Eddies

Chapter 30: Complications.

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 30

Chris laid back in the long grass, trying to get his head around Raikou's long winded explanation on the reasons behind the trio's concerns.

The fact most of it was almost too unreal to believe made this more difficult than he expected.

Back home, he had his fill of religious doctrinarian in Primary School. His parents had chosen to send him to a local catholic school, believing the education was better than the state provided alternative.  In many ways they were right, and the quality of study did him well when he moved to the local high school in his eighth grade.

But with the education came the attempted conversion, and the generalities of the stories and lectures they provided on their religion always seemed a little surreal for Chris, who felt that if he couldn't touch it, how could he believe in it?

That was the real problem he was experiencing now, he realised.  Instead of a distant tale from ages past, he was living this one in the flesh, and for the moment.  Hell, as far as being too close for comfort, in theory one of the major proponents of the mythology he'd just learnt, Raikou, was technically one of his possessions, both literally and figuratively.

Even with Raikou reiterating a lot of the points, the situation still quickly became confusing.

As far as he understood, the gist of it was that the two main god figures, Arceus and Darkrai, were locked in a never ending war of good against evil, although he still wasn't sure whether "evil" was the correct word.  It was more like Darkrai sought the destruction of everything, good and bad.  Why he'd want this was unclear, but his desires resulted in enough "evil" on his behalf to make the point moot.  Just like the stuff back home, the good guys fought to keep the balance in place, and the bad guys wanted to keep everything for themselves.

However, where things deviated from the Christian theology, was that Arceus worked to the common good of both pokemon and humans equally.  His intention was to have them live in peace and harmony, as one joined society.  His creation of the portals linking the two worlds had been designed to bring the two groups into contact, and eventually make "happy families" with each other.

Good luck with that happening, Chris snorted.  Unsurprisingly, the humans took charge, and treated Arceus's creations as second rate citizens, at best.  He'd seen enough of the ways human's subjugated the pokemon to know equality was a long, long way off.  

On the flip side was Darkrai's malign influence tainting the links between them.  Exactly what he hoped to achieve by using Sinnotech as his intermediary was a little gray to Chris, but total death and destruction didn't seem too far from the mark.  Specifically, destroying the alliance intended by Arceus between humans and pokemon appeared a primary goal, although this may simply have been a means to an even darker end.  When Raikou began speculating on those paths, Chris halted him in mid sentence, head already aching with trying to process what he'd already been told.

Raikou ground to a halt, solemnly regarding his young human friend in sympathy.  It was a lot to get through, in a single afternoon, but he supposed he could always fill him in with any missing information if he needed to, at a later stage.

Moving on, the legendary began discussing how Sinnotech, contrary to Arceus's designs, began experimenting with the portals, finally creating the means to develop an artificial one of their own.  Why it lead to the same world as the original portals was anyone's guess.  It had been speculated the originals had acted as spatial anchors for the newer ones, drawing them to the same target.  But this was simply theory, and the results were all that mattered.  The two worlds were now joined, via avenues never originally intended.

With access to the technology of a whole new pokemon-free world, Sinnotech began gaining dominance across the planet.  At first, it was simply minor things; medical supplies, agricultural advancements, etc.  But over time, they spread their interests and influence into technology and military applications.  This didn't bode well for those seeking to keep the balance under Arceus's guidance, as originally intended.

With the company causing wider fragmentation on the ties between humans and pokemon, they indirectly acted in Darkrai's interest.  Indeed, it was theorised that some of those responsible within Sinnotech had direct access to Darkrai, and actively had his goals in mind with their machinations.

Many, such as Raikou and his brothers, felt the link wasn't so discrete.  As such, they, and the other legendary figures of the world, had been instructed to seek out those opposed to Sinnotech, and do what they could to halt Darkrai's plans for the world.

At least, that's what the trio had been doing, until those pair of idiots from Team Galaxy had captured Raikou, effectively ceasing their intentions.

Chris had continued to wonder where those two had gained something as valuable as a Master Ball, in order to trap Raikou.  Indeed, the entire plan seemed a little too... well thought out and convenient... to have been concocted by the pair of idiots he'd encountered.  But with Sinnotech backing the now defunct Team Galaxy, the source of the idea, as well as the master ball, was revealed, and their intention was plain; to bind the actions of the trio from interfering with Sinnotech goals.

It was a lot to think about!

Thanks to Chris's auspicious release of Raikou, the legendary trio were reunited, and able to recommence their fight against the dark forces at play.  At least, that was the theory.  Unfortunately, there was a small thorn in their side preventing this from occurring.

Raikou's apparent refusal to leave Chris.

The argument between the trio that Chris and Skyy had stumbled into had revolved around this very point.  Entei and Suicune insisted that Raikou rejoin them, as it was the will of Arceus.  In response, Raikou pointed out that Arceus had made it quite clear that Chris had a significant part to play in all this, and refused to leave him unprotected.

