Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

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

Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Ash)

Chapter 5

The next morning, all tears had vanished, and they were grimly heading towards the next Team Rocket outpost. They fully expected an ambush, but Koga and Aya and Janine were well versed in techniques that would be of use then.

They were soon attacked, but Team Rocket’s main force was weak, so it was little contest, what with gym leaders and such on their side.

Ash ignored the fact that the others were killing people. He wasn’t that callous yet – at least not directly. They were almost pokémon themselves. Erika had a mean arrow, and the others wielded knives.

Ash wondered idly if he should have learned how to use a weapon, before he shook the thought off.

What need did he have of any martial weapon? Though he might need to learn how to fence, if he was going to use the Sacred Sword, hmm.

Maybe Koga would teach him?

Asking would do no harm, so he did.

Koga stared at Ash, before he shook his head. “ You’re too old.”

“I’m… I’m what?”

“You can’t possibly learn traditional swordplay at your age. I could teach you a little so you aren’t defenseless, but all the other skills are impossible now…”

Ash winced, but swallowed. “So you’ll teach me a little?”

“If you’d like. I certainly have nothing better to do.”

Ash nodded, and bit his lip. He knew he was asking for a favor, but why did Koga have to sound so… well… dignified?

As if he was worth nothing…

He was a trainer too! And he’d gotten the Soul Badge at age ten! Koga had no reason to dislike him! Plus he had been Champion of the League!

It wasn’t just Koga. Aya and Janine were nice enough in a vague way, but they weren’t friendly to him, and Bruno just wasn’t a very sociable person.

As for Lance…

Ash didn’t even want to talk to him. Lance still blamed him for Lorelei’s death, and yes, it was his fault, but she…

If Lance had surrendered, they might have lost! He might be cold, but he was pretty damn powerful.

And what if Lance had joined Team Rocket to save his wife’s life? Red shuddered. The consequences of such an action would be devastating! So he patted Pikachu on the head while he watched Erika collecting a few stunted flowers, wishing that he had something pretty, like a rose, to give her so she would feel better.

She was a Grass Master, so seeing desolate wasteland must hurt a lot…

He didn’t like it either.

In all actuality, he and Erika got along pretty well, so there was nothing wrong with their relationship, but he wasn’t sure now was the time to have a girlfriend. Maybe later, when things were fixed and they didn’t have to worry about daily life and death situations?

If only they had more power…

But Team Rocket was decreasing in numbers, slowly but surely, and that thought was a small comfort.

Erika said something, and he glanced up, startled, as she laughed.

To tell the truth, she was a lot nicer than Misty had been, and he was afraid that if he hit on Aya or Janine, Koga would disembowel him.

The ninja master was scary when agitated!

Lance was really quiet, but afterwards, he would discuss strategy, and the others would listen, even when he criticized their battling styles, because for some reason, he was really good at strategy. That did not make his scathing remarks any easier to bear though, and Ash kept feeling singled out.

Sure, he might not have as much battling experience, but still!

Why was Lance being such a bastard?

… Besides the obvious, of course…

Then, on top of everything, he somehow got kidnapped! He blamed Lance, and as he sat in his cell moodily, he reflected that life sometimes really sucked.

Damn it…

The Dragon Master must have been desperate to avenge Lorelei. Well, this wasn’t the best way to do it, but it did make sense in a twisted way…

He still hated the situation!

Meanwhile, back at camp…

“So Ash is missing?”

Koga nodded, his eyes sharp. “I am afraid that Team Rocket has him.”

“That foolish child.” Lance swore, before he nodded. “Erika?”

She stood, switching to telepathy so Bruno could not eavesdrop. < Yes? >

< Could I trouble you to rescue him? >

< Certainly. >

< But not immediately. Perhaps… in a few days, after he has experienced the delights of prison. >

Erika shook her head. < You are vicious, Lance. >

< Pain is the best teacher. >

< Why can’t you teach with love though? >

< Because I don’t wish for him to grieve for me after I am gone. >

< Lance…. >

< I know what I’m doing. Trust me. >

< If I didn’t, I wouldn’t listen to your orders. I may need to borrow your pokémon. >

< You are certainly welcome to them. Have no fear, Erika. It will be all right in the end, though I will not see it. >

< Do you want me to take care of him? >

< In a sense. >

< I should be honored… > She turned to leave, and Lance did not follow. He knew that Erika would withdraw to a secluded place and meditate for several days, but since Ash could not access the Dream Realm, all would be well.

Bruno could not understand why they weren’t breaking Ash out immediately but Lance pulled rank on him, and his anger began to simmer.

What did Lance think he was doing anyway, antagonizing Ash at every opportunity? Poor kid.

He should help out somehow…

End Chapter

Completed 11/7/06

Say, plotbunny please don’t desert me!
Okay, yes, Ash whines, and yes, he’s being a brat, but in some ways I think he’s still a kid… especially since almost everyone else he’s working with is older than he is.