Hello everyone, here is the new chapter as promised! A little late but... I finished it after a bit of work! I think at this point I'm just gonna stop making promises of when I'll post new chapters and instead drop them when they're ready. Still within a reasonable time, but I won't be stressing so bad about deadlines. Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

"Is there anything that I can get you or your Pikachu, sir?"

"No, thank you-" Ash winced as he felt a small shock to his side. "Actually... would you mind bringing me some ketchup?"

The hostess frowned. "Just ketchup? No food?"

Not unless he wanted to wrestle with his partner over it. "Just the ketchup. A bottle if you have it."

"I'll... see what I can do."

He waited until the hostess had closed the door to their room before turning and glaring at his smug little friend. "One of these days I'm going to find out why you're obsessed with that stuff. It's not good for you."

"You know, you could always say no when he asks for it." Anabel suggested. A tiny smile had worked its way across her face.

He let out a tired sigh. "No, I can't. He gets pouty when I do that. Broods, whines, refuses to look at me..."

Anabel laughed. "He probably does that because he knows that you'll give in."

He knew that. He knew that, but he still couldn't stop himself from giving in. How could he when his little buddy could so convincingly play the part of a heartbroken friend who only wanted a small snack? Then the cycle would continue.

"We'll be arriving in Alto Mare soon, Ash." Looker interjected. "You studied the alias we gave you?"

Ash flinched. "I have... I'm not too sure I like what it is though."

Anabel cocked her head to the side. "What's wrong with it?"

"Well for one, you made me look like a clown." He tugged on the horrifically neon-colored clothes they had stuffed him in. Aside from the fact it made him hard to look at, they were a size too small for his liking and chaffed in all the wrong places. Then there was that appallingly large top hat they had forced him to wear. Compared to the simple but effective trench coats Looker and Anabel were wearing, he felt like a cartoon character. "Then there's my hair... why did I have to dye it green?"

To Looker's credit, he did his best to hide his amusement behind a sip of his drink. "It's just to get through security once we dock in Alto Mare. I promise that once we're there, you can change into other clothes. The dye... well, that's up to you. Everyone is looking for a raven haired Pokemon trainer, after all. Someone as brightly colored as you won't be looked at twice."

"It's anonymity through attention. The more people that look at you and see someone who seemingly wants to stand out, the less they'll pay attention to you and potentially connect you to your real identity." Anabel explained. "Just think of this as practice. You'll need to use a variety of different identities for this job, so getting used to being different people is necessary."

"I guess that makes sense... do I really have to call myself this though?"

"What's wrong with your name?"

"It just feels wrong." He frowned. "Red Westen seems like an obvious fake name. They'll suspect something the moment they hear it."

The flat look that Anabel sent his way was enough to make Ash regret opening his mouth. "Your actual name is Ash Ketchum… and you spent the last seven years of your life catching Pokemon." Anabel scoffed. "Don't worry so much, Ash. There are plenty of people in the world with strange names. One more won't raise an eyebrow."

Well alright then... minor blow to any remaining pride he had aside, he'd take her word for it. She knew better after all.

"So, what's the plan once we do arrive?" He asked. Anything to divert the conversation away from him making an even bigger fool of himself. Ash knew that realistically he wouldn't be doing much. Looker had told him that the only reason he had been brought along was for safety and in-the-field training. A part of him did hope that he would get the opportunity to have put what he had learned to use though. Maybe see if he and Pikachu could fight in a real, chaotic battle without making the same mistakes they had during training. Or maybe sneak into a heavily guarded base under the guise of night. Even if Anabel and Looker said the movies were nothing like reality, a part of him was secretly hoping they were downplaying the reality.

They had to base the stories one some nugget of truth, after all.

"We'll head to our hotel and settle in for the long haul. Yes, that means you can change clothes once we arrive." Looker rolled his eyes at his small, quiet cheer to himself. "Afterwards, we'll be going to the police station. We've called ahead to the chief of police in this city, and they've given us the go-ahead to interrogate their prisoners."

Anabel frown. "I still can't believe that the police of this vacation hotspot were capable of arresting Team Rocket. You'd think that police in a place like this would be... well fat and lazy. The kind who took the job for show more than anything else."

Looker chuckled. "You know what they say about assumptions: they make an ass out of you and me." Both Anabel and Ash couldn't help but groan at the terrible joke. That just seemed to amuse Looker even more if the cheeky grin on his face was anything to go off of. "It's possible they got lucky or there are a few skilled members among them. Let's withhold judgement until we meet them."

Ash couldn't help but worry though. "Are you going to have me take part in the interrogation?"

"Hah!" Looker let out a bark of laughter and shook his head... right up until he realized that was a serious question. He sobered up quickly after that. "No, Ash. You haven't had any training or experience with interrogations before. You'll be observing, nothing more."

Ash let out a sigh of relief. As much as he wanted to test out his training, he was well aware that he still had a lot to learn. Especially when it came to the finer points of the job that he... wasn't exactly capable of. If interrogations were anything like he had overheard from the agents back at the base, then they needed someone with confidence and a sharp mind leading them. Someone that knew who their prisoner was as a person and how to use the evidence they had to get what they wanted out of their captives. That wasn't him.

