Jacob was just having the best luck, wasn't he? Compared to his unintentional partner, Jacob had been attacked by a Pinsir, got caught in the web of and was almost killed by a Kricketune, and nearly mauled to death by an Ursaring. This night would be the stuff of nightmares for him, if he made it through, that was. In any case, as long as he could help it, he would not set out down this way without some sort of help again.

"Bitch, if I wanted to die, I'd have let one of these fuckers do me in.", Jacob replied to Choi. "I've just about had my fill for the day though, so fuck it, let's head back.", Jacob would say to Choi.

It was then that a Mothim flew in front of him, firing off a Psychic blast at the plainclothes Rocket Grunt. Johanna would jump in front of the attack, being unfazed by it thanks to her Dark-typing. "Johanna, use Air Slash!", Jacob would call out.

The Vullaby would flap her wings, before a blade of wind would strike out at the Mothim. The large moth would stumble back upon being struck by the attack. The Mothim would flinch in response to the attack, giving them yet another opening to finish the opponent off.

"Finish him off, Johanna, Air Slash!"

Johanna would fire off another blade of wind at the Mothim, striking it and knocking it back. Despite the fact that the moth was still conscious, it would instead choose to fly off as fast as it could, reasoning that it could not win this battle.

"You okay, Jo?", Thomas asked the Vullaby, who let out a nod and a squawk in response. "Good, you did good.", he would tell her.

---

Chu-e Choi

Jacob found himself sitting on a hill on the outskirts of Slateport City as the sun was beginning to set over the Region. The familiar darkness that overtook Slateport would set in, as another shift of Rocket Grunts would begin their patrol over the city, bringing down their wrath on anyone unlucky enough to be caught by the criminals. His shift had long since been over, leaving him free to do as he wanted, which mostly consisted of hanging out on the outskirts of the city to be alone, to think.

Those who found themselves joining Team Rocket, even with the best intentions, found themselves swayed under its dark influence, one way or another. This was a lesson that Jacob found out the hard way, one year ago. When he had joined up with the criminal organization, his parents were understandably furious at their son, who despite their best efforts to raise him well, wound up joining up with such a group. His employment with the faction cost him his bond with his family. But the corruption truly set in when he found himself in an affair with another Grunt that was practically his partner at the time. How he allowed himself to be chipped away at by his partner til she got him to bed her. This would cost him his girlfriend and daughter, who left him, betrayed by his disloyalty.

So why was he still fighting? His entire reason for even taking on this deal with the devil had been voided. Why was he so afraid for his life, if everything had fallen apart, what reason did he have to live at this point? He couldn't figure any of this out. Maybe it was some sort of hope that Rowan would eventually come back to him, that he could make things right again, and be with his girlfriend and daughter. But then, the problem was that if he was with her, Rocket would use them as leverage to further control him.

Whether they be fellow Rockets, or enemies of his, anyone coming to the hill would find the redheaded grunt sitting on the hill, in uniform, with his hat nearby on the ground.

---

elijah gardner

After she had been freed from the Sticky Web, Morrigan would dash over and leap onto her trainer's shoulder. Jacob would ruffle the Zorua's head gently, the dark fox letting out an affectionate cry. "Glad you're safe, Morrigan.", he whispered to her. Jacob would ignore Choi's comment about burning the web, before hearing his comment about stomping the now unconscious Kricketune. "Knock yourself out, it's not my problem now.", Jacob would reply with a shrug.

In reality, he didn't want Choi to stomp the insect, but he learned quickly that trying to intervene on his fellow grunt's cruelty not only looked bad for him, but typically came at some sort of price. In his case, it was him getting his ass kicked by another grunt last year. The best thing to do was to act apathetic to such acts, to outwardly write them off as a waste of time and energy to him.

Moments later, Jacob would see something charging at him from the shadows. The reluctant grunt could only stumble back hastily as the Hammer Arm cracked the pavement at his feet, and an Ursaring roared in his face. Immediately, Jacob would scramble back as fast as he could, trying to create some distance between himself and the bear. The Vullaby could only leap at the bear in pursuit as it chased down her master, the bear continuing to try to pound his head into mush.

"Foul Play! Foul Play!", Jacob called out frantically.

