It wasn't particularly hard to find Lulu Flint. All you had to do was follow the noise.

And boy, was it loud. The noise was comparable to a rebounding explosion from a cave-in. Not only was it loud, but it just kept going. Like a lecture on Johto's import embargoes from two centuries prior, the perpetual noise didn't seem to cease. Howard was not going to complain, though. He tended to avoid Team Rocket's main headquarters. He was stationed away and preferred to work out on the boonies.

Less drama. Less Scream Tails. More time to do his job.

"So this is what you called me for? An ugly beast, that." A knock on the wall of the laboratory signified Howard's presence. He refused to wear a lab coat out of principle, but he did prepare for the Scream Tail's wailing with a pair of fluffy pink earmuffs.

"Ma'am." Howard bowed his head stiffly. It was best to maintain a professional air in the belly of the beast, until further notice. "I've arrived, per your order. This it?" He tapped its container with a gloved hand, and it screamed at him. "Oooh, feisty."

---

Lulu Flint

MISSION: A Paradox Problem

"It's my great pleasure, Ms. Flint. Can I call you Lulu? All these two word descriptors are giving my mouth a workout. Team Rocket. Ms. Flint. Scream Tail." Howard smiled drily. "Shortening one goes a long way.

The name Lulu Flint meant a lot within Team Rocket, even without her formal position. Even without the vast resources of Team Rocket's upper echelons, she was still a respected figure by most. That meant something, even if her 'orders' were no longer held to the strictest definition of the word.

She had called. He had answered. It was as simple as that.

"Its name is quite a mystery. Quite cuddly too, until it mauls you in your sleep." Howard agreed with a chuckle, before backing away from the glass and shaking his head. "No. Its anthropological records don't match any Jigglypuff skeleton I've ever seen. It matches no fossil records. The only thing it matches is my alarm in decibels. I'd have to cut it open and lobotomize it to confirm, but that wastes resources for minimal academic gain."

Such a thing was a cardinal sin. You did not waste valuable material.

"Although..." Howard trailed off thoughtfully.

---

MISSION: A Paradox Problem

A flash of uneasiness crossed Howard's face as Lulu's Porygon projected a list of data towards him. It only lasted for a second, though. Any hint of weakness, and he'd be eaten alive. Howard's fear of technology was something to be discarded for now.

Instead, it was best to focus on the information being projected. A comprehensive list of Paradox Pokémon, many of which Howard had never seen. That was perfectly fine. Many disgusted him.

"I see. You've followed the same logical path as me." Howard's remaining eye blinked in approval as he nodded. "I've been wonder about it for a while. What makes a Paradox Pokémon come into existence? It's simply absurd to think that Hoenn would think of... that. "

The Scream Tail screamed at Howard and Lulu, with Howard sticking his tongue at it.

"The selection of Pokémon that emerge from the consciousness is random. Pokémon with a major cultural impact, such as Volcarona, are affected. Culturally irrelevant ones, such as Misdreavus, are also affected. I see you have the former here twice. Interesting. Same with Donphan. I presume you called me in to deal with the more ancient specimens, but one of these robots catches my eye." Howard frowned as he gestured towards the mechanized Tyranitar on the projected image. "Have you ever heard of a movie called Big Monster: Titanic Tyranitar?"

---

Lulu Flint
MISSION: A Paradox Problem

"Shame. It's a great movie, I'll loan you my copy some time." Howard chuckled. "It's not shocking that you've heard of it. It's not super popular anymore. Too many sequels, tale as old as time. It was more popular several years ago. Maybe these things can draw inspiration from any time."

An interesting hypothesis, with the unfortunate byproduct of being extremely difficult to prove. What, were they going to perform a worldwide survey on movies that people likely didn't remember? Interviews? Not enough people for an avenue with no backing.

In a way, it was the bane of academics. In another, it was exciting. There was absolutely nothing that could be taken off the table. Maybe Howard would get approval to lobotomize it after all.

Not that he wanted to ruin this Scream Tail. It was quite cuddly, and alive. Not a fossil.

