Sojaveña Wilds Doorway to Huzan

[Inkedust]

They say that some Divine Dungeons forge connections to other dungeons across the world so that when the dungeon is sieged by unnatural forces, the Relic within – following the remnant will of its Saint – has a chance to be relocated, far away from the calamity. If this was true, one has to wonder how many Saints and Relics have been displaced from their region of origin throughout the ages.

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Moltres had been flying for hours. Night had long since settled over the Soja and nothing of interest had caught anybody's attention. Meanwhile, the Saint had gotten into many an argument regarding Odette's second pair of jaws that had eventually simmered into Moltres being uncertain if she was annoyed by or respected Odette's audacity and a few "jokes" about dropping them in the middle of the desert. Moltres was just about ready to call it a waste of time and head for Malantau instead but she suddenly stopped, her gaze focused on a distant landmark below.

"Do you see that?" Moltres asked, her eyes narrowing and head tilting with curiosity.

If the Wayfarers were to look they would see a natural archway, carved from canyon stones by the dutiful flow of water and natural distortion of Forlas. However, what should have just been the entrance to a minor dungeon had clearly shifted into something more. Long, wispy tendrils of Shadow billowed from the archway, fading into the night, and sickly beams of lavender sunlight dappled the sandstone that rested before the archway.

"So what do you think? Have we finally found our dungeon to babysit?"

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade had flown on the backs of legends before, but being carried by one was a whole other story, and the one saving grace was the fact that at least she wasn't being carried the same way that Odette was. Also the fact that Moltres's talons were warm, which helped stave off the winter chill.

From the way the firebird spoke, she had no real destination in mind and was just kind of flying aimlessly. And yet, something about her flight path felt more purposeful than that. Like there was a destination somehow, she just didn't... know it yet. Maybe Jade was reading too much into things. Either way, the Shadows leaking from the stone archway below meant that the awkward flight would soon be over, and Jade was thankful enough for that that she was actually looking forward to entering the corrupted dungeon, which was definitely the most insane part of this.

"Yes, you're right, that's probably it, you found it, you can take us down now," Jade said quickly, with more force than she'd intended.

 

[Butterfree]

Dave had really thought they would, you know, actually have a plan, hear about rumours of corrupted dungeons and strategize about who should go where, but no, Moltres just fucking grabbed him and took off. What the absolute fuck.

His yelps of protest fell on deaf ears, and he didn't keep trying very long, not when they were fucking flying, Moltres's talons clamped around his body and bobbing up and down rhythmically like the world's worst rollercoaster. It took all of his self-control not to hurl, jaws clamped together. At some point he might have passed out.

By the time Moltres asked, he had stopped looking down, just clamped his eyes shut trying to keep breathing. He opened a rift on one eye and glanced down at the shadowy tendrils drifting from the dungeon. "Yes. Yes, for the love of God, we do not need to find more dungeons."

 

[Sinderella]

"̶T̴h̴i̸s̴ ̴i̷s̶ ̷s̵t̸u̴p̷i̸d̶.̴ ̵A̴n̷d̵ ̵y̵o̷u̴'̴r̸e̸ ̶s̸t̸u̴p̸i̵d̴ ̷f̸o̷r̵ ̵p̸i̷c̸k̸i̷n̷g̵ ̴m̶e̸ ̸u̵p̴ ̶l̷i̷k̸e̸ ̴t̴h̷i̷s̵.̷ ̶A̵n̵d̴ ̴n̴o̵w̵ ̷I̶'̵m̷ ̶s̵t̶u̴p̷i̷d̶.̶"̸

Somewhere between getting Moltres to agree to do this battle with them, being very rudely picked up, and flying off to find the stupid dungeon, Odette and Moltres had gotten into quite the argument regarding her jaws. This resulted in Odette angrily unchaining them, and Jawile hadn't stopped their verbal tirade since then.

"̴I̵ ̷h̷a̶v̵e̸ ̴a̵ ̵q̶u̵e̶s̴t̶i̵o̶n̶.̶ ̶S̴e̵r̷i̷o̵u̸s̷ ̶q̸u̵e̴s̴t̶i̶o̵n̵,̸"̸ Jawile said. "̵I̵f̸ ̷y̶o̴u̶r̴ ̶w̸h̵o̷l̴e̴ ̸b̴o̵d̶y̴ ̵i̵s̵ ̸o̵n̴ ̸f̶i̷r̷e̷,̷ ̶d̷o̷e̶s̷ ̸t̸h̷a̶t̴ ̴m̵e̶a̵n̴ ̵y̶o̷u̴r̴ ̷i̶n̶s̵i̴d̷e̶s̷ ̶a̸r̵e̶ ̷o̸n̷ ̸f̵i̸r̸e̴ ̵t̵o̶o̵?̵"̷ A gasp. "̵I̵s̶ ̵y̸o̶u̶r̵ ̴c̵l̴o̷a̶c̴a̶ ̸o̸n̶ ̶f̴i̶r̶e̵?̴ ̴D̶o̵ ̷y̴o̵u̵ ̸e̷v̷e̷n̵ ̵h̴a̸v̵e̸ ̵a̴ ̵c̷l̴o̸a̵c̶a̶?̷ ̸C̵a̸n̶ ̵y̵o̶u̶ ̵l̵a̶y̸ ̴e̸g̷g̴s̵?̶"̷ A louder gasp. "̴O̷h̸ ̶g̷o̵d̵s̵,̴ ̴a̶r̸e̶ ̷y̷o̸u̴r̴ ̷e̴g̸g̷s̶ ̵o̷n̴ ̷f̶i̷r̸e̷?̷"̸

