The Mega Steelix cast a long shadow over Zev as a familiar sandstorm whipped through the air. The man stood without flinching, however, as he recalled his Blacephalon. Crystals fully covered his body beneath his clothes, and they had started to creep up his neck as well. [break][break]

Whether the girl could see them through the sand and the black smoke, however, was another matter. [break][break]

Golurk, unaffected by the storm, slammed a foot into the ground. An EARTHQUAKE rocked the forest, causing the land to fracture and crumble. Uprooted trees swayed and smashed into each other as they fell. [break][break]

Zev remained where he was, unbothered, defying all gravity as the area around him collapsed.

TAGS – Yuina Higashi[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)[break]
– Zev recalls Blacephalon[break]
– Golurk uses EARTHQUAKE on everyone and everything[break]
– Zev basically hovers in the air as the forest collapses

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"Beckett is already trying to control us," Zev said, his mood souring again at the memory of his walk with the underboss through Area Zero. "We were discussing Team Rocket's goals and strategies following the battle against Kyurem, and he mentioned wanting to leash us." [break][break]

'Anchor' was the word Theo had used, but Zev knew better than to believe the euphemism. [break][break]

"He said it in nicer terms, but the implication was obvious. His reasoning was bullshit. Something about how Avatarship takes a toll on our mental capacity, and that he wants to make up for our flaws." [break][break]

Which may have been true for the likes of Elisabeth Fiorelli, jayden cross, and the others, but not Zev. His mind was fully intact; he had no flaws to speak of. But to strengthen the foundation of their verbal pact, he had to ensure Elisabeth believed he saw them united against their enemies. [break][break]

From both without and within. [break][break]

There was, of course, the possibility she was lying to him. But not once had she given him the impression that she wished to control others, not even when the two of them had antagonized each other. She had simply acted in petulant defiance. [break][break]

Perhaps they were not so dissimilar.

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli[break]
NOTES – social

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The sound of a descending platform drew Zev's attention away from his conversation with Nenet. Rising from the cot, he stood by the bars and watched as Megalopolans ferried large crates and a strange bird Pokémon from the platform. When one of the aliens spoke, Zev fixed them with all the murderous intensity he could muster. [break][break]

His usual stubbornness reared as the Megalopolan described how he and others were caged as punishment, that they would be forced to work. When one of the guards shoved mochi into his and Nenet's hands, he tensed, ready to fling it back with force. [break][break]

But Nenet's fingers gripped his arm, a silent plea. He glanced at her, only for both of them to turn at the sound of a clattering tray. One of the prisoners, masked and dressed in the same way, forced their way through the too-narrow opening between bars. Bones snapped and flesh tore apart. Agonized noises rang through the ward, until the bird Pokémon silenced them once and for all. [break][break]

Zev met Nenet's gaze and recognized the fear in her eyes. Fear he'd seen a hundred times in the faces of his prey. [break][break]

She was right. They had to observe, adapt, and plan before they could act. As furious as he was, his calm, methodical pragmatism was what they needed right then, not his anger. [break][break]

"Okay," he agreed, forcing down the instinctive urge to fight. He knew how to bide his time. He'd done it before as a soldier and he could do it again. "I'll follow your lead." [break][break]

Moments later, he'd eaten his mochi and followed Nenet out of the cell. Sitting next to her, he picked up a Tera Crystal shard and started polishing it on his sleeve. But his eyes roamed the ward ceaselessly, noticing the small, unique idiosyncrasies of each prisoner and trying to ascertain their identities. [break][break]

When the designated Megalopolan spoke once more, Zev listened carefully. An opportunity to take off the mask meant a window where they could break out of the prison. Hoping that Nenet was thinking along the same lines, he picked up the next unpolished shard. [break][break]

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha & ugly ward[break]
NOTES[break]
– Zev is in the UGLY WARD.[break]
– Almost makes a scene but Nenet stops him. Agrees to her plan to observe first, eats the mochi, and starts working.[break]
– Tries to figure out who's who among the other prisoners.

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Zev knew well that Elisabeth was as selfish a person as he. Her instincts leaned toward her own self-preservation, so the thought that she was looking out for Bee as his superior in their organization was laughable at best. [break][break]

No, she wanted him safe because, perhaps in her mind, Bee was hers. A possession, a claim to which she had every right. At least, that was how Zev viewed and understood the world: in matters of contracts, ulterior motives, and ownership. It stood to reason others operated in the same manner. [break][break]

He caught the way Elisabeth's gaze briefly flickered to his left hand. He knew she expected to see a ring there, but he and Nenet, believing that they had no reason to declare their marriage to the general public, had chosen not to buy rings. They needed no trinkets to remind themselves of their agreement. [break][break]

Perhaps it was time to change that. Not for their own sake, but to show the world who belonged to whom. [break][break]

"Nenet values her independence," Zev warned. "She won't appreciate someone constantly hovering over her or coddling her. But I know you won't do either of those things. You're more like an Ariados watching from your web and pulling strings." [break][break]

"In the same vein, I'm not going to constantly keep tabs on what Bee is doing. He can take care of himself, especially now. But I'll watch his back on the field."

