>>6029696
First for the team carrier

File: MohkaS.png (74 KB, 600x600)

74 KB PNG

second for walking gong
>>6029696

File: tmd2_spike.png (248 KB, 750x500)

248 KB PNG

Third, for the team clairvoyant!

>>6029696
>Fourth, bear time

It’s a few days’ travel to the island. From that Voice of Life’s request, it sounded like you’d have enough time to bail her out despite how long she’d be exposed to danger. Given that the world is supposedly at stake, that’s fortunate…


And Salamence is all too happy to have somewhere to sail. By sea, you skip any potential chaos and fatigue from walking to the shores nearest to that island! Unfortunately, the end of Swalot’s Stream is still further inland on the desert than anywhere you could have landed, so you still have a mystery dungeon to cross…

At the entrance to the dungeon are a series of rocky faces making a little canyon to walk through, the ground tinted odd shades of purple, black, and yellow by toxins flowing through the air…Smells like bad eggs, too. Don’t let this stuff get in your eyes, lest you start tearing up. The only break from the dour scenery is a pair of Pokemon resting outside the way in, a garishly bright Rapidash and Weezing. They perk up when they see you all approaching...

>>6029709
"Look's like we've made already contact," Spike frowns, "let's hope they're locals and not a patrol."

The Pale Fox turns to the rest of his group and warns, "Nobody use any fire type moves unless you want to ignite all this sulfur and fumes. Keep an eye out for any traps or ambushes they might've set for us."

>>6029709
>Kaz pinches his nose shut!
"Oh great! Sulfur. Yeuck!"
"Let's get outta here quick before we're all dead canaries..."

>Kaz spots the two pokemon up ahead.
"Maybe those guys know a quick route. Let's go ask 'em."

>Kaz walks over to the two pokemon on the road
"Hey! You guys know a fast way through this place?

>>6029709
"Oh great, I guess it figures that the place we gotta go is the most anti-Evan thing possible. Fire, Poison, the only way this could get any worse is if I'm hit by Flying, Bugs and Ice before the end of the day."
>Evan stretches and hops down from the railing
"Well, might as well get this shit over with."
>Evan grumbles to himself with... a lot of muttered curse words

>>6029696
>>6029709
It's SKITTY TIME. Especially since her eyes are Like That. There's no way she can tear up at all!!

>>6029713
"A patrol for... what??"

>>6029709
>Despite getting some time to rest as the ship sails towards their next destination, Brook just can't shake the feeling of mental fatigue that's been plaguing him since he had awoken from the dream not too long ago
>Because of this he has noticeable bags under his eyes, the restless sleep he had managed to squeeze in between then and now doing very little to alleviate this
>But still everyone is gonna need to come together to handle this, are the words he repeats in his head as the destination finally draws near....and with it an absolutely repugnant scent that makes him put a paw over his nose

.......................................................................

>The smell is even worse up close, deeply regretting to have brought his new tie instead of his scarf, he has no choice but to grin and bear it as the smell nearly makes his eyes water as they approach an out of place looking horse and a perfectly in their element toxic...balloon?
"Ughhhh it smells awful, I can barely breathe over here. How can you guys stand it?"

>>6029709
Matchia twitches at the sulfur in the air, not exactly appealing to the smell, but directs her attention to the newcomers.
She regards them with suspicion, but doesn't say anything. The Voice of Life DID say she was cornered here, so they may be her pursuers.

>>6029709
Wallis is trudging through the arid canyon after emerging from the waters alongside Salamence's ship. It's hot and dry, which is terrible for an aquatic creature like her. She's also had a really bad night's sleep, to say the least. She looks like she's ready to throw hands at the first obstacle, as well as a little jittery. She's clearly not in the mood for diplomacy.
"Oh look, pokemon that stick out like me."
Wallis flags them down with a wave of her arm that lets off some of her shiny pokemon sparkles.

>>6029716
Spike turns to Skitty and motions with a brown paw to everyone else around them, "For us. They've tapped into the Voice of Life's communications with us, they're the ones she warned us about. She gave us their location, so unless they've relocated, they should be preparing for an eventual rescue attempt."

>>6029717
>Kaz turns to Brook, still inching his nose
"Closin' your nose works."

>Kaz looks down at Brook's four paws
"I can see why that'd be a problem for you."

>>6029709
"I don't know what you guysss are crying about..." Orner is in Her element.

>>6029709
>>6029718
Mohka hangs back with Matchia. Something about those two pokemon have him on edge, but he can't quite put a finger on it... They're pink though, that's never a good sign.
He covers his nose and mouth with his sweat band. Fire won't likely be an issue here, but at least it can keep out offending smells.

>>6029709
>Smells like bad eggs, too.
Cubone is naturally one to complain first. "Ugh... You know, when she described this place to us, I had expected something with a more... subtle atmosphere to it."

>>6029723
"...well, why would they be pa-... whatever. It's too late for that anyway." She flicks her tail at Wallis.

>>6029725
"I'm a bit worried I might not be as good with that move in this place."
>he grabs his apathy tie and holds it over his nose with a paw

"I'm not exactly at 100% as is, this smell is not making it easy to focus so I am not looking forward to potentially getting a face full of it if I try to use the wind."

>>6029709
Espurr doesn't enjoy smells. They don't hate them very much either. Regardless, this isn't a pleasant situation to be in, so they wish they weren't here.

But the rewards are too coveted to pass up. If Espurr can swallow their pride and speak with the Voice of Life, provided they meet her again, perhaps they could ask her an important question. Psychic-to-Psychic stuff, normies wouldn't understand.

>>6029714
Espurr leaves the talking to Kaz and the others. They aren't big on speaking with undesirables.

>>6029730
"The enemy was not very subtle while they tried to kill us." And succeeded, if it weren't for the dream being more forgiving than the opponents were.

>>6029709
Katherine remains silent, simply smiling

>>6029732
"You feelin' all right? Doin' worse for wear before gettin' to a place like this ain't good for you."
"An' don't you think the wind would help push stuff away?"

>>6029709
>>6029717
"Amenities you never thought you would have missed. To have a mask right now..."

>>6029714
>>6029722
>>6029718
"Finally! Are you travelers trying to move north? Swalot's Stream is an ordeal and a half!" The Rapidash shifts an overstuffed sack visibly weighing the Pokemon down.
"We were hoping to mooch a safe passage off anyone trying not to get poisoned by working together, but..."
The Weezing picks up. "Air Continent isn't getting much traffic lately, that's how it is. We've been stuck on this side of the dungeon for a week! A fast path through a mystery dungeon...if we had something like hat, we could change the world!"
"But enough of the rub. My partner and I have a little gift to keep that foul air out of you-if you'll play muscle for us merchants, that is."
Weezing demonstrates by purifying the ground around it with a puff of pink air. The land stays un-compromized as he hovers upward. Meanwhile, Rapidash releases a heart-shaped beam of light into the air-Heal Pulse.

Staying near Weezing's Misty Surge might protect one from getting poisoned by the air here, but Rapidash looks much more mobile and willing to follow and assist you. Pick your (un)-poison.

>>6029732
>>6029718
>>6029723
>>6029747
"Some of you are still vulnerable from the other night. Remember that there is no shame in picking your battles; our foremost objective is to survive, no matter what that Gardevoir says is at stake." Cress says.

>>6029745
"I hope so, I don't think we use it the same way though. I gotta gather it to attack, and it might be a bit difficult to do that here."
>he repositions the tie, giving you a better look a the bags under his eyes
"I've felt tired since I woke up from that dream before, I'm hoping it's not anything permanent."

>>6029747
"Should've just brought my scarf...."

>>6029753
"Sounds good ta me! Since we're goin' the same whay, don't see why not."

>Kaz sticks next to the colorful Rapidash
"You look like you got some speed on you. Let's head out together!"

>>6029754
"Damn. You gotta get some sleep, man."
"Yeah, that dream stuff is wonky."
"If I start sleep walkin', hit me before I walk off the Shore Thing, will you?"

>>6029753
>the zorua nods in response to Cress' words, moving over to stick with the gentlemanly balloon
>as soon as he gets close, there's an immediate change in the air. His chest rises and falls as he drinks in the purified air
"Would've been a lot harder to do this on three legs, thanks a lot!"

>>6029757
"Heh, sure thing....just don't complain about being a bit sore when you wake up."

>>6029753
"Strength is hardly in my limited repertoire of abilities, but I see no issue in assisting you. Very well." Cubone agrees without question. Misty Surge? Heal Pulses? Here? Sign him up.
Of course, he is scarcely a frontliner. Of the two, sticking near purified ground is the safer bet, Cubone thinks.
>Weezing

>>6029753
Skitty is with the horse. Fast with fast, you know how it is. "Deal." This area might be tolerable after all...

>>6029753
Matchia looks between the two of them, apparently deciding that she'd rather stick near the Rapidash.

She turns to Cress.
"Mm. I suppose."

>>6029753
Spike releases a breath he didn't know he was holding, the tension dissolving in his chest. He puts on the most sincere smile he can muster and steps forwards towards the two.

"Thank goodness we found you then! We weren't expecting it to be this bad, but its wonderful that you two are prepared," he breathes a sigh of relief and chuckles.

Spike walks over to the odd looking Weezing.

"I've never seen a Weezing like you, are you special?"

>>6029753
Sail not liking the feeling of the fay mist. Stick with the magical unicorn instead.
>Rapidash

>>6029753
>Evan is weak to poison
>Weezing

>>6029753
Mohka has his own means to heal himself. Weezing.

>>6029753
"Well, thisss iss mighty convenient! You guyss sstay near the fairiesss, I'll go ahead." Orner doesn't really need the protection so she can be the bait.

>>6029753
Wallis doesn't want to stay near either of them. However, the mist reminds her of mystic monolith's depths. It's also closer to water.
>Weezing
She glances a the little head quizzically.
"We're just coming of an escort job. You're in luck with the Clover Force, as long as you make it worth your while."
Wallis flashes her badge proudly in spite of her condition.

