Sunward Atop Sunrest Mesa

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 1
Player Phase​

Gladion used RADIANT Soul's Volition! He became the Fairy-type!
Gladion's Thunder Fang dealt 5 damage to Mesoza! It's not very effective... Mesoza was Paralysed!
Gladion's Spotter Feat identified Mesoza's moves!

• Breaking Swipe
• Meteor Beam
• Flamethrower
• Zen Headbutt
• Collision Course
• ???

Gladion used Mean Look on Mesoza! Mesoza was Trapped!

Kimiko used Grassy Terrain! The Rift-Mender zone became Grassy!
Kimiko's Leaf Storm dealt 54 damage to Mesoza!
Contrary! +2 Mag!
Kimiko used RADIANT Flourishing Soul on Mesoza!
Mesoza was seeded! Gladion is leeching vitality!

Isidora's Brawler Strike dealt 30 dmg to Mesoza! SE!
Isidora's Interact: her Ice Shard moderately damaged the Rift-Breacher!

Odette's Brawler Strike dealt 72 dmg to Mesoza! UE!
Odette's Interact: Jawile somewhat dented the Rift-Breacher!

Koa's Interact: Electric Terrain primed his next attack!
Koa's Thunder Barrage badly fried a RAD Relay!

“Of course it’ll damage Forlas! It still hasn’t recovered from the damage Amida did before getting sealed here in the first place. So why didn’t— why don’t you— Why do all this? So that you can hop to another world and, what, do it again? That sounds lonely. Don’t you have anyone you care about?”

"...Amida?" asked the Koraidon. Then she let out a grunt of pain as the Silvally's beak sank into her. She could take it, though. She could take much, much more.

That name, though. She didn't know it.

Her face contorted as Gladion challenged her, but with so many attacks flying, and fighting off half a dozen 'mon solo, there was little room for a response...

Perhaps Mesoza would be more responsive to a Call or Interact...

"I don't... recall..." she panted, between counter-attacks.

There was something there. Something Gladion could dig into...

Or he would, if the Koraidon wasn't about to easily break free from containment.

Mesoza is healthy!

Silken webbing spurted from the shadows and snatched at Mesoza's limbs. She returned fire with a gobbet of flame, and an Ariados skittered back behind cover. Another Vanguard member?

However, the Trap was extended by Keska!

Then, with lightning charged fists he streaked toward the nearest relay and laid into it. A couple strikes to soften the shield, then rip everything up and fry it.

The Protect barriers held firm at first, but Koa's clenched paws and the surge beneath them soon had at least one of the relay stations sparking and hissing with excess heat. Most researchers scattered, diving for cover. One boldly kept at their task, rotating the other dish into alignment...

"You wanna study Radiance?" she sneered at the professor, eyes lighting up with energy. "We'll show you what it can do!"

Mesoza's eyes fixed on the scintillating attack, and somehow, Kimiko might get the intuitive feeling that the Professor was studying her...

"Fascinating..."

She stole a glance at the airship. I wonder how Valere's holding up.

As Isidora glanced upwards, an arc of psionic-violet light sliced through a portion of the hull, and a pair of windows shattered as liquid shurikens smashed through them. The shards of glass glittered and sparkled in the sunlight. It seemed Valere was holding his own, for now...

Ice Shards in different directions. One at Mesoza to make her life harder, and the other at the Rift-Mender-Breacher-Whatever machine to break its Protect shield and enable Odette to do as much as she could.

Between the ice shards and the chomping steel teeth of Odette's false-jaws, the imitation of Sparkwright's device was now battered and lit up with warning lights. The portal remained, but dimmed – the vision of the dungeon within fading to a faint translucency.

The Living Sun continues to move towards realspace... but your efforts have slowed the process! If the Sun can be weakened enough before she reaches the material plane, her Radiant light will be considerably less dangerous to the world below! I am now estimating the time remaining...

The Sun's emergence has been slowed by one (1) turn.
The Sun will now emerge on Turn: [3].

