Tyrrier Islet of Light

[Weazel]

Again the heat sapped at his strength, but it was nothing compared to the bird’s follow up strikes. He saw Dave go down, and only had enough time to bring up his blades for defense before the Honchkrow was on him, driving him back. He kept on his feet, but Archie knew that he was quickly reaching his limit. Of course, he had no one but himself to blame, for not packing more restoratives…

Even so, with how they’d been laying into the bird, there was no way it’d be able to keep this up much longer. And even light mad as it was, the Honchkrow clearly knew it too, judging by the shimmering shield it had just thrown up. It was time to draw this encounter to a close.

“I’ll drive it off balance, then the rest of you bring it down!” Archie called. He summoned up all his reserves, and charged again. One quick, probing strike, followed up by two more with all the power he could muster. And then he felt something break. The burning hum of Radiance drained out of his system, replaced by icy cold Shadow. He’d pushed himself too far this time.

He hoped it would be worth it.

Spoiler: Archie Turn 4

Archie (180 STM, 7 TMP, +0 SPD, +3 ACC, 40 SHD, 18 RAD)
- Walk to Western Perch
- Swords Dance (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Dash to Southern Perch (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Night Slash @ Honchkrow (-19.5 STM, +6 TMP)
- **Act:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- CRITICAL SHADOW Night Slash @ Honchkrow (-13 STM, -11 TMP, +6 TMP, +13 SHD)
- CRITICAL Umbral Injury @ Honchkrow (-40 STM, -11 TMP, +6 TMP, +40 SHD)
Net change: -91 STM, +1 TMP, +53 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 89 STM (145 after regen), 8 TMP, 93 SHD, 18 RAD

 

[Jackie Cat]

"O-oh shit," muttered Laura, feeling the honchkrow's attention on her.

She inhaled hard and fast, trying to master her Shadows, catch her breath, psych herself up. All they needed was a properly-executed alpha strike. She could see it, she could see the win-con...
"Time to call this match," she shouted, reaching once again for that power from before. They could do it together, and maybe – hopefully – learn something from this bird once the blaze in its eyes was doused.

Spoiler: Laura Turn 4

Laura (69 STM, 13 TMP, +0 SPD, +3 ACC, 56 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Activate ability (Moody) @ +2 Acc [-1 Def]
- Helping Hand @ Archie + Odette (ACTIVATE: Support Feat) (-16 STM, -8 TMP, +2 TMP) [x2 HHs]
- Helping Hand @ Odette (-24 STM, +2 TMP) [x2 HHs]
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -30 SHD, -20 RAD)
- STRONG Umbral Aspiration @ Honchkrow (-60 STM, +7 TMP, +36 SHD)
- **Act:** Item (Ether) (+60 STM)
Net change: -40 STM, +8 TMP, +6 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 29 STM (85 after regen), 21 TMP, 62 SHD, 0 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

Spoiler: Turn Order

1. Laura
2. Archie
3. Dave
4. et al

 

[Tetra]

Koa swore as the blast of radiant tinged heat seared through the rain anyway. He weathered the blast, stifling a yelp, then opened his eyes just in time to see the Honchkrow target Dave with a vengeance. It was tactical. Precise, even inspite of its radiant wild mind. Who trained you? They'd done a good job, except for abandoning their pokemon in this place. What kind of trainer did that?

"Dave-!" he saw him go down, but forced himself to focus on the battle. Dave had a reviver seed still he was sure. Still, he was getting real sick of this bird.

The way it behaved and the way it had kept looking at him was unnerving. Maybe it was just some kind of weird trainer sense...? Could he use that? It was a reach, and a long run, but perhaps it would create a slight distraction. A switch flipped in his mind, and he ran back through the Honckrow's actions in the battle.

"Hey! Listen to me!" he barked. "Honchkrow, wait! Use Drill Peck on the ground! And then use a Night Slash on that pillar!" The commands were nonsensical but spoken confidently. Issued like a trainer. Even a slight distraction could prove useful.

And then he dashed in, quick as a bolt, and lunged. Go for the wings. A shadowy instinct flickered through him, and he listened, leaping and trying to sink his jaws into the Honchkrow's wings. If he could pull it down to the ground, or stop it from flying out of range, then the others could hit it easier.

