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Team ThunderWaves Flying through the air was enough to make Taiga gag, but she needed to focus. Right now she was on a crash course with the Raichu, the two of them descending in a spiral motion. Taiga closed her eyes, and took a bite out of the girl's arm, as she was tossed to the side. She made a hard tumble, but it was better than being in the air. She gathered herself, standing in the midst of all the poles, dusting herself off as she watched the Raichu try his best to do something against their opponent. Veronica was fast, but Taiga could feel her speed start to soar as well. It was a feeling that she hadn't been used to in a while, but it was all the more sweet to feel her blood pumping faster and faster. Her heart was beating faster as well too. This was surely a fun fight. But what was she supposed to do against the bat? She wasn't even remotely fast enough, and she wouldn't be able to drag out this fight long enough to get to a comparable speed. "Aw whatever!" Taiga groaned, as she started to run around the poles in a blinding display of speed. Once she thought her momentum was enough, she leapt towards one of Veronica's poles, leaping onto the rounded side with the bottom of her feet. There, she sprang out into the air between the poles, catching the side of another. She repeated the process ad nauseam until she was merely a blur. The attack that Veronica had thrown out at her whizzed by her face, but it was easily dodged with how quickly Taiga was moving now. With crazy acceleration on her side, she jumped out again. She locked her hands together, and brought down her clamped fists on Veronica's skull with a sledgehammer-like motion. Veronica's head had moved to the side, but Taiga's fists had crashed down on her collarbone. She shot down towards the ground like a rocket. As Taiga descended, a huge jet of water erupted from her feet, crushing the already earthbound Veronica into the ground. Taiga didn't let up, as the water came roaring from below her. The torrent might have been enough to keep the bitch preoccupied for a moment, as Taiga took a knee on top of her waterfall. That Thunderbolt from earlier still seemed to be running through her, as she laughed. "Fufufufu...weaker than Isole's that's for sure..."

Unfortunately, it looked like, they indeed would not be going back to the city. Ivan's words confirmed it. "We're not going back to Skrelp Harbor!" He crossed his arms. "Ugh, fine," Belle muttered. "You sure you know where ya going?" "Let's hope she does, anyway, or we're doomed." As they took a seat around the camp, the others attempted to reassure Belle, but their words weren't...very reassuring. Out of the desert in no time? Just that small bit of time was way too much to begin with! Moving with purpose while you were lost? That just meant you'd get further lost. And drinking something? Well, what if they ran out of stuff to drink? No, these two were taking this way too lightly. -- It was official. Belle hated the desert. Thankfully, she wasn't alone in her suffering. She felt a dark satisfaction at seeing Jacklyn spit sand out of her mouth. She'd be even more satisfied if she wasn't also doing the same thing. Except she at least was smart and wasn't trying to shout at the desert, which would just result in more sand in her mouth, as her purple-haired companion was discovering. She thought about giving a sarcastic snipe, but really, it wasn't worth it, because again, sand in mouth. Eventually, she heard something besides the howling of the wind. A fearful cry that had Jacklyn spurring them on toward whatever was causing it. As they drew closer, Belle managed to make out what looked to be a broken-down shelter with a Pokémon underneath. She recognized it as a Bearble, something she had considered picking up, but in the end, she had decided to go with a Poamoo instead. Mainly because it looked easy to take care of. However, it was what was above it that was more attention-grabbing. A couple of...what were those again? She knew she had seen them before, not in real life, though. Taking out her Pokédex, she aimed it at them, eyes lighting up at seeing what they were called. Yes, Vullaby! That was it! "They look...pbft, kind of dumb," Belle spat out sand from her mouth. "Why do they still have their eggs attached?" But Jacklyn was more concerned with keeping them off of the Bearble. "Hey! What do you all think you're doing!?" She released her Lepash, Rus, then, "yeah Rus, let's show them what for!" Looking behind her, she shouted, "right team!?" "Uh...right pbft!" Belle coughed. She thought about sending Moo out, but as a grass type, she really doubted he'd be able to do much. It would probably be better to use her Rattata instead. Except he probably wouldn't listen, which meant she would need Moo out to keep an eye on him regardless. Sighing, the girl released her Poamoo. "Go, Moo, after those, grargh, birds!" she hacked. The cow nodded, but seemed more preoccupied with the Bearble, letting out a concerned moo as it walked forward, hooves sinking into the sand with each step.

