oOo

The hour was early, too early for her taste. She didn't dare to open her eyes, instead, she buried herself in the soft and velvety sheets. It had almost become an instinct.

Ninetails scooched closer to her. The fox rested her head upon her shoulder.

The pokemon was warm, she allowed herself to sprawl deeper into her bed. It had been years since she felt this way, it had been years since she had let anyone get so close to her.

Vivid memories of times gone by came on suddenly. She dared not look back. As she fought her thoughts once more, then opened her eyes. Ahead of her was a valley of stars, they were lustrous, but beyond her reach.

Ninetails yawned as she spread out, her body briefly elongated. This is really nice Mistress.

Missy took a long and slow breath, as she did she counted the seconds. This brief practice allowed her to escape many unwanted memories.

She glanced over to the clock, the time was 8:42 AM, Wednesday, September 14th, 2016.

" Didn't shoot the alarm this time," she muttered while she fished for her screwdriver.

Her fingers came across it on the nightstand. As she picked it up she disabled the alarm clock.

Hesitantly, she relaxed, then fell into the mattress and sprawled. She took a deep breath, then exhaled, allowing her thoughts to drift away.

Mistress, your bed is so comfortable. If I could I'd sleep in it for a thousand years, Ninetails said as she curled her body up.

Missy leered up at the stars, frustrated by the arrival of the new day, she bit her lip and rolled out of bed.

" Sleeping for a thousand years," she muttered as she made her way to the bathroom. "That would be a waste of an existence."

She made quick work with herself as she prepared for the day. It wasn't long before she arrived in her wardrobe.

Images of classical concerts came to mind. She found a suitable swing dress, but it wouldn't hide her vortex manipulator well.

She encountered the same problem with a pin-up dress, and the countless others she looked over. To make matters worse none of them paired well with a light jacket.

She huffed, she had to wear something that was somewhat appropriate. So she did the next best thing and snatched a red mini skirt, white long-sleeved shirt, black tights, her favorite pair of boots, and a jacket to match.

After she placed her hair up in a ponytail, she twirled around in the mirror. Her brow raised while she looked herself over. The ensemble was missing something. She peered at the buttons on her shirt and quickly realized what she needed.

She snatched a red and black striped tie and put it on. The look was perfect, for her, not so much for the event. It was different, completely out of the ordinary, after all, she was normally a well-dressed, elegant woman.

She looked at the ensemble again, she felt too cute to change. If anyone bothered to ask, she'd tell them that Galarian Punk was all the rage.

She snatched a black purse, then re-entered the control room. Ninetails sat at the base of the control panel. The pokemon's eyes gleamed as she looked at her.

That's an interesting look Mistress, Ninetails said.

I do my best to go along with things, she explained as she made her way to the computer.

I thought that you'd choose some tamer attire for this, Mistress, the fox replied.

I'm not much for tame, Missy dryly explained.

Ninetails frowned at her, then replied, You're a wild child? Mistress.

Missy was taken aback by the remark, she tried to quell her blood as it rushed to her cheeks. Wild, I'd say that's a mild way of putting it.

She peeked at the clock, it was 9:24 am. She had plenty of time to gather the data she needed. With a brisk search, she found the information about the concert.

She read over a short summary. She learned that the concert was held at Castilia Hall, Friday, August 2nd, 1957.

Missy was disappointed to discover nothing of great significance had happened that evening. The most interesting note of the event was the unveiling of an instrument.

The Spectrum Symbol, a symbol whose sound penetrated, and distorted all other instrument's sounds. According to the tardis the instrument had been discovered the year previously during an archeological dig.

She had many doubts about the device's instrumental capabilities. It was the back story that intrigued her the most.

Just the word symbol brought her back to Time-Space Tower. Instinctively the Professor and Lysandre came to mind. She wondered if this was the instrument that would unlock the orbs.

There was no cause for immediate concern, after all the Lustrios Crown was safely tucked away on the tardis. Still, she was inclined to add this information to the report. With a few quick keystrokes, she did so.

" This is going to be an enlighting excursion," she muttered as her fingers tapped the print button.

I thought we might have a merry melody of a time, Mistress, Ninetails quipped back.

She shrugged as the information was printed. Merry, no... Missy's thoughts trailed as other predicaments arose. I think at best it'll be a jam.

