Eddies

Chapter 20: Bye, bye...

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.

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Eddies 20

Ranger HQ had decided to continue the camps on both sides of the portal as semi-permanent affairs.  A pair of Rangers, selected from those whose pokemon were electric-type and could reopen the portal as needed, were chosen to remain behind on the Earth side of the portal to monitor the area, and ensure things were secure.  Given instructions simply to "sit and observe", they were told to return and report immediately if something unforeseen was to occur. 

For most of the Ranger regulars, the task was considered drudge work, and no one wanted the job, necessary though it was.  The pair chosen, Tom and Phil, had drawn short straws for the task and, following some good natured ribald teasing, had bowed to their defeat gracefully.  Within the hour of Scott's group returning home, their colleagues had transported the remaining unnecessary gear back through the portal, leaving the pair only the basics; a tent, sleeping gear, and an area containing a tarp covered cooking gear.  Pretty primitive, but more than enough for the two experienced Rangers, who soon found themselves alone on the far side with only each other and their pokemon for company.

Like most Rangers, the pair had capped their chosen pokemon at one apiece.  The rigors of training both themselves and a team of varied pokemon types were more onerous than most Rangers were comfortable with.  Simply training their chosen pokemon was difficult enough as a full time affair, and the decision had been made many years before by Ranger HQ to ensure it didn't interfere with their main, and ongoing, Ranger training.  As such, the pokemon owned by them tended to be highly trained and specialised themselves, and were expected to perform to the same high standards in assisting their partners.

At least, that was the theory anyway, thought Phil, looking around without success for his luxio.  She spent as much time avoiding work as helping him, and on more than one occasion he'd been reprimanded regarding her behaviour.  It might have been acceptable for the pokemon of a sixteen year old kid to act like that, but not for a fully trained professional, they had chided.  While agreeing in principal, his partner had her moments, the least of which regardless of her flighty nature, he knew he could rely on her having his back at a pinch, if things ever went downhill fast.

Thankfully, the weather on this world remained fine, although a chill crept into the mountain air as daylight began to dwindle.  Even as the afternoon sun set behind the mountain, throwing the area into a moody twilight, the full moon scattered pale rays through the trees above, dimly illuminating the area. 

After a basic meal of pre-packaged rations, heated underneath dim camp lights, Phil groaned as he stood and stretched, heading to the tent to retrieve the folder containing his paperwork.  When he returned to his seat opposite his colleague, he removed a pad and pen from their waterproof sleeve, as well as a small tube with a screw cap on an end, and began completing his report on the afternoon's activities.

"Activity: Bored.  Incidentals: More bored.  Essential equipment required: Alcohol, and lots of it!" he muttered, scribbling his notes on the document as Tom looked on in amusement.

"It could be worse" said Tom, leaning forward to stare at the properly completed form resting upside down in front of him.  "We could be stuck on an alien world, with no television, and no alcohol.  Oh hang on...that's right!"

Phil grinned back at the Ranger, before signing off on the report.  Tearing the page from the pad, he rolled it up tightly before slipping it into the open tube, securely screwing the water tight cap back on after.

Groaning as he stood, stiff joints popping in the still air, he said gruffly "I'd better send this through.  Shouldn't be too long."  Slipping the tube into a vest pocket, he headed across the camp site.

Nodding at his retreating back, his colleague called out "Going to take her with you?"

Shaking his head as he kept walking, Phil chuckled.  "Naah, she's having enough fun beating up on your jolteon.  Why spoil a perfectly good relationship?"

Grinning, Phil headed towards the tunnel, flipping on a torch light as he began the long trek down the inky dark passage to the portal, where he was to send the report tube through to the others.

As his friend left, Tom stretched himself, taking a sip from his coffee.  With a curse, he nearly dropped the cup as the two pokemon erupted from the dense foliage nearby, startling him, only to disappear again into the surrounding forest.  Mopping up spilt liquid from the makeshift table, the Ranger watched their antics with wry amusement.  The pair had always been highly competitive, and never seemed to waste an opportunity to show each other up, whether it be while on duty or simply socially.

Playing their game of tag through the trees, the luxio chased after the jolteon, sending bolts of static towards the fox-like pokemon in an attempt to catch him unawares.  When the tactic failed, the small cat growled, redoubling her efforts to catch her elusive target.  Her attempts were to no avail as the jolteon vanished into the foliage ahead, disappearing in a flash of yellow.  Yowling her displeasure, she tried to follow.  However, the trail was blocked by a mass of thick cobwebs some unlucky spider had spun across the trail, and she ploughed right into the sticky mess.

