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

Raptor's Interlude
Chapter 22


~~~~~~Raptor's POV~~~~~~

Machamp was actually as tall as I was and I know I'm no shrimp!  I'm at
7' high top of my head to the floor.
<"I'd better finish this one fast Charmeleon.">
<"I agree, that Machamp could seriously hurt Raptor.">
I whirled and looked at Father, I know I'd just heard him and
Charmeleon!  But that's never happened before.
"RAPTOR!"  Father screamed.  
I turned around and screamed myself when I saw Machamp launching
himself at me.  Closing my eyes I waited for the inevitable pain.
It never came.
Curious now instead of scared I opened them and realized what I had
inadvertently done in my sudden fright.
Everyone was frozen in their spot.  Except me.
I suddenly knew what I had done, but I didn't know how to reverse it.
I had . . . I shook my head, this couldn't be happening!
I've Stopped Time.
Umm . . . Maybe it'll wear off?
As I paced I tried to think.  What do I do?  I can't leave them like this! 
What if . . . what if I've stopped time over the whole world and not just
the arena?!
<Stop thinking like this.  I did this, so surely I can undo this!  Right?>
But how?
Sitting down I tried to meditate, tried to clear my mind and figure out
how to undo this mess.
<*If there are any Psychics out there that can hear this, please help me!*>
I found my concentration ruined as I began to sob.
Suddenly there was another presence in the arena, and another, and
another.
Someone had heard me?
Someone had heard me!
Blinking the tears from my eyes I looked at the new comers, expecting to
see perhaps a few Alakazams.
My eyes widened when I saw the three of them.
Raptors!
They were circling me warily, unsure and holding a conversation only the
three of them could hear.
The one in front of me began tapping her middle toe in slight agitation. 
Suddenly three more arrived, their skin was thicker and lighter than the
first three's.
The only female of both groups conversed for a second, both keeping an
eye on me.  The four males hung back.
Suddenly they both whirled and faced me, not liking the looks on their
faces I stepped back a few steps and lowered my head in submission.
I don't like to be intimidated, and normally I would fight because I knew I
was strong.  But I wasn't fool enough to think I could handle both of
them.
The face of the dark skinned female softened at my display.
<*Don't be frightened young one, we mean no harm.  I am Black
Tooth.*> She crooned.  I eyed her warily.  Then, without warning I
shrieked and launched myself into one of the males that was approaching
Father, sending him into a wall.
<*Stay away from him!*> I hissed as I positioned myself in front of
Father's frozen body.  He was angry now and gave a challenging shriek. 
I answered it with one of my own.
<*Stop this!*> Black Tooth roared.  He immediately backed away, I
remained in a ready position.
<*Easy young one.  Easy . . .*>
Slowly I relaxed, keeping an eye on all the strange Raptors and Black
Tooth.  I wouldn't let them hurt Father while he couldn't defend himself.
The second female came up beside Black Tooth and stayed there.  I gave
a low hiss, warning them away from Father.
<*I'm Longtail.*> She said. <*What's your name?*> She asked as they
each took a few steps back, I relaxed a little more.
<*Raptor.*>
<*Yes, we're Raptors too.  What's your name?*> Longtail asked again.
I gave them a queer look, the male I'd tackled was rubbing his shoulder.
<*I just told you, I'm Raptor.  That's what Father calls me.*>
<*Father?  You mean the . . . the human?!*>
When I nodded the six of them got together and huddled.  While they
were occupied I jumped up  to father and nuzzled his face and hair,
breathing in his comforting scent.  I knew he and everyone else were still
alive, they were just frozen in time.
And he was warm, I love Father's warmness.  It makes me want to fall
asleep on top of him.  Inferno's warm too, but not in the same sense as
Father.  Hard to explain, I guess the best way to is that Inferno warms me
up when I'm cold and Father warms me up when I'm sad.
I wondered why they were so upset when I told them about Father.  Sure,
they were wild Raptors but that doesn't explain why they reacted like
that.

Finally they separated, Longtail looked up at me.
<*Come down, we just want to talk.*>
I hopped from the platform and approached her.
<*Can I . . . that is, may we ask you a few things?*> I nodded carefully,
getting a bad feeling.
<*How old are you?*> Black Tooth asked.
<*A year and 3 months.*> This earned a few disbelieving looks.
<*Your mother?  What happened to her?*>  
I sighed as I told Longtail the story, as far back as I could remember
while still in my shell.
The questions continued along that line for awhile, such as Father caring
for me, defending me, protecting me.  His other pokemon. 
Through all this I learned Mother's name, Huntress.  And many other
things I hadn't known about my own kind.  It was all really fascinating!
<*You are the only hatched of this generation, together we've all decided
a name for you.  Once you know it you'll be able to rejoin the Pack.*>
Black Tooth told me.
Whoa!  Waiiiit a minute!
<*Hold it!  What do you mean by 'rejoin the Pack'?*> I asked carefully, I
didn't like the sound of this.
<*You'll come live with my Pack of course.  There's nothing holding you
here.  The bond isn't complete.  Besides, you are the strongest for your
age.  By all rights you should only know Slash and Psychic.  But here you
are, stopping time at your age.*> Longtail said as she and the others
stepped toward me.  Nervous now, I backed away, eyes narrowed.
<*I'm staying with Father.  I won't go with you.*>
<*You have no choice!*> One of the males snapped.
<*Yes I do!  I stay here!*>
I was angry now, they would never take me away from Father!  I
wouldn't let them, not now, not ever!
<*Come with us now and we'll tell you how to resume time.*>
I faltered.  But then I tensed, if they wouldn't help me then I'd figure it
out on my own!  Just like how I figured out how to repeat time so Father
would have a second chance against A.J.!
<*No!  If you come any closer I'll hurt you!  I promise I will!*>
<*Get him!*> Black Tooth screeched.
All the males launched themselves at me, each giving a battle scream.  I
gave my own and rushed them.


