"Draw."

I hear booing, a sound of dissatisfaction to enhance with my feeling of uncertainty. I lower my arm and see Staraptor and Giovanni's Rhydon unconscious, fallen together in defeat. Seeing the blood leaking from my feathered friend I feel guilt. I am putting my Pokemon through a lot in my desperation to get Ellie back. I call Staraptor back just as Giovanni withdraws Rhydon.

Giovanni's expression is impossible to decipher in the shadows. I wonder if he will let Troy chase after Ellie in Olivine City since I have not won or will he choose not to act at all.

"Are we done with this?" Koga quips impatiently. "I don't fancy our odds much longer on this ground."

Giovanni steps out of the shadows at last and regards me with displeasure. "That wasn't a win."

"It wasn't a loss."

There is a low rumble overhead. I glance up and see that heavy clouds have gathered while we have been battling. We definitely need to get off this roof.

There is a loud clang of metal and I turn instinctively at the sound. The effort causes pain to sear through my ribcage and I give a grunt of pain.

A panting young male stumbles out onto the cracked rooftop. His chest heaves up and down rapidly and his head sags forward indicating his fatigue. He tries to pull himself upright and casts an ugly stare out across the arena.

I realise that everyone has fallen silent with his arrival. I glance to the Rocket Grunts who are looking to their boss warily. Giovanni's mouth has pressed into a thin line and I think he is trying to subdue his expression.

"Silver, are you hurt?"

It is Koga who goes to the boy. A flash of lightning bathes us in a momentary glow and for a second I take in the boy's wide eyes and the bloody wounds that stain his right arm and part of his face.

He clenches his fists and recoils from Koga, raising up his hands as if he might battle the ninja.

"He said to come here but he didn't say you would be here," the boy snarls out.

"Who said?" Giovanni's voice comes out tense, only just audible over the wind.

The boy continues to pant and Koga starts to bandage up his arm proving that the teen is more bravado than action.

"Uncle Kenji." The boy gives a groan that sounds as much from anger as from pain. "Those bastards are probably hurting him, your people but you don't have control over them, do you? You're weak!"

"Were you at the Radio Tower?" Koga demands.

"Yeah, trying to stop those cowards!"

"Putting yourself in danger," Giovanni scolds. I am surprised by his tone, it is now how one would address a subordinate, it is more personal than that. Of course, the boy said 'Uncle Kenji' then he must be Giovanni's son.

I watch Giovanni walk towards the boy and Koga. He halts a few feet away as another rumble calls across the sky. I try to study the boy to see what family resemblance there is but it is difficult to spy in the night even with the lights. I think it is there in the angry clenching of the jaw and the defiance in his deep eyes, he has his uncle's quick to rise temper and a hint of his father's presence.

"That's more than you're doing!" the boy answers. "I'm going to make Team Rocket history!"

"They'll be on the alert now," Koga murmurs. "Well, they already know I'm a traitor," he adds brightly. I see him show Giovanni a smile and wonder what exactly is going on in this team. "Kenji will need help now, so agree that if Larry and I do it, then you'll have Troy delay on following us to Paldea. It makes sense, Troy will assume we've come for our own reasons, he won't think it's anything to do with you."

Koga gestures to the scowling teen. "Even if Silver has managed to complicate matters. I think also, that you'll want Troy distracted while you get Silver out of here."

The boy folds his arms as another flash of lightning shocks through the sky. "I'm not going anywhere! I'm not a coward!"

Giovanni looks over his shoulder to me. "Children are so problematic, it's a wonder you are so eager to have yours back," he mocks me. "Go and get Kenji then, once I know he's away from Troy I'll order Troy to wait before he heads for Paldea."

"Come on then Larry," Koga calls to me, "let's get your Pokemon healed up and get over to the Radio Tower!"

I walk over to Giovanni first, careful of the unstable ground beneath me. I try to look him in the eye but he's easily half a foot taller so it's difficult. "How do I know you'll honour your word?"

