MARCH UPDATE

POSTED ON Aug 13, 2023 0:34:20 GMT

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[attr="class","mittag"]

Alphonse Gambino

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A little warehouse on the outskirts of Mauville - specifically, an old storage facility attached to a long abandoned office of some kind.[break][break]

Al recognized the place at once as the dingy sort of spot people like their shady deals and questionable transactions. He was a man for tradition, but this was just downright cliché. Still - he didn't pick the spot. And if his partner who went by the name of "Ken" was to be believed, he hadn't picked it either. Al didn't say much to Ken - he didn't have much to say at all. This was a simple operation - drop off a briefcase full of Pokéballs stolen from the back offices of Pokémon Centers. Al's job was to be the muscle in case something went wrong - and to keep an eye on their contact until money had changed hands. Slowly, Ken drove the beat-up van to the gravel parking lot of the abandoned, one-story office building with its dented door and broken-in windows.[break][break]

"Mm. Place looks like crap - and suspicious as hell. We also ain't far from Mauville proper. Josh Devlin patrols these parts - Rangers too. Our client stupid or somethin'?"[break][break]

Ken glared at Alphonse - though when he was forced to look up at the eight-foot man, Ken's anger was cowed somewhat. The blonde-haired bodybuilder was used to men flinching at his gaze. Alphonse only looked down at him and seemed bored of their whole situation. Al didn't glare back - he didn't need to. He only offered Ken a level, calm stare and waited for the Rocket Grunt to talk. He didn't have to wait very long.[break][break]

"I know what I'm doing, big guy, chill. We're all good, man. We go inside, swap the briefcase for some nice moola - maybe scrape a little off the top. What the bosses don't know won't hurt 'em, yeah?"[break][break]

Al's eyes narrowed - he may have been a criminal but he wasn't a traitor. And Ken's words sounded enough like treason to Alphonse to get someone hurt. Al shook his head, his thick fingers tightening on the handle of the briefcase.[break][break]

"I will hand off the case. And I will take the money - and it will return to our bosses without being tampered with. If you touch any of that money - I'll break your fingers myself."[break][break]

Ken's handsome face flushed red with anger - and he wanted nothing so much as to attack Alphonse then and there - but he knew he just needed to be patient.[break][break]

"Whatever, man. Let's go. Customer's already here." He said, and jabbed his thumb to a motorbike.[break][break]

Al and Ken walked towards the warehouse - and as they approached a massive, sliding door opened about two feet wide for them. They made their way inside and found their contact sitting behind the door with a nervous expression. The guy looked strung out and paranoid - but he carried a fine, leather briefcase with him as well. It was a shade darker than the brown case Alphonse carried with all the Pokémon inside. The buyer rubbed nervously at one arm with his free hand and spoke to Ken. He didn't seem quite brave enough to look up at Al.[break][break]

"Alright, man. I got the money, right here, see?" The buyer assured the pair of Rockets and popped open the briefcase to show the thicc stacks of cash.[break][break]

"You got the 'mon?"[break][break]

Alphonse grunted - and performed an identical motion with his own briefcase. Six Pokéballs gleamed within six dimples in the plush fabric inside. Al didn't talk - he never did unless there was something to be said. But their buyer, it seemed, was more willing to converse and of a mind with Al.[break][break]

"Come on, man, let's hurry this up. We're too damn close to town. Why the hell we meetin' out here anyway?" [break][break]

Alphonse quirked a brow at Ken, who only replied:[break][break]

"Oh shut up!"[break][break]

The buyer and Alphonse snapped their briefcases shut and traded in one, fluid motion. That was when Al noticed something was wrong - he saw Ken's hand scratch nervously at his chest... As if something was irritating him beneath his shirt. Al's eyes narrowed in suspicion and he saw Ken was sweating. Ken held out one hand and curled his fingers in a "gimme" gesture.[break][break]

"Here, I'll take that, big guy. You need your hands free."[break][break]

