route_1065 | NIGHTMARE PLOT: BATTLE LOG

Entry tags:

NIGHTMARE PLOT: BATTLE LOG

Who: Nightmare Plot participants!
Where: THE BASEMENT (dun dun dunnnnn)
When: Wednesday, October 30
Summary: IT'S NOT CHERNOBOG. But you still have to fight it.
Rating: PG-13 in general; please mark threads that go higher accordingly!
Log:

YOU ARE HERE. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS. YOU'RE FIGHTING THIS. (IT'S NOT CHERNOBOG.)

ALSO, MOOD MUSIC.

KEY:

• RED areas are inaccessible regions! This time, characters have a little less discretion in what they perceive as the reason for the inaccessibility; it'll either be something like a broken or crumbling wall, a locked door, an archway overgrown with dangerous-looking vines, thick fog, or something else of that nature!

• The GREEN area is the set of stairs you used to get down here in the first place! Again, this is here so you know where your starting point is in relation to everything else.

~

☆ THE NUMBER TO MEET OR BEAT IS 55 PARTICIPANTS ☆.

REMEMBER: IF YOUR CHARACTER DOES NOT POST TO THE BOSSFIGHT LOG AT LEAST ONCE
(AS A TOP-LEVEL COMMENT OR IN RESPONSE TO SOMEONE ELSE'S TOP-LEVEL COMMENT)
BEFORE 7:00 AM EST on OCTOBER 31, THEY WILL NOT COUNT TOWARD THE 55-PARTICIPANT GOAL!

~

QUICK LINKS

THE BOSSFIGHT INFOPOST | QUESTIONS FOR MODS | SUPERPOWERS REQUEST THREAD | BOSSFIGHT PARTICIPATION CHECK-IN

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[John was actually pretty stunned when both Phoebe and Lestat refused to fight the giant monstrosity of a boss they suddenly found themselves faced with. Usually, they're too of his most eager to go as far as battling is concerned. Yes, Phoebe is a ferocious little cottonball of a sheep. Don't judge her by her looks, she'll fuck you up. Unless, apparently, you are a gigantic nightmare beast.]

[John would have been a lot more concerned by this, were it not for a familiar feeling that started upon entering the chamber. A certain windy sort of feeling.]

[Fuck. Yes.]

[The Heir is back, your Breath will stop.]

[After securing his Pokémon back inside their balls and dream-materializing a certain hammer, John immediately takes to the air. He has little to no intention of his feet touching the ground for as long as whatever this is that gave him his powers back lasts.]

[Throughout the fight itself, John can be found putting that hammer to good use. You may also see him disappear completely while dodging attacks, literally becoming the wind and rematerializing somewhere else entirely. Perhaps behind you? Maybe a team up is in order, if that's the case.]

[But his finest achievement is definitely: putting silly hat on the boss. This was absolutely necessary and is most definitely A Thing That Happens.]

Edited 2013-10-29 21:34 (UTC)

[ While Aradia wasn't about to blame her Pokémon for being terrified, she was surprised. Indy, Fluorite, Serket? They were some of the more unflappable members of her team. And when all the other Pokémon were backing away, too, it seemed like they were pretty darn screwed.

Then the regains started. There's a burst of laughter from Aradia when it happens, which...doesn't match the tone at all, but yes, she recognizes that feeling even after nearly a year without being properly herself. Recalling her team takes one a second, and then she'll play support as much as she can.

Support for Aradia Megido means psychic assists of the telekinetic nature, generally. She may keep an eye out for less mobile fighters to give them a boost out of the way, or may be willing to throw someone extra hard at the boss if they ask nicely or seem to have a weapon that could use the extra oomph. Aradia herself is perfectly mobile when powered - as in she's normally got magical fairy flying powers, and also is psychic and so on. She'll help people out with flying when she gets tired of the psychic thing. When not assisting that way, she will just sort of toss stuff that's readily available in that general direction. Feel free to assume some sort of psychic assist from her, or to ask for one, or to otherwise do whatever. She's as willing to accommodate as ever.

Otherwise, the thing that would probably majorly knock out her battery would be freezing the boss for a rather short amount of time indeed. That would KO her, but she's probably willing to do it if she thinks it's necessary or if someone asks her to (though admittedly the short list of people who know that's a Thing is pretty short). ]

[It's weird as hell that Bro, Deringer, and Lady B are backing away but Dave isn't paying attention to them.

