Diamond Only

Shawn smiled for the paparazzi, giving a sophisticated wave as they passed by the crowds. Raphael kept it cool, brushing a hand through his messy hair and pulling off an odd combination of the 'grunge' and 'hipster' looks rather well today. Katie scuffled behind, clutching to her purse nervously as her heart practically exploded walking into the building. Shawn looked down to Alice, laughing lightly.

"You're in for a treat!" He announced, "Gym Leader Erika came all the way out here to shoot the ad for her newest fragrance line, Diamond Only," he continued speaking as the group split up, Katie and Raphael being chauffeured to the VIP seats while Shawn and Katie were taken in to makeup. "It's a line specially designed by women, for women, though I'm sure some men will love it too," he said, seating Alice in her prep chair as he took one beside her. 

He had his own personal friend flown in, a makeup artist who amongst the stars was quite well known. Shawn seemed to have insider secrets everywhere. "Since the line is called Diamond Only, there are also a lot of gem stones and jewelry on display. That's why security has been upped at this gig. Erika doesn't approve of false advertisement, so she only uses real people and real jewelry in her commercials. Not that she needs them, the woman is a fragrance genius!"

Shawn laughed again, turning to Alice as his artist finished up. It had taken well over an hour, which seemed really ridiculous to many. However, the results couldn't be denied, they looked fabulous. "I don't think a battle with a gym leader outside of their place of work constitutes a true gym battle. Especially considering most use a gym built to give their team an advantage...like an extra challenge built on," Shawn rambled. It was hard to get him to shut up once he got going sometimes.

"Let's take you to wardrobe and hair, get you all suited up to shoot the commercial. The lines are on a teleprompter so you wont have to worry too much about that-" He looked at her glasses, and frowned a bit. "Are they anti-glare...or are you near or far sighted?" It was too late to order contacts, let alone find out her contact prescription. He shook his head. "Never mind, we'll worry about that when the time comes."

A few of the stylists ushered Alice into the hair chair, giving it body and stylistic curls here or there. It was a gorgeous almost wind-swept look, as if she were the star of a movie in her moment of shining glory. Silver hair decorations and streamers were weaved through, twinkling in the bright lights. Again, it took hours to accomplish the look, an unrealistic time for any normal person to spend on their beauty. Finally she was shown to her dressing room.

It was simple, and the star on the door didn't have her name on it or anything, but that was more or less to be expected. Still, hanging over one of the velvety red chairs was a gorgeous gown. It was a pale blue fading to a snowy white with detached sleeves. It was full length, the semi pleated skirt of it flowing gracefully. Small diamonds were embedded across it, along with a transparent mesh like veil over the entire dress, which was the only thing covering from neck to breast. The veil itself was also scattered with diamonds and sparkles, making the entire thing seem like a serene winters day.

A note was set on the vanity, addressed to Alice. It had a rather important looking seal on it. A real seal too, not one of those cheap stickers you could buy. Upon opening, the letter read;

Alice, it was amazing watching you perform in the tournament. This entire night has been promoted and expanded in your honor. Our benefactor had every diamond flown in to be set by hand for your gown. It was custom made just for you, just for this occasion. We look forward to seeing you on the catwalk this evening. Make us proud.

-???

The signature was illegible.

The woman who has apparently been working with the company for longer shook her head. "It was a mysterious benefactor. He backed the project pretty last minute, and it expanded into all this! They must be pretty suave though, a lot of the gems and jewelry they have on display right now are borrowed from museums. There's some pretty amazing stuff out there!" She finished off, brushing the dress off with lint rollers before adding a final dusting of shimmer to Alice's face and hair. Not much, mind you, just enough to bring out her eyes more.

She was ushered to the filming stage, the scene was set from props painstakingly carved and build from cardboard and plaster, painted by several Smeargle. It seemed to be a transition scene, from a serene forest to a high class jewelry store and back again. The rest of the room was filled with expensive looking equipment. Boom mics, cameras, and a bustling film crew.

"Alright, can we get all performers to the stage, PLEASE?!" The apparent director was clearly stressed with all of the last minute altercations. Still, it was nice that he could now afford lackeys to run mundane errands for him. He sat down in his folding chair, rubbing his temples as several Pokémon and women came to the set. Most of them seemed to be from Erika's Gym, having some Gloom and Vileplume along with Bellossom on the set. They also had a Nidoqueen and Lopunny in the store scene, showing off the jewelry. Something about hard like a Nidoqueen, elegant like a Lopunny. Some ridiculous ploy made up by the ad company.

