THIRD RIDE ✦ TEXT / ACTION [VIOLET CITY]

[diamondo]

[ TEXT ]

[A strange text post goes out to the network today. It appears to be a list of some kind.]

▶ get a motorcycle
▶ mod the fuck out of it
▶ fuck up ryder's shit
▶ find a fucking gym
▶ train
▶ train
▶ train
▶ fucking train
▶ get stronger (physically/emotionally/mentally??)
▶ find a sauna!!!!!
▶ actually get a date
▶ somehow
▶ god this is gonna fucking suck
▶ see every city in johto
▶ fuck that's a lofty goal isn't it
▶ see every major city in johto
▶ that's better
▶ get all the badges
▶ (it's a matter of fucking pride)
▶ round out pkmn roster (no more dark types!!!)
▶ um
▶ fuck
▶ i'm forgetting something aren't i
▶ shit

[Five minutes after that's accidentally posted to the network, a proper text follows.]

oh shit ignore that last post, that wasn't supposed to go public
...actually, tell me about the things you want to do here
i need more shit on my to do list
are there any awesome places to see or anything like that?

[ ACTION - VIOLET CITY ]

[It's not surprising that Mondo's out training on the outskirts of the city. What is surprising is that he isn't fighting his Pokémon today. He's ditched the usual coat today and if one looks closely, they can see a massive bruise over his shoulders and leading down toward his back. That might be from fighting his Pokémon. Maybe. But that's not what he's doing today - today he's got his Pokémon out, situated in teams of two facing off against each other.]

Alright, we're gonna practice double battling today. Ryder! Quit trying to punch Pierce, he's your partner!

[The Scrafty shoots him a dirty look, but she knocks it off. At least until Mondo's back is turned, then she socks the Lucario in the gut and knocks him over.]

Lex, Tory! If I see the two of you biting at each other again I swear I'm gonna stick you in the fucking PC and never let you see the light of day again! You got that?

[The Sharpedo and Deino pull faces once his back is turned, but at least they seem to be listening.]

Alright, on my mark... go!

[...This can only end well.]

Comments

[strongestoftheturks]

Thanks.

...hey. Didn't get a chance to tell you before but...you got a few good punches.

How long you been fighting?

[diamondo]

Ah, thanks! I've been fighting since I was... shit, since I was little. I mean, I grew up in a bad part of town, y'know? I also grew up with an older brother, so we fought a hell of a lot when we were younger.

[He looks a bit distant at that, but he snaps out of it pretty quickly.]

You were pretty fucking great yourself! I haven't had that much fun in a while!

[strongestoftheturks]

[Rude shrugs, he's not too bothered about praise.]

I just needed to complete the mission.

[But a tiny smirk appears after a short pause.]

...it was a little fun.

[thatsawiggle]

[One of the birds who sticks her head out of where she had been hiding in the shadows was the large, purple head of the very Aerodactyl who Jin had been injured grappling with. While not strictly a bird, she's an ancestor of birds, and you know what, shut up is what. Rock burd doesn't care about scientific classifications.

If it has wings or can learn Fly you bet your sweet ass it'll end up on Jin's team.]

Aye, I know that lesson good 'n well! After a while it isn't a challenge no more, and there's no fun in an unfair match, says I.

[He swings down from the tree and lands neatly on his mostly-bare feet, his arms akimbo and his mouth split in a huge grin.]

[diamondo]

See, I knew you weren't as uptight as you try to act!

[Mondo looks far too pleased with that, though.]

We'll have to do it again sometime!

[strongestoftheturks]

...how about a round? Here and now.

Just fists; no serious injuries. You win if you knock your opponent to the ground.

[ardent]

...I think there's a point where our own will has to take priority over anyone else's expectations, though.

[His words are a bit slower than they usually are; at the very least, he seems to be trying to think before he speaks, which is likely vast improvement over the usual, if a bit stilted-sounding conversationally.]

I'm not saying that wanting to surpass or exceed the expectations and achievements of others isn't a valid goal - that's my own ambition, after all, and I can see where it would likewise be yours. But I don't think that should be our only motivation...especially here, when we have nothing to compare it to but our own memories of the person we're trying to live up to.

Doing these things for someone else is also good - I know that I'm doing this for my family, just as you are for the other members of your gang - but after a while, you have to begin working for yourself, as well. Not for the deceased, and not for those you're obligated to, but just to satisfy your own spirit and your own will to succeed. Does that make sense?

