REDEEMING

a genesect is being assembled...

TIER 1/2/3

GENESECT ACQUIRED

TIER 4

MEGA STONE (Genesectite--aka a blank Bug Type Megastone)
SILVALLY MEMORY (Blank Memory x1 from PC)

TOTAL

for the glory of team rocket!

0 PD

TRANSACTION APPROVED!

SPIRAL

Whelp, the secret training was fun while it lasted. Oscar could not possibly keep all of his previous vict--ahem, participants quiet forever. It was inevitable that word would get out about Oscar's so-called 'Survival Training', and before long no one would be falling for Oscar's trickery. Oh well, it could not stay that way forever. The training wheels were off, it was time for Oscar to use what he has learned thus far and take this training exercise seriously.

He put out an open invitation, this time rebranding his training as 'A Test of Courage: Developing the Bravery to Face the Gods'. It was a grand little concept, the every-day grunt would probably shit themselves if forced to fight an Avatar and their patron. Perhaps with some experience they can be equipped with the tools to survive such encounters, using their wits and survival instincts to complete their duties despite the horrors that hunt them. Speaking of...

Oscar got some takers! He was rather surprised to find Cillian Quinn among them, Oscar would have assumed that Gavin of all people would already be brimming with bravery. It would be like a child trying to train a heavyweight champion in boxing. Yet Oscar accepted him anyway, after all who better than one of the Underbosses to show the grunts how this was done. Luckily the other two volunteers were indeed grunts, Johanna Joy and @bishop. Oscar had yet to meet them, but he very much looked forward to tormen--TRAINING! Training them. 

This time Oscar called for everyone to meet up within the abandoned warehouse district of Slateport. Like always they were to bring nothing but a backpack full of a night's worth of supplies. No pokemon, no weapons, just them and what they could fit in a bag. Unlike the other times however, Genesect would be out in the open standing next to his master. It was part of this training being more open about the being ruthlessly hunting thing.

The meeting place was an old warehouse toward the middle of the district that Rocket used to use for Black Market Pokemon storage. It was defunct now, leaving behind only empty cages and a distinct feeling of dread. When all were gathered, Oscar would perform some simple small talk--

"Hey how's everyone's night going...oh you don't say...weather's been crazy lately...huh I never knew..."

Genesect just stared forward, patiently waiting for the pleasantries to be finished so that the fun could begin. Eventually Oscar cleared his throat, "Alright alright it's time to get started. Welcome to the Survival Test of Courage! Thanks for joining me tonight, I'm hoping that this is gonna be a great time and everyone will learn a lot. This is Genesect!" Gensect raised one of its bladed claws in greeting. "Genesect is going to relentlessly hunt you while you three try to solve a search-and-seize mission. This is to build up your resolve so you don't immediately piss your pants when facing an avatar."

Oscar handed each of them a map of the Warehouse district. At the edge of the district, in the cardinal directions, they would see red circles. Oscar continued. "You have until sunrise to reach each of these locations and fix the broken generators waiting for you. The generators will turn on the lights across the district, making it easier to see ol' Genesect coming. That's basically it, just get out there and complete the task by morning. Also don't get caught because Genesect will beat the living shit out of you. This is training for him too."

Genesect crossed its blades together, slowly rubbing them to make a most awful metallic screech. Oscar flicked the side of its head, "Don't do that, you'll dull your claws. How many times do I gotta tell ya?" Genesect drooped, it just wanted to look scary. Oscar shook his head before turning his attention to Gavin, "Oh! And Gavin, you get the honor of being the first Avatar to participate. It goes without saying though, no powers are permitted during training." 

Oscar clapped his hands together, "Anyway, the sun is setting and it's about to get really fucking dark so hop to it! You have a ten minute head start before the hunt commences. Go on get going! Hut two and shit!"

Oscar's first attempt at coaching was...successful? Sorta? It was a mixed bag. On one hand, he scared the shit out of three capable Rocket agents and possibly lost their trust forever. On the other, it was really funny and taught them so solid lessons! He felt like he would need to test it more, so Oscar set up another session.

Once again he called upon others to partake in 'survival training', this time Eris Halla, onyx straub, and jayden cross answered his call. Oscar was reluctant to accept Eris into the session, but his curiosity eventually outweighed his conscience. Besides, the other two should be able to keep her out of trouble.

Oscar set up the training quickly, calling the trio to Mt. Ember. Like last time they were told to bring one backpack of supplies, but nothing more. Once again, pokemon were strictly forbidden. When they all arrived, Oscar would lead them into the gondola lift. As their vehicle climbed the volcano, Oscar would brief them on their mission. Oscar went in a different direction than last time, hoping to spice things up and try out different scenarios. 

"Hey so, thanks for participating in this round of survival training. I'm still new at this so there's likely to be a few snags, but at the end of the day this should prove to be valuable experience for all of us. Just be patient with any adversity."

