Blaguarro Town T2 Deepest Lab

[Butterfree]

Dave blinked - was Laura ordering moves, like he was her fucking Pokémon? - but just as he peered back at her she snapped her hands (paws?) and a crackle of sharp energy went through him, shuddering down his spine, and Betel's telepathy network helpfully supplied an inexplicable understanding blooming somewhere in the back of his brain: no, this was just some Pokémon move bullshit, somehow. Coaching. Helping Hand.

He nodded, did the Escarpa's claw-sharpening trick for good measure. The gigantic machine loomed, the inky black substance inside the tanks reminiscent of Powehi's Shadow ocean. People had been experimented on in here. If those tanks burst, would they all end up like Ridley, passively generating Shadow?

Cold was seeping through his chest. Fine. Good. Use the power, if they had to have it.

With a deep breath, he charged towards the Tinkaton.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Turn 1
Player Phase​

Laura is Coaching and ready to help Dave!
Laura's mug hit Lovrina's shield!
Laura's interacted with the Control Panel...

The control panel had about a million options on the touchscreen and it was hard to figure out what was what. Apparently it was currently set to Siphon. But what did that mean?

Gladion's monitor was deflected by Lovrina!
Gladion Taunted Lovrina!
Gladion's Tri Attack dealt 8 damage to Lovrina! Burned!

Dave's STRONG SHADOW Assurance dealt 53 damage to Lovrina! Pickpocketed Atk!
Dave's Rock Smash dealt 10 damage to Lovrina! -1 Def

Odette's Metal Strike dealt 23 damage to Lovrina!

Nova's Follow Me draws enemy attention.
Nova's RADIANT Blast Seed dealt 40 damage to the Shadow Machine!

Jade's Spotter Aux! Lovrina's Gear! Recovery Scarf, Pixie Dust

Lovrina deftly parried the the assorted lab junk that the party hurled her way, striking a handful of cute poses with each one. Dave's shadow-tinged strike definitely managed to break through her guard, though, knocking the Tinkaton flying hard enough that she had to use her hammer to break the momentum.

And then Nova's grenade went off.

Brilliant golden light cut through the lab's dim atmosphere, shattering one of the glass tanks and ripping a gash in the outer hull of the machine. Dark fluid--something between a liquid and a gas--began to pour out, spreading across the floor.

Lovrina's eyes locked onto Nova, her face splitting into a nasty grin. "Ooh, looks like I extra-super need to punish that one!" She pivoted on her hammer and called out through the open door: "Naps! I so need you to cover me, like right now!"

The Murkrow came flapping into the lab promptly, after which Lovrina punched something into the keycard terminal by the door.

Lovrina locked down the lab! The exit shut.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Turn 1
Enemy Phase​

Naps's Rogue Aux! Nova was Badly Poisoned.

Lovrina pulled her goggles over her eyes and adjusted her grip on her hammer before striking a cute pose for an unseen audience. "Looks like we've got a couple of tryhard edgelords in the chat! Time for some #gaming!"

Lovrina's Pickpocket! Stole Atk from Dave.
Lovrina focused... her Recovery Scarf reduced Burn by [1].

Boss Action: Multi-Enemy Targeting
Lovrina's Attract charmed everyone!
Lovrina's Play Rough dealt 11 damage to Nova!
Lovrina's AGILE #BanHammer dealt 11 damage to Nova!
Lovrina's #BanHammer dealt 35 damage to Dave! -1 Def!

While Lovrina clashed with the Wayfarers, the control panel for the Shadow Machine had turned an angry red. LEDs on the machine itself flashed while an alarm blared. Some kind of security override?

There was something inside the machine, but it was impossible to tell what, not while the outer shell was still intact...

The Shadow Machine's moves affect everyone in the lab!
The Shadow Machine's Shadow Down weakened everyone. -2 Def
The Shadow Machine's Shadow Mist weakened everyone. -2 Eva
The Shadow Machine was unable to do any more.

Every turn the Shadow Machine takes significant damage, its actions will be greatly reduced.

The dark substance spilling from the Shadow Machine had spread across the floor of the lab, filling the room with its chilling, unsettling aura.

Each turn a unit spends in the lab, they'll gain 10 Shd.

