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


Authors Notes: This is PG-13, it deals with mature subject matter.  You
have been warned 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

Rumours, Visions And Hatchlings
Chapter 29


~~~~~~Charmeleon's POV~~~~~~

I waited in the corner of Satoshi's mind I'd agreed to meet him in.  This
was a particularly dark corner, it always hurt to come here.  Here was
where Satoshi stuffed all his sadness so it wouldn't show.
Sometimes I longed to relieve him but I couldn't
<*You are here.*>
*And you are late!  Lets go to another part, I don't really like this area.* I
frowned as I led the guest through a door into a room I felt comfortable
in, Satoshi's.
<*I know the rumours, I know I'm being challenged.*> He paused.
<*And my brother and I need help*>
*At least you're pokemon enough to admit you're out of your league. 
But what makes you think I'll endanger Satoshi, Musashi and their
pokemon to help you?*
<*Because you are fair-minded, and you know what the consequences
will be if my brother and I lose.*>
*Flattery will not get you anywhere with me.*
I plopped into a bean bag chair, I could tell already this was going to be a
long night.
*Who else are you planning on dragging into this?*
<*The ones who knew me.*>
I snorted. *As myth or reality?*
<*Reality, once I restore their memories.*>
Shaking my head I sighed, suddenly feeling my age.  *I'm almost afraid to
ask who.*
<*Misty, Brock, Jessie and James.*>
My eyes widened, they were the ones who were going to be dragged into
this?! *I don't believe you want to drag so many into what will surely be
a kamekaze mission if our opponent is as strong as the rumours say!*
Images that weren't mine floated through my head, telling a story of a
challenge, a battle, a near death, victory and a lesson learned.
I didn't like this. *That's what happened the first time huh?  If history
repeats itself in certain situations I'll hunt you down!  Satoshi's as strong
in his convictions as his father!  If it comes to that I'm not the only one
who will be after your blood!  Besides, from what you've shown me you
owe Satoshi's family big time.*
<*I am aware of that, I already owe them my soul, my life.  But I know
of no others that will help without demanding preposterous things in
return.*>
*I've seen your spy.  The Fearow.  Machop has as well.  Because this
concerns Musashi as much as Satoshi she should be here.*
<*No.  She will refuse outright.  Machop is not a fighter.*>
He was right, Machop wouldn't even listen.  Even I'm very reluctant to
listen but someone has to before he decides to take our fates into his own
hands.
*Why should I agree to this?  Beside's saving the world that is.  In some
cases the world can just kiss my fiery tail.*
<*Revenge.*>
I blinked. *Pardon?*
<*You can exact revenge for his father's death.  Team Rocket killed him
and many other innocents.*>
He really knows how to appeal to a Charmeleon's sense of honour
doesn't he?
<*You know that Satoshi could never do it.*>
I rub the bridge of my nose and sigh.  Too true, I had promised myself
that Team Rocket would pay for their crimes when I learned the truth in
that courtroom.
He'd made a very good point.
But it still wasn't good enough for me.
He must've seen the look on my face because he spit out another reason.
<*Freedom.*>
I snap at him fiercely.  How dare he say that!  *Freedom?  What are you
talking about?!  I have my freedom!  I'm free of the slavers, the cursed
spring, Satoshi lets me have control as often as I want!  Even in the
middle of the night!  For the first time in my life I'm on the receiving end
of love and trust!*
He's silent, I actually struck a nerve.  So I continue relentlessly.
*That is the freedom I desired 1800 years ago, that is the freedom I asked
the Fire God to grant me for 1800 years.  Now I have that.  You may
have been under Team Rocket's control Mewtwo, you may have killed in
your rage at the laboratory that birthed you and you may have committed
theft.  But tell me this, have you ever known the crack of a three tailed
whip on your back for doing nothing but your absolute best?  Have you
ever lived in your own filth and the filth of others?  Have you ever
witnessed the death of unborn pokemon through beatings?  Have you
ever seen the broken spirit and bodies of pokemon that were your
friends?  Have you ever died?*
I'm glowering at him, daring him to say yes to any of the above.
<*Charmeleon.  Please.*>
*You should leave before Raptor senses you.  Meet me here tomorrow at
midnight and I will give you my answer.* I tell him with a slightly
lowered head and closed eyes.  
His presence vanishes and I sag back into the bean bag chair.  The door
opens again and I wearily look up to see Satoshi with a concerned look
on his face.
"What's wrong Charmeleon?  I felt your distress even through my
dream."  Is the first thing he says as he picks me up and puts me on his
lap as he sits in the chair.
I know I must've been upset if Satoshi was pulled from his subconscious.
*Just . . . just bad memories Satoshi.*
He wrapped one of his arms around me and lightly scratched the base of
my horn. "You know you're free to talk to me whenever you want, I'll
listen and do what I can to help."
I didn't really want to talk about it, and I think Satoshi knew that.  It's
rare that we actually meet here.  So I just curled into his lap and let his
presence reassure and comfort me.

It was awhile before I realized Satoshi hadn't moved an inch, when I
looked up I found him sound asleep.
I got out of the chair and threw a blanket over him before walking to the
door.  Looking back I smiled.
*Thank you Satoshi.*


