Hi! *waves*

Not sure if Lance will show up yet, maybe later

Created 3/13/04

Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This is non-profit fanwork, no copyright infringement is intended, and since I wrote it, the fic belongs to me under international copyright laws.

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

Chapter 2

Vulpix pawed Ash’s face as he giggled happily. “That tickles!” The fur was making him sneeze too.

“Achoo!”

Oh, it does?

“Yes.” Ash said, trying to get away. “No fair!” Another sneeze forced its way out. He sniffled.

Vulpix wagged her tails. Well, you deserved it.

“I guess I did, I’m sorry I pulled your tail.”

Apology accepted.

Vulpix looked around the ring of pokemon. Yes, they all cared for Master’s son.

He was special.

His parents, being humans, couldn’t see it of course. But he could speak their language…

He could do basic grass and bug attacks too, beedrill had just finished teaching him poison sting. How had he wound up part pokemon? Well, it wasn’t a bad thing…

No, it was a good thing in retrospect. She wagged her tails again. Maybe it was an experiment?

It was.

Just not properly controlled and tested. After all, changes may affect the baby but not the mother. It’s not safe to use untested remedies.

Oh well….

Ash sneezed again, then wiped his nose with a Kleenex. Beedrill was waiting to begin the next lesson.

A pair of gauzy insect wings sprouted from Ash’s back and the flying drills began. Then, they practiced Fury Attack.

What Master didn’t’ know didn’t hurt him. They were only helping this child. Ash was well back to normal by the time Delia called him in for lunch.

They had warned him not to let anyone know of his power.

Humans were greedy and hungry for more always, and they would use him. Even his parents might not protect him then.

That fear kept Ash from revealing his secret, and so it stayed hidden.

As he grew older, they began noticing slight streaks of other types, so they took turns training him. Delia was worried though, that her son spent all his time with pokemon. Sure, it might make him a good trainer, but…

He really needed a human friend.

So she arranged for him to take art lessons. Maybe he’d meet someone there. It was a hope, but maybe a wish would come true.

One can never stop hoping.

Ash didn’t mind art lessons much, he liked the fat crayons and the shiny pastels and occasionally getting to paint. He came home every day with a little masterpiece, and Delia taped them to her refrigerator.

Juniper came home one night, depressed. He had lost a match to his rival Kenneth. Thus, Kenneth had taken his Gardevoir as payment.

Ash was shocked by that admission.

Did that mean….

His parents might give him away someday too? The thought scared him very much. He grew even closer to the pokemon after that.

They wouldn’t betray him. We are all of a kind, after all.

Yes, he took art, and enjoyed the animals they drew, the forests, the pretty pictures…

He liked talking to the kids sometimes, when they weren’t being stupid.

That wasn’t very often.

Ash was turning out quite different, but he hid it well, wearing the mask of perfect happiness at home. He couldn’t wait for his journey.

Now remember, the fire is within you, you just have to call it out.

Ash smiled, and felt the warm tingling inside. * Yes… *

Begin!

“Ember…”

On the tips of his fingers, a tiny flame flickered and then died.

No! You must have confidence! Trust in yourself and feel the power move you!

And so he did.

A few tries later, a steady flame was burning, not searing his skin, no, just a pleasant warmth.

Pokemon don’t burn themselves after all.

That would be a waste of life.

Vulpix nodded. Well then, I suppose the next step up is Flame Wheel… now follow my motions…

And so it continued on.

Listen to my song, Ash.

Ash closed his eyes, as the Dewgong began to sing. It was a sad tale of a mermaid and her lover, who had been parted by forces beyond her control.

“Dewgong?”

Yes, little one?

“Why do people hurt other people?”

Ah… it’s the same reason people train pokemon.

“…”

It’s all about power, Ash. Power.

But I don’t like power! Ash said, switching to pokespeech.

That is because you are one of us, little one.

Huh?

You are like us. You can see what they cannot. Never lose that.

Ash nodded, perplexed, but agreeing.

I won’t be like them!
I don’t want to turn out bad like them!

I’ll be a real good trainer!

End Chapter

Created 3/13/04, completed 3/15/04