Malantau Terminal One

[Jackie Cat]

Even in the most precarious of places, ingenuity will find a way to perform inadvisable miracles.

Within the distortion of Eremus Fault, floating away from the surface of the earth as matter ceased to behave as it should, was what remained of Cipher's presence on Forlas. Tethered by long cables to rocky spires, skeletal trees, and the ruined foundations of what may once have been a castle, was Terminal One. All cylinders and trusses, bristling with antennae, it was a wholly synthetic, gunmetal-grey and alabaster construction. The facility looked more like a space station in orbit, or some porcelain-white arachnid, at the centre of an incomplete web, than a building that belonged in this world. It swayed and strained in the waves of space-time distortion that emanated from the rift, as if cutting its tethers would see it flung into the singularity.

Suspended from the entry port, a spindly elevator truss, and its exposed-top platform, invited the Wayfarers to ascend...

<><><><><>​

 

[Chibi Pika]

Sage leaped through the snow as the party approached the rift, their claws and paws kicking up white powder. This was their first time experiencing snow, and the chimera had been rushing back and forth with seemingly endless energy ever since arriving in Malantau with Seth, Leona, and the other non-Wayfarers who'd taken the long route. Flecks of gold occasionally flew from their cheek bolts, evaporating into motes of light before reaching the ground.

 

[MintyMimix]

Even in a place as grim and unstable as this, Ghaspius couldn't help but quirk at least a bit of a smile on the sides of his lips. Seeing Sage so thrilled at the sight of something so ordinary was a treasure, and seeing Tempest's— or rather, Isidora's familiar face, was a reassurance. Or perhaps a strange grin was just the natural mouth shape of a Mismagius.

He turned towards the manufactured skeletal remains of Cipher's activities. "Gotta wonder just how confident those fellas thought they were, considering they tried building all this in that," he said, gesturing to the artificial jungle, then to the rift respectively.

And yet, a thought crossed his mind. A whisper of temptation that sat still beneath his veneer of cool confidence. "Wonder if they left anything we could take back with us," he muttered to himself. If there was something that could let him keep his memories going home, or better yet, return to Forlas while bringing someone with him, then...

He shook his head. With the goal so close in sight, he couldn't get distracted. Not now. "Well, looks like our only way to go is up and over inside. Y'all ready?"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

So far, Gladion had been making the mistake of picturing Terminal One as looking more or less like Terminal Two, but in a dungeon. In the same way Bejuardo was a castle but in a dungeon.

He had been mistaken.

Something about the way that the real Terminal One was anchored into the rift felt… fungal. Like it was a spore, creating sending out small shoots mycelium looking for matter to latch on to. Hungry to find something to decompose. Terminal One was a rot, was a stage this world’s decomposition. Or at least, it would be if it wasn’t removed.

The thought of going inside it unnerved him, but they were so close to seeing this problem through. There was no room to let his resolve falter. Already, Nova’s group would be heading down to face Alexander, and he couldn’t afford to slow down.

“Let’s move as quickly as possible. The others will be waiting for us.”

 

[Inkedust]

Bellatrix eyed Terminal One carefully, like a predator sizing up its prey. Personally, Bellatrix would have been more than happy to throw it into the void and call it a day. Maybe Alexander could have a last meal before the Wayfarers would be finished with him, potential risks to the integrity of Forlas' fabric of reality aside. Regardless, Bellatrix forced herself to acknowledge the fact that this was their best shot, even if that fact frustrated her to no end.

It was likely her bounty hunter mindset speaking but just sending it all back without putting a direct end to Cipher's activity didn't feel satisfying to her, not after all the trouble Cipher had caused. Why should they just make it another world's problem to deal with, even if said other world was its world of origin? Where was the pride in not knowing what would happen next while hoping that some else would deal with the problem? Frankly, it made her feel weak and ineffective as a 'Heroic Spirit'.

Bellatrix sighed, her expression remaining cool and her mask refusing to crack. "Yes, let's," was all she said in reply to Gladion and Ghaspius because what more was there to say?

