[CYOA] You Are a Rock

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Restrain!

Considerations:
- (1) I need to keep Weavile away from the bag and its items!
-

These abilities bubbling inside you swirl with temptation and a need for release. The circumstances are right. And yet, you resist this, sensing that there is much more utility in restraint. Deep within you, one of your abilities seems easier to work with with that in mind, though it requires some energy to do so.

But at this point, it is your best option.

You tap into a new ability...

The fear in Weavile's expression redoubles, and surely he thinks he's about to die. And yet, what instead infests him is a strange, dark energy that slackens his body and drains him of his power. Not enough to kill, but certainly enough that he can't fight back. He tries to lift his arm and a wave of lethargy makes it look like he's swimming through honey.

You use Enervate! Weavile is debilitated! You feel energized...

Enervate - 1 Energy - Debilitates the enemy, making them perform badly in future exchanges. Fades over time. If it fully connects, gain 1 energy, and your next attack costs half energy, rounding down.

"How did you withstand Lenora's attacks so well, yet not mine? Who was I, before I was transformed?" you ask, and at the same time, you push his bag away from him and well out of reach. Can't have even that slight bit of energy pushing him to a clever escape, whatever's in there.

Weavile could hear you. Despite this, he refuses to reply. He turns his head away and shudders. "You really know nothing," he says. "You... are a blight upon the world. One that was sealed away, only to flee with the last of your strength. We were... only finishing the job..."

"A blight?" you whisper. Somehow, this feels familiar. You know that Weavile isn't making this up, at least not entirely. But... surely that's not the whole truth. You can't be a blight--you'd done nothing but help people you'd found so far!

Weavile is deliberately avoiding an answer. Nothing direct. Maybe... he wants to avoid giving you more knowledge? But that is precisely what you want. Need! What are you? What "blight" is this? Agh--!

But... there is something else that's also important right now. He's already afraid. Maybe if you played that to your advantage... "If you want to survive, you'd better tell me what you've done with Millie!"

Weavile flinches again. The threat of being killed apparently deeply frightens him enough to break that stoic nature.

"...Millie... will be in danger... if I don't return," Weavile says. It's clear that he's choosing his words. "They recognize that you've attached to her. So, if you release me... I'll... tell them... I killed you. And she'll be free. But as of now, she is not hurt. She's... a bargaining chip."

There is no way he'd be able to prove he'd do that. And even if he was telling the truth now, attitudes can change quickly. But, Millie...

Sirens echo from far away. It seems that time to interrogate is running out. Lenora is sitting up, looking conscious, and powering through the pain. She's stable. Tough one, that human. Braviary is flying over--he must have been the one to alert the authorities.

DECISION​

What is Weavile's fate? You have no time left.

1. Let him go. Millie might survive.
2. Capture him for future interrogation.
3. Kill. It's not worth it anymore.
4. Claim.​

Current Status​

HP: 2/4
Energy: 1/6
Offense: 2
Defense: 1
Energized!

Considerations:
- (!) I need to keep Weavile away from the bag and its items!
-

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Claim

Considerations:
- (1) I'm scared of what this power might do, but I need to use it to protect myself and Lenora!
- (1) What's in Weavile's bag?

At first, it seemed like a bad idea to give in to those strange instincts. A blank check on what could be done, only a little fragment of temptation in the back of your mind with no way of knowing what would happen.

But now, you realize you are out of options. Killing could have been the simplest answer. Releasing him perhaps is out of the question--not when he was so hostile. And further interrogation... It is a risk.

Trapped with no ideal option, you fall upon your instincts at the final hour.

"I was bluffing earlier about remembering my past, Weavile," you say, "but I wasn't bluffing about needing to know what's going on. If you refuse to give me a straight answer, then you leave me no choice!"

And with your rock sitting next to him, you tap into that power to Claim.

Your rock turns black as pitch. Weavile's leg, which you happen to be resting on, sizzles in response. His eyes widen and he croaks out a feral scream--not in anger, but pure, concentrated fear.

He reaches for your form and tries to tear you off, but you stick to his hand instead, and then drop squarely on his chest. There, you sink deeper, magnetized to something in the center of his body. You feel his heart. You melt through his chest like a red-hot ingot through butter.

Weavile's body spasms as he tries to dig you out of him, but it's already too late. Energy erupts through you like a breath of fresh air. The world around you becomes hazy. You feel a sudden weight upon you--and everything goes dark.

But... only for a moment.

The world returns to you and your body aches. Everything feels a lot warmer than before. Uncomfortably warm. You don't like this environment. It makes your fur frazzle and your feathers bendy. You prefer the cold, tundra environments.

You squeeze your eyes again as a headache takes over. You sit up, running your claws through your fur.

Without thinking, you pick up your bag--Weavile's... bag?--and then rummage through it. You see a badge, you see a Warp Seed--did you always know what a Warp Seed was?--and a few other seeds that might help you. You know these supplies. It seems silly to look through them again.

It dawns on you that none of this made sense.

Reaper's Harvest ~ Claim. 0 Energy.
If the target's HP is 0, overtake the target's body and claim their soul. The target's body becomes The Reaper's Avatar. You gain their max HP and stats on top of your own and restore your energy by their remaining energy, but it is otherwise merely a vessel. You can only have a single Reaper's Avatar. If a new body is taken, the old body becomes lifeless stone.

The sirens are getting louder. You hop to your feet and wince--your body is badly injured, though it had patched itself up a little. You hear... thoughts in your mind, faded thoughts of someone who had once been in control of this body. It bothers you. You feel as though the body's previous owner, the rightful Weavile, is still there with you. His bothersome thoughts are obstructing your judgment...

You have gained a third Consideration slot!

This slot is claimed by Weavile... and is Ironclad! Ironclad Considerations cannot be overridden, only navigated around.

Consider: I must warn the Prism Knights of Yveltal's awakening.

You gasp. Yveltal. Yveltal, Yveltal, Yveltal... you know that name. You... are Yveltal?

The god of death. The winged harbinger of ruin. Images and titles and screams echo in your mind.

Yveltal, reaper of souls; Yveltal, being of oblivion; Yveltal, The Deathbringer.

And then you remember Lenora. She's on her feet, holding her shoulder. Her hand is bloodied and that same blood is trickling down her other arm. Braviary has his wings outstretched, guarding her and keeping you from a direct line to her.

But instead, still dazed, you attempt to say to her in telepathy, "Are you all right?"
Lenora flinches.

"...Cobble?"

And then the first police cars screech to a halt, officers and their Pokemon hopping out of their vehicle. They have their eyes trained on you first, and others swarm to Lenora, who is dazed from blood loss and does not immediately understand what's happening, but she follows them into the building to be sat down. She says something, but the police don't appear to be listening, more focused on making sure she's stable.

This is getting messy. You'd Claimed Weavile so late that you didn't have time to hide. Could you do anything?

DECISION​

How do you address the police?

1. Fight back. They're about to attack me!
2. Negotiate. This isn't what it looks like!
3. Flee. Nothing I say will help right now!
4. Surrender. It's too chaotic to risk anything else.​

Current Status​

HP: 2/4+5
Energy: 5/6
Offense: 2+2
Defense: 1+1

Considerations:
- (!) I'm scared of what this power might do, but I need to use it to protect myself and Lenora!
- (!) What's in Weavile's bag?
- (∞) I must warn the Prism Knights of Yveltal's awakening.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Flee

Considerations:
- (1) I need to find where the Prism Knights took Millie!
-
- (∞) I must warn the Prism Knights of Yveltal's awakening.

Time seems to slow down to a crawl once again. Trapped by a bunch of police and no time to give your story, in the body of the Pokemon who had just assaulted the retired Gym Leader. Fighting seems out of the question, even if perhaps you would have done well against mundane Pokemon in this state. Negotiating... You don't want to take your chances. Surrendering? You'd be at their mercy.

Fleeing... that appeals to you the best right now. Buy time. Get away. Maybe find Millie, or at least a clue...

You're starting to feel fatigued anyway.

Lenora... She would be fine. You're confident of that. But she would certainly wonder what happened. In that split second, considering your options, you glance at her and think, "I'm sorry, Lenora... I'll be back, and I'll explain everything then. But for now, I need to go!"

You don't know how much of that promise you can keep. But it's how you feel; that's good enough. In your new limbs, familiar thanks to the fragment of Weavile that remains with you, it seems that you and Weavile agree that getting away is a good idea. And so, in this brief harmony, you move with Weavile and slip into darkness.

A volley of attacks strikes where you were and where you might be, but all of them miss. You're too fast. Perhaps you could have used that to your advantage against them, but not now. Weavile's body moves like lightning. Being a rock before, you almost laugh at the sheer freedom you now have. You might even be able to outrun your Catapult, ignoring any obstacles!

