Lethe

[Namohysip]

"Hey, Mhynt?"

"What?" Mhynt nimbly dodged the worst of it, only getting a brief graze against her side before glancing at Owen, making sure he was still in one piece. Yes, so far, so good.

"We aren't doing a whole lot of corruption. Shouldn't we be doing that?"

Mhynt grunted. "I haven't found the opportunity."

"Forget opportunity! Why not a Radiant strike?"

"This thing... doesn't seem to be Shadowed enough," Mhynt said. "It's a different entity. It's more... physical, I don't know--"

"If we're gonna take on Powehi later, maybe we should prepare? Get... Radianted up?"

"...Whatever." It was less efficient, but Mhynt was decently confident at the damage they could deal once they had Ting-Lu on the backstep. "Dave! Isidora! I'm ready to finish this!"

She ran forward, a blade of light ready to cleave through the embodiment.

"Don't get reckless," Zena hissed, sending a wave of healing mist Mhynt's way.

Spoiler: Mhynt Turn 3

Mhynt (246 STM, 18 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 8 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Screech @ Ting-Lu (-15 STM, +2 TMP) [Owen echoes!]
- Toxic @ Ting-Lu (-20 STM, +3 TMP) [Owen echoes!]
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- STRONG CRITICAL RADIANT Leaf Blade @ Ting-Lu (-31.5 STM, -10 TMP, +6 TMP, +14 RAD) [Owen echoes!]
Net change: -67 STM, +6 TMP, +0 SHD, +14 RAD
Net totals: 179 STM (247 after regen), 24 TMP, 8 SHD, 14 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

Spoiler: Zena Aux 3

Zena (Aux)
- Healer @ Mhynt

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade winced as the explosion of flames consumed Virga and Gladion, but when the flames cleared, the latter was still standing. She gave a sigh of relief, and then rapidly surveyed the battlefield. The darkness surrounding Chi-Yu had reached a fever pitch--not much longer now. Wo-Chien was still going strong, though; had to do something about that before it could cause problems for them.

It wasn't hard to work out the quickest way down to the moor from way up on the cliffs.

'I'm making a jump for it,' Jade told Virga.

'How kind of you to warn me this time,' the Corviknight replied snidely.

Spoiler: Jade Turn 3

Jade (231 STM, 18 TMP, +1 SPD, +6 ACC, 0 SHD, 17 RAD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -40 SHD, -30 RAD)
- Dash to Shaded Moor (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Soul's Adversity (-45 STM, +3 TMP) [+50 BP]
- CRITICAL Shining Freefall @ Wo-Chien (-40 STM, -15 TMP, +9 TMP, +32 RAD)
- Activate ability (Magician) @ Wo-Chien Def
- Soul's Adversity (-30 STM, +3 TMP)
- CRITICAL Thunderbolt @ Wo-Chien (-21 STM, -13 TMP, +9 TMP) [+50 BP, Flying-type]
- Walk to Lightless Plain
Net change: -128 STM, -1 TMP, +0 SHD, +15 RAD
Net totals: 103 STM (166 after regen), 17 TMP, 0 SHD, 32 RAD

Spoiler: Virga Turn 3

Virga (Aux)
- Defender @ Jade [Half-protect]

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Chi-Yu's heat was overwhelming. For a moment, Gladion was worried he'd misjudged the situation, that he wasn't going to make it. And then the firestorm broke, and he was still standing. His confidence surged back to him. He grinned, pretending that it had never left at all. An act for no one, he didn't get the impression the treasures were listening, and it wasn't like he had to put on a show for his allies, if they even would've believed it in the first place.

"Well, you tried your best. But you were never meant to win. Just to slow us down."

He raised his protect, waiting a moment.

Lillie emerged to strike Wo-Chien again, her blade doused in fairylight, seeking to sap its defence. She had to lead her strike into the blows of her allies, friends of Gladion's that might've been hers too if she'd had more time. The shared communication of the Betel's network felt as natural as breathing. Maybe it was, for her current speices. Gardevoir were built for distributed conciousness.

Once Jade and Laura had finished their assault on Wo-Chien, Gladion let his shadow surge into Chi-Yu, removing the indiscriminately-weakening aura of their beads from the battle before there was time for a counterattack.

"We're done with you now. So get out of the way."

