AN: Happy birthday to me, DwtD chapter 8 is live. Thank you to everyone for your patience.


[Chapter 8]


Leader Maxie and I watched over the shoulder of the techies in excited silence. The Devon files were being downloaded remotely to our server back at Magma HQ. Huddled together all staring at the same progress bar, I could feel the triumph practically radiating from the man at my side.

His plan had finally come to fruition, and Devon's hand had been twisted into delivering everything we had asked. Even with a heart as black as theirs, Devon was not foolhardy enough to try any funny business with the life of their heir riding on the data exchange.

From what I could see of the snippets of file names whizzing across the screen, it appeared as if the president had complied with our demands. It would take some time to properly go through all of the data; no doubt they would try to bury us with information to make finding what we wanted a more difficult task. No matter though. This wasn't our first extortion racket, just the most important one.

"How much longer until we've extracted all of the files?"

There was no danger of being traced due to the public way in which we had Devon share the files. An open source forum meant anyone could access the files and download them. By flooding the server with download requests, there would be no way for Devon to know which one belonged to our HQ server and which ones were decoys. My impatience stemmed from the nagging doubt in the back of my mind that recently my dumb luck had a habit of turning on me right when things seemed to be going well.

"In due time, Tabitha." Leader Maxie clearly didn't share my concern. "We appear to have caught Devon in another lie, and they had plenty of research on the seafloor cavern after all. Once the download is done, we'll issue the order to close up operations here for now. We can't have anyone discover our base in New Mauville before we awaken Groudon. With the files safe in our HQ mainframe, we'll collect the Stone boy and take our leave."

That caught me by surprise. "We're bringing him with us to Lilycove? Won't it be too difficult to move him while half the region is on high alert? There's no way Devon's boss didn't turn to the authorities."

"Fufufu, would you rather wait around here and risk being found out? You said it yourself, one of the Champion's pokemon escaped from the city. It's only a matter of time before our whereabouts are uncovered. If we leave now and properly seal off our operations, then we shall escape detection. It is much more advantageous to employ guerrilla tactics until all of the pieces are firmly in place. And surely you understand the value of keeping the Champion close by."

"I understand, Leader Maxie. That reminds me, I have the Champion's pokemon stashed in my office. I was planning on presenting them to you once we captured the rogue Metagross, but I completely forgot all about it until now."

"Do not worry, Tabitha. Five out of six of the Champion's team is nothing to scoff at. Be sure to collect their pokeballs once we're finished here. We will certainly want to bring them with us when we leave."

I nodded and turned back to face the screen once more, eyes glued to the progress bar slowly crawling toward completion. For just the smallest of moments, I thought I saw the screen flicker. I blinked and rubbed an eye, maybe I was seeing things. But there it was again, the screen gave the slightest of wavers, as if some sort of power surge came through and disrupted the monitor display. This time, I wasn't the only one who noticed.

"That's odd…" One of the techies mumbled as he tapped a couple of keystrokes in another window before leaning back and thumbing his chin in concentration.

At the curious gesture, Maxie raised an inquisitive brow.

"Oh, it's nothing, Leader Maxie. I thought I saw an interruption in the computer's processing, but the mainframe isn't showing any power fluctuations."

"And if it wasn't nothing?"

"Well, it shouldn't have any effect on the download, since it's being controlled remotely. Oh look, we're all set. The file transfer has finished!"

Leaning back from the screen, the techie beamed with pride for only a moment before the whole thing went black.

"What –!"

I only had enough time to see Leader Maxie jolt upright in surprise before the overhead lights clicked off and we were left in complete darkness. There was a loud clatter and a yelp as I'm assuming someone toppled out of their chair, and it was as if some sort of seal had been broken. The previously reserved lab burst into a cacophony of confusion. I froze in place, my hand habitually flying to the pokeballs nestled in my pocket.

"Leader Maxie?"

"Remain calm, Tabitha. I'm not sure what is going on, but panicking is not going to solve anything at present." I could hear a rustle of fabric and then Leader Maxie spoke aloud to the rest of the room, his voice loud against the din. "Report. Can anyone give me a report?"

And as if in answer to Maxie's request, the lights flickered back to life, and the excitement in the room quieted to a nervous buzz.

"I'm still looking for that report, gentlemen. Tell me, what was that just now?"

Furious shuffling of materials and clacking of keyboards sounded across the space before one wavering voice spoke up.

"L-leader Maxie, sir? We've lost access to the system."

Maxie's eyes narrowed. "Elaborate, please."

"Uh, I mean, we are currently unable to log in to any of New Mauville's computer systems. Someone has taken back control of the city."

