02X - Reintro. [Text/Locked Audio to the Rocket Frequency]

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT]

[Well! Those of you on the network today will be greeted by a bit of audio late this morning, from a device ID that's been bouncing back all attempts at contact for the last several weeks.]

...Oh, that's cute.

[...well, if that wasn't the most triumphant return ever, I don't know what is.

At the very least, however, he seems to get over whatever he's almost audibly linefacing at long enough to realize that the device is recording something; he promptly switches the thing over to text - he's never really liked talking at the machine when he's addressing all of Johto.]

My, it seems this place does still have its sense of humor, doesn't it? And here I thought that perhaps I'd only lost three days at worst - it was a bit of a surprise to find out otherwise.

Ah, but that's neither here nor there, is it?

[Kimblee, hon.]

There's not much to report from home, unfortunately; however, it'll be a pleasure getting in contact with all of you again - hopefully you've all been at least reasonably well.

[Oh, well. At least he doesn't seem too off-put by the whole disappearing-for-a-month-and-a-half thing?]


[PRIVATE AUDIO - TEAM ROCKET FREQUENCY]

[...At least, not until the audio message that goes out over the private Rocket network a few minutes later; Kimblee's voice is cold and clipped, and the amiable "tone" from the text earlier is completely absent.

He has no idea if he still holds his rank or not; he suspects he doesn't. Like hell if he won't throw it around anyway. He's a bit displeased at his life basically being a .gif from Community, and he's going to figure out what in the good hell is going on if it kills him.]

This is Team Rocket Beta Solf J Kimblee, reporting back in for duty; to my superiors, I admit that I don't know what happened, but I assure you that it won't happen again.

To the rest of you - check in with me immediately, particularly if you're one of my subordinates. I'm receiving a lot of "ID Not Found" nonsense, and I need to know who's still present; given that and various things that I've had to hear about secondhand, I expect a full report regarding what happened here from someone, I'm not feeling particularly choosy right now.

New members to the organization - welcome to it, and you have my personal apologies for the disarray. For now, you're welcome to introduce yourselves; it'll serve you well to know that I'm good to those who are good to me. Again, prove yourself useful and you'll be rewarded.

None of this is a request. Allow me to make that much clear.

[...oh dear. Well. At least he's not in much position to actually do anything at the moment - this is Team Rocket we're talking about, and if somebody's on the network very vocally overstating their importance and/or competence, that means it's pretty much a day ending in Y.]

Comments

text | placeholder

[saxsongs]

[... ah. Team Rocket just got a valuable member back - isn't that just great.

Oh well, might as well be polite.]

Welcome back, Mr. Kimblee.

text forever!

[explosivecombat]

[Ah, you again. He still hasn't quite worked out what to do with you, but as long as you aren't being an upstart he'll be civil for now.]

Mr. Jinguji - believe me, I find it a pleasure to be back.

[audio] TR Frequency

[rocketralph]

You were gone? So, did you make it back to your game or what?

[same settings forever/until deemed otherwise]

[explosivecombat]

[Oh, goodness - hello again, not!Sloth, it's been a while.]

Ah, Mr. Ralph; a pleasure to hear from you again. [Kinda.] As for my game, it...well. Yes and no. I suppose you could say I'm waiting for someone to start playing again.

audio for rocket frequency

[blacklynx]

... a lot of Team Rocket members disappeared almost at the same time. Otherwise there hasn't really been any changes.

Well, apart from Cobra Commander being in jail right now.

same settings forever/until deemed otherwise

[explosivecombat]

[...oh. Well. Hello there, he vaguely remembers you.]

Mr. Tsukiyomi, wasn't it? Consider the information appreciated.

...Although this does beg the question. What did the good Commander do now?

[text]

[exeggutorhead]

Reasonably well, yeah.

[Lies. But since this is text, it's not like there's anything to give Envy away. Still, it's good to see Kimblee back; at least something's going right for once.]

Welcome back, I take it you'll be wanting this Absol back?

[text forever]

[explosivecombat]

[Dear god, Envy, is he glad to hear from you right now.]

It's a pleasure, believe me.

As for the Absol - Ramsay, was it? Has he been serving you well? He's easily intimidated outside of battle, but he's done well enough for me.

[He's not answering the question, but he'll get to that in a second.]

text;

[doitrockapella]

[...wait hold up are you fucking kidding right now.

So they take away Coop and they bring back Nietzsche. Really. Really.

...

It would be a lot easier to be indignant about this if she hadn't...kinda...missed him being around to wreck holidays and bicker with and send stupid cat gifs to, the big dumb jerk.

