◇ 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

AND NOW WHILE NOT CHANNELING ASTRID...

[tearingmemories]

[...There is something to be said about when a girl who rarely shows the explosive kind of anger sees something that truly riles her up. Not only does this boy look tired, but his Pokemon are being worked so much. She can't sta--

No. She won't stand it. Kagura appears to be walking up, her expression near a twisted bit between...trying to keep a straight face, and absolutely explosive anger.

If there's one thing Kagura cannot stand, it's someone over working their Pokemon.]

That's enough.

[The anger in her voice is clear as crystal. U c what I did there?]

it's okay channeling kagurastrid is fun too \o/

[horrorthreshold]

[Hearing someone approach, Theo whips around, but then has to immediately steady himself, holding a hand in front of his eyes.]

E-Excuse me, I don't...

[He trails off when he actually gets a good look at his visitor, eyes widening. She looks like the girl Geechisu had warned him about, one of the subversives, but - he's not sure it's the same girl. There are doubles everywhere, here, let alone other surrogates.]

...I'm sorry. Have we met, miss?

...Perhaps. xD

[tearingmemories]

[Admittedly, Kagura doesn't know a lot of the Surrogates outside of her own region, Kanto, and a bit of Unova. If only for the sheer reason that they seem so far appart...

Kagura still seems angered, but she quirks a brow.]

...No, we have not met. Unless I'm really losing my mind. [There's a dry laugh there, before it fades and Kagura is back to being serious.]

You are harming yourself, and you are harming your Pokemon. Cease this at once and take a rest.

[It's the only fair warning she has in mind, sadly.]

[horrorthreshold]

[His eyes narrow a bit at her accusation. He and his team are tired, yes, but they have to keep going. Harm is irrelevant.]

We're really fine. We need to keep training...

[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.

[4thegoodofnone]

[Adrian's bad luck just so happens to have him taking a walk behind said trees. So have him cry out when the Pokemon do use the attacks, he caught a little of the blast, and fall over.]

W-Waaahhh!! [But then he's getting up to investigate. Injuries are nothing!]

Theo...?

[horrorthreshold]

[Hearing a cry from beyond the trees, Theo will signal for his pokémon to stop immediately. He recognizes that voice.]

Adrian, is that...?

[He smiles when he realizes that it's indeed Adrian. The other boy looks fine despite the blast, so Theo doesn't waste time asking about it.]

What are you doing out here? It's been awhile...

[4thegoodofnone]

[Adrian gave himself a once-over. A few minor injuries, nothing to be concerned about. Okay.]

M'runnin' a li'l low on a couple kinds'v berries, thought I might find a few'n th'wild. Nice weather's a good enough reason, though. [He chuckles lightly, he's been having a good time, despite Archie's presence.]

Trainin'?

lettyyyyyy I read your adrianfic b-baaaaaw ;A;

[horrorthreshold]

Berries? Th-This is a good place to look, if you want to find them.

[Theo continues smiling, unconsciously pressing a hand over his stomach. There's a stabbing pain in his gut when he breathes.]

Yeah. I'm training. I have a lot of work to do...

[aquaboss]

[What are you even doing. No, seriously. That's not training. And this is coming from the king of fail training?]

The hell d'you think you're doin' huh? [His tone is mild despite the harsh words. He actually looks mildly worried; you're wearing yourself out, kid.]

You sure as hell don't look alright. You - an' your Pokemon - could use a break.

[horrorthreshold]

[Theo turns around, surprised to have a visitor.]

H-Hello. Thank you for your concern, but- [goodness his legs are shaking badly] -we're really all right.

[aquaboss]

[Yeah, you're not convincing anyone here.]

No you're not - you look like you're gonna collapse at any minute. An' your Pokemon are doin' no better. It's one thing to wear yourself out, but trainin' your Pokemon this hard's not gonna help any. Let 'em take a break.

[...You know, you look vaguely familiar... Hmm. He'll probably place you in a moment.]

[horrorthreshold]

[Theo narrows his eyes, inspecting you more closely.]

I won't wear myself out. This is the only way we'll get stronger...

[He blinks after a moment, finally recognizing you.]

You're that Team Aqua Boss, aren't you? [Theo coughs into his hand, swaying on his feet, but then looks back up with a suspicious glance.] I've gotten a lot stronger. Strong enough to protect them now.

[Adrian. Carys. Geechisu. But not all at once.]

LET THE HATEFEST BEGIN

[endgamerepeat]

[Jiro was passing through the forest, with his forever energetic Azumarill in tow. Before anything he notes Theo's voice and he'll make his way over in time to see both Theo and his tired Pokémon. Instinctively, he holds his Azumarill closer to himself.]

Wa-... [No. No, Wally wouldn't do this to his Pokémon. Jiro narrows his eyes, before walking right up to him. This was Theo, right? Jiro did his darnest to avoid him and he didn't plan to walk up to him, but he could never ignore Pokémon in distress. ...that and he did kind of like Wally, and Theo just so happen to look like him. Releasing his Azumarill he'll gesture for him to jump in front of the three.]

Azumarill, Protect!

[Hopefully, that move will cancel out theirs if they did go through with it. Soon, Jiro reaches out to place a hand against Theo's arm.]

Theo, stop this, right now.

what we're only abusing our pokémon why are you angry

[horrorthreshold]

[Theo jumps in surprise to see another trainer interrupting him. Coughing hard into one hand, he'll turn to face the other boy.]

Wh-Wha? Who - [oh, it's...Jiro. Theo remembers. Surrogate 01-0015. He's met him before.] ...J-Jiro, it's fine. What are you doing?

THIS IS WHY AH HAET U TRAINERS

[endgamerepeat]

[Theo, not Wally. Theo, not Wally-]

It's not fine. A good trainer knows when to call it quits.

[horrorthreshold]

[How dare he - ]

I am a good trainer! I'm not going to stop just because we're tired! If I did that, I'd never get back up again. I c-can't-

[Breathe, apparently. Theo clutches at his chest a moment, looking as though he's in pain, but it passes. He looks at Jiro again through narrowed eyes.]

P-Please leave.