You can find more of this on by Subscribe/Star (dot adult slash KajaWilder), it's posted past Ch. 110 there. You can find the same on my new (via Discord per their ToS), under /WildErotica. The DISCORD is at h-t_t-p_s-:_/-/_discord-._g-g_/-N9yDASt6Cw (taking out hyphens and underscores, 'cause FFnet). If you prefer direct links, go to my Discord and follow the 'links in general' section to find the ones you want. All of my fics are well ahead of what I post here, often 10-30 chapters ahead.

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Enjoy!

Chap. 81: Ariana Cooper, Team Rocket Executive

Alex kept his eyes peeled as the elevator, which had a white interior and gold trim, slid to a smooth stop. It was just he, Elle, and Robin now. The presence of the red and white balls on his belt was a slight reassurance, but after the repeated warnings, and the demonstration of the Ice Gym Leader's strength, he wasn't sure even all their Pokémon together would be enough to keep them safe if things went south.

Not that they had a choice. Even if, by a series of miracles, they were able to survive and win against this Rocket Executive, Snøgrav, and maybe the Water Gym Leaders, there was no way they'd survive the chaos that followed. Not with an entire city's worth of mobsters coming after them in territory they controlled and knew, and Alex and his friends didn't.

There might as well be guns to their heads. This wasn't going to be a negotiation, or an attempt to make peace. He knew better: This was Rocket dictating terms, no matter how nicely it was being couched. And they had no choice but to accept it graciously.

With a quiet ping, the doors slid open to reveal a small foyer, even more finely appointed, trimmed in gold as well. Behind a long desk to the right, a cute-looking girl of perhaps fifteen or sixteen with red hair and light freckles stopped, mid-sentence, to turn to look at them with a broad smile. "Welcome, Mr. Ward, Miss Berkman, and Miss DeVerl. Ms. Cooper is expecting you, one moment…"

While she pushed a button on the desk that enabled her to have a quick, one-sided conversation over her headpiece- a familiar style, Alex noted, to the Grunts they'd first met in the park- he glanced around the small room. There were couches, a small television playing what looked like local news with the sound off. A hulking bodyguard almost as large as Snøgrav on one side of the far door, and a Pokémon, a large, yellow bipedal thing with a red spherical gem on its black-striped tail and an almost draconid appearance on the other. Two other small doors seemed to lead to a restroom, and behind the desk.

The bodyguard and Pokémon's looks were impassive, calm, their postures neutral as far as Alex could tell, but his father's protection detail had made it clear more than once: When they seemed the most relaxed was when a bodyguard was the most alert. He swallowed.

The girl finished her conversation with a quick, "Of course, ma'am," then turned to their trio with a smile, "My moth- er, Ms. Cooper will see you now. It's just through that door, no need to knock."

Alex nodded, murmured a thanks that had the girl's smile widening, and started walking. On his left, Robin was a half-step back, wary, alert, but not tense as far as he could tell. On the other side, a full step behind, Elle was a bundle of nervous energy, her fingers twitching in the corner of his eyes as her head turned this way and that, keeping an eye out for… well, he had no idea, but guessed a threat.

Not that Alex thought there'd be overt threats here. There didn't need to be, the implied danger was more than obvious enough.

As they passed the Pokémon, Alex shuddered as a strange tingle washed over him. "Am," the Pokémon murmured quietly before he reached for the door.

"Clear," the guard muttered as well, and Alex heard the door unlock. He sent a look to the huge guard, who only shrugged, "Ampharos like Gigglevolt here can detect metals with their Discharges. He just checked you for firearms or other weapons. More accurate than the detectors downstairs. Go on in, and don't make trouble. You won't be leaving the building if you do."

"Wasn't planning on it," he replied quietly, and reached for the door.

The office was large, about twice the size of his father's, and just shy of gaudy in how much gold and silver was visible. Plush couches filled one sitting area, and a trio of equally comfortable chairs sat before an ornate desk with a holo-screen display that showed (reversed of course, from his field of view) statistical data of some sort. A huge window showing the Cerulean skyline and, high above, a field of stars covered the far wall. There was a door near them on either side of the office, which they faced in the long direction. Half of the walls were lined with bookshelves neatly organized, with what looked like everything from fiction to tomes on arcane legal practice. The other half were pictures.