[diamondo]

[Mondo is silent while he considers that. Ishimaru does have a point, especially about this place. There's no telling what Daiya would have done with Pokémon or this world in general. He has been living for himself here, but he hadn't even realized it. Mondo shifts a bit, glancing upwards as he tries to form a response.]

...I think you're right, 'specially about this place. I can't just live life the way Daiya would've wanted me to, 'cause I dunno how he would've reacted to this place. I've been doing things on my own, I just hadn't really... realized it, I guess? Or rather, realized that I wasn't doing things for anyone else here.

[Well, sort of. He's still trying to bring his classmates here, but that's a decision he made.]

I really appreciate hearing that, kyoudai. Fuck, I hadn't thought about it like that.

text

[diamondo]

there's a gym in azalea?

[Look who's been paying attention...]

we'll have to talk to the others, but i think we should stop by there!
we should be able to get the badge with no problems!

[diamondo]

[Mondo grins, nodding.]

You're on! Let's fucking do this thing!

[diamondo]

[Well that sure is an Aerodactyl... Mondo's isn't out today since he's still raising it, but at least Jin's seems to be listening to him now!]

Yeah, exactly! Like that gym battle - that was way too fucking easy! I mean, I guess I over-leveled and shit, but I figured it'd be way harder than it actually was!

[strongestoftheturks]

[Rude nods and pulls out a pair of gloves from his pocket. They're not battle gloves but they do the trick for now. Once he slips them on, he faces Oowoda, his calm exterior a mask to the growing excitement within.]

You go first.

[diamondo]

[That grin doesn't fade, but Mondo immediately shifts into a proper stance. He's about 6'2" and ridiculously large for a teenager and while it's obvious that he can pack a punch, the bruise on his back should hinder him a bit. This is a fight for fun however, and Mondo intends to enjoy himself.

He swings a punch in the direction of Rude's chest suddenly, leaving himself wide open for a counter attack.]

[ardent]

[...well, that seems to please him immensely - both because Ishimaru is kind of the definition of #helping in general, and because he actually managed to navigate what he's assuming was a fairly complex social situation without the whole thing crashing and burning horribly. Go team dangan.]

I'm glad to hear that I could help you, kyoudai - I want to do whatever I can for you!

[diamondo]

'Course you have! You help me out a lot, kyoudai! And just so you know, I'll always do whatever I can for you too! So if you ever need anything, you can come to me!

[Though really, he doubts he could ever help Ishimaru as much as Ishimaru's been helping him here.]

[strongestoftheturks]

[A hard swing. To block might not be as effective to dodge but the distance between them is a little too close for that, so Rude opts to grapple instead. Just as Mondo's fist is about to hit, Rude quickly steps to the side and pulls the kids wrist downwards and away from his body. Mondo still manages to clip him a little in the arm, but that doesn't stop Rude from dishing out a punch of his own. While the punch carries force, it's definitely controlled and aimed somewhere where he isn't injured; Rude aims for his face.]

text

[readapts]

Yes! I think so... Bug types, I think? So my quilava should be able to...

We'll have to arrange a date when we want to go... Just to make sure everybody will be okay with it, right?

[ardent]

You've already done a lot, believe me!

[He laughs, though, nudging Mondo a bit as he does so.]

I couldn't ask for a better brother than you, you know!

[neededlassie]

You swear a lot don't you?

[diamondo]

You don't know how much that means to me.

[It really does mean a lot to him. He reaches out to lightly shove Ishimaru.]

Yeah, well I'll always be your brother and I'll always look out for you! Someone's gotta!

text

[diamondo]

shit bug types? fuck, i raise a lot of dark types so i guess i'll have to see if i've got anything that's good against them

yeah of course!

oh speaking of dates did you know ishimaru's birthday is coming up?
august 31st!
i really wanna throw him a party since i don't think he's ever had a really good one before

[diamondo]

that's putting it lightly...
you gotta problem with it?

[diamondo]

[There isn't much of a place for Mondo to move to, so that punch connects solidly. He grunts, but takes the hit rather well and moves to try to break free from Rude's grasp to put some space between them. He's not left-handed, but he aims a punch for Rude's stomach in an effort to at least wind him.]

[ardent]

[You can have that shove returned, you!]

Just like someone has to keep you in line, right?

[diamondo]

Now's the time for the obligatory "I can look after myself," right?

[He laughs and throws an arm around Ishimaru's shoulders, squeezing briefly before letting him go.]