The Underground Bunker

<Hold on, this is your house?!> cried Stipax, taken aback. <We're so sorry! We had no idea!>

<Yeah, we just came here because we were lookin' for Teryx,> said Chasmo.

<Do forgive our intrusion,> said Nautilu. [[teal: <Our Trainer, Owen Edmundson, released Teryx as a punitive measure after he attacked two of Owen's newly-revived Pokemon— and later, after Owen grabbed Teryx's wings from the back in an attempt to calm him down— Owen himself. To us, it didn't make much sense and we still had questions as to why Teryx would attack what Owen percieved as new friends, so we decided to see where he had gone to in order to pick up his side of the story. We found a tunnel starting on Route 206 that had been dug by Teryx, and we followed it. It ended here, so we assumed Teryx was here. While we were aware of the existance of Secret Bases, we had no idea that they were being used as living compounds. Do keep in mind that we are still fossil Pokemon; we don't know everything about the world and Stipax has never seen a Secret Base before in his life.>]]

<Well... I mean, my parents and I did live in a cavern,> said Stipax.

<Oh,> said Nautilu.

<I don't think that counts as a Secret Base, though,> said Saura.

<Ah, well. Regardless, we'll try to be more careful of that in the future,> said Chasmo.

Everyone else— barring Crina, who was off course off with her head in the clouds again and was admiring the Secret Base itself— nodded in agreement.

<For now... we just want to talk to Teryx,> said Chasmo. <Especially after finding out... this.>

Teryx himself, meanwhile, was whimpering and stepping backwards, still convinced that his friends were going to kill him.

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Nov 25th 2022 at 1:41:07 PM

secret base

Pat: ...Okay?

Pat paused for a moment.

Pat: Wait, are you those guys Teryx kept going on about who were trying to get rid of him or something?!

Secret Base

The Jura5 all looked at each other as the realization struck them.

<...she doesn't speak Monese does she?>

<Nope.> A glance down at Nautilu. <Nautilu?>

Nautilu nodded and cleared his throat. Then, in English:

"We are his former teammates. I can assure you, we are not here to kill him. If you want to hear my explanation again, then by all means."

Secret base

Pat frowns.

Pat: You could've said that like five minutes ago when you came into our house! And like how do we know you're not going to kill him?

Secret Underground Base

"My apologies," said Nautilu. "We assumed you were able to speak Monese since you had a Pokemon with you. As for your second question... well, here's the full story."

"Our Trainer, Owen Edmundson, released Teryx as a punitive measure after he attacked two of Owen's newly-revived Pokemon— and later, after Owen grabbed Teryx's wings from the back in an attempt to calm him down— Owen himself. To us, it didn't make much sense and we still had questions as to why Teryx would attack what Owen percieved as new friends, so we decided to see where he had gone to in order to pick up his side of the story. We found a tunnel starting on Route 206 that had been dug by Teryx, and we followed it. It ended here, so we assumed Teryx was here. While we were aware of the existance of Secret Bases, we had no idea that they were being used as living compounds. Do keep in mind that we are still fossil Pokemon; we don't know everything about the world and Stipax has never seen a Secret Base before in his life."

"Simply put, the reason why we're not going to kill him is because if we were here to kill him, he would already be dead by now."

Secret base

Pat still looks suspicious.

Pat: ...Fine, but can you please get this over with quickly? I wanna watch some TV.

Battle Academy

-A loud *thump* jars Xavier from her reading.-

Xavier: Wuzzat?

-She pops her door open, and down the hallway is a boy - much smaller than her - trying to haul a large... military reinforced supply case(?!) back onto his cart.-

Xavier: Hey, need a hand with that?

Boy: oh! thanks,,.,. thad be great!

-Xavier comes over and jeez this thing is ACTUALLY heavy. Between the two of them they manage to get it back onto his cart.-

Xavier: Jeez, what's in these things?

Boy: just some stuff my dad thought i'd need. y'know, weights, guns, that sorta stuff.

Xavier: Guns?!

Boy: oh yeah! i got accredited as a "youf markshmaam", an he wouldn't let me come if'n they didn' let me keep some.

Xavier: Woah. You're dad sounds Unovan.

Boy: *sniff* yep... he also want'd mr. dune to wrestle 'im, and my grandpa wanted to fishtfight.

Xavier: ... They do know who Mr. Dune is, right?

Boy: *sniff* yeah...,. i tol'em it was a bad idea. but now i'm here, an i can do pokebembom stuff!

Xavier: Yeah! I'll let you get to your room then - see you around!