...speaking of which...]


Not if I beat you to it first, Nietzsche.

ATT: IMG6801.gif

text;

[explosivecombat]

[...

Oh, dammit, Locke - ]

Well, it's nice to see that some things haven't changed around here.

[text]

[darkenedgales]

[Seeing that really brightens Crow's mood -- granted, he wasn't completely devastated when he found out Kimblee was gone, but it definitely got him down, especially combined with some other disappearances that occurred around the same time.]

missed us too much to stay away for long, huh?

welcome back by the way

[text forever!]

[explosivecombat]

Ah, Mr. Hogan! A pleasure, as always - and I suppose you could say that, if I had any say in the matter whatsoever.

Just the same, I find that I don't mind being back.

[I mean he's going to strangle whomever was responsible for blipping him out of here in the first place once he finds them, but that's neither here nor there.]

Text (By the way I am so sorry for this, it became his default while you were gone)

[itsjustdust]

You're back! You're back you're back you're back! I'm not cursed! How are you? Do you remember everything? Did you get any of your pokemon back? Did they mess with you?

text forever!

[explosivecombat]

Ah...Obito, wasn't it?

What in the world are you doing with your typing?

text | tr frequency forever

[jikogisei]

Uchiha Itachi, reporting for duty.

likewise!

[explosivecombat]

[Well, he has no problem returning that text, really; it's always been his preferred medium, at least.

He is going to note the last name, however, and exactly where this feed is coming from, frequency-wise. Interesting...]

A pleasure, Mr. Uchiha; how long have you been in Johto, if I may? I don't recall you being here before my stay here was interrupted.

private text -- forever maybe!

[usedwrench]

[...Oh, Mr. Kimblee is back. Winry can't say she missed him at all, nor can she say that she's happy about his return or anything.

Bad luck with new arrivals, huh? She'd be so glad to welcome someone, who is actually nice and not some explosion maniac because she hasn't seen any of those in almost a year by now. Except Mister Armstrong, but he's gone too.

Well, she can't do anything about how random this place can be with who return and who don't.

But Winry finds herself from trying to come up with a reply to this post anyways. She does have two of his Pokémon, after all, and he mentioned home and he's from the same Amestris as she is, so... She'll lock this for reasons, takes a deep breath and starts writing.]


Welcome back. [It's just a polite thing to say.] Time is still a weird thing here, yes. Not that I'd know, much, because so much happened back home too while I was away from here. [Her new, one year anniversary is coming up this month, huh? Time sure flies.]

May I ask you something about Amestris?

of course - consider that returned

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee pauses for a moment; he's not entirely surprised to hear from Miss Rockbell at all, because she's always been a bit too nice for her own good, but that last question...hm. Whatever he was expecting, it wasn't that; he's also noting the private feed, and...really, either she doesn't want to be seen talking to him (understandable) or she has something to ask that she doesn't want the rest of the network to see (also understandable, given the utter clusterfuck that the situation in Amestris ended up being). He'll give her the benefit of the doubt and assume the latter for now, and he'll respect the lock enough to return it.]

It's a pleasure to be back, and as always, a pleasure to see you as well, Miss Rockbell.

As for whatever question you have about Amestris, it depends on the subject matter - I've gotten enough questions about whatever happened there that I know I can't guarantee you a complete answer. There are certainly some things I don't know, and other things that I otherwise still can't answer for various reasons, but you're more than welcome to ask. Go on, then.

[AUDIO - PRIVATE]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Is that--? No. It can't be. He's gone; he's not in Johto anymore, there's no way...

But the audio locked to Team Rocket confirms it. Archer's sure he's grinning stupidly, but at this point he really doesn't care. He has to force himself to calm down before he replies to the message; he doesn't want to seem too eager now, does he?]

Well, it's about time you returned. I was beginning to wonder if I'd be stuck here on my own.

[...He still sounds a bit too pleased, but that's no big deal, right?]

What room are you in?

[We have things to catch up on and cuddling to do.]

[explosivecombat]

[...there you are. Honestly, after going through so many IDs and receiving that hideous message, he's been a bit wary of trying yours, and as such he's been putting it off - he's been conducting business as usual, and imagining that if you're still here, you'd contact him eventually.

However, his voice is calm when he replies; he's still somewhat wary because he has no idea what happened and why he just kind of fell off the face of the region, and he...wasn't on good terms with you when he left, was he.]

Ah, Archer - no, I've only just returned. You know I wouldn't leave my work unfinished like that.