>>6029753
“I’m not going to play around with a thing that puffs smoke. Quite frankly, you need to see a doctor.”

>>6029753
Espurr sees it fit to inform Cress of a certain deficiency of theirs they must deal with for the team being, but only after some consideration.
"I am unable to use my Psychic abilities. As such, my use in a battle is limited." They won't be fighting if they don't have to. This is, of course, why Espurr wants to see the Voice of Life again.

>>6029753
“I can work within these limitations.” Sagira chooses to accompany the Weezing.

>>6029753
"I want to do this quick"
Rapidash

>>6029782
>>6029780
>>6029779
>>6029774
>>6029762
>>6029759
"Oh! Explorers, even! We've been rewarded for our luck and patience, is that so? I am a Misted Weezing, blessed by Life. You're no doubt only familiar with the pedestrian variety. Make no mistake by conflating us, ohoho...keep me safe, and I'll keep you...feeling fine."

>>6029757
>>6029765
>>6029769
>>6029778
>>6029785
>>6029781
While Cress, Skitty, Sail, Matchia, and Kaz are Poisoned. You're all off, with Orner taking point.

Chapter 15: Missing
The Fiery Stronghold, Super Mario Galaxy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXb8ohRIW6Q

Inside, the ground is brittle and loamy, like you're stepping on shredded sponges. The sky above is tinted purple by irritants, and pools of black sludge line every surface. If you've ever seen tar before, you're sure that's it...
The only vegetation you can find are these oversized mushrooms growing between cracks in the ground and releasing spores, while the walls of the dungeon don't look any more solid or stable than the floor...Uncomfortable, but maybe not impractical to work with. These features are the ones Weezing takes himself and his terrain around first...
The rest of the opening chamber is populated with expected ferals in Mareanie, Gliscor, and Salandit. A few out-of-place looking Pokemon are wandering around a bit more intentionally in Zangoose, Corsola, and Overqwil, looking much stronger. None of them are drawing close to Weezing right now, and the latter Pokemon look significantly stronger than the ferals.
What will you do? They haven't seemed to notice you yet, but that Zangoose smells something bothersome. The non-poison types among them are already poisoned.
...Rapidash will follow melee attackers in with heals and a limited supply of Pecha berries, while Weezing will move himself and his terrain wherever directed.
...If you can agree amongst yourselves.

PLAYER TURN 1

>>6029814
>Evan doesn't want to leave the safe zone around Weezing, and since none of the ferals are getting close, there's no reason to reach a vine out.
>5AP into dodge, if necessary

>>6029814
>Dustin looks around the place looking frustrated.
“Why did I agree to be here? It doesn’t seem safe to breathe in the air.”

>>6029816
"Just cover your nose!"

>>6029814
"Ugh, I knew it... Zangoossse..." Orner looks at the cat weasel thing like it stole money from her.

>>6029823
"You know that one?"
>Kaz asks before they head off to their opponents

"We could fight at full capacity if we bring those aggressive Pokemon to the rest of our party...I am unsure how to get them over, though..."

>>6029824
"Yeah, they are the worssst! They get ssstronger with poissson too, here that'sss bad newss..."

>>6029827
"Ah shit, really? That's bogus!"

"Anyway, if someone can keep that flyin' one offa me, I can take the little spike one!"
"Looks watery anyway."

>Kaz is speaking of the Gliscore and the Mareanie

>>6029814
Spike grimaces as his paws sink into the slimy and powdery terrain, he can feel it all against his paws, the sensation lingering on his skin.

His nose twitches with every inhale, pungent sulfur stinking of spoiled eggs.

"I feel grimy just being here," Spike grumbles. "Let's just be quiet, avoid and distract the ferals and we can make it through without a fight," Spike warns.

>Spike uses Hone Claws, his attack and accuracy go up by 1 stage.

>>6029823
>>6029827
Espurr doesn't get the hate, but the poison part sounds unfun.

>>6029826
"It is foolish to walk into their territory and hope to challenge them. Are you certain the most direct option is the best? I am not. It is not." It's a bad idea. Espurr wants a second opinion.

>>6029822
"H-hey wait up!"
>Dustin follows Kaz

>>6029814
Wallis can't see the foes from within Weezing's peculiar mist. Instead, her gaze is fixed on the mushrooms. If she gets a glimpse of the full rogue's gallery, however, something terrible could happen...
"Let's keep cover around these shrooms for now, Misted Weezing."
Wallis says, setting up a Counter. She's wary of grass types around these mushrooms obscuring her view and she's got something prepped for that. The rippling aura of moisture around her becomes Lilac colored as it gains Counter's properties.

>>6029814
>Brook follows along with the others, sticking close to the floating balloon to avoid the toxic air...as well as the putrid stench that permeates every inch of this place

>he looks at the surroundings as they go, crinkling his nose in disgust as the ground squishes beneath his feet...he won't be able to focus on that for long though a short distance ahead it would seem there are other mons that are also crazy enough to come here

>immediately he shuts his eyes, feeling the flow of energy coursing through his body before it quickly turns into a minor sting as a stuffed fox appears right next to him sitting in the muk below

HP: 19/25
>he grabs it by the puff of hair on its head and tosses it on his back to bring with him just in case

>>6029830
"I don't exactly feel up for a fight right now...especially in a place that smells like...well you know"

>>6029814
Matchia'd much rather deal with the tougher looking Pokemon first, but taking the fight to them has already been said to be a pretty bad idea.
For now, she just Detects.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>6029814
HP:21/23
"Well, guess I gotta get the ball rollin'."
>Kaz charges forward, aiming for the Mareanie!

"Sorry little guy, but you gotta move!"
>Kaz uses Thunder Punch on the Mareanie!

>>6029833
>>6029841
"Aw hell. Dust! I could use a hand!"

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>6029814
>>6029834
Cubone seems to agree with Wallis' assessment, joining up by the mushrooms and taking shelter underneath one. Since she and the mushroom itself are providing cover, Cubone seems keen to bide his time for now...
He starts idly watering the mushroom he's sheltered under with Water Gun. It seems a pointless activity, perhaps slightly kind to the fauna, but this IS a mystery dungeon... Could he be onto something?

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6029814
"Yeooooow!"
>Katherine goes for a hit with a razor leaf against the Mareanie!

>>6029814
Espurr follows Cubone >>6029845 and Wallis >>6029834. They just sit around for the time being.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6029814
>>6029841
"Pffft! Nice going." Orner Guards Kaz from the monstruous future stallmon retribution.

>>6029814
>>6029841
>>6029844
>>6029846

Skitty jumps in to assist, smacking the Mareanie and trying to avoid getting stung as she attempts to stun it out of retaliating against Kaz or... Kath, regretfully. Fake Out! (4++2+1=7dmg)

>>6029848
She keeps her Defense.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>6029849
hey guys, i rolled. i rolled for this. trust me i did do that.

>>6029814
>>6029834
"Sounds like a plan."

>>6029844
"You got it!"
>Dustin uses Leer!

>>6029814
"Fume o' tar 'n sludge as gangway a bog."

>Sail liquidize himself with Acid Armor.
(2 + 2 = 4 Defense)

>>6029849
"Hey thanks, Skitty! I owe you one!"

>>6029848
>Kaz shrugs
"What can I say? Sometimes you just miss."
"Thanks for the help though."

>>6029856
"Nice one!"

>>6029865
>Dustin smiles and gives him a thumbs up.

Rolled 6, 6 = 12 (2d6)

>>6029841
Seemingly remembering something, Cress attempts to finish Mareanie off with a hasty Double kick.

>>6029845
>>6029847
>>6029854
Wallis glances back at her immediate allies in turn, then nods. Her attention is momentarily split.

Rolled 1, 8, 3, 3, 6, 3 + 5 = 29 (6d20 + 5)

>>6029868
>>6029849
>>6029846
>>6029841
11 Damage! 4 damage! 4 damage! It's just shy of enough for a knockout after Kaz's whiff. Mareanie is hanging on by a thread, but is well enough to take delight in having enough strength left over to use its signature technique...

>>6029845
One of the shroom's caps grows visibly in response to the watering. You can hear its mycelium digging further into the ground...until it breaks up and collapses into a little pool of tar underneath itself. Sounds sticky.
These other mushrooms look unhealthily large already, they might be able to unearth the tar pits in this dungeon even if uprooted and placed elsewhere.

>>6029847
>>6029815
>>6029830
>>6029837
>>6029839
>>6029862
While others spend their turns setting up and protecting themselves. Sail's defense is boosted, while Spike's strength and accuracy are up. Brook has a substitute!
Being behind cover, the other Pokemon don't seem to have noticed you yet...
>>6029856
Zangoose's defense is down a stage after your meanmugging! The bulk of his attention is on someone else, though...

ENEMY TURN 1

>>6029882
"Ay, you want me to do that again while he's distracted or you wanted me to go for the kill?"

>>6029884
"Which ever works for you Dust! I just wanted ta move the little guys outta the way so we could handle the power players."

>>6029887
"Alrighty!"
>While Zangoose is busy, Dustin uses Leer again.

Mareanie's Venoshock bounces harmlessly off Orner's face, dealing 0 damage as opposed to the 21 aimed for Kaz. Gliscor dives for Cress with Acrobatics for 14 damage. Salandit...mirror's Brook's substitute.
Zangoose is in the middle of relaying something to the other Pokemon when it catches sight of Kaz's guardian. The Pokemon's eyes narrow into slits and in an instant he's closed the gap to Orner. Most would consider grappling a constrictor to be a losing fight, but Toxic Boost, Natural Rivalry, and a lack of self preservation has him lifting Orner up and dunking her in the entrapping tar. For his sloppy effort, he does get ensnared himself while trying to force her head under, though.
Corsola uses Life Dew to restore 4 HP to Mareanie, while Overqwil seems oddly adept at moving through the famously adhesive substance. Its Barb Barrage deals 17 damage to Katherine...

