DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokémon or anything related to it, although it was pretty awesome if I did. However, characters and plot are mine. You can use them but let me know first and credit me for them OK?

He strode along his office, thinking. A smile crept to his mouth. Things were going well. The surprise appearance on Indigo Plateau went without a hitch. Now, the pressure he put into the League's shoulders would slowly grind them into the ground. His mole would make sure of it. The elimination of Teams Plasma, Galactic, Aqua, Magma and, soon enough, Rocket would leave the path open for Team Prime to rise above these pitiful humans. The young adult paused. Well, he was human too. For now. He would soon rise to the rank of the Legendaries. He stood for a moment, gazing to the not-so-distant future. He could almost taste it.

A knock behind him brought him back to the present. He turned around, the ebony bookshelves filled to the top with books lining the walls. A globe of the world was gently spinning to one side while on the other an unlit fireplace commanded the space, a comfortable-looking crimson couch staring at it accompanied by a matching armchair.

He sat on his leather office chair. Number II was right on schedule as always. 'Come in.' He commanded. The door opened and she entered. 'Welcome back Doc.' He greeted her with a smile. 'Your work at Indigo Plateau was brilliant. We couldn't have made a better entrance.' He praised.

Doc smiled, her pointy yellow ears twitching slightly. 'Thanks Boss. I thought so too.' She said with a cheeky smile.

Lucifer sighed. 'You know how much I hate it when you call me Boss. We're all equally in this.' He told her.

The Alakazam Morph's grin grew even more. 'I know. It's just fun to tease you like that.' She said, her spoons slowly gravitating around her.

Lucifer let himself flash another smile at her. 'You were always like that. How's the new project coming along?' He asked, changing the subject.

She crossed her arms, thoughtful. 'Well, we finally got the data we needed so now all we need is an appropriate receptor for it. We are now currently experimenting with various alloys to see which would be the most appropriate.' She answered. 'After that, I predict we should be finished in two to three years, counting with the maturation process and early activation stages.'

Lucifer nodded, satisfied. 'Good. As expected. I don't know what Team Prime would do without you.' He said.

'Whatever you wanted I guess.' She replied with another smirk. She turned around. 'Well, I should go back to the lab. Who knows what happened during my absence.' She said with a shudder at the thought, Teleporting in a flash of light.

Lucifer shook his head, still smiling. Doc was always one of the rowdiest of the bunch. He pressed a button on his desk. 'Marie, could you please call for Leif?'

'Number V is already here dear. Should I send him in?' Was the reply.

Lucifer smiled. Marie always seemed to know his next step. 'Yes please. Thank you.'

'Anytime darling.' She answered.

A few seconds afterwards, the broad-shouldered Torterra Morph entered the study, yawning. 'Wassup Luc?' He asked, rubbing his eyes.

'Hey Leif. Sorry I woke you up.'

'S'okay. I was about to get up anyway.' He said, adjusting his green and white helmet that resembled a Torterra's shell. 'What do you need?'

Lucifer joined his hands, his fingers making a series of arches. 'I need you to infiltrate Team Rocket's hideout in Mt. Moon. Spectra is already there. You're to meet with her and eliminate Giovanni through any means necessary.'

Leif yawned again. 'That all?' He asked, crossing his thick, strong arms.

Lucifer chuckled. 'I know how skilled you are but still you could at least show some professionalism.' He told him.

Leif shrugged. 'Get in, do the job, get out. What's so hard about that?'

Lucifer sighed, shaking his head. 'Nevermind. You can go now.' Lucifer said, standing up.

Leif made a mock salute. 'Sir yes sir.' He said, turning to leave.

Lucifer sighed again as Leif exited the room, hitting the doorframe with his short tail by accident. He walked to the armchair, retrieving the book he was reading from the seat and seating on it. He opened the book where he left it and resumed his reading. He was just getting to the good part. He sat there, absorbed into the book. He was so into it that he didn't notice a slender figure slipping into the room and silently walking to him. The figure smiled and suddenly pounced on him. Lucifer yelped in surprise, allowing the intruder to curl up to him, hugging his side. He laughed when he realized who it was. 'You certainly know how to ruin a nice session of peaceful reading.' He told her, kissing the top of her head, between her brown-furred ears.

Marie giggled. 'Sorry Lu. I just wanted some company.' She said, her head resting on his chest. 'How are things going?'

Lucifer sighed. 'Could be going faster but I guess Rome wasn't built in a day.'

'Be patient. We'll do it.' The Watchog Morph intertwined her fingers with his. 'Together we're unstoppable.'

'I know.' Lucifer replied with a smile. He paused. 'I love you.' He murmured.

'I love you too.'

