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

Training The Day Away
Chapter 7


Only two more days of training time left before the League.
*Come on Bob!  Is that all you've got?!* I taunted him.  He gave an
indignant squawk before diving at me.  I swatted him like a little bug.
*Always dive at your opponent from the side or back!  Never the front!*
I lectured.
After the trial it had taken me almost a two weeks to snap out of my
shock and get back to training.
I was still shocked, don't you dare believe I'm not for a second!  In the
end Charmeleon, Inferno, Musashi and Raptor had knocked some sense
into me.
Perhaps this distraction is just what I need to get what I had learned in the
courtroom to sink in.
Now I was more determined to win than ever!
Bob used his Drill Peck, he hasn't evolved yet but I'm sure he will soon. 
I admit I'd been a little hard on everyone for the past five weeks we've
been training so I let them all have a day off today.  Except for Bob and
Raptor, they needed extra work.
*Okay, lunch time!*
*Finally!*
<*About time.*>
*Satoshi?  I feel strange . . .* Bob muttered.
He was engulfed in a white glow.  My eyes widened and I watched in
fascination as Bob began to evolve.
"FEEEEAAARRREEOOOTTT Feareot!"
Interesting, he was a Feareot now?  I stood up and looked at his body. 
Tananda's eyes, beak and colouring.  Pidgeot's wings, tail feathers and
streamlined body.  The wings were wider than Pidgeot's though.  Speed
with endurance, not bad.  Pretty good actually.
*Go for a quick flight and pass me at top speed while making a noise.* I
instructed.
*Right!*
He flew up and suddenly zoomed past me with his beak open.
One . . . two . . . three . . .
"REOT!"
I reeled, God of Fire that was at least Mach 3! 
And a good attack, Sonic Boom.  I like the sound of that!
He came in for a landing.
*Great going Bob!  Eat your food now, I'll have a new batch for you by
dinner.*
*Thanks!*
<*Uuuurrrrrp!*>
*Well, that was lovely.* I grinned. *Bob, I'll put this harness on you.  I
want you to circle above me and Raptor, that's your training for the rest
of the day.  And you've learned your first attacks, time to spar.*
Bob had some trouble taking off with the weights strapped to the harness. 
They were about half the weight of Paradox's and Tananda's.
Raptor and I circled the other, he used Psychic.
I admit I'd been surprised to learn that a powerful move like Psychic was
Raptor's first attack like Slash is his first physical one.

We sparred for the rest of the day, hopefully we'd be ready by the time
the League rolled around.
<*Father I'm tired!*> I looked at the sun, almost dinner time.
*Ok, let's head home.  BOB!  You can come down now!*
*Satoshi, my wings hurt!*
*Don't worry.* I told him as I removed the harness. *You'll get used to
the weights.*
*Why do I have to wear them in the first place?*
*You've got lots of speed Bob, you need endurance.  These weights will
help you.*
*Oh, ok.*
*That's the spirit!  Let's head home.*
We began walking home, I didn't bother to change back.  Surely half the
town knew about Machop and Charmeleon by now.

*We're back!* I called as we walked in the door.
"Dinner's almost ready hon . . . who's this?"
*Mom, meet Feareot.  The evolved form of Pirow.*
"Wow."
I nodded and went to my room to change, I'd have to prepare food to
meet Feareot's needs.

"How's that taste Bob?"
He didn't answer, he was still eating.
"I'll take that as a very good."  I grinned as I jotted down the recipe.
Tomorrow was the last day we had to train before we went on our way to
the Indigo Plateau.
<"Don't train them too hard just because it's the last day.">
 I retorted.
<"Okay!  I get your drift.  Can I help it if I'm stronger than all of them?">

<"It's a possibility.">
 I paused. 
Silence.
<"I don't know . . .">

I finished eating my dinner, my cooking may be good.  But it doesn't
compare to mom's!

