Whee! Another chapter!
Chapter 4
“So that’s when you first met Red?” Catelyn asked. “And you… kissed him?”
Lance shrugged.
“Wow.”
“Yes, it is rather different than what people normally expect. But we don’t need money. After all, we’re of the Dragon Clan.”
“And our fortunes span several generations.”
Lance nodded. < Of course, that doesn’t stop our parents from arranging marriages for us. >
“Wait, marriages?” Catelyn squeaked. “I’m only thirteen!”
< Didn’t you know? Oh right, you wouldn’t… I took over then. We’re technically engaged to a gym leader named Wattson from Mauville… but I think I took care of that. > Lance paused at Catelyn began choking.
Perhaps she shouldn’t have divulged that bit of information…
“Wattson? But he’s like thirty-five or something, if not older! And he’s fat!”
That wasn’t what she had quite expected. Catelyn was still a child, after all. < … Yes. That’s why it had to be terminated. >
“Well, I’m glad you took care of it…”
As long as you don’t know how I did…
“So, tell me some more about him.” Catelyn made herself comfortable and pulled an apple out of her backpack.
“Red? All right… the next time we met was perhaps two months later…”
*FLASHBACK*
“…”
“Red, are you all right?”
The trainer gave Lance a baleful stare. “Does it look like I’m all right? And you haven’t told me your name yet.”
“You’re lying there with a broken leg and you’re concerned about my name? Are you sure you have your priorities I order?”
“Well, they can fix this at a hospital, but I’m not sure I’ll see you again. Why did you kiss me?”
“Red, you have a legion of fangirls. Surely you can answer that question.”
“But you’re different! I mean you’re not a brainless twit!”
“… I’m touched by your elevated opinion of me.”
“Still! I want to know!”
“Don’t move.” Lance said calmly, as he healed Red’s leg – much quicker than a cast at any rate. “How did this happen?”
“Eh, fighting a trainer named Bob and his Dragonite… I won, he wasn’t too happy, had Dragonite use Strength on that rock ledge over there – how’d you find me anyways?”
“Well, it’s coincidence… nothing but coincidence.” Lance smiled. “After all, I was here in Rock Tunnel training up my new Dratini.”
“Oh…”
“Why’d you fight him here?”
“It wasn’t a planned battle. I think he stalked me here.”
“Ah… well, when the roof of the cavern we were in started falling in, I decided it would be a good idea to see what was causing it.”
“Bob ran off, the sore loser.” Red said sourly.
“How’s your leg now?”
“Oh! Well, I’m fine. Arigato.”
“No problem…”
“So will you tell me your name now?”
“No, I don’t think I well.”
“But…!”
“It’s not up for discussion. You can’t force me to.”
Red stood up, testing his weight. Seemed fine. “I’d like to call you something – I mean, we’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Ne, I suppose we are.”
“So…?”
“Call me Wataru then.”
“All right, Wataru! Pleased to meet you!”
“Likewise.” Lance turned to go.
“Wait…”
“Hmm?”
“Did you… well, I owe you another favor it seems. Want to go out and get sodas or something? It’s not much, but…”
“I’d love to.”
They got Root Beer Floats at a restaurant in Cerulean and then Lance bade Red farewell. He didn’t expect to see him again soon.
*END*
“Wait, that’s how you met him the second time? Why didn’t you tell him your real name, Lance?”
“You really don’t remember…”
“No, I don’t. I mean, I’m glad you’re telling me about your life – it makes us seem closer, but why didn’t you tell him your real name?”
“Because, the Elite Four…”
“What are the Elite Four?”
“We were the Leader of the Elite Four…”
“How cool! But wait! Why’d you tell Red to stay away?”
“Because we’re very dangerous, Catelyn… can’t you remember? How the ice obeys your command, how the dragon and darkness obey mine?”
“…?”
“Ah, your memory will return
eventually. We’ll just wait.”
“I don’t like waiting.”
“Can’t help that. You didn’t get the patience the rest of us did.”
Catelyn froze. “The rest of us? There are other parts of my personality out there, more than just you?”
“Well, there’s Crystal… she’s an assassin, a destroyer, doesn’t come out much…”
Catelyn shuddered.
“And there’s Wataru – I mean, he’s Lance, I’m technically Lance-chan. He’s like me, but right now, he’s sleeping.”
“Oh… well… all right.”
When she woke up, she felt uneasy, and didn’t know why.
End Chapter
Completed 6/29/05