ere he was was once again, to be at the presence of one of the highest ranked Team Rocket. At this moment in life Atticus was really questioning what he had done in this life or a past life to be put into such situations. His meeting ratios were very uneven to say the least, he had met one grunt to four others who were all Elite or above. To be fair, this time it was his own doing for signing up for a M.A.G.M.A initiative program, trying to show up to the upper echelons wouldn't always turn out the best of ideas but he had to try nonetheless.

A unfamiliar voice would ring throughout the training room. A person Atticus had never met but only heard about through the many branches that made up what was Team Rocket right now. At least the man knew his name. He didn't exactly have the social status to even call out his opponent by any names. "Sir." A small but respectable bow would follow. Listening to the small but crucial explanation but he did have one small little question, he had been tailored to nitpick the fine print after all. "By one versus one do you mean one pokemon each, right?" Of course he was trying to be as respectable as he could, that was just how he was.

For a second it looked like Atticus wasn't going to get a specific answer that easily. His opponent was already opening up with a magnificent pokemon, a Hisui Braviary! Atticus had never seen one in person, truly beautiful creature! "I guess we put the show on the road." He would say as he threw his own pokebalL into the fray, the most optimal choice to fight a bird would be a cat and that was exactly what Atticus would pick. "King!" He would shout as his Incineroar would be the one joining the battle field.

t least now he was sure it was just that kind of one versus one scenario and there was no trickery afoot here. All of the times he had been taken to a mission or made a babysitter there always seemed to have an extra little nugget of knowledge or a small twist in the scenario, so making sure that wouldn't be happening here was crucial. Some may even say that he didn't exactly trust everyone in Team Rocket but the man in front was the Underboss so he had to trust him and also accept the orders.

Alas, it was battling time, that was given away when Mars started. With the distance that the Braviary put between them only meant that there was something big coming towards his Incineroar. "Defend yourself!" Atticus was fully right. His opponent would command the Braviary to use ROCK SLIDE. If it wasn't for the warning Atticus was sure that his pokemon would have been done for in the first move, something did feel off about the move, it seemed stronger, a scary thought. Being very sure that his pokemon wouldn't come out unscathed but it also wouldn't be the death of it either.

The Braviary's move could also be used to a small advantage. "DARK LARIAT! King!" Now it was their turn to make a move. Using the ROCK SLIDE as quick cover to get closer to the bird pokemon. Atticus wanted to keep his pokemon as close as possible to the Braviary. That would let him keep the pace of the fight to his own advantage he hoped but he would never know with someone as crazy strong as Martín del Mar . He would have to see where the Dark Lariat would lead him.

he simple idea that Atticus was facing against one pokemon from the someone so important to the existence of Team Rocket and one of the brains behind M.A.G.M.A itself. He was sure it was only by luck but there was still a sense of accomplishment in there, maybe after all the times he meddled with the higher ups would all lead to this moment right here.

Watching the two pokemon fight it out was a beautiful sight to behold, despite his own pokemon having trouble to connect with his bird target. As he had anticipated the distance would be of the great issues of a fight like this. He had hoped that the feline agility would have helped him a little more but now he had to play with the cards he dealt to himself.

With the distance between the two growing even more and a warning from Mars himself, Atticus was doubly sure something big was coming. "Protect yourself!" Atticus would shout towards his Incineroar would hold it's two arms in front of itself ready to defend from whatever great power came from the Braviary.

Atticus himself would even shield his own vision from the gust. It was a beautiful sight to behold, the cherry blossoms adding even more drama to the fight, fire, wind, and strong color from the blossoms all coming together for one deadly and marvelous dance between two pokemon. Atticus couldn't help but be enamored by the sight of it all. It was clear that the Incineroar would be hurt after that, and surely would have been down if it had not defended itself.

The other amazing thing in this battle was Mars itself. He was actually teaching Atticus instead of just beating the oblivion out of his pokemon and cackling away back into the shadows, it was great. He was paying attention but he didn't think it was his place actually communicate back there. They were still in a battle after all. Once again battered but still standing his Incineroar was there waiting for instructions. Taking into consideration the distance and how the battle was going he might need something faster. "Flare Blitz!"It was the last situation move and the speed from it might even get the Braviary by surprise, a jump shouldn't be a problem for a cat. They had to both try their best till the end.

ike a child at christmas, Atticus watched the motions of the battle with glowing eyes. He wasn't the type to enjoy combat like a uncivilized person, he was much more of a trick and lie into victory kind of person but despite all that he really watched everything with pure joy. Might just be due to the person who was in the other side, someone who had made it all the way to the very much the top, someone who Atticus could look up to and use as an example of conviction and drive.

He couldn't help but be a little excited when the Incineroar made contact with the bird pokemon, like a flying fire comet, rising up to the heights they should be, maybe it was their time to be on the offensive and take the battle in their own pace. Atticus was sure the hit was a big one, a once in a life time chance. Was what he thought till the moment where his pokemon was grabbed by the Braviary. What a sight to behold, Atticus' jaw dropping and his pokemon in a very auspicious situation.

Both the small compliment and the new command that Mars had given to Atticus and his own pokemon, all the words echoing inside his mind, bouncing from place to place. Watching his own pokemon being taken as further up as the room allowed. From here on out Atticus could only imagine what was about to happen, he really didn't know what to do at this, not that mattered. As the two pokemon dropped at an incredible speed towards the ground, dive bombing his Incineroar with a beautiful display of power and explosive speed.

That was it, that was the finale to something Atticus never expected to see. Once the dust and debris had settled and he did not need to shield his eyes from any of the aftermath. Taking a few steps forward Atticus would throw the pokeball at his knocked out Incineroar with a massive smile on his face. "That was... That..." His voice still a little shaken. "That was a great show of strength and beauty." Taking a small pause to take a deep breath. "I deeply thank you for the chance to learn from you." It was true. He was glad to be there and he would gladly do it again once he had learned more.

hat a interesting day it had been, for once it actually felt as if Atticus had done something that could further the agenda of Team Rocket, of course the mission he had done prior with Serena and Eris helped but they didn't feel like they could domino into something bigger in the organization.

Every action that Atticus watched Mars take during and after the battle towards his pokemon showed more compassion and care than he had seen or expected inside Team Rocket, it was nice to see that in a place known for constant bad actions. It was welcoming to see that from one of their top brass.

As Mars approached him and lent his hand for a hand shake, the Rocket member would quickly accept it and meet in the middle with his own firm handshake with a smile upon his face, a genuine smile. The compliments definitely made him a feel a bit taken back and flustered, he had not been used to praise unless it was from the fake people of his past works. "Thank you, sir. I'll be sure to tell my pokemon that too, I'm sure he'd be proud of himself." The skills he had gained from past experiences seemed to translate to combat pretty well but like Mars had just said, he needed to keep polishing what was already there.

The final compliment was the most interesting one since it had been the same given to his pokemon. Atticus himself would not take that as and offensive way, to him pokemon were just as valuable as people when it came to team work and goals, they both had their role to play.

As their hands would seperate and Mars would make their way out, Atticus would do the same, it was time to take a break and think about his own goals and look for ways to grow as a person, trainer and member of Team Rocket, he was refreshed and willing to go all out after today. "Well done." He would think to himself while smirking.