[Guys? There's something in that crate with the door. Two orange lights. Didn't have time to make out more than that. But I don't think you'd put a see-through door on a crate unless you needed to see in to check on it... or maybe if something needed to see out?]

It seems there is a dormant energy signature present. Perhaps whatever is inside is not yet ready?

[ ] Optional Objective: Open the crate.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 1
Enemy Phase​

"You're staying put... Could it be that you don't consider me a threat?"

The Koraidon's lithe body exploded into a flurry of attacks that would soon dispel any such ideas.

Boss Action: Stats Boost! +2 Spd!
Mesoza's Breaking Swipe dealt 40 damage to Kimiko! Contrary! +1 Atk!
Mesoza's Breaking Swipe dealt a grazing 3 damage to Gladion! It's not at all effective...
Mesoza's Flamethrower dealt 77 damage to Kimiko! It's super effective!
Mesoza consumed her Power Herb!
Mesoza's STRONG Meteor Beam gave +1 Mag, then dealt 58 damage to Gladion!
Mesoza Focused...

The Professor pulled back from the attack – still standing tall and confident. She reached for the ruined Rift-Mender/Breacher with one hand and planted it in the ground in front of her as a makeshift defensive emplacement.

"Go on, then—demonstrate to me the power of Radiance! Show me this power only you are responsible enough to wield!"

Mesoza's Interact: Study Opponents
Boss Attack: Mesoza is preparing Collision Course.
Target: Rift-Mender Zone
Mesoza took cover!

 

[Shadow Serenity]

Mesoza had taken a decent hit, and Gladion didn't seem very harmed. All in all, a win. Kimiko flinched back from the retaliation, the sun-warmed flamethrower really hurting, but by the end of it she remained standing taller than she had anticipated. Still, if she could avoid taking more of them, that would be ideal.

She watched as Mesoza hid behind the device they'd all just targeted and begun preparing some kind of big skill, as if she wanted them to attack it. Her taunt lacked the compelling dark energy of the combat technique, but it felt like too obvious a trap. Still, that didn't make Kimiko any more willing to step into it. Better do what damage she could and then make a tactical retreat.

"I'll do you one better," she snapped, her aura changing once again. "How about I show you what it looks like when someone wields both?"

Spoiler: Kimiko turn 2

Kimiko (195 STM, 15 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 30 RAD)
- Magical Leaf @ Mesoza (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (-8 STM, +3 TMP)
- **Act:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- STRONG SHADOW Leaf Storm @ Mesoza (-45 STM, +5 TMP, +30 SHD)
- Psyshock @ Mesoza (-16 STM, +3 TMP)
- Walk to Mesa Edge
Net change: -69 STM, +15 TMP, +30 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 126 STM (183 after regen), 30 TMP, 30 SHD, 30 RAD

 

[Tetra]

One down, one to go.

Pivoting, Koa turned upon the second relay, and the pokemon protecting it. "Eat lightning," he snarled, discharging a bolt of electricity at the pokemon.

He'd already built up a charge and momentum from destroying the first relay. So he rode it, falling upon the shield and the machinery within, paws sparking.

Spoiler: Turn 2

Koa (Aux)
- Brawler Strike (Electric) @ Relay Station 2

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Gladion focused to suppress his radiance, given that there didn't seem to be any radiant attacks incoming. And to make a point.

"No. We can use Radiance safely because we don't use much of it. It is a power trusted to us, not a resource for us to exploit. And so far, none of us have gone too far and hurt anyone. But the Caldera showed us what happened when someone does. Victini Lorrel broken, Volcarona Amida reduced to a shell."

Shadows started pooling around him as wider belief and personal grudge bled together. That itch of shadow was almost ready to burst. Was she really insinuating that using radiance against her was hypocritical just because they were saying she couldn't fuck around with it? Didn't she understand that this kind of stunt was what ripped her from her last world? She was pissing him off, and he was ready get pummelled into the ground as long as it meant he got to do it right back.

"And last time you figured out how rip through dimensions, it left your son without his mother, and me without my father. Do you even remember his name? Does it even matter to you anymore?"