Boy: o-kay, bye, firehair girl!

Secret Underground Base

"Certainly," said Nautilu, approaching Teryx for a few moments before gesturing him to come along with them. <Come on, Teryx. We just have questions to ask you.>

Teryx momentarily breathed a sigh of relief— albiet with his face still looking terrified— before nodding. He waved goodbye to Pat as the Jura5 all headed out of the secret base, with Stipax leading the way.

Veilstone City

CW: mention of death

Eventually, the six of them made it out of the Secret Base and headed a bit farther away from the base, before all of them crowded around Teryx in a circle. Teryx himself was still a bit on edge, desperately glancing around at the Jura5.

<I-it's alright—> Teryx said frantically. <Y-you can do whatever you like with me— I know what you're here for, and I know I deserve it—>

<Teryx...> muttered Saura.

<Teryx, I already told you, we're not going to kill you,> said Nautilu.

<But... isn't that what you're supposed to do?> asked Teryx. <I'm a Vow Breaker, after all... aren't I?>

The Jura5 exchanged concerned glances.

Those concerned glances quickly turned to shock when they saw Teryx promptly lower his head and mutter out:

<...go on. It's okay.>

Stipax glanced up in shock at the rest of the Jura5, who returned the stunned glances. If anyone else had been saying that, sure, they'd recognize it as a cry for help, but this was Teryx. This was the same Archeops that had been so convinced that two of Owen's new mons were a threat that he attacked them so that he and his friends wouldn't die. The same one that set up traps and bunkers to prepare himself in the event of an apocalypse.

And now he was, so firmly clinging to the belief that the rest of the Jura6 were going to kill him that he was willing to accept it.

Stipax glanced up at Teryx in pure disbelief.

This was concerning, he thought. Very concerning. Teryx didn't just accept death like this!

And to make matters worse, he was asking his friends to do it!

What on earth was going on?

Now incredibly concerned, Stipax went over to Teryx and shook his head.

<We wouldn't do that,> he said.

Teryx's eyes widened, and he glanced down at Stipax, his panic starting to grow again.

<B-but you have to— it's what happens to all Vow Breakers— I've become a danger to my Trainer— I-I'm afraid I've become a danger to all of you— I—>

He looked away- only to be stopped by Stipax gently placing his pedipalp on Teryx's shoulder.

<You're not hurting us, are you?> he asked.

<Well... no, not at the moment, but I could—>

<You won't,> said Stipax. <You've trusted us before in the past, haven't you?>

<Of course,> said Teryx. <But I trusted Owen, too...>

<The only reason you attacked him was because Owen grabbed ya from behind in the midst of you attackin' Tyrie and Rhamphor,> said Chasmo. <While I will admit that... that wasn't exactly your best move, Owen definitely shouldn't have grabbed ya. I saw what happened before you attacked.>

<Wait, what happened before he...?> asked Crina.

<He had a panic attack,> said Chasmo.

<Oh,> said Crina.

Beat.

<Hold on, he what?!>

Chasmo nodded.

<I... I don't understand...> Teryx muttered. <I- I can't trust myself anymore— I can't help but wonder— if I'll always end up hurting the people I love— the Tyrunt and the Aerodactyl were exceptions, given, but—>

<Ya mean Tyrie and Rhamphor?> asked Chasmo. <W-what's so wrong about Tyrunt and Aerodactyl?>

And the second that Chasmo said those last three words, Teryx's eyes went wide again.

The images that had passed through his mind that night returned, and within seconds he found his breathing getting heavier as he nearly slumped onto the floor. Immediately, the Jura5 looked at each other in shock.

<W-was it somethin' I said?> asked Chasmo.

<Teryx!> cried Stipax. <Are you alright?>

Teryx was barely able to get words out.

<Actually— never mind— a-about m— about—>

<About what?> asked Stipax.

But any word Teryx could have gotten out at that moment was quickly replaced by heavy breathing. He didn't even seem to be paying attention to anything anymore. He looked around, desperate, before muttering:

<Please go away— please go away—>

<Oh dear, this sounds bad,> said Nautilu.

<You think we should leave?> asked Saura.

<...I don't necessarily think it's us that's causing this issue,> said Nautilu. <Note that Teryx only went into his panic attack upon Chasmo mentioning Tyrun— those two particular species. Combine that with the previous attack on Tyrie and Rhamphor and it's fairly safe to say that I believe that Teryx has some sort of history with members of these species.>

<But... what kind of history?> asked Stipax.

Nautilu glanced over at Teryx, who was muttering to himself.

