Ee… annoying!

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

After a few hours of walking, Red’s body gave out and he fell to his knees. Lance rushed over and looked around with a frown.

“This is taking too long, Red.”

“I’m sorry… I thought I was already healed,” Red said, as Lance began rifling through Red’s backpack. He pulled out a thermos and handed it to Red.

“Drink this. It will help.”

Red obediently did so, his eyes lighting up. “You made chicken noodle soup?”

“I’m not a completely helpless cook.”

“I can’t really cook, except over a fire.”

“It is better than not being able to cook at all.” Lance said simply, as Red finished off half the thermos – it was a large thermos – and handed it back.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like all my energy has been drained away.” Red told Lance honestly.

Lance nodded. “So even if I carried you, the motion would make you pass out?”

“I think so. Sorry, Lance. I must be such a burden.”

“I do not think you are one.” Lance said sharply, and Red said no more as he closed his eyes and found a rock to sit against. He was soon fast asleep.

Lance watched Red sleep, as he took deep breaths to calm his raging emotions.

Why was Red suddenly so special to him? To attack a pokemon just to protect a human… a human…

He could feel his hands tremble now, and the feel of the holsters on his forearms like a brand against his skin.

What had he done?

Red slept on; unaware of the turmoil the other was going through. Lance clenched his fists as he tried to calm his racing heartbeat. Calm.

Red was worthy, had been chosen to live, otherwise Lance would not have given him a second glance, and yet…

And yet…

What if his pokemon hurt Red?

Would he call them off?

Or would he let him die?

It did not bear thinking about.

The next morning, Red woke up to find himself sprawled across Lance’s body, quite securely in the other boy’s lap. He blushed as he tried to push off, only to stop as Lance grabbed his wrist.

“I see you’re awake. I was wondering when you’d get up.”

“Eh…” Red scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “I… I see.” Lance let go, and Red clambered off him, as they looked around.

The cave was still dark, and the light was still shining, but their supply of batteries was getting low.

Lance frowned. He estimated perhaps three more hours before the batteries died. Since he had only brought one set of spares, it was not good.

Maybe they would make it to Tohjo Falls before that happened?

Standing was like shaking a million pins and needles out of his legs. He staggered slightly, and Red looked at him with worry.

“I’m fine.” He said mainly to reassure himself.

“Lance… I’m worried about you.”

“I’m fine,” He hissed, and Red said no more.

Lance was strange, Red thought, as they continued walking forwards slowly. He could be so gentle, but he hated to talk about things.

Red wondered why he even bothered to stay with Lance. Surely it was not just the sex, right?

No, if he wanted, he could have any girl he liked almost. He was famous as the League Champion after all.

So… so why did he choose Lance?

Well, love never had to make sense…

Besides, Lance was really was a nice person, down there somewhere. Red was sure enough of that. If he had not been nice, well…

Red might still be an ice statue in Mount Moon.

He rubbed his wrists slightly, but Lance appeared not to notice. A moment later, an echoing roar blasted through the cave.

Lance snapped back to himself as he pushed Red against the wall. Red was too stunned to protest, even as Lance pulled the cloak up to cover his eyes.

“Stay silent.” Lance hissed.

Red nodded, and tried to blend into the wall. Footsteps sounded, as a man approached.

“Giovanni.” Lance said calmly, much too calmly, Red thought. His palms were sweating as he grasped the cloak tightly. Giovanni of Team Rocket was here? What was he doing here?

“You.” The word was filled with enough loathing to fill an ocean. “I will never forgive you! Nidoking, Horn Drill!”

Lance laughed. Red wanted to scream, but he bit down on his lip hard, as he waited. There was a thump, and then Lance’s voice speaking again.

“You are not the only one who has ground-type pokemon, Giovanni.” His voice sounded much too amused. “Pupitar, show that Nidoking why you are worthy of being one of my dragons. Hyper Beam!”

“No! You will bring the tunnel down on our heads!” Giovanni actually sounded panicked. “You can’t do this!” Then there was a feeling of heat and rushing wind and a thump. Several pieces of rock fell from the ceiling, but they were small ones.

Red cracked one eye open and lowered the cape enough so he could see. A badly dented Nidoking lay on the ground, moaning slightly. In front of Lance stood a small bluish pokemon.

That must be his Pupitar.

Giovanni caught the movement though, and released his Beedrill. Red eeped as he dropped the cape in shock, no longer able to hide.

Lance’s eyes widened as he snapped his fingers. Pupitar flew to Red’s side, preventing a Twinneedle attack, but one second’s distraction in a battle could prove fatal…

Lance’s eyes widened as he slid to the ground, Cloyster’s spikes glittering redly behind him. Red froze, not knowing what to do or say or feel.

Something in his mind snapped.

End Chapter

Completed 6/19/06

Boy do we have a cliffhanger~!

And more random things about Ash and Lance! Apparently, “Ash” and “Lance” are the exact same Greek word. Dude, that’s a bit creepy…

(Info on this was taken from www.the-tree.org.uk)

Ah, the irony when Red doesn’t know what Lance has done…