Normally that would have been grounds for Odette to abruptly clamp them shut, but this was a special occasion. Moltres had asked for it.

"̵Y̴o̴u̷ ̷k̷n̷o̶w̵,̷ ̶s̵i̷n̴c̴e̸ ̷y̴o̷u̴ ̸b̷l̶e̷s̷s̵e̷d̵ ̸m̵e̸ ̷w̵i̸t̴h̶ ̷y̸o̴u̷r̸ ̷f̶i̶r̵e̸,̷ ̸a̷n̶d̶ ̸b̷l̷e̸s̵s̵e̴d̵ ̸m̶e̵ ̴w̵i̵t̴h̴ ̷t̴h̷e̵ ̷p̵r̸i̵v̴i̵l̴e̷g̵e̶ ̶o̷f̵ ̷b̸e̸i̸n̵g̵ ̵y̴o̵u̴r̸ ̸t̵o̴n̴g̶u̶e̷ ̸f̴o̵r̶ ̴t̵h̷e̸ ̴d̶u̸r̸a̶t̵i̸o̴n̴ ̷o̵f̸ ̶t̸h̸i̵s̸ ̶j̶o̵u̵r̸n̵e̸y̷,̸ ̶I̴ ̷w̸o̸u̷l̷d̵ ̷l̵i̸k̶e̶ ̸y̷o̸u̶ ̴t̶o̶ ̷a̵c̷c̵e̷p̴t̶ ̷m̶y̵ ̵s̸i̸n̷c̷e̷r̷e̵s̵t̵ ̶l̶o̶v̶e̵,̵"̸ ̴ Jawile snickered. "̸I̶ ̸d̴i̴s̸t̶r̷i̷b̸u̴t̸e̴ ̸m̸y̶ ̶l̴o̸v̵e̴ ̴i̴n̸ ̶t̵h̷e̵ ̵f̸o̷r̷m̶ ̸o̷f̴ ̵b̴i̸t̷e̷s̴.̵"̷ They gnashed, and stuck out their tongue to lick their teeth. "̴S̸o̷ ̷a̸c̸c̵e̵p̷t̵ ̵i̵t̸.̶"̵ ̶

They raised, with the clear intent to clamp around the side of Moltres's face, when the dungeon came into view. Jawile stopped in her harassment to allow Odette to get a good look at the miasmatic Shadowy tendrils whipping up from the archway.

"I doubt it could be anything else," she grumbled.

"̵Y̸e̵e̸e̵a̶a̸a̸a̶a̷a̷a̷a̶a̸h̸ ̴t̸h̴a̸t̷'̶s̴ ̸d̵e̷f̵i̸n̸i̷t̸e̸l̶y̵ ̵i̵t̴,̵"̷ Jawile inhaled. ̸"̵B̵u̴u̵u̸u̶t̸ ̷I̷ ̸t̷h̶i̵n̴k̷ ̷w̷e̶ ̵s̷h̴o̶u̴l̷d̴ ̸c̴o̶n̸s̷i̸d̴e̷r̷ ̷o̷u̸r̸ ̷a̶p̵p̸r̵o̷a̶c̶h̸.̷ ̴S̴i̶n̸c̵e̶ ̷w̴e̶'̶r̸e̵ ̵u̴p̴ ̶h̴e̴r̴e̴,̵ ̷l̷e̷t̴'̴s̷ ̷d̴o̵ ̸t̴h̵i̷s̴ ̸k̶a̷m̴i̶k̸a̷z̴e̴ ̸s̷t̷y̴l̷e̶.̴ ̴D̴i̸v̷e̸ ̶b̴o̵m̸b̷ ̴i̸t̴.̷ ̷F̴i̷n̸d̵ ̸s̵o̴m̴e̴t̷h̵i̸n̶g̸ ̷t̶o̶ ̸d̴r̵o̶p̸ ̶f̸r̸o̴m̸ ̸2̷0̷0̶0̶ ̴f̷e̸e̸t̷ ̷i̷n̵ ̶t̷h̸e̷ ̷a̴i̶r̵,̴ ̷m̸a̸y̷b̶e̴ ̷c̷a̷u̷s̶e̵ ̸a̷ ̷b̷r̶o̵k̶e̸n̷ ̷n̵e̴c̴k̴ ̸o̴r̷ ̴s̸o̶m̸e̷t̷h̵i̶n̷g̷ ̵f̷u̴n̸!̷"̷

 

[Inkedust]

"Great, because I'm tired of all this flying," Moltres said.

