1ST PIECE - [VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE TEAM ROCKET BASE]

[artfuldestruction]

[[The feed opens to show a masked gentleman leaning into the camera, smiling slightly. He appears to be in a laboratory of sorts, with all sorts of mechanical implements around him. In front of him, on a metal operating table, is an unconscious Voltorb.

Running his gloved fingers across the Pokemon, the man begins to speak.]]

Despite how primitive your technology is, I must admit I'm fascinated by this robot. The construction is exquisite; I can't find any sort of screw or seam. It's a perfect sphere.

[[Leaving the pokemon for a moment, the man moves along the table and picks up a small, pen-sized device with a rotating saw at the end, attached to a cable.]]

Of course, while the design is innovative, it also presents me with a few problems. Much as I'd love to learn about your technology in theory, I much prefer to investigate myself.

[[His voice continues in that calm, almost polite manner, but there's a sharp arrogance behind the sentiment.]]

Allow me to introduce you all to the more subtle incarnations of my art. With creation, there must be destruction. It's the law of the universe. To destroy something...is that not the purest form of art?

With the spare parts I gather from this robot, I'll be sure to show you all the more...explosive side of my craft.

[[With the press of a button, the saw activates with a high-pitched whine, and the man brings it over the Voltorb, that smug smile continuing to linger on his face as he lowers it. Is he going to slice the crap out of that Voltorb?

...yes, he is going to slice the crap out of that Voltorb. Feel free to be infuriated and yell at him! It's not like he's purposefully being an attention whore or anything.]]

Comments

Action

[elysiontoabyss]

[They must really be handing out masks to gentlemen nowadays. Abyss hasn't quite set off from Goldenrod City quite just yet. He figures he can gather enough information as he can here before setting off to work. Plus, there was more pickpocketing to be done, but he could only make so much money that way. Without getting caught.

For now, Abyss is looking around base and memorizing its interior for future use. Entering the laboratory, he sees another man who is about to slice the crap out of that Voltorb. Naturally, Abyss couldn't care less and he only gives a smirk to what he considers to be an eccentric at work with his hobby.]

Oi, oi, that thing's going to blow up if you do that. Is that what you want, hm? To get us all blown up?

Action

[artfuldestruction]

[[Kato doesn't lower the saw when he sees the man approach him, but he does turn it off, smiling in a...rather patronizing way.]]

Relax. I've been doing this for a while.

[[Whether he means the robotics, slicing shit up or...well, making things blow up will not be expanded upon!]]

Unless there's something I'm missing?

[[Because this was definitely not a really backward attempt at getting informationn on this...robot ball thing.]]

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[elysiontoabyss]

Bah, knock yourself out. But I'd rather you not have that thing blow up while I'm still here. Can't earn a dishonest coin without my life, can I?

Action

[artfuldestruction]

You needn't worry.

[[Have another smile that is...definitely not creepy, um.]]

If I wanted you to be part of one of my masterpieces, you'd know.

Action

[elysiontoabyss]

[Definitely an eccentric. Now, Abyss has dealt with these sorts of people in the past. His occupation leads him to many colorful people. His existence really leads him to them. As artful as that man was, it probably might be something to just put up with.]

Bit of an artist, are you? Never knew setting things on fire was art now. Personally, I much prefer carving. Always a classic.

video

[3_butterflies]

[Oh come on, why are all the rockets trying to give Fluttershy a heart attack. She holds onto her Pokegear, shaking with fear and anger.]

No... no no no no no!

[then, much much louder-]

NOOOO!

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[artfuldestruction]

[[You know, if he didn't know better he'd say you were distressed! Don't worry, he will turn the saw off so he can be heard.]]

Not a lover of art, then? That's too bad.

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[3_butterflies]

Don't hurt that Pokemon! Please, just let it go! It's an innocent creature!

video

[artfuldestruction]

.....

[[Oh, boy.]]

Are you one of those people who believes friendship is possible between humans and robots? It's a machine.

video

[3_butterflies]

No, it's alive! It's a Pokemon! I mean it, please, ask anypony! It breathes and eats and speaks and sleeps and everything a live animal can do!

[Video] Don't feed the trolls, Harry

[ekanstongue]

[There's no sign of Rose right now because buzzsaws are scary and just the noise has her cowering under the nearest shelter. Harry doesn't look impressed.]

How very brave you are. Going to be kicking a puppy for an encore?

[It seems Harry doesn't approve. Whoever could have guessed?]

[Video] And this one is even in a dungeon! well sort of

[artfuldestruction]

[[You're being so subtle about it, Harry!]]

It's nothing to do with bravery. I'm merely a scientist dismantling a robot. Or are you one of those people who believes they should have rights?

[Video]

[ekanstongue]

No, that would be kind of silly.

[When he thinks 'robot', after all, he thinks of those arms that put cars together or something. No, he didn't get to read sci-fi as a kid.]

I'm not entirely sure that's a robot. Are you?

[Video]

[artfuldestruction]

Kind of silly.....I wouldn't use those words exactly, but I agree with the sentiment.

[[And you have just unknowingly endeared yourself to the good doctor here, Harry!]]

What leads you to believe that it isn't a robot, hm?

[[His tone is more amused than accusatory; he wants to hear your answer.]]

[Video] In which Harry actually studies without Hermione's prodding?!

[ekanstongue]

Because I'm pretty sure some of them just have metal shells. [And here Harry holds up a page from the Trainer's Tips book with a type chart. The Steel type is represented by a Steelix.] No, don't ask me how that works.

[scientificflair]

[...you know, there are a lot of questions to be asked right about now.

a.) Who the hell are you?
b.) Are they just letting anyone walk into this lab nowadays?
c.) ...where did you get that goddamn buzzsaw? He's been looking for one...
d.) ARE YOU HIGH]

...let me guess. Only just arrived, have you?

[Let's just go with e.) none of the above for right now.

[artfuldestruction]

[[And you'll actually get him to switch off the saw! It makes conversation a bit tricky you see. Kato reacts fairly well for someone who's just been interrupted, however.]]

What gave it away, may I ask? I was trying so hard to fly under the radar.

[[....ok what is it with all the dudes wearing masks in this place]]

[scientificflair]

[um excuse you he was here well before either you or the other one]

It may have been the fact that you're trying to slice into the sentient explosives for the sake of...making explosives. It just screams "I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm going to be edgy while I do it."

[artfuldestruction]

[[lmao sorry to snatch your wig gurlfrand!!!]]

Well, I hope you find me suitably hardcore.

[[He'll just be adjusting that saw a bit, now.]]

[scientificflair]

[Yeah, unfortunately he actually has business in this lab, otherwise he'd just leave you to it and let you get yelled at; however, he's fond of this lab and he doesn't want to be held responsible for you being an idiot. And you are being an idiot.]

...you are aware that thing's organic, right?

[ANONYMOUS TEXT]

[notrueking]

[...because really, this kind of requires it]

As curious as I am to see how much effort it takes to kill these creatures, I'd advise against that-particularly if it's the only one you currently possess.

[TEXT]

[artfuldestruction]

[[Oh god, texting, what is this vintage shit man

He's simply gotta reply]]

And what makes you say that? Is there a self-defence mechanism?

[TEXT]

[notrueking]

For that particular Pokemon, yes... although, I'm not sure if it would have learned that particular skill by now. Really, though, they're more useful alive than dead.

[TEXT]

[artfuldestruction]

I never said I was going to kill it. How can I, when it isn't alive in the first place?

Robots don't have 'life'. They're machines.

[TEXT]

[notrueking]

Robot? It's a Pokemon. They don't follow conventional logic.