"Satoshi! Follow me."

I blinked in surprise, turning from my practice battle that Pikachu and I had been in the middle of to see Celeste's small body marching away, her pigtails bouncing from the speed of her retreat. Glancing over at my opponent and his zubat, who Pikachu could have taken down with one hit if he was using his full power, the grunt shrugged. Waving apologetically to him I turned and quickly caught up to the ever-annoyed Celeste. Pikachu climbed up my leg and leaped up to my shoulder effortlessly, having perfected that move over the many years we had been together.

"May I ask what's going on?" I asked cautiously as I followed Celeste through the maze of tunnels at the base of Mt. Coronet. I had been creating a map of the tunnels that I would scan and send to Director Falon at the end of every day so that when the time came, our people would be able to navigate them as well as if they had been here with me all these weeks.

"Neptune has an assignment for an extraction team and she chose you to be a part of it," Celeste explained with her familiar snip. I blinked in surprise. It had been nearly two weeks since I had caught the runaway 'failure', as Neptune had called it, and given it to Serena. I hadn't seen the mysterious leader of Team Galactic since then, so I was surprised that she had even remembered my name to be able to ask for me.

"What kind of extraction?" I asked, feeling a strange discomfort in the pit of my stomach. Ever since Neptune had told me to kill a pokemon without mercy I had dreaded what might come next.

"She will explain it when we get there," Celeste snapped, turning away from me and marching determinedly forward.

It wasn't difficult to keep up with her pace due to her short legs, but I felt a brief desire to slow down and pretend I was sick. I quickly shook my head and forced myself to continue. My whole purpose here was to gather information so the IIA could put a stop to Team Galactic's plan, even if it made me uncomfortable. It was a good thing I was being included in more important work now.

Celeste led me into a part of the tunnels that I had never visited before. I began mentally taking notes and lining up these tunnels with my current map in my head so I could jot down the new information when I was in private. We stopped outside a metal door with a keypad and, thanks to our height difference, I was easily able to see the code that Celeste typed in to unlock the door. As a click sounded out once the code had been inputted, Celeste pushed it open without looking back and I quickly followed before the door snapped shut on me.

I blinked in surprise when I saw Neptune standing in front of a group of ten grunts. Most of them I hadn't met yet, but there were a few that I recognized as seasoned grunts that had been here for at least a year. Glancing over, I saw that the tall captain that had seemed suspicious of me when I caught Roisel was also here, leaning against the wall unobtrusively.

"You found him?" Neptune asked, turning around to look first at Celeste, then moved her eyes over to me. She really was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen, but ever since she had ordered me to kill an innocent pokemon I had begun thinking of her as a cruel beauty. Like the beauty of a knife sharpened to perfection, or a perfectly completed roundhouse kick.

"Yes," Celeste replied formally, bowing slightly to her leader. I quickly followed suit, and when I straightened back up I saw one corner of Neptune's lips curl up in a strange smirk.

"Wonderful. Stand with the others, Satoshi," Neptune ordered briskly. I quickly complied, walking over and standing in the back row of grunts. "Very good," Neptune said, her eyes lingering on me with that strange smirk and I tried to keep myself from frowning. Her eyes left me though and she began walking purposefully in front of the assembled grunts.

"You have all been chosen for an incredibly important mission for Team Galactic." I blinked in surprise, turning to look at Celeste who had spoken instead of the slowly pacing Neptune. "We are in the process of creating all the elements we need for a perfect, reborn world. However, we need someone with more expertise to help us fulfill that dream."

A small "Che" of annoyance caught my ear and I looked out of the corner of my eye to see the captain in a lab coat looking decidedly prickly.

"Your mission is to go and extract one of the lead researchers from the Poketch Company based in Jubilife City." My eyes moved from the annoyed captain to look at Neptune, who apparently had decided to take over the explanation. "We will be able to use his expertise in advanced technological experimentation to help us get one step closer to our goal of creating a new world where equality and opportunity will be offered to everyone."

I blinked, trying to hide my shock behind a blank face. The Poketch Company had started off as just a hobby by the president who liked to tinker with machines. I remembered back when Dawn had been obsessed with getting a Poketch watch back when I traveled with her. But in the past five years, the little family-run company had exploded. It was now a renowned, global company that had been instrumental in creating many new technologies, such as the travel capsules and handheld communications devices called PokeComm's. They even had some special contracts with the IIA and my own communication device was a Poketch design.

