>>6392046
Huh! Looks pretty fun, but I've got to wrap my brain around the rules and such first. Might bug ya when the arc ends. Seems cool, QM.

When we last left off, the Wayfarers had successfully crossed Konpeto Kipuka and rescued Strolling Steward. He'd witnessed something all those months ago with his team when this Twilight Syndrome business had started, but what...
Ishmael had befriended a feral for access to Pure Power while everyone enters Konpeto Kaarst to reach the source of the infectious madness. Down in these caves, the Twilight Syndrome is strong enough to infect anyone capable of feeling emotion-the only way to control oneself is through apathy induced with a Hatterene's Magic Powder. As everyone steps deeper, they begin seeing visions that challenge their resolve! The source demands they bare their vulnerabilities, or else...

Looming Darkness, Kirby's Return to Dreamland - https://youtu be/aqwLEMGX12c?si

>Mohka, Orner, Ribbons, Sail

It seems almost like Orner is trying to partition herself; offering up bitter memories in place of present feelings. Or could she really not have anything to offer the presence below? Despite that, there's something in Orner's past the presence below sympathizes with. She's filled with sensations of not just understanding less, but thinking less. It's not a mere lack of intelligence, but a pattern of thought that fundamentally separates civilian and wild Pokemon from dungeonspawn. Something major happened to this person… Regardless, the mass infection event fades away from Team Gildscales' vision without striking her.

The rest of Team Gildscales isn't so lucky, focusing instead on bracing themselves from the vision closing in around them. Dark Pulse deals 15 damage to Sail, Ribbons and Mohka, seeping in through the very lights that make up their surroundings. When the scene clears and they're back in the pitch black Kaarst, Everyone seems to be coming into a tunnel forming from a few branching paths. On one route behind them are Clover Force and the Hatterene idol, and a struggling Darius throwing strong attacks aimlessly with a knocked out Kaz on the other…

Ribbons puts his energy into evasion after casting his wish. It can fall into any of Team Gildscales supposing they aren't knocked out, but the malice in the air is omnipresent. Dark Pulse writhes and grows after Ribbons' nonresponse, hungry for their anxieties. There's nowhere to escape by then- he's gotten a taste of…
>Gigantism: Enemy only. Given their activation condition, user's attacks can spread and room hit without penalty and cannot miss. User's attacks also cannot be negated by protection Moves.

>Darius, Kaz
Another Stone Edge phases through the Gardevoir.
"Kaz… I don't speak with certainty lightly. It's my role to witness the birth of everything, everyone. Gods, even. This power to bring souls from one world to this one… it was uniquely mine. There is nobody to help you."
She looks behind herself. "You are alone down here. I should help your immediate safety before your dreams anyway…" But before she can, the wavy void and the Voice of Life begin fading away. Behind them are the same caves you've been delving this whole time, but there's still a Darius to quell…
…Who is still at the mercy of his unfiltered impulses. Nothing is working and there's a crash somewhere behind him. It peppers his skin and seeps into his shell with heat for 4 damage… but it's just more endless red everywhere he looks. The air rumbles, signaling another attack… only for a sensation of fullness to overtake him. Feels like he'd just taken a snack break amidst the chaos, even if the feeling is fleeting. It's almost comfortable, lashing out…

Darkness and light rain down on Kaz's body, but… he's already knocked down. The same powers spare Darius from attack, however.

>Wallis, Evan, Brook, Ishmael

Virizion scoffs at Ishmael, sparing but a couple breath before moving on.
"Omniscience? I don't need to make up slights. I made very clear the difference between our stakes before your friends made their move. Did they know your plan? Why don't you take a moment to soak in that you just defended their willful ignorance, and not that they did the right thing?"
To Wallis, She gestures behind herself. "I also don't need to look superior to you. These scrolls will solve everything. They're for problems beyond our finite means to solve. And yet, here you are about to solve this nightmare without them." She blows some air through her mouth. "Surely! You'd better, at this point. There's no such sun on our horizons, and us seven Sacred Sprouts are the Clergy's finest. The other five are still working in your lands, even!" She shakes her head, wilting. "Loss of life is inevitable, now. This is pointless..."
She corrects Brook. "It's not me who needs an apology. Look at him. Skarmy. I need to know our best is good enough, both mine and yours. " The scene flickers and begins to fizzle. "Keep in mind both your responsibility and whomever else will share his fate by the time you're finished. An infection isn't the only way for Twilight Syndrome to get 'into your heads', so to speak."
Evan gets another impression. He's filled with satisfaction as the amorphous shapes continue to lunge and peck at him. It seems to appreciate his sense of violence. It feels like he's appreciating his own indignance... and for that one moment, it all makes sense to Evan. He feels weary, familiar with this endless haze yet still disoriented. It's like being repeatedly knocked over by waves on the beach, only while standing on dry land. Or maybe he's in the air? Every single movement is starting to hurt again. It feels like there's only ever any relief when he lets out an attack. But... how many of these sensations are yours? Have you been like this for even a minute yet? Or has it been an hour, or more? You can't tell anymore... there's no way whoever's down below you has been this way for months, right?

The air around them melts away into pure light-it's burning, strangling. Virizion reaches for Clover Force, but she's discorporated before she can help.
A Dark Pulse shears and singes Ishmael's substitute to ash. Another befalls Wallis for 15 damage, while Brook and Evan are spared from the receding vision. The lights take their fill of snake and fox suffering, and disappear quietly. You'd think the Twilight Syndrome can't feed off itself, but then again... it can't force one to grieve or lash out. The fear they've shown is their own.

>Spike, Cress

One of the other presences is gone, but another is releasing a lot of the same panic as the creature down below. It radiates an energy that rattles his head and leaves the air around him -if there is any- buzzing.
Spike takes another 4 true damage. It's an appropriate response, but it's been overpowering since he got separated from everyone else. It's hurting him, too… Perhaps that panic should be silenced with an attack.
But before Spike can, his surroundings are incensed by his stubbornness. They lash out and pierces his body for 15 damage in the form of an unavoidable Dark Pulse! The other entity in this chamber is left uninjured and floundering…

All this effort rooting through empathetic responses has given Spike a touch of experience in differentiating similar emotional states. It tells him that this presence is not just panicked, not just despairful, but…
>Type Specialist: The User's Moves that are Super-Effective have their damage increased by 2. The User's Moves that are Not Very Effective have their damage decreased by 2.

Vengeful. It seems to be used to targeting certain types.

>Espurr, Skitty, Matchia

Sneasel reclines as Skitty starts up, seemingly already prepared for a speech. For all her fervor, the energy in the 'room' seems to fade away from her before she can even really get going. She's flooded with a sense of contentment, but… is it really hers?

Sneasel looks down at the badge, only for long enough to see it tumble through the desk. Nobody can see it now. She yawns. "It's not my role to fight any more than whoever you're helping, ya see? My role is to make sure everyone from HAPPI can succeed, heh-heh. I wouldn't be doing my job if I ignored four exploration teams doing the work of...one."
She holds up her claws in mock-surrender. "If ya got more stories, I'm happy to write it down, keh-heh. Your friends escorted a… Rapidash and Weezing across Swalot's Stream once. Yeah. Hmm! Do you, Skitty, have anything for me to put into the books there?"
"I heckle. But for real... your Espurr friend even admits not all of you need to be here." She shrugs. "Being, heh-heh, lucky to accomplish anything is most certainly not the norm here. I think all three of you should return to... keh-heh, wherever you came from if you're still 'recouping lost ground.' If saving 'a' teammate 'not too long ago' is what you think rescue teams come to me with."

Sneasel circles back to Matchia. "And that's after a cycle! How many more will it be before, heh, you can work on your own? Three? Five?" Sneasel is about to lay in further, but pauses.
"A-hah. I'm sorry if I'm coming off too, heh, personal. It's… heh-heh... unprofessional to speculate on your friends at home, hah. Despite how it sounds, hehehe, I really am worried for you. It's just, at your risk, at your... heh... pace… heh-heh… I can't imagine your home life'll be too… ah-hah... lively. There's a lot at stake here, keh-heh... not just your lives."
The walls flicker, returning to empty blacks and rainbow veins of magma for a second. Sneasel looks to Espurr.
"Those other teams started at the same time as you three, Ahah? I have it noted they've, ahaha, mastered techniques, evolved by now…" She spins her wrist, shuffling a few reports to skim. "Being on some kinda... personal journey... doesn't really tell the, heh, whole story, does it? Even hatchlings without attacking moves at least have influenced a battle a cycle in, heh-heh. I've got a couple Gravities, half of them backfiring… Keh-heh-heh. You say you're on a different path to normal rescuers, but… you know what they say about zero times two. There's lacking in power... and then there's lacking in potential…just stay safe, kid."
"But if one of you is so certain I'm wrong... we can save talk of usefulness for when we meet again... heh... after there's no more ambiguity… heh-heh. Ahah-hah-hah! Time runs short. Do your best!… And don't die overreaching."
The scene folds and melts away, shrinking until Team Stardust is no longer ensared by the light-bubble. Back in Konpeto Kaarst proper, they find Skitty and Espurr unharmed, while Matchia is struck by a 15 damage Dark Pulse. Espurr can feel gratitude and wanting hunger blending through the hallway in a strangely identifiable 2:1 ratio as the path forward becomes clear: Split paths containing Team Clover with the Hatterene statue, and Team Ruckus with a wild attacking Darius.

>>6392051
Here's to hoping. Thanks.

>>6392052
>0/23 HP

Ribbons is down 'n out, panic giving way to the calmness that comes with fainting. The fate of the Wish is left up in the air... literally

>(*If* the Wish is still usable, anyone nearby may take it for themselves, lower hp takes priority)

>>6392062
>Evan looks around in the total darkness he's put himself in. The weight of the parasitic entity is crushing him in an unknowable barrage of unexplainable attacks, feeding off of his confusion that he brought upon himself. Why did he do this? He knew what was going to happen when he refused to put that powder on his scales, so why did he open himself up to this again? Who else was being suffocated like this?
>Evan's thoughts turn to his team. Wallis, Ishmael, Brook... if he was standing (was he?), then they had to be too, right? Evan was always the weakest of the four. He'd been brought down instantly several times. He was weighing them down, if they were even here at all. He had nothing left... or... almost nothing.
"Guys, if you're still here... I've got something I've been saving for a rainy day, and right now? I think it's pouring."
https://youtu.be/8jrMMscNy3c?si=MRX8plC7Sar-Z1HK
>Evan reaches up to his shoulders and unfastens his breastplate, it clatters to the floor and leaves Evan's ability to see it. Behind the plate his scars laid bare, the cross over his heart, the gash across his shoulder, the dots where the Mega Pinsir pinched him... and he's thin. Too thin. Are those his ribs you see just beneath his skin?
>Another light flickers to life in front of Evan. The 'Force has seen it several times before, but not recently. Evan's using Nature Power? But it's not taking any color they've seen before. It's pale, but taking darkness from areas they cannot see.
"HEY, ASSHOLE! I'M RIGHT HERE! YOU WANT SOME EMOTION, YOU WANT A SHOW!? COME ON! I GOT SOMETHIN' SPECIAL FOR YA!"

>>6392062
>Brooks sad gaze shifts from the tall deer to the metal bird, however before he can open his mouth to voice any words of apology, the scenery before him begins to ripple!
"H-huh?"
>The shifting sight before him and the lingering emotions from his prior outburst bring a feeling of nausea to the zoruas stomach. A shaking paw rises to both hide his eyes, and wipe away the moisture that had started to build, before he turns to look back towards the other members of Clover
>Once the twisting in his belly recedes, his thoughts quickly go to his teammates only a short distance behind him
"Evan, Wallis, Ish is everyone okay!?"
>Immediately he rushes back to regroup with the rest of Clover, the words of the phantom deer ringing in his mind as he goes.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>6392059
>Before Kaz can fully retort, Gardevoir is gone.
"Well, you don't know everythin'..."
>Kaz fumes
>How's he going to get home now?
>Not like he's going to give up
>This just means its going to be harder than he thought
>And longer!
"Man! This bites."
>Kaz says, letting his head falls back against the ground
>Now, what to do about Darius...

"HEY DARE! KNOCK IT OFF!"
>Kaz tries again to shout his teammate out of his trance

Test

>>6392062
>>6392097
"Still standing! but I'm a little low on energy!"
>Ish's priorities so far are simple, keep the team safe, if he burns himself up for it... fa-
>>6392094
>Evan WHAT. ARE. YOU. DOING?

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>>6392071
>>6392073
Espurr listens, sitting quietly in a pile of their own trinkets and affairs as the larger feline speaks to them, denying them the scarce few victories they seldom took pride in to begin with, and flaunting their lack of success. It's true, all of it. This pitiable cat has been too cowardly to make anything of their time spent here. They can accept that the nature of their power is out of their paws- they HAVE accepted it, since the Voice of Life first posed the idea of coming into their own- but can they accept that their present circumstances are their own fault?

Espurr's big lavender eyes stare into Sneasel's as she leaves them with her best wishes. Their hair sticks out, a feeling they can't trace filling them from their gut to their throat. Breathing gets heavy, difficult to swallow. They prepare a word or two but Sneasel continues, addressing the rest, namely Skitty who stands in defiance of her words. They view her as a standout voice, but Skitty is wrong here- rather, she isn't completely right. Sneasel knows what she's talking about, and Skitty, the idealist, wishes for something other to be the case. Perhaps that innocence is worth something...
They watch as the veil around Team Stardust lifts, with the voice of doubt leaving the room.
Before Skitty can make a final retort to Sneasel's words, Espurr speaks out.

"...The Red Feather is correct. If we are to be compared to others as one system, there exists no evidence to suggest we are sufficient." They let their heavy head sway as they stare skyward. "Our effect must be greater than our cause; an impossibility." Espurr glances between Skitty and Matchia, their only teammates on this mission thus far. "Are we willing to go beyond what we once thought possible, to see this venture to completion? Would you accept the responsibility be shared across us all, for the inevitable failings?"
Their greatest fears are manifesting before their very eyes. They hate the way they feel the connection deepening as they ask, with all sincerity: "For the sake of our goals, whatever they may be, would you make this... uneducated guess... with me?" when Espurr has never done anything to warrant that kind of blind faith?

>>6392094
>>6392107
>Seeing the tired look on the otherwise energetic rabbit, brings a small frown to his face, but it's the sight of another member of Clover that has him suddenly moving a lot quicker
"Evan wait, STOP!"
>He shouts unsure if the snake can even hear him, as he rushes to rejoin Clover!

>>6392052
"Oh, perfect..." Orner's team is in terrible shape- The medic in particular is not gonna be of much use- but they live, nonetheless. Now, there's something that needs to be done...

>>6392094
>>6392097
>>6392107
Orner makes her way towards Team Clover, seeing Evan fell to the affliction... "Are you sseriouss- Out of the way, dimwitss." Not her problem. It's suprising she can muster the bile to throw a pejorative while experiencing detachment, that's Ornery Grace for you.

Without any more comments, she takes powder from the monument and reconvenes with her team.