He can feel and hear time again. There's already another Dave with the Broken Royal Deringer cutting through enemies and flash stepping away from attacks. Who is he to ignore a time loop playing out right in front of him. Red light flares as he pulls at time and vanishes, kicking something in the head and vanishing when it tries to strike.

Hell.

Fucking.

Yes.

During the fight, Dave can be seen in various places. He attacks when someone else needs their back watched or was about to be attacked by something they didn't see. Anyone could catch the red glow he leaves where ever he goes. It's like trying to find the golden snitch only it's ruby red and darting about like it's had way too much sugar and coffee.]

[Lancer was not a man to waste time when it came to fighting. Maybe he could be called laid-back or even a little lazy in most other aspects of life, but combat? That might have been the one thing he took seriously, and it reflected in the bloodthirsty grin on his face. The knight hadn't even spared the energy to materialize his armor. Instead he remained in what he'd already been wearing, but now he twirled a crimson spear in his hand as though the weapon weighed less than air.]

[The sense of working on borrowed time tugged at the back of his mind; of course, he was a Servant without a Master. There was a finite energy level to that existence, and once it was exhausted 'Servant Lancer' would cease to exist. (at least, that's what he thought the problem was.) But that was fine. Lancer held no fear of his mortality or hesitation to face it. It didn't matter how unlikely survival was.]

[All that mattered was him, this lance, and his enemies.]

[The motions he used to dispatch the minions that came too close were fluid and agile, brushing the line between 'fast' and 'inhumanly fast'. A scarlet blur of motion and some monsters sent flying were the surest indication Lancer was fighting in some corner of the room. The occasional shout or taunt came forth, but for whatever reason the loudmouthed knight was uncharacteristically quiet as he took out lesser monsters like they were made of paper. Maybe as he fought he was contemplating the idea of actually running out of energy. Death for the dead, as it were. Ah, well. If he disappeared by morning, so be it. He'd been living on borrowed time for nearly three years, and a suicidal fight seemed properly fitting as an epilogue.]

[Eventually, however, at some point late in the fight, what little patience Lancer had would start to wear thin. And though he was low on energy, the nigh-suicidal option eventually began to present itself as the best one. Even if it didn't kill the monster they were fighting and even if he died trying, unleashing his best would definitely open up the opportunity for another to finish what he started.]

[Retreating until his back was nearly against the wall, Lancer dropped into a crouch not unlike a runner waiting for the starting pistol. Half-power was probably better; the weapon that was usually anti-army would be far less likely to injure anyone else. If he held back just a little on top of that, they'd probably be fine. Still:]

I'd suggest you all get out of the way right about...now.

[He took off in a blur of motion, mentally calculating the distance reduced from the usual hundred meters he needed to wind up. Once he'd closed in, Lancer jumped as high as the room's alien geometry allowed. His entire body arched like a bow preparing to shoot, twisting in midair as the weapon he held took on a bright and terrible cursed light. Lancer moved and fought as though the crimson weapon was part of himself, and in that moment he ceased being simply 'one who fought with a lance' and was instead the method of the weapon's propulsion itself.]

Gáe-

[The spear had become more energy than weapon, radiating with the aura of the lance's curse. It was a sight to behold, myth turned manifest in a terrifying way. One could, in that moment, have been forgiven for being just as afraid of Lancer as they were of the creatures they were fighting.]

--Bolg!

[For the first time in longer than Cu Chulainn cared to recall, he shouted the name of the legendary spear in invocation and propelled it forward at full force towards the unspeakably monstrous source of all this chaos. This power--and more so the will to use it--above all else was what made it a Noble Phantasm, tying the name of the spear with his own throughout history.]

[So it was difficult for him to realize his opponent lived though it. Expected? Yes. But still a considerable blow to his pride. The only consolation was that it had dispatched quite a lot of minions--sure to be replaced, but it was fair to say he'd bought a few seconds' time on that front.]

[Maybe this wasn't so bad, he thought with a slightly rueful laugh, leaning heavily on his spear to stay standing. Just perhaps, despite how many losses the past few years had brought, it had all been worthwhile. Worth something. This certainly seemed a fitting end he could be proud of, if it was indeed to end here.]