Cursing to herself, she ground to a halt in a shower of leaves and gravel, swiping paws frantically across her face to rid herself of the stick mess coating her fur.  A distant scuffle told her the other pokemon was using the time to escape her yet again, and as the last of the strands were rubbed from her feet, she narrowed her eyes, looking to locate the source of the sound in the brush ahead.

With the direction roughly mapped out, she stalked forward on silent paws as the rustle continued, louder for a moment, before becoming silent.  Slowing down to a crawl, she stared through the undergrowth seeking her prey and, slipping through the bushes before her, she soon made out his golden fur ahead. 

When the figure didn't move, she narrowed her eyes again, readying herself to pounce.  Claws digging deeply into the forest floor, she launched herself at the jolteon, flying from her concealed location to where he lay on the ground, landing heavily on his side with a yowl of triumph.

Laughing down at her target, she kneaded his shoulders heavily, expecting the creature to respond in indignation.  However, when he refused to react, she gave him a hard bat on the back with her paw, claws politely sheathed.  Rather than a thud, her paw splattered against the coarse fur and, curious, she brought it towards her face for a better look.  Eyes rounding, she started as blood slowly dripped from her claws, flicking across her fur and the surrounding leaves as she frantically shook the paw to rid her of the warm, sticky mess.

Gripping the yellow furred shoulder again, she dug her claws into the jolteon's flesh, and shuddered as he didn't stir.  Intent on her friend's troubles, she didn't register the human feet quietly approaching until a slight noise alerted her to the pending attack.  Spinning her head, she snarled at the newcomer as her training kicked in, ready to defend herself.  Even so, it was too little, too late, and she was unable to avoid the heavy blow that landed across her head.  Sent sprawling to lie, unconscious, across the corpse of the fox pokemon, her blood trailed down from her scalp to mingle with his, forming a sticky pool on the leaf litter beneath.

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Tom hadn't really registered the pair were missing until a chill breeze swept through the camp site, startling him from his doze.  Blinking rapidly to clear his eyes, he called out to the two pokemon to return and have some dinner, peering into the blackness in a vain attempt to locate them.  When neither appeared, his brow furrowed into a frown, and he cursed the stubborn temperament of felines in general.  Typical of her to ignore his call, the temperamental little shit, although he expected much better of his jolteon.  Some example she was showing his pokemon, he swore.  Likely the pair were crouched out there somewhere in the darkness, watching him in amusement.

Striding to the clearing edge he called again, voice echoing out into the darkness.  A slight movement in the distance had him staring after the two, but when he made to move closer, a muted thud was followed by a spearing pain in his chest.  Flung backwards to the ground on his back, Tom clutched at his uniform top with numbing fingers, shock preventing him from doing more than scrabble at the burgeoning pool of blood pouring from the rent in his shirt above his heart.  The pain became excruciating, and he fell back to lie on the dirt ground, trying to draw a breath that refused to come.  As his vision faded, his last thoughts were of his pokemon partner, still out there in the bush, and he prayed he was alright.

He didn't register the large black clad form which stepped cautiously from the undergrowth towards him.  Leaning over the Ranger, his attacker checked him for weapons, even as he lay dying in the dirt at the newcomer’s feet.  When the last breath whistled from the Ranger's lips, glazed eyes staring towards him accusingly, the eyes hidden within the black balaclava above him narrowed, and the figure straightened, beaconing abruptly for his team to join him. 

Five other camouflaged forms slipped into the camp site.  Barely visible, their tactical vests and camouflaged clothing blended into the darkness.  All wore covered helmets, and with faces hidden beneath woven fabric, only the faint glimmer of their eyes in the fire light could be seen peering from within.  With silent gestures, the leader indicated they should spread out, searching the camp site.  Clutching silenced assault rifles closely, the group moved throughout the clearing, checking the area but finding no one.

After a whispered discussion into his throat mike, the leader nodded, dropping his helmet mounted night vision goggles before his eyes as he moved cautiously towards the portal cave entrance.  His scrutiny revealed no snares or alarms that could alert the Rangers to their presence.  A hidden sneer crept past his lips as he mulled the ease of the operation so far.  Even so, he continued to proceed carefully and only once it was deemed safe did the group enter the cavern on silent steps, making their way down the long shaft towards the portal.