>Orner used Magic Powder on Sail.
"Pweh! Alright Ssail, you had your fun. I'm gonna need you to be in your right mind from here and on." She spits out leftover dust mixed in with venom into the ground, before picking up Ribbons..

All hazards cleared, the relative peace and quiet allows Ribbons' eyes to flutter open with 1/3 of his health. That wish is still hanging in the air, ready to be moved anywhere...it seems Team Gildscales is safe from combat...for now.

As is Team Stardust, supposing one doesn't walk into the molten life energy.

...Of which there's plenty to draw from. Light seeps into Evan's body, painting him a brilliant...pink? Once there's enough, colors combine and wash him into a pure white silhouette of himself. Even that is starting to be lost-where is he in that glow? Nature Power is becoming a light born from unfiltered infinity energy... Dazzling Gleam!
His head is just short of begging him to attack.

>>6392116
>There's no stopping Evan this time.
>>6392121
>Evan's form begins to shift behind the veil of light that has assumed his shape. It grows taller and taller, new growths bud and bloom into more leaves along his serpentine spine, his tail lowers and a crest peels off above his head.
>In between fits of crazed laughter, Evan shouts
"DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION YET? HERE'S A REAL SHOWSTOPPER!"
>The accumulated light explodes outward, and what stands where a Snivy once did is a Servine named Evan.

>>6392052
Sail braced for impact nullify most of the damage.
>(HP: 17/23)

"Back t' the trench it go."
"A shootin' star strike down the depth swallow."

>>6392119
>Sail's now not infection
"Aye."

>>6392122
"EVAN!"
>Brooks desperate charge comes to a sudden end, as the lights intensity grows to become blinding!
"GAH!"
>His paw instantly snaps to shield his eyes, as he turns head away in an attempt to block out as much of it as he can
"Ngh...come on...snap out of it!"
>His words come through gritted teeth as he slowly inches forward, until finally the brightness fades and he can finally lower his leg to see...
"E-Evan? Is that...you?"
>Now standing only a few steps away from the newly grown snake, he has to raise his head upwards to meet his gaze, an expression of both worry and confusion on his face as he looks in awe

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>>6392052
>>6392097
Ringing with the word "inevitable" in her headfins, Wallis takes the concentrated dark thoughts of Dark Pulse as super-effective damage due to Magic Powder.
"Agh...!"

>HP: 24/35

But that same Magic Powder allows her to keep her sanity. She stands her ground as Virizion retreats away, looking to the Hatterene statue she and the Clover Force have kept safe.
"I can keep going. You better believe we'll succeed."
Wallis exhales softly, letting her held item work over the course of the Nature Power and Evolution with

>IQ Skill: Second Wind

>HP: 28/35

>>6392094
>>6392121
>>6392122
"Evan, get your head back in the... huh?!"
Wallis can't help but °△° at the sight. Evan, evolved!
"Evan, dude, you're a Servine now! How do you feel? The cackling's kinda freaking me out..."
Having skipped on the sensation of evolving by spawning as a Marshtomp, Wallis approaches cautiously and curiously.

>>6392122
>Ish stares at the fired off gleam like he's used to staring at the sun
>almost estatic at the display, though taking a moment to avert his eyes
>though once te light fades...
"Evan! you've-"
>What's the right word..?
"You're bigger now! uh, how you feeling?"

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>>6392073

Skitty glares at Sneasel's fading apparition until nothing remains, before moving to retrieve her badge. The Dark-type wasn't omnipotent, and so she was wrong. It was just the truth. Easy.

>>6392108
"Duh."

Nothing else needs to be said, she thinks, for just a second. "Someone told me I was afraid of my future in the group once. And they were right. I still kind of am, but that's life. I'm gonna guess a million more times, not just today. I'm gonna be afraid a million more times, too. I'll get hit by Murphy's Law over and over, but this world... I mean, we can do magic."

"...so, you can join me if you want, and we can go fuck up together. I kind of took it for granted that you had... sorry, but I'd love to have you along."

>>6392129
>>6392132
>>6392136
>Evan staggers on his longer legs, barely seeing himself, let alone you. His transformation did not come with a free cure, it would seem.

>>6392059
(14/24)

Nothing is working.

He's tried blinding whatever is still attacking him with a Sandstorm, he's sent out enough attacks to knock out _anyone_ he knows, and he's even tried telling them to leave him alone. None of it has done anything, and he's still getting attacked by something he can't even make out through the sickening blur his vision has dissolved into.

What does that leave him? No fighting, no talking, so all that is left is escaping. They won't touch him underground. They won't.

Darius Channels Dig!

>>6392073
>>6392108
>Matchia blinks. It's true, Espurr hasn't really... done anything to warrant any faith. Her mind was distracted of images of everyone back home, but she clears her head to address this single, particular moment.
"...Yes."
>She decides finally.
"I've traveled across my home region with... uncertainties, in my partners, and those I met along the way."
>She tilts her cap forward.
"If I was able to walk along those people... I can do it with you."

(Not entirely sure how to swing Mohka back into things, so I'll just update my HP and let the show move on)
>HP 11/24

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>6392070
'It's happening again. I'm going to die.' Spike thinks as pain shoots through his body.

He leaps back without a single thought. Black ichor threatens to burst from his lips at the unseen assailant before he catches himself and spits out the ready attack at the ground. Tiny paws grip tightly whatever they can and hold on even as Spike's legs try to escape.

It's impossible to think- to form a cohesive thought when they're drowned out by his heart pounding in his ears, when he's gagging on nothing but the empty pit in his stomach, when he keeps panting but its still not enough air.

But he has to. He has to. He has to. He has to. Think. Think. Think. Think. Ignore the pain. Ignore the overwhelming panic. I can't. Do it. But I- Don't care. The mission.

The mission. Right. Right. The source. You were close to the source. It's the bright fire just ahead. Weather the storm and neutralize- Kill it. Kill it. Kill it. Kill it. Kill it-

More pain suddenly shoot through Spike's body, and he feel his entire spasm as the liquid malice that replaced his blood tingled in resonance, every muscle in his body was no longer his to control as they seized and crushed him from within.

>Spike's HP: 15/35 HP
>IQ Skill Activate!: Empath
>Spike takes 1 additional damage from Dark Type moves.

Spike nearly losses his grip on himself in the blinding pain. He needs to march forward and stop the Source, now. His teammates will help him, surely. Some of them anyway. No. They can't. Not alone. They're uncoordinated and reckless, only effective in overwhelming numbers- and now they face something that needed more than that. Something that needs a will he doesn't know they possessed. One that in this moment he didn't know would last.

'Wait, the other,' Spike thinks and focuses on the other source of panic near him, one he incited to tell friend from foe. It could've been Wallis. It could've been Cress or Ishmael. He doesn't know, but they were afraid.

He could leave them right? They would be fine.

. . .

Damn it all. He doesn't believe that for a moment, so he marches towards the other presence, screwing his eyes shut and trying to feel something other than the projected hell they wallow in. Any second of calm or comfort that he could offer.

>Spike uses Telepath to try and project some comfort to his scared teammate.

>>6392141
>>6392148
It's almost painful how those words feel entering Espurr's ears. They can't think of any possible means to address what they hear.
Approval from two near-strangers is something they're not used to and downright fearful of, but it'll have to suffice. The first step to friendship comes with a risk like this.

They stand up, gathering their belongings once more. "You will find I am like none with which you have walked." But is that really true? Time will tell.

Espurr starts walking, glancing back at Skitty. "Which of us shall take position ahead?"

>>6392121
>3/23 HP

Ribbons is up again, he groans as he scans his surroundings, as he prepares for another Wish

It looks like Gildscales is crashing Clover Force's party. Without any dibs, Ribbons' Wish falls upon himself while Sail is cured. There's another in the air, will he push it anywhere? Mohka follows, perhaps the most beat up he's been this whole trek.
Evan still has an illness to clear, and ahead are a Kaz and Darius in need of a pickup; Darius has taken to tunneling, best not to let him get too far... the other branched path shows Team Stardust having rallied.
And Team Stylish must be a branch removed from that meetup. Everyone's almost together...

Spike still can't receive any solid feedback. Every once in a while it's another shock to his ears or a stinging rake over his body...but as the torment drags on it settles into a rhythm. The stimulation envelops him like being thrown in a sack instead of burning. If he closes his eyes, he can tell he isn't moving... even if he can't tell if his eyes are closed.
And neither is whatever else accosts him. Is it a friend trying to apply a berry, a salve? A slow feral? Is the source trying to speak again? Or comfort him?
Whatever it is, it stops after... however long.

>>6392165
>Kaz raises his head up again
"Anyone wanna lend me a hand here?"
"Or a paw?"

>>6392143
>>6392165
>ishmael grabs some power from the statue and applies a "generous helping" (see, snowball) directly to evan
"Hey! man, you okay?"

>>6392165
>The sound of mons nearby reach the dark fox's ears, but his focus remains on the now taller grass snake
"Evan, did you...evolve?"
>he asks tilting his head, while carefully watching with concerned eyes

>>6392143
>>6392167
>>6392165
>>6392170
"Crap, this far down infects everything. The only way we're getting him back to his senses is with the powder."
Wallis folds her arms and shifts closer to protect the statue while she observes Ishmael's attempt alongside Brook. As if to remind Evan, she takes a deep breath while she collects herself.

>IQ Skill: Second Wind

Ribbon.
>HP: 32/35

>>6392165
'Let's go,' Spike thinks to the other presence, taking the brief moment of calm to flash an image of himself- not that they might understand.

He marches towards the source, clenching his jaw tight trying with all his might to control himself.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>6392165
>(HP: 23/23)
"Dim o' light course though the line."

>Evan's pupils re-narrow to normal snakey size.
"Phew! That's got a smell to it.
>>6392167
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
>Gee Evan, why wouldn't a Pokemon you could see the ribs of be okay?
>>6392170
>Evan looks at himself
"Guess so! And here I thought that feeling of pressing against a pane of glass would never go away."
>>6392171
>Evan glances to Wallis
"Oh good, you're here too! We ain't a full Clover unless we got all of us here! You ready to beat up emotional parasites?"
>Evan's skewed grin is back.

>>6392180
"Now I'm not an expert on... what we are, but I still know enough about the body to know you're Far Too Thin man."
>bold words for someone who's REALLY feeling their beatings.
"once we get back, I'm gona make sure you're actually, looking after yourself. hear me?"

That's everyone recovered, plus some top-ups to boot. Resolving light from Evan's Dazzling Gleam leaves him and filters into the dungeon, banishing all the remaining Dark Pulses mucking up everyone's view. Even the mysterious light bubbles obstructing everyone's paths are outshined, leaving nothing. They recoil and pop into formless static, and shrink into nothing. All that's left is the mystery dungeon's natural state, which is... pretty uneventful.
A crackling ring almost like a roar echoes through the corridors. Someone didn't enjoy that....
Everyone's together with an undamaged statue, except Spike and Cress. He's lost feedback from his paws too. Is he really walking?

Gathered around to get Darius and Kaz back up and powdered, everyone wanders into a second rest area- looks like one more change of scenery before the pit. A self examination shows Darius and Evan that they're less injured than their senses led them to believe. They've both got 4 more HP to work with than believed!
There's a Kangaskhan Rock for everyone to rifle through their storage, and an even more rundown underground garden. It's so unkempt, you'd be sure nothing could grow here if not for the unnatural glow about all the plants.

What's left of them. An infected Sneasler is trampling all the Sitrus Berries growing here. You can...
>Save five leaves and a berry, if you're fast enough
>Unnatural vines snake through the shack's wood and even some of the stone and magma, wedging all into rod shapes. You could make a staff or two out of any of these...
>Cress and Spike are finally walking in behind everyone. They're both infected...

...But she's carrying him in a bearhug. They're slowly walking instead of screeching and attacking like anyone else in that state. Cress's eyes are reddened, and she's dropping hiccups here and there.

>>6392184
>if you're f-
>ish has practically every levelup and all his trainings in speed, of course he's fast enough. he'll hold onto the berry given he kinda... needs it, who wants some leaf stacks?

Rolled 13 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>6392184
"Whew! Thanks for the save guys."
>Kaz looks at Evan
"Hey did you...get taller? Ya seem stretched out."

>Save five leaves and a berry, if you're fast enough
"Hold that thought."

>Kaz jolts forward to grab some leaves before their nothing but mulch!
+7 Speed

Rolled 16 + 8 (1d20 + 8)

>>6392187
(forgot roll)

>>6392183
"Eh? Dude, I've been eating as much as I always did. I think not being human anymore means I'm fine."
>That's... even worse, actually.
>>6392184
>27/27
>Evan looks around at the lights, laughing and clapping his hands
https://youtu.be/X8MaVqT-0oY?si=rLSIUYx8u89X03w6
"Now THAT'S a show, huh guys?"
>Evan shouts into the depths, over-dramatically leaning over and putting a hand to where an ear would be.
"HOW'D YA LIKE THAT ONE, HUH?"
>>6392188
"Oh, y'know, a growing boy's gotta eat his vitamins."
>Evan shrugs

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>6392180
>Mirroring the now taller snake, a grin grows on the zoruas own face
"Yeah! Let's go!"
>Turning he follows his ears to join up with the mons he heard only a small distance away

>>6392184
"Better bring it along just in case..."
>Replacing the broken disk in his supplies, a twitch of his ears sets his attention to the approaching rabbit, in her arms is a familiar white fox
>Worry creeps up, but he pushes it aside for now. They're here, they're ok, and they're gonna help get rid of whatever is causing this once and for all!
"Okay I'm all ready to go."

>With a nod he sets off with the others, one golden seed shining amongst his rather limited supplies...which might get something else once he spots the berries and leaves on the ground..
"Oh! We could use...hey!"
>Barking towards the tall mon stomping over the leaves on the ground, he charges forward, a gathering wind from behind to give a light push accelerating him to top speed in an attempt to snag one before it's too late!

>IQ Skill: Fleetfooted

Rolled 18 (1d20)

(18/24)
This has been quite possibly the worst thirty minutes Darius has ever experienced in the exceedingly lengthy time he has been alive, and this powder is NEVER coming off again.

That being said, a chance to take out his frustraions in a more kinesthetic fashion isn't going to pass him by, and that Sneasler is going to be eating a Stomping Tantrum

(Hits on 5+, 7 + 10 + 2 + 4 = 21 damage)

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>6392184
"Hmmm... Ah, fuck it." In the last rest stop, Orner had gotten a Zen Headbutt TM from Cress (Who's looking kinda rough...), now might be the time to use it.
>Orner learned Zen Headbutt! She has forgotten Glare...

"Alright, back me up guyss!" She faces the Sneasler, ready to try out her new move. First, she concetrates, her powdered state facilitates the process...
>Orner uses Zen Headbutt! >4 to hit, 8 BP + 8 Attack + 2 STAB + 7 SE = 25 damage!

>>6392200
>Crit, +6 AP = 31 Damage!
Bit overkill but at the very least Orner get the hang of the move real quick.

