Ten (or so) chapters to go! This one's a little shorter than I anticipated, which almost never happens. lol

Enjoy.

Chapter 90
The Executives

"Ahaha! How boring."

A young woman dressed in a Team Rocket uniform sauntered over to an office desk. Sliding papers and folders off the surface, she sat down on top of it and sneered at her coworkers. Several guarded their quiet hostages, while a vast majority loitered around or played card games with one another. Despite having nothing to do, she was satisfied.

"It was far too easy to take over this place," she said.

"This is just a radio tower," replied a man who stood by a colorful magazine rack. "Silph was a far more difficult operation to pull off."

"I know, right? Johto really is full of spineless Trainers. We should've started operating here ages ago! Not a single sign of opposition."

Footsteps echoed from the stairwell. The chit-chat of the gangsters didn't cease even as a fellow Rocket stumbled into the middle of the room with a grave look on his face.

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double," someone flippantly replied.

"No!" he shouted back. "Real trouble!"

The floor rumbled with heavy thuds, growing closer at an alarming rate. Everyone finally looked about in confusion. The confident female Rocket gripped the tabletop to keep her balance.

"What?!" she gasped.

A grey and blue blur zipped past her, and a young voice shouted over the commotion.

"Excuse me! Pardon me!"

The man who'd ran into the room pointed at the figure—a Donphan charging forward with a girl and an Espeon riding in tow.

"Intruder!"

The sea of black uniforms scrambled into action, and the room turned into a chaotic pool of uncoordinated Pokémon. Any animals that managed to reach the intruders were either shot out of the air with a single multi-colored beam or knocked away by the Donphan's tusks. People attempted to block the way to the staircase—actually, those in the way jumped aside. No one dared to stay in the path of a stampeding elephant.

"Thank you, excuse us!" the blue-haired girl yelled again. "I don't want you to get hurt! Please get out of the way! Gotta be somewhere! Thanks!"

Upon reaching the stairs, she recalled the Donphan and bolted out of sight. Any who tried to follow her were forced back down the stairs when their Pokémon were flung at them. When everyone gave up, the room fell into stunned silence. Dust fell from the ceiling as heavy stomps started again from above.

A Rocket grunt shoved the magazine back into the rack and turned toward his previously-confident colleague, who now gaped at nothing.

"You jinxed it."

The security door on the third story was easy to find. The large, metal gate stood out in the open floor plan. Jumping off Phany, Marina swiped the card key and rushed inside. She shut out any possible pursuers by locking it up again behind her.

"Whew! There!" She winked coyly at her Pokémon. "Nice work, everyone!"

Phany yipped in response, and she recalled him back into his Poké Ball. She then looked at Prince, who stood with perfect poise as usual. They spent a moment watching determination burn in each other's eyes. She nodded, and he nodded back. Turning around with enthusiasm, she dashed onward. Prince bounded after her and quickly matched her gait.

Marina's heart pounded in her ears, and her hands trembled a little, but she found herself wearing a determined grin. The adrenaline only made her feel bolder.

She came across a great bay window on the next floor. Looking through it, she saw a modern DJ studio. But only a mild-mannered woman sat inside the booth, hugging a Meowth for comfort. In the hallway, however, a young man stood directly in Marina's path. He watched her with cool suspicion. His teal-colored hair stood out vividly under his black hat, which he adjusted a bit when the girl noticed him.

"What do we have here?" he asked as she approached.

"We're here to stop you!"

"We?"

"Efi!" Prince chirped.

"Oh. How cute." The man cocked his head to the side, unimpressed. "How did you make it this far?"

"I just ran in," she said with a casual wave of her hand.

"You're not taking another step. I strongly urge you not to interfere with our business. I am often labeled as the scariest and cruelest guy in Team Rocket... known as Team Rocket's unbreakable fortress!"

"Team Rocket…fortress?"

"Yes." He procured a Poké Ball that was kept pinned to his belt. "I'll give you the honor of calling me Lance."

Marina made a disgruntled look, even before the man released a large Golbat in front of her. Her complete lack of combative body language caused Lance to raise an eyebrow.

"Already frozen in fear?"

"…I refuse."

"What?"

She pointed at him. "I refuse to call you Lance!"

"What?!" Lance's cool composure cracked. His face distorted. "Just what do you mean by that?"

"I can't call you Lance; you're nothing like the real thing! Lance is grand and would never join Team Rocket. You're small compared to him, small like a—a proton!"

"P-Proton?!"

"Yeah, a proton! So you're Proton. That's what I'll call you," Marina claimed and turned to Prince. "Okay Prince, go!"

