I <3 Dragon Pokemon…

Disclaimer: I don’t own Pokemon, okay?

This is Heterosexual Championshipping, although Red doesn’t know Lance’s gender yet.

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

Chapter 4: Chalk Pastel

“Lance-chan?”
Lance blinked, wondering why and when he had added the little tag to her name. It was appropriate enough for a girl, but he didn’t know that yet.

“What is it?” She asked.

“I have a question, and…”
“Ask away.”

“Okay!” Red beamed. “I-I… I need help with something.”

“Of course I’ll help.” She got up and followed him to a stream.

“I was practicing current manipulating, but…” As Red demonstrated, the water rose until it was poised to attack, before collapsing. “I can call up the power, but it won’t attack!”

“Control without will can be useless too,” She grinned. That was the problem.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“You have no will to attack right now. Obviously, it would a waste of water if you did. The river understands you are just practicing, so…’

“Oh!”
“Do not worry, in a real situation it will work. Just try not to tire yourself out.”

He sighed in relief. There was nothing wrong with him! “Great!”

Red left without another word, as Lance turned her attention back to the milkshakes she was making.

She didn’t mind cooking for both of them. The last time Red had tried, it was a good thing Dragon masters could control weather, or else he could have burnt down the forest with that attempt at curry.

Oh well.

Lance shook her head. * I do hope Red doesn’t try to take the test too early, it could have disastrous results. *

Still, the boy was getting better, no doubt about that.

Back in the cave, Red sighed as he looked at Storm. “I couldn’t do it.”

Why?

“I don’t know…”

Storm shook her head. * You humans are so complicated… I’m sure Lance wouldn’t mind if she knew Red liked her. He would be a good Mate for her. Oh well. Let master be stubborn. *

It will work out in time.

“I hope so.”

Me too, for your sake.

“But he doesn’t seem to care! What if I’m only here so that William doesn’t get to be a master?”

Storm’s head whipped around. Where did you hear that?

< Lugia told me. > He said, not even knowing he was using telepathy.

< Do not worry. I don’t think Lance would train you if that was the only reason. >

< Why not? > Tears began to fill Red’s eyes.

< Because. You have to be worthy. >

< Hmm? >

< Think about the time and emotional cost it takes to personally train someone. Lance isn’t doing this for Clair; he’s doing it for you. >

< I think I see… >

< He really does care for you, Master Red. >

< I know… I just wish he’d show it more. >

< Be patient. After all, what are dragons known for? >

Red sighed despondently. * I will try my best then. But… I’m not worthy of his love. I bet Clair is more powerful… I can’t even get close to Lance’s power… *

The next day, he threw himself into the weather summoning with enough fervor to cause a raging blizzard that lasted three weeks. He just worked on healing and weaponry spells during that time.

Lance smiled. * Maybe sooner than I thought… *

She checked on the scones she was baking and smiled again.

* He is such a cute child… *

Alas, his impulsive nature could still be a problem. Perhaps, with time, he would mature. Boys did grow up more slowly, if she remembered correctly.

She would just wait.

And yet, maybe those lessons had helped with control. In either case, Red wasn’t brooding.

If your emotions got into battle, it caused severe problems.

Accuracy loss and possible death were only two of the many…

Oh, it was annoying, certainly, but as Lugia’s Chosen he had seen his share of pathetic magicians trying to become Dragon masters.

Their remains still littered the ice caves.

Whirl Islands was Lugia’s testing spot. Four tests, none of them easy, waited the prospective trainer.

Lance shook her head, remembering her own trial. Even Lugia’s Chosen had to face the wrath of the elements without aid.

Still, she had passed. As Dragon Master, she oversaw the others. Many were pathetic idiots, who had achieved their Dragon-types through cruel and unusual means.

So it was justifying revenge when they failed miserably.

“Ne, Lance-chan?”
“Drop the –chan please.” Lance said. She was a bit unnerved at his close proximity. When had Red snuck up on her?

“Oh.” He blinked, and nodded. “Um… I just finished the ‘armor scales’ spell, and it held up to three Hyper Beams.”

“Excellent work.” As he noticed Red’s slight fluster and the pale pink in his cheeks, a hypothesis began to brew in the Dragon Master’s mind. * I might as well have a little fun with him, and see if what I think is true is true. *

“How nice.” Lance grinned. “How about a little something for mastering that difficult spell?”

Red blinked. “Hmm?”

He was completely unprepared when the Dragon Master kissed him softly.

“So pretty…” Lance whispered, her fingers sliding into his hair.

Completely gob smacked, the younger teen only stared uncomprehendingly.

Warm, oh gods, so warm and sweet and perfect…

Does this mean he’s interested in me? Do I have a chance now?

So pretty…

And I thought he was cold, too! How silly of me. He’s like ice fire, and so warm…

So warm…

Lance’s eyes only opened when he kissed her back of his own volition.

End Chapter

Created and completed 3/21/04

Edited 8/17/09

Red is pretty tricky on his own, isn’t he? ^_~