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Eddies

Chapter 26: Upon the mountain...

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Eddies 26

The next morning, the group barely had time for a hurried breakfast in the Ranger's cafeteria before their meeting with Barklay was to commence. Chris and Skyy were both exchanging nervous glances from their seats in the reception area, as they waited for Barklay to finish up with his first appointment. While the rest of the group sat idly, flicking through magazines left on the coffee-stained table between the seats, it wasn't long before Chris began to notice the ominous tell-tale signs of anger emanating from Raikou, who sat on his haunches stiffly, ears cocked towards the closed door to the commander' **s office.**

Nudging Skyy, Chris pointed at Raikou, as the lucario shot a curious look at the legendary. Chris whispered to the lucario "I bet he's eavesdropping on the conversation inside. See if you can hear what's going on, too"

Skyy gave him a brief nod, turning his full attention to the door. Chris glanced again at Raikou, meeting his eyes for a brief moment as the pokemon gave him the slightest nod. He couldn't fail to see the smirk on the legendaries face, who had twisted the side of his mouth up in amusement.

Course he can hear me, Chris thought, blushing furiously as Raikou again turned stiff attention to the room beyond.

Even so, it wasn't long before even the human's in the group could overhear the muffled, raised voices coming from the chief's room. With the tone of conversation clearly becoming tense, Chris didn't miss the loaded look exchanged between Scott and Storm as the pair tensed, ready to intervene should the situation inside deteriorate further.

However, no one expected the deep, guttural growl that vibrated unexpectedly through the room, causing everyone close by to freeze. Turning towards Raikou, Chris shuddered at the look of intense anger that had twisted across the pokemon's face, even as the room lighting flickered in response to the static charge streaking across his dense fur. Chris stood hurriedly and made to approach him, but was stopped abruptly as Raikou glared at him, shaking his head and pointedly eyeing Chris's seat, which the young human dropped back into cautiously.

Damn, he's seriously pissed, Chris thought to himself. I hope he keeps this under control. I trust him, but the last thing we need is another "waste everything" episode from him!

The voices within stopped, and the group's hushed whispers paused as a thin man in his fifties stormed from the conference room, flinging the door aside only to find himself face to face with Raikou, who stood to block his path, glaring at him in fury. In the face of such an obstacle, the man skidded to a stop, blanching at the furious expression on the legendaries face.

"I know who you work for, human" Raikou all but spat at the terrified man. "I can smell the stench of evil upon you. I don't know why a dog like you is here, but when you go cowering back to your foul masters on your belly, fell free to advise them that we know of their actions, and that they will not be left unopposed!"

As the man went to reply, puffing himself up in an angry retort, he let out a meep as Raikou jabbed him in the chest with an extended claw, the sharp tip hooking through the fabric of his shirt and dragging him to within inches of the pokemon's face.

"I am not talking about these human's here, dog. I am taking about "my" associates! We are no longer amused at your antics, and we will be keeping a keen interest in your future actions."

Eyes narrowed, he leaned even closer to the terrified human, spit flying through his teeth in anger as he spoke. "You would be wise to keep your distance from me in the future. If I encounter you again, you are dead meat."

As Raikou released his shirt, all but dropping the man to the ground as he staggered back, the human drew himself up, glaring at the pokemon in defiance. "I think you underestimate those you think to oppose, Raikou! They are unafraid of you and your kin!"

"More fool them!" Raikou said darkly, the deadly snick of his claws everting loud in the stunned air of the reception room. As he again stepped forward menacingly, the man retreated hurriedly, avoiding the sparks shooting from the legendary's back. Speeding towards the elevator, he didn't glance back as he exiting amidst silence; the Rangers on duty watching him leave with hard, unfriendly eyes.

Once the lift doors closed and the man was lost from view, Chris let out the breath he was holding to stare at Raikou, who had continued with his implacable stance, continuing to watch the now closed elevator doors where the human had left the area. Regardless of his stoic stance, the static charge encircling his frame revealed his true feelings, and with a sigh, Chris stepped forward to rest a palm on his shoulder, wincing at prickles of electricity scored through his palm at the contact.

However, with the touch, Raikou sighed, turning to press his forehead softly against the surprised human's chest. Stroking his fingers through the dense fur of his head gently, Chris whispered to him "I gather you don't like him much. Ex-friend of yours?"

