Zev's brow mimicked Nenet's as she pulled away, his lips pressing into a frown. "Why not me? I'm the perfect person for the job." [break][break]

In his early twenties, he had served six years in the Kanto Army. When Team Rocket's took over that region, he had assisted as a contracted assassin. And as a Beast in Hoenn, he had come to know the region well—as well as the League's weaknesses and strengths. [break][break]

Why did Nenet think he wasn't qualified? [break][break]

Instead of dwelling on that ridiculous notion, Zev answered her other question. It made sense she wasn't aware of the crime syndicate's increased efforts to conquer the region. After all, she spent her days sequestered away with her research. [break][break]

Pulling his wrists out of her hands, he reached up to rub her arms, intending to soothe her. [break][break]

"The war to take over Hoenn, of course. The League is not going to give up their governance without a fight. We'll be taking the offensive to both Mossdeep and Petalburg, and from there, pincer the rest of the region."

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha[break]
NOTES – social

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Zev watched Rhys' first attempts at footwork and nodded approvingly. The grunt's movements were awkward and slow, but it was clear he understood the basics and the concepts behind them. [break][break]

The Beast crossed his arms over his chest. "There's no magical formula. It all comes down to second nature, developed over countless hours of training and rounds of practice. What starts out unfamiliar becomes instinct." [break][break]

He gestured to Rhys' form, still arranged in the fighting stance. [break][break]

"This is just the beginning. But I'm going to design a training program for you, and if you can stick to it, you'll see massive improvement even in a few months' time. You won't be a weapon yet, but you'll have more confidence in your own capabilities." [break][break]

"That will translate into having a better idea of what to do when another man comes at you with a knife."

TAGS – Rhys Collins[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

With their greater numbers pitted against Wo-Chien, it came as no surprise to Zev when Elisabeth Fiorelli stopped the fight prematurely. He gave her a single nod, then turned to Aurelie. [break][break]

"Paralysis was useful because we were many against one. If you were fighting a Legendary Pokémon and Avatar alone, it might buy you time to escape. But make sure your Pokémon are capable of both melee and ranged combat. That versatility will help you in the long run." [break][break]

He turned his back on the arena, clearly intending to leave. At the same time, the shard of Necrozma slipped into a wormhole and out of sight. Before departing, however, he cast a final glance over at Aurelie. [break][break]

"If you do choose to train with Beast Delarosa, stay on your toes. Even without his Avatarship, he will be way more vicious than this battle was," Zev warned.

TAGS – Aurelie Lefevre[break]
NOTES – project tower

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","itemcolicon"]

[attr="class","itemcolname"]historical event

[attr="class","lgdcol"]

[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]VERDANTURF 1-B

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]You seize the Wish Tag from Fernando Silph in the midst of battle. As soon as you do, you hear Jirachi's voice. It reaches into your innermost desire. It asks you: "do you wish to win?"[break][break]

However, with great power comes greater sacrifice. In order to bend the scenario to your whims, you use the WISH TAG to conjure power for yourself. In the process, you must lose something. After all, this Jirachi was woken prematurely. Its wishes made corrupt.[break][break]

End the scenario in your way. Whether it means Verdanturf Town is destroyed and Rocket prevails, or another outcome of your choice.

When the scenario shifted, Zev took a moment to orient himself. His Charizard ceased her flight and landed on the soft grass beside him. Taking in the scene, he realized what it was: a well-known moment in Hoenn's history. [break][break]

"We know what happens when Silas falls," Zev said to Rhea. It was their first proper conversation beyond a brief introduction before the simulation began. "Because of the nature of the RKS machine, it'd be smarter for us to see what happens in an alternate timeline." [break][break]

The grunt's Ceruledge was the better option for stealing the Wish Tag, so Zev gestured for his Charizard to wait and prepare a defense. [break][break]

"You're new to Hoenn. How much do you know of the anomalies and disasters that plague the region?" he asked. [break][break]

TAGS – Rhea Armistead[break]
NOTES – the rks simulation

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","itemcolicon"]

[attr="class","itemcolname"]historical event

[attr="class","lgdcol"]

[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]VERDANTURF 1

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]After Slateport, Silas Blackwell's Rocket attempts to invade Fallarbor and Verdanturf. However, it is in Verdanturf where the first iteration of Team Rocket's Hoenn branch falls. By Evelyn Silph, Fernando Silph, and Kyle Lopez's intervention, SILAS BLACKWELL falls.[break][break]

But not yet. In this simulated universe, you encounter the final face-off in the battle-torn town. In Fernando's hands, he holds a JIRACHI WISH TAG.[break][break]

What do you do?[break][break]

Zev lost Rhea in the traffic early on, so preoccupied was he in maneuvering between lanes of bumper-to-bumper cars. He caught sight of her again only when the transport truck exploded from an errant TECHNO BLAST, forcing his Cyclizar to come to a halt alongside hers. [break][break]

The robot that emerged from the spilled cargo was unlike any object or Pokémon Zev had ever seen before. Not that it mattered. As soon as it started firing attacks at everything that moved, he could only react. He threw a Pokéball, summoning his Charizard with a flash of light. [break][break]

