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Previously on Ever Distant Odyessy…
The Wayfair’s had gathered all the resources they needed to confront the source of Air Continent’s phantom plague and do so without falling to it themselves. The problem is… They’re the only ones available for the job, and it’s a lot of deadweight to lug across the entire country and three mystery dungeons. Is the end of this fountain of tragedy drawing near, or is it another drop for the pool? Find out in the battle at the end of Konpeto Kipuka!

Your last turn…
>Darius, Brook, Evan, Skitty, Spike, Cress
Cress is now safeguarding...Skitty, who is now underneath one of the ledges. In her place, Darius crashes into Altaria from above for 3 damage, after defense. It creates a pincer with his Stone Edge from below for another 14.
Altaria swallows a berry held in its mouth, restoring 20 health. That falling attack is alongside Ishmael who's coming down from a fair bit higher from the ledges. His bounce deals 4, plus 4 more from the extra height.
After crashing into the ground again, Evan binds him down with lightning efficiency. He won't be flying sky-high for another turn to avoid contacts, but he can still run around...
Spike's next Bitter Malice is a little stronger, dealing 8 damage.
Cress dashes under another ledge.

>Wallis, Orner, Sail, Matchia, Mohka, Ribbons
Matchia and Mohka redouble their carrying after attacking Bronzor. It doesn't look too good after a 9 damage Drain Punch, suggesting it won't take much to knock out. That being said, Neither shift to new guarding allies, leaving the statue in front of Ribbons and Orner.
...Who is immediately knocked out by a distal Final Gambit. Altaria takes 34 damage.
Sail tries an Ice Spinner...but Altaria is up on the top route. There's no hit from down there...

ENEMY TURN 2

Altaria cranes its neck back before taking a sharp inhale. It draws in deep-rooted hopes and wishes, in a way only the conscious can resist. Kaz takes 24 damage from Dream Eater, after which Altaria recovers 9 HP.
Meteors rain down from above! Comets soar in from both vast void in the ceiling and melting from the walls, making a lightshow of the top floor. A critical strike blows Darius in every direction in a shower of multiple meteors. it's 28 damage! Another falls into Ishmael for 24 damage! Then Brook for 27! The light of empowerment singes his body even at Bounce's height...Skitty and Cress are passed over, both hiding under stone awnings. Espurr is caught unprotected for 30, and the Meditite is knocked out in a single blow for 33. Evan takes 36 damage from his shot, and Spike takes 39. Altaria's blazing aura dies down a touch after accruing a few attack drops...
Altaria then scrambles around in its bindings aimlessly before letting out a shrill warbling. With unviable dreams to consume, Ribbons and Wallis passed over for Sing...unlike Spike. He's out cold!

Satisfied its preferred terrain is up, Bronzor moves for a psychic into the monument! It's bodyblocked by...Ribbons, whose newfound resistance brings damage taken down to 10.

Another feral Meditite wanders into the top route, looking for friendlies with Skill Swap just like the last. Also like the last, it can only perceive enemies under the influence. Do you really have the resources to help, though...?
And another Bronzor on the bottom path...

PLAYER TURN 3

>>6298719
"HO-LY FU-
>-11/22 HP
>Evan goes limp, possibly still entangling Altaria but now utterly helpless. Poor Evan.
>New scar gained! His poor shoulder...

>Also thread claimed for the Clover Force

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>6298719
"Would be last one round 'til a pike shot down a arrow. Fer a shield to' docked fer a barrage o' sparky glitter."
>Sail used Ice Spinner on the first Bronzor. Breaking Psychic Terrain.
>If hit, 5 dmg! before Def.

>>6298806
>Crit! 11 dmg!

>>6298719
>Ishmael's substitute broke!
>1HP of sub, well spent. further posts the moment I figure out how to actually spend this turn

>>6298970
>>6298719
>got an idea now, ish salutes the group... before immediately bounding his way towards the statue!
>and by bound, I mean bounce, though more horizontal than vertical... he's not aiming to get struck by any falling stars.
>instead he invokes the Rebound mastery, the wild spirit IQ skill, and the inherited will of a floridian swamp crackhead to "gently" land on that meditite.
>and by extension deposit the anti-twilight powder directly onto it.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>6297214
>>6298719
>(HP 15/31)
Right after recklessly throwing away her life, Orner is back in the fray just a bit worse for wear. "Alright, that didn't do the trick but what about thisss?!"
>Orner uses... Gunk Shot again! Will she aim better this time? 26 Damage, roll 5 or more to hit.

>>6298990
Aimed at Altaria, obviously.

>>6298719
>>6298990
Wallis hisses in frustration as her Wide Guard isn't able to reach all of her allies and the top team get rained down upon. Speaking of hissing, Orner's back up. Time to hope Gunk Shot closes this out, so Wallis keeps up Wide Guard for the bottom team. She glances back at the multiplying Bronzor and grimaces,
"Do these mooks ever stop?!"
She keeps holding her ground.

>>6298719
"Good luck..."
>Is softly muttered while his increasingly blurry gaze follows the other Wayfarers still on the ground below, before slowly they begin to close and a wave of blinding pink and purple begins to swallow everything in sight
>As he loses consciousness, the cold winds that normally accompany his ascent are replaced with an unknown warmth that consumes him before a heavy weight falls upon his back....and then darkness

>HP: -25/23

>When the cloudy birds assault finally comes to an end, his body lies limp in a crater on the ground its edges scorched and still gently burning with that draconic flame

>>6298719
>1 HP (out of 23 HP)

Ouch...
Ribbons is gonna keep away from those bell pokemon for now, and any other foes

>Ribbons uses Detect!

>>6298719
>Matchia isn't liking their chances with the fight so much anymore.

"Don't let the statue break... just need to block for it..."
>She mutters, glancing at Mohka, noting how he didn't take any damage from Draco Meteor earlier...

"Mohka, you're going to have to block those Draco Meteors, I'm not taking one of those myself."
>She's otherwise focused on simply moving/guarding the statue now, not making any moves to any foes.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>6298719
Skitty waits until the Meteor storm seems to have subsided, then makes a break for it, leaping off to get down to the bottom path again and make it underneath Wallis' shield. Using her Anchor to make her jump more of a swing, she flings a Marble Stone at the Altaria on the way down. A fast, small target makes for a good distraction, at least. Especially if it hits you with a rock.
>4 true damage

Rolled 7 (1d20)

Cress sucks her teeth, looking up after those notes fly. The afflicted had eaten a berry and taken hits since then...maybe she could afford to greed for another warm(ish) body to fight with. She hikes a leg for a Scorching Sands...only for her head to pulse as Libero starts up. She'd be turning into a liability...
Cress sucks her teeth. If she had a pokedollar for every time she's needed to swing at her allies this trip...
She's about to withdraw, but the violent intent has already been let out. A bolt of...something flies into Spike.
Special Basic Attack!
"...??????"

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>6298719
Spike's eyes widen as the sky is lit by burning stars falling down on everyone on the top route.

"Take cover-"

The Soulbound Zorua is cut off by an explosion directly besides him, sending him skipping across the ground. A sharp ring and a dull ache in his everything makes him forget for a moment where he is, so when Alteria's song begins, he doesn't fight it.

>Spike's HP: 3/35
>Spike is Asleep

>>6299621
And then something smacks Spike in the head. His eyes shot open, wandering around the view searching for the source of the pain before suddenly remembering what was going on.

>Spike's HP: 2/35
>Spike is awake!

"Is everyone alright?!" Spike shouts, looking around for the rest of his team, but most them seem to out cold. "Dammit! How strong is that fucking thing?"

Spike turns to search for the Alteria, but sees instead the team on the bottom focused on two Bronzor.

"Hmph."

>Spike uses Bitter Malice on Bronzor! It should do 18 Special damage.