Lovrina had leaped onto the top of a shelf in the containment room, swinging her hammer over her head as though she was daring anyone to get closer. "Get ready, everyone! This next attack is going to be totally #AmazeBalls!"

Lovrina walked to Containment.
Boss Attack: Gigaton Hammer
Target: Containment

It seems like Lovrina's attention is on Nova and Gladion.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Howls, who the fuck was this person. Obviously a human, probably a teenager, and almost certainly a fucking streamer putting out godawful socmedia posts two hundred times a fucking day. Laura didn't even have the time to be mad about it with the fucking Shadow coming from the machine and trying not to crack up at 'tryhard edgelords'. (Honestly, that was a fair hit, given present company.)

She kicked the control panel in impotent frustration, and checked her item satchel. She needed to recover. Figure out the counterplay. Stabilise.

 

[Ambyssin]

The shadows were out. They were spreading. Nova wondered if the others were having flashes of panic at that. Odette, at least, had been there with Seth's shadows erupted and swarmed the whole group. But for the others in this motley crew, it was their first time.

Nova was the only non-human among this squad. Hell, among the room, if he considered the Cipher goons.

... Well, the jury was out on if this #girlboss was really human. No sane human talked like that. Not even the terminally online ones back home.

But more importantly, Nova was a shadow 'mon. This was what he was used to. Only here, he was treading above the shadows. Not helplessly drowning in them. He had to set the example. Keep the others heads steady. Giovanni said it was the connection that empowered pokémon. No reason Nova couldn't make it work in reverse.

With the goons having switched rooms, Nova quickly slipped his other blast seed inside his disk drive while they couldn't see him. "Keep your wits about you, bud." Nova nudged Gladion's side with his own as he marched into the room containing the machine. "Deep breaths."

He focused on the strange taunting aura within him. But this time he tugged on some other energy: Bide. If #girlboss was going to wave that thing around like a kid on a sugar rush, then Nova would take that abuse... and direct it toward her precious machine.

"Y'know, if this is really your lab, you've gotta be the dumbest smart person around," Nova said, intending to further draw her ire. "You put these shadows into innocent 'mon. You know exactly what will happen. Your human mind — assuming you're not some sentient chatbot — won't protect you."

Nova licked his beak like a predator watched injured prey. "And I, for one, can't wait to watch you and your little birdie tear each other apart."

The taunts were to draw ire, of course. But he had a secondary purpose: intel-gathering. Rile up this blabbermouth enough and she might spill whether these Cipher goons had developed a means of protecting themselves from corruption.

Spoiler: Nova Turn 2

Nova (83 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 10 SHD, 15 RAD)
- Bide (-17.25 STM, +2 TMP)
- Iron Defense (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Follow Me (-16 STM, +2 TMP)
- Follow Me (-12 STM, +2 TMP)
- **Act:** Call @ Gladion (ally +3 TMP, ally -10 SHD/RAD)
- Walk to Containment
Net change: -64 STM, +8 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 19 STM (44 after regen), 13 TMP, 10 SHD, 15 RAD

Spoiler: Turn 2 Order

Nova > Odette > Gladion > Laura > Dave > Jade

Spoiler: Odette Aux Turn 2

Call @ Gladion, okay'd over Disord overnight.

 

[Shiny Phantump]

“Thanks,” Gladion muttered back to Nova. He pushed down his shadow, but in terms of keeping his head clear in general, well He’d need more strength to keep Lovrina burnt through her warded garments.

He channeled Radiance into a ray of brining light. The last burn wasn’t good enough. If he didn’t push himself harder she’d just brush it off.

“Is this just a game to you? Are you incapable of understanding the suffering you’ve caused? Or do you understand it, but with so little empathy that you can knowingly inflict it?”

He didn’t want to threaten her life. (Sort of. He had, but not in an actionable way.) What would they do if they beat her, though? What do you do with someone who lives a life like this?

“Why are you like this…?”

