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Eddies 14

It was the voices she noticed first, as she came back to consciousness.

"You could have given her a coronary, you big twit!"

The voice sounded familiar...

"How was I to know she'd faint like that?" said the gruff voice plaintively.

The first voice spoke again. So familiar....

"Shit! She didn't hit her head, did she? Just my luck, I finally get home and mum gets stuck in hospital!"

Mum? What?

Chris?

CHRIS!

Eyes fluttering open, Gwen looked up into the face of her son hovering anxiously over her. At first, she thought she was dreaming. But when it smiled, she reached up and grabbed him around the neck, pulling him into a hug.

"Oh, sweetheart! It's you!" she breathed, receiving a big hug in return.

"Hi mum!" said Chris, muffled by the arms holding him tight.

Breaking off her embrace after a moment, she pushed him back, sitting up somewhat woozily, and said "What happened? Where have you been?"

Before he could answer, she glanced past him at the mountain of blue and beige fur beyond his shoulder, and thought she was dreaming again.

Raising a quivering finger, she pointed at the monstrosity and said "What is that, and what's it doing in my kitchen?"

As the typhlosion stepped back, somewhat affronted at the slight, Chris helped his mother up, where she glared at Storm. As he stepped back further, she spotted Skyy standing in the kitchen entry next to Scott, and did a double take. Chris turned on the furred Ranger and said "Bit of space, bro." Storm nodded, retreating back to the kitchen, before he leaned casually against the refrigerator as Chris helped his mother into the room, sitting her down at the table.

As Chris sat opposite, Gwen ceased her incredulous examination of the two pokemon, reaching across the timber surface to grab his hands and squeeze them tight.

"It is you, for real. What happened? We thought we'd lost you! Do you know how worried we were?"

Scott chuckled from his stance near the sink, and said "Well, for that long story, I think it's coffee time. Where's the cups?"

Storm rumbled, startling Gwen who stared at him in disbelief as he said "I'll help. I can't cut a break in this place!"

Turning back to Chris, she whispered "It talks!"

Scott, overhearing her hissed whisper, laughed from the sink where he was filling the kettle, and said "Oh, he does alright. It's getting him to shut up that's the problem."

Storm raised a finger at his partner, and said gruffly "Oh, very 'effin funny!", before moving to the pantry and rummaging for the coffee jar.

Motioning Skyy over from where he had been waiting in the background anxiously, he motioned for him to take a seat beside him. The lucario sat tentatively, nervous under the intent eyes of his friend's mother.

Still holding her hands with one of his own, he freed his second, to reach across and pat Skyy on the shoulder, receiving a quick grin in return.

"This is Skyy. He's a lucario. The guy making coffee is Scott, and the blue furred rug is his partner Storm. They're Rangers. The other guys are in the lounge, keeping a bit of distance. As to what happened to me, well... Umm, well, it's a long, long story..."

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The sky outside had grown dark before Chris finished his tale. Scott had taken over the cooking duties, and was serving the spaghetti onto individual plates from large bowls at the table centre. During the telling, Raikou, Jasper and Azil had made an appearance from the lounge when called. While Chris's mother greeted the trio calmly enough, her eyes widened at the sight of the huge legendary, and he wisely kept his distance from her to give her the time needed to acclimatize to his presence.

With the story over, Chris petered off into silence, as his mother digested the information. While seemingly unbelievable, the presence of the pokemon at her table gave ample credence to his experiences, and while scary-looking, the four creatures seemed friendly enough. In fact, the big blue one then began a rambling account of their morning encounter with some motorcycle riders that had her laughing; a situation she hadn't expected.

After so many weeks away, the meal was heavenly to Chris. The other mumbled their appreciation of the savoury pasta, and even the usually composed lucario wolfed it down with abandon. When Storm sat back and belched, Chris put a hand to his forehead and winced, but his mother reached out and tentatively patted the typhlosion's shoulder, saying how good it was that someone appreciated good food. To this Storm grinned broadly, showing way more teeth than necessary, and thanked her, nudging his partner and advising him it was nice to have his appetite appreciated for a change.

As the conversation picked up, the kitchen became the hub of attention. A stranger group of individuals in his childhood home Chris had never imagined, but he smiled at the sight. Inspiration striking, he excused himself, bolting to his room and grabbing his digital camera. As he returned, his mother held up her hands, hating having her picture taken, but Chris insisted. Setting it up at the bench and lining it up, he started the countdown timer, resuming his seat. Just before the photo was taken, Storm threw an arm around his mother, who squeaked in surprise, but laughed just as the flash went off.