Spoiler: Gladion Turn 3

Gladion (211 STM, 7 TMP, +2 SPD, +4 ACC, 30 SHD, 30 RAD)
- Protect (-20 STM, +2 TMP)
- Umbral Resentment @ Chi-Yu (+0 STM, +6 TMP)
- STRONG Soul's Volition (-45 STM, +4 TMP) [Grass]
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ AI
- Tri Attack @ Wo-Chien (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit, effect, Hex Adept) (-29 STM, -6 TMP, +6 TMP)
- Walk to Amber Cliffs
Net change: -83 STM, +12 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 128 STM (128 after regen), 19 TMP, 30 SHD, 30 RAD

Lillie (Aux)
- Paladin @ Wo-Chien [Res]

 

[JFought]

[working on flavor]

Spoiler: Isidora Turn 3

Isidora (247 STM, 29 TMP, +0 SPD, +4 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Dash to Arid Saltbed (-2 TMP)
- AGILE Power-Up Punch @ Ting-Lu (-21 STM, +6 TMP)
- CRITICAL Power-Up Punch @ Ting-Lu (-14 STM, -16 TMP, +6 TMP)
- CRITICAL Triple Axel @ Ting-Lu (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (-34 STM, -16 TMP, +6 TMP)
- Swift Soul @ Ting-Lu (ACTIVATE: effect) (-30 STM, -5 TMP, +6 TMP) [+Acc, +Spd]
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -30 RAD)
- Walk to Lightless Plains
Net change: -99 STM, -13 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 148 STM (223 after regen), 16 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

*If Swift Soul never lands, her totals should look like this instead.
Net change: -69 STM, -14 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 178 STM (252 after regen), 15 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

Spoiler: Phantom Turn 3

Phantom (Aux)
- Defender @ Isidora [Shield]

Spoiler: Turn Order

- Dave
- Phantom
- Mhynt
- Jean
- Isidora
- Zena

 

[Jackie Cat]

Doing well, doing well – she told herself they were fine, and to her surprise, found she meant it. They were making a good show of this, actually?

With every fight, she became more confident. Self-doubt seemed more useless, less reasonable. She pushed harder. How much harder could she push...?

She loosed an Aspiration, feeling her blood chill, and a black sheen of ice manifest over Wo-Chien's molluscoid bulk.

Spoiler: Laura Turn 3

Laura (214 STM, 28 TMP, +6 SPD, +2 ACC, 27 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Helping Hand @ Jade (-8 STM, +2 TMP)
- Helping Hand @ Jade (-12 STM, +2 TMP)
- **Act:** Item (Whiskey) (+50 STM)
- Shining Clarity (-40 STM, +36 RAD) [heal drunk]
- STRONG CRITICAL Umbral Aspiration @ Wo-Chien (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit, effect, Hex Maniac) (-60 STM, -2 TMP, +2 TMP, +36 SHD)
Net change: -40 STM, +2 TMP, +26 SHD, +36 RAD
Net totals: 174 STM (252 after regen), 30 TMP, 53 SHD, 36 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

Malachai (Aux)
- Caster @ Wo-Chien [Flying]

 

[Tetra]

'Leaf-!'

Burning pain flared across Koa's body as Lucario's fiery kick connected. He rolled, tried to rise. Too slow. Darkness knocked him back, carrying him off his feet. He rose again, slower, as phantom flames flared across his body and through his mind. He stifled a cry and swallowed a Lum bery whole, almost choking. Sweet relief swept through him and his thoughts began to clear. Everyone was still standing, at least. But Powehi could take plenty more.

He wants to see your true self, so be it.

One hit. Make it count.

Time for payback.

Anubis' Howl rang in Koa's ears, invigorating him as he crouched, bunching his muscles. He gave a mighty leap. Light wrapped around his fist, flared in his eyes. He drew his arm back, the light growing brighter and brighter and brighter.

"How about I show you the light!"

Spoiler: Turn 3: Koa

Koa (184 STM, 26 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 63 SHD, 11 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Lum Berry) @ Koa
- STRONG CRITICAL Shining Blindside @ Powehi (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Adept) (-60 STM, -19 TMP, +7 TMP, +36 RAD)
Net change: -60 STM, -12 TMP, -10 SHD, +36 RAD
Net totals: 124 STM (200 after regen), 14 TMP, 53 SHD, 47 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

Spoiler: Turn 3: Anubis

Anubis (Aux)
- Support @ Koa [+1 Atk]

 

[Chibi Pika]

Turn 3
Ember-Fen Squad​

Virga's Defender skill is protecting Jade!
Lillie's Paladin skillweakened and then dealt 43 damage to Wo-Chien!
Malachai's Caster skill dealt 37 damage to Wo-Chien!