Al frowned and looked towards the buyer - who was gone. The buyer fired up his bike and then - the sirens started. People yelling over the sound of that bike's roaring engine - authoritative voices that spoke in short, quick commands. They barked orders to the buyer - telling him to get off his bike, to lay down on the ground and place the briefcase on the ground away from him. Al also heard the hammer cock back on the revolver Ken had produced. And Al saw the man had a gun in one hand and a badge in the other. Ken smirked up at Al - and said:[break][break]

"Mister Gambino, isn't it? You're done. You're under arrest. Hands out of your jacket, now. I wanna see 'em both. You're going away this time, Big Al."

notes[break]
↳ Alphonse Gambino awaits a valuable assist from Zev Harcourt [break]

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

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gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

rocket beast

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

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TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Aug 13, 2023 4:19:22 GMT

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[attr="class","zev3"]

[attr="class","body"]

Undercover agents and spies were not unheard of in the ongoing faction conflict between the League government and Team Rocket. For the latter, they were fewer in number than outright defectors, but once in a while, law enforcement attempted to infiltrate the crime syndicate.[break][break]

Eventually, they failed. Every single one. Often, they were like other grunts joining off the streets: unable to embrace the true measure of brutality the organization required. In other cases, they slipped up, revealing their true natures in an unfortunate roll of the dice.[break][break]

And when they failed, they answered to the Beasts. Team Rocket's dogs of war.[break][break]

Recently, admins reported suspicious activity from one new grunt, a handsome bodybuilder named Ken. He was meeting with plainclothes cops at late hours. Intel said it might be nothing — after all, maintaining a cover persona was important for grunts, and the upper brass sometimes assigned grunts to police stations as low-level officers.[break][break]

Still, admins wanted an eye on the man, just in case. And as it happened, Zev was free that night.[break][break]

The Beast watched from the roof of the warehouse as Ken and another grunt — Alphonse, Zev remembered from reading their mission briefing — entered to complete a simple smuggling exchange. From his vantage point, he could count the cars parked around the corner, an oddity for this hour of the night.[break][break]

Unmarked police vehicles, just as intel had suspected.[break][break]

Exhaling softly, Zev opened a Pokéball. Instead of a flash of light, darkness spilled from its innards, coalescing into the form of his Gengar. He signaled toward the cars and gestured a sign to wait for his command.[break][break]

A few minutes later, the grunts exited the warehouse. Zev watched a third man rush toward a motorcycle and rev the engine. Sirens blared as police lights flashed from the tops of cars.[break][break]

Ken pulled a gun on Alphonse.[break][break]

Zev nodded at Smoke. The Gengar grinned. And then they both vanished, teleporting onto two of the vehicles with PHANTOM FORCE. As soon as they reappeared, the ghost lashed out at the nearest policeman with POISON JAB. A strangled scream filled the air as the man dropped dead, toxins coursing through his veins.[break][break]

Meanwhile, Zev whipped his own pistol out of its concealed holster. Two bullets through the head of the nearest officer dropped her to the ground. Two more sets of eyes turned to him, wide with shock as the mouths beneath them twisted with shouts of alarm.[break][break]

Lights flashed as Pokéballs opened; a Blaziken and a Watchog emerged to fight back.

[break][break][break]

TAGS – Alphonse Gambino[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","credit"]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Gengar ♂ (Smoke) | Cursed Body | Brick Break, Dazzling Gleam, Giga Drain, Hex, Mean Look, Phantom Force, Poison Jab | Gengarite G & Z-Moves

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Alexei the Reaper, Minuit

He/Him

Janurary 17th

Camphrier Town

Heterosexual

Crime Lord

Grunt

7 height

Expanding to Hoenn

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TAG WITH @al

POSTED ON Aug 13, 2023 4:55:45 GMT

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[attr="class","mit"]

[attr="class","mittag"]

Alphonse Gambino Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","mitmain"]