[ooc: approach during Minion Smashing 2k13 or after he Does The Stupid Rocket Thing, your call!]

^{[Now, that Crocker has found all of his Pokemon, the man wanted vengeance for them for being taken in the first place. After all they are more than just his Pokemon, they are his friends. After having had received all of them back Crocker storms the castle and calls all three out. Which they oddly retreat back to their Pokeballs?
Wait a second... This isn’t what is supposed to happen. As the lesser monsters continue their impending attack, Crocker cringes in spot for a moment, however that had been the last straw.
True Crocker is afraid, however at the moment his temper was overshadowing not only the man’s fear but also any rational train of thought.]}

They may have taken my Pokemon and making I, Mr. Denzel Crocker work other people in order to retrieve them but this is the last -STRAW!

^{[The man addresses to himself before to the monster]}

Alright! You may have taken my Pokemon in the first place and hide them from me but this is the last straw! If I where your teacher, I’d give you an – F!!!

^{[As Crocker has an arm whish towards the lesser monster and fire sprouts out from the man’s fingers from his ill temper...In the shape of an F.
Hitting the lesser monster, Crocker is loopy for a moment as the fire took energy from the man. However, he recovers and realizes what the man just did. A memory crosses his mind. The man recalls having had this ability when his world was transformed into a comic book and the man had been turned into Dr. Crocktopus. Denzel’s arms go up in the air in rejoice.]}

Yay! I have my super villain power back!..Why am I not floating?

^{[Crocker tries jumping in place a few times but to no avail. Crocker clenches his teeth in frustation.]}

Oh well. I HAVE MY FIRE POWER BACK!

^{[This cues the maniacal laugher from Crocker. Someone has gone madder with power.]}

Edited 2013-10-29 23:35 (UTC)

[Once upon a time, there was a boy. That boy had grown up hearing all about the great pilot Flit Asuno, the Federation's pride and hope, and the powerful Gundam he piloted, nearly undefeated by the terrible Vagan. That boy had grown up thinking that Flit Asuno and Gundam were both synonyms of invincible.

The boy is an adult now, and has been for many years. He's long learned that his father has many faults, and has made many mistakes, and deserves to be reminded of that regularly, or else he forgets.

But even after so many years, even after being nearly torn apart and destroyed while piloting, he still believes that the Gundams can win any battle they fight.

Which is why his first thought upon seeing the monster awaiting them within the chamber isn't oh shit I don't want to die, or even this is a nightmare, I'll wake up and Romary will be there to laugh at it. His first thought is not like that at all.

If I had my mobile suit here, I could take this thing on and win.

He believes. He wants.

And in its own small, wearable way, this world grants his wish.]

Edited 2013-10-30 03:09 (UTC)

[Like so many of the others around him Minato was surprised at his Pokemon's unwillingness to fight- there had been times before when they'd act up, a little bratty, lazy even, but this... they seemed almost scared, something he'd yet to see from his team before.

But even before the familiar rush of chakra swept over him he didn't hesitate to step forward and protect them while reaching for his bag, their Pokeballs. No reason to keep them out if they were being disobedient, and it was less of a distraction, tucking them away, and ensured their safety.

The heavy bag of kunai at his hip, once that was done, was a pleasant and well timed surprise, drawing out a smirk as he dipped his hand inside and pulled one free before jumping right in to fight.]

[Minato teleports through the use of seals- they're already present on his special kunai and he can place them on any object or person with just one touch. He can also toss a kunai and teleport to that seal while it is in motion/midair.

He'll be moving quickly through the room, tossing out kunai as markers for him to teleport to if necessary/to take out groups of monsters, and leaving seals along the walls so he's not limited by the number of kunai he has and can move freely around the basement. If your character is in trouble/overwhelmed he can grab them and teleport them to another area easily! Or appear nearby to help them take out a few monsters.

Outside of Hiraishin though he mostly won't be using any "powers", already made it a few days fighting without 'em, right? His kunai is enough, and he tends to be a close combat/hand-to-hand/stabbity stab fighter. The teleporting is just to get him close enough to do so, and give him the element of surprise.