Laura's 2x Helping Hand boosted Jade!
Laura's Shining Clarity boosted her next move!
Laura's STRONG Umbral Aspiration dealt a CRITICAL 163 damage to Wo-Chien! It's super effective! Took 40 dmg in recoil.

Jade's AGILE Soul's Adversity boosted her next move!
Jade's Shining Freefall, boosted by Laura, dealt a CRITICAL 186 damage to Wo-Chien! It's super effective!
Magician stole 1 Def!
Jade used Soul's Adversity boosted her next move!
Jade's Flying Thunderbolt, boosted by Laura, dealt a CRITICAL 248 damage to Wo-Chien! It's super effective!

Gladion's Umbral Resentment dealt a catastrophic 380 damage to Chi-Yu! KO!!
Gladion's STRONG Soul's Volition turned him Grass-type! +1 Acc/Eva
Gladion's Tri Attack dealt 8 damage to Wo-Chien! Paralyzed!
Gladion's Spotter Feat Wo-Chien AI!

Wo-Chien's intended strategy was to fetter enemies with poison and leeching and outlast them by healing itself. It prefers to open with Snarl to weaken foes and waste their evasion before ending with Ruination, putting foes in a position to be picked off by Chi-Yu... but Gladion has thrown a wrench into things.​

Enemy Phase​

Chi-Yu dove to the ground, flapping and flailing like a beached fish, as it sought desperately to continue the fight. The earth beneath it cracked and blackened, scorched by the creature's heat. Yet, its body of liquid fire was now failing too. Its beads of jade clattered to the ground with a gentle tapping and clinking that belied its earlier fury. The drumming echoed in Gladion's skull long after the beads had fallen still, tugging at his mind, urging him to pick them up.

A vision. Paws grasping, seeking, pushing at another's face. Hot, angry tears. Shouted accusations. Torn fabrics, pounding steps, and a body falling from a great height. Green gemstones are torn from around the neck, from the ears, from the wrists and ankles and tails. Not one murder, but many. Do not look at them! They aren't yours to hold and touch, jealous sinner that you are. 'Mine', whisper a dozen voices in concert. Clutching, covetous ghosts whose envy never burns away. An avarice immortal and infectious...

Chi-Yu's Last Word: Memento of Ruin - Gladion's remaining HP was halved! -2 Atk, -2 Mag.

At first it appeared that Wo-Chien might not even be capable of hauling its way atop the amber cliffs to pursue its enemies. But the creature was nothing if not persistent, and in this realm of dreams and darkness, even time withered at its presence. Its bulk melted into the mud and detritus of the fen, and flowed upward, its wooden tablets first rolling like a watermill, then launching themselves into the terrain like climbing pegs for the leafy bulk to clamber along.

Wo-Chien walked to Amber Cliffs!
Wo-Chien focused...
Wo-Chien's AGILE Leech Seed hit Gladion's Protect!
Wo-Chien's Leech Seed missed Laura!
Boss Action: Sure Hit!
Wo-Chien's Giga Drain dealt 20 damage to Gladion! It's not very effective... Not enough Tmp to crit.
Wo-Chien's Ruination dealt a grazing 80 damage to Laura!

Gladion & Laura's Defensive Rhythm!

 

[Phoenixsong]

It'd been a minute since the last time shadow had hurt like this. The Wolf smashing fear-laced stones into her chest. Alexander trying to tear her leg off. As the wave crashed into her and everything went dark and cold and acid she could hear the old refrain rising again, get away, get away, please, please, get away, crushing arms wrapping around her heart to block out the pain and drag her somewhere safe. It hurt and it was bad and she didn't want this anymore and why did it have to be her, why did she ever want to be the one fighting through all this, maybe it would all be better if she just went home.

But by the time the wave receded the grip had relaxed, the panic settled into wary but patient reason. ...No. I... I can help. You... you can do it. Then, softer than the usual sense of tension and strain, quiet and clear as her own thoughts, after all, ought to be: She's not here. But you are. You're afraid, but that's okay. Let it mean that you're awake. Let it mean that you care. Let it mean that this matters.