 

[Weazel]

If you asked Archie to describe what he imagined a ‘final dungeon’ to look like, the ordered mechanical monstrosity of Terminal One hanging in the chaotic maelstrom of Eremus Fault certainly fit the bill. This whole place screamed wrongness, in a way that Black Water Depths simply hadn’t been able to compare. This should be their moment of triumph, their last hurrah before they dealt with Cipher and Alexander and set things on Forlas right again. But the Dewott couldn’t bring himself to feel excited.

Because this could well also be the last time any of them saw one another. He wasn’t close with everyone, but he’d still made plenty of friends on Forlas, and they likely wouldn’t have time for protracted goodbyes. Their victory here would be bittersweet.

Gladion was right, though, they were on a strict time schedule, and their comrades engaged in the task of distracting the Hydreigon couldn’t afford to be kept waiting. He couldn’t waste time thinking about the future, he had to focus on the here and now.

“I’m ready,” he affirmed.

 

[JFought]

Isidora felt small, looking up at the mass of alien metal and construction. For any normal building there would be a familiar comfort in the recognition of logical architecture; the ability to imagine some 'mon toiling away on scaffolding to make something practical by hand. She couldn't imagine how anyone could make something like this. Terminal One was an eldritch presence, leaking from the distorted realm of Giratina. That was the only explanation that made sense in the sneasel's head.

It made her hate the fact they were going to use this thing's front entrance. There was nothing for it, sure, but everything about this felt terrible. All the variables for an infiltration plan were in Cipher's control: that was likely why they designed it this way. It still felt weird to think of it as designed. If only they could have had some way to just fly up there...

She could take some comfort from the presence of three pokémon she knew she could trust, at least. And the others were nice to have around too, she supposed; watching Sage definitely took the edge off a little (though it also had her anxious on whether taking them here was a good idea. If something went wrong...). Seth and Leona were known to be strong, Archie always seemed pretty reliable, and Bellatrix... I'll make it work.

Isidora clutched the bandana around her neck. Right, I'll make it work. This is just another raid. Cipher doesn't belong here. She clutched it tighter. They don't belong anywhere.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Laura rubbed her new heat-rock gloves together, sparking some warmth in the wastes. It helped with the physical reality of cold. Not so much with the creeping unease. A space station-like base suspended on the edge of reality? Stuff like this in the abstract was one thing... She was the kind of person who heard a weird sound in the night and reacted with raised hackles – at least, since becoming a Meowth – and this was about a billion times more unsettling.

"I guess we take the lift?" she asked, humourlessly, pointing towards the elevator cable.

"Indeed we do," replied Ein, stepping forward with little apparent heed of the cold, or apprehension about the blistering gap in realspace. "There is no code rotation – due to the remoteness of the facility and the lack of reliable radio communications on this planet – so I can operate the transport car."

"And then what?" Laura asked, as if they hadn't been over this already between preparations beforehand and the trek from Frostforge to here. The cold made it hard to keep it all straight, and then there'd been the mad dash from Frostforge, pursued by Glastrier, until Articuno distracted the singleminded Saint... She felt like she'd already fought a battle, at this point.

"And then we shall see what state the staff and garrison are in. The best case scenario is that I can take charge without any conflict, but... that is vanishingly unlikely. More probably, you will have to fight at least some admins and peons while I take control of the command module and program a return to our home reality into the wormhole generator. Alternatively..."

"Yeah? What?"

"Alternatively, Alexander is already well-engaged in the process of seizing the facility. In which case you will have to fight his shadow swarms, and, potentially, him."

Ein's eyes were hidden behind the dark lenses of his glasses, and his voice was as cold and heavy with Shadow-bass as usual, but he couldn't hide his fearful mood. The thought of facing Alexander clearly disturbed him. Amoral, callous, and egotistical as he was, Ein was afraid. There was some bravery in his being here – or a calculus so clinically logical that he simply understood and internalised that Alexander winning guaranteed him a terrible fate. This conflict was his only option.