He can totally go god-mode towards the end to give a big eff you attack to the boss though: he has half the Kyuubi's chakra sealed inside of him and can go into a tailed beast mode which makes his Rasengan bigger and more hurty?? Ridiculously oversized ball of swirling energy go go. This should probably knock him out completely, or at least be one time use sorta thing. BUT HE IS LEADER HERO PROTECTOR GUY HE WILL READILY SACRIFICE HIMSELF FOR EVERYONE. At least he can't die again.]

[...has there been a single part of this debacle that hasn't been filled with shame and embarrassment? No, really, has there? Ignoring the fact that, well, he only had one job and he blew it by default, his Pokemon also only had one job and they absolutely refused to do it.

...was he going to have to plead with them or something

ugggh all right then he'd just turn to them again and

...wait that was four and he IS THAT REALLY -

AND HE SUDDENLY NOTICES THAT EVERYTHING FEELS RIGHT AGAIN...!

...please forgive him for the giddy laughter he is just so goddamn happy and he is going to use ten liters of mercury to fight this boss with surface tension and centrifugal force.

...he's also capable of healing, and since he is probably in the best humor he has been in for forever he might comply even if he doesn't know/like you. Of course, he'll probably be kind of a smuglord about it, but that's just expected, really...]

[None of Ryuunosuke's Pokémon want to fight against that thing. He's a bit bummed because that would be the coolest battle ever, but it doesn't take him long to notice a familiar tingle spreading from his right hand. He glances down to see the gold sigil still present, but he can feel the Command Seals that Caster had told him about. The marks aren't present, but the power is; it was something he hadn't noticed he was missing until just now. Caster had told him he was capable of magic, it looks like it's time to finally test that out.

Ryuunosuke concentrates for a moment, envisioning the monsters Caster summoned when they first met. It doesn't take him very long to create a writhing mass of tentacles that seem to be attached to something that's always in the shadows where it can't quite be seen. Sort of like how Ryuunosuke first saw it.

He sways on his feet, exhausted by the effort but it doesn't take long for Ryuunosuke to grin and raise his hands to pump his fists in the air.]

This is so cool!

[With that shout he directs the monster to focus its attacks on the boss, laughing maniacally the entire time. You might want to watch out for stray tentacles; it's not like the monster is being very careful with its attacks.]

[Phi's hand is still curled around the pokeball, not yet used to this whole trainer thing, when she spots others' creatures shrink away from this thing in front of them. The Oddish was always shy to battle, but it seemed like even if she did send the tiny weed out she wasn't going to have much success.

...But how did one fight something like this? Puzzles and colored doors, or people with knives, maybe, but this? Phi couldn't even make out what this was! She can feel her hesitation rising into frustration and panic instead as she backs away from Totally Not Chernobog (Totally Not Zero...?), eyes flicking to those around her as they --

As they become superheroes, apparently. She's finally cracked.]

It had to happen eventually...

[It's muttered reasoning, and she wonders why she wasted her time on it when a rhino-like rabbit barrels towards her, leaving her barely enough time to hop out of the way and stumble down some steps to a more stable platform. Phi's knuckles pale even more as she tightens her grip on the Oddish's ball, eyes flying to take in as much about the scene as she can, piling on the stress and this time it's a wolf rabbit looming closer with that rhino steering back and she needs to do something, she needs to get out of the way, she needs to get out of here.

She's dropping to the floor, and luck is on her side enough that she both misses getting slammed by the beasts and splitting her head open in the process. Be careful not to trip over the stray ball or the disoriented woman as she struggles to get back on her feet! And don't mind her maybe grabbing at your shoulder, looking vaguely alarmed as she pushes you to a different location, or barking a No! Not yet! just as you're about to do That Cool Thing You Do...

After all, it's not like this stranger could have known.]

Edited 2013-10-30 01:53 (UTC)

[Vanille, for one, understood the fears her Pokemon had. That thing - it looked... no. No. She can't let her fears get to her. All these little creatures, created by one large monster - she is not going to cower away. Did it give her this mark? Is it the monster who started all this?

Wait. Lucy was nudging her upper thigh... Vanille gulped. She could feel it again, yes. That power, that horror... no.

For now, Vanille knows what she can do. She's a l'Cie once more - and she's got those powers. And she knows what she can do to help...