Alphonse did not require a written invitation to fight back - and he did not waste any time. The very moment something unexpected happened - a sudden distortion in the evening air atop a police car - he moved like lightning. For a man so freakish big and freakish strong the man known as "Midnight" was quick. There was an audible, metallic clang as Alphonse brought his left hand across the back of Ken's head. It was an instant knockout - not all that strange considering his hand was not a hand at all.[break][break]

Alphonse rarely showed his hand as it were. But his left hand was a massive, golden hook befitting a pirate of legend rather than a crime boss who masqueraded as a legitimate businessman. And at the base of that hook was a huge metallic structure made for - it would seem - being an impromptu bludgeon. Ken crumpled to the ground in a heap - and a jet of fire from some Growlithe's mouth nearly took Al full in the face. He ducked down and brought his other hand into view. A Pokéball spun towards the ground and released its payload on impact: a floating, metallic creature with three eyes that gave it a versatile field-of-view.[break][break]

Alphonse did not need to point or even gesture - his Pokémon were all trained to act independently of their Master if needed. The Magnezone began to produce a sharp, high sound just on the edge of human hearing. And as the invisible sound waves overtook the Growlithe and caused it visible pain - the officers at its side called out in concern. And the loyal police dog, confused by Supersonic turned on its masters. Gouts of flame shot from its mouth and at least one officer was hit dead center and fell to the ground with his vest and uniform alight. His screams added to the chaos - and Al looked upon the scene with disapproval. At least two others had seen his face tonight - at least two others must not leave there alive. And Alphonse gave a snap of his fingers and pointed towards the Blaziken.[break][break]

He did not need to be told to cover Zev - it was instinct. Alphonse was not a Rocket Beast - not yet - but he knew how to command the battlefield. With the Growlithe now confused and hostile towards the police officer who tried to command it, Al decided that the assailant required cover. But even as Magnezone directed a Thunder Wave towards the fire chicken - and left it trembling with involuntary, electric spasms of muscle - Alphonse moved and reached the Buyer. He was reasonably sure the Buyer had not turned them all in - and he did not need permission nor orders to understand that the key to a good business relationship relied upon both parties not ending up in jail or in situations where they might feel compelled to talk to police officers.[break][break]

"You've got your money. Go." Al said, as he hefted the man up off the ground.[break][break]

He wasn't worried about this man telling people that Alphonse Gambino the business mogul had been at a dead drop. Al would bury him if he tried - in legal paperwork if not under six feet of hard, cold cement. [break][break]

The Buyer nodded, stammered something close to a 'thank you', and took off into the night.[break][break]

Only then was the mission complete - and Al turned to regard Zev, his Gengar, and the Magnezone that had hovered nearer to fight alongside them.

notes[break]
↳ Alphonse Gambino helps the Buyer escape - after offering supporting fire to Zev Harcourt [break]

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gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

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6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

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TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Aug 13, 2023 23:59:11 GMT

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[attr="class","zev3"]

[attr="class","body"]

While Alphonse and his Magnezone jumped into the fray, attacking the undercover agent, his Growlithe, and the Blaziken, Zev and Smoke dealt with what remained. A BRICK BREAK from the Gengar sent the Watchog reeling, but it countered quickly with BITE.[break][break]

As they scuffled, Zev jumped from the police car's roof to drop-kick one of the remaining cops. The officer struck back, clearly not willing to go down without a fight. But as soon as his fist smashed into Zev's chest, the cop cried out in agony.[break][break]

Bones in his hand had snapped against the unnatural shield hidden beneath the Beast's clothing.[break][break]

The start of a grin curled Zev's mouth, right before he kicked the man away and shot him dead.[break][break]

The final policeman started firing. Zev felt the heavy impact of bullets as they hit his shoulder, side, and back, causing him to stumble and fall. Just in case, he willed his armor higher; black crystal emerged from the skin of his neck and head, encasing him.[break][break]

Smoke intervened, attacking the last cop standing with GIGA DRAIN. Another POISON JAB secured his death, and all the world went still. The corpse of the Watchog lay in tatters some feet away.[break][break]

Zev stood, dismissing his armor with a thought. He turned his head to take in the rest of the scene. Alphonse stood with his Pokémon hovering nearby. On the ground was Ken, groaning with pain as he clutched his head.[break][break]

"You're Gambino?" Zev asked Alphonse, certain he was correct but figuring it would not hurt to confirm. When he spoke, his voice was almost aloof in its coldness. "Good work here. Your partner, on the other hand…"[break][break]

Zev's gaze slid to the prone form of Ken, still recovering from the blow. "Intel thought there was a rat. I hate when they're right."

