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>>5893347
Thread claimed for the glory of the Clan Councils

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>>5893347
>>5893356
Not if the Feds have anything to say about it.

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>>5893347
>>5893356
>>5893365
...

It's been a long day...You've awoken after that dreadfully fruitless disease investigation with an attempted infanticide and trekked and battled your way through the heart of Air Continent's cultural identity with that massive offering...only to find your home set ablaze. Very few of you may recall any time you've been so exhausted, save that walk from the forest. With any luck, this will be the last anyone has to deal with fire for a long time. Out of the corners of your views, you catch well organized Pawniards and Bisharp battling other Pokemon terrorizing Baram and protecting/herding innocents. The activity and panic isn't roaring quite like it was when you first enterred town, so it seems like for once a rare moment of peace is upon you all.

It would be an understatement to say you've all gone above and beyond your limitations to enact all three rescues from the burning Château. It's hard to say you've felt so alive and so dead at the same time-to reflect your efforts...

All participarts in the last three sessions will receive Experience equal to their current level x 10!
Plus 33%, for those at or under level 9.

Having witnessed the spectacle of Oceanic Operetta as some of you regroup, a few Pokemon are on their way over to you all as you catch your breaths...

>>5893376
"Jesus. That was a mess."
>Kaz sits down against a rock, catching his breath.

>>5893376
>Evan has leveled up!
"That was... yeah, that sucked."

>>5893376
Matchia, only slightly scuffed, seems to be only really able to just look at the aftermath.

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>>5893376
Lying in the grass and beneath the dual-canopy of trees a little way from the others is Espurr. Recently having regained consciousness, they've yet been able to get up on their own, too beaten to want to move. They're in no unstable condition, able to take a few hits by virtue of being a Pokemon, but the damage dealt to them wasn't all physical.

So they rest in the shade until they've recuperated some, or one decides to assist them.

The scent of burning wood and grass still lingers in their nose, in spite of otherwise fresh air.
>Espurr grew stronger! (Level 12)

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5893376
Katherine feels stronger (Lvl up)
"Uh oh, is that the police?" She comments, noticing the mons rushing to them
(Also vibes)

There's a lot to understand...
>What happened here, you may want to discuss amongst yourselves...
>The Pawniard and Bisharp approaching from the bridge to the center of town to check on you all
That Krookodile from the Dragonhymn Peak is walking around, putting out more minor wildfires and battling ghosts. He's making his way towards your corner of the terrace now. Is he a Clan Elder?
>Primarina is slumped over, too spent from his execution to even see if his partner was rescued. He's awake, but still going through it...
>Hey, it wasn't everyone who left the Château before it got extinguished. Where are Sagira and the bunnies?

>>5893401
Katherine makes a quick head count
"Spike, me, Jen is probably dead... where's Cress?"
>Hey, it wasn't everyone who left the Château before it got extinguished. Where are Sagira and the bunnies?

>>5893401
>Evan looks around as he wraps up his prisoner, a shuppet
"W-wait, where's Ishmael? Or Cress, or Sagira?"

>>5893380
>Updating level

>>5893399
"Ah great, the fuzz. Just what we needed..."

>>5893401
"Uh, I'm not seein' Ish. Or Cress. Or Sag- DID YOU GUYS LEAVE 'EM INSIDE?!"

>Kaz bolts for the chateau looking for a way in!

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5893401
>>5893404
"Didn't she escape with you?" Spike asks, before his eyes widen and he immediately whips around to run towards the wreckage.

"Darius! You know Dig! Come help me!" he barks, elongating his claws and trying to scrape through the rubble.

>>5893376
>Orner is Level 11!
The snake gets up from the ground wetter than before. "Uhhgg- Alright, sstatuss report gentlemon! Letsss sssee- uh-huh..."
>>5893393
"Hey Dusssk! Had a bad type matchup eh?" Orner wraps her tail around the cat, bringing it back to the crowd. "Anyone got healing?!"

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>5893376
>>5893401
Wallis senses the Krookodile following her escape. It seems she can hold off on helping fight fires with her own Surf and focus on the Woobat she's carrying. Best to leave him to his work.
"Barely made it..."
She pushed Surf's limits at the last moment, feeling stronger for her efforts.

>>5893416
"H-Hey!"
Wallis shtomps over to Orner.
"Here, take it!"
She removes the Sitrus Leaves from Woobat's wings and shoves them to Orner, technically not touching her.
"I don't need more debt on top of Primarina for bed & board, least of all to you! Have these back!"

>>5893408
"Y-You're right! I passed Cress on the way out!"
She tries to listen for Cress with her headfins as she cradles Woobat without fear.
She tries to listen for them with her headfins.

>>5893376
>>5893393
>Skitty leveled up!

Allowing herself to rest for a moment, Skitty only really accomplishes a few coughs from breathing in the smoke before retracing her steps, looking for and then approaching the fallen Espurr. She holds back a gasp; unable to tell Espurr has regained consciousness, she assumes they're still out and rushes to her teammate's side. Her legs hurt.

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>>5893376
>>5893401
Cubone is simply staring idly at the wreckage, and where a ghost previously was. The recent happenings have certainly forced him to improve his competence, and he somehow avoided taking any damage the entire scuffle at the Chateau, but, well... he's pretty clearly not doing so hot elsewhere.
>Cubone is Level 10 now!
He isn't really sure what to do now, and doesn't seem to have it in him to try and go for a head count, either. For now, Cubone's stuck in his own headspace.

>>5893401
Angus just lies down to the ground and is still recalling the moment that he got caught in a blast seed explosion. "Ugh". Also he leveled up, horray!

>>5893417
"Oh, fisshead, great timing! Ssurprissed you aren't under the rubble..." Orner forcefeed >>5893393 Espurr the leaves, which is a +10 HP. "Good asss new!"

>>5893423
"Hmph!"
She doesn't dignify Orner with a response, resuming her search for the missing.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5893415
Darius finally snaps awake, shooting to his feet.
"On it!"
The Larvitar bolts over to the rubble, Digging through it for his fallen friends.

>>5893376
>Dustin wakes up dazed and confused.
>Dustin leveled up!
>Dustin looks around...
>!
"Where's that cat?"
>>5893423
"Have you seen like a leaf cat?"

>>5893415
>>5893409
>>5893404
The house groans as a load crash can be heard, followed by a raspy and frustrated bellowing. On the bright side, 'injured' is only half how you would describe it. Unfortunately, it sounds equally frustrated. It came from the dorms...

>>5893403
Straight to business, for once. "Heyyy, I've heard worse...Did we do it? Is she okay...?" His voice is weak, but otherwise it seems he isn't suffering from more than exhaustion.

>>5893429
"Nnnnope?" Orner wasn't paying attention to Dustin. That's probably on purpose.

>>5893431
>As much as Evan would like to go in and check if someone needs help, he's afraid of catching on fire.
>He also has a prisoner

>>5893408
The Shuppet wiggles in his grasp, clearly uncomfortable. It's too weak to fight your grip or use any moves, though...
Your partner, there's no sign of, but you catch a streak of orange sailing onto the cliff overlooking the building just before that ball of water collapsed...

>>5893416
>>5893423
Espurr certainly did have a bad Type matchup against their opponent, and nobody was around to help them. They look up, tilting their head slightly to spot Orner, and then Skitty soon after. Seems like their assistance has come a bit late.
They would appreciate healing. How gracious of Orner to make such a declaration. And the offer of Oran Leaves is quite satisfying. They're a lot better off than before.
(11/21 HP)
There's a peculiar look in their eyes as they consume the Leaves.

>>5893418
Then they look towards Skitty. What a coincidence. She hadn't seemed very interested in them when they first woke up. If their memory isn't failing them, Skitty had gotten further from them after they were injured.
Though, it's difficult to blame her...

Espurr seems alright now. They won't suffer any lasting damages. A dark but slight stain of blood above their eye has already begun to fade as rub their head. The Berry Leaves have helped significantly.

>>5893435
>Evan goes to investigate!

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5893432
>Dustin gives Orner a long look in the eyes...