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After leaving the camp to deliver his report, Phil took his time studying the figures and symbols carved into the cave walls surrounding the portal arch.  It had been determined that following a good "charge", the portal would remain open approximately 48 hours, and he'd had his luxio hit it hard the previous day.  While the portal surface barely providing enough light to illuminate the cave, he preferred studying the carvings in the natural muted light, as they shifted eerily in shimmering patterns, following obscure paths as he watched.

After a time, he broke away from his study to approach the portal itself.  While he'd already travelled through on several instances, it wasn't an experience he particularly enjoyed, and he was careful to avoid any actual physical contact with the shining surface.  Shuddering, he tossed the sealed silver tube through, watching as it vanished into the surface.  Once the job was done, he returned to his examination of the carvings, fascinated as he tried to unravel their obscure meaning.

In hindsight, he wasn't sure exactly what alerted him to the danger stalking him from down the dark corridor.  Perhaps a tiny glimmer of reflected light from an otherwise camouflaged surface caught his eye.  Even a faint stirring of the still air in the chamber.  Regardless he immediately spun and dropped to the cold floor as a volley of muted shots rang in the enclosed space, slicing the air where he'd been standing moments earlier.  But even his quick actions didn't prevent his being struck in the thigh, as he had no cover available.  Cursing, he did the only thing he could think of, given the situation; he dived towards the portal just as another round of thunder echoed through the cavern.  Even as the shimmering surface encased him, his thoughts turned to his pokemon partner, praying to Arceus she was alright, having escaped whoever had instigated this attack on the Rangers.

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On the far side of the portal, the morning was quiet.  With the sun already high enough to cast golden light throughout the camp, most of the Rangers manning the portal had woken, with the camp kitchen a hive of activity with breakfast preparations well underway.  Scott and Storm lounged at the long benches in the canteen, talking quietly to J.B and Campanile.  The two police officers had risen early thanks to poorly adjusted internal body clocks.  The group paid little attention to the bustling activities around them, instead discussing the various types of pokemon running throughout the camp. 

It's a fucking zoo here, thought J.B dryly; as yet another unbelievably bizarre creature ran past, a small silver tube in its mouth, before it shot into the administration tent.  As Storm followed the human's eyes, he nodded at the blue blob on legs and said to J.B "He's a marill.  Has a message tube.  They're reporting from the other side".

J.B nodded at the typhlosion, surprised at how he'd come to accept the competency, not to mention general existence, of the big furred Ranger.  Familiarity breeds complacency, he thought to himself with a wry grin, returning to his breakfast.  Stirring the contents of the plate doubtfully with his fork, he shrugged inwardly, deciding that it was probably better not to know what he was eating.  Sure, the eggs weren't quite like eggs and the bacon...  well, clearly wasn't bacon.  It tasted good enough, and he really didn't have much of an alternative.

Spooning another fork full into his mouth, he turned his attention through the tent's mesh window towards the portal across the clearing, contemplating its shimmering surface.  Even a week ago, in his wildest dreams he could never have considered where he'd be right now, or the amazing creatures he would be encountering.  Being a stoic person, he didn't have a hell of a lot of time for bullshit fantasies, or the sort of people who imagined them.  Decades of police work had left him firmly grounded in reality, and a harsh mistress she was.  Now, in the space of a few days his world had been turned upside down, and he felt...  He felt oddly free, of all the idiotic things to feel!

With his attention fixed as it was, he was the first to see the flashes spit from the portal surface, tearing through the canvas fabric above them.

Nor did he have any confusion as to what they were.

Dropping to the table, he yelled out "GUNFIRE!  Incoming!” seeing startled faces around him as several of the Rangers froze.  Screaming at them, he yelled "Get down, you idiots!"  As the situation finally registered on the group, they dived for cover behind whatever protection was available.

