ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

She watches Nyquil wake, anxious regardless of her lack of connection.

Now more than ever, he's seeming more and more familiar, somehow.

"... Hey. Are you okay?" Whitney doesn't quite know why, but she's crying.

"I don't know what you've been through, but if everyone else is to go by, it was a whole hell of a lot."

They're talking to me, but I'm still too out of it to actually listen. Went in one ear and right out the other. And there's also this Growlithe chick. (Who's this, anyway? Why's she crying?) My mind runs back every memory of the last two days that it could recall. All of those things I said, everything I did, and what everyone else did… (This has been pretty shitty, huh?) I hurt people. I threw Dana into an alleyway and tried to kill her. I bashed on this Growlithe girl. I told Mom that I was willing to decapitate her. I watched as L'Arachel slaughtered all those Combees…
L'Arachel. She's still alive, isn't she? No, I can't let her keep going with her bullshit. I'm gonna make her pay! I disregard everyone else and roll onto my feet. I force myself up and try to walk, and- oof, yep, still feels weird. And I've tripped already. Shhhit.

Whitney quickly moves in, ready to intervene if she needs to. "Heeyyyy, hey hey hey. You may be out of your mind control thing, but you're still injured! Just take a second and let yourself rest, alright? Who knows what'll happen of you keep going like this."

[Foyer]

Noriaki takes a step closer but still keeps his distance, saying, "You should try and take it easy, Nyquil. If even now after that Heal Pulse it pains you to move, you may need more recovery yet."

"We do still have plenty of berries and the like, I believe, but my own energy needs a brief rest for a bit."

L'arachel's Manor, Foyer

As Nyquil tries to move, Mila follows with him and tries to stabilize him while also making sure he can't run off on his own, though she chooses not to say anything more while everyone else is still speaking. It worries her that he's immediately going off like this, and she desperately wants him to say more. Autumn voices similar concerns, though she refrains from grabbing ahold of Nyquil for now.

"Niles, please... at least tell us something."

L'Arachel's Manor, Foyer

"Ah, wouldn't call it nature." Woodruff holds onto Marlon tighter, trying to help him off his hurt leg some more, though he's starting to tire out a little as he does so. "It's...adaptation, right? Do it cuz it works, then keep doin' it cuz it's a habit?"

"And yea," he agrees with Marlon. "say keepin' ya safe's gonna be our perogatory here...or my...peroga...perogative? ...something, at least."

[I laugh a little as Niles pratfalls.I squat down for now, watching over the guy...though...what Noriaki and Hikari did...could I...]

"...Nori...I..." [I try and tug on some of his wing feathers.] "Nori, I'm wondering...what you did...could I Sketch it from you? And I really mean could, ummm...I didn't, really, see exactly what you did, ehe." [I tap my fingers against my thigh.] "I...I just want to be able to help out with...reversing everything."

Foyer

Dana pulls out one such berry- the one that was given to her earlier- and offers it to Nyquil. "Here, take this.. And what she said, don't strain yourself too much."

Jyut appears from the shadows, holding the veil. She looks at it, and then over to the group. She'd told her how to use it, just in case, but it had been hammered home pretty hard that the veil was to be used as little as possible...

I just lie on the ground. (Great… now I'm just causing more problems. I can't do anything myself… I can't fight to save my life, I can't fight to save their lives… I just…) I stare ahead, avoiding all eye contact. "God, I'm such a fuck-up…" Not bothering to look at her, I paw the berry away from Dana and roll it towards myself. "Thanks." There was more I wanted to say to her, but I'll save it for another time. I just keep the berry close to me, not bothering to eat it yet. I don't feel like it.

Foyer

Pretty sure that isn't exactly what that word means but yeah, I get what you mean with what you're saying. Maybe you guys can keep me safe in whatever part of the kitchen or the corridor up to the throne room?

Kevin lumbers his way over to the Venusaur.

I'll come with you Dodie. Not like she could've gone very far anyway...I think.

L'Arachel's Manor: Foyer

   Hmmm...so you're Nyquil...or Niles...or whatever   , I commented as I glared at the Quilava, looking curious.

Foyer

Yeah, of course not. (Dodie begins to head off just in time to see Dinah about to re-enter the foyer.) Huh, that didn't take long...

(I re-enter to see everyone all in differing states of...resting up, I suppose.) I'm so sorry it took so long for us to come back. (I ask.)

(It's then that I see Nyquil...he looks bereft of the curse L'Arachel placed on him, thank goodness. Still carrying Sally, I move over toward everyone gathered around him.) Is Nyquil all right?

