Another Road Repaved - Coordination

Convictions

Today was just full of surprises.

That was Ash's first thought, with the Champion of Kanto and Johto overlooking him from Cinnabar Island's heights. Just after he'd gotten a thrashing from Blaine, a minute ago.

"It's been quite some time, Ash!" Lance smiled down upon the group. Sounding jovial, despite the regal air he put off. "Truth be told, I was hoping I'd run into you."

"You... were?" Ash stuttered out, lamely pointing to himself.

"I had something of a mission to complete." That was all Lance explained, before two large figures joined him at the ledge's precipice. On Lance's right, his loyal Dragonite, towering over him. On his right, a somewhat shorter, but still imposing beast. A Charizard stomped forward, and roared.

"...Charizard!?" Ash exclaimed in shock. How did he know that the Flame Pokémon was his...? Well, Charizard coasting down over the Volcano's surface and dousing him in a roaring Flamethrower might've been a tell. One that Pikachu promptly abandoned him for.

Dawn gasped, hand held over her mouth in worry. "Ash!?"

"Ergh..." Ash groaned, now covered in soot. He promptly shook it off, beaming at the sight of his friend. "Great to have you back, big guy! I see Liza sent you off just in time."

"Grah!" Charizard flashed a sunny smile, despite his brutish behavior, and bumped his fist against Ash's own.

Lance and Dragonite were next to descend upon the beach, stopping before the group.

"But... I'm lost." Ash said, looking over to the Champion. "What're you doing here? Why was Charizard with you? What's going on!?"

Lance laughed to himself, amused. " Ever the excitable one. What do you say you calm down, and I'll answer you one question at a time?" He took Ash's silence as compliance, and continued. "I am here by Wallace's request. He'd asked me to be a guest judge at this year's Wallace Cup, apparently. But I politely declined, and stuck around to do some training at the volcano." He turned his gaze up to the towering work of nature, and smiled. "Its intense conditions are quite ideal."

"Aw, that's a bummer," Ash replied. "Having two Champion's at the judge's table would've made things interesting."

"Wallace felt the same as you," Lance replied. "He'd said something about 'wanting the perspective of someone who understands the romanticism of Dragon-type Pokémon...'" He shook his head. "Though, I feel differently. I know the hearts of dragons who yearn for heart-stopping battle! Not aesthetics."

"But, those are one and the same!" Dawn argued, squeezing in beside Ash to preach passionately. "There's beauty behind power!"

"Aha... I think you might just be agreeing because Wallace said it," Ash chuckled.

"That's not the only reason!" Dawn pouted. Then, her blue hues widened. She'd seemingly only just processed everything Lance and Ash had said. "...Oh. You're a Champion!" She gasped.

"Indeed I am," Lance smiled. "I am Lance. Champion of the Indigo League, spanning both Kanto and Johto. It's a pleasure, Dawn."

Dawn gasped. Sparkles seemingly spun in her eyes. "You knew my name...!"

"If only because I'd just witnessed the altercation with our dear Fire-type Gym Leader," he explained.

This left Dawn hanging her head, somewhat crestfallen. "Darn... But, still!" She rebounded. "It's an honor to meet yet another Champion!"

Charizard grunted, spitting out a few embers of annoyance as his foot tapped against the sand. Idle conversation was dragging out, and it was making him impatient; something Ash was the first to notice.