She continued to stare at the dungeon's entrance for a moment, giving more credence to Jade's assumption that something had been subconsciously drawing the Saint there. "No need to tell me twice," Moltres then said in reply to Odette, snapping herself out of it and, with an unseen, mischievous expression she angled her wings downward and fell into a spinning dive, giving the Wayfarers one last thrill before they would have to face whatever awaited them beyond the dungeon's entrance.

When Moltres was just a few metres above the ground, she opened her winds wide to catch herself and let go of the three pokémon she held, leaving them to drop to the ground. She swooped above the three with a cackle like she had just told herself the funniest joke before landing just a few paces away in a cloud of dust. The Saint had never been good at landings, even after centuries.

Now that everyone had gotten close, they could now see that the entrance was so deeply covered in Shadow that looked like a doorway to the abyss that snuffed out the tiny specks of sunlight that tried to break through from the other side. Beyond that it was impossible to tell what was in store for the Wayfarers, although if they were to look back at Moltres, she looked tense and she didn't know why.

"Well? What are we waiting for?" she demanded, trying and failing to mask her growing anxiety. "Let's go."

 

[Sinderella]

"Wait, wait, wait, wait..." Odette started saying. Her protests fell on deaf ears as Moltres dove for the dungeon. While Odette screamed in horror, Jawile cackled like it was the ride of their life. It sure as shit might have been. Maybe she shouldn't have unchained them...

She landed on wobbly legs, kneeling down to catch her breath while Jawile cackled in a perfect, unruly harmony alongside Moltres. "̸L̸e̴t̸'̶s̶ ̷g̵o̴ ̶a̴g̶a̴i̴n̴!̴ ̸L̵e̸t̸'̸s̴ ̶g̷o̴-̷-̴"̷

"Nope," Odette snapped, clamping her hands back around Jawile and locking the chains back in place. "Stupid fuck."

Breathing out what was left of her adrenaline, she brushed the sand off her skirt and stood up to get a better look at the darkness that awaited them. She felt something heavy begin to churn in her chest, and she reached up grate her knuckles against her sternum, as if trying to snap herself out of any doubts she was having. She swept a cursory look over Jade and Dave, and when it looked like neither one of them had lost any body parts in the descent, she turned all of her attention on Moltres.

She didn't like how jittery the Saint looked now, but it didn't take her long to realize why. She could hear the dark energy seeping into Moltres's words; making her shake with anticipation. Odette had had a feeling something like this would happen, but not so soon.

"Hey," she said. "Before we do anything, let's take a deep breath and focus. We can't fly off the handle before we've even seen anything."

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade realized what was about to happen only seconds before it did, as Moltres folded her wings back and plunged downward, making Jade's heart leap into her throat as the ground came rushing up toward her face. This was fine, this was fine, she'd done aerial dives a million times, this was fine—

Until finally Moltres flared her wings and broke their fall, and Jade had just enough time to register that their momentum had stopped before she unceremoniously landed in the dirt. She coughed hard, still feeling the phantom sensation of talons clasped around her torso after hours of flying. It definitely wasn't going to be landing on her favorite ways to travel list anytime soon. At least while riding a flying mon she could hold on and feel somewhat in control.

Well, in any case, they'd made it. The stone archway loomed in front of them, shadows leaking from behind it. Standing right in front of it made it feel a heck of a lot more real.

She took a deep breath. "Let's go."

 

[Inkedust]

"Yeah, yeah, you're right, you're –" Moltres took a deep breath, tempering her Shadows for a moment longer "– it's just a random dungeon," she finished. She continued to stare, psyching herself and allowing the Wayfarers to enter before her. With a few, hesitant steps, Moltres followed not long after.

Inky blackness dominated everyone's vision and, after what felt like an eternity of walking, hazy sunlight blinded and revealed what had been waiting for them on the other side. The first thing the Wayfarers would hear was Moltres' weak and stricken cry.

"No, this isn't right. This can't be right..."

The others would see that it was unlike anything they had seen on Luctemar.

