[attr="class","wildpkmn"]

[attr="class","wildtag"]Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","wildnote"] WHAT WILL YOU DO?

[attr="class","text"]

Zev had not lied when he'd told Nomi he would consider such a partnership if his goals and the Pokémon's goals were aligned. It wouldn't be much different than what he was doing now with Team Rocket.[break][break]

Previously, he had simply been a contracted killer, using the crime syndicate as a means to an end. Money for murder. It was simple, straightforward. He could have ended the relationship at any time by refusing to take more contracts from them.[break][break]

Now, however, Zev was not only a member of their ranks, but a Beast with responsibilities and obligations. Team Rocket was still a means to an end, but the goal had changed, and with it, his entanglement in the organization. If he wanted to destroy even the idea of the League, he had to commit to Team Rocket.[break][break]

If a Legendary Pokémon wished to destroy the League, too, could Zev commit to an alliance with it?[break][break]

If it merely wanted to destroy, regardless of target or allegiance, could he manipulate it through an offer of mutual benefit? Mutual means, mutual ends?[break][break]

A Golisopod trudged across Zev's path, interrupting his musings.[break][break]

"Attack," he ordered, his voice devoid of emotion. Electricity crackled along his Marowak's bone club as a THUNDERBOLT zapped the wild Pokémon. The Bug-type skittered away, injured.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","wildpkmn"]

[attr="class","wildtag"]Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","wildnote"] WHAT WILL YOU DO?

[attr="class","text"]

Of course, Zev knew one didn't just walk up to a Legendary Pokémon with the intent of offering it a deal. The fact that people on both sides of the war were searching for Palkia and Dialga was more than enough proof of that.[break][break]

As much as Team Rocket wanted more power on their side, the cooperation of Legendary Pokémon depended a lot on their availability in the first place. They weren't like humans, who one could easily contact through various means even if they rarely showed their faces. They weren't like regular Pokémon, who had natural habitats and trackable patterns of activity.[break][break]

No, Legendary Pokémon were frustrating mysteries that only the most determined people seemed capable of solving.[break][break]

Deep in his thoughts, Zev led his Marowak through a copse of trees, frightening a group of young Nickits. Alarmed, a male Thievul stepped between the intruders and his family while a female hurried the kits away to safety.[break][break]

Without waiting for Zev's command, Marowak launched himself at the remaining wild Pokémon, landing a bone-shattering blow with DOUBLE KICK.

[attr="class","ooc"]

[attr="class","wildpkmn"]

[attr="class","wildtag"]Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","wildnote"] WHAT WILL YOU DO?

[attr="class","text"]

A Butterfree flew close. Its glittering eyes reminded Zev of the similar specimen he'd captured as part of his effort to obtain body parts for Genesect. Under oscar clayton's guidance, Zev could bring to life a Pokémon wholly obedient to him. Reliance on its goodwill would be unnecessary.[break][break]

The notion of artificial life brought Zev's thoughts back to his conversation with Naomi Sato about her experiments. Artificial Avatarship. Her research was ambitious, but when he reflected on the kind of woman she'd been when they first met, he realized he shouldn't have been surprised.[break][break]

Few things surprised him about Team Rocket's upper echelon these days.[break][break]

"Marowak, attack," Zev ordered. His Pokémon's bone club flew through the air at the Butterfree, this time ablaze with fire. The FLAME WHEEL was more than enough to drop the Bug-type so that Zev could throw a Pokéball.

[attr="class","ooc"]