>>6392180
>>6392184
>>6392192
"Big ups, Evan. Literally. The big mon on campfire. Don't get burned now that you're back to your senses."
She's not looking down at him anymore.
"Let's beat up..."
She looks over to see the Sneasler berry stomping.
"...oh."
Watching the others dogpile the Sneasler, Wallis can only let out an anime sigh as she opts out of the options presented and does nothing (take a Break).
>IQ Skill: Second Wind
>HP: 35/35
"So much for rescue..."

Rolled 1 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6392184
Sail swap around some stuffs in his storage.
>Sparkling Orb --> The Brigadier Butterscotch
>Scale Cap --> Defog Wand

>The slug shifted his attention toward the vines and went off gathering.
>Attribute: Foraging I

No Turning Back, Megaman 10 - https://youtu be/IyqyRxd8eKs?si

Ishmael has a Sitrus berry, while Kaz and Brook now have two Leaves. except... they're shining. These aren't Sitrus, they're ripened Sitrus! they even feel heavier...

...While Orner and Darius down the feral together. When it falls, it doesn't disappear- it's a real Pokemon, if one without the spark of intelligence.
There are a couple implements lying around in front of the shed. a Boring Smoothie, a Psychic Gem, a Gold Gummi, and a chisel. Don't think too much about how old they could be...

It appears Sail's got first dibs with his watchful...antennae.

>>6392184
>Evan examines the Kangaskhan Rock
"Remarkable likeness, don'tcha think?"
>Evan's inventory has changed! (Fairium Z sent to Storage, 4 Meteor Rocks taken out of Storage)
"How did they..."
>>6392204
"You know it. It'd be a shame to char up now."
>Evan smirks

>>6392184
>Cress and Spike are finally walking in behind everyone. They're both infected...
Espurr senses something's off with those two trailing behind. Team Stardust is slow, but Spike and Cress are slower, and that makes them uncomfortable. They'd rather be at the front where they lead the chase or the back where they have eyes on everyone. These two buffoons are inhibiting that.

Taking a step away from their team for a moment, Espurr lifts off and doesn't set foot on the ground again, instead floating like an astronaut towards the statue, popping open their Bamboo Canteen mid-leap before landing on the statue and collecting some Magic Powder within their remaining water reserves.
Pushing away, Espurr's trajectory leads them right towards Spike and Cress.

With precision and care, they close their eyes and let a splash of powder-imbued water spill from their bottle. Before their drink is completely spilled, the water drops stop in place, floating along with Espurr in zero-G.
A little winded from the mental exertion of keeping something other than their own body immune to the pull of gravity, Espurr sets foot on the ground before the two while collecting the extra water they didn't mean to expend.

Glancing up at the two zombies, Espurr hisses and waltzes away, leaving Cress to walk face-first into a glob of levitating water, its gravity returning at the moment of contact to spill the rest over the captive Spike.

Espurr gives their bamboo bottle a shake. There's still enough for an emergency. Yippee!

>>6392192
>>6392212
"W-okay! I'm back."
>Kaz waves his new Ripened Sitrus in the air, watching them glisten in the air
"Shiny leaves! Now, back to you."

>Kaz looks Evan up and down
"Yeah, yer definitely gettin' taller. We gotta get you a bigger pot back on the Shore Thing!"
>Kaz looks a little closer
"Your eyes're looking mighty red."
>Kaz look around at Evan's tail, seeing a drooping leaf
"An yer tail is pretty frail too. Just what happened to you?!"

>>6392212
>>6392195
>>6392188
"alright... think that's the most healing we're gonna salvage, probably..."
>deep breath.
"ya know, feeling like this without blaze isn't so fun. so if there's nothing pressing I'd like to take this... now."
>reminder (4/25HP)
>>6392192
"You're a plant too ya know, maybe it's like, diet stuff. either way that NEEDs some work."

>>6392212
>A small cloud of dust is kicked up as Brook dashes past and snatches a leaf in his mouth! Escaping just in time to avoid the combined assault easily taking out the unfortunate mon stomping around
"Yeah, goh it! Pftoo"
>The weighty leaf is spit into the rest of his supplies, as he turns his head forward ready to face whatever lies just up ahead!

File: Sail has found a twig.png (85.6 KB)

85.6 KB PNG

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>6392209
Tough luck their. The slug has not find much in the undergrowth. Only a twig plus a Plain seed laying on rock.
>Sail ate one of the unnatural vine, wonder what it taste like?

>>6392212
>Sail take the chisel and examine the shape of the tool.

>>6392218
>>6392219
>Evan puts his arms up
"Alright, alright, sheesh. Let's just kick this thing's ass first, yeah?"

>>6392212
Following Sail, Orner looks over the abandoned items in the shack, and makes a choice.
>Orner takes the Gold Gummi
>>6392159
"Eat thiss, right now."

>>6392222
"Hmgr.. nah fer the favor o' taste. I perfer some river driftwood t' dis plant matter."
Sail cut off some small sample of vines for the road.

>>6392214
Spike wasn't sure how long it had been since he had lost feeling in his paws but the presence near him was calm from what he could tell and he was growing closer, so he held faith it would be fine-

And with a wet splash recognition returns to him immediately.

"Ack!" Spike coughs and squirms in Cress's arms, the plume on his head flops onto his face.

"Huh? Who's there? Where are we? Did we win?" Spike fires questions back to back.

>>6392228
Espurr has no time for pointless questions. That's what Cress is for.

In the meantime..

>>6392212
WOW. Espurr might be pretty calm at all hours of the day but they want that Boring Smoothie like a cat wants milk. Or like how Espurr wants that Boring Smoothie.

>Espurr got the Boring Smoothie!
Celebrate.
Oh, also.
>Espurr starts batting the Psychic Gem across the floor for fun.
They need some stress relief.

>>6392234
"Ssstray!" Orner is glad to see the smarter cat of the group at this very moment. Likely not for selfless reasons. "Quick, I need you to do your trickss..." She hands them the recently expended Zen Headbutt TM.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>6392235
Espurr stares back at her with their one visible eye.
They weren't anticipating they'd be carrying one of these big disks with them today, but it looks like Orner feels differently, so it's theirs now. And they'd rather not be holding onto a broken piece of glass...
Okay. They've done this before. This spot is as good as any. All they need to do is hold it close and see what they can gleam from it...
Psychic power. It resonates with them. They can feel it stick to them as they run their paw against the surface of the TM. Yet, the actual implementation of this energy is distinctly tactile, and localized. Most Psychic power comes FROM the brain, but this is being projected AROUND the head...

Alright, they can try it. Best not to waste time.
>Espurr used Recycle!
>Difficulty: ≥10
Just fill those gaps with the glue of their own thoughts.

>>6392403
Espurr watches the rapidly-sealing cracks in the disk's broad surface fill up with an omnichromatic hue. They lift their arm, peering down at the reflection as the repair seems to continue without their effort, only for their lap to start steaming...

With a bit less panic than might be warranted, Espurr shoves the TM out of their possession. It clatters against the uneven floor, hissing with heat as the super-heated object chars the Earth beneath it.
Espurr keeps their eye on it, speaking to Orner in simple terms.
"The atmosphere is unfit for tasks requiring an untainted flow of energy."
They turn their head, staring up at the snake. "Should it be returned to you?"
The TM isn't completely broken, but... touching it would be like touching the hot magma which surrounds the party. Not even Ishmael could get away with nabbing it safely. So...
>Repair unsuccessful!
>The information was lost...

>>6392406
"Wow. That'sss new..." Curiosity almost gets the better of her but Orner decides to not poke the technical machine in the end. "Y'know what, I'll leave it up for grabsss. Good attempt though." No new wand today.

>>6392219
>that being said, let's use that berry now
>(24/25 HP, and a free item slot)
>>6392223
"Alrigh alright... speaking of..."
>>6392228
>>6392212
"Hey Cress, Spike, you two are probably the most experienced with the nastiest sides of 'mons. you got any ideas on what the hell's waiting for us down there?"
>>6392406
>beat
"oh, Dusk, your trick there works on healing berries right? it, uh. might be useful to have every supply we can."

>>6392574
"Ishmael is that you?" Spike asks before he swings his head and the wet plume out of his vision.

His eyes dart around the room they've found themselves in, lingering on the Kangaskhan statue for a moment.

"Oh, we must deeper in," he says to himself before turning his attention to Ish.

"A powerful psychic that's for sure, we both know that, but I don't know what kind of 'mon has THIS kind of power besides the legendary," Spike says, looking up at the 'mon holding him.

"It's reliance on emotions instead of words for communication make me think its some kind of extraterrestrial pokemon," he suggests, scrunching his thick, red eyebrows. "The energies flowing through here might be empowering it."

>>6392610
"Ain't'cha know it!"
>sparkle on ishmael, hold and hold one out in your offhand for the fox.
"an E.T would explain why the two spacers could like, hear it. and if it's psychic..."
>ish briefly glances over the whole party, while flipping through a few pages he brought alog
"I did not think to put down too much on psychics, but if I recall, Brook could take it's hits well."
>maybe the powder from the statue would also help, it does make ish feel... less fire-y.

>>6392615
"Brook is a Dark-Type," Spike reminds Ishmaels. "Their minds have stronger impulses and a resistance to intervention that makes most Psychic interference useless."

He squirms in Cress's grip, his skin seems to ripple as if snakes were slithering beneath the surface. The memory of the Dark Pulse causes the liquid malice in his veins to act on its own.

"But that thing didn't use a Psychic move against me. It used some sort of Dark Type move- not impossible, but definitely uncommon."

>>6392626
"I'm aware of his type, I figured it was like. a black box kinda thing. ever heard the saying of gazing into the void?"
>good to know at least
"as for that pulse, funnily enough, some kinda big wave came out over my team just before we got here, Wallis took a decent chunk, but my sub took it well enough."
>...
"...Man, that must mean it like, could hit most the dungeon at once with however tough it is."

>>6392630
>Ever heard the saying of gazing into the void?
Spike stares at Ishmael for a brief moment, his yellow irises glowing faintly in the dim room.

"Yes. I have," he states, before blinking and his eyes return to normal.

"Wait, they hit everyone in the cave? At once? With that strength?" The pale fox scowls, eyebrows knitting thoughts. "That's... That's not good, I don't know any move like that. Perhaps it is a legendary."

>>6392650
>>6392574
Cress stumbles through a few false starts before she realizes someone’s talking to her. She can’t really be bothered to think about a mere legendary Pokemon right now. She gives the whole area a once over. Then again. And a third time.
“…Th-there was a Cofagrigus…”
Her voice is raw from overuse. But the way it falls on Spike’s ears feels familiar- it seems it wasn’t actually attacks that were shaking Spike so violently earlier; He’s less injured than his twilighted instincts led him to believe- by 4 points.
She hugs him tighter.

Ah, right. Ishmael asked her for info. "I don't have any idea. Darkrai could conjure your nightmares, supposing it's real...? Mayb- I don't... I don't know. I should scout, I think..."...yet she stands still.

Also, none of these infected Pokemon have been put to sleep.

>>6392664
>. . .
"What's a darkrai?"
>Ishmael is, not exactly the kinda person to know what each pokemon is.
>>6392650
"that's... yeah it might just be. I think this'd be my first time seeing one."
>that'd be the grass deer grass continent sent, actually.

>>6392664
>Spike's HP: 19/35

Spike's ear twitch and he cranes his neck back to look up at Cress with pinched eyebrows and a worried frown.

Cofagrigus. Right.

'It's not here anymore, Cress. You survived and now we're safe,' he thinks to Cress through Telepathy, only grunting lightly in protest as he's squeezed.

>>6392666
(Demonic Trip)

"And we might need to fight one, just our luck."

>>6392669
>to the idea of fighting a legend, ish... can't help but laugh to himself.
"maaaan, you know dande the bard? I told 'em I'd get 'em a tale worth telling. but now you've said it, I'm half wondering if he'll even believe it!"
>ish takes a moment to step back and get to drawing the scene here. it's gonna be GOOD.
"hell, once this is all over, I wanna make sure he knows every bit of what's gone on here."

>>6392666
She's far from an occultist. Or a mute tween. So all you're getting is...
"A nightmare Pokemon. It pulls you into your worst fears."
"But you shouldn't assume anything. For all we know, it could be an electric Pokemon that shocks your synapses or something. There isn't much of this place left, I want to know what we can expect to see...
She shakes her head, nodding. But she can't shift types to use telepathy without losing her powder. "I... I don't think I can do that again. I'm not using any moves if my hand isn't forced. Would you two accompany me?" As she puts Spike down, it's just a whisper hidden under a sigh. "ₜₕₐₙₖ ᵧₒᵤ."

She flinches. The remains of a physiological response are still strong enough to leave a mark on her speech; even if the Magic Powder is filtering her emotions, there's still enough to agitate Cress.

>>6392410
Espurr finds this agreeable.

>>6392574
Espurr seems to be collecting scraps from where others have used and cast their Items away. They end up with quite a fair few leaves, but they're too small to hand out like candy.

>Espurr used Recycle!
>Espurr got Oran Leaf (x2)!

"Mrow."

>>6392683
"Frivolous hypothesizing does not yield actionable results." They are agitated by the idea that an Electric-Type could do all of this. "It is more likely an extraterrestrial microbe evolving to match the environment on this Earth."

>>6392672
>>6392683
"I don't, but if you want to spin some tall tale to others, I won't stop you," Spike said as Cress set him down on the ground, and his concern on his face only grew when he heard the small gratitude from Cress.

But he can't just worry the others, so he fixes his face and nods ahead. "We've got you, just lead the way."

>>6392684
"That's ridiculous," Spike shot back, looking the little autistic creature in the eyes. "I bet its a psychically active mollusc feeding off the ambient Infinity Energy this place has."

>>6392685
Espurr is busy sorting through their belongings to address Spike, but they do say, to no one in particular as they shake their Bamboo Canteen... "Saving my remaining fluid reserves would have been preferable."

>>6392683
"...ya know, darkrai sounds too edgy to be a real thing. next you'll tell me there's some magic bird that kills everything hen it gets sleepy"
>he doesn't know about yveltal.
"but, sure. I've trained myself to get in and out quick, so some scouting work ain't too bad."
>>6392684
"Nice work dusk, keep 'em steady in case we need more doctoring than ribbons can provide alone."
>>6392685
"wait, really? I could've sworn after... ah to hell with it, once this is all over you're coming down to fairyland with me. you gotta meet 'em."

Now without distraction...
"This dosn't really track, though. All documentation states the magma chamber doesn't reach this area. Konpeto Kaarst should be...dry. So this flow must be circling in from a vein or the surface. If this Pokemon crashed in from space, we should be able to find evidence of an impact or its tampering with the environment. There's just...nothing. A Pokemon wouldn't just wander down here for months, it'd have gotten out eventually. There's a missing piece to all this..."
Cress makes her way to the backend of the rest area. It comes out to a high ledge overlooking a big downhill spiral, magma and ferals dotting the path. She begins taking some mental notes on their behavior once she confirms there aren't any more ghosts among them...

>>6392707
>Brook can't help but to overhear the conversation going on behind him
>Turning his head he gives the tall rabbit a curious look
"Huh? Do you think maybe they might've been brought here by someone else, and just can't get out?"
>Taking a short rest on the ground, he raises a leg to scratch behind an ear
"Didn't think this might turn into a rescue mission."