"Yes. I've been to what we've designated as the Ultra Plant. Dreadful place." Last time Howard had explored Ultra Space, it had involved walking jumbles of cords, much screaming, and a collapsing chasm. "Do you believe that there's a correlation between these Paradoxes and other worlds? Is that why you ask?"

---

Lulu Flint
MISSION: A Paradox Problem

"I'll keep an eye out for Titanic Tyranitar posters in Ultra Space. Careful when you go. Almost got killed by a giant lightbulb that could power Hoenn for a year." Howard grunted as he remembered his experience with the mysterious electrical golem. It had almost killed his two colleagues.

The rondez-view of luv was something that Howard had little experience with. He did know of prophecies, though. Histories. Certain cultures practically thrived on the notion of preordained events.

"I don't think so. Most of these Paradox Pokemon are strange, but ultimately harmless." Was he underestimating the creatures? Likely. The robotic ones were unnerving, and the ancient ones made a mockery of Howard's field, but capable of destroying timelines? He could not vouch for that.

"Though I'm not someone who claims to understand the intricacies of theoretical physics, culture has a strange way of adapting to anything that comes its way. Many will likely be immortalized as gods or pillars of folklore and myth. They'll become stories. Demons that come to whisk children away when they misbehave. Monsters for heroes and legendary Pokemon to do battle with for the fate of the world, only remembered in dusty texts."

The Scream Tail hissed weakly. Howard waved at it.

"Yet the mechanics of the multiverse—that's more your domain, isn't it?"

---

Lulu Flint
MISSION: A Paradox Problem

"Yes." Howard's single eye blinked jovially, in contrast with Lulu's now humorless one. He was quiet for several seconds, choosing his words carefully, before continuing. "The Paradox Pokemon, themselves? Ultimately, many of them are harmless. From what we know now, they are infertile. Mutts have never been good at reproduction."

Despite his jovial nature, Howard's tone became stiffer, as if adapting to Lulu's new stance. It did not fully leave, though. He was changing, before her eyes, into someone more academically inclined. Movie references were abandoned, in exchange for an academic perspective.

"Unnatural Pokémon are not a new thing." Lulu's Porygon was still in the room. "Even centuries ago, they existed. Golurk. Claydol. Type: Nulls, infertile mules that shouldn't exist. They used to be rare, and now everyone and their pet Growlithe has one." Howard chuckled and shook his head. "They are not a threat to reality. What spawns them is. I despise these things. Mutant little monsters formed nonsensically from the madness that exists up here."

Howard tapped his temple, smiling wryly.

"What spawns them? Lulu, I believe that is the bigger issue. A pile of Joltiks can be swept away, but what if there exists a hole in reality that continuously pumps them out? Do you keep crushing insects, or do you plug the hole? Or, in this case, do we clear away this mist like how rain wipes away a morning fog?"

---

Lulu Flint
MISSION: A Paradox Problem

"It is quite the issue. It's up to all of us. We who make up the section of Team Rocket who can string more than a few words together, and have loftier ambitions than robbing corner stores." This issue was larger than both Team Rocket and the League, though neither would admit it.

Even if it killed them both.

"I suspect that there is some combination of powers and authorities bestowed unto Legendary Pokémon that could solve the issue, but now we venture into your realm of expertise. I will help you however I can. It's a rare thing indeed to cooperate with one of Team Rocket's brightest."

Alternatively, the solution could be out there. Beyond the veils of reality that few came back from. What better way to solve a problem threatening reality than something from beyond reality itself? With the release of a ball, Howard's Cradily emerged behind him as the Scream Tail continued its screeching. "Zip it.

A Confuse Ray emerged from the Cradily, causing the Scream Tail to slur and collapse in a mixture of confusion and exhaustion.

"We should figure out how this mist manifests Pokémon, and why each one is chosen. I'll do some research into the subject for you, if you wish. There has to be a connection beyond pop culture references." Howard's brow wrinkled. "If it's really that simple, throw me off a cliff."

---

Lulu Flint
MISSION: A Paradox Problem