Whee! Another chapter!

Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon, ok? Ok! It belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanwork written by me and so I own it.

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

Ash: I see you’re writing another championshippy

Phantomness: Yep!
Lance: I was in a coma and I suddenly woke up?
Phantomness: Um… well, I guess balancing without help was taking its toll on you…

Lance: *frowns*

Phantomness: *glares* Well, I’m sorry!

Ash: Now, now, don’t fight…I’m waiting for the next chapter.

Chapter 2

Ash woke up, feeling disoriented and slightly dizzy. The last thing he remembered was running.

“Where am I?!”

He looked around; the room was done tastefully in dark blue and red, with a tapestry of dragon pokemon on the wall, and a working area. But as nice as it was, it wasn’t his room.

“Pikachu!”

He spotted the mouse sleeping peacefully on a pillow placed conveniently elsewhere. Ash quickly ran over and shook the mouse awake.

Wha?

“Pikachu! We have to get out of here!”

Pikachu yawned, and then looked around. This is! Yes! We might have been kidnapped!

“I know! Let’s escape before whoever it is comes back!”

They ran for the door, which was unlocked, much to Ash’s surprise, and then they dashed down the halls.

Unfortunately, Ash slipped on a patch of wet floor, having ignored the ‘Wet floor’ signs in yellow triangles that were placed around the area. He would have hit the wall, but someone grabbed the back of his shirt.

“You okay?”

Ash stared up into a pair of concerned black eyes and his mind kicked into overdrive. “Can I have your autograph?”

Bruno blinked. “Uh… sure…”

Ash proffered a pen, and Bruno sighed his name on the back of Ash’s League Cap, still somewhat confused.

“So, where are you running off to?”

“Why am I here?”

Bruno scratched his head. “I’m not quite sure either…”

“Huh?”

“I know Lorelei and Agatha brought you back though…”

“They did? Why?”

“I don’t know.”

While the two males, both somewhat lacking in the intellectual area, racked their brains to figure out a solution, another person intruded on the scene.

“So you’re awake.”

Ash jumped and nearly slipped on the floor again, were it not for Pidgeotto’s quick thinking as she also grabbed his shirt with her talons.

Pikachu sparked his cheeks in warning.

“I suppose you want an explanation.” Lance said, having not dropped the tray he was carrying. The aroma of pancakes and blueberries drifted towards the boy. “So why don’t we discuss it over breakfast?”

Ash’s stomach chose to agree, and Ash and Pikachu followed the Dragon trainer warily to another area.

Ash promptly devoured ten pancakes, smothered with jelly, syrup, and whipped cream, plus the aforementioned blueberries. Once his stomach quit protesting, he finished it off with a swig of milk and turned to the trainer. “I’m listening.”

“You were eavesdropping on them, weren’t you?”

“Er… well, yes.” Ash admitted. “I just wanted an autograph though! I wasn’t doing anything wrong!”

“No, you were not.’ Lance agreed, tapping his fingers against the glass of sparkling cider he held. “But it was very convenient.”

“… What?”

“I am curious as though why you missed the ceremony though.”

“How’d you know?”

“I was giving the opening speech.” Lance said, ignoring the fact that that event had been quite taxing, and maintaining the illusions to cover his ill health had probably led to his collapse post-energy drain.

“…. Oh.”

“Did that lead to your desire for your autograph?”

Ash nodded rapidly. “See, I figured it would be a waste of time if I just came to indigo and didn’t do anything…”

“You weren’t competing?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I noticed that you forfeited a match in the fourth round.”

“It wasn’t on purpose! Team Rocket kidnapped me and there was nothing I could do about it!”

Lance raised an eyebrow. “I see…”

“Why am I answering all the questions now? You said you’d tell me why I got kidnapped.” Ash pouted.

“Yes, that’s fair.” Lance adjusted the collar of his cloak and leaned forwards over the table. “It’s not a long story.”

“Okay.”

“You wouldn’t know, but I haven’t been exactly… well, over the past few months.” Lance said. “This is the result of an action known as ‘balancing.’”

Pikachu pricked up his ears underneath the table where he was consuming an apple voraciously.

“Balancing involves keeping the pokemon population steady… but it places great strain on the ones Chosen.”

“Go on…” Ash said.

“Of course, its easier for two people to do it than just one.” Lance continued. “I do not like being alone, you know…”

“What does this have to do with me?”

“It has plenty to do with you, because you are the youngest of the Chosen.”

Ash did a Magikarp impression for a few minutes, while Pikachu assessed the situation quickly. The Dragon Master wasn’t lying…

So that meant…

He’s the child of light and lightning!

“Correct.” Lance said.

But he’s so young! Why are you putting the burden on him now? Isn’t it unfair?

“I have no choice. I can’t keep the energy levels steady on my own.’ Lance said. “The Dream Realm continues to expand, and it draws my power to stabilize.”

… so?

“I’ll train him to assume the mantle of duty.” Lance said.

Ash stared at him. “But why me?”

“Why not you?”

“I-I’m not a good trainer, I didn’t even make it to the league this year, and I get all my badges out of pity…” Ash looked down. “Plus, I can’t control my Charizard, so that says nothing…”
“True enough, but I can teach you what to do.”

“You can?” Ash’s eyes shimmered with excitement. “Really?”

“I can show you the keys to power… but you will have to take the responsibility that comes with it. And this is a path that must be walked to the end, no matter what. Will you take it?”

The thrill thrummed through his veins at the mention of power and control, and… well… it didn’t hurt that Lance was going to teach him personally!
The eleven – almost twelve – year-old’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“When do we start?”

“Tomorrow. You should break the news to your family and friends first.”

Ash nodded, jumping up and down with happiness almost.

It was perfect! Wow! What a great situation!

He couldn’t wait to tell Misty and brock, and his mom would be happy for him too!

Yay!

< And so it begins… >

Lance’s eyes glazed over for a second. < I trust it meets with your approval, Ho-oh-san? >

< He is correct, you know. It is early. >

< I have no choice. Fire still sleeps, injured and healing, and I must control. But I cannot do it alone. >

< Poor child, the dream realm puts so much pressure on you. >

Lance shrugged. < What can I do? That realm runs on the power of the guardians and that alone… so it must be kept strong. >

< Then I’ll help… > Honou said. < I’ll gift you with her powers, except light and sun and flame. Those will go to him. >

< As you will… > Lance said, as a warm flow of energy flooded him, easing away much of the strain.

End Chapter

Created 5/12/04, completed 5/12/04