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Eddies

Chapter 24: Then the morning comes...

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 24

When Chris woke the next morning, he opened gritty, red rimmed eyes and groaned as his joints creaked in the chill air. Skyy had somehow managed to drag the blankets from across his body as they slept, and his skin was chilled, goose bumps roughening the normally smooth surface. Rubbing some warmth into his shoulders, he sat up on the edge of the bed and stretched, blinking at the bright morning light streaming through the curtained windows.

When a muffled, snorting noise came from behind him, Chris turned to look down at the lucario curled up contented under the stolen sheets, and he could only grin dryly at his sleeping friend before yawning overtook him.

Shit, it felt like he hadn't slept at all.

He still felt exhausted.

Knowing Skyy wasn't likely to rise anytime soon, he stood up and paced across the cold tiles to rummage through his pack. Finding a clean change of clothing, he stacked them on the end of the bed, before searching further for clean jocks and his toiletries bag. Gathering the lot in his arms he snuck off to the small shower cubicle, closing the door quietly behind him. Dropping the bundle onto the vanity, he leaned through the shower door to turn on both faucets, hoping the sound of the flowing water wouldn't wake the lucario from his sleep.

He needed some alone time to think.

First touch of the hot water had him flinch, but in moments the soothing warmth began melting the chill in his limbs, and he started feeling almost human again. Stretching an arm against the wall, he pressed his palm flat on the tiles besides the shower rose. Taking a long breath, he slipped his head underneath the hot water, wishing it would wash away the memories of the previous day as easily as it washed away the grime he'd picked up earning them.

He hadn't thought himself squeamish. Hell, he'd seen enough action movies, not to mention played enough violent video games, to have considered himself above such thoughts. But there was a factor the games could never truly portray; reality was so different to the virtual. Perhaps it was the smell; the sweetly sick stench of burnt flesh combined with the acid reek of spilt offal. Perhaps the sounds; screaming, agony... The true reality of the battlefield was a horror he had trouble reconciling, and he shuddered as the memories cascaded through him.

He knew now why so many soldiers came back from the front lines changed.

He also now knew that he would be no different. Certainly, he no longer felt the carefree kid who crashed his trail bike on the mountain path those few weeks ago. He felt... hard; bitter even. Life had thrown him a curve ball, and he seemed to have collected it with his face.

Pressing his head forward, forehead touched the cold tiles and he shuddered slightly.

Lost in thought as the water flowed heavily over his ears, he didn't hear the bathroom door open, or the glass shower screen part behind him. It was only when soft arms wrapped around him from behind, and an even softer chest press against his back, that he stiffened in shock, realising he was no longer alone.

Pulling his head from the water stream sharply, he froze as the arms around him tightened. Still braced by one arm against the wall, he stared down at the blue and black furred limbs circling his waist, hands clasped around his middle as the lucario rested his head in the small of Chris's shoulder, sighing softly against his suddenly goose bumped flesh.

For a long moment, Chris's mind shut down, and he stood there breathing numbly. When things did finally register, while a part of him remained shocked at the new development, a larger, more insistent portion of his mind crowed in victory.

He wasn't alone anymore, it called to him.

He never had to be alone again...

Dropping an arm down, he wrapped his hands over those at his waist, interlacing his fingers with Skyy's as they stood there sharing warmth from both the fast flowing water and each other's presence. When the lucario nuzzled his neck, Chris couldn't help a small, almost hysterical giggle, which turned into a gasp as Skyy began softly licking his shoulder with his long tongue, eliciting a groan of guilty pleasure from the young human.

"Oh Gods, that feels good...." he murmured, as the tongue stopped and a cold nose pressed into the base of his neck, where he could feel the lucario's gentle breath against him. Steeling himself, Chris slowly turned within the furred arms until his back pressed against the cold wall tiles, and he was able to wrap his own arms around Skyy's waist, drawing the lucario against him.

He opened his eyes to stare into the anxious, ruby ones staring up from slightly below his own gaze, as they searched his face seriously. After a moment, Chris felt Skyy press against him harder, as the muzzle reached forward to whisper into his ear "You're naked, you know..."

A snort of nervous laughter erupted from the youth as he ran his arms down the pokemon's back to scratch fingers through the slightly denser fur above the base of his tail, eliciting a growl of pleasure in return. Nuzzling Skyy's long ears, he whispered back "So are you."

