Chapter Eight: Enter Team Rocket

Sayo continued to struggle, though she knew her efforts were in vain. The large gloved hand prevented her from making any noise, and cut off her breath. Just then, her assailant leaned forward and whispered in her ear. When she heard his voice, a feeling of immense relief and joy swept through her. "Sayo, calm down," he breathed as quietly as possible. "It's Dante. If you promise not to make any more noise I'll let you go."

She vigorously nodded and he slowly released her. Tears came flowing out of her eyes as she turned around and embraced him. Surprised, he quietly backed into the wall, and then awkwardly gave her a reassuring hug. "Why can't you just tap me on the shoulder or something?" Sayo hissed into his chest, trying to wipe away her tears. "you scared the hell out of me."

Looking up, she saw that he was grinning. Silently, he pressed his finger against his lips and motioned toward the door again. "First, let's hear the rest of their conversation."

Bemused, Sayo crouched down on the ground again, uncomfortably aware of him leaning over her head to listen. "I don't want to hear any more of this." The pale man's voice said. "We will have to steal the creature back. Do not fail me this time. By this time tomorrow, we must have the results of the Operation flying back to Headquarters. Use whatever means nessesary to recover that Eevee. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" The second man replied. Sayo could almost see him standing rigidly straight and saluting in her mind's eye. There was a pause, and then he spoke again. "Commander, what if the girl decides to interfere? You said yourself that she was protecting the creature."

"If she interrupts the recovery, I will deal with her." The first man hissed. "Capture the girl and bring her to me. Look for a girl with long black hair, emerald eyes, and a Charmander who walks by her side." He paused once more, letting the silence grow very heavy. "Make sure that you do not fail me, or I will be forced to demonstrate exactly what qualities earned me this promotion. Mark my words; they are not at all pleasant."

The two at the door started when they heard footsteps approaching them. Dante beckoned and they tore down the hallway as quietly as they could. They did not speak until they had collapsed into a booth in the cafeteria. Trembling, Sayo hastily released Charmander. He looked suspiciously up at Dante, but then huffed in acknowledgement and curled up on her lap.

Dante laughed softly as he looked at the tiny fire-type. "I swear, that one has enough personality to fill a creature twice his size." Heaving a great sigh, he leaned back and closed his eyes.

Sayo however had too many questions to let him relax. "What are you doing here?" She said, looking at him with her piercing gaze.

He chuckled again, but didn't open his eyes. "You and that Charmander are made for each other. The both of you are surly, blunt, and terrible conversationalists."

Sayo flushed not sure if he meant it fondly or not. "Just answer the question."

"All right," he sighed. "Maybe I'm crazy, but for some reason, I really trust the two of you. Come with me so we can talk in private."

He rose slowly to his feet and strode out of the room. Silently, Sayo followed him as he led them toward the upper level living quarters. These hallways faced southwest and ample sunlight poured in from the wide windows. He stopped at a door at the very end and ushered them inside. The curtains were opened wide, and provided a dazzling view of the courtyards and gardens that lay behind the Pokemon Center. Sayo did not pay this much notice, however. She sat down in a chair by the window, and stared at him unblinkingly, waiting for him to speak.

Dante ignored her as he pulled off his long black coat, and carefully hung it in the closet. Rolling the sleeves of his red, button up shirt, he bent down and pulled two water bottles out of the fridge and tossed one to her. Opening his and taking a long drink, he didn't seem at all perturbed by her piercing gaze. Finally he sat down opposite of her smiling slightly at her obvious impatience. Charmander did not bother with formalities, but comfortably settled down and closed his eyes.

"So, you want to know what I'm doing here? It's a long and dull story, but suffice it to say, that I am on the trail of an elusive sect of Team Rocket that has only recently been uncovered. I heard that they were planning on mounting a massive operation in the Viridian Forest, so I decided to base in Pewter City until I could discover what they were planning.

"How did you hear about this?"

"I have my ways," He said vaguely. "In any case, you can probably guess who exactly the two men that we were listening in on were."

"Team Rocket?"

"Exactly," he said, leaning back in his chair and lacing his long fingers together.