He raised the thickest protect shield he could and prepared to face down Mesoza's Collision Course head-on. Whatever it took to buy him the time he needed to finish what he was doing.

"These things, they ruin lives. And you wanna combine them? Fuck off! Fuck all the way off!"

Spoiler: Gladion Turn 2

Gladion (208 STM, 11 TMP, +1 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 30 RAD)
- STRONG Protect (-30 STM, +4 TMP)
- Umbral Resentment @ Mesoza (-40 STM, -15 TMP, +4 TMP, +40 SHD)
- Interact @ i pay tempo tax to make the boss pay more attention to this dialogue i yelled while doing a Special Anime Boy Attack (-3 TMP)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Mesoza AI
- Thunder Fang @ Mesoza (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit, effect, Hex Maniac) (-16 STM, -6 TMP, +4 TMP)
Net change: -81 STM, -7 TMP, +20 SHD, -20 RAD
Net totals: 127 STM (189 after regen), 4 TMP, 20 SHD, 10 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[JFought]

Keeping a careful distance from the fight, Isidora took another Ice Shard potshot at the rift machine and grinned. Keska came in with a timely save, and now Gladion and Kimiko had Mesoza completely occupied. Which gives us the chance to keep wrecking things. And there wasn't going to be a better time to inspect that crate Leaf had pointed out. With Koamaru dealing with the relay dishes and her Vanguard teammates unaware, she decided to take it upon herself.

Though...

It seems there is a dormant energy signature present. Perhaps whatever is inside is not yet ready?

Dormant? Betel worded that as if they suspected whatever was in the crate wasn't alive. Is it some kind of machine? One you would need a window just to check in on...?

She put a pin in that thought, ran a claw down her shoulder, and used her hidden power to dash away from the battle. Running across the mesa top (and swiftly taking out any Coven worker unlucky enough to be in her way), she found her rhydon teammate and stopped to call out: "Flint! I need you!" And with gesture for him to follow, she rushed over to the suspicious crate.

Upon reaching its glass door (and waiting for Flint to catch up), she quickly explained herself. "Leaf told me there's something important in here." Then she put her muzzle up to the glass and peered into the darkness. What're we lookin' at...?

Spoiler: Turn 2

Isidora (Aux)
- Brawler Strike (Ice) @ Rift-Breacher
- Interact @ Call Flint over and inspect suspicious crate.

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Spoiler: Provisional Odette + Turn Order

Order:
-Isidora
-Odette
-Everyone Else

Odette:
-Interact @ Break the rift-mender / generally try to stop Mesoza covering behind it
-Brawler Strike (Fairy) @ Mesoza

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 2
Player Phase​

Isidora's Ice Strike and Odette's Fairy Strike destroyed the Rift-Mender/Breacher!
An additional 29 + 37 dmg was dealt to Mesoza!

Koa's Electric Strike dealt considerable damage to the Relay Station!
It seems the radio equipment is now inoperable...

"I'll do you one better," she snapped, her aura changing once again. "How about I show you what it looks like when someone wields both?"

"Both?" inquired Mesoza, with a draconic grin of curiosity. Novelty intrigued her.

She braced herself for something new.

Kimiko's Magical Leaf dealt 32 damage to Mesoza!
Kimiko's STRONG SHADOW Leaf Storm dealt 81 damage to Mesoza! It's super effective!
Contrary! +2 Mag!
Kimiko's Psyshock dealt 51 damage to Mesoza! It's super effective!
Gladion used STRONG Protect!
Gladion used Umbral Resentment on Mesoza!
Gladion's Interact:

"No. We can use Radiance safely because we don't use much of it. It is a power trusted to us, not a resource for us to exploit. And so far, none of us have gone too far and hurt anyone. But the Caldera showed us what happened when someone does. Victini Lorrel broken, Volcarona Amida reduced to a shell."

"And last time you figured out how rip through dimensions, it left your son without his mother, and me without my father. Do you even remember his name? Does it even matter to you anymore?"

"These things, they ruin lives. And you wanna combine them? Fuck off! Fuck all the way off!"