Katherine, Matchia, Dustin, Cress, Kaz, and Skitty take residual poison damage, while Rapidash uses Heal Pulse on the former three...?
PLAYER TURN 2

Rolled 18 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

Seeing an inefficient engagement, Cress tries to wrestle Gliscor down before it can get back into the air. She's trying to drag him back towards the rest of her allies by Weezing...
...oops. She still has Lightweight on.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>6029898
Now that the fight's in full force, she follows up on Cress' attempt at a take down!
She charges the Gliscor, Faking it Out for (4 + 4) damage!

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>6029898
"All right!"
>Kaz sees his opportunity after the little spiky toxin pokemon misses even the large snake covering him!

>Kaz jumps out from behind Orner and tries to land another Thunder Punch!

>>6029898
>>6029908
8bp + 2atk + 4SE = 14 damage!

Kaz HP:19/23

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>6029898
"Oh cool, that one's a wrestler! Hey guys, who wants to put money on this?"
>Evan watches the age-old battle of Zangoose vs Seviper, pausing to let a vine out to smack Corsola
"No more of that, it ain't fair."
>Vine Whip on Corsola, should be 13 DMG

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>6029898
"DAMMIT! I knew it would come to thisss..."
Orner Gunk Shoots the mongoose point blank with the tar that's getting in her mouth.

>>6029917
Well, it wasn't point blank after all.

>>6029898
"Shoot!" Spike growls as they've turned the wrath of the local ferals and with worrying force.

He whips around to see Katherine getting blasted by barbs- he could heal her or his other teammates. . . Or he could deal damage to at least three others. . .

Spike scowls. He takes out a berry from his bag and tosses it to Katherine. "Katherine! Heal!"
As quickly as he takes out the berry, he takes a plain bowl of porridge and pours it down his throat.

>Spike threw a berry at Katherine! It heals 10 HP!
>Spike eats a Plain Porriage! His special attack is raised by 2!

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>6029898
>Sail fire Dragon Pulse on Gliscor
if hit,12 dmg!

Rolled 10 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6029898
>Looking at the fight going on in the distance, he turns away when he notices the lizard staring straight at him as....a second stuffed fox? Appears near him...creepy

>instead his attention is captured by the mushrooms that are much closer... the tar bubbling underneath doesn't bode well it he doesn't wanna just stand still while everyone fights!

>Standing to his hind legs, he raises his paws a white glow shimmers upon his claws as they lengthen into sharp needles...and promptly starts slicing into one of the mushrooms trying to ignore the disgusting feeling

>>6029922
Forgot to say
>Brook uses Fury Swipes

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6029882
>>6029898
"Fascinating..." Cubone mutters, poking at the tar pool created by the mushroom he just watered, before turning his attention to the battle at hand proper. What could he do with that? Well, the most vulnerable to the elements in Zangoose already ensnared itself, Corsola and Overqwil would likely be largely unaffected...
There's Gliscor, which just lunged at Cress. It wouldn't do any damage, but using Mud-Slap to toss the tar at it might just render its flying-adjacent abilities inert... so Cubone goes for that, with a nice handful of the gross substance. He wonders how he keeps ending up in situations like this, being such a neat freak...

File: e2eb1c1677491a7fdb17e5796(...).gif (1.9 MB, 500x280)

1.9 MB GIF

>>6029882
>>6029898
>>6029902
In a hushed whisper, Wallis exclaims.
"Idiot, why are you bringing the enemy here?!"
Wallis is about to prep a Wide Guard when...

>>6029910
"Put money on wh-"
Her gaze trails over at Evan's attention drawing... and her pupils dilate. She skids to a halt, no longer following closely alongside Weezing. She bears an unwavering expression that makes the strain from her nightmare-induced debuff look tame. On that note, she's gone about as stiff as her time in the nightmare. There's nothing touching her to trigger haphephobia... A... second fear?

>>6029931
>Brook halts his mushroom chopping to take a glance back towards his team mate, doing a double take at seeing her frozen expression
"W-wallis? You alright?"

>>6029931
"Woah, uh... Wallis? You okay there? ...ok that was a dumb question, obviously not... uh... anything I can help with there?"
>Evan's more carefree demeanor drops

>>6029933
>>6029940
"..."
She's not reacting, aside from a sharp inhale or two squeezed between uncomfortable pauses. Her rippling aura she tends to have in battle is dead calm in spite of its Counter coloration. She's looking over at the foes they face, but where exactly...?

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>6029944
>Evan tries following where she's looking...

>>6029954
It's not the age-old struggle playing out between the Zangoose and Orner. It's either the Corsola, the Mareanie, or the Overqwil she's looking at in the midst of the combat actions. She's not looking like she'll be acting herself, or like herself.

>>6029944
>Seeing her unresponsive makes him completely stop in his fungi flushing, instead looking over to what she may be causing something like this from one of their best defenders

>of course this leads his gaze over to see ...! his eyes widen as he puts two and two together

"Wallis! I'm not sure what exactly you're remembering but I think I have a decent enough idea."
>as quick as he can he throws the Brook substitute plush down at her feet

"Me, Ish, Evan, Flutter we're all here for you. You don't have anything to worry about as long as we're together!"

>he can feel his paws getting heavier, the glow starting to dim. With not much time left to spare he snaps his attention back to the mushrooms, using what's left of the power flowing through his limbs to try and keep chopping at them

>>6029980
The substitute nudges against her as it's lent... no reaction. Her fins don't even twitch as the sound of Brook's encouragement reaches them. Her attention is undivided.

>>6029898
"Sulfurous material can be flammable, and in specific circumstances, explosive," Sagira mentions. "The tar as well. From my current observations, at least. A sufficient spark would ward off the combatants or detonate the entire area."

"I can't estimate chances. But I can surmise it easily going either way. My luck has not been stellar as of late."

>>6029898
Espurr just continues to hide. They don't want to get caught by these guys.

>>6029898
>what do you mean shmael wasn't here before, of course he's here
>probably just didn't notice him first turn, definitely didn't sleep through, no sir-ee
>oh he's taking a sweet salad out his bag, using it's intended purpose to boost his Evasion by 2 stages!
"Made a booster for this, who needs their defence upping?"
>he asks, if nobody else needs the boost he'll probably get tanking

Rolled 12, 2, 12, 13 = 39 (4d20)

>>6029902
>>6029931
"If I had to choose between picking this fight alone while half of us are poisoned or with the help of the six of you over there...who could say."
She manages not to lose her grip while bringing the scorpion Pokemon into melee range from those in Weezing's safety.
Cress somehow finds the freedom to down her sweetbread without losing grip, either. (16/27)
"Don't let it get away!! We don't have time for a long battle."
>>6029907
>>6029920
Matchia follows the effort with Fake Out, dealing 5 damage, followed by 8 from Sail.
>>6029908
A loud and satisfying crack marks Mareanie's defeat!...that Corsola breathes a sigh of relief, before starting on a coughing fit.
>>6029910
9 damage! Corsola looks like it can handle another hit, but it backs away behind its partners rather than turning aggressive. It may not have anything better than Life Dew to use in the moment...
>>6029917
Zangoose lifts his head from hers in time to avoid the spray. It looks elated to have free license to attack as it pleases now...
>>6029919
Katherine's health is restored! The porridge goes down smoothly, almost like a primer for your voice. If only it tasted like anything...
>>6029922
>>6029927
Brook finds himself with three shrooms in his possession to Cubone's one. They take root quickly-almost like Leech Seed, though they don't affect you adversely if you hold them by the caps. Perhaps they'd affect Pokemon similarly to what they do to the ground...heugh.
Cress manages to use Gliscor's body as a shield against the incoming tar, immobilizing him with his wings closed. Stuck Pokemon can't move to use their contact moves on anything that isn't in their immediate vicinity, as well as leaving them weak to fire if you're the gambling sort...

ENEMY TURN 2

>>6032838
It looks like it's you. These enemies aren't too shabby, you may want a failsafe.
Why don't you pick a friendly escort to help you through this toxic wasteland?
>Weezing
>Rapidash

Gliscor, unable to attack tries its claws at freeing itself from the gunk...to no avail.
Salandit launches a Venoshock into Matchia, dealing 15 damage.
Corsola uses Life Dew again, this time into Gliscor. It heals 4 HP. The ferals aren't alllies unlike Zangoose and Overqwil, but it looks content causing you suffering over defending its own....?
Meanwhile, Zangoose uses Facade! Genetic hatred brings the attack to 22 damage into Orner. with...repeated headbutts.
Overqwil swims through the sludge stream to follow the attacks into its 'healer,' finding the protected group. It fights with a Gunk Shot...into Evan. 17 Damage...but the terrain zeroes any chance of him being poisoned.

Rapidash uses Heal Pulse to restore 2 HP to Cress, Kaz, and Skitty...while they, Katherine, Dustin, Matchia, Corsola and Zangoose lose 2 HP to poison.
Gliscor is healed for 4 HP, then 1 more...

PLAYER TURN 3

Rolled 11, 11, 1 = 23 (3d20)

>>6032881
"Dammit- We can never go in quietly can we?" Spike growls.

He jumps back from the immediate battle into the Weezing's misty terrain before taking a deep breath. The fox's jaw unhinges before an ungodly screech rings out through the air- it rattles the bones of Gliscor, Corsola, and Zangoose!

>Spike uses Snarl on Gliscor, Corsola and Zangoose!

>>6032887
>Spike does 10 damage to Corsola and 7 damage to Gliscor. Their special attack is dropped by 1.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>6032881
"Move out of the way!"
Katherine attacks the corsola with a razor leaf!

