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

Master Of Power: Bruno
Chapter 21


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

<"Musashi my friend, why are you so worried?">

<"Yes, I don't understand though.  What is 'Time Hopper'?">

<"No need for such worry then.">

<"Raptor knows perfectly well what's he's capable of.  In fact it's
Makaar that's been keeping him and that power in check.  Raptor knows
how to use it, in fact he has. He just doesn't understand what could
happen if he's careless yet.">
My jaw dropped.

Machop began relating to me what happened the First time Satoshi had
fought A.J. and what Raptor had done to make his 'father' happy again.
I couldn't tell this to Satoshi, he'd drop out if he knew.  I remembered
that day, he'd said he'd been having a strange feeling of deja-vu but I had
waved it off as nothing except nervousness.
Now I think I should've listened.
I hoped Satoshi was doing well against Bruno, Inferno can handle most
pokemon but Flutter's Psychic attacks can easily defeat whatever Fighting
types Bruno probably has.
Then I snapped my fingers.  Right!  Satoshi didn't take Flutter!  He took
Raptor.
I paced some more, even though Machop had told me mere moments
before that Makaar kept Raptor's Time Tampering abilities in check, he
wasn't
with Satoshi and I worried that . . . 
What was I thinking?!
Raptor had a handle on his powers, besides, he wouldn't hurt a hair on
Satoshi's head!
I knew I was being paranoid, but this whole revelation has kind of rattled
me.
<"My friend, we are being watched.">
 I asked as I sat in a chair and closed my eyes.
<"Yes my friend, the woman sitting under the Khangaskhan painting. 
She has been watching you.">
 I groaned inwardly. 
<"Why not just ask her?">

<"I think you're wrong my friend.  Here she comes now.">
I opened my eyes and watched the approaching woman, putting my hand
on Venusaur's pokeball.
"Hello Musashi.  We meet again.  I have some news for you . . ."  She
took off her sunglasses and wig.
My jaw dropped.
"Ms. Jaega?!"


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

Satoshi and I talked while we approached Bruno's arena, trying to relax. 
Naturally he was nervous, Bob had won against Lorelei's Lapras, barely.
Poor bird was exhausted.  So Satoshi was keeping him in his pokeball for
this match.
I didn't know just who he was going to use for this match yet.  It was
probably safe to assume Bruno had a few fighting types on his team.
Which meant Raptor, Shelldon or Ramona.
I shrugged slightly.  No problem.  I'd gone against a powerful Jynx, I was
fine.
We approached the gate and I lifted an eyebrow.  Admittedly I was
impressed with the Power Pokemon carved into the stone door.
When we entered I looked at Bruno who was meditating on the floor and
raised my eyebrow yet again.
*I'd wager Bruno could wrestle a Machamp and win.* I muttered.
The Master of Power opened his eyes.
"Greetings."
"I challenge you for the right to face the Pokemon Master!"  Satoshi
announced, craning his neck to look the 6' 5'' tall Master of Power Bruno
in the eyes.
Heh, that's my Brother Satoshi for ya!
Naturally Satoshi was a little miffed at his own stature, he's 14 « and
only 4' 7'', that really gets to him sometimes.  And I had a feeling that
now was one of those times, so Satoshi climbed up to the platform where
I had flown to earlier and prepared to battle.  I saw the engraved name on
the pokeball, Ramona.
Good choice actually, her Ground attacks would be very effective against
the Fighting pokemon I was sure Bruno had.
"I will send out first."
I don't know what it was, but Bruno's peaceful attitude reminded me of
one of Nodoka's pokemon dolls.  His aura sort of just invited you in for
tea or something like that.
Blinking, I shook my head of my thoughts and for the first time looked at
his first pokemon.
And here I thought the Old Warrior of Rock had been huge!  This Onyx
must've topped him by at least eight feet!
Lucky for Satoshi Ground attacks are far more effective against Rock
types.
"I choose you, Ramona!"
*Ready to rummmmmble!*
That totally ruined Satoshi's intense moment as he face faulted and I
laughed.


