>>6289759
>>6289764

When you reach the gym, Daniel's just opening up.

He gives you all a startled look as you pile in out of the breath, Holly panting and out of breath while the rest of you breathe deeply and evenly and brush the rain off yourself.

"Alex, last I heard you'd left town." Daniel says to you conversationally.

"I had." You reply. "It wasn't until I was three hours down the road I actually found out this was a pokemon gym. From your sister." You reply.

Daniel grins.

He takes more after his dad than Fie or his mother, with the same broad shoulders and solid build and brown hair, but he actually looks more athletic than his father and more open and friendly.

"I heard about that." He admits. "Still, you're here now, so you looking to go for your third badge?" He asks, then stops himself. "Actually, first thing's first - heard about that Latias of yours. You found her yet?" He asks, growing serious for a moment.

You nod in confirmation.

"Yes, she's safe. And the shitheel who tried to steal her ought to be in lock up by now." You add surprising yourself at just how cold you sound as you say it.

Daniel nods sagely.

"Good. Glad to hear it." He assures. "Don't go stressing about your house though." He advises. "We'll look after you guys." He adds seriously, gesturing broadly to the town at large.

You smile and nod.

Greenshoot Town is a fairly close-knit community. You wouldn't expect anything less. There're plenty of times you've jumped in to help other people in town along with your mother and father.

"This really shouldn't come as much of a surprise that you two know each other." Martha admits, bemused. "Somehow, it does though."

Daniel just chuckles, then sobers.

"Anyway, seems like you're all warmed up from your run here, so let's get started, shall we? You want in, Martha?" He asks.

"Sure thing." Martha says, giving him a thumbs up.

>Oh, right. You do fitness as your pre-challenge test.
>Er...
>C'mon Daniel, you know me.
>Other