Belial is already well on his way to the lower levels by the time mint frost checks in again. "Copy that," He responds, his finger on the dial of his earpiece as he approaches the final door leading to the aforementioned 'generator rooms'. "I'll probably lose signal in a moment, so meet me aboveground in twenty minutes. If one of us doesn't show up, we'll know something went wrong." He adds.

Releasing the dial as he drops his hand, Belial stops before the locked door before gesturing his Litten toward it. "Blow it open, yeah?" The cat sits on its haunches and stares up at him for a moment. But, eventually, it gets back up again before taking a stance. In an instant, its body ignites with flame before it FLARE BLITZES its way through the door.

The sound of that echoes down the hallway... but no one above seems to have heard it. Or, if they did, no one seems to care enough to come down and investigate. Belial clicks his tongue disapprovingly. Though he supposes they're at a disadvantage given the fact that their security force works for him.

Pulling out and clicking on a hefty flashlight from his pack, the mercenary captain proceeds into the dark under-levels of the space station with his fiery cat in tow. Before too long, the signal from his comms unit disappears entirely.

BUNKER 0071-MSC
PROJECT LOCKBOX: RECON
mint frost

Inspired by Asriel Pryde 's confidence, Belial follows the man's LUXRAY to the ENGINE ROOM with his Samurott in tow. Even so, the mercenary captain knew PRIDE to be the downfall of many a soldier. So he keeps his head on a swivel, eyes wide open as they explore the depths of the mechanical castle further.

Eventually, they reach the engine room in question before Raphael Pryde gets to work on activating it. When Ruby Garcia expresses a desire to explore, Belial nods. "I'll come with," He smiles, striding along without bothering to ask for permission. "Let's go, Garand." He chirps at his Samurott, who is quick to catch up and cover their flank.

Before long, the breakaway group comes across a half-dead VOLCANION in another chamber. Belial mutters an astonished curse beneath his breath, watching as Ruby Garcia dares to approach the behemoth closer. Just before it manages to utter a sound from its mouth, however, the mechanical beast appears to die. The mercenary captain sighs afterward.

"What a shame... I'm sure this thing was an absolute unit in its prime." He comments, glancing at their surrounding before finding a strange metal... lamp? That's what it looked like, anyway. Rod-like in form, it stuck out from the ground and appeared to be the meeting point of several pipes that run along the walls and ground.

Belial cautiously approaches it, unlatching its lid before attempting to open it up. When the lid refuses to give, given a rusted latch, the mercenary grunts. Seizing it with both hands, and putting his shoulders into it, he manages to pry it off forcefully before casting it aside. Then, without warning, a haunting PHANTOM bursts forth from within.

The man staggers backward in complete awe, watching as this spirit utters a mournful moan before disappearing through the ceiling above. When he regains his composure, Belial gulps before turning to Ruby Garcia with a nervous laugh.



TLDR 📝

RABR#2
Asriel Pryde
Raphael Pryde
Ruby Garcia

After their previous venture through this mysterious MECHANICAL KINGDOM, Belial Stone had yearned to return for more. When the chance to do so presented itself, and with the same team, no less, the mercenary captain sprung for it. And it would undoubtedly take more than a wide rift and a yawning void that stretched out between it to scare him out of it.

So, taking the strange contraption meant to propel him across the zipline, he briefly examines it in his hands. And, after getting a good sense of how it worked, he smiles. Pulling its trigger and whirring its gear to life, he nods. "Right behind you," He addresses Asriel Pryde before stepping forward.


Thankfully, their exhilarating travel across the zipline does not end with an untimely death. Once they reach the other side safely, Belial decides he's going to keep his grappling hook and holsters it to his belt. Afterward, he summons a HISUIAN SAMUROTT to accompany him as protection.

"Let's find the engine room then," He nods. "Though I can't say I recognize any of the surroundings here so far. So one of you will have to lead the way."


TLDR 📝

RABR#2
Asriel Pryde
Raphael Pryde
Ruby Garcia

Asriel Pryde responds, and Belial lets him know he heard him loud and clear before investigating the room he's in with Raphael Pryde as they wait. Before long, their other teammates manage to find and regroup with them. Their tale of an encounter with VOLCANION inspires an awed gleam in his eyes.

