Magna City Shining Congress – Main Lobby

[Namohysip]

Arthur was already long gone. There was a slight chance that they would be able to follow him, or at least track him, but... they had hardly made any form of prep for that.

Wait--

Betel. If at all possible, try to contact Mew. He might be able to trail Arthur for tracking.

None of them had hope of keeping up. Mhynt could, but the stamina drain of Teleport wouldn't allow anything long-term.

Owen, in the fleeting time they had, tried to get a read of Articuno. "I think Articuno is coming around, but..."

"But we need to beat that corruption out regardless," Mhynt completed. Then, in some feeble attempt to save face, she shouted loudly so they could be heard, "But if we are to spar, perhaps let those in this building not keen to fight leave!"

"Aren't the others also sort of corrupted?" Owen commented.

"Hush, I'm trying to make us look good so this doesn't blow up politically," Mhynt growled.

"I don't know what that means...!"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

When Arthur arrived, Gladion… hesitated. On one hand, Articuno was clearly out of it. He didn’t know what they were doing, and they were clearly dangerous. On the other hand, if Arthur died here… that was good, right? There was no way in hell he could stop Articuno, but it felt wrong to encourage what they were doing either. Maybe that was cowardice: Several Wayfarers had come to stronger conclusions. He should have helped. If he’d tried to trap Arthur… No, it probably wouldn’t have made a difference. That was what he chose to believe, lest he be stuck pondering what-ifs forever.

The idea of being afraid of Articuno wasn’t new to him, but it was something he’d thought he’d left behind when they’d started having real conversations. Apparently, it was not.

“So, are you still in minor aura irregularity territory, or are you completely out of it now?”

The attempted barb would probably have landed better if he sounded angry instead… worried, at best. He squared up anyway. He just had to think of it like another sparring match, and then maybe it wouldn’t feel as bad. (He’d never know if that would have worked: he’d already failed to frame it that way by the time it occurred to him to try.)

“You’re not helping anyone. Please… don’t do this.”

 

[Butterfree]

This innocuous meeting they were supposed to be having had turned into one big clusterfuck.

Arthur was an insane megalomaniac legendary, and now he was also some kind of unholy psychic puppetmaster. Articuno was pumped full of Blacklight and insisting they have a fight for some reason. Everyone was acting fucking weird, like Arthur was remote-controlling them, too. Stopping Arthur honestly sounded like a good idea, but stopping him only to be left with another legendary hopped-up on exotic energies wasn't exactly the greatest of plans either.

At least he'd brought his battle supplies on his utility belt.

"Hey, Articuno," he growled anyway as he nosed through his bag, "remember how these energies are really fucking dangerous and with great power comes great responsibility? You're really, really going to want to take another deep breath or two."

 

[Jackie Cat]

Betel. If at all possible, try to contact Mew. He might be able to trail Arthur for tracking.

Understood, Mhynt. I will also do my best to track his aura signature.

“So, are you still in minor aura irregularity territory, or are you completely out of it now?”

"I am not myself, master Gladion," murmured Articuno, solemnly. Their voice wavered ever so slightly...

“You’re not helping anyone. Please… don’t do this.”

The Saint shook their head. "It is too late. I must. We must battle. There is no other possibility. It is already long past time to take action... To let go now would undo me."

"Hey, Articuno," he growled anyway as he nosed through his bag, "remember how these energies are really fucking dangerous and with great power comes great responsibility? You're really, really going to want to take another deep breath or two."

"Responsibility...?" hissed the great bird. "I have been neglecting my responsibility. I have stood by and WATCHED while that would-be king remade my Covenant – MY Covenant – into something vile! I should have acted before you were even born."

The ancient Saint spread wide their wings, and teleported away from the ruins of Arthur's office. Without their feathered bulk dominating the area, their soldiers' lesser Blacklight corruption became more obvious.

There was Sam, the Chesnaught, stood amongst thorns and spines in the garden patio, her head bowed and her fists clenched. Above the Wayfarers, Ser Zaffre looked down from the balcony, sword drawn and back stiff, the tip of her blade trembling from her shaking grip. On the eastern rooftop was Ser Aster, teeth clenched in a feral grimace, hunched over with her foreclaws gripping the masonry hard enough to chip and shatter stone.

"Something's... odd," muttered Laura, mostly to herself. "I need to... I need to think..."

