023. [Anonymous Text + Images/Video]

[explosivecombat]

[An anonymous text will be going out to the network today; the ID is consistent with the one that usually sends out things along these lines from Seth.

Surprisingly (and lbr, probably refreshingly), there aren't any images of Seth's "work" prefacing the text; it simply gets to the point.]

It's been a year since we first met. As predicted, I'm still doing just fine. Those who stated I would be caught before the year mark have officially failed in their task.

But as I've said before, I like to level the playing field a bit once in a while. It keeps things interesting for me. And since people in this place tend to like their anniversaries, I thought I would celebrate mine with an invitation for you.

I'm in Goldenrod City for the next week. If you want a battle, you're more than welcome to it.

I have eyes all over the city. Set up a trap for me and I'll know. But meet me as my equal and you'll be rewarded.

No tricks. No lies. Just battle.

Contact me and we'll see what can be arranged.

[The text is punctuated with an image, taken in what appears to be a mostly-dark meeting room; the focus of the picture is on a set of six Ultra Balls, shining dimly from what little light is illuminating the room. Visible behind the table they're set on is what's clearly a Team Rocket member, visible from the upper chest to about his hips; he's leaning against the table, gloved hands braced on either side of the set of Ultra Balls, and as usual, the red R insignia on his shirt is able to be seen easily enough.

The second attachment is a brief video. Though his face is still out of the shot, the Rocket in question seems to have seated himself behind that table; the Ultra Balls are still displayed in front of him, but a white card is obscuring some of them, pinned between two of his fingers. The card is handwritten in thick, blocky lettering, as though they've been written over repeatedly, obscuring the handwriting and making them less identifiable.

MY NAME IS SETH. A YEAR AGO TODAY, I BEGAN MY WORK.

AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE WANTED TO MEET ME IN PERSON.

He turns the card over slowly; there are two words written on the back, in the same style as the front.

ANY CHALLENGERS?]


[OOC]

[If there are any takers when it comes to this challenge of Kimblee's, there will be a log set up later this week to accommodate all your battling needs! This post is for the sake of arranging such things, should anyone be interested in trying to throttle the bastard. This isn't a plot so much as it is a post in two parts, so to speak.]

Comments

text

[saxsongs]

If you say it like that, people will surely try to set up traps... some people are rather stubborn to make things work.

[anonymous text forever]

[explosivecombat]

And perhaps I enjoy a challenge; I certainly wouldn't be doing this in the first place if I didn't.

[saxsongs]

Of course. Not much can be accomplished without at least a little challenge, after all.

Unfortunately, I can't participate in this, but I'm sure many others will.

text; | rocket frequency

[nostabbing]

[A year. And that sure is the now-familiar Rocket "R" insignia, too — which means this Seth guy has got to be one of the higher-ups in the organization by now, at least given the somewhat skewed perception of time that people seem to use around here. A year in corporate America might only lift you from tiny cubicle to slightly larger cubicle; around here, a year's a noteworthy achievement. And from the way he's talking, he is some kind of bigshot, or at least bigger than the ones she's been running into so far.

And he's in Goldenrod City. Maybe that means he's in the base?

This one's going to take some planning. Moreso than just her usual recon. Guys like this are smart, and she's not Sophie. So how do you get into the confidence of a criminal?

...You demonstrate that you're one, too.]

I like the sound of "rewarded". What's in it for me?

anonymous text; | rocket frequency

[explosivecombat]

[Oh, what's this...?]

And who might you be? If you're using this channel, I assume you're one of ours.

[AUDIO - LOCKED]

[determinator]

[Needless to say, Archer is furious when he sees the message on his 'Gear. He was furious the first time Kimblee tried something like this - that little post where he offered to hand out information for no damn reason - but this? This can only end badly. People are going to rise to the challenge and Kimblee is going to have to battle them. As far as Archer's aware, Kimblee hasn't prepared his Pokémon to respond to non-verbal commands. Which means that if he battles, Kimblee will have to yell out commands to get his Pokémon to obey and people will hear his voice. He's been very good about hiding that in the past, but now? Is he getting sloppy just because he hasn't been entertained lately? It doesn't help that Kimblee tends to keep his Pokémon out around the house and he does have some particularly rare ones; if word of this gets back to Isaac (or god forbid, Isaac challenges "Seth"), he could easily put the pieces together. Sure, he's Kimblee's boyfriend, but he's also got an incredibly strong sense of right-and-wrong and probably won't stay silent about it. Even if Isaac doesn't get involved, some of those Pokémon are unique enough to draw attention to Kimblee for even having them in the first place. Yes, he's been good about not battling with his set reserved for Team Rocket, but he was never supposed to openly challenge people like this!