Oscar handed out maps to each of them. The maps would display the layout of the Jagged Path, which would be the main location of their training. They would find four circles placed on the furthest end of each of the cardinal directions. Oscar continued, "So, at each circle you will find a piece of machinery. Put together, these parts should form a device that will let me know that you've successfully completed the training. They're on different height levels, meaning once you start going down it will be very hard to get back up if you miss one. The recommended order would thus be north, east, west, and finally south at the bottom. It shouldn't be hard to put the machine together, it's pretty self explanatory. Just flip the lever once it's constructed. You guys have all night so don't rush, the Jagged Pass is not exactly easy to climb down quickly. You have until sunrise to complete the training."

The gondola would reach its destination, and as the door opened Oscar would wrap up his briefing. "The first machine part should be near the entrance of the pass, try not to miss it as you start climbing down. Anyway um--good luck!"

Oscar would not get up from his seat, instead waiting for the three participants to disembark from the gondola. The sun was setting, they better get moving before the lose the light.

Oscar was not sure what being 'deleted' was supposed to feel like, but he did not expect euphoria. As his body was shredded into bits of data, he watched his fellow trainers fight amongst each other--to save the would-be martyrs or break down the system. Oscar cared for maybe a second, wondering if he had made the right choice. Then suddenly his thoughts became nonsense as his brain was scrambled into nothing, leaving behind only a pure feeling of beautiful nonexistence. Soon there would be nothing but light, and Oscar would cease to be...

For about thirty seconds.

Everything came back all at once; a forceful reattachment that left Oscar gasping into the sand. He lifted himself, staring as the familiar foam of the Hoenn sea passed underneath. Each grain of sand felt like knives against his palms, and as he came to a kneeling position his knees would scream through his jeans. Everything hurt him, from the wind that crossed the shoreline to the tears that forced their way out of his eyes. Was this an effect of being rebuilt, atom by atom?

Most likely, though it could also be a symptom of Oscar's discontent.  He knew not if their return was caused by the ten sacrifices or not, nor did he truly care. He had witnessed the vast artistry of the multiverse, and stared directly into the face of pure nihility--so appearing back in Hoenn felt bitter sweet. It all looked so drained--washed out. Small. 

Oscar slumped forward, his head rushing with a surge of bittersweet emotions. Eventually they would meld into one, and this feeling would consume Oscar as he stared begrudgingly into the horizon. That feeling was hatred.

"This world is too small..."

tl;dr
--Oscar feels mixed about surviving.
--Thanks for the excellent raid Shiv!!!

My lips are sealed tighter than my ass, lay it on me!

a FEW generators?

A FEW GENERATORS?

ARE YOU HIGH?

DO YOU KNOW MUCH IT COSTS TO BUILD JUST ONE?

THE RESOURCES REQUIRED?

A few generators he says.

Get the fuck outta here with that nonsense.

...

LMAO JK it's super trivial. I got resources to build three, but I can get enough for four if you tell me what you're gonna do with them. Won't even charge extra.

The battle was thwarted, and for but a moment the true nature of their reality was revealed to the group. As Oscar looked upward, he would gaze in awe at the splendor surrounding him. All of this waited outside of their world? It was so vast, an endless frontier to explore. Could they reach this bizarre plane? The prospect made Oscar excited, choked up even. However it was not to but, not as long as Palkia and Dialga were bound. 

Abner was forcibly withdrawn, and Oscar was pulled back with the others to the main hub. As they slid past their doppelgangers again, Oscar once more came face to face with his clone. It looked--manic. Was that what Oscar looked like to others? This was why he did not smile anymore, if the clone's grin looked this creepy Oscar could not imagine how he looked. 

The reappeared safely in the hub, and apparently it was time to go home. Or maybe not, the devious scientist that guided them had one more trick up their sleeves. Ten must day to save the rest, because of course. Chaos erupted around Oscar, the porygon that surrounded them wasting no time in attacking. Oscar was about to drag himself to safety, when a light would appear in front of him. It was one of the data-lights, and through it he once again saw the manic face of his clone.

At first Oscar thought he should crawl away, after all up until this point he had done everything he could to not die. However, his thoughts went back to earlier--when the League attacked and Oscar did nothing for his fellow Rockets. He had always cared about his own survival, but what good was that when the people he cared about got hurt? If they could live to continue the good fight--well Oscar would want them to do so. Besides, he had like--a year to live anyway. He had unfinished business, but Lulu Flint would know what to do. priam conrad would take care of Genesect, he was sure of it. His fellow Rockets would work together to keep GMH out of the wrong hands, surely someone among them could handle it.

Right then, it was decided.

They all had to live, what happened to him was inconsequential in the grand scheme. His mind moved to that beautiful dimensional tapestry they witnessed in the Present Terminal. He seemed so small in that moment, they all did. Time to do something big. 