"Hold on, hold on!" shouted Proton. He took a breath, and then unfurled a twitchy sneer. "Oh, I see…you're trying to make me angry, aren't you? I was going to give you the option to turn back, but since you seem to wish for it, I'll show you the full extent of a Team Rocket Executive's wrath!"

The man directed his Golbat, which sped toward Prince.

"Psychic!" Marina ordered.

The second she finished speaking the word, Prince fired his attack. Winds howled as telekinetic waves wrapped up the bat, and it smacked into one of the ceiling lights. Golbat collapsed onto its back with its wings open wide.

Proton froze, but scowled. "Lucky hit!"

In Golbat's place, he released a Pokémon that was the evolution of Koffing. An odd smell filled the air as Weezing released gases from its many orifices.

"Sludge!"

"Psychic!" Marina ordered again.

Weezing spit out a nasty black substance, forcing Marina to flinch away as it splattered on the floor. Prince only avoided most of it, and he paused. He stared at his soiled fur more than the pain that seared him.

"Double Hit!" Proton commanded. His Pokémon flew at Prince.

The fox didn't even look at his opponent as he abruptly fired his Psychic attack, knocking Weezing back. It recovered and slammed into the floor the second after Prince bounded backward. But Weezing's second head swung its body around, catching the fox off guard. It smacked into him, causing Prince to tumble. He rolled back onto his feet. His gem glittered brightly.

"Psychic, Prince! One more should do it!"

Proton scoffed. "Do you think I'll be that easy to take down? I told you before; I'm Team Rocket's unbreakable—!"

He jumped out of the way of his Weezing, who was tossed into the wall behind him. It made a thunderous bang, leaving a dent as the Poison-type Pokémon withered to the floor like a balloon. Proton's jaw dropped. He whirled back toward Marina and Prince.

"Looks like the fortress came down," the girl happily said.

"Ugh…What are you?!" He snarled. "For a kid to be this good…I didn't see this coming."

The young man stepped away from the staircase he guarded, looking pained to even consider the action. His eyes darted toward the nervous DJ sitting in the studio, but her Meowth glared at him keenly and hissed. He heaved a stubborn but yielding sigh. When Marina passed by him, he cast a glare and spoke.

"Here's some advice: it's not too late. You can still turn back."

"Sorry, but I have no intention to," Marina responded and darted up the steps.

I've gotta be close now, she thought. Where are they transmitting the signal? I hope I didn't pass it already.

That was an issue she hadn't realized until now. Marina and technology weren't exactly the best pair. Even after being a Trainer for almost a year, she still had trouble working her Pokédex and navigating the PC system. She optimistically hoped for a simple "On/Off" switch as she and Prince arrived at the next floor. It was compact, mirroring the area downstairs.

Muffled chatter reached Marina's ears, and she uttered a gasp. Through the studio's viewing window, a Rocket grunt repeated the gang's message into the microphone. A redheaded woman stood beside him.

She's…!

The woman's cunning scarlet eyes noticed her, and Marina felt her eagerness freeze up. Slipping into a smirk, she murmured words to her coworker—who looked at her then Marina in confusion before nodding and continuing his broadcast. She then made her way out of the studio. Marina settled into a hesitant frown, but pulled her nervous hands apart. She stared the woman down and made no attempt to get closer.

"Hey, you," Athena greeted in an oddly sweet manner. "Remember me from the hideout in Mahogany Town?"

"...Yeah."

Unaffected by Marina's standoffish reply, she glanced over the girl's shoulder and began to laugh to herself.

"This time," Athena giggled, "This time, it looks like you're really all alone. All alone...no Champion to interfere."

Marina glanced behind her. She inched near Prince and grabbed at her bag.

"And there's nowhere for you to run this time," Marina responded. Athena snickered, causing her to frown.

"There's no need. I won't lose this time!"

Athena looked down at her white uniform and plucked a ball from her sleek belt. She released a Murkrow, which squawked and spread its feathers. Prince bounded before his Trainer.

"Reflect!" Marina called. Athena responded immediately after her.

"Pursuit!"

A translucent, blue barrier shimmered around Prince. Murkrow smashed through it, but was slowed down considerably as the bird scratched and pecked at Prince's head. He pulled away, unable to escape the persistent assault until he picked up speed. Murkrow was thrown against his Reflect. It staggered and beat its wings to say midair as it slipped through the other side.

"Swift!"

Prince turned, and sparkles twirled around his form. They soared into Murkrow, automatically seeking out his opponent. The bird flailed, but dived for him again. It unleashed a burst of speed the second Prince dashed away, striking him with more force than before. Prince cried out and collapsed for a moment.

Marina bit her lip. Reflect should be blocking most of the damage! Does Murkrow have the Super Luck ability like Clair's Kingdra does?

After another merciless hit, Prince was nearly shoved to the floor. He barked in defiance and attempted a Psybeam, but the most it did was make Murkrow flinch at the bright light.