Giovanni smiles down at me. "You don't Larry but you have no choice."

He's right and I hate it. Seeing Koga standing by the doorway and waving me on, I start to move. My ribcage screams in pain and I clutch at it with a gasp. I catch Silver staring at me and see behind the anger of his eyes a tired despair similar to Kenji's.

"I'll give you something for the pain, come on Larry!" Koga urges me on.

I head over to the ninja and he offers me up a dried up piece of food that resembles ginger slightly.

"It's not poisonous," he assures me, though his sardonic tone gives me concern. "It'll numb the pain for you, just take a couple of bites."

Too sore to take the stairs, I head for the lift and accept Koga's medicinal offering. Stepping into the lift, I sag against the wall, exhausted, and let myself slide to the ground even though it has me groaning anew in pain.

I start to chew on the food and wince at the bitter taste. "What just happened?" I demand. "Why does the Team Rocket boss need his brother saved from his own team?"

"The better question Larry is why is Giovanni happy to trust you to do it?" He leans up against the mirrored wall, folds his arms and grins at me. "Troy is a big thorn in Giovanni's side, an extremist who has the support of like minded extremists. You come and show him up in the Radio Tower by helping to snatch Kenji from him and he's going to bear a strong grudge against you. He'll want revenge on you and me almost as much as he wants Ellie. All he'll think about then is Paldea."

I sigh. "So getting Kenji just makes matters worse for Ellie."

"Well, Troy's carried an obsession for her for years, he'd be coming to Paldea either way, it just means he'll have another distraction, you. Rather good for Giovanni, he gets Troy out of the way and his attention focused completely on Paldea, which will give Giovanni a chance to win back the support Troy has in Johto, and show him up as a psycho acting out of personal vendettas rather than for the good of Team Rocket as he claims."

I shake my head as the lift bings and the doors slide open to reveal the busy lobby of the restaurant. "And whose side are you on? You said Giovanni held you captive so that other lunatic could pretend to be you but you seem friendly with him."

Koga steps forward and extends a hand down to me. "It's complicated Larry, I'm a little like Kenji, irregardless of my feelings towards Giovanni I won't see Ellie come to any more harm."

"Lance said you were a double agent."

I give a yelp as Koga pulls me up and my ribcage throbs in protest. I wonder if he was being rough on purpose. The pain is numbing but not quickly enough.

"Yes, certainly I've given plenty of information to my esteemed Elite leader concerning Troy and Petrel's exploits, occasionally Archer's too to keep him on his toes." He gives a mocking smile and releases my hand. "Giovanni and I were good friends but I don't agree with everything Team Rocket are doing and I can't ignore it anymore."

We head out of the lift and Koga leads the way through the restaurant and out to the dark alleyway. A loud rumble calls from above letting us know that the storm has arrived and the rain can only be seconds away.

We hurry through the busy Goldenrod streets as much as my aching ribcage will allow. I can only walk quickly, to run would probably result in a faint.

We reach a Pokemon Centre and sit on a bench inside as we wait for my Pokemon to be healed.

"How come people don't recognise you?" I query quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"You're a member of the Elite Four and a former Gym Leader."
Koga nods smugly. "Yes but I don't photograph well."

I frown but say nothing. I suppose it's not like I am swamped with fans back home, blending in as an everyday business man with my repetitive suits and generic appearance.

"Do you have a plan?"

"I did," Koga muses happily, "but then Silver had to ruin it. From the sounds of it, he tried to take them on at the Radio Tower and Troy obviously tried to grab him but Kenji interfered. We'll just have to go, try and sneak in but expect to battle our way through."

"I don't have the energy for that."
"You'll find it for Ellie because if we don't get Kenji back to her she isn't going to Paldea."

I turn my gaze to the tall, glass windows and think of Troy. He almost strangled me last time and used his Pokemon to hurt Steven. Then there are the others- Petrel and Proton seemed formidable enough and I know nothing of Ariana or Archer.