The lucario giggled, and looked back into his face. "Yeah, but I'm always naked!" he said, bringing his nose forward to touch Chris's own, before the human leant forward to kiss the black lips softly. When long moments passed and the pair separated for much needed air, Chris sighed, resting his forehead forward in the crook of the lucario's neck, and whispered "What did I ever do to get lucky enough to meet you?"

Skyy paused, breathing in the scent of the human as he pressed his nose into Chris's hair, before he replied "I think I've waited my whole life for you, Chris. Before you came, I was lost. I wandered in darkness, fearing to ever find the light. Now, I have a reason to be. You've made me happier than I could have dreamed possible."

Closing his eyes, he whispered "I love you..."

Chris didn't reply.

He didn't need to.

It was a long time before either felt the need to finish the shower and meet the new day...

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J.B woke early, eyes fluttering open to stare up at the unfamiliar ceiling; a ceiling on a world he couldn't even call his own.

Resting his head back against the pillow, he sighed, gathering his thoughts in an attempt to meet the new day. Finally, he sat up on the edge of the bed and rubbed a palm across his face tiredly. Sleep hadn't come easily the prior night, and truth be told, he still felt exhausted.

Groaning as his joints creaked in the chill air, he stood and moved to his gear, grabbing fresh clothes before slipping into the bathroom for a wash.

Not that he felt any better afterwards. Cleaner, certainly, but for some reason, he still felt dirty. Guilt perhaps, he mused. Not that anything that had occurred had been within his control to prevent. But he'd dragged Tim down here with him, and now he was gone.

Sure, the officer had insisted on coming, even against J.B's protests. But still, he was the superior officer. He could have refused.

But he hadn't.

Hindsight was a 20:20 bitch. Nothing could change that now.

Gazing down at his watch, it took a moment for him to register the time was off. The display said mid afternoon, but his senses told him it was still early.

Hell, did the thing even work here? Staring at it glumly, he slipped it off his wrist to drop it on the side board, next to his wallet and phone.

More useless relics from another world, he considered dryly, staring down at them for a long moment.

At that, the room seemed stiflingly close. His breathing picked up, as the confines of the walls drew in, pressing against his senses. Without further thought, he headed to the balcony for some much needed air.

Closing the glass sliding door behind him, J.B stared down at the street below. Little traffic passed beneath; with the angle of the sun on the horizon just breaking past the distant mountains, he would have guessed it was around 6am. Assuming time worked similarly here, that was. Hell, for all he knew, they might run on a thirty hour day, although even then, it wouldn't be enough time for him to keep up with his usually busy schedule.

Snorting in amusement at the folly of his thoughts, he reached into his pocket for a cigarette, cupping the lighter to his mouth as he lit it and drew in a long, ragged breath. Only a dozen left, he sighed. Might be an issue getting more. Well, that was one way to quit; travel to a distant world. A little more drastic step than the usual nicotine patches.

Shit habit anyway, he muttered, tapping the ash over the balcony rail and watching it swirl through the still air towards the streets below.

He'd definitely need to give up one of these days, before it killed him.

Chuckling suddenly at his ill humour, he leaned on the railing, staring at nothing as he gazed towards the horizon.

Intent on his thoughts, he didn't see the large shape spring from the next veranda. As it landed behind him, the balcony shuddered heavily beneath him, and he cursed in surprise, gripping the rail tightly as he spun to confront the huge cat pokemon who now stood on the tiled surface behind him.

"Jesus Christ!" he swore, as Raikou gave him a droll look. "Bit of warning next time! You scared the shit out of me!"

Raikou blinked, letting a wry grin cross his muzzle. "I get that a lot, human. Your kind are a twitchy lot; you need to keep your ears and eyes open."

J.B snorted in amusement as his racing heart slowed down. "Yeah, well for someone who's so damned big, you're too bloody light on your feet!"

Raikou nodded, and said "I've had a lot of practice", stepping forward to join the human, who had turned back to the railing to stare blankly out over the city.

Finally, the legendary turned large eyes on the human, and said quietly "Have you decided on whether to assist the Rangers in their investigations?"

Turning his head to regard the pokemon, J.B said quietly "To the point, aren't you?"

He was surprised when the legendary chuckled deeply, not expecting his reply to be met with amusement.

"When dealing with those with fleeting lives, one tends to avoid procrastinating" said Raikou dryly.

J.B pondered this. "I heard the kid mention you're six thousand years old? Pretty spry for an old guy."