So, if you're even looking a little weakened, Vanille is over there with a Cure spell - with a cowering Yamask on her back. It's not much, but... she didn't want these powers back. She didn't have a choice, though. Hopefully, it won't be long she's got said powers - she doesn't want to progress, so to speak. ]

[In Final Fantasy XII, powers were powered by Mist. Sometime when everything died, that seemed to not be the case anymore - magick became powered by words. Or not even that! But, sometimes, Ramza got an odd taste in his mouth when he used Magick. The remnants of a world before? Who knew.

But, as Ramza entered the room, he felt a tingling in his fingers - a familiar one. And that taste - he'd not felt it since entering Johto. He looked - and then he could see, so many other people with powers...

He's back. Quickly, he started to think over his options. He wouldn't even need to risk his Pokemon for this - he doesn't want them in danger. His powers, though - he could use Magick, or he could use his Squire skills.

Why not both? He knows he'll most likely run out of MP - and he's not got any items to help with that - but he won't let this battle fail because of that. Nobody will need to die.

So. Ramza is standing there. He might have just yelled at you - it increases speed - but now, he is just... standing there. Within a few moments, though - lightning bolts fall from the sky, as Ramza shouts out.]

Strip away the ground with glistening blades! Thunder!

[...yes he needed to say that.]

Domri's first response to the room with the giant monster and its minions had been to send out his Pokémon. Having even Hellkite, the most bloodthirsty one of the bunch, refuse to fight was the absolute last thing he had been expecting, and he was momentarily at a loss. Thrusting his spear at one of the lesser monsters that was coming for him and knocking it off the edge gave him some small satisfaction, but he knew that he wouldn't last long in direct combat without a lot more room to move around in.

The thought occurred to him that if this was still the Pokémon world, everything here that wasn't a person could be caught with a poké ball. Most of them were still missing, but he still had some of his empty ones on him, and he pulled two out. His aim was excellent, hitting both the giant monster and a lesser monster right between the eyes, but neither of the poké balls triggered, instead bouncing off and falling into the depths of the pit.

His Pokémon wouldn't fight, the monsters couldn't be caught, and he wouldn't be able to last long trying to fight in this bizarre room. What he really needed now was...

At his thoughts, he felt connections begin to open in his mind. The familiar feeling of mana ready to flow into him welled up and he grinned. He didn't know why this was happening, nor did he care. Thinking about that stuff was for the Azorius or the Izzet or the Simic. He was Gruul, and he knew better than to waste time thinking when he could be doing. And what he needed to do right now was to summon an ally that was strong enough to kill all these monsters, yet small enough to fight on the ledge.

His grin grew wider. He knew just the girl for this.

He drew on the mana of the lands of his home. Power flowed into him and he extended his arm to the side and clenched his fist. The air beside him rippled, as if the floor was boiling hot, and a giant six-eyed cat leapt out of nothingness and landed in front of him. The maaka looked a bit disoriented at suddenly ending up here, but the monster that leapt at her drew her attention and she swiped at it with her paw, sending it flying into a wall.

"Hey!" The maaka looked over at Domri when he called out, and he pointed at a pair of monsters. "Eat!"

The maaka bounded after her new prey, and Domri looked over his shoulder at the three Pokémon standing far back from all the monsters.

"Keep watching!"

He drew more mana and another ripple appeared in the air, from which came a snake. While it recovered from its disorientation at abruptly being yanked from its nest to this strange place, Domri extended his arm, fingers spread and palm facing towards the viper. The viper that suddenly became three times as large. Domri pointed at some monsters in the opposite direction from the maaka.

"Bite!"

The now-giant viper slithered off, deadly venom dripping from its fangs, and Domri started feeling a bit tired. That was unusual so soon, but he chalked it up to summoning animals from a different world. The details weren't important. Right now the important thing was figuring out what else to summon that would be able to fight the giant monster.

[Envy is confused as hell when even Izumi, the world's most aggressive Tropius, completely refuses to battle the monster. But he doesn't think too much of it as he recalls them, because this seems like the thing that brought them all here. The thing that kidnapped him and stole his Pokemon, and put the few people he cares about in harm's way. The thing he's been wanting to hunt down this whole time. The big bad monster in the dark.]

