023. [Anonymous Text + Images/Video]

[explosivecombat]

[An anonymous text will be going out to the network today; the ID is consistent with the one that usually sends out things along these lines from Seth.

Surprisingly (and lbr, probably refreshingly), there aren't any images of Seth's "work" prefacing the text; it simply gets to the point.]

It's been a year since we first met. As predicted, I'm still doing just fine. Those who stated I would be caught before the year mark have officially failed in their task.

But as I've said before, I like to level the playing field a bit once in a while. It keeps things interesting for me. And since people in this place tend to like their anniversaries, I thought I would celebrate mine with an invitation for you.

I'm in Goldenrod City for the next week. If you want a battle, you're more than welcome to it.

I have eyes all over the city. Set up a trap for me and I'll know. But meet me as my equal and you'll be rewarded.

No tricks. No lies. Just battle.

Contact me and we'll see what can be arranged.

[The text is punctuated with an image, taken in what appears to be a mostly-dark meeting room; the focus of the picture is on a set of six Ultra Balls, shining dimly from what little light is illuminating the room. Visible behind the table they're set on is what's clearly a Team Rocket member, visible from the upper chest to about his hips; he's leaning against the table, gloved hands braced on either side of the set of Ultra Balls, and as usual, the red R insignia on his shirt is able to be seen easily enough.

The second attachment is a brief video. Though his face is still out of the shot, the Rocket in question seems to have seated himself behind that table; the Ultra Balls are still displayed in front of him, but a white card is obscuring some of them, pinned between two of his fingers. The card is handwritten in thick, blocky lettering, as though they've been written over repeatedly, obscuring the handwriting and making them less identifiable.

MY NAME IS SETH. A YEAR AGO TODAY, I BEGAN MY WORK.

AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE WANTED TO MEET ME IN PERSON.

He turns the card over slowly; there are two words written on the back, in the same style as the front.

ANY CHALLENGERS?]


[OOC]

[If there are any takers when it comes to this challenge of Kimblee's, there will be a log set up later this week to accommodate all your battling needs! This post is for the sake of arranging such things, should anyone be interested in trying to throttle the bastard. This isn't a plot so much as it is a post in two parts, so to speak.]

Comments

[determinator]

[Again Archer has to take a moment to calm himself down. He's frustrated that Kimblee would use that against him.]

I would never have had any issues trusting you if you would just come to me in the first place. You don't have any excuse for that.

[That's just it, isn't it? Kimblee always has an excuse for his actions. It's always everyone else's fault.]

And do you think that the way I've been acting has nothing to do with you? No, it's not entirely your fault, but I wouldn't be under as much stress if you would talk to me about these sorts of things before you just do them.

[explosivecombat]

You don't seem to understand what I'm telling you, Archer. I can't come to you with things like this.

[He breathes deeply, trying to calm himself down; his eyes slide closed for a moment as he continues.]

I'll be able to handle this; you know that I'm competent enough to manage. This is simply something that needs to be done.

[determinator]

Something that needs to be done.

[Archer sounds like he can't believe Kimblee just said that. He runs a hand through his hair and shakes his head slightly, repeating it.]

Something that needs to be done.

[He's never had the urge to repeat something until it sinks in, but now he can understand why Kimblee and Isaac do it.]

And why is this "something that needs to be done"?

[explosivecombat]

[Archer never has that reaction, and Kimblee knows it; he's aware that that likely isn't a good sign, and for a moment he considers telling him. About the last three weeks, about the pervasive thoughts that have managed to entwine themselves around everything else he's done, about the discussion with Lust and the places his mind went immediately upon meeting with her and how much he-

It's not anything he knows how to discuss.]

...I...

[He hesitates. Shakes his head.]

It's an entirely personal reason.

[determinator]

[Archer recognizes that expression; it's not a favorable one. It means something is very wrong, and despite his frustration with Kimblee, he knows better than to simply dismiss it.]

...You can still talk to me, you know.

[That might sound a bit petulant.]