From what I've seen, at least this place remembers where I was staying last time; you can find me there, I won't go anywhere.

[AUDIO - PRIVATE]

[diamondo]

["I'm good to those who are good to me" huh? Well, that might be useful in the future, and clearly Mondo hasn't been reckless enough lately.]

I'm Oowada, nice to meet you.

[Like hell if he's addressing anyone with "sir."]

I just arrived a few weeks back so I can't really give you any details about what's going on. I can be pretty fucking useful, if I do say so myself. What kinda uses are you looking for? Petty thievery's easy enough, but I'm guessing you want something bigger.

[Time to see if he can get deets!]

[explosivecombat]

[...good lord, who is this tryhard.]

Mr. Oowada, then; a pleasure. [Sort of.] There's no need for language of that sort - rather rude, really, I would appreciate you not throwing that in my direction if you want to get anywhere.

I'm glad to see you're volunteering, however. [...IS THIS VOLUNTEERING? HE'S NOT SURE.] Why don't we start with explaining what these skills of yours are - what makes you so useful, hm?

text;

[timelymaid]

oh welcome back!
i do hope you didnt encounter anything bad at home :D

text forever

[explosivecombat]

Consider it appreciated; I didn't encounter anything too bad, personally - nothing worse than it was when I left, at any rate.

[...ahahaha. haha. ha. um.]

[audio/tr filter forever]

[ortion]

Mr. Kimblee?

[After saying that, he immediately internally scolds himself. Of course it's Kimblee, why are you even asking that, Dist. He's just kind of shocked that someone who left actually came back. He heard it's happened before, but never to any fellow Rockets as far as he can remember.

Back to business, though.]

Ahem. It's good to hear from you again, Mr. Kimblee. The circumstances could be better, unfortunately. We lost quite a few members around the time you disappeared. The science division is, sadly, in shambles. I am the only remaining non-native in the department.

[He sounds slightly bitter about it, too. Normally he'd be fine with being left all these labs to his own devices, but he actually was starting to like some of the other scientists on the team. And it's slightly difficult to run large projects with only bumbling NPCs for help.]

[likewise!]

[explosivecombat]

[...Dist. He is both somewhat pleased to hear from someone familiar here that's actually competent, from what he's heard, and yet he's completely, completely displeased with what you're actually telling him.]

I'm...sorry, what? Surely you can't be the only -

[There are no words. No. Words.]

Forgive me for my rudeness in being so abrupt, but that can't possibly be the case - who's vanished, to your knowledge?

[Video: Rocket Filter]

[dressofheaven]

Welcome back, Mister Kimblee!

[Oh Ilya's so very happy to see him.]

I don't think all that much has happened recently aside from people leaving... and that Cobra person got himself locked in jail, but I'm sure you've heard about that by now. Oh, and there was also a huge ball a few weeks back thrown by one of the Gym Leaders... Miss Clair. Has anyone told you about that yet?

I also have Nagara here with me. She's been very well-behaved.

[likewise forever, really]

[explosivecombat]

[He's fond of you, Ilya, he'll at least do you the courtesy of video as well.]

Ah, Miss Ilya - it's a pleasure to hear from you, as always; I've heard bits and pieces of these things you're telling me about, but I'm still working on gathering information. I understand that we've taken a rather large hit in terms of numbers, however, yes, and I've heard about what happened with the Commander. Ah, and you've got Nagara with you - excellent. She tends to be, really.

Was there anything particularly interesting about that party you've mentioned? It involved the Elite Four in some way, didn't it?

[Video ; Rocket Filter]

[queenbeeyotch]

[Barby had, admittedly, no idea who this guy was. Sure, he introduced himself, but for someone of a supposedly high-ranking position, no one had bothered to mention him to her before. Still...if he was truly a beta, that meant he outranked her by a lot and thus it'd probably be for the best to get on his good side and stay there as long as possible.

Better start that off by introducing herself...her swallowing her pride.]

Hello there, Mr. Kimblee. [Have a smile that looks FAR less smug than the icon, Kimblee.] My name's Barby; I'm one of the new recruits in this fine organization. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[likewise forever]

[explosivecombat]

[So throwing that title around was good for something; he'd have to talk to the Executives about that eventually, but given how much radio silence (no pun intended) this place has supposedly received from that lot...

But she can get a video in return, and he's smiling rather placidly, and trying to bite back the urge to punch someone in the face for whatever the hell has happened here, and things are good for the time being.]

The pleasure is mine, Miss Barby; exactly how new are you? I've been away for some time, unfortunately.