Ariana herself, the cute red-head outside in various ages from childhood to recently. Pokémon of many stripes and types. Some were more lewd, though none overtly sexual, and the girl had nothing more revealing there than her smiling in a bikini at a beach.

Behind the desk, standing with her hands empty and wide, stood a red-head with very feminine curves he suspected were natural, deep red hair a shade darker than the girl who was probably her daughter's, and piercing, hawk-like golden eyes that seemed to shine even in the brightly lit room. Her posture screamed welcome, her soft smile too, but Alex could see nothing except amusement and guarded, masked control in her eyes. "Welcome, Mr. Ward, Miss Berkman, Miss DeVerl," the woman repeated her receptionist's words. "I trust you've enjoyed your evening so far?"

"It's… I've had worse, definitely," Alex admitted, stepping into the room. Behind Elle, the door was pulled closed by the bodyguard, and he heard it lock again, probably automatically. Great. We're trapped in here, now.

"Come, sit, relax. I hope the little altercation earlier didn't ruin your whole evening, Miss Berkman. I can assure you, those three are not going to be bothering you again. Not within Cerulean, at least. And if I get word that their behavior has continued, they will not be bothering anyone again, ever. I will not tolerate that sort of thing at all, not within my own home."

"You live here?" Elle asked, sounding surprised.

Alex frowned over at her, "What altercation?"

Ariana nodded, ignoring his question, "Yes, I do. Sit, sit, please. Refreshments? There's water there, and you can help yourself to the aperitif, if you wish. Or have a stronger drink. I've a fine Kalosian wine right there, in fact, if you prefer."

Robin, half-sitting, immediately switched course with a, "Thanks, I've got some calories to recover."

Alex shook his head, though, and Elle followed his lead. "Okay, we're here… what do you want?"

If the Rocket Executive was offended by his bluntness, she didn't show it. Instead, she laughed, "Straight to the point, eh? I like that. To answer your question, Mr. Ward: Nothing. You have nothing I want. Nor does Miss Berkman. Miss DeVerl is… unique, but only in how powerful her ability is. There are other part-Ditto in the world, after all."

Mid-bite of a cracker with cheese, Robin turned, surprised. "There… are?"

"Not many, but yes," the woman replied, "Perhaps… oh, I'd estimate a few hundred at most. There are legends, you see, from a time when Humanity- our world's humanity, at least- and Pokémon were one and the same. We lived together, in a way that is much closer and more equal than we do now. We were the same, socially. At least, according to the legends. It's hardly my area of expertise, mind you, but I am rather well-read in general. That's part of why our world never stopped mating with Pokémon. It perhaps is more common in Cerulean than other places in Kanto, but there are entire regions where it's just as, or more, common than in our fair city. It's honestly kind of a vexing change for me that some more liberal folk are starting to consider it an unhealthy or vile practice. They just don't seem to understand that it's good for both Pokémon and Human. It helps them bond more strongly, if nothing else."

"And of course, it makes you money," Alex added.

"Untold amounts of it, yes," she laughed, "though at least at the Bounty, most of our service is performed by humans. Not all, only most. Our other establishments are more evenly split in general, and it's not for any favoritism that we don't have as many Pokémon working here, it's just worked out that way as we met demand."

There was something there, something that niggled at Alex's mind, but he couldn't put his finger on what.

"Nonetheless, I don't want anything from you, Mr. Ward. At best, you'd be a decent stud. Your showing with Brigid Stirling recently went live, if you hadn't heard, and you've gained a small bit of notoriety from that. Not everyone can tame that Sandshrew, even partially. As delectable as Miss Berkman is, cute, petite blondes are not exactly rare around here, and she'd just be one of a number working at the Sea-Scale or Bountiful. Even young women with Miss DeVerl's features as they appear now are not that rare, and cosmetic changes are not hard to make with modern technology. Her mutability would probably demand a premium, but I doubt she wants to be a show-Ponyta."

"Nor a prostitute," Robin added. "I want sex to be free. Not that I object to paying for it necessarily, I just don't want to all the time."