"We already have some people who have infiltrated the security personnel of the Poketch Company and we have received word that tomorrow they will make their move. Your job is to meet them on the roof in our stealth jet and hold off anyone that may try to stop us. If the security team does their job then there shouldn't be an issue, of course," Neptune said with an unconcerned shrug. 

She then began explaining everyone's roles. Most of the people present would be flying the jet she had mentioned, but when she got to the final four grunts, including me, her lips smiled but her eyes seemed to shine with a dark expectation.

"Your job will be to assure that if anyone tries to stop us, that YOU stop them," Neptune stated simply. It took all of my training to keep my shocked emotions out of my expression as I met Neptune's pale purple eyes and nodded my understanding. "Good. Those who will be flying the jet please see to the preparations. Everyone else, meet at the south tunnel tomorrow at six am sharp. You are dismissed." 

I bowed along with the other grunts to Neptune and then followed them out of the room, leaving the three leaders behind. My mind was buzzing with warning bells and I could barely keep myself from running straight to my assigned barracks. Once I had finally managed to get there going at a normal, calm walking pace, I grabbed my backpack and headed to the nearest bathroom.

Once I was inside I checked and double-checked to make sure I was alone before swiftly locking the door and moving to the far side of the room. Pikachu and I both swept the room for cameras and once we were satisfied that we were alone, I powered on my communication device. It took a few minutes for the connection to go through and Director Falon was frowning heavily when she answered the call.

"Agent, why are you contacting us outside of your scheduled time?" she asked with a hard edge to her monotone voice.

I saluted her swiftly before explaining that I had been included in a mission to kidnap one of the researchers from the Poketch company. Director Falon listened silently and once I finished she slowly nodded.

"This is good news, Agent," she stated simply and I blinked in disbelief.

"Good news, Director?" I repeated, not sure how being ordered to kidnap someone could possibly be considered as good news.

"Yes. This means you are gaining their trust. You must make sure that the mission goes off without a hitch, no matter what, Agent." 

My mouth dropped open in complete shock as Director Falon looked at me with a completely serious expression.

"Director, aren't we supposed to protect people like the researcher?" I asked incredulously. Director Falon sighed and leaned back in her chair slightly.

"I know it may be difficult for you to understand, Agent Ketchum. But there is nothing more important than you gaining Neptune's trust and learning exactly what her plan is. Even if we have to sacrifice a few innocents. We will make sure to repay the scientist for the trouble Team Galactic will cause him." I could hardly believe my ears as I tried to process what the Director was saying.

"So... you really want me to help Team Galactic kidnap the researcher?" I asked, swallowing with difficulty.

"That is an order, Agent. And don't contact us unless it is during the scheduled time. For everyone's safety." The connection cut off, turning my screen blank. I slowly leaned against the wall and slid down until I was sitting on the ground.

"Pikapi?" I looked from the small device in my hands up into my partner's concerned expression.

"Orders are orders... right?" I whispered to Pikachu. He bowed his little head as his pointy ears tucked back against his head sadly.

The next morning I walked to the entrance of the south side of the underground tunnels. The other three bodyguards that had been chosen came trickling to the door locked by a keypad after a few minutes. We all waited for the door to unlock. I wasn't surprised when a click sounded and Celeste opened the door, looking even more annoyed than usual.

"Come on then," she snapped before turning around and walking briskly down the tunnel. I followed after her first. My eyes widened when the tunnel opened into a huge underground cave where several aircraft of varying sizes were all lined up in two rows facing each other.

Where did Team Galactic get the money to buy all of this? I wondered in shock as I looked at the impressive sight. Shaking my head to refocus myself, I quickly followed after Celeste, who was heading to one of the smaller jets that sounded like it was already in the process of being started.

I followed Celeste without question as we all climbed into the jet. Pikachu remained a silent sentry on my shoulder and I was glad when Celeste didn't mention him being outside his Pokeball. I had noticed that almost everyone on Team Galactic kept their pokemon in their Pokeballs and only took them out for training battles that were required at least twice a day. I had seen Celeste's Stunky in action and was mildly impressed with its power.

