I want a lot of inspiration for this fic. *Nods*

Disclaimer: I don’t own pokémon; it belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic writing done by me so I own it.

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

Chapter 3

           

            “Where’d he go?” Misty asked, waking from an unnatural sleep. Well, her body had appreciated the rest, but now it was dark and cold and…

            “AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

            Noticing the army of mosquitoes on her arms and legs, Misty panicked. Her flailing motions woke Brock up, and they both ran.

            Fast.

            Only when they collapsed in the Pokemon Center did Misty belatedly realize that they were in Cerulean.

            Oh well, she’d deal with it later.

            Brock handed her an Itch Stick and Misty applied liberal amounts over her body, feeling like a pincushion.

            Well, she couldn’t face Ash for a badge looking like this!

            She vowed to spend at least a week recovering first.

 

            The next morning, Misty saw Ash leaving, heading for Nugget Bridge. Well, so he was training. Good for him.

            It was better than moping like her.

            Misty morosely tried not to pick at the scabs that had formed on her limbs, but found it annoying hard not to.

            They still itched like crazy!

            Brock brought her Benadryl next… and at least it gave a few hours relief, before she lapsed back into uneasy slumber.

            She hoped she hadn’t gotten sick.

            That would just suck.

 

            “Good girl, Vulpix.” Ash praised, hugging the little warm fire fox to his body. Vulpix wagged her tails and barked happily.

            Fighting all of those bugs had made her stronger! Plus, her new master didn’t smell dangerous…

            So it should be fine! Just fine.

            He wasn’t overworking her either; she would be sure to let him know if he pushed her too hard.

            They trotted on.

            Lance kind of floated/drifted/almost stalked behind him. Like a protective shadow, right?

            Ash grinned.

            Of course I want Lance-chan with me!

            Why would I think otherwise?

            Baka people…

            Lance-chan is my everything.

 

            I don’t know what they think, but I don’t care. I already have a real friend.

            You can tell if people are lying if you pull the right strings… and this is definitely one worth testing.

            If they’re real they’ll stay with me.

            If not, then I see the lie.

            Ash grinned.

            < Something else has caught your fancy? >

            Ash shook his head. < Not that. >

            < Oh? >

            < Just musing. >

            The trainer nodded and let his younger friend rest for a bit. They made camp; sandwiches and juice were passed around along with food for the pokemon.

            There was no sense in starving or traveling without an adequate supply of foodstuffs. That lesson had been well learned.

            He had gotten plenty of canned food in Cerulean this time around.

           

            “So what about the badge?”

            Ash blinked. “… Badge… Cerulean City gym was closed.”

            < Ah… >

            “They’re not opening for at least another week.”

            “Pity.” Lance agreed. < Shall we head to Vermillion? >

            < That’d be nice… > Ash said a shade wistfully.

            < What’s wrong? >

            < I’m scared. >

            < Scared? > The Dragon Master paused, walked up to his protégé and put his arms around him.

            < Hai. >

            < So, little one, what are you scared of? >

            < I don’t know. > Ash said honestly. < But its there, always there, flickering at the edge of my mind. >

            He broke off, realizing how crazy he sounded.

            Lance smiled.

            < Do you want me to make it go away? >

            Ash’s eyes widened. < You can? >

            < I can do many things, little one. > Lance spread his wings for emphasis. < I’m not human, you know. >

            < No. > Ash agreed. < You’re my guardian angel. >

            Lance laughed lightly, and placed the tips of his fingers on Ash’s temples. < Do you want me to? >

            < Hai. >

 

            Lance nodded, and slipped into the other trainer’s subconscious. Frowning at some of the damage he saw, he began repair work, and the mental blocks went up, locking away the past memories that had begun to seep in.

            He was too young, not ready to deal with it yet.

            Then, he subtly lowered Ash’s depression level and anger gauge, finding one particular stimuli… ah yes, that would work…

            Ash was already scared of people.

            Lance twisted the threads around, so the trainer would only see him and the others he would allow him to see.

            Perfect.

            Value of human life went down, that was always good, especially since most trainers were just a waste of air. Implanted the differences between good and bad and a method to tell between them…

            Increased empathy with pokemon, strengthened their own link, added a slight dose of healing, might as well start with that…

            Basic magic circles sketched themselves on the palms of his hands, that would help him focus later.

 

            After a few more tweaks, Lance finished and slipped back out.

            Ash stared at him trustingly; already the hurt was gone… < Arigato gozaimasu, Lance-chan. >

            Lance smiled back. < It was nothing, little one. >
            Ash nodded, and went on with his pokemon training, glad the pain was not there anymore.

 

End Chapter

Completed 5/20/04

Well, so why is the fic titled ‘Double-Edge?’ Well, I suppose it could be explained if Ash’s fixation on Lance is a double-edged sword, it protects him but at the same time keeps people away…