^^V I <3 Championshipping

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

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

Chapter 2

The first sensation he registered was pain. The second was shame, as he blinked his eyes open as the weight of knowledge crushed him. He was lying in a small hollow, surrounded by boulders, and he fervently thanked the ones who had saved his life.

A Pidgey was perched on his chest, regarding him quizzically.

Are you alive?

“Yes.” Lance croaked out.

That is good, Dragon Master. We were afraid you would not survive.

Lance hissed as he tried to stand. He fell back down, his legs feeling oddly weak. In fact, he felt shivery and feverish; he had probably gotten some kind of infection. How long had he been lying there dead anyway?

Do not worry. The Pidgey said sympathetically. We will be honored to take care of you until you recover, Dragon Master…

“Thank you.” Lance sighed.

The Pidgey came back a few moments later followed by other pokemon. There were two Zigzagoons, a Rattata, a Bellsprout, and a Poliwag. They picked their way over the rubble easily, bringing with them leaves filled with spring water and berries.

Lance thanked them while sipping the water slowly, and then winced as he saw the nasty gash on the Zigzagoon’s body. “Dear Lugia, that must be painful, and yet you still came to me… here.”

He held out his hands. Pale blue light flickered over his fingertips, bathing the Zigzagoon in radiance. Slowly, it’s wounds closed up.

The Zigzagoon’s mate happily licked his face, and gave Lance a hug. The Dragon Master inwardly sighed in relief.

So he had not lost Viridian’s power. Even in this distant place, her blessing was still with him.

Mother…

Lorelei and Agatha sat across from each other at the tea table, sipping their green tea slowly. Bruno had gone out on another training trip, and now, they were free to talk unobserved.

< I do not trust Bruno. Our Leader is not dead. >

“I know.” Lorelei frowned. “My cousin, killed in a landslide? Impossible. We… we would know.”

Agatha nodded. Such was the fate of the ones who followed the Chosen.

She and Lorelei and Clair, Koga and Sabrina and Morty, Will and Karen and Aya, they were all linked closely to Lance.

He was the Dragon Master who was their Leader. If he died, they would feel it. The very earth would shift slightly, and Destiny would awake, possibly setting in motion a chain of destruction for Earth.

Since none of that had happened, they could conclude that Lance was not dead. But since he had not returned, nor sent messages…

He must be gravely injured or amnesiac...

< Perhaps he is in Sleep of Death, recovering? >

< Perhaps. > Lorelei agreed, switching to telepathy. She did not trust Bruno. She had caught him eying her cousin several times, and though he ogled her like most males did, she was not going to discount it.

A thought struck, and she paled. < Agatha… do you think it is possible that Bruno…! >

< I would not put it past him. He certainly had no qualms doing so before. >

< But Lance was female in those lives. >

< Does it matter? >

<… No, I suppose not. > She sighed. < I wish I knew for certain he was all right. I hope he will tell us of his affairs soon. >

Agatha refilled her cups. < Morty and I will continue to watch the gates. >

< Thank you. I wish I could help. >

< I shall also inform Falkner to send messenger-birds to the differing regions, in case he is hiding. >

< Thank you. >

< Nonsense! We both care for him. >

< I shall offer a prayer to Articuno then, > Lorelei said. Finishing her tea, she got up and walked to her room.

Agatha nodded, and went to call Falkner, who was more than happy to help. He sent Pidgey and Spearow, Hoothoot and Taillow over all the regions.

It was not long before they found an answer.

The Pidgey nervously eyed the Ice Master and Ghost Master. She gave a respectful bow, before she chirped.

The Dragon Master is safe, but he recovers very slowly.

< Articuno Blessed be! >

< This is good news indeed. > Agatha replied gravely. < Shall our Leader return to us? >

The Pidgey shook her head. He wishes not to return to the cold prison of humanity again.

Lorelei grinned. < We understand. >

< We shall treat him as though he is dead then, for the public to know. >

Though, here the Pidgey looked slightly embarrassed, He did say he would like to see his pokémon again.

< That I can help with. > Lorelei removed her hairpins, letting her ponytail fall down from its red bun.

It was enviably easy. While Agatha kept Bruno asleep with Hypnosis, Lorelei picked the locks on his safe with her hairpins. Sure enough, inside lay the Dragon Master’s belt, five Ultra Balls still glittering on it.

Lorelei picked them up, sensing fear and anger from the dragon pokémon within. They calmed almost instantly in her hands, however.

She walked outside and released the pokemon.

Where is Master? Aerodactyl asked, flexing his razor-sharp wings.

< She will lead you to him. > Agatha indicated the blushing Pidgey.

The dragons nodded, and then they thanked Lorelei and Agatha before taking off into the sky. Lorelei picked up the empty poke belt and went to the nearest T.V station.

That day, the Dragon Master’s death was confirmed, and no one thought any more of it.

Meanwhile, back in Pallet Town, Red watched the news, and wondered why his heart ached so.

… Why?

I don’t even know him…

So why am I crying because he’s dead? He was only my idol…

End Chapter

Completed 10/26/06

Phew! Trying to prove I can do chapter fic! *Blush*

Red: *Sobs*

Lance: *Hugs Red*