… *Bored* *Huggles OTP*

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

Pairing: Championshipping

Chapter 5

< Your power is a dangerous thing. > Ptera approved, as Lance flew to Viridian. Although it was dangerous, there were certain supplies that they could not buy in the small market in Pallet, and she was looking forwards to making Red something special tonight. After all, it had been three months of relative peace… surely that deserved some recognition?

< Of course. > Lance replied. < I can no longer draw from Mother’s Forest. I expected that, but this alternative is… suitable. >

< You steal life and give life, don’t you, Master? >

< It works with lesser things, also. > Lance reminded. < Pain… I can steal pain or inflict pain. > The expression of agony fixed on the man’s face after he had tried to grope her in the bakery aisle at Pallet’s supermarket two weeks ago had been most satisfying.

< But what about in between? Do you carry that pain? >

Lance nodded.

< That’s dangerous, Master! >

< I shan’t do it again unless I have to, Ptera. >

<… I knew it! >

< You knew what? >

< You want Red as your mate! > Aerodactyl crowed.

< Oh, so what if I do? >

< It’s cute. > The fossil dinosaur grinned. < I like her. >

< Yes, she is rather lovable… and now Yellow is firmly out of the way, well, I dare say we should not have to deal with anything. >

< And everyone thinks she’s a boy. >

< It is simpler, at times, to be a boy, yes. > Lance agreed. < What perplexes me is that Green has not figured out this secret… or Blue for that matter. >

There was no reply to that, and Lance recalled Ptera in front of the small Asian grocery. Inside, she purchased various things.

Red was off challenging some other idiot who wanted to beat the Champion. Really, when would those no-talent hacks learn that she was almost unbeatable? But it was fun to wipe off the smirk off his face as Poli blasted his Onix into submission.

She watched as he released a Weezing, frowning. She’d have to watch out in case it exploded, but other than that…

“Poli, Return!”

The boy laughed, as if he expected her to surrender. Why would she?

She swapped for poke balls, releasing her pokémon. “Pika, I choose you!”

The Pikachu that came out looked surprised. Well, Red had to admit that she hadn’t let Pika out of the ball for a while, since Lance had started living with her.

She was afraid that they might hurt each other.

Still, as the Weezing charged forwards, Pika just sat there.

“Pikachu, Thunder!”

Pikachu just sat there, and did not move, not even when Weezing barreled into it with a Tackle attack.

What was going on?

Why wasn’t she fighting?

“Pika, come on!” Red pleaded. When Pika still didn’t move, Red recalled her with a frown.

She could still win this.

She didn’t need Pika if Pika wasn’t going to fight for her!

Did Pika really like Yellow better? Was that why he would not fight for his real trainer, his first trainer, and the one who had captured him?

Rage burned in her eyes. “You asked for it. Pika, return! I choose you, Vee!”

Her Eevee popped out in a bright glow of light. Red nodded as she drew out the legendary firestone and flashed it. “Flamethrower!”

Weezing countered with Smog, sending out an explosive burst. Vee shifted into Jolteon without being told, evading, and then shot out Pin Missile.

Weezing exploded upon coming in contact with the sharp needles. Satisfied, Red waited for him to send out more pokémon.

The Pokemaniac had no more pokémon… he handed over fifty pokeyen in cash and waved goodbye to her, walking away slowly.

Red dropped by the Viridian Pokemon Center before she went home. Nurse Joy promised to give Pika a thorough checkup.

She returned home to find that Lance had cooked up a veritable feast, and was waiting for her, dressed in one of her kimono. The silver birches glittered on dark blue fabric as she gaped.

“Welcome home.”

“Thanks.” Red took off her sneakers at the door and closed it, seeing several neighbors peeking out from their houses.

She was sure rumors were flying. Not that they hadn’t been ever since Lance moved in with her, but even so…

She idly wondered what happened when she and Lance didn’t take off together.

Well, it mattered little.

“What’s for dinner? Smells delicious!”

“I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Green was a tad jealous of Red, though he would never admit it. Red’s girlfriend was a perfectly traditional housewife, and though she was a pokémon trainer also – who wasn’t, in this day and age, she and Red went off on trips once or twice a week together.

It would be nice to have a girlfriend.

Yellow had been too young, and Blue was too unsteady for his taste.

Well, he wasn’t selfish enough to go after his friend’s girl.

Red gaped at the array of dishes. “Lance, you really outdid yourself today. What’s the special occasion?”

Lance smirked. “You can’t remember?”

“Um… no?”

“You’re so cute when you’re clueless.” She remarked, much to Red’s chagrin. “It’s been three months since I moved in with you.”

“Wow, time really flies.” Red stretched, and nodded. “Well, I hope we get to live together for a long time.”

Lance hid a smile, wondering if Red had just realized what she had confessed. Apparently she didn’t, so the Dragon Master shrugged and dished up steaming rice for both of them.

“Enjoy.” Lance grinned.

Red did, heartily. She was sure that in that one meal, she had eaten more than the last few meals combined. But it was so yummy!

It was really nice living with Lance, and she meant what she said.

Now if only those weird dreams would stop, everything would be perfect…

End Chapter

Completed 7/14/06

Started 7/13/06

Yes, I make Red and Lance eat Japanese and Chinese cuisine too. Because after all, aren’t they Japanese? Or Asian at the very least? *Shrug*