"So that means that the Flying Pokemon attacks were planned by Team Rocket in order to scare away travelers," Sayo mused, folding her arms across her chest. "They were guarding whatever is happening in Viridian Forest so that no one would discover it by accident. Obviously that Eevee was a very important factor in their Operation, and when she tried to escape, they sent Fearow after her."

Then, to Dante's great surprise she smiled broadly. "Then this makes it simple. All we have to do is prevent them from capturing her, and their entire project is ruined."

"What would prevent them from just capturing another Eevee, Sayo?" Dante asked casually.

"Well think about it," she answered. "They wouldn't have bothered to track her all this way if they could just capture another could they? It would mean jeopardizing their entire plan."

Dante smiled at her. "Well said Sayo, I was thinking the along the same lines. If what they said was true, then they will launch their recapture tonight when it's dark. I know it's asking a lot, but I could really use your help."

Sayo rose swiftly to her feet, and looked her friend directly in the eye. "You can always count on my help, Dante. I owe you that much. What do you want me to do?"

He regarded her with a curious look in his eyes. "Come to the rooftop and I'll explain."

The recovery room was completely dark save for the moonlight filtering in through the large window. Eevee lay curled up on her small bed, her soft brown sides rising and falling as she breathed. With a soft click, the lock on the door released and someone pushed it quietly open. The tall figure of a man slipped in through the opening and advanced upon the sleeping Pokemon. Eevee didn't stir. He crept to the bedside and pulled a strange looking injection device out of his sleeve. He also produced a small tube which he inserted into the injector. It locked into place with a sharp hiss. Cautiously, he raised the injector above the small Pokémon's neck, preparing to administer the drug.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

The man whirled around. Sayo sat calmly on top of a filing cabinet, cupping her chin in her hands. "Stealing Pokemon is considered a crime around here," she said conversationally. "I would hate to call Officer Jenny."

The man's hand which had froze just above Eevee's neck twitched. "Uh uh," Sayo admonished leaping lightly down. "Not another step. Take your hand away from her and drop that injector."

Recovering his wits the man sneered. "Why should I listen to a little girl like you? I suggest that you get out of my sight before I have to hurt you." He pulled a poke ball out of his pocket and released it. A flash of white light lit up the darkened room and a large Raticate materialized before her.

"Raticate!" It snarled, baring its large pearly teeth at the small figure.

Calmly, Sayo returned the favor. "Charmander, prepare for battle!" The little fire type emerged, looking fiercely at his slightly larger opponent. Looking up, Sayo addressed the man, all traces of calmness gone from her eyes. "I know who you are, and what you plan to do with that Eevee. I saw the medical report. There is no way that I could ever forgive you for what you have done. So; I will give you one last warning. Get the hell out of here."

The man hesitated. "Too late!" Sayo snarled. "Whiteflame!" The thin streak of fire snaked its way forward, hitting the unprepared Raticate square in the abdomen. It hissed in pain and fell backward, unconscious. Hastily, its owner recalled it and took off, tearing through the quiet Pokemon Center. Sayo followed, a small smile spreading across her face. It was all up to Dante now.

The man pulled of his coat, revealing the black Team Rocket underneath. He pressed his communicator, panting as he ran. "Mission unsuccessful! I repeat, Mission unsuccessful! They were waiting for us. I am under pursuit, requesting immediate assistance!"

A calm voice replied, crackling slightly due to static. "Understood. Prepare for rendezvous."

The Team Rocket agent burst out of the building, Sayo hot on his heels. She could see the dim lights of a helicopter in the distance. Where was Dante? Then out of nowhere, the dark shape of Dragonite swept down, and Dante leapt off of her back. He took the man down with a powerful flying kick, and pinned him down, handcuffing him in one swift movement. Sayo came running up to him, Charmander puffing at her heels.
"Nice moves. What happened with the Commander?"

Dante gritted his teeth. "That bastard got away, took me completely by surprise. He is like no Team Rocket member I have ever met. Usually they fight when they are cornered, but he didn't even try. He had a jetpack on him and escaped to his helicopter. One thing's for sure, he won't be coming to help this poor fool."

Sayo looked up at the sky, watching the helicopter disappear into the distance. There went the man who had so hurt her dear Eevee. Her fists clenched by her sides. They would settle up in the future. She was ready.

*Well, here it is….finally lol. As always please review review review! I hope that you guys will keep reading and enjoying!