[Foyer]

"I am not sure you could Sketch that, in all honesty", said Noriaki, "What I did was not single move. I manifested Shadow Claw to assist in "holding" things together so to speak, to keep Nyquil's condition stable, and once the hex showed signs of being more built-up than expected, I took the initiative to tear it from Nyquil's body. If you were to try sketching me just now, it would likely be a simple Shadow Claw. Of course, you are free to have that if you wish."

"He will be just fine, hopefully", Hikari said to Dinah, "He just needs rest."

"If you are all ready, then I am going to begin the advance", said Notte, moving towards the kitchen, "The less breathing room we give her, the better."

"If you are unsure about your ability to provide good combat performance, then stay closer to the back of the battalion", Montresor advised as he began flying towards the kitchen as well.

Foyer

Ready.

Kevin advances ahead with Notte and the others. Assuming nobody else takes point he does, opening the way through. One who's been observant can certainly notice Kevin's increased bravery through this whole ordeal.

Right...again, I just wanna be somewhere safe.

I wait to start moving with my supports in Marsha and Woodruff.

Foyer

Oh, thank goodness... (I say.) What a relief to have him back...

( As we begin to move onward, I decide to speak up about what I am intending to do.) I hope no one will mind if I continue to watch Sally as we face L'Arachel for what should hopefully be the last time. I do hate to simply sit idly by while everyone keeps fighting, but I don't want to make another near-fatal mistake like I did already, nor do I want Sally to get lost again.

(Marsha turns to me.) Hey, Marly and some of da othas are probably gonna be sittin' out while we face L'Arachump again, so dey could watch Sal dair for yas.

Marsha, are you sure? (I ask, looking between her and Marlon and Sally a few times.) I just don't...

Relax, she'll be in good hands. (Marsha reassures me.)

But I don't think I should get involved in the battle again... (I say.) You saw what I did during this last one...

Well, just don't do anything like dat again! (Marsha says.) Hey, just stick by me and I'll help yas if ya get in a bind, alright?

(I'm still not sure about this, but I shrug.) Whatever you say...

(I look down at Sally.) Sally? Will you be all right if I leave you with Marlon and the others when we get to where we go next?

You two mates ready? (Dodie asks Gene and Cole.)

Ready as I'll ever be... (Cole says, adjusting his small hat and moving forward.)

Absolutely. (Gene agrees.) It is time to stop this malevolent woman's nefarious schemes once and for all...

(The bouncers get moving.)

(Marsha turns to Marlon after speaking with Dinah as she helps him forward.) You gonna be okay if I keep fightin' L'Arachump and watch da Bookworm's back?

Edited by kablammin45 on Feb 16th 2019 at 6:35:06 AM

Foyer

(Now that we're all here, it's time to put her in her place. We may not look like it, but we're pretty much the only ones that can beat her right now. There's only one option and failure's sure as hell not one of them. I've got a few choice words for her, that's for sure. I looked at Eliza and nodded.) Ready when you are.

(Ever since she left her family, she wanted to do something on her own terms, rather than follow in her mother's footsteps. Ever since she was forced to work for that crab, she needed someone to help her out of this nightmare. Now that she's face to face with a tyrant at the end of her rope, she wondered if she really found what she was looking for. Not just an ally, but perhaps someone she can trust and even love? She'll have to find a way to repay him and this will be a good start. Eliza nodded back.) Ready.

(That owl saved her life and all for something as simple as love, the old Dragalge thought. She's her own Tsareena, she can chose whoever she wants as long as she's happy. A sense of nostalgia came to him, a time before the war. Yet, he quickly snuffed out the feeling, there's one more obstacle left.) I'm ready.

(After the procedure, Claude looked at the Quilava, wanting to help him, but he stopped himself. Knowing that he might not do much good here, he looked to his ward. Zelda reached for the shield and gave it back to the Aegislash. After the two nodded, they responded.)

   Let us bring justice!   

Yeah. Justice.

Two voices make my ears twitch. I turn my head and there they are. Montresor and Notte. Something bubbles up inside of me, and I can easily tell what it is. Pure, unbridled rage.
I almost forgot how off my body still felt. I shake off everyone near me and get up. My eyes start flickering with light again. "Y... YOU..." My legs kick me off the floor, catapulting me over to them with Quick Attack, my intent being to knock one or both of them over. I'm not picky right now. "YOU FILTHY, PIECE-OF-SHIT TRAITORS!"

L'arachel's Manor, Foyer

As soon as Nyquil rushes down Montresor and Notte Mila shoots after him, holding out her paws but refraining from making any aggressive moves before she can understand the situation. She's worried how much Nyquil is moving after all this, and how he'd seemed to go back to his earlier state even after all of this. Was it like that night, where he'd been free of the effects only temporarily?