J.B flipped over their timber table and squatted behind it with Tim and the two Rangers.  With his focus intent on the source of the trouble, J.B was also the first to see the wounded Ranger dive through the shimmering surface to crumple heavily to the ground.  Turning to Scott and Storm, he noted with some grim satisfaction that both Rangers had drawn their own weapons, the heavy gauge pump action shotgun wielded by the typhlosion a good match for his bulk.  Most of the others were reaching for their own weapons, and J.B cursed to himself for having left his glock packed in his gear.  Turning to the two Rangers, he said "Cover me!  I'm going to him!"  Receiving a nod in return, he sprinted from the door flap, zig zagging across the intervening space.  Once close, he dived for cover behind a stack of crates a few meters from the portal, wary of further projectiles whizzing past overhead.  Back pressed against the rough wood, J.B drew a breath, before peering cautiously around the edge of the crate.  Seeing the fallen Ranger was still moving, J.B shut his eyes for a moment, gathering his equilibrium, and took off at a run, crouched low to avoid being struck by the missiles. 

Reaching the fallen Ranger's side, he quickly scanned him for injuries, noting the leg wound with clinical detachment.  Knowing there was nothing to be gained by leaving him where he had fallen; J.B took a good grip on the back of the Ranger's shirt collar, pulling him from the portal staging area towards shelter.  The man was heavy, and J.B cursed the wasted time it took getting his dead weight moving through the muddy soil.  The groans coming from the man paused a moment as he opened a bleary eye to regard his rescuer with a wince, even as J.B dragged him behind the marginal protection of the timber crates he'd used earlier.

"Thanks" the guy whispered as J.B tore open his shirt, looking down grimly at the wound before pressing the Ranger's hand firmly over the bleeding hole in his leg. 

"Hold firmly" he ordered, and the Ranger nodded, while J.B tore his shirt into strips, binding a long length of fabric firmly around the man's thigh to control the bleeding.

"There are more of them.  At least a half dozen, I think.  Decked out in full camo and packing semi automatics.  They're pro's.  You have to warn the others!"

J.B paused a moment, regarding his new charge grimly, before shouting out the information to the Rangers, several of whom nodded in reply and passed it on, before returning their attention to the portal.

The action behind them suddenly hotted up, as the echoing sound of gunfire sprang throughout the clearing.  Until this point, the only noise had been the ballistic shriek of the projectiles tearing through the air.  This time, the concussions from the rifle split the morning quiet.  Peering briefly from behind cover, J.B saw a group of Rangers exchanging fire with heavily armoured black-clad military figures.  However, the Ranger's were clearly outgunned; their small bore pistols and shotguns no match for the assault rifles of the enemy.

Several Rangers had dropped with cries of pain before J.B saw Scott fall heavily, clutching his shoulder.  With a scream of rage, Storm flared into a fireball, eyes glowing red as he rushed forward, blasting at the intruders with his 12 gauge.

He was half way to the portal, having dropped two of the enemy in a shower of blood and brains, when a massive concussion rocked the clearing.  Enveloped in a huge fireball, the typhlosion was thrown back, limbs akimbo, to land heavily, and smoking, next to his partner.

Throwing himself over the injured Ranger before him, J.B felt rather than heard the crates being peppered with shrapnel.  When the concussion hit, the timber above them shattered, partially burying them under wooden rubble and sharp splinters.

He lost consciousness for a moment, before the stirrings of the human beneath him roused him from his stupor.  Ears ringing, he dragged himself to a seated position, rubbing his head as his vision swam with vertigo.  Long moments passed before he felt stable enough to move further, checking the Ranger's wounds again and receiving a shaking thumb up for his efforts from the injured officer.

"I'll be OK for a bit.  You’d better go see to the others." said the injured Ranger.  Patting him on the shoulder, J.B nodded, and stood carefully to survey the carnage left of their camp site.

Carnage it was.  Bodies were strewn everywhere, some moving and groaning, and others ominously still.  Of the portal itself little remained.  Stumps of shattered ebony rose from a smoke filled, smouldering crater; all that was left of where it had once stood proudly.  Of the enemy, there were no clear signs; they had been obliterated in the blast, although their gory remains scattered the clearing.

Scanning the injured and dead Rangers, he received a jolt as he saw Campanile lying unmoving near the portal crater.  Way too close, J.B thought numbly, staggering through the detritus of the work area to drop heavily next to his friend.

Reaching down, he pressed numb fingers against the pale bare throat, taking in the awful wounds bleeding across the man's body.  When the blue eyes fluttered open in the deathly white face, flitting to take in his face hovering overhead, Campanile let out a small sigh, lips twisting into a partial smile wracked in pain.

