artfuldestruction | 2ND PIECE - [VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE TEAM ROCKET BASE]

[[Even though the plot may not have succeeded, Kato has found himself fired up tremendously since his mission with Kimblee. He's been working through all hours of the night, assembling and dissembling new creations, optimizing his designs. There's a wealth of charged weapons in all stages of development littering his portion of the lab, from simple blueprints to devices requiring nothing more than a polish.

He appears on the video feed, now, dressed in his usual outfit with the mask in place. Leaning forward slightly, he peers into the camera, smirking.]]

I should congratulate you all on a job well done.

[[He doesn't elaborate on just what he's congratulating you all on, quickly moving forward with his speech, his voice animated and lush.]]

Isn't it intoxicating? The way a powerful, immovable structure can crumble into nothing but dust floating through the sky, battered by the wind. Our universe is truly a fascinating thing, wouldn't you say?

I live for that destruction. That decomposition. The brilliant flare of an explosion, the power that rockets through the air, oh! Is there no greater feeling?! To know that you have caused the demolition of something huge, something enormous?! Can you understand that power?!

[[Slamming his hands down on the bench, Kato chuckles softly, fingers curling.]]

My Pokemon...have learned a new technique. I have my own personal bombs, capable of endless explosions!! And they only grow stronger as the days pass! Soon they will have the combined capacity to take out entire buildings! I won't even have to lift a finger!

Isn't that truly magnificent, Johto?!

[[Guys. It's hard being this well-adjusted.]]

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[Yeah, well, he can tell that the smile is pasted on. Not that he thinks much of it. Gorthan has a few work-related oddities himself that hopefully Kato will come to know in time.

He nods at Kato's greeting.]

Indeed. I have come to see the fruits of your renowned industriousness for myself.

What are the Pokémon you've been working with?

My own.

[[He snaps his fingers, and a very dead-behind-the-eyes Electrode rolls into view, stopping obediently by Kato's leg.]]

This is Coulomb. I've been working on maximising the power of it's Selfdestruct technique. Why bother wasting precious time building our own weapons when these creatures are ready and willing?

[He smiles at the mention of the nickname. That much seems to genuinely please him. However...

... As soon as his gaze meets that of the Electrode... Gorthan's eyes widen and he blinks, his cold facade falling off for a few seconds to be replaced by a moment of empathy.

Then he narrows his eyes gravely, still examining the Electrode.]

Pray, by what means are you... maximizing its power?

[Brainwashing, perhaps?]

At present I'm observing how it generates the energy to fire off the attack. It's then going to be a simple matter of magnifying the source.

[[Coulomb just....sits there. Not moving. Barely blinking. Your gaze won't get a reaction.]]

Of course, I have to run numerous tests in order to gather the data I need.

[[And he'll place a casual hand on the Electrode's head, causing it's pupils to dilate in fear for a moment; the only reaction it's given since it was summoned.]]

Coulomb is an excellent test subject.

[Gorthan lowers himself to take a closer look at the Electrode. And it's obvious that he isn't too convinced by what he sees.

Finally, he closes his eyes and raises, walking past Kato while sweeping his arm in a dismissive gesture. He's seen enough. He'd better stop looking at the thing before it starts tugging at his conscience.]

And how did you manage to break it so thoroughly?

Whatever do you mean, Gorthan?

[[He'll just continue smiling at you~]]

Coulomb is merely a very loyal and obedient Pokemon. Sure, it's not the brightest spark, but that's no reason to accuse me of abusing the poor thing.

[[While he's speaking, his beautiful Quilava will slink out of the shadows, quietly observing. Unlike the Electrode, he shows no fear towards his master, climbing up his leg and perching on his shoulder.]]

[He sighs stoically, his back to Kato.]

Either you're lying or the training the starters receive has greatly risen in intensity. I would say that the first is more likely.

Oh, and, incidentally. Do not ever publicly broadcast images from our laboratories again. That was very unwise of you.

It's not like they could see anything.

[[Sorry Gorthan, scolding him will get you one hundred miles to nowhere.]]

Besides, what's the fun of setting up a piece if you don't get to view the results?

Very well. If your showmanship ever gets you in trouble, don't come telling me I didn't warn you.

[Gorthan's not scolding him; it's just something that needed to be said.]

About your Electrode. What caused the state it's in? Was it the operation commanded by Cobra?

I shall do no such thing, don't you worry.

[[He'll turn to look down at Coulomb, frowning slightly, his Quilava shifting on his shoulders.]]

I still don't see what you're talking about. There's nothing wrong with the thing; it's merely very obedient.

No, Kato, that's not all that there is. And your attempt to hide it is quite detrimental to your dignity, so I suggest you stop.

Its will is broken. It fears you. There is a strong correlation between fear and memory.

[Speaking of memory, this is exactly the sort of thing he used to think about all the time while engineering Trauma...]

So if it fears you, it must be because of something that happened. A trauma, if you will.

[Ah, Trauma... Gorthan briefly wonders how the mutant general could be doing.]

[[....have a shrug.]]

And if there was? I'm still not seeing the point you're trying to make. Coulomb obeys my every word and has fantastic potential. That's all you should be focusing on, Gorthan. It will be a marvelous asset for the Team.

Oh, I'm not doubting any of that. I just want to know how you made it possible.

[There's a small smile when he turns to face Kato.]

After all... a serious scientist should divulge his methods, don't you think?

[Maybe it didn't look that way before, but right now it really looks like he's asking out of sheer and genuine curiosity.

He's keeping his conscience at bay. It's working well. All he has to do is not look at the Electrode, he supposes.]

....I didn't do anything, really.

[[And he's telling the truth! Kato didn't purposefully set out to make his Electrode into what it is; he just demands explosions from it.....a lot. Quite a lot. So often that the thing has turned into......that.]]

I think I just overwork it.

Ah, I see!

[Gorthan's eyes widen. So maybe Kato is telling the truth... He takes a step closer to the flamboyant scientist.]

How strange. I have never seen anything like this. I don't believe it happened to Kimblee's Electrode, for example.

And again, I do not doubt that this one has potential. But if you desire a different, better specimen, I could assist you in finding one.

[He wants to help, and that is quite evident in his body language as well.]

Or we could simply enhance this one, since you seem to have grown so attached to it.

Coulomb is still fairly young...I'd rather not replace it just yet.

[[That pure obedience is very appealing, you see.]]

However, I'd never turn down more specimens, Gorthan.

[His smile widens.]

Why, you are quite fond of this species, aren't you? Do not forget that there are many others who can master the ability that appears to excite you so much.

[And right now he's just being a good mad scientist like he's supposed to.]

Oh, I'm well aware.

[[Let him scratch his quilava's neck, there.]]

In fact, every pokemon I own has the capacity to learn something similar. That's why I picked them. Particularly Joule here; once he evolves he can produce explosions purely by rubbing his fur together. Isn't that fascinating?

2ND PIECE - [VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE TEAM ROCKET BASE]

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