Lunala's light was unlike anything Zev had ever tasted before. It suffused him in the way a supernova explodes, all cosmic starlight and violent transformation. [break][break]

Above him, the shard of Necrozma screamed in exultant triumph as it metamorphosed. Its body reconfigured into a similar shape as Lunala itself, but containing the same sharp angles and brutal edges of its true form. [break][break]

The METEOR BEAM fired, and Zev's attention snapped to Nenet. Thankfully, he'd bought her enough time to dodge it. But then the moon quaked beneath their feet; rock fractured and dust kicked up in clouds. [break][break]

"Let it go!" the man shouted at his wife as Lunala fled. They had more important things to worry about. [break][break]

Thankfully, Nenet still had her wits. As she climbed onto her Celesteela, Zev leaped for his shard. A clawed hand snatched him from the air. Together, the group departed the moon, returning to Ultra Crater to marvel at what had just transpired.

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha[break]
NOTES – ultra crater #6

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Neffatari Nzingha's slight nod, followed by the apologetic look that briefly flashed over her face, was the only warning Zev received before she assumed their joint deception. Without missing a beat, he scowled at her. [break][break]

"That's not my problem." His tone was scathing, indicative of a man spurned. "Just stay out of my way and keep your fucking mouth shut. It's bad enough we have to share a cell." [break][break]

He made a point not to look at her in the shower as he came out of the vision-induced reverie. A persistent feeling in the back of his mind left him feeling like something about the vision was amiss, but he couldn't place his finger on it. [break][break]

Zev's pensive attitude continued even as they donned new clothing and returned to their cells, lending him a brooding air that only enhanced his seeming hostility toward Nenet. [break][break]

When it was time to sleep, he eyed the single cot. It was large enough to fit both of them if they cuddled together, but choosing that would destroy their established façade. So, continuing to ignore his wife, Zev settled on the floor, his back pointed toward her. [break][break]

He'd slept on worse surfaces before. [break][break]

For a long time, he remained awake and alert, watching for any movement in the other cells or in the common space between them. But eventually, sleep took hold, and he fell into darkness.

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha & ugly ward[break]
NOTES[break]
– Zev is in the UGLY WARD.[break]
– Upholds the lie that he and Nenet broke up by talking to her harshly.[break]
– Chooses to sleep on the floor so that Nenet can sleep on the cot.

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Reaching the moon that stood vigil over Ultra Crater was not the insane feat that it was in other universes. Zev had made the trip several times already, so when his boots hit the lunar soil, he did not look around with wonder. [break][break]

Instead, he scanned the immediate area for threats, either in the form of Ultra Beasts, INGRAINED Megalopolans, or wild Pokémon. [break][break]

"It doesn't look like there's anything here right now," he said to his companion for the trip, Admin howard slayte. "Still, we should set up some kind of lookout. Golurk, keep watch for us." [break][break]

The massive golem who had brought the men to the moon said nothing. It merely turned to face the horizon, its head swiveling to and fro in a slow sweep. [break][break]

Ahead of them, the Moone Altar sat nestled within a rocky outcropping. Carved into its surface was the same sun symbol Zev had witnessed in another universe, at the top of a tower constructed as a weapon. He started toward the shrine-like structure, tense with anticipation. [break][break]

"Have you had a chance to visit this place yet, Slayte?" he asked Howard without taking his eyes off the symbol.

TAGS – howard slayte[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)

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"I wanted it to hurt." [break][break]

The admission was enough to draw Zev's full attention back to Kyle. What the ghost of Hoenn's Top Champion described was something alien, an incomprehensible concept in a language Zev would never be able to speak. [break][break]

Love. [break][break]

"I don't know what that's like," the assassin replied, though his tone no longer carried the harshness it possessed a moment ago. "I don't love anyone." [break][break]

Not even Neffatari Nzingha, whose face nevertheless flashed through his mind for the briefest instant. [break][break]

"So no, it wouldn't be similar for me. Killing you is my right, as your—" Zev paused, the word poised on the tip of his tongue. [break][break]

His what? What role had Kyle possibly played in his life? When he searched his mind to find the answer, he only drew a blank, as if a heavy fog occupied the space where memories should have been. [break][break]

Brother?

TAGS – kyle lopez[break]
NOTES – mission

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"And what reason is that?" Zev snapped, his features hardening with sudden emotion: a mix of exasperation and resentment. [break][break]

His own vehemence surprised him. MATIAS SILPH meant little to him in the grand scheme of the universes, but Kyle's preference for the Volatile grated on his nerves. Despite how little Zev knew Kyle, and how much Kyle might have known Matias, that exact dynamic seemed wrong. [break][break]

Frustrated with his own outburst, Zev tore his eyes away from Kyle. Instead, he gazed out at the foreign horizon of the Border, only glancing back at the strangely posed question. [break][break]

"Of course not. What makes you think I could be one?" Zev's tone was sharp, derisive. An ordinary person would be put off by his prickliness, but was Kyle ordinary?

