Disclaimer: Pokemon and co. doesn't belong to me . . . . blah blah blah . .
.


Authors Notes: Here I am again and all ready for season 2 of this fic for
the few of you that'll probably come banging on my door to demand I
finish this already.
As usual, Feedback would be greatly appreciated!  And so would
suggestions for the final chapter of my fic Forever.  I kinda got writers
block on that one.



Ketchum: The Journey Continues
Season 2

The Poke-Nomads!
Chapter 16


"Gooooood Morning Indigo Island!  It's another beeeaauuutiful day
today with a high of 21 C and a nice cool north-east breeze!"
I glowered when I discovered the alarm clock couldn't be moved from
it's spot.
Oh, funny.
Someone's super-glued it to the table.
I have to admit though, it works.
Yawning I looked at the time, ugh, way too early . . . it's only 11:00 am.
Closing my eyes I flopped back on the bed and prepared to sleep.  Sleep,
blissful sleep was just around the corner . . .
Loud, and I mean LOUD music made me sit up so fast I bumped my head
on the bottom of the top bunk.
"Owwww . . . ."  I groaned as I held my sore head and glared out the
window so fiercely even Makaar would've approved.
"Today is an exciting day people!  The Poke-Nomads are in town today
and for the next few days with their fabulous show!"
 I wondered.
<"Actually it's me that it rings a bell for, you've never seen them
before.">

<"The slavers allowed us one day a year for rest.  On that day we would
watch and dance to the song of the Poke-Nomads.  Most of us thought
that the Nomads had used their limited power to let us have that one day. 
Very few thought that the slavers had something akin to a heart.
No one, no even I knows how long the Poke-Nomads have wandered the
earth.  No one's ever seen the faces under the pokemon masks they
wear.">

<"Oh!  I highly recommend it!">
I grinned inwardly and outwardly as I got dressed, my mood was
improving already!
Walking into the kitchen I saw a note on the fridge.

'Satoshi:

     Gone to watch the Poke-Nomads with Julie, Inferno and Raptor. 
Didn't really have the heart to wake you up.
Be back soon!

Love Musashi.'


I shrugged and grabbed Ramona, Zeus, Rare Beauty and Pippi before
heading out the door.  I figured they'd enjoy the show.  I'd take the rest
of my pokemon to watch it tomorrow.
I hadn't used the Moon Stone on Pippi yet, I was hesitant.  She was still
very young, still in need of serious training to increase her attack speed.
Yet all I'd have to do is tap her with the stone to do that . . .
No, that's taking the easy way.  Besides, there's no telling how she'll
react to the change.  Best to hold on to the stone until she's ready.
I did consider Zeus . . . but I'm not going to evolve him unless he wants
it.

When the five of us finally managed to find a seat the lights went out,
leaving the tent in darkness.
Suddenly one spotlight came on, lighting a woman in a Marowak
costume.  I had to admit it was very good.  For a second I thought she
really was a Marowak.
Raising her bone club high in the air she began to speak.
"Pokemon, ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages.  Welcome to our
wandering show.  I am pleased so many have come to watch the stories
of old come alive and the laughable antics of our pokemon.  So sit back,
relax, and enjoy our show."  She bowed deeply and backed into the
darkness.
The five of us were raptured already, well, six when you included
Charmeleon.
Lights flooded the tent, revealing 15 people dressed as normal animals. 
The voice of the Marowak came over the speaker.
<"This is the story of the 15 Warriors!  I love this story!">

