And… another chapter!

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 7

 

            The next interruption was not long in coming. It was technically not Red’s fault that it came upon them, but he had to admit later that had his decisions been wiser, he could have prevented some trouble.

            It all happened when that young girl came upon Mount Silver in search of Sneasal and Mysdreavus…

 

            Red had moved into the cave. It was quite comfortable, and there were plenty of strong pokemon for him to train against. Having a Center nearby and a pokemon that knew Softboiled was also very handy.

            Yes, he was feeling quite happy with his life… he regularly sent pokemon off to Oak, and he didn’t expect the old man to meddle. As it were, the meddling was only indirect, but still unfortunate.

            “Hello, is anyone here?”

            Red peeked out from behind a rock. Lance had grown wings, brilliant silver like those of a Skarmory, not just the claws… and his hair now resembled a dragon’s spikes, but at least it was still hair. The pokemon’s eyes were wide with a strange emotion Red could not identify, but he was trembling.

            Red reassuringly patted Lance’s hair and stepped out of the shadows, ready to challenge the intruder.

            Lance stayed hidden, but prepared to attack in case his Master was threatened. The mental changes would never wear off, and by now, Red and Lance had decided to live with it.

            It had only taken him a few days to wish their new living accommodations into being. However, Red soon discovered that more than three or four wishes a day tired Lance out, depending on the intensity and magnitude of said wish made.

            It felt unfair to use someone like that, so Red usually didn’t bother to wish. He had a comfortable amount of money and they were well stocked with supplies in any case. Also, wishing for pokemon was just cheating…

 

            Some trainers had honor, or at least adhered to and understood the concept. It was fortunate for Lance that Red was one of them.

            True, Green would not have been a bad Master, but Green was Oak’s grandson and may have offered him up for experimentation. Blue was a thief and other things and always out to earn money. She was mercenary, almost. He was glad he was not hers.

            As for Yellow… he did not even wish to consider that concept. It was too sickening to contemplate.

            Who knew what an exterior of innocence held in it’s core? At least he never pretended to be anything he was not.

 

            The girl that appeared had star-shaped earrings, a clinging outfit, and hair in two little pigtails. She looked excited. “Are you Red?”

            Red nodded, wondering how she knew his name.

            “Professor Oak sent me here to train with you! I’m Crystal! Pleased to meet you!”

            “…What?” Red finally managed to choke out. How had Oak found him… oh, the pokedex, of course! It had a tracking device.

            Still… he didn’t want to train anyone!

            Crystal babbled on about what a great trainer she was for several minutes while Red futilely attempted to regain some composure. It was an abysmal failure.

            Finally, he told her to catch an elusive Larvitar. He’d train her when she passed. From experience, Red knew that it would take weeks of stalking.

            Hopefully, she’d be out of his hair during that period of time…

 

            Crystal excitedly babbled on like a marionette with cut strings while Red restrained the urge to get her to shut up. Her incessant chatter sent all the native pokemon fleeing away, and even a Sweet Scent could not provoke them to return.

            Smart pokemon.

            Well, at least it would make her hunt for Larvitar exponentially more difficult. That he could capitalize on.

            While Crystal chased a Golbat swarm, or more accurately, attempted to evade it, Red returned home, feeling much better.

 

            Lance was waiting for him with a smile, wings neatly folded behind him.

            “Did you send those Zubat and Golbat after her, Lance?”

            A half-smile. “A Hyper Beam to the nest did wonders. Do not worry, I didn’t hit any of the eggs.”

            “I’m glad.”

            Lance smiled. “Master is happy, yes?”

            There was one complication caused by the absence of wishes though. The less Red tried to utilize said power, the more into a pokemon’s mindset Lance would lapse. So Red kept it to small things, nothing extravagant.

            It was necessary.

 

            He wished for Poke Balls one at a time, or things like that. It had to be something not too taxing, but enough to keep Lance human. Finding the balance was the challenging portion. He sighed and tried to will himself to stop.

            Lance did have pretty hair though… and the wings were very cute. His clothes were a black catsuit, that was all he wanted to wear and Ash couldn’t blame him. The wings made a jacket or cape impossible to wear.

            It was a hassle enough with that silk…

 

            Crystal showed up again not two days later, a Larvitar in her hands triumphantly. Well, perhaps she was talented.

            “But why do you need my help?”

            Crystal lowered her voice to a whisper. “Because you’ve battled legendary pokemon before.”

            “And?”

            “I want to capture them, of course!”

            “I see…”

            Truthfully, Red did not want to contribute to that. He still felt as if he owed Articuno for the fiasco in Saffron.

            “What do you want to know?”

            “How did you beat them?”

            “I didn’t.” Red said simply. “I don’t know who gave you the impression, but...”

            “But I have to learn from you!”

            “Why?”

            Crystal set her teeth. “The Professor told me to, of course. Otherwise, he won’t give me a pokedex!”

            “Ah… so that’s his game, is it? But I have never captured a legendary, so I can’t help you. Good day.”

            “I’m not leaving.” Crystal said, and with that, pitched her tent there as an expression of defiance. Red shook his head. It would be quite troublesome keeping Lance hidden with her around, but he would manage…

           

End Chapter

Completed 12/3/05

I hate Crystal. I hate Gold. The only of the GSC trio I like in the Special manga is Silver.