◇ 03 ◇ flare

[horrorthreshold]

[If Theo’s been scarce the past few months, he’s had a good reason: training. That’s what he’s doing today, deep in the middle of the forest, if anyone happens to be passing through.]

Faint Attack! Arial Ace! Th-Thunderbolt! Use it on- [he gasps, doubling over, but almost immediately stands back upright] -the trees, on the trees, do it!

[The

Comments

[originallyjohto]

[Holy-- Dude it looks like you're pushing it, lots. So probably you should hear a loud voice coming from behind.]

Oi! Wally!

[horrorthreshold]

[Theo doesn't initially realize the shout is for him, but he turns nonetheless - who's there? He smiles when he sees Brendan, however, mistaking him for someone else entirely.]

...Adrian, hello! Are you looking for someone out here?

[originallyjohto]

[Adrian? Oh wait.]

Got the wrong guy, dude. It's Brendan. [And then he shoves his hands into the pockets of his pants, raising a brow.] ...aren't you Wally?

[horrorthreshold]

[Theo smiles apologetically, signalling to his pokémon that they can take a rest before turning back to Brendan.]

N-No, that's not me. I've met a double of myself called Wally, but...my name is Theo.

[originallyjohto]

Oh. [He rubs the back of his head as he mutters "stupid island and your freaking doppelgangers" and then sighs.]

Anyway, look Theo. That training you're doing? You're pushing it too hard.

[horrorthreshold]

[Theo blinks, looking caught off-guard.]

No, I'm not. I really need to get stronger...we're doing fine, I promise.

[Yeah no his pokémon are about to collapse. So are his lungs.]

[originallyjohto]

Check it, your Pokemon are exhausted. [As he points to Theo's team.]

And so are you.

[horrorthreshold]

It d-doesn't matter. We have to keep going anyway. [c-cough.] This is nothing.

[originallyjohto]

Enough's enough. Get some rest. [Brendan grips on his shoulder and pushes him down. Forcing Theo to sit down.]

[horrorthreshold]

[Theo's about to protest Brendan's statement, but seeing as how he has no muscle resistance there's not much he can to do stay on his feet if the other boy wants to push him down.]

H-Hey - ! I can't stop now, just - just a few more hours...

[originallyjohto]

Oi, do you want to strain yourself? [Brendan tries to adjusts his gloves as he looks at Theo rather coldly.]

[horrorthreshold]

[Theo falters at the look in Brendan's eyes - Adrian's never looked at him like that - but then his own eyes narrow in anger. He's still breathing heavily, muscles trembling from weakness, but he doesn't even notice it anymore.]

I don't mind straining myself. Th-That's - That's how you get stronger. I can ignore it. Let me train, Brendan.

[originallyjohto]

Only an idiot would want to push themselves to their very limit.

[And then Brendan readies his Pokeball.] Want me to prove that to you?

[horrorthreshold]

There - There is no limit - [But Theo looks at a loss - you're not Adrian, but you're just so much like him in appearance that he doesn't want to fight you. But he will if Brendan pushes it.] I know what I can handle, B-Brendan. My pokémon as well. If you don't believe me...

[originallyjohto]

Really? [Brendan throws his Pokeball and releases his Aggron, now roaring out loudly.] Prove it. Try to convince me.

[horrorthreshold]

[Theo looks over the pokémon carefully, forcing himself to stand on shaking legs. None of the ones he has out are a good match, but that's how it goes sometimes.]

Delcatty, go! Use Sing!