artfuldestruction | 4TH PIECE - [VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE GOLDENROD TEAM ROCKET BASE]

A - [VIDEO]

[[When the feed opens, it's slanted and awkward, as if the Gear had fallen to the ground and currently lies forgotten. There's a good reason for its owners forgetfulness, really; Kato's Zweilous has finally evolved into its final form, Hydreigon, and can currently be seen on the feed, snarling.

What makes it awkward is the fact that the person it is currently snarling at is its trainer, who is pressed up against the wall with an expression full of anger and fear. In the background lie fragments of what must have been a large, powerful machine.]]

Pluto, I am your master, and you will-!!

[[There's a sudden fiery flash of light, and a Flamethrower attack collides with the Hydreigon's side, causing it to shriek in fury and lunge forward. Not, however, at the Pokemon attacking it from offscreen, but at Kato, who isn't able to avoid the attack and starts screaming as the mindless beast digs its teeth into his upper arm, the duo falling to the ground as the feed cuts out.]]

B - [LOCKED VIDEO/ACTION]

[[The feed opens up again soon after, showing a non-descript hallway in what could be some sort of....warehouse? Factory? For those of it who are familiar with it, however, it's obviously the Team Rocket base, and sitting right in the middle of the hallway is a growling, shrieking Hydreigon, clawing at the walls and firing off Dark Pulse attacks up and down the hall. It's obviously seeking an escape but can't find one, and a bad burn spread across its side is causing it pain, only serving to make its rage increase.]]

Fire Flamethrower again!

[[The voice belongs to Kato, and a Typhlosion immediately appears on the screen, flames blazing across his back as he charges up and releases another fiercely powerful attack, colliding perfectly with the Hydreigon's other side. Kato doesn't appear on the feed but his presence is obvious, judging by the strained breathing heard in the background of the image. His own injury is aching, but he doesn't have the time to get it treated. Not, at least, until his rogue Pokemon is brought to heel.]]

C - [LOCKED AUDIO/ACTION]

[[It's later on, and Kato's Hydreigon has been successfully subdued. The scientist is currently sitting in the laboratory, looking murderous, while a nervous assistant wraps a bandage around his injured arm. He's discarded his glasses, coat and cravat, and looks incredibly dishelleved. His hair is untidy, his black shirt untucked, unbuttoned and half-off while the poor assistant does her best to give him first aid. With his good arm, Kato punches a few numbers into his Gear, not really in the mood to send a video message while he's half-naked.]]

If my Pokemon caused you or your property any damage, report it to me. I'm in my lab.

[[Once he finishes speaking, he shoves the Gear back into his pocket, snarling in pain as the bandage pulls against his wound.]]

Will you be careful?

[[OOC: Just pop the letter corresponding to the option you'd like in your subject line! And yes, the video feed is unlocked, so non-members are free to engage Kato in option A should you like to! :>]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Gorthan doesn't appear to care especially about Kato's broken toy. All his attention is focused on the wound. Once he exposes it fully, he leaves Kato's side for a moment to prepare cotton wool and gauze and cleanse it as is necessary.]

There won't be any scar if this doesn't get infected... Which it will if it remains like this.

[But when Gorthan presses the cotton ball against Kato's wound and starts rubbing the blood off, it will probably burn like hell. The thing is, the disinfectant he's using is salt water.]

[[Kato eyes Gorthan warily as he moves to prepare...whatever it is, he can't quite see. Well, at least he appears to know what he's-]]

Aah!!

[[Gorthan is quite correct; it does burn like hell. Slamming his fist against his thigh, Kato then brings his hand up to his mouth and bites down into the leather of his glove, wincing sharply. It's been a while since he's been in so much pain, really. However, he doesn't move to pull his injured arm away from Gorthan's grasp.]]

Is that....really necessary?!

[[But he's no idiot; he may not be the medical type of doctor, but Kato is familiar enough with wound treatment to know that disinfectant is a must. Besides, what if the damn beast had rabies?]]

There is hardly a better disinfectant than salt water. And while I could tell you to just be a man and endure the inevitable sting, perhaps you telling me all about your incident will be a sufficient distraction.

[One of Gorthan's hands cleanses the wound scrupulously, while the other holds his arm steady. The thumb of the latter hand rubs against the inner part of Kato's arm, almost as if asking him to relax.]

[[Gorthan will earn a very sardonic look for his first comment, but the second does make sense, and Kato is in the mood for a bit of a rant. The stroking of Gorthan's thumb is odd, but he doesn't really mind. For now, at least.]]

I'd been.....training my Zweilous, Pluto, when all of a sudden he evolved. It was brilliant! I'd been waiting for this day for so long, but as soon as I came near him, he started roaring and thrashing and ripping into my machine...! He wouldn't obey anything I said, and then he bit me!

[[Fury is still contorting Kato's face, but he is relaxing somewhat. Especially now that the ordeal is over.]]

I got the damn thing subdued and brought it back here. Now I'm left with an unruly Dragon and a chunk missing from my arm.

[Gorthan's playful smirk fades, replaced by seriousness and concern.]

Hm. If I may ask, how was your Zweilous, or should I say, Hydreigon now, acquired? As the result of a trade, perhaps? There is ample, well-documented research suggesting that a disobedient Pokémon's respect can be won by collecting Gym-awarded Badges.

Also, allow me to remark that you exaggerate the extent of your injury. While it is deep, it is not that serious.

[By now, there is no doubt in Gorthan's mind that Kato is a bit of a drama queen... Once the wound is satisfactorily clean, Gorthan redresses it, careful not to make the same mistake the assistant did.]

It's still an injury, Gorthan, but I'll humour you.

[[Kato closes his eyes for a moment as Gorthan begins to reapply the bandage.]]

I've raised the damn thing ever since he hatched from an egg I purchased.

[[After that, however, he chuckles slightly, reopening his eyes and looking at Gorthan, snickering.]]

I will admit, however, that I might not have been the best parent in the world. I don't think he's too fond of me.

[Gorthan responds with a small, slightly forced smirk.]

As always, "he who sows the wind"... and so on. You yourself admit that your apparent shock is unjustified, then.

Tell me of your failings as a parent. And if you will listen, in return, I will tell you of mine.

Oh, I'm well aware of how badly I've treated him; that doesn't mean I can't complain.

[[Because really, it's bloody rude of the stupid thing to try to take a chunk out of his beautiful self!

That second look earns Gorthan a rather annoyed look, however.]]

I was using 'parent' sarcastically, Gorthan; I couldn't care less about real parenting, from you or anyone else. Do I look like the fatherly type?

I merely need to learn to control my Pokemon better, and if it means I have to make the tiresome trek out to get the relevant badge, I'll bring myself to do it. I've poured too much energy into that beast to let it get the better of me now.

4TH PIECE - [VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE GOLDENROD TEAM ROCKET BASE]

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