[Rina]

Radian Cooldown: 2

"Oh no nonononono...this is BAD!"

I|obq123p_1d20+1 (whoa that was close)

REAL bad. Unless she resorts to drastic measures, she's probably going to go down with Ciel! She refuses to leave her be like that, now just about to fling every move she's got in desperation. She REALLY wants them to shoo away; the one chasing after her is the least of her worries, but she needed to keep herself safe. If she isn't, then who's going to protect her!? With an almost shrill, panicked voice, she shouted out her attack names. Normally she'd keep it cool, but as it stands, she probably has the right to start freaking out.

"TANGENT!"
(Cacturne B, 15%) p_1d20+3

"INTEGRAL!"
(Cacturne C; 25%, 20% Sick; 3-turn cooldown) p_1d20+3

"PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM!"
(Cacturne D; 20% Burn, Freeze, Paralysis; 3-turn cooldown) p_1d20+3

"I CAN'T DO THIS BY MYSELF! SOMEONE! ANYONE! HELP UUUUUUUUUUUUUS!"

Damage: 0% (still!)
Status: Wall of Hope Buff (2)
1d20+1·1d20+3·1d20+3·1d20+3

[Mari]

Ciel braced herself with what little strength she had left for a killing blow. These pokemon wanted... What did they want from her, exactly? It was probably something to do with territory or worse--they were just hungry. A shudder ran through her at that last thought. She had no concept of what that entailed, but she had to imagine it was one of the worse ways to go. To her surprise however, before the cacturne could strike her again a series of magic plowed into them and blew them away, staggering the pokemon as they went in for the kill and finally drawing their attention away from Ciel. One of the caturne collapsed from the damage its body sustained and the other two didn't look so good themselves. Ciel gently shifted her head to see what was going on. Ringo was... not running away! She was staying to try and save Ciel! The agony in her body told Ciel she might not make it regardless, but the heroinic gesture brought a very subtle smile to her face for just a moment. Just long enough for her to appreciate how brave that was of Ringo before the weight of the situation set back in.

From her vantage point, Ciel could see that Ringo had left herself completely open to a fourth cacturne by ignoring it. The pokemon was creeping up on her as she tried to defend Ciel, drawing back its mighty fist. Its eyes were locked on Ringo's throat. There was a good chance the attack of opportunity Ringo had just provoked would devastate the would-be heroine.

"...Jackson..." Ciel murmured.

...

A little elf not entirely unlike curiph, but far less human, appears before Ringo!

As the cacturne took advantage of Ringo's distraction to launch a devistating attack, Ringo's cries for help were answered. The elf wordlessly rushed forward before abruptly vanishing seemingly into Ringo's chest, fusing with her on the spot. A tingling sensation would shoot through Ringo's body as a new power flooded her, a beautiful transluscent rainbow aura flooding across her body! The cacturne's fist bounces right off Ringo as if he'd just hit a heavily armored wall, with only a very slight nudge being felt by the other.

((Ringo! You're filled with an awesome power! You are invincible for 2 turns. Nothing can stop you! You can also use each of your attacks once without incurring or being inhibited by any cooldowns they have.))

The other cacturnes join in by launching a series of poisonous stingers through the air at Ringo, but much like the punch the needles would simply bounce off and break on contact with Ringo's body rather than harming her. It seemed that the Cacturne had become aware that something was very wrong.

Cacturne A 56 HP	Cacturne B 11 HP	Cacturne C FAINTED	Cacturne D 6 HP	Cacturne E FAINTED

Ciel Damage: 148% Shield Damage: 0% Status: Poisoned (5 Turns Left) Sabras (1 Turns Left), Critical Curiph Cooldown: 1 Turns Left

[Rina]

Cooldown Queue
Radian: 1
Tangent: 2
Pythagorean Theorem: 2

"Hah...hah...Oh no..."

Now what? Ringo's exhausted quite a bit of her power on the Cacturne out of desperation. And despite all that, only one of them fell to her hands. Yes, Ringo was perfectly fine, but without much options she'll likely fall victim to their poisonous attacks just like Ciel. That call for help didn't do much at all in this situation, considering they're the only two humans wandering about here.

...or did it?

"Eh?"

As if her call for help actually worked, an Elf had intervened and fended off the attack! Ringo was genuinely shocked that it worked, staring in awe at the being that saved her. To top it off, the Elf merged with her, filling her with a rush of power! The power drain she had quickly passed, feeling like nothing could stop her.

(Invincible, Cooldowns waived!)

"This...what is this power I'm feeling? I feel amazing!"

With her hands held out she attempted to test how far she could go with her surge of power.

"Radian!"
(24%, multi-target, 3-turn cooldown) etSBl1vhp_1d20+3

To her shock (pun unintended), she was able to unleash a blast of lightning at the three remaining Cacturne! With this fighting chance, she proceeded to focus on the one cactus that was fixated on her. Radian seemed certain to KO-ing the other two that were weak, so it's time to some cleanup.