Rolled 12 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6032881
>when the power flowing through his claws fades, he finds three cut mushrooms at this feet that he very carefully picks up by using his claws to pierce the caps and store them away

"ugh yuck."
>he flicks both claws in a quick attempt to remove the tar and mushroom gunk he picked up in his mushroom mincing

+3 tar mushrooms


>>6030024
"Wallis! Evan!"
>instantly he spins around, forgetting the enemies to focus on his allies, Wallis still in a catatonic state is first to get his attention

>he runs over, a blue glimmer in his eyes as he prepares an illusion, and just as a glow envelopes his body he jumps up aiming to bring her back to her senses by taking the form of a the little bat mon she has no issue touching

"You gotta snap out of it, Wallis!"

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>6032881
Mohka could sit by and watch his teammate get nearly one shot... but he won't.

Leaving the safety of Weezing's aura, Mohka clobbers Zangoose with a Drain Punch!

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6032861
>>6032881
"Woo! There we go! Let's keep it up!"
>Kaz's spirits are bolstered, despite the poison seeping into his wounds!
>Probably stings a bit less with that heal pulse from Rapidash
HP:19/23

>Kaz decides to re-focus on the poisonous reptile attaching Matchia!
"Cut it out with the poison business! It reeks in here as is!"

>Kaz, fist crackling with Electric energy, launches at Salandit with a Thunder Punch to the snout!

>>6032902
It lands! Mohka drains the target's life points directly. 14 damage + 6 HP back to Mohka!

Rolled 4 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6032881
>Sagira used Ember around Overqwil! (Pyromancy III)
>She's looking to ignite the tar!
Sagira, from the backline, watches the assault from the Overqwil. While her own weaknesses are still fresh upon her mind, all this place really needs is one perfect spark. And the spike-fish is in the literal thick of it.

Waving her hand in front of her and forcing out a bundle of embers, she hopes that the stray fire doesn't erupt into an uncontrollable blaze or peter out into uselessness.

>>6032903
8bp + 2atk = 10 damage!

File: Wallis Debut Avatar °△°.png (2 KB, 40x40)

2 KB PNG

>>6032881
>>6032896
Wallis blinks rapidly, bearing her typical shocked expression as the Corsola escapes from her point of view from hiding behind the others. She darts her gaze away with a "Hmph!" gesture to see Evan in danger.
"C-Crap, hang in there, Evan!"
Wallis Guards Evan and Braces her mind, still overflowing with the prepped Counter as her pinkish, sparkling aura of moisture ripples around her again.
"I-I'm alright, okay?! Just... worry about yourself, Brook!"

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>6032881
Matchia grits her teeth, and bears the pain of the Venoshock! She's on the edge of fainting thanks to her currently shaky Special Defenses... But she can hang on... for now. (1 hp).
>>6032902
With a face that might pass for elation, she sees Mohka attacking the Zangoose, and she follows up behind him with a suplex from Reversal!
(12 + 4 + 4 + 2 damage!)

File: Dead.png (167 KB, 343x400)

167 KB PNG

>>6032911
She whiffed the command grab.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>6032881
HP: 17/23
"Scorn o' a salamander tail."
>Sail direct the bolt toward Salandit with Dragon Pulse!

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>6032881
>7/24 HP
>Evan coughs and scrapes the gunk off him
"UGH! Disgusting!"
>Evan peeks around Wallis and lobs a Blast Seed into Overqwil's face
"SLOBBER ON THIS YOU HELLION!"
>>6032910
"Wallis! You're gonna tell us what's up after we get through this, okay!? ...and thank you."
>Evan is still visibly and audibly concerned

Rolled 20 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6032881
(HP 3/23)
>Below 1/3 HP, Orner eats her Sitrus Berry
(HP 23/23)
"Why-ow-do-AGH-I-oof-have to be the reasssonable one?!" Between the headbutts she manages to spew out a few words before...
>Orner uses Aqua Tail! She tries to launch both her and Zangoose out of the tar before they sink. Swimming here can't be that different from water, right? +1 Sea Snake.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>6032881
Skitty whips a Blast Seed out of her bag and spins, launching it with her tail at the back of the Zangoose's head. Mainly to get it to let go... things aren't looking too good. Maybe if she saves Orner's skin she can leverage something... what an honorable motive.

>>6032922
...or maybe it's just for show.

>>6032861
>>6032881
"Whatever, I... I-I don't know, okay?! There's other things to worry about!"
Wallis turns to Weezing while she provides cover to Evan.
"Keep going, just stay out of reach from that tarred guy ahead of us!"

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>6032861
>>6032881
Cubone, making note of the self-unearthed mushroom he'd sampled tar from to throw at Gliscor, stands there watching the battle unfold while he speculates on how it might prove useful. It reacted strongly to water, and everyone else seems to have most of the other Pokemon under control... He's got it: throwing it at an aquatic creature ought to produce unpleasant results. Overqwil is about to receive a high-velocity delivery of a mycelium network to the face, if Cubone can land his throw.

>>6032910
>Seeing her return to normal, he freezes in his tracks slowly falling back to the ground as his form returns to normal
"A-alright, well if you're sure..."

>since he's already here...might as well retrieve the zorua doll he had tossed over a few moments prior

>>6032881
As Espurr witnesses their friends creatively utilizing the tools they have available to them, it makes Espurr realize they're quite inadequate and unfit to help.
But if they can make it to the Voice of Life quicker than their allies, then that means they're one step closer to fixing the little problem they have.

So...

>Espurr attempts to make a break for it, past the danger and closer to the objective. Some may see it as stupid, others may think it's a diversion, but it's really just them not wanting to be in a situation they can't help with. Maybe they'll find the stairs, or maybe they'll find more trouble.

Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d6)

Cress sees the biggest remaining threat to be the Pufferfish. a spikeball surrounded by tar makes for a poor contact target, but she's Double Kicking anyway.

>>6032917
>>6032903
And combined attacks cause Salandit's body to ripple and fade back into the mystery dungeon's foul air. It's like it and Mareanie were never there...
>>6032911
>>6032902
>>6032887
In trying to pluck the Pokemon from the tar...He's stuck in there a lot better than imagined. Matchia can't pull or even strike him without getting stuck herself...
While Mohka lands a slug with just a bit more reach. 13 damage! Mohka is poisoned.
Snarl's hit is signified by the Pokemon's every hair standing on end for 6 damage...
>>6032922
Actually, it is. It feels more like you're buried than swimming it's a bit easier to move than for most Pokemon...Until you begin generating water. it diplaces the sludge around you,allowing yourself and the maniac holding onto you to be propelled back onto solid ground, moving through a little veil of water surrounding you rather than tar.
...You're both still coated though.
>>6032923
Zangoose stares on in silent confusion at his rescuer before baring his fangs again. He's preparing for another attack when a blast seed propels him a second time into the dirt. At 10 flat damage, he gets up and looks back to the snake rather than any hidden attacker...before fainting. Despite the unconsciousness, it's happens to fall looking in the right direction, whispering something more at Orner than to her...
>>6032887
>>6032893
Corsola is knocked onto its back into the pools, kept above the fluid only by its coral spines after taking 6 and 12 damage. If glares could kill Spike, Katherine, or Evan...would it still be threatening, coming from a Corsola? It's KOed.

>>6032942
>>6032979 (You)
Ordinarily, these shrooms might break down a Pokemon's defenses by three stages. this engorged one plants itself and wrings Overqwil of six stages! There's one shroom left on the ground around Weezing...
For which Cress capitalizes with an unimpressive Double Kick. It deals 8 damage after drops...
>>6032918
>>6029747
To be followed up by concussive and fiery blasts from Sagira and Evan. In an instant, the battlefield is razed and transformed into a neon-blue hellscape, with flames lining the walls. Ember and Blast Seed spread comfortably and swiftly through the tar pits, dealing 12 and then 10 damage to any who happen to be submerged-in this moment, only Overqwil and Corsola. Orner may want to exercise caution, though.

Misty Terrain guards those inside its range from the burning toxic fumes, while Pastel Veil will protect one player riding Rapidash from their eggy toxins. All others take 2 damage from the fires and burning fumes inhaled.

Gliscor is in astonishingly good health, though immobilized and coated in tar,he's no longer keen on flying around and fighting in these fires. He's lying still...is that a forfeit?

COMBAT COMPLETE

>>6032950
Espurr walks ahead into a wide and expansive opening. He hears a voice echo in his mind as the flames catch and alight the whole place...
I see you've arrived. Excellent! But...

>>6033034
Espurr is unscathed and faces the source of the voice... which is to say, they stare off into space after giving their surroundings a once over.

Why did she stop speaking, that blue lady in their mind? Is something wrong?
"Continue. Have you found our meeting arrangements unsatisfactory?"

"If it can be sorted out quickly, then make it so." They are adamant about asking something of her... "I have a request." They look behind them at where the others are likely to approach soon. They'll wait until after their allies do what they have to do, It's... not of absolute importance right now, but it's still something bothering them.

>>6033034
>Evan wipes more sludge off of himself
"Alright, let's get going again."
>He grumbles as he directs Weezing to move forward

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>6033034
"Yay!"
Kath chills with Rapidash (vibes)

>>6033034
Spike stares back at the Corsola for a moment before tearing his eyes from it's hateful gaze towards the rest of his team.

"Is everyone alright?" Spike shouts, running over to the wounded with Weezing.

>>6033034
Wallisaverts her gaze from Corsola's own, avoiding a gaze in that general direction as if her life depended on it. Unaware she's about to be subject to more of the telepathic mind invasion she hates, Wallis shtomps ahead alongside Weezing with a Wide Guard up while Counter remains active. They're marching into the belly of the beast, if Swalot could even be called that, after all.
"I'm, so gonna get her for this..."
Wallis grumbles, steaming.