[Envy can tell when his powers come back to him, when he feels like he's right. He's not scared at all, he just grins viciously at the monster in the pit, transforming his right forearm into a wickedly sharp blade. Because in his world, he's the big bad monster, and he fully intends to show this bastard what a homunculus can do.]

[He notices that the transformation is tiring, which it shouldn't be, but he doesn't care yet. He just starts stabbing and kicking his way through the smaller monsters, making use of his enhanced strength. He's trying to work his way around to where he can jump to the big bad without getting smacked out of the air.]

[When Riku first entered the chamber on Charizard-back, he was ready for anything. Though the topsy turvy mess of stairs made his head spin, it didn't matter at first. In a way, it was almost exciting. And, after swerving and ducking a few times, and maybe a few wrong turns, the two come barging in, spirits high and courage ablaze.

They barely make it through the door before everything falls apart.

One look at the massive, shadowy beast, and Flare's steadfast determination fizzles out. His eyes pop wide open, and he shrieks, wings folding against his back. Both he and Riku smash into the floor.

Gritting his teeth, Riku throws himself back on his feet, dusts off his clothes, and shoots a scowl at Flare.]

Hey, what's gotten into you?

[Flare doesn't make a sound, beyond a low, pitiful moan. Worse, he shrinks back, lowers his head, and takes an overall submissive position.

Left with no choice, Riku recalls him and, with a snap of the wrist, he sends Slacker back out, only to face similar results. Brow furrowing, he pulls back his starter, and his eyes fall upon one final Pokéball.

Terror.

Under normal circumstances, he'd refrain from using her. She's still too unruly. Too bloodthirsty, but at a time like this...

A click and a flash of light later, Terror appears with a screech, but while Riku expected a war cry, he instead finds that even his crazy dino stumbles backwards at the sight of the monster.

Is it really that hopeless? Without his Pokémon, Riku's got... what? Some kitchen utensils? A rusty sword from the armory? And what good would those do against something so huge? Reckless and stubborn though he may be, even Riku's aware of his limits. And maybe... maybe if he was his future self, that Keyblade Master Sora talked about, it'd be different. Instead, he's left without the grueling experiences he would have faced in time. And yet, all around him, people are regaining old skills, taking on this thing without fear.

His body freezes, in spite of the beast and its approaching minions. His eyes snap shut, his fists tremble... He's helpless, isn't he? And to think he tried to fix that by fighting against his own team, and for what? Exhaustion? Scrapes, burns, bruises? Sure, he's gotten a bit stronger, but so what? If he's really gonna protect what matters, he's gonna need more than just baby steps.

He needs to be strong. He needs to do something, anything to help!

It's with that thought that he feels a rush of power surge through him. Something firm materializes in his grip, born from a whirlwind of feelings and vague inklings of knowledge about his future. When he sees a Keyblade vaguely reminiscent of a wood carving Mickey once gave him and a weapon Sora described. The color's probably a bit off, and a few details may be askew, but at a time like this, why worry about details?

He's not sure if he's dreaming. With dagger-like claws shooting over him, there's no time to stop and deliberate. Teeth clenched, he charges forward and into certain danger. He's not sure what he's doing or if he can even keep up with the others, but push come to shove, he's gotta at least try.]

[The first thing that really caught his eye after the pokemon situation was revealed was something he'd started to never see again. A very familiar yellow flash. Suffice to say it might have halted him long enough that he almost got nailed when a group of minions closed on him.

Wait what? What? That was-! YES. Spotting his sensei using jutsu was an inspiration, even if they weren't currently on the same part of the field, and he didn't hesitate to give a quick test and... hello gigantic fireball taking out several of the minions who had been attempting to jump him.

Okay. That felt good. Very good. He wouldn't waste it though, immediately picking up that it was a little more tiring to use jutsu than normal, and he dived into the fray with an absurd smile on his face.

This weird building gave him his jutsu back~! And he was going to use every bit of it running around the field helping the people who were having... trouble. ]

[It's not like she would have sent the Pokémon she'd recovered against this creature anyway. Only Shiva could have taken it, and after the days they've had...well. She's fine with having to fight it herself.