~~~~~~Charmeleon's POV~~~~~~

I'd snapped out of it when Raptor had jumped down to the other six
Raptors.  Satoshi could move, but his mind was still frozen in time.  So it
looked like it was up to me to help the little guy.  Six against one . . .
that's just dishonourable!
<*Hold it!  What do you mean by 'rejoin the Pack'?*> Raptor asked
carefully.
<*You'll come live with my Pack of course.  There's nothing holding you
here.  The bond isn't complete.  Besides, you are the strongest for your
age.  By all rights you should only know Slash and Psychic.  But here you
are, stopping time at your age.*> The lighter coloured female said as she
and the other five began advancing on Raptor. He was getting pissed off,
I could see it in his narrowed eyes.
<*I'm staying with Father.  I won't go with you.*> Raptor hissed to
them.
<*You have no choice!*> A male snapped.
<*Yes I do!  I stay here!*> Raptor snapped back.
I winced, those Raptors didn't know what they were getting themselves
into by getting Raptor this angry and trying to corner him.  Satoshi was
right, looking at Raptor when he's seething could give you nightmares.
<*Come with us now and we'll tell you how to resume time.*> The
lighter coloured female tried to bribe.
Bad move.  Raptor was seething now.  These Raptors have just made a
very dangerous enemy.
<*No!  If you come any closer I'll hurt you!  I promise I will!*>
<*Get him!*> The dark coloured female screeched.
All the males launched themselves at him, each giving a battle scream. 
Raptor gave his own battle/fury scream in return and rushed them.
Dousing myself with Satoshi's canteen I jumped to the ground and shot a
Flamethrower between them.  I find this an effective way to stop an
impending fight.
*STOP THIS NOW!* I roared.  All seven Raptors looked at me.
<*Charmeleon!*> Raptor chirped happily.
<*This doesn't concern you!*>
*As Satoshi's advisor and Raptors Uncle I think it does.* I cooly told
them. *Ganging up on Raptor like this is dishonourable!*
<*Are you challenging us?*> The dark skinned female asked as she lifted
an interested eyebrow.
*Perhaps, perhaps not.  It all depends on you and your decision.  If you
persist then I am, if you leave him alone then I'm not.*
<*Charmeleon . . . don't.  They're too strong . . .*>
I turned my head and gave him a what I hoped was a reassuring smile. 
He wasn't very reassured.
<*Longtail, he is of your Pack.  It is your decision.*> The dark coloured
one told her, Longtail was it?
I thought she'd answer yes to the challenge right away, but she actually
seemed indecisive as she looked at Raptor behind me.
<*I . . .*> Longtail paused and nodded to the two males behind her. 
They teleported away. <*I . . . You have your own Pack here.  You all
look out for each other as any Pack does.  I couldn't imagine it if I were
separated from my own.  If it's your wish then you may stay.*> The other
female gave a shocked gasp.
<*Have you taken leave of your senses Longtail?!*>
<*No Black Tooth, I haven't.  You gave me the choice, and I decided.  If
he so wishes he may stay with his Pack.*>
Black Tooth gave an angry glare and Teleported away with the males
from her Pack.

Longtail is quite a pleasure to talk to once you get to know her.  She told
us of how pregnant females teleport somewhere away from the Pack and
hide until the hatchling is three years old.  If they don't then a male will
sometimes eat the ever so rare eggs.  Not the female's mate, but a
different male.
<*How is it that you're so powerful?*>
*I'll field this one Raptor.  Satoshi has been raising and training Raptor
since he learned his first attacks in preparation for the Pokemon League.*
She nodded.
<*Makes sense.  You have a very odd Pack here, take care of them.*>
<*Ummm . . . Black Tooth said something about a name . . .*>
<*Oh yes, that.  It no longer applies to you, you have your own Pack and
therefore you decide your own name.*>
<*Really?!  Cool!  But the name choice has and always will be mine to
make like Father said.  I just haven't decided yet.*>
<*You're very lucky.  Come visit us someday, you'll always be
welcomed.*>
She mentally told Raptor how to unfreeze time before saying her good-
bye and leaving.  We took our previous positions and I changed back into
Satoshi's body.

Raptor won the battle against Bruno without taking another hit.