1 ☢ [LOCKED ROCKET VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE GOLDENROD TR BASE] ☢ RE-INTRO

[artfuldestruction]

I said sit, you stupid beast-

[And a good morning to you, Team Rocket! If you're lucky enough to have missed that rather animated little soundbite, don't worry - the source will quickly be making an appearance on the feed.

The gentleman in question looks slightly frazzled, and is in the process of straightening his mask, muttering darkly to himself. He's seated at one of the desks you might recognize as belonging to the Science Department - if all the various nasty-looking tools didn't give that away.

Once satisfied with his appearance, the man purses his lips and peers into the camera, leaning on the desk.]

So. Apparently I celebrated my return to civilisation too early, since this godforsaken region felt the need to drag me back. Although by the looks of this place, I can hardly blame it. Was there a sudden downsizing of the Science Department? Has everyone gone on break simultaneously? Is there a strike?

[He looks mildly perturbed for a moment, before waving a gloved hand in apparent indifference.]

Well, it doesn't matter. My name is Doctor Kato. I'm an artist who specialises in a rather unique form - destruction. Explosions are my favoured medium, although I'm always willing to branch out.

[Kato smiles darkly as he talks about his art - the first time he's smiled since waking up in Johto, in his old room in the Team Rocket base. Whomever had prepared it for his arrival had a rather annoying sense of humour; oh, he'd noticed the regulation Grunt uniform folded neatly on his bed when he'd arrived. Who the hell did they think he was?

That smile disappears rather rapidly at the memory of both the uniform and of his new...creatures.]

That's not what I want to discuss at the moment, however.

[Which is odd, for Kato - usually, discussion of his 'art' comes first and foremost. No, there's something a bit more pressing playing on his mind at present.]

Where are my Pokemon? My Lunatone, my Typhlosion, my Hydreigon...they're gone!

[His voices rises slightly at the end of that proclamation, but Kato manages to rein himself in. Sentimentality is playing no part in his anger over his missing Pokemon - to him, it feels more like someone has raided his toolbox and stolen everything within.]

Instead I have been left with....these!

[He roughly pans the camera to his right as he speaks, showing off a rather dopey looking Deino and preening Stunky sitting beside his chair. At the attention, the Deino excitedly jumps up, but is forced back to the ground, whining, with a well-placed fist to his head.]

If any of you out there happen to know where any of my original Pokemon are, know that I always reward those who aid me.

[And with a rather flighty flick, the feed is disconnected.]

Comments

[VIDEO - LOCKED]

[greatestcool]

Hello, sir! It's good to see you again!

[OH BOY IT'S RYUUNOSUKE'S FAVORITE SCIENTIST Normally he'd snap a sharp salute since he has no idea if Kato is still a Researcher or not. However, due to his recent promotion, he figures he has every right to talk to Kato like he's a normal person. ...Well, sort of. He does tend to call all older men "sir."]

Okay, let me see what information I can offer you... The science department suffered major hits awhile back and is pretty much a graveyard. I mean, there are those NPCs running around, but I'm not sure how much good they'll do.

Around the same time you vanished, quite a few of us did too. Um... I can't remember who all it was, but Kimblee and Archer were among them. When those two got back - a little before me - they were ranked as Grunts again. So that might have happened to you, sir.

[Anything else? Ryuunosuke taps a finger to his lip in thought, and then bursts out with:]

Oh! And I got a promotion!

[And now he's wearing the most devious grin on the planet.]

[VIDEO - LOCKED]

[artfuldestruction]

[..........

Ryuunosuke, there is literally nothing in that comment that makes him feel any more happy about being back in Johto. Literally nothing. In true style, however, he's not stupid enough to insult someone who could now be his superior - even if his response is rather blunt.]

Hello, Ryuunosuke. Congratulations on your promotion.

[He

is so very happy to see you

can't you tell?

All of that information raises more questions than it answers, so Kato sifts through them to find the more....pressing ones.]

Are you saying I'm nothing more than a Grunt, now? Even with all the work I've done for this Team?

[not

that he's bitter, or anything]

[VIDEO - LOCKED]

[greatestcool]

[Ryuunosuke's grin fades at that question and he nods, looking thoughtful.]

Yeah. It really sucks, but apparently if you're gone from Johto for any length of time, you're sent back to being a Grunt. I'm not sure why. It seems pretty unfair.

[But then he brightens up.]

Don't worry, sir! I'm sure it won't take much for you to gain your rank back! They said it should be easier to regain your ranking, after all!

[VIDEO - LOCKED]

[artfuldestruction]

[YEP THIS BASE IS BEING BLOWN UP IN T-....WHENEVER HE CAN GET MATERIALS TO MAKE BOMBS AGAIN HOW DARE THEY SNUB HIM wait what-]

Well, I'm certainly hoping that's the case.