[explosivecombat]

[His stance doesn't relax any at that, though he does tip his head a bit. Acknowledging the point, if nothing else.]

I'm aware of that, Archer. It's nothing that you need to trouble yourself with.

[determinator]

And yet you know I will anyway.

[Archer finally takes a seat, glancing idly at the papers for a moment before dismissing them.]

Don't act like it's nothing. I saw that expression. That's never a good sign.

[explosivecombat]

[...well, at least this is decidedly less confrontational, though Kimblee still doesn't relax; his eyes slide closed for a moment, and he's clearly trying to remain casual when he speaks again, traces of the usual soft smirk returning, though it's clearly forced.

This would work much better were he not such a poor liar when it comes to this sort of thing.]

Again, it's a personal matter that I'm working toward resolving. I won't say that it's nothing, but it really is nothing to worry about; again, you have my apologies for upsetting you, it won't happen again.

[determinator]

[Archer is silent for a moment, studying Kimblee.]

Please talk to me.

[That's said in a surprisingly genuine voice! He doesn't sound upset at all!]

This is obviously important to you. I would like to help in any way I can.

[explosivecombat]

[That seems to give him pause; he shakes his head again, though he's back to staring a bit.]

It's just a matter of thinking too much, that's all.

[determinator]

If that's all it was, I doubt it would be effecting you this badly.

[explosivecombat]

...I met with someone I knew back in Amestris, some time ago; I suppose it's still on my mind.

[determinator]

[Head...tilt...]

Who was it? What was it about?

[He knows full well that Kimblee doesn't always need to tell him what he's doing, but something like this sounds important. Why didn't Kimblee bring it up before now?]

[explosivecombat]

It was one of the Homunculi that I worked closely with, back in Ishval. It had been some time since I had seen her last, and so I agreed to meet with her.

I wasn't threatened by her, before you ask; she simply wanted to catch up. We weren't particularly close back then, but I still knew her somewhat better than most of the others at the time, save Envy.

[determinator]

So you just just caught up?

[Why is it still bothered by it then?]

[explosivecombat]

[He hesitates. Why can't he just say it?]

Primarily, yes.

[He can't.]

It was an interesting discussion; I haven't had much chance to really speak to those I knew from Amestris, with the obvious exception of Isaac.

[determinator]

I see. I suppose it would be nice to speak with someone from back home.

[It still doesn't add up though.]

Is that all you discussed?

[explosivecombat]

She wanted to know what I'd been up to; I think you should meet with her soon. She could be a valuable ally.

[...]

At the same time, there were some...unpleasantries that resulted, I suppose you'd call them. Nothing she did; simply errant thoughts. It's nothing I can't handle.

[determinator]

Of course. I'd like to meet with her, if you think she'll be useful to us.

What sort of thoughts?

[explosivecombat]

Regarding my work, and the situation back in Amestris.

[He pauses; he's smiling again, though the expression is dissonant. Wrong.]

It was interesting work, assisting the Homunculi; I never had any doubt that it would kill me eventually - but the payoff, I felt would be worth it. I sacrificed my personal freedom and control over my own fate, in exchange for the power to change the world. I was a weapon for all of them; for some of them, there may have been the same sort of fondness that you would afford a possession that you happen to like but can always replace if it breaks. Nothing terribly important; just inconvenient if something happens to it. And yet I worked with them, for my chance to change the world.

It gave me a reason to continue fighting. I had next to nothing back in Amestris, but I had a reason to continue fighting.

What do I have here?

[He's still smiling; his body has started to shake.]

I have no reason to continue existing. I have no proper field of battle. I certainly don't have my alchemy. I could disappear tomorrow and it would mean nothing to this world - to individuals, perhaps, but then they would disappear as well, and a fair few of them won't even remember that I existed in the first place. This is all I have, and there's nothing for me here; this world is focused entirely on things I don't experience, on feelings I don't have - do you think I'm unaware that I'm different from others? That's why I require my battlefield, so I can actually exist for however long the conflict lasts, so I can have a reason to see things through.

