Tyrrier Islet of Light

[Namohysip]

"Ugh, wonderful," Mhynt grunted, stepping back and looking for a good opening. "Owen and I aren't good in crowds," she announced. "We'll try to pick off a few, but... I can't do much of my work unless we can get a clear shot!"

In a chaotic fight like this, however, the best she could manage so far were a few potshots and slices to clip the Murkrow horde's wings.

 

[Tetra]

Briefly, Koa lost himself in thought as he took in the crumbling ruins. Was that... Solgaleo? Sybil would loved to have seen this. Maybe she could explain more. The strange beauty of the dungeon only made him more annoyed when they quickly reached the heart, where the relic must have been.

At the sight of the Honchkrow, near feral with radiance, Koa decided to forgo words. It was responsible for the state of the dungeon around him, for the desecration of his place. Or had a talon in it.

He didn't care which, he just wanted it gone.

His gaze swept around the clearng, sizing up the dark swarms, discharging electricity to keep them at bay. There. A large group was coalescing around Looker and his pack.

Some buried canine instinct rose up in him.

He raced toward them and called out, his cry carrying across the temple grounds. "Looker, with me! Let's show them they messed with the wrong pack!"

Throwing back his head, he let loose a ferocious and wild howl. A call to arms for the Dog Squad and a warning to the wild Murkrow that they were invaders, trespassers, in the wrong territory. And that they would be driven off.

Then he charged into the flock, steps crackling with lightning, and struck out at the mob with sparking paws.

Spoiler: Turn 1

Koa (Aux)
- Brawler Strike (Electric) @ Murder B

 

[Inkedust]

Player Phase, Turn 1​

Murkrow cawed and swooped down on those who'd managed to get close to the altar. They swarmed so much that it was impossible to even see their leader but they'd quickly realise, despite their sheer numbers, the murkrow were frail and it was easy to take down several with a single good hit.

Laura's Moody gives her -1 Atk but +2 Spd!
Laura used Coaching on Archie! +1 Atk, +1 Def to Archie!
Laura used Soul's Conviction on Odette! Both Laura and Odette gain +1 Mag, +1 Res!
Laura's STRONG SHADOW Icy Wind dealt 57 damage to Murder B! It's super effective!

Archie's AGILE Night Slash dealt 43 damage to Murder B!
Archie used Focus Energy! He gains the Focus Energy status!
Archie used Swords Dance! +2 Atk!
Archie's Night Slash dealt a CRITICAL 98 damage to Murder B!

Dave used Hone Claws! +1 Atk, +1 Acc!
Dave's Umbral Recklessness dealt 59 damage to Murder C! It's super effective!
Dave's STRONG RADIANT Relentless Soul dealt a CRITICAL 151 damage to Murder C! It's super effective!

Odette used AGILE Soul's Wrath! +2 Atk, +2 Mag! -61 HP!
Odette used Soul's Wrath! +1 Atk, +1 Mag!
Odette's Ancient Power dealt 43 damage to Murder B! It's super effective!
Odette's Ice Fang dealt 52 damage to Murder B! It's super effective!
Odette's Spotter Feat! Murder's AI—

The murders appear to be far more focused on debilitating their foes with debuffs and hexes over powerful strikes. They will all immediately attack if players attempt to target Honchkrow before they are taken out!

The combined efforts of Archie, Laura and Odette managed to thin out the western murders significantly, leaving only a handful of birds remaining. The ground was covered in frozen birds, slashed out feathers, and rocks pinning down the wings of a few unlucky murkrow. Meanwhile, the eastern side would find even more success. Dave's mastery over both Shadow and Radiance broke through a significant weak point in the swarm, leaving them wide open for...

Koa's Aux strike dealt 148 damage to Murder C! KO!!!

Electricity rained down from above, frying the remaining birds, leaving the eastern side of the altar cleared of murkrow. However, any and all pride would be short-lived as Honchkrow glared at the two canines. Its eyes burned, indicating very clearly that nothing short of an all-out attack would follow.

---

Enemy Phase, Turn 1​

Those in the areas where the birds had thinned out would see Honchkrow opening his wings, letting out another feral screech. The surrounding murders took no time to answer his call.

The remaining birds in the west were quick to surround the three Wayfarers. Even with their defensive measures, there were just too many to guard properly against. They screeched in their ears, covered them in feathers to slip them up and weaken their attacks before all of them began to draw dark energy from them. They pecked and clawed at the three in unison and the Wayfarers would feel like their own power was being used against them.

Murder B Focused...
Murder B used Feather Dance! It hit everyone in the zone!

Archie: Dodged!
Laura: Dodged!
Odette: Protected!

Prankster lets Murder B use Feather Dance twice! It hit everyone in the zone!

Archie: -2 Atk!
Laura: Laura is unaffected due to her Dark-typing!
Odette: -2 Atk!