First, the Zorua would leap off of Jacob's shoulder, baiting Ursaring into another Hammer Arm, before deftly leaping around to slam right into its back, allowing the Ursaring's momentum to do the rest for her. Johanna would follow up by performing a strike of her own as the Ursaring tried to get up, knocking out the bear.

Jacob fell back to the ground, taking a moment to catch his breath after such an attack. Johanna and Morrigan both went to check on their master, the Zorua leaping onto his chest and nuzzling him affectionately.

"Thank you...", Jacob muttered, petting them both.

---

Chu-e Choi

From the darkness, a large, purple blob began to creep up on Jacob. The creature's movements were silent enough so that the Rocket Grunt couldn't hear her coming. As the creature attempted to line up a Gunk Shot, Jacob would trip over something at the last moment, narrowly dodging the glob of gunk being launched towards him. With wide eyes, he looked to the opposite direction of where the glob was fired, seeing the purple blob in the shadows, before reaching for his first Pokemon.

"Pierce, use Swords Dance and Night Slash!", Jacob would order his Pawniard.

The Pawniard would perform a dance to lift his fighting spirits, before dashing over to the Swalot to try and cut her down. The poisonous blob would release a Toxic glob at the Pawniard to no avail, as the liquid only ran off of his steely body. All she could do was cry out in pain as she took the Night Slash. She would then attempt to use Acid Spray on the Pawniard, only to find that her acids weren't strong enough to corrode the steel body of the Pawniard.

"Finish it off with Iron Head!", called out Jacob.

The Pawniard would do as he was told, ramming himself head first into the Swalot at point-blank range, smashing into her, and causing her to collapse. This attack would neutralize her, but not kill her, which was fine, as Jacob preferred not to shed blood unless absolutely necessary.

As Pierce walked back to his master, Jacob was checking his ankle, and after making sure it wasn't sprained or broken, he would stand up. "Good job, Pierce.", he said to the Pawniard.

Once again, Jacob Berwick found himself traveling along the outskirts of Slateport City. Despite the danger of the area, given how far away it was from most of his allies, Jacob found himself taking a liking to this area. Perhaps it was the fact that it seemed to have plenty of Dark-types, something Jacob was drawn to, or perhaps it was the fact that few grunts step out here that gave him some much needed time alone.

So here he was, back to where he had first found his Pangoro, to search for more Dark-types to add to his collection, and to perhaps train his existing Pokemon.

The silence was broken by another man dressed in dark clothing, donning a cap to cover his head as well. When questioned on his role, Jacob would simply nod to the man. He would then turn his attention to the third man who walked in, a sharply dressed man who also managed to blend in with the darkness, before looking back down in submission. It was clear that despite all three of them being grunts, Jacob saw himself at the bottom of the proverbial totem pole. After all, while the two men before him had some sort of talent that made them vital to such an operation, Jacob was merely here to act as muscle, and therefore was the most expendable of the group by far.

As Kurogane mentioned having put something in place to deal with the cameras, Jacob looked back up at him. "I don't know how much help it'd be, but I have a Zorua on me, if we need a distraction.", he would chime in nervously. A Zoroark would've been much better, if he were competent enough to evolve it, but he'd take what he could get.

Despite his role as muscle of the group, his demeanor was obviously nervous and submissive. If anything, he was more of a manservant to the two men than muscle, but if it came to it, he'd be ready to fight off any security. All he could do was trust his two seniors, and hope that they didn't try to stab him in the back. He accepted that if things went sour, they'd leave him to fend for himself, but at long as they all worked together, things should be fine, right?

---

@arthurwright @kurogane

Jacob sighed to himself after the battle was done and over with. It was already a great way to kick things off, by having one of his companions go out of commission. Given the current state of Slateport City, with its lack of power, getting Tupac healed was a crapshoot. But at least he made it out alive, and if he managed to pilfer a fallen Revive, he'd be able to get Tupac back into fighting form.

From there, all Jacob and Morrigan could do was watch on as the other Rocket and his Growlithe finished off the Granbull with a little bit of teamwork. In all honesty, it was pretty impressive to watch the two work together like that, though he was a little concerned for the Granbull.

"I dunno. Pokemon are tough little fuckers, and I don't think something like this Granbull would die like this.", he responded to his fellow rocket.