"No good, Prince!" Marina told him. "Swift only!"

All of his other attacks will either be resisted or immune altogether...Geez, but he really hates being switched out in the middle of a fight, she thought. And he'll get really hurt by Pursuit if I did that...!

She resigned to watch the fight of attrition play out; like Athena had been from the moment she'd ordered her first and only attack. Prince and Murkrow assaulted one another without rest. At every super-effective hit, Prince dug his tiny claws into the tile floor and stood his ground.

At some point, Murkrow dropped to the ground, too tired to fly anymore. They stared at one another, panting.

"Persistent," Athena commented. "Continue with Pursuit!"

"Swift, Prince! Just a little more!"

Murkrow ran at its opponent, but without the aid of flight to increase its speed, it bumped its beak straight into Prince's protective barrier. The moment it took to recover was cut short as it was surrounded by another round of Swift. It screeched and finally conceded, lying on its side in surrender. Athena recalled her Pokémon at once, followed shortly by Marina.

"Good job, Prince!" Marina said. "Get some rest! Now go, Muu-chan!"

"Muu," her Misdreavus cooed as she appeared. She remained calm as she watched an Arbok rise up from the floor. Marina faltered a bit at seeing the cobra.

"Crunch!" ordered Athena.

"Psy-Psybeam!"

Both snapped into action, Arbok lunging forward and Muu-chan zipping around it. It turned on a dime and caught her in its jaws. She yelped. Wiggling out of its grasp, she fired a Psybeam at point-blank range. Arbok shook its head violently. It sputtered and hissed, attempting to bite her. However, the tension in its slithering body loosened. The cobra curled up over itself and stopped moving.

Athena was silent for a moment, processing what had happened: a single hit had knocked out her Arbok. Her condescending attitude faded a bit. When her Pokémon didn't move, a frown pulled on one side of her face while she removed it from the hallway. She sent out her last Pokémon.

"Vileplume!"

The creature was a short Pokémon, but a massive flower bloomed magnificently out of its head. The gigantic petals bounced as it rocked on its feet. Muu-chan uttered a small sigh and prepared some distance between them.

"Sleep Powder!"

"Dodge it!" Marina exclaimed, running her hand into her messenger bag's front pocket. With her focus still on the battle, her fingers felt for her Pokédex and pulled it out. She let it recite and record data, but paid little attention to its words.

I'm sure Vileplume's a Grass- and Psychic-type like Gloom, she recalled. And its attacks come out of the middle of the flower.

As expected, spores burst out of Vileplume and into the air above. Muu-chan watched around and above her to avoid accidentally flying into them. She was cornered into one small area of the hallway.

"Mega Drain!" Athena ordered.

"Psybeam!" Marina responded.

Muu-chan hummed in compliance and conjured psychic power around her necklace. She fired it toward Vileplume, who'd flipped a couple of petals upward to locate its opponent. Even when it shuddered and ducked a little as the attack ravaged it, the Pokémon continued staring. It opened its stubby arms, and Muu-chan gasped. She froze in midair, unable to turn away. Glistening, bubble-like energy was pulled out of her body, flying toward Vileplume. It welcomed the ghostly lights and smiled in delight.

"Psybeam, Muu-chan!"

"Mega Drain!" Athena commanded.

Muu-chan shook off her haziness and unleashed her Psybeam far sooner than her slower enemy. Vileplume failed to counterattack, cowering behind its flower. It whined quietly and sunk onto the ground.

Athena gasped. She stood gawking at Vileplume's twitching petals. With a high-pitched sigh, she rushed to recall it and backed away. She looked at the girl with a mix of panic and shock.

"This can't be happening! It should've been easy…Why are you so strong?!"

"Turn off the radio broadcast," Marina demanded. She walked forward with Muu-chan hovering by her shoulder.

The woman's red-colored lips stayed shut; her stare suddenly pensive. As if struggling with her wounded pride, she turned her head toward a blank wall before looking the other way at her lackey.

"If only they'd given us that signal they talked about," she murmured.

"What?" the girl asked.

"You... Marina, isn't it?"

She nodded.

"Someone like you would never appreciate the brilliance of Team Rocket. It's too bad. I really admire your power." Athena's voice then turned into a slow, sinister laugh. "But the transmitter's up on the top floor."

Her hair flicked behind her as she fled down the hallway. Marina was stunned by an odd case of déjà vu before she took off in pursuit.

"Wait!"

Athena disappeared into an elevator. By the time Marina reached it, the elevator had already begun its ascent. She hurriedly pressed the button on the control panel anyway. Stepping back, she gripped her bag.

...Well, first I should at least turn off the radio broadcast—.

