I’m guessing this is a short series… time to put in lots of flashbacks

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to me!
Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Red = Ash, Red is a nickname.

Chapter 2

“You want me to do what?”

“Go on a date with me.” Josephine wheedled.

“Exactly _why_ should I agree to this?” Lance asked scornfully. She could almost feel the temperature dropping.

His voice was awfully dangerous, a weapon in its own right.

“I’m the Champion!”

“So?”

Red laughed from where he was reading a manga in Lance’s office, curled up underneath the desk. It was very cozy there.

Lance was lying on the black leather couch, reading a report. “That’s out of the question.”

“I demand it!”

“You cannot demand anything of me. You never defeated me.”

Josephine stamped her foot. “Fine! I’ll fight you right now! Kyogre, Sheer Cold!”

Lance stood there impassively.

Shockingly enough, Kyogre refused to battle.

“You wouldn’t want to risk a legendary war would you?” Lance asked softly in a sibilant whisper. “My father will not be pleased…”

< It is not my choice! >

< I know that, Kyogre-sama… please do not worry. >

“What? Latias, go!”

Lance whistled.

That was when Latios broke through the window, scooped up his sister, and flew off before Josephine could call her back.

“Not nice, is it, not having any legendaries?” Red giggled.

“Shut up!”

“Do what you will.” He said, and began to daydream.

**********************Flashback Mode************************************

“I won!”

“That you did.” The boy said quietly, recalling his Dragonite. “You are now the Indigo League Champion.”

Red grinned. Finally! His dream had come true!

How lucky…

However, he wasn’t feeling quite as lucky the next night when he woke up thrashing in the throes of a nightmare.

“Red?”

“Come in?” He whispered, pulling the covers up to his chin.

“I know you’re scared, right?”

Red sighed in relief as he realized it was Lance and not the monster in the closet. “H-hai!”

“Well, the best thing to do is just to get used to it.” The boy said kindly. “I brought you some hot milk with honey.”

“A-Arigatou! You didn’t have to do this.”

“No, but I want to.”

Pikachu slept on soundly in his little basket.

Red held the cup between slightly trembling hands, marveling at the warmth in the porcelain. “Lance, were you scared too?”

“Of course, I was only fourteen, but you’re only eleven.” The boy chuckled. “So you’re still a kid at heart.”

“I-I see…”

“Besides, I’ve only been here a year or so myself.” Lance smiled. “It’s all right to be scared.”

“Honto Ni?”

“Why wouldn’t you be? It’s a new place without your family…”

Ash nodded.

“So don’t worry.”

“Lance… um…” He looked down. “You’re right, I don’t have anyone, so…”

“Yes?”

“Could you… be my aniki?”

Lance smiled. “Why not?”

“Arigatou!”

“No problem.” Lance said, as he gave Ash a hug after he had finished his milk. “Now, do you want me to stay here tonight?”

Red nodded.

“All right.” Lance said, as he climbed into bed next to Red. He was still wearing his Dratini-print pajamas he had worn when he had left his own bed to make a simple warming drink for the Champion.

Red smiled, as he hugged Lance, as one might a teddy bear, and soon fell fast asleep. It wasn’t long before Lance joined him in slumber.

So warm…

His bed was largely sized, able to fit four people in at a tight squeeze, so two was no problem.

Who would care?

He didn’t.

**********************End Flashback********************************

But he didn’t do that for her… Red thought with a streak of perverse pleasure.

Satisfaction glowed on his face.

Turning his attention back to the battle, he saw that Lance’s twin Dragonair were more than a match for Mewtwo.

Quite.

Why wouldn’t they be? They had won before in the past, hadn’t they? Of course they had.

Still, he loved his aniki.

“I’ll never leave you.” He whispered, barely in the range of hearing, but Lance smiled before ordering Hyper Beam.

Twin beams of yellow smashed into Josephine’s body.

“This is real justice.” Lance said, as he shattered the Master Ball. “Go.”

Mewtwo did.

End Chapter

Completed 7/10/04