You're so swift as you flee into the forest again that you're caught off guard when something grabs your torso. Two clawed hands. You're pulled into the treetops, one hand letting go to cover your mouth.

"Shh be quiet," he says, voice faster than your legs.

You nearly shout, but obey on reflex. Something about this person... You don't sense any malice in the way he holds you.

For a while, you stay in the treetops, marveling at the police simply unable to find you. You're not being very stealthy. You're nearly out in the open. You have a concept in your mind that if you can see them, they can see you, or at least a chance. Yet they don't sense you at all.

Your rescuer has clawed feet and matches the profile of those missing footprints. In fact, with more time in that tense silence, you see that his feet match the print exactly in shape. A... Zoroark.

Yes. You know this--or, perhaps Weavile does. It's getting hard to tell. Zoroark are illusion masters. Hidden so perfectly that the police wouldn't think to search for you. Perhaps if they knew a Zoroark was involved, this would have been different. But for now, you have that to your advantage.

"Who are you?" you ask. Something about this Zoroark is different from other Pokemon. Aside from the fact that he talks, he has no badge, no supplies. Somehow both feral and speaking. Or... something else. The sense you have of him is that he is not one of the Knights, of any division. That makes him an anomaly... perhaps just like you.

"My name is N," Zoroark says, though he speaks so quickly you needed a second to catch up to his words. Mercilessly, he continued to talk, "I've been watching you ever since the distortions appeared here you seem to be related to it and the Knights want to find you for one reason or another but we can't be sure which formula is the correct one to take I am buying time to figure that out I'm glad I was able to get you if you were out of my reach this would have been a much more complicated formula to solve."

You blink. You try, valiantly, to process all that he said.

"Are you okay are you tired it might be that the technique you used is still draining you of energy do you need to find a place to rest I have a shelter that will be safe for the night."

"Shelter?" you repeat. "I..."

Your heart throbs suddenly and you wheeze, holding your chest. That wasn't good.

Get out of me, you hear.

Oh, that's very not good.

"Hello are you okay answer me," N says.

You open your mouth to speak. The edges of your vision are getting dark and the rest of your body isn't replying. You feel like Weavile is trying to take over, but can't. Instead, he's only stalling you and draining your energy. That... would have been bad, back with the police.

"I'm," you start.

And then it all goes black.

<><><>
​

END OF ACT I​

Act II will begin on Friday, May 17th!

While blacked out, you are fully restored as N allows you to rest and recover...​

DECISION​

You grow stronger from your trials. You gain +1 HP, Energy, Offense, and Defense! What would you like to strengthen even further?

1. Endurance. I can't be so vulnerable. (+2 HP)
2. Energy. I need a reserve in case unexpected trouble arises. (+2 Energy)
3. Power. I need to strike down whatever stands in my way. (+1 Offense)
4. Durability. I need to block the strikes of what comes my way. (+1 Defense)​

Current Status​

HP: 10/5+5
Energy: 7/7
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1

Considerations:
- (!) I need to find where the Prism Knights took Millie!
-
- (∞) I must warn the Prism Knights of Yveltal's awakening.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Energy! Your maximum Energy increases to 9!

Considerations:
-
-
- (∞) I must warn the Prism Knights of Yveltal's awakening.

It has been a while since you were... here.

Floating in nothing, weightless, bodiless.

But this time, you are more aware of this fact. You are aware of time passing. You sense nearby... The plants and trees, and a Zoroark. But that is far, far away from you right now.

This night, in this deep, innermost dream, you are a nebula of lights. Countless stars floating in a void. No matter how much you shine, your light only reaches other parts of your nebula.

Your lights coalesce. You merge. The nebula condenses into a constellation. The dust and clouds become an outline of a 'body.'

And now, while only a hollow outline of one, like a delicate bubble in this infinite void... you are Yveltal, or some false echo of one.

You look at your wings, colorless like glass, illuminated by your stars. Your feet are the same. You assume your body is like a moving sculpture of plasma and frost, but you do not feel cold.

One star drifts away from you and forms another, hollow, glass body. Instantly, you recognize him as Weavile. In that same instant, you surmise his power. He's glaring at you.

Weavile

HP: Negligible
Energy: Negligible
Offense: Negligible
Defense: Negligible

Or... you think you can. It's so weak, so very insignificant, that you can't get a measure of it beyond... 'small.'

"Even when you're nothing but a pebble," Weavile says.

"Cobble," you correct.

Weavile's eye twitches. He's more emotional than before, you note silently.

"Even like this... you still kill. Still reap the souls of mortals. Still... destroy." Weavile crosses his arms. You sense fear from him, but also a strong barrier. You cannot access his thoughts or memories, even now. Even when you had claimed his very soul, that knowledge is beyond you here.

You sense that anything you do to Weavile now would be... meaningless.

Right now, all you can do is talk. The night is short and Weavile does not seem very friendly. Still... it wouldn't hurt, while you consider everything that happened the day before.

What do you say? What do you think? And what, if anything, do you try?

Current Status​

HP: ??
Energy: ??
Offense: ?
Defense: ?

Considerations:
-
-
- (∞) [UNKNOWN]

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Considerations:
- (1) I need to win over Weavile, so that he can help me find Millie.
-
- (∞) [UNKNOWN]

For now, there is no point in being confrontational. You hold all of the cards and Weavile is helpless to you, to... an extent. You are unsure how much control he can exert once you awaken again. That could be a problem.

Perhaps, in some ways, working with him could be to your benefit. But first, you need to learn a little about his perspective...

"It is my place in this world to reap souls and guide spirits to the afterlife. What else would you have me do?" you say. You don't accuse; you focus on understanding. Weavile may have more to say.

The question doesn't catch him off guard, but it's clear that any of his prepared retorts weren't immediately appropriate.

He gives the question a few seconds to hang in the air before answering. "That is the prettied up version of what you are," he says. "You are the end. The harbinger of doom. Even your very awakening sucks the life out of whole cities nearby, stealing their souls for your own revival.

"And look at you. Already resuming your collection." He sneers. "We stopped you once, but we knew you'd sent a fragment of yourself away. We're only here to finish the job and bring about our true, immortal era."

Weavile seems very open. Perhaps some of that is... involuntary. Perhaps when nothing but a spirit laid bare, he is more open and expressive. Less trained and contained.

You still feel in control. That is one advantage you hold over him, for now.

You reply, "...Don't you also kill though, Weavile? Haven't you and the rest of the Prism Knights threatened not only my own life, but also Millie as well? Who, might I point out, poses no danger to you?"

Weavile huffs at that, arms crossed. "A necessary evil. We don't know why you... think Millie matters, but we'll do anything if it means getting you to surrender. Do you really not remember what you are, Yveltal? Your true nature as our world's ticking clock?"

He stepped closer.

"Every ten thousand years, you are to awaken and reset the world to nothing. All progress, all civilizations, you did not care. You destroyed all of it in the name of The Cycle, as evidenced by our findings in ruins you leave behind. What is one death compared to saving potentially infinite lives from that condemned fate?"

"I don't remember any of that," you admit, and realize a moment later that you didn't mean to give that information away so readily. So you, too, are subject to this truthful realm. You elect to be more cautious. "But that doesn't sound like something I'd want to do, either. This world doesn't have that kind of Cycle that I know about and it gets along fine. Why would your world need that?"

Weavile dismisses you with a grunt, turning his head away. "That's history. It doesn't matter why, just that it happened. We won't let it happen again. So, you must die. Gods of death are not necessary. The inclusion of death with life is a fallacy propped up by mortals to make themselves feel better about their inevitable ends. But the Prism Knights escaped that fate. It's possible. We are immortal. Invincible... to everyone but you."

Something flickers in your vision. Weavile reacts similarly. You have the sense that morning will come soon. You have time for but one more exchange.

Current Status​

HP: ??
Energy: ??
Offense: ?
Defense: ?

Considerations:
- (!) I need to win over Weavile, so that he can help me find Millie.
-
- (∞) [UNKNOWN]

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Considerations:
- (1) I need to persuade Weavile to tell me where Millie is located!
-
- (∞) [UNKNOWN]

You aren't sure what to say, not immediately. But your goal remains clear. You need to save Millie. If she's a hostage, they won't kill her, not unless they think there's no use to her at all. And if they value 'life,' maybe they won't kill her anyway? That's a real gambit, but... was there really any point in risking her like that?

The best option would be to rescue her so they can't hold it over your head. That's your conclusion for now.

But as for what to say, or how to say it...

"This is between your Knights and me," you say. "Don't include innocents in it."

"Why is that human important to you?" Weavile asks.

"She happened to find me first; that's all. I didn't know anything about being Yveltal when I'd met her."

"Then... sentimental. And that's all," Weavile replies, looking confused. "You aren't the sort of person to care about a single mortal. You claimed to be above individual cares."