>>6392707
>>6392711
"Perhaps," Spike mutters as his eyes follow the spiraling path down its depth before snapping up towards the ceiling above them.

"But if it didn't crash through the roof then maybe it came from deep within the earth?" he suggests before turning to Brook. "Although if that were true, then it should be used to this environment and be able to dig itself out, so we can safely assume it's not from above or below, so where?"

>>6392707
>>6392711
>>6393055
"it's a valid theory, but consider... what if whatever came down hit something on landing? then whatever was in the ground has been stuck with it lodged in for however long?"
>Ish's gaze follow's cress' cover the spiral. he's seeing if he recognises any of the 'mons in there.
>better yet, can he see the bottom?

"All of those are possible... I think. Let's prioritize learning as much as we can... if we aren't forced to put it down." Mind the possibility.

There are...Charizard and Houndoom, Solrock, More Sneasler, Machamp and Breloom. Those Sneaslers carry Chesto Berries, but never for long with the mushroom pokemon around.
"They don't look to have any special talents, except... " Cress points behind herself at the knocked out specimen. It's fallen by the statue, with some powder happening to drift over it. The haze in its eyes is cleared, but poison seeps from its claws as potently as ever.
>Immutable: The User's Type cannot be changed by Moves.

>>6393129
"we got some fires, some fightings... those mushrooms look like they're one charge away from going down."
>Ish pauses
"you think fighting moves will work on those sun-stone looking ones? or are we gonna need peeps like evan and wallis to handle 'em?"

>>6393129
>>6393133
"Leave those to Evan and Brook," Spike answers. "Those are Solrock, they're part psychic so your Fighting Moves won't be as effective as you hope."

Spike closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "I won't be of much help. I'm going in blind again, the source's emotions are strong enough for me to recognize even while infected, but I can't distinguish anyone else unless I..." He pauses and glances at Cress with a guilty look in his eyes. "invoke certain fears I know you all have."

'I'm sorry,' Spike thinks to Cress with his telepathy.

>>6393187
"Wouldn't you be pretty good against those ones?"
>ish notes to the machamps seen, while he draws out each 'mon that's out there
"You're a ghost ain't'cha? from what I know they won't be able to hit you with much."
>a pause, and ish checks over his type checks and...
"now that I think about it, do these things have particularly troublesome abilities? might be important when dropping a report to the others."
>there's a definite grass type, some fightings, some fires and a psychic rock...
>one of those fire types can fly, and ish thinks it's close enough to some 'mons he's seen before to presume blaze is possible... the more info we have to work with, the better.

>>6393129
"If it isn't doing it by choice, I hope it won't have to come to that."
>Brook raises his head up to get a look at the mons waiting for them down below, a slight twinge of nervousness creeps up before, he snaps himself out of any doubts by a shake of his head
>>6393187
>Hearing his name, he looks over towards his ghostly counterpart, before once more looking back out to the mons up ahead. His eyes roaming across, until settling on the one that looks like a Sol Rock
"Those sun looking guys? You sure? They look pretty hard...I don't know if anything I got can really do much."

>>6393196
"Hm," Spike hums, rubbing his chin as if massaging memories out of his skull. "I think that the Charizard should have the same ability as you do, but with this lava flow they might be able to mega-evolve and I don't know that ability they have then."

He points towards the Houndoom. "It's likely that the Houndoom can absorb fire and use it to empower their own moves, half of all Fire Types I know can do that- its why you don't fight fire with fire."

"Solrock levitate like Bomb, so some of Wallis's moves won't work against them- I'm... not sure what that tall Sneasel does, but it looks poisonous. Try avoiding making direct contact with the Breloom, they shed paralytic spores like dandruff, it'll leave stunned by petting a pikachu."

"The Machamp are a toss up, one you should leave to me or Darius. Burns, Frostbite, and Paralysis trigger some kind of response like hysterical strength, or they have no guard, focused on landing hits over all else."

>>6393218
"You don't have any Dark-Type moves?" Spike asks, surprised. A pang of guilt shoots through his chest, has he been so distracted that he didn't notice Brook's progression?

"If you're not sure then, leave them to Wallis or someone else."

>>6393229
"I'm just...not the best with them."
>Shifting his eyes, he gives Wallis a quick glance to check on her injuries from moments ago before looking back towards the phantom fox with a nod
"I'll leave it them, but if they look like they're having trouble I'll still jump in! There's more to a fight than what kinda moves you use!"
>BAM! He punches his own open paw
"I'm not gonna run away if they need some help! That goes for you too, so you better not get into trouble if you don't wanna drag me into it!"
>A smirk forms on his face, as he returns to laying on the ground, resting for what's to come...

>>6393229
>Charizard blaze... houndoom flash fire... solrock levitate...
>those are what ish can be certain of
>Machamp and breloom ish puts down both for, with sneasler... he puts a question mark.
"if those Houndoom have that fire drawing power... man, between that, the twilight, and all the energy down there there's."
>ish pauses
"I might need ya to keep an eye out in case I just plain lose it. in like, an overstimulation way."
>>6393238
>ish can't help but smile at Brook's confidence. we're gonna make it...

Cress spends a few moments in silence narrowing down their moves and behaviors. "Only the charizard will try to draw close before anything enters their attack range, but..." Cress presents her notes. (https://pokepast es/a10633aae8dbc3cc)

>>6393229
She closes her eyes. "I won't be a liability every time I meet a ghost. You're too..." Cress doesn't finish that thought. "I would not have made it this far without you. You'll be repaid." An apology and a thank you without those words.

>>6393293
>ish gets a good look at the notes, copying them as neatly as he can...
>Twice, three... four times... and compiles 'em.
"I'll be back in a second."
>and goes to hand out a copy to each team.
>first to Evan and Wallis, with wishes of good luck.
>next to Ribbons, with a quick nod and purposefully keeping distance from the rest of his group
>third to Kaz, a fistbump is offered, if accepted or refused isn't gonna be much to chance how confident ish is in his rival team
>last to skitty, given she's the one he's closest to on stardust... the rabbit queries on catching up once this quest's up.

>>6393302
"Hm? What's this..."
>Evan does a quick scan of the paper
"Ah! O-kay, I got it! ...So not Houndoom or the Charizard... definitely not that weird-ass Sneasel... ah, whatever, I'll make it work. Thanks Ish."

File: 7-not-a-bad-way-to-start-a-saturday-shiny-island-scan-v0-66medz3ltj101[1].jpg (120.6 KB)

120.6 KB JPG

>>6393293
>>6393302
Wallis still can't read this world's language of printrune. She stares blankly at what pictures there are.
:|
"T-Thanks, Ish. Good luck to you too."
Wallis doesn't want her high value items removed from the Kangaskhan Rock's safe storage, assuming she even gets this puzzling sculpture enough to do so. She does have an item suited to the challenge ahead, however.
"Not much better opportunity than the belly of the beast, so into the belly you go."
Wallis downs her Bulwark Seed with a hearty gulp.
>Wallis' Defense and Special Defense rose 2 stages!
>>6393308
Her resolve and physique steeled, she gets Evan to interpret the gobbledygook for the ordeal ahead so she can formulate a plan.

>>6393293
Spike takes the notes from his partner's paws once Ishmael is done copying them and reads over them closely. If Cress's observations were true, then the pale fox had a poor match-up with most of these 'mon.

"Most of them know some of Dark Type move and half of them can mega evolve if they come into contact with that lava," Spike grimaced, handing the notes back to Cress before he examined his own body, which was starting to bruise with ugly black spots beneath his skin. Even if he could take more of a beaten than the rest of the team with his unique body, there wasn't any real way to mend the wounds already present.

>Spike's HP: 19/35
>IQ Skill Active: Resilient
>Retroactively, the User's HP is increased an extra +2 every 3 levels until level 54, but all healing sources are less effective by 8 HP healed.

The best advantage he had was that he had been infected with the Twilight Syndrome multiple times, more than anyone else on the team and he knew how to work through the symptoms. The moderate boost in endurance that remaining afflicted could stretch what precious stamina he had left.

"The only 'mon here I feel confident going against are the Breloom and the... Sneasler," Spike read, confused by the name of the tall sneasel, "even the Charizard if it came down to it. They don't seem to have a strong defense against my Special moves, it would be tough still."

Spike taps his paw against the ground and sighs.

"I'm going to shed the powder once we're ready to move, the infection should give me enough strength to withstand the scrap ahead," Spike warns, looking at the others for their reactions.

>>6393323
"You'd do best against the Charizard and the Houndoom, I think. That's those two over there."
>Evan points at the dragon't and dog
"And that lanky Sneasel, if they're poison type like I think they are, then your ground type moves'll knock'em around pretty good.

>>6392223
>Kaz smirks
>The Kubfu baps Evan on his new shoulder
"Aw come on! I gotta have a lil' fun!"
"So, what're we in for?"

>>6393302
>third to Kaz, a fistbump is offered, if accepted or refused isn't gonna be much to chance how confident ish is in his rival team
>And a fist bump is returned!
"Thanks, rabbit man! So, what happened to you back there? I had ta deal with the shadows and one confused Darius."

>>6393504
>>6393507
Wallis squints with a troubled grunt as she's brought into this huddle.
"This Magic powder's got me... misaligned with my moves because they're not psychic type. The fire types I get, but uh... The only ground move I have is Earth Power. Even if I have more control with it than Earthquake, I can't really hit just the Sneasel thing with it."
She's seen the species before but never got its name.
"Oh yeah that reminds me. What Nature Power do you feel here? You might have that lava move or Earth... Power... too?"
Her eyes dart between the molten ground, Evan's armor, and the meteorite fragments he withdrew.

>>6393507
"The statue was with us, and a good few ferals homed in on it. evan... might have forgot to dust up, but side from that it was relatively smooth."
>>6393512
"Speaking of moves.... I don't quite think ice is gonna be very useful here."
>Ish puts away his Channeling rod, while shoving a spiced soup into himself for the bonus power he'll need.
>Ishmael's attack rose by 2 stages!
"Anyone gonna be using that psychic gem?"

>>6393512
"Well, whatever happened with that last one was kinda pink-y and scattered around. But if we wanna keep a lid on how many of these guys we're fighting at once I don't think I should use Nature Power.
>Evan shrugs
"'Course, if everyone just goes nuts and tries hitting like five of 'em at once then I've got a lit-tle something I've been holding onto."
>Evan smirks as Wallis notices the meteorites
>>6393516
"I didn't forget."

>>6393516
Wallis shrugs at her fellow exception to prebuffing. Seems she's not rushing to fill that freed item space with Espurr's new toy.
>>6393521
"First you copy my Earth Power and then you've got my pink too. You starting a Wallis fan club or something?"
She meets his smirk with one of her own as a fellow room-hitter, nodding as he explains.
"Well, that Machamp's caught my eye. No Guard, huh? If they're all infected, we might be able to turn them on each other. Remember when we got down with the sickness?"
The Wayfarers were easily provoked by a stray shot from Cress, after all.

Spike leaves the cliff and the group overlooking it to investigate the Kangaskhan statue, something about it tells him its both a guardian and messenger of things- and when he approaches his intuition is proven true.

With the current battle approaching, he'll have to use the strongest options he has.

>Spike uses TM97.
>Spike forgets Hidden Power and learns Calm Mind!

>Spike moves Broken TM (TM97) from his Inventory his Storage.
>Spike moves TM194 from his Storage to his Inventory.

>Spike uses TM194.
>Spike forgets Swift and learns Hex.

>Spike moves Broken TM (TM194) from his Inventory to his Storage.
>Spike moves Ghost Gem from his Storage to his Held Item.

After a quick rearranging of his possessions and absorbing both the technical knowledge and muscle memory from the discs, Spike rests his head against the statue, tired.

This has to work.

>>6393302
"Yeah, yeah... listen, I don't claim to know that much about this stuff," she says. Cress in particular might know that is at least partially a lie, and that she just doesn't want to look too much like a nerd. Some things she just doesn't recognize at all... to that end, she just shrugs. "I'll follow your guys' lead. Can't promise any serious damage, but I'll help."

...she doesn't know what Copycat is.

>>6393326
"Pfft. 'The scrap ahead'? This is like the 'halt' thing. Do whatever you want, King Arthur."

>>6393544
Wait- Spike checks inside his bag and sees the three Tiny Reviver Seeds inside that he brought with him. He originally intended to revive himself with them instead of relying on Oran berries, but he can't use them if he's unconscious.

"Hey! Anyone want Revivers?" Spike shouts, waving the three seeds in his paws.

>There are 3 Tiny Reviver Seeds that anyone can take.

>>6393548
"hey, you probably know more than I do."
>easy to admit
"and thank you, I'm gonna be trying to focus on those dogs, and maybe the mushrooms. just, if ya need a hand call out."
>>6393554
>blink, and ish is there, happily taking one
"the more healing, the better, I'll keep one of these safe in case one of the brick walls in our crew goes down."
>now back to skits and kaz

>>6392184
Orner looks at the rocky visage of a Kangaskhan which somehow lets her access her belongings from great distance, and then at the stony imitation of a Hatterene that by some miracle produces infinite amounts of their unique Magic Powder. Wildly different purposes but similar presentation and mystery behind their inner workings. "Issn't thiss a funny coincidence? I wonder..."

>Orner reads and discards the Training Manuals in her Storage, then stores her X-Scissor and used up Helping Hand TM.

>>6392184
>>6392686
>While everyone is here, Kaz remembers something
>He trods over to the Kangaskhan Bank and takes out a used Ice Punch TM
"Hey Espurr!"
>Kaz calls out, making his way to the Recycle Monarch
>He holds out the used TM
"Can ya see if'n you can fix this one up? Its just takin' up space in my bank."
>Kaz gives Espurr the Ice Punch TM for Recycling purposes

>>6393715
Well, the time has come for Espurr to fail once more. But this time, they'll be more prepared for it.
They look up at Kaz with their fur hanging over one eye, repeating what they proclaimed to Orner not long ago. "The atmosphere is unfit for tasks requiring an untainted flow of energy," they state, "would you provide it to me with said risk in mind?"

>>6393723
>Kaz nods
"Yeah, I most just need ta free up some room in all the stuff I'm carryin'."
>The Kubfu smiles
"Either ya fix it an' I give it ta one of the others or ya break it an' now I got room. Win win!"

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>6393728
Espurr gets to work rather swiftly. They don't want to waste time when this break the Wayfarers have isn't meant to last. Danger looms ahead and this TM is the least of their concerns, so with this attempt, they allocate their spare effort to the cohesion of this disk.
It's fine and precise, taking on a unique, purposed shape. Unlike Electric, it doesn't lash out, but merely warns those making contact with sharp barbs. This sort of energy is Ice, they confirm.
While the target of the energy localization was the head in their last attempt, this one wants to extend outwards to the extremities, sharing a feeling of cold, frostbitten digits. Fighting is the only option when you use this Move.

