The Indigo League Dragon Tamer's Wild child

Chapter 4

Ash lept through several trees before falling into a bush he just got back up and kept running till he was out of breath and his legs refused to move further. Ash just put his sleeping bag on the ground where he stopped running he put on his pajamas sluggishly before just collapsing onto the sleeping bag. "Sorry we've been running all day Pikachu but I just kinda blanked when Lance tried to talk to me...Is this the way I'm going to react to adults from now? Or is it how I'll feel when interacting with everyone even people I know?" Ash asked out loud. "Pika Pika," Pikachu said as he put his head under Ash's hand and Ash just chuckled as he patted PIkachu's head before falling asleep.

When Ash got up the next morning the sun was pretty high in the sky. "Guess we overslept huh bud?" Ash asked as he rubbed the back of his neck. Pikachu jumped up in response alongside his trainer. Ash put away his sleeping bag and got dressed. "We're running low on food so we should find some berries before we turn in for the night," Ash said after he and Pikachu ate. When they were done they started walking in a random direction searching for food and a potential water source. Ash's thoughts wandered back to Lance and wondering why he was looking for him because, in all honesty, he didn't have any real connections outside Brock and Misty who believe him to be back in Kanto training with Pikachu and preparing for The Silver Conference. Professor Oak constantly compares him to Gary and sure it might be to motivate him but it still hurts his feelings and when Ash called him when he reached a Pokemon Center after the whole Saint Ann incident he didn't care at all that he had been pronounced dead. Instead, he asked Ash about the giant Pokemon he saw, and after finding out they were just robots he just shrugged and wished him the best of luck on his journey.

Gary and Ash may be getting on better terms but they don't communicate except where they run into each other. Ash has up and vanished from Pallet Town he knows Gary wouldn't ask people to be on the lookout for him or even come looking for Ash himself. Why was Lance looking for him? Was it Team Rocket searching for him again for some reason?  It doesn't really matter but Ash knows he doesn't want to talk to anyone for better or worse.

Ash found some Kelpsy, Grepa, and Mago berries to replenish the low food supply over a matter of days walking several miles in a day and so far he hasn't seen another soul and he's surprisingly grateful. I used to love talking to people but when I think of talking with another person I want to hide...I hope this isn't permanent or this will probably become a problem...A problem for future me. Ash thought to himself as he shook those thoughts away.

Ash began to actively seek out a river since he hadn't seen one since he saw Lance and he and Pikachu were running low on water and his clothes needed to be washed. It took a few hours of walking, but they eventually found a river and took care of their things before setting up camp again.  They spent the rest of the day training since they hadn't done that in a while because they normally spend their days walking and trying not to get themselves killed every other step.

                                                                       Back with Lance...

Lance had finished up in Mahogany Town and was on his way back to the elite four to tell his employees that he was taking more of his work out of the office. When he entered the building he went to his office and collected files and paperwork that had shown up at his desk over the last few days. He sent an email to the Kanto elite four explaining his reasoning for not showing up to meetings and that he was letting Lorelei and Agatha take charge of the meetings for the Kanto branch and also making sure it didn't burn down to the ground. When he was done with that he called a Johto elite four meeting in the meeting hall.

"Glad to see you alive and kicking," Bruno said. "Glad to have you back Lance," Will said as he flicked his hair out of his eyes. "They've just been bored without you here," Karen said as she patted her Umbreon. "We've been showing the newbie the ropes," Bruno said as he pointed with his thumb toward Koga over his shoulder. "Pleasure to see you again," Koga said as he stuck out his hand toward Lance who took it and shook it. "Likewise Koga at the very least we aren't understaffed this season last season I was acting as a member of the elite four and as Champion," Lance said as he shook his head remembering the countless headaches from the season prior. "Why'd you call this meeting boss man?" Will asked Lance as everyone took their seats.

"Well, I have to take the work out of the office for a while due to increased Team Rocket activity across Johto, interviewing for a new gym leader in Kanto, and doing some check-ins on some of the youngest Gym leaders in Johto. While I am away Will and Karen will be in charge of setting up the meetings I can not attend and ensuring no one burns this place down." Lance said at the front of the room to the gathered trainers. 

There were a couple of objections but after some explaining the Elite Four understood his reasoning for doing what he did and including why Karen and Will were in charge...Bruno was a bit insulted because he's a grown adult and shouldn't be babysat Lance just looked at him with a look that read "Are you kidding me?" Koga understood because he was new here so there was no real questioning of his decision which was nice to Lance, especially with his group.

"I have noticed a pattern lately of Team Rocket using children in their schemes whether the child grew up like this or was forced into this lifestyle all of them have one thing in common they have trust issues. I am not very good with children and I need some advice on how to approach these children without them attacking me or running away so I can help them and potentially gain information from them." Lance said. 

"I'm not very good with kids myself I spent a few days with three of them back in Kanto and I didn't do the best job training them," Bruno said as he shook his head. "I don't really have much experience with kids but as you love to remind me I was one recently even though I'm 19. With that, I say try to give them stuff preferably food since Team Rocket members always seem to be underweight since they don't get paid much. What they do eat, whether it be wild berries or some food they saved for they burn through it quickly due to them constantly being on the move, " Will said and Lance nodded, making a mental note of what Will said. "As a father, in my experience, children appreciate it if you listen to them. I know Janine appreciates it when I listen to how she feels and how her day has gone," Koga said as he nodded and Lance took another mental note.

"In my advice take it slowly Lance. Try to make yourself appear smaller, make your voice softer, don't make any sudden movements, watch your words, and do not back any of them into a corner. They will attack you with the force of a wild Pokemon especially since you're blocking the way to the exit. If they run off try again but be as gentle as possible." Karen said as she was stroking her Umberon in her lap and Lance nodded because he understood where they were all coming from before he left the Elite Four building.                                                                                                 Don't worry kid I'll help you and save you. Lance thought as he left the Elite Four building.

Hey there welcome to Chapter 4 I hope you enjoyed it and you look forward to more. Sorry if this was a bit boring but Chapter Five should be more entertaining. I do NOT OWN Pokemon or ANY of the ART. I don't have much else to say I hope you have a good day and a good rest of your week and see you next week.-K