Atop the parapet at the north side of the Congress' wing, Articuno's harsh cry sounded out and the rooftops vanished beneath an icy storm, thick and white enough to stop one's vision.

Articuno's Storm!
Snow shades came to life...
Articuno became Coldhearted.

"I have shackled myself for decades," keened Articuno, as if consumed by grief and shame. "Can you understand? Will you? We shall see if you have sufficient will to act..."

Immediately after, a wave of mental power rippled through the gathered Wayfarers, disrupting their very auras.

Articuno's Blacklight Veto!
Wayfarer Abilities are nullified until end of turn.

Laura clutched at her chest, groaning. "Oh, howls I hate this, I feel fucking drunk or something..."

"I won't let you fall to him," Articuno repeated, desperately. "This is all to save you. To save the world."

Have courage, Wayfarers! Articuno is not wholly mad; we can surely get through to them. But first we must weaken them, and to do that we must beat their allied forces. Be on your guard for surprises.

Sorry about the loss of your Abilities. I am working the problem, and should have them restored shortly...

VS
Blacklight Lord, Articuno​

[ ] Objective: defeat Articuno's soldiers [0/3]
[ ] Objective: get through to Articuno somehow.
[ ] Objective: defeat Articuno.

 

[Tetra]

A few sparks crackled through Koa's fur and his entire body was rigid as he watched Articuno, ready to intercede if they tried to lash out at Anubis, the other half of his mind reeling as he pieced together the situation.

Articuno's response was was.... eerie. And yet... they weren't an enemy. Not the main one. Cut Arthur down. Yes. Dripping shadow and dreadful red eyes. Gone, just like He deserved.Legendaries had to protect their world. Why should this be different?

"We don't need to fight you, our goals are aligned!" he called, ignoring the curious look Anubis gave him. His words meant nothing. Too late. Not enough to stop this.

He caught Anubis' eyes and shared a nod. Fine. They were together on this, they'd faced worse only days before. Time to beat sense into another Saint.

He started to charge, brace himself for battle, only to feel a brief wave of imbalance followed by a strange softness in his pads... He flexed his paws and scowled. That won't stop me.

"Fine, show us you're strong enough, Articuno! If you can't get a grip then we don't need your help!" he howled, fury and frustration leaking into his challenge. This was pointless to fight now when there were more pressing problems to be solved.

 

[Namohysip]

Spoiler: Mhynt Turn 1

Mhynt (249 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk (+0 MC) to Balcony
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- STRONG Toxic @ Balcony Guard (-30 STM, +5 TMP)
- Screech @ Balcony Guard (-15 STM, +2 TMP)
- Leaf Blade @ Balcony Guard (-21 STM, +4 TMP)
Net change: -66 STM, +16 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 183 STM (245 after regen), 21 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

Mhynt felt limber and ready enough, even in what felt like a creeping cold. Let's try to be careful about this one, Mhynt said.

What does that MEAN from you?

Nonlethal stabbing.

She swiftly climbed up and pointed a finger at the guard she spotted atop the balcony, then vanished behind for a swift strike.

"Slow down!" Zena growled, propelling herself to the balcony as well with a wave of water.

Spoiler: Zena Aux Turn 1

Zena (Aux)
- Caster Strike (Water) @ Balcony Guard

 

[Butterfree]

"Responsibility...?" hissed the great bird. "I have been neglecting my responsibility. I have stood by and WATCHED while that would-be king remade my Covenant – MY Covenant – into something vile! I should have acted before you were even born."

"Okay, cool, but the solution isn't turning it into the Dictatorship of Articuno either, you know?"

Not that there was any point talking to them right now, really. As Articuno vanished in a blink, Dave growled in frustration. They'd have to get up there into the mist. Fun dealing with a teleporting opponent.

He charged towards the balcony and the Meowstic up there.

Spoiler: Dave turn 1

Dave (242 STM, 5 TMP, +1 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Balcony
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Umbral Recklessness @ Zaffre (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Adept) (-40 STM, -3 TMP, +4 TMP, +32 SHD)
- STRONG CRITICAL SHADOW Relentless Soul @ Zaffre (ACTIVATE: Umbral Aura) (-45 STM, -6 TMP, +6 TMP, +24 SHD) [STAB]
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -30 SHD, -30 RAD)
Net change: -97 STM, +8 TMP, +26 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 145 STM (217 after regen), 13 TMP, 26 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Gladion closed his eyes and tucked in his head as he pushed past the rocks Sam had set in the perimeter of the gardens. For once, his RKS System put up no resistance as he forced his type through it. No sparks or fanfare.