[usedshooshpap]

YOU JUST COULDN'T STAY AWAY FROM US.
ADMIT IT.

[explosivecombat]

Ah, but that would be stroking everyone's ego far more than I'm comfortable with.

It's quite a pleasure to be back here, believe me.

[text]

[enjoymyatelier]

[...well seeing people return with their memories is always encouraging but why couldn't it be someone he likes better...]

That seems to be par for the course as far as people leaving and returning with their memories goes-an acquaintance of mine spent roughly five minutes back in our world before arriving here months later. It seems rather aggravating, and I rather hope it's not something that happens to me.

Anyway, welcome back, I suppose. I believe I came into possession of one of your Pokemon after you left-will you be wanting it back?

[...never mind that he hasn't actually looked at the thing, he kind of just... put it in the PC and set to training the Pokemon belonging to his friends who he won't admit are his friends]

[text]

[explosivecombat]

[Goodness, it seems the Lord of the House of Repression is just going to outlast everyone when it comes to being stuck here, isn't he? Except maybe Cobra...

...really, Johto could get rid of literally all of the other "foreigners" and yet Kayneth and Cobra will still be here, given how their luck is.]

Ah, Lord El-Melloi - returning that would be greatly appreciated, though I have to admit curiosity when it comes to what managed to find its way to you.

[Was it something stupid and cute? He sort of hopes it was one of the stupid cute ones, just because it would amuse him.]

But at any rate - that sounds hideously annoying for both you and your acquaintance, depending on how useful to you that acquaintance was.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[He knows that name.]

[The camera comes up on Blake holding a Petilil by the top leaves. The little plant is waving a dandelion as it squirms and giggles at this new game.]

[A galaxy of loathing is compressed into one snarled word.]

You.

[video]

[explosivecombat]

[It takes him a moment of checking the ID to see who this even is, as the only time Kimblee has spoken to Blake was over text, and - oh. Oh, dear.

You're actually going to get video out of Kimblee, Blake, just because he can't be bothered to switch the settings over, and he's...rather plainly amused.]

Ah, Lieutenant Blake. A pleasure to hear from you again, even if you don't seem to share the sentiment - and I see that Michelle managed to find her way to you somehow.

text || locked

[licentious]

My, my, Mr. Kimblee. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance - for the third time.

I have to admit, things have been quite empty without your presence. It's a pleasure to see that your authoritative side is still intact. I presume I can't say the same for buildings back home? [ Heh. ]

[same forever!]

[explosivecombat]

Ah, believe me, the pleasure is mine.

And we can't say the same for many things back home, actually, given what's been happening at my own personal point in time. But as pleasing as all that is, hopefully this place has made up its mind - I intend to be here for a while, have no qualms about that.

[Text/Rocket filter]

[strongestoftheturks]

Welcome back sir.

Rude reporting in.

That's my name.

[same settings forever]

[explosivecombat]

[Mm. Either a code name or somebody had mean parents so says the individual bearing the stupidest name in Amestris; at any rate, unless that name proves amazingly apt or some sort of necessity comes up, Rude is currently being delegated to that short list of people referred to almost solely as "you."

However, this one seems to be preferring text, and Kimblee honestly can't complain about that; spares him the general awkwardness of trying to talk to the machine.]

Indeed? It's a pleasure, then.

I take it you've only just arrived recently - I don't recall hearing of you before my absence, and I have a good memory for people. How long have you been here?

video - locked;

[kingbowser]

Gwa ha ha ha! Tryin' to boss me around? Well, you've got guts. I'll give ya that.

[Cue one grinning Bowser, currently in what appears to be... some place made up of bricks and not much else. The music from Cinnabar volcano seems to be playing in the background.]

Anyway, I'm still here, and I'm not leaving any time soon. This place has already had a lack of villains lately.

video - locked;

[explosivecombat]

[...oh...goodness, this one again. Well, let's see what can be done here.]

I wouldn't call it "guts" so much as I would "seniority." Clearly no one else has taken charge in my absence, I've far more experience in this organization than most, and from what I understand there's been complete radio silence - if you'll forgive the unintentional pun - from those higher up the chain of command. I'm a soldier back home, and I remain a soldier here; in my experience, if there's no one else willing or able to take command and you have any idea what you're doing, you take command. Simple-as.

[He doesn't sound annoyed by that, though; if anything, he's smirking a bit. Things are insane here for the time being, yes, but it's something to do with himself.]

And dare I ask what you've been up to lately? Given our lack of villains in this place and all - hopefully you've been managing to hold the fort at least somewhat.