"How?"

The tech geek shrugged nervously. "I'd imagine in much the same way that we hacked into the city's mainframe in the first place." The techie turned back to his machine and began to type again. After scanning a diagnostic window, he turned back to Leader Maxie. "It looks like the access terminal is originating from Mauville City. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say the rightful owners have discovered our presence and thoroughly locked us out."

I couldn't hide my frown. "But how did they manage this without us realizing it?"

Without waiting for the techie's answer, Leader Maxie turned back to me. "There is no doubt this is a deliberate and calculated attack on our operations. Tabitha, we have underestimated the power of Devon's allies, so now we must act quickly. We have the files, there is no time to retrieve anything else.

"Issue the emergency evacuation order, all grunts are to grab what they can and make their way to the scramble secret hideouts. Then, get to your office and retrieve the Champion's pokeballs. I will take Courtney to the detention level to retrieve the prisoner and prepare him for transport to Magma HQ."

I blinked at the suddenness of Leader Maxie's orders. Before I could bring myself to move, a voice rang out from another computer station.

"Leader Maxie sir, I can't access any of the city's infrastructure controls, they're operating on their own. I-I can't even call the elevator to our floor!"

"What do you mean they're operating on their own? That's impossible."

"Sir, I didn't think it possible myself, but I've tried everything and I can't get the cars to move, we're trapped!"

Cooly, Leader Maxie reached up and readjusted his glasses.

"You realize it's only a trap if there is no longer a means of escape." Maxie's eyes narrowed as he reached into his overcoat and produced a handheld tablet. I could see a schematic plan being called up on screen. "A slight change of plans. We will use the emergency access tunnels to evacuate the city. Tabitha and I will head there first to unseal the hatches. You have fifteen minutes to completely destroy this command center. We cannot leave any trace that could be linked back to our HQ mainframe."

Whatever panic had settled over the room was quelled with Leader Maxie's calculated demeanor. Of course he had thought of everything. I'm sure it pained him to so coldly eliminate all of the effort that went into the creation of our New Mauville base, but he was the type of man to understand that in order to win a war you would inevitably suffer a devastating loss. We could rebuild New Mauville again provided we were able to evacuate in time.

"Tabitha, contact Courtney and have her lead the evacuation on her floor as well. I will send the schematics to the other section leaders on each level so that they may do the same."

"What about Stone?"

"The files are what we really came here for, that boy was just an added bonus. If Devon's allies were foolish enough to seal access to all of the floors, then he can remain here and rot in that cell. There are no access points from the eighth floor to the exterior of the city. They won't be able to reach him now."

"But Leader Maxie, there are still grunts down there standing guard, they're trapped too."

"They knew the risks associated with joining our organization. They will be honored in the record of those who served in this operation."

I swallowed thickly at the thought of leaving some of our own behind, but as usual, Leader Maxie was right; there was no time to come up with a way to save us all. Bringing my gaze up to meet the eyes of the man who would lead us to a new future, I snapped a salute.

"Yes sir, Leader Maxie."

The thin smile that formed across his lips was not lost on me as he turned to leave the lab. Even in defeat, I was still able to make our Leader proud. Determination renewed, I spun to address the room.

"All right you techno-nerds, let's tear this place down! Doubletime!"

As I watched cables being pulled and computer cases being smashed to the floor, I swear I could hear the techies' hearts breaking along with their hardware. With a sympathetic sigh, I turned my back on the scene and pulled out my PokeNav, thumbing through to Courtney's number. It only rang twice before she answered.

"Huh… Tabitha…?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm on the… third floor… but the elevator… is stuck."

"Court, we've got a situation. Devon's hacked back into the city mainframe and booted us out. Leader Maxie's pulling the plug, evacuation orders. Follow the map we've uploaded to your PokeNav and get everyone on your floor to the evacuation hatch. Designate which scramble bases your group will scatter to, and get out of the city."

"What…? Why would… I do something… like that?"

"There's no time to explain, just get yourself to an exit and get out of here. We'll meet back up at Magma HQ later."

"Hmm…"

I lowered my voice to a dangerous tone. "Court. If there was another option right now, you bet Leader Maxie would have thought of it. If Devon is preparing to go on the offensive, they'll hit the top floors first. I know what you're thinking and it's not worth the risk. Get out of there."

I could hear the pause as she was turning my words over in her mind.

"Okay Tabitha… I'll get everyone… out… See you… at HQ…"

I hoped my sigh of relief wasn't audible over the call. "Thanks, Court. See you on the surface. Tabitha out."

