Disclaimer: Pokemon and co. doesn't belong to me . . . . blah blah blah . . . Authors Notes: Here I am again and all ready for season 2 of this fic for the few of you that'll probably come banging on my door to demand I finish this already. As usual, Feedback would be greatly appreciated! And so would suggestions for the final chapter of my fic Forever. I kinda got writers block on that one. Ketchum: The Journey Continues Season 2 Master Of Dragons: Lance Chapter 24 I gave a small, worried frown as Inferno and I paused in front of the gates that would lead to the final member of the Elite, Lance. It was heavily rumoured that his Dragon pokemon were nothing to sneeze at, I'd heard that even if you beat his first four pokemon his Dragonite could take out just about any pokemon. Problem is, Dragonites are the fastest flying pokemon. Able to circle the world in only 16 hours. This meant I had to save Shelldon for last, he'd need to be at full strength if I were to have a hope of defeating that Dragonite. Ramona was too tired from her battle with Leila, Raptor was recovering but not at full strength yet, that left Rare Beauty, Zeus, and Inferno to take out the first four of Lance's pokemon. I was saving Shelldon for that Dragonite, I'd need any advantage I could get if I were to have a hope of winning against Lance. ~~~~~~Inferno's POV~~~~~~ Satoshi was worried, I didn't blame him. Dragonites were tough customers to deal with. Admittedly even I would think twice about taking one on. It doesn't help at all that they're the fastest flyers in the whole pokemon world, even Bob would have a hard time keeping up with one. Satoshi looked at me and I looked at him, as one we nodded and entered the battle arena of the Dragon Master, Lance. I immediately grimaced, it was an outdoor arena and it was raining. "You know what this means, right?" I huffed a sigh as I was drawn into my pokeball. ~~~~~~Satoshi's POV~~~~~~ This was not good. My team now consisted of Zeus and Rare Beauty to take out the first four of Lance's pokemon. Grumbling I pulled out my extra large umbrella and opened it before walking out and standing on my side of the arena. "Ah, so you have made it this far. I have been looking forward to battling you." "I challenge you for the right to face the Pokemon Master!" "Alright, five pokemon. No time limit." I nodded and considered who I should use. The ground was soaked, perfect for conducting Electricity. And I had equipped Rare Beauty with a secret weapon. "Go Seadra!" "Alright, I choose you, Zeus! Thunder Bolt!" While still emerging from his pokeball Zeus began powering up, once the pokeball returned to my hand he let loose at Seadra. It jumped to one side and avoided it though. "Agility!" "Thunder!" The attack missed Seadra, but hit the ground beside it. I was thankful that my shoes had rubber soles. I'm sure you can imagine what happened to Seadra. But it was still able to fight, and this is only the first of his pokemon! What have I gotten myself into? (Owwww!) Zeus yelled as Seadra slammed into him with those spikes. I needed a more widespread attack. "Thunder Tsunami!" The Tsunami wave crackled and glowed with the full force of Zeus's Thunder attack as it bore down on Seadra who suddenly had a look dread and imminent pain. I flinched as it made contact, Lance recalled his fallen pokemon. It was hard to read the look on his face. "Go Dratini!" Oh damn . . . "Finish this quick! Thunder Tsunami times 2!" Zeus's control of the attack was so good he could perform up to four at the same time, but it really wiped him out. When it was done, Lance had a stunned look on his face. I looked at Zeus, he was tired. I should let him rest now, he'd done a good job. "Great job Zeus! Take a rest now, return." He gave a sigh of relief as he was pulled into his pokeball. It had finally stopped raining so I let Inferno out to stretch. He yawned and scratched behind his horn when he emerged. If the rumours are right . . . his next two pokemon should be Dragonairs. ~~~~~~Inferno's POV~~~~~~ "Have a nice nap?" Satoshi grinned. *Yeah, what of it?* I yawned, still somewhat half asleep. "Your turn now." That woke me up. *Me?* "I'm saving Shelldon and Rare Beauty, you know that." I grunted. I did know that, besides why was I complaining? If the rumours are right then I should be able to take on a Dragonair or two. Giving a final yawn I ambled into the arena. Lance drew a pokeball from his belt and released the pokemon inside onto the arena without fanfare, rumours proved to be true as the energy shaped itself into a Dragonair. *Let's get it on . . .