<M-Mother— Father— you need to—>

<Mother?> asked Stipax.

<Father?> asked Saura.

Nautilu glanced down at the floor. <As I thought.>

The Jura5 turned to face him.

<As you thought... what?> asked Chasmo.

<This isn't any ordinary panic attack,> said Nautilu.

<Then... what is it?> asked Stipax.

Nautilu glanced over at Teryx before saying something that shocked everyone.

<I believe he's having a flashback.>

Snowpoint, Noctowl Nest

At this point, the Sneasels are all crowded around Saffy, cornering her in while they try to climb all over her to overwhelm their enemy. Gilby, Topaz, and Xanthe’s attacks push some of them off though. But then Jasper starts rolling out like crazy, knocking out the Sneasels on the ground like a bunch of bowling pins. Looks like Jasper got himself a strike!

The Sneasel holding the berry sack comes over to the rest of the gang and starts passing out the berries to every one of them.

Sneasel 2: <Here you go everyone! This should help fill you guys up!>

Tony and Saul, whom the latter is walking away from his prolonged brutal duel with a another Sneasel, are worried that this might change the battle in their favor, but then all of a sudden, the Sneasels immediately spit the berries back out and start coughing.

Sneasel 3: <Blech! These aren't the oran berries we had at the temple!>

It's then that Tony, Saul, and Saffy should notice that the Sneasel holding the sack, had yellow eyes. It's actually Stephen possessing a unconscious Sneasel!

Tony couldn't be more proud to see his old friend again.

Tony: Yeah! Way to go Stephen! Saffy and Saul, let’s finish these guys off while they’re all weakened!

And with that, everyone went off to pound back the remaining Sneasels, Saul slashing foes with a barrage of Metal Claws, and Tony beating at them with a new stick he found, hopefully that one didn’t break.

Edited by ThanosBoi on Nov 26th 2022 at 11:08:35 AM

Secret base

Pat waves as they leave, then gets back to watching TV.

Noctowl nest

Saffy burst out laughing.

'Saffy: Muahahaha! You second rate morons! I still can't believe you actually fell for it. Like, you guys are literally so stupid. Anyway, let's finish this!

The team continue to attack the remaining Sneasel.

Secret base, later

Kris arrives home from their shift. Pat is working on a half built PC.

Kris: I'm home...

They yawn.

Kris: Is that Archeops still here?

Pat: Nope. Some other fossil pokemon came over and took him off. They said they weren't going to kill him, but...

Kris nods knowingly.

Kris: ...That's never really what they mean.

Pat: Poor guy. He seemed nice.

Kris: It's to be expected. They failed, or at least appeared to, and didn't have the advantage of being "dead" like us.

Soul: <Even so, they're going to find you someday and end your pointless lives. You can't keep running from your failures forever.>

Kris: Running away was the only thing that kept us alive. For better or for worse...

Burghley: <What if they actually meant it? Dunno if you've noticed with all your work, but people are a lot less likely to try and kill you for the slightest mistake out here than wherever you guys came from.>

Soul: <Well if they did, then they're cowards. No point keeping around someone like that. Look at me, I'm standing opposite the mishmash of genes that killed me and sitting on the shoulder of the useless templar who failed to stop her from killing me and couldn't even liquidate the failed experiment after that. I haven't even attacked either of you once. If they can't control themselves, they deserve whatever comes to them.>

Pat: Was that directed at me? I didn't get half of that.

Kris: You don't want to know. Now if you don't mind, I need some sleep. I hate these early morning shifts so much...

Faction Offices

-Kai gives Alice an apologetic look.-

Kai: Yeah, uh... that was admittedly a lie. I'm sorry about that. Kalter... is a dangerous person to not have on your side. It scares me, seeing her, and seeing myself in her. If there's anything I can do to avoid an altercation with her — a Kaltercation, if you will — I'm going to do that. Especially not here, not now, when I'm trying to have a good day with you and Brie.

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Nov 26th 2022 at 10:26:09 AM

Battle Academy

-Retek walks down the hallway, sipping the cup of coffee that Desech had made for him a bit ago.-

Xavier: Hey, Retek!

Retek: Mm?

-Retek mumbles an acknowledgement as the familiar fire-haired girl runs up to him.-

Xavier: Who's "Philip"?

-Aaaaaand there goes the coffee. You know exactly how.-

Retek: *Hack* *Cough* Wh- *Ack!*

Xavier: You okay, Mister R?

-Retek is now doubled over, trying desperately to manage his gag reflex while also trying to ignore the feeling of coffee coating the inside of his sinuses.-

Doh: Woah, Retek? Are you okay, Retek?!

