The Bloodmoon Ursaluna unleashed a ferocious roar as the Samurott's CEASELESS EDGE cut into his hide, leaving splinters of shell in his flesh. He tried to wrestle the walrus to the ground with PLAY ROUGH. [break][break]

Flames rose high from the Charizard's INFERNO. Ariados screeched as she caught fire. She scuttled about, trying to drag her winged foe back to the earth with an ELECTROWEB. But she had little room to maneuver thanks to the blazing wall that cut through the jungle. [break][break]

Knowing the spider was useless now, Zev recalled her with a flick of his wrist. "If you're going to set this forest ablaze, allow me to lend a hand." [break][break]

Another Pokéball opened, releasing his shiny Blacephalon. The dark clown cackled discordantly, but it didn't attack the girl or her Pokémon. Instead, it tossed its head high and spewed forth more flames with INCINERATE. [break][break]

All around them, branches and trunks caught fire. Thick, black smoke began to fill the air. Before long, the disaster would spread, the wind speeding it toward the nearest bases and research stations. [break][break]

Zev stood amidst it all, unfazed. Beneath his clothing, crystals began to emerge to protect him from the heat and burns. But it did not matter. He could put out the conflagration himself with a single thought, if he wanted. [break][break]

Instead, he waited to see what the girl would do.

TAGS – Yuina Higashi[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)[break]
– Bloodmoon Ursaluna is hit by CEASELESS EDGE; uses PLAY ROUGH on Hisuian Samurott[break]
– Ariados switches out & Blacephalon joins the battle[break]
– Blacephalon uses INCINERATE on the surrounding forest to set their surroundings on fire

[attr="class","pkmn"]

SHADOW SNEAK brought the Samurott away while Ursaluna was mid-swing, causing the bear to lose his balance and stumble. It was a perfect opportunity for the SACRED SWORD that came crashing down upon his back moments later. [break][break]

If Zev felt displeasure at the maneuver, he did not show it. Instead, his gaze followed the rolling Pokéball and the explosion of light that accompanied the Charizard's summoning. [break][break]

"That one again," he mused aloud, though his tone betrayed no thought or emotion. [break][break]

Ariados whirled around on cautious legs. With the girl captured, the spider could focus on the menace that bore down on it. Still, it was a disadvantageous match-up. [break][break]

So she did what she could and targeted the Charizard with STOMPING TANTRUM. The earth rumbled under her spindly legs as she charged.

TAGS – Yuina Higashi[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)[break]
– Bloodmoon Ursaluna is hit by SACRED SWORD[break]
– Ariados uses STOMPING TANTRUM on Charizard

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The lack of recognition on the girl's face confirmed Zev's assumption. He tilted his head, watching carefully as his Pokémon circled her and her Samurott. Then, when she didn't initiate her own attack, he said: [break][break]

"No. We're not adversaries. That would imply we're on equal footing, but we're not." [break][break]

Bloodmoon Ursaluna swung a massive paw to strike the Samurott with HAMMER ARM. At the same time, Ariados released more silken strings at the Ranger—an ELECTROWEB this time. Sparks crackled upon the air. [break][break]

"You are simply in my way." [break][break]

And she could either flee or be crushed.

TAGS – Yuina Higashi[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)[break]
– Bloodmoon Ursaluna uses HAMMER ARM on Hisuian Samurott[break]
– Ariados uses ELECTROWEB on Yuina

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Zev took another sip of coffee. "Encrypted data. Use Team Rocket's internal network to send it to me." [break][break]

Keeping files organized was simply easier when they were digitized. But on top of that, it meant a lower risk of Neffatari Nzingha seeing anything she shouldn't know about. The less aware she was of the specifics of his contracts, the better off they both were. [break][break]

"I'll reach back out to you when I've reviewed them to set up another meeting. There, we'll discuss a plan for the operation and my payment." [break][break]

In the meantime, he fully intended to look up information on Ameena herself. Her background, her connections, and her reasons for joining Team Rocket. After all, it behooved an assassin to know exactly who he was working for. [break][break]

One had to be careful, after all, that they weren't walking willingly into a trap.

TAGS – ameena abadi[break]
NOTES – social

[attr="class","pkmn"]

When the Tapu Bulu had emerged to attack, Zev originally thought it was the powerful presence he'd felt lurking just beyond sight. But as the storm winds picked up and clouds gathered to block out the stars, he felt it again. [break][break]

Then the stone of the altar shifted. Somehow, despite the darkness and obscuring rain, he spotted the circular, door-like structure at the top move aside. [break][break]

"There! Look!" he shouted to Nenet, drawing close to her side while pointing at the opening. Beyond the perfect circle, the clouds parted just enough to reveal the moon. [break][break]

Instantly, Zev reimagined the tower in that other universe. And as brilliant light gathered in that cradle of stone, he snatched his wife and pulled her behind him. Crystals covered his body, spreading up his neck and jaw with lightning speed. [break][break]

Above them, his shard of Necrozma stepped out of a wormhole, screeching with its alien voice. Blade-like claws extended, ready to defend. Ready to attack. [break][break]

The blinding light fired—but not at them. It pierced through the storm clouds, clearing a path. [break][break]

From the night sky beyond, a different scream answered. [break][break]

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

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"Blow up the stage, Matias!" [break][break]

Alarm bells rang in Zev's head. If a detonation of some kind was about to happen, he needed to get Elisabeth Fiorelli out of there—immediately. So when MATIAS SILPH's Charizard MEGA EVOLVED and HURRICANE winds started to pick up, Zev rushed to her side. [break][break]