>>5893401
(14/22)

Sagira takes a shuddering breath as her body adjusts to being back on dry land and inhaling actual air. There's a residual jittery shock traveling through her body, but eventually, she forces herself up. Despite the chill blowing over her soaked frame, she takes a moment to stare blankly at the inn.

"No other stragglers and I'm still... alive," she comments, to an audience of none. Her eyes flick briefly to her right, as if searching for someone. Her next words take a minute's gap to materialize. "That's grounds for success."

>>5893439
(SUCCESS)
"Alright, just let me know when you find someone like that.
>Dustin walks off...
"KITTY?!"

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5893431
Katherine rolls to the noise
"Cress? Is that you? Are you alive or one of those ghosts? If you're a ghost can i keep your stuff?"
She spins down, trying to break the debris over the noise

>>5893419
Matchia's decided to join Cubone in the silent contemplation corner as she slowly crouches down, cap tilted downwards.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>5893431
"Hang on we're comin' ta get you!"
>Kaz uses Rock Smash, in as precise an application as he can to avoid collapse, to break his way to the voice!

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5893431
"Cress! Can you hear us! We're coming!" Spike let's out a psychic shout for his teammate.

He follows behind Darius, trying to clear out rumble and bee line for the source of the sound.

>>5893431
"I heard Cress toward the dorms!"
She signals as she cradles the Woobat, who is clearly her top priority.

>>5893440
"We're still missing Ishmael. Was he with you? Also, uh... Good you made it out."

>>5893376
>Mohka has reached Level 11 (by the skin of his teeth)!
>HP 14/21

>>5893401
As much as Mohka would like to check on his friends, he's still carrying the VIP rescuee from the Chateau, and has caught sight of a certain seal...

>>5893431
And seemingly in answer to Primarina's question, Mohka arrives, depositing Drifting Leaves at the inkeeper's feet(?). "I'd say she's quite alright."

>>5893431
"That was amazing, I didn't imagine you would be capable of something like that...no offense."

>hearing the exhaustion in his voice Brook re-offers the Candied Cakes from earlier
"It's probably not the most healthy, but it's better than nothing. So do you want them? It must've taken a lot to pull that off."

>>5893423
Skitty trails behind Orner, deeply unhappy at the treatment of her teammate. Despite it being objectively pretty alright. "Could you put Espurr down?!" She says in the absolute nicest way she can muster. Her body language makes it seem like she wants to talk to Espurr, but the problem is mainly that there is an Orner.

>>5893447
"Ishmael? Did he not leave with you?" Sagira asks, confused. "I thought I was the last. When the water was flooding the upper levels, I was still checking the second floor."

>>5893376
>>5893431
>a second voice, quieter. is coming from the bar. sounding like a determined but pained attempt to grab something, followed by an nearly imperceptable drop of an item
>he's also, coincidentally leveled up. but that doesn't matter here.

>>5893446
>>5893445
>>5893447
>>5893458
The rooms are left in pretty strange order. With the water flowing from that mass in highly concentrated directions, most of the destroying furnishings and water damage is focused in one specific spot of each room. Somewhere behind you is a stirring indicating the presence of your missing Clover Force member, while you've already mostly freed Cress from her bed/desk melange. You can only tell she's conscious by the grit teeth. "...You came for me."

>>5893439
>>5893442
Orner doesn't really meet Dustin's gaze. "Uh-huh, bye..."
>>5893436
>>5893450
"Yeah yeah, be free little pal." Orner puts the cat on the other cat. "Hey, wasssn't that Fennekin one of your team? You sshould probably check on her or sssomething..." Orner slithers away to meet her teammates.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5893460
"We never abandon our own Cress, now let's go, the other ghosts may still be around"
Katherine forgets about Ish, trying to take Cress out by... biting her ankle to drag her out

>>5893456
"No, it was everything I could do just to barely escape myself with her. I passed Cress near the dorms while I was escaping, too."

>>5893458
"There!"
Wallis points as her headfins twitch. She's not in a position to help more than that currently.

>>5893460
"Mmph..."
She rests on her knees, approaching the wreckage.
"It had to be Twilight Syndrome... Is that what the dream invader was worried about...?"

>>5893466
Her face betrays no emotions, but her words are quite sharp. "Do they lack an instinct for survival?" she mutters, already hauling herself to go scrounging through the damaged inn. "...I'm going back in."

>>5893460
"'Course we did! Wouldn't just leave you behind!"

>>5893461
"Well, I can't TELEPORT, you know. At least--" You know what? Never mind. No more talking to Orner.

>>5893461
Espurr looks at Orner as she leaves. Hm.
They'll remember this point in time.

Now...

>>5893450
>>5893472
...They're left with their teammate. What to do, what to say..?
How about this? Espurr will remain quiet, for now, and see what she does? This is an unusual situation, and Espurr's demeanor is a little different. Uniquely full of eye contact. Is this a good or bad sign? Probably good. Mostly.

How long were they out, they can't help but wonder.

>>5893444
Matchia's presence has snapped Cubone out of it, slightly, though he doesn't speak for a while. He isn't even sure how to process this, and he hadn't even yet checked to see if everyone was still present. It seemed like he'd just gotten stability with his new appointment, and it more than literally fell apart in front of him. He can only figure that Matchia, who'd spent longer among the group, had it worse. It made him feel obligated to speak up, but Cubone wasn't sure what to say.
"...What happens now?" he asks, unsure himself. He had more to fall back on, but the others..?

>>5893466
>>5893470
>the small rabbit can hear Wallis ans Sagira, trying and failing to get loose.
>not an easy task, considering he's stijll at -20 or something, and dropped his reviver
"Hey... did Cress make it..?"

>>5893448
>>5893449
A halfhearted chuckle. "Not too shabby, little guys. Not too shabby...urgh."
He considers the treat for a moment, making sure it's not something more helpful for his partner. He shrugs and downs the cakes with a voraciousness you wouldn't expect from a Primarina. "Big Drake! Zorua!...Remind me I owe you guys a favor...as big a favor as they get. On'a you guy helped me get back in shape over there, where did he go..." Me mutters before cradling his partner and singing some other type of type of move to her. He sits down and leans back, smiling at the sky despite all the ash in the air and broken home. "I'll check and see if anything survived I can pass you guys, yeah? We'll be golden."

>>5893460
"You're hurt. Here," he takes out an Oran Berry and holds it to her mouth.
"Eat this. We're leaving-" Spike's ear twitches as he hears someone else.

"Darius, go find whoever that is, me and Katherine will help Cress out of here."

>>5893477
"Yeah, I got it. Go get Cress outta here."
Darius moves towards the sound of Ish's awakening.
(1/21)

>>5893466
>>5893470
>>5893465
"I-I don't...?"
She seems unsure until she glances at Katherine.
"Over there, maybe...? Gah... I got attacked by two of those Shuppet from the night after I met you and had to use my Oran Berry."
She checks her possessions... nothing else to heal Ishmael. She could ask Orner, but... She refuses to seek Orner's aid on principle.

>>5893474
Matchia blinks at Cubone speaking up.
"Dunno."

>>5893480
Meant for >>5893475.

>>5893480
"Here!" Spike tosses Wallis another Oran Berry. "Go heal them!"

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5893458
>>5893460
"Hold on Ish! Keep makin' noise!"
>Kaz continues Rock Smashing his way to his rival in speed!

>>5893448
>>5893476
"Mohka! Nice work big guy! I'll be expecting thisss type of initiative on the field ya' hear me?"

>>5893473
"Um. Hi."

Skitty shakes her head. "I didn't have anything to get you back up and moving, and nobody near did either... I had to get moving if I wanted to get anything done. Took down the guy that got you, if that counts for anything, but... those are excuses. I'm sorry I left you there."

>>5893480
>>5893485
"Good... didn't want to leave anyone behind."
>Ish is catching his breath while trying to get loose still. trying to shrug off what happened earlier.

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>>5893483
>>5893491
It pegs her in the head. Without a splatter, fortunately.
"S-Spike?! But...!"
She looks surprised for a moment, perhaps not expecting Spike's generosity.
"R-right... Here, Ish. Are you ok?"
She offers it to Ishmael.