Murder B used Screech! It hit everyone in the zone!

Archie: -2 Def!
Laura: Protected by Clear Amulet and Fine Health!
Odette: -2 Def!

Murder B used Foul Play! It hit everyone in the zone!

Archie: 43 damage!
Laura: 6 damage! It's not very effective...
Odette: 38 damage! It's not very effective...

Murder B took cover!

Dave and Koa were subject to much of the same, as a large murder from the north swooped in with the exact same strategy as the western murder. To make matters worse, Honchkrow had flown to the mightyena in an instant, pecking Dave right in the throat through the chaos with a blinding white beak. It would be right there and then where he'd realise that the bird was strong, unnaturally so, and it might not have just been from the Radiance.

No time to think about that, however, as Dave was then immediately pinned down with a powerful talon-swipe. The bird held the mightyena's mouth shut as a couple murkrow began to climb over and rifle through his bag. Honchkrow clicked his beak when he noticed one of them pulling out something silver and shiny. In a flash, Honchkrow grabbed it. He puffed out his chest in pride with the sudden acquisition of his new trophy.

Murder A moves to Eastern Perch!
Murder A Focused...
Murder A used Feather Dance on Dave! -2 Atk!
Prankster lets Murder A use Feather Dance twice! ...But Dave is unaffected due to his Dark-typing!
Murder A used Screech on Dave! -2 Def!
Murder A used Foul Play on Dave! 44 damage! It's not very effective...

Honchkrow is Dazzled! All of its moves are Radiant!
Honchkrow moves to Eastern Perch!
Honchkrow commands the murkrow to steal Dave's Silver Spike with Shining Heist!
Honchkrow Focuses...
Honchkrow uses a RADIANT Drill Peck on Dave! 109 damage! It's super effective!
Honchkrow uses a CRITICAL, RADIANT Night Slash on Dave! 117 damage! It's super effective!

But then... Honchkrow grew distracted. His gaze flicked around the dungeon erratically, like he was trying to look or listen for something. His gaze fell on Koa, like he was expecting something from him, Dave all but forgotten. But before Koa could open his mouth, Honchkrow swerved towards the group of three in the west. He beat his wings, radiant embers forming beneath them as the temperature rose with each passing wing flap.

Dave barely, just barely, survived the onslaught by the skin of his teeth.

Boss Action: Free Movement! Honchkrow moves to Luminous Altar
Honchkrow dashes to Western Perch!
Honchkrow uses an AGILE RADIANT Heat Wave! It hit everyone in the zone!

Archie: 51 damage! It's super effective!
Laura: 29 damage! It's ultra effective!
Odette: 26 damage! It's super effective!

Honchkrow uses a RADIANT Heat Wave! It hit everyone in the zone!

Archie: 58 damage! It's super effective!
Laura: 40 damage! It's ultra effective!
Odette: 38 damage! It's super effective!

A powerful wave of radiant heat slammed into Archie, Odette and Laura, sweeping them right off their feet. Honchkrow stared the three of them down and called out into the dungeon, trying to bring more murkrow to his side but...!

Honchkrow tries to summon another murder but enough murkrow are startled by the Dog Squad's howls to prevent a proper murder from forming!

Koa couldn't hear Looker's response through the chaos, but it seemed that the arcanine (and the rest of the Dog Squad, for that matter) understood the electrike's intention all too well. Howls from the trees scared away any murkrow that attempted to draw near, stifling Honchkrow's attempted call for backup.

Honchkrow's eyes flickered, enraged, as a suffocating pressure began to form in the air. A powerful attack was coming and it was in everyone's best interest to get out of the way.

Boss Attack: Honchkrow is preparing Psychic.
Target: Western Perch

Dave is drawing the most attention but Archie is not far behind!

 

[canisaries]

Andre had had time to worry that he'd have to fall back and rely on his Bullet Seed if he wasn't able to hit any murkrow before they flew away, but apparently the sheer number of birds was great enough for him to land a few good hits - Double Kick, as he was faster at using it than Double-Edge. Of course, nowhere near what the others could do. The others with their mastery of both Shadow and Radiance... Andre hadn't even used any exotic energies yet. Radiance he never wanted to touch again after getting so drunk and uninhibited in his argument with Dave (was he still mad...?), but luckily, the enemy resisted it anyway. So he should use Shadow. Okay. How did he draw on that again?

Honchkrow's eyes flickered, enraged, as a suffocating pressure began to form in the air. A powerful attack was coming and it was in everyone's best interest to get out of the way.

"Ah, fuck," Andre muttered. He hopped further away from the honchkrow, not that he was very close to begin with, and stopped at what he figured was a safe distance.

I better get ready with that Shadow, he thought. He recalled what it had felt before. Doubts. Fear. Self-loathing.