Lucky Ishmael the path was clear enough to draw near the edge and grab some extra powder. Meditite blinks a few times before its eyes regain focus...on the struggling terror cloud. There's more confidence in the less disoriented Pokemon not attacking her than herself, so...
Meditite used Skill Swap! Ishmael now has Pure Power! Mind the difference between that and Huge Power. He also has a feral cowering behind himself.

A spinning shell dissipates the weirdness from the battlefield-as well as the already-injured Bronzor. The critical damage makes all the difference in securing this knockout! Sail hears the Pokemon clattering and vanishing before seeing it, though...
While a burst of negative emotion sublimates the next Bronzor unchallenged for 18 damage. He doesn't get to reset terrain, and they don't even have 20 HP...
Gunk Shot flies true this time, dealing 14 damage. Vines and sludge tie back the dragon as it's head is grounded a third time. He coils his neck for another song attack when a Dense Rock grounds his head yet again. 'Strolling Stew' doesn't get back up, for all his hyperventilating and trembling...
The extra down(clouds?) and length on his tail vanishes, the rainbow sheen over his wings fading. He doesn't look at all at peace, but...

COMBAT END

There aren't any more belligerents in the way of the curved path further down. The walls seem to be more settled in shape, so this must be the dungeon's pit ahead. Why don't you gather your friends and move on before more Bronzors start heckling you?

Cress foists up Brook and Kaz underarm like footballs, walking past Ishmael. There's an Evan overhead snuck between her ears. "Get the others." Up to you whether that includes the bird you've been fighting.

115 EXP, for everyone!

>>6299653
"Phew..." That Gunk Shot wasn't enough... Good thinking, Pinky. "Alright guysss, letss pick up the load and make it ssnappy! And ssomeone badge-out Sstew..."
Orner goes back to towing duty with Matchia and Mohka. Looking around, Team Gildscales is mostly alright, on this side she's the only one who fainted... heh.

>>6299653
Taking point to secure a path leads Wallis to the others via the curved path. Before heading to the depths, she wakes up Darius and gives him Rockium-Z for the challenges ahead (with the caveat that she can take it back if he mysteriously vanishes again when it's needed). She also takes a moment to carry the unattended fainted ahead.

>>6299653
>Ish has acquired, 1 level and 1 friend. observing the group for anyone who could use a healing berry.
"Alright buddy, they aren't going to hurt you."
>ish blinks, looking at Orner
"probably."
>and now, to dust the bird down. free actions are free actions. hey maybe with that skill swap ish can help with the statue!
"...wonder why I feel tougher than usual?"

(Element Down.)

>>6300903
(should be another ~12hrs before it's back up)

Looming Darkness, Kirby's Return to Dreamland - https://youtu.be/aqwLEMGX12c?si

Konpeto Kaarst is...blistering. Blinding, too. Stepping out of the unground hovel you've been resting in and into the path ahead, it feels like opening an oven door-only to step inside instead waiting for the heat to pass. Magma pools from many holes in the walls and ceiling to fall alongside you in steep downhill slopes that never seem to end. Extreme saturation and contrast between the colored light and hardening pitch-black molten stone might have drawn a headache from you...had you not already been walking through this mountain for hours.
What is new are these hazy bubbles of light hanging in the air. They're quite large and even brighter than the rest of your surroundings, often taking up the entire way forward everywhere you look. Fortunately, it doesn't take any effort to walk through light, but...

Chapter 23: Yet Deeper

There's a pressure lingering on each of your heads, much like at the end of the Oubliette from so long ago. Down this deep, know that if you aren't under the effects of Magic Powder, you'll get to keep your current typing, but you will find yourself under the influence of Twilight Syndrome. For certain. The agitating buzz of strong emotion down here makes being powdered...almost as disturbing as infection, actually.

Excessive godly lights, shifting grounds, supernatural violent compulsions, foreign voices in your heads...you get the impression it'll be easy to get separated or lost from each other in this mystery dungeon. Before that has a chance to happen...
>Will you Powder? (Immunize+become Psychic)
>Or will you keep your typing? (Accept infection)

>>6313089
"Phwah... damn, this place SUCKS. You fuckers are lucky you ain't made of leaves, this is terrible."
>Despite this, Evan doesn't powder up. Insanity is a better time anyway, he'd say. Besides, he feels like he said or did something embarrassing last time he did the powder thing.

>>6313089
(HP:24/24)
"Ugh."
>Kaz says, fanning himself with his hand
>He probably won't get much use out of it with all that fur on his body
"It's like I'm meltin' in here!"
>Kaz looks around their new environment, most everything a shade of red ranging from maroon to crimson.
>He looks back to his hand, flipping it back and forth in front of his face.
>He can barely make out the original color.
>And what's with these bubbles of light? God leave the lightbulbs out?

>>Will you Powder? (Immunize+become Psychic)
>Before they set off, Kaz rubs a hand absent mindedly on the Statue

>He did just learn Brick Break, but after experiencing Twilight before...
>Better safe than sorry

>>6313089
"Ggh! My head..." Not one to neglect her headspace, Orner breathes in the Hatterene statue's dust. "Ah. A much needed improvement..." The stream of emotions emboldens her, but her poise remains.
>Orner
>Psychic-Type
>IQ Skills: Aggressor, Cold-Blooded, Empath, Pokeglot.
>36/31 HP, 8 Attack, 4 Sp.Atk.

>>6313089
Wallis ended the last adventure powdered, but the intensity of the pressure presses her to touch up with a fresh application of the stuff.
>Powder (Immunize + become Psychic)
"No way I'm losing my sense of choice without a fight."
She's all the more focused on keeping close to the fountain unharmed in these conditions.
"Agh... Even though it's mostly the same as before but worse, it's still worse than I expected out here!"
Wallis is not taking the psychic attack paired with a dry environment well, but she's not taking it lying down, either. She puts up a Wide Guard for herself and her allies in protest.

>>6313095
"You'd definitely have to be a fire type to enjoy living here. Or insane. Flip a coin which of those is waiting for us at the end of this."

>>6313100
"Oh, don't be so reductive, Wallis. It's totally both."
>Evan shrugs

>>6313089
>Powder
She's loathe to do this, but she'd rather be immune than not.
"Please... don't let yourselves be taken by Twilight."
She addresses no one in particular.

>>6313089
"Well, at least it's not water this time!"

Darius doesn't bother powdering up. He's never been infected despite plenty of exposure, there's no way it'll happen now!

>>6313102
"Is that a hunch or did you figure out what could be emitting psychic disease from a volcano with your past life's experience?"
Wallis doesn't appear to have his Powdered statements on her mind, at least. She does look worried at his choice to accept infection and stay grass type, though. Is chatter her way of keeping him with her?

>>6313089
(HP:27/27)

>The burning heat as he steps out of the undergrounds shade, causes him to nearly trip over himself as he stumbles backwards back into the relative coolness of the cavern
"It's waaaaaaay too hot, almost hard to breath."
>Already feeling sweat starting to bead, he presses onwards

"ACK! My head!"
>Instantly his head is wracked with a sharp pain, as though the colors and heat surrounding him are somehow piercing into his mind, making him bite his tongue to suppress another cry as he quickly moves to collect some of the powder hoping it causes the ache in his skull to go away
>Powder

>>6313089
"Let the wind intel the direction it blow."
>(HP: 19/23)
>Or will you keep your typing? (Accept infection)
>6 Def, 9 Sp. Def

>>6313089
Skitty doesn't exactly have fond memories of being infected; she doesn't know how in the world she's ever supposed to navigate or do any kind of teamwork when impaired like that.

She grooms herself a little; not because of any kind of instinct, but because she remembers it's how cats stay cool. It's only a little bit of help.

