Whee! Another chapter

Don’t die on me, plotbunny, please!

Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon, as much as I would love to. If I did I’d probably have at least a couple million dollars… anyways, pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This is non-profit fanwork, mine under the international copyright laws, and I’m not trying to infringe on pokemon copyright, k?

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

 

Chapter 4: Oscuroso Brillante

 

            Nothing.

            Absolutely nothing.

            It had been half an hour of psychic scanning, and still no useful information had popped up. The boy’s minds corresponded with their stories…

            So why did she still feel uneasy?

            No, that wasn’t quite right. The younger one – Ash, was it – he was fine. Completely clean… But the older one… for some reason, she felt as if he was familiar. But that was impossible.

            Wasn’t it?

            With an inward sigh, Agatha pronounced them both safe and Bruno took them to their new home.

 

            Brock was actually not too set against the idea, he was lax about it.

            Ash wasn’t sure why misty was so resentful, but he ignored it. For the time being, at least.

            Perhaps a week passed.

 

            “I don’t think they are ready yet,’ Marina was saying, as Ash peeked into the miniature bake-oven where chocolate chip cookies were baking.

            Ash sighed. “But I want some.”

            ‘You have to wait.”

            Ash sighed and went to find Lance. The Dragon Master was fishing, having already pulled up a trout but not much else.

            “At least there are a few non-pokemon fishes.” Lance said. “But the pokemon will probably never return.”

            “Aa.”

            < So, what have you observed? >

            < I think Marina and Bruno are nice people. >

            < Yes, I agree. Brock is steady enough, although that could just be the effect of isolationism. >

            < Misty annoys me, aniki. >

            < She annoys me too, otouto. Don’t worry. We will not have to stay here for long. Lugia said a year at the most. That isn’t too long. And I’ll never leave you, right? >

            < Hai…Ok! >

            Ash beamed.

 

            Lance pulled up another trout. “Well, if I catch a couple more we’ll have enough for dinner.”

            Ash beamed.

            Misty walked by with her Lapras, head up in the air.

            Where did that come from?

            False pride, maybe?

            Maybe.

 

            “Hey!” Brock said, waving. “Looks like you didn’t get too bad.”

            “I hope a few more bite. We can have fish tonight.”

            “Well, it’ll be a change from canned food.”

            “Aa.”

            Brock released his Geodude, happily holding the little creature close to his body. “Say, doesn’t Ash have a Pikachu?”

            “It was actually our dad’s.”

            “No, I meant something else. Pikachu’s are electric-types, right?”

            “Yes… why?”

            “Can’t you just zap the fish out?”

            “Then they might not be edible, Brock.”

            “Oh.”

            Pikachu peered over Ash’s shoulder.

            She was cloaked in illusion, looking much older than she really was. Fur already tinted with shades of gray, brown stripes grizzled.

            ‘Besides, Pikachu’s not much of a battler. Too old.”

            “I see.”

            Lance yanked up another trout. “Well, at least I’m not doing too badly.”

            Brock nodded. “I’m going to see if I can get another pokemon, I found a Sandshrew yesterday but it ran away.”

            “Cool.”

 

            Ash clung onto Lance tightly, as Brock walked off.

            < Ash, I can’t breathe. >

            < Gomen nasai, aniki! >

            < No, it’s fine. > Lance said, as Ash sat in his lap, still huggling. < I know you like affection. >

            < Hai ~! > Ash trilled.

            < So kawaii. >

 

            Pikachu sniffed the air. < Magmar coming. >

            < Level? >

            < Twenty-three. >

            < Too weak then. If it attacks we’ll retaliate, otherwise just let it be. >

            < Of course. >

 

            After all, it was no ordinary pikachu, but Pika-chan.

            Apparently a few hundred years of training in the dream realm had done her some good.

            Ash had left her there until she came to her senses. Well, the method had worked. She had slimmed and toned and her powers had grown exponentially.

            It had also toned down her voracious appetite.

            That saved money!

            Lance put an arm around Ash, as they sat there, holding each other.

            < I want to go home… >

            < So do I, otouto. But we have to finish this. >

            < Duty again. >

            < Well, that’s what we are Chosen for. >

           

            Lance held Ash for a long time. But in another hour, he had snagged five more fish and that was enough for dinner.

            Misty said it must be talent, but she still seemed resentful.

            Why in the world?

 

End Chapter

Complete 4/15/04