Yeah, you should be loathing yourself, you hypocrite.

There. It felt cold. Cold like on Teardrop Island, against Articuno. Who knew what he was. Just like Ridley, Odette, Dave and Nova.

Shame clawing at his heart, he braced for the attack.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Laura shielded her eyes from the wave of scalding air. Fuck, this was rough, but she could take it. Psychic power was building around the honchkrow – she could take that to. She should take it, she was the only Dark-type here—

"Everyone hit him hard and then clear off!" she yelled, bracing herself.

—wait, no, it was gonna be Radiant, it was fucking Radiant, she was Shadow-type right now, fuck—

Elemental energy, cold and crackling in turn, built up in her paws before she loosed a localised thundersnow at the birds. Sure, it wasn't a patch on the real strikers, she was definitively a support fighter, but still. It felt powerful. It was kinda... thrilling.

And then she made herself scarce, hardly breathing as she sprinted on all fours towards safety.

Spoiler: Laura Turn 2

Laura (198 STM, 16 TMP, +2 SPD, +1 ACC, 20 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Activate ability (Moody) @ +2 Def [-1 Eva]
- Coaching @ Archie + Odette (ACTIVATE: Support Feat) (-18 STM, -8 TMP, +2 TMP)
- Soul's Conviction @ Odette (-30 STM, +2 TMP) [+Acc/Eva, +Mag/Res self]
- Icy Wind @ Murder B + Honchkrow (-23 STM, +2 TMP)
- Thunderbolt @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Maniac) (-21 STM, -6 TMP, +3 TMP)
- Walk to Southern Perch
Net change: -81 STM, -5 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 117 STM (117 after regen), 11 TMP, 20 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Butterfree]

Dave panted with exertion as most of the Murkrow dispersed, veins throbbing with the strange mixture of Shadow and Radiance. Koa came charging in to finish off the last few stragglers, raising his head for a howl. The Dog Squad joined in, and before he could think a single thought, the Radiance pulsing through him had Dave madly joining in. Yeah, take that, little fuckers--

--and then the Honchkrow zoomed into him, beak going straight for his windpipe. He was silenced instantly, breath knocked out of him, and as he wheezed on the ground, the massive bird pinned him down with his claws, jaws clamped shut as the Murkrow frisked his bag. Dave struggled uselessly against the gripping talons, and even then somewhere in the middle of it he found the presence of mind to what-the-fuck at whatever insufferable dog brain instinct that had been. Heart pounding, still unable to breathe, he waited for the relief of unconsciousness and for the Reviver Seed to take over.

Only, suddenly, Honchkrow stopped, looked up and released him, fluttering back towards the other side. Dave lay there raggedly and regretted being alive.

Slowly, lungs grasping for oxygen, he reached into his bag. At least the Murkrow swirling overhead seemed to have taken him for defeated for the moment, not paying attention. He scarfed down a Sitrus Berry and, once his throat had recovered the ability to pull in air, sharpened his claws. Fuck these fucking birds.

The Rock Smash got them scattering. It was almost too easy to call on the Shadows. Everything was pain and everything was fucked.

Spoiler: Turn 2

Dave (191 STM, 15 TMP, +1 SPD, +3 ACC, 32 SHD, 24 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Sitrus Berry)
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Rock Smash @ Murder A (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Adept) (-11 STM, -3 TMP, +6 TMP)
- STRONG CRITICAL SHADOW Relentless Soul @ Murder A (ACTIVATE: Umbral Aura) (-45 STM, -4 TMP, +8 TMP, +24 SHD)
Net change: -70 STM, +9 TMP, +24 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 121 STM (187 after regen), 24 TMP, 56 SHD, 24 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[Weazel]

His initial charge scattered the birds, the murder erupting into confusion that Odette seemed happy to take advantage of. Between them, and Laura, they put an appreciable dent into the flock. But, before he could get too complacent, the Honchkrow appeared. He should’ve been resistant to the searing heat the bird brought with it, but the dazzling light show the bird brought with it proved there was nothing normal about this attack.

It sapped him, hell, it felt like it was drying him out from the inside. He kept on his feet, but he wouldn’t be so lucky next time. But there was Laura barking orders, trying to rally them. Couldn’t let her have all the fun, he was the big tough bounty hunter here, after all!

“Got it,” Archie nodded. He rubbed his muzzle with the back of his paw, and tapped into the burning light and cloying shadow in turn. He flourished his blades, then charged the Honchkrow again, slamming his scalchops into the bird one after the other. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Laura book it back the way they’d originally come. He wasn’t sure what Odette’s plan was.

“Come on, you’re not so tough without your lackeys!” He taunted. Could the bird even understand him? He wasn’t sure, but the bravado made him feel good. The Dewott took off north.

