[Deleted]

Draco felt hopeless... It was all over... she was too exhausted to cry any more...

Draco Centauros
Damage: 76%
Status: Poison, Paralysis (5 turns left)

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rulue watched as she disintegrated one of the Redeads, letting out a quiet sigh.  If they weren't that tough, she'd be able to find Draco with no problems. Still, she would appreciate it if she didn't run off on her own. Shrugging that thought off, she turned to the other enemies. The Mummy was busy trying to beat up that blonde girl, so that left the other Redead, who was...slowly...coming...towards...her.

Rulue let out a chuckle escape from her mouth.

"That's it? That is your entire movement speed? You're nothing more than a punching bag!"

Before she could mock it further, the Redead gazed upon Rulue...
XeFP5qSdp_1d20+2(Oops.)
Rulue fearlessly gazed back...however she soon realized she couldn't move. What did that creature do to her? Before she could attempt to do something, the Redead grabbed her and squeezed her. Rulue could only do so much as to let out a short, pained scream.

Rulue: 10%, no item, Immobilized (final turn)

1d20+2

[Mari]

The mummy became flustered as it's flurry of attacks managed to miss, only for a tree to launch it upwards and a lightning bolt to strike it out of the air. It's body seemed to explode in a plume of fire, a bunch of scorched rags falling to the ground in its wake. Unfortunately, Rulue was much less lucky. Paralyzed by the ReDeads unholy gaze, she was forced to watch as it meandered behind her without breaking its thoughtless gaze. The ReDead vanished from Rulue's sight for but a moment before it abruptly lunged, wrapping its lanky arms and legs around the fighting queen and putting her into some nature of savage chokehold. Its grip was crushingly strong, putting enormous amounts of pressure on Rulue's neck and waist--enough to immediately leave bruises. If she didn't free herself quickly, she would likely lose consciousness.

Or at least, that would have been a concern...

"ICE STORM!"

k8VfLjTTp_1d20+4 (Arle's Ice Storm)

A bolt of icey energy shot through the air, slamming into the ReDead. The attack seemed to sap whatever strength it had left and it soon fell from Rulue, releasing her and collapsing to the ground in a heap. Nearby, Arle was bracing herself against the carriage. She smiled in a somewhat half-hearted manner. "...The moaning was kinda creeping me out." Arle offered apologetically, deliberately drawing attention away from the fact that she'd just rescued Rulue from what could have possibly been a nasty situation. She didn't think the fighting queen would appreciate her heroinism anyway.

((Rulue! You've escaped relatively unharmed thanks to Arle's quick intervention. You suffer only 12% from the exchange and a bit of a chill down your back. Well... at least it wasn't a firebolt.))

Meanwhile, the group is free to retrieve Draco from the room ahead.

ReDead A 0 HP Status: Re-Dead

Mummy 0 HP Status: Dead

ReDead B 0 HP Status: Re-Dead

Arle Nadja
Damage: 21%
Status: Diacute (1)

1d20+4

[Coolshaymin]

As Viridi expected, the Mummy was brought down by her attacks and turned to ash from the plasma. She gave one more lightning flash to illuminate the area and make sure the place was safe before heading towards the blue haired girl. She did not seem to handle herself anywhere near as easily as Viridi. Thankfully though she did not have to worry about that as Arle took care of that part.

The Nature Goddess looked to where the Dragon Girl was probably crying for a moment. Was she really worth the trouble if something else was behind that path? Was there any consequence for just leaving her?... Well, the path could contain something they could use... "You go ahead. I will keep a light going," Viridi stated before calling down a Phosphora bolt on her staff. The staff started to create a flame from where the bolt of lightning hit. She can worry about the damage later. Right now the source of light was a bigger value. She was not exactly Palutena who could summon light whenever she wants.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rulue felt the monster tighten his grapple around her, the pain growing extremely quickly. Was it all over? ...Well, no, as the monster was suddenly disintegrated as he (and Rulue) were on the receiving end of Arle's Ice Storm. Thankfully for the fighting queen, the maximum she got of the attack was a bit of pain and some chill down her spine.

