sculpted | MISSION 003 [NORTHERN ROUTE 34

[[Should you be on the outskirts of Goldenrod City today, you may come across a shirtless Major Armstrong and his Riolu, who are standing just off the path leading to the Daycare. They appear to be having some sort of argument; well, Armstrong is doing the angry talking and the Riolu is looking indignant and sulky.

Armstrong is a fighter by heart, and when he realised Riolu's talents for fighting, he immediately set out to teach the little Pokemon all he knew about hand to hand combat. He took to it well, quickly learning a number of techniques ranging from simple to complex.

There is one thing, however, that has Armstrong concerned.]]

Berli, that Rattata had had more than enough. You shouldn't have continued to attack it!

[[The Riolu scowls, angrily kicking at the dirt, refusing to look his trainer in the eye. Armstrong sighs, and kneels down so that he can talk to the Pokemon a bit more intimately, without looking so intimidating.]]

To be a truly noble fighter, Berli, you need to learn to recognize when to show mercy. Your opponent was posing no danger to you or any of your friends, and was trying to escape; attacking it was a cowardly thing to do.

[[He pauses, then, a sad look coming over his face as he appears lost in some distant memory. It passes quickly, however, and he's soon back to looking serious but sympathetic.]]

Next time I tell you to stop, you must stop. Before long, you'll be able to see it yourself. There is no satisfaction to be gained from a fight where the tables are hopelessly turned in your favour.

[[Berli rolls his eyes, but nods, continuing to sheepishly kick the dirt, which is quickly followed by indignant flailing as his trainer rubs his head.]]

I'll make a warrior worthy of the Armstrong name out of you yet!

[[...now to deal with his poor Graveler, who is lying, smoking, on the side of the road with a pleased but exhausted expression on his face. Armstrong's frown deepens.]]

...how about you take a break from doing that to yourself, Ben...

[[GUESS WHO JUST LEARNED SELF-DESTRUCT....]]

I was wondering if anyone had information about an ailment that appears to be affecting one of my pokemon. I've attached a picture:

According to the Pokegear, he should be a blue colour. Is there anything wrong with him? I'd like to know so I can get him treatment immediately, should he be ill!

Hughes, I have made it to Goldenrod City! What are your whereabouts?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[[Have a sigh.]]

I....well, I'm sure you're aware of how I came to leave the battlefield. It was a....culmination of things, really. I was naive.

[[His hands will tighten into trembling fists as he fights to keep his voice even.]]

And...forgive me, I've never...spoken about this, not to anyone...I can't allow myself to live happily...not until I get the chance to prove to myself that if the time comes I won't...I won't...run...no matter what happens!!

[ Elsie, the Eevee, senses that something is wrong, and makes her way toward Armstrong. She pauses for a moment, paws at your pant leg, and then takes a seat on your foot and looks up.

... Try to not move too much? Elsie isn't going to like being flung somewhere. ]

[ He's silent for a long moment, given Armstrong a bit of time to compose himself again. ]

We were all rather naive back then.

I'm not sure what exactly happened then. [ Though, he's certainly heard stories. Military men tend to gossip like old ladies sometimes. But Maes never really paid those stories much attention. ] But, from what I've seen working with you, Major, you're not a runner.

[[....this Eevee omg

have a pat!!]]

I just....

[[Now he's seriously shaking, his free hand pulling at the grass.]]

I can't get their screams out of my head....when I trapped them, like rats...

[[And he's crying again, but there's nothing joyous in it any more.]]

And the woman with her mother...I gave them false hope! They looked at me with such fearful gratitude, and then...!!

[[Just...let him sob for a moment, could you.]]

[ Yes. Pet the Eevee. She'll make you feel bett--

Oh. No. Wait... no, clearly the answer is to keep petting the Eevee.

Maes will give you a moment to sob. Elsie, on the other hand, is very determined to figure out what's wrong. So she'll be pawing at you for a little while and nudging you with her nose. ]

[[Fighting to gain control of himself, Armstrong wipes his eyes and straightens up.]]

...I'm sorry, Hughes.

What for?

You've done nothing to be apologetic for.

....I did....do something.