Oscar crawled toward the light, hoping not to draw attention to himself. Staring into the wide grin of his clone, Oscar slid himself into the light.

--Oscar's exiting existence.

 

Death seek him? Oscar's memories went back to that fateful day, when he put his hands upon Bill Anderson's alter and gave up nine years of his life to defeat the Endless. Was this parasite, what remained of the Endless within him, fate's way of paying Oscar's debt? Perhaps he should visit Adrian Malcolm soon. Maybe Yvetal did have the answer.

Regardless, another attempt to cure him would be done. Oscar felt relief once more, and upon looking at his arms he would witness the black veins disappear. His entire appearance should be normal again, but for how long he did not know. Oscar sighed before answering Bryan's question, "I feel great physically, but I feel fucked mentally. Like, do I have to keep coming to you to continue living? That sounds like a drag, and an inconvenience to you besides. Fuuuuck I dunno what to do." 

Oscar turned away, scratching his chin as his mind was bogged down by his thoughts. There had to be a way to cure this permanently, "I'll come visit again, just casually. Maybe we can figure out a way to pay you back--together."

Oscar would depart here, though he would not be able to chat with Bryan the next time he visited. The Darkest Day would take place, and the events of that horrible night would end with the Tree of Life disappearing from Sootopolis. Where he could find Bryan after that, Oscar would not know.

bryan delarosa

Oscar stopped as Isaac spoke out, though he did not turn to face the grunt. A GMH official peeked out of the van, "Mister Clayton we have to move..." Oscar held up a finger, and the official hesitantly slipped back into the van. This shall not take long.

Oscar turned his head, so that he could get a view of Isaac. With his mouth hidden behind his shoulder, the beast's expression would be unclear. "My apologies Isaac, I neglected to give you the choice. By all means, feel free to stay behind and help. Don your mask, and fly to the aid of these victims in the name of Rocket. Hell, do the 'Prepare for trouble' mantra if you wish. I however, do not have that luxury."

Oscar turned his head away, "Events are in motion now, and they will not stop for us to gawk or bemoan. The League will indeed show no action, but as I act as one of them I must be there to force their hand. It's all about the big picture, of which I am the artist. I would love your assistance, but if your heart guides you to the bit-players you have no obligation to join me. However, neither I nor the future will wait for you."

Oscar stepped forward, boarding the van without hesitation. He allowed the van to stay open for but a moment, allowing Isaac to make his choice. As Oscar took his seat, he wondered what Isaac will choose: progress or sentimentality? 

Isaac Merlo

Oscar chuckled lightly, "Don't tell Genesect the ship is made from its armor. I'm trying to teach it to have a sense of self, it might have an existential crisis if it knew the rocket was made the same way it was." Oscar chuckled again, giving Lulu a sly look. Oscar took a sip of his drink as he let his not-so subtle desire be known.

"Which is to say, I'd like to volunteer Genesect for the mission. Whenever it takes place that is. It does not need Oxygen, so it's a natural fit for extraterrestrial exploration. The choice is yours though." Oscar finished his drink, pouring himself another glass as he felt his body become warm. He had not enjoyed alcohol since his sickness began, so he would not be shy about his enjoyment. 

He let out a satisfied sigh after another sip, "Who else do you have on board for this endeavor?"

Lulu Flint

Genesect ripped through the air like a bullet, cutting through the mist as it hurdled toward its targets. Its red eyes burned brightly against the darkness of the night, making its presence clear should the fleeing trio look behind them. Closer and closer it came, locking onto its prey as they came into view. Once close enough all it would have to do is Flame Charge into the slowest runner and the first of the trio would be down. Just a little closer, the slowest among them should be able to feel the heat of its hurdling form by now. A few feet--inches--and--

Oscar's voice spoke within Genesect's head, orders that only it could hear. "Alright disengage." Genesect halted abruptly, springing from its airborne form into its normal upright form. It looked up, watching as the trainers disappeared into the mist. Once again Genesect would hear Oscar's voice, "Give them a few minutes to get ahead, then you can resume your hunt. No more flying, this training is for you as much as it is for them. Track them on foot--and try to not use your cannon, the last thing I need is samuel carter freaking out because you blew a hole through Mt. Pyre."

Genesect nodded to no one, waiting patiently for two minutes to pass. Once its time was up, it once again began to follow their tracks--on foot this time. How successful Genesect was would depend on the resourcefulness of its prey.


lZt4dKjr

--From this point onward roll after your post. Rolling higher than Genesect benefits your character's goals, whether they be to get away or to find the other pages. Rolling lower than Genesect brings Genesect closer to capturing you. Roll lower than Genesect three times and your character will be caught.

Isaac Merlo, mint frost, BARNABY FINCH