Chapter Seven: Trouble in Pewter City

Sayo stood anxiously outside the surgical bay. She watched Nurse Joy and Chansey administering to the Eevee through a large glass window. They had been in there for almost two hours, stitching up the small Pokémon's terrible wounds. It just lay there the entire time, its liquid amber eyes staring at the wall. Sayo's heart tore apart every time she remembered the pain in its eyes.

A small snuffle broke her out of her reverie. Charmander was lying by her side, fast asleep. He had not felt the need to watch the procedure, though she knew that his anxiety for the wayward Eevee was no less than hers. The instant Nurse Joy had placed the small Pokémon on a stretcher and wheeled it away; Charmander had curled up and proceeded to snore. In his opinion, Nurse Joy could heal any hurt and there was no more cause for alarm. Sayo chuckled quietly as she watched him. How she wished that she could be so carefree.

After another half an hour, the doors to the surgical bay were whisked open and Joy appeared looking very tired. Chansey followed after her, pushing the stretcher that carried Eevee. "How is it, Nurse Joy?" Sayo asked at once, rushing forward.

"She will be just fine," Joy replied. "All of her wounds are healing nicely, and you managed to bring her in before she had suffered any significant blood loss. However, there are some matters that we need to discuss with Officer Jenney regarding the flock of flying Pokémon as well as other things."

"Ok," Sayo said nervously. The kindly nurse noticed her apprehension and laughed softly.

"You are not in any trouble Sayo," She said. "In fact, you and your Charmander may very well have saved this little ones life."

Sayo nodded, and turned to her still sleeping companion. "Charmander, return!" He snorted once before disappearing in a burst of red light. "Alright Nurse Joy. Where do we go?"

"Follow me."

Sayo followed at the Nurses heels, passing by the main lobby. It was crowded with all sorts of trainers, who were sitting and chatting comfortably. Sayo couldn't help admiring how confident their faces were and how kindness radiated from their eyes. These people were fearless, courageous, and hardened by real life experience. Sayo remembered how the people back home had been so different. It was almost impossible to believe that humans could be so radically different from each other, and could portray that in just a simple expression. She shook her head. This was her world now. Recalling the past would only bring back old fears and insecurities. Sayo smiled to herself and clutched the Dragonite pendant tightly. Now was not the time to confront it.

"Here we are." Nurse Joy said, opening a door that led to a small meeting room. Officer Jenny stood there looking out of the window. She turned when the two walked in and smiled.

"Hello, Sayo it's nice to meet you." She said warmly, extending her hand. Sayo nervously grasped it, noting how firm and confident Jenny's grip was. "I've called you here on behalf of the Pewter City Police Department, regarding a very important issue." She gestured to one of the large business chairs that were grouped around a table. "Won't you ladies sit down?"

Joy and Sayo both sat, watching the Officer walk around the table and sit opposite to them. "Now Sayo, you said that you rescued that Eevee from a large group of flying Pokémon. Can you describe exactly what species they were?"

"Yes," Sayo replied, still a little scared. "It was mostly just Spearow and Pidgey, with a few Piggeotto amongst them. The real difference was a solitary Fearow that led the group. It was very thin and nasty looking with a scar across its right eye. They were attacking the Eevee for some reason, and didn't seem to be bothered by the fact that they were hurting her so badly. Oh, and also on my journey to Pewter City, I noticed that there were absolutely no wild Pokémon about. The Viridian forest was completely silent and the plains beyond were just as barren. I think that the flock must have scared all of the indigenous Pokémon away."

"That is our guess too." Jenny replied. "That band of Pokémon has been causing trouble for some time, whether it be stealing food, or attacking travelers. I have issued a severe warning out to all travelers that we will be closing all routes to and from Pewter City until this issue can be resolved. By the way, just how did you manage to escape yourself?"

"Escape?"

Jenny nodded. "I doubt that the Fearow was very happy about you spiriting away its prey. How is it that you escaped without harm?"

Sayo still looked puzzled, but answered truthfully. "I didn't escape, officer. The second I realized what was going on, I rushed up and battled with the flock. They left pretty quickly; I guess they aren't too fond of Charmander's fire attacks."