[It had better be the case or so help him he is having a temper tantrum in the form of explosives]

So Kimblee and Archer are back as well, then?

[That's actually good news - those two seemed competent. Unlike some who shall not be named!!]

What about Dist, or Descole? Is Dimitri still here? Do we have any scientists at all?

[...so many 'D' names, Science Department]

[VIDEO - LOCKED]

[greatestcool]

Yes, they are! Kimblee recently received a promotion as well!

[...We don't discuss Archer... AND WOW RUDE, KATO!!]

Descole isn't here and I'm pretty sure Dimitri went home too. Dist is still here! But he's in trouble with the cops, so I don't know if he's even in the base right now...

[VIDEO - LOCKED]

[artfuldestruction]

[....well it could be worse he...supposes....at least Dist is still here (AND HOPEFULLY....NOT IN PRISON...)]

No wonder it's so quiet around here.

[although it won't be when he realizes his bomb machine is gone, um]

So all three of you left this place and returned? What happened to your Pokemon?

[...please have good news

please]

[VIDEO - LOCKED]

[greatestcool]

Well...

[Judging from how he drags the word off and glances away, it's pretty obvious that he doesn't have good news.]

I can't say for sure about the other two, but I managed to find Haunter! Well, he found me, actually. He found me somehow when I was training outside of town with my new ones. He's the only one I've found though, so I guess I just got lucky with him. I haven't seen any of my others and I don't know what happened to them. I think Kimblee might have a few of his old ones, but I can't really say for sure.

[video - locked]

[explosivecombat]

[...oh, look who it is. Long time no see, Kato; quite frankly it's a relief.]

It's nice to see you again, too, Dr Kato; good to see that you're taking your sudden return in stride.

[Surely you didn't think you could get away with him not commenting on the immediate hissyfit.]

[video - locked]

[artfuldestruction]

[Finally, someone he's legitimately pleased to see...]

Oh I'm so very excited to be back, sir. So...very excited.

[



C:]

Have you been well?

[Let's get the pleasantries out of the way so he can start screaming about his missing....everything, shall we]

[explosivecombat]

[Keep that up and you'll -

Oh, never mind, you're getting kittyface anyway.]

Reasonably so; I was returned home myself, around the same time you were. However, circumstances there have ensured that I'm not going to complain about this place.

[...]

Well, other than the fact that our leadership decided to become fully incompetent in my absence, but they seem to be trying to redeem themselves.

[artfuldestruction]

[Yeah thanks bawss

way to make him feel tiny and quaint]

I'm glad one of us appears to be enjoying himself.

[BAAAAW IT'S HARD BEING ME]

I don't suppose you've seen my Pokemon, have you?

[explosivecombat]

[you are so mad

so very mad]

I have one of them in my possession, actually. You're more than welcome to it.

[artfuldestruction]

[HE IS SO PAINED IN THE-wait what was that

...

kimblee-senpai...]

You do?! Which one?!

[PLEASE SAY IT'S ONE THAT CAN EXPLODE

PLEASE]

[video - locked]

[nostabbing]

[Oh, hey, now there's a name that sounds familiar, sort of. Time for just a quick check...]

Hey, are you the guy who owns the murdercamel?

[REMEMBER IG, KATO? YEAH.]

[video - locked]

[artfuldestruction]

[....OH SNAP DID YOU JUST MENTION HIS MURDERCAMEL-]

Are you referring to a Numel? I did use to own one, yes, miss...?

[Okay, play it cool, play it cool..

...

god we are so uncool rn]

[video - locked]

[nostabbing]

No, it evolved.

[Beat.]

So it's an even bigger murdercamel now.

[video - locked]

[artfuldestruction]

[Alright we'll skip the names, works for him tbh]

And do you know where I can find said 'murdercamel'?

[who does he have to kill to get that damn thing back]

[video - locked]

[nostabbing]

[Truth be told, she sort of...missed that social cue so um. FORGING ON?]

Yeah, he's in my PC thing. I don't usually take him out. I guess I got him when you left? I don't know why, he just showed up.

[video - locked]

[artfuldestruction]

[FORGING ON SOUNDS FANTASTIC WHEN HIS WEAPONS POKEMON ARE INVOLVED!!]

That...is quite interesting, although rather fortunate - I don't suppose you'd be willing to return him to me? I'd be very pleased to see him again.

[...

well it's technically true....]

[action] forward dated to the 8th!

