Whee! Another chapter! Okay plotbunny, please live…
Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic written by me, and I own it under international copyright laws.
Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks
Chapter 2
Lance gritted his teeth as he clung onto the ledge with his hands, fingers digging into the rocky gravel.
Damn that trainer!
He had almost climbed up to Aerodactyl’s nest, when some annoying green-haired girl on a Gyarados had impolitely kicked him off. Literally.
Then, Hakuryuu had fallen prey to a Blizzard attack from same trainer. Was she trying to kill him? It really seemed like it.
Fingers curved more, nails shifting to steel as claws dug in. However, the added pressure broke the ledge.
He didn’t scream, just closed his eyes.
Even the Viridian Power wouldn’t save him in this case… unless he landed without too much trouble, then he could heal himself…
The air whistled past his ears as he fell. Abruptly, something else stopped his fall.
“Hakuryuu! How?”
Dragonair looked bone-tired and like a literal wreck, but she had managed to fly and save him before he hit the ground.
“I thought you fell in the ravine!”
I did.
However, most of the damage was on my tail… I can’t feel it anymore Lance…
Lance nodded and focused his healing powers, as Dragonair felt strength returning to her slowly.
I cannot believe it… do you know who is that girl?
“I wish I knew. I’d make her pay for it.” Lance muttered. Anger flickered in his golden eyes. * And I suspect grandfather has something to do with it… *
Quiet children are not noticed.
Thus, a quiet child often sees what others cannot.
People live to control other people. Grandfather wants the clan to leave _his_ legacy, but then it will just be peace and a stupid leader.
He doesn’t understand.
But I don’t want the clan. I just want dragons, my dragons, to fly with me when the night calls.
He does not understand me. He thinks I am too young.
That is all right. I will make him see.
“Hakuryuu, let’s go.”
“Get in the ball stupid pokemon!” Marie yelled. Even weakened with Gyarados and Kingdra and the two Dragonites she had borrowed from her grandfather, it still fought on.
Suddenly, something hit her in the back, sending her flying...
Lance smiled.
The two Dragonites roared, turning their attention to him.
< Run. > Lance instructed the Aerodactyl. < Only death waits for you here. Escape while you can. >
He and Hakuryuu faced the two of them. < Ready? >
Hai.
< Dragon Rage. >
Whatever the Dragonites had been expecting, they certainly hadn’t wanted a _weak_ under-evolution to attack them.
Especially not with Dragon Rage!
Lance smiled as Dragonair’s rage increased when she saw the bruises he had obtained from the fight with Marie earlier.
How dare you hurt him! She roared. You are unworthy!
Oh yes, she was a smart pokemon who actually _knew_. His power was potential and the dragons loved it.
They couldn’t see though, as blind as their trainer.
Bakas.
Afterwards, Claire found him on the ledge, grooming Dragonair.
“You’d better not come home right now, aniki. Grandfather’s throwing a fit.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. You know that annoying green-haired girl? Her name is Marie. She’s our cousin and the next clan head.”
“So that’s why he wanted her to get this Aerodactyl. Supposedly it’s special or something…”
“But she didn’t!”
“No, she didn’t.” Lance said.
Claire caught the tone. “So you have it?”
“No. Ptera is free, as free as the wind is right now. He needs to recover.”
“You’re awfully calm.” Claire said. “He wants to kick you out of the Clan.”
“He does now, does he?” Lance asked. “If those old bats continue to be so blind and prejudiced and… everything else, I will leave of my own free will.”
“Aniki, I know you’re older than me, but you’re still only seven! How will you live?”
“Pokemon trainer.” Lance smiled. “I will be fine. After all, it pays good money.”
“I guess…”
“Don’t worry about me, Claire. The question is, what will you do?”
“I don’t know…” Claire said honestly. “I know I’ll never be leader, and I don’t really expect anything.”
“Then stay. You’ll be safe.”
“All-all right…”
“I’ll go see grandfather now.” Lance said.
The Elder was waiting.
“You have disgraced our Clan!” He bellowed, despite his 1.5 feet tall size. “You are hereby banished! Give me your pokemon!”
“Never.”
“Then I’ll take it by force.”
Lance started to laugh, eyes glowing golden. “By force? Oh yes… it will be fun. Try me, _Elder_.”
“You disrespectful whelp!”
“You’re afraid of me, aren’t you? Afraid of me and my power and the bond I have with dragons. You think too much, and you don’t want to lose.” Lance finished. “Hakuryuu, let’s leave then.”
Dragonair nodded.
Six Dragonites blocked their path. Red hearts were on all their foreheads.
“Now you bring out the guards? These are the Founder’s.” Lance walked over to the leader.
< So you obey without will. >
NO! The Dragonite roared. We are not mindless slaves like the Elder thinks we are! We will not fight for unjust ways!
< Then don’t. > Lance said simply. The Elder looked startled as Lance raked his nails across the opposite forearm, the shimmering steel leaving gashes that dripped red blood onto the soil. Yes, dragon’s claws.
“And by this blood shed, I shall never return as a Clan member.” Lance said, as he climbed onto Dragonair’s back. “Good-bye…”
He flew off into the sun.
End Chapter
Completed 6/20/04