They walked through the pieces of what had once been pagodas and long, symmetrical buildings, burnt down to their foundations or crushed by pyroclastic rock. Lilac ash glistened and flowed towards the remains of a mountain, snaking towards the blackened remains of a wooden shrine. An orange and purple glow emanated from within making it clear that this was some sort of Divine Dungeon. Yet it was immediately apparent that something was wrong. It looked weak, sick with a deep, Shadowy rot that shrouded the skies and attempted to erode at the soul of any unfortunate visitor. The Wayfarers were lucky to have received Powehi's blessing to not be impacted by this.

Moltres had gone as pale as her complexion would allow. She looked at the surrounding devastation with a horror that the Wayfarers had never seen the Saint express. She was trembling, shaking her head and looking for any way out.

"This is— was Huzan. My home," she managed to finally say.

 

[Butterfree]

The landing was about as awful as expected, a sudden plunge and then an abrupt fall into an ungainly roll. Dave pushed himself to his feet, wobbling and thoroughly nauseous, and reminded himself never to come near Moltres ever again after this.

Once in the dungeon, though, she started acting uneasy, Shadows growing in her voice as they passed ruined buildings crawling with Shadow.

Moltres had gone as pale as her complexion would allow. She looked at the surrounding devastation with a horror that the Wayfarers had never seen the Saint express. She was trembling, shaking her head and looking for any way out.

"This is— was Huzan. My home," she managed to finally say.

"Huh. As in, the place that refused to evacuate because they somehow contorted themselves into deciding you were only warning them about an eruption in some galaxy brain plan to steal your mentor's relic?"

Well, the eruption sure had happened. The dungeon had grown up around it. Because... "Think the relic is still here?"

 

[Chibi Pika]

A chill swept over Jade as the hazy dungeon mist gave way to the charred remains of what had once been a town. One that she'd seen glimpses of before, when they'd fought Moltres that day in Blaguarro. Jade's suspicions were confirmed when she heard Moltres say—

"This is— was Huzan. My home,"

Jade had no idea if that stone archway had recreated the place from Moltres's memories, or if the reality-warping power of the dungeon had literally pulled them somewhere countless miles away from where they'd been just a second ago. Either way, it was obviously having an effect on Moltres.

"Hey, it's okay... it's—it's just a trick of the dungeon." That much had to be true, regardless of whether they were still in the Soja, or if they'd really been pulled all the way to Tsainan. The eruption had been decades ago, but this place looked like it had been no more than hours. Still, Jade doubted that that was going to be much comfort. Because if this was a Divine Dungeon, then that meant that this shadowy rot was all over the resting place of the Blazing Twilight's old mentor.

Jade's paws left fresh tracks in the fallen ash as she squinted at the orange glow emanating from the destroyed shrine. Was that...?

 

[Inkedust]

Jade's words didn't seem to register to Moltres who kept staring towards the mountain, shaking like a leaf. She looked so small, even considering the massive size difference between herself and the Wayfarers. It was all too real, too soon. Why? Why would the dungeon take them here?

"I-it must be," Moltres choked out in reply to Dave. "Otherwise, why..."

She cried as the ground rumbled and the distant mountain, no volcano, began to smoke. The glow from the shrine ruins grew brighter and a shrill, distorted cry echoed through the air.

"That... That's— Look out!"

Dark, malignant shadows erupted from the ground, surrounding Moltres and the Wayfarers. Some retained their forms while others shifted into the false flames, not too dissimilar from the Geists the Wayfarers had faced when they had done battle with the Twilight. At the epicentre of it all, the shrine burst in a shower of charred ash and wood, revealing the phantom of a Saint that looked remarkably similar to Moltres: the traditional firebird known for being the bringer of spring, the Blazing Dawn. Deep, purple flames licked at its form and its empty eyes glowed with indifference. It shrieked and the surrounding shadows descended upon the group.

Enemy Phase, Turn 0​

Dawn's Approach! The Blazing Dawn gained +? Innate Def and Res! Three Wisps appeared! Strong Sunlight and Shadow Sky filled all zones!

[ ] Objective: destroy the false Blazing Dawn.

 

[Butterfree]

Jesus fuck. Dave's heart hammered as the ground rumbled, Shadows bursting out to form into a facsimile of the other Moltres.

"Hang on, I'll..."

He sharpened his claws as he clambered over the rocky ground, trying to concentrate as cold tendrils of Shadow rose up all around. He was still nauseous, battered, in pain, shivering. Did they even have time for this? Weren't they supposed to be trying to keep Alexander at bay, because the world was ending? And now they were in a dungeon that was specifically designed to hit Moltres's plentiful insecurities, because she'd fucking flown them here? How long would they keep her from turning on them too, when clearly nothing could control this fucking bird and he should never have fucking agreed to this?

