[attr="class","text"]

The stench of the city's air was almost intoxicating to the rogue. The kept to the allies, following the instruction of his new 'boss', or so he was told. He hated it. He hated being told what to do, and where to go. It reminded him too much of his time as a kid-- which was a hell till he ran away from home. Luckily, due to the allies and the time of night, he didn't cross anyone. If he had, it wouldn't end well for them. Not now. This was his first time joining the ranks of this group called "Rocket". Still, he had no interest to stay in the mountains, hidden away forever, and his reason to join wasn't entirely based on greed...[break][break]But that could come later...[break][break] Draco approached from the shadows of the building, spotting Zev Harcourt where he said he would be. He didn't see the Gengar but the very air around the man seemed 'dangerous' that Draco kept on his guard all the same. [break][break]
Draco was dressed in a raggedy dark-colored cloak that hid most of his body, Kept him from being seen. As he approached, he removed the hood, revealing his dark blue wild hair. The man was rather rugged and muscular-- the result of someone who lived out in the wilds for most of his young adult life. He wore a necklace low against his bare chest-- showing off what looked like 'dragon teeth' of some kind. More noticeable was the oddly out of place 'blue scarf' that he wore around his neck. All the while, he glared at Zev. [break][break] "Alright, I'm here. Remind me again why you want to break into this place anyway?" he asked, not exactly sucking up to the clearly more superior member of Rocket. It wasn't that he was disrespectful or confrontational, but he simply didn't like having to prove himself to these people. He agreed to join, but didn't like the idea of how they were demanding things of him without explanation. [break][break]

Zev Harcourt

NOTES

✦ Posting for mission[break]
✦ XXX[break]
✦ XXX.

Quiet footsteps heralded the arrival of the grunt. Zev met Draco's glare with a detached, aloof stare of his own, his blue eyes critically assessing the other man. [break][break]

"We're here to steal rare fossils so that Underboss Cillian Quinn can turn them into Pokémon in his lab," the Rocket Beast replied in a quiet, even tone. "Not prance around in costume like we're at the Renaissance Festival." [break][break]

Turning away from Draco to focus on the museum's back entrance, he added, "Wear more appropriate clothes next time." [break][break]

Smoke the Gengar snickered softly, revealing his presence among them. Zev ignored his Pokémon, though, and spoke up again. [break][break]

"There's a security camera above the door that's pointed to the street, though it can't see us right now. And the door itself is locked with a swipe card panel," he explained to Draco. Then came the test: "What are your thoughts on how to get past them and into the building?" [break][break]

Using the grunt's Dratini was certainly out of the question. With the way Draco kept it wrapped around his neck, Zev wondered if it was more of a useless pet than a proper tool, anyway.

TAGS – Draco Prowler[break]
NOTES – mission

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[attr="class","text"]