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli[break]
NOTES – social

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The titans clashed, Regice versus Gigalith. Their blows sent fractal patterns flying across Zev's vision, imagery that turned into gnashing, bloody fangs and gaping, putrescent wounds. But he had seen it all before. His childhood had been full of blood and viscera, his adulthood rife with war, death, and conquest. The horrors Eternatus conjured did not faze him. [break][break]

And so he continued to drink, channeling Dynergy into his body until the workers hurried from the adjacent chamber with the last of the ore and Wishing Stars. Until the earth-shuddering battle between Dynamaxed Pokémon saw the Gigalith defeated. [break][break]

When the massive doors were shut once more, Zev cut himself off from the Dynergy. He was still for a moment as he struggled to make sense of what was real and what was not. In a distant corner of his mind, he knew that sweat should have broken out on human skin, and his heart should have been hammering from heightened agitation. [break][break]

But instead, he stood like an ancient relic from another world. From another time. He turned to Howard with that star-studded gaze, and when he opened his mouth, words poured out of a fathomless void. [break][break]

"If there's nothing else," said the Devourer, "we are leaving." [break][break]

Back to the surface, where he could release the Dynergy without totally destroying all of Howard's hard work.

TAGS – howard slayte[break]
NOTES – mission

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Zev's gaze flicked from Kaur to the older woman Ameena described. Sure enough, he caught sight of tail fluff poking out from the large tote bag she carried. She stood out like a sore thumb with such a huge personal item. Zev was surprised the manor's security hadn't looked through or checked in her bag upon her arrival. [break][break]

"Copy that." [break][break]

He moved in the guest's direction, glad that his tray of canapés contained an assortment of meats. As he passed his target, he surreptitiously removed one and dropped it into her open bag. Without missing a beat, he kept walking without a backward glance. [break][break]

He was rewarded with a startled yelp as the woman's bag started to writhe. The Dachsbun had snapped up the treat and was jumping out for more. Shouts from guests and staff filled the large chamber, originating from the circle of Kaur's peers. The yelling spread as the Pokémon raced after more food. [break][break]

Zev felt the full weight of the Dachsbun slam into his legs. He allowed himself to stumble, knocking into a table and dropping the tray. It clattered on the floor, scattering the hors d'oeuvres. The little dog scarfed up some of the treats, only to bolt off when it saw two security guards running toward it. [break][break]

No guests bothered to ask Zev if he was okay. Another member of the waitstaff did approach with a concerned look, but he waved them away. He removed himself from the chaos and immediately searched for Kaur, finding the general standing alone.

TAGS – ameena abadi[break]
NOTES – mission

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Elisabeth's offer came as a surprise. For a moment, Zev's anger gave way to that new emotion. He arched his eyebrow at her from where he sat on the other side of her desk. [break][break]

"We already agreed to stay out of each other's way," he said, though he doubted she needed any reminding. [break][break]

The underboss was a cunning woman. She had survived the den of wolves that was Team Rocket for several years now, gaining power and authority along the way. And even though Wo-Chien had destabilized her reputation among the crime syndicate's leadership, there she remained: one of its leaders. [break][break]

Still, one did not make an offer like Elisabeth had without seeking something in return. "You want something," Zev observed. He pretended to think about it, but he already knew the answer. "Bee's protection." [break][break]

Though the average person could not hope to face an Avatar and win, it was another matter entirely when two Avatars fought each other. And Bee's bond with Moltres was too new, too raw. [break][break]

If he found himself pitted against the likes of MATIAS SILPH or kyle lopez, there was a good chance he would not survive.

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli[break]
NOTES – social

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Aurelie's amazement at the effectiveness of the disguise brought a pleased smile to Zev's lips. "Which is exactly what I wanted," he said. [break][break]

In the workshop, however, there was no need to keep up the illusion. He nodded to the Pokémon who had followed them into the room. The disguise melted away seamlessly, revealing his normal appearance; the Obstagoon, too, shifted into a purple-furred Zoroark. [break][break]

Without waiting for Aurelie's reaction to the immediate transformation, Zev launched into his explanation. [break][break]

"The upper brass of our organization has disseminated orders to prepare for several upcoming operations." His tone was professional, his demeanor that of a superior speaking with an underling. "Part of that means ensuring we have a sufficient stock of combat knives to distribute among the lower ranks. Mostly for self-defense and utility." [break][break]

Zev doubted that most grunts were capable enough of surviving a knife fight, but at least they would not proceed unarmed. [break][break]

He removed a folded piece of paper from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it to Aurelie. It contained an itemized list of specific weaponry requested by Team Rocket's quartermasters.