Seth pressed one fist into one palm, with a crunch of knuckles. "Well, that's just fine. Three or four bastards jumped up on Shadow or another bastard with three heads jumped up on Shadow – it's all the same to me."

Bravado, sure, but the wolf still clearly meant every word.

"Let's not waste any time," said Leona, pressing on, expecting the rest to follow.

Once at the base of the cable, Ein punched in the code, and Wayfarers began to ascend, two or three at a time, to the viewing platform just outside the airlock.

If the occupants of the base knew the Wayfarers were here, there were no alarms or warning lights to indicate it. Just the howl of the vortex, the howl of the wind, and the howl of the Lycans as they psyched themselves up for a fight...

"Prepare yourselves," muttered Ein. "Remember the layout I described to you. Get me into the command module, fend off whatever threats present themselves."

"Yeah, yeah. We heard you the first time," drawled Seth.

It was almost time.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Sage gazed up at the tendrils of shadow drifting through the rift, their golden eyes sharpening.

"In that time, when we met, the shadows spread all around me. Because I couldn't control it."

The chimera's cheek bolts whirred, the inner segment shifting from gold to deep violet.

"This time, I can control it. This time, I'll keep it from reaching you."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

If Gladion was still a normal human with hands, he’d have put one on Sage’s shoulder or something normal like that. But he wasn’t equipped for such a gesture, so he just nodded. “Thank you, Sage. You’ve made a lot of progress, I know you’re ready for this.”

He didn’t think it would be easy for them to go back to a Terminal, but they seemed fine. He supposed it was a different one. He glanced at Leona, figuring it might the case for her… and then quickly averted his gaze to avoid looking awkward or like he was giving her undue attention. He’d never really properly spoken to her, after all.

 

[Jackie Cat]

At Ein's touch, the airlock's outer hatch hissed open. The Manectric entered first, and punched in the codes for the next door. A crackling voice sputtered up through the intercom as the inner seal began to retract.

"Hey! Who's that messing with the front door? You Cipher, or more of those messed-up magic critters?"

"Cipher Admin Ein, here to assist in the present circumstances," replied Ein, evenly.

There was a pause, long enough for the Wayfarers nearest Ein to get a look into the adjoining module – all overhead cabling, flourescent lights, terminal screens, wall-hugging packs of supplies and tools, steel and plastic and chrome. It was occupied only by unconscious Cipher peons, bedecked in silver armour over black underclothes, sprawled on the floor and on each other. At least, presumably they were unconscious.

"Hang on. Admin Ein, you're, uh— Hey! You're AWOL, you're compromised, and you're outta line! I oughta— uuuuurghh. Ggghhuuh. Hhnn—kh. ...Ein. Ieuugh... Ein, don't..."

Ein glanced over his shoulder.

"Something's wrong," he said. "That's excessively inarticulate even for Gorigan."

Ein flicked his head towards the interior, indicating for the Wayfarers to go ahead. It was only rational.

The voice that hissed over the intercom next was still Gorigan's, but colder, greyer, somehow bleached of the personality and vigour that had been there before. As if he were... possessed.

"Admin Ein and all in company, be advised that you are to wait in the utility module for debriefing. Take no further actions."

"Nascour," whispered Ein, his voice filled with dread.

"Whatever," spat Seth, muscling past him. "I could beat him on Earth; I can beat him as a pokémon."

There was a sound like muffled laughter, coming from behind a steel door...

Leona prowled in, eyes and nose and ears scanning all round. "We're just barely too late. They've been fighting each other. Nascour must have taken over on Alexander's behalf... with Gorigan among the last holdouts."

The intercom buzzed and sparked.

"Bravo, Lycans. Bravo. I trust your journey was not too arduous. Would you mind remaining where you stand, and I will shortly repay you for your persistent insurgency with a swift death."

"Not if I gut you first," growled Seth.

