Another chapter…

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN POKEMON! It belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics, k? This is fanwork, no copyright infringement is intended, non-profit, and since I wrote it its mine. Don’t’ take my ideas, like Destiny and the Triple Guardianship.

Pairings: pre-Championshipping

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

Timeline: 6 days

Chapter 5: Inútil Skirmish

“I challenge you to a pokemon battle.”

“Why?” Lance asked.

“To get stronger, of course!” Misty stamped her foot. “Are you too weak to accept? Forfeit now then.”

“Don’t say that to my aniki!” Ash yelled.

Lance resisted the urge to smirk. “Oh? Well then, I accept your challenge. What do I get if I win?”

Misty held up an Ultra Ball and a Revive. The store was still full, few pokemon items were used except Repel in this day and age.

“And what do you want of mine?”

“Your necklace.” Misty said.

Lance touched the white gem hanging between two steel dragon wings. “Well… this is a memento from my mother.”

“Look, are you battling or not?”

“This is worth more. What am I going to do with those items anyways?”

“Fine!” Misty returned with 4 Full Restore. “These?”

“Let’s do it.”

< Misty… shouldn’t have done this. > Ash remarked to Pika-chan as the two trainers got ready to battle.

“Go! Goldeen!”

“So you did catch something.” Lance said, sounding pleased. “Larvitar!”
The ground type jumped on top of Goldeen with a bite attack. The inexperienced fish panicked, and used Supersonic…

Only to black out as a second Bite attack wiped it into the ground.

“I win.” Lance said, as Misty grudgingly handed over the items.

“Misty!” Brock scolded, running over, followed by his new Diglett… who ran, no… tunneled after him.

“What?”

“This is like gambling! What would dad say if he found out!”
“Dad’s a trainer! He’ll understand!”

“I would.” Bruno interrupted, walking out the door. “You could have had a fighting chance, but Goldeen can’t fight on land.”

“What?”
“That type of water pokemon can’t fight on land. It’s a fish.”

“B-but Lapras can!”

“Lapras is fine on land, because it is at least somewhat mobile. Goldeen is not. I hope you’ve learned your lesson.”

Misty sulked.

Lance collected the Full Restores and stuck them in his backpack.

“Aniki.” Ash smiled, hugging him.

“Yes, I won.”

“I knew you would.”

Bruno sneezed, his hay fever was getting the better of him. “Let’s go inside, lunch is almost ready.”

“Yay!”

Ash ran off, while Lance ran after him. Brock walked along slowly, feeling completely at ease, while Misty was more like a lit fuse.

“Patience is something you’ll have to learn, Misty.”

“Dad!”

“It’s true.” Bruno paused. “I know you want to become a great water trainer like your mother, but that just isn’t possible.”

“WHAT?!”

“She is dedicated, you aren’t.”

“How can you say that?” Misty said, now near tears.

“Now, now!” Marina scolded Bruno. “Misty is only nine.”

“Yes, but she has to learn. The sooner, the better.”

“I suppose you are right, dear. But don’t worry, Misty. What really matters is perseverance.”

“What’s that?”

“Keep on the path and don’t give up. If you want a dream badly enough, you’ll chase it forever.”

“Oh…”

Ash yawned, snuggled next to Lance in the bottom bunk.

< Otouto? >

< I’m fine. I just wanted your company. >

< Ah… >

< That was so cool! >
< You mean the battle with Larvitar? Childishly simple, really, compared to what other battles I’ve fought. >

< Kakkoii… >

< What else? >

< Can you tell me a bedtime story? >

Lance chuckled telepathically. < About what? >

< Us! >

< Well then… > Lance looked for a suitably harmless memory, smiled, and began.

< Once upon a time… there was a boy named Ash, who was helping his mother clean their house. He happened to find a set of magical cards in his attic… >

Ash soon fell asleep as the tale of past adventure wore on, but Lance remained awake.

< Lugia-san, should we hyper scan the continent and check the other outposts. >

< I think not. They are very few in number and widely scattered. >

< A few can achieve harmony, but most cannot. >

< As was expected. > Lugia sighed. < I hate destruction, but they brought it upon themselves. >

< Yes. >

< Continue to observe. See if change can be wrought in them. >

< Hai, Lugia-san. >

Lance rested his head on the pillow, and then promptly fell asleep.

End Chapter

Complete 4/16/04, created 4/15/04