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Without needing any commands, the Pidgeot soared higher, out of the Rapidash's reach and began flapping her powerful wings, sending great gusts of wind rushing towards horse and rider.

Flashing the girl a sinister grin, the man who seemed to be in charge chuckled. "Oh, quite a serious threat, my dear. And you don't need to worry about who we are. You should be more concerned about yourself right now. We're nothing like those pathetic pansies at Team Rocket..."

The threat hung in the air menacingly. Meanwhile, the Mightyena had been circling the Rapidash slowly, low to the ground as if on the hunt. Suddenly, he crouched and leapt, soaring through the air towards the horse's flank, aiming to take him by surprise.

The Mightyena snarled, snapping his fangs and swipping his claws in the general direction of the horse's flank. Without waiting to see if he'd even connected, he growled and rebounded, hurrying to get away from the Rapidash before the air got any hotter.

Far above, the Pidgeot pushed herself to her limit, kicking up a full-blown whirlwind that circled the horse and rider. Screeching her challenge to the forest, she attempted to restrict the Rapidash's attack, away from her collegues.

Meanwhile, the two humans stepped back, feeling the heat quite plainly on their faces, but staying as close as they dared.

"This looks like as good a time as any. Ready?"

"Ready."

Both men reached into their coats, pulling out a couple of odd-looking Pokeballs. Capture Balls, they were called. Once used by a company called Cipher, CRONUS had gotten ahold of the technology and tweaked it for their own use. Capturing other trainers' Pokemon.

In unison, the men tossed the balls towards the rampaging Rapidash, twin red light beams striking the horse. If one didn't catch him, perhaps the other would.

The man picking up the Capture Ball, glanced up casually, unconcerned. Instead, he dropped to the ground, timing it so that he could throw a sweeping kick at the girl and knock her feet out from under her.

The move was almost unnecessary, however, as up above, the Pidgeot saw her master in danger and screeching piercingly, wheeled and dove for the human that dared attack him.

Nearby, the Mightyena bounded over, placing himself protectively between the girl and his own master. The canine snarled dangerously, fur bristling as he crouched, ready to lunge at a moment's notice.

"Give it up, little girl," the first man sneered arrogantly. "You're outnumbered and outclassed. If you have any hope of saving yourself, you'll back down and give yourself up immediately."

"Smart choice, little girl," the man chuckled, stroking his Mightyena. Behind Diana, the other man fumbled in his pocket for a moment before pulling out a tiny, strange-looking gun. Or so it seemed. With a soft 'pfft' sound, a miniscule tranquilizer dart soared through the air, imbedding itself in Diana's arm. She wouldn't be going anywhere now. No chance of that.

"Was that really necessary?"

"Nah. It was fun though." He chuckled darkly, recalling his Pidgeot for a well-deserved rest. "Plus, you know the lab is going to knock her out anyway. We just saved them the trouble. Now let's hurry up and get out of here before we're seen by anyone else. That's the last tranq dart I have."

WHUMP.

The Mightyena's owner glanced up, raising an eyebrow as the girl hit the dirt. "You know, we probably should have caught her or something."

"Eh," the other man shrugged. "Too late now." Putting away his Pidgeot's Pokeball, he called out a Dodrio that cawed loudly, then lowered each of its three heads for petting. "Good boy." Hefting the unconscious girl awkwardly onto the bird's back, the two men managed to balance her so that she wouldn't fall off. "Yeah, that'll do. Now, let's get out of here and back to the lab. Least we have something to show for this trip. It wasn't a complete waste."

"Enough that the Doc won't have our heads, anyway," the first man muttered, leaving his Mightyena to walk beside them. No telling what they might run into on the walk back to the marina. They still had a long ride back in the speedboat until they reached the island again. That dart should last a few good hours though. Plenty of time to turn her over to the good doctor and end their shifts. Then...some well-deserved down time.

BZZT!

The intercom in the wall next to the bed buzzed to life and in moments a voice sounded through the room.

"Ah, you're finally awake! We were starting to worry. I hope you'll find your accommodations acceptable. I apologize for your sparse funishings, but if there is anything else you need, please feel free to ask. We'll do our best to bring you anything you need."

The voice was cheerful and suave, reminding one of a hotel bellboy or a restaurant waiter...or something equally fake and annoying if one was subjected to it for too long.

There was the eerie silence of static for some time before the voice answered again. "Welcome to CRONUS. We hope you will enjoy your stay with us. If it pleases you to wait just a moment, we'll send you some refreshments to make your stay more pleasant. Please make yourself comfortable and feel free to get some rest if you would please."

The intercom disconnected with a very definite click.