Alright, time to get this show on the road.
>Espurr used Recycle!
>Difficulty: ≥10

>>6393733
Like a cold snap, something frigid fills the gaps with permafrost, the radiant sheen of the wafer disk smoothing over the cracks to recreate something perfect. And all it took was running one's paw across its surface.
"The puritan nature of this sample made for a simpler task. Discarding useless information was elementary, I suppose."

Espurr holds the disk out with both paws.
>Ice Punch TM was repaired successfully!

File: Cutscene1.png (1.8 MB)

1.8 MB PNG

(20/30) Cress has an Oran berry...but she's offering it to Ribbons.

Once everyone's ready to move on...
Up until now, the walls of this place have been pitch black. This chamber is made of a different material...
>Orner, Ribbons, Spike, Cress, Espurr
Some of you receive a phantom sensation from nowhere. You feel... anxious, excited to step forward and meet someone. Confused, why you say so little. Ready, for all of it to be over.
Powdered, you can separate those emotions from your own.

I thought I was the only one here...is it safe to come out here? Into this [oxygen]?
The three...? of us will know peace...either in death or escape...
For a split second, a flash of blue light illuminates the vicinity. When it fades a replica of Brook stands before you. It disappears.
What were they trying to show me...?

>>6393554
Yoink goes the support character. Skitty swaps with Spike, takes one for herself, then swaps him back.

>>6393733
>>6393736
>Kaz is shocked!
"No way!"
>Kaz takes the very cold TM
>He holds it up to the light, trying to see any flaws in the disk
"That's a first! Thanks Espurr."
>Kaz smiles appreciatively

"HEY!"
>Kaz yells to the team
"Anyone wanna learn Ice Punch?"

>>6393745
Espurr gets back to business.

>>6393737
"A powerful force lies ahead." Even calm as they are, Espurr can't keep their heart from racing. The sound of their breathing is loud even at their small size. Everything feels heavy. Heavier than usual. They glance to Skitty >>6393744 for some subconscious reassurance, holding onto the Tiny Reviver Seed they took from Spike >>6393554 with intent.
"Which of us experienced the surge of emotion just now?" they ask. "The experience of another is being projected to me."

>>6393737
Bulwark'd and ready, Wallis stands waiting for the call to action.
"I can barely tell how to get deeper into this abstract mess from here."

>>6393745
Wallis recallis a merchant's pitch to pick up an ice move. She also grimaces at the Breloom resisting most of her moves.
"I'll take it. I just freed up a little space."
"Take" being the operative word. She stashes it for the moment.
"I'd be fine without it, but... T-Thanks, Kaz."

>>6393737

This might just be a long, drawn out slugfest to reach the source of this whole mess. Darius couldn't be any happier about it, really. It's a nice chance to put that whole previous experience behind him and do something *fun* instead.

>>6393737


"Surge of emotions? I didn't feel anythin' like that."

>>6393748
"Wicked!"
>Kaz moves over to Wallis and hands her the Ice Punch TM
"An now you've helped me free up some space!"
"No problem! So, what'd you see back there? Crazy stuff, right? I was facin' off against Shadow pokemon and Darius went a bit crazy."
"An' Gardevoir was there. Tellin' me she couldn't send me home."
>Kaz shakes his head
"Its gonna be a lot tougher than I thought ta get back!"

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>6393737
Sail's on the look out for any hidden trap tile laying around.
>IQ Skill: Entry Artist

>>6393737
>Fire has always been ish's thing
>usually it's just a feeling it's warmth, or being it's warmth. since he woke up in this form first... well, it's driven his passion, and in turn been fueled by it.
>...
>we're in the thick of it, the twilight's source is just ahead, and to get through it we just gotta go a little further.
"of course, of course it'd come from here..."
>and now, to himself... it's probable the group can hear it too.
"To hell's heart then? to hell's heart I strike, to end this plague once and for all!"
>...
>ah, espurr asked something
>>6393746
"I didn't experience anything blaze wouldn't give me anyway."

>>6393752
Wallis looks sadder for a moment at the news that the Voice of Life won't send them home.
"Figures... Between foes of our own, we got the third degree from Virizion on a ship home to Ho'oha. I wasn't afraid to tell her off when she acted like her homeland's problems are our fault. We got out of that illusion so fast that she got cut off. We're gonna show her what actual problem solvers look like."
Her ambition rekindled, Wallis extends a fist to bump.

>>6393737
A shiver runs through Spike's body, and for a moment he can feel his heart beat and his chest rise from breathing. Eyes narrow, these aren't his emotions- its theirs. Whatever sympathy he had for the creature was dulled by not just the powder, but by the memory of the flash of vengeance and hostility it bore towards him.

>>6393746
" I did," Spike says. "Steel yourself, Espurr. You are not your emotions, and its You that will put an end to this."

Spike closes his eyes, taking deep conscious breaths as he knows what he's about to willingly step back into. Those words a silly salve to the terror they faced, but its something, and that's better than nothing.

>>6393737
>The sound of shifting and footsteps signals the end of their brief respite, with one last look out towards the mons in wait he hurries over and begins the descent as well
>Both his fur and ears stand on end, time has finally come to face the danger head on!
"Whew..."
>Brook closes his eyes takes a deep breath letting the feelings blow across him just like the wind he puts so much faith into...
"Alright here we come!"
>With a cry his eyes shoot open, the pitch black walls now painted with color and he charges forward to take a position in front!

File: Screenshot 2026-04-04 195725.png (108.2 KB)

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You may recall a cabana resort with a somewhat similar view in your past...but the scale's all of. Space is represented a little differently, and thus...

>Characters can move 6 spaces by default. With 8 AP or more, characters can move 8.
>Characters must move before taking their action. Once you act, that's where your round ends.
>Contact moves can hit from 2 spaces away. Noncontact moves can hit from 3.
>Characters can spend their action to shove an ally one space away.

Uniquely for Konpeto Kaarst...
>Characters will take 4 true damage for each tile they spend in magma, but will awaken upon doing so.
>Enemies can move 6 spaces regardless of build.

As for your goals...
>Hyperawareness of the volatile feelings here pumps the body up, even if powdered minds are no longer a body's plaything. Characters with the Empath skill gain +2 to damage dealt.
>Infected player characters take 4 less damage from incoming attacks, but must roll ≥13 to successfully target. Otherwise, they will target nothing or an ally.
>Powdered characters are unaffected by Twilight Syndrome. They may target freely, but their typing is fully replaced by pure Psychic. There may be worse things to be than an inaccurate attacker...
>Characters within 5 spaces of the Hatterene idol may freely switch between being powdered and unpowdered until they've spent their action.
>Any character may push/pull the idol along with their movement at no cost. It'll stay adjacent to its escort. The Hatterene Idol can take two hits, and will break on the third.
>Use the idol's Magic Powder to segregate the source of Twilight Syndrome's feelings from the thoughts sustaining them to end the disease. Alternatively, there are two other ways to stop the madness...
>The idol will not survive any long falls from ledges or balancing acts. Pic related.

>>6393737
"Nice place! I wouldn't mind leveling it and putting a monument in my honor on top. Too bad it's already occupied by madmen, but y'know. Nothing's perfect."
>>6393755
"Let's save the profound poetry night for after we kick this thing's ass, huh?"
>Evan pats Ish on the back
>>6393746
"That might'a been me but I dunno for sure."
>>6393766
"Let's finish this thing!"

>>6393746
"Mmmmm, nothin' outa the ordinary I don't think."
"Just now? Because I was feelin' some real tense stuff back a few minutes ago."

>>6393757
"Ver-iz-eeon? Oh, that green deer lady, right?"
>Kaz rolls his eyes
"What's she know? We're down on the ground with this stuff."
>Kaz smiles and returns the fist bump
>Long ago, Wallis would have recoiled if he had offered the same physical contact
>They've all grown a lot over their time in this world
"We'll show her! Its a cinch!"

>>6393746
"I definitely been feeling emotionss that aren't mine ever ssince we got closse to thiss volcano." Orner confirms her newly acquired Empath abilities to a teammate for the first time. "I undersstand it but sstill... I can't get a read on thiss thing."

>>6393763
"I feel nothing but the acute pain born of a body too feeble to enact the will of the mind which dictates it." Espurr is certain of that.

With the experiences of Darius, Ishmael, Evan, and Kaz in mind, they form their own conclusion. "I see..." Then what lies ahead is an Empath, through and through.

>>6393777
"It is safe to assume we face an entity with psychosomatic power, a talent that eludes even I. It would be wise for you to remind yourself the nature of any seemingly impossible phenomena we may encounter on the path ahead, I suppose."

>>6393768
>Espurr remains coated in Magic Powder.

The Type change has no bearing on them, but they desperately need to remain at full strength to survive this. That means control over their gravitational anomaly is their angle, first and foremost. Levitation will come in handy should they ever approach the scathing stone bordering this arena...

>>6393773
Wallis huffs proudly as her gesture's returned.
"Feel free to cut loose. I'm ready to bring the storm!"

>>6393770
"This statue will work, let's just make sure it stays in good shape."
Wallis pats the idol.

>>6393768
Confirming the objective, Wallis stays close to the idol in question. She still recalls the scroll within that's the source of its power. Worst case, she may have to use that instead. She doesn't get psychic mumbo jumbo, but hopefully her new Psychic typing will aid that.

File: zugadoon..jpg (1.6 MB)

1.6 MB JPG

>Orner, Ribbons, Spike, Cress, Espurr
There's a surge of gratitude.
I hope my misery has fed you adequately. Let us meet.

>>6393754
More a hidden goodie than a trap, nearby. Further off in the ceiling, though...

Chapter 24: Deadlights

A white tendril pokes in through the veins dripping magma from a roof. It begins stretching and sagging in primary colors like the rest of them... until it pulls a lacy cravat out behind like a pulled weed revealing its roots. The The high contrast and saturation in here already makes it painful to see, but this thing is downright blinding. It burns just gazing upon the thing.
It reveals more of itself until there's a humanoid bodyplan of... something stumbling around on the ceiling. It looks like an incomplete toy more than anything else.
The thing produces a bubble and lifts it to its inverted hips, as if presenting a trophy to the whole chamber.
"I-... is that a...Pokemon...?"

It falls and crashes into the magma below with a screech. The emotional feedback of pain is almost enough to injure you for real.

Are you there? Tell me I'm not alone...

>>6393787
>It's go time!
>This place looks even more dangerous than the last!
>Getting some cover should be a good start

Kaz moves 6 to the Right

"Come on guys! What're you waitin' for?"

>>6393787
Espurr stares up, their half-hidden gaze finding focus on the creature's form. The silhouette crawling across the ceiling and hanging its unsightly limbs from one another is too alien to be called a Pokemon...
"...It is a shape, scrolling along space with lights and colors in place of mass."
That is what the cat has to say about this uncanny entity of many wavelengths. They can't agree with Cress' initial claim.

Their fur stands on end. What is this feeling of sadness? Does the tragedian know it that well?
>...
>...
>...
What are you?

>>6393787
What. . . What was that thing? The longer he stared at those dancing lights that moved like limbs, the louder the voices in his head became to scream that... that thing did not belong in this world, a foreigner to both this world's reason and logic.

This. This was the source of it all. An otherworldly jester that dragged everyone else into its spiraling circus of madness.

>>6393780
"Be careful. Stay safe. You strong," he began.

Spike whips his tail and throws his head, shaking the powder off his body. With every particle free the crushing grip of terror tightens around his heart like a vice, choking the breath out of his lung, squeezing the bile from his stomach.

But its in the earth-crushing vice of terror that bravery is forged- it has been countless times before and it would be countless times after, and now it would need to be once more.

His sight distorts as if filled with a tears. His hearing is drowned out by some roaring he could not hear before. But his words are robbed and strangled, he screams back at the voice, in voices not his own.

>IQ Skill activate: Telepath
>If the User is Ghost or Psychic-Type, they may telepathically-speak with anyone they choose.

'JUDGEMENT HAS COME TO YOU.'

File: Cutscene2.png (2.1 MB)

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It crashes into the lip of a platform a few times before falling sideways up the ledge. It doesn't seem to notice the Breloom roaming right in front of it, even after taking a Bullet Seed attack.
Another hellish screech. Then, it turns towards Kaz's movement.

...

. . .

Only more [Hydrocarbons]. Only more [Silicates]. Everywhere I go...They even mimic my kind...!
It will end. It will end, NOW.
The empaths among you feel a desperate, boiling need to kill. Unfortunately, there's nothing for it take that frustration out on nearby.

Cress steps in. "KAZ, GET BACK!!"
https://vocaroo com/1NKfjSRaQaqu

While the Breloom before you is burned away, its body lights up, standing upright now.

>Feast Boost: Enemy only. Upon taking a KO, user's health and status are fully restored.

File: let's get heated!.png (36.4 KB)

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>>6393770
"Poetry?"
>>6393825
>ish's off to the races! urning up a little from how close he gets to that magma... well, by close, we mean... IN
>(20/25 HP)
>but he can feel his heart beating faster and faster... and faster and faster And FasterAndFasterAnd-
>...
>what IS this feeling? he doesn't want it to stop!
>ishmael channels bounce! he's gone sky high!

File: PT1.png (2.2 MB)

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PLAYER TURN 1

Vs Marx, Kirby Superstar Ultra - https://youtu.be/PX4bdzBRj1g?si [Embed]

Watch your step.

File: 1775354277798988.png (2.1 MB)

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>>6393823
>>6393831
>Freezing just as he was about to move forward, a shadow falling in the corner of his eyes catches his attention!
>Before he can turn his head to look, his ears are filled with the sound of Cress shouting for Kaz and then...
"AHH! My ears!"
>The loud wailing has him crouching low to the ground, paws shooting up to block out the noise as the unfortunate mushroom mon is wiped out...

"W-What is this thing!?"
>It takes all his strength to not take an instinctive step back, as the burning smell floods his nostrils
"N-No way! I...can't run away, not after coming so far!
"RAHHHH!"
>Throwing his focus forward, he charges ahead! With chest heaving, he frantically digs through his supplies, a shaky breath rising from his throat before he finally finds what he's searching for...
"Phew...I thought I might've dropped it."
>Lifting his foreleg high into the air, a blue crystal reflecting the rainbow lights of the cavern, shines brightly in his paw!
"I've been saving it for something big, I hope it works!"

>A savage CRACK echoes around as the crystal orb shatters apart in his hand, seconds pass his relieved expression changing to a brief look of worry until....
>SWOOSH suddenly he can feel a gust blowing through his fur! A smile spreads on his face as he turns to look at the wild mons ahead, blue scarf dancing in the breeze that had been trapped in that blue crystal!
"Come and get me!!"

>Brook uses Evasion Orb!
>Evasion increased by 10!!!

File: Spike's Move 1.png (1.2 MB)

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>>6393823
With that last psychic scream of defiance, the last of the powder holding Spike's sanity falls off. Everything in front of him becomes unrecognizable just as the whispering behind his eyes sense something fiercesome fly past them and the killing intent radiating off it.

>Spike is no longer powdered. His type changes from Psychic to Normal/Ghost.
>Spike is now infected. He now take 4 less damage from incoming attacks, but must roll ≥13 to successfully target.

The Soulbound Zorua lunges past the crowd with reckless abandon, his face scrunched in tight concentration as if it can pull his mind back together.