In short, Archer is furious. When he responds, it's a private message straight to Kimblee's 'Gear and it's set to audio. Kimblee already knows that Archer hasn't been sleeping well for the past several weeks and he already knows that Archer will be furious (at least, he had better know), but there's no reason for Archer to show just how badly this is pissing him off. He can control his voice slightly better than his expression when he's pissed. ...Sometimes.]

Care to tell me why you sent that message out to everyone?

[...Though admittedly, it's pretty hard to control his rage when he wants to do nothing but throw tables at Kimblee for making such a stupid decision. Archer's voice is very tense and he sounds like he's going to break into shrieking histrionics at a moment's notice. Have fun, Kimblee.]

[AUDIO - LOCKED]

[explosivecombat]

[...this is going to end beautifully, he can tell already.

It takes him a moment to respond to the message; when he does, he's likewise using the audio setting, simply because he imagines Archer won't be too thrilled at receiving text. Kimblee still hates talking into the device - it feels unbelievably stupid, really - but better that than risk further irritation.]

Would you prefer to discuss this in person, Archer?

[text]

[darkenedgales]

glad to hear you finally found some time in your schedule

[anonymous text forever]

[explosivecombat]

I trust you're going to take advantage of it, then.

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, I'm sure you know what my answer will be.

[explosivecombat]

I suspect I do, yes.

Name the time and place, mage; I look forward to it.

[Audio]

[canthearyou]

[Ugh, this guy again.]

I WAS HOPING THAT SOMEONE WOULD’VE ARRESTED YOU BY NOW. SINCE THAT DOESN’T APPEAR TO BE THE CASE, I SINCERELY HOPE THAT ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO CHALLENGES YOU NOT ONLY TAKES YOU DOWN A PEG, BUT PERFORMS A CITIZEN’S ARREST AND HANDS YOU OVER TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES.

[Though Gordon doesn’t really expect that to happen.]

[Anonymous Text forever]

[explosivecombat]

[Oh goodness, you again. He'd been wondering if he'd...hear from you again, forgive the pun.]

Not going to do it yourself, then? You're more than allowed to try, and I welcome any attempts.

[text]

[snapandscoot]

[Once the message pops up on her Gear, Emmy doesn't need to think or hesitate. Not with this.]

I want a rematch.

[anonymous text forever]

[explosivecombat]

[Oh, Miss Altava.]

I admit that I was wondering if I would hear from you.

[text]

[sculpted]

Are you the strange individual I've heard so much about? 

[...not that Armstrong has any right to call people 'strange individuals', but details. He's been monitoring Seth's activities for a while but choosing not to engage him, instead studying his conversations over the network, pondering what could be done. It's been quite the investigation. Now that the opportunity to meet the man in question has arisen, he finds he can't resist the temptation, especially when battle is offered. It's what he does, after all.] 

You'll find me more than acceptable if it's a bout you're after; I can promise you that.

[anonymous text forever]

[explosivecombat]

[...oh, that's...new...um...

Armstrong what in the good hell are you doing here]

I couldn't tell you without knowing what it is you've heard; at the same time, I'm told I'm a bit distinctive.

Should you be interested in challenging me, you're more than welcome, but I have to admit I'm curious about why you're so interested.

[islandshore]

A battle with someone as notorious as you? I've gotta admit, it is pretty tempting...

[But can he really be trusted? What if there are tricks or traps?

...not that he couldn't handle it, hopefully.]

[anon text obviously]

[explosivecombat]

You're flattering me.

I suppose the question is how willing you are to follow through; most have accepted immediately. Apprehensive?

[text; rocket filter]

[lolighostgirl]

Are you sure it's a wise idea?

[anonymous text; rocket filter]

[explosivecombat]

I'm not going to claim that I can predict the outcome of this; at the same time, I'm not one to engage in hopeless endeavors, either.

Or, put another way: it may not be a wise idea, but if it seemed like a bad idea, I wouldn't do it.

[Anonymous Text] [Private Rocket Frequency] [Sure is a lot of Rocket anons]

[eternallywithoutfear]

This seems unwise.

If they know who you are, they will come for you. Few people can erase memory.

[And by 'few people', she means 'no one who isn't her'.]

[Anonymous Text] [Private Rocket Frequency] [The more the merrier tbh]

[explosivecombat]

While I appreciate your concern, I've been at it for a while; don't worry, I have more than enough precautions set in place.

And who might you be, hm? One of ours, clearly. Why hide yourself?

[TEXT]

[glaciates]

Name your time and place.

[Anonymous Text forever]

[explosivecombat]

Someone's certainly eager. Feeling confident, or just impulsive?