Don’t die, my pretty inspiration!

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

Chapter 4

“There is something strange about him.” The man whispered.

“I’ve heard that he can see things no other man cannot.”

“He’s a Priest of Honou, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

He ignored their whispers as he walked up the steps to the temple. The servant who came to greet him paled at the sight of his lavender robes.

“Sir!”

“I need to speak to the Priestess.”

“Yes! Of course, right away sir!”

What an insolent, foolish, arrogant fool – what a waste of humanity. Morty thought in disgust. He smoothed down his clothing as he waited for the Priestess to arrive. She did, not seconds later.

< Priest Morty. >

< Priestess Charlotte > He greeted her cordially, as they were of equal rank. < Honou has sent me. >

< I suspected as much. Would you prefer to talk to Moltres-sama? >

< No, not yet, Priestess. I wish to seek your counsel. >

< Your Sight is clearer than mine, Morty. Why would you seek my counsel? >

< It is not a matter of Sight, Charlotte. I know you cannot see, but certainly, you must have felt it, the moment I walked in… >

< The Ravager has taken a hold of you, yes. >

< Honou-sama’s flames are not those of Healing – it is not his domain of Wild Magic. I came to beg aid from Moltres-sama. >

< I cannot guarantee he will grant it. >

< It is worth a try. >

< Very well. >

There was a feeling of warmth, and Morty smiled as he watched gold liquid fill the pearly white orbs. An amused chuckle sounded in his mind.

< You are brave and bold, Priest of Honou. I admire your courage – tis rare to find in the Priesthood. I shall grant your wish. >

< I shall not forget this, Moltres-sama. > Morty breathed earnestly.

< My Priestess may choose to call in favors later. For now, spend a few days here. Your body needs time to recover. It was a hard journey. >

< Thank you. >

Ash sneezed as he woke up. There was something licking his face. He giggled, reaching out his hand to pet it. A dog?

He’d never seen such a funny looking dog before! Maybe it was a pokemon!

The creature had a scrunched up face, and a yellow body with black zigzag stripes, and a long purple tail that looked like a cloud. How funny!

“What’s your name?”

“Raikou!” The creature said.

“Raikou? That’s a nice name. Where did you come from?”

The Raikou, now named, scratched himself and snuffled at Ash’s pockets. Ash shook his head.

“Sorry, Raikou. I don’t have any snacks for you.”

“Perhaps you would like to eat something then?” A voice interrupted.

Ash toppled over, and scrambled to get up, feeling worried. What if it was the Priest again? But the voice sounded different.

Besides, this meadow didn’t look familiar.

The man eyed him, a tray of stew in his hands. “Oh, stop being so twitchy, Ash.”

“Sir Lance?”

“I’m glad that you remembered my name.” He said dryly. “Hungry?”

Ash nodded enthusiastically, as Lance handed him the tray. Raikou snuffled and Ash served him too.

Lance did not bother to make polite conversation. It was really not necessary. It would also be out of character.

No, he was not kind, except to pokemon. He loved his pokemon. But this child, who was powerful and yet knew not of his power… well, why invest affection in someone he did not yet know?

Better to be cautious, better to be safe…

He had years to decide.

Until then, he would be polite, but not kind…

Even so, he could feel the shell of ice around his heart begin to crack…

End Chapter

Completed 5/15/06

Yeah, it’s a really short chapter. Deal with it!

And Lance is not an inherently nice person in this fic. Deal with it! But he is nice to Ash.