>>6313103
"Why would we do that?" Skitty asks, as Darius explicitly does that.

>Powder (Immunize+become Psychic)

>>6313089
Mohka's been with this statue the entire time. Whether he wanted to or not, he's got Powder on him.
>powder'd

>>6313106
"Neither. My bet's on like.. Dark and Psychic. I don't remember what Pokemon do that though. Or we'll find like, one of those holes in reality, with the screaming homunculi like in that movie with the big mecha Tyranitar. That was a weird one..."
>Evan scratches his head.
"Dunno how they kept pumping sequels out, the last 3 were total garbage."
>>6313108
"Eh, I've felt worse after Paldean business trips."

>>6313089

"It feels like my insides are cooking," Spike murmurs in between heavy pants.

His jaw switches between hanging loose and clenched tight. The heat seeps deep into every one of the undead zorua's limbs, not matter how hard his chest heaves in attempt to expel it. A foul smell emanates from him, like a cross between a trash can and a butcher shop.

"I'm not sure if any of you can sense it, but the air feels like a riot is about to break out," Spike says as he screws his eyes shut and tries to ignore the building pressure in his skull. He steps forward, away from the statue- he can handle it.

>Or will you keep your typing? (Accept infection)

>>6313108
Spike whips around and looks at Brook. "Brook! Are you alright?"

>>6313113
"Dark and Psychic... Yeah that sounds unpleasant enough to cause this."
She shoots Evan a quizzical expression.
"What's... Forget it, you can just draw me a picture once this is over."

>>6313108
"I'd spray you, but I don't exactly have water to spare. It also might just get hotter. Just try not to take a lava bath and we should be ok."
She's definitely relating to Brook's displeasure right now.

>>6313089
>Ishmael, take some powder.
>and test your limbs, the meditite did some stuff earlier didn't it? you're... cold.
>Missing blaze, but have something else in it's place. their pure power wasn't it? wonder how long that'll last.

The pain in Espurr's mind is far removed from the sheer scale of the pain they get from their everyday headaches.
Is what they would say if they weren't feeling like dying over spending another minute here. Risk-averse as ever, the feline rakes their claws through the fountain's blessed water and coats themselves in the resulting Magic Powder.
>Immunize. They're already a Psychic-Type so there's hardly a reason not to.

>>6313111
"Take care not to strip yourself of the arcane substance in your hope for cleanliness." Espurr knows firsthand how easy it is to accidentally remove Magic Powder by impulsively licking or shaking it off. "It bears a sour taste."

>>6313119
>>6313108
Espurr writes in their oversized scroll about what the future might hold for Spike. They're trying to piece together data from uninfected and recently-infected Pokémon. The Zorua will surely know both ends of the horseshoe as he forgoes any protection from the sickening thoughtforms lying dormant in the air.
They do a quick summary of events in their scroll afterwards. ``Shadow Step proves natural immunity irrelevant.`` One of the ideas expressed in their account.

Speaking up while they write, they don't seem too worried about either of the two Zorua.
"If exposure alone would lead you to falter, anticipate a worse fate fast approaching, I suppose."

>>6313119
"I'm fine, just gonna take a bit to get used to the heat."

>>6313121
"Don't worry about it, you need to save all the water you can for whatever is waiting for us up ahead. Besides you're probably having a worse time than me"
>Brooks mouth curls into a reassuring grin that he quickly flashes for the fish, before his eyes focus on the path forward

>>6313113
"What kinda trips did you have there? Into a volcano?"
>He forces a small chuckle towards the snake as he walks along

>>6313132
"You be careful yourself, don't want you to end up getting lost again like last time."

>>6313111
>>6313089
"You'd be surprised on what needs to be said explicitly..."
Matchia mutters. She didn't notice anyone avoiding not getting infected, still holding the statue.

>>6313137
"I... don't really remember. I was drunk, and I think there was a crater..? Or maybe it was a pothole, and the taxi driver was just an asshole. Eh, not like it matters now, right?"
>Evan pats Brook on the back.

>>6313137
Espurr is checked. They relent. "...I enter this environment with experience." They'll have a better chance at getting by unscathed compared to before.

>>6313132
"I'm just trying to stay cool," Skitty replies. She's been careful to try and avoid consuming the powder, but hasn't been entirely successful. "Pah."

>>6313147
Espurr gives her a quick vertical glance.
"This issue could have been avoided." But alas, Skitty wasn't pre-emptive enough to shed her Winter coat through proper grooming before departing on this journey... though, she hasn't exactly had the time to, considering it's been nothing but forwards movement since she woke up after the incident at Baram Town.
Espurr provides her a Light Screen to defend her against the heat, however it's not easy to warp it enough to encompass her entire form so it's more a kind gesture than an effective solution.

>>6313089
Ribbons immunizes and keeps close to the fountain. The calming effect of the powder is good, too good to not save for later... maybe after they're done.

>>6313089
>Evan, Darius, Sail, Spike
The chatter around you is comforting...at first. Over time, it begins to scratch at your skin, the sounds. They also cover your view. Before you realize, it's all as slurred as the liquid rock, completely imparsible. Their bodies recede into the stalactites around you like 3D shadows, before they too blend themselves with the very walls. You should take care to keep moving in a straight line; it wouldn't do to stumble into the multicolored magma...but the solid floors are shifting around in the exact same way as well. Are you even moving forward anymore? There's nobody else around to orient you...
Something approaches. It hurts to touch.

>Cress, Kaz, Orner, Wallis, Brook, Matchia, Skitty, Mohka, Ishmael, Espurr
The friends of yours taking a different path are looking out of it. More than a few times you have to steer them away from sheer drops into superheated death or sleeping ferals-the odd Scyther, Dudunsparce, or Dreepy. They'll 'talk', but it's a lot of hissing and growling. There're no heads or tails to make of whatever they happen to say. The light-bubbles get bigger, more common, until you begin getting lost in and between them. Instead of white voids, they contain eerily familiar environments. They'll be glimpses of Glum Grove, or Baram Town, or the path towards home from the Dragonhymn. You'll come out of them missing infected friends, then coherent friends, Matchia and the statue...until you're all alone.

>Cress, Espurr, Spike, Orner
You feel a phantom throb of hope and terrible isolation.
'Others...two are near! Where are they? Will we die together? Feed together?'

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>6313161
>The light-bubbles get bigger, more common, until you begin getting lost in and between them.
>Kaz is hesitant at first, coming near the bubbles, but seeing others walk through them, and there being no where else to go, he walks through
>Its odd, seeing all these familiar spaces.
>Good memories
>Bad memories
>What's the point of all these?
>Some kind of reminder of where he and the other's have been?
"Anybody else wonderin' why we're seein' this stuff?

>...until you're all alone.
>Kaz turns around looking for his friends
"Guys...?"
"..."
>But no one answered
"Well"
"this sucks on ice."

>Kaz stays on guard, trying to sense if there's any danger coming his way so he can Aerial Ace out of the way

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>6313161
"Ah. I forgot synes... sythen... whatever's part of this and I'm seeing sounds now. I guess the sky's the limit when you've got spooky brain diseases. Maybe I'll start smelling textures next.
>Evan does his best to walk where he thinks forward is, away from the pain sensation, humming some song he heard a lifetime ago.
"...beneath the sound, but it's taking over..."

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>6313161
>Quite the scene huh... this is effectively the whole journey at once.
>Ishmael walks forwards, pondering if he should take the soup from his bag, just in case he needs some more oomph shortly.
>He wants to fid his team, he's worried about them... and about himself
>...

>>6313161
"...So we're separated from the others, huh Mohka? ...Huh? ...Mohka?"
Matchia just now notices that Mohka is no longer holding the statue. Did she not notice when she's the sole bearer of its weight now...?