In the Wake of Dia The interior of Dia’s temple was much like its exterior, though the way it intentionally closed itself off from all but the most necessary natural light meant the colors of the sea it presented to the world were much more muted now, closer to the seafloor than open ocean. Where light was necessary, torches had been set up, and the flickering light of the fire appeared similar to the refraction of light as it passed through water. In this environment, finally, Levanna breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe now, she thought, she could start thinking about what needed to be done. There weren’t all that many other people in Dia’s temple. There were some acolytes, but all of them seemed busy with the maintenance and upkeep and less time on visitors. What visitors they did have were silently attending to their own prayers. Maybe they did want an ocean, Levanna pondered. It would certainly increase attendance, ignoring all the practical matters of terraforming, first and foremost being where it would go in the first place. Well, you also had to ignore Adrian’s complaints, but that was an entirely different matter. She’d nearly forgotten that she had someone following her. Finn, of course, had come in right after her. Levanna turned her attention to him. “I think --” she kept her voice low “-- there’s a path behind that altar that leads to a little pool and the mother of pearl stone if you would like to commune there,” she said. “I will be right out here if you need me for anything.” In the Court of the Blacksmith King The occupants of Taros’ temple didn’t seem to notice the active hostility his watchdog had for them, or, if they did, they didn’t seem to care. In their defense, a few of the stronger -- or at least bigger -- of their company had moved to the front, but for the most part they still loudly beckoned anyone interested in coming in to do so. The calls never really seemed cacophonous, though, like a large group of people talking over each other normally would. Instead, each voice seemed harmonious with every other voice, a massive chord that never seemed to lose intensity. Nor did it gain it, though, even as Kitt approached. “Come in!” they called. “Come and listen.” The larger members of the crowd broke off and moved even more forward to meet Kitt. The guards behind him were significantly less ambitious. Without Levanna or a similar authority to encourage them, some even backed off, instead moving to the perimeter where they could at least keep things contained. The whole situation had built to a high-pressure crucible, perhaps fitting for those involved. Epitaph Emily was caught at the crossroads between two, no, three emotions. The first, and most obvious, was grief. Her mother had just succumbed to her illness right in front of her, and the watchdog she had enlisted to assist her wasn’t doing much comforting. The one she hadn’t did a little better, but it did little to quell how she felt. The second emotion was fury, and that one was a little harder to describe. The Nuumu watchdog had still pledged to fix everything, for example, and she seemed pretty firm on that promise, for example. But she still felt the need to lash out at someone, and there was only a certain subset of people that would do. The last feeling was a certain numbness. It wasn’t a “not feeling anything” feeling -- there certainly was something there -- it was a “world in slow-motion but not quite nauseous” sort of feeling. The weight of the world had yet to crash completely down on her, but it certainly seemed like it was about to. “If you would be so kind as to show us to the temple square,” the Nuumu dog had said. That, she could do. “Of course,” Emily said. “Just one moment.” She had to center herself, and the only way she could think to do that was through prayer. Emily made her way back down the stairs to the bakery and took a small bag -- no bigger than an apple -- over to the oven, placing it just inside while she knelt underneath to set it alight. “Oh Lar, God of Hearth and Home,” she prayed, “please help to repair mine.” It was a small gesture, probably barely noticeable to someone as important as a god, but she hoped it would help. What was next? The Temple Square? “Ah, yes, follow me.” The temples were only a few turns away anyways, and as long as you kept your back to the sun, it was actually difficult to get lost. Even besides that, Emily had taken the route so many times that she could have blindfolded herself and still made it. “That’s the Taros temple over there if that’s where you were headed,” Emily said, pointing towards the guards and the crowds. “I heard there was supposed to be a ceremony today, that must be what the bustle is about, but I’m sure you can find someone who can help you there. Nuumu’s temple is right next to it. “But as for you,” Emily turned her attention to the Myria watchdog, “if it’s no trouble, I’d like to ask you for a favor.” She seized him by the wrist, again, perhaps a bit more forcefully than she’d intended, and pulled him away from his companion. Turning around, she brought her voice low and said, “Is there a way for you to tell me my fate? Or what will happen if I perform a specific action? I’d like to request your guidance.” OOC

