Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Freedom's Price ❯ Chapter 5

Another chapter! Good luck to me!
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 5

 

“Ash!”

Ash frowned. “Dad? What is it?”

He quickly let the lightning that he had been summoning vanish in an eye blink before it was spotted. He didn't need questions now.

Lance looked up from his magazine.

“We need to talk.”

Hearing Matthew's tone of voice, Lance slipped away with Ash's pokemon, knowing that they needed privacy.

Ash faltered a bit, noticing Lance's absence - when had he come to rely on the other trainer? However, he turned to his father, waiting.

“What is it?”

“Ash, in a few days I'm leaving for the Emerald Islands, there's a dig going on there.” Matthew said. “I wanted to spend some time with you.”

“Oh.”

“So come on, kid!”

“Wait! Where are we going?”

“It's a surprise.”

Ash frowned but followed his father as they got into their car and drove away.

 

They went to a basketball game, which was boring, and then to a pokemon tournament, which was more interesting, hit the Vermillion Aquarium, which was _very_ cool, and then finally, went home.

Four days.

It had been pretty fun.

“Thank you, dad.” Ash said, beaming. * At least he remembered I existed… * although the thought was cruel, it was also true.

Matthew felt better also. * I feel better now that I've done my fatherly duties, at least somewhat… *

Besides, Ash would have a friend.

 

< Welcome home. >

We missed you! Chikorita added, leaping into Ash's arms for a hug. Butterfree simply landed on his shoulder, and Bulbasaur demanded a hug also.

Ash hugged Lance too, just for good measure.

< Did you have fun? >

Ash nodded. “Why are you talking in telepathy?” He whispered. “I've never heard you use it before.”

< Just as not to attract unwanted attention. >

“Huh?”

< You'll understand later. I haven't taught you any psychic moves yet, hai? >

< Right. >

Ash blinked. * Where did that come from? *

< Oh, you have psychic potential as well as fire and lightning. That's very good. Let's start with teleport… >

And his lessons began anew.

Two days later, Matthew left on his newest dig site. This kept him away for home for almost a year.

And then…

 

“Who is she, Daddy?” Ash asked, staring at the voluptuous woman who had come home with him.

“Er, this is my colleague, Professor Ivy.”

“Oh.”

Lance watched as Ash's expression shifted subtly. < Lance, she's! >

< What? >

Ash blushed. < She… Lance, what is sex? >

Lance sighed. < Something only married people should do. It makes babies. > He had no desire to lecture this child on said topic right now.

< Oh! > Ash scowled.

< Why? Has your father been… > Ash nodded.

< Well, that's unfortunate. >

< I thought he loved my mom! > Ash yelled, making Lance wince.

“Ash?”

Ash glared at Matthew, but did not say a word.

“What a cute child.” Ivy said, oozing insincerity. “How old are you?”

“Nine, but I'll be ten soon.”

“Matthew! You're home!” Delia proclaimed as she rushed out the door and hugged him, making him drop his suitcases.

“Hello, Mrs. Ketchum. I am Professor Ivy. I worked with your husband on the dig. He's a good partner.”

Delia smiled as she shook hands. “Come in, come in! I'll make tea.”

The grown ups went inside.

 

“You're very angry, aren't you?”

Ash nodded.

Well, what a faithless man. Bulbasaur spat.

Chikorita nodded.

I think it is unfair. If he knew he would fall in love with someone else, he should not have gone away for so long. Butterfree added.

“I know!”

< Shh… calm down. > Lance said, gathering Ash into his arms. The child struggled for a minute, but accepted the embrace.

< Lance, why? Why would he… she's so ugly! >

< I do not know. How much did you see? >

 

< Not much. They had sex a lot though, at least that's what I assume it was.. But that was only after six months had passed. > Ash said. * So he wasn't totally faithless… *

< In any case, a year is much too long to be away. >

< I know! He used to only leave for two months? Why this time… >

< I don't know, but I suspect we will find out soon. >

Ash nodded.

< Now, can you do Dragon Rage yet? >

< I'm working on it. I think, almost. I've got Twister down though. >

< Good… >

Ash looked on, surprised at the tornado that shot out of his fingers, was…

< Dragon _rage_, Ash… it is fueled by anger, yes? >

< So that's why it's working now? >

Lance smirked, < What do you think? >

 

One surprise had been that grass was also difficult for Ash. Considering his pokemon all knew plenty of grass moves that had been surprising. Well, in any case, life was full of contradictions…

Lance checked Ash over, smiling. Excellent.

Starting early was a benefit. Ash already knew a pretty wide range of pokemon attacks. Then, they could keep working while he journeyed.

Lance had spent two weekends badge-collecting and now boasted all of the Kanto Gym badges, even Giovanni's.

It had been easy, but he had hid most of his power.

Overkill not necessary…

Reflect fell around him as Ash used Toxic.

“Missed again.” Ash pouted.

“Well, keep working…”

Ash nodded. After all, what else did he have? He sensed that his peaceful family life was about to shatter into pieces.

Infidelity has dire consequences, does it not?

 

End Chapter

Completed 8/15/04