"...Anyone?"
She stands still for a moment. Only way is forward now, she supposes...

>>6313170
>...
>. . .
>They've got this.
>All of them do, even if Ish knows he ain't gonna leave anyone behind, he also knows his team can pull through without his help.
>All this star's gotta do is keep shining until the end.

>>6313161
It's like walking around in a forest in the dead of night- all the trees look the same and there's no stars or sun to tell which direction is which.

But that's fine. Spike's been lost in these woods before, and he knows that all he needs to do is keep a lid on his emotions no matter how strong the confusion and panic may build.

The ability to recognize the true nature of things may have disappeared, but like a blind man's cane the shifting underneath his paws tells him.

Then- the voice.

Recognition. Focus. The voices native to his mind clambering in an unintelligible howling. Determination. The type of focus when something unacceptable is seen and must be dealt with.

The voice from the Resort is here and its rapidly approaching. You are its target.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>6313161
Skitty keeps an eye on at least one ally as the group treks forward, until a light-bubble breaks her visual contact with Espurr, and her teammate is gone.

There's a growl in the back of her throat; she attempts to activate Baton Pass, trying to identify any friendly presences, even if she can't see them directly. Without line-of-sight, she won't randomly teleport anywhere... hopefully. Unless she DOES have line of sight, and something is wrong with her perception? Is that Light Screen throwing her off? She's still got Magic Powder on, but this is eerily similar to when she was infected.

She's overthinking it. Unconsciously, her Agile Armor activates (with her remaining AP). +4 Defenses for this turn.

>>6313161
Wallis sighs, separated again. This time, she doesn't have her advantage in water to fall back on.
"Well, this is great. I try to take those seeds that got us out with me just to lose them and get hit with this."
As she grumbles to herself, she notices a sequence to the images presented. After heading home from the Dragonhymn, she and the others had to put out the fires in Baram. Then they met their alien guides by following a meteor, got Twilight Syndrome alongside a clue toward the fountain they're escorting, escorted some clients to Bountiful Sea...
"All that water would be good right now..."
Wallis heads her sole way forward while she waits for the next events in sequence. With any luck, they'll put her back where she presently was.

>>6313161
Alone. He's alone, he can't tell what anything is supposed to be with his sight so thoroughly betraying him, and...

What is he even supposed to do? He's not even sure what he's *doing* here in the first place! He doesn't even know where he *is*! Why did everyone leave him? Did they leave him? He can't even tell!

Fine. It's fine. He'll just keep going, and he'll find everyone again. He'll find them again.

He can't get caught out like this, though. If he can't see anything, he'll make sure nothing around him can see anything either.

Darius kicks up a Sandstorm!

>>6313161
All these lights are confusing... quite the conundrum! Mohka didn't even notice that he not just ended up alone, but somehow lost the Statue, too. He hopes Matchia has it, otherwise he's in a world of trouble...

Rolled 13 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6313161
"Rough sea ahead, scattered along a broken hourglass. Let's see if I able across thar path."
>Sail try to navigate though the shifting path, adjusting his horn."
>(Radar III)

>>6313161
>Continuing ahead, Brook pauses intermittently as members begin to look a little....shaky
>As he opens his mouth to ask if they're okay, his vision is suddenly filled with a rush of color and familiar imagery as though reliving the entire journey thus far. Memories flash by in his mind, momentarily distracting him from the addled Wayfarers...and when next he finds himself all alone
"Hey, is anyone out there?"
>he shouts, raising a paw to his mouth
"HELLLOOOO!???"
>Pausing he waits for a response, only to be met with silence

"Not even gonna give us a minute before you start messing with us, huh?"
>A low growl escapes his throat, while his eyes dart around searching for anything that may be lurking
"You're not the only one that can do tricks."

>Trudging forward, a flash of blue light illuminates the vicinity and when it fades a replica of himself stands beside him
"It's not much, but it's better than just waiting to get jumped."
>His voice comes out in stereo as the decoy copies his voice, before the pair of zorua once again carefully begin to walk along. Their movements mirroring each other as they watch for any signs of movement

>>6313161
These memories wouldn't elicit much interest one Orner even if she weren't detached from her emotions. So much to do in the present, why does the world insist on reliving the past? "How petty." That message, those feelings, they might be her only company with her crew divided as is. It will be enough. "Come find me..."

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>6313161
>Ribbons can hardly recall some of these places, is his memory that bad? Or maybe these are someone else's memories, or just, tricks and illusions?
>Tye sylveon hoped that the powder would ward off any trick of the mind, but it only makes him aware of the absurdity of the place he's in

>When he notices he's alone, it's too late to go back
Ribbons uses Detect while he feels around the place, hears and observes. Tightening his grip on his Cover Band, he wonders if it'll help him and guide him to his teammates if they're in danger

>>6313161
Espurr keeps a steady pace as things grow strange. They waste no time trying to relay back to the feeling sensed by them and only a few allies.
'Feed. There is no other law in the wild.'
A thought pops into their head. If this land is so keen on relying on emotions, then it's a world of make-believe. They might be able to get out of conflict- perhaps even succeed in it- through nothing but a bluff alone; the thought that the shadow on the wall is something big and strong, even when the reality has it pinned as nothing but a tiny cat in a massive world.

Whether for sentiment or pragmatism, you’ve all found yourselves wishing for company. For a split second, you can almost swear the ambient heat pulses in response to your wishes. Light reflects from something in all of your inventories-badge crystals. Follow those shines, and…

>Mohka, Orner, Ribbons, Sail
You find yourselves together at the Château. Some familiar faces pepper the tables, but without their explorers to show for, their energy is saved for the next meal. Promises, Machamp, most of town…but there’s no food to serve. Everyone’s saving their energy for the next meal. But none of this is real…right? So does any of this matter? Which part of this scenario is the priority as a rescue team? Surely just the Umbreon creeping in on you, right? It’s obviously popping from its surroundings in a strange way.
Prim doesn’t lift his head from his depressive slump to address you.
“That was…fast?”
Orner and Ribbons find themselves suddenly wondering how to heed their own requests…and a sense of apprehension.
‘Hungry…show your fear. It won’t kill…’ It needs this. It’s desperate. The two of you can feel its determination. ‘…Certain.’
Sail’s senses tell him that he’s encased. There are surroundings, but none of them can be placed-not in this curtain of air choking him. It’s too dense! You only see seven shapes advancing…

>Darius, Kaz
You’re in…another dream void, with that Hued Gardevoir. She looks surprised to see you! And pretty torn up. The shadows of unknown Pokemon gnash at the three of you.
“Who is there? It is not safe to contact me this way…”
Kaz takes takes 1 damage from a Sandstorm evoked by his partner nearby. Darius however…sees only four shapes reacting to the burning sensation on his skin. Are they all Pokemon?

>Wallis, Evan, Brook, Ishmael
Clover force reassembles…with a shaky and unresposive Evan. You’re on a boat crossing the sea! The skies are clear, save for a Vibrava scuttling nowhere in particular. Virizion is kneeling before a splayed, drenched Skarmory over an open net. She quirks a brow, looking in every direction for another ship but finds no explanation for your presence. She lethargically saunters over to you four.
“‘Heroes.’”
…But this is just a dream or apparition. Surely.

>Espurr, Skitty, Matchia
The three of you find eachother, all of sound mind and with that oversized idol in tow-well over too large for anyone but Matchia to move. But…What’re you supposed to do here at
“Keh-heh-heh. Long time no see. You’ve been busy…I hope.” She presents her badge, a prompt for you to do the same. “Your business is…?”
The weasel squints and flicks an ice dart into a Houndoom approaching from the doorway behind you-there’s a chill in your spines before 20 damage banishes it from existence. Did it hitch a ride with you?
Espurr senses a spark of joy from the deep. It’s a response to…
‘Others! Few, but longer alone…Feed me, then we join.’ Espurr feels hungry.