"Cosine!"
(@ Cacturne A: 10%, 20% Paralysis) p_1d20+3

"Tangent!"
(@ Cacturne A: 15%) p_1d20+3

By some unforseen circumstances, however, her bracelet began to glow faintly for just a short moment. Ciel would notice if she paid attention, but Ringo is oblivious to it. She's too focused on the enemy to do so.

Damage: 0%
Status: Wall of Hope Buff (1), Supercharged! (2)1d20+3·1d20+3·1d20+3

[Mari]

Ciel had little choice but to lay and watch as Ringo fought off the remaining Cacturne, unable to move much at all. She could feel the poison coursing through her veins. She... really wished the pain would stop. She'd always wanted to believe that the pain stopped just before you died, but it wasn't. Though her vision was a bit blurred, she did pick up on the glowing armband. What was... that? That wasn't something she'd come to expect from Ringo or Jackson for that matter. ...Was that--...Was that the power of love, perhaps? The idea occurred to her, but her mind was cloudy and she couldn't test it. ...It was too bad she wasn't going to be around to help with that...

The remaining Cacturne is staggered by all the blows it receives, struggling to stand. It seemed that it was now paralyzed, and could not retreat. It only needed another blow to send it toppling, after which Ringo would be free to try and aid Ciel. The porygon was cowering not far off, peaking out at the scene along with several other pokemon that had taken notice of the attack.

Cacturne
7 HP
Paraylzed

Ciel Damage: 152% Shield Damage: 0% Status: Poisoned (4 Turns Left), Critical

[Rina]

Cooldown Queue
Tangent: 1
Pythagorean Theorem: 1

One left. There was one left and Ringo can't blow it. With her hand held out, she tried to finish it off and then finally tend to Ciel.

"Sine!" (5%) bHPIRTYrp_1d20+3

"Cosine!" (10%) p_1d20+3

Why did Ringo do two attacks when one could've finished it? Dunno, must be a habitual thing due to her stringing those moves together in Puyo. Once the damage has been done, she ran over to Ciel's side, trying to find something that'll help aid her. Shuffling through her bag, she searched for something, anything of use that can heal her. Ringo hasn't noticed the bracelet glow yet, and it had already faded away when it came to her view.

"Hang in there, Ciel! I'm looking for something!"

But try as she might, she found nothing. There was a potion, a headband, a...banana peel even, but nothing resembling first-aid or a restorative. Uh oh.

"I don't have anything that constitutes as first aid! What am I going to do!? I can't speak the language to these creatures and ask for help!"

Damage: 0%
Status: Supercharged! (1), Don't panic...OKAY PANIC. PANIC!1d20+3·1d20+3

[Mari]

Ciel's tired gaze followed Ringo as she finished the caturne off. They were safe, but Ciel was so badly wounded that moving even an inch was out of the question. And although breathing was becoming a bit more difficult than she remembers she could still speak. Softly, but she was able. She didn't want to leave Ringo like this, freaking out and scared.

"

. . . Ringo . . . It's going to be... okay. You did ve-very well... This is all... my fault. ...I thought this was going to be a safe mission... But... I was wrong. You acted... like a true hero. But I shouldn't have put you in this situation. I'm... I'm so sorry.

"

Ciel Damage: 156% Shield Damage: 0% Status: Poisoned (3 Turns Left), Critical

[Rina]

"NO IT'S NOT!"

Now she's more or less acting to her emotions. She clasped her hands in Ciel's to further convey her worry.

"It's your mission and I wanted to help you make progress in it and make sure you're safe! I'd be failing myself if you're not there to see it! If I had the ability to heal something...ANYTHING..."

And then her bracelet began to glow again, with Ringo too overwhelmed with emotion to even notice. If there was something like a Pecha Berry around here, that'd been a crisis averted. But alas, she doesn't know about the medicinal properties of the fruit, nor is it likely one would coincidentally show up out of nothing.

...is she tearing up?

Damage: 0%

Status: NOT OK

[Mari]

...Guilt. Guilt wasn't something Ciel had expected to feel as she laid there, so far gone that most healing items wouldn't even be able to save her. Her gaze fell for a moment, only to widen in surprise as Ringo took her hands. She felt her heart skip a beat, but she weakly held Ringo's hands in return. Her attention was drawn to Ringo's eyes and then her bracelet. What was... happening? I mean obviously Ringo was very upset, but was she--...That aura emanating from her bracelet.

"

R-Ringo... I-I... *Flustered Blush*

"

"

...I want you to be by my side for every single stride I make... I want to look into your eyes and know that a guardian angel is watching over me... I want to share everything with you. But... I... I'm no hero, not like you. I don't know if I'm strong enough to hold on...

"

Ciel seemed to tremble a bit, but Ringo could feel some of the strength coming back to her grip. Not much, but just enough to be noticeable. Ciel was trying to survive for her, for whatever it was worth. The nearby pokemon seemed moved by the scene, but unfortunately, no aid was to come from them. At least not yet. Could the mysterious power in Ringo's bracelet perhaps be used to perform a miracle this once..?

Ciel Damage: 160% Shield Damage: 0% Status: Poisoned (2 Turns Left), Critical

[Rina]

"You NEED to hang on! Who else can continue that project!? I may be smart, and I'd be more than happy to help, but I don't know nearly enough to pick up where you left off!"

