Eddies

Chapter 18: Don’t mess with the Raikou.

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

­___________________

Eddies 18

Raikou slipped silently from the house, padding through the dark garden on whisper quiet paws.  His excellent night vision had no trouble making out the four humans moving with apparent stealth through the underbrush.  Stealth for a human was laughable by his standards, and they failed to even register his presence as he slipped up behind them.

Taking up position in the garden, the four stood watching the property warily, looking for any signs of trouble.

Had they been more alert, they may have recognised that the trouble they sought was approaching from an entirely different direction. 

Keeping a reasonable distance from the humans, the legendary coughed; the deep noise echoing through the area.  When the four started, one letting out a curse, the leader shouted "Who's there?  Show yourself!"

Raikou grinned wryly, considering their reaction if he followed their directions.  Instead, from deep within the shadows, he growled "I don't think that would be wise.  Instead, how about you release those weapons, and join your fellows in the house?"

The lead human took a step forward, revolver muzzle moving back and forward as he looked for the speaker.  In a threatening voice, he again demanded "This isn't a joke!  Come out, with your hands up!"

A deep, rumbling chuckle resounded around them.  "With my hands up?   That would be a challenge, indeed."

Now quite pissed off, the group scanned the dark bushes as the leader issued a final warning.  "OK, smart arse; you have till the count of three to come out.  One... Two..."

But before he could finish, a roar echoed through the garden, as two huge amber eyes lit up before him, followed by a crackling rumble.  He stood shocked, staring in horror at the huge form now visible underneath the brush.  Raising his gun with a wavering hand, before he had any chance to line up with the massive monster, a blast of lightening streaked down from above, smashing into the ground before him and sending him flying backwards.

He landed hard, pistol spinning away into the night as further discharges rocked the clearing.  Retreating in disbelief, the other humans scattered, regrouping near the house as the monster cat stalked towards their leader, standing above his stunned form and glaring down at him with fangs bared.

With a shout, the three commenced firing at the creature, lead slugs tearing towards it.  Each was met with a discharge of electricity from its back, annihilating them before they even came close to striking their target.  As the huge eyes drew close in anger, further sparks flew from it to contact their weapons, and each officer dropped his pistol from suddenly numb fingers. 

Leaning down over the fearful human, Raikou growled into his face, sending vibrations shuddering through his body as he said "I think now would be a good time to surrender, don't you?"

It seemed a good idea, certainly.  No one thought to disagree with him.

­___________________

With the officers disarmed and the group safely ensconced in the kitchen, Raikou eyed Storm, who grinned at him nastily.

"Are you able to handle these alone?" the legendary rumbled, and Storm nodded, leering at the five humans with teeth bared.  More than one turned white at the smile, and Raikou shook his head at the typhlosion's entertainment as he slipped from the room to join Scott and the other human on the deck.

The pair had been animatedly conversing, but J.B started as Raikou appeared silently beside him, brushing past his shoulder to drop onto his haunches beside the Ranger.  Even seated, his head still sat higher than Scott's own, and J.B could only stare at the massive creature as it regarded him intently.

"Your men acted appropriately.  Do not consider them cowardly for their surrender."

Scott chuckled, and said "Yeah, you're best putting up your hands when encountering a force of nature", and Raikou twitched a lip at the comment.

J.B wasn't amused.  "I assume you consider yourself a force of nature then?" he said sharply, and received a droll glance in reply.

Raising an eyebrow, the legendary stared at the officer, who paled at his gaze. 

"Yes, I am, human.  That, and so much more than you could ever imagine" said Raikou softly, before excusing himself.  Vanishing into the night, he left a chuckling Ranger and confused policeman to continue their conversation.

"He wasn't serious?" said J.B, and spluttered to silence as the Ranger gave him, a wry look.

"Closest thing you're ever likely to get to meeting God." said Scott quietly, watching the underbrush intently.  "I'm just glad he's on our side."

"And if he wasn't?" demanded the policeman, as Scott shook his head.

"I'd hate to ask" said the Ranger, before giving his head a rub and returning to the discussion at hand.

­___________________

Finally, leaning back with a sigh, J.B eyed the Ranger from where he sat regarding him, and said "Alright, I buy the whole thing with the talking animals and all.  The evidence before my eyes goes a long way to backing that claim up, although I'd hate to try explaining this to anyone at headquarters.  I even grasp the whole reasoning behind you being here.  If the tables were turned, I'd act no differently.  However, what's to stop your people coming back here in numbers and starting all sorts of hostility?"