Alice was shown to a spot marked my an x in masking tape on the floor. "Okay so the shot should be pretty simple. Just follow the path on the ground, and recite the lines as they show up on the teleprompter. Make sure to walk slowly, it should take you about 13 seconds to get to the first marker in the store scene. There you need to stop and show off the jewelry with the lines provided, then it should take another 8 seconds to walk to the final spot. Don't forget to use the brand name there. Remember it? Diamond Only," the woman scurried off to her spot, pretending to be a desk clerk in the store scene.

"Aaand, CUT! Great hustle everyone!" The director called, snatching a caffeinated beverage from one of his lackeys. "Now, reset the stage and let's do it again! I'm looking for magic, people!" The actors reshuffled, trainers setting their Pokémon back into place. Alice was shooed back to the starting position to do the take again. She was made to shoot it several times with different intonations and flourishes to get the perfect shot. She was given sips of water between takes, but that was about as much rest she got for a good while. Acting was hard.

Finally the director seemed pleased with the take, and everyone was given a rest. Well, almost everyone. Shawn approached Alice now that she was off the set, Katie and Raphael following behind him. "Great job up there, Alice," he commented, one arm crossed over his chest. The other arm rested elbow to hand in the other, fingers lightly tapping his chin. "But we have to get you in for touch-ups before the cat-walk! No rest for the wicked, right?" He laughed, showing her back off to her room to change. 

This time she was given some undergarments that would flow well with the majority of the outfits she would be modeling. She was also given a slip to wear, so she wouldn't feel too exposed in transition. Raphael whistled upon seeing it in the room. Shawn just rolled his eyes, pushing the buy out of the room, "hurry and get changed, the fashion show is starting soon. You're gonna be a star!" He shut the door behind him as he exited the room, waiting for Alice at the catwalk. 

The trio were shown to their reserved seats in the audience. A woman in somewhat a disarray showed up in a beret and slacks with a simple black tank on. She smiled at Alice when she opened the door. "Alright, alright, now fashion shows you gotta change on the fly backstage. No time for a full dressing room, c'mon we gotta go!" She urged Alice from the room and to back stage where she was given her first set of clothes to strut in.

The announcer came on stage, going through his usual spiel. He went over thanking the benefactors, the artists, and the city for making it happen. Alice had her own side note in the announcement, about her win in the tournament and subsequent ad recorded just earlier. "Let the magic of Diamond Only...begin!" He stepped off to his podium where he could announce each model and the couture brand and style they were shown. 

Once Alice got back stage again, the frumpy little girl helping her rushed over. She had a pencil tucked behind her ear and held a notice in her hands. "Alright, alright, so we've received word that the backer for this event wants you to go out in your Diamond Only dress. And wear this with it," she held up a rather expensive and old looking piece of jewelry. It was an ancient amulet, with a rainbow diamond set in its center "Now be VERY careful with this! It's borrowed from a museum and i highly doubt he'd be happy if anything were to happen to it!" 

She helped Alice get changed one last time, sending her out with the extraordinary jewel around her neck. Many of the judges who'd been invited to the event oohed and ahed as she came to the end of the catwalk. It glistened, mesmerizing the crowd. However, before she could make it back down the catwalk a loud crash was heard, and helicopters overhead. Screams from the crowd came shrilly, as several people in black outfits dropped down to surround the stage. Two of them even dropped down, cutting Alice off from the back stage.

One final one rode down smoothly, clutching to a rope ladder as he stepped off at the end of the walk. He took the microphone from the announcer, who winced and remain silently dumbfounded. It was a man, somewhat husky in nature but obviously muscle. He laughed in a deep voice, unsettling more people.

"I dare say-" One of the judges spoke up, standing in his rather pricy clothes and tugging at his collar. The man with the microphone placed a boot on his chest, shoving him back down into his seat. He was almost pirate like with his swagger, and by the appearance of his uniform he wasn't just some grunt like the rest of them.

The two who blocked Alice moved to grab her, holding her arms behind her back as she was made to watch. The crowd continued panicking, but were cut off on every side as a trap was placed. "Eehhh, shuttap!" The man boomed into the mic, bringing the crowd down to a sudden lull. They quivered in their boots, most of them not even having Pokémon to feel protected by. City slickers, what were you gonna do with them?