Spoiler: Gladion Turn 2

Gladion (75 STM, 3 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 10 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Receive (Call) (+3 TMP, -10 SHD, -10 RAD)
- Receive (Call) (+3 TMP, -10 SHD, -10 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Cacnea Spike) @ Lovrina (-2 TMP)
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- STRONG RADIANT Tri Attack @ Lovrina (-43.5 STM, effect, -8 TMP, +4 TMP, +29 RAD)
Net change: -44 STM, +5 TMP, -10 SHD, +29 RAD
Net totals: 31 STM (59 after regen), 8 TMP, 0 SHD, 29 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

(Before charmed)

 

[Butterfree]

Before he knew it, after striking the obnoxious Tinkaton twice and skidding to a halt to catch his breath, Nova was casually tossing a brightly glowing Blast Seed at the machine, and his heart lurched.

"No, are you fucking crazy? That's going to--"

The tank hit by the improvised grenade shattered, inky fluid spilling over the floor. Dave backed away instinctively but the Shadow spread with unnatural speed across the floor, pooling at their feet, evaporating wisps playing at the surface. The darkness seeped through his pawpads, a cold shudder running through him, his heart pounding sickeningly. "Yeah, thanks for that. Great idea," he snapped.

He jumped onto a chair, but the cold lingered horridly, permeating the air too. No escape. He glanced around for any kind of ventilation, maybe, but while there were a vent or two near the ceiling, there was little hope they'd do much to dissipate a substance that was heavier than air.

Radiance was supposed to be the counter to Shadow, wasn't it.

He gritted his teeth and concentrated, but he couldn't find the buzz of Radiance anywhere, his chest icy cold. Figured she'd give them this power and then it didn't even fucking work.

That was when he spotted Jade rushing in towards where Lovrina was brandishing her giant fuckoff hammer, advertising some giant attack. So were Gladion and Nova. "Wh--"

All at once, the golden warmth erupted through him. He dashed off after them, gritting his teeth. At least if he could knock the living daylights out of the hashtag fairy first, maybe she wouldn't get a chance to pound everyone into fucking pulp.

Spoiler: Turn 2

Dave (100 STM, 15 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 25 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Receive (Helping Hand)
- Receive (Helping Hand)
- Walk to Containment
- Rock Smash @ Lovrina (-11 STM, effect, -5 TMP, +3 TMP)
- Activate ability (Pickpocket) @ Lovrina's +Atk
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- STRONG CRITICAL RADIANT Assurance @ Lovrina (-22.5 STM, -13 TMP, +5 TMP, +15 RAD)
- **Act:** Dash to Lab Main (-2 TMP)
Net change: -34 STM, -7 TMP, +0 SHD, +15 RAD
Net totals: 66 STM (96 after regen), 8 TMP, 25 SHD, 15 RAD

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade's fur stood on end as she perched on top of a shelf in the containment room, struggling to keep her cool even as her eyes couldn't look away from the curtain of darkness spreading across the floor. It was only an inch deep. Not like that ocean of endless grief, stretching out to the horizon.

Come on, get a grip.

She forced herself to look back at the machine. Behind the shattered tank, a gash had been ripped into the hull. That thing was the cause of all this, and they needed to destroy it to make sure Cipher couldn't inflict the shadows on anyone else.

A flicker of lightless flame, in the dead of night. Eyes leering at her like she was prey. No more of that, not to anyone else.

She took a deep breath. Had to get a grip, had to help. Had to make a difference, dammit.

Her paws clenched and unclenched. Just had to... remember what it felt like to draw on Koa's lightning, when they'd trained together. He wasn't here now, but that feeling was, the sparks traveling up her arm. There was something else there too, the words that Luz had said before they entered the tunnels.

Radiance...

She could help, she could use that power, the power she'd been given, the power she'd agreed to take and what did it matter if she'd had a choice? She was involved, there was no changing that, only doing what had to be done because she couldn't just sit around doing nothing, had to act, had to--

Jade thrust an arm forward and felt the sun's light explode from her paw.

Jade's Radiant Caster Aux @ Shadow Machine

 

[Jackie Cat]

The rest of the squad were engaged with the Tinkaton. Fine by her. Someone needed to hold Lovrina's attention while the rest of the team dismantled that machine. That was their objective after all – neutralise Cipher's ability to make Shadow 'mon. And this thing was definitely a key part of that infrastructure – just being near it made Laura's skin crawl, let alone the liquid despair seeping out of it.

Fine. She'd grit her teeth, draw bitter breaths, keep focused. They'd come here with a counter for this, and she meant to use it.