Now she had to gather the data regarding the radiation crystals. She looked up the translation and the possibility of using the radiation crystals to achieve such a feat.

She grinned at the results, as she suspected it wasn't possible to use the crystals in any form to translate a foreign language. Unwilling to let him in on her little secret about the true possibilities of pokemon communication, she resigned.

With the tap of a button, she printed the information presented.

She snatched the papers and tucked them away in her bag. " I think we should be off."

I hope we get to see some of the show Mistress, Ninetails enthusiastically replied.

Missy rolled her eyes as she teleported them out. We'll see how the day goes.

She picked up the tardis and placed it into her bag. As the pair exited they entered a chaotic mess.

Team Rocket grunts and scientists filled the hall, in a fast-paced exchange. Distorted conversations, there were so many voices, she did her best to drown them out.

I wonder what's going on here? Mistress, Ninetails asked.

I'm sure we'll know soon enough, she replied while she backed herself and ninetails into the laboratory.

She wasn't going to force her way through that. Instead, she punched in the coordinates for Giovanni's office. She double-checked the position and time. They'd be popping in early, but from what she understood that was better than being late.

In an instant marked by bright light, they traveled and arrived.

Giovanni coldly leered at them. If he was surprised, he hid it well. He set down his coffee and asked, "What happened to you knocking?"

She shrugged and took a seat. " A scurring hoard of ideots blocked me path."

His eyes wandered off briefly before he said, " They'll be out of your way by tonight."

" I'm sure they're bound to get into someone else's," she replied.

Giovanni scoffed in response. " I should hope not, their mission is intended to be covert."

" For now," Missy playfully added. The end of days was drawing closer, she reeled with concealed excitement. "Let me guess, they're on their way to Goldenrod?"

It made perfect sense for him to protect the team's source of communication, it didn't make sense for him to be sending them now. Then again he has agents all over the world, probably more than one base as well.

His eyes narrowed, he seemed almost serious when he said, "They're back up, Team Flare's intent on attacking the city. I'm not keen about letting them take it."

" Radio Tower right," she said with present events in mind.

Wide-eyed and amused she peered at him. Sooner or later they were going to have to discuss tactics and strategies. She had barely brought the topic up and Giovanni already seemed disinterested.

" I'd prefer it if we went over the details later," he deadpanned.

" We have less than seventy-two hours to prepare-"

" We have all of the time we need," he interjected.

She was taken aback, by his interruption. Quickly took note of his mood as she opened her purse. She took out the requested information and placed it on his desk.

She huffed in protest. "Famous last words."

His eyes skimmed the paper before he looked back at her. "I should hope not." Giovanni set the paper down, and let out a sigh." The Spectrum Symbol, makes perfect sense for them to acquire it. Do you have any insight about the broadcast?"

Missy thought over the question before she gave her answer, "Testing perhaps, try to get a leg up on us, unlock the crown with a recording perhaps."

" Can the transmission get through the tardis?" he asked.

" Not if I don't allow it, nothing get's on or off without me knowing about it," she answered.

" Then it's settled," Giovanni said, he glanced over the second report. "Shame communication with pokemon isn't possible."

" I don't know what else you would expect," Missy quipped back.

" I never know what to expect when it's coming from you," he replied as he took another sip of coffee.

Missy rolled her eyes, then replied, "How about another adventure?"

He merely scoffed at the notion." That's not an expectation, it's a guarantee."

She leered at him momentarily, annoyed by his notion of an expectation. She crossed her arms then sarcastically replied, "What if today just turned out to be an ordinary day?"

The notion itself was preposterous, he did get a chuckle out of it. He sighed and disregarded the idea. " That would be ideal. That is the goal of this operation."

Now if we could only get him to everybody else's idea of ordinary, Mistress, Ninetails muttered.

" It can't go on like this forever," Missy dully replied. She stood up and offered her hand. " Ready to go to the show?"

In turn, he stood up and joined her. He took her hand then said, "I'd be delighted."

Ninetails and persian instinctively got closer to their masters. Swiftly she entered the coordinates.

With the press of a button, the colors of the time began to blend. The creamy walls of the office meshed with the colored shades of the era. Blinding shades of lime warped, then melded with a hideous shade of pink. After a moment, their travel ceased.