Watch, focus, find the way through.

I can do it.

...in theory. Hard to do much when she was still this winded. But she had enough in her to at least keep him busy while the others attacked, buy time for the rest of the Wayfarers to get here. Koa building up blinding light, black smoke-fire curling around Blue's muzzle, Silver preparing to lunge. Hold his attention, just for a second. Don't let him wind up without all of them making sure he paid for it.

"We cannot achieve our goals with any less than your full and true selves!"

Leaf gritted her teeth as she spun around and smashed her back hooves into Powehi's face. "Like there was any chance we'd give anything else."

Spoiler: Leaf Turn 3

Leaf (174 STM, 23 TMP, +1 SPD, +6 ACC, 0 SHD, 6 RAD)
- Walk to Jackal's Precipice
- Umbral Vigilance @ Powehi (-40 STM, +2 TMP, +36 SHD) [Intel: Defenses]
- AGILE CRITICAL Blaze Kick @ Powehi (-28.5 STM, -10 TMP, +8 TMP)
- CRITICAL Blaze Kick @ Powehi (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Adept) (-19 STM, -17 TMP, +10 TMP) [trigger Void Ascendancy]
Net change: -83 STM, -7 TMP, +36 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 91 STM (166 after regen), 16 TMP, 36 SHD, 6 RAD

Spoiler: Blue Turn 3 (Aux)

Blue (Aux)
- SHADOW Rogue @ Powehi [-1 Mag [3]]

Spoiler: Turn 3 Order, Powehi Squad

- Lyra
- Leaf
- Blue
- Silver
- Anubis
- Koa

 

[Chibi Pika]

Turn 3
Frost-Crag Squad​

Jean's Fairy Caster skill dealt 32 damage to Ting-Lu! It's super effective!
Zena's Healer skill restored Mhynt's HP!
Phantom's Defender skill is shielding Isidora!

Dave's AGILE Rock Smash dealt 8 damage to Ting-Lu! It's super effective! -1 Def
Dave's Pickpocket @ Ting-Lu's Def!
Dave's Rock Smash dealt 17 damage to Ting-Lu! It's super effective! -1 Def
Dave's RADIANT Relentless Soul dealt a CRITICAL 122 damage to Ting-Lu! It's super effective!

Mhynt&Owen used Screech on Ting-Lu!
Mhynt&Owen used Toxic on Ting-Lu!
Mhynt&Owen's STRONG RADIANT Leaf Blade dealt a CRITICAL 140+81 damage to Ting-Lu! It's super effective!

Isidora's AGILE Power-Up Punch dealt 37 damage to Ting-Lu! It's super effective! +1 Atk
Isidora's Power-Up Punch dealt a CRITICAL 72 damage to Ting-Lu! It's super effective! +1 Atk
Isidora's Triple Axel dealt a CRITICAL 42+81 damage to Ting-Lu! It's super effective! KO!!
Isidora's Swift Soul boosted her Acc and Spd!

Ting-Lu's head fell to the ground, rolling with a hollow, metallic sound. The beast's body of animate stone struggled and brayed, each call filled with greater rage and fear, until at last collapsed into nothing more than well-hewn rock and scattered soil. The bellows lingered in Isidora's ears, and rested in her bones, a lasting chill that could not be shaken out.

A vision. Supplicants on their knees, their haunches, their bellies, gazing up at the altar. The harvest spoiled this year. The rains did not come. The Emperor sickens on his throne. Fill the vessel. Red, warm, dark – fill it to the brim. Sacrifice. Fill it again. Beg for an end to the suffering, pray for a princeling to restore the health of the land, plead for rain and bread and rest. Fill it again. Bury the flesh of the sacrifice, and try to forget the screams. Fear lingers in the bones. Fear to die. Fear to suffer. Fear of what more may come. Fill it again.

Ting-Lu's Last Word: Memento of Ruin - Isidora's remaining HP was halved! -2 Atk, -2 Mag.

 

[Cresselia92]

As expected, after their attack arrived the counterattack, and gods, that hurt like hell itself!

Bright red flames filled Silver’s vision and racked across his body, and yet this time they weren’t his own. Fire, he was on fire, and underneath the pain of his now stinging and weakening muscles surged the rage that was all too familiar and almost comforting to him. That irresistible desire to bring forth a world of pain…

"Come, young humans! Show me all your anger, all your spite, your dread, your woe! We cannot achieve our goals with any less than your full and true selves!"