Stalemate.

As the trio returned to their argument, Chris nudged Skyy and said quietly "What do you think of all this?"

The lucario eyed him shrewdly, and shrugged. "Don't know.  Not sure I care, either.  Seems like a lot of wasted effort to me."

As his comment left his lips, he petered off, turning to the now silent trio, who were glaring at him banefully.  Skyy's ears dropped and he edged closer to Chris, who wrapped an arm around his shoulders, returning the glare from the legendaries in turn.

"What?" he stated, meeting their gaze.  Suicune snorted, stepping forward and said "What do you mean, "What?"?  This is the most important thing to happen to this world in eons, and you can't see the importance of it?"  Sniffing primly, he turned to Entei and said "Lower life forms are so ignorant!"

Chris narrowed his eyes at the big blue creature and replied darkly "Sorry to burst your bubble, Bluebell, but given there's little I can see myself doing to change the issue, and given I'm already on your side in this, or more specifically Raikou's side since he's my friend, and you're nobody I need to relate to, perhaps a little less arrogant attitude from your end might help with the situation?"

Suicune hissed, eyes narrowing as he replied "You dare...?"

Chris stared him down, and said "No, I don't care!  There's a big difference!  You're talking a battle between the Gods, and I'm having enough issues working where I stand here day to day.  So, my flying fuck factor hit rock bottom a long time ago.  I'm here for my friends, and that's it!"

Suicune started forward in fury, but was halted from accosting Chris by the huge paw of Entei.  "Kid's got a point, Brother!" he rumbled, his face grin-free for a change.  "It's a bit hard seeing the big picture, when you're having difficulty visualising the small one."

Suicune calmed, albeit reluctantly, as Raikou moved to stand beside Chris, a physical support should he need it.  But the blue legendary had clearly fobbed off the young human as insignificant, striding away stiffly to the far side of the clearing, to mope in silence.

Raikou sighed, while Entei rolled his eyes and said "Arceus sake, he's such a bloody prima-donna!"  However, the fire pokemon still left the trio to join the blue legendary, and the pair could just be heard arguing animatedly from across the clearing.

Raikou turned to Chris as he laid a hand on his neck.  "You don't have to stay with us if you don't want to" Chris said quietly, but Raikou simply shrugged.  "I do want to.  That is my choice, and I will stick with it as long as I can."

Chris chuckled, grabbing him around the neck in a hug.  "Good.  Wouldn't be the same here without you freaking everyone out!" he joked, and received a long lick on the face in return.

However, Raikou soon turned to watching his two bickering brothers, and sighed.  "Those two still have their responsibilities.  I cannot understand why they cannot get on with them without my assistance.  I just hope they don't choose to accompany us back to the Ranger's building, and continue their attempts to have me change my mind."

Chris's eyes widened and Skyy gripped his arm tightly, clearly shaken.  "Oh no!" said the human, shaking his head firmly.  "I got in enough shit with you around.  What the hell could I say if there were three of you, and one of you a big blue sulky princess?"

Raikou snorted, and then turned a smirk on him.  "Be that as it may, if you decide their presence is not welcome, I will let you handle the discussions."

Chris groaned.  It was clearly going to be a long day, after all!

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Bill returned to the farm house to report, waving at several of his colleagues who returned the gesture from the rear veranda, although one of his friends waved more frantically for his attention.  With a hungry Shadow on his heels, he called out "I'll be out in a sec!", and grinned as his friends waved harder, beckoning him over more frantically.

Turning to Shadow, he said "Keen lot, aren't they?  Me, I'm starved, and I'd fight you to the death for a coffee myself!"

Shadow snickered, turning her head to throw him a grin, then pausing a moment to point an everted claw at herself.

Bill laughed.  "Oh, reckon you'd beat me, huh kitten?" he said, and grinned as she nodded firmly.  With that, he broke into a run for the side stairs to the house, calling back at her surprised look "Well, guess I'll have to cheat then!"

Shadow narrowed her eyes, and sprang after him, matching his pace before shoving him with a shoulder, nearly sending him flying!  With his calling out "Cheater!” she laughed as she beat him up the stairs, tearing through the open screen door into the kitchen... Only to slide to a stop on the timber floors as a dozen eyes in military uniform turned in shock to view her abrupt arrival.

Oh shit! She thought to herself, backing off slowly as several of the individuals reached for firearms at her sudden presence.

Unfortunately, Bill close that time to race into the kitchen from behind, saying with a laugh "You are so dead!", but her unexpected rear end met him in the legs, sending him sprawling over her to land in a heap on the floor before her. 