The Koraidon's face twitched and spasmed erratically, as if failing to render emotional states the Professor had no experience of.

"You... You know me?" she growled, her voice guttural and unsteady. "I have... a son?"

M̴̨̧̥͖̳͉̻̯̤̿̀ë̶̘́̂ŝ̸̗͚̬̱͕̥͚̝̻͂̌̇̚ͅo̶̭̻̱͈̞͇͈̮͝ž̴̧͎͓͎̙̦̘̯̬̉́a̸͚͓̱̙̎̒ ̶̙̻̑̾̿̈́̒͝ Professor Sada clutched at her chest where Gladion's tendrils of Shadow pierced the flesh.

"You are... incorrect," she gasped, through an unfamiliar degree of pain. "That is... not what happened!"

Gladion's Spotter Feat identified Sada's behaviour!

Professor Sada is currently reckoning with a tremendous deal of new information. None of Gladion's accusations are familiar to her, and the Wayfarers' ire is an alien thing, without relation to her actual intentions and perspective. Cognitively intelligent though she clearly is, there's definitely more to her psychology than the cold allure of science...​

​

Also, this is not the Professor Sada that Gladion thinks.​

Gladion's Thunder Fang dealt 5 damage to Mesoza! Flinching!
Gladion took cover!

 

[Chibi Pika]

Upon reaching its glass door (and waiting for Flint to catch up), she quickly explained herself. "Leaf told me there's something important in here." Then she put her muzzle up to the glass and peered into the darkness. What're we lookin' at...?

Flint turned away from where he was busy trashing a few of the smaller supply crates. He lumbered toward Isidora, peering at the dark glass along with her. Twin lights shone from within, gradually brightening...

"Hrm. They wouldn't have brought it here for no reason. I'd prefer not to give it the opportunity to catch us off guard."

The Rhydon drew himself back, aiming a Drill Run at the locking mechanism on the crate's front.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 2
Enemy Phase​

Writhing like an alligator in a death-roll, the Koraidon professor whirled at Gladion with primeval force. She was only going to get stronger...

Boss Attack: Sada's Collision Course shattered the Protect and dealt a CRITICAL 43 damage to Gladion! It's not very effective...
Boss Action: Zone Clear!
Sada used Primal Soul! +1 Atk/Mag/Spd! +Laser Focus!
Sada's STRONG Zen Headbutt dealt a CRITICAL 77 damage to Gladion! Covert Cloak prevented Flinching!
Sada is Flinching and can't do more! Kimiko's aggro spiked sharply!

"How can I feel as if... I have never – couldn't have – borne a child, and yet— such grief—!"

Professor Sada roared at Gladion as she grappled with him, fighting like something between a mixed martial artist and a frenzied reptile. She knew where to hit to make it hurt, that much was sure.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her face an inch from his. "Who was I to you? Why do I feel this way??"

Boss Attack: Sada is preparing Flamethrower.
Target: Kimiko
Sada took cover!

The Rhydon drew himself back, aiming a Drill Run at the locking mechanism on the crate's front.

Flint used Drill Run! The container crate was busted wide open...!

Inside was a bulbous metal creature, with six diamond-shaped panels seemingly at rest around its body...

Iron Radiance is offline.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Flint stared at the thing inside the crate, what appeared to be a... metal Volcarona?

"This is..."

A crash sounded overhead, and glittering shards of glass rained down over the mesa. Flint held out a bulky arm to shield Isidora and anyone else who was nearby while he craned his neck upward, squinting against the setting sun.

Mattias darted out from the shattered window, freefalling for a second before grabbing the anchor cable with his tongue and swinging over to it. Valere leaped out after him a moment later, teleporting over to the cable, and the two of them slid down toward the mesa in tandem, firing attacks at each other as they went.

"Gotta go help the boss," Flint said, charging off. "Keep an eye on that thing!"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

The Professor's attacks hurt, but he'd endured worse. When she stared him down, he met her gaze without flinching. His shadow was pushing against his skin for release, just waiting for its cue.