In any case, the capture was successful for his comrade. And it wouldn't take long before Jacob would step in something, finding that he had trouble lifting his foot, causing him to look down to see that he stepped in a Sticky Web. Morrigan, for her part, had even more trouble moving through it.

In the shadows, a Kricketune would spot the two, and try to move in to attack the human. The cricket would stretch out her bladed arms, attempting to attack the human with a Night Slash. Jacob was able to spot the attacker, thanks to Morrigan crying out. In response, Jacob quickly sent out a Pokemon to intercept the attack, a Vullaby, which despite her small wings, was able to glide herself to a spot that wouldn't impede her movements, taking the Night Slash, barely being phased by the attack.

"Johanna, use Air Slash!", called out Jacob.

The Vullaby flapped her small wings, before firing off a blade of wind at the Kricketune. Despite an attempt to dodge the attack, the Kricketune was hit by the blade of air, crying out in pain from the attack. The attack was enough to create a wound that was almost deep enough to be serious. In response, the Kricketune would Taunt the Vullaby about her inability to bring her down. Johanna, falling for the Taunt, squawked angrily at the Kricketune.

"You gonna take that, girl? Give that insect another taste of your Air Slash!", called out the Rocket Grunt.

The Vullaby would create another blade of wind to strike at the Kricketune. The cricket would dodge the attack, only for the Vullaby to create a second one without waiting for her trainer's orders, firing at the Kricketune after it had dodged the first one. This time, the attack would hit, causing her to cry out one last time before dropping unconscious.

After letting the Vullaby calm down for a moment, Jacob finally called out to her. "Could you Defog these webs away?", he asked her.

The Vullaby would flap her wings, creating a wind that would clear away the Sticky Web on the ground, freeing up her trainer and comrade in the process. "Thanks, girl.", he told the Vullaby.

---

Chu-e Choi

Skipping Kricketune

"What the hell am I doing with my life!?", Jacob would internally question himself.

The day would've been spent blending in with the crowds in the Lilycove Museum, casing the place as he was told to do. While he wasn't the one doing the planning, being brought onto the job more for muscle than anything, Jacob figured that he'd at least learn the layout of the place by doing a thorough tour of the place. Having been dressed in casual attire, with a bandage covering his tattoo, Jacob managed to blend in just fine. The fact that he had a bandage on his head was easily overlooked as just another wound incurred during a trainer's journey, an extremely common occurrence.

Art was never the Unovan's forte. Nevertheless, the redhead did his best to blend in with the crowd, while taking in the layout of the museum, looking out for potential escape routes. His cohorts, who he did not identify, would've not only done this as well, but would've probably done a better job at casing the place, especially if they knew what sort of things to look out for. But at least Jacob got to take in the floor of the place while he was there.

Having dressed himself up in far more fitting attire for the heist, attire which would cover his body and be suitable for blending into the shadows, along with a balaclava worn rolled up like a beanie, Jacob waited at the rendezvous point that he was told to meet up at. Being unable to eat or sleep out of nervousness for the task, all Jacob could do was arrive somewhat early, and keep a low profile while waiting for his cohorts.

The fact that he was the muscle made him nervous, given that he wasn't the most apt of combatants. But then, it made him wonder about the other two, if he were the muscle.

---

@arthurwright @kurogane

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"Okay, but don't expect me to save your ass if you bite off more than you can chew.", remarked Jacob with a playful grin. As his comrade mentioned bringing out a Pokemon, Jacob would unhook one of the Pokeballs from his belt. A Scraggy was unleashed into the world, looking around for a moment, before snapping to attention.

It wouldn't be long into their trek before they were greeted by a hostile Pinsir, one that immediately came for him. The angry beetle would attempt to clamp down on the Scraggy with an X-Scissor, one that the small reptilian creature would barely manage to dodge.

"Tupac, shoot off a Scary Face!", called out the Grunt.

The Scraggy would do as he was told, giving off a frightful expression to the Pinsir, one that would cause her to recoil in horror, and slow her down. In response, the Pinsir performed a Swords Dance in order to boost her strength.

"Now, Head Smash!", called out Jacob.