The doors to one adjoining module whirred open, revealing teeming void shadows ahead, which began to spill into the room...

Laura's ears twitched. "More Admins on our 3-o'clock," she muttered. "I can hear orbs cracking in the next room over."

"Form up," barked Leona, striding forward to meet the black tide.

The Cipher Admins prepared themselves for battle!
Ardos and Eldes used their Healthy Orbs!
They ate their Big Cautious Seeds!
Ardos used Nasty Plot!
Eldes used Calm Mind!
Gorigan used his Protect Orb!
He ate his Big Violent Seed!
Gorigan used Bulk Up!
Nascour is nowhere to be seen...

Shadow corruption rose for all units not sharing a zone with Sage...

Hello, heroic spirits. I am with you.

This may look like a battle you cannot win, but do not falter! I know you will find a way to turn the situation around. The Cipher Admins are not in their right minds. Perhaps you can exploit that somehow?

Good luck, Wayfarers. As ever, I have faith in you.​

[ ] Objective: get Ein to the Command Module, and protect him long enough to program a Return To Earth sequence.
[ ] Objective: neutralise all loyalist Cipher admins. (KOs, kills, and defections all count.)
[ ] Objective: do not allow Seth or Leona to die.

~~BOSS BATTLE~~
VS Cipher Syndicate!​

 

[Weazel]

The inside of the Cipher base was just as much something out of a horror movie as its outside. The environment screamed sterile, gleaming surfaces, supplies tightly organized, the overhead lights beaming. There were no signs of a struggle. And yet the floor was littered with the bodies of Cipher peons, easily recognizable by their strange silver armor. Archie knelt down while Ein negotiated with his compatriot, pushed his fingers against the neck of one of the bodies. He found an erratic pulse; the peons weren’t dead, at least not yet.

Over the intercom, Gorigan devolved into incoherent gurgling, only to come back smooth and robotic. The Dewott didn’t need Ein to tell him something was wrong, especially when one of the doors smoothly clicked open and revealed the teeming mass of darkness behind it. He glanced from that, to the door on his left, where, according to Ein, the command module was situated. Of course, that door would need persuaded to open. Things could never be easy.

“I’ll get the door!” he called, wheeling away from the encroaching Void Shadows and rushing over to the command module door. A quick slash with his scalchop to weaken the metal, and then he dug his claws into the cut to wrench the doors open.

“Help me talk some sense into your coworkers,” he yelled over his shoulder at Ein, “This’ll be a lot easier without them breathing down our necks!”

Spoiler: Archie Tun 1

Archie (148 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Sacred Sword @ Command Door (-25 STM, +5 TMP)
- Slash @ Command Door (-13 STM, +5 TMP)
- CRITICAL Night Slash @ Command Door (-13 STM, -11 TMP, +5 TMP)
- **Act:** Call @ Ein
- Walk to Command Module
Net change: -51 STM, +4 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 97 STM (141 after regen), 9 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[MintyMimix]

Ghaspius let out a hiss of a wince as the exchange between the admins went on. So they were not only this close to the edge of abyss, but now they had more super strong crazies to deal with? His eyes darted to the others. The Wayfarers could hold their own. But the others were like him — wildcards. He'd need to protect them when things get out of hand.

In the meantime, he'd focus everything on doing what he did best. He had to. "Archie, drink this!" He said, tossing him one of the brews he made at work. "It'll strengthen your muscles for a lil' bit! Use it and smash open those doors! Somethin' important's gotta be behind it!"

His breathing hastened as his gems began flickering purple. It'd be fine. They'd make it through like always. This wasn't a hopeless battle. He wasn't helpless against a grim fate. He would never allow himself to be that away again. It was going to be perfectly fine! He would make sure of it.

Spoiler: Ghaspius Aux Turn 1

Corrupt Support: ATK +1 [3] @ Archie!