"You don't know me. But I know your son. Arven, if I recall correctly? We'd both get dragged out to scientific conferences and complain to each other. About suffocating in the roles we were born into. About being used as ornaments. About our parents."

That was what he was looking for, the splinter that made dealing with her hurt. Tendrils of shadow writhed out from him in cathartic release, seeking their mark. He wasn't even sure it was justified anymore, but he still wanted to- still had to release it.

"I don't know if you two were blood. All I know is that he called you his mom. Why shouldn't that be enough to matter?"

He wanted to ask why she didn't care... But she did, didn't she? It didn't make any sense. The simplest way to resolve the contradiction that she'd presented him with would be if Arven was simply adopted. But that didn't feel right, didn't quite line up with how Arven had talked about her. They'd both been born into their roles, after all. The version of Arven's mother he knew didn't seem to care, at least throught the eyes of a couple of kids. Was that a difference between their worlds, or had the two of them just been mistaken?

"You're probably another copy of the Professor I knew of. You said I was incorrect. So then, why do you know what I'm talking about at all?"

Something clicked.
She was a reoccurring person.
For Mesoza to be here, someone had to follow the professor's script in the world she'd lived in before Forlas. She insisted it wasn't her.
She knew her son but didn't have one.
The contradiction could be resolved if the world she lived in had its own version of her, following the script instead of her.

He'd heard mention of fallers before arriving on Forlas even if he hadn't understood what it meant yet. Could a recurring person fall into a world where another version of them existed? Because if so, then it was possible that...

"Have you met yourself before?"

It still felt like he was missing at least one piece. But he'd done everything he could with the information he had, and it would have to fall to complete her understanding of her own identity. That felt right, in a way. This wasn't his problem to solve.

Spoiler: Gladion Turn 3

Gladion (189 STM, 4 TMP, +1 SPD, +2 ACC, 20 SHD, 10 RAD)
- Mean Look @ Sada (-20 STM, +2 TMP)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Mesoza AI
- Umbral Resentment @ Sada (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (+0 STM, +4 TMP) [Charged from last turn]
- **Act:** Call @ Sada
- **Act:** Item (Sitrus Berry)
Net change: -19 STM, +6 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 170 STM (208 after regen), 10 TMP, 20 SHD, 10 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[Shadow Serenity]

So far, so goo-

Oh, wait. There was... something wrong with Mesoza. Sada. Whoever she was. Her voice had just... Kimiko didn't quite have words for whatever that just was. Unsettling, perhaps. There. Now she had a word for it. Easy.

She wasn't sure exactly what Gladion was going on about (he knew... the professor's son???) but it was sure having an effect on the Mesoza. And Gladion himself wasn't exactly all sunshine and roses either, wielding shadow and clearly drawing on something within this conversation to fuel it. Concern crossed her features momentarily, but... well, it wasn't her place to get nosy. So long as he kept himself under control; she'd keep an eye on that, if nothing else.

Behind her, Isidora and the rhydon had just uncovered... some kind of robot bug. Whatever it was, it must be important to the professor... they'd said the Sun was emerging, or something like that, didn't they? Were they perhaps hoping to use this thing as a vessel to try to contain it?

Maybe this would be a good time for her to catch her breath; she might need to throw her own shadows around sooner rather than later, and without keeping them under control, she was at risk of losing herself. That was the last thing she, or any of them, needed. Acting reckless and becoming a danger to herself and her squad.

Again.

She put as much force as she could muster into barrage of leaves sent at Mesoza, then decided to let Gladion do his thing for the time being. She could feel the professor's ire aiming in her direction, and she wasn't likely to completely avoid it this time just by retreating; the best she could hope for was to put some distance between them to try to weaken the impact.

Spoiler: Kimiko Turn 3

Kimiko (183 STM, 30 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 30 SHD, 30 RAD)
- STRONG CRITICAL Leaf Storm @ Mesoza (-45 STM, -16 TMP, +5 TMP) [paying to hit at range]
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Walk to Supply Drop
Net change: -45 STM, -6 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD
Net totals: 138 STM (195 after regen), 24 TMP, 10 SHD, 10 RAD

 

[JFought]

Isidora wasn't sure what she was looking at at first, when-

A crash sounded overhead, and glittering shards of glass rained down over the mesa. Flint held out a bulky arm to shield Isidora and anyone else who was nearby while he craned his neck upward, squinting against the setting sun.