Laura lifted a paw and held it out. Okay. She'd summon the power. Radiance was light, lack of inhibition, pure intent. How had it felt? It was hard to remember, down here in a pit of metal and darkness. What light or positivity was down here? This place could swallow the sun. How could Laura carry any light of her own down here...?

The suffering-stained metal panels of the machine.
The rising oil-slick muck of elemental Shadow around her feet.
Dave's narrowed eyes when she shouted to him.
Bellatrix' cold disdain as she stared down at her.
Isidora's sudden look of betrayal and disgust.
Eternatus swallowing the Earth.

Her paw shook. No, not now. This was too important, this mattered too much, she had to make this work.

She knew what to do. She saw the solve. Nothing else mattered.

She'd use the light if she had to make it work with sheer fucking spite alone.

The light that bubbled from Laura's paw wasn't the bright, warm gold of Luz' miniature sun, but the deep orange of fallen autumn leaves, fire depicted in stained glass windows, a perrserker's vicious eyes. Defiant against the dark.

"I'll burn this place down," she whispered.

Laura Radiant Focused...
Laura used Radiant Dark Pulse!

Spoiler: Laura Turn 2

Laura (93 STM, 13 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 10 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- STRONG RADIANT Dark Pulse @ Shadow Machine (-33 STM, -2 TMP, +4 TMP, +22 RAD)
- Coaching @ Dave (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Helping Hand @ Dave (-16 STM, +2 TMP) [[x2]]
- Activate ability (Moody) [[+2 Def -1 Res]]
Net change: -67 STM, +11 TMP, +0 SHD, +22 RAD
Net totals: 26 STM (55 after regen), 24 TMP, 10 SHD, 22 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[Chibi Pika]

Turn 2
Player Phase​

Nova's Follow Me draws enemy attention.
Odette and Nova called out to Gladion!

Gladion's monitor was deflected by Lovrina!
Gladion's RADIANT Tri Attack dealt 12 damage to Lovrina! Burned!

Laura's STRONG RADIANT Dark Pulse dealt 33 damage to the Shadow Machine!
Laura is Coaching and ready to help Dave!

Dave's Rock Smash dealt 12 damage to Lovrina! -1 Def, Pickpocketed Atk!
Dave's STRONG RADIANT Assurance dealt a CRITICAL 92 damage to Lovrina!

Jade's Radiant Wave dealt 47 damage to the Shadow Machine!
Everyone gained 10 Shd.

The lab lit up with bursts of golden light, cleaving momentary gaps in the pool of Shadow that filled back in seconds later. Lovrina gave one last flick of her hammer and then--

Lovrina's Gigaton Hammer dealt 24 damage to Nova! Damage was greatly reduced by the burn!

The hammer crashed down with a mighty thud, knocking a desk flying from the impact. Lovrina adjusted her goggles as she peered at Nova, who was braced in a defensive position. "Looks like everyone is totally set on being a #Hater. That's okay, there's enough room in the #LovrinaFanClub for anyone who asks nicely!"

Naps's Aero Wave dealt 8 damage to Nova!

Lovrina's Pickpocket! Stole Atk from Dave.
Lovrina focused... her Recovery Scarf reduced Burn by [1].

Boss Action: Status Clear, reduced Burn and Taunt by [2] and became Healthy.
Lovrina's Play Rough dealt 18 damage to Nova!
Lovrina dashed to Lab Main--
Lovrina's AGILE #BanHammer dealt 75 damage to Dave!
Lovrina's Baby-Doll Eyes weakened Dave, -1 Atk
Lovrina's Baby-Doll Eyes weakened Dave, -1 Atk
Lovrina's CRITICAL #BanHammer dealt 120 damage to Gladion!

Lovrina's hammer came to a rest and she spun around its handle, landing poised at the top like she was perched on a tower. "That's what we call #Winning," she said, holding up two fingers in a V.

The Shadow Machine's outer hull had split open from Jade and Laura's combined strikes. Dark energy condensed within, suddenly radiating outward like a shock wave.

The Shadow Machine's Shadow Wave damaged everyone!
Dave: 9, KO!!
Gladion: 14
Laura: 10
Nova: 8
The Shadow Machine couldn't do any more.

