artfuldestruction | 3RD PIECE - [LOCKED ROCKET VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE TEAM ROCKET BASE]

[[Kato has been fairly quiet for the past month or two, spending the majority of his time in the Rocket laboratories, focused solely on his research. Now, he's decided that it's worth updating the rest of the Team with his findings.

The video opens with a view of Kato from the waist up, standing in front of an open area of the lab. There's an odd machine sitting behind him, out of view, and his Lunatone hovers near his head, as always.]]

Good day, everyone. I hope this video finds you well.

My name is Dr Kato; I'm one of the scientists working in the Goldenrod labs. My main area of study is weapons, particularly explosives. For this reason, those Pokemon capable of performing the Explosion technique are of great interest to me. I thought it was high time that I gave you all a bit of a sample of just what I've been investigating.

I've noticed that the main way in which Pokemon perform the Explosion technique is chaotic, unrefined; they simply trigger it without aiming at anything in particular, releasing all that energy in a destructive force that is contained to a specific radius. This is a complete waste of potential. A regular bomb is designed to work in this fashion, but Pokemon are different. They can be used as living bombs, with their power constantly improved and increased, capable of producing explosion after explosion after explosion. Why, then, should we be satisfied with these extraordinary creatures performing like ordinary bombs?

Why not gather all that energy and condense it? Imagine a bomb with the power of six Explosion techniques, or ten, or one hundred! That is what my research has developed. A machine capable of taking the power of the Explosion technique from multiple Pokemon, and using it to charge a super-powered bomb. Just imagine the damage we could do with a weapon like this!

But enough talk; I believe a demonstration is in order.

[[With a flick of a switch, the lights behind Kato flare up, highlighting a very odd-looking machine. It's spider-like, with a large body in the centre composed mainly of generators, and six pods splayed out from the main body, connected by cables. In three of them, an Electrode, Weezing and Steelix are swathed in wires, clamps attached to their bodies, with the latter lying off to the side due to her bulk.]]

Observe.

[[With a snap of his fingers, all three Pokemon start to glow in what is unmistakably an Explosion attack. But instead of forcing the energy outwards to destroy everything around them, the light is sucked into the clamps and through the wires, causing the generators to spark into life, a loud humming filling the air as they fill themselves with the power from the attacks.]]

As you can see, the energy my Pokemon are producing is sucked out of them and into the generators I designed. It's not electrical power; it's something different, something more pure. It look quite a few tries to get it to flow properly, but I believe I've gotten it to work. Optimization will be required, of course, but this is just a prototype.

[[Their attacks completed, Kato's three Pokemon slump, obviously fainted, as the generators continue to whirr and hum. A robotic voice rings out through the room:]]

Energy transfer complete.

[[Still with that knowing smile on his face, Kato walks over to the generators and opens a panel. After a few seconds, in which he skillfully disconnects a number of wires, he's left holding what looks to be a metal sphere around the size of a soccer ball. Where a soccer ball would have black patches, however, there are receptacles for all sorts of complicated attachments.]]

Here is the final product. Within this bomb is housed the explosive power of my three Pokemon. I can choose to detonate it with the flick of a switch, or set a timer; it performs just as well as any of my conventional bombs, except it's so much more.

[[His voices rises slightly in volume as he runs his hands over his invention, clearly very pleased with himself.]]

Do you not see the potential of this weapon? Through the usage of Revives, I can continue churning out super-powered bombs whenever we need them! And I'm currently building more collection points, so I can attach even more pokemon to the heart of the device, making the bombs even stronger!

Creation and destruction....through the creation of my explosives, I will destroy this land in the most beautiful manner possible. But for you, Team Rocket, having been kind enough to fund my research, I offer you my services wherever you require them.

Two months from now I will illuminate Johto with the power of my invention! Thank you very much for listening.

[[And with a dramatic, graceful bow, the feed cuts.]]

~

I do hope you're in Goldenrod; I'm ready to fulfill that promise of something of interest to you.

~

[[OOC: Kato's invention is mod-approved! o/]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[[Oh don't worry, Gorthan; if the other scientists don't notice, Kato certainly will.]]

A rather morbid quote, Gorthan. Fitting, however.

[[Chuckling, he runs his fingers deftly over his invention, examining all the fine work he's put into it. Yes, it's perfect. So perfect.]]

Good to see you back. Are you impressed?

Impressed is one way to put it.

[He walks closer to the machine, to better examine it. The materials used seem to interest him especially. Although his gaze is turned away from the other scientist, he remains wary of Kato. If he doesn't want Gorthan that close to his baby, Gorthan will quickly back off.]

What drives you, Kato? What is it that inspires you to get out of bed every morning? And when you close your eyes to sleep, what do you dream?

[[.....well. Those certainly aren't the sorts of questions he was expecting, but he certainly doesn't mind answering them.]]

I dream of my art, Gorthan. The destruction of buildings, roads, houses, mountains, countries-...the universe creates and then it destroys. Destruction, sir, is the purest form of art.

