[Mari]

--Huh? What was--Was Ghor trying to help them? She wasn't sure why else he'd be giving them directions. Especially not directions to go the way they'd already been heading--Hold on did he say explode?? "Wah! We need to get out of here now!!" Arle blurted out in alarm. Glancing back and forth, she mentally pathed her way to the heavy door in front of them. ...Man, that was a big--heavy looking door.

"Follow me!!"

With a beckoning hand and an uncharacteristically authoratative sounding shout, Arle made a break for the blast door! "Warp!" Arle incanted after giving the others a moment to observe where she was going, only to vanish in a burst of light and re-appearing in front of the door itself. ...Hold on, couldn't she have just teleported through the door? Maybe. ...Probably, actually, but Arle had a plan that would get them all through the door. While the others were catching up, she took out what appeared to be a giant pencil eraser and began rubbing it against the door! A few moments of rigorous squirming and erasing erasing later, and ... and...

A giant hole appeared in the gate, creating a tunnel they could walk through.

((Arle is using a wall eraser to get past the blast gate!))

Glancing behind her for a moment she beckoned once again for her allies to follow her before dashing through the tunnel she'd created! For a moment, the group might believe they were in the clear. However, if one were paying attention, they might notice a speedy blur shoot across the deck before slipping in after Arle.

---

Inside the ship, Arle stopped for a moment to get her bearings. It was quite roomy. Honestly, she couldn't fault Sonic for wasting space. It looked like he'd definitely prioritized getting people on board. This place felt like a hangar! ...A really creepy hangar. She'd never liked these high tech, metal ships or their smooth, featureless metal walls. It was all too perfectly engineered, without an ounce of personality to it.

...Which was weird, since she distinctly remembered Sonic being full of personality. However, before she could get more than a few dozen meters inside she was forced to stop as a pink blur shot past her, nearly knocking her over! "--Hey, what??" When Arle blurted out, clutching at her cape as it fluttered past her in the wind. However, when she looked up she was surprised to find a familiar face smiling right back at her and immediately cut herself off. "That's as far as you go, Arle!" Amy announced in a demanding tone, blocking the path forward. "...Amy, please don't tell me you're buying into this dumb plan." Arle groaned, only for Amy to step forward and get in her face, leveling a finger inches from her nose and causing Arle to flinch.

"

Don't give me that. You've been hating on Sonic since Day 1! What's he have to do to convince you to get on his side anyway?? He's a good guy! A hero!! You should be helping him, like me!

"

"...Maybe if he had a plan wasn't so stupid!!" Arle retorted, scolding Amy right back. "He's planning to blow up Li!" Arle went on to add rather impatiently in protest of the absurdity of the argument.

"

...That's ridiculous, Arle! Sonic would never do that! Never ever! You shouldn't believe everything everyone tells you, y'know. I bet they were making it up, or he was framed somehow. Anyway, I can't let you make anymore of a mess of Sonic's ship! This is my chance to show Sonic how loyal I am~!

"

Amy won't allow the group to pass.

((--Hey guys! For a brief period, the period during which Amy is blocking our progress, I will be assuming the role of GM.))

Amy Rose
130 HP
40 Bubble Shield

Arle Nadja HP 111/190 Shield 60/60 Status Normal Diacute (43)(41) Stardust Dragon (4 Attacks) Healing CD: 1 Turns Holy Laser CD: 2 Turns		Peach HP 150/150 Shield 20/45 Status On Standby Girl Power CD: 1 Turns

[Rina]

Unsure if it's delusions in death or just coming to senses at the last moment, Schezo heeded his words to follow the straight way to the main objective before he self-destructed. Wait a second, self-destruct? Then what is he doing dawdling!? He's gotta go. PRONTO. No need to tell the group twice, Arle!

"Right! Rulue, this way!"

Following Arle and beckoning Rulue, he sprinted towards the blast door and got himself caught up in a warp to surpass the blast door...and find himself alone. Wait, where's Arle? She DID warp, right? Looks like someone didn't think things through! Well, at least she thought through enough to use...an eraser? He raised his eyebrow upon noticing the door being literally erased out of existence like it was some old-timey cartoon joke. Eh, can't really complain with the improvised escape route.

Once the group got together, Schezo observed his surroundings to see how incredibly roomy it is. Geez, is this much room necessary? All these technological doodads here and there is making Schezo's head spin too. Mainly because it felt so foreign and out-of-touch from where he hails from. Schezo isn't too familiar with Sonic as a person, so the fact this seems out-of-character for him is lost on him. He knows this entire stunt isn't going to be for the greater good in the long run, and needs a freakin' screwdriver for all those bolts that fell out of his head.

