Oscar nods with a smile as Cil releases his Genesect, opening Prime's ball to do the same. With both Genesect out, Oscar would pocket Prime's ball and walk toward Cillian. "Hey Prime, Cillian and I have some important work to do and we cannot under any circumstances be disturbed. Guard the lab with Cillian's genesect, alright?"

Prime nodded obediently, and watched as its master and the one known as Cillian made their way to the very back of the lab. Once the humans were out of sight, Prime turned its attention to its fellow Genesect. After several moments of silence, Prime decided to initiate an interaction. It raised one of its claws, and let out a series of melodic beeps as a form of communication. A mixture of morse and binary code, it roughly translated to:

"HELLO, I AM PRIME. WHAT IS YOUR CALL-SIGN?"

Cillian Quinn

Oscar's first thought was 'who's deedee' before shaking his head free of superfluous thoughts. He twisted his neck into a nod, "Yes! Yes, it works beautifully. In this size anyway." Oscar gestured to the large pod, beautiful in its medical purity. "But it's not portable, which is what I need. There is no way you can lug this across a battlefield. Hmm, perhaps a demonstration would help."

Oscar walked over to a nearby box of pokeballs, every one a reject from Rocket's training or breeding programs. He pulled a random one off the top and walked over to the pokepod, tapping a few keystrokes to open it up. The contents of the ball was released, an elderly looking torkoal too confused to do anything as it was locked within the pod. After another set of keystrokes, the pokepod sprang to life with a loud whirring--its elastic tendrils stabbing themselves into the soft areas of the torkoal.

A mere few seconds later, and the machine would light up as it extracted the torkoal's Infinity Energy. The creature seized up before passing out entirely. As the machine did its work, Oscar would provide an explanation. "Infinity Energy is basically a natural power that fuels the life force of a pokemon. When extracted it can be used as a stronger form of electricity. The pod isn't hooked up to anything right now so it's just storing the energy--but you can imagine how it transfers and shit. Right now I have it so that the machine is extracting just enough to keep the pokemon in a comatose state. If I press here..."

Oscar messed with the console, and suddenly the torkoal sprang awake--screaming before mummifying and crumbling into dust. The machine sparked, but Oscar managed to turn it off before it could do anything unpredictable. "Pulling it all out at once kills the pokemon but provides a huge surge of power. It'll only last a few seconds but it's useful in a pinch." Oscar turned back to Yuan and rested his hands on his hips, "So what do you think? Can we shrink it?"

Yuan Wright

A KEY HAS BEEN FOUND

Hitoshi's efforts on the first floor paid off, happening upon this floor's key upon reaching a hand to the slightly hidden top most shelf within a storage closet. With another key down, the two only needed two more.

Oscar cringed as the sword fondled his veins, knowing exactly what the blade desired. He shrugged, rolling up his sleeve. "Alright, but yo my blood is spicy. It used to be toxic so sip, don't guzzle. Also if you kill me Genesect is going to blow up everyone within a twenty mile radius." As Oscar offered his exposed wrist to the leech, he would discover Hitoshi's success and announce it over the PA. "That's two keys down, two to go!"

Prime's head snapped up as it heard Oscar's announcement. It shuddered violently, barely containing its rage as it continued its search for a target. Zev's own search would only turn up one thing: Prime itself. Half way down a corridor, Prime decided to double back. This unpredictable movement caused the two to turn the same corner at the same time--leaving Zev wide open.

Prime immediately launched into a sprint, aiming to smack Zev and take out one of his 'lives'.

TTOYkjoB

()Fourth Floor:
()Third Floor: Genesect(Hunt), Zev Harcourt
(*)Second Floor:
(*)First Floor: Hitoshi Inoue

APPLICATION

CHARACTERS: priam conrad oscar claytonTHREAD: War of the Worlds: Lilycove Warfront WHY IS THIS THREAD IMPORTANT: This battle marks Oscar and Priam's first major collaboration. Their unified effort to capture Velmos solidified their long-term friendship and rise within Rocket's ranks. Velmos's capture also allowed the two to forge a connection with the general, which can now be reflected upon with his recent death. IS RELATION KNOWN: Within Rocket their friendship is not a secret. It's not a secret outside of Rocket either but no one cares.WHO IS THE UNRELIABLE NARRATOR: Wacky boy Priam

Oscar was starting to get concerned about Hitoshi's vitriol toward him. Had he left that bad of an impression? Maybe he should have answered his questions--but there were just so many! Oscar rubbed his chin, his eyes wandering toward Hitoshi's 'sword'. He raised an eyebrow as he got an idea. "Hey there--sword. Do you want anything? Snacks? A comfortable seat? Something to do? I got coloring pages around here somewhere...maybe a tablet too..."