Not yet anyway.

Maybe he'd be able to ask some of the officers at the station for some pointers after the interrogation, like the detectives that arrested the Rocket Grunts. Veterans like them would know what they were doing.

"Please tell me this is a joke."

Anabel liked to believe that she didn't judge things based on first appearances. She liked to believe that she could keep an open mind about things. An agent of the International Police had to be able to look beyond the surface level and see what was underneath. Whether it held pleasant surprises or complicated truths, keeping an open mind helped prevent them from making rash judgements or decisions. Even as a rookie, she'd believed that her training had prepared her to do just that.

Arriving at the police headquarters in Alto Mare, she'd expected to see people hunched over their desks hard at work filing reports, sorting through victims and perpetrators, or preparing to head out on patrol with their Pokemon partners. Anything that would have lived up to the expectations the reports of their success against Team Rocket suggested. To instead find a relatively small group of officers either asleep at their desks and flirting with people she was half convinced should have been in cells instead of leisurely sitting at desks sipping martinis crushed any hope or respect she may have been fostered in her heart.

This was a sick joke. It had to be! For the love of all that was good in the world, she could see the doors to one of the cells wide open and an officer passed out drunk inside! There was no way that a police force like this handled Team Rocket's recent defeats. She refused to believe it.

Looker let out a sigh. "No. No, it is not."

Ash frowned and tugged at his green hair, lifting his brown cap off of his head to do so. Unlike during their travels here, Ash had changed into a simple brown trench coat and a pair of black pants back at the hotel. Much to her own amusement, he was forced to keep his hair green. No matter how hard he tried, the color wouldn't wash out. It was almost sad how quickly his hope had turned to despair knowing he would be forced to keep his hair so disgustingly green.

He thought it was bad luck. In reality, it was a bit of an initiation for the International Police. Every time a new agent was sent on their first mission, they were given a horrifically embarrassing cover and appearance to test them. She could still remember how her first mission. Everyone thought being a spy at a Kalosian party for the rich and famous would be exciting.

Maybe it would have been if she hadn't been forced to go as a mime to entertain the rich folk. Gathering intel wasn't easy when she was trapped in an invisible box or impaled on invisible swords to make children smile.

If she ever discovered who humiliated her like that, she would drench them in ice water.

"Should we leave and come back later?"

"And risk things getting even worse?" Anabel scoffed. "Let's just get our business done and leave. The sooner we interrogate those Grunts, the sooner we can leave these people to... whatever it is they do."

"'Afraid it won't be that simple, love."

Anabel spun to find who said that. The source turned out to be an older, purple haired man with a goatee sprawled out with his feet propped up on a desk with a glass of alcohol in one hand and a woman hanging off his other arm. He was dressed in an appalling floral T-shirt and had a cocky smirk. She could feel the arrogance rolling off of the man in waves of such intensity that she couldn't help but scowl. Who was this man?

She was about to ask when Looker interjected with a growl. "Petrovic. What are you doing here?"

Ash looked between the two with a confused expression on his face. "You two know each other?"

Looker's eyes narrowed. It was the only outward sign of how he truly felt. Beneath the surface though? Anabel could feel a hurricane of emotions all clashing with one another. Rage. Shame. Shock. Even a small bit of horror. It all mixed together into horrible array of emotions that set her on edge. She took a step away from the two of them and pulled Ash backwards with her. It wasn't subtle, but if things got as ugly as how Looker's feelings were then she didn't want either of them to get involved.

"I do. As much as I'd rather I didn't." Looker said. "Anabel, Red, this is Petrovic. Fellow agent of the International Police."

"This is an agent of the International Police? Are you sure he's not some drunk who wandered in off the street? It wouldn't surprise me." She knew that it was unprofessional to give that sort of lip to a senior agent but... could anyone blame her?

Petrovic didn't seem to. "Ho ho! This lass here's got some fire in her. Beauty and bite in one package. I love it." He grinned and gestured for the woman hanging off of him to go away. She did so without a word. "Petrovic Tethras, at yer service. Ace operative, seasoned investigator, and an exceptional lover." He waggled his eyebrows at her.

She audibly gagged. Mercifully, Ash decided now was the time to take the initiative and moved towards Petrovic for a handshake. It just so happened that by doing so he also positioned himself between the two of them.

"It's nice to meet you, Petrovic."

Petrovic eyed Ash for a moment and let out a curious hum. It wasn't long before he grinned and shook Ash's hand with enough force that his entire body shook. "Nice to meet ya, boy! That's a cute Pikachu on yer shoulder. Looky here said your name was Red, right? Seems strange to be named after a color, don't ya think?"

Ash flinched back. "I didn't get to pick my name."

Petrovic's grin grew wider. "We never do."

"Enough pestering my partners, Petrovic! Tell us why you're here. This was our mission."

"Really? I wasn't told that, ya old dog." Petrovic gulped his alcohol down and slammed it onto the table. "I was sent here weeks ago to oversee how things are going. What? Ya telling me the boss' didn't tell ya?"