"Fair enough," the woman nodded, "And before you ask, Mr. Ward, your suspicions are unfounded. No, we don't spy on people in the brothel rooms. Her companion did report a bit of what happened, however, at my request. I'm sure you understand, information is a form of power, and one I am accustomed to wielding. Enough so that I find I do not need to be at all shady in gathering it. I don't need to spy to find out you three are invaders from another universe: it's written in your eyes."

"We aren't invaders," Elle protested, narrowly beating Alex to it.

"Aren't you? Ask Miss DeVerl, she's fully aware, I think, that her species, rare as it is, breeds true. Her children will be mutable, as she is. Most likely, anyway, or most of them. Your own bodies are the same way, if less powerful. They were made to fit your real forms, were they not?"

Alex frowned. That did indeed match with what Robin had told them. As the rosette sat down next to him in the chair opposite Elle, she nodded too, a glass of water half-full in her hand. "Yes. Their bodies are what we call Combinants, with something along the lines of five to ten percent of their DNA being that of a Ditto. The same Ditto that I'm made from, I think. I'm closer to fifty percent."

"You don't have to tell her everything," Alex grumbled, not caring that the Rocket would hear it.

She only laughed again, "But there's no harm in it, either. We suspected as much. You see, we actually captured an invader, one of your people, not so long ago. Well, 'we', the broader Rocket organization. I'll get to that more in a moment, but suffice it to say that this person went into a coma-like state for a few days. They were brought here, to the medical wing of this very building, and my people ran a few tests. That's how we know so much, if you're concerned, about what you are. Genetically, you are very similar to us. Enough I'd consider your world's Humans an offshoot, if you didn't come from another universe entirely. An Earth, similar to our own. A parallel world."

Robin nodded, "That's what we believe, too. Well, the people who made me."

"This… Game Freak."

Robin nodded again, "That's them."

Ariana smiled, and Alex frowned. She was being entirely too free with information as far as he was concerned, but he couldn't think Ariana would bother spiking the food or drink with some truth serum. Why bother?

"Mm. Well, yours wouldn't be the first alternate world we've come across. The powers of Pokémon are mysterious and vast, and oftentimes extremely powerful. At any rate, as I mentioned, I don't want or need anything from the three of you. As much as Miss DeVerl here could be useful as one of my girls- or 'other', if you prefer- she would just be one of a number even so, and frankly, I do not lack for funds. No, the three of you don't really have anything significant to worry about from us. However… there might be something I can do for you."

Her warm, genteel demeanor seemed to increase somehow, while the calculating look in the woman's eyes grew more cold. At least, to Alex, it seemed that way. She stood and leaned across the desk to offer her hand, "Let's begin more formally. It's a pleasure to meet you, Alex Ward, Elizabeth Berkman, and Robin DeVerl. My name is Ariana Cooper. I'm the owner and CEO of the Sea Dragon's Bounty, and several other corporations and establishments throughout Cerulean City and beyond. And yes, I am also a member of Team Rocket, with the rank and title of Executive. Yes, that means I sit on the Board of Directors, and am among the most powerful and influential people you'll ever meet in Kanto. But don't think I'm not approachable, far from it! I'm here to help, if I can."

Elle snorted, "Help with what? Besides finger-fucking us on the dance floor, and with a couple of thugs we could take care of ourselves?"

Alex's eyes widened, and he turned to look at Elle again, but her eyes were locked on Ariana's, though she'd seemed warm enough when shaking her hand after he had.

Ariana, though, only continued to smile, though her eyes seemed more amused now than offended, "Among other things, yes. I have helped two of you get off, in fact, more or less directly, and your young friend, Sugimoto-san, as well. If Miss Sugimoto had been willing, we have people who would've been more than happy to assist her, she's quite beautiful. Still, ultimately, just another body with holes to plug for cash, in many ways. She's capable enough, and her brother doesn't have a complete lack of talent, but to be frank… we have more than enough fighters for our needs. I make sure of that, alongside Executive Proton."

Alex's frown only deepened. He knew that name. It didn't mean he had to let that information slip, though, so he made sure to speak before Elle could, "Who's that? Sounds vaguely familiar, but I don't think I know them."