He turned to Alice, smirking in a devious, yet almost charming way. He wasn't bad looking. In fact, he was quite attractive. He seemed to be suffering from heterochromia, though whether 'suffering' was the right word for it or not was debatable. One eye was a nice hazel color, the other an almost silverish blue. However, it wasn't milky or glazed over, no. It was crystal clear and reflected Alice's expression right back at her. He removed his cap, running one hand through his crew cut, deep brown hair. 

Several Pokémon were assisting the mysterious mob. However, a mystery they were not. When he approached Alice, the embroidered red R insignia became quite clear. "My dear, you are currently the most coveted jewel here," he said, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. He quickly moved to tear the necklace from around her neck. "Ahh, where have you been all my life?" He laughed. "Loot the place, and let's get out of here. We got what we came for," the man snarled.

The two threw Alice to the ground as they went around, forcing people to hand over their valuables and pokeballs with their overwhelming force. Shawn, Raphael and Katie had already been subdued by a group of them. Shawn looked up to Alice pleadingly, trying to subtly motion for her to get to her bag before they did.

The Rocket admin spun around, glaring at Alice when she began to speak. It was made worse as the crowd began to get rambunctious, and started fighting back. Not only were those with Pokémon using them, but those without were throwing punches of their own! At first it seemed like TR would get away easily, but the more Alice's speech went on, the more defiant the crowd became.

He stomped across the stage, shoving the necklace into his pocket before swatting the microphone from her hand. He rose it again, ready to backhand her for being so defiant when he was caught off guard. Two sets of arms had his, and a petite set on one of his legs even. It was her friends!
Shawn had the upraised right arm, Raphael the other with Katie on his left leg. They were apparently struggling, as the man was easily twice either of their size, and all muscle. He groaned and roared, muscles flexing as they fought to keep him off her.

"Hurry, Alice! We're counting on you!" Shawn yelled through clenched teeth. The man flung his arm, tossing Shawn off and back into the crowd.

"Alice, your Pokémon! They need direction from you-aagh!" Raphael yelled as he was pulled off by the now free arm, and tossed aside as well. Katie bit his ankle, the man yelling before he kicked her off, the tiny girl tumbling to the other side of the stage where she remained still. Her friends had been knocked out, but gave her a chance to avoid his wrath if only for a moment.

Cleffa released a torrent of colorful leaves, though not all were the most accurate. Many of the bags were cut open, spilling the loot back onto the ground. Strays nicked some of the grunts, leaving painful albeit mostly superficial woulds on their bodies. The admin of the group placed his hands over his ears, yelling out enraged, unable to properly make out who was who, or which way was up. It was Zubat's confuse ray! However, he only caught the edge of the damage, as some of the grunts began punching each other.

He shook his head, focusing with all his might to make out Alice in the storm of his mind. "These Pokémon...shouldn't be so powerful..." He groaned, panting as his head throbbed. "Retreat to the copters!" He ordered with a wave of his arm. He made a point to aim his gloved right hand at Alice. "Don't think for a minute that this is over," he growled, before a ladder lowered beside him as it carried him up into the air. He scurried into the metal bird, the rope ladder raising with him.

Several of the grunts got away, though it seemed next to none made it with any loot. It would be an arduous task later to resolve whose goods belonged to whom. A few of the unlucky ones were apprehended by both civilians, and the police who were finally arriving on scene. Apparently TR had set up a good blockade to prevent them from arriving any sooner. Still, the entire place was a mess after the chaos, and Alice's friends were still unconscious. Not to mention the precious necklace Alice managed to lose, though not her fault in the least.

The admin glanced down as the bat lifted the Cleffa into the air. He figured they would try taking them out of the air. He pressed an earpiece to launch communication lines to the team. "Create a barrier, protect the merchandise," he opened one of his own pokeballs, a large almost human like Pokémon wielding spoons appearing. "Alakazam, use Barrier, then Light Screen," he commanded with calm authority. Several other Pokémon like Porygon, Magnezone and the like were also using the move, creating a shield around the Helicopter. 

The tactic was rather effective, the invisible barrier absorbing most of the attack. The helicopter suffered from some minor turbulence, but other than that was pretty well off. The admin chuckled, and they quickly disappeared into the distance. One of the other helicopters wasn't so lucky, being taken down by psychic abilities and the flurry of stars.

As they were splashed in turn, both Shawn and Raphael jerked up. Shawn cringed, holding his side. More than likely got some bruised ribs from the tumble. Raphael collapsed again, though not falling asleep. "Uhhnnng, my head..." He groaned, writhing on the stage floor. 