"No, they didn't. If they had I would have demanded a different mission." Looker looked like he wanted to say more but managed to stop himself. Instead, he let out a quiet sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It looks like we'll be working together on this one, Petrovic. Bloody wonderful."

Petrovic let out a bark of laughter and threw his arm around Looker's shoulder. It didn't take a Psychic to know how much Looker hated that. Or that Petrovic knew exactly how it made her boss feel.

"Just like old times, Looky. This is gonna be so much fun."

Looker shrugged off Petrovic's arm and gestured towards the cells with a look of barely contained annoyance. "I assume you already interrogated the Rocket grunts?"

"Hooo boy I did. Let me tell ya, that was not fun." Petrovic shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "Didn't get a lick o' useful info out of them. I swear it's as though someone put the fear of the gods in 'em. Bastards are more scared of their boss than they are of prison."

"Well, me and Anabel will take a crack at it. Interrogations never were your strong suit. Not when witnesses are around, anyway." Looker whispered that last part so quietly that she almost didn't hear it. A part of her wanted to demand answers to that. This wasn't the time or place though.

For the first time since she'd met the man, Petrovic stopped smiling. "Mind if I stand in on yer interrogation? I promise to keep quiet."

"I do mind, actually." Looker snapped. "You are to stay outside. You can observe with Red, but that's it. Understand?"

Petrovic's eyes narrowed for such a brief moment she almost missed it before he held up his hands and smiled. "Not a problem. I'll watch the master at work. Maybe teach yer boy here a thing or two while I'm at it."

It didn't take long for one of the captured Team Rocket Grunts to be escorted from their cell to the interrogation room that Looker and Anabel were currently stood outside of. It was a tiny, glaringly white room that strained the eyes. Its odd dimensions were purposefully designed to make those inside feel claustrophobic - as though the walls were closing in on them. The small camera on the ceiling, one way glass mirror for the outside world to look in, and a broken AC unit all blended together to make the perfect atmosphere for an interrogation.

According to the arresting officers, the Rocket that they had brought for the interrogation was one involved in a recent sting. Apparently the young man had been involved in smuggling rare Pokemon into Johto. Whether it was for their own agents to use as weapons, to sell to the highest bidders, or to butcher and use for more material purposes didn't matter. What mattered was that such crimes usually guaranteed upwards of a decade in prison. Most likely more in the case of this Rocket if it could be proved he had actively harmed another Human during the acquisition or transport.

"Um... is there a reason you two aren't in there yet?" Looker glanced towards Ash. "He's been in there half an hour and all we've done is watch him."

Looker didn't mind explaining to someone as new to this as Ash. He needed to learn somehow. "Silence and isolation have a way of getting to people, Red. It can make them easier to get information out of. Gives them time to think of ways that they've messed up or how bleak their future could be."

"That's all well and good, Looky, but ya ain't gonna learn anything out here." Petrovic chimed in. "The lovely lass and ya need to get in there."

Looker scowled but didn't say anything. Just being around Petrovic set him on edge. Who knew what the man had done since he'd been here or how he would ruin things going forward? Wherever he went, chaos followed. He wished that he could send the man away before any damage could be done. If this really was originally his mission, though, and command wanted the both of them here then there wasn't much Looker could do. Clearly they believed that all of them working together was the only way to make a real impact.

He just hoped the impact they left was a good one.

"Come on, Anabel." He gestured for her to follow him. "I'll be leading the interrogation, but feel free to jump in if you feel you can help."

"Got it, sir."

The two entered the room and he slowly shut it behind him. The Rocket Grunt was shaking in his seat so bad that the chair was scraping against the floor. He and Anabel paid it no mind, though, and sat down across from him. The Grunt went to speak but paused when Looker held up a hand to stop him. He leaned forward and cupped his hands in front of him, eyes narrowed just enough to give off a convincing glare.

"You know who we are?"

The Grunt audibly gulped. "N-no. Just more police."

"Close. International Police, actually. You may have met one of us before. Purple hair, terrible accent, reeks of alcohol..."

The Grunts eyes widened, and he stilled in his seat. "You know that p-psycho!?"

Looker snorted. "Much to my chagrin, yes. He's right outside actually. He was very eager to come in here for another round with you. I stopped him, though." He quickly added when he saw the boy recoil in fear. "If you answer my questions, I'll see to it you never have to be in the same room as him again."

The Grunts eyes flickered to the one-way mirror. "W-what do you want to know?"

So far so good. Whatever Petrovic did to the Grunt had terrified them, but any reservations he may have had about that would need to be ignored for the moment. He'd take advantage of that fear to get the answers he needed. Hopefully that would be enough. He refused to actually follow through on any threat he made. Not when he knew exactly what his fellow agent was capable of.

"Any safe houses, agents, or operations Team Rocket is conducting in the city would be nice." Anabel drummed her fingers on the table and cocked an eyebrow at the grunt. "Or if you'd prefer, anything about your boss, Proton, would work as well."

The Grunt reared back in shock. "Are you insane? Why would I tell you any of that?"

