So focused was Zev on his targets that he did not notice the Gengar's DESTINY BOND ensnaring his Infernape—not until black smoke trailed through the sky after falling debris. A cold, unfeeling gaze registered the monkey lying unconscious in the shallow water. [break][break]

As his right arm returned to its regular form, a vexed sound arose from his crystalline throat. Infernape's failure was small in the grand scheme of his plan. Whatever disappointment paled compared to the triumph surging through him. [break][break]

Not only had he completed his secondary objective, but he still brimmed with energy even after firing his laser beam. He was unstoppable. [break][break]

Zev recalled his Infernape, leaving his Golurk to swoop after the Aegislash with PHANTOM FORCE. But as before, the clash between the two Ghost-types faded into the background as Gwyar advanced. Light from brief flashes of an orichalcum sun gleamed along his brandished blade. [break][break]

Fool, Zev thought. He stepped forward to meet the Gym Leader, not bothering to summon any weapons from his body. [break][break]

He was the weapon.

TAGS – Gwyar Wledig[break]
NOTES – the first wave: prelude[break][break]

– Zev is FULLY ARMORED: nothing can break through his defense, and things that hit him may take damage on impact. He has fired his laser once.[break]
– Zev recalls Infernape; Golurk uses PHANTOM FORCE on Aegislash.[break][break]

[break]

MP EARNED[break]
+50 MP: have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC.[break]
+50 MP: have your character directly or indirectly spotlight another writer's character's strengths.[break]
+50 MP: have your character be injured by another's pokemon directly or indirectly.[break]
+10 MP: using a gimmick (e.g. mega, z-move, tera, sygna, avatar) in your prelude thread.[break]
+50 MP: have your character recall a past thread or event that they have participated in or not (link the thread).[break]
+25 MP: for knocking out another Pokemon in your prelude thread.[break]
+50 MP: for getting your Pokemon knocked out in your prelude thread.

[attr="class","pkmn"]

A favor. Of course. That was common among recruits, especially if they owned such debts to ranked members of Team Rocket. [break][break]

"And what exactly does the favor entail?" Zev asked. He'd read up on Hawkins' highly esteemed skills, but that information was irrelevant to the interview. What Zev wanted to know, on the other hand, was the quality of the other man's character. [break][break]

From there, he'd know where to place Hawkins with a first assignment. War loomed on the horizon, and Team Rocket needed plenty of hands across multiple theaters.

TAGS – Hawkins[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Zev nodded at Fenelle's question regarding defenses. "It's something to consider after the battle is won," he confirmed. [break][break]

When the grunt looked at the map again, the general followed their line of sight to the city and its highlighted areas. What actions Team Rocket should take if the situation proved too dire was something he'd been contemplating, too. [break][break]

"Victory is something that must be calculated ahead of time," Zev explained. "One doesn't march to battle if they have even the slightest chance they will lose." [break][break]

However, past experience told him that losses sometimes occurred—usually as the result of others' incompetence. And so he added, "The only way we would lose Mossdeep is if something unpredictable occurred. And even then, we'd make adjustments."

TAGS – Fenelle Miller[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"There is always a risk," Zev said, his lips pressing into a thin line. "That's why we must maximize our chance of winning. Fortunately, forcing the enemy to come to us will put us at an advantage." [break][break]

And Sootopolis' natural defenses were a boon in this particular situation. High cliff walls with only one entry point meant Cillian Quinn's forces could bottleneck the enemy's advance. [break][break]

"There's one matter we can consider a wild card, however," the general admitted. He pressed a couple of keys on his laptop, and the large machine in the center of his office activated. It projected a holographic image onto the air above it. [break][break]

A great, primal whale. [break][break]

"Kyogre has been sighted close to Sootopolis in the last few days, bringing unpredictable storms."