Nova had weathered a storm of attacks without budging, and now a steady light had built up around the Graydian, pulsing dangerously, ready to let loose...

Nova's Bide dealt 116 damage to the Shadow Machine!

He fainted from poison!

 

[Chibi Pika]

Turn 2
Enemy Phase Two​

A catastrophic eruption of stored energy radiated from Nova's body, smashing clean through the Shadow Machine in one devastating fell swoop. Everyone froze, even Lovrina, staring at the aftermath of such a powerful blow.

...And then something began clawing its way out from the wreckage.


Chitinous talons. Deep violet fur. A bone-white ceramic helmet, studded with golden accents...

Lovrina clapped both hands over her mouth. "My darling little #ARKUnit! Did those horrible people wake you up from your nap?" She bounded down from her hammer and dashed over to the chimera, seemingly totally unconcerned with the wreckage of the Shadow Machine itself.

"Isn't it adorable? Nothing like the rest of you #Losers," Lovrina said, gesturing dismissively toward Nova and Gladion. "I did think that my oh-so adorable #ARKUnit was totally #Unique, one-of-a-kind, but I guess they made more of you! Mine's the only #Perfect one, though. I souped it up myself, want to see? Of course you doooo~"

The ARK Unit's eyes flashed red, and a dark aura began to swirl around it.

ARK's Rebuff! The ARK Unit gained +2 defenses and became Healthy.

Boss Attack: The ARK Unit is preparing Umbral Nihil.
Target: Containment

 

[Jackie Cat]

So that's how RKS was a viable species for Gladion and Nova. Of course.

Laura's paws clenched into fists. Don't worry about the implications, the effect on chimera teammates, what Lovrina meant by any of that shit. Just think about how to win.

Deep violet energy wreathed the creature's body. Shadow.

Radiance. That was how they'd win.

Laura Radiant Focused...

 

[Butterfree]

Dave came to with a start, his Reviver Seed glowing as it vanished. The Shadow Machine had shattered and revealed... another chimera, just like Nova and Gladion except purpler, with glowing red eyes, wisps of Shadow playing around its skin. A Shadow Pokémon.

Dave's shoulder was already itching again. Fuck. He'd rather stay the hell away. But the Shadow and Lovrina were both in there. Nothing to do sitting out here.

He gritted his teeth. The thing was hunkering up defensively. Maybe he could hit and disrupt it and then just pivot to Lovrina. Give her another Shadow strike; wasn't that supposed to be a good thing here? Just dash in there and then get the fuck back out.

He reached into his bag for an Oran, hackles rising. Just fucking go for it. Run right up to the fucking Shadow Pokémon.

As he dashed towards the chimera with a snarl, his shoulder stung with fire that wasn't there.

Spoiler: Turn 3

Dave (110 STM, 8 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 10 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Oran Berry)
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Dash to Containment (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Assurance @ ARK Unit (-22.5 STM, +3 TMP)
- Activate ability (Pickpocket) @ ARK Unit's +Def
- **Act:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- SHADOW Assurance @ Lovrina (-15 STM, +3 TMP, +15 SHD)
- Walk to Lab Main
Net change: -56 STM, +11 TMP, +15 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 54 STM (84 after regen), 19 TMP, 25 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Ambyssin]

Nova withstood Lovrina's attacks. All the while that energy built up in him... then erupted outward.

But the poison... oh fuck that really hurt. Nova's metallic jaw locked up. He hadn't gotten poisoned before on Forlas. Why did he think having a weaker body on this world meant poisoning would be just as weak? It was much worse than back home.

And the he saw them stagger out of the machine. Their purple body and helmet blurring as Nova's vision faded and cold unconsciousness grabbed hold of him.

Spoiler: Just a quick nap...

"Isn't it unfair?"

He stood in front of Nova. His hair — styled like Arceus' mane — bathed Nova in an eerie purple light.

Chains dug into Nova's legs. Tighter and tighter. The red crystals digging through fur and scales.

The man smiled serenely at Nova. "Why does it have to be this way? For you to be surrounded by so much heartbreak. So much suffering."

With a wave of his hand, the man conjured a specter. It was Nova, lying on the ground. Vapor seeped out of wounds covering his body. Specters of a spiritomb, lucario, and volcanic arcanine loomed over him.

