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
Prepared For The Pokemon League!
Chapter 8
"We're almost there Paradox!" I called to him over the wind.
(No problem! I could keep this up for the rest of the day!)
I rolled my eyes. I better have a talk with all of them to get it through
their heads that they weren't invincible. Of course I could talk to them all
after we were settled in the Pokemon Village on Indigo Island.
Musashi and I came in for a landing in front of one of the many Pokemon
Centres there and had everyone recharged while we signed up for the
tournaments.
We got lucky, there was space for the two of use but we'd have to share
with one other trainer, no biggie, as long as there was a spare bed we'd
be fine.
Musashi and I picked up everyone and went to our home for the League
competitions. I let out Raptor and Inferno, Musashi just claimed a bunk
and started to put her stuff in the drawers. There was the sound of
another pokeball opening.
"PIKA!"
"Chirp?"
"Hey Raptor! Stop arguing with Zeus!" I called from the kitchen were I
was stocking everyone's food.
<(It's not Zeus, she's a different Pikachu.)>
I blinked and walked over to Raptor who was staring someone down.
She was holding a Pikachu in her arms and looking scared. I sighed.
"How many times have I told you not to scare people?"
<(I wasn't though. At least I didn't mean too, I was just getting her
scent.)>
"Why don't you go help Inferno in the kitchen? I'll be there in a minute."
He gave a chirp and went to join Inferno. I turned to the girl and her
Pikachu. "Ahhh . . . sorry about that. He's a little wary of strangers. I'm
Satoshi, your room mate I guess."
"I'm Julie." She paused. "What kind of pokemon was that?"
"Raptor, a newly discovered type. Sorry if he scared you."
"It's ok, I think."
"He won't hurt you if you don't touch him, he doesn't like it when
someone except me touches him."
Julie nodded.
"I'll introduce you to Musashi, she's my girlfriend . . ."
"No Raptor! Don't let out Rare Beauty!"
Uh oh . . .
I ran for the room and managed to grab Rare Beauty's pokeball before
Raptor let her out.
"Raptor, Rare Beauty's too big to fit in here. Lullaby, Pippi, Paradox
return."
<(Oh . . . that's right. Sorry father.)>
"It's okay Raptor, just please ask me before you let any pokemon out,
okay?"
<(Okay father!)> He chirped before he began to investigate the rest of the
place.
"Sorry 'bout that. Julie this is . . . I see you're already acquainted."
"Julie and I are good friends from school."
"Okay, are you going to tell her . . . you know . . ."
"Maybe. I don't know yet."
"Think about it if you decide to okay? I'm going out to train with
Draco."
I exchanged Paradox for Draco and went to the training area I rented for
a few hours. If trainers had the money they could rent a practice arena
for a maximum of five hours.
~~~~~~Inferno's POV~~~~~~
Raptor has somewhat grown out of the habit of being with Satoshi at all
times. He doesn't mind if he's gone for a few hours as long as he can
'feel' him as Raptor puts it.
Me, Misty and Musashi could actually touch him now. He was
uncomfortable but he tolerated it.
I didn't go because Satoshi wanted a private training session. That means
Charmeleon is going to do the training.
Draco's very powerful, he'll protect Satoshi.
I heard the two gabbing girls in the bedroom, looks like I'll have to take a
nap on the floor in the living room.
I adjusted my jacket and curled up on the rug.
There was a knock on the door, grumbling I got up and answered it.
*Yeah?*
The person wasn't the least bit phased, must be an official or something
like that.
"I'm here to deliver one Satoshi Ketchum's battle schedule."
*Satoshi's out training, I'm his pokemon I'll give it to him.*
"See that you do." He handed me a small booklet. I took it and shut the
door.
*Never going to get any sleep now.*
"I swear dose goils are never going ta shut up!"
*Finally escaped their gab fest?*
"Yeah, and let me tell ya it's dangerous in dere."
*Noted.* I grumbled as I checked the shelves for any decent books.
*Anatomy of a Pidgey? Oh please, isn't there anything decent to read or
do I have to go out an buy a book?*
The only books here were various training manuals, a few first aid books .
. . basically the kind of books you'd see in a Nurse Joy's office.
And I wasn't willing to get pounced on by those gabbing girls to get one
of Satoshi's books.
Hey . . . I've got an idea . . .
I grabbed a piece of paper and messily scribbled a few book titles. My
reading may have improved a lot but my writing leaves much to be
desired.
I figured this area is probably full of trainers, trainers who are too busy
training and send their pokemon to get stuff.
It was kinda true, Satoshi was busy training.
This stuff just wasn't for him, it was for me.
I left my jacket on a hanger so I'd look like a regular Charizard. Not that
I was one of course. Regular Charizards don't read and write, and they
don't have trainers that turn into pokemon.
When I walked outside I paused, I knew there was a book store around
here someplace . . .
