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.  This part is rated PG-13 for violence and blood.  If
you're squeamish then I suggest you don't read it.
In this chapter is a guest POV.  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

Down Victory Road - Part 3
Chapter 19


~~~~~~Raptor's POV~~~~~~

<*Father look out!*> I cried as I pushed him out of the way of the
coming Fire Blast.  I wheeled to glare in the direction of the bad attacker.
*You!  What did you think you were doing?!* Inferno roars.  Does he
know this Charizard?
*Following Master's orders.*
Inferno and the bad Charizard faced off.  We all stepped in front of Father
to protect him.  We wouldn't let Father get hurt, never.


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

I didn't even know the honourless bugger was there until Raptor saved
Satoshi's life.  I recognised him instantly.
Sean's Charizard.
I demanded to know what he'd been thinking, attacking Satoshi like that. 
His answer infuriated me.
*Following Master's orders.*
I glared at him.
*Sean put you up to this?!* I snapped.  He laughed.
*Do you truly think I obey that brat?!  He is only a trainee!*  
It clicked, now I know which 'Master' he's talking about.  Team Rocket.
My mind flashed back to the day Satoshi had fallen apart on me, telling
me what happened to his father.
This meant Sean was a Rocket trainee.
I cursed and we charged each other.
His claws raked my face, my claws raked his chest.

I punched him in the gut, he grunted and I was forced to hit the floor as
his Fire Blast passed over me.  However he took this opportunity to kick
me in the head, hard.


~~~~~~Embrana's POV~~~~~~


I bounced Nodoka on my knee as we watched one of those kiddie shows
that make you want to puke.
Misty was out shopping, and I was automatically elected babysitter.  Not
that I minded of course, Nodoka was very cute.
I'd never admit that out loud though.
I liked it here, I was given good food daily.  I didn't have to always look
over my shoulder to make sure no one would blindside me.
Misty was right when she said she didn't know if she could take care of
me, but the point is that she tries to.
I'm actually happy here.
I missed Inferno though.  I glanced at the two eggs under the heater and
turned them carefully with my tail, they'd hatch soon, hopefully Inferno
would be here by then.
"We interrupt your program to bring you a news flash from Victory
Road!"   My head whipped to look at the television.  "We have recently
been informed that a Charizard has attacked one of the trainers!  Fighting
it now is the Charizard of another trainer.  No names have been released
yet.  Let's tune into the battle with Victory Road's Infrared cameras!"
I paled and gripped Nodoka tighter when I saw the Charizard Inferno was
fighting.  I knew him, he was one of Team Rocket's top assassin
pokemon.
"Pokemon Control has been dispatched to the location but will they make
it in time?  Stay tuned for more details!"
*God of Fire, please protect Inferno from that monster . . .* I prayed.
Nodoka started crying.


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

Breathing heavily I wiped the blood from my eye, this one was a very well
trained killer.  But that didn't mean I'd just give up.  This was a battle to
the death and we all knew it.
Something clamped onto his shoulder and he roared.
Hydra and the Arbok Satoshi helped.
*This is our fight!  Don't interfere!* I snapped.
They looked unsure but went to join the others leading Satoshi away,
none of us wanted him to see this.
Our Fire Blasts met in the middle and exploded.  Then our Flamethrowers
began warring for dominance.  I poured more power into mine, so did he.
I released a Fire Claw, it wasn't full power because I was starting to feel
dizzy.
He ducked under both attacks and his tail slammed into my head, sending
me into a wall.
*You're good.* He grunted. *But not good enough!*   He roared as he
slammed on top of me and gripped my neck in his jaws, his teeth sank
past my skin and drew blood.  His unforgiving jaws squeezed harder as he
moved his head, trying to rip my throat out.  Black spots began appearing
in front of my vision, I struggled before I went limp.

The jaws left my neck, I stayed still.  If he thought I was dead then I
hoped he's drop his guard.
I listened to his steps and gathered my last dredges of strength for one
last attack.  If I had to go then I'd drag him to the other side with me. 
There was no way I'd let him hurt Satoshi if I still had breath in me.
Slightly wobbly I stood up and remembered Charmeleon's words for
Ultimate Fire Claw.
'Find your center, concentrate and let the power of fire infuse every part
of your being.  Channel it into your arms, and release it.'
Even as my life blood flowed from my numerous wounds I concentrated. 
I could feel the power of fire imbue itself in me and collect in my arms
and claws.
My eyes snapped open and I saw my opponent's back.
I raised my arms . . . .
And released.
Time slowed to a crawl as he whipped around and the Ultimate Fire Claw
ripped through his neck, time crawled even slower as I watched in horrid
fascination as his head fell to the floor, his tail flickering out and body
falling soon after.
Exhausted, I fell as well.  There was only blackness.


