Basically just a lot of battling in this 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 5: Loser

It was dark and cooler than the above chambers, but the battling arena wasn’t decorated with spiderwebs, rusty armor, or ancient torture weapons. There was no moldering fungus or green slime anywhere. In fact, the entire area was cleanly swept and pleasant.

Ash looked at Anton’s startled expression. “Not what you were expecting?”

“Not really.” Anton replied.

“Well, get used to surprises.” Ash replied as he walked to one of the platforms. “Key that hides the power of the stars, reveal your true form before me. Your master under the seal of contract Ashura commandeth you, Release.”

Ash’s staff formed in his hands and he grinned at Anton. “So basically we fight until you run out of pokemon?”

Anton snorted. “You’ll run out first! Let’s begin!”

“As you wish…” Ash said sarcastically.

Anton immediately released Raticate again.

“You irritate me.” Ash replied simply. “Kingler, Guillotine!”

His claws flashed, the one-hit KO move successful.

Frustrated, Anton released pokemon after pokemon, but Ash just pulled out card after card, finishing off all of them.

Lance and Charlotte munched on caramel coated popcorn as they observed.

“Just give up.” Ash said, as Huntail crumpled under Jolteon’s attack.

“Never!”

“I realize that you feel the need to play the hero, but there is no audience here watching you on national T.V. and therefore no need to keep up appearances.”

“Why-you-.” Anton turned the color of a beet and freaked out, complaining about ‘nobility’ and ‘courage’ and even some far-fetched ‘honor’ spiel.

Ash tuned it out. * Delusions… *

Lance-chan winked at him, and he grinned as he used Frameshift.

Anton paled as all of his pokemon fell over defeated.

“What the-.”

“I love being a guardian.’ Ash mused.

Lance smirked. “Oh yes.”

Charlotte put down the tray of snacks. “Well, can he leave now?”

“Since it’s snowing outside, he can stay until he stops.” Ash said kindly.

Anton frowned, not wanting their hospitality, but as the snow drifted in, realized it was necessary.

“Fine! Only for tonight.” He spat.

“This reminds me of an igloo situation…” Lance murmured as she exited the area.

Ash grinned at the thought. * True… only instead of Bob we have the annoying Anton. *

“Still the same.” Charlotte remarked.

“You think of reincarnation?”

“No, I’m just tired.” Charlotte said before she left. “Oh, and if you do find that orb, tell me will you? I’ll get rid of it.”

Ash nodded.

Anton’s room was furnished in shades of burgundy and reminded him of a hotel room. It wasn’t unpleasant in itself, just the situation.

He didn’t want to rely on his useless little brother.

Why wasn’t he helping?

Anton shook his head. He had to find out the secret! As he recalled their matches, he suddenly thought of the key Ash wore.

“That key is… what I need! He can summon endless supplies of pokemon! Of course!” He declared.

Blastoise yawned.

“Good observation.” A voice remarked. “But it’s not that simple.”

Anton turned and saw a … ghost?

“AHHHHH!”

Gengar yawned. “Well, you’d have to steal the key. And that’s impossible. You’d have to go through both of the other guardians first.”

Anton blinked.

“Or, if you wanted, you could take their keys.”

“Gengar.” Charlotte said, walking in. “Sowing mischief again?”

Aye, mistress! Gengar saluted.

“As you were. Parade Rest and Stand Easy.” Charlotte said, recalling her marching band years. “But I don’t have the key with me, remember?”

Anton scowled. “You’re all heartless!”

“Dear, we’re not the one who destroyed the environment in the first place.” Charlotte retorted.

Anton turned pink at the title.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not interested in you.” Charlotte said, pouring herself a cup of strong black coffee, before dropping in four sugar cubes and two teaspoons of honey, along with a little container of cream.

She trotted out the door, almost dancing as if she knew something he didn’t.

Anton ground his teeth.

< You look down. > A creepy voice commented.

Anton shot into the air like a plucked chicken. “Yikes!”

< So jumpy, the ‘Chosen One’ is. >

Anton screeched. “ARTICUNO!”

< Whom did you expect? > Articuno asked as she shook herself. < You think too highly of yourself. >

Anton pulled out a master ball and chucked it at Articuno, but it just went through her.

< Hey! I’m trying to be civil. CHOSEN! >

Lance appeared a second later in Dratini pajamas and carrying a mug of hot apple cider. She raised an eyebrow. “Articuno-chan, you did have a reason for summoning me just as I was about to kiss my little koibito senseless, yes?”

< Can you castrate him or something? I think he needs it. >

Anton fainted.

Lance tsked and instead locked him in the guest room where he would not be able to annoy anyone hopefully.

End Chapter!

Completed 1/2/04