In all the years that followed, and all the adventures he undertook, that photo was Chris's favourite. It was a night to remember, for certain.

At least, until the sound of a truck pulling up outside the house, accompanied by Nanook's frantic barking, had Chris and Gwen jumping up to reach the door, before his father walked in on the group.

As Jasper, Raikou and Azil retreated back to the lounge to watch TV, the others heard raised voices coming from outside, as his father berated Chris for his disappearance. When silence followed, Skyy exchanged a worried look with the two Rangers, but received a grin and a shrug from Storm, who told him things would work out fine.

Fifteen minutes later, the door opened and Chris lead his stunned father, Paul, in to the room to meet his friends. Once he managed to close his mouth, Paul seemed to accept the situation stoically enough, although he did do a double take when Raikou introduced himself.

"Damn, you're a big one!" he swore, causing Chris to cringe in embarrassment, but Raikou just chuckled.

Once dinner was finished, the group moved to the rear deck, which was one of the few places in the house large enough to cater for the whole party. Overlooking the distant mountains shining dimly in the moon light, conversation ranged from prior personal histories, to current events in both worlds; discussions everyone found fascinating.

When Chris asked where his younger brother had gotten to, his mother rolled her eyes, explaining he was at a friend's house for a "LAN party", whatever that was. An obsessive gamer, Chris knew his younger sibling, just turning fourteen, had an obsession with computer and console games that he had never shared, his own preference being for more physical challenges.

"When's Jim due home?" he asked, and Paul advised he planned on picking him up the next afternoon.

"Umm, just don't mention any of this to anyone?" Chris said, waving vaguely at the group, who were busy exchanging conversation. His dad grinned and said "Say what? That the circus has come to town, and the animals have all escaped? No, I'd rather not be institutionalised again this week, thanks!"

Skyy snorted wryly, receiving a chuckle from Chris's father. "Metaphorically speaking, of course"

Giving a wide smile, the lucario replied "Oh, of course!"

It was close to midnight when Jasper yawned, rubbing red eyes and stating he desperately needed sleep. He still hadn't released Sparky, and told the others he was not looking forward to letting the raichu out, given she tended to being grumpy if kept in the ball too long. Excusing himself, he thanked Chris's parents for putting them up, and headed off to sleep.

Azil yawned also, showing blunt teeth, and said "Char!" pointing towards the bedrooms in a way that needed no translation. Following Jasper, he crashed onto the folding stretcher that Chris had set up for him. When Storm poked Scott, the Ranger chuckled and said "Well, folks. It's been a pleasure, and we also thank you for the hospitality. But bed calls, so see you in the morning".

As Chris's parents stood to wish the pair a good night, Chris grabbed Skyy and said "I'm off, too." He was enveloped in a hug from his mum, who kissed his head, causing him to blush in embarrassment, and as his father grinned at his predicament, he bolted to his room, the lucario in tow.

Soon, it was only the two adults and Raikou left, as the big legendary excused himself, slipping from the house to disappear into the night. With Gwen left to finish cleaning the table, Paul stepped out onto the veranda and dropped to the porch couch with a sigh, contemplating the bizarre events that had turned his day upside down. Lighting a cigarette, he leaned back to blow smoke towards the veranda light, watching it curl around the bugs circling the bulb.

When a slight scuffing noise alerted him to the return of the pokemon, he started, peering into the darkness as Raikou emerged. Surprised when the huge pokemon dropped to the deck besides him rather than continue inside, Paul took another long pull on the cigarette, turned towards the creature and said quietly "I think it's finally sinking in that you guys are real."

Raikou eyed the human, letting out a deep chuckle, before returning to stare into the night. "Oh yes. As real as you are. Although perhaps a bit out of place in your reality."

As the pair dropped into silence, minutes passed before Paul asked the legendary "There's more to this, isn't there?"

Raikou raised an eyebrow, regarding the human, and said "Why would you ask that?"

Paul chuckled, dropping the used butt of his cigarette into an empty steel can besides his chair, and lighting another. "Oh, I know my son. I know when he's telling the truth, or lying. But I can also tell when he's holding something back."