"We need to get out of here now!" he shouted over the howling gale. A deft flick of his wrist recalled his Genesect, even as they began to lift off the ground. [break][break]

Out of another Pokéball emerged his Golurk. The spectral golem snatched the two humans and Wo-Chien from the air, then turned and began to FLY away, as quickly as possible. [break][break]

Just in time, too, as the ground erupted in a devastating display of earthen fury. And from the shattered ground emerged an unlikely sight: a Regirock. [break][break]

TAGS – Elisabeth Fiorelli kyle lopez MATIAS SILPH[break]
NOTES – az excursion d: confrontation[break]
– Zev is visibly armored[break]
– Zev recalls Genesect; Golurk is out and uses FLY

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The energy gathering in Navy's held palm was Zev's only warning. He had no time to release the Gym Leader or dodge a second direct hit. So instead, he braced himself, magnifying the gravity pulling on him to keep him from flying backward. Then he closed his eyes. [break][break]

The point-blank AURA SPHERE smashed into Zev. He heard a loud snap as Navy's arm suffered the recoil. The attack's energy whipped around Zev's torso, enough to fry skin and devastate organs. [break][break]

Yet when it dissipated, the cold void remained. Two dots of cruel blue stared down at Navy from within the blackness. [break][break]

Then Zev smiled, and it was a terrible thing. [break][break]

"You're going to need to try harder than that." [break][break]

But before either man could act, a brilliant, prismatic light illuminated the entire area. It poured from the windows of the hospital's second floor, beautiful and haunting. The accompanying signature of Infinity Energy was tremendous. [break][break]

Zev frowned, all smugness gone. Something was wrong. [break][break]

Something had happened to bryan delarosa. [break][break]

Filled with sudden urgency, Zev released Navy's wrist and whistled for his Pokémon. The two robotic Paradoxes, both looking haggard from their fights, pivoted away at once to their master's side.

TAGS – Navy[break]
NOTES – mission

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The RAZOR SHELL struck true, cutting a long gash into the Bloodmoon Ursaluna's shoulder. The bear uttered a rumbling roar, both pained and furious. He swiped back with SLASH, hoping to land a similar blow upon his foe. [break][break]

Meanwhile, Ariados descended upon a silk strand. But she did not pounce upon the Samurott's back. Instead, she aimed a SPIDER WEB at Yuina herself, intent on ensnaring the girl. [break][break]

Zev stepped out from behind a wide tree trunk. He surveyed the battle with cold blue eyes, detached, apathetic. No armor covered him; instead, he was dressed in dark, nondescript clothing. No mask covered his face, either. [break][break]

"You're that girl again," he said to Yuina, his rough voice absent of any genuine interest. "The one from the island." [break][break]

It was possible she didn't recognize him, though. He'd been masked back then, after all, and he'd used different Pokémon when they'd fought.

TAGS – Yuina Higashi[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)[break]
– Bloodmoon Ursaluna is hit by RAZOR SHELL; uses TRAILBLAZE on Hisuian Samurott[break]
– Ariados uses SPIDER WEB on Yuina[break]
– Zev shows himself and comments on Yuina being from the resurfaced island

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Zev walked through the front door of Nenet's apartment, his movements sharp with tension, his expression dark with a potent sourness. It took considerable willpower not to slam the door shut behind him. [break][break]

He did, however, make more noise than usual while tossing his keys into a bowl by the entrance and removing his shoes and jacket. [break][break]

The apartment was otherwise dark and quiet, as expected for that time of night. Outside, Mossdeep City slept. As Zev moved down the hall to the bedroom, however, he saw a sliver of light from beneath its door. [break][break]

Nenet was still awake. [break][break]

Undoubtedly, she'd heard him return. Still, he muttered a broody "I'm back" as he stomped into the room, one hand already reaching up to loosen his tie.

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha[break]
NOTES – social

[attr="class","pkmn"]

While his armor granted Zev protection from all harm, it did not stop him from growing fatigued. The fight against the Tapu Bulu cost him a lot of effort, and he leaned against the altar next to Nenet to catch his breath. [break][break]

As he did, he spotted a familiar symbol etched into the structure's stony face. Though it was slightly different than what he remembered, it was nevertheless unmistakable. [break][break]

[break]

"The sun," Zev gasped, eyes wide. He reached out a clawed hand to touch the image. [break][break]

Memories flashed through his mind of toppling towers and screaming Megalopolans, as vivid as the day he destroyed that city. [break][break]

Dark crystal receded back into his skin, revealing his face, as he turned to Nenet. "This place is important. I know it," he said, his tone filled with urgency. "Play that flute. I need to know what happens." [break][break]

Every muscle in his body was tense with anticipation. [break][break]

TAGS – Neffatari Nzingha[break]
NOTES – ultra crater #5

[attr="class","pkmn"]

The silence shattered with Bloodmoon Ursaluna's tremendous roar. He charged at the girl and her Samurott, heavy footfalls causing the ground to tremble. [break][break]

TRAILBLAZE would ram him into the Hisuian Pokémon's side, unless it managed to deflect the attack. The bear's MIND'S EYE ability meant dodging was out of the question. [break][break]

Zev followed his Ursaluna at a slower pace, eyes locked onto the Ranger to keep her in his sight. But with the abundance of foliage, he had not made himself known yet. [break][break]

Above them, his Ariados slinked closer, preparing a pincer attack.

TAGS – Yuina Higashi[break]
NOTES – mission (repeat)[break]
– Bloodmoon Ursaluna uses TRAILBLAZE on Hisuian Samurott

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