"Well, I don't remember that," you say simply. "How long have I been dead? Maybe I'm the good side of me."

"You have been missing for centuries," Weavile says. "Only recently did you start to reawaken. We traced you via the Dungeons your awakening is causing. The Dungeons in this realm."

"Do I... make Dungeons, too?"

Weavile shakes his head. "We don't know why Dungeons and you are linked. Only that it is a link determined by Command. You entered in Kalos, where another world's Yveltal had once been. Then, you relocated here, somehow, over those centuries."

"Kalos..." The region-sized Dungeon.

"As for the 'good side'... no. You are all of Yveltal. You were diminished and nearly killed, but then you escaped with what little of you remained. We thought you were dead, up until the Dungeons arose."

Well, so much for that. Still...

The light got too strong. You squint and look up, raising your transparent wing. Weavile says something--it sounds cautionary, or perhaps threatening?--but you can't make it out.

And then...

<><><>
​

Fish.

You smell fish. It smells amazing. It must be something to do with the new body, but your nose twitches with reflexive sniffs and you blink yourself awake.

That Zoroark -- N -- is there. In front of him is a tray of food that seems to be human-made, perhaps from the city. You aren't sure how he acquired it. But it looks good. You don't feel hungry, but you do have an appetite. How strange.

"Hello I got you a meal that should agree with you I'm sorry if it isn't what you like," N says.

"I'm... That's fine. Thank you," you reply, moving in your new body again. You don't hear Weavile this time. Maybe he only gets in the way if you do something objectionable.

"Who are you?" you ask. "Your name is... N. Are you with the Knights?"

"No I am from Unova but I know of the Knights I have been investigating them for some time since their arrival it seems they are different factions from the same world the Prism Knights are the ones who are after you the others are neutral and do not know the extent of why they are here."

His blazing speaking pace is... disorienting. For one reason or another, N seems used to it, and patiently waits for you to understand it.

"So the other Knights might not know how to help me, but the Prism Knights are... directly against me." You place a claw on your chest. You can vaguely sense that your true core is lodged in there.

"They believe that you are a problem but I do not believe that is true I think there is something more going on the Prism Knights behave very strangely."

"I see..."

You aren't sure how much you want to tell N. He seems trustworthy, if not eccentric. You don't get a sense that he's lying. But he did see you kill someone, claim their soul, possess their body, and then walk around in it. The fact that he isn't unnerved... unnerves you.

The fish get your attention again. Smoked and over a bed of rice and some thin, brown sauce. You nod in thanks when N offers one to you, and as you enjoy the flakey, savory goodness--such a novel experience after all this time--you mull over what to tell N about.

N starts with one conversation already. "While I was purchasing food I saw the news about last evening Lenora is fine and recovering at the hospital Millie's whereabouts are unknown and the Amber Knights do not know about any of it officially."

"So Millie isn't... around, she's missing. But Lenora is okay. That's good." You don't know what to think about the Amber Knights. They are the official protectors of Unova for all things Dungeon related. You know that much.

You feel that staying here for long is unwise. The Prism Knights are likely hot on your trail... Perhaps you can walk and talk later, but for now, you consider a specific topic for what to do next...

DECISION​

What major topic should you plan with N? (Side topics can be done via the Telepathy Action)

1. Getting back to Lenora. The Elite Four would know what to do about all this.
2. Getting away. It's too dangerous to stay here with the Knights swarming.
3. Rescuing Millie. I need to save her before continuing.
4. Nothing. I should keep these problems to myself.​

Current Status​

HP: 10/5+5
Energy: 9/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1

Considerations:
- (!) I need to win over Weavile, so that he can help me find Millie.
-
- (∞) I must not allow Yveltal to harm another Prism Knight.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Discuss rescuing Millie.

Considerations:
- (1) What does this "N" want from me?
- (1) I need to figure out what's wrong with the Prism Knights.
- (∞) I must not allow Yveltal to harm another Prism Knight.

"I'd like to save Millie first and foremost," you say after mulling it over with your meal. At this point, N is looking outside of the small... clearing, cavern that you are in. Now that you think about it, this place isn't very well-hidden.

Oh, Zoroark. Right. That's probably it.

"You want to rescue the human who saved you?" N asks.

"Yes. I can't have that on my conscience."

N's stare is somewhere between blank enough to infer indifference, to so blank that it's uncomfortably analytical. What's going on in his head?

You do have to wonder what N wants from you. N, what a strange name. Strange mannerisms. Strange everything. And he seems to know an awful lot about humans... He would not go out of his way so far and risk so much for no reason. But asking that of him... That does not seem like a good idea for now. You owe him a little for getting you out of trouble. You can worry about motivations later.

As before, you don't sense deception from him. Maybe it is out of some kind of altruism...

"Can you help me locate Millie?" you ask.

"I will try but it will not be easy only the Prism Knights would know at this point unless there are cameras yes we can use the cameras the human world has many forms of observation we will do that wait here."

He left.

"Ah--wait!" By the time N was ten paces from you, when you finally process what he said, you stumble after him. "Hold on!"

"They might sense you."

"But I know what to look for. Maybe. And being alone would... be too risky."

N pauses. "I understand then stay close to me."

N gestures to his head, as if grasping something with two claws. The light around him distorts and distorts, until right before your eyes, the Zoroark transforms into a green-haired, pale-skinned human. Hair stayed the same shape, though. He adjusts the newly formed, illusory hat and oddly ordinary clothes.

"...That's a very elaborate illusion," you say with a hint of suspicion. It's almost too thorough. "You know humans very well?"

"Yes that is one way to put it." He turns around and picks something up from behind a bush. A... bag of supplies. Human supplies, which he slings over his shoulder.

N calls out to the forest. In moments, a bird flies down on a branch, and he starts... talking to the bird. Simple directions and a few questions, describing a few Pokemon, and the bird tweets back before flying away.

"It should be safe this way," N says, leading you along.

"Er... right."

<><><>

Part II - The Rocky Road Ahead
​

"Weavile... can you hear me?" You think inward.

No reply.

"I do want to work with you. Any sort of cooperation. I'm borrowing your body, after all... It would be wrong to simply... take it, I suppose. Er, more than I already have..." No, that probably made it worse. "Any small signal, any at all..."

But suddenly, as you desire this attempt at communication, your left hand moves without your orders. It flexes its claws. Once you realize what's happening, you gasp and the hand stops moving. And you're in control again.

Tentatively, you allow further control... The hand moves again, forming an odd pose. It registers to you as a rude gesture.

"Sorry. That startled me. that's... you, in there? I guess I can give... partial control..."

The hand returns to normal. You can't hear him, yet you can sense his intent. He's watching, a helpless passenger.

But granting him control isn't an option you want to take. Apologetically, you press onward. N is a fast walker, too, and you jog to catch up to him as you go through Pinwheel Forest's beaten path.

Ironically, you'd been here before with Millie. You're about to cross the same river.

"You said the Prism Knights were behaving strangely," you say as you nimbly hop from rock to rock. "What's changed?"

"No I do not mean they behaved strangely to before I mean they are strange compared to the other Knights."

"Oh." Well, that much was much more obvious. "Still... I... know that they're immortal, or something. Maybe they're acting strange because of that?"

"Maybe I think Pokemon are not meant to live that long there is no telling what it may do to the mind perhaps that is the hidden variable in all this but it leads to a very daunting equation."

"Er... right."

"But they only showed up here recently I think they can track your energy or do something similar to that or at least that is my guess."

You both cross the river. But as you approach the city once again, N stops.

"It is spreading," N says.

A soapy ripple of light. A distortion beyond it. Overnight...

Nacrene City had become a Dungeon.

"Faster and faster and now a whole city overnight," N says. He looks back at you. Even with him as a human, you can understand his gaze. It's grave, but also questioning.

You have never entered a Dungeon before. You don't know what it's like or what it would do. However, N is not actively discouraging you to leave or revise a plan. It's more like he's wondering if you still want to go anyway... for Millie.

DECISION​

Do you enter the Dungeon?

1. Yes, and immediately. Millie could be in danger.
2. Yes, but let's look around for the Amber Knights or other signs about what's happening.
3. No, let's wait until we have more information.
4. No, let's try something else.
​

Current Status​

HP: 10/5+5
Energy: 9/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1

Considerations:
- (!) What does this "N" want from me?
- (!) I need to figure out what's wrong with the Prism Knights.
- (∞) I must not allow Yveltal to harm another Prism Knight.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Yes, but let's look around for the Amber Knights or other signs about what's happening

Considerations:
- (1) There are probably some Amber Knights inside this dungeon... Let's find them!
-
- (∞) I must not allow Yveltal to harm another Prism Knight.

"That's unbelievable, this was a tiny dungeon just a few days ago!" you exclaim, staring in disbelief at the Dungeon's edge.

"The spread is accelerating," N states, bringing a hand to his chin in thought.