Making to rise, he caught the looks from the army people, and echoed her thoughts, muttering a quiet "Oh shit!" himself, as Shadow crept behind him to hover uncertainly in the limited protection offered by his back.

In that moment, one of the younger officers raised a pistol in shaking hands to draw a bead on the luxray.  With that, Bill's eyes narrowed, and he said loudly "If you don't put that down right now, I'm going to take it from you and jam it right up your arse!  She's on OUR side, you idiot!"

When Gwen and Paul then came racing from the dining room, imposing themselves between Bill and Shadow and the group, the tension relaxed somewhat.  But it was only when Cameron stepped forward and said "Well, gentlemen.  You wanted proof.  Here it is!" that the drawn weapons were put away, and the officers returned to a semblance of calm.

With the shaking luxray still pressed against his back, Bill hissed to Paul "What the hell's going on?  Where'd these guys come from?"

Paul looked across at Bill, pausing in his stroking of Shadow's neck to keep her calm, and said "Apparently, the action here had drawn some notice from the PTB's.  A diversion of so many police officers to a covert cause, with no reports coming through to central police HQ, made someone nervous somewhere.  So, they sent a delegation out to ask a few questions."

Giving the army people a dry look, he continued "Almost glad you burst in like that when you did.  Cameron was beginning to have a hard time convincing this lot he wasn't mentally deficient."  Dropping his voice to a whisper, Paul continued "When I saw them coming, I sent Jimmy and Azil upstairs.  They don't know about him yet, and I'd appreciate keeping it that way.  He's too young; heck, they both are; to be interrogated by this lot.  But I think you can handle it better."

Bill gave the farmer a dry look, but when Shadow nodded, he sighed and agreed.

Paul stood, making room for Cameron and two of the senior military officers to approach.  The pair did so reluctantly, wary of the huge feline, but Bill rose from the floor, shaking the pair’s hands and began fielding questions about her.  After a minute, he turned to Cameron and said "Perhaps we should take this through to the lounge.  It's a bit crowded in here, and it's making Shadow edgy".

Cameron gave his young officer a loaded look, and nodded.  For some reason, the army officers were quick to agree.  Perhaps the thought of an edgy four foot tall cat monster made them equally uncomfortable.

In the dimmer light of the lounge, seated in comfortable recliners, the surrealistic nature of the situation almost had him laughing.  Shadow had taken a seat on the couch beside him, claws sheathed to protect the fabric.  Across from the teak coffee table, the three senior officers sat on a slightly too small couch, squeezed in and intent on them.  It was really rather ludicrous.

Although, given that his and Shadow's fate might be at risk, he wasn't laughing.

After giving the new pair a quick breakdown of their recent history, the military officers began plying him with questions he simply couldn't answer.  It's not he didn't want to, but he didn't know that much about the Rangers, or the world Shadow had came from. 

Finally, frustrated, he said in exasperation "Look!  I told you, I do not know the answers to that!  Ask Shadow.  She should be able to tell you!"

The pair exchanged a look, before one turned to him and said "You want us to ask the cat?"

When Shadow gave him a loaded look, eyebrow raised, the human backed off, as Bill said "That's right, you can ask Shadow.  She's quite able to answer the questions you ask."

The same officer sneered slightly, and said "She talks now?  I haven't heard her say much so far."

With that, Shadow's brows drew down over angry eyes, and she snarled softly, the sound echoing throughout the room.

The second officer turned to the first, and said "Umm, I think she can understand you, and I don't think she appreciates your comments.  Perhaps, let me handle this..."

The first nodded abruptly, as the second finally introduced himself "Lieutenant Colonel Tom Barley.  I'm gathering you can understand me fully?"

Shadow nodded, growl dying off her lips.

With a small grin breaking his lips, the officer said "Can you speak?"

Shadow paused, before breaking into a quick bout of Pokespeak, causing the pair to exchange surprised looks.

Bill interrupted.  "She speaks her language, and readily understands ours, but you'll need to keep your answers to yes or no responses, sir."

Barley nodded, watching the luxray as he began firing off a barrage of questions to the feline.

"You came here with those Rangers who Cameron said visited earlier?"  Shadow nodded.

"They returned leaving you behind to guard the place you came through?"  Nods.

"Your owner and the others were killed by an unknown paramilitary group?"

Shadow paused, and shrugged, turning to Bill who looked at her and said "Umm, we don't know if her trainer was hurt. But the other two were killed, yes sir. 

Barley turned to the luxray, and said "This is right?"  She nodded in reply.

Sitting back for a moment, Barley rubbed his hands together, sparing a brief grin to his colleague, and said "Alright.  Now we're getting somewhere!"

The afternoon turned into a long one, as Shadow attempted to answer their lengthy list of questions, with notes being taken by both army officers.  It was mid afternoon before Cameron called a break, noting the weary signs on the big cat, who was now struggling with answers to the more obscure questions being put forward by the pair.