"Gotta go help the boss," Flint said, charging off. "Keep an eye on that thing!"

She quickly brushed her fur flat and called back. "Got it!" A part of her wanted to help too, but she understood this was important at the moment.

Her attention went right back to the... thing. Isidora knew she needed to keep an eye on the fight, but she couldn't help herself from getting closer. Visually, it resembled a volcarona, but in every other sense from touch to smell it was clearly a machine. The Living Sun is a volcarona too, isn't it? She knew about human 'androids,' but was that really what she was looking at? It had all only been theoretical to her before. She needed a second opinion. 'Do you have any idea what this is, Betel?' she asked over the network.

She kneeled in front of it and peered into its eyes, trying to figure out what it was for. Maybe this thing is meant to be attuned to Radiance somehow? An idea popped into her head. If so, then maybe Betel's uniquely suited for figuring this out...

Isidora placed her claws on a shoulder and focused, both on the radiant energy within her and on the connection between her and Betel, imagining as if she were sending a current down a wire. 'Does this help at all?'

Spoiler: Turn 3

Isidora (Aux)
- RADIANT Spotter Aux @ Iron Radiance (what can be gleaned from it right now?)
- Interact @ Send Radiance to Betel and have them do all the work.

 

[Tetra]

Smirking, Koa turned away from the smoldering wreckage of the relays, feeling smugly satisfied.

He took in the battle, a brief flash of fear running through him seeing Kimiko and Gladion trying to fight the professor. Who was she to him? The words they were exchanging... Did Gladion know her? He laughed bitterly in his head. Did every deranged villainous parent who abandoned their child just end up in Forlas? Maybe this was crazy parent purgatory.

At least they were holding their own so far. His attention turned toward the crate Leaf mentioned. Isidora was there already, and he almost hesistated, then pushed aside his unease. Keeping one eye on the fight, he turned toward the crate and bounded over. He needed to see what- ... Wait was that a pokemon?

Craning his neck, he examined it. It sort of resembled inorganic pokemon like Magnezone or Metang, except even more robotic. Advanced. His gaze slid over to Isidora, who was examining the object.

Turning back, he stared up at its Volcarona-like form. "What are you?" he murmured. The Covenant had brought it, which made it a potential risk, but also meant it was worth figuring out. Why had they kept it in the crate? Was it even a pokemon or just a device, like that drone Ein had? Could he...

Holding out a paw, he let a wave of electrical energy flow from it, hardly more than a buzz. 'Hello?'

Spoiler: Turn 3

Koa (Aux)
- Call @ Iron Radiance
- Interact: Use Eerie Impulse to poke it with a stick say hello?

 

[Sinderella]

Odette hadn't expected this face-off to turn into a dose of familial drama, but as she listened to Gladion ramble on, raw rage fueling his expletives and the way he shouted, she realized that was the direction things were going. She had to stop the startled look she cast in his direction--he'd known this woman's son? She was why his version his father had gone missing?--because it wasn't important. Not as she watched their motorcycle-shaped foe charge another round of fire and aim it right at Kimiko. Fear went to war with her sense of friendship; that protective sense of friendship she had...and ultimately lost.

"Don't you fucking dare!" she shrieked, sparking up with her Wrathful flame.

Spoiler: Odette AUX Turn 3

Fairy Brawler Strike @ Sada
Interact: Fiery Wrath @ Sada

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 3
Player Phase​

Gladion's Mean Look trapped Sada!

"You don't know me. But I know your son. Arven, if I recall correctly?"

The Koraidon reached for Gladion and gripped him in her claws, the points pressing into his hide.

"Arven," she hissed, the word rattling in her throat. "I never felt this way, before, when I was—"

"Have you met yourself before?"