Scott shrugged.  "Nothing, in theory.  Practically, however?"

Leaning forward, he spoke frankly.  "Ever since coming here, I've been repeatedly stunned at the wastage and carnage you people have made of this planet.  You've stretched your resources to breaking point, and spend untold wealth bickering and fighting amongst yourselves.  Back home, our population is a mere fraction of yours here.  Why on earth would we desire anything we already have, in droves?"

Sitting back and crossing his arms, Scott continued "The only thing superior in your world to ours is your technology, and let's face it; I have yet to see anyone here made happy by it. In general, my world is safe.  It has its dangers, but a little common sense goes a long way to avoiding them.  Here?  Hell, your people seemed destined to look for trouble.  More to the point, you seem to find it readily.  Why would we be envious of that?"

J.B watched him carefully, before nodding.  "Now, that I believe, Ranger".  With a sigh, he stood, reaching out a hand to help Scott to his feet.

Gesturing into the darkness into which Raikou vanished, J.B chuckled suddenly, and said "I suppose we'd better get back inside and tell my men they won't be eaten by your huge hairy friend there."

Grinning, Scott paused a moment, before reaching into a pocket and handing the surprised policeman the two pistol magazines he'd removed earlier.  When J.B raised an eyebrow at him, slipping them into his pants pocket, Scott shrugged and said "I think a little trust between us will go a long way."

But as he pushed open the screen door, gesturing politely for J.B to precede him, he said "Besides, Raikou wouldn't eat them."

As they moved inside, Scott said quietly "They'd give him indigestion..."

­___________________

With a hot cup of chocolate in each shaking hand, J.B reassured the nervous officers that at this stage, everything was alright.  He'd accepted the Rangers story at face value, especially given the big hairy faces which now crammed into the room with them as they drank. 

He wasn't sure if the blue and black fox thing was the odd one, or the wisecracking smart arse partner of the Ranger took the prize.  The fact he turned out to be on equal professional footing with the human was a surprise.  Then again, nothing that night had turned out all that normal anyway, so why wouldn't a seven foot tall beige and blue copper be possible.

By the time they'd finished drinking, after Jasper had a raging argument with a spiky tailed orange rat thing, anything seemed likely.  Watching the Gym leader intently, J.B turned to Storm and said quietly "So, that one and your partner there aren't...you know...?"

The typhlosion grinned broadly, forming a circle with the claws of a thumb and finger, and thrusting another finger from his second hand through it while waggling his eyebrows at the human.  J.B had to laugh heartily as the typhlosion received a dirty scowl from Scott, who didn't think it was at all funny. 

Meanwhile, Jasper continued arguing with his raichu before throwing up his hands in disgust, and storming from the kitchen, followed by his fuming, sparking pokemon.  As the pair left so dramatically, the room fell into stunned silence, until Storm swore "Damn, she's a fucking bitch!” at which the officers broke into laughter.

As midnight approached, J.B glanced at his watch, starting at the time.  Telling his officers it was time to depart, he thanked Gwen for the drinks, before leaving by way of the front door.  As the Rangers followed, waving at the group as they sped away, Storm said quietly "Do you think we can trust them?"

Scott pursed his lips in thought, and then shrugged, leaning back against his partner as the surprised typhlosion wrapped his arms around his friend.

"I don't know, to be honest" said Scott quietly, looking up into the typhlosion's unusually sombre face.  As Storm shook his head, the pair stood together, staring at the retreating tail lights, and wondering where things would lead.

­___________________

Waking early the next morning, the group was in a sombre mood as they made their preparations for their return to the other world.  By 7am, they'd piled their gear into a heap on the front veranda, and we're just getting ready to head inside for breakfast, when the sound of a vehicle approaching had them pause.

Seeing the police 4x4 round the shed had everyone on edge, but when it halted in front of the house alone, the group relaxed somewhat.  Scott, Paul and Storm headed down the stairs, as J.B climbed out of the driver’s side.  Campanile soon followed, and the pair, dressed in casual clothing, strode to greet the trio.

Shaking J.B's hand somewhat warily, Paul asked the two officers what brought them all this way again so early.  Receiving a surprisingly open grin in reply, J.B pointed at his colleague, and said "It seems we were due for a few weeks’ vacation.  I thought it might be put to good use doing some hiking up in the mountains here, if you get what I'm saying?"

Storm gave Scott a loaded glance, but after a moment's thought, the human Ranger chuckled in return.  As the typhlosion's eyebrow rose, he hissed "You're not seriously considering bringing them along, are you?"