 

[Inkedust]

Bellatrix watched the exchange between the Cipher admins with a deadpan expression. She cared little for their interpersonal dramas beyond basic speculation regarding the state of this "Nascour". Had he been placed beneath Alexander's thrall? Or was he acting out because a certain mutt acted just a little too out of line in a desperate attempt to gain an advantage over the Wayfarers? Though she was quick to dismiss it, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at Archie's naivety, as if lunatics like these had any sense worth appealing to. Then again, they would be dealt with in one way or another so she chose to ignore it for now.

Instead, Bellatrix drew her blade, bit down on a violent seed and took a couple steps towards where the void shadows were most concentrated. "Hold firm!" she growled. "I'll fend them off."

And then, she rushed in, slashing at the shadows before she allowed her own to overtake her form to create a distraction. Hidden from sight, Bellatrix reconvened with the group and watched her foes carefully, wondering what they would do.

Spoiler: Turn 1

Bellatrix (170 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Violent Seed)
- Work Up (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Dash to Station Core (-2 TMP)
- Extreme Speed @ Void Swarm (-22 STM, +3 TMP)
- Extreme Speed @ Void Swarm (-33 STM, +3 TMP)
- Umbral Recollection @ Void Swarm (-40 STM, +3 TMP, +40 SHD)
- Retreat to Utility Module
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Void Swarm AI
- Walk to Command Module
Net change: -113 STM, +9 TMP, +40 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 57 STM (108 after regen), 14 TMP, 40 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Shiny Phantump]

It had been a while since Gladion had really cared about trying to channel his strength into allies or whatever the hell he used to do when he first arrived, but given that trying to trap himself alone in a room with the Void Swarm seemed like the worst fucking idea he’d have ever had, it seemed the most expedient way to handle the situation at hand. Given that, he just wasn’t gonna be the best user of his own strength.

“Fuck ‘em up, Isidora.”

Maybe he should be trying to encourage a more healthy mindset in his friend, but realistically right now the healthiest mindset for them right now was one that prevented them getting eaten by void bullshit.

It only took a moment for Archie to work his way through the Command Module door, which was their cue to move.

“Alright, Sage. That guy sounded like he was choking on his own shadow. Think you can give ‘em a hand? Would be better if he didn’t fight us to the bitter end.”

Spoiler: Gladion Turn 1

Corrupt Attack Buff to Isidora

Interact: Direct Sage to Gorigan

Turn Order:
Ghaspius
Archie
Gladion
Isidora
Bellatrix

 

[JFought]

Isidora glared as she heard what was going on in the command room. What kind of idiot works for a boss like that? The same kind who could be paid enough to travel dimensions and become a pokémon, she supposed.

Nascour would be a problem once he showed up, but the mission for now was to secure the command center for Ein. So Isidora followed Archie up to the door, grabbed the burning light in her shoulder, and waited patiently as he worked on forcing it open. She returned a nod to Gladion. I'll knock some sense into him alright...

Even assuming Gorigan was just the desperate type, how could he justify any of this? Cipher's entire operation was falling apart around him, it almost sounded as if even he recognized it. So why hadn't he bailed yet? Was he just that afraid of Nascour? Somehow, that pissed her off even more.

The door opened. She saw the vigoroth, Gorigan, and recognized the Protect shield instantly. It'll take two hits, at most.

And with that thought she drew energy from her shoulder and rushed right for him. She punched the shield once -- "WAKE" -- and then harder -- "UP!"

The shield shattered with the force of radiant impact, and she carried that force straight into her opponent's gut. But she wasn't done. She could feel hot anger coursing through her veins. He didn't belong here, and that made him the perfect target. Ice coated her paws, and she punched him hard with the blunts of her claws, trying to force him away from the control panel. "Don't you see what's going ON?!" she screamed. "Your boss is screwing with you!"

She reflexively followed up with another icy punch. It was hard to hold back. He came here to do evil, there was no reason to give him that courtesy. Except this human was a victim right now too, and Archie just mentioned talking sense, and the others were watching, weren't they?