Once my Pokemon are healed, I gather them up and we go. The air is heavy with the scent of damp but the loud rumbles and flashes of lightning have cleared most of the streets. We are able to travel to the Radio Tower with little hindrance.

The tower stands on its own patch of land, aloof from the city save for one connecting bridge. I see how that has probably helped the Rockets to conquer and keep it as if it is a medieval tower besieged at war. At its top is a circular observatory and I imagine at least one of Executives has taken base there.

Koga moves so fast I almost don't catch the movement. He tosses one of his star altered Poke Balls at the guard on door duty and a Venomoth emerges from it before he has time to react.

"Sleep Powder," Koga gives the order calmly.

The red R marked Rocket Grunt is doused in powder and unconscious before he can give a yell.

Koga darts up to the entrance doors, peers in and waves me forward. I move with a limp, a wince and no stealth at all. Koga bends down and pilfers through the Grunt's pockets before producing a card and swiping it to gain entry.

The ninja heads in quietly and swiftly. Another star bladed ball is thrown and within seconds the room is doused in smoke.

My eyes sting and I start to cough along with several other people. I have no time to think before a gloved hand grabs mine and pulls me on.

Pain shoots through my back and chest as I am slammed up against a wall.

"Stay still," Koga orders as he presses his hand against my torso to keep me pinned to the wall. I see him pluck out another ball and press a button.

My nose is flooded with a foul stench as a large, purple Pokemon that seems made of liquid waste appears.

"Muk, minimise," Koga gives an order.

I blink through the smoke to watch in fascination as the Pokemon shrinks in size.

"Go up through the ventilation system," Koga instructs as he points up, "and find Kenji."

Koga has his scarf drawn up about his mouth, undoubtedly lessening the smoke damage. Lucky him.

He pulls me on to a door leading to a set of stairs and we head up. On the next floor we meet Grunts and hostages alike.

I do not waste anytime in calling Dudunsparce out to battle. I am exhausted and my Pokemon is weary despite being healed. This has been a long night already and the end does not seem readily in view.

I am too busy battling two Grunts and their Pokemon to notice how Koga battles. I know only that he finishes before me because he manages to yell a condescending, "are you still at it Larry? Pick up the pace!"

With Dudunsparce and Komala I finish the first of what will probably be many battles.

Koga pounces upon the Grunts, seizing one by the collar with both hands and giving him a vicious shake. "Where's Kenji?" he demands.

"Kenji? I don't know!"

Koga shakes him again. "You're a bad liar! If you think Troy's scary, keep lying to me and you'll learn different!"

"Fifth floor!" The Grunt cries out in a panic.

Koga throws him to the ground and starts to run.

Our journey upwards is a repetition of pleading radio workers and Grunts trying to beat us back with numbers. Although we are victorious I am panting and my ribcage is aching anew by the time we reach the fourth floor.

I reel back in revulsion as a purple slime spills out in front of me from above.

"Muk!" Koga cries out in delight as he turns round. "Did you find him?"
The Muk seems to give an answer but since it's not in any language I know I can't figure it out. Koga's face turns solemn as he nods.

"Right. I suppose he's better guarded too. Alright, lead on Muk."

I follow and wonder if maybe I'm having some weird Team Rocket based nightmare. I know what I am doing is madness and yet I do it anyway. We are blundering right into trouble and even with Koga using his Weezing to send out Smokescreen attacks and his Venomoth to poison and knock out Grunts with powders I don't feel we have much advantage.

We reach the fifth floor and are confronted by four Grunts. It is a laborious task pushing them back but we manage it. My Pokemon stay conscious thanks only to Koga's offered up Potions and Antidotes.

We head down a narrow corridor, following after the oozing, odorous trail of Muk until we reach a wide office area separated by large, tinted windows and a door. At its entrance a familiar face stands guard.

"Well, well, aren't you the one who got in our way at the Slowpoke Well?"