He snarled as the other Moltres bore down on them, cold wisps around his feet. Just try to take this thing down as quickly as possible, if it was possible.

With deep, crushing coldness at his core, he charged, grasping for the familiar iron willpower to make it go away. "Fine! Come get me, motherfucker!"

Spoiler: Turn 1

Dave (177 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk (+1 MC) to Ashy Ascent (-3 TMP)
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -30 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Dash to Shrine Debris (-2 TMP)
- Umbral Recklessness @ Blazing Dawn (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Adept) (-40 STM, -3 TMP, +4 TMP, +32 SHD)
- STRONG CRITICAL Relentless Soul @ Blazing Dawn (-45 STM, -4 TMP, +6 TMP)
Net change: -103 STM, +5 TMP, +32 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 74 STM (127 after regen), 10 TMP, 32 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade staggered backwards as the Shadows burst from the ground all around, her eyes locking onto one in particular... the one now soaring overhead, dark flames blazing from its wings, its tail. Moltres, simultaneously like the one she knew from Kanto, but wrong.

Moonless night, stadium in flames, rebels and Pokemon taking flight, incinerated instantly—

Jade dug her claws into her pawpads, willing herself to get a grip. Moltres was frozen in horror. The thing that looked like the Blazing Dawn was diving toward them, an infernal glow building in its throat.

So she reached for the Light, and found it.

Jade took off running. No time for thinking, only doing. A cluster of winged shadow-flames had gathered between them and the shrine—she could take those out first, worry about the big one later. The opening was there, the straight line Koa had described, and she could feel the static crackling around her paws as her focus sharpened and every part of her lit up with energy, fur standing on end.

No time for thinking, only doing.

Spoiler: Jade Turn 1

Jade (206 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Dash to Ashy Ascent (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Charge Beam @ Wisp A (ACTIVATE: effect) (-18 STM, -1 TMP, +4 TMP) [+1 Mag]
- Soul's Adversity (-30 STM, +2 TMP) [+2 Acc, +50 BP]
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- RADIANT Charge Beam @ Wisp B (ACTIVATE: effect) (-12 STM, -1 TMP, +6 TMP, +10 RAD) [100 BP, +1 Mag]
- Thunderbolt @ Dawn (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Maniac) (-21 STM, -6 TMP, +7 TMP)
- Walk to Burnt Village
Net change: -81 STM, +14 TMP, +0 SHD, +10 RAD
Net totals: 125 STM (168 after regen), 19 TMP, 0 SHD, 10 RAD

 

[Sinderella]

Oh fuck.

Of course. Of course the dungeon would find a way to manipulate itself to bother the one most vulnerable to Shadowing. How the absolute hell they were all the way in Huzan was beyond her, but she didn't have any time to think on it.

"H-ey, don't freak out. It's a trap. It's trying to--"

As she was speaking, the dungeon rumbled into a mess of smoke, ash, fiery light, and a shrill cry that drew her eye to the fiery shrine. She looked just in time to see the true doppelganger of Moltres erupt from the ruins, alongside more miasmatic swarms and wisps.

"Gods, what the fuck," she spat. She immediately turned her attention on the swarms closest to her.

Spoiler: Odette Turn 1

Odette (144 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Soul's Wrath (-30 STM, -2 TMP, +2 TMP)
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- STRONG RADIANT Ancient Power @ Void Swarm A (ACTIVATE: effect) (-21 STM, -7 TMP, +4 TMP, +14 RAD)
- Play Rough @ Void Swarm B (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (-16 STM, +2 TMP)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ [TARGET]
Net change: -67 STM, +4 TMP, +0 SHD, +14 RAD
Net totals: 77 STM (120 after regen), 9 TMP, 0 SHD, 14 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[Inkedust]

Player Phase, Turn 1​

The shadows watched the Wayfarers as the onslaught began. The Blazing Dawn opened its wings wide as if goading them to strike, so the Wayfarers did...

Dave used Hone Claws! +1 Atk, +1 Acc!
Dave's Umbral Recklessness dealt 7 damage to Blazing Dawn! It's not very effective... Flinch!
Dave's STRONG Relentless Soul dealt a CRITICAL 19 damage to Blazing Dawn!

Jade's AGILE Charge Beam dealt 35 damage to Wisp A! +1 Mag!
Jade used Soul's Adversity! +2 Acc!
Jade's RADIANT Charge Beam dealt 102 damage to Wisp B! It's ultra effective! Wisp B dissipated...
Jade's Thunderbolt dealt 11 damage to Blazing Dawn! Paralysed!