Anabel scoffed. "Because if you don't, we let our friend come in here for a little chat and the cameras have a mysterious glitch that wipes away minutes of footage." Looker was surprised that Anabel had caught on to his method so quickly, but it was a pleasant surprise to be sure. "You don't want that."

"I also don't want to die." The grunt growled. "Do you have any idea what they'll do to me if I talk? What he will do to me?"

"Proton won't be able to lay a hand on you if you cooperate. I promise." The grunt didn't seem too convinced, but Looker was determined. "If you tell us what we want to know and the information is good, I'll make sure no one finds out you told us. Maybe even take a few years off your sentence."

"I said I'm not telling you anything. Not about Proton!"

Time to switch directions. "Then tell us about something else." Looker asked. "Something for us to go on. Another base you have or maybe an agent you personally don't like. Anything that could be useful to us. Do that and I will guarantee your safety."

The grunt looked interested, even if he tried to hide it. "I do this, and you won't let that friend of yours near me? You'll put me somewhere safe?" He frowned. "Police aren't supposed to lie, so you have to tell me the truth."

Not strictly true... but for their purposes? "I will."

The Grunt was quiet for a few more moments before letting out a low, tired sigh. "I'm no one important. Just a cog in the machine. They don't tell people like me any of the important things. I can't tell you who our people are outside of those that were arrested with me. Team Rocket likes to keep individual groups separate so we can't rat on each other when this happens. Only those part of a certain cell or involved in a given operation know the details. "

Looker narrowed his eyes. "But?"

"But... sometimes you hear things through the grapevine. Rumors about what the higher-ups are doing or where people are being transferred. Sometimes you hear about people being put on strange missions." The Grunt continued. "Missions to look for gardens. Visit libraries. Search for people who have lived here for years."

"Why?"

The Grunt shrugged. "No clue. I haven't been ordered to be part of those missions and I don't want to. Failure usually makes Proton angry." He sighed. "If I had to guess? It's something Proton thinks will impress the big boss, whoever that is."

Anabel frowned. "Why would Proton need to impress anyone? He's already a leader in your organization."

"All I know is that the Admins don't exactly like each other. They're constantly pulling crazy schemes to gain power and impress whoever's at the top." The grunt snorted. "Sounds stupid if you ask me. Why risk all that money and power you already got just to impress someone most people don't even meet?"

Why indeed. "Do you know anything more about this?"

"Not a thing. I was only trusted to move the cargo."

"Then we can't help you." Looker sighed. "This information is useless. Maybe one of your friends will know more. I'm sure they'd be happy to receive the same deal..."

The Grunt shot up in his seat. "W-wait! Hold on, I do know more!" He shouted. "There's an auction happening tomorrow night. Proton had us smuggle in a bunch of high-quality forgeries to sneak into the lineup. Rumor is he'll be attending the auction personally to make sure it goes well!"

Really? Well, wasn't that interesting. Not even here a full day and already they had a new lead to follow alongside an opportunity to arrest Proton. It looked like for once luck was on their side. Now all they had to do was follow through on this and they could score their first major win against Team Rocket.

Looker stood to his feet with Anabel follow soon after. "Thank you. If your information pans out, I'll follow through on my end of the deal."

The Grunts eyes shifted to the mirror. "You'll protect me from Team Rocket? You'll keep your friend away from me?"

Such doubt... he'd be insulted if he didn't understand the fear the boy had. "Team Rocket won't be able to lay a finger on you, I promise. As for my... friend," The word tasted bitter in his mouth, "he won't do anything to you so long as I'm around. I promise."

Now to interrogate the rest of the captive grunts. If they could all verify that this story was true? Well then they'd have to move quickly to be ready for the auction tomorrow night.

Proton despised museums. To most people, they were places of history and learning. A place where they could go to admire the relics of ancient times or art crafted by the hands of masters. They were places where one could learn of ancient Pokemon long since extinct, the exploits of some of greatest men and women to have ever walked the land, even the stories behind the mythical beings that ruled this world.

To Proton, it was pure temptation. Everywhere he turned there were priceless artifacts that would fetch him a hefty payday on the black market. With the right buyer, he could increase his fortunes tenfold selling even one of them and the world would be at his fingertips. Information, influence, power... all things that Team Rocket gave him in spades. It helped dull the desire to steal everything this museum held within it. Other than to potentially stroke his own ego or use as decorations, there was no valid reason for him to steal any of them.

The DMA was the sole exception.

Proton scoffed and narrowed his eyes as he stared up at the very artifact in question. The Defense Mechanism of Alto Mare. One of the most mysterious, advanced pieces of ancient technology in the world. An oxymoron if he had ever heard one. Whoever had built the damn thing must have been a genius ahead of their time. Some of the technology held within it was still considered impossible by their standards. If it could be extracted from this city or its schematics were found for the scientists back at headquarters to decipher, then Team Rocket would have powerful new weapons at their disposal.

Sadly, that was all but impossible. The eggheads had told him that removing the DMA would damage it beyond repair and with it any technology that could be recovered. He'd punished them for their snide tone but kept it in mind. It wouldn't do to present Giovanni with defective hardware. As for the schematics, a thorough search of every library or historical site within this damnable city turned up nothing. They hadn't been able to find an exhibit in this museum either. He never was lucky enough to get the easy jobs.

