Tyrrier Reven Hollow

[Jackie Cat]

No time to think. No time for witty repartee, or getting used to her new, Persian body. She just had to act. And at least she could be fairly sure of what action to take – the usual 'get everyone stronger, fast', and slowing the hell out of the least fortified targets. The sooner they got the action economy tipping back towards them, the fucking better. It was all so clear, the combat net threading neatly through her brain...

She cried out as her friend went for Ralsen, heedless of the terrain and enemy units.

"Jade, watch out—!"

Howls, she wished they'd brought more muscle. But they'd pull through. They had to.

Betel, can you call for reinforcements? Malachai, we need intel on those last two.

The reply from Mal came swift and clear. On it.

Malachai's Spotter Skill: Mal got an eye on Kaida’s tactics!

Spoiler: Laura Turn 1

Laura (290 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Activate ability (Moody) @ +2 Mag, -1 Atk
- Coaching @ Koa & Leaf (-36 STM, +2 TMP)
- Tailwind (-40 STM, +2 TMP)
- Soul's Conviction @ Jade (-30 STM, +2 TMP) [Acc & Eva, Acc & Eva]
- Dash to Marshy Flats (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Icy Wind @ Marshy Flats (-34.5 STM, +2 TMP)
- Icy Wind @ Marshy Flats (-23 STM, +2 TMP)
Net change: -164 STM, +8 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 126 STM (126 after regen), 13 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Tetra]

Energy thrummed through Koa as he fell into the rhythm of the battle. Wind at his back, team at his side and a target ahead. Nothing to do but focus on the battle, on taking out the most dangerous opponents as one. He mentally ran through Ralsen's team the way he would have as a trainer. Aggron, a wall like Flurry. The Sceptile, a fast striker like Echo. Tyranitar, probably a heavy hitter like Rascal.

'Flamethrower on Aggron!' Koa called, the command more instinct as a trainer than necessity.

Anubis moved in sync with his words, hiding within the shadows and unleashing a pinpoint stream of flame upon the Armored-One.

He struck first the Tyranitar, the target weakest to his blows, then turned upon the Sceptile, fists alight with radiance.

Spoiler: Turn 1

Koa (236 STM, 5 TMP, +1 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Marshy Flats
- **Act:** Call @ Laura
- Bulk Up (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- STRONG Mach Punch @ Typhon (-9 STM, +5 TMP)
- Mach Punch @ Typhon (-9 STM, +3 TMP)
- Shining Blindside @ Silvan (ACTIVATE: Flinch) (-40 STM, -5 TMP, +5 TMP, +36 RAD)
Net change: -72 STM, +10 TMP, +0 SHD, +36 RAD
Net totals: 164 STM (234 after regen), 15 TMP, 0 SHD, 36 RAD

Anubis (Aux)
- Mage Strike (Fire) @ Aggron

 

[Phoenixsong]

"You won't be the only one dying if you go out like this. Guess Forlas is just lucky they get to get screwed over by your destiny, right."

You know he won't listen. The thought felt weary, resigned. He's even more stubborn than you are.

Leaf shook the half-hearted jab out of her head. Lock in, bring them down, save drilling 'you are a colossally selfish asshole' into his head for later. She let the network guide her attention: what did they need to know, where were the threats, how did they kneecap them.

The tyranitar. He'd tried to hem them in before, back at the Ranger headquarters, but not this time. Help me slow him down, she sent Blue. Then she lunged, driving her horn into the chinks of the rock-type's armor to bash the wind out of him.

Blue stared. The tyranitar she wanted help with. Not the sceptile. The giant dinosaur made of rocks. If actual Arcanine had been here then Blue would've had tons of ideas for playing around this, but the hell was he, personally, the guy who'd had fire for like five minutes, supposed to do about it?

But the hive mind thing was buzzing again, not annoying and distracting but smooth, clarifying. Unlocking little corners of arcanine-brain he hadn't noticed before, hadn't tried before. God this was stupid, but maybe he might be able to— no, he could. He swore under his breath (nope, still stupid, still extremely stupid) and rounded on the tyranitar the second Leaf kicked away from him, a burning, withering snarl on his face.