>Spike, Cress
…Round a corner and find nothing but another split-path hallway. There’s a lava channel and a Cofagrigus…not that Spike can sense any of it. Instead, there’s a platoon of…6? 7 enemy Pokemon? He receives a garbled telepathic message he can’t understand and…concern for himself. You interpret the emotion to mean…
‘You’re near. Won’t finish you…you’ll NEVER die…stop them.’…Isn’t that the truth.
Cress turns into a Normal Type with Hidden Power, but there aren’t any player eyes to see exactly what’s going on with her.

Every last one of you feels an Ominous chill pass through and surround each and every one of you. The malice is evident enough, but it doesn’t strike anyone…yet. Is it the power that brings you to these places? More Pokémon hiding themselves? The Twilight Syndrome’s creator?
How disorienting. You’ll have to find out how much is really threatening you, whether to acknowledge your problems as real before you escape…

Rolled 1 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6314696
>>6314698
>>6314700
"Mmph... Don't tell me the Magic Powder wasn't enough."
Wallis looks over to see familiar faces and... a Vibrava. With a huff, she gets to work deciphering this predicament.
"I know we were split up like at the water with the aliens before. Someone get Evan ship shape. I'm gonna figure out how to get us back on track to FINISH our JOB."
Wallis emphasizes the last part for Virizion. She's clearly still pissed at the foreign Explorer for her last encounter. But first things first, she gets to honing all six of her senses to look for a way out of this obvious assault on her mind.
>+3 Acumen

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>6314696
>>6314697
>>6314700
>Kaz pulls his Wicker Windguard down to shield his eyes
HP:24/24
"Gee, sure is windy in here. Dare, did you do that?"
>Then Kaz notices a familiar light blue and white
>Its Gardevoir!
"Oh hey! Long time no see! You get away from those-"
>But as Kaz begins his question, he notices the shadows of other pokemon.
>More assailants!
"Dare, heads up seven up! We got bad guys!"

>Kaz shoots forward to deliver a blow with his new found move, Brick Break!
>Hopefully what he hits is weak to Fighting...
>Not that he'd know he was hitting the right targets either...

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>6314697
"Hey guysss. Jusst making a quick sstop." Orner takes a second to address the populace of Baram. "Prim. There'ss two 'mon coming thiss way, a Drednaw and an Altaria. Give them a warm welcome. Promissess... ssorry to keep you waiting."
This would be a sad sight any other day of the week. But Orner just feels... whatever the ominous presence is trying to convey. What's there to be afraid of? Not that Umbreon... That's certainly not a Chateau regular. Might as well send a Glare their way.
>Orner uses Glare on Umbreon. >2 to Paralyze.

>>6314697
>The illusory body double is dispelled, as Brook finds himself reunited with the rest of Clover. A wave of relief washes over as he lets out a small sigh
"Phew am I glad to see you guys, thought everyone got split...up?"
>Upon opening his eyes the scenery before him is replaced with a beautiful blue sea, the sharp rock beneath his paws turned to the wood of a ship as it sails across the ocean on a sunny day
>He blinks confused while whipping his head all around, eyes finally settling upon the approaching figure of a mon he wasn't sure he wanted to ever see again so soon
"YOU!? What are you doing here, weren't you too busy to come along? And what do you mean heroes?"

>Trying to keep his voice calm, he briefly looks over to the steel bird before returning to the warrior deer
"After what happened back in Baram can't imagine you'd be calling US that before we've even done anything."

>>6314697
"Sol spill underneath the mist gloom, Akk'r. . a illusion to be mislead off course."
>Sail try to scope out what the foes be despite the dense air?
>IQ Skill- Wild Spirit

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6314713
>>6314703
>>6314698
>Ishmael is reunited with his crew! uh, Team!
"Everyone doing okay still got that... odd feeling. but I'm used to the swap in abilities now."
>...
"I'll try get Evan into shape, cover for me."
>Ishmael pops a substitute... before heading over to the grass snake and trying to diagnose what exactly is wrong first.

>>6314698
She glances back at the Houndoom who had followed, getting knocked out, before paying it no further heed.
"Oh...! Those badges really worked..."
Matchia mutters, still holding onto the statue.
She seems glad that the team managed to reunite.

She looks back at... Sneasel...? What's she doing down here.
She thinks for a second, and places down the statue gently, presenting her badge.

"We're here down here to solve the source of Twilight Syndrome with this statue. ...It has something to do with Empathy and Emotions and the Pokemon who crashed here. ...someone else would better explain it."

She pauses for a moment staring at Sneasel.
"...What are you doing here?"

>>6314698
"Woah, did the air just change in here, orrrr..."
>Evan sniffs
>>6314814
>>6314713
>>6314703
"Oh, hey, there's some other guys here! Hey, whoever's there, can you stop speaking gobbledygook?"
>Evan's... looking in the wrong direction. He's got that vague Twilight fog in the eyes. Poor bastard, fallen victim to cataracts so young. ...Wait, how old is he, anyway?
"So like, are you all cool, or do I-"
>Evan suddenly drops to the floor and covers his head with his hands.
"NO, NO, THAT AIN'T RIGHT, WHICH ONE OF YOU IS EVIL!?"

>>6314698
Skitty notes that she'd found her way over to two Baton Pass pings, not three. Her hackles raise a little bit, but her expression is reserved.

>>6314928
"I'd also like to know... how did you get down here by yourself?" She asks, nonchalantly speaking while trying not to telegraph a movement...

She scrapes the ground below her, intending to catch a few rocks, pebbles, dirt, sand... whatever's loose, to fling at Sneasel and see if she's some kind of illusory projection. "Catch."

Instead, her claws scrape... wooden slats? When did they step onto a deck, of all things?

Either way, with nothing to throw, her body makes something up, instead. Normal energy converges, then converts to Ice; the item the weasel would be catching now would be her own move.

>Skitty used Copycat!
>Skitty used Ice Shard!

Rolled 10, 17 = 27 (2d20)

>>6314697
There's four possible targets around him, none of which he can identify. There's no time for trying to puzzle it out, either, when they could all four be ferals waiting to attack him for all he knows.

No, he has to attack first. Flailing in the dark is far better than leaving himself subject to the whims of enemies.

Thankfully, his body is far more willing to cooperate than his senses.

Darius used Stone Edge!

(10 + 10 + 3 + 2 = 20, 25, 30?)
(hits on 5+, crits on 18)
(first die picks target, 1-5 Kaz, 6-10 Gardevoir?, 11-15 ?, 16-20 ???)

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>6314698
It's like walking through a forest in the dark, no moon or stars to navigate with except the dim, distant light of the source's voice. But it wouldn't be as simple as walking forward, there were others in the forest with him- six, maybe seven. The realization sent a bolt of renewed paranoia and panic, but some voice in his head was quick to wrangle his legs to the ground before he bolted.

Seven 'mon- that couldn't his team since there were 14 other 'mon in his team, unless they had split up and where nearby? He couldn't tell, and if they were hostile then that meant they couldn't either.

Just a pack of Houndoom stalking blind.

But at least the message gave him something to focus on beyond mind-shattering panic. We're near. That's good, but what did they mean by 'won't finish you?' 'You'lll never die?' and to stop them. Was it some kind of reassurance? A frustrated comment? Perhaps some recognition of nature... And did it ask to stop him, or the others?

Now was Spike's attempt to reply.

Recognition. An image of the resort and a memory of the message that Spike and the Source sent as if to remind them of their prior contact. Focus. A memory of breaking free from the earth and seeing the morning sun. Hope. Determination. Without thinking, thoughts of frustration and failure to calm. Curiosity. Surroundings? Confusion? Unfamiliarity? Where am I? Where are you? An image of the caves before his perception was robbed from him. A psychic yip. A ping. Ping back?