"I daresay you should remember," Ariana chuckled lightly as she leaned back in her own high-backed office chair, "As your 'friend' Morley Vaan works directly for him. Within Rocket, there are a number of organizations- oh, don't be so stiff, Mr. Ward, Miss Berkman. Can I use first names? You're welcome to simply call me Ariana, at least for the evening. I see no reason to stand on complete formality, once the niceties are observed."

Alex grunted, refusing to let his guard down, but Elle nodded, "I suppose."

"Thank you," the red-head nodded graciously, "Now as I was saying, Team Rocket, or simply Rocket, is a large organization, and better put together than you might think. I know, some of us have a reputation as thugs, criminals, extortionists… and some of us are. I won't deny that. But we're also a legal corporation, a non-profit, and philanthropic, as well. You may have seen on the news about a Zapdos- a very powerful Electric-Flying type similar to some legends of a Thunderbird from your world- wreaking havoc at a power plant a few weeks back? We stopped that, Team Rocket. Without help from the Gym Leaders or the Indigo League who should have been on top of it. We got there first, and in sufficient strength, to capture a beast that can level cities in moments, while the organizations whose job it is to protect the populace from creatures like that dithered. It was quite a news sensation for a few days, in fact."

Robin nodded, "I've heard about that."

Ariana continued, "In fact, one of your invaders- excuse me, that's rather rude I suppose, but one of your people assisted us. The very same that we later captured and ran tests on. Don't you worry, she's been set free. She's gone back to work, in fact, for us. Didn't hold her captivity against us, because she saw the sense in why we had to check. Your people will eventually, over generations, wipe out our entire species left unchecked. And we don't hold that against you either, necessarily. Not with what we know of your world… it's dying, isn't it?"

Alex nodded this time, his frown slightly lessening. If that was true, then… maybe they could be allies?

Maybe.

"At any rate," Ariana continued, "that's just one example of the good work we do. Proton handles Recruitment and Training, an entire Division within Proton. If Vaan approached you, it was likely to test your abilities, and perhaps your willingness to sign on. Myself, I handle the Finance Division. To make a long and ultimately very boring explanation shorter and vaguely more interesting, the prostitutes, the clubs, the dancing… it pays for most of the rest of what Rocket does. Research, developing new medications, our combat and capture teams, and so on."

"And, I assume," Alex nodded, having a pretty good idea of something that had not been said, "generous donations to certain politicians and their groups. People whose views align with yours."

"Of course," Ariana nodded, "that goes without saying. Of course, there's a key difference between our world and yours, there. Politicians in our world are civil servants, not policy makers. They can help influence, help guide, help enforce in certain ways… but that is all."

"You seem to know an awful lot about our world," Alex told her, hoping she would give up more than a tiny bit of information.

Ariana blinked twice, and her smile grew, "I do, yes. Information is power, after all, and one of the first things many of your invaders did when they reached Cerulean was to begin talking to the girls that work for me. Useful information climbs the ladder. If you hear the same unsubstantiated report often enough, and from enough sources, it starts to build a substantial picture. It isn't so different from our own, in many ways. Geography, in fact, is almost identical. The locations of cities along water sources, and so on. Only our society and the existence of Pokémon seems to differ in any meaningful way. Even our genetics, after all, are very similar… If one accounts for the trace Pokémon DNA in everyone from our world."

"Of course," she continued, "if you want to learn more about ours, all you need do is ask. I've no reason to keep it secret, because as you've no doubt learned, the real power- political, military, economic, and otherwise- stems from the League. The local Champion, their Gym Leaders or equivalent, and downward."

"We saw Snøgrav take out a challenger with one of his Lapras," Robin told her, "I can see why, if that was just a two-Badge Challenge, why they have so much power.

Alex grinned at his companion for that one. Robin might've just given up some information, yes, but it was probably public knowledge enough. What she hadn't said about that event was no doubt carefully calculated to stay hidden and tease at more, in the hopes of drawing more from the woman before them.

"Indeed," Ariana nodded seriously, "I would be hard-pressed to fight against him at my full strength, and I have eight Badges to my name, as well. Challenged for the Championship a few times in my youth, many of our Executives did the same. Those days are behind me, though. Our reigning Champion is just too powerful, and none of us have a chance of beating him any more, despite his youth. He's only twenty-three, and among the most powerful Trainers in the whole world. He's given a great deal of respect even from other powerful Champions because of his strength, and at his young age."