Time to-

A sudden gust of wind blew past, causing Schezo to stagger on his feet from the force of it. Oh come on, more interruptions? Who the heck is this? Whoever she is, Schezo can pick up how one-track she is from that first impression. And he doesn't like it. Schezo plans to resolve this by...sheathing his sword?

"Hey. You claim to fight for Sonic, correct? Can I ask you something?"
(Schezo attempts to reason?!?) No07DiAAp_1d20-3

He knows what blind accusation is, and has been on the receiving end of it several times that he'd prefer to talk his way through it than brute force it. If this goes without a hitch, then that's strength conserved. Otherwise...welp.1d20-3

[Mari]

(( Alright! Time's up. The deadline has passed and TheSpatialWeeg has missed it, which ...Well this is awkward. Looks like it's you and me for the moment, Rina. The Weeg and Quote will rejoin if they're ready and I believe G&W will be coming back once I finish with Amy. |D ))

As Schezo enters, he catches the tail end of Arle and Amy's discussion.

"...Don't you think you should maybe let us go ask Sonic himself about all this world exploding stuff if you're so sure it's not real?" Arle asked in a rather impatient tone.

"

Even if that was true... If I had to choose between the world and Sonic, I'd choose Sonic!!

"

A frustrated Arle yielded to Schezo. How m͢àny y̧̢͘e̶͘à̷͜͜ŕ̷̕͠s̀͢͟͏ h̢a̕d͏̶͝ ͢͠͠A̵̸͜r͏l͡͡e ̵̀s̢͢p̨̨ent҉̴̴ trying to help Rulue overcome the exact problems Amy was facing now without success? What made her think she could help Amy any better..? It seemed clear to her that talking Amy down wasn't going to be an option, but perhaps someone else could. For the moment, Schezo was on his own. Amy seemed to consider Schezo's request. Well, she supposed talking things out really worked in her favor here. They couldn't ruin Sonic's ship if they stayed here and talked, after all! Maybe she could keep them here long enough that they'd be on board when the ship took off!

"

...Sure! We've got time.

"

Amy Rose
130 HP
40 Bubble Shield

Arle Nadja HP 111/190 Shield 60/60 Status Normal Diacute (43)(41) Stardust Dragon (4 Attacks) Holy Laser CD: 1 Turns		Peach HP 150/150 Shield 20/45 Status On Standby

[Rina]

Well, he surprisingly got her attention. To think Schezo would actually not eat his own foot in trying to communicate. This is some scenario. If Schezo chose his words properly, then perhaps he could try and turn this conversation on its head. He did previously give Rulue a gentle push to move on... He began his argument, utilizing the momentum he has to get good footing. He can't squander this, as this could potentially cut out one fight that'll last gods knows how long.

"So your loyalty is quite steadfast. I know naught how long, but that is besides what I wish to talk of."

"Time moves on and so does its people. With it, brings change. People grow, age, mature...and change. For better, or worse."

"Suppose the ship has taken off and the plan has come to pass. How long will you wait for a new home? What if it never comes? What if the entire plan has been all for nothing? Or worse...what if this entire plan was but a complex scheme for far worse ambitions? What will you do then? If the man you claim to be a do-gooder turns out to be an obsidian-hearted schemer, will you continue to believe in him?"

Schezo gives Amy eye contact, assuring that he still has things to say. He's not yet done. Not yet.

AlJoD61Yp_1d20-3 (Schezo attempts to solidify his words!)

"If you doubt my words, thinking of it being poison, I can name two others whom feel betrayed by those they place so highly. There was once a lady who had a strong, unshakable affinity for another man. She, too, would follow him and his every deed, asinine or no, and would not be afraid to out another girl because she was the target of the man's romantic pursuits. Upon realizing there was no changing that, she fell despondent. The man she loved betrayed her views, taking the words of another to change her folly and pursue someone else to restore her quality of life."

"The other was a boy, a budding student, whom followed a call to greater power. He did not know what he wanted, but he embraced the power that was bestowed. He thought of that person as a mentor of a sort, succeeding that power. But alas, the power was one that was frowned, shunned, and dark. The one he believed to be a granter of power robbed the boy of what innocence he had for his world. And it took the boy years to realize what a monster he had become because of that person."

Those descriptions should sound familiar to Arle...1d20-3

[TheSpatialWeeg]

((....Oops.))

Rulue couldn't help but feel bad for Gohr in his dying breath.