He was quickly running out of options. He refused to report back a failure on all fronts to Giovanni, but as time went on it seemed like that was becoming the only possibility.

"Excuse me, sir, can I help you?"

Proton was broken from his thoughts and turned to see the source of the voice. It was an old, rotund man with a bushy white beard and a set of tattered blue overalls. He looked like a country bumpkin. Someone he'd have swindled for all they were worth when they came to the big city with wide, naive eyes. He wondered what that type of person was doing here of all places.

Proton let out a long, tired sigh. "Unless you know about the history of this city then I'm afraid not."

The man quirked his eyebrow, mouth quirking up at the edges. "Well as the curator of this fine museum for more four decades, I'd say I know more about this city than anyone else alive."

He blinked. "You're the curator?"

He'd expected someone... younger. Better dressed. A lot more snobbish as well.

The man gave him a wink. "Yep! Name's Lorenzo." Lorenzo jabbed a hand towards Proton, which he reluctantly shook. "What's your name?"

"Proton. My parents had a sadistic sense of humor." Or so he assumed. That was the only reason he could think of to name their child after a subatomic particle. "It's nice to meet you."

"So, what is it you'd like to know, Mr. Proton?" Lorenzo's eyes shifted the DMA looming over them. "Does it have anything to do with the DMA, by any chance?"

"It does, actually."

He snorted in amusement. "I figured. So many people only ever come to this museum to see the darn thing. As though it's the only thing worth looking at."

Well... outside the value to collectors, everything else in this museum was pretty dull. Compared to the excitement of Pokemon fossils or the wonder of ancient technology, a few random paintings or old weapons just didn't capture the same imagination.

"I want to know why it's the only one of its kind." Proton began. "I'm a history buff, you see. I love to see how Humans have advanced and developed new technologies to combat their environments. But when I look at the DMA, it's a complete anomaly. No other civilization had anything like it before or after."

Lorenzo hummed in thought. "I'm afraid I can't answer that. The designers of the DMA were very secretive about it. Understandable given the power it holds. As far as I'm aware, no blueprints or journals detailing its construction exist."

So those ancient builders took their secrets to the grave. Rat bastards. He hoped they were rotting for this!

Proton did his best to suppress a growl. "So, nothing exists then? A shame. I would have paid a fortune just for the chance to look at them." He frowned and furrowed his brows. Hold a moment. Annie and Oakley had said that the machine was damaged during their fight with the Latias and Latios. Yet somehow it looked as good as new. Something didn't add up...

"This thing must need upkeep, though." Proton gestured to it. "A hurricane is more dangerous than predicted. A Pokemon battle gets out of hand. Maybe some stupid tourist gets clumsy and nearly breaks it. You must do something when that happens."

Lorenzo was quiet for a while. Proton let him be knowing that he was likely juggling what to say next. "A few years ago, there was a crisis. I can't go into detail about what happened, but the DMA was severely damaged. I did what I could to repair it, but I can't say I know much more about it than that."

Still more than anyone else if he knew how to repair it. Proton got the feeling there was more that this man wasn't telling him. A part of him wanted to press the man and force him to tell him what he was hiding. Perhaps he knew the exact inner workings of it and didn't want to say. Or maybe he had schematics for the machine hidden away and didn't want to reveal them. A little time under the capable hands of his people and he was confident that he could make the man spill all of his secrets.

But... that would draw attention to the museum. He couldn't afford to have the authorities or any do-gooders deciding to look into this. They were already dealing with an unusually effective police force that had cost them millions in smuggled goods. If they decided to poke their noses into their other business and screw things up?

Proton couldn't begin to imagine the punishment that would fall on his head.

He'd have to find another way to get what he wanted. Something more... subtle. He'd need reason to stay in contact and get closer to the man first. Something that wouldn't look suspicious.

"Thank you for telling me." He let out an exaggerated sigh. "If it's not too much trouble, do you mind if I call on you later? I have business in the city, and I can reward you handsomely."

"Oh? I'm not sure what I could possibly help you with. I'm just the curator of this museum. Occasionally, I build gondolas as well."

He snorted. "There's an auction happening tomorrow night and I'll be attending. There's going to be an abundance of art and artifacts for sale. If I make a purchase, I'd love for you to be an outside authenticator. Make sure I'm not being conned. You never know who could be paying off those auction workers."

He cracked a smug grin. Lorenzo either didn't notice or didn't care. Instead, he hummed in thought and gazed up at the DMA with a question in his eyes.

"I know the auction you're talking about, and I suppose I can be an authenticator if the price is right. I actually know one of the artists involved." Lorenzo grinned when he saw Proton's questioning look. "My granddaughter, Bianca. She's a wonderful artist. Sold a few paintings in the past, but this auction is the first real sign of interest in her work. I couldn't be prouder."

A granddaughter? Interesting... "I'll have to keep an eye out for her work then. If she's got the capability of becoming the next great artist of our time, then I'd be a fool to miss out." He chuckled. "I can't wait to meet her."

"Promise me."