You wonder how many people might already be in there, in some trouble. Millie, too. It also crosses your mind that the Amber Knights might be inside, even if you wanted to get their help.

"I don't know about entering there alone," you say to N. "Are there Amber Knights nearby?"

"We can check their normal routes quickly I know the way," N replies.

Sidestepping the Dungeon, you both leave for the main path that the Dungeon had once been, knowing that the Amber Knights would have gone in that direction at the very least. So far, it's quiet--too quiet. The wild Pokemon know that this is a bad place.

But you break the silence anyway. "You say you've been researching the Knights. Do you think they might be causing the Mystery Dungeons to spread?"

"It would be a strange career choice to make the problem you are solving but I believe that is what my father did so I would not rule it out," N replies.

Allllright, that was very loaded and you aren't sure if you want to unravel that one. "So, you aren't sure," you translate.

"I am not and I found no evidence usually they appear where Dungeons are but do not come before."

"So it's more like they're following Dungeons..." You think this makes sense, considering that Dungeons apparently follow where you go, too. A trail...

N stops. "This is as far as their normal route goes I do not think they are here they are inside."

"Figures." You nod. "But if this is their normal route, then they also entered this way, right? Let's enter the same way. It might be easier."

N seems to agree and leads the way inside.

And as you pass through... the Dungeon greets you with a sickening wave of compression, like you'd suddenly been surrounded by a hundred pounds of wet cotton. When the feeling you can't breathe leaves, you're standing on the same soil and under the same sun.

But the similarities end there.

Trees widened into walls rather than trunks. Their roots twisted and joined with the trunk like a tangle of yarn. Branches loomed over them and formed great, crisscross domes like hallways that connected to separate clearings that had no rhyme nor reason on whether it was a running river, a stone walkway, or simple grassland.

Up ahead, one of the trees fused with a street lamp, growing lightbulbs like they were fruits, forming lamp heads like flowers. One of the small booths meant to hold bikes and supplies had been mangled into a cave made of concrete and wood, its skeleton sticking out like spikes.

"Be careful of wild Pokemon here they are not themselves," N warns.

"What do you mean?"

In the corner of your eye, you catch movement. Above you, in one of the twisted hallways, a Pidove stares at you. You sense... that it isn't just a Pidove. There are... things attached to it. Ethereal. N can't see it, you're sure, or he'd've warned you. But you see dark blobs attached to the Pidove like parasites, seeping into its feathers and filling the Pidove with hostile intent. Anger. Confusion.

The Pokemon in Dungeons were possessed by those strange things. And somehow, those seem... so... familiar.

You hear fighting in the other direction and turn your attention left. Your heart skips a beat before you realize why.

Druddigon is there, surrounded by similar, hostile Pokemon. He looks tired and his supplies are missing. There are a few--but not many--of those strange blobs attached to parts of his body, though even he appears to be unaware of them.

Ahead of you, there seems to be a path that is empty.

And to the right is the path the Pidove glares at you. Now that you look at it a bit more, it seems injured, like someone had already fought it, in that direction... though you aren't sure why. Amber Knights, perhaps? Yes, in fact, with the Amber Knights on your mind, you catch what appears to be scorch marks on the Pidove. They remind you of Arcanine...

Are both Knight factions present in Unova fighting here?

DECISION​

Where do you go? Consider an Action to go with it.​

1. To Druddigon.
2. Down the empty path.
3. Down the recently trodden path.
4. Stay put and watch.
​

Current Status​

HP: 10/5+5
Energy: 9/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1

Considerations:
- (!) There are probably some Amber Knights inside this dungeon... Let's find them!
-
- (∞) I must not allow Yveltal to harm another Prism Knight.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Take the recently trodden path!

Considerations:
- (1) I can't let any of those dark blobs touch me!
- (1) What's the source of the dark matter?
- (∞) I must not allow Yveltal to harm another Prism Knight.

"I think the Amber Knights may be this way," you say to N, steering clear of Druddigon for now. "Perhaps they can help us."

N eyes Druddigon with uncertainty, but relents and follows you. The Pidove glares, but has enough sense not to attack both of you. It would likely do very little.

"The Dungeon is worse than usual," N reports to you. "The Pokemon's voices are very hostile I do not think this would happen so quickly if Pokemon stay inside a Dungeon for too long they become hostile if not prepared."

You have a pretty good feeling, putting two and two together, that those strange dark blobs are responsible. Of course, being the only one who can see them here, perhaps it simply appears to be an unknown or strange force instead to everyone else... Staying away from those blobs--and protecting N and others from them--would be wise.

You spot some tracks. N is faster, following those tracks. "An Arcanine left these tracks and I can smell scorch marks up ahead that Arcanine must be defending against something."

Your hunch was correct. But the sudden advancement of the Dungeon's power... Why was this happening? Did it have to do with you? And if so... why? You have no memory of these strange creatures. Or, at least, you have never encountered them before, even in what you believe to be your subconscious memories.

Weavile, too. You sense a perplexed feeling from him. This is foreign.

"What's with the mysterious dark energy everywhere?" you finally ask.

"Dark energy?" N asks.

"You don't see it? It was on that Pidove, and near that Druddigon, too. In fact--there!"

You interrupt yourself when you spot a stray dark blob approaching from ahead. It lunges for N. On reflex, you flick a shard of ice at it, straight past N. It passes through, but despite that, the blob shrieks and melts into the floor, inert.

N, however, doesn't react. "Perhaps the Dungeon is causing you to hallucinate we should go through faster," he says.

A hallucination? Was that possible? You're so confident that it's real, but the way the ice passed through it... it wasn't made of matter. It had no physical presence.

Another blob approaches. N or you, it would attach if you didn't strike, so you send another one ahead of N, which startles him, but he doesn't protest. For now, he appears to be... tolerant of your hallucinations.

You experiment when the third one arrives. "N, can you attack?"

"I don't like to in this form, but I can."

"A projectile attack, two feet ahead of you... not!"

N doesn't move his body, yet there's a Dark, dazzling blast where the blob stood. It shrieked all the same and disappeared into the wall.

"Was that another 'dark energy'?" N asks.

"Yes. And you dispelled it," you report. "But you can't see it... But it reacts to attacks. Hmm..."

Is this ethereal in nature? But even Druddigon and the others could see your projections. Yet they are blind to these. There must be a difference between your projection and these invisible blobs. Something fundamental.

You determine that the source of this dark presence must be related to you in some way, but not in anything obvious. You, the Dungeons, and the darkness... How does it all tie together?

There is a strong sense that if you find the answer, many more will cascade, which may solve the mystery of everything that puts you in this strange situation.

You walk and walk, each strange distortion something new and bizarre. You see a river spiraling into an upward waterfall, fish still swimming through it like it was normal. You see an old apartment complex overtaken by tree roots and pine needles with no rhyme or reason. You see the museum you'd once been in, but now the fossils are fused with the walls, the books splayed on the ground like tile, and the shelves expanded into new and empty rooms.

You see fresher scorch marks in a clearing that had once been a street, still smoldering from old burned wood.

N grabs you by the shoulder and pulls you aside. You narrowly avoid a Fire Blast that instead scorches your fur only slightly. The ground, now molten, bubbles where you'd once stood. The fire is a deep orange, almost black, when it smolders longer than it should.

And then, finally, you see Arcanine... dotted with those dark blobs, madness in her eyes, and her fangs extended with an ethereal, dark energy. Her fur dribbled with black water as if she'd emerged from watered-down tar. Everything about her was darkened two shades. Each breath she exhaled created a fog.

"That's an Amber Knight," N says, "but the Dungeon has claimed her mind it is not safe to interact the cure is to drag her away she may look normal but I can hear her mind's voice it is not one of a sane Pokemon any longer if it is too dangerous we can flee before the same fate claims us."

"What do you mean, look normal?!" you protest.

But Arcanine gives N no time to reply. She lunges for you with murder in her eyes.

Fallen Amber Knight Arcanine
HP: 7

Current Status​

HP: 10/5+5
Energy: 9/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1

Considerations:
- (1) I can't let any of those dark blobs touch me!
- (1) What's the source of the dark matter?
- (∞) I must not allow Yveltal to harm another Prism Knight.

Special note:

I forgot to cold open the Part name. I've edited a past post with the Part title when it was supposed to happen. We are currently in Part II - The Rocky Road Ahead.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Enervate!

Considerations:
- (1) I'm not very good at absorbing hits - I need to stay ready to dodge!
- (1) What’s in my bag?
- (∞) I must not allow Yveltal to harm another Prism Knight.

A direct strike seemed like a bad idea right at the start. With Arcanine lunging right for you, it seemed like the best time to go for something weakening. You point at Arcanine and shoot a mysterious beam from your claws. You sense a hint of disgust from Weavile, but he does nothing to stop you--because he can't, or chose not to.