Silver hissed at the divine jackal, his rage growing into fury.

Powehi wanted to see his true self so badly? The broken boy that lashed out at an innocent world and dragged idiotic losers through the dirt? The child with yakuza ties and blood that behaved exactly like those criminals and shared similar vices and values? The offspring of two prestigious families of talented Trainers that, for some odd reason, couldn’t keep up with Mr. Nobody Kid from Totally Random Pudonk?

Powehi wanted to see that? All of that?

…Alright! Alright, then! That jackass jackal asked for it, and Silver was gonna show him! Silver was gonna show the overlord of darkness or whatever why nobody messed with him!

With a feral snarl, the Sneasler darted forward and swiped his lethally sharp claws into the Lucario’s body, letting the burning sensation of his muscles empower his ire and spite and the repressed, predatory instincts control his movements.

“Are these claws true enough to you?!”

---

It seemed like it didn’t matter how much energy and effort she had poured into her defensive maneuver — Powehi had managed to near effortlessly break through her barrier, showing exactly that it was just a pale and much less effective version of his own. She eyed the Manectric — Koa, wasn’t it? — with a mix of shame, worry, and regret.

Why couldn’t she craft sturdier shields? She had tried her best, and yet…

"Come, young humans! Show me all your anger, all your spite, your dread, your woe! We cannot achieve our goals with any less than your full and true selves!"

At those words, Lyra felt something stirring deep down, and she stared blankly at Powehi. A deep redness glowed in her eyes and cut through the shade made by her trademark hat, while a neutral smile stretched on her muzzle as her mind fell into a negative spiral.

She had always been quite weak and pathetic, hadn’t she? All her friends back home had accomplished amazing feats and achieved greatness like dismantling Team Rocket and becoming famous Elite Trainers or even becoming Champions.

What could she claim under her name? Who was she?

Darkness pulsed from within her heart, and her empty smile morphed into a manic yet determined grin. No, she wasn’t gonna be the load there! She might not be as great or strong as her friends, sure, but she could and was gonna do better here!

Lyra focused the negativity growing inside her body, her pink tufts darkening and turning black like storm clouds, and a shadowy veil manifested as a twin barrier that enveloped her most injured friends.

Because nobody hurts her friends!!

Spoiler: Silver (Turn 3)

Silver (145 STM, 14 TMP, +0 SPD, +5 ACC, 34 SHD, 14 RAD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -30 SHD, -30 RAD)
- Crush Claw @ Powehi (ACTIVATE: effect, Hex Maniac) (-16 STM, -2 TMP, +8 TMP)
- Umbral Beatdown @ Powehi (ACTIVATE: effect) (-40 STM, -5 TMP, +9 TMP, +32 SHD) [-1 Speed and heals burn]
- STRONG CRITICAL Drain Punch @ Powehi (-25.5 STM, -18 TMP, +10 TMP)
Net change: -82 STM, +7 TMP, +2 SHD, -14 RAD
Net totals: 63 STM (141 after regen), 21 TMP, 36 SHD, 0 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

Spoiler: Lyra (Turn 3)

Lyra (Aux)
- Defender @ Leaf & Koa [Shadow, 2n corruption]

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 3
Powehi Squad​

Anubis's Howl boosted Koa!
Lyra's Friend Guard is protecting Leaf & Koa!
Blue's SHADOW Rogue Skill weakened Powehi!

Leaf's Umbral Vigilance raised her stats and scouted Powehi's Defenses: 450, 450
Leaf's AGILE Blaze Kick dealt a CRITICAL 61 damage to Powehi! It's super effective!
Leaf's Blaze Kick dealt a CRITICAL 78 damage to Powehi! It's super effective! Failed to Burn

Silver's Pugnacious Crush Claw dealt 27 damage to Powehi! It's super effective! -1 Def, +5 HP
Silver's Umbral Beatdown dealt 24 damage to Powehi! It's not very effective... -1 Spd, +4 HP
Silver's STRONG Drain Punch dealt a CRITICAL 117 damage to Powehi! It's super effective! +24+70 HP.

Koa's STRONG Shining Blindside dealt a CRITICAL 196 damage to Powehi! It's ultra effective! -2 Acc, +23 HP, Flinching!