With effort, Isidora regained control of herself. She kept her claws at her sides and stood tall, glowering. "You're either with or us or against us, so you better be with us!"

She waited for Gorigan to give her an excuse to hit him again.

Spoiler: Turn 1

Isidora (180 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Command Module
- AGILE Power-Up Punch @ Gorigan (-21 STM, +4 TMP)
- **Act:** Call @ Gorigan
- **Act:** RADIANT Focus (+5 TMP)
- RADIANT Power-Up Punch @ Gorigan (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit) (-14 STM, +4 TMP, +14 RAD)
- Activate feat (Spotter Feat) @ Gorigan's Behavior
- Activate gear (King's Rock) (-10 TMP)
- Interact @ Knock Gorigan away from controls (-3 TMP)
- Ice Shard @ Gorigan (-5 STM, +4 TMP)
- Ice Shard @ Gorigan (-7.5 STM, +4 TMP)
Net change: -48 STM, +8 TMP, +0 SHD, +14 RAD
Net totals: 132 STM (180 after regen), 13 TMP, 0 SHD, 14 RAD

 

[Chibi Pika]

“Alright, Sage. That guy sounded like he was choking on his own shadow. Think you can give ‘em a hand? Would be better if he didn’t fight us to the bitter end.”

Sage nodded to Gladion before bursting into the Command Module after Archie had broken the door down. The chimera bore down on Gorigan once he'd been knocked away from the control panel.

"You shouldn't let yourself be controlled. You should fight it," Sage said as the ambient Shadows in the room began obediently pulling away from the others at their presence.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 1
Player Phase​

Ghaspius buffed Archie!

Archie's Sacred Sword dealt 50 damage to the door!
Archie's Slash dealt 57 damage to the door! Destroyed!
Archie's Night Slash dissipated without a target...
Archie called out to Ein!

“Help me talk some sense into your coworkers! This’ll be a lot easier without them breathing down our necks!”

Ein scoffed, then growled his assent – his irritation masking his fear. He prowled into the core module, then the command module, hackles up, no longer nearly as confident... with his leg gone? Now that his use of Shadow was a link to Alexander? After his repeated losses? Whatever the reason, he was far more careful, now.

"Gorigan, you unruly lout," he spat, "don't tell me you're letting Nascour micromanage you like this? What are you, an underachiever?"

Odd as his choice of words seemed, the Vigoroth's head snapped up from the control desk he was hunched over, jaw agape in a near-feral snarl of anger. He wrestled with something mentally for a few seconds, then slammed a paw down on the keyboard, and kicked away his chair.

"Micromanage??" bellowed Gorigan. "Underachiever?? I'm the manager of this facility, and I'm not gonna let you forget it!"

Ein's smirk made it clear his words had achieved the desired effect. Clearly criticism of Gorigan's professional performance struck close enough to the bone to override Nascour's control...

"Are you? Or is it Nascour? The chain of command in this facility is unclear, Admin Gorigan!"

Though Ein was too afraid to use his own Shadows, he handily lashed out with Electric energy as Gorigan swiped at him with a clawed paw.

Gladion buffed Isidora!
Gladion told Sage what to do!

“Alright, Sage. That guy sounded like he was choking on his own shadow. Think you can give ‘em a hand? Would be better if he didn’t fight us to the bitter end.”

"You shouldn't let yourself be controlled. You should fight it."

Gorigan huffed and lowed, clutching at his head.

"Huuurrgh...! C-can't! I can't, not while he's concentrating—"

The admin was trying, but until Nascour appeared – and took a beating of his own – he wouldn't break free. At least this was progress...

Isidora's AGILE Power-Up Punch dealt 68 damage to the Protect! Shield shattered!
Isidora called out to Gorigan!

"WAKE -- UP! Don't you see what's going ON?! Your boss is screwing with you! You're either with or us or against us, so you better be with us!"

Gorigan grunted and flung wild attacks in retaliation.

"You guys are those wreckers who demolished our other base, aren't you? Why would I be with you!? My boss is— My boss...?"