It was his first time doing this attack, but it was powerful, and somehow, both he and Mac succeeded, making it even more powerful than it'd be as two separate attacks. He thought for sure, that, with this attack that had been taught by a legendary, they would manage. Except it barely fazed the Godslayer. "Wh-What is this guy made out of? Steel?" Ari gasped. Even Mac seemed shocked at how well the other had taken the attack, eyes wide. The Godslayer stepped toward them then, causing both of the children to take a step back. "I see. I was ignoring you as not worth my energy. How foolish of me." Except before they could get utterly annihilated or whatever the other was planning to do to them, Jabari was there, taking the hit for Mac and slamming the other Godslayer into the wall with a Flaming Charge. But Jabari was there first. He rushed out in front of the girl and, when the Lucario thrust his palm out, he braced himself and took the hit. Grabbing onto the Lucario's arm Jabari wreathed himself in flames and charged forward. Slamming the Lucario into the wall. Ari couldn't help but feel a bit discouraged as he watched the fight. All of these gijinka that were so much more powerful than him. But it wasn't like he didn't already know that. He had been through fights like this before, and he, Mac, and Kazo had made it through in the end. Today would be no different. It seemed that the darker blue-haired girl thought the same way, as she began trying to talk Mac back into fighting. Mac, of all gijinka. Snickering loudly, he said, "To think I'd see the day Mac needed a pep talk to get back in the game! You're pretty neat," he grinned, but the water type had already rushed forward to attack. As she, Mac, and the other water type sent out a combo of attacks, Ari ran forward himself. This is hard...but it's easier because I know I'm not alone. The thought gave him strength, and as he continued his charge, added to it was the power of all of the gijinka he had met so far. Except, almost as if sensing that power, the Godslayer turned to avoid it, slamming a fist into his back at almost the same time. Even though his back was busy screaming in pain--not literally--Ari twisted up and sank flaming teeth into the other's arm. The Godslayer seemed to barely notice the attack, shaking Ari off with one hard toss that sent the Litleo into the far wall. As he struggled to rise, Ari shook his head. I can't give up. "I won't give up!" he said out loud. "Because I'm a lion!" And with that, he let loose a loud and Noble Roar. While previous roars of his had been rather puny, this one shook the air. -- Ankou let out a manic giggle that sounded startlingly like the ones Easter himself used. Part of it to creep out his opponents, but most of it because, well, sometimes it was just so funny to watch his opponents struggle in vain against him. "No, no I don't think so. No one has been able to. No matter how many things I do. No matter what they try. In the end I always survive and have to keep fighting." She let out a breathy sigh. "Sometimes it's such a curse being so strong." "I know what you mean," Easter replied. "I suppose we have that in common then. That, and," he rushed forward, but she had disappeared by then, "our arrogance," he finished with a rueful smile. When she reappeared, she quickly trapped Nine in a prism, something which Easter had never seen before. Most likely, it's a special move, he thought. It looks to be a trap or binding type. I see she likes to tie up her opponents too. Thankfully, Nine hadn't panicked. "Easter! Keep on her! I've got this no sweat." The fairy type paused to mull over his options. On the one hand, he could ignore Nine and try to get him out. On the other, he could try to keep attacking Ankou and keep the heat off of the other. Or, he thought, I could go for neither of the above. After all, Ankou had never used Taunt on him. Closing his eyes, he concentrated. If either Ankou or Nine turned to look toward the fairy type, they would see a starscape behind him, as well as a single beam of