I choose you.

[Syrrus]

Lance nodded, he saw no other suitable place to hide than the one Riel had pointed out. Scouting around, to make sure the roof didn't have any weak points above or around the cleared aria, he nodded again. "Yes it seems suitable. We can stay for a few hours, get out courage back up. No fires though. We don't want to fill the tunnels with smoke." Smoke would be bad, he hoped the roof hadn't caused a fire somewhere down the line or the air would be a lot less breathable fairy soon.


Dragonite propped himself down on the ground, growling happily at the two humans and their pokemon friends. He was feeling awfully hungry after beating up a whole group of Team Rocket members, he indeed needed some food about now. Which Lance was quick to give. He had a small lunch box with his own emblem upon it filled with what looked like colourful cupcakes.

 

[juuchanisu]

The realization struck Riel like a bullet when the thought of being trapped underground, at the risk of death and stuck with Kanto's leader of Elite Four, who was quite attractive you might add. At that thought, Riel became flustered and slightly angry. The girl was trapped.....once again because of Team Rocket.


She sighed, settling beside Dragonite with a smile. Luckily before she had left her home, Riel packed herself and Lance small lunch in case they couldn't access food for some reason. She handed the lunch she made for


him with a smile, "Er, I made lunch for both of us in case something like this happened..." she smiled.


Riel wrapped the cape she was wearing around her to provide her self some warmth, sighing as opened her lunch box. Devon scurried down her shoulder and beside the girl, stealing some chips she had packed. "Devon..."

 

[Syrrus]

Lunch? Lance sat down next to the girl and looked at the lunch box with a surprised look. No one had ever made lunch for him before. It surprised him quite a bit. "Why would you do that?" Of course, he only questioned it because he saw it odd that she would have taken the time, wondering to himself if she actually had been late due to this... box. Peering over his shoulder at Dragonite who smiled at him with his wide face caused the Dragon Master to smile back. Perhaps his time with Riel wouldn't be too bad after all.


"Thank you, anyhow. It was very kind of you." He gave her a smile as he leaned back against Dragonite. When he noticed that Riel was cold however, he pulled her close, so she could lean against him, for some sort of warmth.

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel smiled at Lance, "Why? Because it's just in my nature," she laughed softly. "I tend to provide all the meals for family meetings, when my friends come over and just...normal things. Cooking for other people makes me happy," she smiled. She stroked Devon's small head, smiling.


When Lance pulled her closer to him, the girl got all flustered once again, but smiled at Lance anyways. She shifted around so she can lean on Lance more comfortably as she silently ate her lunch, watching as her Dedenne up onto the large, cuddly Dragonite. Not long after Riel finished her lunch, she had fallen asleep, her head resting on Lance's shoulder while still curled up in his cape.

 

[Syrrus]

Lance mumbled as he looked down at the lunch box. "I have never had a home cooked meal before." It was true, the Dragon Master was working twenty-four seven and therefore had never any time to cook, nor did he have the skill to do so either. He always ate either take away with the other elites or at a restaurant, of not alone then with the other elites. It was odd really, that he relied so much on them for friendship, not so much for comfort, that was why he had Dragonite, who now was asleep behind him. Hydreigon was of course some sort of comfort too, she was not asleep however, but looking around for danger, letting one of her heads eat a cupcake from the box which Lance had brought.


After finishing his lunch, surprised that it had tasted so good; not that he didn't believe in Riel's ability to cook. More because he was used to fancy five star restaurants and he always figured that had messed up his taste buds somewhat. Looking down upon the sleeping girl he couldn't help but to smile. He'd let her rest for a little, then they had to continue. It hit him that this base could contain possible important information about Team Rockets plan and how far they had actually managed to go, so far.

 

[juuchanisu]

After the small nap, Riel fluttered her sleepy and drowsy blue orbs and yawned. She sat up straight as she allowed her vision to clear, then glanced to the side of her. "Hi Lance," she yawned. "Shall we get going?"