Raikou chuckled. "I'm afraid he is a little out in his calculations."

J.B nodded. "Yeah, I thought he was exaggerating a bit."

Raikou let out a loud growling guffaw, startling the policeman who nearly dropped his cigarette. "Oh no, human. You misunderstood me." Turning back to the city view, Raikou fell silent.

J.B considered his reply, before the subtle response registered. "You're not seriously older than that?" he said, falling silent at the wry look given to him by the big pokemon.

"Shit" J.B muttered, drawing a puff, only to taste the bitterness of the extinguished cigarette. He dropped the butt into a nearby waste bin, retrieving another from his pocket and lit it absently.

"An unusual habit" rumbled Raikou, watching him with curious intent. "It cannot be good for you."

Chuckling darkly, J.B stared down at the glowing end of the cigarette, twirling a trail of smoke in the air as he rolled in through his fingers. "No, not particularly. But I felt the situation warranted it, and it helps me relax."

Nodding, Raikou paused a moment, before he said "Do you trust these Rangers?"

J.B thought about it, drawing another pull on the cigarette. "I'm not sure. Do you?"

Raikou eyed him again. "Yes, I do."

The officer sighed, and leaned forward on the rail to stare absently down. "Yeah, I guess I do, too. I just..."

At his hesitation, Raikou finished "...you just feel out of place here?"

As the human nodded, the pokemon sighed. "As do I. The world has turned on without me, and I feel that I have little left in common with those now inhabiting it."

J.B gave him a shrewd look. "You seem to like the kid well enough?"

Surprised, Raikou blinked. "Chris? Yes, I trust the young one, and his friend. He has proven himself worthy of my trust."

J.B nodded inwardly. "Yeah, he seems a good kid. Him and his wolf friend."

"Wolf?" said Raikou momentarily confused. "Oh, the lucario. Yes, they are good friends."

J.B eyed him shrewdly, and said "Very good, huh."

Raikou turned on the human suddenly, and said with a hint of anger. "That is none of your concern. It has been predetermined well before..."

The click as his mouth snapped shut was audible to the human, who raised an eyebrow. "Predetermined? By whom, exactly?"

Shaking his head, Raikou refused to enlighten him further. "Again, that is none of your business. However, their feelings for each other are genuine, and they are both adults. Your consent is neither required nor welcome."

Sighing, J.B rubbed his forehead again. "Yeah, I guess. Old habits die hard."

Raikou sighed, dropping to his haunches. "The older you get, the harder they become, human. But the pair are well guarded. They have a crucial part to play in this drama yet."

"Guarded? Guarded by whom?"

Raikou eyed him, a hint of steel in his eye.

"Guarded by me."

Yeah, thought the officer to himself. Heaven help anyone who messes with those two without his permission!

Long moments passed before Raikou sighed again, warm breath leaving a mist in the chill air. "Believe me or not, but we all have a part to play in this. Even you."

Refusing to meet the legendary's gaze, J.B said roughly "Even Tim?"

He caught Raikou's nod from the corner of his eye. Spinning, he confronted the cat angrily. "So, he had to die to prove some vague, twisted point to someone? What point? That we're in danger, and getting pointlessly slaughtered is a fucking bag of laughs? I'm not buying it!"

Raikou didn't rise to the bait. "There is a cancer eating the heart out of this world, human. It's been chewing on the soul of every person, human or pokemon, and seeks nothing more than to destroy everything that has been built by those generations now gone. These people; Sinnotech; are not the sole cause of this. They are simply a symptom of an even greater disease. One that threatens our very civilisation. I'm afraid that..."

He paused, eyeing J.B who felt suddenly uncomfortable under the intent gaze, before the legendary continued softly. "I'm afraid that unless we are able to meet this threat head on, and cut it from the source, the death of your friend and those Rangers killed will only be the start of the horrors that are to come."

J.B had nothing to say to this. After all, how could he reply.

Suddenly the cigarette he was smoking tasted like burnt ash in his mouth.

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Scott woke early after a fitful night sleep. His burgeoning feeling of disquiet added to the pain from his shoulder, keeping him from gaining the real rest his recuperating body desperately needed.

Waking in the wee hours, he slipped from the bed into darkness. Finding his clothing by feel, rather than turn on the light in their room, prevented his early rise from waking the typhlosion, who continued snoring loudly from underneath the bed covers.

