Zev weighed the options of razing Oldale or keeping it intact. Though the small town produced a lot of crops that fed the region, the Silent Icelands had caused a significant dent in its production capacity. Now, with the Giant Chasm and Area Zero so close to Oldale, even fewer civilians traveled in that direction. [break][break]

"I agree. Raze it," Zev said. It was what Team Rocket used to do in Kanto. [break][break]

His thoughts turned to the best agents for such an operation. "We can send a fleet of Genesect; their performance at Petalburg proved we can use successfully for other, similar maneuvers. I can let oscar clayton and priam conrad know to prepare for an incursion." [break][break]

It did not occur to Zev that Theo might disagree with the proposal. The general tapped a few more buttons on the projector, adding a note above the depiction of Oldale. Several symbols of Genesect appeared above it.

TAGS – THEO BECKETT[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Walking Wake stopped short upon seeing the colorful Blacephalon, hackles rising in an attempt at intimidation. Zev drew up next to his Paradox Pokémon, unfazed by the appearance of the Alchemist or her Ultra Beast. [break][break]

He regarded her with a critical eye. Despite the cooperation they displayed in that poisonous prison earlier in the year, the recent battles at Sootopolis, Mossdeep, and Petalburg had set the League and Team Rocket at each other's throats once again. [break][break]

The Alchemist had pledged herself to the former, and Zev did not trust she would abandon them for a greater purpose. [break][break]

Still, lying about his reason for being at Meteor Falls did not give him any advantage. So he said, "I heard rumors of Pokémon made of pure light, if that's what you're calling these ‘vestigial beasts'. I want to know what they are. Where they come from."

TAGS – illeana reyes[break]
NOTES – mission

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Of course. All Team Rocket's scientists had only limited data regarding Necrozma's Avatars, so it was natural to compare Zev's condition with the previous one's. Lulu made the same observation as others, too: Chu-e Choi had been sickly. Dying. It made sense that Zev thrived in comparison as the Devourer. [break][break]

He inclined his head toward Lulu in acknowledgement of her comments—and, in particular, her belated congratulations. "You know how to reach me if you need anything for the ship," he said. "I expect regular updates." [break][break]

Then he left, stepping through the door of her laboratory without any backward glance.

TAGS – Lulu Flint[break]
NOTES – social

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The battle was over before it had even begun. Zev should not have wasted his time with the meager shade of the man who had been kyle lopez. As the Raging Bolt and Walking Wake fell to his Mega Hatterene's attack, he stepped forward to seize the other man. [break][break]

Perhaps Team Rocket's scientists could retrieve the answers from Kyle's broken body—of his resurrection, and of what had happened to Ho-oh. [break][break]

But before Zev reached the other man, a hound of legend appeared. Entei. Standing over Kyle, the beast cast an imperious glare at Zev, daring the Devourer to approach. There had been an Entei at the Battle of Sootopolis as well, sighted near the Dyna Tree before the rising ocean had completely engulfed it. Was this the same Pokémon? [break][break]

Zev did not get a chance to find out. Entei snatched up Kyle's broken body and whisked him away, moving with such speed that Zev could not follow. So the God General remained amidst the burnt and battered grass, the gears in his head turning. [break][break]

He needed to report Kyle's reappearance to Rocket.

TAGS – kyle lopez[break]
NOTES[break]
– Zev is wearing combat gear and is FULLY ARMORED: nothing can break through his defense, and things that hit him may take damage on impact[break]
– Zev watches Entei leave with Kyle[break][break]

MP EARNED[break]

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Zev suppressed a grimace. "Regirock and Regice are important weapons for the frontline, but that does not grant Slayte the liberty to helm an assault. We can put him in the vanguard, but the command still comes from us." [break][break]

If Zev's judgment of Theo was correct, then the underboss was a man who preferred a tight leash on his subordinates, even if the leash was not one they could perceive. Theo would not let a mere admin like Howard run so freely. [break][break]

"From Petalburg, Oldale and Rustboro are the most logical next steps for conquering the region," the general said, turning the topic to more important matters. [break][break]

Standing, he moved around his desk to the large machine in the center of his office. The press of a few buttons summoned a projected map of Hoenn, with Petalburg highlighted in purple as Team Rocket's newest territory. The nearest towns of Oldale and Petalburg, on the other hand, were colored green. [break][break]

"We should push up the routes to expand our territory until we're at each town's doorstep. But we need to move quickly to keep them from reinforcing their defenses."