The girl quickly packed everything back up, standing while she did so. Devon, who had fallened asleep on Dragonite's head had woken up at the same time as his trainer did and scurried down the large dragon Pokemon and onto her shoulder, nuzzling his cheek with hers as a hello.


Riel looked at Lance's finished lunchbox then smiled, "I do hope you enjoyed it. I tried my best to make it five-star quality but I just don't have those kind of ingredients," she laughed.

 

[Syrrus]

Lance twitched as the girl awoke, he had almost fallen asleep himself. She was quick too, almost as if she was filled to the brim by new energy. This caused him to smile, perhaps having her with him wouldn't be so bad after all. "Yes, I believe we shall, thank you..." Why did he thank her? He actually had no clue. Getting up on his feet he peered at Dragonite who blinked himself away.


Dragonite woke when Riel's little Pokemon jumped off his head, to his belly and up to its trainer. It was of course a rude awakening but not something Dragonite could deal with, he smiled still, like always as he got up, hugging Lance tight with stubby arms causing the Dragon Master to blush. "Morning..."


Lance turned towards Riel as he was picking up their things and patting Hydreigon on the head. "I did, thank you. I've never had a home cooked meal before. It was very nice." He smiled that kind smile that only he could muster towards her before he started walking. Sneaking around the wall.

 

[juuchanisu]

The girl pulled her hair out of pigtails and brushed it out so her blonde curls framed her face as she watched Lance and his Dragonite. Riel stifled a giggle watching the Dragon Master blush by being embraced by his Dragonite. She smiled softly as she noticed Lance had thanked her twice, a new record for her! As the two continued walking, Lance's comment surprised Riel.


"Never?" Riel blurted in surprise. She followed him closely, feeding snacks to Devon as she did so. "Lance, you got to let me cook your meals then~!" The girl insisted as she straighten the cape she was still currently wearing. "To be honest, I think home cooked meals are better than restaurants. I guess home cooked meals have more...feeling, if you get what I mean," she rambled, then gave a small laugh at the end, blushing in embarrassment. "Sorry, I'm rambling off again~"

 

[Syrrus]

"I suppose I know what you mean, yes..." Lance mumbled to himself as he peered down a unknown corridor that they past. The ghost Pokémon that had inhabit the facility was trying their best it play tricks on the trainers mind, something Lance was not going to take part of and therefore he ignored all the odd hanged girl ghosts, zombie corpses and other disgusting things that had been created by the Pokémon who snickered very time he would gaze upon it.


"I am not certain you will have the time to cook for me. I don't actually live in Kalos." He added, trying to calm Dragonite down who was now looking a bit more than a little scared by all the strange visions. The big dragon didn't like it at all.

 

[juuchanisu]

A shiver ran down Riel's spine as she walked closely behind Lance, trying her best not to look at the terrifying visions. She sighed, returning her Dedenne who kept sending shocks on her shoulder every time he looked up.


"I know you don't live in Kalos. Kanto, right?" Riel said as she reached over and grabbed Lance's hand for reassurance. "But while I'm traveling with you, I would love to cook for you," the girl smiled shyly.

 

[Syrrus]

Lance peered over his shoulder at the young lady behind him, who was now holding his hand rather tightly. He supposed that she could indeed cook for him, he wouldn't mind it. It was better than having to eat canned food or have to travel back and forth to a town every time he got hungry. Smiling, he nodded. "Yes, of course. But let me pay for the ingredients or I won't feel good about it." He could at least help her out a little, or else he'd find himself awfully impolite.


Lance continued walking down the corridor, avoiding dark side routes. They did however hit a dead end, after a few minutes of walking. This caused the Dragon master to sigh and peer upwards. Where would they go from here?

 

[juuchanisu]

"If...if you insist," Riel smiled, as she stayed close to the Dragon Master.