Spoiler: Leaf, Turn 1

Leaf (236 STM, 5 TMP, +2 SPD, +3 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Marshy Flats
- Umbral Vigilance @ Typhon (-40 STM, +2 TMP, +36 SHD) [Intel: Combat AI]
- Quick Attack @ Typhon (-6 STM, +6 TMP)
- Quick Attack @ Typhon (-9 STM, +6 TMP)
- Zen Headbutt @ Typhon (ACTIVATE: effect) (-17 STM, -8 TMP, +7 TMP)
- CRITICAL Dire Claw @ Silvan (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Maniac) (-30 STM, -17 TMP, +5 TMP) [Inflict: Drowsy]
Net change: -90 STM, +1 TMP, +36 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 146 STM (146 after regen), 6 TMP, 36 SHD, 0 RAD

Spoiler: Blue, Turn 1 (Aux)

Blue (Aux)
- Saboteur Skill (Lower all stats at 0+ by 1 for [2]) @ Typhon

Spoiler: Turn 1 Order

- Blue
- Laura
- Koa
- Leaf
- Jade
- Other auxes

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade's eyes followed Ralsen and Vesta as they took position looking down on the rest of the fighters. She briefly glanced at the rest of his team, imagining how she'd avoid their strikes, but her gaze kept flickering back to him.

He's their trainer, right? They won't fight as well without him...

It was a dark thought. The kind of thing that Rockets would have done. But humans weren't weak here, and something told her he wouldn't even be opposed to it.

'Can you cover me? I need to get closer,' Jade thought to Virga before dashing toward the arch, ignoring the pointed stones that cut into her paws as she did.

One solid hit with that arrow of darkness, and he wouldn't be able to hide from her.

Spoiler: Jade Turn 1

Jade (257 STM, 5 TMP, +1 SPD, +3 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Dash to Arch Shadow (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Charge Beam @ Vesta (ACTIVATE: effect) (-18 STM, -3 TMP, +5 TMP)
- Activate ability (Magician) @ Kaida Spd
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- RADIANT Charge Beam @ Vesta (ACTIVATE: effect) (-12 STM, -3 TMP, +6 TMP, +9 RAD)
- Umbral Determinism @ Ralsen (ACTIVATE: effect) (-40 STM, -5 TMP, +7 TMP, +32 SHD)
- Walk to Sloped Lawn
Net change: -66 STM, +10 TMP, +32 SHD, +9 RAD
Net totals: 191 STM (255 after regen), 15 TMP, 32 SHD, 9 RAD

Spoiler: Virga Turn 1

Virga (Aux)
- Defender Skill @ Jade

 

[Chibi Pika]

Turn 1
Player Phase​

Blue's Saboteur Skill lowered Typhon's stats!
Virga's Defender Skill is protecting Jade!
Anubis's Mage skill dealt 11 damage to Tako! -1 Res
Malachai Spotter skill identified Kaida!

Combat Intel: Kaida - Class: Healer
From her harsh demeanor, it'd be easy to get the idea that Kaida was a devastating attacker, but she's taking a position to support the others instead. A healer...? Her support focus seems to be primarily on Vesta for now, but that's not to say that she wouldn't heal the others in a pinch. If she’s targeted directly, her tactics may change.

Laura's Coaching boosted Koa & Leaf!
Laura's Tailwind boosted the party's speed!
Laura's Soul's Conviction boosted Jade and her reflexes!
Laura's AGILE Icy Winds dealt 10 damage to Silvan! One was dodged! -1 Spd
Laura's AGILE Icy Winds dealt 3+4 damage to Tako! It's not very effective... -2 Spd

Koa called out to Laura! Friendship granted both of them a Helping Hand.
Koa's STRONG Mach Punch dealt 49 damage to Typhon! It's ultra effective!
Koa's Mach Punch dealt 39 damage to Typhon! It's ultra effective!
Koa's Shining Blindside dealt a grazing 33 damage to Silvan! Flinching!

Leafs Umbral Vigilance identified Typhon!
Leaf's Quick Attacks dealt 14+14 damage to Typhon!
Leaf's Zen Headbutt dealt 17 damage to Typhon! It's hardly effective... Flinching!
Leaf's Dire Claw dealt a CRITICAL 63 damage to Silvan! It's super effective! Drowsy!

Combat Intel: Typhon - Class: Paladin
While Typhon can hit hard, he's a subtler fighter than one focusing solely on all-out damage. He moves like one ready to adapt to his opponents with a versatile array of elements and hexes. But if he's crowded by too many opponents, he might change tactics.

Jade's AGILE Charge Beam dealt 30 damage to Vesta! It's super effective!
Jade's Magician stole 1 Acc.
Jade's RADIANT Charge Beam dealt 34 damage to Vesta! It's super effective!
Jade's Umbral Determinism was intercepted by Vesta 79 damage! It's super effective! +1 Eva
Fated granted both of them a Helping Hand.

Typhon's Defensive Rhythm activated!