The beam hits Arcanine square in the chest. Despite its immaterial nature, you still feel a tug as if you'd caught something on a fishhook. You pull back, taking motes of light with you, and Arcanine groans with sudden fatigue. Meanwhile, you are energized... It went off without a hitch.

Enervate!
Arcanine is weakened considerably!
You gain Energized, and are refunded your 1 Energy!

N takes this opportunity to step back. He's also evasive--which didn't go well if you were also trying to be evasive. You suppose it would only make sense if he has a human disguise to maintain. Still, he fires another Night Daze at Arcanine, striking her while her guard is down.

You quickly learn that while N is formidable, he is not at your level of raw power, whatever that may be.

N strikes Arcanine, dealing 1 damage!

But Arcanine finds her footing enough to open her mouth on your back step. You're too slow to pivot away, still reeling from the surge of energy in your system as well as Weavile's. It seems that all of your powers are still working perfectly--though you wonder in the back of your rocky mind if Catapulting yourself would lead to some awkward results.

Arcanine's attack of choice is a five-sided flame. You weave to the right, avoiding the worst of the hit, but it still singes you enough to hurt. Even worse, you see a core of darkness in the center of that blast, further enhancing Arcanine's power. Those dark things were making her stronger; she was far stronger than an Arcanine should be. You know this by some instinct.

Arcanine strikes you with Fire Blast, but you easily dodge the worst of it! You take 1 damage!

But after that, Arcanine struggles to pull up more heat to her throat. That enervation is paying you back already. You take the opportunity to get more familiar with Weavile's items. Most of your supplies seem to be rations or useless gear. Some food. Some glowing things for the dark. A set of playing cards? ...Is that a stuffed toy of a fish? It's all mundane.

You find some useful items in one of the corner. You have the Warp Seed, but it occurs to you that these only work for one person. It would be either you or N. Weavile cooperates with you and funnels information into you for the rest of your bag.

You see a Stun Seed. It explodes on impact and paralyzes the person in a cloud of nerve-numbing dust of some kind. You suspect it would work similarly to your Enervation. You see two Blast Seeds. They explode, violently. You don't know what you expected, but maybe that would be useful later. Perhaps, if you Consider your options, you can use these later amid the heat of battle...

And... a Reviver Seed! What a lifesaver! Something like that would bring you to top form the moment you fell.

...Something is wrong, you note. When your claws brush against the Reviver Seed, the little heart-shaped leaf that characteristically comes out of them withers and dies, leaving an empty husk. The Reviver Seed was nullified... You suspect such things won't ever work on you.

Well. You suppose if you ever needed true confirmation of being a god of death...

Your misfortune compounds. Two others are coming closer, and they don't feel friendly. One is familiar--Druddigon. And in the corner of your vision, you also spot Marshtomp. Panic that doesn't belong to you wells up in your chest. You feel Weavile's motivations changing...

Fallen Amber Knight Arcanine
HP: 6, Enervated
Offense: 3
Moves: Void Fire Blast (+3)

Druddigon and Marshtomp are separate and a room away, flanking, and are not yet close enough to attack.

N is calm, but his movements are evasive. "This could be trouble there are no free exits."

Arcanine in front of you. Marshtomp to the right hall. Druddigon behind. And nowhere else to go.

Current Status​

HP: 9/5+5
Energy: 9/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1

Energized! (half off next action, round down)

Considerations:
- (!) I'm not very good at absorbing hits - I need to stay ready to dodge!
- (!) What’s in my bag?
- (∞) Just don't kill them.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Night Slash?

Considerations:
- (1) I need to focus on dodging!
- (1) I'll throw a blast seed into Arcanine's mouth next time she tries to use a fire attack!
- (∞) Just don't kill them.

Night Slash. That's a thing Weavile know a lot about, right? You heard about it from... somewhere. Yeah.

Weavile know Night Slash. That is their thing. You flex your claws and wait for an opportunity. You channel Dark energy in your claws... Any seconds now... aaany second now...

"Why are you standing there I am trying to not get hit," N says.

Fighting is more complicated than you expected. The claws are yours, but the element behind it, why can't you harness it? Is it because Weavile isn't properly in sync with you? Is it because you took the body, but not the prowess? No! You have Weavile's soul; this had to be enough!

A spark. It didn't come readily, but a dark spark had formed in Weavile's claws. You feel your chest throb with power where your heart should have been. Your stone, your anchor. Of course. You had to get power from your anchor... Getting up close and personal. That was close enough to a raw attack with your body. If you channeled that and utilized Weavile's power...

You use Night Slash (+Rocky Tackle) (+1 bonus damage!)
Arcanine takes 6 damage!

Energize is used up! -1 Energy cost!

You cleave through Arcanine's thick fur and hit flesh. Blood instantly soaks your claws. Arcanine doesn't seem to react despite the great wound on her side... though even with that, she isn't down. The dark powers are still moving her body. The darkness would have to go, or her body would have to be unusable.

But she's too hurt to be a threat. What you do about her when the dust is settled... You can decide later.

N seems distressed about something and doesn't strike Arcanine. Instead, he turns his attention to Druddigon and Marshtomp. Now that Marshtomp is closer, you spot a dark set of 'cracks' along his skin crawling from around his back. He's also possessed. Druddigon and Marshtomp--Weavile's old allies--are your next foes.

They seem stronger, but at least Arcanine is out of the way. You glance at the Blast Seed in your free claw and gently lob it to N. He catches it quickly, giving you a puzzled look.

"Throw it at a threat," you explain.

N doesn't question it. You and N both have the same idea: getting close isn't wise. You both search for an opening. You realize that the path Marshtomp had come from is wider than Druddigon's. If there was a route to escape, it would be that way, though you'd likely get a nick or two in the process. What were your chances there instead of taking them on directly? You have options to Consider, though there is no clear decision to be made...

Druddigon and Marshtomp are close enough to fight!

Fallen Knight Druddigon
HP: 9

Fallen Knight Marshtomp
HP: 7

Early discovery!​

Synergy!
Gain minor bonuses to your normal techniques by tapping into the power of your Claimed body, once you discover the moves they are capable of. Not all move combinations will work; use your intuition, and Consider ways things can work together!

But be warned: Synergy costs +1 extra base Energy. Additionally, Tapping into your Claimed body's power means they, too, may influence where it's directed and how it's used.

"Synergize" has been added as part of your Action list.

Current Status​

HP: 9/5+5
Energy: 8/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1

Considerations:
- (!) I need to focus on dodging!
- (!) I'll throw a blast seed into Arcanine's mouth next time she tries to use a fire attack!
- (∞) Just don't kill them.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Enervate Marshtomp!

Considerations:
- (1) I can’t let that darkness touch me or N!
- (1) I'll throw my Warp Seed at Druddigon!
- (∞) Just don't kill them.

Cornered. You know that much. And the best way to get rid of that would be to clear a path. But more than that, perhaps you can also take Marshtomp down while Druddigon is away--you think Druddigon is stronger. Marshtomp would surely go down faster.

Just as they get close, you toss your Warp Seed into Druddigon's face. It pops like a firecracker and engulfs him in a thick, sparkling mist. He bursts through it... and then a vacuum pulls him into an invisible plane, and he's gone, just like that. A gust of wind greets you where Druddigon once stood.

You sense that, by pure luck, Druddigon would take some time to get back to you. You have extra time to focus on just Marshtomp...

Who, the moment you pushed Druddigon away, got a cheap shot on you with a deluge of mud.

Marshtomp gets a Mud Shot on you! You take 2 damage, and your mobility is hampered!

"Ugh--" At least N isn't getting hit. You sense that just one or two good strikes would do him in. It befuddles you how strong you are compared to seemingly hardened veteran fighters... and how strong these Knights are by that same logic!

But you try the same thing again, pointing at Marshtomp and sending dark chains into his soul. The siphon lands, and you feel the energy returning to you for another good strike. You're starting to get a good rhythm for conserving your strength!

Marshtomp is Enervated! You are Energized!
N gets a few hits in! Marshtomp takes 1 damage!

You spot a few dark things going toward N and sweep your feet at them on reflex. It's enough. They feel like nothing, physically, but they send a chill through your heels. At least, when striking them, they do not have the time to strike back... but that was risky. You elect to avoid not doing that too often and fire potshot icicles at other ones.

N continues to be puzzled at you shooting at the ground.

It's getting frustrating being the only one seeing those things. “Weavile, can you see the darkness corrupting your friends, or do they look normal to you? Give me one of your special thumbs ups for dark, two for normal.”

You glance at your free hand while you have that free breath. Marshtomp is still trying to get his bearings. N dives in for a Night Daze, though it only does some damage while Marshtomp's guard is down.

Weavile gives you one thumbs up. It seems he can see what you can see, at least while he is part of you.