>>6033034
Matchia huffs in annoyance at her inability to finish off the Zangoose... before stumbling forward, nearly falling over.
She's severely injured, and the healing granted to her by Regenerator just barely keeps her up.
(2 hp)
She drags herself back towards the rest of her little group by the Rapidash, finally deciding to use her Oran.
(12, soon to be 10 hp)

>>6033034
>Brook is just putting the substitute doll on his back when he turns around and sees the chaos unfolding
>he quickly hurries back over to the gray balloon mon as they make their way forward....once everything seems to have calmed down

Rolled 19 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6033034
"It'sss ssuch a burden, being ssmart... Good sshot, Pinky!"
She starts firefighting with Aqua Tail, wouldn't want to catch an ember and light up herself, or her attacker...

>>6033047
"Hey Wallis, do you know how to use your water stuff without damaging me? I need this crap off of me right now."

>>6033054
"Uh... I could once we're through these fumes. I'm hoping Wide Guard helps stave them off. I can't really keep it to just you with Surf though, so it'd mean everyone gets the rinse cycle. Maybe Mud Shot would do the trick...?"

>>6033061
"Hm... okay, let's do it once we're outta this place. No point if I'm just gonna get sludged again in five minutes."

>>6033034
>>6033052
Though protected by the Misty Terrain, this won't clear a path. Water Gun to the rescue? No, actually, it's Mud-Slap. Orner has the water covered, and Cubone can stay safely away while suffocating flames with less-ablaze ground after they're drenched. Besides this, it doesn't seem like he has much to say on the matter. He'd probably be muttering something, though, were he not preoccupied.

>>6033034
Skitty sits back and relaxes, having taken minimal damage; just the few ticks of poison damage.

...where's Espurr?

>>6033052
"That didn't seem like the pinnacle of intellect to me... that thing almost took you down, you know."

The land stings your eyes with fumes and sulfur, intensely colored lights burning away at your vision as if they were ultraviolet lamps. Veins of yellow dust blend into nothing against the hued air and mark themselves simultaneously with lines of flame leading in and out of yet more pools of flammable gunk. A few lines of tall grasses line the solid ground that does exist, though it's hard to tell what color they are given the unlikely location and fires distorting everything.

>>6033040
Things have turned...complicated, little one. Just as they were about to find me hiding, I became afflicted with...something. It eats at my senses. I must stay hidden; if we meet, I will surely strike at you...lethally. I know it. It sounds horrible, but I believe our goals can be met without such an incident. The thought hangs in the air for a moment, giving Espurr a chance to absorb it all.
...If it's within my power, it will be granted...

>>6033044
"We will persist, but it will get problematic if there are more trials ahead. This is such an odd place to be, even if one was being chased..."

Rapidash uses its Heal Pulse to restore 4 HP to Brook and 2 to Kaz. "Lucky you, I'm a boss! If anyone wants to move over to my Weezing friend's gang, I've got a few Pecha berries to clear their poisoning! You'd have to stay with him, though..."
His partner speaks up. "It's been a long time since anyone's lit this dungeon up, so it is! Always a show...But those Pokemon were out for blood! They aren't dungeon ferals, either!"

>>6033067
>>6033052
You can forge a safe enough path through the dry land, but the pits are quite literally made of fuel. The dungeon's gonna be burning for a while.
...come to think of it, this is the third major fire this land has experienced in short succession. Odd.

>>6033075
Wallis gives Wide Guard a momentary rest to provide firefighting services. With Surf, she conjures a water table, then gently raises it from the ground to smother the flames. Breaks in the wave allow the party to avoid contact, but it's predictable by design should you desire a rinse.

>>6033075
>Sail consume a Sitrus Leaf to mitigate the toxic fume.
>As well consume the Peacha berry that the unicorn is offering.
HP: 18/23

>>6033075
Spike scowls, the flames are growing all around them and his team has already taken a quick, but furious beating from what must've a patrol. . . or some wildies.

He lets out a conscious and tired sigh, rubbing his temple with the wrist of his paw to avoid touching himself with the tainted ground.

"There goes the berry and the meal I planned to use for when we made contact with the captors. . ." Spike looks up at the rest of his team, and despite silent voice in his mind telling him to let it go, he can't help but deepen his scowl.

"This would've gone smoother if. . . Tch," he clicks his tongue and shakes his head.

"Wallis!" he calls out. "Can you give us a rinse?"

>>6033075
"Great. I'm covered in muck and everything's on fi-"
>>6033084
>Evan becomes clean
"Well that's better. Now where did Espurr go? Did anyone see them?"

>>6033075
So she isn't in control of herself... but her mind is stronger than her body, it seems.
Hopefully. They get the distinct feeling that they'll meet her again and she'll still be leagues stronger than them or their team. Regardless, they get to their request after considering what she has said.

"I have lost touch with my Psychic abilities." They have trouble saying it, especially in front of someone else, but they don't have much time before the others show up and make it even harder. "I lost them when I awoke from an unpleasant dream of sorts. I do not know why."

Espurr sits down and explains their situation, how they haven't felt the same ever since they were cured of Twilight Syndrome. "They give me trouble regularly, if not perpetually, yet I require them to function how I am meant to." They need their power back, even if it comes with the same drawbacks as before.
"Are you aware of a means to find that strength within myself again?" and as damaging to their pride as it is to say this... "I am lost."

The blue lady is the strongest Psychic they know of. If she can't help, then who can? She has to have a fix, right?
...A word of advice, at least?

>>6033089
>>6033084
Spike dives into the wave to rinse himself clean of the tar stuck to his paws and the odor attached to his coat by the fumes.

>>6033072
"I know, and it didn't! I had him meassured, I could have taken two more hitsss from him..." Sure enough, she's totally fine while everyone is still reeling from the fire. That Poison typing really pays off!

>>6033075
>Brook is a little surprised as a refreshing feeling flows over him, restoring most of the small amount of energy he has spent making the doll
HP: 23/25

"Thanks!"
>he says to the pastel horse as he remains near the gray floating balloon mon while he waits for the flames to die down

>>6033075
>>6033090
"Ran off ahead, I believe." Cubone dryly answers. He'd question the decision, but Espurr is still a bit ahead of them, and it doesn't seem to have led to anything problematic, so he keeps his questioning to himself.

>>6033096
"Thank you. Let's go catch up, yeah?"
>Evan continues his forward movement

>>6033089
>>6033090
>>6033093
>>6033098
"Yeah yeah... When I get a look of her mug face-to-face, I swear..."
Wallis says as she brings the wave down gently following the rinse to make her way ahead.

>>6033092
Not all of the actions we take are voluntary. I can tell from your feelings that you carry great turmoil...it's a turmoil I have seen before. It is no malady or injury, but something born from your heart. Your heart wishes to ache no more. Think of all the times your exertion has brought you suffering and pain-let no experience nor Experience say your self is a worthy sacrifice for friends or growth. Power you cannot control is merely a growing pain; it grows easy with time. Allow your allies to be your strength until it comes into its own, and allow yourself to heal. Many things are beyond our powers to influence, even for myself. Understanding that truths like that is the only reason I have survived to enjoy my Creation for so long. Especially now...

The rest of you travel ahead and meet Espurr, standing alone in this wide, burning field. The voice is now audible to the rest of you...

There is a pursuer nearby. She is very powerful, and seeks to end my life. This dungeon hides a secret I cannot uncover, one pivotal to overcoming our enemies-! 'Flames run blue, and Pokemon are to be commanded. Accept the way of the world and inherit the stars.' If you solve that Jynx's poem, do not her find what you uncover...

Curious. Someone wrote a riddle to help uncover the Unity's Heart? Or is it some other artifact...?

To be concluded this Saturday on the 15th. Go ahead and take 30 Exp for your efforts.

"What a waste of yourselves, coming here and offering your bodies up like Bounsweet..."
A figure reveals itself atop the steep hill in the center of this field. At first one might assume it to be a Pokemon at home in this deadly environment, what with it standing so high amid the rising smoke and sublimating poisons...but then it starts on a coughing fit. It's a little hard to make out the species until it steps forward again.
"Why don't you lie still and make it quick and painless? there's nowhere to hide, not here..."

And out of the blue lights and haze steps... a camel-looking Pokemon with a turnover baked into its back. It's a little difficult to take seriously...

But the echo of that Gardevoir's voice in your mind snaps to silence.

Your travelling buddies are getting cold feet, now stammering and shuffling idly. "I...oogh. I didn't know you Pokemon had it out with the locals. We're not about to get raided, are we...?"
"Is that so?"

>>6036450
>apologies about posting once and collapsing last attempt. this time will be different. also ish shall remain by koffing to avoid poisoning for now.
"Bold words for a reject baker's product. we're here on a rescue mission and we intend to see it through."

>>6033075
"Who the heck are you, buddy?"
>Kaz asks the mysterious camel like pokemon.

>Kaz addresses their allies, Koffing and Rapidash,
"Never seen this guy in our lives."

>>6036450
>Brook freezes, eyes snapping over to the voice straight in the center of the rising fumes that permeate this whole area

>a bead of sweat breaks out on his forehead while he takes a gulp, the tension in the air growing as they continue to speak until....!

"Snrkk"
>a chuckle escapes his mouth
>he was expecting something scary not an apple pie and one that themselves seem to be choking on the toxic air too

>of course noticing the pair traveling along with them shaking in their...hooves? he quickly raises a paw to stifle his giggle

>>6036450
>Is... is that a talking pie?
"Tough talk comin' from somethin' I'm pretty sure I've ate fer breakfast before.

>>6036450
Orner will stay by the Rapidash, and put on a Berry before fighting starts.
"Iss thiss a bit? Iss thisss a lil' jesst? Becausse I'll be real, it isss kinda funny..."