Jade blinked in surprise as the Shadow-laced arrow that she'd fired failed to land on target. No, that wasn't right, she was supposed to be linked with him. She could already feel her awareness sharpening around Vesta's location, and feel the Charizard's awareness of her in turn. And then, as the flames approached, it struck her that she'd really, really screwed up.

Turn 1
Enemy Phase​

Vesta walked to Arch Shadow!
Vesta dashed to Sloped Lawn!
Vesta's AGILE Ominous Wind hit Jade's Protect!
Vesta's Ominous Wind broke Jade's Protect! +1 Omniboost!
Vesta's Fire Blast, boosted by Fated, dealt 179 damage to Jade!
Vesta dashed to Arch Shadow!

Ralsen's Initiative! Ralsen dashed to Arch Shadow
Ralsen's Blast Clusters damaged Koa and Leaf's Protects!
Ralsen called out to Vesta! Rallying Cry granted +1 Spd
Vesta's Devotion granted +1 Acc & Vesta is guarding Ralsen!
Ralsen used a Protect Orb on Vesta!
Ralsen focused...

Ralsen's Initiative - So long as Ralsen doesn't use any Moves, he may freely use items on any member of his team sharing a Zone with him. Once per turn, Ralsen may Dash before performing two Acts in one action, as if using Agile Style.

Vesta's Devotion - On turns when she is Called by her trainer, Vesta gains +1 Acc and her Bodyguard can activate multiple times without consuming additional tempo. When walking, Vesta may bring her trainer with her.

Kaida used Heal Pulse on Vesta!
Kaida dashed to Marshy Flats!
Kaida's Extreme Speed missed Laura!
Kaida's Extreme Speed dealt 68 damage to Laura!
Kaida's Breaking Swipe broke Koa and Leaf's Protects!
Kaida called out to Vesta! Friendship granted both of them a Helping Hand.

Tako dashed to Marshy Flats!
Tako's AGILE Rock Tomb dealt a grazing 6 damage to Koa!
Tako's Rock Tomb dealt a grazing 8 damage to Leaf!
Tako used 2x Follow Me twice!
Tako Focused...

Silvan's Toxic badly poisoned Koa & Laura!
Silvan's STRONG U-Turn dealt a CRITICAL 88 damage to Laura! It's super effective!
Silvan retreated to Sheltered Hill.
Silvan was flinching and couldn't do more.

Typhon's STRONG Iron Head dealt 96 damage to Leaf! It's super effective! Flinch!
Typhon's Crunch dealt 61 damage to Koa! -1 Def.
Typhon was flinching and couldn't do more.

Everyone's Rhythm avtivated!

"Mm sleepy... You guys handle it," Silvan muttered as he retreated into the forest. Tako took up a defensive position alongside Kaida as she let a stream of healing energy flow from her clawtips, restoring Vesta.

Jade slowly picked herself up from the damp grass, pain and searing heat wracking every inch of her body. She'd messed up, she'd messed up. The only silver lining was that she could still feel a keen awareness of Vesta's movements, and hopefully she could deal it all back. But then...

Jade blinked. Vesta's scales looked good as new. The Dragonite had... healed her? And until Vesta went down, it would be hard to get at Ralsen. But with Kaida healing her, and Tako standing guard nearby, how were they ever going to break through?

 

[Jackie Cat]

Laura's lips pulled back in a snarl, one that sounded deeper, rougher than she was used to hearing out of her own throat.

"The dragonite's their bloody MEDIC!" she howled over the network, "Target the fucking dragonite first!"

 

[Jackie Cat]

Laura banished a flicker of doubt and committed to the plan. It was a dead simple one – get rid of the healer. Everyone knew that was what you did in, like, MMORPGs and shit. It was a good plan.

Right?

Decision paralysis seized her for precious seconds. She wasn't cut out for this. She was tired. Unprepared. Howls, gods...

Desperate for something to give her a much-needed boost after her explosive first round of moves, she reached for her 'special' flask and downed enough to make her throat burn. For a second, she felt heady, uncertain. Then her Radiance burned away the fog, leaving only clarity of purpose...

That sense of certainty, the knowledge that she could trust her gut, that she was right about things— it had been growing inside her, and now her new body was suffused with it. The uncertainty fell away; all that mattered was the bright, clear path she had to take. Kaida seemed illuminated, the rest of the world shadowed, silver traceries highlighting every step she had to take...

This next attack would give the dragon something to think about.

---

Confounded body. He'd had so little time to recover his strength! How was he to fight like this?

Ah, but his opponents had yet to know of his relative weakness. They would see only his size, and assume significance... And that was something he was willing to take advantage of.