Jenny and Joy both looked at each other in amazement. "Sayo," Jenny said after a long pause. "You are the first person to ever be able to chase away that Fearow. Every trainer in this center has tried and failed. Nurse joy has been inundated with the casualties. Even my entire police force was unable to beat him. It's incredible that a rookie like you could have finished him so quickly."

Sayo spluttered a little but could not get any discernable noise out. Jenny smiled in amusement and sympathy. "In any case, he will be back. After he has had some time to lick his wounds and his pride, he will return with a vengeance. I guess we'll have to deal with that when the time comes." The officer sighed and rubbed a hand across her brow.

"Just one more thing," Nurse Joy cut in. "When I was examining that Eevee, I found several micro fractures along its ribs as well as some deep bruising. These wounds were much older than the cuts inflicted by the bird Pokémon. I have reason to believe that this Pokémon was severely mistreated by its previous owner. I urge you, Officer, to take any measures possible to apprehend this person."

"Very well, I'll take it under consideration." Jenny said. "You can go now, Sayo."

Sayo left the room as the two women continued to discuss the matter. She sighed in both relief and confusion. What had Jenny wanted from her with all of those questions? After awhile she shrugged it off, and headed for the recovery room. It was none of her business anyway.

That evening, Sayo and Charmander sat in the mess hall, eating ravenously. They had not eaten all day and once they were assured that Eevee was completely out of danger, they dashed off to find some food. Sayo had just leaned back with a sigh of contentment when someone tapped her shoulder. She turned around to see a tall man standing over her. He had dark hair and pale, colorless eyes that reminded her of maggots or rice pudding. She could detect something that she did not quite like in his gaze and demeanor which was intensified when he spoke.

"Are you the girl who brought in the Eevee?" His voice was very low and chilling.

"Yes I am," Sayo responded, staring fearlessly back at him. "What of it?"

"Is the creature yours or did you find it somewhere?"

Sayo's dislike for the man increased tenfold. "Yes she's mine." She lied. "We were training in the field just beyond Viridian Forest and were attacked by a flock of Spearow. Obviously, once I realized she was hurt, I rushed her to the Pokémon Center."

"You carried her almost fifteen miles in your arms?" He asked, smirking. "Quite the devoted trainer. Why was she not in her Poke ball?"

Sayo glared at him and Charmander growled threateningly. "I wanted to make sure that she was alright, not that it's any of your business."

"Oh, on the contrary, my girl," He said silkily. "It is quite indeed my business."

Sayo and Charmander watched him walk away, incredibly shaken. "What was that all about, Charmander?" She asked nervously. "Who the hell was that creepy guy?"Charmander shrugged, still glaring in his direction, all traces of hunger gone from his mind. "Well, let's not just sit here wondering buddy. Obviously he has something to do with that Eevee, and I need to find out what it is."

Together they snuck after the stranger, keeping out of sight. They followed him away from the crowded, illuminated common rooms and into a maze of dark hallways. Eventually he turned and walked into a room, closing the door behind him. Sayo turned to Charmander. "I'm sorry, buddy but that bright flame of yours will be too much of a giveaway in this darkness. Return." He growled reluctantly, but obediently stood still as he disappeared into the capsule.

On her own, Sayo crept up to the door and pressed her ear against the crack. She could hear a pair of male voices talking quietly to each other in hurried tones.

"I snuck into the recovery room and verified that it's definitely the Eevee. The stupid creature probably ran away in the night. Obviously it didn't make it very far before your Fearow found it." Sayo covered her mouth at these words, stifling a cry of outrage. "Honestly I'm surprised it's still alive. Luck alone has been what's brought it this far."

The familiar silky voice of the pale eyed man spoke up a little louder. "I interrogated the girl. She lied about owning the Eevee, obviously she knows something. We should bring her in for questioning. Now that the Nurse has examined the creature, she will probably wish to hold it. It will be too dangerous to claim ownership now."

Sayo's eyes widened. So this man was Eevee's trainer! She cautiously straightened up, trying to make no noise as she crept away. Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth with a big gloved hand. She struggled in panic, but could not free herself. The strangers grip was just too strong.

*Authors Note: Hey guys! Thanks for reading the latest installment of Legende. As always PLEASE REVIEW, and have a fantastic day.