>>6036450
>Evan smirks, amused by the sheer difference between the words and the thing saying them
"Get outta here with that stupid tough guy crap, between your attitude and this sewer of a swamp, that nectar you lot are famous for probably tastes like fermented piss. Get lost, ya fuckin' stooge!
>Evan waves it off

>>6036450
Wallis has no idea Galarian Weezing has type advantage vs Appletun. She leans in to reassure Weezing in her own special way.
"We did not schlep our way here through this venomous no-mon's island just to back off to this rando! We said we'd escort you, so just get moving ahead and we'll escort you from your side!"
She commands Weezing, sticking to part of the riddle despite not hearing it. Being bossy can help, I guess. You know what else helps? Counter. She's already set up another one after she had to drop it to rinse off her allies with Surf and fight the fires around them.
"And you, pastry pansy! You don't get to act like we're trespassers when you're hiding an important pokemon to the outside world here! Why don't YOU make with the hiding and we'll be on our own ways?! Now!"
Wallis is in a horrible mood. That's the most diplomacy she can muster. She's steaming in spite of talking the way she did to a grass type, not that she knows that.

>>6036450
"...Hm."
Matchia sizes up the new foe, not saying much of value.

>>6033151
Allow yourself to heal... Your allies be your strength.
It's hard to accept that. Would that mean putting aside power for the sake of avoiding pain? Trying to force it only seems to lead to unhelpful growth. Perhaps it has to be this way... for now.

>>6036450
Espurr isn't happy to have their thoughts interrupted by this obnoxious creature. It seeks to... kill them? Great to know.
The cat isn't as overconfident as some of their allies are known to be, however. They know they can't fight such a Pokemon, who is evolved and stands with the gall to threaten a group of several opponents. Surely there's some skill backing those words. Skill Espurr doesn't possess in return.

They take a good look at their surroundings to see if they missed anything that would be strategically-valuable before the threat of danger resurfaced.

>>6036450
Cubone is... less than intimidated by the figure. Perhaps unwisely, given his Type and Moves... although, he's considering just trying to walk around it, going off how fast that Pokemon ought to be able to move.
"Lie still? That sounds... far more like a request than a threat." he notes.

>>6036450
Sagira takes note of the hesitation coming from their companions and narrows her eyes in suspicion, putting greater distance in case of anything drastic.

>>6036450
>Dustin realizes.
“It’s that girl I had in my dream that had like an explosion or something!”

>>6036450
Spike scowls, his yellow eyes seem to glow as they narrow at strange. . . pie camel.

"You're part of the abductors aren't you?" he questions, a hiss in his voice.

>>6036495
>Dustin gets too into it to even listen on his fellow teammate.
“..itwaslikeadreamthatIcoudntgetoutoffand…”

>>6036450
"I think a fight with you would be painless no matter what," Skitty snarks aloud. Bad choice? Maybe, but it's funny to hear edgelord lines like that coming from... uh...

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>6036450
"Hey! That was mean!"
(Vibes)

>>6036470
>>6036469
>>6036468
>>6036466
>>6036464
>>6036461
>>6036460
>>6036495
>>6036492
>>6036498
The Pokemon stamps in place. It seems jeering from an entire crowd is getting to her. "S-senseless brutes...all of you! Yes...it's so shameful that I'll have to lay waste to you! Come to me and reap the fruits of your pointless violence. You'll find no treasure here!" Treasure?
"Abductor. Phwew! You wish, interlopers! There will be no quarter for you. Not here, not anywhere!"

>>6036476
>>6036473
The terrain here is all eroded and brittle from fungi, including the mound that Appletun stands on. The tar pits in this area run much wider than the ones Orner could wrestle atop earlier; they're probably much deeper, as well. Blue fire and toxins alight the place at all corners, thickening the smog the into the air they rise. Actually, it looks the densest at Appletun's height, yet she still stands up there. Tall, dry grasses line the circular arena-bowl you find yourselves in, enough to partly obscure your view of things at eye level. Supposedly, this dungeon pit hides the Voice of Life and a secret somewhere...
And most of the grass and tar is on fire, with a little circle of mud and not-fire around Weezing and Wallis.

Appletun wheezes away 2 HP before popping an Eyedrop Seed into her mouth and doing a cursory scan of the place. She begins channeling a technique, one that causes her eyes to glimmer a deep indigo blue and the skies above to stain into the same colors as the flames. Was it always nighttime in here? Lights are starting to line the pepper the heavens through the veil of sulfur...
You've got a turn to do something about that.

"Should we just run? The exit's only a move or two away..."
"That one's not just a Mid-Boss, I know that aura. She's a boss! Watch out!"

>Boss: 0 IP. Enemy only. User gets 3 actions per turn.

The fires burn away at the tar pits.

PLAYER TURN 1
Examination Allegro 2016, Ace Attorny: Spirit of Justice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_InP3Qe2yg

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>6036515
"You should just give up and give us her location," Spike warns, but the battle has already begun. His jaw unhinges and from the dark pit of his mouth a screech rings out, shaking the air.

>Spike uses Snarl on Appleton! It should do 10 damage if it it hits (>10) and lower their Special Attack by one.

>>6036515
"I feel my best move here would be knocking her into the pits with bounce."
>ish turns to the group
"But, I don't got time to use it traditionally, and... may have trouble approaching with that tar otherwise. Kaz, Mohka. either of you feel your aim is up to par?"

>>6036515
"This is not good guys..."
>The flames surrounding them prevent Brook from taking a step backwards as the dinopie
"C'mon I've gotta have something..."
>Brooks eye remain locked to the paye as he digs around, accidentally dropping a blue orb on the ground

"Huh? Oh hey!"
>he chases after the rolling crystal strange he can almost swear there's a weird glow coming off it but there's no way sunlight in this place?

>Thankfully he manages to catch it before it rolls into the flaming tar and when he picks it up he sees a small glowing crack in it before the whole thing lights up......!

>Brooks MUG ORB activates

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>6036515
>Evan Leers at the dragon.
>There's not much else he can do, here.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>6036515
>Kaz
"I don't like the look a those eyes."
>Kaz charges forward to throw the enemy pokemon off their game!

>Kaz leaps and bounds between the fires to land a Thunder Punch across the Pokemon's face!
"Surge Strike, comin' up!"

>>6036515
>>6036527
>>6036526
8bp + 2atk + 1Leer - 4NVE = 7 damage!

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6036515
"Y'know, we could ussse a Wide Guard... right about now... OIIII-"
>Orner uses Screech against Appletun!

>>6036536
>8>4
>Another -2 defense for Appletun!

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>6036515
>>6036522
>actually, looking closer, a rebound might not be needed right now.
"to hell with it, gonna crunch that apple"
>and he charges, jumping, and readying a fire fang straight for it!

>>6036515
Espurr is the smallest of the small here, the grass is more than tall enough to hide in... and more than flammable.

>Espurr dashes into the tall grass and goes prone, uprooting as much of it as they can to gather grass to use for later.

If they can find a stick or something similar, they could make a torch to carry with them. Perhaps the blue fire has a sort of warding effect; they weren't feeling very sick when they were alone, talking to the Voice of Life.

>>6036541
(6bp+3def down+1atk+1STAB, 11 damage! the opponent is burned if they don't already got a major status too!)

>>6036530
“Kaz, quick question. WHAT KIND OF WORLD IS THIS?”

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>6036515
>Sail bolt Appletun with Dragon Pulse!
"Nah thaw into a pit o' sludge in the air. Knock toward the tide. So say wyrm."
If hit, 16 dmg!

>>6036515
"Fine, then we'll be answering your warm welcome in kind, apphole!"
Wallis' headfins twitch and she looks up to see the lights in the sky. Though she's yet to see a move like this, there is only one way she can think to respond.
>Wallis used Wide Guard!
Still in a battle stance and enveloped in Counter, she is able to form a barrier matching her colors that contours to all allies' shape. While she does so, she attempts to give that same protection to the Voice of Life. The one upside to her from the repeated dream invasions is that she knows what she's looking for. Whatever's close by that matches the VoL's description, it's getting a Wide Guard barrier. The time for hiding is over.
>>6036536
"Don't try and pull rank on me! I know what I'm doing!"
Very irritable today.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>6036515
"You ain't gonna be in much a position to be givin' quarter here soon."
>With that, Mohka dashes across dry plots of land and up the hill, aiming to knock the Appletun down off of the hill and into a tar pit with a Dragon Tail!
(11 damage + thrown if lands)

>>6036515
Maybe it'd be a little hard to just walk around Appletun after all. The one time he gets too uppity, he thinks...
The environment happens to favour Cubone's particular strengths, though, and he decides the best bet is to dissuade further fiery attacks from the source, by tossing some of the flaming tar at the Appletun with Mud-Slap.

Rolled 20 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6036515
>>6036560
>Sagira used Ember on the tar! (Pyromancy III)
Sagira looks at the burning tar and the new position the attacker is going to take. With some hopeful predictions, she lobs some Embers in the spot she believes the trajectory intersects.

"We should move. There isn't much reason to linger... but there was mention of something else. Are they protecting something?"

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6036565
when the dice

>>6036530
>Correction, -7!
>Ouch, damage = 4

>>6036545
"A world of fire n' brimstone."
"I think. Reminds me of a book I had ta read in class."

>Kaz looks at the cerulean flames.
"The blue fames are new."

>>6036572
"I'm pretty sure this is what hell would look like."
>ish offhandedly comments
"Maybe a bit more... cave-y though.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>6036515
Skitty uses Tail Whip on the Apple Creature Thing at the maximum range her reach can allow, unsure if getting close is too much of a hazard. Hopefully the others can cover her... even though some of them already had the same idea.

(-1 Def)

>>6036576
"Really? I always thought it'd look more...red, you know?"
>Kaz passes the turn by with idle chatter

"Though, it'd be a lot cooler with green flames."

>>6036572
"They yearn for what they fear for. What do you want me to do right now?"

>>6036580
"Uuuuh, I dunno, hit it with a dragon move or somethin, see if that works."
>Kaz suggests to his teammate
"Doesn't look like 'lectricity does much."

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6036591
>Dustin shrugs.
"Aight."
>Dustin uses Dragon Tail!