"I think she's done valiantly in giving you what info she has, gentlemen" he said, as the pair checked their notes off and nodded.

"It's a good start," said Barley, flipping closed his note book and rising stiffly.  Shadow groaned, laying her head back in Bill's lap, where he grinned down at her as his fingers stroked through her mane.  "Well done, kitten" he whispered down to her, and she pulled back her lip in a wry grin, before closing her eyes as his fingers found an especially sensitive spot.

However, he reluctantly pushed her back to stand and shake the hands of the pair of officers, who then left the room to join their fellows waiting impatiently in the kitchen.

"A long day, but fruitful" said Barklay, reaching out to shake Cameron and Bill's hand. 

"At least you now understand our interest in the matter" said Cameron, returning the shake. 

The officer nodded, before replying "This is going to take a lot of digesting back at the base.  I assume you have no plans on moving anywhere?"

"No" said Cameron.  "We're going to continue protecting the family while investigating their accusations against this Sinnotech organisation."

Barley nodded, and then surprised everyone by dropping to a squat, reaching out a hand to Shadow, who stepped forward warily to sniff the fingers.  She surprised him in turn, by rubbing against his hand, as he sunk fingers into her soft neck fur to rub her firmly.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Shadow" he said, as she nodded politely in reply.  "I look forward to chatting again."

With that, the group made their leave.  As the vehicles disappeared in a cloud of dust down the driveway, Cameron turned to Paul and Bill, who had been hovering behind him watching them depart, and said "I think things are going to get interesting now."

Paul sighed, grabbing the silent, worried-looking Gwen into an embrace from behind and replying "As if they haven't been already.  I just want to see Chris back home safely."

Cameron agreed.  "Well, folks, it’s been a pleasure as always, but I think I need to head back to town.  I'll see everyone in the morning."

As the police officers made to depart, leaving their on duty officers, as well as a few locals who insisted on remaining to help guard the place, Cameron tapped Bill on the shoulder, indicating he follow him outside to the front of the house, where he stopped near his vehicle parked beneath a large oak tree.

Eyeing the pair he sighed, and said somewhat grimly "I would have much preferred they not have found out about this situation.  The involvement of the military opens a can of worms I'd rather not have stirred.  But, now they know, it's obvious there will be a lot of interest in Shadow and that orange terror of that kid’s.  I need you and her to play it smart.  I do not want you hauled away somewhere for their pleasure.  You're my officer, and she's under our protection.  But that only matters as far as this lot think they can get away with it."

When Bill and Shadow nodded, he pursed a lip and said "This is between us only, you understand? But if this goes to hell, I want you to know I plan on taking all the information, including video evidence, and hand it over to the media.  This is too important for the military to make it vanish, career-ending though it may prove to be.  While I am still of two minds as to whether I trust these Rangers, this is something affecting both our worlds, and I won't see a bunch of brass desk jockeys fucking it up for everyone."

Shadow gave Bill a look, and then nodded. 

Cameron paused a moment, and said "If they come back and intend to take you away without my permission, I want you to make a run for it.  Understand?  Get as far away from here as you can and, if they find out about the kid and the orange lizard; take them with you to safety.  I had a brief chat to Paul earlier, and he's going to set you up with a decent pack of food and supplies." 

He sighed, and reached into a pocket, passing the surprised human an envelope full of loose bills, and a mobile phone.  "The phone belongs to one of the others.  I had him put in my number, in case you need it, as well as that of the farm.  Keep its use to a minimum, as we have no idea what they're covertly monitoring.  The cash we scraped together between us.  Again, I can't guarantee we can get you more easily, and you can probably be certain all your cards will be traced.  Again, play it smart, and stay hidden!"

As Bill hesitantly took the phone and envelope, Cameron gave him a pat on the shoulders and said "Cheer up, son.  It may be all overkill, but being prepared isn't something just for the Boy Scouts.  Paul is going to get his RV fuelled up, and load it full of that gear.  Keep the keys handy, and be ready for anything!"

Shadow leaned up against Bill, letting out a sigh which Cameron heard, grinning at her.  "We'll protect you as best we can, Shadow.  You're one of us now, and we protect our own.  So don't worry."

Shadow looked at him solemnly and nodded.  However, she decided it wouldn't hurt to do a little worrying anyway, just off the record.

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Author's note:

Things are getting complicated now.  But who ever expected a simple ending?

Thank  to Duo the Raven, who has agreed to beta the story for a while, as he can.  Been a few good changes already in earlier chapters thanks to his input (ie. Chris is no longer ignorant about pokemon from the beginning, from Chapter 2, which works much better).  So, over the next few weeks, I’m going to make a few revisions to the earlier story.  Nothing crucial, but will make it flow better ;)