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that I'd have to find some way to pay
Satoshi back for the books.
I walked to the next block and stopped, nearly drooling.
In front of me was a bookstore 6 floors high.
*Yes!*
Carefully I crossed the street and walked in.
"May I help . . . oh my."
Just a little obvious she wasn't used to seeing a Charizard in here. I gave
her the list.
"I'm sure we have these titles. I'll go get them for you."
I followed her, I wanted to know where the fantasy section was for future
reference.
Okay, admittedly I'm seriously hooked on fantasy. The blame for that is
all Satoshi's, but I'm not going to blame him. I love fantasy!
"Here you go!" She chirped merrily, I didn't hear her. I was staring in
utter and complete fascination of all the books available. Greedily I
snatched one from the shelf and read the quick summary on the back.
"You can read?!"
Oops . . .
Nodding I put the book back where I found it.
"Amazing . . . where did you learn?"
*Learned by myself with a little help from my trainer.*
She blinked, which meant one of two things. 1. She understood what I
said and was very surprised. Or 2. She has no clue what I said.
I suspected option 2.
"Well, I'm not sure what you said but it's my pleasure to inform you that
all books are free for trainers."
My eyes widened. Oh I was going to love it here on Indigo Island! A
big, dopey smile spread across my face as I plucked another book or three
from the shelf.
I waved goodbye to my new human friend Leila, she was young but she
was very nice. With the bag of books in hand I practically flew back to
the house we'd be in for awhile.
Meowth stared at me in disbelief.
"Yer crazy plan actually woiked?"
*Yup, and get this. The books are free for trainers! Is Satoshi back
yet?*
<*Father should be home very soon.*>
"Da goils are still gabbing. So what titles ya got?" Meowth asked as he
fished around in the bag.
I stuck my hand in and pulled out a book at random before carefully
opening it and settling on chapter 1.
Knock knock.
I huffed a small fireball that got the fire place going before getting up and
answering the door.
*What?* I blinked as I saw a familiar face. *Brock! What are you doing
here?!*
"Hey Inferno. I'm here at a breeders convention. Thought I'd drop by
and say hello to Satoshi."
"Hey twoip!"
"Meowth." He nodded.
*Satoshi's out training Draco, he'll be back any minute now.*
"Hey kid! Rough session?"
"Uncle Brock! Hi! Come on inside, so you can meet everyone! How's
Pirow?"
"It's Feareot now."
"Wow."
*Satoshi, someone dropped this off, it's your battle schedule.*
"Neat!" He looked at it. "My first battle is the day after tomorrow. And
the opening ceremony is tomorrow!"
"It's a really great event! The peak of if is when they pass the flame of
Moltres."
"THE MOLTRES?!"
*The God of Fire?!* I asked incredulously. Brock laughed.
"The same! Satoshi, I hear you have a new pokemon."
"That's right! Hey Raptor, someone wants to meet you!"
He walked in and he introduced the two of them.
"Amazing . . ." He began circling the still growing Psychic. Raptor kept
a wary eye on him.
I couldn't help but chuckle. Suddenly Brock was poking, prodding and
measuring me.
I blinked, what had happened?
~~~~~~Satoshi's POV~~~~~~
Uncle Brock stayed for dinner after he had examined all of my pokemon.
Especially Bob, Inferno, Chewy and Raptor.
"Mmm . . . this isn't bad Satoshi . . . Anyway, I have to deliver a speech
tomorrow on caring for pokemon. I was wondering if I could borrow a
couple of yours for the day to use as examples along with Onyx, Golem,
Golbat, Feareot and Vulpix."
I blinked.
"Like who?"
"Raticate, Gyarados and Banshee. I'd ask to borrow Inferno but I know
you'll want him with you at the opening ceremonies tomorrow."
"It's okay with me, but you'll have to ask them."
He nodded.
"Banshee's name is Makaar, Gyarados is Rare Beauty and Raticate is
Chewy."
The three named pokemon looked at me.
Uncle Brock asked them if they'd let him use them for a day. They
huddled and talked it over among themselves. Banshee stepped forward.
(Okay, we'll do it!)
<"You're letting a stranger take your pokemon?"> Charmeleon asked in a
disbelieving tone.
"Thank you everyone! I'll bring you back to Satoshi at around one
o'clock if things go well."
They nodded.
"Go to sleep Inferno. The opening ceremony starts at nine in the
morning."
(Okay . . .) He grumped as he put the book away and curled up by my
bed.
Tomorrow was a very big day. Chewy, Makaar, Rare Beauty and I
would swap stories when we met up again after the ceremony.
I couldn't wait, they'd probably be bored stiff at Uncle Brocks lecture but
I'd told them to behave themselves and listen if he asks them to do
anything.
Yup, me and all my pokemon would stomp the League and all our
challengers into the dirt.
(
geocities.com/televisioncity/taping) (
geocities.com/televisioncity)