Raikou's rumbling chuckle vibrated through his chest for a moment, before a deep cough echoed through the room, breaking their contact. Turning towards the source of the disturbance, Chris blanched slightly as he regarded Barklay staring down at them from the doorway, eyes stormy beneath hooded brows. Pointing into the conference room behind him, he said darkly "Inside!" **stepping back as the group dutifully entered past him, to find chairs within the room.**

Once seated, and with the door securely closed, Barklay rounded on Raikou, who had dropped to sit on his haunches beside Chris, regarding the Ranger leader stoically.

*"I don't believe I needed any help dealing with that idiot!" Barklay said gruffly, narrowing his eyes as the legendary shrugged in response. *

"I have no doubts on that, human" Raikou rumbled, raising a paw to check over his claw tips indifferently. "However, as they are now involving themselves with matters beyond their ken, I think a small reminder of the forces they are stirring into play was not unreasonable."

Barklay huffed, pursing a lip in thought, before he leaned forward and said "Fine. I believe I understand some of that which you infer. But in return, if you wish involvement in this group, you do so as part of the group, not as an individual or on behalf of anonymous others. Understood?"

Raikou gave a brief nod, as Barklay resumed his seat with a groan. Turning to Scott, he muttered "I thought we already had our token irate pokemon in the group!" nodding dryly at Storm, who grinned toothily and said "No, Sir. Haven't eaten anyone since yesterday, Sir!"

Confused, and ignoring his partner' **s flippant reply, Scott leaned across the table and asked "But who was he?"**

Before Barklay answered, Raikou said "He was of the enemy. I could smell the stink of evil on him."

Barklay nodded, regarding Raikou dryly, and said "He's a politician. They're all evil. What did you expect?"

Raikou paused, pondering the reply for a long moment. "No, it's more than that. There's something about this I cannot put my claw on. It's..."

*The legendary froze, eyes widening beneath hooded brows. Chris looked at him in surprise. It was the first time he'd seen the legendary stunned; even scared. *

What the hell could scare Raikou? He thought in surprise.

Perhaps it'd be better not finding out!

*Raikou then stood suddenly, looking deep into Chris's eyes. Seeing the depths of his uncertainty, Chris sighed, nodding absently at the sudden need lurking there. *

"I have to leave!" the legendary announced to the startled group, as he spun to stride to the conference room door, turning the handle in a huge paw. "I will return..."

With a last flick of his star tipped tail, he left the room, leaving his friends bewildered in his wake.

Barklay sat in his chair with a thump, closing his open mouth with a snap. Rubbing tired eyes, he said "OK, can anyone explain any of that to me, in a way that won't cause me to lose it?"

When the group shook their heads, he looked to the ceiling and said tiredly. "Why didn't I think so?" before turning back to the group to begin their meeting.

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As Shadow was needed to lead the recovery group up the mountain, Bill accompanied her and the other four police officers chosen to recover the bodies of those she'd left behind. With a physical police presence involved, they were able to gain access to much better resources, including the use of a seriously capable off road recovery vehicle. In addition, the group accompanying her were not just "regular police", but had been chosen by Cameron from the local SWAT team. All were highly skilled, heavily equipped and none had any impressions they were to enter anything less than hostile territory.

Rather than being forced to leave the truck behind at the lower camp site, they managed to climb a good way up the mountain before the tracks became impossible to drive on. With this assist, by midafternoon the group had reached the Ranger's makeshift camp on foot, and had began the unpleasant task of recovering the grim remains they found there.

While the dead human Ranger had caused her some grief, Shadow all but broke down as they returned to the area where her Jolteon friend's body lay. Thankfully, with the weather as cold as it was, the corpse had not been disturbed by beast or insect, and she stood next to him, a paw resting on his cold furred shoulder as her body shook in misery.

Bill returned to her side, resting a hand on her head and drawing her against his leg. He let her mourn as she needed, lending her such support as his presence could give until, with a final swipe of her paw across her eyes, she stood suddenly, leaving the more experienced Ranger's the unenviable task of placing his body in a black body bag, to eventually lie besides his trainer's.

Even with the job done, she kept close to Bill, pressing against his leg as they made their way to the cave entrance, partially blocked by rubble fallen from the roof above. Little remained to show it was anything more than a simple mine opening, with the smooth black sided walls buried too deep in the cave to be seen through the rubble.

Shadow eyed the collapsed rock with sad eyes, eventually sighing as she turned up to Bill, nodding as he asked if she wanted to return to the camp site below. The pair strode to join the others, who had almost finished their dismantling of the Ranger's gear. Dropping to a fallen tree nearby, Bill took a seat as Shadow sat before him, leaning her head into his lap for attention. With a sigh, he stroked her soft ears and said "I'm sorry about your friend, Shadow. But you know we'll do everything we can to find who did this, huh?"