-Nurse Doh runs over.-

Doh: What happened?

Xavier: I just asked him a question and then I guess he inhaled some of his coffee.

Doh: What was the question?

Xavier: Oh yeah, you might know!

-Retek tries to raise a hand to forewarn Doh, but too late.-

Xavier: Who's "Philip"?

-Doh blanches and her eyes start darting around.-

Doh: O-Oh... I-I see... I... Um... wh-where did you hear that name...?

Xavier: From this book.

-Xavier just stands there, holding the book.-

-Retek stops coughing.-

-Doh looks like she's disassociating.-

Xavier: ... Guys?

Retek: We need *Kph!* to tell Angela.

Somewhere in Sinnoh

Phospora? I suppose it had to happen sometime...

Been thinking a lot about that myself lately, I'm not exactly getting any younger...

Edited by rmctagg09 on Nov 27th 2022 at 5:25:35 AM

The GM House

Battle Academy

-Angela stares down at the book laying on the table, as the letters of the cover smolder, even in bright light.-

Angela: Why does this man continue to vex me...?

Retek: To be honest, if there was going to be even one person to not quite be purged from the Library, it'd be him...

Angela: That's fair, but I also hate it.

-Xavier rocks back and forth on her heels, her attention span not quite allowing her to read the room.-

Xavier: Found it in the library. Was glowing and everything. Something weird about it?

-Retek just wipes a hand down his face in remembered exhaustion as he realizes that Xavier doesn't have any context.-

Retek: Well... that's a long story...

Angela: To make a very long story short and to avoid misunderstandings, this book essentially holds a recreation of a person's soul. We have interacted with this person many times prior, though how it followed us is... confusing.

Xavier: Oh, that would explain why it was written in first-person and talked about all of the stuff in the Academy.

Retek: You read it?!

Angela: It's a book, Roland, don't be surprised that the first thing someone did after seeing a magical glowing book was to read it.

Retek: I don't know about the stories you know, but an unfamiliar book that begins glowing at me is absolutely some eldritch tome of tentacle magic or something!

Angela: It happened one time, Roland, let it go.

Xavier: What?

Angela: Nothing.

Retek: Yes! Nothing! Ugh.

Xavier: So... can I keep reading it?

Angela: No.

Xavier: Aaaaw! Why not?

Angela: I have no idea what sort of effect this book will have if kept in the proximity of anyone, let alone a child.

Xavier: Aw man. I liked reading it. He was kinda self... what's the word...? Self... demeaning?

Retek: Self defeating?

Xavier: Yeah, that's closer.

Angela: Nevertheless. As you know-

Xavier: You guys are magical?

Angela: I'll have you know that it's only magic if you don't understand it.

Xavier: And do you?

Angela: No.

Xavier: Hey wait but that means-

Angela: As you know, we aren't exactly normal. This book is from a similar source of Unusualness as us. It should not be here. Therefor I shall take it under my guard in case something untowards happens regarding it.

Retek: ... Oh. You're giving it to the Bookhunter.

Angela: Yes.

Xavier: Who?

Angela: Think of her as a highly specialized assistant of mine.

Xavier: Oh.

Angela: Now, back to bed. If this book turns out to be entirely harmless, then I shall return it to you for your reading pleasure.

Xavier: WOO!

Retek: If we were in the City, this girl would either be dead or the next Red Mist, I swear...

Faction Offices

-Alice lets out another long exhale of breath, which she tries to cover with a chuckle.-

Alice: ...Well then, at least we have our problems in order. We can keep the other version of you on side until we've dealt with our more pressing issues. And I am not above shamelessly leveraging the inability to resist my advances that seems to persist amongst your alternates.

-Her attempt at levity fades quickly.-

Alice: For now, though, we still find ourselves facing all manner of preexisting foes. The School, Renegade... I do wonder if the time we spend on our own leisure could not be better spent on preparations elsewhere.

-...-

-She puts a hand to her forehead.-

Alice: And I now realise that's exactly what my alternate would say.

Battle Academy

-Xavier flops onto her bed.-

Xavier: Man, I knew this school was magical. I wonder if... if...

-She stifles a big yawn as sleep encroaches on her.-

Xavier: Hey, wait... I wasn't tired a... secon... 'go...

???

-And then suddenly, it's very hot.-

-Her cognition returning to her, Xavier finds herself standing among the white marble ruins of a temple or metropolis.-

Philip: I've walked many paths... so many, I am no longer sure which are real.