"Buckle up. We should be there in a few hours," Celeste commanded tersely as she made her way to the pilot's cabin. I took one of the nondescript black seats and fastened my buckle, pulling Pikachu off my shoulder and wrapping my arms around him to act as his seatbelt.

"Feeling scared, newb?" One of the other grunts jeered at me, looking pointedly at Pikachu. I could hear the telltale crackle of electricity coming from Pikachu's electric sacks but I rubbed his stomach soothingly.

"A little nervous. Have you ever done something like this before?" I asked, widening my eyes a little. The grunt grinned wickedly and sniffed in a self-important way.

"Whenever the boss needs some muscle she always calls for me and my Ariados," he bragged loudly. The other grunts chimed in that this wasn't their first job similar to this and inwardly I wished I could frown. Director Falon hadn't told me anything about people having disappeared in Sinnoh.

Even if we have to sacrifice a few innocents... Director Falon's words replayed in my mind. I wondered if the disappearances had been acceptable sacrifices to her as well, or if the IIA just didn't know about them.

Confusing thoughts and theories spun in my mind as we flew towards Jubilife City. When we got closer, I let my mind wander from the unanswerable questions that plagued me to something a little more pleasant.

Last time I had been sent to collect supplies from a neighboring town I had snuck a Pokemon Contest calendar from the cash register and quickly memorized it. As we flew closer to Jubilife City I wondered if there was any way I could make it to the pokemon contest that was scheduled in three days. I wasn't sure if Serena would be performing there or not, but a large part of me wanted to go check and support her if I could.

"Heads up. We just got the signal from our inside men. They'll have the researcher on the roof in ten minutes. When we land, you four will jump out and make sure nobody tries any funny business. Understood?" Celeste asked, walking into the back of the jet to give us our orders. We all nodded in understanding and I felt my stomach clench uncomfortably.

The jet began to dip down and I felt Pikachu and I both take a deep breath, focusing ourselves and getting ready for the next step. As soon as the jet touched down, the side door to our section of the jet began to rise and I unclipped my seatbelt. Pikachu jumped up to his normal spot on my shoulder and I waited for the other three grunts to stand and lead the way out onto the roof.

I blinked quickly, adjusting my eyes to the bright morning sun as I jumped down from the jet. Once I was on the roof I waited tensely, confused as to why no one had noticed our landing. Suddenly, a blaring alarm rang out, causing the other three grunts on the roof to flinch and look around in uncertainty.

"Idiots!" Celeste snapped under her breath. She released her Stunky and glared at the grunts. "Release your pokemon! We may have more company than we bargained for." 

A Zubat, Ariados, and a Houndour appeared in bursts of red light just as the door that opened onto the roof was kicked open. I felt my jaw clench as two men dressed in security guard uniforms pushed a struggling older man in a lab coat. His eyes were wide with fright as he looked at the jet waiting to take him away and he began struggling even harder.

"No, no! Please, I have a family!" he begged desperately as the men continued pushing him towards us.

My hands clenched into fists as I desperately battled between my need to follow orders and my desire to help this man. To everyone's shock though, another person ran through the door, reaching out and wrenching one of the security guards off of the scientist. I watched in shock as the guy, who only looked a few years older than me, kicked the security guard who he had pulled away, and then continued running after the scientist.

You must make sure that the mission goes off without a hitch, no matter what, Agent. Director Falon's serious voice said in my mind. Feeling like the biggest fraud in the world, I grit my teeth and ran forward. Just as the guy was about to reach the scientist I tackled him, sending us both crashing to the ground.

I quickly let go of him and backed up a few paces. Pikachu ran up and took his spot next to me. The young man rocked onto his shoulders and then threw himself up to his feet and I was admittedly impressed. To my surprise, the guy reached for his belt and withdrew two Pokeballs.

"Empoleon, and Bisharp, let's go!" A hulking Empoleon, who I could tell just by one look had been raised to battle, and a wickedly sharp Bisharp winked into existence and struck defensive poses.

"Bisharp, get the researcher! Empoleon, take out their pokemon," the man ordered before running directly towards me. I blocked his first and second kick and couldn't help but be impressed again with this guy's obvious mastery of martial arts.

"Pikachu, Volt Tackle! Houndour, use Ember on the Bisharp!" I yelled, switching from defense to attack, myself.

