Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction written by me. Don’t take it, that’s plagiarism.

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

This fic is dedicated to KiAnson, because it was her plotbunny that she let me have… so some parts may be similar to a fic if she writes it finally.

Ages: In this chapter, Ash is 14 and Lance is 19

Warnings: Het championshipping (Ash x Lance)

Lance = Catelyn…

Catelyn/Lance will be referred to by the incorrect gender because for all intents and purposes, Lance is male.

Started 7/5/04

Timeline: Post-Lake of Rage episodes

Chapter 2

He hadn’t seen Catelyn in forever, really.

There had been that one quick three-day togetherness at the annual Celadon Flower Ceremony, but…

She had evaded his questions, saying she had been training, and that was it.

He still loved her though. He wore the dratini necklace she had given him underneath his shirt and never took it off.

Still…

It would have been better if Brock hadn’t hit on her. She was very pretty – she had always been cute, and growing up only enhanced it. In any case, he had been hard pressed not to attack Brock for his rude ways.

_Very_ rude.

Well, in any case, Catelyn had rebuffed his advances without revealing their secret. And they had rode the Ferris wheel together twice, and the merry-go-round, and played midway games together.

He had won her a stuffed Dratini from throwing baseballs at milk cans, while she got him a stuffed Pikachu from the ring toss.

So it was fair.

He didn’t mind, he still liked her though, their absence away from each other only heightened their affection.

She had even kissed him before flying away on Dragonite.

But he missed her…

He missed her so much.

I hope I see you again…

In any case, they were at Professor Quince’s lab, Oak’s orders.

TR had stolen some rare scrolls, and now, they had to find them.

There was supposedly some important prophecy.

It referred to the Chosen one?

Well, he was the Chosen One in the Shamouti Island prophecy, wasn’t he? Then that _would_ make sense.

He hoped.

In any case, he waited, while Misty fawned over Togepi, that ugly egg, and tried to tune out her screechy voice.

Grr….

“We should have never made that detour at Lake of Rage. That wasted way too much time.” Catelyn griped, as she grabbed the clothes Dragonite was holding and quickly began to change.

She had been visiting her parents in their nursing home, so of course she had been dressed as a girl, dark blue skirt and matching jacket and all.

Wouldn’t your mate be dead then? Dragonite asked.

“I guess you have a point there. How do I look?”

Your hair’s still…

With a snarl, Catelyn yanked the proper little braids with pink ribbon out of her hair, and used anti-hairspray-lock to undo the smoothness.

Her hair fluffed back up into its long red spikes.

She had always _had_ boyish hair.

Nylons. Dragonite reminded. We have to hurry.

“Give me a break, I’m switching genders here, not applying lipstick.” Catelyn said. Swearing as she peeked into her compact mirror, she grabbed the cold cream and scrubbed the rest of the makeup she had worn off her face.

Then, she tore off the nylons.

Slipping into her black bodysuit with the red designs as she fastened the gold cords on her cape, she turned to Dragonite. “Anything else?”

You cannot wear high heels with that outfit…

“I hate my parents.” Catelyn muttered, as she kicked the offending instruments of female torture off and switched to her black boots.

Okay, we’re ready!

“I’m Lance now, remember.” Lance said, as he allowed his trademark smirk to spread over his face.

Hai!

They flew off towards the lab.

Dragonite couldn’t help making snide comments, but when Lance narrowed his eyes and the gold flashed warningly, she shut up.

Do _not_ piss the Dragon Master off.

Oh? And your fiancée?

“It was nice seeing him but that was wrong time, wrong place. He could have died if we were any slower.”

I see…

Lance made sure his cuffs hid the charm bracelet he still wore. It wouldn’t do to be found out so quickly…

No, secrets had to _stay_ secret.

It was the best course of action for all concerned.

He is cute though.

“Dragonite…” Lance warned, his voice going colder.

Gomen nasai.

They landed at Professor Quince’s lab, and to Lance’s unpleasant discovery, Ash was there with the whole motley crew.

He _should_ do something about Misty, maybe revoke her gym license for not being at her gym… yes, that would be nice.

_Very_ nice.

Professor Quince and an Officer Jenny were also there. Still, why _was_ Ash there? It must be Oak’s interference again.

Sighing, Lance took a deep breath inwardly, and stepped into character. Time to play the part again.

End Chapter

Completed 7/5/04