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli[break]
NOTES – social

[attr="class","pkmn"]

In the span of seconds Zev took to contemplate how to kill Gwyar Wledig, his comms device crackled. A voice on the other end confirmed the launch of SATELLITE COZMO from Mossdeep's Space Center. Looking up, the general saw its sleek form rise toward a stormy sky. [break][break]

However, it was not the only machine launched from the Space Center. Two other satellites followed it, their attached Rotom-drones slinging a barrage of CHARGE BEAMS to knock it out of the air. [break][break]

"Keep the Gym Leader occupied," Zev ordered his Pokémon. They rushed for Gwyar and his Aegislash without hesitation, attempting a one-two combination of FIRE PUNCH and THUNDERBOLT. [break][break]

Meanwhile, Zev turned his full attention to the satellites above. Bracing himself in a wide-legged stance, he willed his right arm to transform. The crystals along it rippled and expanded, forming a cannon-like armature ringed with tiers of jagged spikes. At its end, brilliant white energy began to gather. [break][break]

Months ago, he and mint frost had run some tests on Zev's abilities. For the first time, he'd been able to fire his laser without depleting his energy. He counted on that happening a second time. [break][break]

Raising his arm, Necrozma's Avatar aimed at the two Rotom-enhanced satellites and fired. A blinding beam of coruscating light cut through the air, shearing the machinery in twain. Their engines exploded and computers caught fire. Debris plummeted to the ground, trailing black smoke in their wake.

TAGS – Gwyar Wledig[break]
NOTES – the first wave: prelude[break][break]

– Zev is FULLY ARMORED: nothing can break through his defense, and things that hit him may take damage on impact.[break]
– Infernape uses FIRE PUNCH and Golurk uses THUNDERBOLT on Gwyar and Aegislash.[break]
– Zev fires his laser beam at the satellites/drones attacking Satellite Cozmo (use 1/2).[break][break]

[break]

MP EARNED[break]
+50 MP: have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC.[break]
+50 MP: have your character directly or indirectly spotlight another writer's character's strengths.[break]
+50 MP: have your character be injured by another's pokemon directly or indirectly.[break]
+10 MP: using a gimmick (e.g. mega, z-move, tera, sygna, avatar) in your prelude thread.[break]
+50 MP: have your character recall a past thread or event that they have participated in or not (link the thread).

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"We're a team, Zev." [break][break]

Those words gave him pause. They echoed Nenet's sentiments from over a year ago, when he'd refused to disclose the reason for a specific, non-fatal stab wound. That moment had been the first major turning point of their relationship, when she ceased simply being a woman he slept with and had become, instead, his woman. [break][break]

And he trusted her. In that pause, he felt the truth in his bones: that she would take everything he told her in stride, no matter how egregious or criminal, because she trusted him. With her life, her career, and her heart. [break][break]

"I don't care if you assault the city." [break][break]

That was how he knew she loved him. [break][break]

"I can help you." [break][break]

Though notes of frustration bled out of his heavy sigh, Zev nevertheless felt his anger start to dissipate. He took Nenet's hands in his, a conciliatory gesture to begin the mending. [break][break]

"We are a team," he agreed. "I'm used to operating alone, even in Team Rocket. But I can involve you more, if you want to be. I just didn't think you cared for my work." [break][break]

The words were not meant to guilt her. They were merely an observation, because for the majority of their relationship, they had not cared about each other's work, and that was how they liked it. Had that sentiment changed for Nenet, then? [break][break]

Had it changed for him?

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha[break]
NOTES – social

[attr="class","pkmn"]

At the mention of John Sullivan, Zev recalled his own battle with Tapu Lele's Avatar on the waters of Route 105. Doug had been the only person to injure Zev using his powers, forcing the Devourer to flee and recuperate. [break][break]

"So you've faced an Avatar not once, but twice, and managed to survive. That's a considerable feat for an ordinary man." [break][break]

The general crossed his arms over his chest, his expression contemplative. [break][break]

"Considering your career record within our organization, I see no reason to deny your application. You'll still need to go through the rest of the assessment, though your participation in the recent Gauntlet trial should shorten that." [break][break]

Zev tapped a few keys on his laptop to bring up Dorian's profile. "In terms of fighting Avatars, is there any area where you feel you're especially lacking?" he asked.