"Who is he?" Alex asked.

Ariana smiled again, "Ah, I'll leave that up to you. If you pay attention to the news, you'll hear his name often enough. And if you get the chance to meet him, you'll find he's a strong, upstanding man with excellent moral character. My only personal problem with him is that he's not just the Indigo League's Champion, but the Silver League as well, as he's a native of Johto, to our west. It divides his attention quite a lot, but he is capable enough from what I've seen. It's a lot of responsibility, but he wears the mantle well enough."

"Hm. Fine, fine… so what is it you're offering us, then? No need to beat around the bush, I'd like to get some sleep tonight, at some point."

Ariana glanced at the clock on her holo-monitor, then looked back at him, "Ah, time with the ladies, then. Well, I suppose there's no harm in cutting to business… though I suspect you'll need to rely on Elle, Alex, as I think even Robin's stamina is a bit low at the moment. Hm. Let me see… Protection, for one, at least within Cerulean. Work with us, rather than against us, and I can guarantee you and your friends will be able to visit our establishments with no further harassment or trouble. In fact, our people will be told to keep an eye out for others causing you trouble, and to intervene on your behalf. That is not a small offer… there are a great many Rockets in and around Cerulean, and I do not let them slack off their own Training.

"I can also offer my personal favor. What that is remains somewhat nebulous, as I rarely offer it, but anyone who knows that we have a working relationship, again at least around Cerulean, would be… not necessarily inclined, that's too weak. Obligated is too strong a word. But somewhere between them, at least, to… offer you beneficial deals. Small discounts at the local markets, an extra Pokéball here or there. A discount on our services, priority entrance to the clubs, including the Sea-Scale. That sort of thing. What that would cost you, hm…. Let's say, we actually are in a working relationship. I'll occasionally have work for you. Paid, of course, and well. Various contracts and jobs that I don't want my own people doing for one reason or another. Nothing illegal, of course. I know you wouldn't accept such a job if I offered them, though I've not had a reason to in… oh, more time than I care to admit. Just simple things. Run an errand here, capture a specific Pokémon and bring it to me, have a match against one of my bodyguards to help keep their skills sharp, that sort of thing. And nothing too onerous. Perhaps, at most, a mission a month. More, if you're in the area, since travel wouldn't be an issue."

The woman paused briefly, stretched a hand over her head, then grinned at Alex, "After a few more missions, once I've earned your trust, and you mine, we could have a more personal relationship as well, if that's your thing. You're rather well-endowed, and I do appreciate that. Reagan, Mr. Carlisle, tells me you've a certain talent for his sort of thing as well, and I can very much appreciate being… put in my place, from time to time. And if that's not tempting, well… aside from priority entrance into the Clubs, I could also offer VIP status at the brothels and Clubs. Once in a while, say as a reward for a mission well done, I could even throw in an hour at the Bountiful Brothel, which is easily our finest establishment for that sort of thing.

"And lastly, if you need it… well, personal Training help. While I was never a Champion myself of course, I am rather capable and would be happy to teach you all a few things. Perhaps give you a slight leg-up in adding powerful Pokémon to your teams… maybe, even, the descendants of some of my own."

Elle spoke up again, "Like that thing that was up in the rafters over the Club?"

Alex frowned. Even from floors above the dance hall, he'd felt that thing, seen a single massive blue eye peering downward from where he had been at the time.

"Not that one, sadly, as it refuses to offer up Eggs, though I know its kind can. But others. Ampharos, like my dear Gigglevolt, and her mate have powerful offspring. I've a variety of types, in fact, as well. You favor… what was it… Poison, Ghost, Normal, and Fairy between you, though you all have some variety as well?"

Alex nodded, displeased once more with how much useful intel she had on them when she was giving up so little despite her assurances that they only had to ask.

"I could help with a great many of those, yes. Or others, I probably have well over two hundred Pokémon in my own breeding list, and my people breed them regularly to ensure there's always a supply for new recruits that need a little help."

Elle spoke up, "These, recruits you keep talking about- if we joined up, did this work for you, we'd be recruits? Isn't that the Proton guy's job?"

