glaciates | SIXTH REBELLION ❅ VIDEO

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SIXTH REBELLION ❅ VIDEO

[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.]

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...I guess I could see that.

[YES GOOD WE CAN WORK WITH THIS!!]

It's something I'm still going to worry about because... well, we don't know what will happen when we return.

[Is it like dying all over again? HE REALLY HOPES NOT THAT WASN'T COOL pun not intended goddammit.]

[Kimblee pauses for a moment at that; he shifts a bit, burying his hands deep in his pockets.]

Do you fear death, Isaac?

[The question is a simple one, revealing none of his opinions on the matter either way; if anything, he's being incredibly casual about it.]

[Isaac tips his head a bit at that.]

No. I knew there was a possibility that I could die in Ishval. I've been okay with my own death since then. I knew I'd probably die trying to take down Bradley, and I was fine with that.

But it's something different when you're actually dying, I guess. I wasn't afraid - it happened too quickly for me to really realize it - but I don't want to go through that again.

From what I understand, we don't remember anything from our time here; things just resume exactly where we left off in Amestris. So I would imagine you wouldn't have to experience it again...

...of course, that leaves us with the thought that we'll simply cease to exist. I don't know whether you find that better or worse.

We simply cease to exist...?

[OH GOD THAT MAKES IT SO MUCH WORSE OH GOD OH MAN HIS WHOLE BRAIN]

That's... horrifying...

Well, I suppose. I mean, there's always any afterlife that may happen to exist for us, but...

We're both going to Hell anyway, so that's not exactly a good thing.

Well, I've never been one to believe in Heaven or Hell, per se, but I suppose that's one possibility.

...You don't believe in any sort of afterlife, then?

Not in any traditional sense, no; I have my own beliefs regarding what happens to us after we die, based on the ideas presented in the alchemic principle of "all is one, and one is all."

I've always been incredibly aware of the energy flowing within substances and matter, and within living beings as well. Energy is infinite, and can be neither destroyed nor created from nothing; obviously it won't remain within the human body once the body dies, but the energy - one's life-force, if you will - has to go somewhere. I believe that it rejoins the flow of energy within the world itself - perhaps inhabiting and creating other living beings, perhaps being used for another individual's alchemy.

I believe we're a combination of the energy flows from our surroundings and those who have come before us - "all is one" - and when we die, we return to being such - "one is all." Our souls are a natural combination of that energy; since this isn't reincarnation, but redistributing, "we" as we were cease to exist, but whatever we were composed of does not.

It's a bit convoluted to explain, but bluntly put, no, that sort of belief system doesn't exactly allow for an afterlife.

Yeah, I guess I can see that.

[It does kind of make sense, at least?]

Obviously it's not my own belief system, but I can see where you're coming from with it. That wouldn't be so bad to return to, I guess. But it's still nonexistence, and frankly, I'd prefer to be alive.

I don't disagree with you, and I think most feel that way; at the same time, I don't fear my own death. I'm prepared for it, whenever I'm sent away from this place; I accepted it a long time ago.

I'm also aware that this place is just allowing me a temporary reprieve; it isn't anything I dwell on or worry about, but eventually my time here will be over. And if we really do return to the exact place we left off, I can't say I'm displeased with the knowledge that my last real experiences will have been in this place.

...Yeah, I understand. I'm really glad to be here.

[Even if it is boring sometimes and he doesn't really have anything to fight for. This place is still a second change and it's something he genuinely does appreciate having.]

I'm not afraid of death, but I'm so glad I've had time here. Things have been great here.

They really have.

[Kimblee moves toward Isaac a bit, closing some of the distance between them; he twitches a little, as though he's considering reaching out to touch, but he ultimately seems to decide against it.]

...I do appreciate the opportunity this place has given me to see you again, you know.

[And that much is...actually rather genuine. Awkward, but genuine.]