Odette used Soul's Wrath! +2 Atk, +2 Mag! -50 HP!
Odette's STRONG RADIANT Ancient Power dealt 59 damage to Dawn Void Swarm A! It's ultra effective!
Odette's Play Rough dealt 68 damage to Dawn Void Swarm B!
Odette's Spotter Feat! Void Swarm's defences—

Def: 100
Res: 100

...But what they would quickly learn was that the apparition of the Dawn was durable. It was siphoning power from the both the dungeon and the far frailer shadows around it, barely putting a dent into its form. Even the remains of the wisp that Jade tore asunder with a Radiant bolt flowed towards the Dawn to empower it further. Perhaps the one of the best counters to the apparition of a Saint was another Saint but when everyone looked at Moltres...

She had hung her head low, her eyes were filled with a dull mixture of sadness and anger. "S-stop it," she hissed to the dungeon but her words lacked a certain conviction and she looked just about ready to curl up in a ball and let the Shadows consume her. Yet something kept her pressing on for now, her magenta flames blazing, until what she might've considered the bitter end. "I won't let you— I can't let you do this!"

Ally Phase​

Moltres used Fiery Wrath on Void Swarms A and B! It dealt 19 damage to Void Swarm A and 18 damage to Void Swarm B!

Moltres seems to be a bit out of it... Try to Call her to rally her!

---

Enemy Phase, Turn 1​

The shadows were quick to retaliate in kind. The pair of remaining wisps flew in opposite directions to divide their attention between the intruders of the burnt village and Dave, singing in distorted and offkey birdsong.

Wisp A walked to Burnt Village!
Wisp A used Safeguard!
Wisp A used Will-O-Wisp on Odette! Protected!
Wisp A's Incinerate dealt 11 damage to Odette's Protect Shield! It's super effective!
Wisp A's Incinerate dealt 5 damage to Jade!

Wisp C walked to Shrine Debris!
Wisp C called out to Blazing Dawn!
Wisp C's used Will-O-Wisp on Dave! Burned!
Wisp C's Incinerate dealt 12 damage to Dave!

The wisp that approached Dave and the Blazing Dawn let out a shrill cry, causing some of its form to flow into the apparition, empowering it in some way, before its attention turned to the mightyena.

The other swarms mindlessly attacked whatever was closest but the Dawn...

Void Swarm A Focused...
Void Swarm A's STRONG Shadow Rush dealt 25 damage to Odette's Protect Shield! It's super effective!
Odette's Protect broke...
Void Swarm A expanded to Ashy Ascent!

Void Swarm B Focused...
Void Swarm B's Fury Swipes dealt 5, 6, 6, 5, and then 6 damage to Jade!
Void Swarm B expanded to Ashy Ascent!

The Dawn was going to rain fire and fury on all who dared to trespass upon its domain and it was going to do so without mercy. Moltres could only look on in sick horror and cry out to the Wayfarers in warning as its form glowed brighter as it began to prepare a devastating attack.

"Jade! Odette! Get out of the way!"

Legendary Action: Status Cure!
Blazing Dawn's Ancient Power dealt 26 damage to Dave! Blazing Dawn's stats were boosted by +1!
Blazing Dawn's Scorching Sands dealt 35 damage to Dave!
Blazing Dawn dashed to Ashy Ascent!
Blazing Dawn dashed to Burnt Village!
Blazing Dawn's AGILE Heat Wave dealt 29 damage to Odette! It's super effective!
Blazing Dawn's AGILE Heat Wave dealt 17 damage to Jade!
Blazing Dawn's Heat Wave dealt 36 damage to Odette! It's super effective!
Blazing Dawn's Heat Wave dealt 24 damage to Jade!
Legendary Action: Sure Hit!
Blazing Dawn's Hurricane dealt 39 damage to Odette! It's not very effective...
Blazing Dawn's Hurricane dealt 55 damage to Jade!
Blazing Dawn walked to Ashy Ascent!

Boss Attack: Blazing Dawn is preparing Heat Wave.
Target: Burnt Village.

Attention is split evenly between everyone!
Dave gained +10 SHD...

 

[Butterfree]

Why the fuck was it always fire.

The wisp's attack was nothing, really, but it left a lingering burn that made his skin feel sensitive and delicate and raw. He scarfed down a Heal Seed as he sharpened his claws again, ignoring the wisp in favor of putting on speed to dash back up where the shadowy Moltres was, readying a Rock Smash. The Shadows weren't receding, still lapping at his edges, but at least the steel in his soul was still there, a convenient shield that made it harder to care.

"Moltres, snap out of it!" he growled. "Help us take this thing down!"