"No, no," Ariana chuckled, "You aren't being asked to join Rocket. Despite the good work we do, keeping people off the streets and all, I daresay our leader is right when he judges the three of you to be… well, not the right sort for us. Not so different that we can't have a good working relationship, but not members, exactly. You'd be freelance Trainers. Favored ones, if you prove helpful and competent, but still freelance, able to pursue your own goals most of the time, and even refuse jobs if you want. Though, of course, refusing too often will result in less coming your way."

"Tempting," Alex shrugged, "I'm not so innocent or moral as to say I'd never visit a brothel, or a club, but exactly what kind of 'compensation' are we talking about? Give me numbers."

He wasn't truly tempted, working alongside Rocket sounded like a slippery slope, given their meeting with Morley Vaan, and the shady reputation they had in the world. Not to mention their occasional appearance as villains even in the more modern generations. But it was a good offer, and one he doubted would be repeated if they refused. More importantly, though, he still needed more information.

"Easily a few thousand for the first several jobs. These aren't simply running a package across town. Between towns, into dangerous areas, or through them. Many miles, days of travel, and not insignificant risk are involved. Sometimes the packages themselves could be dangerous, and we would need someone trustworthy to deliver them. It isn't the thing a Machop Courier could be trusted with, or even a team of their best. Not simply for muscle-heads, in other words. And of course, more difficult jobs will pay better. I'm afraid I can't be any more specific, as we don't have any such work lined up at the moment."

Ariana watched them silent for a few moments while Alex's mind raced. She was, indeed, giving up plenty of information… but he wasn't sure yet how much was true, could be trusted. Or if she wasn't feeding him a load of Tauros-shit carefully mingled with honesty.

"I could also… hm, yes. In addition, and this one will be whether you accept working with us or not, guarantee you and your friends the Sugimotos will be free of harassment within Cerulean, at least from Rocket, for the remainder of your time here. That is not free reign. If you get in the way of our operations, our people are trained to fight first and ask questions later. But if you stay out of our way, we'll stay out of yours, at least for the time being. Work with us, and that protection will of course extend indefinitely."

"Alright," Alex nodded, "I… we can talk about that. Discuss your generous offer, at the very least."

"Please, do," Ariana smiled again, standing as she no doubt sensed he considered the meeting over. "And thank you for coming to meet with me. Once again, let me also assure you that we don't use drugs or any of that sort of coercion to get girls, boys, and Pokémon to work for us. We just don't need to, the profession is quite lucrative for those involved in it, especially those who earn the right to work here, at the Sea Dragon's Bounty. I take care of my people… at the same time, they take care of me. Other establishments may use such methods, but they aren't associated with us. And if you can bring me evidence, I'll see them brought down, because it's very much illegal to do so."

Alex nodded as he shook her hand again, let the girls do so as well, then started heading for the door, his mind swimming with too much information to process. He'd learned so much, whether he wanted to or not, and not just from Ariana herself.

His hand was on the doorknob, though it hadn't yet unlocked, when Ariana's voice made him look over his shoulder. "Hm?"

"One last thing. I have extended trust. Not everyone in Rocket will do so. We are not the villains we have sometimes been painted as… but we are not entirely innocent, either. And we do not brook, or have any patience for, those who meddle where they don't belong. Work alongside us, and enjoy the fruits of that labor. In coin, in flesh, in whatever payment you wish- even power. Or stay out of our way completely, and we'll stay out of yours. But do not mistake this offer for permission to mess with things you don't have any reason to. The consequences of doing so would be far more severe than simply revoking the privileges you have been offered. Do you understand, Mr. Ward?"

He nodded.

Ariana Cooper, Executive of Team Rocket, smiled once more. "Good. Ah, and for you personally… Reagan speaks highly of you. He would be happy to continue the, ah, conversation, either in person or over other forms of communication, at your discretion. If you wish to, of course. 'A rare talent', I believe, were the words he used in describing how well you took to the things you were shown."

"Interesting," the young Trainer replied, "given that I didn't do anything but watch and listen."

"Sometimes," Ariana grinned, "that's all it takes. Have a good evening, you three. The Sugimotos were left inside the PMC you are staying at, safe and sound. Good night."