Shawn managed to pull himself back up onto the catwalk, sitting on its ledge. He was favoring his left side greatly, an already visible cut and bruise along his hairline. "That guy was like a freak of nature," he coughed wispily. "Man...Ice would be really nice right now..."

Katie however didn't respond too well to the first splash to her face. She groaned, using her dainty fingers to shoo Slowpoke away. "Five more minutes," she moaned groggily. Slowpoke doused her again, inciting a shrill screech from the girl as she jolted awake. "C-cold!" She shouted, eyes wide as she glanced around shakily.

It was indeed hectic, everyone running about in the back. However, as more police arrived on scene and the stolen items were confiscated, some order seemed to return. They made a system in which you filled out what items and Pokémon were stolen from you, then you would get them back. Obviously, Pokémon were a higher priority but would still take several days at a minimum to figure it all out.

Erika appeared from behind a curtain and approached Alice. "It was a great thing what you did back there," she said, offering her hand to the young idol. "My Pokémon and I are grateful. Alice, right? My name is Erika, though you probably knew that." 

A large blossom Pokémon showed up beside her. It had a strange bulbous flower on its head and a blue body. "Gloom, gloom!" It chimed, a sweet aroma in the air. They were known for a horrendous stench when under stress, but apparently it felt safe in Alice's presence.

"My Gloom and I would like to give you this as a gesture of good faith- it's a bottle of our new perfume, Diamond Only. We've also spoken with the director of this whole matter. Don't worry about the necklace, it wasn't your fault at all. We'd also like for you to keep the dress, as it was specially made just for you!" She handed over the crystal bottle. The fragrance inside was based on pheromones, and so smelled different for each person. To some it might be fruity, others floral, and some even musky. In this way it was almost guaranteed to smell good to whomever was wearing it.

Back outside most of the crowd had cleared off to fill out their forms. Slowpoke had made ice, which Katie wrapped in scraps of clothes and other things for ice packs. Raphael and Shawn both had one to their head, Katie favoring her ankle. It didn't look like they'd be traveling long distances any time soon.

"I'm afraid Team Rocket managed to scramble up my team pretty badly. Gloom is all I have right now until the Police straighten things out. They say they should have my team sorted out first thing, but who knows how long that could take. This wasn't one of their small group hits, this was organized from the top of the Team rocket organization..." Erika said, worry in her face and voice. It was obvious she was distraught that her Pokémon had been pried from her, but more so seemed worried about the whole ordeal.

"That's why I felt the need to personally thank you. Without you I might have lost my Pokémon forever, and lost my position as Celadon City's Gym Leader. But...Team Rocket was disbanded several years ago. For them to show themselves so openly like this, I can't help but feel it was planned out, every detail. Including you," Erika set her hand on Alice's shoulder gently. "You should be careful. If they're willing to televise their return, they might be willing to retaliate just as openly."

With how Alice stood up, it would be little surprise if they went after her. Even if it weren't a whole ordeal like this time, a few ticked off grunts who got their asses beat might want some payback down the line. Erika's words were best to not be taken lightly. 

"Among other reasons," Shawn said, wincing as he suppressed his laugh for the sake of his rib cage. "You were pretty amazing back there. Wish I could have seen the whole thing though," he admitted, as some nurses finally made their way to her friends. They weren't the only ones who had been banged up in the ordeal, several other people requiring some medical attention. Fortunately nobody seemed to be fatally injured, though a few suffered from broken bones. Mostly just cuts and bruises.

Broken spirits seemed to be lacking, as many were recounting their own miniature exploits to others. One in an arm sling raised his arm making a fist in a grand gesture, only to retract it sharply in pain before their small group shared a laugh. It seemed Alice had given them more than just hope at the time. Raphael looked up from where he was sitting, still dizzied.

"You should be more careful, though. You could have seriously been hurt; you're no Amazonian woman or anything," Raphael's words weren't meant as an insult, and were laced with obvious worry. It wasn't like she was just in a Pokémon battle, she was petite and fair against a megalomaniac. "But yeah, it looks like the three of us are gonna be posted for a while..." He glanced over to Katie, who had a nurse tending to her ankle. She was in obvious pain, the area in question already swelling like a balloon.

"We'd understand if you didn't want to wait around," Shawn began again, using his right arm to help him to his feet. He staggered to Alice, and placed some money in her hand. "I beat the crap out of some grunts, and they dropped this. I think you should have it, though," he spoke trying to sound stronger than he currently was. He wasn't one for violence, but Alice's speech had stirred up everything. Besides, it was okay if it was to protect his friends, right?