"...Huh?"

What in the name of anything just happened? Did Arle save her yet again? She never seemed to understand why would she save her, despite Rulue constantly getting in her way for Satan's affection. Well, Arle herself seemed to try cover her reasons because the zombie thing seemed to creep her out. A delicate smirk appeared on Rulue's face. "Aw, really? I was going to compliment your heroics for once, but since you don't seem to appreciate it, I'll keep my mouth shut." She said to Arle.

With the enemies gone, Rulue punched the door open, to find...nothing?! Where did Draco go? Were they too late?

---

Rulue
22%

[Mari]

Arle just sort of pouted, emitting a rather lame whining noise, in response to Rulue's teasing. Oh come on, that wasn't fair! She didn't know how to sass backward compliments! ...Other than with fire, and that was off the table. Leaning forward on the chariot, she watched Rulue to see what became of their good ..... not so great friend, Draco. To her shock and bemusement, there was ... nothing?

"...I hope she's alright." Arle remarked, a tad bemused as to what had happened. Vanishing did not bode well for Draco, but ...

Suddenly, the sound of a familiar voice echoed across the cavern, drawing Arle's attention. "Gu--Guuu~!" The mage snapped to attention, squinting through the darkness. "Carbuncle?" she asked aloud, gesturing in the general direction the sound had come from. Was there any point to hunting down the rest of the undead in this cavern? Probably not. She had, after all, heard something quite large down here. Where was that at, anyway?

...The noise was coming from the opposite end of the cavern.

Carbuncle Awaits!

Arle Nadja Damage: 21% Status: Diacute (1)

[Coolshaymin]

Viridi looked through as the door was punched down... And there was nothing? She could not help but stifle a laugh at Arle's and Rulue's conversation. Now it was more pressing though as Draco has disappeared when she was just here crying. "... She was probably taken ahead or something. Might as well continue," Viridi addressed before walking further.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rulue couldn't help but snicker a bit hearing Arle's whine. Funny how she cornered the 'queen of sass' into a response-less corner with just a simple backwards compliment. Her mind gone off back to Draco's whereabouts, as the blonde girl said something...interesting. Maybe Draco was indeed taken deeper into the cave, yet...a part of her just couldn't understand why would they need her.

"I'm not exactly sure how one would gather benefits from holding that brainless dragon hostage." Rulue replied to Viridi. "She would drone on about beauty contests, they'll probably get aggravated about it and throw her away."

Further insulting of the dragon girl would come to a halt, however, as a familiar sound was heard from nearby. She turned around to see the source...only to find...well, she thought she saw Arle's pet, Carbuncle. That raised a lot of questions for her--particularly how did he get there and why was he separated from Arle--but what bothered her most was Carbuncle's distance. It was...too far away.

Rulue turned to Arle. "This might be a trap." She warned the sorceress. "We should continue with caution."

---

Rulue
22%

[Mari]

Arle lol led her head at this prospect. A trap? Carbuncle? ...Well she guessed she could see it."That's Carbuncle way over there." Arle remarked for Viridi's sake, gesturing to her pet as she did herself a favor and cast another Diacute spell on herself, stuttering the spell out. Suddenly Carbuncle began running towards the group excitedly! He bounced forward recklessly, ever so eager to be reunited with Arle.

...It was a good thing at least someone in this party showed some wariness.

As Carbuncle got close Arle noticed something strange. The magical jewel on his forehead was missing. Uh oh. Carbuncle leapt through the air, but he wasn't looking for a hug. His mouth opened wide and he promptly spit out three blasts of energy at the girls in quick succession.

((Arle and Rulue! Your demonstrated wariness in the face of a trap For that you have been rewarded. Roll 12+ dex to dodge. Take 16% damage if hit.))

