Here be dragons…

 

Disclaimer: I don’t’ own pokemon, okay?

WARNING: Championshipping hints shonen-ai

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

 

Chapter 4: Chalk Pastel

 

            “Lance-chan?”
            Lance blinked, wondering why and when Red had added the little tag to his name. “Yes, Red?”

            “I have a question, and…”
            “Ask away.”

            “Okay!” Red beamed. “I-I… I need help with something.”

            “Of course I’ll help.” Lance got up and followed Red to a stream.

            “I was practicing current manipulating, but…” As Red demonstrated, the water rose until it was poised to attack, before collapsing. “I can call up the power, but it won’t attack!”

            “Control without will can be useless too, Ash.”

            “Hmm?”

            “You have no will to attack right now. Obviously, it would a waste of water if you did. The river understands you are just practicing, so…’

            “Oh!”
            “Do not worry, in a real situation it will work. Just try not to tire yourself out.”

            “Hai.”

 

            Red left without another word, as Lance turned his attention back to the milkshakes he was making.

            He didn’t mind cooking for both of them, the last time Red had tried, it was a good thing dragon masters could control weather, or else he could have burnt down the forest with that attempt at curry.

            Oh well.

            Lance shook his head. * I do hope Red doesn’t try to take the test too early, it could have disastrous results. *

            Still, the boy was getting better, no doubt about that.

 

            Back in the cave, Red sighed as he looked at Storm. “I couldn’t do it.”

            Why?

            “I don’t know…’

            Storm shook her head. * You humans are so complicated… I’m sure Lance wouldn’t mind if he knew Red liked him. Oh well. Let master be stubborn. *

            It will work out in time.

            “I hope so.”

            Me too, for your sake.

 

            “But he doesn’t seem to care! What if I’m only here so that William doesn’t’ get to be a master?”

            Storm’s head whipped around. Where did you hear that?

            < Lugia. > Ash said, not even knowing he was using telepathy.

            < Do not worry. I don’t think Lance would train you if that was the only reason. >

            < Why not? > Tears began to fill Red’s eyes.

            < Because. You have to be worthy. >

            < Hmm? >

 

            < Think about the time and emotional cost it takes to personally train someone. Lance isn’t doing this for Claire; he’s doing it for you. >

            < I think I see… >

            < He really does care for you, Master Red. >

            < I know… I just wish he’d show it more. >

            < Be patient. After all, what are dragons known for? >

            Ash sighed. * I will try my best then. But… I’m not worthy of his love. I bet Claire is more powerful… I can’t even get close to Lance’s power… *

           

            The next day, he threw himself into the weather summoning with enough fervor to cause a raging blizzard that lasted three weeks. He just worked on healing and weaponry spells during that time.

            Lance smiled. * Maybe sooner than I thought… *

            He checked on the scones he was baking and smiled again.

* He is such a kawaii ko… *

            Cute child, yes, very cute.

 

            And yet, maybe those lessons had helped with control. In either case, Ash wasn’t brooding.

            If your emotions got into battle, it caused severe problems.

            Accuracy loss and possible death were only two of the many…

            Oh, it was annoying, certainly, but as Lugia’s Chosen he had seen his share of pathetic magicians trying to become dragon masters.

            Their remains still littered the ice caves.

 

            Whirl Islands – Lugia’s testing spot. Four tests, none of them easy, waited the prospective trainer.

            Lance shook his head, remembering his own trial. Even Lugia’s Chosen had to face the wrath of the elements without aid.

            Still, he had passed. As Dragon Master, he oversaw the others. Many were pathetic idiots, who had achieved their dragon-types through cruel and unusual means.

            So it was justifying revenge when they failed miserably.

 

            “Ne, Lance-chan?”
            “Drop the –chan please.” Lance said, a bit unnerved at Ash’s close proximity.

            “Oh.” Ash blinked, and nodded. “Um… I just finished the ‘armor scales’ spell, and it held up to three Hyper Beams.”

            “Excellent work.” As he noticed Ash’s slight fluster and the pale pink in his cheeks, a hypothesis began to brew in the Dragon Master’s mind. * I might as well have a little fun with him, and see if what I think is true is true. *

 

            “How nice.” Lance grinned. “How about a little something for mastering that difficult spell?”

            Ash blinked. “Hmm?”

            He was completely unprepared when the Dragon Master kissed him softly.

            “So pretty…” Lance whispered, his fingers sliding into Ash’s hair.

            Ash only stared uncomprehendingly.

 

            Warm, oh gods, so warm and sweet and perfect…

            Does this mean he’s interested in me? Do I have a chance now?

            So pretty…

            And I thought he was cold, too! How silly of me. He’s like ice fire, and so warm…

            So warm…

            Lance’s eyes only opened when Ash kissed him back of his own volition.

 

End Chapter