"Niles, please! Please, rest, don't hurt yourself..."

Autumn can't bring herself to follow, and instead looks over to Noriaki and Hikari, clearly upset. She can't decide whether she wants to blame them for this, she doesn't know if what they did actually worked.

"Why... why is he doing this?"

Koss recoils at the fight breaking out, but he knows that he's hardly privy to all the information surrounding it, so he opts not to gather the details for himself be it vocally or psychically. Instead, he retreats back over to where Marlon and a few others are gathering, keeping a worried eye out on the scuffle unfolding. Also in the area, Sally cracks open her shell once more to look at the people Dinah is talking about. With recent events she finds it difficult to trust being left alone, and she voices as much to the Krokorok carrying her.

"I dunno... why do you have to go?"

Something catches her eye, however and she opens up slightly as she looks over towards Woodruff.

"Hey, who are you? You're fuzzy!"

Foyer

Hmm...yeah, I'll be fine with you going with the others and keep her safe-

Niles suddenly springs up and attacks the vassals.

Yikes..

Edited by Team42Larson on Feb 16th 2019 at 9:12:50 AM

[Foyer]

It happens suddenly. The yell and sudden assault.

Notte swerves himself in the way and takes the hit of the Quick Attack, bot damaging him much at all. He pushes Nyquil away, hesitant to actually fight him. Pulling up a Protect, the Bisharp looks to Noriaki and Hikari, also seeming to be wondering what's going on.

Noriaki was quick to put a wing up front to guard Hikari, who spoke from behind the Decidueye's shroud, "I-I did say that any mental afflictions based on the hex may still persist for some time..."

Noriaki slowly rolls an arrow-shaped quill in to his Feather Fingers.

The Protect barrier prevents me from getting to them, but I don't care. I start slamming onto it with my paws. "Shut up, SHUT UP! SHUT! UP! Right now, I don't care what she did to me! I don't care that you betrayed her! I care that you betrayed ME!" My body ignites as I start bashing my head against their protective wall. "You let her TAKE me! You held me down and let her turn me into her goddamn puppet!" I head butt the barrier with Flare Blitz after Flare Blitz. They were right there, and I still couldn't reach them. "And then you suddenly decide that you wanted out?! Right after you denied me my chance to escape?!" There's probably a bruise on my forehead now, but I could care less. I wanted to break through. I wanted to break them. "Am I a fucking joke to you?! HUH?! AM I?!"

Foyer

(I feel a bit pained when I see Sally reluctant to be away from me. Should I keep fighting or—)

OY!! HEY! Nyquil! Calm down!! Oy!

(I hear Nyquil yelling and a loud banging noise followed by Dodie shouting at him. I whirl around to see Nyquil trying to break through a barrier that Notte and Montresor are standing behind.)

What on earth is going on?? (I exclaim.)

Uh...da Fireball's seriously cheesed off at dem?? (Marsha says.)

Nyquil!

(Meanwhile, Cole and Gene move to try and hold Nyquil back before he hurts anyone (including himself).)

L'Arachel's Manor: Foyer

I rolled my eyes as Nyquil/Niles started to show a...hostile behavior.

   I think he needs to be tranquilized...BY MY BLINDING BALLS!   , I exclaimed as I launched a Confuse Ray at Nyquil.

"DUDE, NO!" Whitney shouts, trying to push Rainmaker down before he can fire the Confuse Ray off. "You're trying to hurt him more?!"

She doesn't quite know why she got so severe there... oh well.

"Look, just... I dunno who these dudes are but if they did what he's saying he did... I mean, yeah, I say they deserve more than a few punches. At least he's back, right? That's what matters."

L'arachel's Manor, Foyer

Mila simply stares at what's happening, trying to process everything going on around her. Slowly, she works something out and looks over to the two Nyquil is attacking, asking them with a measured, slow tone but a deep sorrow in her eyes.

"Is he telling the truth? Did you help L'arachel do this to him?"

Autumn in the meantime tries to deflect Rainmaker's attack with a Protect, pushing it away from anyone in the room before following up closer to the Bronzong and going off of Whitney's comments.

"What do you think trying to hurt him will do? Why can't we try to handle this peacefully... just this once?"

Foyer

.. Dana hadn't really thought much about Montressor and Notte joining them, if she had to be honest. They were defectors, but at the time she'd thought they couldn't be all bad if they realized supporting L'Arachel was wrong. But in light of this new information... Maybe they still weren't all bad, but that was a pretty awful thing to do right?

She approaches Nyquil and the two former vassals- shooting the latter two a pointed glare- and waits for their answer to Mila's question.