"Not just once, but twice." The man shook his head glumly. "Two lives spent in a body stitched together because humans sought to play gods. To make a legend of their own instead of understanding or accepting the ones that already existed."

He stepped toward the wounded Nova on the ground. "Your soul plucked from slumber and placed... into the same situation as before. A weapon. A tool." Another step. Then another. "And when you finally manage to stray from that path and follow your heart..."

The man stepped on the fallen Nova's helmet head. The illusion shattered like glass.

"... Tragedy." And yet, the man still wore that serene smile.

"It's not just you." He extended his right hand toward Nova. The chains dug deeper into his legs. "What if I told you there were countless like you? Souls whose fates are dictated by the folly of man. Crammed in artificial bodies." He ran his left hand through his blonde hair. It was so much like his creator's. Even obscured one of his eyes just like her hair.

"What do... you want... from me?" Nova wheezed.

The man resumed walking toward him. The chains slithered up Nova's legs. Wrapped around his neck.

"Wouldn't you want to change it? To inscribe a new fate... for this cruel reality?" Still smiling, he rested his hand on Nova's beak. "To end everyone's suffering? To let everyone's souls... be utterly perfect?"

The chains tickled the underside of Nova's beak.

"Because that's what I want," the man whispered. "Nero. Nova. You have so many names. So many different selves. Why should they get to be happy when you must suffer?"

He took his hand off Nova's beak. Held it by one of Nova's forelegs. "What do you say? Shall we... embrace eternity, together?"

The chains forced Nova's beak open. And a dreadful, rotting taste filled his mouth. Everything was getting darker. Colder.

"As you wish, Affirmer."

The reviver seed's soothing energy jolted Nova awake. And he again found himself face to face with a null. Forlas' null, judging by the expression on Laura's face. The shadows seeping off of them... and Lovrina's demeanor. Shit, had the shadows even gotten to her at all? They were already seeping their way back into his system.

And he... wasn't willing them away. In fact he was trying to draw on them for just a little extra defense. Even if it was a bad idea. Even if that darkness told him this fucking human scum of the earth deserved to lie next to that zoroark in the coroner's office.

"Betel, are you there?" Nova tried his best to keep his thoughts calm. His eyes darted around. Perhaps looking fearful to amuse Lovrina, but in reality he was trying to find something in this blasted room that might allow them to drain this shadow miasma. Vents, drains... hell, he'd settle for an exploitable crack in the foundations! "I'm sure your busy, but I need you to call the others. Let them know... Cipher might have a way to protect themselves from shadow corruption!"

What was he supposed to say to this other null? They were total strangers. It wasn't like pouring out his heart could help save them.

... But the Oasis' heart was also a stranger, wasn't it? Nova hummed it that tune and spoke of the future and it responded. If radiance couldn't heal shadows, then maybe... maybe...

Nova couldn't make assumptions about the other unit. He didn't know their past. But he refused to let this bitch take their future from them! So, even as they looked to be readying some sort of shadow move, Nova stayed in the containment unit... and began to sing the tune for the other null.

Spoiler: Nova Turn 3

Nova (69 STM, 13 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 10 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Oran Berry)
- **Act:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- STRONG SHADOW Iron Defense (-20.25 STM, +4 TMP, +18 SHD)
- **Act:** Call @ ARK Unit
- Interact @ Look for a means of draining shadow miasma from the lab (-3 TMP)
Net change: -21 STM, +6 TMP, +18 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 48 STM (73 after regen), 19 TMP, 28 SHD, 0 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

Spoiler: Turn 3 Order

Laura > Dave > Odette > Nova > Jade > Gladion

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Gladion’s eyes widened. Of all the possible species, of all the possible places... How could— Then again. Of course it happened, because what else could possibly happen here.

“Here I am again. Dragged, spiralling through destiny. Am I really here because I chose to be, or did I just convince myself I did?” He uttered, to no one particular.

“The stolen keycard. Descending down, down into the abyss. Here I am again, in the deepest labs.” He was becoming easier to hear. He was aware Laura would probably hear him, that he was contradicting what he’d said before. He didn’t care. He was tired of trying to outrun his shadow.

Then he spoke directly to the ARK Unit: “There’s no point fighting us. The outcome is preordained. I am going to save you.”

