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Pokemon, Asylum of the Damned

Chapter XXIII

Saga VI- Team Rocket Saga

Chapter III- The Chapter with no Name Returns!

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Tom pressed the damp towel across his face. He, Sabre and Porygon were at a 
local Cafe within Mega City. Wiping away the last of the painful liquid from 
his face, Tom put the towel down back on the table. "Feeling better?" Sabre 
asked. Tom nodded.

"So what's this about the Team Rocket problems here?" Tom asked Sabre, as if 
he was urging her to tell him an unfinished story. "Oh, right," Sabre 
hummed, as her mind wandered, trying to pick up where she left off.

"Team Rocket is an underground criminal gang, and they're quite a problem in 
Mega City. The police has been trying to crack them down, but nothing's 
working. They finally gave up last year and handed the job to the National 
Guard. The Guard thinks that the Rockets have one of their bases here, but 
we haven't found any."

Tom's ears suddenly perked. "We?"

Sabre gagged. "Did I say we?" She laughed, trying to smile. When Tom only 
gave Sabre a tired look, she groaned. "All right. I'm a spy hired by the 
Guard. Happy?"

"Yeah," said Tom. "Now, where were you...?"

"Sheesh," Sabre muttered, a bit unhappily. "Well, aside from me helping the 
police here take down the Rockets, that's all."

"You're trying to take down Team Rocket?" Tom asked.

"No, just the ones in Mega City," said Sabre. "I'm not having much luck, 
though," she said, "I think that it's all just no use..."

Just then, Tom put his hand on Sabre's. "Sabre, listen. I could help if you 
wanted-"

Sabre almost choked in surprise. "What?" she blurted. "You realize how much 
shit I'd be in if one of the Rockets got you because of me?" Sabre stared at 
Tom.

Tom looked sideways as Porygon, who gave a simple nod of approval. "Sabre, 
you'd have been dead by now if it wasn't for me."

Sabre sighed. "Yeah, I suppose you're right," She gazed off across the 
street. Then, focusing her eyes at Tom again, she said, "But still I can't 
just let anyone get messed up with Team Rocket-"

Then, Tom leaned over close to Sabre and locked eyes with her. "Sabre, after 
what you've told me about the Rockets, I don't think I can live with just 
sitting aside."

A long silence stood between the two. Sabre sighed. "All right, fine." she 
said pliantly. "But don't expect me to watch over you."

"Hey," Tom smirked. "I can handle myself."

***************

The tall man walked down the sidewalk, along a busy street. His large black 
chapeau shading his face, his long trench coat thrown across his shoulders. 
His small, near burnt-out cigarette hanging listlessly out the corner of his 
mouth, smoldering a light plume of smoke as he walked. He passed an alleyway 
on his travel, only to have a hand shoot out towards him, and pull him into 
the alley.

Tom had the stranger in an unforgiving hold, Sabre looking on. "What the 
hell is this?" The stranger protested, looking at Sabre.

"Cut the crap, Mickey," Sabre said vehemently to the man. "I know you bribed 
the jury, as does practically everybody." Sabre stood in Mickey's face, and 
flicked the little cigarette out of his mouth.

"Look, that jury, my lawyer, proved I'm not a Rocket," Mickey vented. "So 
get your friend off me, or I'll sue your ass off, Sabre," Mickey threatened.

Sabre looked at Tom, Tom tightened his grip on Mickey. "Ouch! Shit..." 
Mickey whined, being brought to his knees as Tom squeezed his wrist even 
harder.

"C'mon, Mickey. Quit playing with me. I know you know you're a Rocket, and 
you're going to tell me where your hideout is located," Sabre said, looking 
Mickey in the eyes.

"If you don't, my Quilava is going to have a little barbeque," Tom said 
between his teeth to Mickey, "Rocket-kabobs." Mickey snorted indignantly. 
Using his free hand, Tom flicked a Pokeball off his waist, and a beam of 
energy shot from it. From the beam, Quilava materialized. "Quilava, 
Flamethrower," Tom commanded.

Quilava shot a few flames out if her nostrils, and them took a deep breath. 
Looking at Mickey, Quilava angled her head, ready to fire her fiery assault. 
"Alright, fine." Mickey finally broke. "The hideout is in the storeroom of 
the Pokemart, behind some crates."

Sabre nodded to Tom, and Tom released the Rocket from his grip. 
Straightening his chapeau, Mickey stormed out of the alley, rubbing his sore 
wrist. "Even if I do get caught, I'm reporting you!" He threatened Sabre 
indignantly. With that, he carried on his way down the street.

Tom zapped Quilava back into her Pokeball. "Thanks Tom," Sabre said. "If it 
wasn't for you, I'd never would have been able to crack that guy."

Tom rubbed his hand, smirking. "The storeroom of the Pokemart, behind 
crates," Tom repeated Mickey's words.

Sabre nodded. "Let's go."

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