>Spike moves 2 up, 3 right, 1 up.
>Spike uses Calm Mind! Both his Special Attack and Special Defense are raised by 1 point each.

>>6393831
He was wrong. This isn't going to be fun at all.

This is going to be a *blast*.

Darius moves right four, then up two. Unfortunately, he is too slow to properly get into range of anything just yet.

File: Blastshow1.png (144.7 KB)

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"Watch yer head fer a surprise t' wait. Come fore fer a show too last."

>>6393831
>(27/27 HP)
Sail moved westward, moving behind cover.
>The slug armor up with Acid Armor!
(3 + 2 = 5 Def.)

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>6393823
>Cress steps in. "KAZ, GET BACK!!"
"Hu-wha-OH SHI-!"
>Kaz is barely pulled out of the way of the death ray!
"Woo, Jee-yeeez that was close!"
>Kaz takes a deep breath
"Thanks for the save, Cress."

>Now having another angle to look at the cover Kaz wanted to take, it looks like there's something sticking out from it!
>But what?
>Let's find out!

Kaz moves 1 Down, 5 Right

Kaz uses Brick Break to try and break the Stalagmite!

File: GoEast!.png (50.4 KB)

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>>6393787
"What...?"
Matchia looks bewildered at the... Pokemon?
"I've never seen something like that before..."
>>6393823
Matchia looks a bit disturbed, grimacing at the sight.
>>6393831
"...I'll be moving the statue."
Matchia says finally, still staring at where the Breloom... was.
Being conveniently near the statue, she can grab it!
"I'll be sure to protect it, no matter what."
Six east with the statue.

File: Wallis Deadlight Movement.png (157.3 KB)

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>>6393823
>>6393859
Wallis feels the bloodthirsty cry reverberate, but solidifies her footing as it dissipates into the ground.
"So you're that cretin responsible for this. Well, your nonconsensual prescription's here- a lethal dose!"
The idol is key here.
"I'm with you, Matchia! Let's get this guy powdered."
>Wallis moves 4 East, 1 North, 1 East
Wallis moves the idol further ahead after Matchia, then, without better recourse, puts up a Wide Guard for the idol and as many allies as possible.

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>>6393823
Espurr bares their claws and fangs, lowering their head. It's instinctual. They can't help it. That's the nature of Empathy, of course.
But they aren't here to hurt. They're here to help.

Espurr sprints into the fray, stopping to take cover amidst the sea of warm bodies that is their allies. They point outwards, sweeping a paw across the air towards Brook, Kaz, and Darius.
"Projecting refractive veil," they announce as a shimmering screen rushes forth, bending and conforming to their bodies before fading.
>Espurr used Light Screen!
>Brook, Kaz, and Darius are protected for 3 Rounds!

They glance back, spotting Wallis and Matchia at their flank. "I will bolster your defensive capacities." Looks like it's an offer, but they're a little busy ensuring their power will bind to the first three targets.

>>6393866
>A shimmering wall appearing in his vision gives him pause, turning his head he spots the small gray cat nearby!
"Thanks, I'll try to make the most of it. Make sure you keep yourself safe too!"
>Giving them a quick nod, he looks back to stare down the feral mons up ahead

File: skittymove1.png (242.8 KB)

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>>6393831
Skitty is forced to look away after a few seconds trying to make sense of the... thing that just spilled out of the ceiling. No one seems to know what it is, but the shape rings a bell... that's an alien, no?

>>6393859
"I'm pretty sure it's from space," she says, desire to not be a nerd forgotten. "The gimmick was something like that. I'll try to think about it," she says of her foggy meta-knowledge, as though she has time to do that.

>Skitty ate her Sourdough! HP cap raised. (26/30)
>Skitty moves 7 Right and 1 Down, adjacent to the item, and picks it up.
>6 AP into Dodge! (IQ Skill: Agile Armor). Defenses raised by 6 this turn!

File: PT1.png (143.5 KB)

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>>6393823
Overwhelming. Orner can't help but writhe and whine on the floor. This feeling, this monster, it's... "NGHhh... Why...?" ...Is it familiar? Just the tiniest bit of recollection, maybe from another life because she's absolutely sure this is her first time seeing this thing.

Get moving first, think later.
>Starting from Cress' tile, Orner moves and waits.

>>6393866
Matchia gives a quick nod of appreciation as she lugs the statue.
"Yes. That'd be... good."

>>6393868
"Space...?" She mutters distantly.
"An alien would... Make sense." She glances over at the pokemon from where she's moving.

>>6393868
>>6393870
With Skitty now a very short distance away, Espurr is... logically satisfied to have their team with them.
"An extraterrestrial life form without the sensibilities of you or I," Espurr corrects. "Tread carefully."
Now onto more important matters. "I am able to increase the resilience of our allies for a short duration. What is our course of action?" They'd like to hear from Skitty and Matchia what they plan on doing. And notably... "How may I assist?"

>>6393873
"Hit it hard?"

>>6393873
"I'm not sure what our game plan is, exactly. If we move as a group with the statue, it could just be over in a second... but if we split up, this thing's undefended. I think we have to settle for the former, and we figure it out as we go? Try not to get melted?"

She casts her gaze away, to Spike and Ishmael. "I'll see if I can stop them from getting themselves killed, too."

>>6393831
>6 Right
"That thing doesn't look right. Do you think it's even a Pokémon?"

>>6393873
>>6393876
"Yeah. I think we've got the statue covered, mostly... Go help them out."

>>6393866
>>6393873
"Works for me!"
Wallis stops pushing and points ahead after agreeing to be a Light Screen target.
"We take the idol down and around without getting destroyed. Besides your protection, you could help us look for traps since this is a mystery dungeon. If a trap's really poorly placed, we may need your help floating the idol over it."
Wallis scratches her head and leans in closer to speak more hushedly.
"Worst case, we use the scroll inside of the idol. Even if the idol part gets destroyed, we might be ok if we can salvage the scroll within. Do you think Recycle would work on that?"

File: BlacephalonMap2.png (2 MB)

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Rolled 20, 10 = 30 (2d20)

Spike, Brook, and Sail are all boosted up...

While Brook, Kaz, and Darius all have a Light Screen to protect themselves.

The statue is shifted...

Ish is awakened! even in the air, he feels his nerves finding perfect harmony with his muscles. His balance, immaculate. His thoughts, converted directly into Pure Power.

Kaz would have a new toy on his hands at the cost of some cover, but an otherwise exemplary Brick Break goes sidelong. It's just that bright in here...

Skitty boosts her max health while picking up another Ripened Sitrus Leaf! Its effect is doubled from this overwhelming growing environment
.
More importantly than any of that though, "Do we have a name for this space-thing?" Ever on top of priorities, that Cress.

>>6393879
"So I say, but If it moves and it's not a human... Pokemon understand eachother by nature though, right? This thing doesn't seem to..."
Cress tries projecting her own confusion about its rage...

>>6393873
>>6393871
>>6393868
"If Clefable is onto anything, then that means words are out. A-" The group must press on, but that Charizard approaches. a pincer is oncoming.
"Fuck! Spike and I will take rear guard. I-" that was definitely a Shadow Ball passing by. She tugs on her ears, suppressing a scream with a twilighted ally nearby. More ghosts. Naturally.
Cress moves from Orner's start tile to break her powder and push Evan further into Wayfarer controlled space.

ENEMY TURN 1

File: ZugadoonET1.png (2 MB)

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A single flap of this Charizard's wings instantly dries up all the air down here. No moisture, refracted light heating the whole chamber, all this magma...
It's Sunny down here!
This Charizard's fire burns... honestly, a bit higher than the jester's. It's a critical strike! Incinerate deals 27 damage to Skitty! There goes that Reviver Seed, burned to ash.
Brook only has just enough space to sidestep a flamethrower as it soars through Wallis's Wide Guard. With Flash Fire, it's more like a laser than a stream...! It would've dealt 17 damage.

Some of the ferals shift around...
While the Brelooms use Spore on the Sneasels! Instinctively, berries from the garden are consumed!...They look even more aggressive now, swinging those hooks randomly all around themselves.

>>6393822
You're in agreement. This thing should be burned away and leave not even [dust] behind. It seems... hateful. Bitter, even.
>>6393869
Another pulse of rage and betrayal for Orner. How dare it feign history? It's not a Pokemon. It's not real.

PLAYER TURN 2

Looks like those smaller blocks can be used to hide from those Gigantic Flamethrowers too...
The air in front of that Breloom and next Houndoom seems to be consuming itself. But you're going to have to approach this formation eventually...

Cress has a spare staff cut from this place's walls. Without any gems or TMs inside, it probably won't be of any use to her, though. It's up for anyone to grab off her...

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Rolled 14 (1d20)

"Clash o' belief t' wha' how perceive the world t' a late start."

>>6394797
"The zard' lizard-thing has come wit' a ray o' sol shine underneath the river fog."

>Sail move in and bash the zard' with Ice Spinner!
(8 + 1 + 2 = 11 dmg!)

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>>6394797
The black ichor in Spike's veins bubbles in resonance with the feelings, they make his movements more forceful as he pushes pasts something.

Sensing another close by, he doesn't hesitate to destroy it. He must get closer. He will not be impeded.

A black and purple miasma rises from Spike's coat, swirling around him before he sends his malice to assault the others.

>Spike moves 3 right, 3 up.
>Spike uses Bitter Malice on Houndoom!
>It should do 13 damage (defense included.)
>7 BP + 2 STAB + 5 SP. ATK + 3 EMPATH + 1 SP.ATK RAISE - 5 SP. DEF = 13 damage.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>6394878
Forgot to roll.

File: abstraction-by-ink-whale-haywire-abstraction.gif (6.6 MB)

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what... happened

sylveon must've passed out, somehow
ᴵᵗ ᶠᵉᵉˡˢ ʷᵃʳᵐ ʰᵉʳᵉ

the fairy type's gaze wanders. It sees shapes and colors move and fro, it hears sounds, it saw something come closer and it felt a touch, a contact.

It looks down at it's own abhorrent body and sees it's holding onto something.

A loud bang, movement, even louder sounds even more shapes and movement and violence-

A Wish lands on him
>11/23 HP

Ribbons looks at his body. Magic powder clinging to his body. It must be working overtime, to filter everything, detachment, dissociation too it seems

He looks at his paw again, recognizing it as a part of his body once again. There's a gummi in his grasp.

He takes it. The welcome tastes comes as a surprise.

>Ribbons gains 10 IQ! (117 IQ total)
>Ribbons learns Field Medic! (7 IQ total)

He looks at the colorful, bright fluid flowing around him. He remembers how it gave someone a boost in energy.

>>6393831
X
>>6394797

>Ribbons moves 5 spaces north, 1(3*) space(s) east
The eeveelution tentatively reaches out with a paw, no matter how brief it is, results should

>Interacts(?) with the liquid.
>Ribbons takes 4 true damage! 7/23 HP
>Ribbons 𝗮w𝗮kens. (Speed awakening)

Bright. A bright light surges into a new move. It burns. It burns! It burns!!

>(If Ribbons is considered within 5 spaces of the fountain, he also becomes de.powdered)

>>6394892
((New move is Wish))

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Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>6394797
"Of course they can fly through lava... Matchia, I'll catch up in a sec for the push!"
Wallis moves 1 space east, leaving the idol to Matchia while she follows up Sail's attack.
"Why'd you step out, big guy? Have another soak!"
Forming a Water Pulse orb from her layer of moisture, Wallis fires it at the Mega Charizard and it expands to engulf it in spite of the Drought-fueled sun. Wallis shadowboxes corresponding to concussive blast of water that burst the orb with Charizard inside.

>6 BP + 3 Super Effective + 1 Level - 1 Sun = 9 damage!

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>>6394963
>>6394797
Matchia nods. "Of course."
As she begins to drag the idol northward, she remains wary of the foes nearby...
Dragging the idol behind her, she moves North 3, Right 2. The idol should be to the right of where Brook is currently standing.

>>6394892
(second revision: Due to item usage rules the gummi is eaten with no AP cost. Ribbons shines even brighter with the light of a second Wish)

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6394797
He'd move for the mon flanking the party, but it seems as though it's already handled. As such, the mon that Spike is currently floundering around is his only viable target, and so Darius moves down one, right two, up one, right one, and up one to end up right next to the hound.

It's closer than he needs to be, but he's more than in the mood for some Close Combat.

Darius used Stone Edge!

(25 damage on hit, hits on 5+, crits on 18+ for 33 damage.)

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>>6394797
>Eyes narrowing as he sees the guard dog responding to his call, a surge of heat washing over him foretelling of the flames no doubt about to be unleashed!
>Brooks eyes narrow the moment it begins to open his mouth, entrusting himself to the swirling winds his body responds far quicker than it ever has before! The air carrying his legs into position, allowing him to gracefully sidestep the raging stream of bright red flame!

"Ha not even close!"
>Smirking he ducks and runs, flicking his tail at the demon dogs nose as he runs up ahead
"Anyone else feel like taking a shot, come on up!"
>Once more urging any of the ferals to break away and approach, he crouches down just as another surge of wind blows through his fur and ruffles his scarf

>4 AP into Evasion!

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6394797
>now Ish has awoken, he feels as though time has slowed to a crawl. watching spik try to strike the houndoom... and miss, while the statue is moved, he feels like he can do pretty much anything!
>...
>let's go over awakeing rules for ish's empowerment, just so everyone's on the same page
>Ishmael's higest stat is his speed, resulting in a speed awakening. because of this he gains 4 more AP in a turn, and can use one additional move at 0 cost at the start of a turn
>in addition, any move that rolls 10 or below will miss him
>that being said, 1 down, 1 right, we're preparing for later. speaking of preparing, here's a roll for what I'm plotting. though we're not using it in this post

>>6393831
>>6394797
Mohka is temporarily Blinded By The Light, causing him to react in a delayed manner. He's over it now, and revved up like a deuce. Mohka moves to the tile one up from Matchia, deciding to help protect the statue. He's also Powdered - his typing is currently pure Psychic.

Speaking of protecting, that Statue looks a little exposed, and Mohka has a bit of an idea...
>Mohka uses Autotomize! His speed increased by 1! A scale is shed!
>He places the shed scale on the statue. The statue is now temporarily Bulletproof (he hopes)!

"There. Much better." He looks quite pleased with his handiwork. "Make sure that doesn't fall off, Matchia. Not sure if what I have in mind will work, but if it does..."

>>6394797
"Gah!!" (26-21=5) Thank God for Agile Armor.

Skitty cringes as curls of fire sneak to her Tiny Reviver Seed and burn it to ash; she leaps away with her Anchor Shot wand, 2 North, and stops, drops and rolls.

"Somebody get tha- oh." Sail and Wallis got that guy. Phew. She casts her gaze towards Ishmael, and forward to the enemies, still aching...

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6394797
>>6393961
>Kaz would have a new toy on his hands at the cost of some cover, but an otherwise exemplary Brick Break goes sidelong. It's just that bright in here...

