Chapter 6: The Wayward Eevee

"Where have you been?!" Sayo flinched as Oak glared at her through the pale green videophone. "Didn't we tell you to call us as soon as possible? We have been frantic with worry, not knowing what had happened to you. And then, five weeks later, you decide to check in. What have you been up to?"

"Well, umm…." Sayo spluttered. "Special training of sorts. We lost track of the time, and before we knew it, the weeks had just flown by. Sorry."

Oak did not buy it for a minute, but decided not to press the point. "At least tell me that you have caught a few Pokémon during all that time."

Sayo hung her head. "No. I haven't even thought about it yet. Charmander and I have fared pretty well on our own, so I put it in the back of my mind. I mean, there isn't any rush right?"

"Wrong!" Sayo flinched again. "If you plan on being a Pokémon trainer then you should start competing for badges. The Pewter City Gym requires at least a two on two match in order to earn the Boulder Badge. In addition, the gym leader uses rock type Pokémon, which would crush your fire-type Charmander like a bug. Any more questions?"

"Yes, actually," She replied. "Isn't there a gym right here in Viridian? Why can't I challenge that one first?"

"It's closed at the moment." Oak informed her. "Apparently they still can't find a gym leader to take over from Giovanni. Pewter is your best bet, and besides Viridian Gym is renowned for being one of the toughest gyms in Kanto, not a very friendly start for a rookie trainer."

"Don't worry Sayo," Tracy said, poking his head into view. "It's still a long way to Pewter city, and there are lots of amazing Pokémon just waiting for you to catch. Just be sure to let us know that you are alive every ten years or so."

Sayo grinned. "Will do Tracy, thanks! Oh, and Professor, I truly am sorry for worrying you both. It's been a long time since someone has actually cared about what happens to me. I'm still getting used to it."

Oak and Tracy both smiled and waved as the screen flickered off. Sayo sat back in her seat for a moment, before standing up and stretching luxuriously.

"Excuse me, Sayo." She turned to see Nurse Joy standing behind her. "Your Charmander is fully healed and refreshed. Here you go." She held out Sayo's Poke Ball. "Where are you two heading next?"

"Pewter City," Sayo grinned. "Our sights are set on our first Gym Badge!"

"Well, I've entered your Pokémon League registration info, and everything seems ok. Good luck on your journey!"

"Thanks Nurse Joy, I will." Sayo raced out the door and threw her Poke Ball high in the air. "Let's go, Charmander!" The little Pokémon growled fiercely as he emerged, and shuffled over to his trainer's side. "Ok, my little friend." Sayo said. "Lets show the world exactly who we are."

Sayo and Charmander sat on a hill at the edge of Viridian Forest. A wide sweep of grasslands stretched out away from them as far as the eye could see. Below them was a sign that read "Pewter City 15 miles". Sayo sighed long and loud. "I don't know what to do, Charmander." She said. "We need to find a new partner fast, before we reach Pewter City, but look around." She gestured towards the empty prairie ahead of them. "There are absolutely no Pokémon around here at all. Even Viridian Forest was deserted. I don't understand!"

Angrily, Sayo buried her face in her hands and ground her teeth. Charmander looked worried as he patted her back consolingly. The strange absence of Pokémon was worrying him as well. A sense of danger hung thickly about the air, sending shivers up his spine.

Sayo was about to get up again when a huge burst of wind swept right past them. She threw up her arms as the breeze sent dust and grass streaming into her eyes. "Ugh, why is it so windy today?" She complained. "Lets get out of here Charmander."

He didn't respond. She turned around to look at him. "Hey buddy, what's---?" He held up a claw to silence her, staring rigidly in the direction the wind had come from. The little Pokémon's snout was in the air, trying to catch the distant scent that the wind had carried with it. He waited until another gust blew by to be absolutely sure.

"Charmander?" His trainer said, puzzled. "What is going---hey, wait!" He paid her no mind. Urgency was flowing through him as he realized what that strange smell was. Sayo scrambled up after him, following as he tore off of the side of the road and plunged into the grass. All she could see of him was his bright orange flame, peeking up above the plants.

A giant hill loomed above them and Charmander determinedly scaled it, running as fast as his short legs could carry him. Panting, Sayo followed, and eventually joined him at the top. "Char!" The little Pokémon cried, pointing. "Oh my god." Sayo gasped.

A huge flock of flying Pokémon was gathered at the base of the hill, attacking something hidden in the tall grass. Sayo could make out Pidgey, Pigeotto, Spearow, and even a large Fearow diving and swooping down and up relentlessly. "Is this what you sensed?" She said to her companion. He nodded resolutely and growled low. "It looks like they are attacking something down there. Quick, Charmander, lets go help!"

Together they half ran, half slid down the slope, hearing the cries of the bird Pokémon grow louder with every step. "Ok, let's do this!" Sayo yelled fiercely. "Charmander, use fire spin to get their attention!" The little Pokémon unleashed a torrent of flames that struck the flying assailants dead on. Furious, the Fearow let out a savage cry and dove at Charmander with fearsome speed. "Let's show him that its not right to pick on the weak, dodge and then use flamethrower!" Charmander leapt out of the way at the very last second and then hammered the Fearow from the side. It gave out a painful squawk before flying away, leading the flock along with it. "I hope that will teach it a lesson, my friend." Sayo said as she watched them disappear. "It was probably those guys who were scaring off all of the local Pokémon. Now, lets go see who they were attacking."

The pair raced over to the small depression in the grass. Curled up and shaking was a small brown and white Pokémon. "Wee…" It whimpered through closed eyes. "Oh, it's so cute!" Sayo exclaimed. "What is it?" She held her Pokedex out toward the strange creature.

"Eevee, the evolution Pokémon," It chirped back happily. "It has the ability to alter the composition of its body to suit its surrounding environment. Eevee can evolve into any of seven different forms; Flareon, Jolteon, Vaporeon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, and Glaceon. It is normally found in groups of three or four, as Eevee are very social and enjoy the company of friends and family."

"Oh you poor thing," Sayo murmured, gently lifting it up. "You must still be only a baby. You have wounds all over your body. We've gotta get you to a doctor right away!" The Eevee looked weakly up at Sayo's kindly face. Gingerly, it licked her hand, before collapsing back into her arms. "Lets go, Charmander." She called as she took off running. "It's a race against time!"

*Authors Note: Thank you for reading the latest chapter of Legende. Please review and keep on reading! Thanks! Oh, and you guys are still allowed to make suggestions. It's more fun when the readers get to have their say. :P