Missy immediately released Giovanni's hand. She growled before she began to piece together their current position.

She glanced down at the vortex manipulator. The date was Friday, August 2nd, 1957. It was midday afternoon on a sunny summer day.

Castilia City was much different in the daylight. It was a small, but bustling city. The buildings were no taller than twenty stories. Every man-made structure was grey, modern, very unimaginative.

Ninetails brushed past Missy causing her to look over. Behind her was a garden of tall, pink petaled, phlox. The plants were slightly taller than the pokemon.

The fox stood on her hinds to get a whiff. Giovanni released his persian the cat strolled over to her and did the same.

She watched with amusement as ninetails buried her face into the flowers. "That's a first," she noted.

They're just irresistible Mistress, Ninetails lazily replied.

The fox hardly took notice as persian joined her. There was no doubting it was cute.

Giovanni hummed in amusement, then said, "Phlox, no wonder it's popular among pokemon breeders."

Ninetails froze, bothered by the notion. Oh no Mistress, please don't let him get any ideas.

Puzzled, Missy raised a brow. "What are you getting at?"

Giovanni put his thumb to his chin, he had a calculating grin." Well now that you mention it-"

Missy picked up on the insinuation and was quick to interject." No!" she paused to gather her thoughts. "I don't even think it's possible to breed a persian and a ninetails."

Giovanni hummed, his grin grew wider. " Did you know that a wailord and a skitty-"

Missy turned away in disgust." Oh my gosh!"

Persian let out a long drawn meow in protest. He looked away from ninetails as he lost all interest in the event.

That's saying a lot, Ninetails muttered. She promptly turned away from the cat.

Missy smirked at the sight. " Now look at what you've done."

" They could be the perfect couple," he insisted.

"I don't see it that way," Missy replied, she disregarded the notion, before she took the time into consideration. " We're a few hours early."

Giovanni sighed before he resigned. He fished his cell phone from his jacket. Then tapped on the screen momentarily. "I've got the directions, I propose scouting out the area before we make ourselves official."

" I'm all for it," she dryly agreed.

Together they made their way down the boulevard. They strolled past people with pokemon.

An older lady walked past them. The purugly that followed growled at persian. The cats exchanged a murderous look. With a single command, Giovanni ended the dispute.

Their stroll was nice, but not particularly informative. They passed the dusty storefronts of Castelia City. Meandered the streets lined with flowers of many varieties.

They walked past a pokedoll store with a buneary doll in a pink dress and the ralts that accompanied it. The pair took note of the many flyers posted for the event.

They passed a small cafe and the flashy neon lights of a diner. There were so many glamorous venues, their appearance only grew with extravagance.

They rounded the corner and came upon a grand concert hall. A statue of Meoletta stood before the entrance. Plastered musical notes and instruments adorned the promenade. On the roof teams of works set up antennas.

Blue azalea gardens encased the building. Their color complimented the red brick exterior. They garnished a sign for a garden behind the theatre.

Outside the entrance, people dressed in white paraded around. Their attire gave Missy the vague impression of a priest. One of the men at the foot of the statue caught a pedestrians attention.

" Pokemon are not slaves to man!" he shouted to the passers-by.

His followers took his lead. They made every effort to convey their message to all.

Giovanni's eyes narrowed at the group. His glare was cold and filled with a quiet rage. He turned to her and quietly said, "Let's try to avoid that."

Missy took his side, then asked, "Do you know them?"

He let out a grunt, then said, " I know them well."

She took his mood into account, then recalled what he had said about Unova. She followed him into a nearby alleyway. She looked behind her shoulder, they hadn't been followed.

Inquisitively she tenderly brought up the subject, "That lot give you a hard time?"

Slowly Giovanni released his breath. He had calmed himself down a great deal before he gave his answer. "We went to war with those maniacs."

" Great, do you think they've teamed up with Lysandre?" she cautiously asked.

" No, Gatsius is very single-minded. The vision he lacks will always be his downfall," he calmly answered.

His answer perplexed her, she had so many questions. This wasn't a good time for any of it. With that in mind, she tucked it away for another day.

Thankfully, Giovanni seemed to move past his animosities. His eyes were transfixed on a cluster of missing person reports.

Calmly he asked, " Do you think the vampires are behind this?"

