Soyeon studied the General's expression for a moment. His stark laughter and almost disconcerting laugh was something that made her worry for the souls who were going to be risking their lives to draw out Necrozma, or in other words, most likely her department. Her lips stayed in a perplexed frown while running some numbers around in her head. Her stylus moved about the tablet while making some varied recordings to herself. At the very least, this was quite the experience to speak with a megalopolan that wasn't trying to directly kill them. So at least Zev did her that favor.

"I see." she put simply. "So we draw it out with a powerful enough buffet of energy and then somehow catch Necrozma. Easier said than done, if I imagine right."

Soyeon looked over at Zev and showed him her notes thus far. A brief outline of what she had been jotting down. They were organized into two columns, with a divider to show what questions had been asked. The leftmost was the information they had learned from this session, while the other one had reactions to these questions. A lot of them noted expression and showed confusion over his laughter.

"Do you have anything else to ask the General, sir?"

Zev Harcourt

A good point. When all other hope was lost, one was inclined to grovel towards their torturer for some vain hope that a mercy would fall upon them. Soyeon remained quiet as the only thing filled the void between them were the echoes of their footwear tapping on the ground below them. "It's strange. They're technically still hostiles as far as Rocket in involved, but I can't help but feel bad for them. The very same thing could have happened to our world. Beings above humans directly or indirectly causing the destruction of our world and what's left is nothing more than just fragments. Or maybe I haven't had the empathy beaten out of my yet."

Lulu asked about her health after the incident as Soyeon said nothing again. Just a beat of silence before she'd inhale sharply. "I wouldn't want to trouble the doctors with something so minor. I feel perfectly fine." She lied. In truth, her skin still tingled every now and again. Something was wrong with her, but that was research to be done in private, away from the eyes of Rocket. Lulu was a welcome addition to the scientific minds she had become acquainted with, but Soyeon was just paranoid about things.

At least those twelve Baenette dolls in her quarters wouldn't judge her.

"What things did you work on with computer science and engineering when you weren't busy making weapons?" she asked Lulu. "I'm just curious is all."

Lulu Flint

"It was...something else." Soyeon said as she tried to gather the words to describe her venture across the dimensions. "Zev and I had both escaped from that very same group of Megalopolans offering z-crystals to Necrozma when we jumped together. But we were pulled different ways. That Necrozma that we escaped from, or maybe it was the same one, it tossed me away. It felt odd at first. Like a pressure was pushing me against a wall that wasn't there.

But the sights...the best way I can describe it is falling through a tube at extreme speeds, but somehow, you can catch brief glimpses into other worlds. I remember seeing one where it was like the ice age had never ended. A frozen tundra without end. I can't say for certain what it was, but it somehow felt so real. I did land back in Hoenn unharmed, but I was sick for several days with some kind of sickness. It wasn't a cold though, just as if my body was fighting off something."

She quietly added along another detail, tapping her chin in thought. "They hold it in such high regard, in worship even. Yet it destroyed their world and seemingly won't restore the light to it. What would you make of it, Mrs. Flint?"

Lulu Flint

It had been something to come to terms with what her life had become since graduation. The proper and safe life turned upside down and being forced to work for a cause that she may or may not have fully believed in. Soyeon had spent enough nights crying and asking why she had taken the deal all those years ago. Now, she could only meet it with some kind of apathetic humor at what her personal life was like. It didn't bother her much anyway. She was much too busy with her research to focus on much else. Although that wasn't to say several people in Rocket did take her fancy.

"It's been quite the ride, that's for certain." Soyeon smiled a little, providing some time to let the awkwardness flow out of her. "I've been to such fantastic places and met some interesting people. I've come to terms with what I've done and what it will be used for. But I agree with you on that point. The discoveries do make it all worth it."

A small crack was heard as Lulu picked up her foot just in time to step on a stray crystal just laying in the middle of the ground. Soyeon looked down and was surprised to find the remnants of a shattered z-crystal. Something that Lulu asked her about on the previous trip here with Zev. The scientist nodded and motioned to some of the buildings that surrounded them, precisely to the very one she had found herself on top of a while back.

"The Megalopolanns used the z-crystals as an energy source for the lights. It's something well documented and I thought it could have been just to provide light in the city." A wide smirk grew over her face, the woman's eager nature showing full force as Soyeon could nerd out about her interests. "But the lights were simply a way of summoning Necrozma, or what I can assume was a shard of it. Zev Harcourt and I ran into a small group that attacked us before it arrived. They completely ignored us and started to feed all of their z-crystals to it. I can only assume it was an offering of some kind, though for how long is uncertain."