[break][break][break]

TAGS – Alphonse Gambino[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","credit"]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Gengar ♂ (Smoke) | Cursed Body | Brick Break, Dazzling Gleam, Giga Drain, Hex, Mean Look, Phantom Force, Poison Jab | Gengarite G & Z-Moves

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Folgers/Monkey

Alexei the Reaper, Minuit

He/Him

Janurary 17th

Camphrier Town

Heterosexual

Crime Lord

Grunt

7 height

Expanding to Hoenn

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TAG WITH @al

POSTED ON Aug 16, 2023 18:56:47 GMT

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[attr="class","mit"]

[attr="class","mittag"]

Alphonse Gambino Zev Harcourt Josh Devlin

[attr="class","mitmain"]

Alphonse was only marginally able to keep an eye on Zev's part of the scuffle - but what he saw did not fail to impress him. He witnessed the officer strike at Zev in a skilled, precise blow. And he also heard the officer give a wail of sudden, expected pain. Al couldn't know for sure that Zev was armored underneath before - but that was a clear sign. The man known as "Midnight" did not share Zev's smirk - but he quietly praised the ferocious man for being so prepared. For Alphonse's part he did not wear so much as Kevlar.[break][break]

He made a mental note to get himself equipped similarly - Pokémon could only get one so far in the world. Well, that had been Alphonse's first reaction - the next was surprise. The bear of a man didn't show surprise like most men, however. His jaw didn't drop open, his eyes did not noticeably widen like some people's. But to anyone who actually knew Alphonse there was a small, subtle "tell". One eyebrow rose by maybe an inch - and that was downright expressive for Alphonse Gambino when he was on the clock as Minuit. He was a reliable and honorable man who hated betrayers and cowards. But he was also power-hungry and ambitious. He made several notes regarding Zev's armor - but foremost among them was:[break][break]

I need something like that in my arsenal.[break][break]

But he did not stare overly long - he instead focused on getting the buyer out of there - and only afterwards turned his attention back to Zev who had approached and spoken to him. Gambino nodded - but he already had the suspicion that Ken was wearing a wire. And a wire usually meant a recording device. It would not do for the fashion mogul to be incriminated in this line of work. Alphonse nodded - but his verbal answer differed somewhat.[break][break]

"I am Midnight." Alphonse said simply - before he lazily turned his gaze away and towards the still confused Growlithe. And as if it were the most natural thing in the world he strode over to the dazed canid. In a motion of deceptive, fluid grace the big man plucked the Pokéball off the officer's belt. The metallic ball opened in his hand - and in a flash of light the Growlithe was recalled. Alphonse tucked the Pokéball onto his belt - and then drew a small handgun from a hidden holster on the back of his belt. As casually as though he were adjusting a wristwatch, Alphonse drew out a small, black cylinder and screwed it to the barrel of the gun. [break][break]

"Mm." Was the only grunt of affirmation Alphonse gave Zev's remark about rats in the barn. He was a man of few words - until he felt something needed to be said.[break][break]

Pif. Paf.[break][break]

Two quick, silent puffs of air - whispers really - emanated from the barrel of the silenced gun. Each officer - the one the Growlithe attacked as well as his former master - twitched violently and then were still. Al also walked over - and inspected the remains of Zev's victims as well. He saw for himself that there was no need for execution - they were already dead. Al disassembled his silencer and tucked both gunmetal and fiberglass away. Then he strode over to Zen - half-lidded eyes lent Al the same bored expression he was famous for as "Midnight". He gave Zev a small nod, looked down to the still stirring figure of Ken. Al did not reach for his gun - but spoke to Zev without looking at him.[break][break]