Tucking my Nav back in my pocket, I spun back to observe the state of the command center. I was greeted with the sight of empty desks and spinning chairs and a pile of computer equipment sitting at the center of the room. The techies had formed a loose rank off to the side, and as I pulled Camerupt's pokeball from my coat, I gave them a grim nod.

"Well done, troops. Move out and wait for my lead at the exit hatch."

They saluted and filed out, the light from Camerupt's ball reflecting off their retreating forms. I waited until the last one left the room. It would be cruel to make them watch.

"Melt it."


The scramble of activity in New Mauville's halls had lessened considerably by the time I rejoined the techies en route to the exit. Several more squads of grunts fell in with our group as we finished the sweep of the floor. I stood by the motto of no man left behind, but with access to the other levels effectively cut off, I had no choice but to keep my efforts focused here. If I couldn't hit every floor of the city, the least I could do was be thorough with the level I was on.

As we marched toward the exit, I silently lamented another loss at the hands of Devon's meddling. The Champion's pokeballs lay hidden, nestled in my desk drawer several levels below. Perhaps they would remain undiscovered, sealed within the depths of the city, just like the Champion himself. I set my jaw. Devon may have thought themselves the victor on this day, but New Mauville would not easily give up its secrets.

The passage leading to the emergency hatch was just ahead, untouched from when it was first installed. Crouching low, I pulled my multitool out and pried the door latch free. A rush of stale air greeted me as the door was unsealed. I peered into the gloom, my silhouette falling across the dusty floor, and I scowled. The point of no return.

I stepped to the side and waved the grunts forward. "Alright, everybody in. Pair up and head out. I'll be bringing up the rear."

Grunts shuffled past, some saluting, others simply ducking into the passage with vacant looks. Morale was low. It never felt good to be on the defensive, to have to run instead of fight. We played our cards well, but as Leader Maxie explained to me, there is no such thing as a gain without cost. I'd do my part to make sure that message made its way through our ranks.

Speaking of ranks… The corridor was nearly empty behind me, and I found myself staring back down its length. My hand twitched toward my pocket. She was only two floors up. She said she'd be fine.

"Admin Tabitha, sir?"

The grunt's question echoed from the exit hatch passage, and I turned a bit too quickly to answer. "What is it?"

"Are you coming, sir?"

I hesitated, my hand now firmly around my PokeNav at the bottom of my pocket. "Yeah, yeah," I waved with the other. "I'll be right behind you."

The grunt's shadowy hood bobbed with a nod, and I turned back to the empty hallway before me. I brought my PokeNav out. Communication between Admins was critical to the success of our operation, I told myself. Checking in on Courtney made perfect tactical sense.

Ducking into the exit passageway, I brought my PokeNav to my ear as I pulled the hatch shut behind me. I don't know what I expected at that point, standing the dark, but it wasn't what I heard. A single tone sounded long and shrill, and I froze; the signal that her PokeNav was offline. I checked my own Nav's display. Full signal. Which meant hers either ran out of charge, or she deliberately turned it off.

As I stood there in the dark, baffled, the realization struck far too late. In our last conversation, she said she'd get everyone out. She hadn't said anything about that including herself.

Cursing, I spun on my heel to make back for the underground city, but stopped short. What was I thinking? There was no way I could do anything of use by going back in there. Courtney was the one who disobeyed a direct order. There was no room for two admins to go rogue at such a critical time. My mind flickered back to the scene in the interrogation; the crazed look in her eyes. No, this was her decision and her decision alone.

My fist tightened around my PokeNav before I shoved it back into my coat pocket. With a deep breath, I turned and slipped through the exit hatch and out into the cool, nighttime air.

It was strange, the sensation of breathing outside air for the first time in months. The humidity was almost sickening. Or maybe that was the animosity churning in my stomach… Either way, now wasn't the time to dwell on it. I sharpened my gaze and addressed the grunts who were waiting on my command.

"All right, listen up. You've got your scatter base assignments. Make your way to the designated points, and stay vigilant. No risky moves while we wait for things to calm down. Reconvene back at Magma HQ at the appointed times. Fall out, grunts!"

I scowled again as I watched the grunts salute and break off into groups before melting silently into the darkness. Losing New Mauville so suddenly was a major blow, but it wasn't a crippling one. As long as the data was safely stored back at Magma HQ, we had time to rebuild our subterranean base before Leader Maxie's plans were put into action.

I ventured one final glance over my shoulder before making my way into the Mauville night. Team Magma may have faltered tonight, but we would not fail.


It didn't take long for me to meet up with Leader Maxie at our rendezvous point. His eyes narrowed when I walked in alone, and I already knew what his first question would be.

