Before reading: Brendan here is seventeen (and was too in Data Error). My own interpretation into Brendan. Please read 'Data Error' if you haven't.

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Character(s): Steven & Brendan

Theme: Carry .
Set before 'Data Error'.

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His calm demeanor couldn't be different from the insane turmoil within him. He gazes around, not completely there, he appears something he is definitely not. He's at Granite, where it all began. It had not begun yet, he was doubting his choice, he was trembling a bit and was defying every scream he heard inside his mind. He could take his thoughts away from the scariest by glancing around for the ever-waiting rocks, there in his solitude, in the dark and damp cave, he gained confidence bit by bit.

That's when he appeared. A boy appeared and kept staring at him, raised left eyebrow, not really caring but trying to look like he did.

His identity wasn't the boy's business, nor his reasons for having a Metang carry several evolutionary rocks. He shared none and hoped for the boy to go away, who seemed quite content with sharing trivial bits of his adventures in the cave, telling but not really. He felt like a key character who must be sweet-talked into cooperation. It was when the boy revealed a parting piece of information that he cracked a bit.

What did he say? Because he could tell, just with a glance, that he could reach that level of skill.

What would happen then?

A 'don't' escaped his lips and the turning boy's attention was all on him. Because he'd taken the bait at last. The boy faintly smirked, but he knew the change and he knew he was going to hell for this. He doesn't know if he'd been so determined on reaching the top had he been aware of the truth. He'd probably done so anyway.

He really wants to be the one? Does he even have a fraction of what it takes? It's those questions which make the fire in the boy's eyes burn even more, a mockery escape his lips and a promise of victory merge their paths. He had what the other day's girl lacked.

He snaps long enough to grab his shoulders and make the boy notice barely a scrap of the ever-dominant emotion in his eyes.

"I'll go through everyone that comes in my way." Which could be interpreted as: 'I know who you are", he was, according to them, very smart. And so he knew he could safely dismiss that idea.

And then he's back in control of his body and flinches away, suddenly the cave isn't ghost-free any more. He shivers and can feel his body begin its slow shut-down. With both hands covering his face, he begins to hyperventilate.

The boy frowns, grabs him by the wrist and proceeds to get out of the damned cave.