>Kaz snaps his fingers
"Dangit! Maybe I oughta try the other side..."
>The Kubfu mumbles as he moves

Kaz moves 1 Up, 2 Right, 1 Down

>Kaz gives his hand a shake, then channels orange Fighting type energy again
"All right, you had best be breakin' from this..."
>Kaz plants his feet steady, brings his arm back over his head...
>Then slams the edge of his palm against the rock!

Kaz used Brick Break against the rocky cover!

>>6393961
"Its head comes off, it's freaky as-"
>shoved
"Hey watch it!"
>>6394797
>>6395086
>Evan moves 3 Right, 1 Up, then 1 Right again to meet Kaz through the broken rocks
"Nice chop, dude."
>Evan grabs a Gem that fell out of the rubble
"Sweet! Guess that documentary about rock formations was real after all. Who'da thought, eh?

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>>6395086
>>6395098
"Efficient," Espurr notes. Evan, Kaz, and Cress seem to have these few seconds planned out well. Now unto the next course of action...

They worm their way out from between the limbs of their allies and dive straight out towards Skitty's path, turning and glancing towards her. With nothing but a glance, Espurr knows the look in her squinty eyes and warns her of their next action. "Brace yourself," they say, standing upright and thrusting their arms forward, ears unfolding as they unleash an unrefined burst of gravitational force towards Skitty. It sounds... wobbly. Kind of bouncy, almost.
"Propulsion."

>Espurr shoved Skitty!
>She was shoved 1 North!

The whiplash isn't quite as pleasant, however. Hopefully she had the reaction speed to leap away.

Rolled 2, 19, 9, 17 = 47 (4d20)

Cress almost lets herself turn around, doubling back on her plans. Everyone's probably shifted more than anticipated, which means she should go...here? That's... 5 spaces East and 1 North.
Cress pats her side where she *thinks* her belongings are. If anyone needs. She takes out that unused Oran and bites into it.

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>>6394797
>>6395116
>>6395079

(correction for Skitty's position and Ishmael's move included.)
"Oop!" Well, Skitty isn't quite sure what's happening, or why Espurr decided "Propulsion" was important, but she decides to go on the offensive with the strength she has left, spotting Ishmael up high off her left. She books it ahead of him, moving 4 Up and 4 Right, into the wavering air and in front of a Grass-type, Ish's favorite. With the emotional impulse of 'kill this guy', she casts a glance back and initiates her side of Baton Pass with the Raboot.

>>6395079
>>6395123
>that is a scorbunny, not a raboot, nevertheless
>Ishmael maneuvers 1 right, 1 up to adjust, lands upon the breloom, and smacks it full force with that 8 that got rolled. that being said...
>Bounce Mastery: Rebound 2!
>back up in the air he goes, he's still at full AP, so he can get back to channeling.
>probably.
>he's doing his best not to laugh like a madman

>>6395126
(should be 24 damage before defence on breloom)

File: PT2.png (2.1 MB)

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Ribbons' bow shines brightly. His tendrils dan out and dance on their own, weightless as he moves. It's hard to get a read on where he is, even while stationary! His body obscures itself even while he radiates with power... he's awakened!
Ribbons heals for 4 HP, and there's another trailing him from above. It's ready to be passed to anyone within 3 tiles of him.

Charizard and Houndoom are both dropped by Darius, Sail and Wallis, while Matchia shifts the idol.

Ish crashes into Breloom, dealing 14 damage. He's in the air behind it...

ENEMY TURN 2

>>6395098
"Thanks!"
>Kaz high-fives Evan
"'Bout time these rocks started listenin'!"

>>6395116
"Thanks, Esp! I could'a been even better at it if I had Rock Smash."
>Kaz thinks about his favorite move
"But hey, gotta keep up with with the bad guys!"

File: ZugadoonET2.png (2.1 MB)

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Breloom hits Mohka with a Fake Tears while Houndoom uses Flamethrower! Breloom follows up with Spore! That's 19 damage and a Sleep affliction!
Charizard continues forward for an Incinerate into Spike! It deals 21 damage! There goes a Tiny reviver...
While a Bitter Malice from spike finds its mark...in Brook. He's frostbitten, and takes 2 chip after 17 damage...

>>6395116
>>6395016
>>6394878
You all sense a spiraling fear of the earth beneath your feet. For your fellow Pokemon. There were supposed to be two more [others] coming... yet there isn't anything but pain down here down here. More [hydrocarbons] slither around the walls of this tomb; You know they're coming around just to kill you. Why won't they speak again?
A phantasm of a Zorua appears before some of you, looking like it was modeled from memory. Its face looks like a watercolor painting left in the rain, and its neck and back are blue.

And it's gone.
Is anyone there?

PLAYER TURN 3

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>>6395176
(-7/24)
Mohka crumples under the heat of the Houndoom's flamethrower.

>>6395120
>Evan pulls out the empty staff Cress made from her items. Thanks Cress! Now he has a gem and a blank staff!
>>6395144
"Yeah, now if only we could..."
>Evan gets a bad feeling and turns around
>>6395176
"HOLY SHIT, GET DOWN!"
>Evan leaps into the pit, landing nearly on top of a mystery TM. Maybe he has time to read the label (does it have one?) while he's Bracing.
>4 Right, 1 Up. Just imagine he scrambled between the other party members and dove in.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>6395176
He took the mon out in one hit, as expected, and now it's time to deal with the next wa-

Evan's screamed warning gets Darius to look over and realize that the thing at the bottom is in fact aiming THIS WAY, and that he needs to NOT BE HERE.

Darius moves up three and left one, then sends a Stone Edge at the Charizard while he's up here.

(28 damage! hits on 5+, crits on 18+, crits for 36 damage.)

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>>6395176
Espurr's posture sinks as their whip their head around behind them, spotting a figure on their trail. Quickly, their head snaps back and their eye darts to the pit as their fur stands on end. With a quick scurry, they sprint on all-fours past their allies and slink into the safety of the pit as they feel the heat rise overhead.
Their heart is racing. What is this feeling of isolation? They feel the hope that two others will come to their aid, but they don't know who they are, and they're starting to worry whether these two mysterious figures won't be friendly.

Trapped in a dark, cramped spot waiting for the weather to die down.
It feels just like home.

Ugh. They clutch their head. The feelings of others bring nasty memories back when they aren't wanted.

Peering back over the edge, they see the mighty dragon >>6395179 has fallen. Being left in a spot like that is sure to leave lasting damage, and as impartial as the cat likes to be, they've decided this won't be the end of anyone's story today. From their bag they retrieve a seed and toss it into Mohka's care from their own place of refuge.

>Espurr used a Tiny Reviver Seed!
>Mohka revived at half HP!

"There is little room for error. It would mean saving you and I from a worse fate should you find safety immediately."
But in Espurr's mind, they wonder if Mohka would fare better placing himself deeper into the enemy's ranks. He IS a rather large beast. He doesn't need to follow the rules of a small cat while living in a world made for dragons.

Glancing back down, Espurr spots Evan >>6395191 tinkering with a disk. They feel a twinge through the Empathic connection their own skills and the aid of Magic Powder grants them. "...It is familiar to me. A resultant force."
Psychic. The TM he holds is Psychic.

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Rolled 5 (1d20)

"Out o' the rainbow o' swirlin' mist t' show out the arcane."

>>6395176
>Sail move out and set fire onto the Breloom with Dragon Pulse!
"Foes out range o' the barrel toward sol ray."
(9 + 2 = 11 dmg!)

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>>6395215
Scrap that.
>>6395176
>Sail beeline northward and shot the Breloom.
>11 dmg!

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>>6395176
>>6394878

>Ears twitch at the sound of a mon stepping up behind him, but a quick glance to confirm it's only Spike has him returning his focus to the enemies in front as they begin their assault!
>However before he can so much as shout a warning for the dragon, he can feel a shift in the swirling winds surrounding him...
"Huh? AH!"
>A sharp gasp escapes his throat as the helpful breezes, begin to turn cold....the kind of cold you only get when anger and hatred burn out and settle into an icy grudge
"S-Spike!?"
>He just barely manages to croak out, before the freezing winds, feel as if they're slicing into his body! Easily rushing past his fur, cutting through his skin, and settling deep into his bones!
>He opens his mouth to cry out, but his voice is downed out by the gust, now visible thanks to the black aura of hate that had infected it, violently swirling about before finally coming to a stop.

(HP:14/27)
"Hah...hah..."
>All at once it settles down, leaving Brook gasping for air on the rocky ground, the wind once more gently cradles him in its protection, but the feeling of that hatred still lingers, an icy chill settles deep into his veins as he turns to glare at the white fox behind
"What the heck did you do that for!? This is just like when...."
>The memory of when he too was captured by the Twilight causes him to pause, the anger leaving his voice while his glare shifts to a look of apology
"Sorry, I know it's not easy to deal with that...especially right in front of the source...thanks for all the help you've given us, we couldn't have made it this far without you."
>Slowly he stretches his limbs out, face contorting in pain as the movement brings with it a surge of painful cold that thankfully lasts only for a moment

(HP:12/27)

"Whatever you're gonna do, I...trust you."
>And with that he rushes forward, fishing that leaf he picked up out of his supplies and hurriedly chewing it up into a paste and spitting it across his limbs!
"Ngh....it's a little better but I can still feel that cold."
(HP22/27)

Rolled 7, 14, 2 = 23 (3d20)

>>6395176
"Goo lord, y'all have to try this!"
>ish calls to the group, half ignoring the danger he's in as he moves 3 tiles up. dropping his bounce onto Sneasler... and two Low Kicks for good measure

>>6395413
(Bounce hits for 21 before def, one LK hits for 18 before defence)

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Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>6395176
Orner has been reserved in her participation so far. There's been a constant assault to her senses, the entity's projections, a phantom manifestation, Pokémon fighting, Awakening and fainting... Her allies falling to the madness... She turns to look at her teammate, Ribbons, who's not gonna be very talkative in his current state.

"...What are we doing?" That's when the light of the alien about to scorch them all to cinders fully crosses her retina. Close by, Darius fails to take out a Mega Charizard, and Orner is ready to take matters into her own coils.

"Thiss power... Ghh!" Dipping into the colorful pools of Konpeto Kaarst, she's elevated to levels of strength beyond of her capabilities. Having the effects of Magic Powder dull her emotions eases her into the high of Awakening, for the time being... Those two powers are focused straight into her head, fueling the move to fell the fiery dragon.

>Orner moves 2 Right, 3 Up.
>She awakens. HP 32/31. Attack/Special Attack +5.
>Zen Headbutt the Charizard, 23 damage, roll 2 or more to hit.

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Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>6395176
Wallis feels the gaze of this bizarre creature set on her vicinity.
"Everybody move it, we're in the danger zone!"
>Wallis moves 1 East and 5 North
"Simmer down, pup!"
Wallis unleashes Rock Tomb to pin the Houndoom down for a follow-up strike.
>6 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 12 damage + Trapped!
>DoT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTWyosdkx44

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>>6395176
>Ribbons heals 4 HP again! 15/23 HP

Ribbons' shinining form dances across the battlefield. As soon as the light separates from his body is the moment another one starts to form again, and again...

>Ribbons uses Wish, twice! (6/10 AP)

It's hard to see, but a seed is also consumed on the way

>Ribbons consumed a Quick Seed! (5/12 AP)
>Ribbons Dodges! (0/12 AP)
>Attacks equal or below 15 automatically miss Ribbons

>>6395176
>>6395244

>2 leftover AP into Dodge

>>6395176
Pain. Burning pain spreads across Spike's right half and lingers onto his skin. It hurts, but it becomes just another uncomfortable sensation in the fog of panic.

>Spike's HP: 6/35

For all his tough attitude, he can't deny that another hit will put him under. Tch. He needs to keep moving, somewhere safer, away from the killing intent directed at him and hunker down.

>Spike moves 2 right, 3 up.
>Spike uses Calm Mind! Both his Special Attack and Special Defense are raised by 1 stage.

. . .

. . .

. . . Are those flashes of emotions attempts to communicate? Even in the throes of terror, they come across like multicolored Morse code, noise too rhythmic and intelligent to be meaningless.

>>6395202
>>6395473
>>6395525
. . .
Familiarity. He recognizes those flashes of emotion and thoughts.

Confusion. Where has he felt those before?

Thinking. A voice that shifted between desperate pleading and bitter threats.

Recognition. He knew that voice.

Rage.


Previous conversations flash quickly, from when he first reached out in Baram Town, to the second attempt at the resort, to just hours ago when they approached in the caves.

Images of a black and red fox. Distorted visions of magma and other pokemon. The sensation of limbs flexing and burning skin. Emotions and thoughts that he spoke to a foreign mind. [Me].

Images of dancing lights at the bottom of this spiraling pit. Foreign emotions and thoughts that he spoke with. [You].

[You.] Unfamiliar. Confusion. Images flash of hundreds of pokemon, none of them are [You]. Unfamiliar. Confusion. Curious. Aggression. Unfamiliar. Confusion. Curious.

What are you?

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>>6395731

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>>6395176
>>6395502
"...!"
An opening was spotted! Dragging the idol beside her, Matchia rushes north of Wallis, using Reversal on the Houndoom to put it down, once and for all! Since it's trapped, this is a guaranteed kill no matter the roll!
Matchia's current HP is 11/24, so Reversal is at half threshold!
8 + 4 (Attack) + 4 (SE) = 16 damage!
She moves the idol to where Houndoom was...

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>6395786
forgot the roll, but again, it's irrelevant. But a crit would be funny.

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>>6395176
Now up and about, Mohka moves two north to get out of range of the beam.

>>6395202
"Psychic, huh?"
>Evan looks at the items he picked up, then smirks
"Yeah... this could work."
>Evan sets, ties, and otherwise jury-rigs the Staff, Psychic Gem, and TM together! It looks... rough, but it'll probably work.
https://youtu.be/TFOKEV3_gV0?si=obkRrMlMWjskNYvt
"Just like mom used to make. Heheheh... Whaddaya think, Espurr? Am I handy or what?"
>>6395191
>Clarification: Bracing Mind

>>6395176
Well, shit.

She can tell what's about to happen to Ishmael... but that was Shadow Ball, wasn't it? She can bail him out, and with– she counts, quickly– four enemies downed including Sneasler, putting herself in danger seems a worthy trade.

>Skitty moves 4 Up, 1 Right, and 3 Up.

Peeking through the gaps in the stalagmites, she gets a visual on Ishmael >>6395413 and immediately activates Baton Pass.
(Mastery: Momentum Alteration. Skitty moves an additional 1 Right.)

Once there, she hunkers down, Magic Powder flaking off as she wills the coming Shadow Ball to pass over and through her. She tries to memorize which Wayfarers are where as her vision clouds...

>Skitty becomes Infected. Incoming damage reduced by 4.

>>6395790
Espurr eyes the craftsmonship as best they can with one eye and a head full of others' feelings. The staff will certainly work, and it may even be useful in the bends just up ahead.
"I suggest applying this again in the future." One time isn't enough to say for certain. Two times might indicate a talent for it.

>>6395176
>>6395191
"Huh?"
>Kaz whips around to see the oncoming attack!
"Aw crap!"
>Kaz's legs start spinning in circles as he zooms on out of range of that strange pokemon in the center of the area!