TAGS – THEO BECKETT[break]
NOTES – mission

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So not only did this version of Kyle have amnesia, supposedly, but had Ho-oh also relinquished its blessing? Disgust welled up inside Zev at the sight of the lesser being who possessed Kyle's name and face, but not what made him a formidable opponent. Better to end this farce of a battle soon, then, instead of wasting his time on it. [break][break]

Another Paradox Pokémon emerged to replace the Gouging Fire. With his supernatural sight, Zev saw the DRAGON TAIL as it slammed into Type: Null. His abomination roared and stumbled backward, flames from the earlier BURNING BULWARK still licking up its haunches. [break][break]

Recalling it to provide it some relief, he tossed another Pokéball to summon his Hatterene. "We're done here," Zev said to the Fairy-type. "Clean up this mess." [break][break]

Brilliant white light engulfed the giggling witch as she MEGA EVOLVED. Above, the globe of darkness dissipated, withdrawing the shadow it cast upon the land. In its wake, a hurricane of countless pink flower petals surged toward the Raging Bolt as Hatterene summoned a SPRINGTIDE STORM.

TAGS – kyle lopez[break]
NOTES[break]
– Zev is wearing combat gear and is FULLY ARMORED: nothing can break through his defense, and things that hit him may take damage on impact[break]
– Type: Null is hit by DRAGON TAIL and continues to BURN[break]
- Zev recalls Type: Null and sends out Hatterene[break]
- Hatterene MEGA EVOLVES (1/3) and uses SPRINGTIDE STORM on Raging Bolt[break][break]

MP EARNED[break]

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The sudden appearance of white strands of hair on the others' heads, more obvious on those with darker locks, drew Zev's interest by virtue of its randomness. He'd been living in Hoenn long enough, however, to know that most things did not occur by chance. More often than not, they were the results of someone's scheming. [break][break]

"Go ahead," he said to mint frost before rising from his chair. Zev's Shadow Lycanroc stood at once, obedient to the end. "If any of you need me, you know how to reach me." [break][break]

Stepping away from the table, the Devourer moved to exit the Pokémon Center when he heard it again: the long, low, warbling drone right behind his ear. Oddly, it sounded like a beacon. [break][break]

Or a beckoning. [break][break]

Knowing better than to show any sign of something amiss, he kept walking without slowing his gait or stopping.

TAGS – disseminate iii[break]
NOTES[break]
– Zev's outta here!

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The miserable collection of amputated Pokémon was the last thing Zev expected to see out there in that hostile place. He swept a curious gaze over them, noting with fascination how the cuts appeared surgical, the limbs sheared off with razor precision. [break][break]

Whatever had done this was a creature after his own cold heart. [break][break]

While Nenet and Ameena carefully collected the scales for future studies, Zev glanced at Fern when the admin asked for his opinion. Zev crouched near the disfigured Drapion for a closer look at the scales on its body, as well as those littering the ground nearby. [break][break]

Where had he seen something like these before? [break][break]

A recent memory surfaced to the fore of his mind: John Sullivan, dressed in a green prison uniform, flinging similar objects at people and Pokémon alike amidst the chaos of a violent escape. [break][break]

"It's from one of the Tapus," Zev said with certainty. It never occurred to him that he could be incorrect. "These scales remind me of Sullivan's power, but his are meant for healing, not harm." [break][break]

Blue eyes regarded the Drapion with clinical detachment. It uttered a plaintive cry at him, which did nothing to garner any empathy from him. [break][break]

"These Pokémon haven't eaten in a while," he said, standing and turning his back on the insect. “I don't think Tapu Lele is near."