"Millions of years ago, just after the beginning of time there were only
animals that roamed the Earth and the Gods that watched over them."
The 'animals' began to wander the arena, minding their own business. 
Suddenly I felt like I was transported through time and actually watching
the events as they unfolded.  The Marowak was only a small voice in the
background, narrating.  I barely heard her as the animals wandered,
hunted and slept. 
"But among the Gods, one was rebellious.  The God of War, he would
perish if the peace continued.  And he knew it.  So upon all the animals he
gave the powers of Air, Water, Ice, Rock, Ground, Normal, Fighting,
Fire, Plant, Poison, Thunder, Ghost, Dragon, Bug and the Mind. 
Combined with independent thought he knew the peace would last no
longer.  He was right."
I watched as the newly born pokemon began to squabble, each type
sticking with their own.  Arguing over who was the most powerful.  One
night, when the full moon was an eerie shade of red each group began
choosing the strongest among them to fight.  I wanted to shout 'No' to
all of them but for some reason my mouth could not move.  Nor could my
limbs.
The dawn came, I watched anxiously as 15 pokemon faced off, hatred on
their faces and in their eyes determination to prove who was the
strongest.
The fight began, I could actually feel the heat of the flames, the cold of
the ice.
"For many years the Warriors fought.  Many lives were lost in the
greatest war in history.  The Gods were displeased at the fighting but they
could not intervene although many wished they could.
One day, after nearly 1 000 years of war the God of Peace had had
enough!  Working together with the Goddess of Love and the God of Joy
they created a peacemaker."
I watched in horrifying fascination as the Warriors fought, suddenly
something blew them all apart.  A small, violet eyed creature came from
the shadows and made a small noise.
"Mew."
She told them that fighting was wrong, and that nothing good would
come of it.  Using Her powers She emitted gentle waves of peace, joy and
love to all of them.  Her waves surrounded the earth, calming all.  I could
feel them too, and I was happy.  I don't think I'd ever felt so relaxed.
All the fighting stopped and the Warriors apologized to another. 
Together they made a pact, they would never fight amongst themselves
and would continue to exist as representatives of their respective types.
Suddenly I found myself in the tent, staring at the bowing actors.  I rose
with the rest of the audience and applauded as loud as I could.
Then I blinked as a Venonat ran out into the ring, chasing it was an
Arcanine in . . . boxer shorts?!
I sniggered at the sight, so did the audience.  Upon hearing us the poor
Arcanine dropped to the floor and covered it's face with its paws in
embarrassment.
The crowd was roaring in laughter now, Arcanine seemed to get over the
embarrassment and huffed up in anger at the laughing Venonat.
The chase resumed.
'Marowak' walked back onto the stage, looking quizzically in the
direction of the pair.  She shook her head and chuckled.
"Well, I'd hate to be in poor Venonat's shoes when Arcanine catches her. 
Believe it or not folks that actually wasn't part of the show.  But I think
she might deserve it for putting those shorts on Arcanine while he was
sleeping.  Don't you?"
"Hey!  Come back here with my boxers Arcanine!"  A 'Charizard'
shouted as he ran past 'Marowak'.
"And that was Arcanine's trainer.  Do I even want to know who'll
interrupt the show next?"  She paused.  "Probably not."
Everyone began laughing again.
<"Oh God of Fire!  I swear this show is getting better and better!">
Charmeleon laughed.
It was so good to hear him laugh, not like he has before.  But like he is
now, unrestrained, pure joyful laughter.
I couldn't help but wonder when the last time he laughed like this was.
"For our next act, we'll need two members from the audience.  Any
volunteers?"


~~~~~~Inferno's POV~~~~~~

Immediately I began jumping up and down, she didn't say the volunteers
had to be human after all.  Musashi looked about ready to die of
embarrassment as I tried to grab the attention of the Ringmaster.
"Hmmm . . .  You!  The Gyarados in the back row."  She pointed.  I
looked and face faulted.  Rare Beauty?!  
*Lucky pokemon . . .* I grumbled.  But I kept waving, there was still a
chance she'd pick me!
"And the second volunteer will be the Charizard causing the minor
tremors!"  She laughed.  
*YES!* I shouted as I winged it down to the stage.
Then I realized what she had just said and had the grace to blush.  Not
that anyone could see it anyway.
Suddenly I had no idea just what I had volunteered for.  The revelation
seemed to cross Rare Beauty's mind about the same time mine did.  We
shot each other an uneasy look.  I could only pray to the God of Fire that
is wasn't something humiliating.
"Okay folks! Now it gets interesting!  For this part of out show is a
contest of Comedy!  These two will take turns making everyone laugh. 
Who ever receives the loudest applause will be the winner!"
Rare Beauty and I glanced at each other.  It could've been worse I
suppose, we could've had to act cute.
Rare Beauty suddenly made a strange noise and I looked at her, she
darted her eyes to the 'Marowak'.  A sign that something was strange
about her.  I raised my eyebrow and gave her a quizzical look.  She
persisted in sending me the same signal, eventually I caved in and gave
'Marowak' a smell.
My eyes widened.


~~~~~~Musashi's POV~~~~~~

Oh man!  Poor Inferno!
I was having a very hard time trying to contain my laughter at the puzzled
look on his face as he tried to think up something that would make the
audience laugh.
Finally he took the microphone, I knew that look.  He was going to tell
jokes.  And trust me on this one, his jokes are very funny.
(How many members of Team Rocket does it take to screw in a light
bulb?)  He waited while 'Marowak' translated.
(Who says they know how to in the first place!)
I howled, too funny!  Everyone else laughed when the translation came
through.
(What's the difference between a maggot and a Rocket?)
He paused.
(There isn't!)
He was on a roll now!  All of his jokes were Rocket bashers.  I didn't
mind, neither me or my parents were members.
Of course any Rocket in the audience was bound to be angry.
Inferno finished with a bow and Rare Beauty started her act.  She didn't
know that many jokes so she went with visual impersonations.

Around the huge bonfire after the show we all met up and danced like
tomorrow was the end of the world.
"Dance wit me!"  Meowth shouted as we began having fun.  I glanced
over and saw Satoshi playing his clarinet with the music.  Oh man we
were going to be wiped out tomorrow!
Most of the pokemon were giving rides, Raptor was playing happily with
a few toddlers.  I wasn't surprised, he is still a child.
I didn't know what it was about their music, but no matter what the
performers played you always had to dance.
I loved it!
I tell you now I've never had so much fun!


~~~~~~Satoshi's POV~~~~~~

No matter how tired I got their music kept encouraging me to play so I
did.  
It was great to be in the spotlight, but it just wasn't me.  The media are
going to have a field day with this though. As I played I looked over at
the pokemon.  Ramona was dancing and keeping an eye on a couple of
Cubones, Inferno was dancing with another Charizard.  I prayed for his
sake Embrana wasn't watching from home, otherwise there would be hell
to pay.  The same applied to Zeus, if Musashi's Pikachu ever found out . .
.  I gave an involuntary shudder.  Pippi was bouncing all over the place. 
And Rare Beauty was . . . I raised my eyebrows when I actually saw her
blush while glancing at another Gyarados.
<"Not really surprising, in the eyes of a female that Gyarados would be
considered . . . how would you put it in this era?  Tough . . .strong . . .">

<"Yes!  That's the term, rugged.  He would also be considered . . . very
desirable.">

I'll admit, he looked like a bruiser.  He could probably give Tochi a run
for her money in a battle.

It was the wee hours of morning when we finally slipped into bed.  I'd
assigned Paradox the job of taking the rest of my pokemon to see the
show before letting sleep draw me in.

    Source: geocities.com/televisioncity/taping/2426

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