Spoiler: Archie Turn 2

Archie (192 STM, 6 TMP, +0 SPD, +3 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- RADIANT Swords Dance (-18 STM, +2 TMP, +18 RAD)
- STRONG CRITICAL Umbral Injury @ Honchkrow (-60 STM, -10 TMP, +8 TMP, +40 SHD)
- CRITICAL Slash @ Honchkrow (-13 STM, -11 TMP, +6 TMP)
- Walk (+1 MC) to North Perch (-3 TMP)
Net change: -91 STM, -3 TMP, +40 SHD, +18 RAD
Net totals: 101 STM (157 after regen), 3 TMP, 40 SHD, 18 RAD

 

[Sinderella]

Despite knowing every fight she’d been involved in wasn’t exactly a cakewalk, she’d managed to sink into the delusion that this one was going to be. It was just a bunch of dumbass birds saying some dumbass shit about some dumbass lords knew what. She cut through the stupid Murders like nothing—goodness, Koa had gotten tough. Was this how mothers felt when their children graduated from school?—and watched them struggle to recuperate after the onslaught of attacks. She was right, this was going to be nothing. Of course, the arrival of fire reminded her that, as usual, she was wrong.

It was raw irony that, being a raging pyrophobic, she would be reincarnated as a steel type. It was also raw irony that it seemed like every fucking ‘mon they went toe to toe with had some fire on hand. Was it just the heat of the desert? Was that what made every sweaty, bitchless creature they went toe-to-toe with roll up with a fire move? She didn’t know. All she knew was that she was shrieking with rage before she registered the sound of her own vitriol.

“You stupid birds. You stupid, motherfucking, fuckass birds. You don’t shut your fucking mouths, then have the,” she began smoking under the of her own Wrathful shadow, “gall to act like this when somebody shows up to knock your fucking beaks off!”

She launched forward without a second thought. “Enjoy a face full of rocks and pixie dust, dickweeds.”

Spoiler: Odette Turn 2

Odette (131 STM, 6 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Umbral Sin @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: effect) (-40 STM, -5 TMP, +2 TMP, +40 SHD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- STRONG Play Rough @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit, effect) (-24 STM, -7 TMP, +4 TMP)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Honchkrow Def + Res
- Activate ability (Intimidate) @ Honchkrow
- Draining Kiss @ Honchkrow (-9 STM, +2 TMP)
- Walk to Luminous Altar
Net change: -73 STM, +1 TMP, +20 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 58 STM (112 after regen), 7 TMP, 20 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Tetra]

A brief surge of anger crashed over Koa as he spotted the Honchkrow lay into Dave, but there was no time to properly retaliate before the filthy bird ran away again. Stupid litte bastard. When he got his jaws into that Honchkrow... At least Dave looked mostly fine. His attention snapped back to the gathering murder around them, and a snarl came from his jaws.

Time to take out the trash.

"Hey you feather brained cowards!" he howled as he raced toward them. He timed his steps, measure the distance. Gathered his hindpaws and lunged. "Eat this!" Blinding light erupted from his form as he let loose a Flash, followed by a powerful burst of electricity. The smell of lightning singed feathers never smelled so good.

Spoiler: Turn 2

Koa (Aux)
- Brawler Strike (Electric) @ Murder A

 

[Namohysip]

Mhynt slipped into the shadows for now. In a place of light, the shadows were often darker. Right? She hoped so.

Owen slinked between cracks and crevices, flitting between dark feathers that flew in the air. Still no good opening, so for now all Mhynt did was swat away at Murkrow that got too close.

 

[Inkedust]

Player Phase, Turn 2​

As Honchkrow flared and stillness filled the air, the remaining murders continued their attack on the Wayfarers. However with their reduced numbers, they were now disorganised, easily separated and susceptible to attack. All it took now...

Laura's Moody gives her -1 Eva but +2 Def!
Laura used Coaching on Archie and Odette! +1 Atk, +1 Def to Archie and Odette!
Laura used Soul's Conviction on Odette! Odette gains +1 Acc, +1 Eva, while Laura gains +1 Mag, +1 Res!
Laura's Icy Wind dealt 37 damage to Murder B! It's super effective! KO!!!
Laura's Icy Wind dealt 16 damage to Honchkrow! It's super effective! -1 Spd!
Laura's Thunderbolt dealt 45 damage to Honchkrow! It's super effective! Paralysed!

Dave ate a Sitrus Berry! +100 HP!
Dave used Hone Claws! +1 Atk, +1 Acc!
Dave's Rock Smash dealt 20 damage to Murder A! -1 Def!
Dave's STRONG SHADOW Relentless Soul dealt a CRITICAL 229 damage to Murder A! It's super effective!
Dave took cover!

...Was a couple good strikes.