Prime's search was yielding little results, and as it failed to locate its targets once again frustration would boil up from within. Images of successful hunts against ancient beasts flashed through its mind, accelerating Prime's fury. Metal orbs launched from its cannon, flying about before blowing up several doors and pieces of furniture (Magnet Bomb). Prime waited as the smoke of its bombs combined with the smoke of Hitoshi's smoke ball. Realizing its error, Prime would huff and turn toward the stairwell. It shall at least try to cut off their advance, unaware that the duo has already made it to their respective floors.

Genesect advanced upward to the third floor, and began its search anew.

9Sh2Jllo

()Fourth Floor:
()Third Floor: Genesect (Search), Zev Harcourt
(*)Second Floor:
()First Floor: Hitoshi Inoue

The first floor smoke has cleared·

Oscar rubbed his hands together as he let Yuan Wright look over today's dilemma. He had never gotten to work with Mister Wright properly during his tenure, but with him back on the sub Oscar wanted to take advantage of the fresh perspective of a brilliant mind. Before the two sat prestine device that Oscar has dubbed the 'Poke Pod'. Its function, as explained to Yuan upon his arrival, was to drain the Infinity Energy of pokemon and transfer that energy to power something else.

With war on the horizon, Oscar really wanted to finalize his portable model of the pod, but progress has not gone well. Oscar would explain his struggles as he and Yuan looked upon several unfinished prototypes for a portable Poke Pod, each less finished than the last. "You see, I am struggling to fit all of the functions of the Poke Pod into a condensed model. I know it's possible because I've seen similar tech in another timeline, long story, but fuck I can't get it right myself."

Oscar looked to his compatriot, his eyes hopeful that the great Wright would hold the key to this puzzling mystery. "Anything off the top of your head? First impressions and whatnot?"

Down to brass tacks, Oscar grinned with barely contained excitement. He held up his own ball, admiring its polished sheen within the light of the lab. "Prime has been displaying a peculiar behavior as of late. It's been meeting several members of its kind--'chatting' with them. In every instance, the other Genesect would suddenly display signs of developing an identity."

Oscar held the ball between his hands, "I want Prime to chat with your Genesect while we observe the conversation. I have impressed upon Prime the value of individuality, and I believe it is spreading this to others of its kind. If I am correct, it would prove that Prime and its kin have an evolving intelligence--similar to an AI. It would be a huge discovery, though it also raises concerns. Either way it's valuable knowledge."

Oscar extended his ball out, preparing to open it. "When our Genesect are released, we shall engage in a fake conversation. Prime seems to only engage its relatives while the trainers are distracted. That's why we needed to keep them in their balls until now, they can't know they are being observed. Are you ready?"

Cillian Quinn

A KEY HAS BEEN FOUND

Oscar smiled as Zev opened a desk drawer and found the first key. He leaned over toward a PA system sitting on the monitor control panel, pressing a button near a protruding microphone. Speakers hanging from the ceiling on each floor suddenly awoke with Oscar's voice. "You're slacking Prime, they've found a key." He paused briefly before pressing the button again. "Also did I forget to mention that I announce when you find a key? My bad." Oscar leaned back, chuckling mischievously as the chaos resumed.

Meanwhile Hitoshi found himself an item upon entering the second floor. Hopefully it will be useful for his quest of survival.

Smoke Ball

Use to create the "Smokescreen" effect on current floor.

Smokescreen: For three rounds, roll twice. For Search rolls choose the lower number. For hiding rolls choose the higher number.

Upon hearing that they had already found a key, Prime let out a ringing screech of frustration. It would now be twice as motivated to seek out its targets, unwilling to accept defeat.

Genesect now rolls twice with advantage

It deduced that the best solution would be to search each floor, starting with the second. Prime ran for the stairs, sprinting up the stairwell and smashing through the door to the second floor. It immediately went into search mode, feverishly seeking out its targets.