Rolled 7 (1d20)

Cress notes the color in the sky and moves to break line of sight between Wallis and Appletun. She lights an Ember to throw into the Pokemon's mound of plants...

Rolled 5, 9 = 14 (2d20)

>>6036536
>>6036526
>>6036520
>>6036577
piercing sounds, tail-wags(?) and gazes drop the aggressor's stats by 3 defense and 1 Special attack, dealing...0 damage.
>>6036525
a glittering cocoon-like seed drops from the Appletun's possession and skips into yours. It's colored like a rainbow marble, partly wrapped in a gold skin. It exudes power in a way you've felt a couple times before...elsewhere.
>>6036565
The Mud Slap accomplishes no more than a small accuracy penalty, but the toxic/flammable residue remains on the target. She'll be susceptible to fire now...
>>6036542
Espurr should hope that effect wasn't merely a placebo. It's pretty thick out here...
The grass is purple, on closer inspection. Hopefully that doesn't mean anything bad.
>>6036526
>>6036543
>>6036546
At three defense drops, Your combined attacks fall upon this Appletun at once to deal...2 damage, through Ishmael's tar boosted Fire Fang. They glide off her skin in fashion not too dissimilar to a legendary cursed sword or seasoned world-class warrior-before her trained defenses even apply. Her flesh is honed to...perfection?! Is this really a mere Appletun?
Sail's Dragon Pulse deals another 1 damage. This output is...concerning.
>>6036566
The flames take hold immediately, consuming the fluid and roaring wildly. Sulfur veins previously hidden make themselves known with walls of heat and blinding passersby with pillars of light. The ambient sulfurs thicken...


Ember spreads to all Pokemon inside the tar pits. Right now, that would be...nobody.
>>6036560
>>6036595
...Until a pair of Dragon Tails throws thepie Pokemon into a particularly large pit for 0 damage. Sagira's critical Ember spreads to her for 2 damage.

ENEMY TURN 1

>>6036613
"Well at least something happened..."

>>6036613
"That felt like biting rubber..."

Appletun uses Drcao Meteor! The stars fall from the sky, falling upon each and every one of you...only to be broken and fade into sparks of nothing when a little barrier of light reduces the meteors to nothing.
She follows up with a spray of bubbling fluid aimed for Wallis...only for Cress to absorb the acid. a special defense drop is incurred on the rabbit. (4/27)
on her final turn, she kicks off the sludge, sublimating it entirely as if she isn't trapped at all. Steel Roller crashes into Cress, knocking her out...

PLAYER TURN 2

Dustin, Kaz, Skitty, Ishmael, Matchia, Mohka, and Katherine all take 2 poison damage.
Up on the top of that hill, the rising fumes have been thrrfold more dangerous by the spread and use of fire. Mohka, Kaz, Ishmael, and Dustin take 8 damage from the sulfurous fog...

The fires rage on. In one of the pits, a terraformed flat ledge is revealed by some of the tar having burned away...
Rapidash uses Heal Pulse to regenerate 2 HP to Mohka, Kaz, and Katherine!

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>6036630
"Well, shit. Guess this is gonna suck, then."
>>6036637
>Evan Leery

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>6036637
(13/23 HP)
>that doesn't feel good...
>ish hops down, chasing after the appletun and throwing another fang into it!
>remaining 2 AP into evasion, combined with stat boosts, that's a 7 or more to hit ish
"Keep away from her!"

>>6036648
(that is...6+1+1+5, for 13 dam before defence)

>>6036637
Spike's scowl deepens. He glares daggers at the pie-camel-dragon-thing.

In the back of his mind he feels the immense pressure of something building, some. . . malice pushing against the back of his eyes and the walls of his skull. It exudes in his aura, something wrong and ominous.

"Die."

Spike lets out a scream as a sharp, throbbing pain like something stabbing him all over goes off.

>Spike uses Curse on Appelton.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>6036637
"Hey!"
At lack of better options, Katherine attacks with a rapid spin

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>6036637
>Kaz
HP:11/23
>Kaz coughs from the burning fumes!
"Ugh, feels like bein' in a forest fire..."

"All-cough-right, let's see if some air can cut though this smog!"
>Kaz's body glows a pale blue!
>Suddenly, he disappears!
>Only to reappear and slam into Appletun!

>Kaz used Aerial Ace on the pie shaped assailant!

Rolled 19 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6036637
Espurr takes the grass they've collected and sets it alight at the nearest fire source, tossing clumps of lit grass at the Appletun. They keep going as best they can, uncertain that this will do anything...

Foraging III

>>6036659
>>6036613
6bp + 2atk + 3SE + 5defdrop = 16 damage!

>>6036637
>Sail switch up the berry for the gem.
"Tip of throne of astral fall above."

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>6036637
Skitty starts belting out Taylor Swift lyrics, hoping to at least disorient the thing throwing out three attacks a turn. Who taught that thing to move so fast?!

(Disarming Voice Mastery: Disruptor Tier 1. 4+3SE=7 damage)

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>6036637
(13/23 HP)
The Sweat Band around his nose and mouth does little to block out the smog, and Rapidash's heal pulse is only a minor reprieve - but appreciated nonetheless.

Mohka hops back down from the hill, towards the newly cleared terraformed ledge - taking a swipe of Dragon Tail at Appletun in route, in the hopes of golfing the pie back into the smog at the top of the hill.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6036613
>he feels the crystal in his grip become much lighter, and when the glow finally fades it's not the orb he sees but rather an object that almost resembles a seed...despite all the chaos going on he does nothing but look down at stare at it completely entranced by the aura it seems to give off

>it isn't until the sound of tiny meteors bouncing off the barrier above snaps him out of it that time seems to flow normally again, instantly the mystical seed? Is tucked away as he scurries off

>>6036637
>he isn't entirely sure what's happened but he finds himself running ahead rather than away, jumping over flames as the smoke begins to gather around his limbs mixing with a sky blue aura a tell tale sign that Flying energy is being called

>after touching that seed he feels more at ease, as if the apple pie mon is suddenly a lot less dangerous....despite the fact it just shot meteors

>>6036659
"Hey Kaz wait up!"
>he calls follwing right behind the bear as he jumps forward in a sudden burst of speed and backflips sending a slicing gust of smoke directly into the appholes face!!!

6bp + 3atk +3SE +5defdrop = 17 damage!

>>6036613
>>6036637
"C-Cress?!"
Wallis can hardly process the saving of her bacon.
"T-Thanks..."
She mutters, hardening her stance to focus fully on Wide Guard. Whatever that was, it'll definitely hurt a party this beat up from the poisonous path here. The Wide Guard protection around the party is fortified!

>>6036637
"You have got to be kidding..." The gravity of the situation has sunk on Orner. She knows what she has to do.
>>6036683
"Hey, don't let up at any point!"
Orner Guards Wallis! Lets hope she can take what's coming.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>6036684
Also, does she keep her two defense? Over five means yes.

>>6036685
its four or more actually, she does

>>6036681
"Wait up!? Come on Brook, you know me! You gotta catch up!"
>Despite the jab, Kaz does slow down a bit so he and Brook can attack as one!

>>6036678
(11 + 5 def drop = 16 damage + thrown)

Rolled 20 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6036637
>Sagira's Magician! (Thaumaturgy III)
>Sagira spins up a portal beneath the Appletun!
Sagira notices the increase of the toxic, bellowing smoke emerging from the vibrant flames. Glancing back at the unmoved assailant and the roaring assault from above, she quickly shuffles towards the largest, brightest fire. Whipping her hands around, she summons the bridge in reality.

"Cubone. You can generate a source of water, yes? We can try to disrupt the target with a blast of smoke or steam. Or neither. This is... guesswork at its finest. But ultimately, better than inaction."

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>6036698
Cubone only takes a second to consider it.
"True enough. The smoke can't be good to inhale, at least..." he notes, aiming his Water Gun at the burning fauna.

>>6036684
Wallis is so surprised she almost drops her concentration.
"I don't get it at all..."
She mumbles. In spite of this, she similarly recognizes the threat Draco Meteor poses.

Rolled 11, 14, 2 = 27 (3d20)

P.S. for previous post, Rapidash and Appletun take 2 poison damage. Rapidash consumes an Oran Berry.

>>6036650
Without any more tar, the attack itself deals 0 damage. Your flames add more power to the smog above, however...
>>6036662
...And yet more still. Her body shrugs off the projectile tinder, but now there's even more. Curiously, without the sediment to contribute chemically, this grass burns in the more traditional orange color. It must be something special about the land to form this blue flare.
Oh, and all that clearing away revealed to you another of those Crumbling-tar Shrooms. Be sure to hold it by the cap if you touch...
>>6036689
All to be capped off by Mohka's follow-up Dragon Tail. Even with 5 defense drops, the attack deals no damage...but the cloud above has grown dangerously. This time, a lungful deals 14 damage!
>>6036683
Around the point most of you are familiar with Wide guard fading away, the light barrier just spins in place. It looks like Wallis is keeping it up...
>>6036639
Something feels...comfortable, about this technique. Almost like you could exert something through it-despite being a mere authoritative gaze. For now, though...-1 Special Defense.
>>6036652
It feels like a 5' nail digging into your body...which is most of your width, at this size.
Appletun winces, feeling much the same in this moment. She's Cursed!
>>6036681
>>6036700
The Water Gun falls as ends as more of a fanning spray than a directed beam-perhaps better for creating the intended effect, but certainly not intended. Ember, having created a gate around Appletun absorbs the flowing gases surrounding her in volumes far greater than anticipated-superheated steam builds pressure and jettisons out from Sagira's 'possession' and back into Appletun in concentrated form, dealing 16 damage.
It's all immediately purified by Weezing's aura, though magic-infused superheated steam is equally hazardous to the dragon's kind.
Though concentrated, the torrent blows wide. Cubone is clipped by the edge of the stream for 4

>>6036681
>>6036659
Speaking of combined efforts, you're used to breaking a certain level of air when using these slashing techniques. It's wider in tandem; the vacuum formed by your dual-Aerial Ace gives you a split second's reprieve from the smog you must dive through to follow Appletun upwards onto the mount. feel free not to take 14 damage to smoke inhalation this turn.

