Hi! Blame the plotbunnies for this one…

 

Title: Fire Soul

Author: Shadow/Phantomness

Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Ash)

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Ash decides that only a one-on-one battle with Charmeleon will settle the problems between them. However, he needs some help from someone. And when misty finds out, she’s not too pleased about it…

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Satoshi and a lot of other people, plus Nintendo. I don’t own it. However, some aspects of the story are mine…

Notes: <> for telepathic communication, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon speaks.

I refer to characters by the incorrect gender if that is what they seem to be. Remember that, and don’t automatically flame me for shonen-ai or shoujo-ai.

 

Chapter 1

 

            The group was currently staying at a pokemon center somewhere. They had been in this remote town for a few weeks, recuperating after the ordeal with Koga. Ash had spent most of his time exploring outside, and as a result has some new pokemon.

            It was night.

            “AAAHHH!” Misty jerked awake from her nightmare. “Phew, just a dream…” She was about to go back to sleep when she realized that Ash wasn’t in his bed.

            “That’s odd…” Misty said. “Did he go hunting for pokemon?” She grabbed her backpack, slipped on a warm, loose jacket (dark blue), and softly padded downstairs in her fluffy slippers.

            Soon, she spotted Ash. There was just enough light to tell it was him. A bank of storm clouds hid the moon, and Pikachu was just a faint silhouette on his shoulder.

            She was about to say something, when she realized that he was talking to someone.

           

            “Are you sure about this, Ash?”
            “I have to do this. If I didn’t, it would seem like cheating.” Ash said in response to the shadowed figure’s question.

            “So you want me to take that and you’ve already sent her your pokemon.”
            “Yes.”
            “Is this absolutely necessary?”
            “I’m afraid so. Charmeleon does not remember what Charmander did, and there’s no way it’s going to respect me unless…”
            “I understand.” A sigh was heard. “Fine then.” Pikachu hopped off Ash’s shoulder and moved a respectable distance away.

            Ash tilted his head up. Misty’s eyes nearly boggled out of her head as the shadowed figure leaned down and kissed Ash. On the lips! They stayed frozen in that pose for a good five minutes (Misty counted), before they broke away.

            Ash staggered and swayed a little bit.

            “Careful, Ash. The energy loss is very painful. I had to take most of your chi away, otherwise…”
            “I know. Thank you for doing this.”

            “Be careful, Ash.”
            “I will.” Ash hugged the shadowed figure tightly. It was just then that the moon came out from behind the clouds, sending a temporary spray of silver light over the area.

            Misty’s jaw dropped.

            Because the one Ash was glomped onto, was none other than… Lance.

 

            Lance ruffled Ash’s hair. “Good luck, Ash. Dragonair, I choose you. Let’s go.” He climbed on and waved as he flew off.

            Ash touched his lips softly and smiled. “Thanks, Lance-chan! It will work out, I promise!”

            “When you succeed, you can get your pokemon back.”
            “I know. Good-bye.” Ash said. He waved until Lance and Dragonair were gone. Then, he headed back to the center.

 

            Misty pretended to be asleep when Ash came in. But inwardly, she was shattered. * Why, Ash, why? *

           

            The next morning…

            “I’m going off.” Ash told them at breakfast. He removed most of his poke balls, leaving two on his poke belt. Charmeleon and… Dratini.

            “I’m coming with you, Ash!” Misty said.

            Ash sighed. “Fine. But don’t get in the way.”
            Misty frowned. * What is up with him? *

            Misty followed Ash to an abandoned clearing. “Ash, what are you doing?”
            “Charmeleon, go.” Ash said in a calm voice.

            “What?”

 

            Charmeleon huffed out some fire. What do you want?

            I don’t have your respect, do I? Ash asked in pokespeech. But to misty, it sounded like he was talking in Charmeleon.

            Of course not!

            Well, I’m here to make you an offer.

            What is it?