"Oh, I'd very much like to see them," He remarks, dropping a piece of scrap he'd picked up from the ground to inspect. His Mienshao stands to attention at the resounding clang, following as his master nears a door and peeks out. Alas, there were none to be found in the immediate vicinity and it was sadly time to go. He sighs and shakes his head.


TLDR 📝

MECHANICAL KINGDOM
Raphael Pryde
Asriel Pryde
Ruby Garcia

History, and the ancient civilizations that dwelled within it, still had so much to offer to the modern day world of combat. Belial had traveled and seen enough of the world to understand that well. Even a lot of the training practices carried out in ANVIL had been adopted from ancient ORRENIAN texts.

When he'd heard of the re-emergence of the DRAGON'S DEN in METEOR FALLS, the CEO did not hesitate to pack a bag and set out to find it. Sailing across the whirlpools and navigating the treacherous terrain had certainly not been easy. Belial eventually reaches the shrine unscathed, however, and explores it with his LITTEN, ADALBERTO.

Somewhere along the line, however, the cat lets out a shriek. When it zooms back to its master's side, the mercenary can tell there is something... different about it. There's a draconic blue gleam in its irises that wasn't there before. Something that will only intensify as it evolves and grows in strength.

THE DRAGON'S DEN
🐉

Belial nods. The Underboss is correct in assuming he knows all of this. The scope of what he knows could prove problematic if the man ever found out— or worse yet: if his boss ever found out. Nevertheless, Belial always tried to maintain a sense of professionalism and discipline in his work, despite his own personal quirks. As long as the wealth continued to flow, Team Rocket could trust ANVIL to be discreet and follow orders well.

However, he is surprised to hear of Theo's disapproval of Felix Gallagher and his promotion. Quick to try and evaluate why this could be, Belial tilts his head curiously for a moment before speaking. "Is he too quiet for your tastes, Underboss?" Felix had always been a good second-hand for that reason. Though even Belial wasn't sure how that would translate into a position of leadership. "Or do you sense a bit of a rebellious streak in him?" He smiles.

BUNKER 0058-LT
PROJECT LOCKBOX: INTELLIGENCE
THEO BECKETT

Belial travels through the forests of ROUTE 120 alongside POLYPHEMUS today, his giant BARBARACLE. The search for new recruits has intensified in the wake of Remiel Calcifet and his betrayal. Determined to aid Team Rocket in training recruits capable of defeating this traitorous avatar, the mercenary sets out.

Polyphemus' stomping might attract attention... or scare it away, however. He considers switching the golem out for something quieter. Something he can hunt with. Then again, Polyphemus was in dire need of more training anyway.

SUNSET LINE
DUO-WILD - DARK/NORMAL
01/16 - 01/22

Belial approaches the river nearby when he spots something washed up ashore. Sure enough, it is a TATSUGIRI that has found itself trapped between some debris and a fallen tree branch. "Oh? What happened here, little one?"

It whimpers up at him for a moment, then seems to growl when it notices the Mienshao approaching. Just when it is about to cast a MEMENTO, however, Belial swiftly reaches into his pack for a Heavy Ball and taps it against its forehead. "Ah, ah, ah! None of that now!" He scolds.

FIREKICKER
SAFARI ZONE
DARUMAKA - SCORBUNNY - TATSUGIRI

With their comms active, Belial splits ways with Makoto for the time being and moves down a separate hallway to reach the ARMORY. When he reaches its entrance, however, the mercenary comes to find that it is locked behind an electronic gate and a mechanical door. The electronic lock is easy enough: he simply inputs the six-digit code they were given prior.


He pulls on the door handle and jiggles it around, but to no avail. The lock itself is far too intricate and large to be lockpicked. There was likely a keyfob of some sort that still resided with the original owner. With a shark-toothed smile, Belial decides there's only one option left: blast the whole damn thing open. So he reaches into his pack and pulls out a brick of C-4 he thought they might have needed.

After placing the C-4 onto the vault door, however, he summons a CYNDAQUIL before taking cover and issuing the command: "ERUPTION." The little fireball does just so, blasting the vault door with a ferocious eruption that in turn ignited the C-4. The blast was so great that it shook the walls of the bunker, traveling down each hallway as the resounding echo of a roar. Makoto Kurumi was sure to hear it.


The armory door creaks and groans before collapsing forward. When the residual smoke clears a little bit, Belial steps through to find a wonderland of weapons, tactical gear, and anti-Pokémon defense mechanisms. He grins wide.