"We cannot stay here we should advance while we have the chance," N reports, already fleeing into the next room.

"Ah, but the Knight!" you call, looking at Arcanine... who is no longer there. What?

There's a trail of black blood following N. At first, you panic, wondering if N was hurt. Seconds later, you realize N had invisibly taken Arcanine with him under the guise of an Illusion... Quite the carrying strength on that Zoroark.

You run after N as Marshtomp gives chase. You're slower, but so is Marshtomp, leaving you in a dead heat while N dashes ahead to relative safety.

You see the police are alongside their Pokemon, fending off wild Pokemon that had gone hostile, fighting in the street between two houses that had become stretched into something resembling a concrete ice cream swirl. The feral Pokemon bodies were blackened and shadowy, but you know you're the only one who sees them as that tainted appearance.

Lenora is there, in a sling over her injured shoulder, shouting commands to three of her Pokemon at once. She's holding her ground well. It seems that a nearby restaurant, miraculously intact, had been hastily converted into a shelter.

What a mess.

N is still holding the Blast Seed. It seems he's waiting for when you're in dire straits.

It occurs to you that if the Prism Knight trio is fighting you, where is Millie?

Druddigon is decently far from the battle!

Fallen Knight Druddigon
HP: 9

Fallen Knight Marshtomp
HP: 6
Enervated!

Current Status​

HP: 7/5+5
Energy: 8/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1
Energized!
Mobility down!

Considerations:
- (!) I can’t let that darkness touch me or N!
- (!) I'll throw my Warp Seed at Druddigon!
- (∞) Just don't kill them.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Rocky Tackle!

Considerations:
- (1) I need to be careful not to let N get hurt!
-
- (∞) Just don't kill them.

Marshtomp catches up to you quickly. You make quick work of finding your footing, glancing back to see that N is going up to the police and asking something.

"Go in there, it's safe!" the police say, pointing at the restaurant. The title looks familiar. Did Millie mention it in passing? Maybe that was where she worked. Was, because, well...

No time to think about that. Maybe finding the cause of the Dungeon would restore things.

Once Marshtomp gets close enough, you take aim with a good Rocky Tackle, slamming directly into Marshtomp with a sudden burst of speed. It was more like a headbutt, except the force came not from your legs but your chest. What an odd feeling.

Marshtomp reels from the attack and slams into two lamp posts consecutively like a pinball. That was a good hit... but Marshtomp was still getting up. Persistent thing...

Rocky Tackle deals 5 damage to Marshtomp! Energize means the attack is free!

However, Marshtomp retaliates, and you're still a bit slowed down from that last Mud Shot. He strikes with a weaker attack--is he out of stamina from your Enervation?

Marshtomp strikes you with Water Gun! You take 1 damage!

"Agh!" You stagger. "Hey, Weavile - do you know any ranged attacks?"

Weavile's hand shoots a set of icy shards at Marshtomp, but you're too slow and he staggers out of the way. But now that you think about it, do you have any ranged attacks to synergize with it? The sudden lack of ranged options to actually hurt something is getting in the way...

N looks back at you just as you shiver from the cold water. Even for an Ice body, something about the water is chilling. The elemental energy, no doubt.

"We need to be careful come this way!" N calls.

Shelter in the restaurant. Druddigon--you see him in the corner of your eyes. He's found his way back and will arrive soon. Marshtomp, barely standing, could also be trouble. N still has that Blast Seed for some insurance, though that would probably scare a few of the humans.

But just before you go to follow N, one of the police's communication devices buzzes harshly. "Need backup in district, uhhhh---HELP!"

"District where?"

"Sir, I can't tell where anything is anymore! But--but one of the apartments is... um, doing something?!"

"Can you be even slightly more specific?!" He barked an order to one of his Pokemon, who quickly felled another incoming feral in a seemingly endless wave. "Why are these Pokemon so aggressive? This is nothing like a new Dungeon--"

"It's... exploding! Slowly! But there's no explosion!"

At this point, the police officer shoves his communicator onto his belt again and focuses on the immediate task. It seems they were in no position to provide backup anyway. It was looking dire.

You can't help but feel like something is amiss. You have never been in a Dungeon before that you remember, yet you do feel that if all Dungeons were this dangerous, the caution around them would have been much higher.

But what was... going on to bother you otherwise? Instinct?

Still, it seems clear that you should take shelter with N for now and fight from the shelter. Hopefully, the ferals would eventually thin out, once Druddigon and Marshtomp were taken care of.

But why does it feel as though something else is calling you? Or... is that a trick, a trap?

DECISION​

What is your general plan of action?

1. Defend N and the restaurant with the police.
2. . . .

Druddigon is going to enter the fray soon!

Fallen Knight Druddigon
HP: 9

Fallen Knight Marshtomp
HP: 1
Slightly enervated

Current Status​

HP: 6/5+5
Energy: 8/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1

Mobility slightly down!

Considerations:
- (!) I need to be careful not to let N get hurt!
-
- (∞) Something's wrong.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Defend N and the restaurant with the police.

Rocky tackle Marshtomp!

Considerations:
- (1) Are there any signs of Millie around here?
- (1) I don't want to kill Marshtomp, just knock him out.
- (∞) Something's wrong.

You know that no matter what you do, you have to take Marshtomp out and subdue him. Even though you feel Weavile is distracted by something, and perhaps you could have killed Marshtomp right then... you don't want to. You want to respect your host's wishes for the time being.

You wonder if Weavile would appreciate that.

But as you jettison headlong into Marshtomp's gut, you deliberately hold back, keen on his dwindling life energy. He coughs and crumples against you, but that's all. Several black blobs seep out of him and into the ground. You, realizing what this is, grasp them and toss them away, throwing icy shards at the ones that try to come back.

Rocky Tackle finishes Marshtomp off! He's KOed!

Staring at Marshtomp, you feel that same tug again. You could Claim him... though he does not seem to be all that much stronger than Weavile. Learning another body would be... troublesome right now, and Weavile also probably would not appreciate it.

But with Marshtomp down, you turn back toward N, still taking shelter with the police.

"This isn't right!" you call. "We need to get out of here. Do you think you can convince the police to flee the dungeon? Maybe convince Lenora, if she has the authority here?"

"Convince them to leave do you think it's that dangerous the entire town might be engulfed," N explains.

"Your fast-talkin' friend is right!" calls one of the officers. "Whole town's under this veil... We evacuated east as much as we could, but we're cornered!"

So they've been trying to evacuate. There was no telling how many other pockets of the Dungeon were also filled with innocents clustered and trapped.

Druddigon is drawing near. He's stronger than Marshtomp and Weavile; latent knowledge from Weavile informs you of this.

But you'd decided to defend the police for now. Perhaps after Druddigon is down, you can think more about your options...

Speaking of thinking, however, you send a thought to Weavile. "So you can sense it too, huh? The strange presence calling out to us?"

Weavile's claws clench a little. You sense... unease from him. And uncertainty. He, too, doesn't recognize it, but he does hear it. Someone was calling for Yveltal, calling it a partner. And it certainly felt very directed toward you.

Hasn't been very chatty just yet, though. Perhaps it's thinking...

"If we can get an opening," the police officer said, "we'll try to evacuate everyone! There's a route we can make if the Dungeon doesn't shift before then!"

You nod. In other words, get rid of Druddigon, and then help clear out the fodder that barely registers in your life sense.

You then turn your attention back. Millie... Not a single sign of her nearby. Not in the heat of battle. But instead, you ask, "Has anyone seen a Millie here? She has a Lillipup!"

"Y-yes!" someone cries from inside the restaurant. "She works here! But, um... she left somewhere. She was calling us to give a message, but that was when the Dungeon had appeared. She was saying really weird things... Something about, bring Lenora's stone to the central plaza? It didn't sound like her... I mean, it did, but, you know how when someone talks differently, or like, an AI voice of them, or. . . "

It must have been a chatty coworker. But that was... valuable and disturbing information.

Druddigon stops his approach, stomping on the ground once as his eyes locked onto you. For a moment, it feels as thought it's just you and him. The one who had been giving you the most trouble is now facing you down...

But this time, are you strong enough to defeat him?

You'd made this decision. It's time to face the results.

Druddigon has entered the fray!

Fallen Knight Druddigon
HP: 9

Current Status​

HP: 6/5+5
Energy: 7/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1

Considerations:
- (!) Are there any signs of Millie around here?
- (!) I don't want to kill Marshtomp, just knock him out.
- (∞) Druddigon's claws are the most dangerous.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Enervate Druddigon!

Considerations:
- (1) Does Druddigon have a weak spot?
- (1) Let's focus on dodging for now!
- (∞) Druddigon's claws are the most dangerous.

With most of what Marshtomp had done to you no longer lingering, you focus on Druddigon again. You shoot more enervating energy at Druddigon--and while it seems to work, Druddigon seems to be a lot more resistant to it than others. Perhaps stronger foes are not debilitated as easily, or as readily...