Mistress did the vampires eat all of those people? Ninetails asked as she gazed at the poster.

Missy allowed her smile to beam, she was truly impressed by his observation. Giovanni was rather smug in his attempt to hide his satisfaction.

"Mostly, you're getting good at this," she said.

Ninetails gagged at the response. The fox attempted to hide her disgust, but persian noticed. The cat walked next to her and nudged her forehead.

She could have remarked on that but decided to make a more productive decision.

" Ready for the show?" Missy asked as she began to tinker with the vortex manipulator.

Giovanni took her hand, he had a mischievous look in his eyes. " If you're ready to steal it?"

Missy found herself exchanging the look. "We'll take down the house."

With the press of a button, the hours of the day flashed forward in a vivid display of brilliance. The sun settled beyond the buildings, the twilight hours shaded the city. Time stopped, soon the streets were a bustle.

A lively group passed the ally way, Missy and Giovanni stepped out behind them. As they approached the ticket booth, her hearts sank.

SOLD OUT

That's unfortunate, Mistress, Ninetails muttered.

Missy scoffed as she looked over the crowds of people. She could use the psychic paper to get them in, but the line would hold them up for some time.

She turned away from the theatre and started to go back to the ally. Her company took her lead.

" What's the plan?" Giovanni casually asked.

They turned the corner, before she could give an answer they halted. A young man, no older than twenty had stepped out of an exit.

His electric blond hair stuck up stylishly, it went well with the most punk business attire she'd seen in a while. He dropped a pile of trash into a dumpster. When he turned his blue eyes widened with surprise.

" The theatre's entrance is around the corner," he explained.

Missy softened her gaze as she fished for her psychic paper. Her fingers nimbly flipped the wallet open as she approached him.

" I was wondering if you could help me out?" Missy asked, she offered him the paper.

He took it, his eyes skimmed over it. He looked back up at her, then again to the paper. He gawked before he gave her his full attention.

" You're Ellen Smith?" he asked.

Missy nodded in response. She kept her cool and her composure, as she allowed him to carry on.

He offered her wallet back. " I can understand why you'd want to avoid the crowds. I'm Danny, and I'd be delighted to assist you."

Missy took back her wallet, she beamed with satisfaction. It was wonderful to be in the company of someone with the courtesy to introduce themselves.

She then added her introduction, " I appreciate that, I'm Ellen, behind me is my bodyguard," she paused and gave Giovanni a moment to introduce himself.

He playfully leered at her for a moment, she considered his action as a decline to the offer. With that, she carried on, " We're here by invitation of Ralph Reed."

"Mister Reed! They say everybody knows everybody in Tinsel Town," he explained as he glanced into the doorway. " Come on, I'll get you backstage."

Hastily the group made their way inside. They turned, then entered a long corridor. The doors some of which were half-open revealed dressing rooms.

" I have to say, I thought It would be a long time before I got up close and personal with a celebrity," Danny remarked.

She was a star, how appropriate. She peered down at her outfit, she supposed she fit the part. She kept her composure as she reminded herself that neutrality was the best approach.

" This is the closest I'll ever let you get to her," Giovanni cooly replied.

Missy rolled her eyes. " Sounds like I just made your day."

Danny's cheeks turned rosy, he attempted to hide his blush as they carried on. "You just made my week, maybe even my month."

You're really pushing your luck Mistress, Ninetails scolded.

What? He's fully bought into it, Missy sternly replied.

" Are you excited about the new instrument?" Danny asked.

" It's what we came here to see," Missy answered.

The group rounded another corner. The hallway widened as they approached double doors labeled Main Stage East Wing.

Together they entered backstage. Two stagehands ran past them franticly. As they stepped onto the black floor they passed steel wires and enormous black curtains. She found herself stepping over countless cords taped to the floor.

" Curtain call in five minutes," a stagehand shouted.

Danny looked around, then back at them. " I should get back to work, stage exits to your left. See you after the show."

With those words, Danny ran off. Missy and Giovanni looked at each other before they started for the stairs.

They had barely taken a step before they noticed a tall and slender figure. Lysandre's grey eyes narrowed as he looked at the pair. His attention was divided between them and the phone stuck to his ear.

" That's fantastic news," he said.

Lysandre nodded along briefly before he bid farewell to the caller. He slipped the phone into his back pocket as he approached them.