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

I couldn't see much through my tear filled eyes, but I knew one thing.
My pokemon were keeping me away from Inferno.
I struggled against them, I had to go to him!  He was in trouble!  I kept
screaming for the five of them to let me go even as we exited Victory
Road and pinned me in the chair of the Pokemon Center.
(Satoshi please calm down!)
I didn't know who said that.  But I wasn't about to listen to whoever it
was.  I needed to go to him!  Inferno was hurt!  I kept struggling.
<(Sleep Father.  Sleep)> My eyes started to drop even as I flailed my
arms and thrashed uselessly.
The last thing I felt was a strange sense of betrayal.


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

I cradled Venusaur's pokeball, she and Nidorina were my last two
pokemon.  I was so close to the exit, if I could make it without any
battles then I'd face the Elite 4!
But there was an odd metallic smell in the air . . .
<"Blood.">

<"That smell, it's blood.  And lots of it.">
I gulped.
Then I saw the flashing red light, curious I went to check it out.
When I got there I recognized a trainer that had made it this far.  I think
his name is Lucas.
"What happened here?!"
"A Charizard attacked some one.  I think it was one of us, he sent his
Charizard out to fight.  Thing is, I'm not sure which one lost."
I looked at the blood soaked scene and turned green.  I looked at the
surviving Charizard being loaded into the pokemon ambulance.
"Oh god, that's Inferno."  I gasped.  Lucas looked at me.
"You know that Charizard?"
"That's Satoshi's Charizard!  But . . . where's Satoshi?"


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

Every atom of me HURT!
I groaned and opened my eyes, things were blurry.  Where was I? 
Where's Satoshi?  Why does my neck itch so much?
What's that beeping sound?
And most of all . . .
What in the underworld was that smell?!
"It's good to see you awake.  We were worried you wouldn't pull
through there for awhile."
My eyes locked on the pink blur in front of me.  It could only be Nurse
Joy.
Then I remembered what happened.
*Oh God of Fire . . . I killed a Brother . . .*
My vision cleared as I looked at the blood on my claws only I could see.
"You didn't have a choice, he would've killed you and your trainer."  She
softly told me.
I turned my gaze to the wall.
*Doesn't matter, I've killed one of my Brothers.  His blood is on my
claws.*
"Just like the Warrior of Fire."
*What?* I turned my eyes back to her.
"The blood of one of your Brothers is on his claws too.  Along with many
Team Rocket members."
*It's not the same!  He seeks revenge for his trainer's death!*
"Just like you would have if he had killed your trainer."
In that moment, I realized she was right.
Wait a minute . . .
*How long have I been out?  Is Satoshi alright?!  Has Satoshi fought
against the Elite 4?!  The Pokemon Master?!*
"You've been unconscious for a week.  Satoshi . . . Raptor's kept him
asleep ever since he came in to keep from hurting himself while looking
for you.  He's been hysterical.  And the League has been stalled while the
police conduct an investigation."
*Let me see him, please.*

I walked into Satoshi's room, I could see the trail of tears down his face. 
Even in his sleep he's been crying.
*Satoshi, I'm here, I'm alright.  Please wake up.*
My hope rose when his eyelids fluttered open, but then it sank a little
when I saw the shade of them.
Charmeleon.
*Is that you Inferno?*
*Yeah, it's me Charmeleon.  How's Satoshi?*
*In a bad way I'm afraid, he refuses to come up.  What happened after
we left?*
I turned my head to the side in shame and refused to answer him.
*You killed him.* He stated.  I nodded. *It was a battle to the death, you
know that.  You haven't been dishonoured.* He paused. *Let me try to
wake him up.*
I waited.  I smiled when I saw the shift.
"Inferno?"
*Yeah, it's me.*
He lunged into me and held me tight.  I returned the hug and wrapped my
wings around him.
We stayed that way for quite some time.

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