Unlike the castle Dark infiltrated only a few nights ago, the museum that housed his target had a high-tech security system. This particular night, it was programmed to detect even the slightest disturbance. The police were tired of being fooled and they weren't going to risk letting their prey escape.
Satoshi ordered the officer guarding the control room to patrol the area for any signs of entry before producing the key to the room. He slipped inside and quietly shut the door behind him. He suspected Dark would have no trouble evading the security system, but he was determined to foil Krad's plan and help Dark in any way he could. He got to work on the computers, lowering the security level just slightly. He knew Dark must have had a reason for pulling a heist that night. He heard a noise outside and quickly returned the screens to the state they were in before he tampered with them. The officer had returned from his patrol and opened the door to peek inside. When he saw Satoshi, he saluted.
"Commander, there is no sign of Dark," he said. Satoshi nodded and went toward the exit. "Um…what…were you doing, sir?" the officer asked quietly.
"Checking the system," Satoshi lied calmly without turning to face him, "everything is in order."
"Oh, yes, sir. Of course."
Satoshi proceeded down the hall. He quickly looked over the room containing the exhibit specified in the warning note before entering. Dark was nowhere in sight. He checked his watch. In only a few minutes, Dark would be late, ruining his perfect record. Still, Satoshi knew the thief would show, after all, if he didn't, the media would slander his name and Dark's pride would be seriously damaged. The kaitou would never allow that to happen. Satoshi glanced over at the glass case surrounded by security lasers set to trigger every alarm in the building and cause a nasty burn. The 'Fates' was resting peacefully on its stand. He looked back at the doorway. 'Where is he?' Satoshi wondered, 'something is not right.'
Satoshi's worries dissipated when he felt another presence in the room. He spun around. The tiny, expertly crafted pendant was gone. The presence had moved. He looked up. Again, it had shifted and he glanced behind him. Dark's movements were abnormal. The thief usually confronted Satoshi directly, enjoying the challenge. He began to wonder if this presence was actually Dark or if it was something else.
"Dark?" he called as he looked around the room, trying to catch a glimpse of his opponent.
______________________________________________________________
Dark knew exactly where the 'Fates' was located, but it was not his primary concern. He waited outside the small, round window and watched the room, waiting. The time was drawing near and the Commander had yet to arrive. He hoped the boy had not figured out his plan. He was about to enter and search for him when the bespectacled Satoshi finally appeared. Dark watched him look about the room and at his watch.
When he thought the time was right, he gave the signal to Towa, who waited in bird form on the other side of the window. She flew down from her perch on a rafter and Dark released his illusion, allowing Satoshi to see the empty display case. He had stolen the target a half an hour earlier. He hated violating his rule, but he had more important things to worry about. Towa flew about the room chaotically as they had planned; causing Satoshi to become confused and disoriented as he searched for what he must have thought was Dark. The thief used his magic to break the lock on the window and deftly slipped inside, landing silently on the tile floor. He made his way toward 'the Commander'.
Satoshi must have realized the creature flying about could have been a decoy, for he called out Dark's name. By then, Dark was behind him.
_______________________________________________________________
Satoshi felt a new entity. "Behind you," Dark's voice whispered in response. He began to turn, but was interrupted by a sudden thump to the head. He fell to the floor and his glasses cracked on the tile.
_______________________________________________________________
Dark cursed. Of course, he had no intention of paying for Satoshi's ruined spectacles, but he also had no intention of breaking them in the first place. Towa landed next to him. He nudged Satoshi with his foot to make sure he wasn't getting up any time soon. Satisfied, he took the unconscious boy in his arms and looked back at Towa.
"Make sure no one knows what happened here, To-to," he told her. Towa cleaned up any evidence of the attack and caught up with Dark as he discreetly exited the museum. He could not afford to make an appearance on the news that night. After all, he didn't want everyone calling him a kidnapper. He ran through the adjacent cluster of bushes and trees until he was far enough away from any cameras or witnesses then took flight.