TAGS – dorian westcliff[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)

[attr="class","pkmn"]

A highly mobile, versatile unit could do well at Petalburg, Zev mused. He turned his attention to that part of the map, zooming in on the city and its surrounding forest. [break][break]

"Petalburg, then. I think we can put your particular skills to good use there." He pointed to the area of the city where Petalburg General Hospital stood as a beacon of hope and light for the citizenry. "I'll forward you more details soon. First, though, I need a better idea of where we are with Genesect production." [break][break]

Zev doubted, too, that there would be time for catching up with old colleagues. [break][break]

"Conrad, I asked you a question earlier that you chose not to answer," the general said, refocusing their conversation. He pinned the Beast with an expectant stare. "Without that information, I won't be able to allocate resources to support you."

TAGS – priam conrad[break]
NOTES – social

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The familiar cackle of a Mega Gengar alerted Zev to Gwyar's nefarious scheme. As the grinning maw closed around him, Zev breathed in the fumes of the ghost's POISON GAS. Nausea hit him in mere moments and his internal temperature rocketed to an uncomfortable degree. [break][break]

There in that darkness, he choked. [break][break]

Then the life-saving blessing given unto him by his patron activated. Every cell in his body transformed. Living tissue gave way to alien metal. Organs ceased to function in a human way. At each and every turn, Zev's body formed a wall against the poison, halting its spread and any further damage. [break][break]

Outside, Infernape darted for the Gengar. A Z-CRYSTAL hanging from a cord around its neck glittered in the HARSH SUNLIGHT as rainclouds briefly parted to reveal an orichalcum-colored sky. [break][break]

Infernape smashed the Z-crystal in his fist and surged with power. With a tremendous exhale, the monkey unleashed a Z-MOVE: INFERNO OVERDRIVE at the Mega Gengar. [break][break]

Not to be outdone, Golurk rushed at the Mega Evolved Pokémon with PHANTOM FORCE in an attempt to free its master. [break][break]

Should both Pokémon succeed, Zev would emerge amidst the flames of his Infernape's attack, seeming like an ancient relic from another universe. Not even human eyes remained in their sockets; instead, two pinpricks of starlight gazed outward within impenetrable blackness, seeking Gwyar with cold, unfeeling precision.

TAGS – Gwyar Wledig[break]
NOTES – the first wave: prelude[break][break]

– Zev breathes in the POISON GAS and starts succumbing to its effects.[break]
– In response, his body transforms to full crystallization, preventing the poison from dealing lethal damage to his organs.[break]
– Infernape breaks a Z-CRYSTAL to use Z-MOVE: INFERNO OVERDRIVE on G-Max Mega Gengar. It is boosted by the HARSH SUNLIGHT.[break]
– Golurk uses PHANTOM FORCE on G-Max Mega Gengar.[break][break]

MP EARNED[break]
+50 MP: have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC.[break]
+50 MP: have your character directly or indirectly spotlight another writer's character's strengths.[break]
+50 MP: have your character be injured by another's pokemon directly or indirectly.[break]
+10 MP: using a gimmick (e.g. mega, z-move, tera, sygna, avatar) in your prelude thread.

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Zev saw the sword-like shape launch from the shadows near Gwyar and raised a clawed hand in time to clash against the Aegislash's KING'S SHIELD. The maneuver bought Gwyar enough of a distraction, for Zev did not notice the flash of the Gym Leader's sword. [break][break]

Bright light filled Zev's vision then, momentarily blinding him. The SPOTLIGHT bathed him in brilliance, throwing his void-black armor into stark contrast. [break][break]

Zev squinted through the light, trying to locate Gwyar. "Not a bad strategy, Wledig, but it won't be enough to stop me." [break][break]

His Golurk descended with a shuddering impact, splitting the ground beneath them all with EARTHQUAKE. Zev remained where he stood, unfazed, held aloft by manipulated threads of gravity. Meanwhile, his Infernape danced out of danger. Using SLACK OFF to heal some superficial wounds, he bided his time while seeking an opportunity to strike.

TAGS – Gwyar Wledig[break]
NOTES – the first wave: prelude[break][break]

– Zev is armored up to his neck (face/head unarmored)[break]
– Zev clashes with Aegislash, is momentarily blinded by Gwyar's SPOTLIGHT[break]
– Golurk hits the battlefield with EARTHQUAKE[break]
– Infernape uses SLACK OFF[break][break]

MP EARNED[break]
+50 MP: have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC.[break]
+50 MP: have your character directly or indirectly spotlight another writer's character's strengths.

[attr="class","pkmn"]