Which makes me the purest form of artist.

[[Let him indicate his creation.]]

And this....this is my brush with which I will paint a masterpiece across Johto.

[He would like to give a proper reply, to dismantle that world view piece by piece. But what would be the point of doing that, when that world view was, and in many respects still is, Gorthan's own? This is what happens when you're only half redeemed, on the edge between sanity and insanity, between harmony and chaos. As long as he can sow the seeds of doubt into other minds than his own, he figures he will be fine in the end.

He laughs, a loud, hearty sound, if devoid of joy.]

Meaning that the countless artists of Earth are all wrong?

Not wrong, per say....merely less....enlightened.

[[Kato says all of this with a completely straight face; he genuinely believes it. It's the truth, after all~]]

Far be it from me to criticize another artist's work, particularly if they're not in my field.

Artists are creators by definition. You are also an artist, and yet destruction is your ultimate aim... You said yourself that your inventions, the fruits of your work, are mere tools to achieve your objective.

[A smug, ironic and altogether unpleasant smile.]

I have no doubt that many would argue you to be the worst artist of all.

[The smile is gone right away, however, and he waves a hand dismissively as if to dispel his former remark and prevent it from lingering in the air.]

But far be it from me to judge you. You said you were putting this technology at the service of the Team... but surely, after working on it for such a long time, you must at least have a vision of how it's going to be used.

[[If Kato is offended, he doesn't show it, choosing to laugh softly.]]

Creation...destruction....why can one not create destruction? Like so many, Gorthan, you are blind to the true beauty of my work.

[[When Gorthan mentions how his machine is to be used, his smirk widens.]]

Perhaps after you see a proper demonstration, I'll make a believer out of you.

Oh, no, I am not. I, more than anyone, know how vital it is to destroy completely, before rebuilding in one's own image.

[And where he's from, he's the only one who's gotten mildly tired of that, or at least has begun to see the disadvantages.]

And worry not - I am a believer. I just wish to know where your own conviction comes from. Is it strong enough to allow you to face the consequences of your actions?

Oh yes; the consequences are what I desire, after all. Especially if the number of victims is high; the greater the number, the more impact the piece has!

[[...you don't mind if he has a small moment of crazy, do you Gorthan

of course you don't]]

[Oh, no, he doesn't! He finds it fascinating, in fact. He turns toward Kato to show him a sad smile.]

And your conscience never wavers? Not once? What do you even think of your fellow humans?

My fellow humans?

[[Let him just chuckle a little, won't you.]]

It's adorable to watch them struggle. I particularly like the heroic ones.

[[....he's kind of a misanthropist, Gorthan, hope you don't mind]]

But to give you a proper answer, no. My conscience never wavers. This is my calling, you see. I started with painting and sculpting, but that didn't satisfy. It was only when I discovered the joy that destruction gives me, that my eyes finally opened. I was born to create, but not in the traditional manner.

[Gorthan does narrow his eyes for a moment, a hostile expression. But that soon changes - he's seen, heard, and done much worse.]

I do hope that you are right, about this being your calling. What will become of your life, should you ever come to the realization that you were wrong?

[He approaches Kato, then, his hands joined behind his back and his face neutral, though there is pensiveness in his eyes.]

I sincerely wish you the best of luck, Kato.

[He'd leave then, but he feels there is something he should ask about first.]

Painting and sculpting... is that something you still do?

That wouldn't happen, because I'm not wrong.

[[Kato doesn't flinch or move when Gorthan approaches him, choosing instead to return the gaze. He's not rude, or contemptuous, but there's an arrogant air to him. As always.

When his former hobbies are mentioned, however, he frowns slightly.]]

I see no need to delve in creation that bears no destruction at the end.

You're not wrong? Not a very good attitude for a man of science to have, is it?

[It's a bit of a provocation, as Gorthan stresses by smiling smugly. But even that soon turns into something more benevolent.]

But you did see it once, as you just told me yourself. Surely even back then you believed you were not wrong.

[[Oh don't worry Gorthan, he won't rise to it; in fact, he'll chuckle again.]]

Not constantly right in general, sir, just about this particular aspect of my life. Don't worry, I'm not that conceited.

[[He thinks for a moment, before shaking his head, hair swaying neatly with the movement.]]

I was young and naive. Now that's I've obtained more experience, I can see where I went wrong. I was bored, wasting my talent.

Now I can use it for something more constructive.

So you believe there are certainties which should not be challenged... very well. After all, if that weren't the case, we'd all go insane.

Even so, I wish I could witness your more traditional works for myself. I am sure there are nowhere as bad as you seem to imply.

[He stands, unmoving, looking at Kato but not at the machine. Gorthan's illness has opened his eyes and made him learn that everyone can be so much more than what they have always believed themselves to be... the other scientist must be no exception.]

3RD PIECE - [LOCKED ROCKET VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE TEAM ROCKET BASE]

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