4|QxQRK7



()Fourth Floor:
()Third Floor:
(*)Second Floor: Genesect (Search), Zev Harcourt , Hitoshi Inoue
()First Floor:

Oscar stood up as Cillian entered fully, unable to stop himself from smiling. "You know you don't have to apologize." Oscar chuckled at such a notion, going in for a brief embrace. There was no greater symbol of last friendship than a hug between bros. As Oscar pulled away, he did a little turn to show just how much better he was.

"Yeah I kicked that shit hard. I mean I'm still pale as fuck but that's normal. You look great too, not even a little stressed." Oscar backed up and took a seat on the desk itself, crossing his legs as he pulled up Genesect's ball. He would have loved to catch more, but there was work to be done first. "Did you bring your robot?"

Cillian Quinn

Meet me in Lab 4. Bring your Genescet, keep it in its ball.

Also hi I missed you

A simple text to a friend Oscar had not seen in a long time. The last time Oscar interacted with Cillian Quinn directly, the man was still going by the name Gavin. He was one of the first people Oscar sought out after returning to Hoenn, but alas his duties as an Underboss kept him busy. Months later, and Oscar would require his assistance with something very important to his research. Things were calmer now, surely nothing would prevent him from making an appearance.

Oscar waited within the designated laboratory, rolling Genesect Prime's red ball around on a desk between his hands. Cillian would show up right? Surely he missed Oscar too. What if he was mad because Oscar did not manage to contact him all this time? That would make for a very awkward reunion. The prospect made him nervous though, which caused him to jump slightly as the doors to the lab swung open.

Oscar turned in his chair, his anxiety melting away as he looked upon his dear friend.

"Hey there Cil. Am I allowed to call you Cil?"

The red chain gambit was working, with significant progress being made as Oscar crawled toward the would-be captors of the Never rot. Soon Oscar would be within a few feet of the squirming fruit, it was nearly within his grasp. His eyes went wild as victory neared, the possibility of his desires being fulfilled fueling his ailing body.

Then the fucking green thing grand slammed it into oblivion.

Oscar lay frozen, reaching for something that was no longer there. The Never rot had been launched with a blow so powerful, that it had likely gone a distance undocumented by megalopian scholars. He collapsed, pressing his face into the pavement and letting out a pained groan. With the last of his energy he would turn over on his back, looking up at the Ultra Space sky. Once again his selflessness had let him down.

Abner had taken a great deal of punishment as he protected his charges, but not quite as much punishment as Navy's Urshifu. Its endurance was admirable, and working alongside such a powerful being filled Abner with a bizarre sense of pride. Not for himself, but for his species. As the battle ended, a bleeding Abner would turn to his fellow wounded warrior, his expression hardened by instinctual disdain. Yet he would not act with malice, instead offering the warrior his hand--to help it up, to shake, to slap away, it did not matter. The gesture itself was a rare signal of respect from a normally stoic being. It should be relished while it lasts, for the next time they meet these Urshifu shall clash on the field of battle. And it will be glorious.

Once the moment had concluded, Abner would limp over to his master, kneeling down to check his vitals. Oscar did not react as Abner's claws checked his pulse, instead choosing to continue to stare up at the alien sky. He felt so foolish, so defeated. Yes his freedom had been earned, but Oscar's body and spirit had been crushed in the process. The thing that stuck with him most, beyond the coursing poison and persistent internal bleeding, was that stolen feeling of satisfaction.

He felt it when he saw his desires fulfilled through the mask, and then again when he realized that the Never rot could grant him what he wanted. Yet it was all an illusion, orchestrated by powers beyond his control. He was never in control...

Oscar went into auto pilot, struggling to raise himself on his own. Perhaps he had help, perhaps he did not, all he knew was that eventually he would find himself resting in a private hospital bed within his office. How did he get here? How long had he been in this bed? IVs were purging the poison from his system, and morphine was numbing the pain of his wounded body. Oscar just stared forward, the same vision playing again and again in his mind: Him standing upon a tower, looking over a shattered Hoenn. Details began to change over time; the Rocket airships lost their affiliation, instead bearing the logo of Infinity Industries. The toxic chain he used to supposedly achieve victory disappeared. He would require neither Rocket nor the Never rot to achieve his dream of domination. In time the answers became all too clear: He only needed himself.

tl;dr
--Oscar is a grumpy gus

PURCHASING/REDEEMING

welcome to the poké mart!

1X EXTRA MOVE FROM AN EVENT on Genesect (PP Reward)

TOTAL

do come again!

## PD