>>5893442
"Present! Golly, you're broke alla that glass in one hit! It woulda taken me all day to get out that way!
...I'dda burned!"
"...Oww." She's still hurt pretty badly. Doesn't seem too pressured by what's going on, though...?

>>5893465
>>5893471
>>5893483
"Just being back in here is-" She drops the train of thought. Littering the room are novels' worth of paper scraps, all soaked to uselessness and filled to the margins with unreadable text. If getting dragged around the rubble is painful, she doesn't say so. "We have so much work to do..." Cress's face is buried in her hands, however little she can move them with her injuries.

>>5893470
>>5893475
The two conversations indoors around Cress and Ish aren't hard to make out, one could hear them both despite the different rooms.

>>5893476
>he hops back in surprise at how quickly the seal managed to devour the cakes
"I don't know, it feels weird taking more from you after you already helped us so much and then..."
>he gives a brief glance over to Mohka before turning back toward the inn
"Anyway if you can't find anything don't worry about it. I'm glad you two are safe, but I haven't seen my team mates yet."

>>5893448
"Mohka, have you seen Ish? You both went in."

>>5893481
"...I see." he answers after a pause. He... expected as much, frankly, but it wasn't promising to hear. It was probably less so for the individual saying as much. He can't afford to dwell on this, anyway, and forces it to the back of the mind. "...Forgive my intrusion. I should check on the others." he says. dismissing himself as he checks around, first heading to the source of the Oceanic Operetta, Primarina.

>>5893492
>Ishmael takes the oran without second thought. call it instinct, maybe? but he's doing better with it.
"I've seen better days, but as long as the others are okay, I'm okay."

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5893494
"Mmh mhmhmhm m mhmmhm"
Cress (And no one) can't understand that but she probably said 'we will do cress'

>>5893499
>>5893494
"Ugh, that's not how it works and you know it!"
She'd fold her arms if she wasn't cradling Woobat, so Ish gets a pout instead. Wallis steams as she looks out for more ghosts.
"I'd drown those ghosts if I didn't have my hands full! Wait can ghosts drown? Whatever, just be happy you don't get to test that today!"

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5893499
>>5893491
"Everyone's okay, I think."
Darius moves to help Ish get free.
"Glad you are too."

>>5893488
Interesting. They wonder how to proceed from here.
Or at least, they would, but they had plenty of time to think before just moments ago when Orner and Skitty came to them. Skitty can tell with relative ease that something is on their mind waiting to be addressed, but it'd be a strange sight to see them reveal much of anything to anyone.
Espurr tries to stand, doing so without much effort. Electing for a four-legged stance, they brush against and past Skitty before standing upright and looking on at the smoke in the air just beginning to dissipate. This attack wasn't on the Chateau alone, but they don't care all too much for how the others in town are faring.

The Chateau, meanwhile...
It's troubling, but Espurr isn't certain as to if the group will be able to remain here for much longer. Then again, they haven't seen the inside...
What are your thoughts on this?

>>5893494
"Listen to me, Cress," he says.

Spike slips underneath Cress and with newfound- if little, strength he carries her out of the wreck. (Atttack 1)

"We're going to make it out of this in one piece. You're going to make it home. Take a breath, there's still tomorrow and the day after that."

>>5893498
Matchia watches Cubone walk off, remaining at her spot.

>>5893503
>>5893504
>rabbit, off the fucking wall. he stumbles before picking the tiny reviver he tried using earlier back up
"look, the important thing isn't just if I'd need a breather... though I would appreciate that. it's that we're all in this together and by god I'm not letting anyone be left behind."
>Ish tries to smile, desperate to not show wjhat that Z-move reminded him of.
"now, should we regroup?"

>>5893494
>>5893499
"Whatcha' doin' under all'a this rubble?
>Kaz offers a hand to pull Ishmael off the ground

>>5893476
"Seein' everyone alive an' well's reward enough... though I s'pose if you were to offer, I wouldn't turn my nose up..."

>>5893486
"Of course - we need someone *useful* on the team beyond ol' Sail... Glad to see ya made it out."

>>5893495
"Nope, but I'm sure he's fine."

>>5893477
>>5893501
>>5893506
Cress's despairful musings are cut cut off by the Oran Berry in her mouth. "Oka-HUAGH"
It does a lot to kill the dour atmosphere she's exuding.
"...Once I am recovered enough, Team Stylish will venture as a group, and nothing like this will happen to us again[choke]. If you can hold yourselves in a time like this, there may be hope for you yet...oww..."
Her body's still battered to paralysis, for now, but the oran's effects are tangible.
>>5893519
>>5893495
>>5893498
He shakes his head. "I needed your help here today more than any I've gotten as long as I can remember. It's times like these when goodwill finds its way back to us all, y'see? Would you have been here to save my little Drifter if we kicked you out into the wilderness that one night?"
He sighs and leans back.
"...or D'you think I coulda saved myself this trouble if I made Drakloak and his friends leave this morning...?"
That part seemed more directed at Cubone than Brook or Mohka...

>Evan is just kinda standing there with his captive

>>5893517
"was trying to get to cress, couldn't leave anyone in there."

>>5893522
"Oy vey, why do berries help people in this world?"
"Anyway, I had to save you because you're a kid!"
>...
"Or at least I assume so."
>Dustin scratches his head.

>>5893529
"Mighty kind of you, but next time, make sure you don't make yerself another cave in victim, all right?"
>Kaz pats his back
"Let's get you outta here. Place reeks a smoke."

>>5893515
"I think we already have..?"

>>5893526
She notices Evan unattended.
"Hey, you got one! Now... YOU!"
She shtomps over, still steaming.
"You're lucky I don't want others in the crossfire... Can you even hear me?!"
She addresses the Shuppet in Evan's grasp.

>>5893519
"You're probably right, but still I think I'm gonna try to look for him. He should be somewhere around here."

>>5893522
"I suppose... thank you."
>after saying his thanks he leaves, looking around the outside of the inn for the other three Clover team members

Sail look to the sea for a moment. Then headed toward the Château and the surrounding. Looking on what remain.

>>5893505
"...well, it could have been worse, I think. That dragon guy was trying to, like, add more kindling to the fire. It's lucky we're sort-of okay now... we should go meet up with the rest, I think."

"...I just want to know why, really."

>>5893533
"Nice to see you too, Wallis."

>>5893531
>>5893533
"Yeah... let's hdead out."
>ish returns to the outside group not in great condition but in good-enough condition for his own thoughts

>>5893494
The Fennekin climbs back inside, minding the wreckage. She makes note of the two survivors as she moves around the building, diverting her attention. They're alive and already being attended to. Now she's just looking at the internal damage.

>>5893522
Spike helps Cress out of the wrecked inn, passing Ishmael, and lays her down with the rest of the group.

". . ." He sits down and grasps his hair. His shadow darkens and spasms. "Dammit. . . Dammit it all. . . If we had only fled when I said to. . ."

He looks up, searching for the Draklok from the previous battle.

>>5893522
Cubone seems to register this as a dig, wincing. He feels he could have done more-any result from him that wasn't quite literally perfect in preventing damage to teh chateau was a failing on his part. This just felt like insult to injury to him, even if it wasn't the intent. Cubone doesn't seem intent on letting that show, though. "..It is possible this may have been avoided, though I cannot shake the feeling that this was more coordinated than it appears... It may have occurred regardless."

>>5893541
"I got ambushed by two of them on the way out, and they resembled the Greninja from by the Volcano. I'm not stepping in to look for the two of them in the wreckage."
She examines the Shuppet, careful to shield Woobat in her arms.
"Looks like you got the same treatment, Evan."

>>5893547
"In a sense, I guess. Is Ishmael with you now? I saw you walk off with Sagira like a minute ago..."

>>5893542
>Kaz nods as they walk out

>>5893526
>>5893533
"What's the commotion over here?"
>Kaz peeks over Wallis' shoulder

>>5893548
"Yeah we got him out. A little worse for wear but he's fine."

>>5893544
>Dustin takes a good look at Spike's shadow and takes a good step away from him.
"You... got a Peter Pan problem?"

>>5893549
"Okay, good, good. Uh... so now what?"