Scott eyed the two patiently watching policemen, and shrugged.  "If they had wanted to stop us, we'd have more than one vehicle back here this morning.  Bringing along some eye witnesses, who actually might be on our side, might make for a refreshing change."

Turning to the pair, he held out a hand, shaking their own firmly.  Storm, hesitating a moment, did the same.  As Campanile gripped the hairy sharp clawed palm firmly, the typhlosion broke into a broad smile.  "Be fun having some company" he rumbled, as the officer looked up at the toothy grin, smirking in return.  Keeping the hand firmly clasped, he leaned towards Scott and whispered loudly "Plus, it'll be handy having some snacks with us on the way, too.  Just in case, I mean", chuckling as Campanile's grin dropped, and he pulled his hand from the paw with a start.

Shaking his head, Scott turned to J.B and said seriously "I have no issue with this, although my superiors might feel differently.  I doubt it, though.  But you both need to understand I cannot guarantee your safety if you come with us.  Nor can I give a definite time frame in which we can get you home.  It could be a lot longer than you expect."

J.B nodded, and said "We understand, Ranger.  Tim and I don't have anything especially urgent on at the moment, and we've left instruction to contact Paul for further information if we don't return within a reasonable time.  He won't be held accountable for our disappearance; we've made sure of that."

Scott asked "What about those other four who came here with you?"

J.B chuckled darkly.  "They've been told if they open their mouths without my permission, I'll kick their arses from here to Broome and back.  Besides, what are they going to tell anyone?  That they had their butts handed to them by a giant lion monster?  After taking a year’s worth of drug tests, the best they'll expect is to be laughed out of the force.  No, they'll keep mum, or answer to me when I get back."

Scott nodded, leaving the pair to join the group in the kitchen for breakfast.  The meal went quickly, with Gwen working hard to keep up with all the hungry mouths.  Soon enough, the meal was complete, and they were back outside, getting ready to depart.

Paul and Gwen approached Chris, Skyy and Raikou, with his father shaking their hands in turn.  Gwen gave Chris a big hug, then startled Skyy by grabbing him into it.  As the lucario meeped in surprise, she told them to look after each other, and was awarded a nod from each in reply. 

She then surprised Raikou by grabbing him around the neck, and hugging him hard.  He dropped to his haunches, throwing a paw around the surprised woman, and purred loudly to the amusement of everyone.

Finally, it was Scott and Storm's turn.  When she approached the typhlosion, he stepped forward and grabbed her first, hauling her off her feet in a bear hug, which sent her laughing. 

With the goodbyes complete, Paul brought his truck around to the front door, and they piled into the vehicle's tray and cab.  Most of their gear was thrown into the back of the police 4x4, with Jasper joining Raikou in the rear tray.  The vehicle suspension sagged heavily from the weight of the legendary, but it didn't seem to have any other effect as they got underway.

Originally planning to walk the entire way, Paul had convinced them to at least take the trucks part of the way, saving a good half day of travel.  Scott and Storm agreed readily enough, although the arrival of the policemen complicated things a bit.  J.B simply shrugged, and said he was happy enough to leave the police truck at the camp grounds.  It would be unlikely that anyone would touch it, and it might come in handy if they needed to get back to civilisation in a hurry, if transport was closer than the farm.  Scott could see the logic in his suggestion, and had no further objections.  Once moving, it only took a few hours for them to make the campsite they'd stayed in on the way down, and unpack the vehicles.

Unloading only took a few minutes, and as the group prepared to head off, Paul drew Chris and Skyy aside for a word.  Giving his son a hug, he told the two to be careful, and watch each other’s backs; something they agreed to readily.  With a slap on their shoulders, Paul shoved them forward to rejoin the other.  Packs set, the group waved, before heading up the bush tracks towards the mountain peaks.

Chris glanced back just as the trees finally blocked the view of his waving father, letting out a despondent sigh.  When Skyy wrapped a warm around his waist in sympathy, he perked up a bit, turning to the lucario with a wan smile.

"Cheer up" said Skyy, "We'll be back soon enough."

Chris nodded, resuming his walk alongside his friend.  "Yeah, I know.  It's just...  Oh, hell, I dunno.  I'd thought things were over, and we could relax for a bit here.  It's not to be, I guess."

"Nope" said Skyy.  "But we'll be back.  I promised your mum as much".

Chuckling, Chris resumed his march, the lucario never far from his side.