-His appearance flashes, but the images are impossible to recognize before they disappear.-

Philip: You.

-He points his sword at Xavier. It's a straight, simple thing.-

Philip: The flame has yet to be sparked.

-He flips the sword into a reverse grip, and holds out his free hand. Red energy coalesces, and a Clefairy made of white marble, its form cracked with red energy seeping out, appears. It holds its hands over its mouth as it somehow stays aloft with its expanded wings.-

Philip: Show me.

-Xavier, now being called to act, snaps out of her fugue.-

Xavier: Alright then, I'll show you!

-She holds her hand out.-

Xavier: C'mon, Madeleine! Let's show this statue how a real Clefairy fights!

-With a Kingdom Hearts-esque burst of smoke and sparkles, Madeleine pops into dream-existence.-

Madeleine: <Alright~! Madeleine at your service - lucid dreamer extraordinaire!>

☢ CAUTION ☢ CAUTION ☢

BATTLE! VS.

Literary Revenant Philip

☢ CAUTION ☢ CAUTION ☢

Faction Offices

-Kai gives Alice a concerned, caring yet stern look.-

Kai: Alice, you're already clearly overworking yourself. I worry about you burning out. You're incredible at what you do, and I admire it, but tunnel vision can be dangerous. Kalter... she is prone to that sort of tunnel vision, reinforced by her own Heart of Gold. To the point where she's far too used to expecting the last resort to be necessary.

-She takes Alice's hands, and Alice can feel a faint tremble in Kai's grasp.-

Kai: You need a break.

-Beat-

Kai: Also if you seduce my evil alternate universe counterpart I will have no choice but to break up with you on principle. It'll be tragic and heartbreaking.

Faction Offices

-Alice sighs, but manages a faint smile once again.-

Alice: Just so you know, the last time I did that, it proved to be a colossal mistake. The high road is all well and good, but the rewards one reaps for walking it pale in comparison to post-breakup melancholy.

-She gives Kai's hands a squeeze.-

Alice: But yes, having just witnessed the end result of such single-minded fanaticism, I don't need much convincing. You have a way of talking me into these things. Let's just try to put that episode behind us and enjoy what time we have, shall we?

"Honestly, no," Mitchell admits to the youth speaking to him, as he slips out of his stone cage thanks to Edmond breaking one of the pillars that formed it. "Last thing I remember, I saw one of my Staravia's feathers falling on my Poketch. At least, I think it was one of hers." He then glances around, seeing the others there. "Where is Es anyway, and, er, who are all of you, again?"

Auguste is flabbergasted by Talbain's shadow-walking trick. The pressure is getting to him, so he holds himself still and starts slowly breathing in and out. <Focus, Gus,> he reminds himself. <Now is not the time to fall apart. That comes later.>

Edmond, after freeing Mitchell, makes himself useful by retrieving the newly intact and packed stroller and bringing it to his Trainer. He points to the back door and jogs in place, hoping that Mitchell or any other human there would understand that he means for them all to escape by that door.

???

Xavier: Alright, Madeleine, like we practiced! Use Fairy Wind!

-With a flap of her wings, a sparkling gust is blown at the stony simulacrum.-

-It's not very effective!-

Xavier: Wait, what? But... Fairy doesn't resist Fairy!

Philip: Your enemy's form can lie, as easily as their words.

-He points, and without a word, the cracked statue Clefairy launches a barrage of Embers at Madeleine, who is singed, but not Burned.-

Xavier: Hmph! Alright then!

-She thinks back to all the moves that she knows Madeleine knows.-

Xavier: Um... Oh! Water Pulse!

Madeleine: <Oh yeah, I do know that one!>

-With a blue flare of energy around her, Madeleine throws a pulsating sphere of water at the statue Clefairy, causing it to stagger out of the air.-

Xavier: Oh, right, duh! It's Rock-Type, too! Again!

Philip: Not so-

-The statue Clefairy glows as if it's preparing to fire a Power Gem before the Water Pulse impacts and quenches the fire inside of it, causing it to crumble to powder. Philip nods.-

Philip: Very good.

*SNAP!*

-The same red, glowing energy that had been seeping through the cracks of the statue Clefairy begins to seep through the cracks of the surrounding marble buildings.-

Philip: Now... do you have the strength of arms, as well as the strength of minds and allies, to protect those you hold dear?