Raikou nodded slowly, regarding Chris's father with increased respect. "Yes, human, there is more to this than any of us know. How far it will lead is still anyone's guess, but Chris has a big part to play in whatever eventuates."

Looking at him shrewdly, Paul said "Is it dangerous?"

Raikou paused, and then sighed. "Possibly. That has yet to be determined. However, your son has shown he is more than capable of handling himself in adversity, and I believe he is ready to face the possible challenges ahead"

Paul nodded slowly, then chuckled. "If someone had told me this morning I would be discussing my lost son's future with a huge cat monster, I'd have said I'd need to be smoking something stronger than tobacco."

Raikou smirked, long canines glinting in the veranda light, before he nodded, dropping his head to his paws and said "I owe a life debt to your son, human. He rescued me from a fate far from certain. As he did with the lucario and the charmander." Turning to regard Paul, he said frankly "I will do my best to protect him from whatever lies ahead. He is worthy of that."

Nodding, Paul regarded his half consumed cigarette absently, leaning forward to tip ash over the veranda rail.

"You like him, don't you?" he said, and was unsurprised at the nod in response. Paul sighed. "We've done all we can to raise him right. I believe in him. I think your faith is warranted."

Pausing, he stared at the pokemon, and continued "Thank you from bringing him home to us. We missed him desperately. Gwen, especially, was frantic. I had every faith he was alive, but when he didn't return, we... Well, we became pretty worried."

Reaching out a hand suddenly towards Raikou, he met the huge, warm paw in his own, as stubby fingers gripped his palm. "The pleasure has been mine" said the legendary with a deep chuckle, shaking the human's hand.

The pair exchanged smiles, before Raikou released the human, and dropped back to the deck. As they shared companionable silence, Raikou finally cleared his throat and said "I do have one concern I will mention. There is something your Son is withholding, not only from me, but also from the Rangers. The lucario is a part of it, although his loyalty to Chris is beyond reproach. Indeed, it torments them both." As Paul looked at him in concern, Raikou shrugged. "I believe it has something to do with his initial arrival, and I hope he will confide this in you."

Sighing, Raikou continued "I cannot interfere, and would appreciate you keeping my confidence. If he does not bring it up, it should be his decision. But I hope he does so, as it was clearly traumatic."

When Paul nodded, the big eyes blinked, and Raikou stood, stretching before wishing the human goodnight. Disappearing into the darkness, he left Chris's father with much to think about, not the least what the hell his son was now caught up in.

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Skyy dropped to sleep without difficulty, wrapped in Chris's arms as they shared the bed in his room. Chris, however, could not settle, no matter how he tried.

He was home, finally. Everything was back to normal, or at least a close proximity of.

Everything should have been perfect.

But it wasn't, and he knew why...

By 2am, his discomfort had grown to the point the room felt claustrophobic, and he experienced a sudden, overwhelming desire for some fresh air. Slipping from the sheets without disturbing the lucario, Chris donned his clothes, and stepped through the house to the front veranda, resting on the railing with his head in his hands.

He hadn't seen his father still sitting there in the dark, until he turned back and started as he caught a whiff of cigarette smoke, the faint red glow barely lighting Paul's face as he sat in the darkness.

"Hey" said Paul, moving over to give his son room to drop besides him.

"Hey dad! You startled me" said Chris, making light of the situation. However, as they sat in silence, his melancholia returned, and he leaned his head back against the cushions with a sigh.

Paul kept quiet, knowing if Chris had something to say, he would do so. His son wasn't one for mincing words, but pushing him never achieved anything. His stubborn streak was a mile wide; just like his fathers, Paul thought with a wry grin.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Chris turned to his father and said "Dad, I have a problem."

Paul nodded; drawing hard on the cigarette, as the faint red light bloomed at its tip, illuminating their faces. "Yeah, I can see that."

Chris chuckled, and said "You always could read me like a book." Rubbing his face with a hand, he began shaking, as his concerned father put an arm over his shoulder. For Chris to react like this was highly unusual, given the independent nature of his son. It spoke of something pretty bad.

It was.

When Chris finally settled, rubbing silent tears from his eyes, he stared at the deck and said "Dad, I killed a man..."

The arm tightened across him, but his father remained otherwise quiet.

Breaking down, Chris put his head in his hands, and cried. Long minutes passed, until he calmed enough to continue, spilling to his father the full story of Skyy's rescue, and their subsequent attack by the pair of rednecks.