Draco glared silently at Zev. Already he hated the guy for his snarkiness. Draco wasn't so ignorant that he knew he wasn't blending in-- hense the cloak. He looked like someone who grew up in the wilds, cause he was. Fifteen years living among dragon Pokemon and other kinds, learning how to survive there. The rare times he had any taste of civilization was when he stole goods from poachers, trainers or other people who were foolish to invade the dragons' territory. The Rocket boss should be grateful at least he had a cloak to at least not draw more attention than he would without it. [break][break] "This is all I have. Deal with it," he grunted reluctantly, not about to tell him he was raised by dragons at the age of eight. Draco soon noticed the Gingar rise out from the shadows. That was a new one for Draco to see. He had never seen a ghost pokemon before outside of Dreepies, but there it was. Draco regarded but wasn't bothered by him for long. As Zev explained the situation about breaking in and the door, Draco just regarded it and thought quietly for a moment. At the offer of how to get past the cameras and into the building, Draco decided actions spoke louder than words. [break][break] Zev was woefully ignorant to count out what Pokemon he had, as Draco soon raised a hand to his 'scarf' and gave it a few gentle rubs. The scarf wiggled a bit and soon slithered. From his shoulder, the head of an adorable Dratini rose from her perch and let out a soft yawn. It adapted to its surroundings quickly and looked up to Draco's face close by. "Ceto. Use Thunderwave on that small box over there," Draco said, directing her attention to the camera across the street. [break][break] The little dragon gave a soft coo of eagerness. With an inhaled breath-- the tiny dragon let out a soft cry as if it were trying to roar. As it did, rings of thin electric light pulsed out, releasing the electrical wave towards the device. After a couple of seconds, the waves reached the camera-- to which it sparked and shorted out. To the other side of it, the screens would show nothing but static. [break][break] "You coming or what?" he replied with dry sarcasm.[break][break] They were able to approach the locked door, but any form of electronic lock was knocked out, it wouldn't solve the physical mechanism that kept the door locked. Draco turned to Zev, being direct with him. "Dratini certainly can't break the lock. I can-- however just kick it down if the time for stealth has passed.What would you stay at this point?" Draco asked, against just trying to fry the lock. At best, it would just break the door and keep it locked indefinately. [break][break] All the while, Ceto the Dratini gave a happy chirp that she was helpful to her owner.

Zev Harcourt

NOTES

✦ Posting for mission[break]
✦ XXX[break]
✦ XXX.

Zev raised an eyebrow, both at Draco's admission he didn't own anything beyond the clothes on his back, and at his attitude. The recruiters of Team Rocket must have reached a new low to pick up a beggar off the streets. [break][break]

The older man watched as the grunt's Dratini leveled a THUNDER WAVE at the security camera across the street, making it malfunction. Zev remained silent as he crossed over to the other sidewalk, his hands in his pocket, his Gengar following. [break][break]

Mentally, however, he added another critique to the report forming in his head about Draco. [break][break]

"If you think the time for stealth has passed, then you misunderstood the mission briefing you received," Zev said, keeping his voice low. "This one is all about stealth." [break][break]

He chose not to comment on the ridiculous notion of a person kicking down a commercial, metal door in a thick, steel frame. Even in his best shape, he would have only caused a dent in the surface. Real life was not a superhero fantasy, after all. [break][break]

"Smoke, open the door." [break][break]

The Gengar obeyed, phasing right through the metal obstruction. A soft click signified the mechanism unlocking, then the door swung open. Zev stepped inside, immediately taking stock of the empty hallway beyond. [break][break]

They were in the staff corridors and rooms of the museum. All they had to do was find the storage closet where artifacts were kept for safekeeping. Recalling the schematics of the museum shared in the mission briefing, Zev started down one hall, fully expecting Draco to follow without being told. [break][break]

"You're on camera duty," was his only instruction.

TAGS – Draco Prowler[break]
NOTES – mission

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[attr="class","text"]

Draco glanced away-- not having paid attention but he knew he should have. Sadly stealth out of what he just did was as best he could do with his Pokemon so far. Right now, the best he had was his Dratini who was discreet enough. His others-- Helios and Nimbus, were far larger and less discreet. Especially Helious. Like Draco, they preferred to go in hard, fast and roaring. [break][break] But Draco kept his mouth shut for now. He knew he had to play nice with his new team. And that meant learning from others around him, especially a senior like Zev.[break][break] The ghost pokemon, Smoke-- was the best one to use here. He slid right through the wall and opened the door from the other side. With Zev's instructions, Draco gave a grunt of discontent-- but ultimately answered. "Understood,"[break][break] Draco proceeded to follow Zev down the hall. Wherever the artifacts and fossils were, hopefully, Zev knew the plans better than Draco did. As they would turn a corner, Draco would peek and see if any cameras were there. With it, he had Ceto do her thing. The little dragon Pokemon gave a soft chirp and used Thunder Wave again. Minimal damage-- maximum results for camera coverage. [break][break] A part of Draco silently hoped for some guard resistance-- so he could at least choke out someone if it came to it. [break][break]

Zev Harcourt

NOTES

✦ Posting for mission[break]
✦ XXX[break]
✦ XXX.

