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as ye sow, so shall ye reap

POSTED ON Apr 18, 2024 4:32:15 GMT

[attr="class","mattysilphbg"]

[attr="class","mattysilphtxt"]

[attr="class","mattysilphicon"]

"you are free to believe what you want."

he shrugs a shoulder as he recalls his hitmonlee, the beam of red cutting through the receding rain.

"just remember, there no stakes here. nothing for either of us to lose or gain. it's entertainment, battling just for the sake of it. don't be dumb enough to tie value and strength to this."

it's as he said: he could go all out and steamroll any and all challengers that come his way, but in doing so he would only gatekeep them from reaching the supposed top. he doesn't see the point in doing that when all that awaits them is a title.

"good luck with the rest of your challenges, connors."

[attr="class","mattysilphtag"]Greyson Connors

[attr="class","mattysilphpkmn"] hitmonlee (m) cursed body - blaze kick, mind reader, sucker punch, poison jab, stone edge, bullet punch, close combat | fire tera

hitmonlee (m) cursed body - blaze kick, mind reader, sucker punch, poison jab, stone edge, bullet punch, close combat | fire tera

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at my worst

POSTED ON Apr 18, 2024 4:26:18 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

to be met with a response so bright and sincere feels jarring and almost out of place as others have regarded him differently. some come seeking justice, some come asking questions, but he appreciates how few tiptoed around the volcano in the room, straightforward with what they wanted from him.

he can't get a read on the man in front of him yet as they present him with a small box of donuts and a bouquet of flowers. he eyes the latter, raising an eyebrow before chuckling.

"those for me?"

then, he looks up at eddie.

"depends. did you get one with jelly?"

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Eduardo Hisakawa

[newclass=.retiredsilphbg]background:url('https://file.garden/ZcNUTDRVyFfOaQBf/RP/matias/matiasgoodbye.png');width: 715px; height: 436px; clip-path: polygon(0 0, 680px 0, 680px 105px, 100% 105px, 100% 100%, 0 100%); position:absolute; margin-top:-30px; margin-left:-30px; pointer-events: none;[/newclass]
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matias

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thirty-two

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rights and wrongs

POSTED ON Apr 18, 2024 4:03:31 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

it's amusing how quickly the type: null and gouging fire engage in battle, the repeated CRUSH CLAWS against BURNING BULWARK filters into the background, providing them with much-needed ambiance.

he glances at the RAINBOW FEATHER, wondering.

"i don't think they're related, but sure, maybe it is coincidental."

and as for what happened to the top champion,

"he died."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","retiredsilphpkmn"] asilo (m) flash fire - solar beam, teleport, dragon hammer, extreme speed, crunch, play rough, burn up

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rights and wrongs

POSTED ON Apr 17, 2024 7:20:13 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

his mind may be free of otherworldly influences but there's no denying the immediate frustration he feels at josh's words. to compare kyle lopez's death to something so inconsequential as the monochrome raikou feels wrong, and to do it so soon is akin to spitting on the top champion's ashes.

but whatever he may feel is controlled this time, flames fanned to embers.

his arcanine watches josh's pokemon fan out across the ranch, though it does not bother joining them.

"how so?"

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","retiredsilphpkmn"] asilo (m) flash fire - solar beam, teleport, dragon hammer, extreme speed, crunch, play rough, burn up

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at my worst

POSTED ON Apr 17, 2024 7:08:35 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

much to his surprise, they allow him control of his phone, returning it to him shortly after his return to the ranch. he suspects they've installed all kinds of tracking on it, but he finds that he doesn't mind it anymore. whatever helps them now helps him.

a few days after his return, he invites his friend over; someone who had met him at his worst but only saw what he wanted them to see. he wonders now, as he watches them approach the steps of his porch, what they think of him.

"hey."

should he smile? he smiles.

"thanks for coming."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Eduardo Hisakawa

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veterans

POSTED ON Apr 17, 2024 7:04:38 GMT

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[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

somehow, despite all the advancements the world has made, the door creaks when it opens, announcing a visitor he hadn't planned on seeing until much later when he's had proper time to recover.

his head tilts, cheek pressing against the pillow as he looks over at his fellow war veteran and friend.

"pax."

he glances up and down, observing.

"you look like shit."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]paxton concordas

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deficiency

POSTED ON Apr 17, 2024 7:01:55 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

in a far better state now than he had been during his stay at the hospital, matias walks out of the ranch and down the steps of the porch to greet a familiar face.

"sister."

he stops just short of her, close enough to reach out for an embrace should either of them want to, but they don't because that's not who they are. they are silphs. the most Delilah Silph earns is a small smile.

"it's nice that you're finally visiting. what took you so long?"