BUNKER 0031-MF
PROJECT LOCKBOX: RECON
Makoto Kurumi

Belial shakes his head at Raphael Pryde when asked of the others, swiftly recalling his CYNDAQUIL and GLISCOR to their balls once they've reached the safety of a hallway. "No word, but perhaps we'll find them through here." He suggests, hoping to guide them through the labyrinth of mechanical walls.

Reaching up with a single hand to activate his earpiece, he hopes to reach Asriel Pryde and Ruby Garcia : "Stone here. You guys alright? We're looking for you, over."

His Mienshao follows in tow as they venture deeper into the Mechanical Kingdom. When she spots a crevice leading to a secluded room, however, she takes a small detour before finding the remains of a defunct Magearna. Picking up a single MAGEARNA EYEGLASS from the pile of gears on the ground, that had somehow survived whatever incident it had gone through, Chai hurries back to her master to gift it.

Belial smiles upon receiving it, pausing to hold it up to the artificial light and admire its red gleam. "Not a bad souvenir, eh Pryde?" He remarks, casting a glance at the older man. "You taking any samples yet?"

TLDR 📝

MECHANICAL KINGDOM
Raphael Pryde
Asriel Pryde
Ruby Garcia

The ANVIL CEO arrives on the scene not long after Raphael Pryde takes cover. Though stricken by awe at the sight of the giant MECHANICAL CORVIKNIGHT there, however, the man quickly kicks into high gear and reaches for two Heavy Balls at his belt. It's clear they're fighting on this thing's turf, after all. This didn't seem like a fight they could win just yet.

"This thing's really pissed off, Pryde! We need to retreat!" The Stone yells, summoning a CYNDAQUIL and a GLISCOR to join his Mienshao. "Chai, take point! Razerbait, go flank! Beretta, with me!" He barks, imparting these commands with such force and certainty that his Pokémon follow them without hesitation.

Their training as MERCENARY Pokémon, no doubt, had something to do with their efficiency as well.

When the Mechanical Corviknight spots the group of four, however, it flaps its wings and attacks with an AIR CUTTER. Thankfully, Belial's Mienshao protects them all with a WIDE GUARD before his Gliscor can distract the automaton with a strike (U-TURN). It gives chase successfully.

"Smokescreen!" The man commands his Cyndaquil next, moving to group up with Pryde as it provides them cover. "Let's group up with the others!" He urges.



TLDR 📝

MECHANICAL KINGDOM
Raphael Pryde
Asriel Pryde
Ruby Garcia

Belial had noticed the STOUTLAND that had arrived here with them. Though, frankly, the mercenary wasn't too impressed by the sight of this one. He had an eye for Pokémon after years of training them for military combat and recon operations. This one looked SCRAPPY; the kind of dog who counted on LAST RESORT tactics. Or, in other words, undisciplined.

Who was he to judge an Underboss' pet, however? That wasn't his job. Team Rocket had hired him, and ANVIL's underground network of mercenaries, to train anti-avatar operatives. So, casting a smile at the Stoutland regardless, he's just about to leave when suddenly Theo calls to him.

The black-haired Stone turns to look at the man once more, then nods. "I took Fix-It under my wing in ANVIL a while ago, yeah," He answers, a gleam of pride in his eyes despite the slight look of pity he hoped to convey next. "Team Rocket did well in convincing him to hop over permanently. After all, Felix Gallagher is part of the reason this is all happening, isn't it?"

Turning to face the man fully now, Belial casually rests his hand on the hilt of his sword and tilts his head. "Were you the one that convinced him? To join and become ADMIN, I mean." Belial knew the part he had played in that himself, but he was curious if Theo factored into it.

BUNKER 0058-LT
PROJECT LOCKBOX: INTELLIGENCE
THEO BECKETT

A wicked and annoying CUTIEFLY makes a grave mistake by thinking it can nag Belial for a treat. He attempts to smack it away once... then twice... before Chai swiftly BOUNCES in to kick it. It hits the ground with a splat afterward: a real STRUGGLE BUG.

At least it's not dead, Belial thinks as he walks past it. Indeed, the Cutiefly is alive but very much injured. It manages to weakly buzz away with a weak limp and a bent wing sometime afterward.

FIREKICKER
SAFARI ZONE
DARUMAKA - SCORBUNNY - TATSUGIRI