Sure, he was a bit of an arse to the entire team and threatened to kill Arle, but his last attempts at communication did leave a certain implication. Was he not in control of himself all this time? Well, that was but one way to look at things, and unfortunately, nothing could ever prove anything considering the current situation.

Not that there was any time to think about it. After all, something was going to explode.

With barely any cover to take, the only way someone was going to escape from it was to run the heck away and fast. Thankfully, there was one destination already planned out, and so she darted off, trying to catch up with the rest. Before she fully entered the hole made up by the eraser, however...she took one final look at Gohr...or his explosion or whatever remained. Her expression...what was it of? Pity? Regret? Sadness? Perhaps a fusion of the three? 

She sighed before entering the hole. She couldn't dilly-dally around, there was a hedgehog to violence convince to back down of his crazy schemes...



And just a coincidence too, because the first thing she entered when she caught up the others, she heard--

"If I had to choose between the world and Sonic, I'd choose Sonic!!"

...What.

Hearing those words had chilled her stomach. Seems like her past haunted her in some way, shape or form. This time, it took the shape of a pink hedgehog with an unhealthy addiction to their target, it seemed. Also, she blocked their way. Great. Can't take a break ever, eh Rulue?

Well, Schezo was already wailing on her dreams and used her as an example, so...might as well wait to see what could she do here.

[Mari]

Arle was distracted from her frustration by Schezo's examples. Huh? ...Y'know those did sound kind of familiar! She glanced over her shoulder to glance at Rulue, checking to see if the other had picked up on that. However, Amy seemed less than impressed.

"

There's one problem with that. Sonic's a hero, and he always has been! He's just saving people, the same as he always has! You don't just stop being a good person, y'know. I'll follow him everywhere and help him set things right!

"

Arle furrowed her brows. Amy was so defensive... But she also knew Sonic. Maybe she could chip in and help.

"What direction was Sonic running last time he wanted to save someone? Toward the fight, or away from it?" Arle asked in a matter-of-fact tone that suggestively accused Sonic of something unspoken.

"

U-Um... I'm sure it's just a detour. Sometimes there are twists and turns in a path!

"

Arle was quiet for a moment. Amy seemed a little unsure of herself at that part. She thought more with her heart than her brain. All she had to do was force her to stop, somehow. Time to stop concealing her feelings. She wasn't going to sit here and keep silent about her disdain for the 'try and talk to Sonic' part of their plan. "...He's not real, Amy. The Sonic we helped defeat Eggman isn't here. Whoever is on this ship isn't the hero you fell in love with. And the truth is, he doesn't care about you!"

"

...What--?? That's really mean, Arle! You don't have to say such awful things, y'know. I get you don't like Sonic, but who else would he be??

"

"I'm not saying that to be mean, Amy! ...I'm saying that because I care about you. We're supposed to be sisters. That means we're supposed to be there for each other. ...The same way you're always there for Sonic. Has he even acknowledged your existance since you got on board??" Arle went on to explain, avoiding eye contact until it came time to scold Amy. Rulue and Schezo were likely all too familiar with how blunt Arle could be when the romance got stupid. Perhaps they'd never heard what she sounded like when they weren't the subject of it, though. Amy's eyes widened for a moment at Arle's words. She'd always thought Arle ignored her when she went on about Sonic! But she'd been ... listening all of those times? Arle already knew the answer to her question. Sonic hadn't had time for any of his friends since his arrival on Li, much less Amy. The pink hedgehog knew this too, and it struck her like a brick. When she next spoke, it was quietly, upset and unsure of herself. Her expression was mired with fear and confusion. She wasn't sure how to feel, really, or what to think.

"

...A-Arle...-- That's...-- ...You really feel that way..? About me?

"

Amy Rose
130 HP
40 Bubble Shield

Arle Nadja HP 111/190 Shield 60/60 Status Normal Diacute (43)(41) Stardust Dragon (4 Attacks)		Peach HP 150/150 Shield 20/45 Status On Standby

[Rina]

Hearing Arle gripe about romance sounded very like her. Having been on the receiving end of unwanted advances, he all-too-well knows how much that soured her views on that matter. Just about anyone would eventually get sick of that particular song and dance. Perhaps this is why he resigned himself to keeping with platonic things.

"As sharp as our words come to feel, it is out of great concern...Tough Love, as it's described."

And, as much as he's been yelled at by Arle for his dumb moments, it took him gods knows how long to accept that it wasn't out of malice. Sure, it got under his skin at times, but without knowing how Arle behaves, he didn't know how to respond accordingly. At least he understood better now.

