Doctor Doom made his way over to the gym where two things caught his eye. The first was a very tall brush with a sign next to it that simply said “cut the brush to proceed.” Doom made a mental note to do something more interesting than merely cutting it. The second was the most shady looking person Doom had ever seen, which was saying something considering he had plenty of reflective objects around his castle. The person in question wore a tall brown trench-coat which hid all of their features aside from their face, which was covered up by a large pair of sunglasses. Doom walked up to the person and yanked off the ridiculous disguise.
“Ack!” the now undisguised Misty said as she tried futilely to get her disguise back.
“When I said for you to be discreet I did not recall there being sarcasm in my voice,” Doom said.
“Hey, I haven't done this whole spy gig before, how was I supposed to know what you meant?” Misty complained.
Doom would have to think up a punishment later for this level of idiocy. For now, he was more focused on not wasting any more of his precious time on this fool than was required. “You said you had information. Doom does not appreciate being kept waiting.”
Misty proceeded to spill her guts. “Alright, I get it. I have heard from several reliable sources of mine that the leader of the criminal organization Team Rocket has put out a sizable bounty on your head.”
“Doom cares not for what one petty criminal does with his free time. Doom will make an example out of any fool foolish enough into fooling themselves into believing they have even a minute chance of victory against Doom.”
That example is going to involve a lot of blood spatter analysis, someone call in Dexter!
Misty shivered. She was not so far removed from her battle with her master that she could forget the deaths of her loyal Pokemon. Still, Doom had given her generous compensation for her services. She just had to get results and this arrangement wouldn't be all bad. “That's not the problem,” Misty said. “The problem is Team Rocket owns a very large economic stake in a number of key businesses and research centers around the world. Even if you were to defeat the lackeys they send after you Giovanni has enough influence to make your life difficult in other ways. You needed to know this to plan for what is to come, master. I swear.”
Doom could practically feel the sincerity oozing from his minion. Doom knew that Doom would best this pathetic man sooner rather than later, but it was true enough that giving Doom the knowledge of who his enemies was put said enemies at a perilous disadvantage.
The best kind of disadvantage!
“Very well. Doom has considered your words and agrees this was worth his time. You are dismissed.”
Misty ran away from Doom as fast as possible while still being polite about it. She was getting smarter.
Doom turned his attention back to the tall brush in front of him and folded his arms over his chest. Doom did not like being given instructions, especially instructions which were useless. Doom twitched his right hand and the brush in front of him exploded into dark, dark fire. It was common knowledge in the magic community that dark fire was the most painful. Doom was in the mood to set living things on fire and cause them pain, this brush was just the beginning.
Doom walked forward and entered the Gym.
Meowth followed as silently as possible, more than a little fearful of the possibility that his master might decide he looked pleasing set ablaze.
--
http://firsthour.net/screenshots/suikoden-2/suikoden-2-luca-blight.JPG
The Cult of Personality.