"But-"

Bianca narrowed eyes in frustration. "Promise me. Promise me that you won't do anything dangerous tonight, Latias."

Latias let out a sigh and floated down to rest on her friend's bed. A quick glance out the window of the room showed that it was late. The sun would soon disappear to make way for the moon. Most people and Pokemon would use that time to relax at home before another day of work or spend time with their loved one's before they needed to sleep again. She missed when she could just relax and have fun. Once upon a time, she could spend her nights with Bianca watching old sitcoms on TV or arguing about whether horror movies were better than romance movies - even though the answer was obviously horror. Before the... incident a few years ago, she would even find the time to convince her brother to have fun instead of brooding and training all of the time.

Unfortunately, she didn't have the time to relax as much anymore. As the sole guardian of Alto Mare, it was her responsibility to defend it in times of crisis whether they were natural or caused by Human hands. When she wasn't training her powers, she was patrolling the city for signs that someone needed her help. Ever since Team Rocket had arrived in bulk and paraded around as though they owned the place, there was no shortage of people or Pokemon in need. She didn't doubt that if she were to fly out the window at that moment and head into the city, she could find those foul creatures hurting someone within mere minutes.

It didn't look like she would be able to do that tonight though.

"I don't understand why you need me to stay in tonight." Latias pouted at the thought. "People need my help."

"I know that your job is to protect the city, Latias." Bianca sat down beside her on the bed and brushed her hand gently across Latias' head. She unconsciously leaned into the calming touch of her lifelong companion. "It's not that I want you to stop protecting people or don't want to help you. It's just... tomorrow night is important to me and I want you there with me."

Latias' eyes flickered to Bianca. "I'll have to be invisible. I doubt we can have me pass as your twin tonight."

"You'll still be there though. That's all that matters." Bianca sighed. "This auction is my chance to prove myself to the art world. With grandpa busy with the museum, I'd like to have someone I care about with me."

Well, if she was going to go for the heart... "Alright, alright. I'll be there. So long as you promise to get dessert afterwards."

Bianca grinned. "Cheesecake?"

"Chocolate and Oran berry, if you please." Latias giggled. "If this is really your big break, then you deserve the best. Plus, I should get rewarded too for all the work I've had to do recently."

"Deal! And I promise that after tonight we can go back to fighting Team Rocket." Bianca cracked a grin and pulled her into a tight, warm hug. One that she was eager to return as best she could. "Who knows? Maybe with the money I'll get from the auction tonight, I can get us some help. There's bound to be people with experience who can help us."

"Mercenaries." Latias rolled her eyes. As much as she'd appreciate having more help, hired help wasn't what she wanted. Not when they could just as easily be paid off or leave once the money dried up. There would be no reason for them to stay since they didn't have a personal stake in this fight. "We might as well just toss it into the sea."

Bianca let out a sigh. "Beggars can't be choosers, Latias. The police aren't doing anything to stop them, and neither is the League, so hired help is all we have left. Unless you can think of anyone else? Maybe you have a few more sane Legendaries willing to step in that I don't know?"

Latias scowled and looked away. As much as she hated to admit it, Bianca was right. It seemed like no one else was willing or capable of doing anything to Team Rocket. The police in this city were a joke. They had been years ago when those first Team Rocket agents had infiltrated the city and nearly destroyed it with their greed, and they were even worse now. Bianca said that they were mostly old-timers who should have retired years ago or new recruits only interested in the authority a uniform gave them. None of whom were the type of people to go out of their way against a hardened group of criminals. Latias had been half convinced the night of her first raid against them that the police wouldn't show up at all.

The fact they did had been a pleasant surprise. As much as she appreciated them doing the bare minimum and responding to anonymous tips about illegal smuggling, she knew they couldn't be relied on for much else. After all, Human's considered Alto Mare the scenic paradise where nothing serious ever went wrong. A place for them to forget the worries of their lives and get lost in a world of art, history, and culture. Not a place to worry about criminals operating with impunity right under the noses of the authorities. Never mind that the city was almost destroyed a few years ago. That was just a fluke. Nothing to truly concern themselves with.

Arrogant. Or just plain ignorant. Either way, it was a complete lie.

"Fine... so long as you let me take a peek into their minds before you hire them."

"Latias!"

"If I'm going to trust them to help this city, then I need to know they won't betray it at the first opportunity."

Even if she didn't plan to reveal herself to them, some level of trust was needed. Looking into the unwilling or unsuspecting minds of others was an uncomfortable prospect. It was like wading into an ocean of slime all while tenacles slithered and coiled around every inch of her body, pulling her in every direction. Worse was that the longer she looked and the deeper she dived, the more... wrong she felt. Like she was intruding somewhere she wasn't supposed to be and every fiber of her being was telling her to retreat.

Supposedly the more she did it, the more those feelings would diminish. She wasn't willing to do it unless absolutely necessary though. Not even to practice. The protection of her city was worth the discomfort though.