"Hey boss", said his officer, and as J.B felt the pulse begin to flutter, he sat back, numb as he looked down at his officer; his friend; dying beneath him.

"Hey Tim" he said numbly, reaching out to grip the cold hand before him.

Eyes blinking, Tim sage another sigh, breath gasping a moment as air from his chest wound bubbled from the punctured lung beneath.

"Been an adventure, huh" said Tim.  J.B blinked back tears, as the fingers clenched spasmodically against his own.

"Yeah" said J.B.  "A real good one."  Feeling the hand weaken in his own, he gripped it hard.

"Didn't think it would end like this though" Tim said, as his breath left him.  Staring beseechingly at his friend, Tim whispered "Not like...."

With that, he died.

J.B stared down at his colleagues open eyes numbly.  Finally, he gently placed the limp hand against the still chest, and closed the staring, accusing eyes with shaking fingers.  Head low, J.B put his face into his hands, fighting the tormented emotions surging through him, while damming up the tears that threatened to overwhelm him.

His heart stilled as years of control again took over.  Finally, he opened his eyes to stare down at his still friend, whispering "They'll pay, Tim.  I swear it!"

There was nothing else he could do.  With that, he stood up and moved off to help the other injured lying nearby.

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As far as they were out in the wilderness, Chris, Skyy and Raikou didn't hear the initial gunshots.  The tumbling water in the nearby creek, noisily making its way down the mountain masked the sound.

The explosion was another matter.  As the shock wave hit the trees above, sending a cascade of dew droplets upon them, the trio froze, stunned by the sound.

Eyes huge, Skyy turned to Chris and said "What the fuck was that?"

Turning back towards the camp, his own eyes wide with alarm, Chris grabbed the lucario's hand and began racing back towards the Ranger's camp; Skyy in tow and Raikou close behind.

Breathing hard, the human said "I don't know, and I'm afraid to find out..."

Skyy nodded, pushing past Chris to take the lead as the pair bolted back through the heavy brush.

After a minute, Skyy felt Raikou fall up besides them, running parallel to their course.  Calling out to the legendary, Raikou veered closer, taking lead point in their mad return rush.

Raikou said nothing, although the thundercloud on his back rumbled ominously as he sped ahead of them.  Lips pressed tightly around long fangs, he hoped what they'd find wouldn't be as bad as he feared.

It wasn't.

It was worse.

As the trio stumbled from the bush, they encountered chaos and devastation.  Most of the temporary buildings were at least partially flattened, and there were injured Rangers and pokemon everywhere.

Worse, was the growing row of blood-soaked bodies, both human and otherwise, lined up against the edge of the clearing.

Aghast at the sight, Chris froze.  As he skidded to a halt, Skyy careened into his back nearly sending them both flying.  Staggering upright as the lucario grabbed him for support; the pair stared around the carnage in disbelief.  It was almost beyond comprehension that this was the same quiet site they'd left only a few hours earlier. 

Spotting Storm at the rear of the area, bandaging the shoulder of a cursing Scott, the three headed towards the two Rangers, gingerly avoiding the puddles of congealing blood soaking into the dirt, already mingling with the pools of water still scattered throughout the campsite.  They had a hard time ignoring the bodies, but worse was the debris, littered with human and pokemon remains.  Nearly vomiting from the smell and sight, Chris gagged, but held it down as he pushed forward mutely.  He gasped, however, as they reached what remained of the kitchen structure, and they were treated to their first clear view of the portal area.

Or, more to the point, what little remained of it, sitting in ruin in its still-smoking crater.

Anything close had been obliterated in the explosion.  Large tents had been reduced to scorched piles of blackened canvas and twisted frames.  Any object not thoroughly tied down had been blown in all directions.  Further afield, the makeshift buildings had fared better, although none had escaped without some form of damage.

The place was a veritable disaster zone; something out of a bad WW2 movie.

But the portal was gone, Chris thought numbly, and with it went any hope of ever returning home.

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Author’s note:

Long time coming, this chapter, and a long one it is.

So, you get 30% more story goodness for the wait ;)

Now we’re getting back into the guts of the story.  As I hinted, things go quickly from here, and the nice is out of the story for a while.

I’ll try to be back to the writing schedule as soon as I can, but work is a hectic mess at the moment, and life is no better. 

I promise to do my best, though J