Listening silently to Chris, Paul mentally cursed the occurrence of a situation that caused his son such distress. Finally, when Chris had finished, he replied.

"You know, your mother and I have always been proud of you, Chris. You've always acted in a way where we've never had any reason not to trust your actions and judgement. Yes, we all fail occasionally, but even then, you generally had a reason. In this, you've earned the freedom we've always given you."

Paul sighed, hugging his son against him, who looked up at him mutely.

"It all comes down to choice, Chris. You chose to rescue your friend. They chose to chase you down and try to kill you both. Had they not done so, they would be alive now. But they did not. One choice was right, and one was not. In this instance, I don't think you had any other choice available."

Resting his own head back against the couch, Paul said "I'm not sure whether keeping this from your Ranger friends was wise, as I don't know enough about them to comment. My gut feeling is they can be trusted. But I know you, Chris. I know you would never have done such a thing had you any other option."

Staring out at the distant moonlit mountains, Paul said "Bad things happen, sometimes, especially to bad people. The alternatives are often worse. You're alive, and your friend is alive, and that is what matters now. I leave it up to you whether to tell Scott the truth, as my impression is that he is an honourable person. But, I don't believe forgiveness is in order, as you have done nothing for which you need to be forgiven."

Paul sighed. "Life's a bitch, sometimes. But getting on with it is what keeps us going. This will change you, and I can see already you're a different person to the boy who went trail bike riding a few weeks ago. You're a man now, and I couldn't be prouder of you."

Chris took in the words without comment, and then reached across to hug his father again. "Thanks, dad."

That was enough. Nothing else needed to be said.

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Chris woke the next morning feeling great. The heavy weight on his conscious had lifted a lot, although not completely. He doubted he'd ever be fully over what he had experienced, but at least he now felt he could move on from it.

It was with this in mind that he decided to tell the Rangers the truth.

Doubts still plagued him on how wise a decision it was, but here, in the place he knew so well, he thought himself man enough to spill his guts to them.

He was also surprised when Skyy agreed wholeheartedly.

Shrugging, the lucario said "We did nothing but protect ourselves. I do not hold to the human's law in this regard, and make no apology for what I did. But I think you need to get this off your chest. So, do it. I'll support you."

Watching his friend mutely, Chris reached over and gave the lucario a hug, warmly returned. Resting against the furred chest, he said quietly "Damn, what'd I do without you?"

Skyy chuckled, but didn't release him. "Take up more bed, I'd imagine" he joked, as the pair chuckled.

Even as early as it was, the Rangers were already awake. They'd been taking a tour of the property with Paul, who was always an early riser, being farm born and bred. The two humans and the typhlosion looked an odd sight, meandering around the buildings in quiet discussion, but they looked up as Chris and Skyy approached.

Drawing the human Ranger aside, he said "Got a few minutes?"

When Scott nodded, Chris looked at his father, who gave him a nod, and left with Storm in the direction of the farmhouse. Skyy stayed with him in mute support, as the trio went to the barn, resting in the shade.

Seating themselves on hay bales, Chris took a moment to collect his thoughts, and said "I need to tell you something, about my arrival."

Scott nodded, and let him continue.

With the saga told, the Ranger rubbed tired eyes, and said to the nervous pair "If it's any consolation, I already knew about this."

Stunned, Chris stared at him in shock. "You knew?"

Scott chuckled wryly. "Psychic pokemon, remember? Bad event equals bad psychic shock. I knew what had happened even before I met you, although the details were sketchy. Why do you think we made such initial efforts to get to know you?"

Slapping his forehead, Chris groaned. "But why didn't you say anything?"

Scott eyed him intently. "Because I knew why you did it! I knew it wasn't malicious, or intentional. Self defence may not be a reasonable excuse here, but on my world, we're a little more pragmatic. At our first meeting, we had a psychic reading your emotions from an adjacent room, so had you worked out from the beginning. We knew you could be trusted, even if you didn't trust us."

Standing up, he reached out and helped the two to their feet, before continuing. "As far as we're concerned, the matter has been settled. Ranger's decisions are final. Don't take it as an excuse to ever repeat the action, but you're off the hook, so to speak, alright?"

Nodding, Chris and Skyy exchanged glances, before grinning.

The rest of the day was looking extremely promising for all, after that.

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