Whee! *Waves* Started 6/7/04

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic written by me. So, don’t take it or I will find you, eventually... ANGER! >.<

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

Chapter 9

The ability to extemporize is very useful.

Ash managed to sweet-talk a boat captain into giving him a ride to Mahogany – with luck, of course – and off he went to fight Chuck.

It was Pidgeot’s turn to shine.

Primeape couldn’t hit her; it was useful Ash had trained a primeape briefly in the past so he knew somewhat how to predict its attack patterns. They all missed Pidgeot by a mile.

The bird was very proud of herself.

Poliwrath might have been harder, had he used Charmander or something but luckily, Pidgeot was speed based.

She did take damage from Surf while charging for Sky Attack, but it was a small price to pay when she blasted Poliwrath to smithereens later.

So all in all, Ash took the Storm Badge happily.

That was when he spotted a familiar visage in the Pokemon Center.

“Lance? What are you doing here?”

The Dragon Master turned, surprised. “Oh, hi Ash. It’s nice to see you again. How is your journey going?”

“Well, I have five badges.” Ash said. “I wanted to fight Morty and Jasmine, but neither of them are at their gyms.”

“Strange,” Lance agreed. “I know Jasmine broke her leg so she’s still at the hospital in Olivine, but Morty should be at his gym…”

“Oh.”

“I’ll go with you if you’re scared?” Lance offered teasingly.

He was taken aback when Ash turned on giant shimmery puppy-dog eyes and latched onto him. “Could you?”

Pikachu tried not to giggle and spoil Ash’s acting as she hid in his backpack with Corsola.

“… I suppose.” Lance said, recovering from his shock. * What is he doing? * “Let’s go. Dragonite’s waiting outside.”

“Wai!” Ash cheered, glomping onto Lance tightly as Dragonite took off.

“Ash? I can’t breathe.”

“Ah! Gomen ne!”

Well, … yes. This was strange.

What had gotten into Ash? For all intents and purposes, he should be off journeying to the Orange Islands soon, find the amulet, and revive Destiny.

That would work.

But if he won Johto League, he’d be stuck in Johto.

Lugia-san would not be happy with this new development.

After about ten minutes, they set down in Ecruteak. Sure enough, Morty’s gym was empty at first glance.

Lance’s blue eyes glowed whitely for a second. < Morty… I know you’re in here. Hiding won’t do any good. >

< Ah, so Lugia’s Chosen guardian has come to pay me a visit personally! How nice. >

< Morty… >

The ghost trainer laughed as he faded into view. < What do you want? >

< Shouldn’t you be doing your gym leader duties? >

Morty shrugged. < I’ve been busy protecting Honou’s statue, and I don’t have time. I have this as my duty; remember? >

< True. Do you mind sparing a few minutes for a battle? >

< If I fight you I’ll lose. > Morty said truthfully.

< Not me, him. >

Ash eeped as Morty’s violet eyes looked at him. “Hi?”

< You want to battle me? >

Ash nodded, as Morty shrugged. < So be it. I’ll make this fast. Gastly, Hypnosis… >

Pikachu freaked and fried everyone in the vicinity with Thundershock.

Lance brushed the coating of soot off his cape and sighed. * Perfectly good outfit ruined… *

Morty blinked, recalled Gastly, and sent out Haunter. < That was fast… >

Pikachu fried another pokemon.

Shrugging, Morty swapped for Gengar. This time, Pikachu’s terror got the better of him and he ran away.

“If that’s the case, I’ll use Bulbasaur.”

< Gengar, Night Shade. >

Bulbasaur retaliated with Leech Seed, and then waited as Leech Seed sapped Gengar’s energy.

It worked, right?

A Mega Drain at the end also helped heal her. And even though she got knocked around with Confuse Ray and Lick once or twice, Leech seed still was in effect.

So all in all, Ash got the Fog Badge.

Afterwards, Lance stayed behind while Ash went to the Center.

< Why are you interested in him, Dragon Master? >

< He’s Chosen like I am. >

Morty frowned. < So young? Well, he can’t be more than fourteen. >

< He isn’t, as such. >

< … That could be troublesome. > Morty sighed. < I hope he’ll be safe, because no matter what, insane legendary birds running around is bad for business. >

< You would know better than I. >

< I suppose. Honou’s been gone most of the time too. But two years ago, he was in a bad mood and accidentally burnt down that tower over there. >

< That would explain it… >

< Then, Lugia got angry at him for wasting energy and flew off to Whirl Islands…>

< Hmm… >

< So, now what? >

< I’ll keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn’t snap when Destiny revives. >

< Good luck then. >

< You as well, > Lance was respectfully, before he vanished in a flash of white smoke.

Morty waved a quick farewell.

End Chapter

Completed 6/7/04