As she turned golden eyes on him, they narrowed slightly as she nodded. He made to continue, but paused as she cocked her ears suddenly, a low growl escaping her throat. Standing quickly at the cave entrance, she scanned the area, and then shocked Bill as she threw herself at him, hitting him heavily in the chest and sending him tumbling backwards over the fallen log into the bush beyond. When he finally recovered enough to splutter a response, she clamped a paw over his mouth, stopping his retort while continuing her visual search of the bush surrounding the camp. Eyes widening, she tilted her head back and released a screaming roar, shocking the SWAT officers who paused, looking at her in surprise.

Bill had no confusion as to what had set her off, as there was only one reason she might have reacted as such. Pushing her paw from his face, he shouted "INCOMING!" to the others, who dived for cover just as a hail of bullets swept through the camp sight, shredding the leaves where they had previously stood.

None of the four officers had been struck, thanks to the early warning from Bill and the luxio. Nor were they the unsuspecting Rangers the enemy had encountered earlier. With assault rifles at hand, the SWAT team spread out into the surrounding dense brush, keeping to deeper cover as they began circling around their enemy. Their leader remained central to the attack, whispering commands into his throat mike, and gesturing abruptly for Bill and Shadow to keep out of the way.

*Not long out of the academy, Bill had no delusions as to his skills tackling an enemy force such as this. His presence had been chosen simply because of his bond with the feline pokemon, and Cameron had been blunt in his warnings to keep out of any action, should it eventuate. *

Regardless, he had no intention on simply sitting there as a target. Drawing his firearm, he fired his pistol randomly into the trees above the area the shots were coming from, keeping the enemies attention off the SWAT forces manoeuvring around them. His actions may have helped to some degree, as none of the officers were injured during the volley. Several long minutes passed without resolution, before sudden bursts of semi automatic gunfire again rang through the area, accompanied by several shouts and screams. Bill sat still, listening to the hushed commands coming through the radios and was relieved that none of their team had been hit; clearly the SWAT troops had began finding their targets.

Shadow, meanwhile, had kept to Bills side, a low growl escaping her lips as she eyed the drama unfolding through slitted lids. Not even the projectiles peppering the tree they were crouched behind distracted her. With ears perked and twitching, she followed the action as several enemy soldiers was eliminated, until only a pair of weapons continued to spray the area. However, the final two enemies were well screened within protective cover, and even after their partners were eliminated, continued to send fire towards the SWAT team around them.

Realising that this could drag on indefinitely without further intervention, and that at any moment one of their own might be injured, Bill put a hand on Shadow's neck and said quietly "So, you ready for this?"

At her insistent and definite nod, he grinned suddenly, a gleam of excitement in his eyes as he slapped her shoulder and said "OK, I want you to use Charge to make for the far side of the clearing, using what cover you can. Then, Roar to distract the first one, so we can locate his position. I'll send gunfire towards him, while you use Thunderbolt to take him out. Once he's down, use Protect to evade the second one, and if you can, wipe him out with a Discharge. Don't worry about the rest of us; just aim it in his general direction. If you hit a few of us with the edges of it, we can take it. Alright, kitten?"

Shadow's eyes glowed golden, as she rubbed against his side for a moment, before standing back with a definite nod. On his command, she sprang to attack, just making out the "Good luck..." he whispered to her before she shot like a bolt of fury from the cover of the trees besides him.

*Her roaring screech echoed through the foliage, distracting both parties; friend and foe alike; giving her the vital moments it took to reach the far side of the clearing. However, the delay was momentary, and she was soon dodging deadly projectiles shredding the leaves around her. Her incredibly keen eyesight soon pinpointed the hiding place of the first assailant, and with Bill providing backup cover, with a further screech she unleashed a massive bolt of electricity towards the armed human, the silhouette of his form visible through the leaves as she hit her target. Even expecting the attack, Bill was left with momentary after-images of the powerful blast, and had to blink his eyes rapidly to clear the stars from before his retina. *

With the first enemy down, Shadow danced through the Protect manoeuvre as the second human leapt from cover, cursing as he turned his weapon towards her. He had no chance; a human couldn't hope to match the sheer speed of the charging pokemon as once within range, she discharged all her remaining energy towards him in a single, unavoidable blast.

For a moment, the clearing stilled, as the bolt of white fury sped towards him. Even so, he had no time to react as he was struck from above, a piercing shriek leaving him as his body detonated, flying apart in a mass of blood and gore. When the bolt struck the ground, it buried itself in the soft soil, sending a mass of greenery and dirt out in an expanding wave across the clearing, showering them all in dirt and debris.

