Hi! *Waves*

Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan comics. This is non-profit fanfic written by me, no copyright infringement is intended, and since I wrote it I own it! So don’t take my ideas.

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

Timeline: 3 years later

Chapter 8

           

            “They call him the weird kid.” Sally said, lowering her voice in a giggle. “So I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested.”

            “Yes,” Paula added in a simpering tone. “Come play with us.”

            Lance ignored them, as he adjusted his sunglasses. Having to play the role of a child was such a pain, but there wasn’t a better way to get close and observe. And in junior high…

            There were idiot girls everywhere.

 

            A pity though, that he was so young. Still, Ash was about to start on his pokemon journey.

            Lance needed to cast the protection spells before he left, otherwise there was always danger lurking in wait for the Chosen.

            Interesting, green eyes and coal-black hair, it was the result of all those medicines, it was very lucky indeed that the little one was Chosen, otherwise instead of being gifted with his special talents, he would have died, the fate of those whose parents overdosed on drugs of any sort.

            Even ‘natural remedies’ were harmful in large doses.

            The Dragon Master snapped his fingers, and Paula’s mouth opened in a silent scream as the ground beneath her feet dissolved into a sinkhole.

            Lance’s lips curved up in a smirk. * Serves her right… *

            < You’re killing people for flirting with you? Chosen! > Lugia sighed, not bothering to say more.

            At least his Chosen did his duty, right?

            And the cracks weren’t too visible unless you used close scrutiny.

 

            < What, Lugia-san? >

            < I’m not sure this is a good idea. >

            < He won’t even see me. > Lance said, adjusting the complex weave of magic he held, it was almost done.

            < … Promise me. >

            < I swear on my honor as Dragon Master I will not approach him or give any sign of my presence. Happy? >

            < Good enough. >

            < I won’t break him, Lugia. >

            < You never know. > The pokemon said darkly.

 

            That night, Ash slept well. He didn’t notice the extra boost of power he had received, and the protection spells crammed into him.

            Oh well, he didn’t need to know. They would work and the seals would last until he was fifteen.

            You always need protection. It’s a nice thing to have.

 

            The next morning, Ash woke as normal, spent the morning training his pokemon, and then went to find Professor Oak.

            He only needed the pokédex. But if the old man wanted to gift him with another little one to take care of, that was fine.

            Seadra, Dewgong, Milotic, and Chinchou waved from the artificial pond, where they were soaking. He would collect his pokemon later.

            Beedrill went with him to the lab.

           

            So, what do you think?

            Chinchou shrugged, his antennae lighting up. I don’t think a journey will really change him.

            Me neither. Milotic added.

            It might be exciting though. Seadra grinned, his fins waving in excitement. So I think its cool!

            Ah…

            Nothing to lose either way, we’ll keep him on the right path. Dewgong smiled.

 

            “Hello, Ash.” Professor Oak said. “My, it seems like yesterday when your father Juniper was setting off. How time does fly.”

            “Yes, Professor.” Ash said obediently.

            Oak babbled on for a few more minutes, before returning with a pokédex. “Here you go. I don’t’ do starters anymore; most everyone leaving this town has at least three pokemon. And you have your father’s too.”

            Ash nodded. “I understand.”

            “The arrangement I made with the school and breeding centers is really grand!” Oak now spent some time highlighting his accomplishments.

            This was not an example of a modest man. Ash patiently tuned him out while talking to Beedrill softly.

            This is the man who’s known as the world’s best researcher?

            Kind of disappointing, isn’t it?

            Tell me… even though he’s a neighbor, I never really got to know him.

            That might be for the better, he’s too busy in either case.

            I know.

 

            “So here are the five poke balls and two potions from the mart, good bye and good luck!”

            Ash waved to the old man, glad to escape, and then went home, where he packed his backpack and sleeping bag up.

            “You’re setting off on a grand adventure, just like your father.” Delia smiled. “Good luck, Ash.”

            “Thanks, mom!”

            “Call home once every two weeks, please, I’d like to know if you are okay.”

            “Okay!”

            He waved, collected the pokemon in the yard, and bade a farewell to his home. He wasn’t sure when he’d return.

            Nothing in the future was _ever_ certain.

 

            Well, we’re off. Beedrill said. Ash smiled, glad that Espeon and Haunter had set up the ‘time and space bending’ pockets.

            There was a pocket of space about a mile and a half square, where he could keep the pokemon he wasn’t carrying in their poke balls, and items, locked securely.

            That was why he only needed a backpack and a sleeping bag. They had put wards around too, so no one else could access it.

            Ash had only really provided energy while the two pokemon did their alterations, but he was glad to have helped.

            In any case, it meant he could bring his pokemon with him everywhere, and that was the best thing.

 

End Chapter

Started 4/4/04, completed 4/9/04