[ortion]

[The last few days have been nothing short of hell for Dist. First, the mission his team went on had to go horribly wrong. Sure, they escaped with the revival machine, but it ended up getting heavily damaged and they got caught by the news reports due to their hasty getaway. He then had to spend days in the middle of Ilex Forest with a man he really can't stand, working feverishly in attempt to save the machine before they had to return it to the base. It was in vain of course, because they couldn't fix it with the basic tools they had. So now he was going to have to deal with the Execs ridiculing him for his failure. After working so hard this last year, he didn't have much to look forward to in terms of promotion.

So after finally delivering the semi-busted machine to the Game Corner for safety purposes, Dist is able to return to the base filthy, hungry, and tired beyond belief. After cleaning up, he slinks his way into the labs to avoid all of the Rockets asking about what happened and if he knew that he ended up on the news. He just. Doesn't want to deal with it at all right now.

Just as he's about to crawl into his usual lab room to sit at his desk for a while and assess the damage on the network, he catches the sight of someone he never thought he'd see. He blinks a few times, honestly wondering if he's just seeing things.]

Kato?

[Is this real life? OR IS THIS JUST FANTASY?]

[action]

[artfuldestruction]

[The past day hasn't been the best for Doctor Kato, either. At present, he's seated at one of the desks, idly flicking through some of his old notes. He's barely registering any of the numbers, however, and the words don't seem to mean anything.

Sighing, he removes his glasses and rubs at his eyes. This is like something out of a nightmare. He had been back home in Metro City, in his manor, like nothing had ever happened, when all of a sudden he woke up lying in his painfully inadequate bed in the Rocket Base. This had to be some sort of hideously unfunny karma.

It's not just the loss of his Pokemon that is grating on him, however - all of his old accomplices are gone. The labs are empty. Before he left, there had always been a small crowd. Sure, they didn't all see eye-to-eye but at least it was entertaining-

A voice suddenly breaking through the oppressive silence snaps him out of his thoughts. He knows that voice....!]

Dist?!

[Spinning around in his chair, Kato stares, stunned, at the man standing in the lab.]

....you really are still here?!

[action]

[ortion]

[Oh wow, it really is Kato! The look of complete shock on Dist's face turns into a small smile. Okay, it's more of a grin. He's never been happier to see someone in his life (aside from any Jade instances but details).

Well, this makes up for the hell he went through for the most part.

He quickly makes his way over to where Kato's sitting.]

Of course I am. Someone had to keep this department alive, after all.

[He tries to sound high and mighty about being the sole Science Department survivor for months, but he really just sounds excited and thankful. Ugh, he didn't realize how much he really missed Kato until he actually showed up again.]

When did you arrive? You'll have to excuse my absence. The last few weeks have been...trying.

[Please don't make him go into detail right now Kato, he wants to stay happy for now.]

[action]

[artfuldestruction]

I got here just over a day ago - when I walked in here I was worried I was the only one left. Truth be told you're the first person I've seen in the flesh.

[He thought that sort of thing wouldn't bother him but ahahaha n o p e it's actually really quite unsettling.

As nice as it is to communicate with video, it can't quite compare with seeing....you know. Actual live people.

As Kato speaks, his Stunky crawls out from under the table and starts rubbing herself against his leg. Surprisingly, he doesn't move to kick her away.]

I must admit; I'm pleased that I've received the chance to see you again.

[.....tl;dr BRO IT'S JUST

IT'S JUST REALLY GOOD TO SEE YOU, ALRIGHT]

Now that I'm here I'm sure we can eliminate whatever has been making your weeks 'trying'.

[action]

[ortion]

Ah, so very recently then! True, the labs can be lonesome, but we won't have to worry about that now.

[Did he just admit he was kind of lonely up until now? 'cause yeah he was. Maybe that's why he took a long break from the base last month.

And those last couple of sentences from Kato actually bring a genuine smile to Dist's face. Even if they don't want to call each other friends, it sure feels like friendship to Dist. At least, from what he remembers. It's been a while since he forged a friendship.]

You know, I don't doubt that at all. And the feeling is mutual. Truth be told, I did miss you. This organization needed more of its competent members back.

[action]

[artfuldestruction]

[.....Dist we are going to bro it up so hard in this lab

so goddamn hard

Meanwhile let us continue to act like reunited friends while furiously refusing to call each other friends.]

You flatter me, Dist.

[...ugh this is so weird for him, who even needs friends they're stupid what is feelings??]

...I admittedly missed you too. I didn't remember anything about my time in Johto when I returned home, but once I arrived back here I found myself...feeling regretful, about the fact that you appeared to be gone.

[Quick, time to smile like an evil douchebag to cover the feels!]

We tend to be of the same mind, after all, and it's so rare that I find someone so enlightened.