Author:
The Plot Bunny Whisperer
Title:
Champion
Rating:
PG for suggestive hits
Genre:
General, Romance [Championshippy]
Summary:
Sometimes you must set aside everything to reach your dreams. Warning: Yaoi
Dedicated to Shadow/Phantomness, who made me fall in love with this pairing all
over again.
With a great bellow, the mighty Tauros admitted defeat and crashed unconscious
to the ground while the victor roared in triumph. It was recalled in a beam of
ruby light and in silence with a small, knowing smile.
In that silence, he observed his opponent, the last to stand in his way to
achieving his life's dream. A dream he shed tears and sweat and blood for, a
dream he gave his all to and sacrificed all but his will, his pride, and the
dedication and love he held for his pokemon. He set aside everything important
to him: his mother, his friends... and his heart....
The last was the most painful for him. But it had to be done.
He ran a hand across the pokeballs containing the three remaining pokemon he
had left. The four to have fallen fought well and bravely but the three
remaining would win this for him.
He paused over one of the pokeballs, black on top and blood red on the bottom.
His secret weapon. No, this one would be used last. He reached instead for a
standard red-and-white ball and released the fiery dragon within. It screamed
it's name as it emerged, and the other screamed back in response to the
challenge.
He called out for a Fire Blast; it would do nothing more than slightly singe
and slow the Aerodactyl down, but the decrease in speed was just what he
needed. It happened just as he planned: The ancient stone bird shook off the
flames with a gesture of annoyance and launched a Hyperbeam, which the
Charizard just managed to avoid though it's wing caught the edge of the attack.
He called next for a Rage while the other recharged and the Charizard acted in
kind, ramming in a few well-chosen places and slightly crippling the large
stone dragon. His opponent called next for a Razor Wing and the Charizard
roared as it's side was slashed, countering with a Flamethrower.
An unexpected Swift was followed by another Hyperbeam. The Charizard's HP was
low but it managed a second Flamethrower and a Seismic Toss. The Aerodactyl
crashed to the floor and did not get up.
It was recalled. A Gyarados replaced it.
He quickly used a Super Potion but it was no use. A well-aimed Hydro Pump
knocked out his loyal dragon. He recalled it with a wince and sent out his
first and most loyal pokemon: a Pikachu.
The Gyarados was ordered to use Acid Armor, surprising him; he didn't know it
could learn the move. But it did, protecting it from a Thunderbolt. The Pikachu
neatly dodged a Bubblebeam and soon thirty Pikachu's filled the room. Water Gun
dispersed with every one of them until it knocked the real Pikachu into a wall.
It got up, shook itself off, and growled at the giant water serpent.
The Pikachu dodged one Twister but couldn't dodge a second. It looked battered
and dirty, but still ready to go on. He ordered it to ready itself. The Pikachu
nodded and tensed as it gathered all of it's energy, while his opponent ordered
the Gyarados to power a Hyperbeam. Both the Hyperbeam and a devastating Thunder
attack released at the same time and met in the middle; neither side lost or
gained ground until the gathered energy created an explosion, succeeding in
knocking both of the pokemon out. The Pikachu hung on until the Gyarados
fainted first then stubbornly sunk into welcome bliss.
They were both recalled.
He and his opponent both stood still and silent. They were each down to their
last, and most powerful pokemon. His opponent's was no secret: everyone knew of
the mighty, supposedly undefeatable Dragonite. But his he had kept a
well-guarded secret, for not only would it turn him into one of the most famed
men on earth, it would turn him into the most hunted. Hunted by researchers,
wealthy Collectors, and most dangerous of all, Team Rocket.
The Dragonite was released from it's ball in the usual red beam of light. He
unhooked his Master Ball with a grim smile, held it for a moment, then released
the creature within. It came out, in all it's cute, pink glory, sapphire
doe-eyes round and filled with natural mischief. His opponent sucked in a
breath as the thing uttered it's name in a cute mewl.
"Mew?"
His opponent's composure was quickly recollected and Hyperbeam was ordered. The
Mew was caught by surprise and blasted into the wall. He turned worried eyes at
the hole, but the Mew only emerged coughing - and angry. He breathed in relief
and ordered a Metronome, bringing into use a powerful Ice Beam attack. The
Dragonite roared in pain.
The battle was nearly a stalemate, both legendary creatures seemingly at the
same level of power. Both were wearing down slowly, showing in their less graceful
moves and less powerful attacks.
But he trained too hard to lose. They trained too hard to lose. The years lost
and sacrifices made were not going to be lost and made in vain. The final
attacks were called, the most powerful their pokemon could produce.
Hyperbeam.
Shadowbeam.
They clashed in the middle, boiled outward... and exploded in a great show of
light and wind. He braced himself against the onslaught of the backlash. The
light began to dim slowly, leaving spots in his eyes. He held his breath as the
dust began to settle.
Both still standing, but weakly. Their legs trembled at the effort.
Finally, one slipped down with a groan.
He released in breath. His eyes lit with a joy he couldn't name.
He had won. He did it.
He swallowed the urge to whoop and cheer childishly, recalling his exhausted
Mew back into the pokeball, watching his opponent silently do the same. His
opponent didn't look angry or depressed or sad about his loss. He didn't look
upset about it at all. In fact, he was smiling.
Broadly and blindingly.
Both stepped slowly out of their raised boxes and onto the blackened and
charred field, meeting in the middle. They clasped hands in a friendly
handshake.
"Congratulations. You finally did it, Ash." Ash smiled at the
slightly taller, older man, chocolate eyes bright.
"Yeah. We did."
The next question was solumn, filled with hidden meaning.
"Was it worth it?" Ash titled his head in thought.
"I think so."
They stood silent for a moment as the older man regarded him.
"You're finally a Pokemon Master; you've achieved your dream. What are you
going to do now?" Ash thought about it for a moment and answered honestly.
"First, I'm going to reclaim the ties I lost. Then I'm going to visit my
mother. After that... I don't know." Something sparked in the other's dark
eyes.
"Reclaim all your ties?" The tone seemed casual, but Ash felt the
underlying emotion.
"Yes," Ash said softly. "All of them." Lanced stared at him
for a moment before sweeping him into a bone-crushing hug and breathless kiss.
"I missed you," Lance murmured when they broke for air.
"Yeah. Me too." Ash seemed slightly dazed and trembled at the
predatory look that entered his lover's eyes.
"Do you think you could wait a few days before you leave for Pallet Town?
We have some... catching up to do." Lance's purr made the new champion's
spine tingle and he barely had the time to nod before he was swept out of the
arena and carried to a personal suite, carried like a bride on her honeymoon.
"I think it was definitely worth it," Ash murmured before his whole
world was filled with endless pleasure.
End.