"You remember when we met? Back then, I probably would've been content to watch this whole place go to hell like this. Would've thought it was a great thing. You were the first one to get me to think that there might be some redeeming value in here somewhere."

By the time they were protecting the rift-mender from Matthias, he'd started to feel like she wasn't an enemy, but he'd still taken notice of how she fought. Reminded him of how Hazel'd fought back home, and the style he'd tried to emulate when he first arrived. He could hold up against it in a duel, but didn't so much want to see her use it on someone less cut out for brawling Isidora. Yes, it was his responsibility to protect everyone. Teammate and civilian alike.

Radiance flickered to life in his eyes and crest as he threw himself at Sam. As he approached, it arced off his skin and towards her like lightning seeking ground, binding, forming a new kind of trap. That's what he needed. Isolate her, keep everyone safe from her.

"Despite that, I still fully believed, back then, that we'd come to blows over the Coven in the future. Never would've imagined it'd come to pass like this, though."

Spoiler: Gladion Turn 1

Gladion (227 STM, 5 TMP, +1 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Gardens
- Soul's Volition (-30 STM, +2 TMP) [Bug]
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ AI
- STRONG Tri Attack @ Sam (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Adept) (-43.5 STM, -4 TMP, +6 TMP)
- Shining Vigilance @ Sam (-40 STM, +4 TMP, +40 RAD)
Net change: -107 STM, +13 TMP, +0 SHD, +20 RAD
Net totals: 120 STM (188 after regen), 18 TMP, 0 SHD, 20 RAD

 

[JFought]

Just as she got to her feet, the strange wave of energy Articuno released made Isidora stumble. Somehow, she felt less coordinated, and she couldn't tell if it was because of the attack or if she was still recovering.

Hardening into a battle stance, she grit her teeth and placed her claws on her shoulder. Damn you. I don't care whether you're in your right mind, I'm not in the mood for this shit. If they really wanted a fight, she'd already kicked their beak in before. She could do it again. Just need to cut through these three first.

But... She glanced back at the Phantom. What about him? He's still too weak to fight-

As if reading her thoughts, the sprigatito placed a paw on her belt. "Pay no heed to your shadow, Isidora. Your eyes must remain ahead."

Isidora looked away and scoffed. She scraped her claws together to psyche herself up. "Don't need you to tell me that..." Her eyes followed Mhynt as she scaled the balcony to reach the meowstic. "And you're not my shadow."

"But I could be."

I'm ignoring that. And then she followed up to join the fray.

Spoiler: Isidora Turn 1

Isidora (240 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk (+0 MC) to Balcony
- **Act:** Item (Reflex Seed)
- Swords Dance (-18 STM, +3 TMP)
- Swift Soul @ Zaffre (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit, effect) (-30 STM, -5 TMP, +5 TMP)
- AGILE Feint Attack @ Zaffre (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (-12 STM, +6 TMP)
- Feint Attack @ Zaffre (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (-8 STM, +6 TMP)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Zaffre's Defenses
Net change: -68 STM, +15 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 172 STM (240 after regen), 20 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

~~~

Well, it wasn't the fight the Phantom Star expected, but it was far too late to curse it. Isidora was right to have some concern: he wouldn't dare to fight anyone head-on in this form. But that did not make him useless.

He followed Gladion towards the chesnaught. He had heard down the grapevine that she was a gentle soul. If so...

"We don't need to fight!" he shouted in a higher pitch. "You're not thinking clearly! You don't want to hurt us!"

And once under the weight of the chesnaught's tranced stare, he conjured terror, shrunk down, pinned his ears back, and let his pupils dilate as wide as his irises.

"A-at least, y-you wouldn't hurt me, w-would you?" squeaked Twig.

Spoiler: Phantom Turn 1

Phantom (Aux)
- Rogue Hex (Charm) @ Sam

Spoiler: Turn Order

1. Mhynt
2. Dave
3. Gladion
4. Isidora
5. Phantom
(Still need: Laura, Malachai, Koa)