The girl gave a sigh went the two hit a dead end and when Lance looked up, Riel frowned. "How are we gonna get out?" she asked as she looked around. They couldn't go east or west, seeing as they would run into walls. The only option they had was go back. Riel groaned, "We're never gonna get out are we...?"

 

[Syrrus]

Lance raised a hand, as if asking for silence. He was listening for something. He could hear water, pouring water coming through one of the walls. He needed to get Riel out, as soon as she was free he could go back down to help others and possibly find what he was looking for - whatever that was.


"Dragonite, can you please punch though that wall?" He asked the big Dragon who nodded and prepared himself for a big hit. Lance placed both his hands on Riel's shoulder, to shield her from possible rocks, water or other that could come flying towards them as soon as the wall was knocked down.


Dragonite punched through the wall, once, twice... three times. He broke through and water came splashing out. Not much, but enough to make the floor all wet and to make it reach them to their knees. It was ice cold and beyond it lay what seemed to be a dark cave.

 

[juuchanisu]

A cold shiver ran down Riel's spine as the ice cold water touched her skin. "Ah! Lance, what the heck? It's cold!" she cried out, shivering. She looked at the cape she was still wearing. "And you got your cape wet..." Riel frowned, pulling the black cape up from the water. Shivering, she looked up at the dark cave.


"Are we gonna explore that? Because really, I don't want to. My feet are freezing," she mumbled, hugging herself in hopes to warm herself.

 

[Syrrus]

Lance peered at her, there was little else they could do. Bending his knees he picked her up in his arms and carried her like you do to a maiden or a bride. He then stepped into the darkness of the cave together with his two Pokemon, following close by. He really wished he had- Remembering he quickly looked at Hydreigon. "Back in the ball, please." She did as she was told instantly. He then looked up at Dragonite. "Can you please get Charizard out for me?" HE was certain he had his old friend with him. His Charizard was no longer part of his main team, but he usually did take him with him, would he need a fire type.


Dragonite did as he was told and tossed a pokeball he knew Charizard to be in, the Fire type appeared, feet in water and roared in anger. "Sorry Charizard, but we need the light..."

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel's face ablaze in flames once again as the Dragon Master easily picked her up bridal style. Instinctively, she wrapped her petite arms around his neck and hoped she didn't weigh that much. She looked at Lance's new pokemon, smiling at it. "Your Charizard's gonna have to be careful...if the tail fire is extinguished..." her voice faded in a whisper as her brow furrowed, a sad look plastering itself on her face. She didn't want to think of how pokemon can die. It was such a tragedy...


She shook her head, as she looked down the now lighten tunnel. The ice cold water seemed to slowly get lower, and it started to form a round shape. "What is this place...?" she mumbled. She had never been underneath Lumiose before. Then it struck her, "Are we still under Lumiose?" Riel asked, looking up at Lance with curious eyes.

 

[Syrrus]

Lance frowned slightly. Obviously he already knew what would happen to his Charizard, would the tail get wet. He simply figured that the big dragonlooking fire type would be smart enough to avoid getting it wet. The water didn't seem deep enough to do any damage either. "No... I don't think that we are." The Dragon Master mumbled.


Dragonite was walking slowly behind Charizard lifting his tail up in the air for him, to make sure nothing bad happened. It frustrated the big Fire type but not enough to make it angry. It was slightly helpful, after all.

 

[juuchanisu]

Resting her head against Lance's shoulder, she recalled all the memories that had to deal with Lance. She only had been with him for such a short time, her second day with him and she was already stuck underground, cold, shivering and thanks to Team Rocket.


"Is this what you do everyday? Getting in trouble and trapped by Team Rocket?" she asked, resting her eyes for a moment. "Second day since I joined you, and we're once again in trouble thanks to Team Rocket." Riel sighed, opening her eyes. Riel felt like a bother to Lance, seeing as she is kinda slowing him down during their search for an exit. Maybe if she allowed Lance to chase the grunt, he might as well caught them and got Dragonite back. Riel sighed once again.

