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Darkness is truly magnificent. Aila could not help but marvel at the inky splendor that surrounded her, penetrated only slightly by the various city lights. It was the only cloak she deemed worthy of her face as she crept closer to the uppermost windows of the large bank. How unsightly, she mused, to lower herself to the theft of such ugly bills. But it could not be helped; the buying market for gems was sparse, and there were various expenses vying for Aila's immediate attention.

The dim glow of a single light from within the bank startled Aila when it came to her attention. Who would be there at this hour? Perhaps janitorial staff? She peered inside, arching her neck to seize a better view of the interior. Surely it was as simple as a light being forgotten, or - Ah! There! A pair of men, engaged in some conversation. She cursed under her breath. If she waited for them to finish and leave, she risked discovery by employees commuting to their workplaces for the earliest shifts. With a frown, she donned a pair of leather gloves and protective glasses. She drew a glass cutter from her bag and carefully created a hole in the window, less than a foot in diameter. She reached for the pokeball at her hip and released its inhabitant, who shook herself briefly to prepare for the task that would be assigned to her. Aila drew a short breath to settle her own nerves. This was her best bet.

"Fleur, use Sleep Powder."

The Bulbasaur growled a quiet assent and released a cloud of the powerful yet natural sedative through the hole that swiftly encroached upon the bank's two occupants.

Fleur quickly moved to place herself between her trainer and the Luxray, a pair of vines crossed before her as if to form a barrier. Aila glared at the man who dared to address her so impudently. Did he not know who she was? ...Well, no, and that was why he was asking. Despite that...

"My name," she projected her voice just enough that it would reach the stranger without disturbing any potential occupants of the nearby buildings, "is of no importance to you." This would be the ideal opportunity to flee, she determined. To leave empty-handed, though, would be an admittance of defeat, and she refused to marr her flawless record so carelessly. "Nor is your name of any importance to me. I have no desire to involve you in my affairs. It would be best if you would remove your arm from your face and allow me to go about my work."

The corners of Aila's lips curled in a slight grin. If she had known sooner that there was such fun to find in the business of bank robbery, she would have attempted it much sooner. She had a sneaking suspicion, however, that this sort of challenge was not quite within the ordinary.

"Fleur, you are to cover for me," she murmured as she secured a cloth around her nose and mouth. "Razor Leaf."

The Bulbasaur obliged, knife-like green leaves shattering the glass. Aila made her move almost simultaneously, springing forward with every intent to bring the man's arm away from his face. If she could accomplish that much, she could expose him to a second Sleep Powder, and from there her objective would be within her grasp.

Aila gritted her teeth to suppress a cry of pain as the man's - giant's?! - counter caught her jaw. She aimed a swift kick at her opponent's shin as she stumbled backwards, drawing the glass cutter back out from her pocket and hurling it in his direction as she commanded her Bulbasaur, "Vine Whip!"

Fleur's vines flailed wildly in the confusion inflicted by the Luxray's movements, but each missed blow stirred the shards of glass littering the platform of their battle.

Aila was quick to recover her footing, taking a few steps backwards to meet her opponent's gaze more levelly.

"Team Rocket? That pitiful organization that's been already suffered multiple defeats at the hands of this city's incompetent officers?" She couldn't help but scoff at the idea. "What could they possibly offer me?" She turned a her attention to her Bulbasaur when she heard the Luxray's command, and she scowled as the pokemon's fangs closed on the green bulb. Fleur cried out, quivering from the pain of the blow.

"Bear with it! Sleep Powder!" the girl called. The same bulb swelled and burst with the intoxicating dust, but the Bulbasaur's condition was grave after taking such a powerful attack.

"Such filthy words. That mouth of yours surely knows no shame."

The Typhlosion's appearance was problematic, to say the least - Fleur stood no chance even at full strength, let alone in her current battered and beaten state. To let the battle continue would be futile, even cruel. Taking all things into consideration, Aila raised her Bulbasaur's pokeball, the stream of crimson light enveloping Fleur and drawing her into the device.

"I will admit your victory," she said, appalled at the man's ignoble words but determined not to return them. "However, I shall not leave this place empty-handed. Money, gems, even information... Its form does not matter so long as it is more than I arrived with. You are welcome to continue to interfere if you do so desire. Should I depart with nothing gained, it will be as a corpse."

Aila narrowed her eyes at the "information," but she felt no inclination to counter it. Her mother had taught her to ignore such comments. It was a shame his attitude was as callous as it was, she considered. Otherwise, the man would be a perfect model towards which to aspire: swift, strong, merciless, and tall. Just what would one eat to grow to such heights?!

"Aila Christelle de Valois," she said. "That is this 'idiot's' name. It is a rare honor to hear it," though she was well aware that he would not receive it as such. "Care to reply in kind?"