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 6

Ash finally cried himself out, while Lance rubbed his back and made soothing noises. Luckily, they had been sorting in the gym and aside from the other gym leaders no one had been around to notice his breakdown. Ash sniffled as Lance handed him a handkerchief and wiped his eyes.

“I’m sorry.” Lance’s voice was low, and soft, and comforting. Ash wanted to bury him self in that voice and never wake up.

“It’s not your fault.” He managed to say. “Has he been dead for a long time?”

Lance nodded. “Morty confirmed Sabrina’s words.”

“At least now I know why he didn’t c-come h-home.” Ash sniffled. “I thought it was because he didn’t l-love me.”

“Ash…”

“I’m sorry. I’m getting you a-all w-wet.”

“It’s fine, Ash. Maybe you’d like to lie down for a bit? I’ll make you some tea.”

Ash didn’t like tea very much, but it might help, so he nodded. Lance kindly gave him the room Liza and Tate had lent him. He buried himself in a nest of blankets while Lance went outside.

< How is he? >

< Not so good. His father’s death has come as a terrible shock. >

< I am not surprised. > Sabrina paused in her sorting, putting a poke ball down on the table in front of her. < Do you think he will be all right? >

< I have seen no signs of shifting, so he is strong enough to handle this. >

< I just want him to be safe. >

< I know, Sabrina. >

Morty shook his head. < Cypress Ketchum has been dead for at least three years. I wonder if Delia knew? >

< It would be selfish to hide the truth if she did. > Sabrina said stiffly.

< She might though, out of good intentions > Lance continued walking down the hall as the two Masters looked at each other and shook their heads.

Poor Ash.

When Lance returned to the room, Ash was already fast asleep. He set the cup of red tea on the counter, covered it to keep it warm, and called Lorelei.

< How are you doing? >

< Perfectly fine. Thank you for returning Jynx promptly. >

< Tis nothing. >

< Lance, what’s happened? You sound worried. >

< I have just discovered that Ash’s father is deceased. >

Lorelei blinked. < And why does that worry you? >

< I am … afraid of what might happen if I practice overtures on him. >

< Oh! You don’t think – oh…. > Lorelei nodded. < I see. That could prove to be quite distressing. >

< I know. >

< I do not have any advice to impart to you, dear cousin! >

< Unfortunate. > Lance repeated. < Well, we shall see. >

When Ash woke up, after he had showered, he called his mom. He was quite unhappy to learn of the fact that she had known of his father’s death but kept it hidden.

Why?

It was futile, and now all his hopes had been dashed onto the rocks…

Still, he might as well see what pokémon his father had left him…

Lance came in a few minutes after Ash had voiced his request with two poke balls and a great ball. Ash released the occupants, seeing them materialize. A Rapidash stomped its foot, a Slowpoke stared straight ahead, and the Great Ball contained something small, blue and cute he had never seen before.

“Ah, a Tamanta…”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a baby Mantine. Quite cute.”

“Oh!”

The baby Mantine jumped into his arms with a smile, and he petted it a bit awkwardly as he looked at the others.

His father’s pokémon…

How come none of them looked familiar?

Truth be told, Ash’s memories of his father were rather fuzzy, but still! Rapidash just glared at him while Slowpoke sat there listlessly. He walked over to Rapidash and offered a hand.

“Hello Rapidash, I’m Ash. Would you like to be friends?”

Rapidash neighed impatiently. Who was this boy? She sniffed his hair, and a changed expression stole over her face.

So this was Master’s little foal, though not so little now… he had grown up and become a Trainer like his father.

Friendship?

She supposed it would suffice for now, and licked his face.

Slowpoke did not seem to understand the question, so Ash recalled him to his poke ball and went to go inform his friends of this new development.

“Will you be staying here much longer, Lance?”

Lance shook his head. “No.”

“Why not?”

“My work here is done, Ash. It was nice seeing you again though. Morty and Sabrina will stay for a few more days, and then they’ll be returning to their respective gyms as well once the problem is through.”

Ash hesitated, as he watched Lance walk to the door and release his Dragonite. His heart pounded in chest, and Pikachu nodded.

“Wait!” Ash called, running out after him.

Lance paused, turning to face the younger trainer with a bemused expression. “What is it, Ash?”

“I…you kissed me!”

“So I did.”

Ash stood up on his tiptoes, putting his arms around Lance’s neck as he pulled the surprised Dragon Master into a kiss. As their lips touched, he felt himself melting, almost… yes…

Lance purred, and Ash colored, as their mouths opened before the kiss broke, leaving them both flushed and panting slightly.

“Should I take this to mean you return my affections?”

“Yes.” Ash replied breathlessly. “I think so.”

“Mm… come with me?”

Ash faltered for only a second, before he nodded, climbing onto Dragonite, who raised his eyebrows slightly, but flew off.

It looked like things would be different from now on.

End Chapter

Completed 8/22/06

I had more counseling today. Sheesh! Sometimes I wonder if it’s really worth the hefty price tag…

You know, sometimes I think Ash really sucks as a trainer. Perhaps he should go into pokemon competitions, like races and martial arts events. He’s never lost any of those to my knowledge. ^^