Kaz moves 3 Up, 2 Right

>Kaz notices some more pokemon racing to meet the Wayfarers as they traverse further!
>Kaz decides to ready himself for incoming attacks!

Kaz Braces for Special Attacks!

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Rolled 18, 12, 9, 11 = 50 (4d20)

Ishmael deals 12 and 7 damage with his combined attacks. On the last, though, just before he's swapped with Skitty...

Orner and Sail take knockouts on the immediate threats in Charizard and Breloom after a miss from Darius!

Houndoom takes a total of 14 damage from Rock Tomb while Matchia finishes it off with Reversal! As she drags the statue...

...Mohka, Ribbons and Brook restore themselves. Valid movememts and availability dictate that Ribbons is actually over here, though.

Cress steps forward and into that pit while Kaz dives out of the way. Getting different information from vestibular and visual senses is a little too disorienting... she can't get up! Perhaps the fear of that specter is getting the better of her. She knows there are more physical enemies than projectors, and yet...
>Brace: Mind!

Evan's new energized rod is a little roughly shaped, but there are a single digit number of ways to get one looking like this. Spiffy!

ENEMY TURN 3

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Rolled 88 (1d100)

(Technical Difficulties.)

Solrock flies in after taking 2 damage from a Flamethrower. It casts a Fire Spin on Espurr! That's 5 damage and 2 residual... Espurr is trapped! They can't move!

Sneasler steps back for a pair of Dire Claws into a Skitty! 7 and 7 damage!

There's a Quick Seed! That brings Ribbons' AP up to 12, with another Wish. Where will they go together...?

Ishmael's power is overwhelming... he just can't contain it He must let it out, and finds a vent... in Brook. Low Kick deals 10 damage to Brook! The shock of attacking your own teammate brings some
cognizance back to you... but the power of life continues to flood your vision. You can clear it, if you were to let go of the power.
Cancel your awakening?

>>6395202
>>6395473
>>6395525
>>6395731
Wariness, pointed at yourself. How absurd. Of course, you are a [light]. That's all you've ever known there to be. What else is there? [Light] that consumes fear and despair, and there's so little down here.
So hungry...
It feels like you're about to be sick. An infinite being holds so much contempt for you it'd take you inside just to torment you endlessly.
The [matter] evokes a disdain for a universal experience, hiding away from the great consumer. If it's real, if it's wanting, angry, fighting with purpose... you're ready for it all to grow dim. Everything.

The being peels its head from its neck.

PLAYER TURN 4

>>6395914
Confusion. [Light]? [You] are made of [Light]? There is only [Light]? Confusion. Consuming fear and despair? Confusion. Recognition. Anger. Hostility.

[I] am [Matter]. Images of a pale fox. [I] was [Bright], then- PAIN. MATTER DIMMING. TERROR. SADNESS. LIGHT DIMMING. DESPAIR. COLD. STILLNESS. DARKNESS. MEMORIES. DEATH.

Then [Oblivion].

Darkness. Memories. [Lights] once [Bright], now here, like [Sunspots]. Invisible [Bright] [Lights]- [RADIANT], always there, no visible in the Darkness.

Dark [Matter], now dim [Matter], too dim for [Light], [RADIANT]. Still cold. Still dark. But movement. Determination. Spite. Anger. Hatred.

[You] caused- images flash of [Matter] in pain, panic, fear, despair- from a Greninja mother attacking her son to Karrablast ripping Shelmet apart. Anger. Rage. Hate. Spite.

This is- Bad. Cruel. Wrong. Evil-

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>>6395914
>>6395940

H̵A̸T̴E̷ ̶[̶E̷V̸I̴L̵]̶!̴ ̴H̵U̶N̵T̷ ̴[̴E̶V̷I̴L̶]̸!̵ ̵D̸E̵S̴T̶R̴O̷Y̵ ̴[̷E̸V̸I̸L̵]̵ ̸A̸L̸W̴A̸Y̷S̶!̸ ̷H̶̝́A̸̗̥̩͒̽͒̌T̵̺͎̠͒Ê̴̟̺̠̻͐͑͠ ̵̘̰͕̝͕̒H̶̹̠͑̾U̸͇͖̯͂̂́̄̎Ņ̴̣̬̖͎̈͊̿T̶̫͈̜͖̔͗͘ ̶̮̦̋̃D̴̛̻̞̄Ẽ̶̹̜̭̈́͋̓S̶̠̤̞̗̓T̴̳͋͜R̴̖͕͚Ồ̸̹̥̮̣͑̃Y̶̻̫͎̻̑̒ ̸̡̙̹̬͐̎͜͠H̶͈̱̼̤͐̇̃̐͛Ȧ̷͔͑T̸̻͖̼̩̜͆E̴̢̖̿ ̸͉̣̜͓̥͑H̴̙̫̾Ư̸̛̖̼͍̝̤͌̌͛Ņ̴̺̙̐͋͘̚T̶̡̜̮̯̈ ̴̢͙̭͎̿͋̈̈́͘D̷̖̙̐͝Ȅ̴̛͚̟͚̿̀͜S̸̡̥͔̬̓́T̴͓̱͌̑̽͜͜R̴̘͍̬͓̀͑̂͒̕Ŏ̸̧Y̸̙̎ ̷̡̔̍̕̚Ḩ̴̭̝̂͒̓̕Ą̸̰̺̙͗̉T̵͎͍̀͐͜E̸̙̻͉̬͋͛̒͑ ̵͔̱̙̔̇͆͘͜͝H̶̋̍̀̽͜Ǘ̴̡̩͙͖̘N̵̘̫̮̖̻̈̋̒T̷̟̰̳͙͂͠ ̷̪̭͔͌̈́̍́D̴͇͎̰̥̒̄̐͐̿Ę̴̖̼̩͋̈́̀̔̑S̷̩̍̄͂T̶̤́̿̐̚͝Ọ̵̡͔̮̀Ŕ̶̮͖͇̾̿̕Y̶̡̛͇͖̮͉͒͛̀ ̷̛̱͎̿̕H̴̬̚̚A̶̺̦̓T̸̰̤͎̚E̴̡̟̘̮͗̇̉̇́ ̵̛̟̝̏͐̕Ḫ̵͓͐̾͌͊Ṳ̷̡͙͔̊͆͛͒̕͜N̸̰̠̼̓̊͜T̵̝͖̑̔̊ ̵̱̼͔̻͗͐͊͘͜͝D̶͉̯́̈́Ę̷̰̼̙͆͐̒̓͠ͅṠ̴̖̺T̵̢̠̦͓̓R̴̡̫͔͈̔́̓̈́̄Ỏ̴̪͍̎Y̴̡̝͔̘̎

DID YOU KNOW?
---

Spike screams. He swings his head with wild abandon, charging forward and bracing for the killing intent he senses. He needs to reach it, he must endure.

>Spike moves 2 down and 4 right.
>Spike uses Calm Mind.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>6395914
Lord, Spike's freakout is elevating Orner's cortisol to previously unseen levels. The imminent destruction of herself and the menagerie of fools she associates with is also not helping. Can you not?

>Orner moves 5 tiles East.

"For fuckss ssake..." Watching the disasters about to unfold, Orner sees one of the cats skewered by a Sneasler. If everyone is scrambling away from the light then there's no time to help her. Unless...

>Orner casts Magic Powder on Ribbons!
>>6395525
"Ribbonss!" The snake points across the lava, at Skitty. "Get her on her feet." All this Infinity Energy is starting to make her dizzy. Lets hope Orner can keep her bearings...
>Rolling for Berserk range. If 3 or less, Orner will lose control.

>>6395914
>So much noise, so much light, pain, too much feeling, too much, too much, too much
>Bad idea, shouldn't've done it, regret, fear, anger, hate, so much hate

Admist the bright light a sound seems to originate from Ribbons. Not quite like one sound or the other, somewehere between a high pitch whistle and a distant shrill...

The lights coalesce back into their maker
>19/23 HP

>>6396101
Suddenly, the fog plaguing his mind clears, and the faces and voices of his colleagues come back to him. The lady doth demands a lot, but...

Ribbons hops 4 spaces east, 4 north, taking the Idol with him meanwhile...
>Idol is placed 1 tile above Ribbons.

>>6395914
>Ishmael's... in front of Brook?
"S-shoot, sorry man! I just-"
>...
"I don't know how to explain it but getting too close to the lava made me feel like ICanDoAnythingAndBurnHotterAndBrighterAndHotterAndMyBlood'sBoilingAndMyFleshWantsToMeltOffButItCan't"
>...
"I'm, I'm gonna try to keep control of it, bait that big guy over there away from the sun so I can take 'em out, leave things open for the statue. okay?"
>Ishmael heads 1 right, 6 up and Exits awakening!

>>6395953
Minor Addendum, because I'm stupid.

>Spike changes his action from using Calm Mind to Bracing his Body.
>+4 Defense this turn.

>Spike deactivates Resilient
>Spike's HP: 7/25

The Pale Fox suddenly convulses violently and starts vomiting black bile ichor onto the floor, crystalline chucks radiating visceral malice melt and then evaporate into nothing.

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>Small visual update on placements.

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"Shower o' a rosery t' blossom o' a sparkin' explosion. Up high toward the sky."

>>6395914
>Sail went northward
>The slug drakk use his turn to shoves ribbons a bit to the right.

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Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>6395914
>>6396120
"...!" Mildly surprised at Ribbons dragging the idol along, she quickly follows, so as to keep near it.
Noticing the Sneasler nearby, she quickly swipes in its direction, and an opaque force hits it!
With Feather Bow turning attacks into non contact and Lucked Out guaranteeing it hits, it goes down!
Basic Attack (4 + 4 Attack)

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>>6396126
Change action

>>6395914
>Sail rolled off eastward and used Acid Armor!
(5 + 2 = 7 Def.)

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>>6396110
>Changing idol placement, one to the left

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>6396172
>Rolling for Berserk, 5 or less and Ribbons loses control.

>>6395864
>>6395914
>>6396172
>Kaz looks to his left
>That weird looking pokemon in the middle, it looks like its about to make the biggest explosion Kaz has ever seen!
>With it's own head no less!
"Oh this ain't good."

>As Kaz checks for any safe spots out of the line of fire from the attack, the Kubfu sees that Ribbons is moving ahead with the statue
>And just to his right, Kaz spots...Skitty!
>When did she get knocked out??
>This is bad...
>But!
>If Kaz can move fast enough, maybe he can push Ribbons just a little closer!

Kaz moves 2 Up

>As Kas is rushing to help, he doesn't realize the ground is about to give out beneath him
>At the last moment, as he feels his foot fall further than he expected, Kaz's eyes tilt downward, opening as wide as saucer plates
>It's too late to stop

Kaz moves 1 Up

(HP:20/24)
>Pain, searing pain
>It starts in his foot
>Normally these feet can survive a lot of punishment compared to his old human feet
>But this? This *hurts*
>The pain shoots up his body, his nervous system transferring signals of alarm to his brain in the fraction of a second it takes to step on the magma
>His body is frantically telling him to take weight off his foot RIGHT NOW
>Kaz moves onward

>The pain changes
>The sharpness of it becomes even sharper
>So sharp to the point it stops hurting
>The pain turns to *energy*
>Kaz is *Awakened*
(Haste-Awakening)

Kaz moves 1 Right

>There is no pain, the pain is strength, the pain is speed

Kaz moves 2 Up, 1 Left, 1 Up

>In the blink of an eye, in the flash of the outline of a Kubfu, Kaz is now to the left of Ribbons!
>In the instant he arrives, Kaz has Ribbons in hands
>Kaz tenses his muscles
>He's thrown things before, bigger things than Ribbons
>No problem

Kaz hefts Ribbons and throws him 2 spaces to the right!

"Go."
>Is all the Kubfu manages to say to his live ammunition

>>6396189
Ribbons barely gets a second of calm on his mind thanks to the powder, that he's being thrown around the place. Thankfully this time by an ally, and with purpose
A purpose he's supposed to fullfil in this ragtag team of strangers, but they trust him to do one thing, so...

>>6395914
>Ribbons uses a Revive Seed on Skitty! (9/12 AP)
>Skitty is back at full HP

Ribbons knowingly calls upon the immense new energy within him, bracing for the sudden surge as he lights up once again... But the rising power seems to shake him way harsher than he thought, it deafens him-
No, he looks down at his body, the dust seems to have been placed haphazardly, its barely holding on.

Ribbons is way too late to try and recuperate the lost powder as the infection takes hold again.

>Ribbons used Wish, twice! (5/12 AP)
>Ribbons Dodges! (0/12 AP)
>Ribbons shakes off the Magic Powder. His Type is Fairy.

On the other side of the lava pools, Orner yells from between the crowd. "Ssskitty! Passs!"

>>6395914
The sight of the visibly-crazed Cress invading their place of refuge is unwelcome to say the least. She's better here than out there, but Espurr would be lying if they said the Magic Powder lining their fur wasn't keeping them from hissing her out of the pit.
At least here, with the others present, they can't be outnumbered.
Yet...
...It comes as quite a shock when the shape of a star creeps over the mouth of the trench they've hunkered down in. The way it looms ominously over the horizon, impartially glancing down with an alien presence... it's quite the thrill. Right as Espurr rises to a stand and opens their mouth, they're cut off by the Solrock's attack.

A stark loneliness is quickly cemented within Espurr as motes of light and flame wrap around them in a cyclone, with them as the eye of the storm. With no hesitation, they lift their little legs up, curling into a defensive ball as they float just inches off the rapidly-heating ground, doing everything they can to push their power outwards. Funneling such strength through the meager pinprick vents of their eyears, the output is pitiful- a reminder of their insufficiency.

So they float aimlessly in a rapidly-decaying and regenerating patchwork bubble of Psychic power which constantly pulses out from them in an effort to keep the encroaching heat at a distance. In time, they feel the force of entropy acting upon it, too. The blaring heat and sinister chill don't matter- preventing the energy of these attacks from piercing the iridescent film they've projected around them is their only priority.

Inside, it's... so calm. Worryingly calm. Espurr's own emotions are one-step removed, while the flow of others' passes through them like light through a vacuum. They glance around at the flickering flames which coil around their defenses. Through the filter of their Light Screen, it's more akin to an orb of dense, endlessly refracting photons which they've found themselves trapped within. It and the experience they are sharing with another make up the only external stimuli they have at this moment.

As they look down and see not more light, but four short, matte gray limbs with only mass and no substance, they feel aghast. Disgusted. Even the knowledge that this IS them cannot fix the projected supposition that it isn't right. Too heavy. Inflexible on a subatomic level. Rigid and filled with grains of stardust. This flesh is flesh that wants. It's wrong to think about. They look away.
The stars look very different today.
It's better to stare up at the light. The lack of outside interference makes preserving this state of managed decay a simpler task.
Are you alone with them like I am?
But there could be so much more... Is it wrong to hunger for more? For... what once was?

>Espurr is trapped! They can't move!
>Espurr Braced their Mind!
>Their Special Defense increased by 4 for the Round!
>Light Screen won't hold much longer!
>(Special Defense: 6)