Spoiler: Turn 4

Koa (Aux)
- Brawler Strike (Shadow) @ Honchkrow

Interact: Try to give orders to the Honchkrow like trainer to confuse it!

 

[Namohysip]

Mhynt spotted Koa's maneuver and figured this would be the best spot to do her part as well. Even as Owen dissipated from being struck down once again, she Teleported, leaving her shadow behind to reanimate, and brought a Radiant Leaf Blade back.

"Time to clip some wings. Go, Koa!" She tried to back him up.

 

[Butterfree]

Dave dragged himself up, head spinning. Fainting had at cleared his mind. Just one more all-out assault, and this fucking bird would go down. Even if he had to willfully drag his brain back into the pit to do it.

Spoiler: Turn 4

Dave (222 STM, 16 TMP, +1 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- AGILE Rock Smash @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: effect) (-16.5 STM, -5 TMP, +4 TMP)
- Rock Smash @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: effect) (-11 STM, -5 TMP, +4 TMP)
- CRITICAL Umbral Recklessness @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Adept) (-40 STM, -9 TMP, +4 TMP, +32 SHD)
- CRITICAL SHADOW Relentless Soul @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: Umbral Aura) (-30 STM, -6 TMP, +4 TMP, +24 SHD)
- Activate ability (Pickpocket) @ Honchkrow's Mag
Net change: -109 STM, -7 TMP, +56 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 113 STM (113 after regen), 9 TMP, 56 SHD, 0 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[Sinderella]

“Come on Laura, stay focused! Let’s knock this fuckass bird back!”

Spoiler: Odette Turn 4

Odette (119 STM, 14 TMP, +1 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Dash to Southern Perch (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Ice Fang @ Honchkrow (-24 STM, -1 TMP, +3 TMP)
- Ice Fang @ Honchkrow (-16 STM, -1 TMP, +3 TMP)
- **Act:** SHADOW Focus (+5 TMP)
- SHADOW Play Rough @ Honchkrow (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (-16 STM, +4 TMP, +16 SHD)
- **Act:** Call @ Laura
Net change: -53 STM, +11 TMP, +16 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 66 STM (120 after regen), 25 TMP, 16 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Phoenixsong]

The last swarm of birds did dive for the coins, hell yeah, and got themselves stomped for their trouble. Murkrow murders: murked. Also Leaf could friggin' see again, that was probably important. Without the aftermath of a goth pillowfight blocking line-of-sight to the altar it was clear as day that the others had Honchkrow cornered, also hell yeah. Almost there...

...almost. Big Bird was still glowing like a stadium floodlight, and she could hear the creepy reverb in the others' voices as they fought to douse it with shadow. Too much reverb, for some of 'em. "Hang in there, Laura!" she shouted, knocking a straggling murkrow back to the ground as it tried to interfere. "You got this! No way he can stand up to you now!"

Leaf called out to Laura!

 

[Inkedust]

Player Phase, Turn 4​

Honchkrow lowered his body down to the ground, as if challenging the Wayfarers to strike but despite his Radiance-fuelled confidence, he was not ready for the following onslaught.

Laura's Moody gives her -1 Def but +2 Acc!
Laura used Helping Hand on Archie + Odette!
Laura used Helping Hand on Odette!
Laura's STRONG Umbral Aspiration dealt 102 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective! Protected!
Laura used an Ether! +60 STM!
Laura took cover!

Archie used Swords Dance! +2 Atk!
Archie's AGILE Night Slash dealt 58 damage to Honchkrow!
Archie's SHADOW Night Slash dealt a CRITICAL 140 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective! Honchkrow's cover is broken!
Archie's Umbral Injury dealt a CRITICAL 127 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective! Splinters!

Dave used Hone Claws! +1 Atk, +1 Acc!
Dave's AGILE Rock Smash dealt 12 damage to Honchkrow! -1 Def!
Dave's Rock Smash dealt 19 damage to Honchkrow! -1 Def!
Dave's Umbral Recklessness dealt a CRITICAL 164 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective!
Dave's SHADOW Relentless Soul dealt a CRITICAL 225 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective!
Dave's Pickpocket stole +1 Mag from Honchkrow!
Dave took cover!