-He begins to glow.-

Veilstone City

CW: SYMPTOMS OF PTSD

<A... a flashback?> asked Stipax. <Is it just a bad memory, or...?>

<Oh, it's far more than that,> said Nautilu. <He appears to be reliving a traumatic experience of some kind, something involving his parents, a Tyrunt, and an Aerodactyl. What happened during said traumatic experience, however, is as of yet unclear.>

<...well,> said Chasmo. <That... that's awful.>

<Is there anything we can do?> asked Saura, turning to face Teryx, who was still panicking and muttering to himself under his breath.

<I dunno...> muttered Crina.

Stipax, meanwhile, glanced up.

<Hmmm...> he said.

The rest of the Jura5 turned to face him.

<Stipax?> asked Chasmo. <Somethin' wrong?>

<Hang on,> said Stipax.

He promptly approached Teryx, who was still muttering to himself under his breath.

<Teryx...?> he asked.

Teryx immediately whipped around in a frantic state to face Stipax, almost seeming to not know where he was. He started glancing around in a fit of panic.

<D-do you have any idea— where they are—> he asked.

<Where... who are?> asked Stipax.

<My— my parents—> cried Teryx. <T-there's a Tyrantrum— it's on the loose and it's going to get them at any moment—>

Crina glanced around. <Huh. I... don't see a Tyrantrum here. Or your parents.>

<Crina, do keep in mind that this is a flashback,> said Nautilu.

<But isn't that just... like... a memory or somethin'?> asked Crina. <Why does he think this is real? Does he just have a vivid imagination like me...?>

<Hmmm...> muttered Nautilu, looking down. <This seems to confirm my earlier theory.>

<A- A Tyrantrum?> asked Stipax.

He paused— and then:

<Wait... your parents?> His voice became marginally gentler. <Where... where do you think you are right now?>

<T-think?!> cried Teryx. <T-there's no time to think! You all need to run away! I... I need to head back home— before my parents—>

Stipax turned to face the others. <He mentioned his parents... so then he must think...>

Nautilu nodded. <If anything, I'd be willing to bet that he thinks he's still in prehistoric times.>

<So it was something involving his parents, a Tyrantrum, and an Aerodactyl...> muttered Saura. <Actually, come to think of it, I still haven't heard anything about the Aerodactyl yet.>

<What about the Aerodactyl?> asked Stipax gently.

<It's out to get me—> muttered Teryx frantically. <It's out to get me...!>

Stipax went over to Teryx and pet him on the shoulder.

<What year do you think it is right now?> he asked.

<I don't know...!> muttered Teryx. <All I know is that it's October 13th!>

Stipax looked over at the rest of the Jura5 in horror. <October 13th...>

<Millions of years ago,> Chasmo realized. <It is his childhood.>

Stipax nodded. He then turned back to face Teryx.

<Teryx,> he said gently. <Listen to me.>

Teryx glanced up at Stipax in confusion.

<You're having a flashback,> said Stipax. <It's not October 13th and there's no Aerodactyl out to get you.>

<O-of course there is...!> muttered Teryx. <You... you need to run! D-do not fret, my dear compatriots; I'll help defend you— even though my moves are on the weaker side—>

Stipax gently pet Teryx, then turned to face Nautilu in slight confusion.

<What do I do now...?> he asked.

Nautilu smiled, then approached Stipax and whispered something in his ear. Stipax listened, his eyes widening for a few moments.

<...I've heard of that...> he muttered to himself in shock. <Why didn't I see it before?!>

More whispers from Nautilu.

<Mm-hm... okay then...>

Beat.

<Wait, what?>

Stipax sniffed the air.

<I don't smell anything... and I don't think Teryx has eaten anything today...>

More whispers from Nautilu.

<Well... alright, then. Worth a shot.>

Nautilu nodded, then pulled away.

Stipax, meanwhile, turned to face Teryx again and pet him, which seemed to relax him a bit.

<Teryx?> asked Stipax.

<GAH!> cried Teryx. <W-why are you still here...?>

Stipax paused.

<...Can you name five things you see right now?>

Teryx blinked in extreme confusion, but obliged.

<...d-do all of you count...?> he asked. <Y-you, Nautilu, Crina, Chasmo, and Saura...? W-why are you asking me this...?>

<We count, yes,> said Stipax. <Good. Four things you can...>

A pause. He turned to Nautilu.

<...was it "hear" or "feel", you said?> he asked.

<The latter is more common,> said Nautilu.

<Right. Feel,> said Stipax.

<...my feathers...> muttered Teryx. <You... so soft and fluffy... the ground— wait... are those streets? Am I in a city...? Oh dear— um- er— uh...>

He promptly ran over and touched a street lamp.

<A- a street lamp...!> he finished.