>>5893539
The fire could've easily gotten worse and taken the lives of three Pokemon today, if not more. But it didn't, luckily. Skitty played no small part in ensuring this didn't happen. She made the right call, at a slight cost.

Espurr nods. That would be wise.

'Why,' huh?

Just want to know why... Hm.

Espurr does, too. They'll ask her later.

>>5893544
Darius leaves the wrecked chateuae, taking a seat next to Spike.
"You good, Spike?"

>>5893548
>>5893547
>seeing half of the team not far he picks up the pace as he approaches
"Hey! Are you two okay?"

>>5893551
"Maybe we can see if the ghosts are gettin' hit by the Twilight stuff? I dunno."
>Kaz tries to poke the specter, seeing if he can make contact

>>5893555
"Brook! I'm fine... sort of. Ish took a beating though, apparently. What about you?"

>>5893555
"Huh? Oh, it's Brook. Should've figured you'd be okay if there's ghosts involved. I barely made it out... Ish, well, didn't before the collapse..."

>>5893548
>>5893542
>>5893548
>>5893549
>>5893551
She gestures to Ish as he leaves the wreckage.
"Just attending to the wounded. Another thing in common, I guess."
She withdraws as Kaz almost touches her.
"Gah! Evan's got one of these homewreckers on a leash and I'm waiting to let 'em have it!"
She shakes her head.
"I'm not... sure where we go from here. The ship, maybe? That or how you all got by at the volcano.

>>5893548
>ish waves to Evan
>>5893549
>before nodding back to Kaz, and just... lying down
>>5893559
>>5893555
>and trying to wave to Brook, he needs a moment still.
"we mostly walked from where we woke up, though had to make shelter during that eruption."

>>5893550
Spike glances at Dustin with a raised brow.
"What's that?" he asks.

>>5893553
". . ." Spike closes his eyes for a moment, the shadow roiling underneath him calms.

"I'm fine, Darius. I'm just. . . thinking, about everything," he admits, turning to him with a smile.

"We're going to be alright. We've just got to figure out what to do, there's still tomorrow."

>>5893561
>Evan looks to Ishmael
>>5893559
>And then back to Wallis
"How the hell is he still alive after that? Dude looks like he argued with a steamroller!"

>>5893562
>Dustin sighs.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but your shadow is acting up."
>He puts his hand to his face.
"Please make it stop... my sanity is already low enough."

>>5893544
Kath nudges at Spike
"Calm down, calm down, this ain't the end yet, so calm down and listen to the world, it's a calm time so might as well enjoy it"

>>5893564
"the fire inside... oh who am I kidding, I don't know either."
>ish responds

>>5893558
>>5893559
"What! Did he get pulled out? Is he okay?"
>he didn't answer the question, but just a look makes it clear he took little if any damage at all

>>5893561
>His eyes widen and he waves back
"Phew I'm... glad everyone's okay."

>>5893569
Spike turns to his shadow, and true to Dustin's words, it darkens and spasms, roiling as if the darkness could be solid.

"That's. . . That's Shadow Sneak, Dustin. Don't worry, it's just a move," he says, looking away as the shadow subsides and returns to normal shade.

>>5893530
"Heh, don't-ack-oww...don't underestimate me! I'm twenty four-and-a-half seasons old! I'm only the nineteenth youngest of my bros and sisses!"
Whether you understand what seasons are or how to translate human to plant-cat years, only a child would bother adding 'and-a-half' to their age to sound older.
"Sis says they're full of energy! Berries make your body go overtime! Don't eat the peels though. Then you just look weird."

>>5893543
>>5893536
Most of the wreckage some of the ceiling structure has collapsed into highly focused corners of each room. The jetstreams look to have forced all the furniture and foods into the walls at their direction of pressure when Oceanic Operetta gave way. The entire building is significantly damaged compared to when the ghosts turned their attention to Primarina, but it may or may not strike you that saving the Château wasn't the point of that Z move, seeing the pair of seals on the way in/out.
The building is...arguably stable, but with all of this water damage it may need rebuilding anyway.

>>5893546
>>5893544
>>5893526
>>5893533
While the rest of you reconvene, Primarina points Cubone to the side of the building, where most of the un-KOed others lie. "I've heard all kinds of things of how much thinking they do, but they're still around if you wanna...ask." He coughs. "Pardon me if ah, I'm a little more interested in safety right now." He scooches toward the seafront, his shiny partner in tow.

Where Prim pointed, are Surface Skipper, an immobilized Shuppet or two, and Ludicolo wandering aimlessly around a still sleeping Drakloak. Evan's passenger is trying to drift towards the others and away from Wallis's yelling, but his vines still have a solid grip. Drak'll awaken soon, but he's still doused in water and Scrappy powder. Skipper's still walking towards everyone...

"Don't get infected-" Prim calls out.

>>5893562
" 'Course we will. Haven't lost everythin', y'know?"
Darius looks skywards, the mud beneath his stone soothing the aching beneath the rock.
"So, why's the chateua all wet?"

>>5893571
"You're right," he nods, putting on a small smile. It seems more to reassure everyone else than himself.

>>5893574
"Eh, just stay alive, would ya? I'm not losing anyone."
>>5893580
"Oh-ho-ho no, you're not goin' anywhere you little bastard."
>Evan keeps his grip up

>>5893580
Katherine takes a quick glance
"... this is probably fixable, the structural beams somehow didn't ignite, so consider this a mere forced renovation on the way, we can help morally, because we're flat-out broke" Kath tells to the blonde Prim

>>5893561
"I got a good account of that... Reminds me of something I was putting off..."

>>5893564
>>5893575
She shrugs.
"You be the judge. He's one Oran Berry better, though. Pokemon durability is one of the things of this world I'm struggling to wrap my head around."
She points to Evan's stomach for emphasis.

>>5893580
Wallis darts back while shielding Woobat.
"Hey! Stay back!"
She shouts to Surface Skipper. She recognizes those mannerisms.

>>5893580
>Dustin would have just said that he thinks she's just 6 years old but that might just offend her.
"Ah okay big girl, where's your mom and dad, furthermore what were you doing in that building?"

>>5893582
"Prim used a powerful move to soak the entire building and put the fire out," Spike explains, standing up slowly and making his way towards the Drakloak.

"I'm going to get some answers, come if you want, but be careful," he warns.

>>5893591
"Don't worry, I can take him!"
(1/21)
He absolutely cannot take him.
He stills hops up and follows the phantasmal fox.

>>5893588
>Evan covers his scar with his scar-f
"Honestly I'm not doing too well either. I just think not getting clobbered like that again is a win..."
>>5893580
"Hey wait, are they..?"

>>5893580
Matchia gets up and gets nearer to Drakloak. Just in case someone needs to be punched.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>while resting, ish attempts kicking the floor... it feels like he's learned something, but can't tell quite what until he gets a grasp on that new feeling.
>>5893585
"Neither am I. nobody left behind, right?"
>>5893588
"may I inquire?"

>>5893588
"I hope I didn't give Ish something like that, it was...kinda me that convinced Prim to do that."

>>5893595
"I kinda did just leave you hanging, sorry. I did try to punch one of the ghosts though!"

>>5893597
"...Don't do anything crazy."
She's stretched too thin to try to stop him. She also can't touch him.

>>5893579
"You're going to need to eat berry either way because that doesn't sound healthy."

>>5893580
"Heya Skip."
>Kaz gives the pokemon a wave
"Had a bit of a house fire! Not sure if there's much left for you ta put out though."

>>5893603
"Hey, as long as you tried."
>>5893597
"You know it."

>>5893580
Cubone looks over at the Drakloak and Shuppet... he'd rather not, thanks. He obfuscates that lack of desire poorly rather simply: "I do not believe they will wish to converse with me even if they could."

>>5893605
"I won't, don't worry."
>that looks almost like the motions to spring around. someone from the pokemon world would recognise it as a fighting type technique
>>5893603
"eh, I don't mind as long as we all make it through."

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5893588
Spike's ears twitch as Wallis shouts.

He pauses, turning to the most immediate threat.

