Disclaimer: Don’t own pokemon. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to me so don’t take it!
Shoyko: Ahahaha!

Kairo: Romance! Woohoo!
Pika-chan: *starry eyes* Food!
Phantomness: ^-^;

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

Chapter 2

Lance pulled away, as Ash gulped. Sure, he liked Lance, maybe even loved him, and he did have a crush, but…

That was awfully direct!
“Lance?”

Lance smiled. “Ash, at home… do you have what looks like half a poke ball?”

“Hai! It’s silver. I have it right here in my closet.”

“Excellent. Could you retrieve it?”

Ash nodded; sure that Lance would give him an explanation later. In minutes, he was back with the half.

“Now, Ash, I suppose you don’t know what this is.”

“No.”

“This is much more powerful magic then the charm you wear around your neck.” Lance said confidently.

“Really?”

“Hai.”

“Then what is it?”

“The sun and moon together make the element of shadow, two halves of a poke ball are made to contain MXQ, the shadow pokemon.”

“Oh…”

“Now I can’t wield shadow.” Lance said. “I’m a Dragon Master and my type is set in stone, because dragon is dark-based. However…”

“I’m not a special type yet.”

“Yes.”

“So what do I do?”

Lance winced. He didn’t like the next part, but it had to be done. “You and Misty Waterflower – sun and moon – must travel to the Ocean Shrine with the two halves of the poke ball, and there re-forge it anew.”

Ash frowned. “Why her?”

“It is not by choice, the fates have decreed it.”

“O-okay…”

He didn’t _like_ Misty! The one time he had battled her for the Cascade badge, she had been an arrogant prick who wouldn’t believe his Jolteon had defeated all her pokemon.

She had even tried to mallet him into the ground for cheating!

Hmph.

Well, at least he had gotten his revenge later. It had been kind of fun, that date with Erika, although they both knew it was just friendly.

Misty did not.

He liked Erika. She was a good friend, besides being his cousin.

What Misty didn’t know wasn’t her business.

In any case, he and Erika had spent a fun day at the traveling circus, and they had both enjoyed themselves.

It was fine.

Now Erika was going out with Falkner, and he wished them plenty of luck.

But why did it have to be Misty?

“This is for luck.” Lance said, giving him another kiss. “Come back safely, hai?”

Ash smiled, blushing. “Hai! Lance, I love you.”

“I love you too, little one, and I wish we had cemented our relationship sooner, but I trust you. Best of luck!”

He pocketed the silver half and then flew to Saffron to look for the other.

He’d get Misty later.

As little time spent with her as possible, the better!

Digging through dust, dirt, and bricks was not fun.

Luckily, Espeon and Umbreon psychic scanned and helped, and soon, he had the gold artifact.

Now to find Misty…

How to convince her? If it hadn’t been Lance telling him, he would not have believed it.

Oh well… he’d deal with that later.

Bright sunshine seemed to mock them as it shimmered over the destruction. A few Officer Jennies milled around. Umbreon cloaked them all in shadows to stay safe.

Ash winced when he saw what looked like a broken arm poking out of the rubble. It was really none of his business, but…

Oh, what a waste of life! Sighing, he began using Strength – well, his pokemon – to remove some of the waste.

The golden orb was finally dug up, six hours later. Streaked with dirt and grime, Ash decided not to approach Misty just yet.

However, it was not really his choice to make, as he soon saw.

“Excuse me?”

“Ah!” Ash jumped in the air, before blanching. “MISTY!?”

Well, he had just gotten out of the shower; so… naturally, he was not in the best of frames to see a visitor.

“Why am I here?” Misty demanded.

“Well… we have to go restore this ‘ancient balance’ thing.

“That sounds stupid. Are you trying to pull me a fast one?”

Ash frowned. “Well, it’s not my choice.”

Misty huffed. “Whatever.”

This was not looking good…

Ash turned his back on her as he dried off and got dressed, ignoring her looks.

“Hmm…’ Misty mused. * I have an idea… why not? I need some more income, he’s not that ugly… *

Her eyes took on a mercenary gleam.

Ash didn’t notice. He was too busy trying to figure out a way to convince Misty.

“What’s in it for me?” Misty asked.

Ash blinked.

“Never mind, I’ll want a reward later. Let’s go!”

… So they did, although Ash was a bit surprised at the rapid character change Misty possessed. However, he attributed it to truth and not to greed, unfortunately. Too kind…

End Chapter

Completed 8/8/04