>>6036656
At -5 defense, the attack...bounces off, dealing 0 damage.

ENEMY TURN 2

The old apple-templar manages to stave off being Confused by the magically purified steam attack.
A second Draco Meteor befalls the party to no effect...
A second Apple Acid is launched at Orner in place of Wallis, to deal 16 damage and a Special Defense Drop.
The Pokemon rolls downhill to meet her with Dragon Tail to force Orner out of the way and back into the tar pits...and misses.

Appletun, Ishmael, Skitty, Kaz, Dustin, Katherine, and Rapidash take 2 poison damage. Brook is poisoned and takes 2 damage.
Katherine inhales the smog from above and takes 14 damage...

You've added a lot of heat to the area. Yet more tar burns away, revealing a hollow dugout underneath Mohka's ledge...it's starting to crumble.

This Appletun is starting to gasp for air. she's looking wilted... "Not here...not to you...!"

PLAYER TURN 3

>>6036674
The attack falls harmlessly upon Appletun, but it seems to linger within her. She might fail to reach desired effects with Steel Roller or Dragon Tail...

>>6036652
Failing to KO anyone, Appletun withers as 6 HP is drained.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6036754
"Yes here-"
>Kaz begins, readying up more pale blue energy
"And yes, ta us! You're not gonna stop us from savin' our friend!!"

>Kaz launches, hurtling himself through the blue flames, to deliver another Aerial Ace!
>If it ain't broke, why fix it?

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>6036738
"Is she having trouble breathing?" Spike questions out loud, noticing her constant coughing before an idea occurs.

Spike's shadow darkens and races across the ground- but instead of trying to harm- an invisible force slams into her wind pipe.

>>6036754
>>6036764
6bp + 2atk + 3se + 6defdown = 17 damage!

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>6036754
Rolling back downhill? Not on Mohka's watch. Another Dragon Tail to knock the appletun back uphill! And hop off this crumbling ledge, while he's at it.

>>6036754
>Evan gives her an obscene gesture
"If you're gonna cry about it, do it at home! Nobody wants to see yer ugly mug get even uglier!"
>Evan takes a break. It does nothing, but he's laughing at the boss.

>>6036738
>>6036754
>>6036758
Wallis winces as she narrowly avoids a bath of Apple Acid. Though the smell assails her senses with the targeted Orner ornear, she remains totally focused on Wide Guard. The Appletun's growing lack of composure is all the reason she needs to Wide Guard harder.
>Wallis used Wide Guard!
"This is why you shouldn't have stood in our way! Consider your bed made, now sleep in it!"

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>6036754
"Agh!" (HP 7/23)
That's under the 1/3 threshold, Sitrus Berry consumed!
(HP 23/23, -1 Sp. Def.)
"Keep it up guysss, she'ss about to drop!" Orner throws her first actual attack this fight, a Gunk Shot that will hopefully help finish the fight!
(10 BP + 3 STAB + 4 ATK + 5 SE + 2 TS = 24 Damage! If the roll is 4 or more)

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>6036754
>The energy infused wind was able to keep the toxic fumes out for a short time, but as usual it's fleeting
"COUGH"
>he grasps at his chest, almost falling forward on his face only managing to catch himself at the last minute however...something else did fall to the ground
>he smirks before turning back to the apple bottomed drake

"Hey, apphole you aren't looking so good. Maybe adding one of these will help keep your crust together!"
>Brook throws the mushrooms at near point blank range, being careful to hold them by the caps with his claws

>unfortunately he can't exactly look back to make sure they all hit, hopefully his aim was good as he books it back to the others near the balloon mon

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>6036754
"High gangway the wyrm o' fall o' ash. Below the fume."
>Sail consume the Dragon Gem
>Shot a bolt at Appleton with renewed vigor, with Dragon Pulse!
If hit, 19 dmg!

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>6036754
Wow Matchia has been definitely been doing stuff this whole time!!
Matchia jumps into the fray, using Reversal all the way! The poison damage's pumped her up, but she's not at max 'moxie'!
(8 + 4 + 2) damage!

>>6036754
>Ishmael... thinks the team has got it, determining he should block for Wallis to keep the guard up instead.
>11/23 HO

>>6036764
>>6036775
>>6036779
>>6036781
>>6036788
>>6036780
A cascade of attacks, both effective and not fall upon the dragon. 1 damage, 14, 8, 2, and 4 after Brook's mushrooms leech away yet more of her natural armor. Only the first takes root, though...
She slumps to the side at the top of that hill after Spike's sneak attack. This Appletun is taking the punishment in stride, reacting little to the onslaught until the last of the moves are made. Her eyes flip up to Spike and Kaz, trying to get a read on them. The next time she speaks, her voice is slow and labored. "...?...You don't belong Here. This path isn't right for you..." For all her strength, that attack on her breath may have worked. She collapses on the spot, not bothering to come down from the superheated clouds yet awake all the same. Rather than preserving herself, she's muttering curses about respect and seniority towards Brook and Evan.

COMBAT END

The fires roar on, melting away at terrain and tar alike. The blue lights and pieces of draconic meteor together are blinding-some of you may not notice Mohka's ledge collapsing after he leaves, the space underneath it being supported by...nothing. The sulfur-tar in in the pit below burns away, but there's no soil or stone underneath...The hole just gives way to a downward blue void. Are those stairs? There's still liquid evaporating away in there...

It's unclear whether the desert Pokemon is out of health, but she's done fighting. That encounter looks to be worth...20 Exp.

>>6039304
>...
"I don't think going in there is a good idea."
>the rabbit remains firmly in misty terrain range, mainly to keep himself from getting too curious
"fucked up star hole, if we have some sort of cord that won't burn, that's the only way I can think that's safe"

Rolled 20 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>6039304
Spike stares back at the Appletun and keeps staring until she finally falls. Spike lets out a tired sigh, his legs wobble as the phantom pain fades away from his flesh.

"Is everyone alright?" He calls out- but considering the. . . curse? Yes, curse. Considering that it didn't break, everyone must be alright.

His eyes wander over his teammates and the battle field, through the flames and smoke he spots the strange hole.

>>6039308
"I can go in," Spike says, hobbling over as his claws idly grow into climbing picks. He takes a deep breath and walks towards it.

>Spike's Undead Attribute to try and not breath the evaporating liquids.

>>6039304
>with the fight seemingly over, Brook tip toes back over to recover the mushrooms that hadn't taken root. Keeping a careful eye on the dino pie as as he does so.

"Wha-"
>Brook pauses to dig around through his supplies...as well as let another cough work its way out of his throat
"What is....this?"
>he presents the golden seed like object to the defeated? pie

>>6039312
"Are you sure? it's... still on fire."

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>6039304
Kath vibes, awaiting for further instructions

>>6039304
"WOO!"
>Kaz raises both arms, fists clenched in cheer!

"That'll learn ya!"
>He says to their defeated foe

>>6039312
"Be careful down there!"
>Kaz calls after the half dead Zorua

Rolled 1 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6039304
>>6039323
"On it..."
From within the confines of Misty Terrain, Wallis hesitantly drops Wide Guard and starts the Surf rinse cycle. She conjures a Water Table beneath her, then pushes it outward to send a wave that washes away both the fires and their tar source.

>>6039304
>After a moment, Kaz walks over to the Appletun
"So, what's your story?"
>Kaz sits down in front of them
"Not often we get ta talk to the bad guys."

>>6039304
"Ah, of course. The burning crap reveals a mystery pit from hell! Classic game design, you know."
>Evan wipes some gunk off of himself
"Well, get to it! That shithole ain't gonna explore itself, now is it?"

>>6039323
>>6039327
Spike gives them a thumbs up with his claws. The fire won't hurt him too much. . . Right?

>>6039337
"Be careful!"
>Brook momentarily looks away to wish the white fox luck, before returning his attention to the mon on the ground

>>6039304
Cubone is a bit more interested in the apple granny than the strange pit of death. One of these is a more common occurence than the other. More specifically, he prods for elaboration on the seemingly meaningless rambling.
"Here? This path?"

>>6039337
>the only thing stopping ish from charging in after spike is being aware the poison will fuck him up just trying to help.

>>6039346
>Meanwhile, Evan is extraordinarily flammable. He's ordering other people go in instead.

>>6039304
"Would you look at that. The riddle isss ssolved, thankss to the apple lady..." She turns to the Rapidash and Weezing. "Well, guesss we part wayss here!"
>>6039308
"Come on, sssince when are you NOT ssuicidally recklesss?"
>>6039312
"I'm down to my lassst berry, but fine. Thisss place feelss pretty comfy to me!"
>>6039321
Orner's big eyes almost bulge out like a cartoon. "HO-LY. You jussst hit the jackpot! That ssseed iss a sseriouss assset-did the Appletun have it? That could have been SSSO much worssse!"

>>6039350
"I am reckless, when there's something to gain. there does not seem to be anything to gain from jumping in the mystery hole."

>>6039304
>>6039332
Espurr seems keen on speaking with the Appletun as well. Kaz has the right idea.

>>6039304
Matchia peers at the hole.
"...Looks troublesome. Probably."

>>6039350
"I think so? I'm not really sure how I got it."
>At Orners words, his grip on the object noticeably tightens the rainbow marble being completely obscured in his grasp

"One second I was holding a blue crystal, next this is in its place....what is it anyway? Is it dangerous?"

>>6039352
"Did you forget the whole hidden treassure that the Voice of Light came all the way here to get? And you guysss wonder why I'm here, ssseemss I gotta do ALL-" She dips her head in the void. Her body is long so she can just do that.

>>6039356
You'll have to hear what the apple dragon says about that, probably in an hour if you are lucky!