She paused to wonder if Zev had even escaped before doubting something like that could kill the Rocket beast. He likely would be around for a while. Those avatars had a tendency to be hard to kill, even by other legendary standards. "That's all I could gather before being thrown into an Ultra Wormhole, anyway."

Lulu Flint

It was to be expected that Lulu had an interest in engineering and machines of all sorts. From what she had read up on her work before her disappearance, the woman was a force to be reckoned with with the scientific background that she had. It seemed like it was fate that a weapons expert for Rocket arrive just in time for the invasion of the Megalopolans. The very same people whose home were currently setting foot in. Soyeon listened to the tale with a great curiosity visible in her eyes as Lulu informed her about everything, never once looking away until she finished.

Smart and beautiful. A very lethal combination.

Then it came time for her own introduction. She couldn't say that it wasn't warranted, but Soyeon's background wasn't as interesting. "I wanted to be an astronaut when I was younger since my Dad got me a telescope one year for my birthday. I dreamed about just reaching all those worlds outside of our planet and soaring around. Being a little explorer. I used to call myself "Soyeon of the Stars" if that's any measurement of how excited I was." A smile went over her face as she'd drum her fingers on top of her Pokeball.

"When it came time for college, my parents barely had enough to keep a roof over our heads. I got a job at a florists in some hopes I could save up enough, but then a man came up to us representing a college in Kalos and made us an offer. A way to pay for my entire college stay. Tuition, textbooks, everything. It was my only real shot and even if it was too good to be true, it was my only real shot at going. So I went, but when I graduated and was on my way home, the man returned with an army of Rocket grunts. Told me that I would help them with their up and coming Ultra Space division or that they'd kill my parents and then me. And I've been here ever since."

Soyeon remained quiet for a beat or so, but then offered a shrug. Her expression was more tired than grief or worry. "A bit of a mood killer compared to your story, but it's mine as well."

Lulu Flint

It was her second trip to Lesser Megalopolis, and it didn't do much to reinvigorate her thoughts and opinions on the matter after coming here previously with the Rocket Beast, Zev. The city was a festering wound that refused to let nature take its course. Its residents lingered on, patrolling the streets in search of anything to sink their fangs into.

Yet this trip was more of of an interest to Soyeon, as walked alongside one of the executives of Rocket, Lulu Flint. She had asked for a plus one to accompany her into this delve into Ultra Space again, and who was Soyeon to turn down a chance to take some time away from the ball and chain that was her research. It was a good chance as any to go about getting some air outside of the laboratory. Alongside her Genesect, the woman flashed a smile at her superior.

"Th-The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Flint! It's an honor to have a walk through alongside you!" The scientist replied, sounding as giddy as could be. A great smile was plastered on her face as the two walked alongside one another. "Any chance to set foot into Ultra Space is a great excuse to get out for a while! I've been here once before with another Rocket member before. The Megalopolans here are a bit...concerning, but I think we should be fine, especially with you here!"

Soyeon kept a hand on her main Pokeball, fingers drumming on top of Ignis' capsule, ready to throw at a moment's notice.

"I've always wondered, how did you get involved in scientific work like this?"

Lulu Flint

Ignis's attack didn't do much in terms of stalling Necrozma, even as Zev would rush into the fray and launch an attack of his own. Neither of them would even scratch the surface of Necrozma's body. She was banking on the hope that Zev would be able to carry her through the fight, but that seemed very out of the cards now. "Well, what now?" she asked the Rocket Beast. They had a group of angry Megalopolans and their pet legendary here, ready to tear them apart. Its claws glowed a bright color, ready to launch another attack. Zev's solution?

"Right behind you!" Soyeon recalled her Charizard, storing the ball on her belt and then taking off in a dead sprint towards Zev's direction. Although a part of her did wonder if this would be it for her, she'd rather take her chances with a jump to her death than the most painful way possible to go. She lept from the roof as the laser roared through the roof, falling beside the Beast while holding onto her belongings.

"Please tell me you have something that can get us out of this!" Soyeon said between cries of fear.