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Delilah Silph

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as ye sow, so shall ye reap

POSTED ON Apr 17, 2024 6:57:05 GMT

[attr="class","mattysilphbg"]

[attr="class","mattysilphtxt"]

[attr="class","mattysilphicon"]

MIND READER provides hitmonlee with enough insight to dodge the BULLET PUNCH, its muted brown body turning in time, but the VACUUM WAVE is unpredicted. the explosive force of the attack shatters the remaining TERA CRYSTALS adorning hitmonlee's body and sends it flying back.

it hits the ground, almost unconscious, and struggles to get back up to its feet

"shall we call it here, then?"

he calls over the pouring rain.

"has this challenge satisfied you?"

[attr="class","mattysilphtag"]Greyson Connors

[attr="class","mattysilphpkmn"] hitmonlee (m) cursed body - blaze kick, mind reader, sucker punch, poison jab, stone edge, bullet punch, close combat | fire tera

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animosity

POSTED ON Apr 17, 2024 6:49:22 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

"did he? that's nice to hear."

though he plays it off with humor, hearing those words spoken into existence means everything to him. his head dips down to hide his smile as he reaches down to pick up a chew toy. the markings that run along his arm look darker than before, almost burnt and eroded.

"i don't blame them, we all have to eventually, but it seems you and i are falling behind."

the chew toy makes a deflating squish as arcanine chomps down on it.

"did you come here to talk about kyle?"

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Navy

[attr="class","retiredsilphpkmn"] asilo (m) flash fire - solar beam, teleport, dragon hammer, extreme speed, crunch, play rough, burn up

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meantime

POSTED ON Apr 17, 2024 6:42:49 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

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[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

unable to move much, all he can do and all he has done ever since being admitted is watch and observe. his gaze follows. he watches her close the window but what he sees makes him chuckle.

"you look like you've seen a ghost. hate to break it to you, but i'm still alive."

brusied and burnt and broken in more ways than one, but still alive, and that's what matters.

"still beats the shit i was eating in kanto," he nods, "yeah, i can eat."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]annalise henderson

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rights and wrongs

POSTED ON Apr 16, 2024 9:13:12 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

not too long ago, they stood across each other in his elite four chambers battling for sport and glory. there were no stakes then, only duty as they argued over morality and rights and wrongs.

now, he can't seem to tap into the same fire that once fueled him. he can only stand across them now with a tinge of exhaustion as he welcomes them to his ranch.

"devlin."

his eyes briefly fall on RAIKOU with a solemn look before shifting back at the gym leader, choosing to ignore the pokemon.

"hear to give me shit?"

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","retiredsilphpkmn"] asilo (m) flash fire - solar beam, teleport, dragon hammer, extreme speed, crunch, play rough, burn up

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bygones

POSTED ON Apr 16, 2024 9:04:21 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

one month passes before he asks to see ollie morales, having delayed meeting the head ranger until now when both his mind and body have recovered decently.

"thanks for coming out to see me."

he says as they casually stroll along a path that curves around the lake. vibrant colors surround them along with the calming sounds of nature. his hand idly scratches his arcanine's head, doting on the fire-type while he looks at ollie.

"well, thanks for a lot of things, i guess."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]ollie morales

[attr="class","retiredsilphpkmn"] asilo (m) flash fire - solar beam, teleport, dragon hammer, extreme speed, crunch, play rough, burn up

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animosity

POSTED ON Apr 16, 2024 8:59:55 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

those close to him have been allowed visit during his stay at the hospital. the likes of Navy have had to wait, their request pushed out until he returns home to his ranch, and it's there that he finally agrees to their visit.

"navidson."

there is no animosity in the way he regards his fellow elite four; not anymore, at least; time has helped fade those resentments, though he knows not to assume the same for them.

sat on his porch with his arcanine laying by his side, he watches navy approach.

"to what do i owe the pleasure?"

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Navy

[attr="class","retiredsilphpkmn"] asilo (m) flash fire - solar beam, teleport, dragon hammer, extreme speed, crunch, play rough, burn up

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submission

POSTED ON Apr 16, 2024 8:50:50 GMT

[attr="class","retiredsilphbg"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphtxt"]

[attr="class","retiredsilphicon"]

a month after the incident, matias returns home to the ranch to continue his recovery. he minded the surveillance once, having felt observed and distrusted, but now he views it in a different light, appreciating the added level of security and freedom it allows him.

today's visitor is none other than Eva Morales. he awaits her arrival by the lake, having situated himself on a lonesome bench that overlooks the grand view of a home he once shared with her. his arcanine lays by his feet, ears twitching in response to approaching footsteps.

he turns, nodding.

"eva."

[attr="class","retiredsilphtag"]Eva Morales

[attr="class","retiredsilphpkmn"] asilo (m) flash fire - solar beam, teleport, dragon hammer, extreme speed, crunch, play rough, burn up

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