016. [Anonymous Text + Images]

[explosivecombat]

[And tonight, with no fanfare, a text hits the network. Completely anonymous, as always; those who have done their homework would recognize the 'Gear number as the one ascribed to the device that's been showing off several other attacks that have been broadcast to the network.]

Good evening, Johto.

The last few times we've spoken have been a bit unbalanced, wouldn't you agree?

[Ah, there are the pictures. Still images from the attack on the square in front of the Goldenrod Department Store, along with a few other images - the attack on the Kimono Girls and against a few random civilians, the Goldenrod Pokémon Center being destroyed. Little unpleasantries like that. Scroll past them and the text will pick back up, don't worry.]

You've told me so much about yourselves, during those attacks. I've gotten to know several of you quite well, actually.

For the time being, I would like to even the playing field a little. It will keep things interesting, I think.

From the time that you contact me onward, you have an hour to ask me anything you like. I can't guarantee you'll like or be satisfied with the answers, but it'll be better than nothing, I imagine; anything is up for discussion, short of my current location.

And don't worry - I'll introduce myself, just to spare you some time.

[There's one more image after the text ends; it's the sort of picture that usually closes out these transmissions to the network - a shot of the Rocket agent in question from the chest down to about the waist. The room behind him is dark, though it appears to be a meeting room of some sort, if you squint; the Rocket insignia emblazoned across his shirt is clearly visible above his hands, which are obscured by the pale gloves that come with the uniform. Instead of the usual Pokéballs clasped in his hands, however, there's a white card with a few words written on it in thick, blocky writing, as though someone had written the letters and gone over them repeatedly, rendering them unidentifiable through handwriting alone. The words are highly visible, standing out against the stark, glaring white of the card in the flash of the camera:

MY NAME IS SETH.

PLEASED TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE.]

Comments

[Anonymous Text]

[explosivecombat]

I have my own reasons, the organization has theirs; sometimes they coincide, but not always. Unfortunately, I can't give you answers for the group as a whole, as that isn't my place; your second question will have to remain unanswered for now.

As for the first, I have many reasons for what I do. Some are professional - monetary gain, and recognition and advancement within the organization, for example. Some are more personal - this is what I'm good at, for one, and this is simply what I choose to do, for another. There are definite ends when it comes to what I want; this is a means, as I'm sure you've worked out already.

[Text]

[chosen_light_child]

So what is it that you want then? What could possibly justify all this in your mind?

[Anonymous Text forever] My apologies, the last few days have been horrible tagging-wise

[explosivecombat]

I want to see the world change.

That, in and of itself, is more than enough for me.

[also text forever] Don't worry about it, I know exactly what you mean.

[chosen_light_child]

You want the world to change? In what way?

*Because it certainly wasn't anything for the better, Hikari could tell that much.*

[explosivecombat]

Conflict begets change.

There are no true challenges for human survival; people are entirely too complacent with their lives. If nothing natural can provide this challenge, and if no one else will step forward, then I will.

[chosen_light_child]

And why is survival not being difficult a bad thing!?

[explosivecombat]

A lack of challenge leads to weakness. I would think that's fairly obvious - are you familiar with the concept of survival of the fittest at all?

[chosen_light_child]

*Hikari doesn't answer for the moment, trying to think of what to say. Of course she knew about that, anyone who went to school would know about it, but that was a horrible point of view to have about other people.*

So, you think that anyone who's weak should die?

[explosivecombat]

I don't think they deserve to inherit the world.

Take that as you will.

[chosen_light_child]

... If that's all you're after, why do you need to go around doing what you're doing? You still need to be strong and have ambition to rise to power.

[explosivecombat]

Ah, you misunderstand me, I think - I've no interest in taking the world for myself. If you want me to be perfectly honest, I don't think I'd know what to do with it if I were left to rule on my own.

[chosen_light_child]

Then why do you want to do this in the first place!?

[explosivecombat]

The end result of whatever comes of this is irrelevant. Whatever people decide to do with themselves once I'm done with them matters very little to me.

The conflict itself is enough for me.

[chosen_light_child]

... I see. You barely even have a reason for doing any of this.

*Considering Cobra Commander, Hikari really shouldn't be surprised that there was someone else here with a motivation that seemed like it boiled down to "Because I'm evil". She had hoped that she was done dealing with people like that.*

[explosivecombat]

I think that's oversimplifying it a bit, but if that's how you want to perceive it, I won't stop you. It isn't something that's easily explained to those who are predisposed to not understand this line of thinking; it has nothing to do with intelligence, but rather a way of seeing the world.

I don't expect your understanding, or understanding from anyone else, for that matter; it matters very little to me.

[chosen_light_child]

Except that you're taking the time to even answer questions like this. You'd have no reason to do that unless you wanted others to understand.