There was a lot that needed to be said between them. So much that was hard to know where to even begin. How much did Micha know about what had happened back at Sinnoh after he left? What had happened to him to have ended up in Hoenn and as a member of Team Rocket? Emotions swirled within the man as he approached the old car yard. The happiness and relief of seeing him again, of knowing he was alive and doing well, the understanding and sympathy as to why he may have been so desperate to leave; all of it mixed with old anger and disappointment – his mind filled with the memory of how worried she had been when Micha had left. How sad she had been that he wasn’t there on their wedding day. How much she missed her little brother.
[break][break]
Still, when he saw him, he smiled, in that way only Mars knew how. That confident, dashing grin that was so full of charm. The one that could have so easily belonged in a toothpaste commercial. Today his outfit was casual: shorts and a short sleeve shirt, sunglasses, fitting of Summer. Today he was just Mars, not Martín del Mar. ”Mint!” He greeted, adapting without issue to the new alias of one that he could still so easily think of as his own younger sibling. It was cute. It fitted.
[break][break]
”Ice Beam, huh? Nice going, Gelato.” He watched the little fox that looked just as he remembered and for a second he considered reaching for Melpomene’s pokéball. He chose not to though. Since, truly, there was no way Melpomene would treat Micha– Mint like she used to. Instead, he released a Croconaw, nodding casually towards the rusty husk that was once a pick-up truck.
[break][break]
Thalia understood, and turning towards the car, she jumped on the hood, hitting the windshield with SUPERPOWER.
[BREAK][BREAK]

+ mint frost

fRsMX_3M

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Mars!” he practically squealed, whipping his head away from the carnage to look at his older brother. It may not have been by blood, but they had long since forged a bond as siblings. Something, when not under the stress of a violent gang, emerged immediately. Naturally. This was familiar, and it was one of the few old things in his life that he didn’t try to avoid. It wasn’t just him either. As the man continued speaking, the usually timid Vulpix turned around, ears perked before letting out a small cry and happily rushing over. Like trainer like pokemon. Mint wasn’t too far behind jogging up to the taller man. He stopped to watch and see what pokemon was let out, gasping quietly as he watched a Croconaw leap out of the beam before smashing into the windshield….only to promptly bounce back and dent the hood of the car. He let out a snicker before turning back to Mars. [break][break]

He raised up his hands to reach out for the man for a hug before stopping himself short and waving at the man. “Your buddy’s cute!” he chirped excitedly. Without a hug, he had no outlet to release the sudden burst of clinginess within him. “How’ve you been?” he asked as Gelato began nuzzling one of Mars’ legs cooing excitedly. It was a miracle the little guy wasn’t crying. He cried about everything after all. After greeting Mars, Gelato pawed as his shoe before perking up as Mint nodded over at where Thalia was. “Try not to hit your new friend, ok?” he said. Without receiving the order, Gelato bounded back to the car and focused his attention at the windshield that remained scuffed but still intact. He began glowing with a weird power as he attempted to crush the windshield with Extrasensory. As he did, Mint pulled down a pair of sunglasses, nervous that shard of debris would go flying. “Still can’t believe you’re here- in Hoenn!” Mint said, still giddy. He seemed to be glossing over the more horrible things like, well, everything.


[break][break]

rwIyjKRz

[break][break]

+ Martín del Mar HEHEHEHE bonus misison: destroy car

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The storm of emotions remained, but for a short moment, joy overtook all of them – Mars finding himself ruffling the other’s hair just as he had done back when they were no more than children. Micha’s hair had been short back then. Mint’s was much longer. Honestly, Mars liked this much better.
[break][break]
”Sure, she’s cute as hell. But cute isn’t gonna get that car destroyed, Thalia!” He grinned as he turned to his pokémon, but the Croconaw understood exactly what he meant: she only had one more chance to prove that she could do this by herself. Mars may not have been cruel to his pokémon, but pets they were not, and he had no use for them if they couldn’t even rip apart an old clunker like this one.
[break][break]
Yet, despite his hidden annoyance at the Croconaw, an arm was wrapped around Mint’s shoulders with warm familiarity – as if all those years they spent without seeing each other had suddenly vanished. ”Ha! Wild coincidence, right? How did you end up over here anyway?” The question came easily, but it was filled with hidden curiosity, Mars wondering for how long he could act cheerful about all this before Mint inevitably asked about her. What would he say? How much did he know? How would he react if he didn’t know?
[break][break]
The Extrasensory damaged the windshield, but it didn’t completely smash it to pieces. And, for a moment, the Croconaw looked as if she was considering attacking it again, but instead she chose to go for one of the wheels, opening her jaws wide and using ICE FANG in an attempt to rip it off cleanly.