[Isaac notices that twitch, and he certainly recognizes the awkward. He hesitates a moment before moving closer to pull Kimblee into a hug.]

...I'm really glad. You mean so much to me, Kimblee. I... really would have hated for our meeting in Amestris to have been our last.

[Kimblee freezes up as Isaac pulls him forward; he's likely never going to be fully used to this sort of thing, but he relaxes quickly enough, sliding his hands out of his pockets again and resting them lightly against Isaac's lower back as he returns that embrace somewhat.]

You're too good to me, you know.

[Isaac grins that that. Of course he's pleased; Kimblee really does mean so much to him.]

I do what I can.

[He really does. Things have been difficult and sometimes he really does hate that he loves Kimblee so much - Kimblee is a terrible person and he really shouldn't love Kimblee this much. But the fact is that he does.]

...Thanks for this. You've been really good to me too.

[Kimblee is silent for a moment following that; it strikes him again that if he were a better person, he should probably contradict that. Isaac doesn't know half of what he's done; he doesn't know half of what he's still doing. He knows he shouldn't care about Isaac's response, and were they back in Amestris, he wouldn't care; he would tell him, and he would hurt him with it, and that would end it.

Wasn't that why he had agreed to this in the first place - to prove to Isaac why loving him was a horrible, naive idea? It's a lesson he's taught people in the past; if he's honest, he's always rather enjoyed the payoff, in some sadistic way or another. Why, then, isn't he putting a stop to this? It's been almost five months; he could end it any time he chooses. So why doesn't he? It would be so easy...

He closes his eyes, tensing up sharply again at the realization that he doesn't want to.

He can't explain what happens in his head then, outside of the fact that it's intense and deeply unpleasant; he tries to push it away for now, busying himself with loosening his stance a bit where he's gone rigid and nuzzling into Isaac's shoulder as he does so. Nothing to worry about; nothing at all.]

You don't have to thank me for it, Isaac.

[Isaac feels Kimblee tense and for a moment he nearly pulls back to get a better look at him. Something happened in Kimblee's head there, and he has no idea what it could have been. He didn't say anything supremely stupid, did he?]

Well, I think it's important to let you know how much it means to me.

[He hesitates for a moment before moving to play with Kimblee's ponytail.]

...Is everything alright?

[He's sure Kimblee will tell him that yes, it is. It was nothing, you don't need to worry about it.]

[Well, the hair-playing goes a long way toward relaxing him, at least; his body responds rather well to it, loosening up into something decidedly more natural.

That said, however, you know him far too well.]

Of course, Isaac.

[Well that is good! He likes playing with your hair, alright?]

You sure? You can talk to me, you know. I'd like to help, if I can.

[Yes, well. It feels nice when you do it, and you don't usually try to take it down.]

There's nothing wrong in the first place. Don't let it worry you.

[He's kind of tempted...]

...Alright. If you're sure.

[Pressing Kimblee won't do any good, will it? If Kimblee says there's nothing wrong, then there's nothing wrong. Kimblee wouldn't lie to him.]

[...don't you dare. :|

As it is, however, Kimblee is quiet for a moment before he speaks again, trying to work out the best way to word things. He knows Isaac will leave it alone if he allows it, but that doesn't mean it won't come up again later.]

It was just unpleasant thoughts from earlier, Isaac. I don't like the idea of losing this somehow, that's all.

[And that much is true! Not entirely accurate, maybe, but true regardless.]

[He won't! ...For now!!]

[He relaxes when Kimblee speaks though, the smile reappearing. He wasn't expecting that response and it's obviously pleased him quite a bit.]

Me neither. As long as we're here, we'll be fine.

[Yes, there is the fact that one or both of them could be removed from Johto at any time, but Isaac is pretty damn sure that nothing could get him to love Kimblee any less than he does at this moment. It's... a stupid, naive thought and he knows it, but that is how he feels.]

[And to be honest, he'd rather not have that change.]

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SIXTH REBELLION ❅ VIDEO

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