The Scraggy recklessly charged at the Pinsir, head lowered to smash right into her. And as the Pinsir would end her Swords Dance, she would be greeted by the brutal Head Smash, one that would send her flying back several feet. In the process, the Scraggy hurt his head, clutching it in pain.

The Pinsir, despite how hurt she was, got back to her feet, and charged the Scraggy. Despite how sluggish she had become, she was able to get in close, while the Scraggy was clutching his head in pain, and go in for an X-Scissor.

"Tupac, look out!", Jacob would call out. It was too late, as the Pinsir clamped down on the reptile, managing to render the creature unconscious. "Shit!", called out Jacob. But before she could kill him, Jacob quickly recalled him, and sent out his Zorua, Morrigan.

"Morrigan, Foul Play!", cried out Jacob desperately.

The Zorua would charge at the Pinsir, who would attempt to grab her for a Storm Throw, only for the Zorua to swiftly leap around her, and smack her in the back. This attack would send the Pinsir face first into the ground, and unlike the last time, she would not be getting up.

After a moment of consideration, Jacob decided to leave the Pinsir where she was, letting someone else find her.

---

Chu-e Choi

Scraggy KO'd

As Jacob was walking along, the teen would hear a frightful roar, as something charged at him from the darkness. The white patches of fur covering its head and stomach would allow the Grunt to identify something coming at him from the darkness, before it would attempt to attack him. Jacob just barely managed to stumble out of dodge, as a ferocious-looking Pangoro loomed over him. Jacob would scramble back hastily, trying to get some distance, before sending out the first Pokemon he could send out.

A Scraggy manifested from the Pokeball. "Tupac, use Swagger!", called out Jacob hasily.

The Scraggy would perform a cocky, infuriating gesture at the large panda. The Pangoro would roar furiously at the Scraggy, being thrown into a blind rage. The Pangoro would attempt to lash out at the Scraggy with a Sky Uppercut, only to miss the reptilian creature horribly, and stumble onto its front painfully. As the Pangoro slowly tried to rise back to his feet, Jacob would call out again.

"Tupac, use High Jump Kick!"

The Scraggy, with a running start, made a leaping knee strike at the Pangoro, who couldn't react in time as the Scraggy's knee collided with his face with harsh force. This caused the Pangoro to fade into unconsciousness, dropping to the ground with a loud thud.

After a moment, Jacob started to study the now unconscious bear. He realized it was a Dark-type, one that was typically found in the Kalos or Alola Regions. Wanting another Dark-type to add to his collection, and in need of some strong muscle, he took out a Pokeball from his bag, and threw it at the unconscious Pangoro.

On the outskirts of Slateport City, Jacob Berwick, a reluctant soldier for Team Rocket, found himself wandering alone. Despite the threat of danger throughout the city, the redhead simply wanted to be alone at this point. He was tired of seeing all the violence and brutality that his faction had to offer to those poor souls that were either too foolish to flee, or had no choice but to remain in what was virtually hell.

Of course, aside from wanting to be alone, the grunt also heard that Dark-type Pokemon could be found in this area. As a lover of the Dark-type, and someone who wanted to see and own more beyond his little collection from his home, Jacob was naturally drawn to the area. Even if the threat of being cornered by something too strong for him to handle was looming over his head, considering that his Pokemon weren't the strongest by any stretch of the word, Jacob was willing to take the risk.

He could only hope that he didn't have another encounter with one of his lovely comrades.

It wouldn't take long before Jacob would be stopped by someone. But rather than panic, the redhead would simply turn to face the person with a deadpan expression. Even though Jacob wasn't the brightest bulb in the box, he had been around long enough to know that expression on his fellow grunt's face. "What, can't dress down off my shift? This place is hotter than a Darmanitan's turd.", Jacob would quip to him. "In any case, if you're looking for some action, we're bound to run into some wild Pokemon that got in after the siege, or some punks who need to be taught their place.", Jacob would tell his fellow grunt.

Similar to the grunt, Jacob did not know him personally. However, the uniform made it clear that he was one of them, and that he too had seen him in passing. The off duty Grunt would also have his belt of Pokeballs out in the open for his fellow grunt to see. While he wasn't carrying a baton on his person, he did have a switchblade attached to a necklace underneath his shirt.

"Shall we, or you got something better do to?", Jacob would ask Chu-e.

---

Chu-e Choi