"Halt," he commands, but instead of projecting some compulsion like before, his shadow roils and darts across the ground to try and hold the buizel in place.

"What are you. Who are you. Tell me," Spike demands, walking up to the infected, staring it dead in its eyes as if banging against the windows to its soul for answers or some kind of response.

>Rolling for insight, some answers. (Hex Maniac, Empath- Phantasm and Telepath if those apply)

>>5893580
Skitty stalks towards the main group, looking concerned, tired, and annoyed all at once. Strange combo. "Do we have a head count? Everyone's good enough... right?"

>>5893614
frokie* not buizel. That's another one.

>>5893613
"I should still apologize."

>>5893610
"Yeah...tried...."
>he looks at the floor where he notices a resting Ish kicking with his legs

>>5893597
"Sorry about getting you hurt like that, if I stuck with Evan or just asked him to hold his attack until you guys were finished that wouldn't have happened."

>>5893614
"Spike, that's the one with the Greninja as a mom."
He tilts his head.
"You sure you're good?"

>>5893618
"again, it's all good, couldn't hold back any longer without risking more damage."

>>5893580
Espurr leers at the Drakloak wearily, keeping their distance. There's a sense of dread looking at him even while he's unconscious. It's not so easy to gain this cat's trust, even when there's no immediate threat.

>>5893607
"Speaking of berries, is there a berry that stops aging? I'd like to see that!"

Mohka has been standing awkwardly in roughly the same spot he dropped Drifting Leaves at for a few minutes now. He shakes his head to clear the mind fog and heads over to the group congregating around the Drakolak. He keeps a healthy distance; he doesn't want to catch the Twilight Syndrome. There are far better love stories out there.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5893585
The ghost hisses, swiftly getting more agitated than it was when being attacked.

>>5893590
"Psh. They ain't around anymore. It's just us lookin' out for eachother now! I have it on good word that Big Sis wants me to wait with you guys until we meet up again! SoI've been sleepin' under your beds!"
She was s'posed to steal something from that Gen'ral Razor Guy's Temple, but I dunno where she wanted to go after that..." She licks a wound and blanches. Tastes like ash.

>>5893587
Primarina looks back at the building, genuinely surprised. His shiny partner isn't too responsive, but perks up negligibly after having something whispered whispered to her.
Prim giggles and thanks you with a little Life Dew before returning his attention to the shiny.

>>5893588
>>5893595
>>5893609
Seemingly shocked by his friend's presence, Ludicolo backs away and uses...Grassy Terrain, shielding his face and...not saying anything.
It might be his only move.
Moreover, Skipper cringes upon hearing Kaz's voice. He flicks a stick Kaz's way with a growl!

>>5893614
Within Surface Skipper is...

>>5893627
>>5893596
Drakloak's eyes flutter a bit, and he shows the same disorientation as many of the Pokemon your friends have seen over the last few days...

A small band of Pawniard are coming down to fend off the remaining ghosts, but it seems all the other troubles have escaped their attention for now...

>>5893632
"What-what'd I sa- oh."
>Realization
"Ah no kid...Not you too?"

>>5893632
Wallis backs up as the Grassy Terrain marks the Ludicolo's attacking range. She knows Grass is her greatest weakness and puts a Rock Throw rock barricade between her and Surface Skipper with a shtomp.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5893632
"No."
Darius used Payback!

>>5893632
Matchia seems to be fully locked on to the most prominent task of keeping Drakloak from possibly going wild, going into a trance.
Matchia used Detect!

>>5893638
(14 damage)

>>5893626
"Thanks, but I still can't help but feel like I messed up."
>Brook sits down and looks over to the wreckage...
>>5893632
>until he finally notices the captured ghost
"Uhh Evan what's your plan for this guy?"

Rolled 2 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>5893632
>Kaz tries to position himself so that Skipper cant leave the area
> +3 Speed

"Someone wanna help me corral Skipper?"

>>5893632
"Thanks! Also i can help, i have some knowledge on how to build and design if you want to expand now that you have a... rather clear frame to do it, if you want of course"

>>5893641
"No clue. I guess hand him over to a cop or doctor or something. If nothing else I'm sure Sagira's got some bright idea for him."
>>5893632
"Damn... poor kid's gone. Someone else do this, I can't."
>He turns to his captive
"Hiss hiss hiss, that's all I ever hear from you! Why can't you just chill out for once?"

>>5893632
"Kid, I shouldn't have to be the one that says stealing is bad!"
>Dustin notices the ghost hissing.
"Okay, we shouldn't be here. RUN LIKE HELL or... HECK! DON'T USE HELL!"

>>5893629
>>5893632
As Mohka makes his way over to the larger group, he takes in the surrounding dregs of former chaos. He spots Dustin standing off to the side, talking with... oh.

Oh no.

HER.

That cat. That damn cat. It's here, it's still here. WHY is it still here? WHY is Dustin chatting so...casually with it? He stiffens up at the sight. Maybe he can sneak by unnoticed...?

>>5893653
"Alright."
>While on the ground his eyes drift back to his right foreleg
"Well in that case want me to try and knock it out?"

>>5893632
Espurr takes note of the situation. It seems there's not enough blood and sweat in the world to truly take a moment to breathe.
They step back. They have enough problems to deal with.

They instead elect to approach the Subsumed Chateau to see if it's able to be safely entered now. They'd like to at least get an idea of what happened inside, to see if they'll need to sleep elsewhere tonight...

>>5893659
"Nah, I don't want it doing that phasey thing the rest of them did. Thanks for the offer, though."

>>5893664
>he just nods and returns to gazing out over the aftermath of the battle, mentally replaying the whole thing start to finish

>>5893641
"Well... I can't entirely stop that, but try not to worry, okay?"
>Ish is still recovering

Kaz is pricked for 3 damage.

There's a storm of emotion brewing in the Froakie. He's still reeling from the second sight of his mother attacking him; it's the only discernible thought in his mind among the raw feeling. You get rather little from the dive, because they become overwhelming almost as soon as you identify them. What you feel through him is a torrent of ever present pinpricks, as if your nerves have been opened and can feel a distinct jolt from every blade of grass or gust of wind on your fur. The sensation blots out your vision, scrambling it into something not unlike a milk painting, or a screensaver you've stared into for far too long in a dark room. Every trace of perception demands your full attention until another sense steals it away only a fraction of a second later, each with its own unpredictable sting or jab. The only thing you're certain of is that any of it could be hazardous...in fact, it feels like the very ground you stand on is rearing up to attack you.
Am I alone here? No...
Spike takes 4 damage.

>>5893638
>>5893646
Froakie, between his youth and the fall he took earlier isn't prepared for anything resembling a strong hit. He's down for the count.

>>5893653
>>5893639
Shuppet's crying now. Not uncommon for Pokemon, but this is a little uncanny...
Drakloak, still coated in powder can't move at all. Not even enough for a basic attack, and he looks more than incensed by this. These Pokemon really don't like being detained.
There may be enough Pokemon infected here to call some outside force in...

>>5893655
>>5893654
"I don't know Hell!"
Hell is not a move.
She snaps to look over her shoulder directly at the sneaking musical instrument. "Do you?"

>>5893675
"Ow!"
HP:18/21
"Watch it Dare! Don't hurt the kid!"

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5893671
"Okay, and you get some rest."
>he forces a smile and stands up
"I think I'll go look for something I can use to help you heal, there were some leaves I didn't have enough time to grab from one of those barrels."
"Maybe they're still around somewhere."
>>5893675
>with that he walks around, eyes glued to the floor looking for any signs of something he can use to help Ish recover

>>5893675
Spike blinks rapidly, stumbling back and clutching his jaw tightly.

"Gah!" he screams, clutching his eyes.

>>5893675
Headcount's good, it looks like.

"Ugh," Skitty spits as she notices the Drakloak's fury and strolls up to him. "You don't know when to quit, do you? I could just put you back down if I wanted." She knows he basically can't understand what she's saying, but it's also a little cathartic considering what he did to Espurr.

>>5893675
Despite the lack of mobility from Drakloak, Matchia remains somewhat close to stop it from doing anything tricky. She Meditates on this... +1 attack.