The birds all fell and fled with cries and squawks and Honchkrow, noticing that the murkrow had abandoned him, screamed. He was left entirely open to Laura's strikes, slowed down by both ice and electricity. But now that the Wayfarers saw him up close... there was something odd about this honchkrow. The way he moved, the way he routinely looked around for something... the fact that he was entirely inarticulate...

Had the Radiance really taken that much a toll on his mind?

The bird took a couple steps back, flapping his wings as an intimidation tactic, but it could only go so far when faced with foes like the Wayfarers.

Archie used a RADIANT Swords Dance! +2 Atk!
Archie's STRONG Umbral Injury dealt a CRITICAL 96 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective! Splinters!
Archie's Slash dealt a CRITICAL 80 damage to Honchkrow!

Odette's Umbral Sin dealt 66 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective! Confused!
Odette's STRONG Play Rough dealt 69 damage to Honchkrow! It's super effective! -1 Atk!
Odette's Spotter Feat! Honchkrow's defences—

Def: 250
Res: 250

Odette's Intimidates Honchkrow! -1 Atk!
Odette's Draining Kiss dealt 33 damage to Honchkrow! It's super effective! Odette healed for +13 HP!

Koa's Aux strike dealt 208 damage to Murder A! It's super effective! KO!!!

Honchkrow let out another screech at the attacks. He struggled and tried to flee from those tinged and seeped in shadows and the Wayfarers could tell, beneath all the Radiance, that those strikes elicited a genuine, feral fear in his eyes. It was the look of a wild pokémon that did not know what was going on. It was enough for Honchkrow to start hesitating with his blows.

---

Enemy Phase, Turn 2​

Boss Attack: Honchkrow's RADIANT Psychic dealt 87 damage to Archie! It's ultra effective! KO!!!
Honchkrow walked to Luminous Altar!
Boss Action: Status Cure! Honchkrow cured itself and gained resistance to Paralysis and Confusion!
Honchkrow Focused...
Honchkrow's RADIANT Night Slash dealt a CRITICAL 54 damage to Odette! It's ultra effective! Grazed!
Koa's quick thinking disorients Honchkrow... It blindly dashes towards Laura instead of Dave!
Honchkrow's RADIANT Drill Peck dealt 43 damage to Laura! It's ultra effective!
Honchkrow's RADIANT Psychic dealt 63 damage to Laura! It's ultra effective!

But the blows came regardless and they still packed a serious punch.

Noticing that his foes were scattering, Honchkrow sent the incumbent psychic blast in a random direction, hoping to hit at least one. By a stroke of misfortune, the blast struck Archie, knocking him well off his feet and deep into the pits of unconsciousness. Laura managed to go unnoticed as Honchkrow charged towards Odette with brandished, glowing talons. He moved in the same way as he did when he struck Dave only to double back too early, intimidated by the mawile's jaws.

There was no time to linger on that, as Honchkrow realised that he had some unfinished business with Dave. He tried to rush towards him but a sudden flash of light momentarily blinded him, causing him to fly off in another direction... in Laura's direction, flailing as a couple lucky strikes managed to hit the meowth head-on.

Honchkrow tries to summon more murders but Wayfarer interference only allows one to spawn! It appears in the Western Perch!

Seeing this, more murkrow began to fly in, but constant interference only let so many through. Only one substantial murder was able to be formed but that didn't stop them from circling the area to debilitate anyone in their path...

Honchkrow flapped his wings again, generating more heat beneath them.

Boss Attack: Honchkrow is preparing Heat Wave.
Target: Luminous Altar

Attention seems to be split evenly!

Archie revives with his Reviver Seed!

 

[canisaries]

As the honchkrow kept screeching, Andre couldn't help but feel sorry for the thing. It did not seem intelligent - or perhaps it was, but Radiance had simply overpowered all higher thought - and they were all attacking it... but then again, it was attacking the dungeon. Why do that? What would motivate a wild Pokémon to attack a dungeon? Could it have been ordered to do so? Why had it listened? Could something like that even be communicated to wild Pokémon on Forlas? Andre's knowledge of this world still being spotty annoyed him.

Nevertheless, he slunk out from behind his hiding tree and headed for the one remaining murder to thin out the flock. He'd better leave the boss bird for those that knew what they were doing.

 

[MintyMimix]

The battle had gone on far more quickly than Ghaspius could have anticipated. Without much time for thought, he spent his energy frantically doling out potions, salves, and any other medical supplies he could to help with his fallen teammates. Triage, recovery, healing; he had to repeat those three steps to himself and reassure that things were going to be okay. Still, he couldn't help but occasionally dart his gaze towards the Honchkrow. Just what was it up to?

 

[Jackie Cat]

Laura yowled as Radiant energy seared her Shadow-doused body. Fuck, that hurt. But it was okay, it was fine, they had this in the bag.

"He's nervous," she called out. "We've got him on the back foot! Keep at him!"