Lucifer woke up slowly, yawning. Marie was nowhere to be seen. She must have gone back to her post while he was still asleep. He sighed, missing her warmth. He got up and walked to the window. He opened the curtains. To one side, Castelia City was uncovered before him. To the other, the ocean shone, bathed in the silver light of the moon. He gazed outside, taking in the busy streets, the neon lights, the hustle and bustle of the port. He could make out several Pokémon working under the surveillance of their Trainers at the docks. He clenched his fists. Soon, all of them would be free from their lives of hard labor. Free from the stupidity and irresponsibility of humankind. He took a deep breath, calming himself. Soon. Feeling hungry, he left his office in the direction of the cafeteria. He passed by a few grunts here and there, acknowledging them with a nod and a smile. He then saw a familiar face passing by him.

'Hey, Sanderson!' He called at the grunt.

The red-clad man jumped in surprise at being called and warily approached him. 'Yes Boss?'

Lucifer ignored the fact that he was called Boss. 'I heard you came in late today because your kid needs surgery. Is that true?'

Sanderson gulped nervously. 'Y-yes sir.'

Lucifer's expression grew softer. 'Go home. Take care of him. I don't want to see you until next week.' He said, pulling out his checkbook and quickly filling a check. 'Here, take this. His procedure is on me. If it's too much then buy him something.' He said, handing him the check.

Sanderson looked incredulously at the check he held and then back at Lucifer. 'Thank you sir! I-I don't know how to repay you!'

Lucifer chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. 'It's okay; consider this a bonus for good parenting. And don't worry; I'll clear things with Number VIII. She won't give you any trouble.'

Sanderson nodded, thankful. The Arcanine Morph could be a handful when things didn't go her way. And when she was mad, that usually meant someone had an early day off in the hospital. 'Thank you sir.'

Lucifer shook his head. 'Anytime.' He said, continuing on his way to the cafeteria. It was almost empty, save for a small teenager sitting in a table on the far corner of the room. He grabbed a tray, loaded it with a sandwich and a soda and walked to the table, sitting across her. 'Hey Alice.'

The dark-haired girl looked up in surprise, her black-furred ears perking up at the sound of his voice. 'Oh. Hello Lu.' She said, focusing back on her food. The yellow-furred rings on her fringe and around her ears were glowing lightly due to the moonlight that came from the windows.

'How are you feeling?' Lucifer asked, taking a bite off his sandwich.

'Tired. And cold. As usual.' The Umbreon Morph answered, expressionless.

Lucifer sighed. 'You sure there's nothing I can do?'

Her expression grew amused. 'About what? Can you make me sleep without dreaming? Dream Eater doesn't work on Dark Types. Even if it did, it would only hurt me more. Everyone needs to dream even if they don't realize it. It's the brain's way to unload everything it has done that day and rest. And if my dreams are only nightmares, then so be it.' She finished.

Lucifer sighed. 'Still, I can't help but worry about you. You look so tiny and frail.' He said with a slight chuckle.

Alice smiled lightly. 'Looks can be deceiving and you know it.'

'Indeed.' Lucifer agreed, taking a sip of his soda.

Alice stood up, taking her tray. 'I will be on the Training Room. Need to do something before I die of boredom.' She said as she went away.

Lucifer nodded at her, continuing to eat. When he was done, he cleared his tray and put it on the cart. He started walking back to his office and his book. He glanced at his watch. 4:13 am. He didn't exactly follow a normal sleeping behavior. He slept whenever he felt tired and ate whenever he felt hungry. It wasn't unusual to find him working the whole night, sleep half the day away then go back to work. But for now he could only wait. Until Leif and Spectra completed their mission, any movement from their part would be countered by Team Rocket. They wouldn't appreciate Team Prime moving in on their turf. But they wouldn't be around much longer. They would be eradicated by the end of the week.

He entered his office. Sitting comfortably in the armchair, he took the book but then remembered about Sanderson. He got up again and walked to his desk, pressing the button on the intercom. 'Hey Marie?'

'Yes Lu?' Her voice answered.

'Could you please tell Ruby that one of her grunts, Sanderson, will be away for a few days?' He requested. 'Tell her it is on my command.'

'Sure thing. She won't like it though.' Marie answered with a slight laugh to her voice.

Lucifer chuckled, shaking his head. 'When does she like something anyways?' He asked.

'When that something is her new punching bag.' Marie answered.

'True enough. See you.'

'Bye love.' Marie disconnected.

He smiled and went back to his armchair and his book. He finished it in a couple of hours. He sighed, satisfied. The ending turned out to be perfect, just as he imagined it. He put it on the end table next to the armchair and contemplated the bookshelves, already thinking about what he was going to read next. The sun was rising as Lucifer dove into sleep.