>>6314698
Espurr takes the appearance of the familiar face at face level, uncaring to the hows and whys surrounding this occasion. They flash their badge, not flinching in response to the blade passing by and nailing the encroaching enemy behind.
It's a wonder they've ended up reunited. Worse fates have befallen them on more fortunate days.
"Black Hat speaks the truth, I suppose."

There's an ache within as Espurr feels the desire to consume, yet food isn't on their mind. Perhaps information and experience would suffice, plucked right from the heads of combative Pokémon. They'll have to make a connection with the next enemy before their allies send the beast to the voidlands. They share this idea with the team >>6314928 >>6315030.
"I propose we prioritize incapacitating our opponents should we encounter further resistance. I have formulated a plan which necessitates they remain intact."
>Espurr wants to drain their enemies of their thoughts and emotions before knocking them out. Maybe it will help with navigation.

"Will you assist?" they ask the weasel... after Skitty is done with her attempt at killing her.

>Orner, Ribbons, Sail, Darius, Evan, Espurr, Spike
You feel smothered, like an attack is flooding into and through you. There's a presence everywhere and nowhere at once lying in wait! You're all suddenly hungry again, too? You're at the mercy of these hidden onlookers. Were you to draw meaning from these phantom thoughts, they'd seem to say...
'Where are other [lights]...show me your despair. Spare me some of yourselves to eat...show me your fear.' And with that, your vision Pulses. It feels like violence is in the air-and it threatens to crush you if you don't comply. It wants something from you, or maybe you naturally seek safety from it. Everyone, show your fear, or else.
https://vocaroo.com/1hfw5MMt0jDC

Rolled 9, 7, 6, 17, 9, 3, 11 = 62 (7d20)

>The whims of fate..!

>Mohka, Orner, Ribbons, Sail
Attuned energies and gleaming eyes strike true- the Umbreon is cowed from attacking immediately by multiple means. Its rings dim as it glances to Sail, but curiosity turns to aggression when it sees the other three of you. It doesn't seem to pay much mind to its surroundings, even...walking through the Breloom in a far table to get to you. Elder Seven Leaves jumps rapidly between shock, indignance, and wariness at its behavior, but his Superpowered lunge...phases straight through the apparent pest. Other clan elders are here and ready to defend the Château, but they pause at the sight. An Empoleon, a Haxorus, et cetera. You know them.
Prim doesn't really respond to Orner's un-clarification. He slumps, covering his head with his flippers. A shudder, a moment of silence, and...he's flipping the table. The Furfrou and Machamp he sits with are thrown to the ground!
"Patrons, brother!! It's just a feral!...I think." Prim answers the tutor by scuttling back. His accessories gleam with fae energy that envelops everyone in the bar.
"I...I see." He steps forward to bodyblock for Silver Streaks and her seamstress Promises.

Umbreon attempts a Snarl into Orner and Mohka! If it hits, that's 12 and 9 damage!

>Darius, Kaz
Brick Break lands into a carapace, after falling through two or three vague shapes. It's a Scyther! Brick Break deals 4 damage, while...
Stone Edge flies up and straight through Gardevoir's body. Incidentally. Darius's fortune isn't his to dictate, you know? Related, those rolls average to 13. The attack passes over her like a shadow. Her voice registers to both of you, but Darius can't seem to tell if he's hearing or imagining it. It's a small respite from Darius's overstimulating white noise, but her lack of acknowledgement to him is concerning. Then again, she's supposed to be 'afflicted' too. Can an infected esper understand you? Is she feeling the same isolation Darius is?
"Only you, Kaz? I'm sure you need help, but..." She sidesteps a sludge attack from elsewhere in the crowd. "I was hoping for a little more time before we met again. Can I assist you? How are you here?"
Your host wilts. "I should dispense with pleasantries. While we fight...you must know that my power over life decays. What you see now has been my world since our last meeting-it...it weathers me. I am no more than a long-lived Gardevoir. That means by the time your mission is complete, we will likely never meet. Kaz, I will not be able to send you home. It would only be fair to give you the most time I could to accept that."

Scyther uses Silver Wind! Given no misses, that's 14 damage into Kaz and 12 damage into Darius!

>Wallis, Evan, Brook, Ishmael
Smells and touch dictate that Wallis is...on a plain rocky course, one with a few friends nearby and very smoky taste in the air-not much water to speak of. Certainly at odds with the appearance of a boat, and it you focus hard enough, the sound of crashing waves begins to fade away too...It's just the rumble of flowing magma and buzz of a flying feral.
Virizion's replies are curt. To Wallis, "I'm trying to save the world. It's more important."
"'Hero' is the title you all took up when accepting your badges. Whether you are in practice or not, it's your responsibility to be heroes. "Now come, serve some greater good and pay your respects. Or! Stand and admire your work."...Ah. Skarmory hasn't moved from the floor at all, and she was kneeling when you appeared. Virizion stops gritting her teeth to fetch a candle for Wallis to catch from her mouth...only for it to fizzle through her very arms.
"...Alright. What is this. How are you here?"
Meanwhile, a wave of ecstasy rolls through Evan. He feels a spark of relief, and it brings a strange thought to his head amidst the panic. It says...'Other! Finally, an answer! Show that again! It was a...hazard?' Evan finds himself thinking of Brook...until he's snapped to attention by 8 damage. three of the shapes have advanced on him, shocking his skin with unseen attacks...
Evan doesn't look to hot to Ishmael-discounting that he's in a magma cavern, even.

Vibrava skitters along the ceiling for a Struggle Bug on Evan and a Quick Attack for Ishmael. 8 damage and a Special attack raise for Evan on hit, and 9 damage for Ishmael on hit!
...Again? For all of Evan's imparted confusion, this one pain is familiar. The power of a Bug move eating straight through his scales and to his core. A legendary hero's horns, however many burns, shearing claws...and now he faces faces another uphill battering in this hellish pit. Are you going to take that again? How many times is Evan going to to be thrown aside before he doesn't get back up? Is there any point in getting back up? There's a voice telling you to fight back. Is it strong? is it yours?

...Hey, is that the hatterene monument in the middle of you four?! The bug's eyeing up this "newcomer"...

>Spike, Cress
In response, Spike feels...crestfallen. Setting aside how strange it is to infer nouns and facts from mere emotions...'Beyond the [silicates] and [carbons]...only more [nitrogen]...this place...is our end.' It feels odd thinking of matter so specific; do Pokémon have molecular theory like that? You must remind yourself that you aren't communicating with language, so ideas expressed are *exactly* what you refer to.
The next expression is one of weariness. Given your secondhand disorientation, you don't think you'd get any better an idea of where it is. The malice in the air thickens. 'Feed me your fear.'
More immediately concerning to Spike is the small battle before him. Libero: Ghost! Cress has transformed, breaking her powder. In an instant, one of the encroaching shapes vanishes from sight.
Supposing her Shadow Ball connects, that's 7 damage. Does it?...There's nobody to observe, the both of you are feeling acutely alone. Where is that Cofagrigus? Is it the shape approaching you, or is it one of the ones casting a move at you? The one crawling elsewhere? What will it do?
...Ah. It immobilizes Spike. He can't move.