But it slows him enough that, as you focus on dodging, you can keep your distance from his claws long enough that he resorts to a Dragon Breath instead. The attack speeds past you and crackles against the wall ten feet behind. Indigo flames scorch the wall, and some of it itches your shoulder, but you'd dodged the worst of it. A direct hit even from his ranged strikes would hurt, let alone something in melee. Druddigon was going to be tough...

You Enervate Druddigon! Success!

Druddigon counters with Dragon Breath, but you narrowly dodge!

"I'll try to take down this druddigon!" you shout. "Please make sure the marshtomp gets taken to safety."

The police nod at you, perhaps already realizing they are way out of their league against Druddigon. A few pick up Marshtomp before another suggests capturing him. They hesitate, knowing the taboo about capturing a talking Pokemon, but quickly realize that such things don't matter right now. They grab an empty ball and tap it onto Marshtomp, who is stirring again.

They flee even while the ball wiggles in their hands.

"Even with those claws of his, we'll have to get close to do real damage. If you know a melee Ice technique, give me a signal!" You can focus entirely on Druddigon now. But when you look down at your hand for a signal, you're briefly distracted.

A thought flashes in your mind. A risky and extensive move, but certainly one that would strike at Druddigon several times--Triple Axel. But doing so means Druddigon, if he's hardy enough, may counterattack you... Would you risk such a combination?

"Watch out!" N calls.

Druddigon had closed the gap while you were distracted. You gasp and hold up your arms.

BOOM!

Smoke separates you and Druddigon. You hop back on reflex. N had thrown his Blast Seed at Druddigon, damaging him slightly. More importantly, it had startled him out of landing a blow. Why was he so fast? Was he always this fast? Past the smoke, you can see the individual dark spots on his body where those things had made their home under his scales.

You wonder if those would be weak spots... If any part of Druddigon had them, perhaps it'd be there.

Something catches your eye in the far distance to the... south. You think it's south. There's something standing on the rooftop, small and approximately human-sized. But what caught your eye was the great and looming shadow that dwarfed it, shapeless. You have the strong sensation that I can see you, too.

Fallen Knight Druddigon
HP: 8
Enervated

Current Status​

HP: 6/5+5
Energy: 7/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1
Energized

Considerations:
- (!) Does Druddigon have a weak spot?
- (!) Let's focus on dodging for now!
- (∞) What the hell is that thing?

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Synergize: Triple Axel with Catapult!

Considerations:
- (1) I need to aim for the dark spots on Druddigon... and don't forget to stick the landing!
- (1) I don't want to kill Druddigon, either!
- (∞) What the hell is that thing?

Your Enervation pattern has been working well so far. Druddigon is fast, but not unmanageably. Once he's staggered again, you make a rush for him and dodge one of his Dragon Claw attacks, seeing it coming from far away. Then, you tap into one of your tricks, mentally speaking with Weavile to coordinate an icy strike.

"Can you project an illusionary decoy to distract Druddigon? I only need a moment!" you cry out. Druddigon is still trying to swipe at you, but it seems that he's squinting. Perhaps dazzling lights or tricks of the eye are messing with his aim.

You abruptly pivot against your momentum, your rocky core rag-dolling your body directly into him. You flail your limbs anyway, coating them in ice, for three strong kicks. It's clumsy, but you also see many of the dark spots. It's hard to miss several of them, but you make sure several of your blows are pronounced.

He's rough. Those scales weren't just armor. You kick away, sticking the landing just in time to dodge another swipe of his claws. Your luck ends there. Druddigon opens his mouth and spews a massive wave of dragonfire at you, acrid and searing. It hurts less than his claws would have, but it bleeds into your system. Your body isn't responding the way it should and your head is spinning from the burning. Have you been Paralyzed?

You struggle to fight it off, but it looks like Druddigon is also struggling with the last of the enervation. Hitting his weak points also seemed to have slowed his reactions, or maybe the frost is messing with his body's reflexes. If you can get a good opening, maybe you can get the next hit in unscathed, paralysis accounted for. But... a head-on attack was risky.

You start staggering left; Druddigon goes to the right, speeding toward some invisible foe. You realize in an instant that N is already helping you again. You faintly sense that he's running out of the energy to do so--these elaborate illusions, combined with his human disguise, must be taking up more energy than he's used to.

A powerful Synergy! Triple Axel Catapult strikes Druddigon for a barrage at his weak points! 6 damage, halving his defensive capabilities!

Druddigon counters with a lucky Dragon Breath! That's 2 damage! Paralyzed! Your actions are hampered while you fight it off!

You have a moment to breathe. You eye the shadowy figure again. Hello? Who are you?

It occurs to you that this shadowy figure is too far away to send thoughts to. Yet... you have the impression it can hear you anyway, or perhaps its connection carries much more than yours.

And... you feel as though it was displeased with your statement. Amazing, really--you'd not even truly started a conversation and it's already offended. Quite a negative-minded "partner," if it was to be believed.

The shadowy figure sinks, walking into one of the buildings. You take note of that landmark for later.

The shouts and cries are quieter. It seems like the police had swiftly evacuated where they could. At least that concern was out of the way...

Fallen Knight Druddigon
HP: 2
Slightly Enervated

Current Status​

HP: 4/5+5
Energy: 6/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1
Paralyzed (hampered actions)

Considerations:
- (!) I need to aim for the dark spots on Druddigon... and don't forget to stick the landing!
- (!) I don't want to kill Druddigon, either!
- (∞) Just one more hit.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Synergize: Triple Axel with Catapult!

Considerations:
- (1) I'll use a Stun Seed against Druddigon!
- (1) Are there any easy escape routes around here?
- (∞) Just one more hit.

"Thanks for your help! Just a little bit more..." You shout this over to N just as Druddigon comes rushing your way. You already know your plan. Moves are hard, but you have a Seed to help against him. Your movements are hampered, yet you muster the strength to toss a Stun Seed from Weavile's supplies.

It pops in Druddigon's face--the powder inside immediately seeps past the ridges of his scales and into his mouth and nostrils. He sizes up just as he'd closed the gap for a Dragon Claw, unable to connect.

"That was for the paralysis from Dragonbreath earlier. And this... is for all the trouble you've caused!"

You crouch and go for a finishing headbutt into Druddigon's gut, finishing him off decidedly. He crumples right in front of you, and you take a few moments to jab at the dark splotches on his scales, which seems to clear them swiftly. What a mess...

Catapult takes Druddigon out handily! He lays there, unconscious...

N seems to have left for the restaurant to help evacuate the area for the time being. That leaves you alone with Druddigon, eyeing any possible escape routes. You see several at this point--the wraiths, which were of little trouble to you, are chasing down the police crowd rather than you or N.

That same tug pulls you toward Druddigon like before. You can sense that Druddigon is stronger than Weavile. But logically, that was obvious from the start. You sense apprehension and nervousness; Weavile seems to know what you're feeling and is trying to coax you away. But if you left Weavile, he'd likely have no say in it. Then you'd have Druddigon to deal with instead... for better or worse.

But... what now?

DECISION​

What is your immediate first action?

1. Figure out how to restrain Druddigon safely.
2. Defy Weavile's wishes while he's distracted: kill Druddigon.
3. Abandon Weavile's body and Claim Druddigon. (Requires Reaper's Harvest ~ Claim)
4. Regroup with N immediately to flee in case more trouble arrives.
5. Drop everything and seek out "Millie."

Current Status​

HP: 4/5+5
Energy: 4/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1
Paralyzed (hampered actions) (fading)

Considerations:
- (!) I'll use a Stun Seed against Druddigon!
- (!) Are there any easy escape routes around here?
- (∞) Maybe we should leave.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Regroup with N immediately to flee in case more trouble arrives.

Considerations:
- (1) I need to seek out and meet that dark being that's calling out to me!
- (1) I want to make sure Druddigon gets to safety.
- (∞) Maybe we should leave.

"Not one for intrusive thoughts, Weavile? Hah. Relax - just because I feel the urge to Claim doesn't mean I'll act on it."

As tempting as it is, you knew that getting Druddiugon now would probably bite you later... maybe. He was certainly a lot stronger...

No, no. Weavile is your ally, for now. You decide to honor this. Instead, you turn your attention to N and regroup with him, shakily hauling Druddigon with you until N helps with the weight.

"That was a good battle," N says, eyeing Druddigon with uncertainty. You look Druddigon over and don't see any stray darkness, though there could be more deeper within for all you know.

"Is there anywhere safe we can take him?" you ask N.

"I know where the police went we could take him there but you seem preoccupied with something else."

Perceptive. You nod. "I'm going to investigate the strange darkness I've been seeing. Do you want to come, or do you want to meet up again later?"