Zev Harcourt

"Potentially." Soyeon said to Zec, the two watching the other Megalopolans feeding Necrozma with z crystals as she furrowed her brows in confusion. "But if it's taken so long, why would they continue to do that? Are they that so far gone?" One would hope some few people would snap out of this little desperation move.

The lights dimmed around them, with Zev moving forward to shout out to the group as the legendary and frantic Megalopolans swung their heads around to face the Rocket Beast. None of them looked to pleased to be interrupted, especially Necrozma, who likely had been busy feeding from its most recent meal. The Pokemon took a moment to glance at Zed before lunging at them, aiming to slash them with its claws.

"Watch out!"

Soyeon dove to the side, narrowly avoiding being sliced in half, but catching a long cut down the shoulder for her troubles. It tore through her clothing, blood slowly trickling down the wound. She grabbed a Pokeball on her belt and threw it out on the roof. In a flash, a Charizard would appear before them, letting out a fierce cry as its tail swung side to side. "Take it down, Ignis!" The fire type surrounded itself in flames, diving towards Necrozma with FLARE BLITZ.

Zev Harcourt

"I see..." Soyeon scribbled down notes for herself. Even if the recorder was still going on, she'd note down what Velmos had replied with. It seemed relatively plain the way he spoke about it as a matter of fact. Necrozma was responsible with providing an ample power source into their world, then one day, it vanished without a trace, robbing them of their lifeblood. The full proposition did make a little more sense now.

It was their city and hub in exchange for a power source, of course, assuming they would keep their end of the deal.

The scientist mulled over some choices in her head, chewing on the end of her stylus pen while scribbling down things on her screen. It wasn't that Rocker couldn't locate Necrozma, but it was a good segway into something that Zev had asked her previously that the General could maybe help with.

"Let's say that we come to an agreement." Soyeon began as she looked back up at Zev and then back to the General, hoping that both could entertain the train of thought. "You know Ultra Space better than we do. How can we find Necrozma? Is it even possible to locate or track something like it across all of Ultra Space without taking an extraordinary amount of time?"

Zev Harcourt

She knew Zen could handle himself well. There wasn't any attempt at trying to discourage him or anything. Soyeon had heard all about him and the rumors circulating around the Rocket beast. If anything, she wanted to ask him to spare a few of them, though knew his response. "Y-Yes, sir." she said meekly, then went back to fiddling with the machines. More connections, more crystals replaced on another side and so on. She did her best to ignore the sounds of violence coming from nearby, wincing at every grunt of pained yelp. But as they two continued to work, a soft beating of wings could be heard.

"Huh?"

Soyeon turned around just as trhe light would flicker on, lighting up the darkened sky to reveal quite the sight. It was Necrozma, or at least some kind of smaller version of its. Its body was comprised of the twisting nethers that was this realm of darkness, fluttering before the party on the roof as it looked down on them. The light bounced off of its skin as the Pokemon loud out a loud cry, looking down at the party of the roof.

"I, ah...sir?" Soyeon asked, looking over to the sign of slaughter. The Megaopolans had ceased their aggressiveness, stunned by the arrival of this being of darkness before them. They pushed past, singing praises of Necrozma, hands dipping into pockets and taking out z crystals to shower them upon it. Soyeon slowly stepped back as the Megaoplans were too busy to noticing them both. "Are you seeing this too?"

"He's here!"
"We have to appease Lord Necrozma! He'll deal with these thieves!"
"Now you'll get it! Say your prayers, otherworlders!"

The group on the roof threw their z crystals to Necrozma, the energy and light stored within vanishing without a trace into its body as it screeched again.

"They're using the z crystals as an offering. That explains why there's so many readily available on hand." Soyeon observed, rubbing her chin in thought. She was still deducing some things in her brain, but looked over at her avatar companion, even if surrounded by scales. "I don't know if the both of us can even fight Necrozma, even if he's in this weakened form. What should we do, sir?"

43. a SHARD OF NECROZMA, a smaller non-sentient form of the creature, will arrive at the top of lesser megalo tower. it is either attracted by bursts of light from the generators, or waits for the light to come on. the SHARD OF NECROZMA seemingly comes to retrieve light to return to its original self; furthermore, the turned megalopolan denizens of this city also seem to offer it light/z-crystals to placate it. encounter it, flee from it, or fight the shard before it departs.