<Good,> said Stipax encouragingly. <Three things you can hear.>

<Well... you... of course,> said Teryx, gradually starting to grow more aware. <People talking... my own voice? Does that count at all?>

<Anything works,> said Nautilu.

<Two things you can smell,> said Stipax.

<I smell nothing!> said Crina.

<...is there any place where they sell food here?> said Teryx. <Because if there is, then I should definitely be able to—>

And then Crina pulled out cookies and perfume.

<—cookies and perfume,> said Teryx.

Beat.

<Wait, where did Crina get those from...?> he asked.

<...huh,> muttered Stipax. <Actually... I'm not all that sure... but you still answered the question, so that's good. Finally... one thing you can taste?>

Beat.

<Does my own saliva count? Because I fear that I have had absolutely nothing to eat this morning— oh wait never mind I forgot Crina has cookies— can I have some please?>

<Sure thing!> said Crina, giving Teryx a cookie which he promptly bit into— only for him to suddenly pull it away.

On the inside of the cookie was beef.

<...a beef cookie?> asked Teryx. <I must ask, how on earth did you make this...?>

<Simple,> said Crina. <I'm crazy~! But also I cook.>

<Huh,> said Chasmo. <Didn't realize you were a cook.>

<Neither did I,> said Nautilu. <However, the good news is that Teryx appears to have regained full temporal awareness and has returned to the present.>

<I— huh,> Teryx muttered. <Actually, I believe that... did help a bit.>

<Yippee!> cried Stipax.

<But now that I'm back in the present... oh dear— what's going to happen now?! W-what are you going to do to me...?>

<Aaaaaand he's right back into the swing of things,> said Chasmo.

<Nothing,> Stipax reassured him gently. <We're not going to kill you. We're not going to hurt you. Okay? All we're going to do is ask you questions.>

<Are they going to continue to be sensory in nature?> asked Teryx.

<Only if you start having flashbacks again,> said Chasmo, chuckling. <No, we're just going to ask you questions about... your past.>

<My... my past...?> muttered Teryx.

<I-it's alright if you're not ready to tell us yet,> said Stipax.

Teryx went blank and started to hyperventilate.

<Whoa...! Easy there, bud!> said Crina. <We haven't even asked anything yet!>

<Teryx...?> asked Stipax. <Teryx, it's okay. It's okay. Here. Take my pedipalp.>

He extended said pedipalp out, and Teryx grabbed it.

<Breathe,> Stipax said calmly.

Teryx inhaled and exhaled slowly a few times, with Stipax petting him on his back the whole time. Eventually, he glanced up at Stipax with tears of joy before crying into his friend's chest.

<T-thank you...> he sobbed. <Thank you...>

<You're welcome,> said Stipax.

The Jura5 all cuddled up around Teryx and hugged him for a bit before, finally, Teryx raised his wing.

<E-excuse me...> he muttered.

The Jura5 all pulled away from Teryx, and Chasmo tilted his head.

<W-what is it...?> asked Chasmo.

Teryx glanced down at the floor before nodding.

<...I think I'm finally ready,> he said simply.

???

Philip: Show me the warrior inside of you.

-Two more stone Clefairy form beside him, one holding their hands over their ears, the other covering their eyes.-

Deaf Clefairy: <I'm gonna KICK YOUR ASS!>

Blind Clefairy: <Oh, don't mind them too much. They also get a bit crabby.>

Xavier: Uh oh!

-Xavier holds her hand out again.-

Xavier: Toothless!

-The Horsea, somewhat befuddled, appears in a burst of water.-

Toothless: <Woah, hey, what? This isn't my dream of an underwater treasure horde!>

Madeleine: <Explanation later! Fight now!>

Xavier: Water Pu-LSE!

-Her command is almost cut short by Philip lunging at her with his sword.-

Philip: Your opponents will not always allow you to command in peace. Defend yourself!

Xavier: Hmph! Alright then, asshole!

-She kicks up at Philip's torso, his wing coiling around to block the impact. It nevertheless causes him to stagger back from the unexpected force.-

-The Firebird watches intently, as the young one fights with tenacity...-

Edited by DuneTheWanderer on Nov 28th 2022 at 3:00:37 AM

Snowpoint, Noctowl Nest

The attacks from Saffy and co all overwhelm the Sneasels, and they end up with swirls in their eyes.

But one Sneasel was still standing there, bruised and beaten, yet still determined to put up a good fight.

Sneasel 1: <You guys...think you can come here and destroy everything we've worked for?>

He got up on his feet, while Tony, Saul, and now Stephen, who left the unconscious Sneasel and floated up right next to Tony.