"If you want that I should deal with him here, I will. But that seems like a waste. Might be we can make the rat squeak for us, too."

notes[break]
↳ Alphonse Gambino is rescued by Zev Harcourt and catches a Growlithe (flavor; Growlithe obtained during Bond Bridge with Josh Devlin [break]

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played by

gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

rocket beast

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

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2,686 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Aug 17, 2023 16:48:15 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","zev3"]

[attr="class","body"]

Zev accepted Alphonse's response. It was common practice for members of Team Rocket to take on aliases; Zev himself used 'Ghost' during larger-scale operations. He simply hadn't cared to review Alphonse's file in the member database before leaving to catch the rat.[break][break]

Speaking of which…[break][break]

As Alphonse collected the Growlithe and made sure the cops were, in fact, dead, Zev walked over to the undercover agent just as Ken started to recover. Lifting the man's shirt, he ripped off the recording device and snapped it in half. Then he seized Ken by the collar and hauled him upright.[break][break]

"Exactly my thoughts," the Beast said to Alphonse, also not looking at him. "Come with me. Smoke, clean this place up."[break][break]

Without so much as a backward glance, Zev started for the warehouse, bodily dragging Ken along with him. The blow to the man's head had disoriented him enough that his protests were too weak to succeed.[break][break]

Meanwhile, the Gengar floating nearby began to glow. His body expanded to enormous proportions, half of him sinking into the ground. When the light dissipated, he had mega evolved. Smoke then began to devour the evidence of the fight — corpses, cars, and all.[break][break]

In the warehouse, Zev shoved Ken against a wall and released a second Pokémon, his Hatterene. She giggled at Ken, wiggling her clawed tentacle at him in a creepy greeting. Then her eyes glowed with psychic power, and his body became rigid where he stood.[break][break]

"Wh-whatever it is you're going to do to me, I'm not saying shit," Ken yelled, putting on a brave face.[break][break]

But Zev ignored him. With great calm, he removed his suit jacket, revealing a simple white dress shirt and black tie underneath. As he rolled up his sleeves to the elbow, he turned to Alphonse.[break][break]

"Close the front door and tell your Pokémon to stand watch for anyone coming our way."

[break][break][break]

TAGS – Alphonse Gambino[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","credit"]

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Gengar ♂ (Smoke) | Shadow Tag | Brick Break, Dazzling Gleam, Giga Drain, Hex, Mean Look, Phantom Force, Poison Jab | Gengarite G & Z-Moves

Hatterene ♀ | Magic Bounce | Aromatherapy, Brutal Swing, Dazzling Gleam, Heal Pulse, Magic Powder, Mystical Fire, Psycho Cut, Springtide Storm | Hatterenite & Dark Tera

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played by

Folgers/Monkey

Alexei the Reaper, Minuit

He/Him

Janurary 17th

Camphrier Town

Heterosexual

Crime Lord

Grunt

7 height

Expanding to Hoenn

awards

60 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @al

POSTED ON Aug 18, 2023 3:48:27 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","mit"]

[attr="class","mittag"]

Alphonse Gambino Zev Harcourt

[attr="class","mitmain"]

In both his effectiveness and his stoic nature, Zev was a man after Alphonse's own heart.[break][break]

Al walked over to where Zev hoisted Ken up into a more mobile position. He only looked away from Zev and Ken for a moment - to verify that the broken device was not the variety which could transmit its data live. It was not; and Zev had dealt with it quite effectively to Alphonse's satisfaction. He looked back to Ken - and though as a rule As did not allow his personal feelings to drive his business - well, he could not say he was sorry that the man had tipped his hand so foolishly. Zev dragged the dazed informant off - and Alphonse gave a look back to Smoke to see how he interpreted Zev's orders.[break][break]

