Evan did not hesitate longer than a moment.

Lily had already managed to release herself and was floating alongside his shoulder as he ignored physics rather pointedly and leaped out of the window, exerting his none-too-feeble will to slow him just enough to avoid hurting himself. He landed on his knees and scrambled up to meet the party of strange, uniformed Rocket members who were standing with an impressively ludicrous machine outside the front door.

The imposing metal Rattata was admittedly cool; its large teeth were windows inside to a pair of Rocket goons who made the image much less impressive by arguing over the controls. Outside of it, two Rockets - a man in a set of long black trousers and a black sweater with an R on the front looking a tad too warm considering his clothes, and a woman with a rather smug expression and a short skirt which seemed much more practical for the weather - stood in what he presumed they thought were intimidating poses.

Unfortunately, Evan had seen enough posturing for a lifetime, and it was not going to impress him now.

Okay, Lily, Evan decided, carefully focusing so he didn't project his thoughts to everyone, just Lily. I don't think we'll be able to take on the entire group by our lonesome unless I distract them. I want you to hide, get in the Rattata - try whatever you can, you should have time what with those two arguing - and fire off a move to knock them out.

Sleep powder, Lily agreed, Sleep Powder everywhere. She hid behind Evan and flickered out of sight with a crackle of ghostly energy as Evan approached the Team Rocket Grunts.

"I'm afraid you'll have to go through me to get anything, and even then, I doubt you will," Evan apologized icily. Smiling a tight smile, he continued, "Please, do tell me why I am your target. I'm surprised you're after me of all people, when I don't even have anything valuable."

"Money is important!" The girl protested. "And you've got it, and no Pokémon! The conclusion is obvious," she concluded, nodding to herself and flicking her short, cherry-red hair. "But I don't blame you, rich citizen. You can't possibly be as smart as I, Lottie, am."

Evan stared at them incredulously. Lily's disguise flickered briefly as she worked her way through a window, slowly working a pane into breaking with repeated attacks.

"Nevermind," he decided. "Mottie, was it? So you're after my money?"

"I believe she already told you that," the man said, scratching his chin irritably. "But if I must - we're stealing your money. Hand it over or battle." he looked like he would nod off any moment, or at least so bored that he didn't care if he did.

"Battle? You mean with Pokemon?" Evan clarified.

"Well, that was obvious," Lottie replied sarcastically. "You really are dull, aren't you?"

Lily broke through, and hovered cautiously into the Rattata, which was starting to look more like a tourist attraction for all the intimidating it was doing.

"I'm afraid so," he agreed, nodding mockingly and putting on the saddest expression he could manage. "What were your names again? Rottie and… erm…" he gestured to the bored man.

"ARGH! It's LOTTIE!" The woman yelled, stamping her foot on the ground. It was rather comical to see a fully grown woman throwing a temper tantrum, when she could easily just send out a Pokemon and have it toss him aside.

"Sinbad," the male yawned, glancing distractedly at a pair of Pidgey who were watching from the building roof with some interest. They seemed to be evaluating the wiseness of the decision to tackle the metal Rattata.

Lily hovered silently behind the two arguing parties inside the Rattata, and Evan could see them slumping from the Rattata-teeth windows over the controls, discarded ragdolls when faced with Lily's powders. Lily twirled a bit, then moved away to leave the metallic Pokemon.

"Ah, yes, Winfad and Blottie," Evan smiled thinly. As the two groaned again, he took a subtle step forward, and Lily escaped the Rattata, effectively a statue with its two drivers out of commission. He quickly shot off some telepathy to his partner as she left the hull. Creep up behind these two and use… what was the move… Mean Look! Freeze them on the spot so I can get in a good hit.

Is it okay to attack humans? Lily asked worriedly. I mean, they aren't as durable as Pokemon are, and they don't have Poke Centers, and…

They sacrificed their ability to hide behind law and morality the moment they decided to break it themselves, Evan replied. And anyways, you aren't damaging them with an attack. They won't feel a thing… except my boot colliding with their faces, but then again, that's my action, not yours.

Okay then, Lily agreed. I'm on it, Evan.

"So," Evan paused. "Why did you bring the giant Rattata? I must admit, it's fairly cool, but it seems rather pointless when it doesn't fit in the building."

"It's awesome!" Lottie protested loudly. "It can fire hyper beams! And it can scratch things! It's super cool!"

"Yeah," Sinbad agreed slowly, yawning. "We needed some extra firepower."

"Speaking of which…" Lottie turned around...

...And met Lily's Mean Look.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Lottie screamed. While far more subdued, Sinbad also leaped into the air in shock and fear.

Evan took his chance. Dashing forwards, he delivered a swift punch to Sinbad's back, which he followed with a sharp kick before Lily dove in with Sleep Powder coating her body. He turned to Lottie and aimed another punch at her face. Thrown bodily backwards, she cried out in frustration and pain, and soon enough Lily managed to spin around to tackle Lottie with the spores of her Sleep Powder, collapsing her on the pavement.

The whirr of sirens rose up as Lily returned to Evan's side, and he met the arriving police at the side of the road. One of the local Jenny was in the lead on her motorbike, and she screeched to a stop at the Rattata, parking in one smooth, practiced movement.

"What happened here?!" She demanded, dashing over. Her Growlithe released itself and ran by her side, giving the Rattata a challenging look. "Who are these people, is anyone hurt?"

"No-one important," Evan replied calmly. "No serious harm was done, and the perpetrators are currently taking an extended nap." He gently rubbed Lily's chin, earning a rattling purr from his Pumpkaboo.

Officer Jenny looked like she wanted to protest, but she thought better of it and instead shook her head in exasperation. "I swear, with so many trainers around, I wonder why there's even a police force," she mused. "Seems like every time I get to the scene someone's already solved the problem for me."

"It sounds like one of the better problems to have," Evan offered. "Better too late to help than too late for justice to be served."

The Growlithe was sniffing Lottie's hair, and sneezed.

Jenny shuddered. "You can't be more right," she agreed vehemently. "Sorry, I should be doing my job…"

Just then, an Abra appeared. It gave the two grunts a look which said it would rather be sleeping, raised its arms, and teleported away, villains in tow.

Jenny looked horribly disappointed for a moment.

"There's two more in the Rattata," Evan offered.

Jenny ran so fast she could have outrun a Ninjask.

A/N; don't think I'll be able to send out more than one more Chapter before school starts. I know this is kinda short, but I'm hoping to dump most of the travel between here and the next town into the next chapter, so that should more than make the difference.

Hope you enjoy. Thanks again for all the support. Now, for some updates.

I'm still looking into a final member for the team Evan has. I might leave it empty for now, since I know I'm not going to give him more than six. I'd rather stick to a group which I can develop without lots of switching out - and the space gives me some wiggle room if I end up derailing from the plotline. On that note, I lost all my notes for Cella, so there are 5 Pokemon I now have to decide. Suggestions, as always, are welcome.

Til next chapter.