Especially since the second she's through the door, her old gunblade, theBlazefire Saber reappears in her hand, as steady and strong as it used to be. She takes one moment to stare at it, almost alarmed, before old training kicks in and she runs headlong at the monster, leaping to come down at whatever she can reach. Three years can't take everything away from old soldiers, and it's taken nothing from Lightning. Anyone nearby will be able to see her kicking and flipping, taking leaps and cutting through whatever she can reach, living up to the destruction of her namesake with silver flashes of light off her sword.

Anyone who gets close may want to be careful. She's not stopping for anything now.]

[They all know their skills and talents, but while Lightning still has no magic, she's out fighting with all she's got and all the strength her blade can muster.

Of course, one human sized woman against a monster that size is going to be a little on the uneven side of fights, and given that she nearly skidded off a ledge thanks to that impact, Lightning's beyond appreciative of any Cure Vanille can send her way. She gives her friend a nod, and leaps back into the fray. Questions about magic being returned and how she's handling that can wait for when they're not fighting for their lives. They're all going to need drinks after this is over.]

[Ah, but is John rematerializing behind Cecil, or Cecil using a well-timed Cover to get between John's rematerialization and some nasty monster claws? Chicken and egg situation, right there.]

Impressive little trick. Have you ever tried to teach it to your Flying-types?

[For all that he's chatting amiably, he's also quite busy facing some sort of indistinct critter with his... nothing. No weapon in his hand, no weapon at his side. Someone took that warning by the armory seriously.]

[ His Arcanine's always been a brave one, especially when his trainer is in need of protection, so seeing the big ball of fur cower and whine surprises Naegi who immediately makes the decision to recall his team to the safety of their Pokéballs and clip them to his belt. What should he do now?

Then suddenly his fingetips feel warm for some reason and they're glowing a faint blue. He's not sure what he's supposed to do but a subconscious part of him seems to know. He extends his arm, forming his hand into a finger gun and taking aim at one of the monsters. When he does so, several eerie-looking glowing blue bullets line up in front of his hand, hovering about but doing nothing otherwise. Keep it steady, keep it steady, keep it steady...he takes a deep breath and shouts: ]

You've got that wrong!!

[ The sound of gunfire that follows isn't nearly as loud as it should be, most likely because these are magical bullshit bullets and not real ones, and the wounded noise that follows indicates that the bullet found its mark. This is how he's going to contribute to the fight, but he may need some help; finger guns are cool and all, but it's difficult to aim properly and dodge incoming attacks at the same time.

[ When he's not directly attacking the monsters, he'll aid others by raising their hope. So if you're starting to look worn down, he's there to help you hold on a little longer by charging your battery through the sheer power of motivational speeches. He'll tell you not to give up and that you must not lose hope and all sorts of positive things. Don't like hearing motivational speeches from teenage kids? Sucks to be you, but at least you get an energy boost out of it. ]

[John laughs, entirely too gleeful for this situation. But he's just missed being able to fly so much, you really have no idea.]

Would if I could! If nothing else, my Whimsicott would probably love it. [John whacks one of the lesser monsters with a loud BANG as he keeps up his end of the conversation.] You holding up alright?

[They had refused. Her Pokemon had denied her will. Even Berserker. This had never happened before. It was infuriating.

And it was terrifying.

But as they cringe back and cower against the wall, Ilya understands. This thing, whatever it is, is something they fear deep inside. Something they can't help but cower before. Even her urging them on wouldn't be able to propel them into battle against it.

So she turns, and stares it down. She can't do anything. She knows that. She's tiny, she's weak, and though she can feel the mana surging back into her, she still knows so few actual spells. If only...

Her thoughts stop. One single phrase crystallizes in her mind.

If only Berserker were here.

All over her body, a sudden pattern flares into being, glowing red. She can feel it. The connection she'd thought long gone. She doesn't even think to question why it's back. She doesn't care. She just acts.]

BerSERKERRRRRRRRRRR!

[In response to her scream, an answering roar shakes the air, and a huge shape forms behind her. Leaping forward over his Master, Berserker begins to lay into the monstrosities between him and the main monster, and as Ilya watches, she smiles, victorious and vicious. She doesn't even care that she's feeling her own strength drain away with every moment of keeping him in the world.

Her Berserker is with her. All is right with her world.]