The Vigoroth battled his own mind for a moment, long enough for Isidora to land several solid hits, and send him flying across the room to lightly impact the far wall...

Isidora's RADIANT Power-Up Punch dealt 25 damage to Gorigan! It's super effective!
Isidora's Spotter Feat @ Gorigan's Behavior!
Isidora's King's Rock made Gorigan Flinch!
Isidora's Interact: Knock Gorigan away from controls
Isidora's Ice Shard dealt 24 damage to Gorigan!
Isidora's Ice Shard dealt 26 damage to Gorigan!

Bellatrix's Extreme Speed dealt 49 damage to Cipher Void Swarm!
Bellatrix's Extreme Speed dealt 51 damage to Cipher Void Swarm!
Bellatrix's Umbral Recollection dealt 37 damage to Cipher Void Swarm! It's not very effective...
Bellatrix's Spotter Feat @ Void Swarm Behavior!

Intel:
The Void Swarm is near-mindless, and will fight much as they did in previous encounters. They will spread to whichever zone has the most hostile bodies present.

Gorigan is not a sophisticated battler in this state, and is better suited to command than to brawling in person. With his crew out-cold, he will resort to general smashing of whoever hurts him the most each turn. He's already trying to fight off the influence, so weakening him a little and engaging Nascour in battle might be enough to get him free of control... Lastly, while certainly brutish and belligerent, Gorigan is less callous than his colleagues, and capable of empathy. He's just very... macho. And a proud, loyal team player, at that. He will not kill Wayfarers or allies.

Turn 1
Ally Phase​

Ein travelled to Command Module.
Ein called out to Gorigan!
Ein's Thunder Wave paralysed Gorigan!
Ein's Charge Beam dealt 22 dmg to Gorigan!

Sage travelled to Command Module.
Sage called out to Gorigan!
Sage's Umbral Nihil sapped Gorigan's will to fight! -1 Spd!

Lovrina is crafting a #banhammer out of the scrapped security door...?

Naps is checking on the peons.

The two Lycans exchanged a glance, and set themselves at the door, bracing for a fight with the Ninetales brothers.

"When this door opens, we knock 'em out hard!" barked Seth, thumping his twin on the shoulder. "Rocks beat fox!"

"Bruh, just keep your eye on the prize," Leona bit back, while thumping him in turn. "This is no time to get cocky!"

Seth and Leona used Focus Energy!
Seth and Leona used Swords Dance!
Seth and Leona called out to each other!
Seth and Leona are pacing themselves...

 

[Jackie Cat]

Turn 1
Enemy Phase​

Void Swarm Focused...
Void Swarm's STRONG Shadow Rush struck Bellatrix's Illusion!
Void Swarm expanded into Utility Module!

The mirage left by Umbral Recollection disappeared under a swarm of blackness, which spilled into more of the station...

Gorigan's Slash shattered Isidora's shield!
Gorigan's Stomping Tantrum missed Isidora!
Gorigan is Flinching, Paralysed, low on Spd, and suffering from Nihil fatigue! He can barely do anything!

The Vigoroth huffed and grunted as he swung his arms, clumsy and unfocused. He was fighting off the mental influence of Nascour, certainly, but he could hardly fight in the state he was in anyway...

One swinging fist hit the keyboard of his console, and the remaining doors of the facility slid open.

"Now!" shouted Seth, then he gave a strangled yelp as a prehensile appendage emerged from the oil-slick swarm spilling into the room.

"No, I'm afraid not," crooned Nascour.

The Shadow Malamar, his eyes the red of a dying sun, lit up with bronze Fighting energy as he slammed Seth into the floor with an audible crack. The exertion only seemed to make him stronger, more confident.

"Let's make this a win streak," quipped Leona, as she lunged for him.

"Oh, I can't allow that..."

Nascour's eyes glowed as he extended his mental control further...

