The time wasted as a paper pusher was revealing itself as a chain around his ankle, an anchor holding him back.

Jayden wanted proof of mettle, but Gerald had nothing to show except what he had already told. If that wasn’t enough…

There had to be a way around it.

“Combat wise? No, I have no recent work in that regard.” Which was one of the things that had pushed him to come here today. And yet he figured this was an answer Jayden wouldn’t accept, and so with perhaps a bit too much desperation in his voice he continued.

“But if you need me to prove myself, I will do it, any test, just say the word.”

MISSION: Assessment Act 1

Gerald listened. That was the only thing he could do right now, not only because of the PRESSURE but because these were wise words that did put things in perspective.

Perhaps he had thought about all of this the wrong way. Perhaps he shouldn’t think about his fellow Rockets as liabilities too untrustworthy to be relied on when his skills were lacking, but rather as assets he could use to cover up those weaknesses. And if they failed? He would probably have failed at that task.

Gerald wasn’t certain that it was word-for-word the lesson Cillian wanted him to learn but it was the conclusion he reached. And for a moment he thought himself safer as the PRESSURE lessened.

Only for Cillian’s words to offer more condemnation in the form of a question.

Gerald had to think long and hard and unfortunately for all his efforts the answer came up the same.

“I do not.”

He had a feeling Cillian was about to enlighten him on that topic as well.


LOCATION: Cillian's office.

Cillian’s words pinned Gerald to his seat. The chair no longer felt like just a chair, but a prison all on its own. A prison from which attempted escape would mean his end.

He nervously gulped when Cillian gave the order. For it certainly was not a question he could NOT answer.

What felt like an eternity went by within his own mind as he tried to come up with some plan. He tried to focus on what Cillian wanted and not the threat a wrong answer posed. And in the end he found what he believed to be a suitable path.

“First of all I’d deal with the flaw that caused this to begin with, my Selfishness. - ” He paused, taking the briefest of moments to gauge Cillian’s reaction. “ - I suppose that would mean some form of team-building training or tutelage under someone that can teach me ways to deal with my tendency to rely on myself more than the team.” With the words spoken Gerald now looked toward Cillian, doing his best to seem calm even when he wasn't.

Honestly he was unsure about this plan. It felt like he was standing in his own grave and digging it even deeper. Unfortunately he had little experience to go by and so as a last resort had turned to the few times he had attempted to work retail back when he was a much much younger kid in Fortree City.

LOCATION: Cillian's office.

Gerald found his arm suddenly seized by his fellow Rocket. He became acutely aware of this invasion of his personal space. It quickly became clear to him that he could not wrestle himself free of the iron grip without it potentially turning violent, and he did not want that.

So he quieted his desire to free himself and the conflicting emotions he was feeling from this proximity, praying that Circe did not notice, and turned his attention to the growing noise.

“No promises.” He stated bluntly. “Ghosts aren’t real, so you won’t be possessed.” If only he had heard about the stuff happening in the Borders. Anyhow he continued toward the noise as unafraid as one could be.

MISSION: Ghost in the machine

For a short, dumb, moment Gerald thought his excuse adequate, thought himself safe. Then Cillian began to speak and the pressure intensified.

Gerald did his best to keep his composure without trying to look arrogant. He knew he was in no position to argue with Cillian not only because of the difference in rank, but because of the difference in experience. Experience proven by the logic in Cillian’s words.

But what could he possibly respond to this feedback without angering Cillian further. After taking as much time to think as he figured was appropriate he landed on a surprisingly simple and uncreative response.

“Yes sir. I will make sure to do better next time.”

For a moment he considered asking for advice, but he figured that Cillian would surely be in no mood to answer the questions of a lowly grunt.

LOCATION: Cillian's office.

What went wrong?

That was the question Gerald had pondered a fair amount of times before having been called up here. He still wasn’t sure he had an adequate answer but he had an idea.

“I failed to maintain an overview of the battlefield -” Gerald began to explain. He had been the one incharge of the battle, so of course they had surely relied on him to manage the battlefield. But it wasn't the only thing

“- And our team coordination was off.” They had fought like individuals against the much more coordinated efforts of their League opponent. “I suppose I managed to escape because I was the better fighter?” While it could have sounded arrogant, Gerald did not speak it as such. It was stated with the bluntness of the broadside of a spoon.