light shooting through the air toward the ground. A falling star. However, the psychic type, distracted as she was, never noticed. And that was what he had been counting on. As the air around him turned back to normal, he rushed forward. Now to turn her attention to me. Not that she probably wouldn't be able to figure it out eventually, but it didn't hurt to make it more difficult for her. By then, Nine had escaped from the prison with his own power, "sorry. I'm not ready for nap time just yet." "Neither am I, but I think it's time for you to go to sleep," Easter said, eyes staring straight at Ankou. He didn't let himself think about Nine or what was happening to him besides a brief moment of thought as he decided on his move, charging up a Psyshock and sending it right for the Gardevoir. As she turned to the side, the attack continued forward, splashing harmlessly against the Houndoom--which was why he chose the move he did. Not letting the other recover any momentum, he continued his run, skidding to a halt and pivoting as soon as she disappeared. At that moment, Nine would be surrounded by a bright yellow glow, the wounds on his body beginning to close. Before he could say anything, Easter shook his head at him. While Ankou probably wouldn't be able to read his mind, him being a dark type and all, she could hear if he made any noises of surprise. Thankfully, by the time the Gardevoir reappeared, the yellow light had faded away. Carefully not letting his mind linger on the Houndoom's recovery, Easter sent out a Moonblast at Ankou, watching with grim satisfaction as she disappeared once more. He would keep up the pressure on her, distracting her from his support moves, and in this way, the two of them might just outlast her. Or take her down before that even became an issue. -- "Huh...decided to fight after all, eh?" "I've been scrapping, sistah!" Keanu shouted back, a little annoyed despite himself. Unfortunately, it looked like that brief shout caused him to miss another opportunity to attack as Taiga held Veronica in place. The Rotom, however, was quicker on the draw and fired off a Thunderbolt. However, it looked like the Crobat had recovered enough to soar higher into the air and then spiral downward, the Sharpedo hanging on. Watching the aerial display, Keanu's brief awe turned into fear when he realized that they were headed...straight for him! "Oh, no!" he stumbled back, turning tail and fleeing, but it was too late. A force slammed into his back, and he felt as if not only the wind had been knocked out of him, but also all of his organs too. Thankfully, he didn't actually cough up a spleen or anything, but he did cough up something that looked suspiciously like blood. "Yes, that is where you belong...crawling down on the ground," Veronica boasted. This can't go on, Keanu thought. He hadn't seen whether Taiga had managed to make it out by the time he had been hit, but regardless, the attack had hurt like hell. I'm really limited by her Taunt...that plus her speed...makes me almost useless here. I'm not a pure scrapper like Randy. He'd do a lot better here, for sure. He had to step it up somehow. He didn't know how he'd do that, but he would. Psychic sounded like a good place to start. Concentrating, his eyes glowed brighter blue again, except this time Veronica was ready for it, flying to the side before power could gather around her. Not letting that stop him, Keanu ran toward the Crobat, a wave gathering beneath his feet as he crashed into her, jumping off of her to land on one of the poles himself. His years of surfing gave him the confidence to stand easily on top of it, though it would've been more natural if it were moving like a surfboard. He was about to jump down on top of the poison type as she had him, but the gijinka had recovered by then, flying up into the air so she was level with his face. "Humph, it looks like you think you can go further than your station. But no matter how high you climb, you will always be...just a commoner!" Veronica shouted, diving toward him with those same fangs that had appeared before. "Aiyah!" Keanu shouted, jumping off to avoid the attack--and somehow managing--landing back on the pole when the Crobat passed by. Breathing a sigh of relief, he sent out an Electro Ball at her, hoping that the attack would do some damage. Unfortunately, the Godslayer was much more agile in the air than on the ground, and it missed yet again. "Argh, hold still, will ya?" "You're a fool if you think I'll actually listen," Veronica replied, but this time, she turned her attention toward the other two, sending out almost simultaneous cross-shaped attacks toward them.