#If you squint. They're rather young here and are still at the ' :) my brother's really cool' stage

[belltrigger]

Submastober Day 05!

Inspiration: There's an older OC-tober prompt-list here that I am using.

Title: Failure Is Just the First Step Towards Success Prompt: Failure Word count: 891 Synopsis: Emmet is not having much success in getting what he wants.

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“What a fine day today is!” Ingo said aloud as he settled down in some lush green grass, under the shade of an old but sturdy tree. The shadow of the tree top reached just past his feet if he stretched his legs out, but he sat cross-legged, leaning back with his hands supporting his weight. The canopy above swayed in the gentle breeze, the dark green and peeking sunlight a vivid contrast against the vibrant blue sky.

Flopped with all the grace of a magikarp on the ground next to him was Emmet, arms and legs spread in an x-shape. Ingo did not chastise him about his rough landing, did not warn him of the grass stains sure to come with such a careless flop. His twin's decision to wear white was his own, and with the day they'd had, he suspected Emmet would add it to his already numerous complaints. Emmet had huffed as soon as he hit the ground, pulling his white and gray plaid cap down over his face. “It is not,” came his muffled pout.

“How can you say that!” he countered as he glanced down at Emmet, hand going to the brim of his matching black and gray plaid cap. “The sun is shining so brightly, the breeze is invigorating, and we are have nearly arrived at our next station.” In truth, he knew exactly what was causing his brother frustration, but Emmet was usually so cheerful that it was always strange when he was not. “I know you are looking forward to their famous ice cream sundaes, and we have saved up for us each to get our own.”

Emmet lifted one leg and then thunked it back on the ground, in imitation of stomping his foot in protest. “I am Emmet. I do not care about ice cream. I care about catching a tynamo.”

Looking out into the distance towards the cave they'd spent much of the early hours of the day within, Ingo made a contemplative sound. “Chargestone Cave is certainly challenging.” Ignoring the look that Emmet surely had on his face underneath his cap at the unnecessary use of alliteration, he continued on. “The tynamo that are willing to allow you near them are not fit for your standards. Perhaps we should go deeper into the cave in order to find a suitable partner for you.” His brother had extremely exacting tastes, and Ingo wondered if they would be able to find a wild pokemon that measured up to what Emmet was looking for in a partner.

That being said, they didn't exactly have the means to breed the ideal pokemon yet - it would be an intensive process surely, and Emmet would likely not stop until he found exactly what he was looking for. So, for now, they would have to chance their luck in the wild, which was proving to be much lower odds than Emmet was apparently hoping for.

Still, Ingo would never think to ask his brother to lower his standards. They were going to be the strongest trainers they could be, continuing down the tracks towards even greater skills all while staying together. In order to accomplish such things, they needed the very best pokemon by their sides. Of course, pokemon were intelligent and wonderful creatures, so they could not simply be recruited for the short term in a constantly revolving cycle of new partners. He knew that Emmet felt the same, that any pokemon they gained as a partner was intended to be a long-term companion.

Emmet was quiet for a while, possibly deciding on what he wanted to do. Ingo let him think, content to stare out over the land in front of them, and simply enjoy the view and weather. He thought about how happy he was that he and Emmet thought so similarly about the important things. He thought about what he could do to support Emmet's journey. He thought about what ice cream he would get when they did get to their next destination.

Finally, after a bit of thought, Emmet sat up, correcting the position of his cap upon his head. “I am Emmet. I have decided.”

Ingo turned to his twin with an inquisitive smile. “What have you decided, Emmet?” Surely, his twin had weighed their options and determined that the best tracks to follow led them further into Chargestone Cave. Pushing his weight forward, Ingo brushed his hands off to remove any lingering blades of grass. They still had plenty of daylight left, so unless Emmet became particularly stubborn about not failing in his mission, they would exit the cave with enough light to make it to the next town easily.

When Ingo's eyes widened in a bit of surprise, Emmet's smile brightened and he held out his hand to Ingo. It seems that he'd come to a completely different conclusion than Ingo had expected. Not that it was an unpleasant one, Ingo thought as he reached out to take Emmet's outstretched hand. Standing up and brushing their clothes off together, they held hands the entire way to the ice cream shop.

Later that day, Emmet discovered a tynamo that had a particular fondness for ice cream.