Grr! My computer barely defeated a Trojan horse virus. Unfortunately, in the process it shut down and I lost quite a bit of stuff. *Angry*

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 7

Rd felt a lot better after that cold shower, so he and Mantine went exploring. They managed to net a cute Seel and a Krabby, and were watching a group of Psyducks play tag when a sudden chill blew into the room.

Red ducked behind a boulder and gaped.

Articuno?

It really existed?

Wow! This was so cool! He would get to see a legendary bird!

He stayed quiet as he watched Articuno fly deeper into the caverns. It probably had a nest or something.

Mantine grinned as Red peeked out from under his wings. She’s gone now… that’s good.

“Why?”

Because if she had seen you, she would have frozen you, Red!

“Oh… that explains why no one ever truly sees the birds up close.”

Yes. Maybe we should leave.

Red was not inclined to argue with sensible advice, so he simply nodded.

They surfed away rapidly, and headed back to Cinnabar. Cinnabar was nice and warm, and he and Mantine soaked in the hot springs for a few moments. All was going well until Red began to daydream.

He bolted up from his reclining position, cheeks and face burning.

What kind of perverted kid was he?

He shuddered. Maybe it was the heat. Or the shock of seeing a real live Articuno! Or maybe, it was because he was finally acknowledging the presence of his developing hormones.

Whatever the cause was, the trainer from Pallet got out of the water like a lightning bolt and threw his clothes on.

Mantine yawned. What’s the hurry, Master Red?

“I think I got overheated.” Red said, as he took out a bottle of Lemonade and chugged it down.

Mantine shrugged. Whatever he wanted to believe…

He decided to take a nap in the warm water, and Red sunned himself for a while, while he mentally tried to think of Muks. Yes, that would do it…

Lance smirked as Aeroy relayed Red’s thoughts. < So it seems that he is not so innocent. >

< Actually, I believe he is, but… >

Lance nodded. < He should feel homesick again rather quickly… >

Aeroy laughed. < Master… I hope you are happy with him. >

< Oh I think I will be… the question is, how much longer will he… experiment, before he feels guilty? >

Aeroy snickered. < Not long, I’ll wager. >

< That bet is too skewed for me to take if I already know the answer. >

Red sighed. He should go find Blaine and challenge him to a battle. Maybe it would take his mind off… other things.

...Like his inappropriate feelings for his Father.

But how could he not love Lance?

Lance was powerful and intelligent and had the Viridian Power, plus he was pretty!

Red whacked the thought away, but still felt his face grow warm.

At this rate, he’d never get anything done! Never ever!

He had to concentrate!

He would not fail this mission!

Blaine was rather surprised when a boy flew into his gym through the top of the volcano. Apparently the fake lava he had installed had not fooled him.

The gym leader straightened his wig. “Well then, I suppose it’s time for us to battle, is it not?”

“Yes.” Red said simply, as he patted Mantine on the back. “I’m ready whenever you are!”

“Very well.”

Blaine released Ninetails, and Red beckoned Mantine onto the field. Flamethrower clashed with Bubblebeam, before Mantine shrugged and flew up into the air. Ninetails followed, leaping up for a Quick Attack, only to crash back to the ground heavily with swirls around its head as Supersonic blasted from the manta ray.

Mantine took advantage of this to Surf it good.

One fire fox down!

Blaine shrugged, and swapped for Arcanine. Red frowned. Arcanine definitely had the advantage speed-wise, as an Extremespeed attack sent Mantine sailing into a rocky cavern wall. He recalled his pokémon, saddened that it had taken out so quickly.

Perhaps he should not use his Poliwhirl – but why not?

“Poli, I choose you!”

He had almost neglected his first pokémon.

Poliwhirl double-teamed, so what Arcanine charged at and broke through was only an illusory copy. With surprising strength, he picked Arcanine up and Seismic Tossed him straight into the lava below.

Blaine winced and quickly recalled his Arcanine.

At least the boy was creative.

Poliwhirl flexed his muscles proudly. Hah! Do your worst!

Blaine sighed and released Magmar. Magmar attacked, but instead of aiming at Poliwhirl, the Fire Blast went wide and knocked Red off the platform.

Blaine gasped and Magmar quickly jumped off to save the trainer.

How had he misjudged distances so badly?

Red felt as though his body was in agony. The lava was going to kill him, and then he would die…

Father…

End Chapter

Completed 7/11/06

Organic chemistry is evil! So is Microsoft spell/grammar check!
Look! A cliffhanger! I suppose that to readers, that would be evil too! Isn’t it lucky that Phantomness always puts up complete fics unless they’re over fifteen chapters? ^^

… Yeah, the Seven-Eleven chain in Taiwan is a hell of a lot better than the ones in the U.S. I want to go to Taiwan…