"Yes—"

The professor's eyes shot wide open; her claws sank abruptly into Gladion's flesh.

"I am not her," whispered 'Sada'. "I am... an artificial intelligence. Created by her. Imbued with her knowledge and characteristics. I alone... survive."

The dragon's jaws parted, her hot breath wafting over Gladion's face. A low, shuddering rumble escaped her mouth.

"Is this what it feels like to have your heart break...?"

Gladion's Spotter Feat identified AI Sada AI!

She's not Sada. Not the one you know, anyway. Some kind of robot, except that by crossing realities to wind up here in Forlas, she's evidently ended up in a biological body. One capable of affective emotionality. Sure seems like this is the first time she's experienced genuinely strong feelings – the physiological side of them, at least. Sorrow, remorse, fear... She's going through something she's not equipped to handle, now that all her memories seem to be flooding back. That must leave her psychologically vulnerable. You could say anything to her right now, and it would have considerable power...​

Gladion's Umbral Resentment dealt a punishing 320 damage to Sada!
Gladion called out to Sada!

...Does this mean...

...that she is...

...like me...?​

Kimiko's STRONG Leaf Storm dealt a CRITICAL 103 damage to Sada!

Isidora's RADIANT Spotter Aux identified Iron Radiance!
Isidora's Interact:

'Do you have any idea what this is, Betel?'

It appears to be a pokémon, albeit a very peculiar one. It seems that while it is not 'alive' as such... it is a cybernetic shell intended to house an aura, that much I can tell.​

​

I hypothesise that the Covenant designed, built, and brought this machine here in order to fill it with Radiance, creating a kind of 'Radiant Machine'. This would be in line with their previous, similar efforts with the ARK Unit, Sage.​

Koa called out to Iron Radiance!
Koa's Interact:

Holding out a paw, he let a wave of electrical energy flow from it, hardly more than a buzz. 'Hello?'

"Hello world," beeped the cybernetic moth. It did not appear to be sapient – its circuits were dormant not from sleep, but from emptiness. The thing was hollow, as of yet... only possessing the most rudimentary of weak-AI operating systems.

For now.

Odette's Fairy Brawler Strike dealt 67 damage to Sada! UE!
Odette's Interact:

Fire billowed from Sada's maw, meeting Odette's Fiery Wrath – the flames would not reach Kimiko.

Odette herself, however...

...it's super effective!

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 3
Enemy Phase​

The Flamethrower never made it to Kimiko, but Odette would find herself engulfed in dragonfire...

"No!" bellowed the Koraidon, lashing out at the Silvally who restrained her. "I've been trapped long enough! I wanted to be free!"

Something might tell Gladion she wasn't talking about his own hold on her.

Boss Action: Stats Boost! +2 Acc!
Sada focused...
Sada's Flamethrower dealt a CRITICAL 56 damage to Gladion! Covert Cloak prevented a burn!
Sada's Zen Headbutt dealt a CRITICAL 42 damage to Gladion!
Sada used Primal Soul!
Sada's Interact:

Sada, struggling to impact Gladion's thick, Fairy-type hide, grabbed the wrecked Rift-Mender on the ground and clutched it like a metal club. Cold iron enough for this fae.

Sada's STRONG Steel-type Breaking Swipe dealt a CRITICAL 76 damage to Gladion! It's super effective!
Sada didn't take cover...?

"I just wanted to explore," wept the dragon, clutching at Gladion as her stamina faded...

 

[Phoenixsong]

Over the network:

[How's it going out there? I don't think we can keep Amida in here much longer. She might be okay now? Maybe??? But you've gotta be ready in case she's not...]

 

[Chibi Pika]

Spinning disc of water flew through the air, followed by a volley of psychic blades, fired without mercy. A lithe Greninja leaped amongst the disabled relay dishes, closely pursued by a Gallade.

"You've abandoned everything we ever fought for! You've thrown away all your ideals! And you still have the nerve to talk about outcomes?!" Valere shouted, hurling another Psycho Cut.

On the opposite side of the dish, Flint readied a barrage of sandstone, pulled from the mesa.