I was better off under constant threats, working for beings who held nothing but contempt for me at best and doing a job that I knew was going to kill me, than I am here. Do you think that I don't know what that says about me?

[determinator]

[Archer listens to all of that silently, but he can't quite believe what he's hearing. Yes, he knows that Kimblee is different and doesn't feel things in the same way he does (and even he doesn't feel things in the same way most people do), but he never realized it was this bad. Kimblee doesn't just want this, he needs it.

This entire operation - their alliance with Cobra, all the anonymous attacks, all their plans - isn't just for the end result. No, the end result doesn't matter, does it? Kimblee was prepared to die in Amestris, just for a chance to change the world. Look at how much they've changed this world. They've almost single-handedly made Team Rocket a threat. But it's not enough. Kimblee needs to battle because it's the only thing that gets close to what he felt back home.

Archer understands that. He's not sure how he does, but he does. The idea scares him more than he lets on.]

...I think I understand.

[The words are soft and after a moment, Archer gets up to approach Kimblee. He hesitates, suddenly not sure if he should touch Kimblee, but then reaches out to pull the alchemist into a hug anyway.]

I didn't realize just how important this was to you. I didn't realize what you were going through.

[He doesn't know how to properly explain it, but he does understand. It's like his own need to break down every once in awhile - it seems horribly detrimental, but it's something he needs in order to set himself right again. This is something Kimblee needs in order to set things right. This is something he needs to do, and Archer isn't going to stop him.]

You should have told me sooner.

[But the chiding is gentle; Archer knows why Kimblee didn't. He couldn't put his pride aside for long enough to say anything. He understands that as well.]

I'm sorry I snapped at you. As I said, I didn't realize that this is what you were going through. I know you can handle it on your own, but would you like assistance?

[explosivecombat]

[He lets Archer pull him forward, though he's admittedly...more than somewhat confused and for a long moment he just sort of allows it rather than actively participating; at the same time, he'd flinched a bit at the initial touch, but he doesn't move to try to push Archer off, either. He simply lets Archer hug him until he has his bearings; this sort of thing is always a bit of a production, as he goes, especially when what emotions he has are running high.

But he loosens up eventually, settling his hands lightly on Archer's back.]

As I said, it isn't anything that I could discuss. I was under the impression that this would pass before now; it's more uncomfortable than painful. I'll be fine.

[The words are even, however, a bit too much so - less calm and more completely devoid of tone; he steps back a bit after a moment.]

This is extremely childish, I apologize; I don't...miss anything about Amestris normally, and bluntly put I'm aware that I shouldn't, given the situation, but it's just been difficult lately for some reason. It won't happen again.

[determinator]

[Archer allows Kimblee to pull back, letting go entirely as he does so. The alchemist's remark earns an eyeroll though.]

I wouldn't call it childish. Most people here seem to miss their homes, even if their worlds were as terrible as ours. It's not necessarily Amestris that you miss, it's the constant fighting, the fact that there was always something to do. This world isn't like that. Yes, there are Pokémon and yes, there's Team Rocket, but it's not even close to what you experienced back home. Of course you're going to miss that.

You don't need to apologize for it and you certainly don't need to worry about it being an issue. It's just something we'll need to take into account when we plan things. The fact that you're still eager to fight despite knowing the consequences if we fail is incredibly useful.

Don't worry so much about it. We all have our moments.

[Some more than others...]

[explosivecombat]

[...okay, look, this sort of shit is why he's friends with you, you asshole, give him a moment to process this.]

I...yes, well. Of course I'm willing to fight, regardless of consequences; I don't see why I wouldn't be.

[LET'S JUST. FOCUS ON THAT...]

[determinator]

[See, you just need a sassy gay friend equally crazy bff and everything works out!]

You'll always be incredibly useful, Kimblee. We might not have the same opportunities that we had in Amestris, but that doesn't mean that we can't make something of ourselves here. You want to change this world? We'll make sure we're never forgotten. We'll leave this world reeling. Nothing is going to stand in our way.