Sneasel 1: <It was all perfect! BUT YOU ALL TOOK IT AWAY FROM US! YOU TOOK EVERYTHING! I'M GONNA TEAR YOU APART!>

Tony stands his ground while Stephen and Saul get near the ground, ready to take the leader on.

Tony: Take your shot.

Then Stephen glared in the Sneasel's eyes with a Mean Look. The Sneasel looked with utter fear as couldn't escape, he was done for.

So Saul jumped up with his claws in the air, screaming all the way through, and Metal Claws him right in the skull, leaving the leader seeing swirls.

As the Sneasel leader lay there in the snow, Saul and Stephen whispered one final comment in his ears.

Stephen & Saul: <You already failed the moment you went through with this.>

Tony smirked, their work here was done.

Edited by ThanosBoi on Nov 28th 2022 at 5:58:22 AM

???

Philip: Inside you lies so much potential. More than I could ever aspire to. Show me!

-Again he strikes out as his two backups fire Embers and Rock Throws at Xavier's team.-

Xavier: Guys, Water Pulse, and don't - GAH - let up!

-Ducking a wide swing, Xavier then swings a fist. The shield blocks the blow again, but instead of a dull impact, the blow sparks like a pilot light.-

Madeleine: <You heard her! Hose these guys!>

Toothless: <Dragons versus angels? What is this, a card game?>

-The two manage to weather the attacks before returning fire with their own.-

Philip: Not good enough!

-The man shoulder charges, his wing shield leading, knocking Xavier flat on her back. She quickly rolls out from the sword swing down to where he torso would have been.-

Xavier: Dammit, no fair! Why do you get the cool equipment?!

Philip: My EGO may be fragile... yet even half-manifested, it still contends beyond anything you can accomplish... right now.

Xavier: What's that supposed to mean?!

Philip: Bare your heart to the world! Wield it as a sword! Find your flame!

-He swings at her again, this time her knee catching the sword mid-swing and parrying it high as she carries her momentum around and roundhouses against Philip's wing shield, more sparks flying free from the blow.-

Xavier: I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!

Toothless: <Uh, Xavier? What should we do now->

Madeleine: <Keep shooting you dingus, she's got better things to be doing right now!>

-The Clefairy and Horsea continue trading blows with the two Clef Statues, gaining the upper hand due to sheer type advantage.-

Philip: Then learn, Xavier Voynich!

Xavier: DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME THAT!

-And there it is...-

-The sound of rage, pure and indignant...-

-The honor besmirched by ones own blood...-

-And the spark to ignite both soul... and EGO.-

-Xavier haymakers Philip's shield again, but this time, the sparks catch.-

-In an eruption, flaming Aura blows Philip back yards, despite the wing cushioning the blow.-

Xavier: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Hamlet, The Basement Passage

As though it were fated, the moment that the crystal is safely out of the well the light in the room dies. Both of the crystals cut out, but the flame remains lit... It's just that something (likely a Smokescreen) has obscured anything it could ignite.

Which is when the noise happens: Clanging metal and screeching birds and scraping of wood and stone. It lasts for a good five seconds before the red crystal resumes its blood-red glow and whatever was additionally causing obscuration of the room fades.

The fake metal birds on the shelves are all gone, and the shelves and very walls of this tunnel are covered in gouges and scratch marks leading back to the main room. What's odd is that none of the birds actually hit or even brushed up beside either Kamui or Katsuragi during their presumed flight through this space.

Nuvema Town

-Pent pauses in his pacing to brace for the facepalm's buffetting wind and also engage in a little loss of composure himself-

Okay. She's confessed to being Lamb but that doesn't mean that the Lamb on cameras was in fact Amy...

-Taking a moment to breathe, Pent checks out the autopsy report to see if there's anything about the cause of death that could be useful for the upcoming case-

J-Team Textspace

Battle Academy, Front Door

-Lingering at the threshold of this edifice is two figures. One is a perfectly ordinary girl, idly swishing her blue dress back and forth in waiting and hesitation. The other is a Noctowl made of ticking metal clockwork that looks... Displeased-

The Owl: <Why are we doing this? This is not the hunt.>

The Girl: I told you, I have a plan. We are both bait and trap.

The Owl: <And if they do not summon him? If he sees the tooth of the trap and avoids this place?>

The Girl: Then we'll leave and resume the hunt your way you meddles— companion mine.

-The girl shakes her head, does a little stomp on the ground to work up the courage and just... Knocks on the front doors of the building-