LOCATION: Cillian's office.

“Could be a trap.” Gerald muttered as he looked around. “But shouldn’t whoever set it have reacted to it failing?” Gerald questioned. They had been doing nothing but standing around here and looking, not even pressing onward.

Gerald noticed something lying on the ground, something he could best describe as a grappling hook of sorts, and for a moment he wondered if it could be used to slide the metal wires. A dangerous mode of transportation to be sure, but it was a mode none the less.

Prompt done:
- 12 investigate the massive mechanical castle found at the northern end of the kingdom. in there, find the ancient remains of humans and pokemon.
- 19 involve an elevator ride that goes horrifically wrong.
- 20 experience the kingdom's song picking up tempo, causing all mechanizations, including soulless pokemon, to frantically speed up.
- utilize an ultra beast in an advantageous way.

Jayden attacked head on with his question. There were no two ways around it.

This was a difficult question to answer. And so he took all the moments he needed to formulate it properly.

What changed is that I realized that I need to be indispensable for Team Rocket so it won’t get any funny ideas, even if that means working with others or climbing the ladder. Of course the words in his mind would not be released into the room.

“What changed is that I have realized that if I want to be able to keep repaying Team Rocket for what they’ve done for me, I have to be able to work with others.”

He hoped this would be enough reason for Jayden.

MISSION: Assessment Act 1

Zeraora circled the outskirts of the horde. Unlike its fellow fighters it had little in the way of ranged attacks and so it was forced to stay close, and dance around the falling boulders and the fires. But it didn’t mind the danger. It found the challenge exhilarating as it worked to keep stragglers from running away. With each POWER-UP-PUNCH it delivered to a victim it felt itself grow stronger.

There were Paradox Pokemon that fought back, some were stronger, even providing a fight with that bulk and their strength, but still Zeraora managed to keep them at bay, keep them in the horde as the air support would arrive.

While the others flew about, Iron Moth took a more stationary role in the air as it so often preferred to do. A flaw in its programming perhaps? But be that as it may its fire power was put to good use as it rained hell down upon its unfortunate victims with a gatling gun of FIERY DANCES.




NOTES: AZ Excursion E: Cull the horde

PlOH0ISA

While Sage was doing his thing, Gerald and his Pokemon were doing their part. Defeating the unfortunate souls that fell to their tricks.

But they could not stay here forever. And so by the time Sage returned with their objective in hand. Gerald had readied their escape.

A Big Charizard stood ready for taking them both away behind a screen of smoke.




NOTES: GC EXCURSION E: Research Station

Yuz_yIlW

The battle grew fierce quickly as a Dragon Tail swiped against both Pokemon. Absol managed to dodge but the Miltank wasn’t quite as fortuitous. But one hit was not enough to knock the bovine unconscious and so they would both quickly return to the offensive.

But luckily Gerald didn’t have to hold back once Midori carried away its unconscious trainer. His eyes followed for a moment, making sure they really were escaping as he began to feel a sense of relief. Though he did not quite know why.

He was free to work as he pleased. Free to release his Pokemon as he pleased. And so he did. Two Pokemon grew into four, then six. Overwhelming numbers against a foe with limited mobility. Sure it’s electric strikes were powerful but so were his Pokemon.

He let one chance at capture pass, as his gut told him it wasn’t the right time. But he knew there was plenty to be had for this battle and it was sure to take a while.



NOTES:
- GC EXCURSION C: Monster Hunter
- Scene End

“You two heard him, follow their lead.” Gerald commented. Though his voice did reveal a hint of enthusiasm for the work that was about to be done.

Dorian seemed to favor a go wide approach, but Gerald would be lying if he claimed he wouldn’t use an opportunity like this to test his Zeraora’s limits.

And while the Iron Moth followed the three other flying Pokemon Zeraora limbered up with AGILITY, followed by HONE CLAW to fully prepare for the massacre that was about to happen.



NOTES: AZ Excursion E: Cull the horde

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