He was still dangerous, though. Those attacks were brutal, way stronger than anything she'd seen from Forlasan wildren, even ones subjected to Shadow and Radiance... Like, c'mon – Heat Wave? That was nuts for a wildren. Really nuts. Hard to believe it wasn't a trained 'mon.

...She didn't believe it wasn't a trained 'mon.

"Who's your trainer, Honchkrow?" she shouted, readying another elemental blast. "Who sent you here?"

And why? To loot the Relic, to guard against the Wayfarers? She glanced at the 'altar' in the centre of the dungeon floor and tried to parse the strange, solar symbol there. Did she know it...?

They'd find all those answers soon enough, surely. The dominos were already tipping in her mind – if this bird was trained then he was like Ralsen's team – an offworlder, very possibly with an offworld trainer he'd come with... No way some wild honchkrow would be laying out Wayfarers otherwise, of that she was dead sure.

Even though Archie had taken a bite of the dirt, he'd be right back up and laying into the foe like crazy, putting in work Laura could certainly enhance, but not imitate. She wanted to join in on that. She wanted to deliver a powerful blow. Goddamnit, she wouldn't be a fucking bystander...

Make yourself useful for once, said the Shadows in her mind.

She raised a paw, and vivid darkness bloomed from her claws.

Laura learned Umbral Aspiration!

Spoiler: Laura Turn 3

Laura (117 STM, 11 TMP, +1 SPD, +1 ACC, 20 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Western Perch
- Activate ability (Moody) @ +2 Mag [-1 Acc]
- Soul's Conviction @ Odette (-30 STM, +2 TMP) [+Acc/Eva, +Acc/Eva self]
- Helping Hand @ Archie + Odette (ACTIVATE: Support Feat) (-8 STM, -8 TMP, +2 TMP)
- Helping Hand @ Odette (-12 STM, +2 TMP)
- STRONG Umbral Aspiration @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Maniac) (-60 STM, -2 TMP, +6 TMP, +36 SHD)
- **Act:** Item (Protect Orb)
Net change: -104 STM, +2 TMP, +36 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 13 STM (69 after regen), 13 TMP, 56 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Weazel]

He was conscious of being on the ground. Well, if he took the heat, at least that meant the others should be alright, right? With a groan, the Dewott pushed himself back to his feet, already digging a berry out of his pocket. Time to jump back into the fray. Their foe’s moves were wild, erratic. Big puffed up displays of ferocity followed by a retreat before it could push any sort of advantage its sheer strength was giving it. If Archie didn’t know better, he’d say the Honchkrow was afraid of them.

“You know what they say about cornered Rattata,” Archie called back to Laura.

If this was a trained Pokemon, where was its Trainer? Why had it been abandoned here? Had it been abandoned at all, or was the Trainer still nearby, watching? The Dewott allowed himself a moment to glance around the battlefield. The dogs were busy keeping the birds at bay, but if someone was nearby, they’d be able to smell them, right? And the way Andre was darting between the trees, likely he’d’ve run into them if they were there.

He felt his strength returning to him as the berry did its work. There’d be time for these questions after the fight. Right now, there was still work to be done. With another nod in Laura’s direction, he flourished his blades again, and charged the bird.

Spoiler: Archie Turn 3

Archie (188 STM, 3 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 40 SHD, 18 RAD)
- Walk to Western Perch
- **Act:** Item (Sitrus Berry)
- Swords Dance (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Dash to Southern Perch (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Night Slash @ Honchkrow (-19.5 STM, +5 TMP)
- Night Slash @ Honchkrow (-13 STM, +5 TMP)
- CRITICAL Slash @ Honchkrow (-13 STM, -11 TMP, +5 TMP)
Net change: -64 STM, +4 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 124 STM (180 after regen), 7 TMP, 40 SHD, 18 RAD

 

[Tetra]

"Oh no you don't!" he snarled. Koa recognized that telltale glow, knew exactly what the Honckrow was trying to do. And knew exactly how much Odette especially hated fire. I've got you Odette. He clawed and bit and punched through as much of the last murder as he could, loosing pinpoint electrical strikes at any within reach, tearing his way across the grounds toward the Honchkrow.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he filed away Laura's words. A trained pokemon. That made sense. No time to figure out whose.

As he drew near, he slowed for a moment, breathing hard, resting on all fours. Focus. He had to feel the charge of the air, the turn of the wind stirred up by the Murkrow. He had one shot to get the timing right. The energy was foreign but familiar from weeks of practice. It felt wild, windy and alive, dancing through his limbs as if it wanted to escape.

He waited one moment, and then a breath, then let it loose. A blue bolt of energy spiraled heavenward. It shattered into a misty cloud that rapidly grew, a miniature storm brwing. Water poured forth and a rainstorm drenched the altar and the temple grounds.