>>5893679
"Yeah Darius, don't touch the child!"
>>5893675
>Dustin turns over to see Mohka.
"Hello again monster thrower or am I misremembering?"

>>5893675
Does Mohka know Hell? Yeah, and it's looking right at him.
The attention from the Sprigatito is as equally unexpected as it was unwanted, causing Mohka to just about jump out of his scales in a panic, letting out a noise that, if asked, he would insist was a draconic roar to establish dominance, but almost assuredly sounds anything but.

>>5893692
Mohka is too busy being jumpscared to answer.

>>5893675
>Evan looks for some strong looking pokemon to wave over.
>He settles on a gang of Pawniard and a Bisharp that seem to be heading this way anyway.

>>5893704
"OKAY RUN NOW KITTY!"

>>5893704
Cubone looks over in the general direction of the Comically Loud Noise, somewhat startled. "What was..?" he wonders, to nobody in particular.

>>5893680
>rabbit, take that order and get to sleep
>probably not great to do so outside but oh well

>>5893704
"Heh, that'ss our brave hero right here!"

>>5893680
It looks like most of the valuables are already being moved. A lot of the civilians have returned to town to either defend their residences or help clean up. Most of the public space, like that Primarina's containers were blown into is being managed by Elder Seven Leaves.

>>5893682
The thing plastering your(Skipper's?) body shifts again with your step, all but the floor beneath you suddenly turning unrecognizable again. Something beyond the veil is poising to attack again...
Spike takes 6 damage.

>>5893684
>>5893689
His paralysis a few minutes old, the water is starting to flow and evaporate. Of course, he's still injured and mostly incapacitated, but a free head is a free firestarter...

>>5893716
"Got it!!" The Sprig limps away for a good four feet before her leg gives and drops her to her face. It's slower than Mohka's powerwalk.
"Oomp."

Ludicolo seems content with Wallis's barrier between themselves after spending an inordinate amount of time confirming that it won't move.
So he continues cowering.

>>5893735
Wallis throws up a Wide Guard for good measure, extending a free arm as a pink barrier surrounds all allies.
"It'd be great if you told us what gave you Twilight Syndrome!"
She passive-aggressively inquires as she backs up further.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>5893735
“OY VEY, KITTY!”
>Dustin rushes back, attempts to pick her up and run off with her.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5893735
"Spike!"
>Kaz tries to slap Spike out of whatever connection he's in with Skipper!
"Whatever you're doin', stop it!"

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5893735
Matchia slams her hands together vertically with the Drakloak's head inbetween with a Fake Out!

>>5893747
4+2+3 damage for first attack. Drakloak is flinching!

Rolled 18 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>5893735
>>5893747
>>5893684
Espurr steps out from the Chateau, not bothering to look into it any further. That's when they see their teammates surrounding the Drakloak. Hm.

Espurr steps over to the Drakloak Skitty and Matchia are harassing. They get a little closer this time. It would be a shame if this Drakloak got back up and hurt someone. Perhaps he would use U-Turn or something of that sort, knocking out some unsuspecting bystander.
Who knows what would result if that happened.

>Espurr used Gravity!
>They want to make things uncomfortable for him as possible, simultaneously making it safer for everyone else.
>Gravitational Potential III

>>5893735
>Responding to the commotion, a group of Pawniard led by a Bisharp rush over.
The Bisharp speaks in a commanding tone; "Squad, contain the afflicted!"
>The Pawniard rush towards the Twilighted Pokemon, using ropes or other restraints to capture them. A few Foongus are also present, blowing Spores on any Twighlighted Pokemon to put them to sleep.
The Bisharp turns to the group, adopting a barely-softer tone as he questions you; "Report: What happened here? Is anyone badly injured?"

>>5893735
>>5893747
"...I was just gonna make him go back to sleep, but... violence, sure. That's fair."

She looks sincere, despite the sarcastic phrasing.

>>5893735
>He's searched up and down, but couldn't find anything that looks like a healing item
>sighing he slowly walks back to Ish
"Guess everything was already been picked up, couldn't really find any-"
>his stops talking when he gets close enough to notice the rabbit sleeping
>with nothing else to really do, he sits down nearby in part to watch over him and to get some rest himself

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5893735
>>5893746
"It's in my head!" he growls, trying to stand up.

"It won't get the best of me- I REFUSE." Spike says, trying to hold himself together.

He's died before. He's been in the throes of panic before, he can surpass it.

>>5893760
Spike's HP: 12/22

>>5893755
"That thing over there officers, go get'em"
She points (?) at the Drakloak

>>5893763
*She also faints (HP 2/25)

>>5893760
Skitty whips around, reasonably construing that Spike used his shiny new psychic powers to ascertain something about the Twilight Syndrome. "Idiot! You watched me do the same thing! Learn!!" She abandons the Drakloak and Matchia and marches over to the Zorua, but her motive, whether to chew him out more or to check if he's alright, is unclear.

>>5893763
>The Bisharp nods at a few Pawniard that stood near him, dispersing them to deal with the Drakloak.

>>5893754
>>5893755
Drakloak wriggles and thrashes his neck. It's almost mesmerizing, the way his ghostly body is restrained by the blended water as if it were a solid coat over him. When gravity activates, it flows off of him as runoff, and he starts phasing through the floor...until he's put to sleep by Spore. as is the Shuppet in Evan's possession, but he himself and Ludicolo are unaffected. Ludicolo evokes his most powerful Grassy Terrain yet against the approaching Pawniard.
They're having some trouble getting a hold of Buizel, though...

>>5893760
The being, what, wherever it is, approaches Spike yet again. He can hear it, even though Surface Skipper is knocked out...
I'm going to die here. No, I'll make it...
Spike takes 8 damage.
partly, from the sound of his own voice. He can feel it echoing through his skull as he makes it, distractingly.
Skitty hears...a garbled message of incomprehensible mutterings from Spike.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5893781
Spike curls up tight, scrunching his eyes and gritting his teeth.
"This is. . . temporary. . . There is tomorrow. . . " he says through pained grunts.

He can't give in.

A memory of the desert appears in his mind. Burning sand, blinding blue skies, nothing for miles.

Except for two familiar faces. Two reasons why he is everything he is.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5893781
>Some of the Pawniard approaching Ludicolo look at each other questioningly.
>One of them uses Scary Face as the others creep around it, ready to restrain it the second its speed lowers.

>>5893781
Matchia's work with Drakloak is handled. She begins to move to help handle Buizel next.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5893781
"Spike! Get out of his mind!"
Katherine helps... by Razor leafing Spike from affar to cut any possible physical link

>>5893726
"Sh-shut up."

>>5893735
Mohka sheds no tears for the injured cat.

>>5893781
Being closer to the Pawniard group now, and with the weedcat no longer posing an immediate threat, he intends to help wrangle the Buizel... Until he sees Spike seemingly having a stroke. Can ghosts have strokes? Well, better go secure him so he doesn't injure himself. He moves with haste.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5893781
Espurr clutches their skull and Gravity ends. Why did they do that? Spite? Now there's a headache coming on... At least it's dealt with.

They take a deep breath. Sagira taught them that helps sometimes...

...but with everything that's happened, and with how long it's been since the last one, they might not be able to avoid another migraine.

>Espurr tries to keep a clear head with their Own Tempo and strength of mind, but thinking too hard only makes it worse, and so on, and so on.

>>5893781
>>5893784
"...fuck," Skitty says as she realizes Spike got more than just a trivial sting. "Guys? Things aren't going too good over here!" she calls before focusing back on Spike. What had helped her, during her encounter? Orner stabbing her, technically, but this wasn't the dream world. "Umm... Breathe, Spike, br-"

>>5893788
You cannot be serious. Skitty recoils– the Orner method it is, she supposes, but she can't bring herself to– it only added to the trauma for her.

Also the HP issue. No telling what knocking Spike out in this state would do, and he's already looking rough.

>>5893781
>>5893784
Wallis maintains Wide Guard to the best of her ability, hoping it may relieve Spike some. She won't tell him that, though. Wouldn't it be crazy if it blocked >>5893788 though?

