It's always fun to spend my time doing something apart from important tasks in life. Mixing toil and joy, to find that balance that many strive for, is what brings the best results for most. That being said, too much of one, and not enough of the other isn't good for anyone. Take time for yourself, because only you know how much you can take. Know when to be productive, and know when to take a break.

I claim no rights to Pokémon or its content. The purpose of this story is for self-preservation and self-improvement of writing skills, I take no credit, save for the effort put into this story and original thoughts of my own that may come up.

The sirens still scream in the nightly atmosphere. The temperature feels indifferent still in the laced hallways, even with the warm colors shining throughout from the alarms- a simple, forgotten psychological tendency, the tricking of senses. Of course, ones such as the grunt whose feet resided in a block of ice felt otherwise, and such a sensation was beyond imagination. Speaking of ice…

"Don't let them get away! Hurry!" exclaimed the runner in back, chasing after the group of four in front of him, along with their Rattatas and Zubats. The two objects of interest kept a distance ahead, and, momentarily following the quick glance to each and nodding, dashed around the corner and out of sight. Were there no loud stomping and shuffling noises echoing as there was everywhere, the sound of sudden, crackling frost could be heard making itself expand. Instead, the group was to uncover it the hard way.

To keep momentum going in the pursuit, the men, one after another, grasped onto the pole at the very same corner that was passed by the vigilantes, swinging around sharply to keep the chase.

"Wh-whu-wha-oh, shoo-! Oomph!"

Very much the same style, each one took their turn slipping across the connecting corridor, falling victim to the thick sheet of ice just placed there. While they, for the meantime, were stunned from the drops or slipping while trying to recover, the two responsible- one's idea, one's application- took a moment to look back at the mess, content with its success, and turned back to continue the escape.

"Well, that's twice now. Didn't think we'd have such use for your Aurora Beam," remarked the one on two.

"It comes in handy more than it should…" replied the one on fours, focusing on any possible upcoming obstacles. Her tone then took a turn to exasperation. "How much farther? I thought it was the second left!"

"I didn't say it was close! It's the second hallway, whereas there are multiple bunkers and rooms along the way. But, at least I see it from here." Indeed, the flashing light spreading wide from the upcoming corridor made it stand out.

"Oh, thank Arceus…we're getting somewhere," Suicune relieved, picking up her pace slightly.

With the turn of the next corner came a glass panel door. Little showed through it with the few red lights flashing, but a number of transparent columns and cages could be seen, which, with the red overtone to add to the sight, made them uneasy to pass through. The sound of men catching up stirred their senses, and the two pushed through and on.

The cylindrical glass chambers contorted light passing through. Distorted images of the contents were created, though it was just water and rising bubbles for them all. Despite the environment's reddened image, I could still depict different colors of liquids in the tubes, leading one to assume they are different chemicals, no doubt derived from the DNA of Pokémon. It was probably the same material I received as a Sleep Powder solution, and other things.

"They can use this stuff for all sorts of things...they could use it to develop their own cures for diseases or to better understand Pokémon, yet they use it in the form of darts and gases…" I said, gradually passing through the rows to the other side, with only my footsteps disturbing the constant beeping coming from the screens decorating the walls.

"…I'm just relieved it's not Pokémon right now. It was unbearable, what I witnessed…" Suicune responded, closing out everything after a moment and focusing on following the ground below. I couldn't find anything to say back, so I just answered with:

"…I'm sorry. To both you, and to the Pokémon that were put through this."

"No. You have nothing to do with any of it, I know that much. These people just…I can't-" Whether she was going to say something to follow up with or not, it was cut off the same by a voice that came from ahead, and our heads jerked towards the sound.

"Well now, this is what everyone's getting worked up on, is it?" inquired a feminine tone. In front of us was a woman who appeared to be in her mid-years. Her eyes matched the color of her excessively overdone hair style; fire red, with two triangular, golden pieces to adorn her ears. Her vêtements were specialized Team Rocket garments, mostly white with black details, and a small dress part was the one bit that stood out. Next to her was an additional grunt as aid.

"I'm guessing you're another admin, judging by your personality," I analyzed, noting the laid back posture and hand on her hip, rather than the attentive stance that the partner at her side possessed.

