SIXTH REBELLION ❅ VIDEO

[glaciates]

[The video opens to a rather tranquil shot of the Ice Path. There's plenty of snow and that slippery ice everyone absolutely hates. There's only the background music for a moment, and then suddenly a Darmanitan goes sliding by, spinning out of control. She slams into a wall and lies there for a moment, clearly dazed.]

[The camera slowly pans, revealing a few other Pokémon: there's a Shiftry half-buried in the snow, a Krookodile passed out on the ice in the background, an Abomasnow nursing a few bruises, and finally, a Kabutops who's currently in the middle of a fierce battle.]

[...With Isaac. The Kabutops seems to be doing all the attacking - she's swinging those scythe-arms around with repeatedly Slash attacks - while Isaac manages to avoid each swipe. His speed certainly hasn't suffered any here in Johto. Did you really think he'd be training like a normal person though?]

Faster! That's not going to cut it!

[He doesn't exactly sound pleased and the Kabutops picks up her pace immediately. She's certainly speedy, but that's nothing in comparison to Isaac's ridiculous dodging skills. One particular swing of her scythes nearly lops off his ponytail, and Isaac laughs.]

That's better! Don't back down now--

[And that's about when the Kabutops manages a hit; she slices downwards and catches Isaac's forearm with the tip of her scythe, leaving behind a rather thin, bleeding scratch. She immediately stops, bringing her arms in front of her and cowering slightly. It's obvious that she didn't expect to actually hit him.]

[Isaac stares at the scratch for a moment, eyes wide. It's not too bad and he's certainly had worse, but it's been awhile since he was actually injured while training. Then suddenly he's laughing and it's not exactly the most sane sound in the world. That causes the Kabutops to shrink even further away.]

[The video turns to focus on a Charizard who looks mildly concerned at best. He's looking a little worn too, but apparently Isaac didn't wear him out completely with insane training. The Charizard shakes his head before turning off the feed. Several minutes later, a text hits the network.]

What's the best Pokemon to spar with?

[He's pretty sure it's not a Kabutops. Just saying.]

Comments

[explosivecombat]

Yes, something like that.

[...ugh, what is it with everyone and trying to ~discuss~ things with him lately

everyone knows that it's only okay to press uncomfortable topics when he's doing the pressing, otherwise just let him be avoidant

given that he usually isn't avoidant, would it kill you people to just let him do it when he feels like being that way]

[glaciates]

[lol no.]

"Something like that"? He's living with [...us?] you, so I'd hope you guys are getting along again.

[Though considering how much of a bitch he is, Isaac really wouldn't be surprised if he just sort of showed up and claimed this house in the name of Archer or something.]

[explosivecombat]

[oh ffs]

I'd think that much would be obvious, then - surely you don't think I would allow such a thing if we weren't getting along, as that would defeat the purpose of having ended our -

[UH...................]

- working relationship in the first place.

[glaciates]

[Thank you for clarifying.....]

Well, you never really tell him no. I figured he just showed up and decided to stay.

[Not that you're a pushover or anything! He just uses you as a doormat. :| ]

I guess it's good that you guys are getting along again.

[If only because you're less of a wreck now.]

[explosivecombat]

[Yes, well, you need to tell him when things aren't obvious; he's not a mind-reader, Isaac.

...nor is he a doormat or a wreck, thank you very much!]

And do you really think I would let him do something like that? I wouldn't allow it, Isaac.

[glaciates]

If he was really bothering you, no, you wouldn't.

[...But come on, man. He's seen the way you two work. It's kind of creepy. You're never usually that compliant. Right?]

[explosivecombat]

Well, then, I hardly see the issue.

[WHAT ARE YOU EVEN GETTING AT]

[glaciates]

I just wanted to make sure everything was fine.

[Because you sure as hell wouldn't tell him otherwise.]

[explosivecombat]

And you think I wouldn't say anything otherwise?

[...Kimblee, honey, no, please don't make it that easy.]

[glaciates]

Yes.

[ :| You tried...]

[explosivecombat]

[................ :| ]

You are rather aware that I don't need anyone's protection, aren't you?

[glaciates]

I didn't say anything about protection.

[.....................yeah okay even he's not that socially dumb.]

...I know you don't. I just worry about you sometimes.

[explosivecombat]

[...he just got over having this argument with Archer. Apparently he needs to have it with you as well. Lovely.]

And yet you just acknowledged that I don't require anyone else's protection. You have nothing to worry about.

[glaciates]

It's not something I can just stop worrying about. You mean a lot to me and I don't want you to get hurt; I'm just interested in your well-being.

[Sorry! But Isaac's really not seeing what the big deal is.]

[explosivecombat]

[...all right, that expression usually implies that Isaac has no idea what's going on. Just. Let him try to find a way to reword this.]

And what makes you think I wouldn't look out for my own well-being?

[glaciates]

You will. I know that. It's...

[Really difficult to explain, hang on.]

Look, I know you're not going to do anything stupid that would put you in harm's way. You always know what you're doing and who you're dealing with. I'm not saying there's any logical reason behind me worrying, because there isn't. It's not really something I have any control of though, despite knowing that you won't do anything to put yourself at risk. Is that better?

[He's paranoid okay, leave him alone.]

[explosivecombat]

[>dealing with Kimblee, rider of steelsnakes and creator of some disturbingly destructive alchemy
>"knowing" he's not going to do anything stupid that will put him in harm's way
>lol you]

And what is it that you're so worried about, exactly?

[glaciates]

[You knew what you were doing! Besides, this is coming from the king of masochists who fights his Kabutops on a daily basis so......]

Seeing you get hurt. It doesn't matter whether that's physically or emotionally, I don't want it to happen.

[explosivecombat]

[He shakes his head a bit at that. Let's...try that again...]

No, no, I understood that much. I meant in this specific situation.

[glaciates]

[Head...tilt...?]

That's it. You guys seem to get along really well most of the time, so I'd hate to see you two fight.

[Herp??]

[explosivecombat]

[...okay, that was...a bit closer, kind of...]

...why do you think he would do something like that in the first place? What makes you think he would be inclined?

[LET'S TRY THIS FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE MAYBE]

[glaciates]

Because he's done it before? ...Well, I mean you guys have fought before. I'm not really sure what it's been about, but...

[.............herp]

...I mean, he... tends to say things before he thinks about them, I guess? I wouldn't be surprised if those arguments were over misunderstandings. But even if it is just a misunderstanding, it's still a fight with a close friend which sucks regardless of the reason.

[Or at least, he'd imagine. Lol what is having friends.]

[explosivecombat]

[Having friends. That's hilarious.]

Well, yes, but you tend to seem convinced that it isn't just misunderstandings - that he's actively going out of his way to be malicious. That's what I'm asking about.

[glaciates]

[Headtilt.]

Well, I don't really know. I don't know him well enough, obviously. Obviously he really likes you, so I don't think he's always intentionally mean to you. It seems malicious to me because I don't know him. But I guess that's just how he acts.

[This is clearly the only explanation for Archer. :| ]

[explosivecombat]

Well, Archer does tend to be a bit...

[...of a dick tbh]

...abrasive, yes. And I tend to be abrasive to him in return, especially if he's acting out of line. It's just how we talk to each other, I suppose.