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ mint frost

TB|Im7M0

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

The gesture is appreciated as Mint leaned into the head pat while letting out a small laugh. He looked over at the Croconaw before cupping a hand around his mouth and cheering her on. “C’mon Thalia!! Get ‘em Gelato!!” As he’s pulled in closer, the younger trainer leaned in to wrap his arms around his brother’s waist to give him a quick hug as he watched their pokemon tackle the old truck together. “Oh you know~ Though a more tropical place would be fun to settle down in. Then it got really busy.” That’s what he’d call it. Faking his own death and avoiding sending any sort of missive that he was alive. It was fine. [break][break]


Gelato yelped as he felt the truck move as Thalia gnawed at one of the unflattened tires, crunching up the rim a bit. He hopped back but stayed focused on the cracked windshield. One more time should do it. He attempted a second Extrasensory this time his eyes glowing a soft pink color as power bubbled up inside him. “It’s been pretty hectic. I feel like a part timer, but I might as well be working different full-time jobs.” He added with a laugh. “But at least my job is walking distance. Lillycove’s taxis are way too expensive for me.” He continued. He neglected to mention how much he’d been learning about…well money and how it felt to not have it anymore. Frankly, he wished he’d stolen more out of his family’s accounts. But whatever. It was greasing his loan shark business and that was fine enough for him. He was just too impatient for it sometimes. Maybe he should shorten the repayment deadlines…



[break][break]

v4BqAclu

[break][break]

+ Martín del Mar HEHEHEHE bonus misison: destroy car

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

’Thought a more tropical place would be fun to settle down in. Then it got really busy.’
[break][break]
That was putting it mildly. Did he really not realize all the pain he caused when he left? Did he not care? Thinking about it made anger stir, but Mint’s arms wrapped around him and those emotions were soothed. He probably just didn’t want to talk about the details. Things must not have been easy for him all these years. There’s no way they could have been, or he wouldn’t have ended up in Team Rocket.
[break][break]
While watching their pokémon’s sorry attempts at destruction, Mars considered this, and it was with a sigh that he called the Croconaw back – in her place releasing his Blastoise.
[break][break]
”This is Calliope.” He said, since he knew Mint would ask, and in turn the Blastoise looked down at Mint with calm eyes, nodding. ”Cal, help Mint’s Vulpix.”
[break][break]
The Blastoise then turned to look at the little ice fox, watching it use Extrasensory on the windshield to a certain degree of success. Damn, that was a strong windshield.
[break][break]
”Ah, I can understand that, but you also shouldn’t overwork yourself – resting is important.” Affectionately, a hand was placed at the top of Mint’s head. If Lilycove’s taxis were too expensive for him, didn’t that mean he was really struggling with money? It would make sense; Michaelis Fisk was never taught the worth of things, and Mint Frost had no support system behind him. Until now, at least.
[break][break]
”Mint, if you need help, you can just ask, you know?” These were honest words, yet as he said them, there was a bright flash of light, coming as a result of the Blastoise shooting a FLASH CANNON at the car.


[BREAK][BREAK]

+ mint frost | CURRENT TOTAL: 227 (Counting this roll)

L72fGT|4

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Oh? She’s cute too!” Mint said quickly, looking up at the Blastoise is awe before turning to watch wat she’d d to the practice car. Gelato is shaking, half in effort half in frustration. What was wrong with this car. Were they really just old junkers? As Calliope makes it to the scene, he’s quick to hope off the car, especially after he noticed energy gathering around her. The Alolan Vulpix scrambled to the side before watch a beam of energy smash and push the truck back a few feet. The wheels that were miraculously unpopped, ripped open and the rims sparked as they scratched the ground. And the windshield?? Dented, chipped? The dust settled to reveal a smashed open windshield. Bits of incredibly thick glass still stuck around the edges and huge chunks of it lay scattered around the truck. [break][break]

Not to be outdone by the bigger pokemon, Gelato hit’s a little competitive streak and jumps forward, bounding a bit past Calliope to attempt one his stronger moves. It was harder to control but he wanted to start using it when he wasn’t incredibly stressed out. Ice gathered at his paws and began to streak out like cracks in the ground towards the truck as he built up a Sheer Cold attack. Mint nodded but let out a small laugh in response. “I get plenty of catch-up naps at the daycare, I’m ok.” Eventually, if he intended ot make a career out of Rocket things, which was an insane sentence, he might have to drop the Daycare. But it was really fun for now. Maybe the answer was taking less missions or lending out less money. Something had to give.[break][break]

He’s caught a bit off guard at Mars’ assurances. He heard that a lot from other grunts. Some as a courtesy, others as a motto but even with a whole year there he hadn’t put a lot of stock into it just yet. With Mars though…it felt believable. When had he ever lied to him? The guilt he had been suppressing since their first meeting suddenly resurfaced, digging its long nails into his heart. He let go of the man, smiling regardless. “Hehe, of course! I can always count on my big bro, right?” he said, looking at his partner. “Just being around is enough…” He added, tone shifting slightly before he let out a cheer for Gelato. [break][break]

Mint had chosen to do this. To be lonely, and to isolate himself. Maybe he was selfish because given the chance to do it all over again, he would’ve. But that doesn’t keep people from getting mad at you. And that doesn’t console anyone.