 

[Syrrus]

"Pretty much." Lance nodded as they walked through the darkness. Charizards flame could only do so much. Some crobats were watching them from the roof of the cave, they didn't seem to interested in challenging them though, good. Lance was not in the mood. "Not really every day, only when they are doing something that will cause the world any type of danger, otherwise it's the police's problem. It's a nice difference, from being at the Elite Four all day." He smiled down at her. She was strangely light, perhaps he had finally managed to grow some more muscles.

 

[juuchanisu]

"Is that so?" Riel smiled back. "I guess I could understand where you're coming from. Elite Four, is it a lot of work? I bet there is many challengers who are quite strong." Riel laughed gently. The blonde was liking the chance to have a nice chit-chat with the Dragon Master, seeing as she actually never had the chance to get to know him as much.


Wait. She had that one chance when he had invited her out to dinner to get to know him. Then again, she was quite tired. Riel smiled, she was excited to travel around Lance, even if it means chasing down Team Rocket and probably getting trapped again. Odd saying, but it was true. Riel never had the chance to travel around with company, seeing they leave her in the next week.

 

[Syrrus]

Lance nodded. "They who face me are all very strong. It takes quite a lot to beat the other three of the Elites. I am the last one standing, after all." He continued to explain, glad to come with some interest information even if it all sounded like boring school theory to him. It made him think about how many times he had lost a poke-battles. It wasn't often, almost never in fact. He remembered two strong trainers especially but he had never seen them since.


"Are you trying to become the champion?" He asked, slowly as he walked through the dark, keeping close to Dragonite and Charizard.

 

[juuchanisu]

Riel shook her head, "No. I'm just on a journey to get along with my pokemon, and explore Kalos really. I never had any interest in battling the champion, seeing as it takes quite a lot. I don't think I'm capable of such a thing," the girl laughed gently. "Sure, I'm quite passionate about battling but never have I thought I was strong enough to battle the champion of Kalos. Diantha, I heard, is quite strong..." Riel hummed.


"I battle gym leaders for mere fun, not a goal in mind," Riel laughed. "Sounds stupid, doesn't it?"

 

[Syrrus]

"I bet I could take her." Lance said with a big grin on his face. He said it in all honestly too. Someone who travels the worlds to save it every other week most be strong enough to take down a champion here and there, right? Right. He was often very modest, but the idea of having trouble against a woman who dressed like a swan was just too silly to him. "I bet you can do it too, no problem."


Lance stopped for a moment. They were now facing two tunnels. Sighing, he almost wanted to give up but then he decided to use logic. He moved forward towards one of the tunnels and then the next. "This way" He said and walked down the left one, without a second thought.

 

[juuchanisu]

She laughed at how confident he sounded, "Is that so? If I actually tried, I guess I can take her on..." Riel smiled. She watched as Lance walked around, then leading them down the left tunnel. The ice cold water have gotten lower once again and was now only pooling around Lance's and his pokemon's feet.


"I can walk by myself now..." she mumbled, letting her hands unwrapped themselves around his neck and resting in on his shoulders. "The water isn't that high," she laughed. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to be stubborn back there." Riel apologized. "Though I'm always stubborn or so what my mum says," she added quietly, with a small giggle.

 

[Syrrus]

"It's alright." Lance said, nodding at the light at the end of the tunnel. "We're out."


He placed the young girl down on her feet and stepped out into what seemed to be dawn. Strange, he didn't expect a whole day to go by that quickly. Nor a night. Perhaps they had spent far more time than he thought down in a hole. He had to go back however, later, to look for intelligence about Team Rocket's plans but he decided to get Riel home safely first.


He looked over his shoulder at her, thanked his Charizard and took him back into the pokeball. "Seems like we can go home now."