[[A pause.]]

....promise me that you won't mention this to anyone else?

[ A nod. ]

Not a word.

I trust you.

[[And with that, he sighs, wipes his eyes again, and starts speaking.]]

There was a woman and her elderly mother hiding near me, at Ishval. I don't know what compelled me to do it, but I broke a hole through the wall I'd made to allow them to escape. I suppose it was the weight of my conscience playing at me.

...for a moment, I...I thought they were going to make it. They looked back at me, with eyes of fear tinged with hope; a desperate hope!

...and then...

[[....sorry, he's gotten choked up again; give him a minute?]]

[ He's pressing his lips together into a thin line, but other than that, Maes isn't making any reactions. He'll give you all the time you need, Armstrong. He understands it is difficult. ]

[[Come on Armstrong, pull yourself together!]]

...and then they were gone. He'd...blown them to pieces.

... He...?!

[ Now there's a weird turn of events. He wasn't expecting that. ]

...the Crimson Alchemist, Kimblee.

[[Just let him rub at his eyes a bit, there.]]

He said that...I could have gotten a court martial for what I'd done. He then offered me his hand.

[[...wait, nevermind, here come more tears.]]

His hand, Hughes! To help me up! After...!

[ It really isn't possible for him to be pressing his lips together any harder than he is right now.

For a moment, he doesn't speak.

Finally, ]

The war... brought out the worst in all of us.

[ He was part of activities that would have received a court martial for as well, to be honest. He understands Armstrong's actions. But at the same time, they'd all destroyed so many families. He somewhat understood Kimblee's stance as well. ]

You did all you could for that family. You're a kind and caring person, Major. The world needs more people like you.

[ Though, perhaps not on the battlefield.

But he's already promised to support one idealistic idiot to the top. One more wouldn't hurt. ]

[[Sighing again, Armstrong tries once again to wipe the tears from his eyes.]]

....that's the first time I've ever spoken about that to anyone. I....feel a bit better.

Thank you for listening to me, Hughes. Do you understand, now, what I mean when I said I can't focus on my happiness, yet?

I need to know...that next time I won't run.

[ Handing you a handkerchief. It's blue and matches his military uniform. You can keep it... ]

Hopefully, there won't be a next time.

I both do, and I don't.

[[...have a smile, okay.]]

Should it happen, you can be sure I'll be right by your side, Lt Colonel!

There isn't anyone else I'd rather have by my side.

[[....oh well done

now he's crying again 8|

.....but it's a lot happier this time.]]

Hughes....!

[ Oh dear, the crying...

He'll just let you cry this one out. ]

MISSION 003 [NORTHERN ROUTE 34 - ACTION/VIDEO/TEXT]

CAN HE HUG YOU IF HE PROMISES NOT TO BREAK ANYTHING ;A;

1/2 .... OKAY... LETS HUG THIS OUT, DUDE.

no subject

THAT...THAT WOULD BE NICE....

... OKAY. JUST THIS ONCE. HUGHES WILL SMOTHER YOU IN HIS BOSSOM... OR SOMETHING...

HE WILL SMOTHER HIMSELF IN YOUR BOSOM, HUGHES

... AS LONG AS HUGHES ISN'T GETTING SMOTHERED IN ANYTHING...

...HE'S NOT SURE HE CAN MAKE THAT PROMISE ;w;

O-OH... WELL... UM... ...... OH, WHAT THE HECK, COME OVER HERE, ARMSTRONG. >:

LET'S JUST CLING FOREVER SOB

OKAY. ALL THE CLINGS, FOR YOU.

IT'S GUY LOVE BETWEEN TWO GUYS, ETC

\o/ MOST BEAUTIFUL LOVE

TRULY, A RAD BROMANCE!

CAUGHT IN A RAD BROMANCE?

HE WANTS YOUR LOVE, NOT...SO MUCH YOUR REVENGE

HE WANTS YOUR EVERYTHING... AS LONG AS IT'S FREE

LET'S BE FREE BITCHES, BABY!

RAH-RAH-AH-AH-AH...?

WORKS FOR ME

WHAT HAS THIS THREAD BECOME...?