The pair and their Pokémon reached the storage room without incident. Smoke unlocked and opened that door for them, too. Inside, numerous drawers and cabinets lined the walls, each one clearly labeled. Several tables occupied the center of the room. [break][break]

As they entered, Zev turned to Draco and said in a whisper, "Stand watch for any security guards coming this way. Distract any that do so they don't catch us in the act." [break][break]

He gave the grunt another once-over. [break][break]

"And try not to let them see you." [break][break]

With that said, Zev took out a small flashlight. Clicking it on, he began his search, scanning the labels to find the ones marked 'fossils'. After a couple of minutes, he found them stuck to a pair of long, narrow drawers. Small, simple padlocks kept both of them shut. [break][break]

As Zev reached for the first padlock, black crystals sprouted all across his hand. They spread like rapid necrosis until the exposed skin was completely covered, his fingers ending in razor-sharp claws. [break][break]

With a practiced swipe, he sheared clean through the padlock with the tip of a claw. Then, with great care, he used that same hand to open the drawer without damaging it, revealing the precious fossils resting inside.

TAGS – Draco Prowler[break]
NOTES – mission

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[attr="class","text"]

They soon reached the target area-- a storage area of all things. For some reason, Draco had presumed they would be in cases with 'higher security'. More active guards-- but he may just get his wish. He was sure the cameras wouldn't be ignored for long if their just static on the other end. The Dratini on his shoulder gave soft little whimpers of worry, which he soothed with gentle pats on its body around his neck. [break][break] With the leader in the vault, he soon turned to Draco and gave a clear instruction to distract any guards-- and not be seen. He frowned but nodded. "Alright..." he replied with a nod as he found a hidden nook in the hallway.[break][break] He hoped he would get a small pick of the loot there. He had an interest in finding these 'fossils' himself, curious what value they could bring. For the moment things were quiet and no guards were coming. [break][break] However, soon Draco saw flash lights start to shine in the distance of the hall. He gritted his teeth, unsure how to distract them without being seen. He would of preferred to sneak up and choke them out. But he didn't have that luxury without Zev getting mad. [break][break] It was then that Ceto decided to act. Rather risky, the Dratini started to unwind and slither off Draco, coiling down his arm and body to get to the floor. Before Draco could stop her, the Drataini crawled swiftly to get to the hall. Where it was dark, it kept to the shadows, not being seen. With that, she let out soft little coos-- sounds to distract the guards. "Huh? What was that?" one guard said. [break][break] "Not sure. Did a piggy get in or something?" the other asked. [break][break] Draco sweated a bit, not realizing how willful his little Dratini had become. Hopefully he could retrieve her as the guards turned the other way. [break][break] Draco turned to Zev, curious how it was going-- and soon saw the fossils opened to them, but also his hand changed. This surprised him, but he didn't say anything at that point. He kept an eye out of the hall, but so far they were in the clear as the guards were searching for the 'mysterious sound'. [break][break]

Zev Harcourt

NOTES

✦ Posting for Mission

Zev froze at the sound of muffled, distant voices from outside the storage room—security guards, of course. He weighed his options in a matter of milliseconds before unfreezing and opening the shoulder bag he he'd carried with him. [break][break]

The guards were Draco's responsibility. Zev's was to steal as many fossils as possible. [break][break]

With care and alacrity, and with Smoke's help, the Rocket Beast shoved the fossils into the bag. Soon, both drawers were empty. Zev zipped up the bag and crept over to rejoin Draco. [break][break]

"Where's your Dratini?" he whispered. More crystals had bloomed across his neck and face in small, scattered clusters. One of his hands was still transformed. "Call her back. We'll leave the easy way, as long as the guards don't follow her here." [break][break]

And if they did, knocking them out would be no trouble at all.