            You and I will fight one-on-one. If I win, you will respect my orders in battle. If I lose, you may leave and be your own free pokemon. I’ll even destroy the poke ball. Ash stated.

            Charmeleon considered. Very well. It’s a deal. Choose your weapon.

            Ash smiled and formed a ball of glowing white energy in his hands. Misty gasped. From the light, a shape formed. A thin, flexible, sword, with a black blade, set with a ruby, a golden jewel, and a sapphire. Silver wings twisted from the sides of the hilt.

            “Let’s begin.” Ash said.

            Charmeleon nodded, and charged.

            Ash calmly dodged the first attack, before striking Charmeleon with the flat of the blade, on the skull, as it went by.

            Charmeleon frowned and breathed out a Flamethrower attack.

            “ASH!” Misty screamed, as the fire headed for him.

            Ash shrugged, and vaulted over the stream of flames. His sword glinted as he swung it towards Charmeleon’s unprotected underbelly, but Charmeleon’s claws deflected it.

            You’re not that bad, for a human. Did you train for this?

            Of course. Ash replied.

            That is no mere sword. How did you get the Mistress of fire’s blade?

            That is for you to know later. Ash said as he dodged a slash from Charmeleon’s claws. Perhaps, if you win, I will tell you.

            In that case… Fire Spin! Charmeleon spat, surrounding Ash in a barrier of flames so Misty couldn’t see him anymore.

            “ASH!” Misty screamed. She would have started forwards, but Dratini clamped onto her leg and would not let go.

            Charmeleon puffed out some smoke. Let’s see how you do against this, master.

            Fine then. All of a sudden, the blade of Ash’s sword sliced clean through the flames, parting them. Ash dived at Charmeleon, who jumped out of the way, not knowing that he had just fallen into Ash’s trap. The tip of his sword was at Charmeleon’s throat.

            Well? Ash asked.

            How?! Charmeleon demanded. How could you defeat me?

            Ash smiled. “Disturb not the harmony of fire, ice, and lightning. Guess.”

            You’re the master of lightning!
            Correct. Now that you know, will you obey me as your trainer?

            I lost. It is no loss of honor to lose to one of the elemental guardians. I accepted your offer, and I intend to live with it. Charmeleon said.

            Ash smiled, put away the sword, and shook hands with Charmeleon. Dratini smiled and held up a little red flag. Ash wins!

 

            Misty rushed up. “Ash! I don’t know whether I should smack you or hug you! That was so careless! Why did you do it?”

            Ash switched back to English. “Because I had to.”

            “I can’t believe this!” Misty said. She started crying hysterically. “Don’t every do anything so stupid again!”

Ash smiled. “Misty, I’m fine.”

Misty would have said more, but just then, some Team Rocket agents charged into the clearing.

 

“Hand over your pokemon!”

Ash shook his head in disbelief. His eyes began to burn with golden light. One of the members grabbed Misty.

“Drop your poke balls now!”

Charmeleon rushed the man and hit low. The agent doubled over in pain and clutched his privates.

Ash summoned the sword and slashed at the air with one hand. Several members flew backwards. Ash took a deep breath. * Shoot! I don’t have my magic back, and if I do another one of these chi strikes, I’ll run out of energy! *

Dratini reared up and spat out a Twister attack, sending a few more men flying.

Another agent grabbed Misty and put his gun to her head. The last one still standing didn’t bother to say anything. He just sent a hail of bullets at Ash and the pokemon.

 

Elsewhere…

 

“No!” Charlotte said as she closed her viewing portal. “If he dies, then the balance will be lost! I have to go save him. Why did that idiot leave me all of his good pokemon? He should know better than this!”

“How?” Ninetails asked.

Charlotte’s eyes glowed a ruby red color. “Possession. He has a Charmeleon, right? I’d prefer something else, but it will do in a pinch…”

There was a flash of light and she vanished.