"Take that thing down!" Zev roared. [break][break]

The winged lizard launched herself into the air, aiming a FLAMETHROWER at the metal monstrosity. [break][break]

TAGS – Rhea Armistead[break]
NOTES – the rks simulation

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[attr="class","itemcolicon"]

[attr="class","itemcolname"]pokemon event

[attr="class","lgdcol"]

[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]FUTURE CYCLIZAR 1-B

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]The jets propel you and your Cyclizar deeper down the highway. As you weave through vehicles and busy intersections, the Genesect squad soar toward you, free from the claustrophobia of the streets.[break][break]

In midst your chase, a transport truck crashes and overturns. From its cargo, crate after crate of robotic Pokemon break upon impacting the ground. There is a brand on the truck's side which reads: ANTHEIL.[break][break]

One robot stands out above the rest. A juggernaut of metal on tank-like treads begins to fire all kinds of attacks from its arsenal, targeting both you and Genesect alike.[break][break]

Though preparing for the upcoming conquest was a high priority, Team Rocket's science department was also making headway with the RKS machine. Naomi Sato was certain that they could learn more about the DRK Triad with it. Therefore, Zev checked in periodically, participating when he had the free time. [break][break]

The first scenario after plugging in to the machine was familiar to him, though he'd only experienced it once before. His Cyclizar swerved hard, avoiding a TECHNO BLAST that blasted the asphalt where they had been moments before. [break][break]

Clutching onto the Pokémon, Zev scanned the highway ahead for any off-ramps but found none. He swore under his breath, then looked over his shoulder at Rhea Armistead. [break][break]

"Lose them in the traffic!" he yelled over the wind and the noise. "Then we'll take the first exit we come across and get our bearings!" [break][break]

TAGS – Rhea Armistead[break]
NOTES – the rks simulation

[attr="class","pkmn"]

[break][break]

Zev stood in the center of his new office, head bent over the holographic map Team Rocket's technology department had built for him over the course of several days. The many buttons and controls were still unfamiliar to him. He pressed them methodically, committing their functions to memory. [break][break]

A knock on his door prompted him to look up as his secretary poked her head inside. "Sir, Beast Conrad is here to see you." [break][break]

Zev waved a hand, a permissive gesture. "Let him in." [break][break]

The general did not move from where he stood, framed by a large banner hanging on the wall behind him, Team Rocket's logo emblazoned on the cloth. Other objects decorated the surrounding space, filling the emptiness of the long-unused office. [break][break]

A whiteboard displaying a map of Hoenn, sticky notes indicating names and numbers. A muted television showing the latest HNN news feed. Accolades from Kanto in the form of military ribbons and newspaper clippings.

TAGS – priam conrad[break]
NOTES – social

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Infrastructure towers. Zev made a mental note to look into that. Dynamaxed Pokémon could do considerable damage to the structures that allowed the Internet to spread across the region. On one hand, taking the Internet away from the League would cripple wholesale. But on the other hand, it could hamper Team Rocket's operations, too. [break][break]

"You have a few weeks," Zev said. "Find yourself a secure location where you can continue to support our organization's efforts. We need people in intel and logistics as much as we need fighters." [break][break]

Ordinary people often misunderstood how much non-combat work went into the business of war. [break][break]

Zev strode over for a better look at whatever Rainy was doing with his laptop. "But for now, remain in Mossdeep. Continue working there as normal. You'll need to monitor the staff at the Space Center to make sure no one notices what you're doing with their data."

TAGS – rainy huynh[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The ocean churned as violent attacks ripped through it. Ice, feathers, rogue waves—it was all a challenge to see through the pelting curtains of rain. But Zev recognized at once the pinpricks of light that presaged an ORIGIN PULSE. [break][break]

Movement in the sky directly ahead revealed Mint's positioning. Zev braced himself for the moment of truth, his skin itching beneath his many layers of clothing as crystals spread to cover him. They sprouted along his neck and head, dotting his face. [break][break]

Kyogre's tremendous beam of energy and light fired. It pierced the heavens, slicing through storm and sea alike. Zev reached for it with his will, the desire to consume now second nature. [break][break]

Instinct rang alarm bells in his head, and he instantly recoiled. The rest of his face disappeared beneath a carapace of crystal as fight gave way to flight.

TAGS – mint frost[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Mint took to the air. It was Zev's first time witnessing the Beast's Avatar powers, both the flight and the feathers. He tried tracking Mint's movement through the storm, but lost sight of the younger man thanks to the rain and turbulence. [break][break]

Focusing his attention on the great whale ahead of him, Zev watched as his Sharpedo closed in alongside Mint's Arctovish. Without warning, the shark leaped into the air with BOUNCE, intending to draw Kyogre's eye. [break][break]

In an identical earpiece, Zev said, "Try to have it aim its attack in this direction, without hitting the actual boat!" [break][break]

He wasn't going to take any chances, of course. To defend against that very real possibility, he released his Glalie. A precise hand signal prompted the Face Pokémon to PROTECT the ship with a defensive barrier.

TAGS – mint frost[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]