* I growled menacingly. I had nothing personal against Dragonairs, Draco's a good friend. But I wanted a real fight and a good opponent, I hoped the Dragonairs of Lance, final member of the Elite 4 could supply that. We began circling, I wasn't going to underestimate him in this match and neither was he. "Hyper Beam!" "Fly!" I took to the air and hovered above the arena, keeping a wary eye on Dragonair who was powering up his Hyper Beam. He fired, I closed my wings and dove toward him. The Hyper Beam passing over me. "Seismic Toss!" I was close enough now so I grabbed him as I opened my wings again and ascended. After several loops I went down again and dropped off my passenger. *Oooohhh . . .* He moaned dizzily. "Blizzard." I jumped into the air again, I really didn't want to become a Charizardcicle! "Counter with Fire Claw!" As the Blizzard raced toward me I sent a Fire Claw and it ripped through it before connecting with Dragonair. Coupled with my earlier Seismic Toss it was enough to faint Dragonair. As Lance recalled him I landed on the ground. I was winded, but all I needed was a minute to catch my breath. "Your Charizard is well trained." "Thanks, it was a lot of hard work on both our parts." I gave Satoshi a small smile. ~~~~~~Musashi's POV~~~~~~ I heard the buzzer that meant Satoshi was starting his battle with Lance. Ms. Jaega had left not long ago, she had business with her law office back in Cerulean. She'd wished me good luck before she left. I went over my team again in my mind. Venusaur. Lupis. Vaporeon. Sandslash. Beedrill. Pidgeot. I'd taught Vaporeon Ice Beam with a TM so she would be the one to fight Lance's Dragon pokemon. Dragon types were weak against Ice attacks. "Musashi Rocket?" I looked up at the guard and nodded. "You can go fight Lorelei now." I'm sure my grin was so wide he'd thought my face would split as I drew Venusaur's pokeball and ran to Lorelei's arena. ~~~~~~Satoshi's POV~~~~~~ The Dragonair dodged another Flamethrower and used Slam, sending Inferno back a few feet. He couldn't fly because a lucky Blizzard attack had frozen his right wing solid. But he's a stubborn pokemon and not one to either give up or let me recall him. That, or he's simply has no common sense. There had to be a pattern to Lance's attacks! But what was it? "Inferno! Fire Spin!" Yes! Dragonair was trapped! "Now, Fire Claw!" As he cut off the Fire Spin, he launched Fire Claw. As it passed through the wall of flames it was only strengthened by the time it hit Dragonair. When the tornado of flames died down, Dragonair was out for the count. "Get your tail over here Inferno, you're in no condition to fight another battle!" (Yes Satoshi . . .) I nodded as he walked over, using Flamethrower to melt the ice on his wing. "Good battles." He grinned at me. <"I could've done it in half the time. You tell him that."> "But Charmeleon told me to tell you he could've done it in half the time." He grimaced, muttering something about showing Charmeleon a thing or two. I smiled and shook my head as I prepared to send out Rare Beauty. I had a feeling I'd need them both her and Shelldon to take out that Dragonite. "Now, for my final pokemon. Dragonite, go!" Oh man, even I could tell that was a powerful Dragonite by sight alone. "I choose you, Rare Beauty!" (Holy God of Water! I have to fight her?!) Was the first thing she said when she emerged from her pokeball and got a good look at Dragonite. "Don't worry! You can take her!" Charmeleon remained silent, the traitor. "Hyper Beam." "Water Mirror! You know what to do!" I called. All six Rare Beauty copies including Rare Beauty reared back their heads and released our ace in the hole, Ice Beam. I swallowed the large lump in my throat that had suddenly appeared when I saw Dragonite break free of three solid metres of ice that had encased her. I heard a similar sound from Rare Beauty. (Great God of Fire . . .) Inferno muttered, slack-jawed. I'm sure my face was a nice eggshell white by now. "Slam!" "Dodge it!" I hollered in panic. If that Dragonite could break free of that much ice . . . I didn't want to see what one of her attacks could to Rare Beauty! I groaned as I recalled Rare Beauty, she'd put up a great fight. But Dragonite was too powerful for her alone. Dragonite was weakened, yes. But was she weakened enough for Shelldon to faint? I could only hope. "I choose you, Shelldon! Maximum Freezer Burn!" I called as he materialized. By calling for Maximum Freezer Burn I was telling Shelldon to put everything he had into it. His attack covered the whole arena, but he was careful not to hit either me or Lance. Dragonite howled in surprise as she found her feet frozen to the ground and the ice rapidly moving to cover her whole body. She began to pump her wings, trying to lift off. By the time she realised that was useless she was frozen solid in ice so thick no pokemon could break out of it. I gave a sigh of relief when Lance recalled her and with a small smile lead me and Inferno to the Pokemon Center a corridor down from the Pokemon Master's battle arena to wait for Musashi and get my pokemon healed.