TAGS – Aurelie Lefevre[break]
NOTES – mission

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The syringes withdrew from Zev's limbs as the metal restraints lifted. So great was the flow of Infinity Energy through his body that he barely felt any pain from the extraction. Instead, he sat up and stared at his arms as small shards of black crystal sealed up the needle wounds. [break][break]

Oscar's feverish exclamations were not lost on Zev. Dynergy and Infinity Energy as naturally opposing forces, with Necrozma able to consume them both. But while one poisoned him, the other strengthened him. The implications of the latter were enormous. [break][break]

"I feel fine. Better than fine, actually," Zev said in response to Oscar's question. He climbed down from the table and did some light upper body stretching where he stood, enjoying the feeling of renewed strength in his muscles. [break][break]

His gaze fell to the Pokéball in the scientist's hands. "I've never seen that Pokémon before. Tell me about it."

TAGS – oscar clayton[break]
NOTES – mission

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The tide had indeed turned. Zev no longer wished to hold back his Pokémon's full strength, not when Jason had nearly gotten himself killed with such a stunt. With a quick, sharp whistle, the Rocket Beast conveyed as much to his Gengar and Seviper. [break][break]

In no time, Smoke had brought the Gardevoir he'd been fighting to heel. Seviper, on the other hand, helped Jason's Pokémon subdue the second Gardevoir. Zev tossed two empty Pokéballs to complete the poaching. Later, the captures would be inventoried and processed for later sale on the black market. [break][break]

Gathering the Pokéballs from the ground, Zev glanced over at Jason. "Not bad," he said, though the cold, detached tone of his voice did not match any words of praise. "You need to work on your tactics more." [break][break]

He tossed the capsules to the grunt before turning to leave, fully expecting Jason to follow without being told.

TAGS – Jason Huang[break]
NOTES – mission

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In deflecting, Elisabeth confirmed Zev's suspicions. But she implied he was cut from a similar cloth in the same breath. "Us," she said, suggesting that it was possible for him to have a weakness. For that weakness to take the form of another person. [break][break]

He wanted to laugh in her face. He wanted to scoff and claim that she was now the delusional one, believing him to have any vulnerabilities. But the recent memory of THEO BECKETT's reckless arrogance reared its ugly head, giving Zev pause. [break][break]

His amused smile vanished. A neutral frigidity replaced it, carefully crafted. Yet Elisabeth would not be able to mistake the aura of displeasure emanating from the man's very being. [break][break]

"Only a fool would try that with me," he said. But he knew she was right: people would try. The thought of something happening to Neffatari Nzingha again set fire to his blood, stoking him into further agitation. "I'll kill anyone who touches a hair on her head." [break][break]

Even if that person was an underboss.

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli[break]
NOTES – social

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Though Howard took a step backward when the massive doors groaned open, Zev stood his ground. He was the Devourer, Avatar of Necrozma. Both darkness and light were his domains. All objects within space bent to his will, no matter how great or small. [break][break]

He could not be cowed. Not by this nor anything in all the universes. [break][break]

The Dynergy poured forth in a terrible magenta mist. Zev's crystals emerged as if by instinct, spurred by hunger for the tantalizing nectar before him. Before it could engulf Howard's nervous crew, Zev reached for it with his mind, snatching it from the air and diverting its flow into himself. [break][break]

The Beast's entire body thrummed with power as the Dynergy flooded his system. At first he felt nothing else, but the more he absorbed, the more he felt the effects. Countless staring eyes opened across the walls of the rocky chamber, hallucinations influenced by the essence of Eternatus. Zev's heart rate quickened as he shifted into a state of hyperalertness. [break][break]

Every inch of him was covered in his void-black carapace. Unbeknownst to him, even the cells of his internal organs had converted into the living, alien metal. In the black pits his eyes had become, the cold light of stars swirled. [break][break]

And when he spoke, his voice carried the echo of an alien reverb, notes of Necrozma's terrible roar. [break][break]

"Do it now, Slayte."

TAGS – howard slayte[break]
NOTES – mission

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Zev gave a single nod at Bee's suggestion of testing out the latter's new powers. Then he turned his attention to the Dynamaxed Meganium. As magenta-black flames sprung up, presumably at Bee's bidding, Zev reached out with his mind to bend the Pokémon's body to his will. [break][break]

Dynergy swirled and swelled around them. Its demanding presence was so distracting, so tempting. He found himself putting as much effort into resisting it as he was into crushing their foe. And so the struggle against the Meganium took longer than he expected or wanted. [break][break]

Eventually, though, the Grass-type fell to its knees. The earth quaked and Dynergy dispersed from its body. It returned to its normal size, unconscious, inert. [break][break]

Zev scanned the immediate area. All around them were clusters of loose Dynite ore, while more lay embedded in glittering mineral veins. "There's ore everywhere here. We might as well collect as much as we can before leaving," he suggested. [break][break]

With the help of their own Pokémon, they gathered what they could carry. Zev fought the urge to drink the energy around them for as long as possible. It was exhausting mental work, especially with the hallucinations that increased with disturbing frequency the longer they lingered. As they returned to the main shaft of the Power Spot, he could no longer hold his hunger at bay. [break][break]

He absorbed a sliver of Dynergy, a small sip from a vast ocean. Immediately, he coughed but felt fine otherwise. Time would tell how even a small amount of Dynergy in his body affected him. [break][break]

TAGS – BARNABY FINCH[break]
NOTES – the rks simulation: extraction

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