Bianca narrowed her eyes into a glare, but Latias didn't budge. Eventually she shook her head and looked away. "Fine. Just be careful, Latias." She stood and made her way to her closet, pulling out a trio of vibrantly colored and form-fitting dresses. "Now help me choose. Which one do you think would look best for a formal event? The blue one brings out my eyes, but the green and white one's seem to suit my hair and face better-"

While Bianca rattled off the various pros and cons of her dresses, Latias let her mind drift. She would be there for her friend's big night... but she'd do a quick patrol of the city beforehand. Just so she could be sure there was nothing pressing that demanded her attention. It wasn't like anyone would notice her absence when she was invisible, after all.

She'd be there in time to see her friend's big moment. After all, it wasn't like anything else was going to demand her attention there.

Interrogating the other grunts imprisoned at the police station had been easier and faster than Ash had expected. Looker and Anabel had proven to be a good team at that sort of thing. Looker had the experience to know what to ask while Anabel had her powers to help ferret out correct lines of questioning. Compared to them, he still had a lot to learn. Even Anabel - a rookie in the organization herself - was leagues ahead of him. He'd have to do his best to make up for that difference in skill and experience with pure grit.

If this was to be his new life for the foreseeable future, he'd be the best agent that he could be. Even if he technically wasn't an agent since he was a criminal...

All of the grunts that had been arrested told them the same story: They didn't know much about the other cells in the city and an auction being held to con the rich out of millions. There had also been more talk about the rumors the first one had mentioned. Rumors about searches for gardens, libraries about the history of the city, and long-time residents of the city. To everyone else they were meaningless. To him?

It set him on edge. He'd had his suspicions when he first arrived, but now it was all but confirmed they were looking for Latias and the Soul Dew. He wanted to tell Looker what their goal was. If anyone could stop them, it would be him. But... he had made a promise to keep Latias and the Soul Dew's involvement a secret. With Looker and Anabel planning to capture Proton tonight, there was no reason to tell them yet. Not when it could soon become a moot point.

It was late. A full day had passed since the interrogations. Currently they were sat inside of a vacant house not far away from the mansion being used to host the auction. The mansion in question was in one of the richer parts of the city and looked like something out of a fantasy movie. Stone pillars of white marble, gargoyles perched atop the roof and gazes with intimidating glares on their stone faces, there were even private canals that lead into the back of the house. He could even see impeccably dressed staff all greeting the guests as they arrived to show them in. Whoever was hosting this must have been from a very old, very rich family. The guests themselves were all wearing the type of eccentric, eye catching clothes that only those with more money than he had ever seen could.

"Well don't the two of ya look mighty fine."

Now Ash may not have been a genius at understanding people, but he didn't have to be for him to see that Petrovic's compliments were neither genuine nor appreciated by Looker and Anabel. While their clothes weren't of the same quality as the other guests, they were still good. Looker was wearing a black suit and a fedora... and oddly enough a monocle. Anabel on the other hand had chosen to wear just a simple purple dress with no accessories or anything else potentially eye catching. It suited her well. Hopefully they wouldn't stand out too much.

"Zip it, Petrovic." A small snicker escaped past Petrovic's lips, but nothing more. With him thoroughly silenced, Looker turned his attention to Ash. He did his best not to flinch under his gaze. "Will you be alright while we head inside?"

He nodded. "I will. I'm just supposed to sit here and watch, right? I'm not taking part in the arrest?"

"Right. Your job is to help with surveillance. You'll be listening in and watching to give advice or let us know if something drastic changes."

"Sounds fun."

Petrovic and the police that had gone with them let out a collective bark of laughter. Even Looker and Anabel exchanged an amused glance between each other.

"You... may want to temper your expectations, Red." Anabel advised.

Petrovic slapped him on the back. Ash stumbled forward, sending Pikachu tumbling from his shoulder to the ground. The two of them grumbled in annoyance, but aside from a few tiny sparks flying from his partners cheek he didn't say anything.

"Listen kid, yer about to learn about the most boring part of the job. Surveillance is without a doubt the most soul-rending thing ya could ever do."

Anabel blinked and tilted her head to the side. "What about paperwork?"

Petrovic frowned. "Ya mean ya actually do that stuff? I just push it into a shredder and pretend I do it."

Looker let out a long, tired sigh. "Why am I not surprised?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Red, if there is only one thing you learn from our mission here in Alto Mare, let it be this: Do not turn out like Petrovic. I will be severely disappointed."

"Yes, yes, ya don't like me. The lad gets it." Petrovic rolled his eyes. "Get going you two. Auction'll start soon and ya need to be in there if ya want this to work."

Looker nodded and hooked his arm with Anabel's. "Right, we'll be off then. Remember: watch and warn us if anything happens."

The two left the house and made their way towards the mansion. He watched their advance towards the auction but wasn't truly paying attention. Something was nagging at the back of his mind. He glanced towards Petrovic but didn't say a word. Instead, he stroked Pikachu's head and kept his eyes glued to the surveillance screen in front of him.

Sadly, Petrovic seemed to notice how his eyes would shift toward him every so often. "Something on yer mind, kid?"

He hesitated for a moment. "You and Looker... did something happen between you two?"

Petrovic snorted in amusement and leaned back in his chair, resting his feet on the table. "You could say that. He and I have a different way of doing things."

"Like?"