>>5893788
>>5893784
It takes all of your willpower to focus on those memories for more than a second-or even separate those thoughts from the Others stirring within you-
The last thing you hear before you snap back to reality is...
" No. I'm going to live. No matter what. If anyone's out there, listen to me."
Suddenly, there's a break in the sensory overload. For a moment, all you can think of is your old home and those close to you...and you're back to normal. In fact, you haven't even taken any damage...?
Well? Did you learn anything?

>>5893799
>>5893786
A Razor Leaf is suspended in midair by a flah-wall of clay rising from the ground. Ludicolo crashes into a portion near him, giving the Hematite Pawniard ever so slightly more work to do...until their scowls frighten him into tripping.

>>5893787
Buizel may have secured an escape rout into the ocean...until it's blocked by a Mienfoo. She could be safely detained by anyone, now...

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5893805
Matchia approaches the Buizel, before immediately command-grabbing it and throws it at the ground like a judo-throw to restrain it! It's Reversal!
If effective, 2+2+1 damage. If that matters at all in a matter of restraining.

>>5893805
". . ."
Spike lays on the ground, wide eyed and panting.

After a long moment, his body returns to it's cold stillness as he rises up from the ground.

". . . I'm not ready. . . Not yet," Spike says.

>>5893805
>Pawniards descend onto the Ludicolo, tying him up as the Bisharp oversees them.
>>5893806
>Others try to assist Matchia in restraining the Buizel with some ropes.

>Evan hands off his prisoner to the mercies of the Hematite clan.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5893805
Kath looks at the razor leaf wondering if she can still control it, targetting one of the twilighted pokemon (Roll to see if she can target it) before
>>5893809
"Good one, Spike, you're a real stylish"
She forcefeeds him an oran leaf

>>5893809
Mohka arrives and slav squats to get closer to eye level with Spike.

"You good?"

>>5893809
"You moron! How long has it been since I tried the same thing? Oddly, she looks hurt. "What were you expecting to happen? That you could just tell the shadow demons to halt?!"

She sounds protective, yet royally pissed. "Are you even okay???"

>>5893805
>>5893809
"Phew... Well, I hope that was worth it, Spike."

>>5893806
Wallis backs up Matchia, taking a position closer to the water to complicate escaping. She also drops Wide Guard for now.
"Just stay down, already!"

>>5893812
>>5893815
>>5893809
"Lord in the sssky, why are ssso many of you increassingly sssuicidal?" Orner seems to have followed after Mohka. "You better not ssstart ssspreading that thing with your telepathy, Ssspike..."

>>5893809
>>5893811
>>5893812
>>5893817
>>5893819
Espurr watches and listens to the others berate Spike for his laughably foolish and thoughtless decision. Any more of those decisions would put everyone at risk.

>>5893812
Spike nods slowly, his eyes drifting around before landing on Mohka's. His brow harden and he nods affirmatively. "I'm fine. I'm. . . just . . . I just need some rest-"

>>5893815
"I-" He pauses, before hanging his head down. "I was expecting to get answers. I thought that I could handle it. . ."

>>5893817
He shakes his head. "I'm sorry, Wallis. I wouldn't have made it without you."

>>5893819
Spike doesn't say anything in response.

>>5893822
"Good. Not sure who I'd clean out in blackjack if you bit the big one."

>>5893822
"That's what I thought too! Didn't we have a talk about this?? God..." Skitty relents, though. She's experienced the same herself, after all. "Okay, he gets it was stupid. Let him have some space to calm down now, alright?" She backs off slowly, nodding to herself.

>>5893822
"I'm still not sure what 'it' is, but we've got another one here!"
She's eyeing Buizel, not that she's expecting Spike to hop into the fray after whatever he just did.

>>5893838
>>5893831
>>5893828
Spike gives Mohka a look before nodding to the other two. "I'm going to. . . lay down."

>>5893810
>>5893806
Buizel is on its back before it can get any momentum going three able combatants are on her in an instant...
It starts a curve before relodging itself in Wallis's Wide Guard...Hey, maybe this could be a talent to hone...

>>5893810
The rest of the ghosts fade into the ground when KOed. They're liable to scatter and cause more trouble whenever they wake up, so your gesture carries a little more weight than you might imagine...

And on that note, Your actions will grow to be greatly appreciated in the coming days, no matter how well or poorly Baram Town takes the Twilight Syndrome outbreak occurring within itself. To maintain peace, some of the other Clan Elders might spend a little more time in town, now. Who's to say for sure, though?
Take 55 Rank Experience points for your exploits this afternoon. That'll be all for tonight.

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You've given yourself some time to recover since the events of the Chateau's destruction and have set forth to set your mind to other things. A creeping feeling of paranoia does settle within your minds. Had the warnings been true? Was that truly it? Was there more to come? They bubble into your head like worms.

Regardless, you've been given a task in order to get a "favor," from the Guild League affiliated Sneasel. It has you trekking far out and long from your normal confines within the boundaries of Baram Town, following a simple highway. It's a cobbled path, maintained by the clans, you assume. This must be a popular route, since occasionally you can see other travelers meandering along at their own paces.

As a handful of days pass and nights fade, you find an entrance to a strange little crossroads of a town. From what you can see, it's no bigger than Baram Town. Checking your wonder maps, it doesn't look like it's entirely relevant to your quest other than a simple rest stop. In fact, it's telling you to go the other way. You look for a name, eventually settling on a printrune signpost... "Pokémon Square." She said to meet here when you were done...

You make a mental note and continue on.

Chapter 9: Old Stories

Stumbling upon the cave isn't too difficult. From what you can see, someone had been here before, although their time was brief and dated. It only appears as if they chose to mark the place and move on.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5897873
>Evan peers into the cave

>>5897873
Espurr, having elected to go on this journey, is waddling along with the rest of the group when they suddenly stop at the sight of the town not far before them.

They wonder if entering would be a good idea. Or perhaps patience is the key to this one.
Well, Espurr, your judgment's never led you astray before. Right?

They continue along to the cave entrance. Yes, this is almost certainly it. The gray cat and their antics will be useful here. They take a step towards the darkened entrance and prepare a snap of light to get a glimpse of the inside.

>Espurr used Flash!

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5897873
Wallis can't read Printrune.
"That has to be the Pokemon Square I heard about... I wonder if they have a Recycling shop for my TM."
She says as they pass to head to the cave objective.
"Let's see what we're working with."
She peers through the dark like murky water and listens closely.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5897873
(Test)

>>5897873
>>5897887
"Is this the place?" (Previous post vibe roll)

>>5897873
>Brook follows along behind, his steps nearly inaudible as he smoothly continues forward
>had he not been curious enough to eavesdrop when the mission was discussed there's no doubt he would've been left behind due to not currently staying with everyone else on the ship

>>5897880
>>5897884
>>5897886
Evan looks a bit hopelessly into the dark of the cave, before having his unadjusted eyesight splashed by the burst of light emanating from Espurr's sudden flash of light! The cave is illuminated, revealing a simple entrance descending into the unknown. Actually... you think you can already see a path from here.

Wallis can hear many things, this near-jungle-like surroundings mess with her ability to properly hear, but it must be some kind of "wet" down there. The sound of dripping water is the loudest thing she can hear.

>>5897893
Katherine vibes. She seems to almost be in her tropical element here.

>>5897873
"Alright, that wass easssy. Come on fellasss, thisss sshould't take long."
Orner leads the way and enters while the others dilly-dally.

>>5897900
>>5897880
Espurr turns to look at Evan after the Flash.
They aren't responsible for any possible vision damage this may have caused.

They follow Orner >>5897901 closely. She knows what to do, probably. She's also quite large and a good wall from danger.
There's no other reason they decide to follow her, sporadically using Flash to reignite the light in the cave.

>>5897900
"Hey guys, there's a path down this way!"
>>5897903
>Evan is blinking a bit more, but he seems fine otherwise. At the very least, he's not upset with you.

>>5897873
Cubone seems less than pleased to be entering a dark, musty, damp cave. "...I had hoped our destination would be more... welcoming, but I suppose wishful thinking alone gets us nowhere." he muses, tagging along the back. If anyone's going to be mildly inconvenienced by cobwebs, he'd rather it not be him.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5897873
“All right! Lets scope this place out!”
>Kaz searches the cave entrance

>>5897900
Angus wanders further into the cave.