>Espurr, Skitty, Matchia
Copying a recently-used move nearby? There's only one option, of course.
Skitty used Dark Pulse! Sneasel takes 1 damage.
"Heh. You look confused, so I'm gonna let you get away with that. One. Time." Her killing intent clears the room once a glance shows your attack didn't hit any of her documents.
"Keh-heh. As much as I can't say what a dungeon feral is doing here, I know we aren't in a mystery dungeon." She shrugs. "I don't think you're really here, you know? Keh-heh-heh. Why don't you take a closer look." Sneasel points. Where the burning dog was is...not so much as a disturbed carpet. Well, aside from the Ice Shard in the floor. When you look back, she's already pulled records of your activity while starting another report on...whatever this encounter is. She's taking notes on Matchia's exposition.
"Heh, finally. Ending that disease, that's good news. But I'm just pushing paper in the Sand Continent Embassy, keh-heh. You're the ones who popped into my office. So why don't we multitask until we can really assist each other? Trade information, heh-heh."
"You've been busy..." She observes the Team Stardust badges. "...ish. We really lucked out having you guys sign when you did, heh. The clans are really going through it-despite all your work. Heh, it's too much for six exploration teams." She licks a claw, sighing at one of your misadventures in particular. Looks disappointed...

Oh, the monument's vanished from you three. Great.

>>6318187 (You)
>The unfortunate few..!
>Darius, Ishmael, Evan, Kaz, and Cofagrigus.
>All else misses.

Rolled 16 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6318190
Wallis looks at the candle flicked her way with disdain, her gaze trailing to the legendary explorer.
"Oh we're not here. How could we be when you went away so hastily? You're just feeling the guilt of turning a blade on Normal-Rank Explorers."
Wallis doesn't feel guilt needling Virizion, that's for sure. Her layer of moisture ripples to life as a battle aura, but it's clear she's not aimed at the incorporeal Explorer.
"We've got company- some buzzing thing and... the statue? Did the Mystery Dungeon do that?"
Focusing on accuracy over damage with her senses, Wallis forms Rock Tomb rocks in her twintails, complete with sparkles. She flings the lucky charms at the assailing Vibrava after seeing the trajectory Ishmael and Evan take from its attacks. Any good follow-up starts with a solid foundation of Trapped to lead the strike where it hits home.
"We've gotta keep the fountain safe!"
>+3 Acumen

Rolled 6, 13 = 19 (2d20)

>>6318190
>thanks to replaced ability, ish is taking an extra +1 from that, even after eviolite!
>15/25 HP, but the Avalanche rod is active!
"I'd have to ask the same of ya, last I remember you weren't on the continent."
>>6318270
>!
>Ish watches Wallis rock tomb the Vibrava, and understands what needs to be done.
"On it!"
>Double avalanche time!

>>6318274
(6 (Lanche) + 6 (SE) + 2 (Type specialist) + 4 (ability replaced by pure power this mission) + 2 (Attack) damage twice, for 40 total before defence!)

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>6318186
"Eat me? I dunno, that might give ya indigestion. I'm not exactly healthy with all this fire and crap around here."
>>6318190
"No, seriously, who the hell's talking with the spooky voice? Brook, was that you? Did you forget to powder yourself, or-"
>Evan gets psycho-tazed, and he jumps up and back (DEF buffs makes him hit the damage floor. (26/27))
"Ow! Dammit, which one of you assholes tazed me!?"
>Evan gets hit by a bug, knocking him over (24/27)
"AGH! Motherfucker, this shit again!? I had enough of you exoskeletal cocksuckers always trying to kill me! You're not even doing it right, it just HURTS dammit!
>He stands back up and summons leaves
"Fuck it. If anyone important gets hurt, it ain't my fault."
>Leaf Tornado! sent towards whatever Evan thinks just hit him.

>>6318490
(7BP + 3 SpAtk + 1 buff from Contrary + 2 STAB = 13 DMG before effectiveness/SpDef)

>>6318190
"We haven't done anything yet! More importantly why are you here with us? If everything is okay, shouldn't you be helping with what we all caused back in Baram town?"
>The snarl that had been building up in the back of his throat, is let go in the form of a guilty sigh as he turns his head towards the floor of the boat
"I'm sorry that happened, I expected you to go after the scroll when I threw it...not come after me agai-"
>He lifts his head, just in time to catch the tossed candle vanish as it goes straight through the pink arms of Wallis
>His gasp escapes, and he immediately takes a crouching position for combat, and glares at the tall deer mon
"I knew you couldn't really be her! Just what the heck is going on here? What did you do with everyone else?"

>Taking a cautious step back, he feels his leg make contact with solid stone. Taking a brief look back, and his eyes widen at seeing a familiar statue!
"Where'd this come from? I thought it was with Mohka and Matchia!?"

>Returning his focus to the fake deer mon in front, he once again gets low ready to defend the statue should they try to make a move. While the sound of attacks from his team mates rings out all around!

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>6318188
>Kaz has hit a target!
>But it is not one weak to Fighting!
>What a cruel, cruel world...
>Kaz jumps back, trying as he might to perhaps dodge the bug's return attack!
"What do ya mean only me? Don't ya see Dare?"
>Kaz points to Darius who he hasn't realized just tried to kill their informant
"Anyway, if you can gimme a boost against this Bug, that'd be great!"
"As for how I'm here, I dunno. Last thing I remember was gettin' separated in a bunch a balls a light!"
"Wait...you have power over life? Can ya..."
>Kaz thumbs to their opponent
"Knock him out or somethin? Oh! Or heal me?"

>Speak of the devil
>Kaz is struck from behind!
>A nasty sharp wind smacks into him!
HP:10/24
"Yeow!"
"Healing, healing please!"

>But just as Kaz is about to counter-counter attack the bug, he hears Gardevoir's last few sentences.
"Hey, hey, hey! You got us here, you're gonna get us back home! Now 'nough crazy talk, time ta stick it to the man! ...or Bug!"

>Kaz clenches his fist, and icicles form along his knuckles!
>Kaz crouches down, tightening his leg muscles, and launches to deliver an Ice Punch at the Scyther!

>>6318191

The emotions and thoughts echo in Spike's mind as he receives them. They remind him of the thoughts of someone fallen into despair, and a tinge of sympathy flutters in his chest before the last request.

'Feed me your fear'.

His brow and heart immediately hardened at the notion. Perhaps they were something like a Misdreavus or Shuppet that fed on these kind of feelings, but his pride refused to submit his vulnerability as substance. Was it even asking? He sensed the malice in the air, he could feel the inky ichor in his veins bubbling with how thick it was in the air around them. Perhaps this infection wasn't a misunderstanding after all.

'No.' Spike replied, his thoughts tinged with aggression at the audacity.

Then something strange happened- one of the seven figures he could make out disappeared. That was. . . worrying. Everything was worrying at the moment, logical thought barely strung together but sheer determination, wide eyes and slow breathing trying to ignore every instinct telling him to lash out in violence. The disappearance meant something- perhaps a member of that group fainted? Did they take care of a feral? Or did one of his teammates collapse? It couldn't be one of his teammates right? Why would he seam them? There were 13 others with him, not 7- unless they did something? This blasted infection was an information game, like a game of poker but you weren't allowed to see the community cards. How was he supposed to make a move like this?

Oh- he was trapped. At least, Spike thought he was trapped. A move was used on him, he could tell that much, so someone attacked him. Was it Wallis? She knew Rock Tomb and that could trap targets. He didn't feel hurt, so no damage. Was there even a move that could trap someone without damaging them?
Spike growls. He's blind and under attack, with no way of defending himself without accidentally hurting his teammates. Blast it all. He tries to take a deep breath to calm himself, recollect his thought. He knows that he's just been attacked by someone, and judging by what little effects he could recognize, it was a move that none of his teammates knew, so it must be one of the infected here. He knew that there 7 figures he could see, and that one of them disappeared. Who they were was a mystery to him, but one of them did disappear, so they either disappeared or fainted, which meant a battle was already underway. So there was a battle going on around him, and one of the infected had attacked him with a trapping move.