"Looky thinks subtlety and restraint are the way to beat our enemies. He believes throwing on a disguise and arresting these criminals so they can stand trial will work." He shrugged. "I believe ya need to go at them hard and fast. Destroy the enemy bit by bit and salt the earth so they won't harm anyone again."

Ash felt Pikachu tense up and sparks dance off of his cheeks. He scratched him behind the ears to calm him down. "Doesn't that make you no better than them? Shouldn't they stand trial for what they've done."

"Maybe in an ideal world. This ain't an ideal world though, Red." Petrovic glared at the screens that showed Looker and Anabel entering the grounds of the auction. "Our enemies kill and maim without a second thought. They live in the shadows and have the power to send the world into anarchy... but don't. We won't have a chance at beating them by following the rules."

Ash looked away. On some level, he could understand what Petrovic was saying. How could they beat an enemy like Team Rocket by following the rules? When the International Police had their hands tied and Team Rocket could do whatever it needed to succeed? After all, they couldn't stop Team Rocket when they were smaller and weaker by following the rules. How could they possibly hope to do so now that they were a giant lurking in the darkness? The answer seemed obvious: stop following the rules and fight on an even playing field.

And yet... a part of him was repulsed by the idea. Hurting others disgusted him, even if they were criminals. Stooping to the same level as Team Rocket and not following the system they were supposed to uphold would make them criminals that carried badges. Hypocrites. People to be reviled, not admired. If he did that then he would never deserve to have his name cleared, even if he was truly innocent of his crime.

"I don't expect ya to understand, lad." Petrovic sighed. "Yer one of Looky's people. An idealist if I had to guess. Only thing that'll get through to ya is reality when it kicks ya in the balls."

"I'm just trying to do what's right and stop Team Rocket."

"I'll bet." Petrovic shook his head in dismissal. "My turn to ask a question. How'd someone like ya end up with Looky, Red? Ya ain't even a trained rookie, let alone an experienced agent."

He tensed up and felt Pikachu do the same. How was he supposed to answer this? His alias had a background that he'd been forced to memorize, but would that work on Petrovic? The man was an experienced agent. What were the chances that he'd believe a lie from someone with no real experience? Not high if he had to guess.

"We've got movement! Something's happening at the auction."

Mercifully, one of the officers that had gone with them drew everyone's attention to the monitors. He was thankful for the distraction... right up until he was what was happening.

Team Rocket was there. Not in disguise as clients or members of the auction staff. No, they were brazenly stalking towards the mansion in their uniforms with their Pokemon released by their sides - an array of terrifying Pokemon that all looked ready to maim the first thing that moved in front of them. Most of those taking part in the auction had already gone inside by now, leaving only a skeleton security force outside to protect the place. For a moment, Ash dared to hope Team Rocket would see the security and walk away.

That hope was dashed when they Golbat's flew into the nearly pitch-black sky of the night to avoid detection before swopping down simultaneously and latching onto their unsuspecting victims. He flinched and looked away from the grisly sight. Even with no audio and the grainy footage of a surveillance camera, what little he could see was gruesome. His imagination made up for the rest. He could only imagine of pain of a Poison types fangs injecting its venom into your veins or your jugular being torn open and left to drown in your own blood.

They had to warn Looker and Anabel. Something had gone horribly wrong.

"Looker, Anabel, can you hear me?" He shouted into the mic. No response. Only static. He tried again and was met with the same failure.

His stomach dropped.

"Someone's jamming all transmissions." One of the officers growled.

What? Did they know that they were here watching? Or was it just do make sure those inside the auction couldn't call out? He supposed it didn't matter since regardless of the reason, the danger was the same.

"Looks like reality wanted that kick to be extra painful." Petrovic chuckled. "She always was a cruel mistress."

Ash surged to his feet. "We have to stop them!"

Petrovic cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "With what? These clowns who can't tell the pointy end of a blade from the pommel?" He silenced their protests with a glare. "We gotta wait, kid. Once there's an opening, ya and I will move in to help. Until then, ya sit here, and I'll send some of these mooks to get back-up. We can always use more meat shields, after all..."

Ash almost didn't hear that last bit. He clenched his fists. He understood there wasn't much he could do. They were outnumbered and Team Rocket would soon have hostages. If he ran in now, he'd just put himself and everyone else in danger. He wouldn't just abandon them all though. Not Looker and Anabel who had believed in him when no one else would. Not the innocent people in that auction house.

He had to do something.

He felt a paw poke his cheek and looked to his partner perched on his shoulder. Pikachu's eyes were filled with determination, and he gave a firm nod of his head. He didn't want to leave everyone to Team Rocket's mercy any more than Ash did. He felt a bitter smile cross his face.

"Alright then..."

He waited until Petrovic had turned his back to bark orders at the officers they had brought with them. Once Petrovic did, Ash took off sprinting - bursting out of the house and making his way towards the mansion. He ignored the shouts of Petrovic and the others ordering him back.

It was time to make himself useful and show Team Rocket they couldn't get away with this.

So what did you think? I hope you all enjoyed it! Please let me know if there's any way I can improve or what you liked in general. I'll see you all next time!