"Another? Oh, yes…you've met Petrel already, haven't you? Quite the charming fellow, isn't he?" The slight, yet distinct, sound of detest was embedded under the cover of a charming, venomous voice. Even so, I played along as if only the latter were noticed by me.

"Not exactly…if all the admins were like him, I'll be sure to leave as quickly as possible." The grunt didn't say a word during the conversation, leading me to assume that the lady was far more intimidating on a work level. At least, that's how her response came across.

"Oh, darling…", with a forced giggle to follow. "…you don't know what you are about to face."

"If I didn't know anything about you at all then that would be bliss," interrupted my partner. She looked to grow more impatient as these two stalled as well.

"Oh, so you speak? Hard to come by a legendary that is obliged to talk."

"Hard to come by a human that's worth it," Suicune retorted, gesturing with her head in my direction. I think I should be grateful, but that compliment felt like it was more to pick a fight. Speaking of which…

"Oh, they think they're just so clever…", and another menacing chuckle. She turned to her side. "Dearest, would you kindly help deal with them?" For once, the grunt spoke up.

"Yes, ma'am!" Simultaneously, the two reached for their sole Pokéballs, and, calling the respective Pokémon out, released both a Grimer and an Arbok.

"Suicune, only you can take them on right now. Are you okay with that?"

Giving a glance at me, she crouched down into her own stance before the two opponents dealt. Her entire tone changed, and she was then dead-set on the battle.

"More than alright. Ready when you are."

"Wait, what?" I was somewhat surprised at this request; a legendary desiring the help of a temporary "trainer".

"You can watch my back and tell me what to do. I'm only as skilled as you guide me."

I knelt down beside her, resting my hand on her shoulder, and calmly asking her, while still keeping the stare at our enemies, "Do you trust me?"

"…yes." From there, her breaths became minimum, and her glare unfaltering.

"Then let's do this." I stood up, backed up, and braced my own self for the fight that was about to come. "Your move."

Her smile only grew wider, and her hand was casted outwards with her words. "Arbok, use Crunch!"

Coiling itself up, the snake lunged out towards Suicune, baring its hidden fangs for contact.

"Dodge to the left!"

Suicune was far more agile, not having to crouch as much. She dodged with time to spare, and Arbok, being a snake, had to recover from the missed launch, leaving it open. "Counter with Aurora Beam!"

Immediately, a blast of multicolor pulse came from her mouth, hitting Arbok square in the chest. It knocked it back a foot or two, and left a small cover of ice, but breaking out of it, the snake was still more than ready to fight.

"What are you just standing there for? Did I not ask you to help!?" Ariana seemed to disregard what just happened, caring more about the lack of participation from the other party.

"Er, right! Grimer, Disable!"

The pile of sludge had a small twinkle in its eye, and following this, Suicune suddenly shivered in place as the remaining frost from her mouth vanished.

"Great. What other moves do you know?" I quickly demanded. Closing her eyes for a moment to think, she looked up again and responded.

"Extrasensory, Hydro Pump, and Gust! Think fast!" She replied, slightly moving to avoid an incoming Sludge attack.

"She can only use Hydro Pump a few times…", I recalled. "We'll have to make it count."

"Arbok! Poison Sting!"

"Deflect it with Gust!"

Arbok fired off several injected stingers from its fangs, which were immediately thrown off trajectory from the raging wind.

"Mud Slap, Grimer!"

"Dodge once more, Suicune!"

With the original target out of the way, the attack instead collided with the user's teammate. Arbok shook its face left and right, panicking from not being able to see well, which its owner was not too pleased with.

"You idiot! Don't hit my Pokémon!", exclaimed the admin, startling the grunt and making him panic.

"Use Extrasensory to throw Arbok at Grimer!"

Suicune's eyes glowed as she turned to the snake, who was idle due to the lack of commands coming from its trainer. Raised by the glowing force field, the astonished Pokémon was catapulted with a squeal over our heads and right onto the target. Both Arbok and Grimer stunned from the collision, remained dazed for a few moments, working to collect themselves. The grunt remained panicked in place, whereas the admin only casted a glare from where she was, frustrated with the outcome of the battle.

"Checkmate. Suicune, end this with Hydro Pump!" I shouted, mocking the admin with a hand cast out in mimicry; also, because it felt cool.