[break][break]

zMtBaEm|

[break][break]

+ Martín del Mar HEHEHEHE bonus misison: destroy car

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

He hasn’t changed at all.
[break][break]
Mars became more and more sure of this with the more they talked.
[break][break]
He may have looked older, he may have dressed differently, he may have acted cheerful and carefree, but beneath all that there was still the same boy who Mars had once had to drag out of his studio in order to go for a walk and have some ice cream because he hadn’t left it in weeks. The same boy who refused to ask for help when he needed it.
[break][break]
Back then, nothing Mars had done had been able to stop Michaelis Fisk from reaching the breaking point that had pushed him to leave. This time around, Mars refused to allow the same to happen with Mint. Was this hypocritical of him? Maybe, since he himself would have never accepted most people’s help or admitted to needing it, but no one ever said Mars wasn’t a hypocrite.
[break][break]
”No, stop by my office tomorrow. I’ll send you the address,” he smiled, well aware that he hadn’t told Mint a single thing about what he did for work beyond Team Rocket, or about the bank. Just being around wouldn’t cut it this time though; he wanted to make sure his little brother would be alright.
[break][break]
And while they spoke of this, the Blastoise watched the Vulpix attempting to control his ice attack, her eyes narrowing slightly as a layer of frost formed over the vehicle. Calliope wasn’t a competitive pokémon at all, but this time her cannons charged with ice, sending an ICE BEAM towards the back of the car.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ mint frost | CURRENT TOTAL: 345 (Counting this roll)

|IheNttI

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

When the attack doesn’t take, Gelato’s tail wagged in frustration. Bits of ice forming and then melting only a third of the way to the car. And then he heard something switch on. With a yip, the Alolan Vulpix flinched watching the powerful beam of ice go over his head and smash into the car. Metal dented and frost and ice quickly accumulated over the truck. He swore the truck crunched inwards squeezing against the cold. Mint can feel the cold from here, but he’s not awestruck like Gelato. [break][break]

Instead, Mint is looking up at Mars, eyes shining wit ha mix of emotion. But Mint doesn’t let any of it spill over. One would’ve thought Mars too forceful a man, but as his older brother, by law or not, Mint felt relief. He’d felt it back when he hadn’t immediately shipped back to Hearthome, and he felt it again with his brother’s assurances. He shouldn’t accept help. He was a grown young man, striking out on his own. He worked now- he paid for his own house now. He…he had friends now. Some. He may not have been as close to them as he had been with @artemis but he had them. Despite his meager pride, of which he had little left, he budged. But not before rebuffing Mars once more. “At work? I don’t want to interrupt you at your job.” He replied, shuffling on his feet awkwardly. [break][break]

As Mint beat around his own bush, Gelato set to work. Eyes glowing with psychic energy and small pebbles floating around the fox pokemon, he attempted to snap or twist the block of ice and metal before him. Just one last attempt at wrecking the absolute crap out of this car. “I was serious about just seeing you, Mars.” He added kicking off a pebble. “I-…you know, it just feels nice.” It would never be like his childhood again, but maybe despite Cosima being gone, he could still enjoy being with his brother again. Call him weak willed, or pathetic, but Mint craved that familiarity again despite cutting himself off for so long.

[break][break]

sgy_ULBF

[break][break]

+ Martín del Mar HEHEHEHE bonus misison: destroy car

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Where the Croconaw had failed, the Blastoise thrived, once again proving why Mars considered her to be one of the more reliable among his pokémon. If the Vulpix’s earnest attempts had somehow raised any doubts as to the destructive power of ice and frost, Calliope made all of them vanish within seconds – her Ice Beam resulting overwhelmingly effective. The car lay frozen, the damage caused beneath the thick layer of ice left only to the imagination and what guesswork could be done based on the horrible sounds made by metal.
[break][break]
Mars paid this no mind, not even bothering with praising the Blastoise, who also didn’t seem to expect him to do as much. Instead, his attention belonged to Mint and only Mint, amber gaze fixed on the one who truly was as if a little brother to him. Who really was a little brother to him.
[break][break]
”Mint.” There was nothing harsh about his tone, only saying the other’s name in order to get his attention. ”I’m here for you. I’m not going anywhere.” These were simple words, but they were also a promise – one he intended to keep even if it cost him.
[break][break]
Calliope launched towards the remnants of the car in order to shatter the ice with a RAPID SPIN (and maybe even cause some extra damage while at it), and just as she did this, Mars placed a hand on Mint’s shoulder, squeezing gently. ”I’ll see you tomorrow, okay? You won’t be interrupting anything.”




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ mint frost | CURRENT TOTAL: 434 (Counting this roll)

1g2_vb2S

[attr="class","pokeclass"]