TAGS – Draco Prowler[break]
NOTES – mission

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[attr="class","text"]

Draco was glad he got what they came for. While his part wasn't that exciting, he did what he was supposed to do. He couldn't help but stare-- Zev was something else. The odd crystals coming out of him-- was he even human? Draco couldn't help but look in both surprise and awe. It was like he was... a pokemon? He would ask more about that later. [break][break] His warning about getting Ceto back was warranted. Luckily, Ceto was already making her way back. As she was trying to return, one of the guards saw the little dragon. "Hey! There you are! Get back here!" the guard said, attempting to catch the little Dratini. Ceto scurried further to the hall as Draco heard them coming. [break][break] Just as the guard was about to make the next turn-- Draco pounced! The feral man grabbed hold of the man and wrapped his arm squarely around his neck-- leveraging it with his left arm to provide a strong choking hold! The man's call would become a whimper as Draco choked him out. Eventually, the man grew weak and his resistance faded-- making him go limp against Draco. Cetus didn't even respond as to how Draco choked out the man. [break][break] Draco soon let him go-- and he crumbled to the floor, unconscious. [break][break] Ceto didn't have any adverse feelings to see the man fall unconscious, but least he wasn't dead. The little dragon didn't care as she crawled over to Draco and gave a soft coo. Silently Draco knelt down and let his Dratini climb back up his arm and onto his shoulders again, where she curled back up cozy around his neck. With that, he was free to follow Zev again. [break][break]

Zev Harcourt

NOTES

✦ Posting for Mission

The Dratini came into view, but not without a pursuer. Stepping back into the shadows to avoid being seen, Zev watched as Draco intercepted the security guard. The grunt incapacitated the guard swiftly, knocking him out but not killing him. [break][break]

Zev made a mental note before emerging from the shadows. "Good work," he said, the callousness of his voice at odds with the direct praise. "Smoke, get us out of here." [break][break]

His Gengar floated to the middle of the group. In the blink of an eye, PHANTOM FORCE took the two humans and two Pokémon back to the alleyway across the street from the museum, where darkness cloaked them. [break][break]

Zev tucked the small flashlight away in his pocket. When he withdrew his hand, it had reverted back to normal, the black crystals having vanished. They receded back into the skin of his neck and face, too, like rocks consumed by a rising tide. [break][break]

"Head back to headquarters for your mission debriefing," he told Draco as he recalled his Gengar and released his Beheeyem instead. "I'm going to drop these off at the lab in Sootopolis." [break][break]

The eyes of the Cerebral Pokémon flashed, ready to teleport his master away upon command.

TAGS – Draco Prowler[break]
NOTES – mission

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[attr="class","text"]

With Ceto secure around his neck, Draco regarded his conspirator's words. He accepted it, despite the tone. While Draco hated to admit it-- he had a lot to learn. At least they got the job done. However, what happened next was what Zev's Gengar did. He used phantom force-- and a move that Draco presumed only worked on himself. However, before he knew it-- shadows enveloped them. He looked around, panicked. Even Ceto gave a soft squeal of concern on his shoulder as the darkness took them. [break][break] Draco flinched as he guarded himself with his arms-- but only to learn he was outside again, in the same ally they had started. He was confused as he soon turned to Zev. "What the-- I didn't think your Gengar could do that?" he said, surprised. [break][break] With brusk instructions, he told Draco to return to the headquarters to collect his reward. He then used another Pokemon, one that looked like a floating egg-head. At the hint of his intent to drop off the spoils, he soon vanished-- teleporting away with the pokemon. Draco was then alone, standing in the ally in the night. Getting over the shock of what he learned, what Rocket could offer, and the potential of what his life had ahead of him, he silently conteplated. However, he soon realized he had to leave before the place got busy with police. Draco pulled up his hood of his cloak again and slipped into the shadows of the busy city night... heading for the headquarters. [break][break]

Zev Harcourt

NOTES

✦ Posting for Mission [break]
✦ Kpdec2S4[break]
✦ XXX.