Malachai lit a pilot light of flame in his mouth, and rose to a great height, spreading his wings to block out the moonlight and cast a shadow across the opposing team. Witness him, and think on the power he would surely unleash!

Mal attempted to look threatening! Then he struck Kaida with his Dragon Mage Skill! -1 Res!

Spoiler: Laura Turn 2

Laura (126 STM, 16 TMP, +1 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Activate ability (Moody) @ -1 Acc, +2 Def
- Soul's Conviction @ Jade (-30 STM, +2 TMP) [+Mag/Res, +Acc/Eva to self]
- **Act:** Item (Whiskey) (+50 STM)
- Shining Clarity (-40 STM, +36 RAD) [Not Drunk!]
- STRONG Umbral Aspiration @ Kaida (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Maniac) (-60 STM, +2 TMP, +36 SHD) [299 Magic, Sure Crit/Hit, HH]
Net change: -72 STM, +4 TMP, +36 SHD, +36 RAD
Net totals: 54 STM (114 after regen), 20 TMP, 36 SHD, 36 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[Tetra]

The dizzy burn of toxic sent a wave of lightheadedness swirling through him. Stupid Sceptile. He supposed this was how opponents felt when they faced Echo's poison fang. Wincing, he hurriedly downed a berry, finding it in his bag through rote memorization from countless fights. Hopefully it wouldn't happen again.

"Target the fucking dragonite first!"

Laura's instincts aligned with his own, and he had no issue following the tactic.

Strike the tank, bring down the healer. Anubis' eerie hunting howl sent a buzz of power through him as he charged the Aggron first, peppering in rapid strikes to build up momentum. With a steadied breath, he let some of the pull of shadow flow into his paws.

Let anger fuel your fists. This time the mantra served as dark encouragement. And it was easy enough to be furious; furious that Ralsen would do this, furious that he was just being another problem. Another threat. He held no ill will to them for their trainers choices, but they were opponents all the same. Opponents who needed to be brought down.

"Sorry but your trainer is wrong." When he struck, he aimed for the weak spots. Wings. Jaw. It wasn't personal, but it was necessary. He wished it could be different.

Spoiler: Turn 2: Anubis

Anubis (Aux)
- Support Skill @ Koa +1Atk

Anubis used Howl!

Spoiler: Turn 2: Koa

Koa (234 STM, 15 TMP, +1 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 36 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Lum Berry) @ Koa
- Mach Punch @ Tako (-6 STM, +3 TMP)
- AGILE Mach Punch @ Tako (-12 STM, +3 TMP)
- Mach Punch @ Tako (-6 STM, +3 TMP)
- Ganbatte Soul @ Kaida (-30 STM, +3 TMP)
- CRITICAL Umbral Retribution @ Kaida (-40 STM, -20 TMP, +3 TMP, +36 SHD)
- Walk to Dense Wood
Net change: -89 STM, -5 TMP, +36 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 145 STM (215 after regen), 10 TMP, 36 SHD, 36 RAD

 

[Phoenixsong]

Go for the healer, she'd said. Yeah, sure, cool, great idea. If you really thought these guys were dumb enough to leave their healer unprotected. Apparently everyone did think that, the way they were all throwing themselves at the dragonite, even as the aggron shifted his mountain of armor right in the fucking way.

"Idiots," Blue started under his breath, but the hum of the network cut in. There was no blind rushing in, but a request that it be taken care of, an understanding that it'd all work out because—

—oh.

"...Fine," he hissed. He had to scramble to get ahead of them—couldn't give the new guy a god damn head start while he's still getting used to this, could you, awesome, thanks—but he just about managed to get a wave of fire rolling toward the aggron, turning the metal plates red-hot in hopes of cooking him in his own armor.

Spoiler: Leaf, Turn 2

Leaf (146 STM, 6 TMP, +2 SPD, +4 ACC, 36 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Tenacious Soul @ Kaida (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Maniac) (-30 STM, -2 TMP, +9 TMP) [Effect: -1 Eva]
- AGILE Play Rough @ Kaida (-24 STM, +7 TMP)
- CRITICAL Play Rough @ Kaida (-16 STM, -15 TMP, +7 TMP)
Net change: -62 STM, +6 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 84 STM (154 after regen), 12 TMP, 36 SHD, 0 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

Spoiler: Blue, Turn 2 (Aux)

Blue (Aux)
- Caster Strike (Fire) @ Tako

Spoiler: Turn 2 Order

- Blue
- Anubis
- Koa
- Leaf
- Malachai
- Laura
- Virga
- Jade