Spoiler: Turn 2

Dave (127 STM, 10 TMP, +0 SPD, +3 ACC, 42 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- **Act:** Item (Heal Seed) @ Burn
- Dash to Ashy Ascent (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Rock Smash @ Blazing Dawn (-16.5 STM, +6 TMP)
- Activate ability (Pickpocket) @ Blazing Dawn's Def
- Rock Smash @ Blazing Dawn (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Adept) (-11 STM, -3 TMP, +6 TMP)
- CRITICAL Relentless Soul @ Blazing Dawn (-30 STM, -6 TMP, +6 TMP)
Net change: -76 STM, +9 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 51 STM (104 after regen), 19 TMP, 42 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Sinderella]

After having most of the attacks from the wisps and voids bounce off of her, she got into her groove pretty quickly. She tried to not remind herself that almost every attack coming her way was one of heat, because as of this moment, she had everything under control.

Until, of course, she didn't.

Moltres' doppelganger rained fire and flame upon them, the real Moltres' warning coming just a second too slow. The flaming breath that licked at her skin and began to singe holes in the fabric of her dress made her cry out, and her head spun with a mixture of pain and fear. It was always fire. It had to be fucking fire.

With remnants of Radiance sparkling within in her blood, she managed to settle herself and her head before she could panic. Just like Moltres couldn't sink into anxiety-fueled stasis, she couldn't either.

"Come on, now, Moltres," she said, a deadly calm shrouding her tone. "Doesn't it piss you off that he thinks he can emulate you like this? Let's show Alex and his shadows what fucking for."

Spoiler: Odette Turn 2

Odette (120 STM, 9 TMP, +1 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 14 RAD)
- **Act:** Call @ Moltres
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- RADIANT Draining Kiss @ Dawn Void Swarm B (-9 STM, +2 TMP, +9 RAD)
- Dash to Ashy Ascent (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Play Rough @ Dawn Void Swarm A (-24 STM, -2 TMP, +2 TMP)
- Play Rough @ Blazing Dawn (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (-16 STM, +2 TMP)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Blazing Dawn AI
Net change: -46 STM, +7 TMP, +0 SHD, +9 RAD
Net totals: 74 STM (117 after regen), 16 TMP, 0 SHD, 23 RAD

 

[Chibi Pika]

The Dawn was going to rain fire and fury on all who dared to trespass upon its domain and it was going to do so without mercy. Moltres could only look on in sick horror and cry out to the Wayfarers in warning as its form glowed brighter as it began to prepare a devastating attack.

"Jade! Odette! Get out of the way!"

Jade recoiled in horror as the thing that looked like the Blazing Dawn rained fire down on the burned village. She desperately spun around and scrambled up the ash-strewn hill as fast as possible. Had to get away, had to get away—

Too late. Jade stumbled into the ash and felt the searing heat across her fur. She wanted to curl into a ball, she wanted to be anywhere else. But she had to keep going, there was an opportunity here, she had to grab it, come on, come on—

With the light buzzing in her ears, Jade fired a few more strings of electricity at the wispy flame-wraiths (easy, she could do this, she could help, she could matter) while Moltres was still hesitating.

"Moltres! I—I know it's gotta suck being here. You shouldn't have to be dealing with this." She imagined herself, back amongst the ashes of Midnight Stadium. "But you can't—you can't let him get away with this!"

Spoiler: Jade Turn 2

Jade (168 STM, 19 TMP, +0 SPD, +5 ACC, 0 SHD, 10 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Sitrus Berry)
- Dash to Ashy Ascent (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Charge Beam @ Wisp A (ACTIVATE: effect) (-18 STM, -3 TMP, +7 TMP) [+1 Mag]
- Charge Beam @ Wisp A (ACTIVATE: effect) (-12 STM, -3 TMP, +7 TMP) [+1 Mag]
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- RADIANT Thunderbolt @ Wisp C (-21 STM, -2 TMP, +8 TMP, +18 RAD)
Net change: -51 STM, +11 TMP, +0 SHD, +18 RAD
Net totals: 117 STM (160 after regen), 30 TMP, 0 SHD, 28 RAD

 

[Inkedust]

Player Phase, Turn 2​

Dave used Hone Claws! +1 Atk, +1 Acc!
Dave's Heal Seed cured his Burn!
Dave's AGILE Rock Smash dealt 4 damage to Blazing Dawn!
Dave's Pickpocket took Blazing Dawn's Def stage!
Dave's Rock Smash dealt 6 damage to Blazing Dawn! -1 Def!
Dave's Relentless Soul dealt a CRITICAL 19 damage to Blazing Dawn!

Odette called out to Moltres!
Odette's RADIANT Draining Kiss dealt 70 damage to Dawn Void Swarm B! It's ultra effective! Dawn Void Swarm B is forced to reconstitute...
Odette's AGILE Play Rough dealt 67 damage to Dawn Void Swarm A!
Odette's Play Rough dealt 12 damage to Blazing Dawn!
Odette's Spotter Feat! Blazing Dawn's AI—

The Blazing Dawn is fully focused on all-out-offence using powerful spread moves and will used all of its most devastating attacks on the unit with the highest aggro! If aggro is equally divided, it will spread its offence across the entire field. The Blazing Dawn will also ensure that at least one of its Wisps are still standing to take advantage of Safeguard. If all of its Wisps are destroyed, it will spend an Action restoring their HPs by 100.