Spoiler: Gladion Turn 3

Gladion (45 STM, 3 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 10 SHD, 9 RAD)
- Walk to Containment
- **Act:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- SHADOW Protect (-18 STM, +2 TMP, +18 SHD)
- **Act:** Item (Whiskey) (+57 STM)
- **Act:** Call @ ARK Unit
Net change: +39 STM, +7 TMP, +18 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 84 STM (112 after regen), 10 TMP, 28 SHD, 9 RAD

 

[Sinderella]

Of all the fucking things they could have opened the battle with, bombing that fucking machine was probably not the wisest move. "Oh my gods, don't--"

But the seed was already airborne before she realized what was happening, and the chaos was instant. Thick fucking Shadow juice was pooling around her feet in no time flat, and in a moment of her blind anger, she wondered if it was going to stain her shoes. Or rather, her skirt.

It wasn't long before she felt that familiar cold chill building up in her soul, and her Wrath started to gain more fervor. Jawile was practically snarling now, calling explicit-laced battle cries out to Gladion as Odette tried to focus in on herself to keep her rage from becoming too overpowering.

But everything was out of control. The Shadow goo filling the room, the tinkaton's voice making her want to drive screwdrivers into her ears, the feeling of uncontrollable anger leaking into her like a punctured pipe.

Akela had warned her about her stance on balance. How Radiance and Shadow could balance each other, but in the end, one was no more dangerous than the other in excess. Well, there was plenty of excess Shadow around, and the feeling of it was only growing stronger. Jawile made sure she knew that...

Control. Control. Control. You have to gain CONTROL.

She focused on her new inner light--her truest inner desire--and aimed her next shot right at Lorvina's fucking head.

Spoiler: Odette AUX Turn 3

RADIANT Brawler Strike @ Lorvina

 

[Chibi Pika]

The... ARK Unit.

There it was. That was why Nova and Gladion were able to get summoned to Forlas as Graydian. Gladion was right. That also meant that this whole situation was practically a repeat of what he'd gone through back home, wasn't it?

It was... almost a repeat for Jade, too. Descending into the depths of a lab, where genetic experiments were made to be fighting machines. Razors's mindless eyes flashing. Same as back then. A cycle on repeat, whether on Earth, or on Forlas, no escape.

But... she could help. She had to.

Gladion had rushed up to the ARK Unit, of course he had, he wanted to save it. And so, fighting back the icy chill in her gut, Jade dropped to the floor and dashed after him, hoping to get a read on the Shadow chimera. What was it going to do? How was it going to react, suddenly seeing two more Graydian?

And Nova... Nova was searching for some way to clear the Shadow fog from the lab? She could help, maybe... there had to be some kind of controls for clearing the stuff out, right? Something on the control panel--god, there were a million options--drain, drain, there had to be a drain...

Jade's Spotter Aux @ ARK Unit's AI
Interact @ Drain system

 

[Jackie Cat]

Laura analysed the pitch, intuited the state of play from Betel's information-rich telepathic feed, decided on an adjustment. It was like a League match. Just like a League match in every way that mattered.

The chimeras approached the 'ARK Unit' – that stood for something? but what? – with apparent intent to talk them down. Maybe they could. The rest of the squad were showing the strain of handling the exotic energies. That was fine. They could handle the pressure. She could handle it. She could taste the rising Shadow, she knew she needed more Radiance for the ARK Unit, but Lovrina had to go down, and she couldn't spare the light for her, but she could spare some Shadow.

Laura calmly adjusted her aim.

Dark Pulse was an interesting move – it was Dark-type energy, sure, but it was mental in its function. Dark feelings; disturbing thoughts. It blended perfectly with Shadow, in a way. The question was, would it work on Lovrina? The Tinkaton showed no sign of accumulating corruption herself. She seemed like a straight-up fucking sociopath, if that made a difference. What would hurt her?

Nobody fucking notices you and everything you do to try to get them to is embarrassing. Just stay out of sight and out of mind and quit thinking you're anything special. It's pathetic.

"You're hardly worth paying attention to," said Laura, feeling the darkness pull her downward. It was not an unfamiliar feeling.

Her gut churned as she loosed the nauseating thoughts towards Lovrina.