Powehi grunted sharply as he turned his head away from Koa's blinding light. The offensive aura in his paw sputtered and melted away as he pawed at his good eye for a moment.

"Well, now. You can't say you didn't invite this, boy," he hissed, as he refocused his aim on the Manectric.

Enemy Phase​

Boss Attack: Powehi's Flash Cannon redirected to Jackal's Precipice for half damage!
Koa: a partially-protected 39, -1 Res
Leaf: a partially-protected 75, -1 Res
Silver: 102, -1 Res

Calamitous Retinue! Wo-Chien granted Powehi Res.

Powehi glanced around the field, his brow pensive. Even at a distance, his link to the Treasures of Ruin let him feel their collapse. The anguish they loosed on those nearby didn't seem to bother him – he was Dark Matter; he felt far more than this with every waking moment.

"You have all become strong in battle," he murmured, "but are you strong enough in spirit?"

+2 Spd - Powehi gained a bonus action
Powehi's Void Ascendancy raised his Acc by 2 and granted +1 Endure. Powehi gained Persistent Element, Guarded, & Flinchproof.

As the Lucario's power grew, the apperance of a grey-muzzled, tired-eyed old dog began to fade. This was the flesh and bone avatar of a vast and terrible entity, and one could see as much in his eyes of burning orange. Powehi's fur was whipped up and blown about by another surge of power, and pulses of Shadow energy rippled across his body.

Legendary Action: Stats Boost! +1 Spd, +1 Def
Powehi's Blaze Kick!
Leaf: 50, Burned!
Silver: 41, Burned!
Powehi's STRONG Dark Pulse!
Koa: 117, KO!!
Silver: 72, Flinching!
Powehi called out to Leaf and Silver! +10 Shd.
Powehi was flinching and couldn't do more.

Powehi barked and snarled like a feral hound as his body adjusted to the abrupt increase in power. Then he turned a baleful eye on his opponents.

"Push yourselves!" he demanded. "Let loose your hearts, let them run wild! Do not restrain your energies, or your little star cannot rise on your tide of feeling!"

He glanced at the quiet and unassuming Porygon2, floating a middle distance away with a look of intense concentration on their polymer face. Powehi grit his teeth, and kept fighting.

 

[canisaries]

Ting-Lu's head fell to the ground, rolling with a hollow, metallic sound. The beast's body of animate stone struggled and brayed, each call filled with greater rage and fear, until at last collapsed into nothing more than well-hewn rock and scattered soil. The bellows lingered in Isidora's ears, and rested in her bones, a lasting chill that could not be shaken out.

A vision. Supplicants on their knees, their haunches, their bellies, gazing up at the altar. The harvest spoiled this year. The rains did not come. The Emperor sickens on his throne. Fill the vessel. Red, warm, dark – fill it to the brim. Sacrifice. Fill it again. Beg for an end to the suffering, pray for a princeling to restore the health of the land, plead for rain and bread and rest. Fill it again. Bury the flesh of the sacrifice, and try to forget the screams. Fear lingers in the bones. Fear to die. Fear to suffer. Fear of what more may come. Fill it again.

"Yes!" came a shout from both Ben and Andre - though their cheer ceased as the vision played out in front of them, rendering them immobile.

Was that... the true use of the vessel? thought Andre, blanching. I mean... maybe not back home, but... here, that all happened?

"How awful," Ben breathed nearby, recoiling from the vessel, and his words caught Andre's ears.

How awful indeed. And yet, it's not like I can take comfort in knowing this kind of brutality is far away in the past and outside my homeworld. Red... Red killed people for his rituals all the same. And I have to go back and face him. I can't believe I ever felt sorry for him... it had to have only been because I knew what it was like to kill. Like I could have been in his shoes, had things gone differently...

Andre's throat dried up as a thought dawned upon him. If I never realize the error of my ways back home, I still might become like him.

 

[Namohysip]

"Push ourselves..." Mhynt hissed, glaring at Owen.

"H-hey, wasn't that the point of this?" Owen defended, glancing worriedly at Zena next.

"If we must, then we shall," Zena agreed. "I... I'm not familiar with this corruption, not at this level. I will follow your lead."

Mhynt exhaled, shaking off the visions that had plagued her after each vessel's defeat. Then, she readied her blade and pointed it at Powehi.