With the amount of times Honchkrow screamed throughout the fight, the Wayfarers might've expected that he had ravaged his vocal cords to a weak rasp yet he still found ways to blow out their eardrums. He began to shamble in an attempt to counterattack but then...

Koa's Interact: Honchkrow listens! He is extremely obedient but before he can attack...

Koa's calls immediately drew Honchkrow to attention. He stiffened, straightening his posture, as he listened to the elecktrike's demands. Though mildly confusing, it did not appear that this pokémon was one to question his trainer. He clicked his beak in understanding and he turned instantly. Maybe watching him intentionally whiff his strikes might have been mildly entertaining to watch but before he could even land a blow, he was knocked over from behind from more shadow energy.

Koa's SHADOW Aux strike dealt 226 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective! KO!!!

The attacks continue...

Odette's AGILE Ice Fang dealt 53 damage to Honchkrow! It's super effective!
Odette's Ice Fang dealt 68 damage to Honchkrow! It's super effective!
Odette's SHADOW Play Rough dealt 102 damage to Honchkrow! It's ultra effective!
Odette called out to Laura!

Victory!!!​

The bird reeled back from all the attacks, his beak glowing in attempt to counterattack but then... it all sputtered out. The light in beak, talons, feathers and eyes... Gone. Just like that.

And without and further fanfare, he fell to the ground, out cold. Between having no leader to command them and the countless other knocked out murkrow that littered the dungeon floor, the remaining murders squawked and fled the scene, leaving the Wayfarers alone with their companions.

Just what did they intend to do?

 

[Tetra]

It listened. Not just got distracted, Honchkrow listened. Just before he took it down, the bird was about to obey. He almost felt bad. If it was trained, it wasn't like some... villain. It was sent here, then left behind. Why? A mission? Or... was it not good enough?

Koa approached the downed bird, trainer instincts kicking in. He wasn't the enemy now, he was a pokemon bested in a fight, and etiquette said Koa was obliged to check on him, offer a berry.

He paused a few feet away, watching for retaliation. Then he pulled out a Sitrus berry and rolled it toward the Honchkrow. "That was a good battle. You fought well." Before he said more, he waited to see how Honchkrow would react.

 

[Inkedust]

Honchkrow was unmoving and showed no reaction to Koa. Between the strain the radiance placed on him and being recipient to several strong, shadowy attacks, it appeared that a Reviver Seed would be necessary to resuscitate this one. The Dog Squad slowly approached from behind Koa to see what he was up to. They all sported concerned to skeptical looks with Looker looking especially grim. But before any words could be spoken—

"Oh phooey!" exclaimed Garnet, who'd just emerged from the tree line. "I came all the way out here to find a source of Radiance and instead I get a wildren who might as well have eaten it!" She crossed her arms with a pout. "This entire journey was pointless!"

"Not quite," Bellatrix muttered, brushing several black feathers from her mane. "We may has lost the Relic but there is still information to be gleaned from here. Information that you no doubt would wish to report to the Covenant."

Garnet looked skeptical and in response, the zoroark glanced at Koa and Laura.

"You believe this honchkrow to be trained, correct? That alone implies the presence of a trainer – a faller – in this region." Bellatrix began to pace around the area, careful to avoid treading on the carpet of murkrow. "I believe that the main issue here is...

"How on earth do we even interrogate a wild pokémon?"

 

[canisaries]

Andre was relieved to have the battle over with, relieved enough for the Shadow in him to quickly wane. You didn't do anything. He trotted over to the honchkrow to see if he was still breathing - that onslaught had certainly been something - and was relieved to see that he was well enough, only fainted.

"Oh phooey!" exclaimed Garnet, who'd just emerged from the tree line. "I came all the way out here to find a source of Radiance and instead I get a wildren who might as well have eaten it!" She crossed her arms with a pout. "This entire journey was pointless!"

Andre gave the scizor an unamused look. He'd seen that she was quite skilled in battle back in Cornèbre Forest, but it seemed that directions were not her strong suite. She'd make great friends with Champion Leon.

"How on earth do we even interrogate a wild pokémon?"

"Well... Koa seemed to do pretty well with that drapion, from what I heard," Andre mused, looking to the electrike. "He's the best candidate I can think of for this situation."