"Better surrender before we beat you even worse!" he growled. "run back to your trainer!" Not that he cared, or thought the radiant drunk bird would listen.

Koa wasted no more time, utilizing the storm to shock any more Murkrow who dared show themselves.

Spoiler: Turn 3

Koa (Aux)
- Brawler Strike (Electric) @ Murder A

Interact: Rain Dance to mitigate Heat Wave's effects

 

[Butterfree]

[Flavor TBA]

Spoiler: Turn 3

Dave (187 STM, 24 TMP, +1 SPD, +4 ACC, 56 SHD, 24 RAD)
- Walk (+1 MC) to Southern Perch (-3 TMP)
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -30 SHD, -20 RAD)
- CRITICAL Thunder Fang @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Adept) (-16 STM, -23 TMP, +6 TMP) [Flinch]
- STRONG CRITICAL SHADOW Relentless Soul @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: Umbral Aura) (-45 STM, -4 TMP, +9 TMP, +24 SHD)
- Activate ability (Pickpocket) @ Honchkrow's Mag
Net change: -75 STM, -8 TMP, -6 SHD, -20 RAD
Net totals: 112 STM (178 after regen), 16 TMP, 50 SHD, 4 RAD

 

[Sinderella]

“̴Y̵E̵A̷H̷,̷ ̶T̴H̵A̷T̶’̸S̶ ̵W̵H̵A̸T̷ ̸I̶ ̶T̴H̵O̵U̴G̷H̸T̸,̸”Jawile gnashed as Honchkrow doubled back in fear. “̸F̸U̴C̷K̸A̷S̶S̷ ̸B̸I̸R̴D̴.̵”̷

But even so, that very fuckass bird had a trump card, which Odette realized it was charging up. Through the Shadows coursing up through her veins, she felt a dart of her own fear settle in the pit of her chest. “Fuck that,” she said through grinding teeth, kicking her way off the altar and diving toward the last standing murder, taking a mental note of where everyone was. Her eyes eventually landed back on Koa, dashing in her direction, and she gravitated toward him as well with homicidal eyes still aimed toward the murder.

“̸N̵o̴w̸ ̸t̵h̸a̶t̶ ̵I̴’̵m̶ ̷t̵h̵i̸n̷k̷i̶n̶g̴ ̴a̸b̴o̷u̴t̵ ̴i̶t̴,̷”̵ Jawile mused, a cackle brewing beneath. ̵“̴I̷’̵m̸ ̸i̸n̴ ̴t̴h̵e̴ ̷m̶o̸o̷d̷ ̴f̸o̷r̴ ̷w̴i̵n̷g̴s̵.̴”̷

Spoiler: Odette Turn 3

Odette (112 STM, 7 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 20 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Western Perch
- Draining Kiss @ Murder A (-9 STM, +3 TMP)
- Ancient Power @ Murder A (ACTIVATE: effect) (-14 STM, -9 TMP, +3 TMP)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- STRONG Play Rough @ Murder A (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (-24 STM, +5 TMP)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Murder A Def + Res
Net change: -47 STM, +7 TMP, -20 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 65 STM (119 after regen), 14 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Phoenixsong]

This was, in Leaf's estimation, entirely too many birds. She could barely friggin' see for the cloud of black that choked the air in here. Each barrage of attacks gave her like three whole seconds to see how the ones who'd waded in closest to the honchkrow were doing before all the black feathers threatened to turn the place back to night all over again. Kicking and bucking wasn't throwing them off fast enough; slashing her horn around like she was hacking through the jungle with a machete wasn't stopping more from swarming in. Had to do something to clear the air, get them to dive bomb something else if they wanted to reenact that horror movie so bad...

Leaf used Pay Day!

Not much chance all twenty million murkrow would take the bait at once, especially not with the honchkrow still trying to point them at the Wayfarers in between its various fancy meltdowns, but if the ~shinies~ could distract them for just a beat or two it'd be something. Buy enough time to bring Don Cawleone down a peg, maybe. Or at least leave enough of an opening to see if there was any way to tell who'd really sent it.

 

[Inkedust]

Player Phase, Turn 3​

Honchkrow neither answered nor understood Laura's question. He only fluffed up his feathers in response and barrelled towards the meowth, trying to take her down. Whoever his trainer was clearly favoured a direct style, meant to take down foes with precision and efficiency.

...Maybe Koa might've found it to be somewhat familiar.

Koa's Aux strike dealt 150 damage to Murder A! It's super effective!

Laura's Moody gives her -1 Acc but +2 Mag!
Laura used Soul's Conviction on Odette! Both Laura and Odette gain +1 Acc, +1 Eva!
Laura used Helping Hand on Archie + Odette!
Laura used Helping Hand on Odette!
Laura's STRONG Umbral Aspiration dealt 207 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective! Frostbite! Laura takes -85 HP in recoil...