TAGS – fern delaney Neffatari Nzingha ameena abadi[break]
NOTES – rocky world expedition | set pre-war

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In all other circumstances, Father Winter's sudden and brief appearance would have earned Zev's ire, but the Devourer had quickly grown bored of howard slayte's thoughtless ravings. At least an interruption by the DRK Triad provided a modicum of entertainment. [break][break]

"You against all the worlds," the interstellar assassin had said. [break][break]

That's how it already is, Zev thought, skin itching. A glance at the back of his hand revealed a new growth of crystals there. Behind his ear, he heard it again: a long, low, warbling drone. In his peripheral vision, pinpricks of stars blinked in and out of existence. [break][break]

mint frost's revelation about Articuno's Avatar snapped the God General back to the present moment. Expressing only a shift in focus to regard the Beast, he nodded his approval. "Good work, Neon. We can confirm through our infiltration of the League if that's true, but you're likely right," he said of Articuno's whereabouts. [break][break]

Crossing his arms, Zev's gaze met fern delaney's. "All the more reason to focus on the Legendaries we can acquire more easily."

TAGS – disseminate iii[break]
NOTES[break]
– Praises Mint for the good work killing Lars, and agrees it should be a priority to acquire the other Tapus.

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Zev's eyes narrowed. He doubted that the other people Kyle had mentioned were members of Team Rocket. Otherwise, he would have already read a report that the formerly deceased Top Champion had returned to life. [break][break]

The SUNNY DAY amplified the daylight around them, turning the sky a blazing yellow-white and making the air uncomfortable with heat. [break][break]

"I don't think so." [break][break]

[break]

Above the men and their Pokémon, a sphere of darkness burst forth from nothing, expanding to consume the manifested sunlight. A circle of ominous shadow fell upon their battlefield. At the same time, Zev's Type: Null reared back, summoning a SHADOW CLAW to rake at the Gouging Fire from below. [break][break]

"Is that all you have? Where's Ho-oh?" Zev demanded, suspicious. "Why hold back?"

TAGS – kyle lopez[break]
NOTES[break]
– Zev is wearing combat gear and is FULLY ARMORED: nothing can break through his defense, and things that hit him may take damage on impact[break]
– Uses his darkness ability to nullify SUNNY DAY and cast a shadow over the battle[break]
– Type: Null uses SHADOW CLAW on Gouging Fire[break][break]

MP EARNED[break]

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From down the table, Zev glanced at howard slayte's outstretched hand, at his open palm. @shred spoke, but the inane ravings of a lunatic were not worth Zev's attention. Tempest Quinn piped up, but his pea-sized brain could not fathom anything beyond what was set in front of him. [break][break]

Zev raised his gaze to meet Howard's again. Glacial blue bore into crimson. [break][break]

"You've already received your reward for your actions, Fox. Petalburg is yours to transform into a base of operations for our organization," the Devourer said, his tone detached. "We fully believe your administrative and management skills are up to the task. It should occupy much of your time." [break][break]

It will chain you to your desk for the foreseeable future, he meant.

TAGS – disseminate iii[break]
NOTES[break]
– Ignores Shred and Tempest to remind Howard that he has been rewarded (read: punished) with being in charge of the cleanup of the mess in Petalburg.

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Type: Null roared in pain and fury as flames from the BURNING BULWARK singed its talons, deflecting the blow. Jumping backward and landing awkwardly on all four feet, it retaliated with a TRI ATTACK. [break][break]

"You were the Top Champion. You should know me," Zev said, advancing on the other man. Black crystal swept over the exposed skin of his arms and neck, leaving only his head uncovered. "We fought on the battlefield, where you gave me a decent enough challenge." [break][break]

Was it amnesia, perhaps? Had Kyle's resurrection caused him to forget everything from his previous life? Zev had no reason to doubt the possibility. It explained Kyle's odd behavior and the lack of announcement from the League government. [break][break]

"Or are you going to claim that was never you?"

TAGS – kyle lopez[break]
NOTES[break]
– Zev is wearing combat gear and is FULLY ARMORED: nothing can break through his defense, and things that hit him may take damage on impact[break]
– Type: Null is burned by BURNING BULWARK; uses TRI ATTACK on Gouging Fire[break]
– Zev advances on Kyle, intending to engage him in close combat[break][break]

MP EARNED[break]

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