"Fine," she said. "Corruption. To give Betel a stress test. I will press harder for it... as much as I can muster."

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade landed on all fours after Virga caught her from her fall, and threw a glance over her shoulder as Gladion's darkness did its job sapping Chi-Yu's strength until nothing was left but a pair of jade beads, and an uncomfortable pounding in her head. She forced herself to look away from them and caught sight of Laura and Malachai, striking Wo-Chien in unison. This was... working. This was working, they could do this. She felt more confident of that now.

But then, was it really their own test?

"You holding up okay?" she asked Betel before she let another Thunderbolt fly.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Interlude​

"You holding up okay?" came Jade's voice, over the network.

Structural integrity was fine. Psychological stress was... hard to measure. Betel could approximate it, with these silly little numbers – RAD and SHD, they called them – but such numbers could not begin to explain the whole of a person's mental state. Was that what they were? A person?

Was the entity called 'Betelgeuse' a 'person', or a 'thing'?

They looked like a pokémon. They spoke in natural language. They could care about goals and ideas. Didn't that make them a person?

If it called itself a 'person', was it possible that it was... wrong?

Betel could not swallow nervously, or sweat, or shiver, or hyperventilate.

Because it is a machine. It could whir its fans, to sound like it is breathing heavily, as a deception. But it cannot breathe. Even mineraloids experience respiratory function.

I am holding up just fine, Jade. I will be alright.

If you Wayfarers can handle Blacklight energy, then so can I.

If they kept ruminating, perhaps they would find a persuasive reason to believe what they were saying.

But only people are capable of self-deception.

---

Even as the Lucario avatar of Dark Matter continued to fight the Wayfarers surrounding him, another Powehi – insubstantial, wreathed in darkness, like a dusky mirage – stepped into existence just beside Betel. The Porygon2 hovered in the air, concentrating, their gold and silver panelling gleaming bright and dark.

The apparition cleared his throat.

"How are you... feeling? Truly? You are a creature of Radiance, and even then, only ambiently so. The concentrations of light and Shadow must be... intense, for you."

The cooling fans whirred, increasing RPM until they felt like a low roar.

In fact, it could be more intense than this. I believe I can tolerate more. Your concern is noted.

Powehi scoffed. "You're struggling to keep your head above water. And you are yet to sink under it. You'll have to, to make it through this, you know. I knew you weren't ready."

I am aware. I have no choice but to be aware of my deficiencies. I am incapable of wilful ignorance, or of amnesia. I know that I am small, and weak, and unprepared. I know that I am barely a living thing. For all my knowledge of this world, and of the hearts of my heroic spirits, I... am not a heroic spirit, myself. I have always known this. But there is no more time left. I am not even a person, but... I must find a way to tolerate these deepest of feelings nonetheless.

Powehi nodded. He took a deep breath, and let out a ragged, throaty exhalation. He placed one ethereal paw on Betel's side.

"You aren't ready. But I don't give a damn. Do it anyway, little light."

There was a pause, and Betel's panelling shifted blacker, whiter, giving off light and anti-light that strained the eyes.

What if I cannot? What if I am not a person?

A short, sharp bark of ungentle laughter.

"Then become one."

Intriguing. Betelgeuse had not considered that.

They began to analyse the idea.

---

The Powehi of flesh and blood, still battling, pulled his lip back in a wolfish snarl. These offworlders weren't succumbing to their corruption, so mcuh the better, but there needed to be more. Much more, and not only that, but connected with the necessary will. The will to change, to break limits, to become stronger... Unless they pushed past their boundaries, how could their little star continue to shine on them at the summit of their journey?

Perhaps he would simply have to push them further out of their comfort zone.

Powehi's Void Ascendancy raised his Def by 2 and granted +1 Endure. Powehi gained Adaptive Element, Cursed Counter+, & Trick Counter+.
Legendary Action: Firm Protect!
Powehi focused...

The Lucario's body began to glow, only for the light to collapse inward, the aura within Powehi's physical form showing its true colour. Blackness, as stygian as a black hole at its core, rippling with midnight hues at its surface. Almost a kind of vivid anti-light; this was an aura subsumed entirely in deepest Shadow.

When the effect faded, his body had changed. Swept-back aura sensors, a lithe black tail, a cape of grey fur, a mask of skull-grey patterns around his eyes. A variant Mega-Lucario, an ancient form sacred to a civilisation long-extinct.