"Gladly…" came her reply. With satisfaction written across her face, Suicune's hairs rose on her back, and building up for a second, released a torrent of water directed at the opponents, which slightly pushed her back along the floor from the momentum. It contacted, and crashing waves washed the Pokémon towards their startled trainers, sending the converged mass sprawling across the lab floor. We won the battle.

Without a word, the two of us approached the drenched individuals, who, at this time, had recovered from the wipeout or were just knocked out. In fact, only the admin herself remained attentive, shaking the excess water out of her hair, a soggy mess at the time. Seeing us come up, she could only stare back.

"I can't believe you ruined my hair. It takes forever to get it like that!"

I expressed my confusion at this statement when turning to Suicune. She returned with a look of annoyance to this, somewhat disappointed at her priorities. I decided to at least acknowledge this informal complaint.

"Well, at least nobody else is around to notice. I won't say a word," I encouraged.

Unfortunately, the admin could not adjust her level of discomfort under the KO'd Arbok. Letting out a well-deserved sigh on her end, she confessed, "Oh, who am I kidding…you won, fair and square. I admire your strength, both of you. If only you were in Team Rocket…imagine your possibilities…"

"Maybe, if we weren't forced into cages by the likes of you-" I held my hand out to tell her to stop. She looked at me with the same confusion, and with a little anger fading from her cut-off statement.

"Thanks, but we'll pass on the offer. Frankly, we'd rather just be away from this place; that is enough," I explained gently, earnestly, and, oddly enough, with a smile on my face.

The admin only looked back at me to find even a hint of condescendence in my words, unable to understand my minimum, but present, compassion. Ultimately, at a loss of search, a repeated sigh came from her, and she had a small smile of her own.

"Heh, you're a loser if you're showing me compassion."

"Maybe, but it's only courteous. Especially for one in your position."

"…and what's that supposed to mean?" I went into detail for her.

"Not once did you exclaim how you had to capture us. You only showed your distaste for your fellow admin. Even now, you're more worried about your hair than making sure we're stopped…you don't like this job, do you?"

Her eyes fell below my gaze, her smile faded to a serious face, with a moderate cringe to taking in what I said. I was right, after all.

"You had no other options, you were desperate for work, and…this was available. You just fell into the role like everyone else, and it became who you are. But, still, you have some of that self-expression. I can see that."

"…"

"I understand. You're just carrying out orders."

"What does that have to do with my so-called position?"

Suicune butted in. "Admin or not, you're still vulnerable right now. You deserve a little compassion, even if you're the enemy. You're not the bad guy," she finished, looking down slightly herself in the same manner.

"So, what am I then? Pitiful?" she raised her tone in defense, trying to barricade what she had left. "Are you pitying me because I'm only weak?"

"No…" I said. "…because you're only human."

Her eyes closed after this. She seemed to hold back a tear, judging from how hard her eyes were pushed shut. Without looking at us again, she lastly said, "Time's running out. You better get going."

"Right," and with that, we exited the lab's end, and found ourselves once more in the entangled corridors. Yet, with our new motivation, we ran just as fast as before, eager to find our way out of the ship.

….

There remained the admin, still under her Arbok, contemplating to herself the occurrence of the two runaways. The atmosphere of the creepy lab setting still lingered, but with so many days working there, she was more than used to it, as was any other person within a month of experience. Leaning her head back onto the wall behind, she sighed yet again, coming to her terms.

"…I should really stop listening to kids…they only seem to bring trouble. But still, that one, just now…" she said to herself, "…I should quit."

Feeling a shift on top of her, she opened her eyes to look down at the cringing look that showed itself on the Arbok's face. Momentarily afterwards, its eyes opened too, and soon found hers.

"…sha?" it expressed weakly, inquiring something that seemed to only be comprehended by its trainer.

"Yes, you did just fine. I couldn't be prouder of you, Arbok," she complimented, softly caressing the top of its head with her hand.

"Shaaa~…" it quietly cooed, pleased with the act of affection.

Once again, I hate making these short, but I did want to put something in to keep the story alive, however I could. Anywho, once my main work for the next week is completed, I'll finish up the last part to this chapter (I know, I only wanted one, but at least each part had a nice place to stop). So, with that being said, Review if you liked, favorite, follow, anything you wish, and I'll see you readers later.

Chow.

Oh, and Merry Christmas. And a Happy New Year.