Zev Harcourt

"I assume that this would take multiple if it would only take one to power a minor electronic such as a vending machine. But they seem to have left enough around for us to replace them." Soyeon commented, soon starting to work on getting the machine up and running. Sure, an electrician or maybe somebody with a background in this type of thing could have sped through this part, but Soyeon could manage this by herself through process of elimination. She replaced drained z crystals with new ones and fiddled with the wiring in some places to try and divert power to all of them in one steady flow.

"This might take a while..." Eventually, with the combined forces of their meddling, light flooded onto the rooftop. Soyeon looked away, having to blink a couple of times to get rid of the afterimages while looking back over at Rev. "You got the light back online? Great, I think that-"

Their celebration was ruined by the light turning off just as soon as it had been turned on, although the machine was still operational. If they had replaced all of the fuses and their goal had been celebrated like that, why did the light go out? Soyeon let out a huff of frustration. "One problem solved, another presents itself..." A series of footsteps would begin to make their way up towards the staircase that the both of them had entered. She knew exactly what that meant.

"Somebody's coming." Soyeon said, reaching for her Pokeball and looking at Rev. "More Megaopolans? Or somebody else?"

The footsteps were growing louder and louder at a fast pace. Whoever was coming certainly wanted them bad.

Zev Harcourt

Megaopolis certainly had its qualities and unique charm to it, although Soyeon was a woman who would much rather enjoy her world's architecture. Zev seemed to share the same opinion, in his own way of course. They carved their way through the lower half of Megaopolis, pushing past every sort of retaliation that may have halted their progress. The two of them worked their way up to the rooftops overlooking the gloomy looking city, as Soyeon peered down at the sights below.

"We must be up at least fifteen stories. I can barely see the ground." she commented to herself, turning back around towards the Rocket Beast and the group. Zev took lead of the operation as several large machines were around them on the roof. None of them had power, as their leader pointed out. Soyeon was given her orders as she gave a short nod in understanding. "Y-Yes, sir."

The woman spun around to surgery her surroundings. The rooftops didn't exactly have a lot of landmarks around, but nearby one of the lights was a lockbox integrated onto the side. Soyeon walked over and slowly opened the lid of the metallic box, coming face to face with medium sized crystals. Her fingers carefully pried one from its slot and held it up to some of the soft illumination across from them before she realized what this was.

"Zev, sir." Soyeon called, walking around to the machine's generator as she awaited his entrance. Once present, the scientist pried open the front plate to test her theory. As expected, multiple crystals were inside of the slots where circuitry and currents would siphon power from. These crystals, unlike the rest, were a murky grey color. Drained of any kind of energy. "These machines are powered by z-crystals."

Her fingers pried some of the discolored crystals from their prisons and showed them to the Beast. "And haven't been for quite some time, based on the ones inside of them."

Zev Harcourt

Ah, the fall. Soyeon enjoyed the more chilly season for the less hot weather and the ability to wear cuter sweaters. She sat on the park bench in Mauville City, having come in order to get some fresh air from the laboratory. She was reading a rather thick book that was a study of genetics based from a professor over in Kalos for her work research. Besides her was Vacoule, who was resting as per usual. The baby Bulbasaur was busy napping the afternoon away while his owner was reading. They had been there for a bit before Soyeon felt her stomach growl while reading. It had been a bit since breakfast and Vacoule was likely hungry, so they may as well go find some place for food. She stuffed the book underneath her arm while Vacoule would stretch out once shaken awake. "Come along, Vacoule. Let's stretch out legs for a bit."

The two walked from their spot in the park and were out and about near the streets. She was dressed fairly unassuming, another sweater, pants, and sneakers. It wasn't too flashy but Soyeon didn't exactly want it to be. She would rather stay unassuming and keep her head out of trouble, unlike some direct agents of Rocket. The woman went along the way of the concrete jungle before a hand fell on her shoulder. Out of habit, she spun around and pushed herself away without see who it was. "What're you-" A gasp left her mouth as she looked at the person that had tugged at her shoulder.

"Mrs. Kubrick?!" she asked, surprised by the state of this woman's appearance. While usually more proper, Calpurnia looked entirely disheveled. "Wh-What happened?"

Her eyes shot to the phone as it became more and more obvious what had happened. The picture, the crying emotion of a superior. Soyeon's heart broke upon connecting the dots as she shook her head with a frown. "I haven't, but please, calm down! I'll help you look for her!" she said, holding onto Calpurnia as she tried her best to calm her down. "Where was the last place you saw her? And then does she have any favorite places around here?"

Calpurnia Kubrick