Jade used a Sitrus Berry! +100 HP!
Jade's AGILE Charge Beam dealt 34 damage to Wisp A! +1 Mag!
Jade's Charge Beam dealt 58 damage to Wisp A! +1 Mag! Wisp A dissipated...
Jade's RADIANT Thunderbolt dealt 142 damage to Wisp C! It's ultra effective! Wisp C dissipated...

Moltres looked between the Wayfarers, watching them fight against odds that looked nigh on impossible, and began to feel invigorated. Her gaze lingered on Odette and she responded with a determined nod. "Yeah... yeah you're right. I-I'm gonna tear him apart, rip the Relic right out of this dungeon and show everyone else what for!" As she spoke, shadows stirred around the firebird's feet but these felt different, more distinct from the smothering shadows that composed the environment. Was she taking in the surrounding Shadow and making it her own?

It looked rough and it seemed that Moltres wasn't entirely sure about what she was doing, like a baby deerling trying to stand for the first time, but it was undeniable: Moltres was charging up some sort of move and she has no intention at aiming it at anything other than the Dawn apparition.

Ally Phase​

Odette's Call reaches Moltres! Moltres gains an extra action!

Moltres walked to Ashy Ascent!
Moltres used Fiery Wrath on Void Swarm A and the Blazing Dawn! It dealt 19 damage to Void Swarm A and 3 damage to the Blazing Dawn! Dawn Void Swarm A is forced to reconstitute...
Moltres used Burning Jealousy on the Blazing Dawn! It dealt 4 damage! Safeguard protected it from being Burned!

It looks like Moltres' Shadows are reacting to the Dungeon. Could she use them to her advantage and turn the tide of the fight? Try encouraging her through Calls!

Calls: 1

---

Enemy Phase, Turn 2​

Boss Attack: The Blazing Dawn used Heat Wave on Ashy Ascent! It struck everyone in the zone for 29, 27, and 36 damage to Dave, Jade and Odette respectively! It's super effective on Odette!

And the Dawn responded in kind. With a garbled cry it turned its attention towards the ash-covered slope and bore down on everyone there with an intense heat before swooping down and following up with volcanic rock and burning ash.

Blazing Dawn Focused...
Blazing Dawn's Flame Body burned Odette!
Legendary Action: Multi-Enemy Targeting!
Blazing Dawn's Ancient Power dealt a grazing 8, a dodged 0 and 10 damage to Dave, Jade and Odette respectively! It's not very effective on Odette...
Legendary Action: Sure Crit!
Blazing Dawn's Scorching Sands dealt a CRITICAL 37 damage to Jade!
Blazing Dawn's Hurricane dealt a grazing 27, 25 and 16 damage to Dave, Jade and Odette respectively! It's not very effective on Odette...
Flames rain down across all zones! The Wisps gain +100 HP!

The, its flames grew brighter and with a couple of wing beats, three purple embers fell to the earth, reigniting the Wisps that had been snuffed out. Then, sensing a disturbance in the shadows it drew from, its gaze shifted to Moltres and screeched, rushing right towards her in a desperate attempt to stop what she is doing; its flames growing brighter and brighter as it did so.

Boss Attack: Blazing Dawn is preparing Umbral Illumination. It's a self-targeting move!

Attention remains split between all three units but the Blazing Dawn is now fully focused on Moltres!
Everyone gained +10 SHD...
The Void Swarms reconstitute...

 

[Chibi Pika]

The false Dawn was lighting up with something, some shadowy glow, and all Jade could do was grab an Orb from her bag and crack it and hope that it would shield her from view while she picked off more of the wisps with scattered beams of lightning (it was easier now, freer, it felt like it was hers). All the while, she kept her eyes on Moltres

“Those shadows… that’s your power, isn’t it?” Jade asked. “You can make it yours.”

They’d been a source of pain and fear before, but now…

Spoiler: Jade Turn 3

Jade (160 STM, 30 TMP, +0 SPD, +5 ACC, 10 SHD, 28 RAD)
- **Act:** Call @ Moltres
- Thunderbolt @ Wisp A (-21 STM, -2 TMP, +8 TMP)
- Dash to Burnt Village (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Charge Beam @ Wisp C (-18 STM, +7 TMP)
- Charge Beam @ Wisp C (-12 STM, +7 TMP)
- **Act:** Item (Invisify Orb)
Net change: -51 STM, +0 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 109 STM (152 after regen), 30 TMP, 10 SHD, 28 RAD