"Where's Courtney?"

I didn't bother hiding my frown. "Leader Maxie, sir, Courtney has made the decision to stay in New Mauville for what I can only assume to be a counter-offensive against any invading forces."

Calmly, Maxie interlocked his fingers behind his back. His voice was quiet as he spoke. "Did she now?"

"Well, uh, she never explicitly said that's what she was doing, sir," I backpedaled a bit. "I'm just guessing based on the fact that she never showed up outside the city as ordered." I chose to omit the part about her PokeNav being off. As upsetting as her insubordination was, I wasn't about to throw her to the Mightyena, she was still my fellow admin.

To my surprise, Leader Maxie simply nodded as he brought a hand to his chin in thought. "No, you're probably right, Tabitha. While I'm not happy that Courtney would disobey my orders, her loyalty has never come into question. I don't believe she would make such a decision lightly, and for that, I admire her devotion to our cause."

My gaze fell as I wondered for the umpteenth time what exactly went on inside that woman's head. I knew she was strong, but was she "take on a whole bunch of pissed off League trainers about to swarm an underground city" strong? Or maybe she really was… I wasn't left to ponder much longer, as the shrill sound of my PokeNav ringing interrupted the sombre mood.

I looked down at the number out of habit and nearly dropped the device. "It's… It's her."

Leader Maxie turned toward me with a quirked brow. A signal to take the call, but it damn well better be on speaker. I picked up, unable to hide the agitation in my voice.

"Court! Where are you?"

"Hi Tabi… Everything is… under control..."

I nearly sighed aloud in relief. "Geez. You had me worried, Court. Just get to the rendezvous point as soon as you can—"

A giggle on the other end of the line put a halt to the rest of what I was going to say. "I believe in you… Tabi. You'll be… more than enough… to protect Leader Maxie… on the way back to HQ. I have… unfinished business… to attend to…here..."

"Court…" my tone dropped dangerously low. "What are you talking about?"

"I'll stop them… from taking everything… Leader Maxie has worked… so hard to achieve..."

Behind me, I heard Leader Maxie draw in a sharp breath. She wasn't there for his speech in the techie's lab. She didn't know that the files had transferred, and that the Stone boy was expendable. I felt my frustration grow at myself for not relaying everything to her on that call. I had said I'd explain it to her later. What a costly mistake on my end. I'd make things right.

"Courtney, everything's going to be okay! We got the files and—"

"—And you're doing the right thing. Continue to defend the operations in New Mauville from Devon's threat. You're doing a great service to the name of Team Magma."

My jaw nearly hit the floor. Leader Maxie had just cut off my report, and now he was praising her for disobeying his orders? I stared, dumbfounded. She was taking matters into her own hands, now trapped, alone, in an underground city with no escape while the enemy was preparing to storm its walls— if they hadn't already. And he was alright with this? I floundered, trying to find the sense in it. Had he gone mad?

The line held silent for a moment, and when she spoke I heard an unmistakable waver of emotion in Courtney's tone when she spoke. "Leader Maxie… I will… make you proud..."

I looked back at my PokeNav in horror as the realization struck. She had planned this the second I hung up that call. She wanted this. And I never saw it coming. I was at a loss for words.

I was still too stunned to reply, so Maxie made quick work of plucking the Nav from my weakened grip. He spun on his heel, all business as the edge returned to his voice.

"What is your current status?"

Courtney gave a thoughtful hum, and I could picture her rocking back and forth on her heels like she always did when she was pondering something. "Floor two… by the exit… They're already here… Devon's men…"

"You have to get outta there!" I blurted out, earning a curious look from our Leader. "They're gonna bring an army down on you, Court!"

"A-haha…" She laughed. Here I am thinking she's going to die down there, and she laughed. "They only… sent four trainers. At least… that's what… some of the grunts… reported…"

"F-four? That's it?" I nearly laughed myself. What incredible luck!

"Hm, so you have some of our troops with you, then?" asked Maxie.

I was still gathering my collective relief, and here he was, already moving on to tactics. I felt heat creep up my collar and into my cheeks. If I were to ever become a great leader like him, I still needed to learn how to curb my emotions. Lives were on the line, there was no room for error.

"Yes, Leader Maxie… Two platoons were still… inside the city. They all… wanted to stay. We're going to fight… for our future…"

"Very good, very good." Maxie paced a few steps, a hand tucked behind his back before stopping short. He drew up to his full height, the light of the PokeNav's screen reflecting ominously off his glasses. "I assume you know what needs to be done?"

"Aha…"

Courtney's laugh sent a chill down my spine.

"They won't… leave this city… alive…"