>>5897873
"Another cave... y'know what, I think I actually kinda like these." He follows his teammate and de-facto team captain into the breach. >>5897901

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5897900
>>5897908
"Maybe this other way"
She goea the other way

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5897900
>While he waits for everyone else to head inside so that he may take a position in the rear, Brook takes a moment to scope out the outside surroundings

>>5897900
Sail enjoyed the damp atmosphere of the cave. At well following along.

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>>5897908
Kaz makes the astute observation that the cave entrance is quite possibly the most cave of all time. It truly is an entrance to a cave... it has some moss and vines to it, you suppose.

>>5897906
>>5897907
>>5897903
>>5897901
>>5897909
>>5897911
>>5897917
Anyway, after allowing the Kubfu to absorb such detailed information, the little group meanders down the single path, arriving at a sharp turn heading to the right. The ground beneath you is mushy and slick, no doubt from collecting the outside's rainwash. Sagira has joined you wordlessly.

With the illumination, you can actually spot a gash and crack in the wall. There's no way you could fit into this if you were too big. Even then, it would really need you to inhale your gut...
>Attempt to enter the crack in the cave wall. (Small size required)
>Inspect the narrow opening further.
>Proceed on the right path.

>>5897912
>>5897915
You choose not to go through the entrance, instead looking around the outside. There's not really much else out here, aside from a steep drop off a cliffside. Katherine can see a scratched marking indicating something inside from whoever had been previously here, but not much else.

There probably only exists one way in.

>>5897900
>>5897907
"Ech." Skitty agrees. "It'd better be worth it..." She's high-stepping, careful where she places her paws in this grimy place.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5897928
"Well, might as well try..."
>Evan tries snaking his way through. He is a snake, after all...

>Attempt to enter the crack in the cave wall. (Small size required)

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5897928
>Inspect the narrow opening further.
Mohka approaches the crack in the wall, and places a hand on it. "Mmm... no, not my hole. Sail, you could prob'ly slip through. Give it a go?"

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5897928
>Inspect the narrow opening further.
“Nice cave!”
>Kaz moves with the rest to find the crack in the wall
> He moves to break it open further with Rock Smash before realizing a cave in may not be a good idea

>Kaz inspects the opening. Is it stable?

>>5897928
"Hmm... Hey, >>5897917 Sssail! You can totally fit through, right? Sssee what'ss in there, come on!"

>>5897928
>There's clearly nothing of interest outside
>Seems everyone has already headed inside, with nothing else to do out here he follows in after and upon seeing his team mate go in, he follows after inside the crack in the wall
>>5897935
"Evan wait up!"

>>5897928
>Dustin looks at the narrow opening
>He thinks to himself...
>"I don't know if I can shimmy through that."

>>5897941
"Egh... little harder than I thought, be careful!"

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5897900
>>5897928
Wallis opts to follow the sounds of water, specialized for the moist ground.
"There's probably a place the rainwater pools further in."
>Inspect the narrow opening further.
She waits for her smaller allies while she looks for a way she could meet them on the other side.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5897946
>>5897928
"Uhh right, and you too!"
>pausing a moment to look at the dark hole, he glances backwards toward the entrance before trying to squeeze inside himself

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5897928
>Attempt to enter the crack in the cave wall. (Small size required)
"I wonder if I can go through here..."

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5897940
"Probabl'y"
>>5897928
>Sail liquifies his body and try slid into crack.

>>5897928
Seeing the members of the group entering the small crack, Espurr decides they'd rather not get trapped between their, by comparison, much fatter compatriots, and thus, they remain where they are.

>>5897940
They are standing just a little too close to Orner and staring at Sail as she eggs him into squeezing through the crack in the wall.
Do they want something, or..?

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5897928
Kath keeps looking around, trying to will an entrance

>>5897928
Cubone is the sixth shortest individual when accounting for the entirety of the group. He could very likely enter the crack in the cave wall.
However, that would be gross, so he's not doing it.
>Proceed on the right path.
>>5897952
>>5897954
>>5897961
>>5897935
He does waste absolutely no time judging people willing to get familiar with a grimy cave's walls, though, silently turning his nose up at them.

>>5897928
Up until now Spike had elected to stay quiet and follow the group in the cave- with the options presented though.

>>5897935
>>5897941
>>5897954
>>5897961
"All of you be careful!" he shouts, turning to the others who had chosen to stay here.

"Let's keep moving. It's unlikely that whoever built this place made such a narrow squeeze the main entrance."

>Proceed on the right path.

>>5897970
"Yes, you too!" while hoping that he didn't jinxed it.

>>5897970
>>5897968
Espurr stares at Spike and Cubone while the two keep moving. They don't actually do anything or intend to say anything, so this is only a casual glance that could be mistaken for a formal glance, an informal glance (which it is), or a serious one.

>>5897962
Orner notices the scaredy cat doubling as flashlight that's sticking to her. It's almost cute. "Hey, Dusssk. You don't wanna sssee what'ss in there? You won't make it far jussst by playing it sssafe! Where'ss your sssensse of adventure, hmm?" Maybe they could use a little push.

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96 KB PNG

>>5897935
>>5897952
>>5897954
It's slow at best, and the slick feeling of whatever damp thing had been growing between this gap is getting to you. Gross! Meanwhile, Brook joins up with Evan and can feel that this is deceptively smaller than he'd hoped. His fur quickly loses its natural volume and sticks to his body. However, he's not thrown off by the uneasy feelings. His speed is limited only by Evan's own. Angus joins in, finding that his own naturally water-resistant feathers help, but they get damp and soaked very quickly due to the compact conditions.

Sail keeps amazing pace with the other three in the crack, almost as if his body lacks bones.

There are four members currently shimmying their way through here. After a couple of minutes of claustrophobia-inducing fear, the four of you stumble into a dark cubby. It's pitch black.

>>5897936
>>5897937
Mohka can see that no light is slipping through this crack. Kaz, meanwhile, can recognize that punching it to make it larger definitely won't help anyone. It would require a very precise tool to chip out, rather than blunt-force. It's probably also a good idea to not do that while someone has already entered.

>>5897967
Looking around, there are no other entrances, no matter how much you can hope you might find one, just out of sheer luck.

>>5897968
>>5897970
You skip past the small crack in the wall, not entirely interested in heading in. Turning right, your source of illumination still with you, you can see four pillars holding up the ceiling of a deliberately designed hallway. This must be the real way in, but, there's a giant hole where the path would be. Erosion must have claimed it.

>>5897928
Matchia has always been here. She's just quietly looking around.
>>5897962
She just stands around Espurr, watching the group go through.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5897980
Undeterred, Kath keeps looking around, actually the other way where the only entrance is

>>5897980
"Damn! Can't see a way ta make it bigger."
>Kaz kicks at a pebble
"Anyone see another way in?"

>>5897976
Kick the cat, lose the light. Would Orner prefer that?
Though they could be convinced to take bigger risks if her serpentine charm is worth anything. They point to the right path, giving their suggestion.

>>5897981
That suggestion goes for Matchia as well. Right path, how about it? Work together on this, come on!

>>5897980
Espurr takes the right path, trying to nudge the two of their choice party members in the same direction. They'll keep the flashing light going for as long as they can or need it.

>>5897980
>>5897988
>Seeing some others start to take the other path, Kaz follows
"Don't like splittin' up like this."

>Proceed on the right path.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5897980
>Evan squints, trying to see in the dark

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5897980
Wallis looks around after following the split group down the right path.
"Guess we'll have to climb the walls to get ahead."
Wallis uses Mud Shot to try and make some footholds on the wall.

>>5897980
"Well, we made it through but umm... do you guys have anything to light up with?" Angus says this as he blindly wanders around.

>>5897988
"Yeah, let's just go to the right... Not like we can do much with that opening."
Matchia begins to go to the right.

>>5897985
"Blowing it up maybe?"

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5897980
>Sail look into the darkness, using his horn if he able to sense anything near.