Once the concussion wave cleared and the team's eyesight recovered, all that remained of the enemy agent was a large, bloody crater, surrounded by a blast zone spanning several dozen feet. In the middle, hovering over the smouldering ground, Shadow's body formed a dark silhouette against the smoking backdrop.

*With the enemy threat eliminated, the SWAT team slowly emerged to regard the pokemon in awe. When one of the team dropped his head to her respectfully, her eyes glowed brightly, before a blue nimbus surrounded her form and she rose above the ground, glowing eyes increasing in intensity until they were unbearably bright. *

When a further flash of blue and gold enveloped the clearing, the team covered their faces, fighting back tears against the brilliance, until it darkened rapidly, leaving them blinking speechless.

The creature in the clearing who regarded them fiercely was no longer the luxio who had accompanied them. As one of the officers swore quietly to himself "Fuck me...", she regarded them regally as she stepped towards the emerging group, bright eyes intent on Bill as he dropped to a knee to meet her.

Rubbing herself against him, she stared into his face, now on eye level with his own, as he caressed her cheek in amazement.

"Luxray" she said solemnly into the quiet, and he chuckled before grabbing her into a hug.

"You certainly are, kitten!" he said softly into her ear, as she purred against him. "You certainly are..."

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Once the SWAT team had recovered the enemy's remains (at least those they could, given there was little left of the final soldier blasted apart by Shadow) they added a further four bodies to the two still, bagged forms already in the clearing.

But by a stroke of fortune, they had recovered a prize beyond reckoning.

The soldier that had been struck by Shadow's initial attack was still alive!

Not in especially good condition, certainly. Much of his equipment had melted during the assault, leaving him heavily burned beneath. However, none of the injuries were deemed immediately life threatening and, while he remained unconscious during the examination, the SWAT team medic felt certain he would recover eventually.

At least for long enough to provide the group some crucial answers regarding the enemy they faced.

With the unconscious man bound securely, the team leader decided to forgo further secrecy and transport their prize back to base as soon as possible. Unlike the ill-equipped Rangers, the team carried satellite phones for long-distance communication, and quickly called in air support to winch out and ferry the wounded enemy, as well as the remainder of the dead, for transport back to the farm.

It took several hours, and multiple trips, before the bulk of the group had been airlifted out, leaving behind a pair of SWAT members to return to the vehicle and bring it down the mountain. While initially wary of the chopper circling overhead, Shadow had deferred to Bill's ongoing assurance that it was "quite safe" and doubtfully let him strap a winching harness around her body, which he then secured to his own as the hovering chopper lowered a lead line for them.

Clipped into place, they began the slow, spinning ascent to the aircraft above. Shadow had a momentary flash of panic as her feet left the ground, but calmed her movements as Bill stroked her head reassuringly.

Leaning down to her, he whispered over the noise above 'You did fantastic back there, kitten. You should be proud of what you did!"

Eyes bright at his praise, as they reached the aircraft she clambered carefully over the long skid into the rear compartment of the helicopter, ignoring the startled glances from the winching crew who clearly hadn't expected they'd be sharing the aircraft with a huge feline. When Bill have them an enthusiastic thumbs up, the two winch operators exchanged loaded glances, before advising the pilot it was OK to return to base.

Still secure in her harness, Shadow dropped to her stomach on the compartment floor, staring through the still open door at the swiftly passing greenery below. With Bill beside her, she felt safe enough to simply enjoy the flight, staring out at the late afternoon sun dropping magnificently behind the mountain vista they flew through; something not many of her kind had ever experienced.

It took only thirty minutes for the chopper to land at the farm in a cloud of dust, and welcome arms. Shaking out her fur, and grateful for the warm dirt beneath her paws, she turned to find herself facing the human's leader, Cameron, who bent down and said with a smile "I understand we have you to thank for our prisoner. Well done!"

When Bill dropped an arm to her shoulder, stroking her in appreciation, she didn't think anything further in life could have made her happier.

To be wanted, needed, and to be loved; what else could anyone desire?

With tail raised and ears held high, she followed the group inside, ready for anything the world could throw at her.

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Author's note:

That was fun! So much going on, and all at once!

Fillers? Baah, what fillers?? ;)

So, who saw it coming with luxio evolving into luxray?

Rocko waves his hand up madly!! ME!! ;>

But where did Raikou go so quickly? OOOOOH!! You'll have to wait till the next chapter for that!

Or the one after....

One of them, anyway. I forget which... ;)