#caitillo

________________

Inside the Blazing Chamber of the Elite Four castle in Kalos, Caiti was sat across from Drasna and Malva in the center of the room, sipping cups of fine tea.

“I must thank you for your hospitality for myself and my associates these last few weeks. Team Freedom's safety here in Kalos has assured the safety of over one hundred Pokemon. They're all receiving medical care and should all recover magnificently.” Caiti said, giving the two women a pleasant smile.

Malva, a woman in skin-tight red jeans and a black top, flipped her pink hair across her back and laughed heartily. “PLEASE, Ms. Ward, it is our pleasure to stick it to the US whenever we can. All of Kalos supports your noble cause, and we are more than willing to assist you in any way.” she exclaimed loudly.

Drasna, an elderly woman in a mauve colored robe, and various dragon fang jewelry nodded politely. “Indeed. Finding a non-violent Pokemon rights organization is hard to come by these days. I believe Team Plasma in Unova came close, but their overall message was clouded by a man's ambition and greed.” she explained sadly, shaking her head.

Putting her teacup down on the table, Malva turned back to Caiti. “Speaking of messages, I've been dying to ask this. What made you want to start Team Freedom anyway?” she asked curiously.

Smiling, Caiti blew on the hot tea that was steaming from her cup. “When I was twelve, I started on my Pokemon journey in Australia. After about a year, I moved on to Sinnoh and Hoenn, where I came to love the eastern nations and their love and respect for pokemon. Pokemon are treated differently everywhere, but the west in particular was fond of using them as tools of war and profit.” she said disgustingly. “So I moved to America, where the rights of pokemon and trainers were horrendously outdated and basically only for the wealthy. I became a Gym Leader in Texas due to my skill in battle, and was put on the national pokemon board, where I tried to influence pokemon legislation.” Caiti explained, dropping her head in disappointment.

“What happened? It sounds like you were on the right path!” Drasna said, pouting.

Caiti sighed. “The National Pokemon Board was basically a corrupt organization that was bought off by the pokemon companies, Tasher-Leado in particular. I was offered several million dollars to buy my vote on many controversial laws. While I never took bribes or “donations” to my gym, I was the lone minority, and eventually evicted from my position on a false report of gym fraud. I was replaced by some horrible man who was a tyrant that set pokemon rights back nearly a decade.” she said angrily, gripping her teacup tightly, nearly cracking it in half.

Growling, Malva throws her teacup across the chamber into a pillar of fire that exploded it immediately. “That just burns me up! I KNEW that board was corrupt as hell.” she yelled, crossing her legs and folding her arms.

“Which is why I began a pokemon rights group, called Project Free. We were a protest group that stood at capitol hill for over a month, challenging legislation that wanted to permit pharmaceutical companies to test on pokemon.” Caiti said, rummaging through her jacket's pocket.

“What happened?” Drasna asked in a tone of concern.

Pulling out a photograph, Caiti slid it across the table towards them. “On the third day, they sent the Army on us, who shot tear gas at us. When they rushed us, they beat anyone who didn't lie down immediately on the ground. Two people were blinded, and seven were sent to the hospital with broken limbs. I was arrested, and many of our organization members went with me.” she said, pointing at the photograph.

Malva picked it up, tilting it so Drasna could also see it. It was a snapshot of Caiti, and some twenty odd people in bandages, crutches, and casts. They were all crying, but had a stern, angry gaze at the camera, as if to defy it.

“After that day, we realized that going through legal channels to help pokemon was an impossibility. When we were released, I gathered us together and we officially formed Team Freedom. Our goal was simple, to free pokemon under the tyranny of corporate American greed, and to pursue rights for pokemon in nations that ignore the IPT of 2003 in a non-violent manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. That was nearly six years ago, and we've made great strides.” she said proudly, retrieving the photo and putting it back into her pocket.

The door to the Blazing Chamber opened, and several Team Freedom members filed into the room. “Director Ward, we need you! Administrator Heyman has found an intruder from the Austin Raid here in Kalos!” a woman said, saluting towards Caiti.

Standing up from the table, she bowed to Drasna and Malva. “I apologize for my rudeness, but I need to attend to this. Please, join me for dinner tonight as recompense.” she said, dashing off towards the entrance to follow after her entourage.

___________

Jack, riding atop his Arcanine, was walking through route 22, attempting to read a map. “Emma, why does the Elite Four always have to sit on top of some goddamn mountain?” he asked exasperatedly, staring down at his pokemon.

“Arc...” she muttered in reply, trotting along the mountain path.

They move in silence until Jack spotted a familiar looking coat standing outside the entrance to Victory Road. “Emma, hide!” Jack said, as his pokemon dashed behind a tree. Staring behind the tree, Jack noticed two Team Freedom members shooting the breeze.

“So how long is Director Ward going to hide us out here?” one male goon asked, fiddling with his poke-watch.

A female goon sighed, sliding down the rock wall and moving to a sitting position. “Until we can sneak back into the US and do the big raid on Taster-Leado’s New York office. Probably another week?” she said, without much confidence in her words.

Jack gasped.

They're going after the main headquarters? Good god, that's the most secure facility in the US! Not only that, but there are billions of dollars worth of research there! If they attack that, it would set back our technology for YEARS in the US, or possibly destroy our economy!

Pulling out his cell phone, Jack begins dialing his Sergeant's phone, hoping to tip him off. “Yes, sergeant? Listen, I've got a lead on Team Freedom. They're going to-

“Persian, use pay day.” Joel said just as dozens of gold coins pelted the back of Jack's head, knocking him unconscious.

“Slowbro, use Psychic!” another voice said, once again holding Arcanine down to the ground to prevent it from moving.

“Grab him, please.”Joel ordered, as several Team Freedom Members grabbed Jack and began dragging him across the ground and to a transport vehicle. Turning to face Slowbro's trainer, Joel patted him on the back. “Thanks Mr. Narvaez, for the tip off. I know you were on your way to the Coumarine Tournament.” he said.

Ray, smiling dorkily in his casual clothing, recalled his pokemon and attached the ball back to his belt. “No problem, just doing my job.” he said, jogging off without much more of an explanation.

Joel laughed. “How'd a kid like that EVER become Champion?” he asked himself, following after his associates.

_______________

Jack awoke some several hours later, in a pokemon center. Taking in his surroundings, he shot forward, but realized quickly he'd been chained to the bed.

“EMMA!” he screamed, his thoughts going immediately to the whereabouts of his partner.

A gentle laugh came from across the room. “Relax Mr. Pattillo, Emma is fine. Nurse Joy is taking care of her in the back and making sure she's well fed. Oh, and for your information, you're at the Pokemon League Center just outside the Elite Four castle.” Caiti said kindly, smiling towards him.

Bucking at the chain, Jack tried to pull it off, to no avail. “What is this? Going to off me for following you? What was all your bullshit about nonviolence?” he asked angrily.

She didn't change her expression, instead standing up from her chair and walking towards him. “Don't worry, we'll release you, of course, once we've left for the US and on the condition that you don't attempt to stop us. Though, I'm hoping you'll behave long enough to join me for... A little walk and talk?” she asked playfully, extending her hand to him. “I can see you really are one of the good ones, just trying to do what's right. Or maybe you're here to get your career back. I don't know, but I see in you a kind of dedication that I myself know. I'd like to get to know you better, and have you at least TRY to see things my way. So... will you join me?” Caiti asked politely.

Taking in his odds of rescue otherwise, Jack huffed and took her hand into a shake. “I... Guess.” he said, noting how dainty her hands were in comparison to his.