Spoiler: Laura Turn 3

Laura (52 STM, 24 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 20 SHD, 22 RAD)
- **Act:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- SHADOW Dark Pulse @ Lovrina (-22 STM, effect, -10 TMP, +2 TMP, +22 SHD)
- Coaching @ Dave (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- **Act:** Item (Leppa Berry) (+40 STM)
- Activate ability (Moody) [[+2 Res, -1 Eva]]
- Interact @ Lovrina (-3 TMP)
Net change: +0 STM, -4 TMP, +22 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 52 STM (81 after regen), 20 TMP, 42 SHD, 22 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[Chibi Pika]

Turn 3
Player Phase​

Laura's SHADOW Dark Pulse dealt 21 damage to Lovrina! Flinch!
Laura's Interact...

Lovrina braced herself against her hammer, struggling to parry when the Dark Pulse was infused with corrosive Shadow energy. The attack left her reeling momentarily, and it took her a few seconds to regain her grip on the hammer. She grinned unnervingly at the silver Meowth.

"Oh? Lmao, looks like we've got an extra-special #Hater over here. Sweetie, if you're that desperate for attention yourself, I'm happy to provide~"

Laura gained special aggro!

Laura is coaching Dave!
Dave's AGILE Assurance dealt 8 damage to ARK Unit! Pickpocketed +Def!
Dave's SHADOW Assurance dealt 28 damage to Lovrina!
Odette's RADIANT Strike dealt 21 damage to Lovrina!

Jade's Spotter Aux! Enemy AI

The ARK Unit seems focused on repelling the intruders through interference and disruption rather than raw offense. It intends to slow enemies down until they are unable to take any further action.

Jade and Nova's Interact: Look for a means of draining shadow miasma from the lab

Nova had managed to uncover a drainage grate near the wreckage of the Shadow Machine... but how to open it? Jade's paws flew over touchscreen buttons, hunting for anything that seemed even remotely fitting. Come on, come onn... At this point, she was basically ready to just start hitting them randomly--anything related to the destroyed machine would just have zero effect, right?--but then she spotted a tiny shower icon in the corner. Maybe that was--!

Nova called out to ARK Unit!
Gladion called out to ARK Unit!

The ARK unit froze for a moment, seemingly perturbed. Was this... the first time it had seen others of its kind? It took a step backward, and a rattling sound escaped its helmet. "H.... hhhhg....."

It took Jade a second or two to realize that it was trying to speak.

"Hhh... w... why?"

Calls: 2

And then the dark power that had been building within its body was let loose.

The ARK Unit's Umbral Nihil hit Nova and Gladion!
Nova: -29 stm, -1 Spd
Gladion: a partially-protected 22 stm

 

[Chibi Pika]

As Jade hammered the drain icon on the shadow machine's control panel, there wasn't an obvious reaction at first. But then, slowly, the dark miasma covering the floor begain to recede. It was working.

The Shadow miasma receded.

She let out a long sigh of relief, already starting to feel the chill ebbing away. But there wasn't much time to relax, not with Lovrina and the ARK Unit readying an assault--

Turn 3
Enemy Phase​

Naps' Rogue Aux hit Gladion's Protect!

Lovrina walked to Lab Main.
Lovrina Pickpocketed +Atk from Dave.
Lovrina's Play Rough dealt 66 damage to Dave! -1 Atk
Lovrina's AGILE #BanHammer dealt 61 damage to Laura!
Lovrina's #BanHammer dealt 81 damage to Laura! KO!!
Lovrina was flinching and couldn't do more.

There was a flicker of satisfaction on Lovrina's face when the double #BanHammer juuuust barely managed to take out Laura. She pivoted around and called out, "My darling little #ARKUnit, won't you punish the rest of these pesky intruders for meeee?"

The Ark Unit used Iron Defense.
The ARK Unit's AGILE Tri Attack dealt 17 damage to Gladion
The ARK Unit Focused...
The ARK Unit's Tri Attack dealt 24 damage to Gladion, Paralyzed!

The ARK Unit's Shadow Half halved everyone's HP!
- Gladion: 31
- Nova: 40

Boss Attack: The ARK Unit is preparing Umbral Nihil!
Target: Containment

Boss Attack: Lovrina is preparing Gigaton Hammer!
Target: Lab Main