[On the Menoris continent, magic is powered by a mysterious energy known as "spirits". No one knows why they're called that, but they're golden fluffy things that embody the energy flow of the world, able to be nudged around and arranged to perform various phenomena by anyone who's studied enough magic to know how. (And who has meditated long enough to awaken their brain enough to be able to see them in the first place, but, well, certain natural abilities allowed Ryner to skip that step. ...And most of the learning process, for that matter.) As far as Ryner has known the past three years, however, Johto has none of these "spirits", or if it does, his ability to see them was suppressed upon entry, just like all of his other supernatural talents. Either would make sense.

How surprising it is, then, that the first thing Ryner notices when he steps into the boss chamber is "spirits" everywhere. His eyes instinctively widen to take all this in, and for a brief moment they even glow red with analysis before he reflexively closes them - no, there's no need for that right now. But then, his eyes are a surprise, too. Why is it all returning now?

The second thing he notices is the boss fight - not a pokemon he's ever seen, to be sure. Maybe that's thrown things off, or something like that. It's like something out of one of the legends of the heroes that slew the evils of the world, but not quite from anything he's read, either.]

Hey, Rose? Looks like this guy's pretty tough, so I think you can go all out on him if you want.

[A privilege he rarely gives Rose, considering his nature. But when he doesn't get any response, he turns.]

Rose?

["Clef..." Whereas Rose is usually so confident as to potentially threaten her safety sometimes, here she is quivering behind Jehra, seemingly torn in half between wanting to impress her dear partner and sheer terror at the foe in front of her, a foe more terrifying than anything she's ever encountered before.

The other two aren't faring so well either - Glen has curled himself up into a tiny ball in Jehra's mane and is clinging tightly, while Jehra is growling wide-eyed at the enemy, his legs paralyzed with fear. And, well, based on personality, those two are more understandable. Glen tends to curl up as a comfort reflex, while Jehra is a bit of a worry wort sometimes. But Rose...

After a moment, Ryner closes his eyes.]

...I see. In that case...

[You can’t grasp anything with those blood-stained monster’s hands of yours. You can’t reach anywhere.

Lucile's words still haunt him, even after all this time. And he can't deny them, either. Every time something good starts to look like it's going to stick around, it gets ripped away in a horrible manner. Everything will disappear someday. It's enough to make a guy not want to even bother anymore, if it's just going to end in heartache.

...But that's not the right way of thinking. Despite everything, Sion had reached out to him. Kiefer had said he wasn't a monster. Ferris treated him no differently even after he'd tried to kill her, and kept insisting that he was her friend. Rose was adamant that his eyes were an unworthy fake and thought highly of him despite everything.

And Toni, and Tahile, and Fahle, and Biore, and Milk, and Arua, and Toale, and Tiir, and Jehra, and Glen, and Elfy, and Gail, and Fuji, and Hughes, and Chi, and Marian, and everyone...

Even if it inevitably ends in heartache, it's worth it to have the positive experience in the first place. Because happiness might come with sadness, but a void of nothingness is nothing, and that's even worse.]

...I guess it's my turn to protect you guys. Watch carefully, okay?

[His eyes fly open, and his hands move in a flawless pattern, well-practiced and well-worn but still as solid as ever. Something inside Ryner feels almost a sense of euphoria as the magic sings through his fingertips, and the array is formed in nearly the blink of an eye. Formulated for power, because this foe looks like it can take it, and he has a point to make.]

What I seek is thunder--IZUCHI!!

[What's that, you need your back covered while you're aiming, Naegi? Well John's got this at least once for you (though he'll probably pop up a few more times before the fight is over, being the wind has its advantages sometimes), appearing suddenly with a WHOOSH and a BANG to hammer one of the underling monsters as it goes for Naegi's back.]

[Though that battle cry has him a bit confused, he'll admit. But he's laughing anyway, floating a good foot off the ground behind Naegi and waiting for him to fire his shots off before speaking.]

Got what wrong?

[He does look a little tired though. John himself hasn't really realized it because he's not really used to this thing called "a limit" as far as powers go. But even if he's not using his powers offensively, whooshing around all over the place as the wind is definitely taking its toll.]

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NIGHTMARE PLOT: BATTLE LOG

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1/2; i'm so sorry i don't know how not to be overdramatic

2/2; seriously i could not be more sorry

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Small, vague-ish VLR spoiler regarding power stuff!

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oh god, I apologize for the tl;dr. the introspection bug hit me hard

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