Proton arches his green eyebrows as he gives me a cruel smile. He stands with his arms folded, trying to look nonchalant but I see something uneasy in his teal stare.

"And you Koga, are you lost?"

"Proton," Koga answers calmly. "Are you really keeping Kenji prisoner then? Isn't he your friend?"

The unease brightens in Proton's eyes and his mouth parts in surprise before he clenches his gloved hands and frowns. "Be careful Koga or I'll show you the full extent of a Team Rocket Executive's wrath since you've come here as a traitor!"

"You're the traitor Proton, if Kenji's behind you as I think he is! You and Troy, what madness is it to try and kidnap the boss' son and hold his brother hostage? And why is he hostage? What do you think Giovanni will do in retaliation? Does your brother know what you're at? I know Archer is here Proton but I know this can only have happened an hour or so ago."
"Yeah, how's that?" Proton demands.

"I saw a familiar looking redhead running out as I came in and Muk was able to spy out Kenji for me." Koga gives a tutting sound of scorn. "Come on Proton, will Archer approve of this? Do you? I can't imagine Kenji is choosing to sit quietly in there, has Troy hurt him? Do you want Archer or Giovanni to see Kenji like that and know you did nothing about it?"
I see the nerves growing in Proton as he shakes his head and glances over his shoulder. "I figured if it were me here Troy would leave him alone at least," he babbles. "Kenji is my friend but he's not tough enough, I keep telling him that. He was fine, Troy didn't hurt him too much over the girl but then that kid shows up here tonight and it all goes to shit. If Kenji were tougher he'd be an Executive too then Troy couldn't beat on him."
"Proton, it doesn't matter what rank he is or how tough he is, he's always going to be the boss' brother and Troy will take advantage of that. Now, are you helping Troy or are you helping Kenji?"

Proton frowns again and raises his clenched hands slightly. "How would I be helping him with you and whoever this guy is?" He gives me a look of suspicion.

"We'll take him off your hands, you can even tell Troy it was us if you want, it doesn't matter just let him go before it gets out that you helped with this. Archer is in the building Proton, do you think he'll be on board with it or do you think he'll come down and demand you let Kenji go?"

Proton reaches up to scratch under his black cap. "I hate the politics crap in this group," he laments. "I hate it all. I keep telling Kenji to stomach the gore better but it's not so easy. Still, what else is there?" He flashes an ugly smile at us. "It feels good sometimes too, it's a release from my own pain I suppose."
"Proton, I don't have time to be your therapist. Just go grab a soda from a vending machine for five minutes or something," Koga orders.

Proton gives a snicker at this. "Five minutes?" he repeats mockingly. "It'll take you a lot longer than that ninja but good luck."
To my surprise and suspicion, Proton walks off, abandoning his post in front of the office.

Koga and I hurry forward and Koga taps an employee's offered up card to open the door. The door gives way and we enter the room to an unpleasant sight.

It takes a moment for me to realise we are looking at Kenji. He's been gagged, blindfolded and tied up to a supporting post, left sitting on a wooden crate in a bruised and bloodied heap. The crate draws my suspicion as it seems such an odd thing to keep in an office.

Koga hurries forward, rushing to push off the restraints and tugging out one of his bladed Poke Balls to slice off the ropes.

"Well you've looked better," Koga greets Kenji happily.

Kenji is rigid as he blinks slowly, his wounded stare coming to fix upon me. "Oh dear, they didn't get Ellie, did they?" he croaks.

I shake my head in answer and feel both touched and annoyed that his first concern should be for her. Something feels very wrong here, despite our many battles in the Radio Tower this seems too easy.

"Can you stand Kenji?" Koga pries.

Kenji's horrible laugh comes out and it is the worst I've heard it, biting and full of pain. "Hyuck-hyuck-hyuck. No, I stand and everything goes kaboom. Troy's got me nesting on a Voltorb."

I look to the box and realise why Proton left without a fight, he is probably thinking rather than having let us free Kenji we'll all blow ourselves to pieces and he'll get the credit.