TAGS – kyle lopez[break]
NOTES – mission

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Lacking an office of his own, Zev had booked one of the conference rooms in the North Wing for his first meeting with one Reinier Justice. As the grunt specialized in intelligence gathering, he had little reason to summon them before. But now upper brass was disseminating orders to prepare for further expansion into the region. [break][break]

It was time for the Rocket Beast to familiarize himself with the crime syndicate's relevant tools. [break][break]

Footsteps heralded Reinier's arrival. Zev glanced at the door but did not budge from where he stood. Displayed on a large smart board was a map of the entire Hoenn region. Reaching up, he drew a circle around Sootopolis with a stylus, marking it as Rocket territory. [break][break]

"You're Justice?" he asked Reinier. "Close the door behind you." [break][break]

Though few grunts passed through the High Offices on a regular basis, there was no need to risk eavesdroppers.

TAGS – Reinier Justice[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)

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The way Aurelie's eye widened told Zev that she'd never considered this perspective before. Unsurprisingly, most grunts without regular exposure to Legendary Pokémon didn't comprehend how they could be different from regular Pokémon. [break][break]

A year ago, he'd also considered them the same, even if one was more powerful than the other. But he knew better now. [break][break]

"You mean the mass hallucination," Zev said about the dream Aurelie mentioned. "I don't see how it's relevant. We know Eternatus is the Ultra Deep Sea, and that the authentic Power Spots scattered across the region are its influence." [break][break]

This was common knowledge in the crime syndicate now. [break][break]

"Considering the increasing importance of the latter and the reports of poisoned Pokémon, I'm not surprised Eternatus is where your mind automatically went to." He crossed his arms over his chest, a pensive look overtaking his features. "It's the most likely conclusion, too."

TAGS – Aurelie Lefevre[break]
NOTES – mission

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"If you do meet with Walsh, I'd be interested in hearing what he has to say afterward," Zev said. [break][break]

Like all scientists he'd met during his time with Team Rocket, Oscar seemed eager to bury himself in the data gathered from the machine. So Zev gave the other man a single nod of his head and left the laboratory, his Gengar floating after him. [break][break]

Now that he knew he could absorb Infinity Energy and become empowered by it, it was time to test the limits of that power. Thankfully, there was an endless supply of it—among the League in particular.

TAGS – oscar clayton[break]
NOTES – mission

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Zev watched Soyeon unravel without interrupting. She reminded him of raging flood waters held back by a dam, the pressure building and building until cracks formed and wood splintered. Unable to contain her feelings anymore, she poured them all out in an unfiltered confession. [break][break]

He waited until she finished, staring at him with rage-filled eyes and a tear-streaked face. Another person might have reached out and comforted her, but Zev kept his distance. Even if what Soyeon needed was empathy, he would not give it to her. [break][break]

He'd sharpen her unformed wrath into a precise blade instead. [break][break]

"Who do you want to ruin?" he asked, maintaining calmness in the face of her breakdown. No hint of reprimand or judgment clouded his words. [break][break]

A small noise briefly diverted his attention as his Type: Null struck down a wandering Ampharos with SHADOW CLAW. Zev lobbed a Pokéball at the wild Pokémon, almost as an afterthought. Then he turned his gaze upon Soyeon once more.

TAGS – soyeon kwan[break]
NOTES – duo wild (electric/steel) | catching Ampharos

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Not talking was perfectly fine with Zev. Banter was a waste of precious breath. He raised his fists and fell into a fighting stance as Greyson summoned an Aegislash and brandished it as a shield and sword. [break][break]

As if having a Pokémon in his hands would even the odds. [break][break]

"I don't bleed." [break][break]

Zev launched his attack, fists swinging with a precision and force built up over two decades of training. Though clothing tore easily from the swipes and slashes of the Aegislash, alien metal prevented any injury. [break][break]

Greyson might even see chips, dents, and scratches forming along his Pokémon's body the longer they traded blows. [break][break]

Nearby, the Shadow Nidoking engaged with the Iron Valiant in a parallel display, suffering the blows of CLOSE COMBAT and retaliating with IRON TAIL.

TAGS – Greyson Connors[break]
NOTES – mission[break]
– Zev is FULLY ARMORED: nothing can break through his defense, and things that hit him may take damage on impact[break]
– Shadow Nidoking gets hurt by CLOSE COMBAT; uses IRON TAIL on Iron Valiant[break]
– Zev engages Greyson in hand-to-hand combat

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With Elisabeth's agreement, the conversation reached its conclusion. Zev shook his head and stood, glad to be leaving her office. Despite the tenuous alliance they had reached, he had no desire to linger in her presence. [break][break]

"No, that's all." [break][break]

He was not a man who said goodbye. Small talk and salutations were meaningless. Yet he paused at her office door, a hand on the knob, and tossed her a parting glance over his shoulder. [break][break]

At the very least, he could acknowledge the power she wielded that made their deal possible. [break][break]

"Thank you for your time, Underboss."

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli[break]
NOTES – social

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