Honchkrow was immediately stopped by Laura's new technique. The shadows seared his feathers, momentarily sputtering the light from his eyes. The shriek that followed was deafening to anyone nearby and it quickly flew off in the opposite direction, leaving the meowth and her companions to the mercy of the murder.

And seeing their leader attacked, the murkrow immediately swooped down and battered their wings against the Wayfarer's faces, trying to peck and claw at their eyes. Fortunately for Laura, Archie, and Odette, Koa's strike had thinned their numbers enough for the murder's attempt to be... entirely ineffective. It did not stop them from trying, however. The birds were incredibly persistent.

Murder A swoops in and uses Astonish on everyone in Western Perch with the intent to Flinch!

Archie: Dodged!
Laura: A grazing 2, avoiding Flinch! It's not very effective...
Odette: Dodged!

Laura used a Protect Orb!

Odette's Draining Kiss dealt 61 damage to Murder! It's super effective! Odette healed for +24 HP!
Odette's Ancient Power dealt 55 damage to Murder! It's super effective! +1 Offences, +1 Defences, +1 Spd!
Odette's STRONG Play Rough dealt 121 damage to Murder! It's super effective! KO!!!
Odette's Spotter Feat! Murder's defences—

Def: 175
Res: 175

Archie would find nobody else outside his own group. Whoever Honchkrow's trainer was nowhere to be seen and it would be safe to assume that they had been gone for several days. Did they ask Honchkrow to guard something? Did they just abandon Honchkrow? Or perhaps... looking around at the gleaming dungeon, the bird just got distracted by the shiny.

Archie ate a Sitrus Berry! +100 HP!
Archie used Swords Dance! +2 Atk!
Archie's AGILE Night Slash dealt 51 damage to Honchkrow!
Archie's Night Slash dealt 49 damage to Honchkrow!
Archie's Slash dealt a CRITICAL 70 damage to Honchkrow!

Dave used Hone Claws! +1 Atk, +1 Acc!
Dave's Thunder Fang dealt a CRITICAL 53 damage to Honchkrow! It's super effective! Flinched!
Dave's STRONG SHADOW Relentless Soul dealt a CRITICAL 224 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective!
Dave's Pickpocket stole +1 Mag from Honchkrow!

Honchkrow seemed to shrug off the following strikes from Archie and Dave but the latter's shadow strike caused the bird's stance to break further. Despite all the radiance, something was clearly starting to give.

---

Enemy Phase, Turn 3​

With everyone moving around, it was impossible for Honchkrow to focus down a single target. Instead, he shifted his sights back to Dave and Archie and sent the blast of heat right their way. Unfortunately, the rain did little to impede the move's power. Despite its origin in the fire element, the move was now thoroughly Radiant. Only a Shadow Sky could weaken something like that...

Boss Attack: Honchkrow's RADIANT Heat Wave dealt 33 damage to Dave!
Boss Attack: Honchkrow's RADIANT Heat Wave dealt 46 damage to Archie!

But he wasn't done. With shining claws, Honchkrow swiped at both pokémon - this time ensuring that Dave stayed down. And then, in a blink, Honchkrow was trying to stab Archie with his beak. Then, he firmly planted himself down on the ground. His feathers shimmered as he called forth the light within him to protect him from any further attack. Once again, he looked around (assuredly for a trainer that wasn't there) and clacked his beak, daring his foes to break through his protections.

Honchkrow Focused...
Boss Action: Multi-Enemy Targeting!
Honchkrow's STRONG RADIANT Night Slash dealt a CRITICAL 70 damage to Dave! It's ultra effective! KO!!!
Honchkrow's STRONG RADIANT Night Slash dealt a CRITICAL 38 damage to Archie! It's ultra effective!
Honchkrow's RADIANT Drill Peck dealt 58 damage to Archie! It's ultra effective!
Honchkrow used RADIANT Protect!
Honchkrow is Flinching and cannot do more...
Honchkrow took cover!

Another summoning cry followed, but no more murkrow came. They appeared to be completely enraptured by Leaf and her gold. Some murkrow were even attempting to peck at her horn, trying to get it to make more.

Honchkrow tries to summon more murders but the murkrow are distracted by Leaf's fool's gold! Alongside further Wayfarer interference, no murders arrive!

Even Honchkrow looked mildly tempted to get in on the action but he kept himself firm, his beak glowed making it clear that whoever would try to attack him would be on the receiving end of it. But... By now, the bird was weak enough... maybe if they could all coordinate, they might be able to take him down, even through all his protection. Only way to know was to try.

Boss Attack: Honchkrow is preparing Drill Peck.
Target: Western Perch

Attention is mostly focused on Laura!

Dave revives with his Reviver Seed!