I'd gotten Professor Oaks permission to carry all of my pokemon to the
beach for one more training session.  And in this session I'd have to put
Raptor in a pokeball.  I was dreading this.
<(How do you expect me to fit in that?)> He asked as I showed him the
pokeball.
"Rare Beauty can fit in it, Inferno fits in it even Tochi fits in it.  It's all
about technology.  Just try it out, you might like it."
<(No, I want to stay close to you father!)>
"I always will.  Remember, we're bonded.  You can feel my feelings, even
in the pokeball.  I'm not sure if you can talk to me though."
<(I'll try it . . .)>
"Good."  I touched the pokeball to his nose and it sucked him in.  He was
about five feet high and could easily jump over me now.
I let him out of the pokeball, I'd gotten some stickers that will never
come off and put them on the pokeballs.  Then I'd gotten their names
engraved into all of them below the stickers, including Raptor's and
Bob's.
"Well?"
<(It's comfortable in there!)>
"So you won't put up a fight every time I recall you?"
<(Nope!)>
"Good!  Now go train with Candy, she needs a sparring partner."
He gave a happy chirp and dashed off toward Candy.
I sighed, today was the last day and they were all in excellent shape. 
We'd totally pound the League!
"Satoshi?"
I turned.
"Mr. Keero?"
"Yeah, I kind of got bored and decided to watch your pokemon train
before you head off to the League."
"I'm surprised you didn't side with anyone during the court."
"I'm not proud of what I did.  It was survival, I didn't care about the
livestock as long as my wife and daughter were safe.  But when she began
killing the sheep closer to the house I got nervous.  I teamed up with
Jerry after she got my daughter's riding pony.  She just got too close."
"I understand now.  But I am curious why you never showed in the
courtroom."
"I don't want your Raptor dead, as long as he's in your care I don't
worry about him.  Maybe one of these days I'll borrow him to get rid of
the mice in the barn."
I grinned.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind.  Want to help me feed them?"
"It's been a very long time since I've been with pokemon Satoshi."
"Don't worry.  Help me fill up their bowl and stay out of the way of the
stampede."  I smiled as I began putting out their bowls and bags of food.
"Sure."
The bowls were filled in no time, I pulled out my clarinet and played a
quick tune.
"What's that Satoshi?"
I looked.
"Oh, it's just the usual stampede.  Follow me."  We walked to the
treeline.
Everyone screeched to a halt in front of their bowls and began to inhale
their food.
"I see what you mean."  He chuckled.  We walked back to the beach and
I pulled out the human food.
"I've got enough for the both of us."
"Thanks Satoshi."  We sat down and began to eat.  I had to hide a smile
as Raptor came up behind Mr. Keero and began sniffing him.  He
stiffened.
"Don't worry Mr. Keero.  He's just checking you out."
He nodded and continued to eat.  Raptor chirped questioningly and
looked at me.  I nodded.
"Ummm, Satoshi.  Which of your pokemon is he?"  He asked a little
nervously.
"It's just Raptor."
His eyes widened and his head turned.  Mr. Keero suddenly found himself
nose to snout with Raptor.
"Stop scaring him Raptor, get the others and tell them they get candy
today."
<(Yeah!  Candy!)> He said happily.  About two seconds later we were
surrounded in pokemon.
"Well, at least they're getting better."  I grinned as I began tossing them
their treats.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Usually they all just tackle me."  I told him wryly.
He blinked and pulled a few strips of Jerky from my pack.
"Is this your Gyarados's dessert?"
"No, Rare Beauty already has hers."
I didn't bother telling him who's that treat was.  He found out.  Raptor
gently pulled it from his hand and began chewing it.
"Whoa."
"See, Raptor's not going to hurt you."
He nodded and brushed the sand from his pants.
"I'd better head back to the barn, chores to be done and all that.  Good
luck at the Pokemon League Satoshi!"
"Thanks Mr. Keero!"  I called.
<(He's nice.)>
"I know Raptor, I know."  I shook my head to clear it.  "Okay everyone! 
Switch partners and back to training!"
(Aww . . .)  The muttered as they broke off into pairs.
"Did my eyes deceive me?  Were you actually talking to Mr. Keero?" 
Musashi ask as she came up behind me.
I told her about the conversation and of Raptors acceptance of him.
"Cool."  Was all she said.

I savoured that nights dinner 'cause I knew it would be the last time I
tasted mom's cooking for awhile.
We'd hop on our Pidgeots first thing in the morning and gobble down a
quick breakfast at the Pokemon Village.
Then we'd sign in.

I packed up all the stuff I'd need, copies of the recipes, clothes, a few
bags of each of everyone's chow . . .
There was a knock at my door.  I stopped packing and looked at
Embrana.
"You change your mind?"  I asked her.  She shook her head.
(No, I've come to wish you good luck.  And to ask for your recipe for
Charmander food.)
I blinked.
"Thanks Embrana.  And the recipe is . . . in the recipe box in the kitchen. 
Mom'll show you where it is."
She nodded a thank you and walked out the door.  I closed my pack and
set it by the door before heading to Doka-chan's room.
"Hey little sister, tomorrow I'll be off to the Pokemon League.  So we
won't see each other for awhile."
She gave a cute little pout before stretching her arms toward me.  I
relented and picked her up.  She laughed happily.
"Stay out of trouble, okay Doka-chan?"
She burbled and yanked my hair.
"Ow!  Ease up with the baby death-grip!"
Nodoka just laughed and gave another tug.  I turned to mom's Pirow
perched on the crib. 
"You help keep my baby sister out of trouble, okay Pirow?"
(Okay!)
I put Nodoka back into her crib and pulled out my clarinet.  I'm sure it
was time for her to go to sleep by now.
I played a soothing lullaby inspired by Lullaby's Sing attack.  Doka-chan
yawned and fell fast asleep.  I tip toed back to my room and followed her
example.

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