Shiranui made his way up and reached the uppermost stairway-accessible floor where he met a Rocket executive by the name of Ariana. "So you're the kid who's been a thorn in our sides," stated Ariana.
"One of two and he's downstairs doing clean-up," answered Shiranui.
"Nevertheless, here is as far as you go!" continued Ariana, "Go Arbok!"
"Arbok, the Cobra Pokémon and the evolved form of Ekans. The pattern on its belly appears to be a frightening face. Weak foes will flee just at the sight of the pattern."
"Tachi, I choose you!" Shiranui sent his Espeon out.
"Arbok, Glare!"
"Tachi, Double Team!" The Espeon flitted back and forth until several copies were made. Arbok tried to use its hood pattern to intimidate Tachi, but the Espeon's Magic Bounce ability paralysed Arbok instead.
"Alright, Arbok, if status attacks won't work, Crunch that Espeon!"
"Tachi, Psychic!" Arbok felt the Espeon's mental onslaught and swiftly fainted as a result.
"Arbok, return; go Murkrow!"
"Tachi, return; Hitsuji, I choose you!" Both trainers switched their Pokémon with Shiranui switching his Espeon for his Flaaffy.
"Murkrow, Pursuit!"
"Hitsuji, Thunderbolt!" Murkrow dive bombed Hitsuji for some damage and the Flaaffy released some electricity from his wool, zapping Murkrow.
"Murkrow, Night Shade!"
"Hitsuji, Power Gem!" Murkrow unleashed a bolt of shadowy energy that hit Hitsuji for damage equal to the Murkrow's level. Hitsuji's tail glowed and bright sparkling light issued forth, blasting Murkrow into a knockout. Hitsuji let off an equally bright glow this time all over his form. The Flaaffy's body grew taller to the point of being a foot shorter than Shiranui and the glow subsided to reveal an Ampharos.
"Ampharos, the Light Pokémon and the evolved form of Flaaffy. Ampharos gives off so much light that it can be seen even from space. People in the old days used the light of this Pokémon to send signals back and forth with others far away."
"Vileplume, go!" Ariana switched her Murkrow for her Vileplume.
"Vileplume, the Flower Pokémon and an evolved form of Gloom. It has the world's largest petals. With every step, the petals shake out heavy clouds of toxic pollen."
"Vileplume, Sleep Powder!"
"Hitsuji, Thunder Wave!" Vileplume released a cloud of sparkling powder that didn't put Hitsuji to sleep. The Ampharos let loose a bright blue bolt of electricity, zapping Vileplume into paralysis.
"Vileplume, try again!"
"Hitsuji, Dragon Pulse!" The Ampharos let off a shock wave of draconic energy, blasting Vileplume for some major damage. Vileplume released more sparkling powder and Hitsuji fell asleep.
"Vileplume, Mega Drain!"
"Hitsuji, return; Tachi, I choose you!" Shiranui returned his Ampharos and sent his Espeon back out. Vileplume drained away some of Tachi's energy and recovered some health.
"Vileplume, Sleep Powder!"
"Tachi, Psychic!" The Espeon snapped into action and released a mental assault on Vileplume, causing enough damage to knock the flower out.
"I defeated you in battle, now you will tell me where you're holding the hostages," stated Shiranui.
"I'm not telling you a thing!" Ariana replied.
"Then Tachi here will read your mind," rebutted Shiranui, "Go on, Tachi!" Tachi nodded and read Ariana's mind. The Espeon saw images of the Goldenrod Underground and the basement of the Department Store. After relaying the information to Shiranui's mind, Tachi telekinetically pulled a key out of Ariana's pocket and gave it to Shiranui. "Thank you Tachi."
Shiranui went back downstairs to see what Liam was up to.