Al had trained his Pokémon to use their own discretion as well - to respond to non-verbal commands or even to take action without being ordered. With simple gestures and single-syllable commands, Alphonse could communicate quite well with his non-humanoid associates. And when Al saw what the Gengar was capable of - well, one thin eyebrow elevated slightly in an intrigued expression. But he was not surprised - he could not yet evolve his own Pokémon like that. But all good things come to those who wait - or rather, to those who strive purposefully for those things. No one ever achieved much just by waiting. The businessman in Al understood that.[break][break]

He did not balk at being given orders - Zev had seniority, and he occupied a position of rank and power. Power that Alphonse would seize for himself in the coming weeks and months - but for now, he obeyed dutifully. And he had never been too prideful to take orders from another. No one worth a damn who gave orders had ever gotten to that position without taking orders first. There was a hierarchy to be observed - and Zev, if anything, was an example of the rare type of man Alphonse could respect. He slid the heavy door to the warehouse shut - but not before releasing Magnus and Deniro.[break][break]

The Magnezone and the Murkrow listened as Alphonse muttered orders to them under his breath - and then Deniro took to the skies in silent flight. The Magnezone simply hovered quietly out a window - and was gone. Steel grey melted as easily into blackness as dark feather - or it would once Magnus shorted out some of the nearby lighting. Alphonse drew up towards Zev and Ken - but he dared not intervene. He was a man more used to giving orders these days instead of taking them. But he was also a loyal soldier who knew his place. Zev had saved the day - not him. This was Zev's operation now, and Alphonse was there to listen and to learn.[break][break]

He only allowed himself one comment:[break][break]

"Mmm. I do not wish to interrupt. Please, proceed. But do know that I have a Malamar."[break][break]

He did not elaborate - there was no need to with the reputation of the Overturning Pokémon. Whether Zev needed the truth - or even absolute obedience from Ken... Well, if the Beast's own methods weren't enough, Al merely saw it as his duty to volunteer - and to step in, if needed.

notes[break]
↳ Alphonse Gambino is rescued by Zev Harcourt and catches a Growlithe (flavor; Growlithe obtained during Bond Bridge with Josh Devlin [break]

[attr="class","mitpoke"]

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played by

gunsmile

The Devourer

he / him

January 8

Lavender Town, Kanto

heterosexual

hitman

rocket beast

6'3" / 190 cm height

Murderers are not monsters, they're men. And that's the most frightening thing about them.

awards

2,686 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @zev

POSTED ON Aug 18, 2023 16:30:16 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","zev3"]

[attr="class","body"]

Zev's head tilted toward Alphonse as he considered the offer of using a Malamar. "Keep it handy just in case," he decided after a moment.[break][break]

He turned toward Ken. Hatterene's psychic powers locked the man in place, granting him only the ability to breathe, move his eyes, and speak. Still, he struggled against the will of the Pokémon, attempting to wrench his limbs free—to no avail.[break][break]

In the past, Zev brought knives and other implements to torture sessions, but no longer. The crystals living under his skin were more than sharp enough. Emerging like black rocks revealed by an ebbing tide, they coated his forearms, spreading from just below his elbow down to his hands. Blunt fingers transformed into claws with wicked points.[break][break]

Ken's eyes went wide. He started shouting with alarm.[break][break]

Zev grabbed the undercover cop by the jaw, claw tips digging into flesh.[break][break]

"Tell us everything you've divulged to the police," he said, speaking in that same cold tone as before, as if none of what he was doing excited him. "If I like your answer, I'll consider letting you live."[break][break]

In their panicked states, torture victims often misinterpreted those words as a promise. Still, Ken was resilient. "I'd rather die," he wheezed.[break][break]

Zev did not bother touching Ken this time. Clenching his free hand into a fist, he pointed it at Ken's shoulder and simply thought. A crystalline blade extended from the back of his hand, smooth and flat and razor-sharp. It pierced Ken's clothing and flesh with ease, puncturing the wall behind him, pinning him to it.[break][break]

Ken's scream of agony echoed within the empty warehouse.

[break][break][break]

TAGS – Alphonse Gambino[break]
NOTES – mission

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