I shoved the brown-haired guy, knocking him slightly off balance and then let loose a three-punch combination directly to his stomach. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and tried to force my body down into his knee which he had raised violently. But I anticipated that and I moved sideways slightly and punched the side of his knee, sticking one knuckle out to dig below his kneecap, which I knew from experience was very painful.

He grunted in pain and I ducked down, grabbing him around the waist and putting my shoulder against his stomach. With a tug, I yanked him off his feet and tossed him up and over me. He landed with a thud on his back, effectively knocking the wind out of him.

As he gasped for breath, I turned and surveyed everyone else's progress. Pikachu had hit Empoleon squarely in the chest, knocking the sturdy pokemon onto its back, much like his trainer. I groaned when I saw the grunts trying to fight off the guy's Bisharp with poison type moves and String Shot. Ariados's web was sliced easily by Bisharp's razor-sharp appendages and since he was a steel type the poison attacks from the other pokemon were completely ineffective.

"Pikachu, use Focus Punch on Bisharp. And Houndour, I told you to use Ember!"

The houndour jumped at my command, looking between me and his trainer in confusion before he finally did as I said and shot a stream of fiery bullets towards Bisharp. Bisharp dodged the super effective move and as soon as he landed Pikachu, who already had gathered together his focus and had a ball of fighting energy ready at the edge of his small fist, sprang towards Bisharp's back with a loud, "Chipang!"

The focused energy from Pickachu's Focus Punch slammed into Bisharp's back, sending it flying away from the researcher. Celeste looked over at me with a look of shock before yelling at the grunts to help get the researcher onto the jet.

A foot suddenly slammed into my stomach and I felt myself be pushed back. I grit my teeth at the pain in my stomach but used the momentum of the kick to throw myself into a back handspring. I landed back on my feet with my hands up and wasn't disappointed when the guy with brown hair swiped a right hook towards me.

I stayed on the defensive as I watched the grunts force the researcher onto the jet and begin returning their pokemon as they jumped in as well. Empoleon was back on his feet, although it seemed that Pikachu had managed to one-hit KO the guy's Bisharp. I jumped up quickly as my opponent squatted down and tried to swipe my feet out from under me. In his vulnerable position, I swiftly kicked him in the side, sending him sprawling, and I began running towards Pikachu and Empoleon.

"Use Electro Ball!" I yelled as I ran. The sound of angry grunting rang out behind me and I was sure the guy was trying to get back on his feet and run after me.

"Use Steel Wing!" his out of breath voice roared out. Empoleon's huge flippers gained a glossy, metallic coating as Pikachu jumped into the air.

"Pika pika pika, Chipang!" he cried out as a huge Electro Ball grew on the tip of his tail and then was sent directly towards Empoleon. I watched with admiration as Empoleon crossed his flippers in front of him, catching Pikachu's attack and then sending it streaking away from him.

Thankfully his aim wasn't as good as his reaction time and it exploded several feet away from the jet. I caught Pikachu as he was falling back to the ground and put on an extra burst of speed. The jet's engines roared to life and I dived for the still-open door on the side of the jet just as it began to take off.

Using the momentum of my dive I rolled and then popped up, running back to the opening just in time to see Empoleon powering up a Hyper Beam attack. Guilt rushed through me as I wished that I wasn't quite as good at what I did, but my orders ran through my mind again and I set my jaw.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika CHUUUUUU!!!!" An aura of electricity surrounded Pikachu and he released his attack at the exact time as the huge beam of power from Empoleon began racing towards us. I watched as Pikachu's Thunderbolt met the powerful attack and a huge ball of power began to form as the two attacks met.

"Hit the deck!" I yelled, turning my head away as an enormous explosion rang out. Waves of energy from the collision of power shoved the jet through the air and all of us grunted as we were tossed to the floor.

Luckily, the door on the side of the jet was closing and, after the jet corrected itself from the blast, I felt us zooming away from Jubilife City. I quickly picked myself up and looked out the window at the receding Poketch Company. I couldn't see the guy who had tried to stop us, but I hoped that he was okay.

A/N I'm sure you all know who Ash's opponent was :) I hope their battle was exciting for you!

Edit: So, originally I thought that Pikachu could use Focus Blast, so I had put that in here, but I later found out he could not. However, it turns out he CAN learn Focus Punch through a TM, so I decided to substitute that in this battle.