((Viridi...! Roll 14+ Perception for a chance to react to the surprise attack! If succesfull, roll 12+ dex to dodge. Else, take 16% damage.))

It then dive bombed Viridi and attempted to give her a nice, big lock across her face.

((Viridi! Roll 14+ to dodge the lick. It's... rather slimy and icky. Do you have any idea where that tongue has been? Does no damage, but blinds Viridi via saliva to the face for one turn if it hits.))

"That's not Carby."

Arle Nadja Damage: 21% Status: Diacute (2)

[Coolshaymin]

6Y460hYWp_1d20+4
p_1d20+2

Carbuncle? That bunny luma? It was coming at them rather fast. Viridi slowed down for a moment as she noticed the thing coming at them. Something was definitely off here... Either some designer was super simplistic... Or something was missing from this design... Or they were just being bland. However, Viridi was not as reckless as intially thought as a blast of air pushed her out of the way of the attack quickly.

p_1d20+2

And Viridi was too aware for the apparently fake pillow. A gust of air pushed Viridi back in a flip before she landed with her staff. Was it seriously about to lick her? "Get lost!" Viridi stated as she punched forward to make a tree appear to bash him into the ceiling.

p_1d20+4

"That's good. I would of needed to ask why your friend was attacking us out of the blue. Now I just need to ask you why there is a fake version of your friend," Viridi said sarcastically and rhetorically.
1d20+4·1d20+2·1d20+2·1d20+4

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rulue had her wariness confirm that this was a trap, however not in the way she expected. What seemed to be a cliché 'storm of minions raining down on them' situation was actually a fake Carbuncle running down to them! Who would've thought.

Anyway, the faux Carbuncle jumped and shot blasts of energy at the three. Rulue didn't want to risk stumble on her feet, so she wrapped herself on her bubble shield, which easily absorbed the damage the energy ball would make. After that fact, she put the shield back and focused on pummeling the fake yellow rabbit...thing into oblivion. After that attempt of licking Viridi, the fake Carbuncle would be most likely meet a fist to it's face.

"Haganshou!" The Fighting Queen called as she threw her fist flying at the faker.

FA4dGH78p_1d20+3(Rulue's Haganshou. 19% damage.)

"I hope you are ready for a punishment, you sneaky little fake." Rulue announced. 

---

Rulue
22%
Shield: 26%/60%

1d20+3

[Mari]

The fake carbuncle was launched into the air and it's suspiciously maleable face pummeled in by Rulue's fist. Her fist almost seemed to sink into him, burying itself into his cute---no wait he was attempting to eat her fist. That explained it. The fake attempted to latch onto Rulue, a strategy that was as annoying as it was ineffective and unsanitary. The fake carbuncle harmlessly gnawed on Rulue's arm. It turned out that Carbuncle had teeth? Who knew!

((Rulue, roll 14+ Strength to get the fake carbuncle off of you!))

This moment of stupidity could not last forever however, as after a moment the fake abruptly barfed up a blast of energy at Rulue--whether or not she'd managed to shake him free.

((Rulue! If you did not manage to shake Fake Carbuncle free you cannot dodge this attack. If you did, roll 12+ dex to dodge or use your bubble shield.))

Meanwhile, Arle seemed unwilling to throw any deadly spells at the fake while he was attached to Rulue. For supposed rivals on the verge of fighting, she took an awful lot of care to avoid even the slightest chance of friendly fire. It was as if she were afraid of something coming of it. She did, however, deign to cast a spell that was more direct in application. "Konran!" Arle blurted out, laying a hex upon the fake carbuncle. The effects of chaos spell were unclear, at first.

HNa9IPihp_1d20+4 (Arle's Konran!)
p_1d20 (Konran Random Effect Generator: Disable)

...but quickly manifested as the fake tried to spit another energy blast and whiffed the attack. It seemed Arle had somehow sealed away the fake buncle's magic! How convenient...