A loud bang made her jump, and she whirled around. The entrance to the studio had been closed off. She ran back to it and twisted the doorknob. It stuck. She pounded on the door and then the window beside it.

"Hey!" she shouted. "Let me in!"

The Rocket grunt appeared in her view. He looked at her and stuck his tongue out, returning to his seat and turning the microphone back on. Even as she scowled, he continued on as usual.

"Ohhh, geez!" she exclaimed. "She bluffed, didn't she?!"

"Muu..."

"I fell for it again! I'm so stupid. Should I break the glass? They're not doing anything yet, but—."

"Muu!"

Marina turned toward Muu-chan, whose large eyes carried a calm but serious look. The Pokémon nudged her a bit, and her frantic Trainer quieted down. While she collected herself, Muu-chan floated away toward the elevator. Marina followed. Pinned on the wall nearby was a sign that read, "Observation Deck."

"...I don't know," she said to herself. "I guess you could mess with the antenna from the top..."

"Muu."

"Let's go after her."

Her Misdreavus nodded with a small smile. "Muu, muu!"

Together, they waited for the elevator to come back down. When a ding sounded, Marina watched it suspiciously until she saw no one was inside. They walked in, and the doors closed.

The ride felt as though it lasted half an hour. Marina took a deep breath, feeling her adrenaline begin to fade. She salvaged whatever there was left, staring forward with conviction.

"They might really jump us when we're cornered in here," she told Muu-chan. "So be ready, okay?"

Hopefully they won't try something like those guys who wanted to capture Raikou...

Muu-chan hovered between Marina and the exit. Smiling, Marina gently ran her hand through the Pokémon's pink-tipped tassels.

The pressure from the elevator lessened.

"You've arrived at the Observation Deck," a recorded voice said over the intercom. Marina and Muu-chan tensed as they waited for the doors to open again.

But when they did, their paranoia was again met with nothing. Instead, vast windows on the opposite wall revealed Goldenrod City's skyline. Sunlight shined onto the intricate gray tiles at their feet. They hesitantly walked out of the elevator. Marina's footsteps echoed even though she tried to be quiet. Unlike her entire trek through the Rocket-occupied Radio Tower, it was peaceful.

To be sure, Marina walked the entire circumference of the observation deck. While the bird's eye view of the city, the bay, and Route 35 were stunning, the most she saw inside were two sets of binoculars and some chairs. She didn't even see a ladder.

Where'd she go? She wondered.

Searching the ceiling, she finally spotted a maintenance hatch.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "She must've gone through there."

"Muu," Muu-chan hummed.

"Maybe she escaped?"

Marina turned toward one of the many windows that lined the outer walls. I don't think this is it... The most important thing is that the broadcast is stopped. We should go back downstairs and force our way inside.

There's so many radio studios, though. Maybe I should try to close all of them off, then guard the one downstairs until the police arrive...or the Elite Four? I'm not sure who's coming. Maybe it'd be easier to just chase Team Rocket out of the building with Phany.

She giggled at the thought.

A gust of wind shoved her. Shadowy orbs flew by from behind followed by a deafening shriek. She whirled around. Her Misdreavus tumbled onto the floor.

"Muu-chan?!"

Just as Marina grasped for her Poké Ball and looked around for the cause, a dark blur leaped at her. Hot, sharp teeth sunk into her right arm. She screamed and stumbled. Fire flickered close to her cheek until the pain in her arm blinded her. She grabbed at anything, eventually finding the creature's horns. She tugged desperately to pry it off. It burned so much. Her grip weakened.

"Stop!" she cried.

When it finally let go, she fell back against the window. Her blurry vision spun, making her feel sick. She found herself collapsed on the floor. Heat twisted her arm as if it were still on fire, forcing her to gasp and whimper. She grabbed at the afflicted area below her shoulder in the hope that anything would help.

"Oh? It really is a child."

"Looks can be deceiving, Apollo."

Trembling, she pulled open her teary eyes to see her attackers.

A Houndoom stood inches from her face, its fangs bared. Behind it was a man and a woman dressed in white. The woman had beautiful crimson hair—Athena—while the man was someone Marina didn't recognize.

Apollo rested his chin in his hand, looking down at her with intrigue.

"To make it this far," he mused, "you must be quite the Trainer."

A/N: The chapter's titled "The Executives", but poor Lambda gets the boot because Marina circumvented his entire fight. lol

Have fun with the cliffhanger. See you Saturday!

Marina's Current Pokémon:
King the Typhlosion (Male)
Phany the Donphan (Male)
Muu-chan the Misdreavus (Female)
Prince the Espeon (Male)
Kenya the Fearow (Male)
Lyra the Lapras (Female)

Available via PC:
Amber the Plusle (Female)
Etc.