~~~~~~Chewy's POV~~~~~~

I was waiting in Satoshi's room to see his usual ritual of throwing the
clock out the window, that amuses me to no end.
What surprised me was his arm reaching out and actually turning it off
before it went off!  I wonder if he's feeling alright.
Then I see his eyes as they open.  Charmeleon's in charge.
*Is Satoshi okay?*
*He's still sleeping, it's been a rough night.*
I blinked, it's strange hearing our language coming from a human. *Try
to speak human from now on.*
He chuckled.
"Alright."
Then I remembered.
*Satoshi has school today!  You're not planning to take his place are
you?*
Charmeleon seemed to think about it.
"Only until he wakes up.  Besides I'm curious."
He walked out of the room to take a shower, which I'm sure must be a
new experience for him.
Shaking my head I watched as he fumbled with the taps.  This would be
an interesting day indeed.


~~~~~~Charmeleon's POV~~~~~~

Imagine my surprise when I saw two new Charmanders being fawned
over by Embrana that morning.
Their names are Magmata and Flamestryk.
Imagine everyone else's surprise when I told them I'd be taking Satoshi's
place at school until he woke up.
While Musashi and I left the daycare after dropping off Nodoka I
reflected on my experience this morning.  I could actually enjoy water and
it felt wonderful.
"Charmeleon, there are a few things you have to remember at school . . ."
"I know Musashi, Satoshi already told me all the rules."
We were silent the rest of the way, unsure of what to talk about.

Now I've experienced first hand why Satoshi's not fond of school . . . It's
Boring!  I think the math class was the worst, all those equations gave me
a headache.  But otherwise it was fine, no one suspected that I wasn't
Satoshi, even when I totally blew it in the math class.  Good thing he
wasn't good in math otherwise my cover would've been blown right out
of the water.
The literature class was fascinating, so was history.  And I am glad he
didn't have music today.  I have no idea how to play an instrument.
At lunch time I checked on Satoshi, still asleep.  Shrugging I ate lunch
under a large tree.
"Hey squirt."
I resisted the urge to snarl and looked at the main source of Satoshi's
troubles as I stood up.
This is not something Satoshi would do but I was getting sick of these
honourless brats always picking on him.  "What do you want jerk?"  
"Ooooh, look who's grown a backbone!"  Sean sneered.  "We'll just have
to fix that!"
I dodged his fist and did another thing Satoshi would never do.  I slugged
him in a fair imitation of a Mega Punch.
"I'm sick and tired of being pushed around by you jerks and I won't stand
for it anymore!"
Sean got to his feet while blood flowed from his nose and lunged at me. 
Duck and rolling I stood behind him and gave him a good imitation of a
Mega Kick.
I glowered at them all.
They seemed to shrink and carried away an unconscious Sean.  Grinning
in satisfaction I didn't see the surrounding students take a few steps back. 
Nor did I see the principal behind me.

"I'm surprised at you Satoshi."  The principal began as I sat in the chair
across from her.
 Oh no . . . what a time for him to
wake up!
<"Umm . . . we're in the principal's office . . ."> 
 He shrieked.
<"I . . . beat up Sean."> I admitted.

"Of all the students here I'm shocked that you would be fighting."
I sat shamefaced and tried to defend myself.  "It's not entirely my fault.  I
got tired of always being Sean's doormat and letting him try to pound me
almost daily."
"That's no excuse Satoshi.  You know this school has zero tolerance for
fighting.  I'm afraid your suspended for three days.  You are dismissed."
Resisting the urge to glare at her I left the office and stormed home. 
Letting Satoshi take control when I reached the door.


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

I don't believe Charmeleon actually slugged Sean.  I only wish I'd been
able to see it.
(Satoshi!)
I picked up Magmata, she's pretty cute.  So is her brother Flamestryk.
Once they're older we'll have to give them to Professor Oak so he can
prepare them for the next batch of trainers.  Embrana and Inferno are not
going to like that at all, but hopefully, they'll understand.
After looking at the way Embrana's fawning over them, perhaps not. 
You know what they say . . 
.  <"The Underworld hath no fury equal to that of a protective mother.">
I grimaced.  
(Satoshi, if I were you I'd hide.  Your mother is on the warpath.)  Chewy
told me before running upstairs.
"SATOSHI KASUMI KETCHUM!"  The house trembled.
Eep, you know you're in trouble when your full name is used.
<"I suggest a strategic retreat.">

I ran.
"YOU'RE GROUNDED YOUNG MAN!"  Mom thundered.  With her
temper she would've made a better Fire pokemon trainer . . .

    Source: geocities.com/televisioncity/taping/2426

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