Nascour's STRONG Superpower dealt 48 damage to Seth! It's super effective!
Boss Action: the next attack will hit everyone!
Nascour's Hypnosis made Seth & Leona Drowsy!
Nascour's Dominating Soul made Seth & Leona Flinch! Swords Dance was Disabled!
Nascour used Umbral Abduction! He stole away into the shadows with Seth & Leona!
Boss Attack: Nascour is preparing to sabotage the Service Truss! Without a full power supply, it may not be possible to generate a wormhole to Earth!

Nascour laughed cruelly as he dragged the two wolves with him, to re-emerge elsewhere on the station. While he hadn't gained control of them, they were surely out of the fight for a few minutes, at least...

Stepping into the dark tide to replace him, unheeding of the chittering Shadow-entities, were a pair of Ninetales. One silver, one golden.

"Hm? It seems you intruders are both strong and numerous... and have remarkable capabilities to even reach this place. You must all be eliminated without delay. There can be no forgiving this trespass against the Syndicate!"

Streaks of silver energy swept the room, Ice attacks hitting the Wayfarers and allies within, and even those holed up in the Command Module. Moments later, golden streaks of fire joined with Ardos' attacks.

"It is a shame that you so readily made an enemy of Cipher," said Eldes, calmly, his head held high. "Escalation of conflict only leads to worse consequences for the defeated parties. Now there is no recourse other than to destroy you utterly."

There was something off in how the brothers spoke. As if they were halfway in a dream, not totally aware of the circumstances around them...

Ardos Focused...
Ardos used Mist!
Ardos dashed to Utility Module! His AGILE Ice Beam missed Bellatrix!
Ardos's Ice Beam dealt 56 damage to Bellatrix!
Ardos's Nasty Plot!
Ardos walked to Observation Deck!
Boss Action: +2 Acc!
Boss Attack: Ardos is preparing Extrasensory, targeting Utility Module!

Eldes Focused...
Eldes dashed to Utility Module! His AGILE Flamethrower dealt 47 damage to Isidora! It's super effective!
Eldes's Flamethrower dealt 65 damage to Isidora! It's super effective!
Eldes's Shadow Ball missed Archie!
Eldes used Calm Mind!
Eldes walked to Observation Deck!
Boss Action: +2 Acc!
Boss Attack: Eldes is preparing Extrasensory, targeting Utility Module!

A fire and retreat strategy. The brothers were more cautious than any of the other admins, it seemed.

In the midst of the clash, a strange rift appeared out of thin air. A deep, crimson-purple miasma, followed by yet-darker fog and two red, pinprick eyes.

"I figured you OUT."

It was the Hydreigon – cracked like dried dirt and coated in Void-black ichor. His teeth glistened with equal parts malice and glee. And he was about to barrage the team with an onslaught from all three heads...

 

[MintyMimix]

So far, so good. They made some headway on a leader, the strange speak going meant that they could probably be snapped out of their daze, and his potion was working. Yup, everything was going groovy.

"Oh, I can't allow that..."

Okay, slight miscalculation. But that was fine. Alchemy required trial and error. All would be chill.

"I figured you OUT."

Ghaspius's breathing hastened as the voice chilled even the dead to their core echoed from the Command Module. His eyes darted around as his mind went into overdrive. They needed to figure something out, and fast! But with the wavelength that his brain operated on, his first solution was on the more capricious side of things.

The Mismagius floated over towards Lovrina. "Psst, hey, that's the guy who wrecked your everything and is stringin' along your boss like a toy, right?" He asked as his lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Wanna do somethin' really fun, groovy gal?"

His gemstones pulsed a wave of purple as his whimsy tinged with a bit of malice. "Those kinds of guys are thinkers. And ya know what thinkers really hate?" Ghaspius balled up two tassels and smashed them against one another. "Headaches. Now, I'm more on alchemy side than the physics, but ya know how pendulums work, right? Well, I see three round objects ready to act like one in that there room. Don't you?"

Spoiler: Ghaspius Aux Turn 2

Call: Lovrina to get her to bonk Alexander!