A smile crept upon his lips before he said, " Well, this was a bit unexpected."

Missy crossed her arms and leered at him. She was taken aback by his persistence.

Giovanni scoffed in response, then replied, " I can hardly believe you weren't prepared."

Lysandre kept his cool as he looked back at him." For a night like this, always."

A stagehand ran up to Lysander. "Sir, we'll be live in three minutes the Sinnoh stations haven't singled back-"

Lysandre interjected, " What about Kalos?"

The stagehand looked up to him. " We're live there, we're just waiting for the station to give the go-ahead to broadcast."

He nodded half approvingly. "Carry on."

The stagehand briskly walked off. Lysandre turned his attention back to his unexpected guest.

" Spectacles," he mused. " It's convenient that you would arrive here tonight."

Missy shook her head with disappointment. " Printing presses and announcements have that sort of effect."

" I'm told they're a guarantee," Lysandre shot back.

Lysandre's got you there Mistress, Ninetails uttered.

They were briefly interrupted by a stagehand. "We're live in ninety seconds."

" You just made the date," Giovanni replied as he reached for a pokeball.

Lysandre crossed his arms in refusal. "I don't have time for this at the moment.

Giovanni shrugged as he continued. A shrill put a halt to the engagement. Missy looked up her eyes met with a pair of glowing red eyes.

In the raptors, two sharply dressed women stood. The blond and brunette were pale, fit, and a deadly combination. In a blink of the eye, they vanished.

" Perhaps we can settle this after the show," Lysandre casually remarked. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a production to attend to."

Without any gesture of malice, he walked off. Missy leered at him as he did so. This show was going to happen no matter what.

The lights dimmed, the cue raised enormous applause. Persian's ears narrowed back in response. A spotlight was cast on the opposite side of the stage. The light beamed on an older man.

The orchestra behind the curtain stealthily attended to their music and instruments as they waited for their starting cue.

The man on stage waited for the crowd to settle. When they did he began the broadcast.

" Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am your host Roger Grant of W.B.K.K.L 98.7 Castillia City Classic F.M. Tonight marks a special occasion for myself and my colleagues as we welcome you and the other forty-five stations joining us tonight for this global event." He paused as a stagehand gestured a cue. "Tonight's performance pays homage to the inspirational music of Ralph Reed-"

As the announcer droned on, Missy began to search for an exit. She spotted a door deeper in the wing.

" Come-" someone tapped her on the back.

She and Giovanni turned and faced Danny. He frowned, then whispered, "Why didn't you take your seats?"

Missy leaned into his ear, then replied, "Mister Flure spotted us."

Danny shook his head with frustration before he gestured for them to follow him. Missy glanced over to Giovanni. He seemed annoyed but took the kid's lead.

Quietly, he took them deeper backstage. As they followed him the shadows shifted. Giovanni's eyes darted in preparation as they continued.

The show needed to go on, if she forced her hand and disrupted the broadcast she was certain they would attack. As they approached the exit she doubted this forced predicament was going to last much longer.

Slowly, carefully Danny opened the door. Silently the group stepped into a bright hallway. The plush red carpet and glass exit doors indicated that it was a part of the lobby.

" Sorry to be so upfront, I needed to get you guys outta there, worldwide broadcast and all," Danny partially explained.

It seemed as though he would have carried on, but he stopped. An eerie silence was in the air.

Ninetails took her side, the foxes eyes widened with worry. Mistress?

Missy glanced around the room, to her dismay she realized they had been cornered by the vampires. Now that she had gotten a better look at them, she was certain the blond was from Lumiose City.

Danny let out a confused hum before he started to ask if he could help them. She and Giovanni knew better. Without hesitation, they bolted for the exit. Ninetails and persian stayed close, ready to attack.

" So much for this idea," Giovanni mused as he ran.

They entered an ornate garden was filled to the brim with voluptuous red orchids. Before she could start entering the digits to leave the shadows closed in.

Danny gasped as he gazed at the sky. "What the hell is going on here?"

Unwilling to panic, she looked up. The sky had lost the luster of twilight. Above them, a black triangle hovered. She recognized it instantly, a time scoop.

That was a serious problem. As the darkness shrowded them, the garden froze. They were being transported, she wondered when, and more importantly where, their next destination would be.