Powehi became Awakened!
Powehi gained +1 Innate Valor and three extra HP bars!
Powehi gained two new Moves and a new Ability!
Powehi used four HP bars to create two Substitutes of himself in Shaded Moor and Arid Saltbeds! When the Substitutes are either destroyed or dispelled, all accrued damage will return to Powehi.

It was like one of those Mystery Dungeon tricks of the eye, when an impossible space gave way to mundane reality, an illusion breaking. There had been one avatar of Dark Matter standing there just now, but now there were three. They stepped apart from each other in loose unison, identical in appearance.

This would challenge the Wayfarers to do the same. Tuition by example. They were capable of it, he could feel the potential pulsing in their veins, beneath their skin. With every beat of their hearts, they came closer to it, closer to Awakening.

Then would come the moment of truth for their little star.

Boss Attack: Powehi is preparing Stygian Lament.
Target: All

Oh, I see... Unfortunately this may be unavoidable. But listen... I sense that the damage will be worst near Powehi, and may be weaker the further away one gets. Please, heroic spirits, do your best to mitigate this attack.

 

[Tetra]

To Anubis, this had been a test. A rite of initiation, like a pups first hunt with the pack. Just relax. Don't take everything so serious, have a little fun. And it had been, for a time. Trading blows with his Namesake, testing his power that he could feel steadily increasing. The Pugnacious Weasel was quick and strong and that Steed moved with admirable precision.

Alpha's battlecry rang out and Anubis looked away as the flash-crack! of his radiant strike rang out. His own howl of triumph was cut short as his Namesake's retaliation came, swift and brutal. The Reviver Seed's light wrapping around Alpha stoked an emotion inside Anubis that he had not felt since seeing the earth swallow his trainer and he'd evolved. Righteous, blazing fury. You call yourself a leader? He knew that voice. Not fully his own. His mother's, eternally stern and fierce. A leader protects his own. A leader guides his pack.

A true leader does not let poor performance go undisciplined.

Blind indignation surged. Their pack was not strong enough. He had let them falter, he had been ignorant to their faults and Alpha had paid the price. White light flared to life in his eyes and he snapped around to face Silver, who was staggering still.

Unacceptable.

Desire sparked deep in his soul, desire to fix the pack's shortcomings. His jaws parted. White flames streaked across the shadowed battlefield, consuming Silver.

Anubis used Shining Purgation!

Fire, not that burned the body, but that scalded the spirit itself bringing stinging pain and then an invigorating relief. "You call yourself a fighter? Then focus and strike like one!" he bellowed. His words rang fierce, neither overly cruel nor comforting. He blinked, the haze in his soul fading slightly. What was that? Instinct told him he'd not hurt Silver, but that power was... different.

Across the field, he saw Alpha finally managing to rise and hastily downing a healing salve, obviously seething. His strained stance and curious look told Anubis Alpha had seen what he'd done to Silver. The swift nod he gave his trainer was enough to belay any doubts about his state of mind.

Alpha wheeled back toward Powehi. "I'll handle the shield!" The thunderous crash of his fists against the barrier rang out as Anubis dove into the shadows, emerging to land a few jets of flame upon his Namesake before following Alpha toward the plateau. He placed himself between Alpha and Powehi, facing his Namesake with defiant pride.

"See! Our spirits remain strong. We will not break so easily."

Spoiler: Turn 4: Koa

Koa (256 STM, 14 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Root Beer)
- AGILE Ganbatte Soul @ Powehi (-45 STM, +3 TMP)
- Mach Punch @ Powehi (-6 STM, +3 TMP)
- Ganbatte Soul @ Powehi (-30 STM, +3 TMP)
- CRITICAL Mach Punch @ Powehi (-9 STM, -15 TMP, +3 TMP)
- Umbral Retribution @ Powehi (-40 STM, +3 TMP, +36 SHD)
- Walk to Plateau
Net change: -130 STM, +0 TMP, +36 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 126 STM (202 after regen), 14 TMP, 36 SHD, 0 RAD

rngods bless this turn

Spoiler: Turn 4: Anubis

Anubis (Aux)
- Support @ Silver [RADIANT]
- Interact @ Silver [Lock in!]
(Clear Silver's Flinch with Shining Purgation)