That still didn't help him in actually targeting the infected- how could he when the overwhelming panic and confusion literally robbed him of the ability to recognizing the floor beneath him. Well- what could he recognize? He recognize the Source and it's emotions- Oh. He could still recognize emotions, even if he couldn't attack them to someone. That was a start, there must be a way to recognize the emotions of his teammates, at least some of them.

Rolled 8, 6, 16 = 30 (3d20)

>>6318628

Spike's rears his neck and lets his jaw hang before he letting out a psychic shriek- thoughts of being trapped in pitch-black cellars, whispering behind one's back, drowning in the open sea, and being set on fire flash with the telepathic yell.

These where the things that Spike knew his teammates were afraid of, the things he knew they couldn't help but feeling fear in response to- and all he needed to do to find a suitable target was to target anything but the fear.

He hopes this works. The only trapping moves he knows were rock and fire type moves, so he whips the ambient malice in the air around the nearest the *lack* of fear.

>Spike uses IQ Skill: Telepath to try and scare Cress, Wallis, Ishmael, Darius, and Evan.
>Spike uses IQ Skill: Empath to sense fear.
>Spike uses Bitter Malice on the nearest target lacking fear.

>>6318631
(Forgot to include damage)
>Spike has Empath (+2 to damage)
>Bitter Malice should do 16 Special damage. (20 if he hits Cofegrigus or Cress.)

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>6318186
>>6318188
Between the sand billowing around him and the nauseating slurry his senses have devolved into, the Silver Wind blowing against his hide is barely even felt.

(18/24)

Barely, however, is not *isn't*, and a hostile response to his blind flailing is really only reinforcement of the idea that he is currently in danger.

And as is well known, Darius's first response to actual danger is to smash it until it stops being a threat.

Darius used Stone Edge!

(10 + 10 + 3 + 2 = 20, 25, 30, 33?)
(crits on 18)
(die picks target, 1-6 Kaz, 6-10 Voice of Light?, 13-20 Scyther?)

"Get away from me! I can't see you, but that won't stop me if you don't leave me alone!"

A perfectly legible threat in his mind is, of course, reduced to gibberish to a more sane listener.

>>6318186
The fear of... red lights at the end of a long tunnel, leading to another tunnel, leading to another, like a repeating decimal. A warning.
The fear of excitement, a terrible, terrible emotion. Dozens of bigger, stronger shapes falling overhead, towering and careening past them, leaving them scattered and frayed.
The fear of losing control, then losing track of where they are. They would open their large lavender eyes and swing their head around, believing the worst had come- that no one would be there- but they'd be mistaken:
When their gaze meets their team, relief is what they find. Espurr never wanted it; not from *them.* It's far, FAR worse than they could ever anticipate. How could they?

>>6318191
Espurr appears rigid to their allies, Matchia and Skitty. They feel sour, forgetting whatever mood they were in just seconds ago. The cat has only their allies of varying Felidae proclivities to rely on. Espurr steps forward, standing between the two Stardust members as they glance at one and then the other. "I am currently victim to some unknown presence. I require your..." they stop, hesitating. "...Help."

They've requested assistance before. This time it feels gross. Their head is spinning the other way around inside this time. Damn this reprehensible force and its disregard for personal privacy. The Magic Powder isn't any better than their usual Hell.

Espurr explains the dread filling them, courtesy of the Twilight's source. "Something communicates with me. Its demands grow fiercer by the second. If we do not proceed with haste, I will not survive. I have this foreign instinct, telling me I know it as fact; My life lies with us as a team."
>Espurr wants to work together on this. Their wellbeing depends on it.

"Feathered one," Espurr states, addressing Sneasel, "if this anomalous atmosphere is not the effect of renegade space," a mystery dungeon, "it is my educated opinion that a powerful individual must be its source." A reasonable claim- perhaps even obvious. "You claim to work with information. Tell us what potential outlets could cause such distortion." What Moves, Abilities, Pokémon, or combinations of the three could create a situation like this?
"Deception, perhaps, akin to the illusionists of our ranks?" Their first hypothesis is the mental, or even perception-based trickery Zorua can achieve, however... "What I sense now appears far too present to be falsehood, I suppose."

This is probably a lot for Sneasel to digest considering Espurr was mute when she last saw them.

>>6320496
>>6318191
Matchia blinks as she looks back at the statue she placed down.
"H- What? Where...?"
She looks... mildly panicked.
But this is no time for that.

"...Well, Sneasel seems real..."
She glances at Skitty's Dark Pulse.
"And it's likely that some kind of Pokemon with Dark Pulse is around. But plenty of Pokemon know it..."

She taps a finger against her shoulder in thought.
"But regardless, the source of all this is probably some kind of psychic type. ...Don't worry, Espurr, we're... reasonably equipped to at least escape threats. We would have gotten through this as a team... even without that feeling you got." Her tone is relatively bland, but the words are genuine.

>>6318191
"I... don't know how I did that. I was trying to throw, like, a pebble at you, or something. Sorry..."

The others seem familiar with the technique.
>>6320504
"Uh, so that was a copy? I didn't see any move like that... or know I could do that... so I guess it's out of sight, or... umm... I don't know. We must not be really here, but I'm not sure how we can get out. Do we look normal to you, Sneasel?" She's definitely not Twilighted, right? Something has to be wrong, but she just had a physical effect on Sneasel's office...

>>6320496
"Do you know of any way to shut it out? How long do you... have?" With how much Espurr is suddenly willing to speak, she has a sinking feeling it's not long.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>6318186
"Tch..." This constant barrage of emotions is getting annoying, and Orner is seriously considering shutting her empathic sense down.
>Fear... It's a familiar feeling. Once upon a time it almost comprised your entire world. When you were barely older than a hatchling and you didn't know your own name. Everything thing was strange, everything was a threat... Just like now.

>>6318188
Orner's inner monologue is interrupted by the Haxorus walking through her. "No resistance... Could be a projection."
The snake tilts her head. "Or an illussion. Should we confirm?" Elm just points to the obvious threat. "If we are in your head, what's the point? Look alive."

>At that prompting, Orner sends a Gunk Shot straight to Umbreon. 20 damage if it hits!
"Oh hey, Ribbonss. That'ss your coussin or ssomething."

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6318188
"Muster o' the dark o' here crested canine. Cast low at high rock."
>Sail shoot off a Dragon Pulse onto the Umbreon.
>If hit, 13 dmg!

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>6318188
Mohka joins in on the Umbreon attack. 14 damage if it hits.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>6318186
>Fear
>Fear?
>Fear is paralyzing, it's overwhelming, it's
>Surpress it, all of it
>Supress everything, give them no quarter

>>6318188
Snapped out of his thoughts by the sudden table flip, Ribbons jumps into action and rushes forward and around, striking their "cousin" from the side as he emerges from under a table with Quick Attack, tackling their dark counterpart.

(4 + 3 + + 3 + 1 = 11 phys dmg) (+1 if surprise attack procs)

>>6320504
>>6320623
"If this location truly is a product of our opponent, escape is hardly an option. We are already caught between its fangs." Is that an analogy from Espurr?
No, it's a metaphor. What an idiot.

Yet... "I am willing to believe your words to be true."

Espurr looks up at Skitty with their one visible eye. "I will remain unscathed as the presence remains satiable. I bear no reason to suspect it has taken interest in I alone."
They glance back at Matchia as they ponder her words and what Skitty seems to have learned from them. Skitty might be the key here with her overwhelmingly-Normal skillset. "Is it within your ability to trace the origin of this power you have recently employed? Even a binary system of searching would advise us of the correct path."
In other words, whether Skitty could 'follow' the energy like a scent trail, or simply triangulate it based on 'yes's and 'no's like some kind of children's game, it might be the key to getting out of here, provided Sneasel doesn't have any pertinent advice surrounding the potential counters to this horrible trap they've all fallen victim to.