“Done.” Lance said, “But just in case…”

He placed his fingers around the wound, concentrated, and the flesh closed up seamlessly. “That will help.”

“A-arigato, Lance.”

“No problem.”

< Are you okay, Ash? > Abra asked worriedly as she floated up and down next to him. The screams had woken her from sleep.

Abras did sleep a lot…

“I’m fine now.” Ash said, smiling at Lance.

Lance shrugged. “Well, too bad that trainer ran away, we could have filed for assault, but that’s all right. No harm done.”

“Hai!”

“You sure you’re all right?”

Ash nodded. “Thank you.” He accepted the strawberry candy Lance offered him in return for the pain and smiled, unwrapping it. * He’s so nice… *

They kept walking.

Abra vowed to get stronger so she wouldn’t be a scaredy cat any more. * I should protect him too… *

********************End Flashback*************************************
Completed 6/24/04