N seems to understand. "I will take Druddigon and get him to safety but be careful with what you're going to face what did you see?"

"A strange darkness," you explain. "Someone who seems to know me. Maybe I'll get answers. But... I'll be careful."

You're weaker and weathered. You can't handle a full-on battle like the last one. If you have to fight something again, you'd need to be more cautious about it... or take evasive action. But maybe this dark force will be friendly?

N nods and hefts Druddigon over his shoulder. He still appears to be out cold... You're confident N will catch up with the police before he wakes up, as long as he doesn't take any detours. You don't know N very well yet he strikes you as the sort to hyperfocus on a task once assigned.

You also notice that the smaller wraiths haven't been bothering you as much anymore. Their attention must be elsewhere... or their numbers had been exhausted. Still, in this twisted Dungeon, it's hard to tell if they simply took up residence in another labyrinthine pocket. You still see no sign of the Dungeon letting up.

With everything taken care of, you march to where you remembered seeing the dark entity. The dark-aura human that you are pretty sure is Millie. Hopefully, she's okay...

You have a feeling that how you open could strongly influence the nature of this encounter. Though, that could be because you would anger them easily... but on the opposite end, you could also leave your guard down. As you walk, feeling no time to rest, you map out your options and decide on an approach... You also Consider ways to augment your approach.

DECISION​

What will the opening tone with this dark presence be?

1. Deceitful friendliness: Act like you remember them.
2. Blunt honesty: Tell them how little you know, but what you kind of feel.
3. Assertive hostility: If they have Millie, force them to release her.
4. Passive conversation: You just want answers and knowledge.
5. Fearful loyalty: Placate them with your feeble presence.

Current Status​

HP: 4/5+5
Energy: 4/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1


Considerations:
- (!) I need to seek out and meet that dark being that's calling out to me!
- (!) I want to make sure Druddigon gets to safety.
- (∞) Maybe we should leave.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Blunt honesty: Tell them how little you know, but what you kind of feel.

Considerations:
- (1) Is this being a friend, or a foe? How do we know each other?
- (1)
- (∞) Maybe we should leave.

You can still sense Weavile's uncertainty. He wants to leave, but ultimately, you are in control. You can only feel some of his impulses. For something like this... No. You must press on.

"I know you want to leave, but I need to know more. I have to understand what's happening. I promise we'll leave if things start to turn bad!"

That was reasonable enough. Weavile still doesn't feel satisfied, but he relents enough that you don't feel the tug to flee.

You're two streets away from it. This part of the Dungeon, you note, is a lot more stable. Is that a bad thing? It's probably a good thing, but you can't help but feel as thought this is a metaphor for the eye of a storm.

One street away. You see the door, which is open and swinging gently with the wind.

Friend or foe. You can't tell. You hope for the best and prepare for the worst. You have no idea if you're being followed or not, but you're alone for now. Just you and your body.

You step through the door.

Inside, the walls had been coated in some kind of black substance, like the aftermath of a fire. You don't smell smoke, though. The furniture had been pushed aside forcefully by something, almost like a shockwave. And you realize very suddenly that this is the main lobby of Millie's apartment complex.

"You're here."

A chill runs up and down your spine. You face the source and see Millie. Her eyes glowed a crimson gold and a deep, black aura radiated away from her. The walls were even darker where she stood. By Millie's feet, some strange, dark canine, twisted and frazzled like a mote of smoke. Its beady eyes stare at you with... recognition.

Gods, that's Lilly.

"I don't know who you are. Not entirely," you say, intending to be completely honest. "I'm not... as alarmed as I should be. So somewhere in my head, I was expecting this. But I don't remember anything specific about you. And I'm pretty sure hijacking an innocent human's body is not going to earn you many good-guy points."

"A shame, but that is not my goal," Millie says. Her voice was distorted, deep and as if spoken behind a metal sheet, then amplified by a drum. "She is a useful vessel to speak to you. And she answered my call with her despair."

Her despair... Then she'd truly been kidnapped. In some ways, this shadowy creature had rescued her... for a price.

"Will Millie be okay? And Lilly." You gesture at the... shadowy thing.

Millie tilts her head like a puppet on strings. "You care for this one?"

"Yes. Is she alive?"

Silence follows. You don't sense that it's trying to avoid the question. You feel its eyes boring into you, searching for something.

"She is," it replies. "Some darkness may linger... but that is natural for all life, even in this world."

"Then we aren't from this world," you confirm. "What's going on? Who are you?"

More silence. It doesn't look like basic questions are going to be easy to navigate here, but at least it isn't hostile...

"You may call me Dark Matter. That is the name mortals had given to me long ago. Mortals like to categorize things and give them titles. Dark Matter is mine, the title they give to an entity born from excess darkness in the hearts of all life. Pokemon are beings of energy and emotion.

"I am a byproduct of that existence. And Yveltal.... was one of my most devout donors."

Current Status​

HP: 4/5+5
Energy: 4/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1


Considerations:
- (!) Is this being a friend, or a foe? How do we know each other?
-
- (∞) Run.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Considerations:
- (1) Just a little longer, Weavile.
- (1) We'll leave soon! I just have to know...
- (∞) Maybe we should leave.

There it is. The answer, or at least, the first glimmer of the answer. Despite being so dark, it was a light to your forgotten past. Perhaps... you could work with some of this. Still, it doesn't comfort you. this person possessing Millie... this Dark Matter. You do recall some of it as feelings, as vibes. But you don't feel good about it. Is that due to its nature, or because perhaps you were not a willing follower? You simply can't tell.

"Death is often a source of misery and malice. It often stems from misery and malice. It is natural that you and I complement each other... but we've shared more than just a penchant for darkness, haven't we? Perhaps, even... a body?"

You focus on answers first. Even as Weavile urges you, silently, to get away, you need answers first. Besides, what can it do? Human you to death? They aren't exactly strong, even with that ominous aura...

"Your attempts at deduction are... pitiful," Dark Matter replies. "You know nothing. I could lie to you and you would be just as lost. There is no point in explaining the past. But there is one thing I will tell you that will benefit both of us.

"You, who I am speaking to, are not Yveltal. Of that, I am now certain."

You flinch. What? Now that was absurd on the face of it! Your powers! Your soul reaping! In fact, you're sure that you could dream of flying. Yveltal flew, right?

"Skeptical? I don't care. You behave nothing like Yveltal. You're unfamiliar with your powers. Acting with them as if you're a hatchling. I considered that perhaps you reincarnated somehow... but that is not Yveltal's path. Not in this way."

You shake it off. This was absurd. You had to be Yveltal. What else could you be?

You try to change the subject. "Why did we come here, if we're from another world? Were you the one who turned me into a rock?"

"A rock... When I send someone into my domain, the Voidlands, their body is petrified. But if my powers are allowed to last longer, if a Dungeon is truly tainted by my power, then instead their darkened souls return to their stone bodies, and they become Void Shadows. Sometimes, something between."

Your eyes dart to Lilly.

"Humans... do not react the same way. Their bodies are not as attuned to energy and aura the way Pokemon are. But they can be controlled. They are useful... at least temporarily. And if you are going to be the ferry of Yveltal's power for now, I will cooperate, under one condition.

"Go to Kalos and put an end to the Prism Knights' leader, Xerneas, The Eternal One. If you do this, the world Millie lives in will be freed of everything. Myself, you, and the Dungeons. We will return to our world proper and order will be restored. And Millie will also be relieved of my presence. This world is irrelevant to me. The destruction of Xerneas and the mockery she has become is all I am concerned with. I'm sure even she would agree..."

You wince. Not much of a winning option here... Can you fight back? All of this is so strange. You don't know where to start.

"You did well to dodge my Void Shadows until now. But, to make sure you don't cause too much trouble..."

It raised a finger and pointed at you. The movement was so casual that you thought it was going to be some kind of accusation, but instead, there is a pressure in the air. You gasp but your reaction time is too slow. A bolt of black lightning strikes you--but rather than pain, rather than any form of damage... you feel... cold. Not of ice or temperature, but... a deeper, hollow coldness, like your very soul had to take an extra gasp of breath. Had that always been there... or...?

You have gained 1% Shadow Corruption!

The final hazard of this journey, Shadow Corruption taints your essence and allows dark, violent, despair-seeped thoughts to plague your mind. This small hook is also a juncture for Dark Matter to manipulate you... but, to your fortune, you are highly resistant to this effect. Buildup will take a long time, certainly much harder than taking damage. However, for the duration of the journey, it seems there is no way to reduce it, even after resting. Beware!

Current Status​

HP: 4/5+5
Energy: 4/9
Offense: 3+2
Defense: 2+1
Shadow: 1%

Considerations:
- (!) Just a little longer, Weavile.
- (!) We'll leave soon! I just have to know...
- (∞) Run.
- (1%) Stay.