 

Indigo Plateau…

Lance winced at the tearing pain in his side. * This is the teetering balance effect! Something happened to Ash! I know I shouldn’t have taken all his chi and magic, but he forced me to! *

Dragonair quickly sprayed Lance with some Hyper Potion. < You need to go help him. >

< I know. He has a Dratini? I couldn’t have asked for a better pokemon. > And with that, Lance vanished as well, eyes glowing an eerie blue.

 

Ash clutched his chest in pain. Charmeleon and Dratini were both bleeding profusely, blood trickling out of their thick skins. Suddenly, the wounds on their bodies just closed over and they stood up.

“What?” The agent asked dumbly.

Charmeleon’s eyes turned gold and the equivalent of a Fire Blast slammed into the man. Dratini’s eyes turned silver and a hyper beam sent all the other rockets flying, including the one who had been holding Misty.

Then, they both rushed over to Ash.

Misty shakily stood up. She gaped. Silver and golden light were streaming from the two pokemon. Slowly, the wound on Ash’s chest sealed itself shut. Then, both pokemon slumped over.

“Thank you…” Ash whispered. Two bright trails of light sped off in different directions and vanished.

 

The next day…

“Here you go.” Charlotte said, handing over a golden poke belt with lots of poke balls on it. “And next time, carry more than one pokemon! Sheesh, how careless can you be? Oh well, it’s your own fault.”

Ash looked sheepish.

Misty’s jaw dropped. “A-ash? Are you pulling my leg?”

“No.” Ash said, hugging the poke belt. “It’s just that it would be unfair if I used all of my good pokemon before a certain time…”

“And at least give us some warning before you try that stunt again!” Another voice chimed in.

“A-ano, I’m sorry…” Ash said.

“You’d better be.” Lance said. “Because possession is a very draining mode of attack!” Silver and blue sparks flew everywhere.

“Try and stay out of trouble, okay?” Charlotte asked. “I’d stay here and watch you, but I have other things to do. So long! Charizard, I choose you! Let’s go!” She flew off on Charizard and vanished from view.

Lance turned to Ash. < Can you get Misty to leave? She’s not going to want to see this. >

< All right. > Ash said. “Um, Misty, could you leave?”

Misty huffily left, slamming the door.

 

Lance took the younger guardian in his arms and kissed him, blue and silver chi filling the area. Ash sighed in relief as he felt the magic making its way back into his tired body.

< Thank you, Lance-chan. >
< You’re welcome. And do try to stay out of trouble, okay? >

Ash nodded, as he flushed pink.

Lance pulled away after a few minutes. He looked a bit exhausted himself. His silver eyes were slightly gazed over with weariness.

< I should leave too. > Lance said, as a teleport spell shimmered into place around him.

< Bye, Lance-chan! > Ash said.

< Goodbye, Ash. See you around! >

In a few minutes, Misty came in.

“I think you owe me an explanation…”

 

“Well, I’ll try and explain.” Ash said nervously. “Have you ever heard of this prophecy?”

His eyes closed and he began to chant in a soft voice. “Disturb not the balance of fire, ice, and lightning, lest these Titans wreck destruction in the world in which they clash. For though the water’s great guardian shall rise to quell the fighting, alone its song shall fail and thus the world shall turn to Ash.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

Misty, that has to do with everything!” Ash said. “Can’t you see? I’m the guardian of lightning, Charlotte’s the guardian of fire, and Lance is the guardian of ice! The prophecy refers not only to the legendary birds, but also their counterparts!”

“That would make you…immortal.” Misty said after a few minutes.
            Ash nodded seriously. “I should leave now.” He picked up his poke belt and buckled it on. “Pikachu… take care of her for me.”

Pikachu stared in disbelief as lightning flashed everywhere. When it cleared, Ash was gone.

 

End part 1!

Completed 2/30/03

This is NOT shonen-ai, if you know what I mean.