Fake Carbuncle 63 HP

Arle Nadja Damage: 21% Status: Diacute (2)

1d20+4·1d20

[Coolshaymin]

Viridi stood back as Rulue rushed over to melee the annoying doppleganger... And only to get her arm chewed on... "Please refrain from feeding the fake. You do not know where that mouth has been... Or his tendency to bite the hand," Viridi commented. "Phosphora!" Viridi commanded as it was her least dangerous attack to use in such close range to Rulue. The bolt struck into fakebuncle in a fierce intensity of 3 times.

6am4Xggmp_1d20+4(Phosphora Bolt #1)
p_1d20+4(Crit Phosphora Bolt! 20% damage, 30% chance to Paralyze)
p_1d20+4(Crit Phosphora Bolt Combo! 20% damage, 30% chance to paralyze)
1d20+4·1d20+4·1d20+4

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rulue was a bit shocked that the faux Carbuncle wasn't sent flying to a wall as she expected...and soon she saw why. Carbuncle was actually eating her fist. Rulue squinted her eyes as she heard Viridi rather playfully tell her not to feed him.

"Hah, you say that as if I should've expected that to happen." Rulue replied sarcastically. "...Then again, the normal yellow pest is just as unsanitary, so I guess it should've been expected." She added in a casual tone.

Okay, casual dialogue over, back to the matter at hand. Rulue began to attempt to shake off the yellow impostor...
AJeBHADnp_1d20+3(Trying to break free.)

...unfortunately, the little yellow faker was much stronger than he lent on, and before she could even try again, the fake 'Buncle shot a blast of energy at her, which she could only take at that point in time. Rulue was sent back, however not by much. However, she was definitely angry. Things were soon looking up to her as Arle's Konran spell apparently disabled the only method of it's attack. OOPS.

A malicious smirk crossed Rulue's face as she loomed over the fake Carbuncle with a vicious intent of hurting it. Badly.

"Fuujin Kyaku!!" She screamed as she tried to kick the faker's sides...assuming he had them.

p_1d20+3(Rulue's Fuujin Kyaku, 18% damage.)

She wasn't going to let up just yet.
"Hougeki Renkyaku!" She yelled as she began unleashing a flurry of kicks at the 'Carbuncle'.

p_1d20+3(Rulue's Hougeki Renkyaku. 14% damage, 50% chance of tripping.)

---

Rulue

38%
Shield: 18%/60%

1d20+3·1d20+3·1d20+3

[Mari]

The fake carbuncle attempted to dance around the girls' attacks, only to be repeatedly zapped by lightning and flash fried. Smoke rose from the fake carbuncle. That certainly looked painful, but he was ... inexplicably still smiling. It didn't look like he was moving so well however. Well enough to clumsily play limbo with Rulue's first attack, but not nearly well enough to dodge her followup. The fake was kicked repeatedly until he bodily faceplanted on the ground, presenting an opportunity. Arle wasn't about to wait to see if he was alright before finishing the creature.

"Ice Storm!" she shouted, ffiguring that the creature would probably have trouble dodging on account of his current position. It was, of course, a calculated attack. A storm of ice and wind shot out to greet the fake carbuncle, blasting his body and covering him in a thin layer of ice. It seemed Arle had created a Carbuncsicle! Arle beamed at her work, only to notice that a pool of drool was forming underneath the fake.

"...Ew."

Never the less, they'd defeated their opponent. The fake did not get back up, or move for that matter. Now all that was left was to find the real carbuncle. Arle leaned against the lightning chariot, pointing to where he had come from. "I bet he went that way." she pointed out. She didn't actually have any reason to believe that, other than the lack of his noisy chatter in the current cavern. She figured it wouldn't be this quiet and eerie if he was lurking here, lest he was passed out.

Arle Nadja Damage: 21% Status: Diacute (2)