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

"That's IT!  No more WWF Raw is War for you guys!"
(But Satoshiiii . . .)  Inferno and Ramona whined.
"Inferno . . . Ramona . . ."  I growled.  I had had it with that show and it's
influence!  Especially that phrase!
Both of them began to pout. I almost . . . ALMOST buckled.
"No!  I'm sick and tired of all of you saying that dumb phrase almost
every time I let you out for a battle!"
(What if we all promise not to say it all the time?  Will you still let us
watch it?)  Ramona tried to bargain.
"I don't know . . ."
(Pleeeaaase?)  They both whined.
Bruno, meanwhile was watching this exchange with some amusement on
his face.
"Get the others to stop saying that dumb phrase and I'll seriously
consider it."  I finally said.
The two of them cheered.  Ramona and I turned our attention back to the
member of the Elite 4 we'd kept waiting.
"Sorry 'bout that."  I apologised.
"Quite alright, it is good you retain such communication with your
pokemon."
"Yeah, well, I know how they feel." I said.  Inferno snickered at this, I
punched his arm and he snickered even louder.
"Sometimes I don't know who's more mature, you or Doka-chan!"
He managed to look insulted at that, it was my turn to chuckle as I
nodded to Bruno that I was ready.
"Onyx Bind."
"Bonemarang!"
It bellowed as the Bonemarang hit and made a u-turn for a return hit. 
Ramona gave a cry of pain as Onyx's tail squeezed her.  I winced, there
wasn't anything she could do with her arms pinned to her side like that.
"You can break free Ramona!  I know you can!"
I saw the look on her face as she struggled, it was the same expression
she had that day she battled Taiki's Kadabra and evolved from Cubone. 
She was miffed for a while after that loss, and she had taken it out on her
next few opponents, Ramona hated being trapped like that.
(AAAAARRRRG!)  She screamed in fury as she broke the grip Onyx had
on her and dropped to the ground.
"Earthquake!"
Still shaking in her fury she slammed her bone into the ground with no
preamble, an intricate web of cracks appeared and the whole arena broke
apart!  Onyx was out for the count!
"Return.  Your pokemon is very powerful.  But can it handle this? 
Machoke, go."
"Machoke!"
"Ramona?"  I asked quietly, she nodded without taking her eyes off her
new opponent.  I gave a quiet sigh, she needed to get this out of her
system.
"Bone Club!"
"Low Kick."
Machoke's foot swung out but Ramona just stepped to the side and
swung her bone, sending the power pokemon back a few feet.
"Submission."  I winced, that would only make it worse!
"Ramona return!  Good fight."
(No!)  She yelled as the beam recalled her.  Her pokeball began to shake
violently.
"Inferno, hold it closed.  She can't be let out until she calms down."  He
nodded as I handed him the shaking pokeball.
"I choose you, Raptor!"
<(Ready!)> He chirped even as he made eye contact with Machoke.
"Fissure."
"Psychic!"
Machoke was out of the match.
"Return.  So this is Raptor."  I nodded, Raptor tilted his head and gave a
quizzical chirp to Bruno.  His expression must've been something because
Bruno began to laugh.


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

Why was he laughing?  Was he laughing at me?  I studied him.  No, he
wasn't.  I levitated and went snout to face with him.  My eyes bright and
curious.  I liked this human, he was gentle.
"Raptor stop playing around."  I could feel Father's smile even though my
back was to him, giving a small chuckle I gently brought myself to the
floor.  I knew I was maturing, but I won't be totally mature for another
six months.  I guess I was in the stage humans called the 'teenage' years.
"Hitmonchan, go."
*Ready.* She said with determination.  She reminded me of Candy.
<*Hi, I'm Raptor.*> I greeted.  Behind me I heard Inferno chuckle. 
Hitmonchan just looked bewildered as I stuck my hand out to shake hers.
*Hitmonchan.* She replied as we shook and prepared to battle.  Inferno
adjusted his jacket while still shaking off the coldness of Lorelei's arena.
"Fire Punch."
"Slash!"
I jumped into the air and Slashed at Hitmonchan.  She blocked with her
gloves and sent her Fire Punch into my stomach, sending me sailing
across the arena.
<(That hurt!)> I growled slightly as I stood up.  I didn't like being hit and
I'd make sure she knew that!
Wait a minute, now I'm starting to think like Inferno.  That's something
he'd say!

I danced around another attack and launched Psy-Bomb like Father called
for.  Hitmonchan was out.
"Impressive.  Return.  Machamp, go."
Machamp was actually as tall as I was and I know I'm no shrimp!  I'm at
7' high top of my head to the floor.
<"I'd better finish this one fast Charmeleon.">
<"I agree, that Machamp could seriously hurt Raptor.">
I whirled and looked at Father, I know I'd just heard him and
Charmeleon!  But that's never happened before.
"RAPTOR!"  Father screamed.  
I turned around and screamed myself when I saw Machamp launching
himself at me.  Closing my eyes I waited for the inevitable pain.
It never came.
Curious now instead of scared I opened them and realized what I had
inadvertently done in my sudden fright.
Everyone was frozen in their spot.  Except me.
I suddenly knew what I had done, but I didn't know how to reverse it.
I had . . . I shook my head, this couldn't be happening!

    Source: geocities.com/televisioncity/taping/2426

               ( geocities.com/televisioncity/taping)                   ( geocities.com/televisioncity)