Plotbunny fic!
Title: Riding the Tempest

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics and Satoshi Tajiri. This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic written by me so it’s mine! All mine! Don’t take my work.

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

Fic Timeline: AU (alternate universe obviously…) spins off post-‘Mew Amulet’

Prologue/Chapter 1

“Thomas,” The man said, holding his dying friend. “Thomas!”

“It’s no use, Hazel.” Thomas Batson gasped out. “I can’t live past this night.”

“Impossible! I’ll have Alakazam teleport us to Viridian! There must be something we can do!”

“Arbok venom is fatal…” Thomas trailed off, as Hazel shook him. “No! You’re wrong!”

“I…”

“Don’t talk! Save your strength!” The black-haired man said, trying not to cry in his frustration and inability to do anything.

“Please… promise me…” Thomas gasped, as another spasm shook him. “Raise… my child… as your own…”

“I promise.” Hazel Tajiri swore fervently. “I promise!”

Thomas’s eyes closed as he smiled faintly. “I’m glad…”

There were no more words spoken.

Somewhere off in the distance, a baby cried.

Twelve years later…

“Ne, Lance, you’re so mean!” Ash cried, trying to grab the poke ball his older brother was holding.

Fourteen-year old Lance Tajiri smirked, his red hair glowing in the sun as he knelt down next to Ash. “Now, now, I wasn’t doing it on purpose.”

Ash pouted a little. “I just wanted to see.”

“See? Well, let’s take a look…” Pressing the release button, out popped a Charmander.

“It’s so cute!” Ash cried, immediately latching on to the startled pokemon. Lance chuckled.

“Isn’t she?”

“… She?”

“Yes, she’s yours now.”

“Aniki! I take back everything I said about you!” Ash said, glomping onto Lance. “You’re the best older brother anyone could have!”

Lance smiled, ruffling Ash’s black hair. “Hai! Well, I have to fly back to Indigo Plateau tomorrow morning.”

“Why do you have to leave so soon?”

“I only really came back for your graduation.”

“But…but…” Ash developed teary eyes. “I…I want you to stay!”

“I’m sorry Ash. Maybe you can come with me to the Plateau some other time.” Lance said. “I wish you good luck on your journey.”

“Leaving so soon?” Delia asked.

Lance nodded. “Kairyuu, let’s Fly!” Climbing on Dragonite’s back, he waved goodbye to Ash and his mother as he flew off.

He was nearly at Indigo when it happened. Startled, the Dragon Master opened his mouth to say something, but that was when the tranquilizers kicked in and he fell. Where had they come from?

He wasn’t quite sure…

LANCE! Dragonite roared, flying down and managing to catch him before he hit the ground. What’s wrong?

Unfortunately, his trainer was fast asleep and unable to answer. Dragonite kept watch, worried.

This was not an assassination attempt, if that had been the case they would have attacked him first…

This was dangerous.

Lance woke up about half an hour later, while Dragonite fussed over him. Are you all right?

“I’m well enough.”

“But…” Dragonite’s eyes widened as Lance’s form began to shift, and shrink in on him, before a mew with coal-black fur floated there.

Lance? What is this?

The mew shrugged. < Well, this has never happened before. >

This is awful! What to do? What to do? What are we going to do? I thought you were going to take the test for Dragon’s Mastery in four months! Now what?

< I still am, if I can. I-. > Lance stopped, eyes narrowing. < I knew the mews wouldn’t have given up that easily! >

?

< It’s a long story, Dragonite, but first… let’s see, no amulet, I wonder if I kept the power though… >

Dragonite jumped as the area around them was suddenly devoid of forest in a circle with diameter 20 ft.

Whoa! I never knew you were psychic!

< I didn’t think I was either, at least not in this lifetime. But since I’ve somehow turned into a mew… > Lance shrugged elegantly. < Might as well make do. >

< But what about? >

< Transform is one of Mew’s first attacks. > Lance grinned, turning back into his appearance normal. < Now, just one more thing… >

Lugia was not in a good mood.

< Oh, I know we should have finished them off last time! >

< Its a bit late now, isn’t ti? > Lance asked. <And it’s not them who we hate; it’s the amulet. >

< That’s true… >

< So now what, Lugia-san? >

< I won’t deny this will make your test of Mastery infinitely simpler. I’ve got it! Why don’t you keep an eye on him! >

< Ash? But… >

< But what? >

< I… Lugia, what am I going to do! He’s my younger brother, at least what the world sees and he thinks, and that’s practically the only thing besides his age keeping me from, you know. >

< Hmm… > Lugia looked thoughtful. < Let me think on it. >

< Lugia! >

< Don’t worry, my Chosen. You’re mine, no matter what those mews think. Until then, keep him safe. >

< That’s only because Zapdos and Honou will kill you if I don’t. >

< Er, yes. But it’ll be fun! >

Lugia logged off as Lance sighed. < Might as well then… let’s try, Substitute… >

After several tries, with Dragonite’s help, Lance sent Dragonite back to Indigo with an energy clone that would battle and nothing else, and teleported back to Pallet to find Ash.

End Chapter

Created 5/20/04

Completed 6/7/04