Ringo felt Ciel's grip in her hands, feeling her will inch back to her. She acknowledged the grip, but upon looking down, she came to finally realize her bracelet. It's shining brightly, as if she's awakening to a new power she's never thought she had within her. She accepted the fact she won't have nearly as wide as a repertoire of spells like Amitie or Arle, yet she somehow surprises herself with what she can really do.

"Eh? What- What's going on with my bracelet? I've never seen this before!"

This scene looks like...Am I...am I realizing a new power!?

Damage: 0%
Status: NOT OK

[Mari]

Ciel's grip trembled with weakness, but she refused to give in to the pain and held on as tightly as she could manage. (See: Not really all that tightly) She knew Ringo was right, but how was she supposed to defy her body's limitations? When Ringo became aware of her bracelet, however, Ciel decided that it was time for some guidance. She wasn't an expert on the subject, but she did happen to spend a lot of time around magical girls. If this was what she thought it was, she might be able to help Ringo realize her true potential.

"

...I'm not sure, but I think I might have an idea...  Try opening your heart completely and letting your feelings guide you. Look into your heart and listen to what it says...

"

Ciel -34 HP Status: Poisoned (1 Turns Left) Critical

[Rina]

"Dive deep into my heart...?"

Ringo's logic has been at the forefont of how she behaves, but acting according to emotion isn't out of her system. She thought about it for a moment...shutting her eyes, trying to find answers to her behavior and why her bracelet is reacting this way...

....
....
....

"I'm...I'm normally someone focused on logical reason, but Amitie taught me something with her passion before I came to this world. She taught me that there's nothing wrong with believing even if I'm backed into a corner and everything will be alright. I want to do something to get us out of this mess. A medicine, a restorative, anything. I want to hope everything will be alright. Because if I don't, who's going keep fighting...?"

[Mari]

"

...Logical reason is a very important thing, and although our feelings are not always... rational sometimes they are working in our best interests without us even knowing it. ...Like a second driver watching your blindspots. ...One thing the mind and heart can often agree on... is that they are incredible in their complexities. C-Carefully designed to give us our humanity... I think... that this is one of those times that your heart is trying to tell you something... It's--...It's the only logical explanation, right..?

"

Thankfully, the pain had started to subside. Ciel knew that this was not actually a good thing, but she wasn't going to tell Ringo for fear of upsetting the other again. She dreaded to see what would happen if and when she finally passed. Her only hope was with that magical armband Ringo had. She had once been told that the power of love could accomplish anything if you felt strongly enough. But could it save her? ...Time to find out.

Ciel -38 HP Status: Critical

[Rina]

"You...you have to hang in there though...!"

Ringo lowered her head, having her forehead make contact with her interlocked hands. She...she didn't know what to do in a situation like this. Can she really believe in a miracle? This is the harsh reality of life...not some show where the girl awakens to a new power and saves the day.

...But it wouldn't hurt to try. She focused her emotions, hoping something will turn this around.

You have to believe...You need to believe...!

[Mari]

Ciel would watch Ringo quietly for a moment as she played her head in their hands before shifting to weakly caress her cheek for just a moment. Then, a warmth began to fill her heart. Her eyes widened in realization as a white light began to envelop her body. A trail of twinkling light was trailing between the two of them, from Ringo to Ciel. The light grew in intensity over a couple of moments, leaving the scientist bewildered for a moment. Then, her body began to shrink away. Ringo could feel some sort of magical tether forming between them. The light seemed to consume her entirely, with only her increasingly tiny grip on Ringo's hand signifying her continued existence. And then ... the light faded. What was left was a tiny version of Ciel that now resembled the cyber elves she'd shown Ringo earlier. Her legs seemed to trail off into data and she had very little weight to her now, like a little doll. At first, Ciel seemed confused. But then, she realized she could move her arms and legs without pain and brightened right up! Ciel moved to pull herself up, sitting on Ringo's hand.

" . . . Ringo, you--... You did it! I'm fine!"

There was an issue in not having her body, but she could worry about that once they got home. For now, her mind was intact and she wasn't at risk of losing herself entirely. All that remained was to get out of here.

MISSION COMPLETE

[Rina]

The light was bright, causing her to flinch from its intensity. She didn't know what was going on at first, but all had been answered once the light eased away. When Ringo opened her eyes, Ciel was gone.

Well, her original body, that is.

Floating up to Ringo's hands was a tinier version of her. Ringo's face lit up, elated that she's A-OK and rather relieved.

"Ciel! You pulled through! And...you're actually kinda cute when you're tiny like this. Almost like a fairy companion. Hahaha!"

Or Cyber Elf companion. She couldn't help herself making that comment. But let's not loiter around for too long. The Porygon's still with her, and they need to get back home before more Cacturne show up to ruin her day. Ringo picked herself up, heading out and finding her way back to the chaser. There's still the mystery behind Ringo's bracelet, but that's a mystery for another day.

"Anyway, let's get back to the Life Sphere. I'm beat from that, and...how do I operate the vehicle?"

[End of Presence]