­___________________

They made the portal cave by late afternoon, just as the day started cooling off.  The trees threw long shadows across the cave entrance, and they were greeted warmly by the half a dozen Rangers packing up gear in the clearing.  Scott had radioed the group earlier, giving them the expected e.t.a, and most of the campsite had already been dismantled, ready to send home.  Indeed, several Rangers were already lugging gear through the tunnel to the other side.

Scott had been advised the Ranger crew had a nervous time of it when the portal suddenly closed down.  However, using the experience gained from Raikou, they had reopened it thanks to the jolteon partner of one Ranger.  It took a fair bit out of the creature, which had apparently needed a day to recover from the drain on its energy.  But the crew were relieved they wouldn't be stuck here permanently if Raikou failed to return with Scott and Storm.

Seeing the reaction of the two police officers to the different pokemon scurrying around on errands was priceless, and Storm guffawed at the open mouthed, vacant expression on Tim's face.  Turning red, the officer shut his mouth with a snap, but staggered as he received a friendly slap across his shoulders.

"Get used to it, fella!" said the typhlosion, and Tim nodded hurriedly, eyes still fixated on the strange life forms running around the clearing helping out their human friends.

J.B dropped his pack, rummaging through the pockets.  Drawing a satellite phone from a waterproof pouch, he checked the signal strength and battery, before looking up to meet stunned gazes.  With a chuckle, he handed the device over to the crew for examination, amused at their disbelieving comments.  To have an actual phone, rather than a simple radio with limited range, work so far from civilization, was incredible, and the two officers shortly found themselves the object of intense conversation on the technology they had at their disposal.  At least, until Storm roared for them to get their arses back to work, so they could get home that year!

The return portal trip was smooth as silk; no nausea, and no discomfort.  Perhaps familiarity made things easier, Chris mused, remembering with a wince the discomfort of his first journey.  Either way, they arrived at the other side to an incredible site.  A large clearing had been opened up around the portal, with semi-permanent buildings constructed throughout the area.  Even the portal itself was now housed in a heavy canvas marquee, giving protection to the teeming rain pouring down from above.

Staring out the tent flap at the pounding weather, Chris winced as a stray gust blew chilled water into his face.  Scott stood silently beside him, looking out at the elements without expression.  With a shrug, Chris rejoined the others, standing cramped inside the centre of the marquee to avoid the dripping puddles seeping in from outside. 

Yelling above the gusting wind, Chris shouted "Welcome to the new world, J.B.  Hope you have a nice stay!" receiving a wry grin in reply. 

"Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live here." the policeman quipped, causing several nearby Rangers to grin.

While the time differential wasn't precise, it was close to midnight local.  Even though his body clock had reset to "home" time, the long hike had taken a lot out of Chris, and he yawned loudly, setting off a chain reaction amongst his friends, who cursed him for infecting them with it.  With Scott and Storm busy with the other Rangers, and J.B and Tim intent on their discussions, Chris went to Jasper, telling him they were crashing.  When the gym leader nodded, agreeing readily to accompany them, they approached one of the Rangers, who directed them towards a small accommodation block that had been built towards the rear of the complex. 

Grabbing a large tarp, Chris motioned Raikou to pace between them, as the three held the protective cover above them, staving off the worst of the elements.  Even so, they were quite damp by the time they reached the building.  Raikou ended up the driest of the lot, the static clinging to his frame forcing the water away, but he still regarded his muddy paws with disgust, shaking each in turn to divest them of the worst of the clinging dirt before entering the building.

Skyy's feet were also wet and dirty, so once he was perched on the edge of one of the bunks, he held out each foot in turn, chuckling as Chris dried them thoroughly.

"I'm not sharing a bed with a wet fuzz ball" Chris muttered, as the lucario smirked, wriggling his clawed toes at the human.  Throwing the towel at his friend, Chris dropped from his clothes, hanging them on the edge of the bunk frame to dry, and climbed tiredly into the top bunk.  While narrow, it was roomy enough; at least until the lucario slipped in besides him, wrapping warm arms around his chest.

When Chris whispered "What about Jasper?" the lucario nuzzled his ear, and said quietly "He can find his own bunkmate!  I'm not sharing!" The pair then blushed in embarrassment at the gym leaders back of laughter from the bunk below.

"Oops! Busted!" Skyy whispered, and nuzzled Chris again as the human's arms cradled him tighter.

It wasn't long before the pair fell asleep, as the rain continued to thunder down onto the tin roof above.

­___________________