What happened between Brad and Rando (Dustin)

[English]

So i understand that Brad had "adopted" Dustin as his son, and though he didnt particularly take a shining the the whole parental role, he did take care of him. But my big question is, how/why did brad and Dustin disconnect from one another. You would think that Brad would live smack dab in the center of Rando Land, considering just how much Dustin respects him. But it seems that the two simply broke off a drifted their seperate ways entirely. What im wondering his why this might have occured, or if there is somthing im missing?

[wcc]

Will be somewhat explained in the Pain Mode ending: https://youtu.be/hAfXPJ_0lzY?t=1002

[English]

I knew the pain mode ending, and understood its implications. But thats no reason for a father to leave his son! Realistically what i think happened after that scene was, eventually, after Brad coped with what Buzzo was doing, and how that all related to Lisa. He eventually brough Dustin to a hospital of some sort, where they banaged him up and did some skin grafting and etc.. But i think things would eventually return to (relatively) normal. There has to be some other event or reasoning behind their seperation, aside from Buzzo.

[English]

Or at least, aside from that one particular event.

[wcc]

As far as I understand it Brad has some kind of a breakdown there. He just leaves and forgets about Dustin. In fact there's a psychological phenomenon where people flee from a traumatic event, build up a new existence and even lern a new language – and completely forget about their past life. In an extreme case, such a person could learn years later that he already had another wife and children he just forgot.
Don't remember the name of this phenomon, though. But since I've heard it from a psychotherapist I'd believe it.

[English]

Im certantly not saying it's impossible, just improbable. Dingaling has even stated when questioned about this very subject that Brad left Dustin "Because he's ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥". Though in all honesty this answer leaves some things left to be desired.

[wcc]

Like: Who's "he"?

[English]

Exactly, hes so vauge with the lore.

[JollyGreenJack]

I personally don't think Brad actually adopted Dusty. There's no proof he's done so. Brad flat out told Buddy never to mention him again, and not to listen to her uncles anymore. I think Dusty lied to Buddy to try and get closer to her.

[wcc]

Originally posted by Cabby:

I think Dusty lied to Buddy to try and get closer to her.

That would implicate that the Pain Mode ending is not the last contact between Brad and Dustin, and Brad would still be in contact when he finds Buddy and therefore would know who Rando actually is. It doubt this. I seems even more unlikely when you keep in mind that Rando is not exactly known for talking.
I'll stick to my breakdown theory for now.

[JollyGreenJack]

Originally posted by wcc:

Originally posted by Cabby:

I think Dusty lied to Buddy to try and get closer to her.

That would implicate that the Pain Mode ending is not the last contact between Brad and Dustin, and Brad would still be in contact when he finds Buddy and therefore would know who Rando actually is. It doubt this. I seems even more unlikely when you keep in mind that Rando is not exactly known for talking.

No... it wouldn't. The implication ingame was that the uncles (Rick and/or Sticky and/or Cheeks) knew about Dusty and how much he loved Brad before the flash, and told Buddy about him. Hence why Brad told Buddy not to listen to them.

[wcc]

Maybe I don't get the " I think Dusty lied to Buddy to try and get closer to her." part. It sounds like Dusty was still in contact with Brad years after the White Flash.

[Mr.Gamer990]

Originally posted by JollyGreenJack:

Originally posted by wcc:

That would implicate that the Pain Mode ending is not the last contact between Brad and Dustin, and Brad would still be in contact when he finds Buddy and therefore would know who Rando actually is. It doubt this. I seems even more unlikely when you keep in mind that Rando is not exactly known for talking.

No... it wouldn't. The implication ingame was that the uncles (Rick and/or Sticky and/or Cheeks) knew about Dusty and how much he loved Brad before the flash, and told Buddy about him. Hence why Brad told Buddy not to listen to them.

Here's the thing, just to set everything straight, Dustin/Rando VIEWED Bradley "Brad" Armstrong as his parental/father figure, going so far as to adopt himself as his son and taking on his surname for his own, because he idolizes and for so long sought the approval of his father, which he was so desperate for.

Brad hated himself most, a feeling I and many others understand all too well, and Dustin has a clear case of inferiority complex. One thing he hated most was letting others down, especially Brad who, whether he accepted him as his son or not, IS very much Dustin/Rando's father. He showed him kindness and went so far as to train him, something no one else had ever done for him.

Why would he "lie" to Buddy just to "get close to her"? That makes ZERO sense. Not only that, but it does a great disservice to Dingaling's brilliant writing and the psychology of Dustin/Rando, as I've known MANY young men and women like him. :/

If there was truly ONE good person in Olathe, who despite messing up here and there, wished to help others and create a utopia without violence or pain, it was Dustin/Rando. Despite EVERYTHING he's endured, even being abandoned by his mentor, savior, and father figure, Brad, he still loved, respected, and looked up to him as his hero.

Brad may have been the best Martial Artiste, but Dustin/Rando was the BETTER person.