Grinning dryly at his partner's ability to sleep through a natural disaster if needed, Scott decided against showering, and left the apartment, closing the door carefully to avoid any unnecessary noise. The corridor beyond was dimly lit as well as deserted, and he strode to the lift without encountering anyone, human or otherwise.

The journey down to the Admin HQ level was quick enough, but given the vacant appearance of the building above he was unprepared for the bustle that met him when the elevator doors opened onto the control room. The place was crowded with Rangers, talking animatedly to each other as well as working various computer systems. A few eyes met his as he entered the room, nodding politely. Returning their brief greeting, Scott wove his way through the busy room to the offices lining the far wall, pausing momentarily before a timber door glazed with opaque glass, stencilled with the words "Cmdr Sin Barklay - Chief of Operations"

Knocking on the glass, Scott announced his arrival, entering as a gruff voice told him to come on through.

Sitting behind a large desk cluttered with files was his superior. All of six foot four, and built like an armoured vehicle, the Rangers CEO glared at him from beneath bushy brows, before nodding and pointing a meaty finger at a chair facing his desk.

As Scott dropped to the visitor's chair, groaning as his arm jarred from the movement, his boss watched him with steely eyes that softened only slightly at his discomfort. Finally, the man leaned forward, steepling his palms on the desk and said gruffly "I hear that'll heal well enough. Do I need to keep you on inactive duty?"

Scott shook his head, and replied "No Sir. We're right to go. So long as I don't put too much pressure on it, the arm will be fine."

Nodding, Barklay leaned back and said solemnly. "You two did some good work over there. The information you've brought in has been invaluable. I'm sorry it turned into...well...."

Scott grinned wryly "Such a debacle, Sir?"

Nodding, Barklay gave him a quick grin. "Precisely, Ranger! Unexpected, but perhaps we let our guard down too far, given the history we've had with these bastards."

At Scott's nod, Barklay sighed again and said "Now we have a fucking menagerie on our hands. Two kids; one human and one not. A legendary that's as likely to rip us all a new one as help us. A professional from a jurisdiction not unlike our own, but who has no idea what he's getting in to, and another who is filling a freezer draw downstairs. Finally, I have one of my best Rangers almost joining him, and his furry partner in crime an emotional mess, just when he seemed to have recovered from the last fiasco."

Scott shook his head tiredly. "Storm will be fine" he said firmly, defending his partner. "He suffered a shock, but I can't blame him acting as he did. If he hadn't taken out those militia, our casualty list would likely have been a lot higher."

Barklay nodded, responding gruffly "Least he didn't eat the bastards!"

Scott laughed, wincing as his arm took the brunt of his amusement. "No, not this time, Sir. Honestly, I couldn't fault him. He did fine."

Barklay sighed and nodded. "Agreed, Scott. You just keep a close eye on him till you're sure he's fully over it. I don't need any more crispy fried Sinnotech employees, OK?"

Scott nodded dryly. It was the truth, after all.

Barklay reached down and opened a long draw in his desk, withdrawing a crystal decanter of whisky and two glasses. Pouring a generous amount into each glass, he leaned over the desk, handing one to Scott while bringing the other to his face, regarding the amber liquid thoughtfully. Finally, he eyed the Ranger, lifted the glass, and said quietly. "To friends come and gone."

Scott nodded, tossing off the contents in one hit, and grimacing as the fiery liquor burned a path down his throat to his stomach.

"Let's hope we take more of the bastards with us next time" he vowed, and set the glass on the desk next to its twin.

There was no further time for reminiscence, or honouring the departed.

They had work to do.

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Back in the room, the lone typhlosion continued his slumber, snores echoing throughout the room

He continued to sleep in till late, unaware his partner had already left to start the day.

He was bone dead tired, and the world was content to spin on without him.

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Authors note:

Three different groups; three different perspectives, and yet one common goal. I enjoyed writing this chapter. It was interesting trying to tie in on how three really different personality types would react to the same situation.

It was also suggested I should expand on the relationships of the individual characters, so I hope it meets expectations. I'm trying to develop their individual personalities, so the story becomes more intimate. Hope it's working, as I'm happy with how it's coming along.

No, I'm afraid no sex. No sweet sexy, sexy sex.... This is a love story, at heart. Not a pron story. Everyone should know that by now ;)

But in the future, anything is possible.... So don't despair! ;)

Again, I ask...if you want to vote, then please do the courtesy of leaving a comment. Thanks.