...It's something that's been bludgeoned to my head several times before it could absorb the information.

...Hopefully the conversation will end soon. Time's still ticking away.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rulue kept glancing at Amy, even when Arle was talking. Normally, she'd just look at Arle or Schezo when they were talking, but Amy had her attention. From what little she seen of the exchanges, she already felt this uncanny similarity between each other. Sure, she looked like another 'past her' from the first viewing, but the similarities just kept coming and coming...

Maybe a more personal view on things could help them to convince her to back off? They still needed to get through her to get to Sonic, obviously, but still...maybe she could convince her to back down while she could still be spared of a few...side-effects. Sure, Schezo told a pretty abridged version of her experience, but maybe a more personal outlook could help turn the tide.

"I'd take their word and throw in the towel now if I were you." Rulue started. "Because later on, the messages about it will only get more and more merciless. ...I can attest to that. I too had someone I held very dear to my heart, but never returned my affections. Looking back, I've done so much...despicable actions just to earn his approval, or pray tell, his very attention...
I ruined a friendship I used to nurture to chase him, and even fought my ex-friend a number of times...out of jealousy. And that's just scratching the surface..."

"I'll spare you the...crueler details, as this isn't about me. All I'm trying to say here is that I don't want you to do the same. I somehow managed to bounce back from my low point, but I didn't return with some...mental scars that will probably never heal. It...hurts me to know someone going down the same path as I did before. It's a road not many can come back from, and even if they do, they usually leave very brokenhearted, to the point of becoming mere shells of their former selves."

A bit of silence.

"I...I was very lucky I managed to find forgiveness and kindness after all that I did. And even then...I sometimes think I don't deserve it..."

Rulue would take a deep breath, assuming a sterner look than before.

"...Listen. You can say how much a good guy Sonic is as much as you like, but from what I have seen of him, whatever heroism he seemingly had is long gone...and with how he neglects you, he most certainly isn't worthy of your love either. If you still truly want to help him, though, then please step aside."

[Mari]

(( Mr. Game & Watch Yo! I think this post is my cue to return control to you? ))

Arle had to stop and glance at Rulue. For a moment, it had almost sounded like she wasn't talking to Amy. Her eyes glimmered with recognition. Did Schezo and Rulue both feel like she'd helped them? That was such a nice way to look at things. It got her thinking. Meanwhile though, Amy was also doing some thinking. She seemed to relent, averting her gaze from the group.

" But... My heart is telling me to follow Sonic. If I can't follow my heart, where am I supposed to go? "

It seemed like Amy was a little ... overwhelmed. Arle didn't often find herself in a place where she felt like she knew more about love than someone else. She mostly just avoided the crazy people who didn't take no for an answer and had the good sense to recognize that something was wrong with Satan. But Amy? She didn't seem to get it. Her answer was right in front of her, a group striving for the future of Li. What more noble of a cause was there? Arle took a deep breath, focusing their thoughts.

"Stop." she replied. "Don't go anywhere. Just stop." Arle went on to elaborate, holding out her hands as if to block an advance. "You've been chasing Sonic for what feels like forever. But that doesn't mean once you stop you won't have anything. It just means you'll have time for other things! Maybe if you give your heart a little break and stop to look around, you'll realize there are a lot of other people you can look up to that you just didn't notice because you were so focused on him." Arle offered in a more relaxed tone. However, Amy had gone silent. Arle wasn't sure if she was getting somewhere, but knowing how much Amy loved to blab about Sonic she had to assume she was. Silence meant she was listening.

"Sonic wants to run away from this world. He thinks it's beyond saving, that we can't really make any progress. It's really easy to look out at how ruined and rotten it is and think like that. But I don't think he's right. ...The world might not be doing well, but seeing how far my friends have come and all the ways they've grown and changed fills me with hope for the future." Arle continued to explain. As she did this, she moved to pointedly take Schezo's hand Rulue's hands. It was, perhaps, unfamiliar to Schezo to have Arle touch him like that. It might even seem uncharacteristic, but she wanted the both of them to know that she was talking about them, and that she'd picked up that they were talking about themselves. At this point, she had a modest blush on her cheeks and a bright smile on her face. "That's what he missed by neglecting his friends. ...And that's a mistake I'll never make~ You should come with us and show him how you've grown!" Arle encouraged.

JQrAUh6Qp_1d20+5 (Arle's critical persuasion)

Finally, this seemed to get a reaction out of Amy. She perked up a bit, the frustration vanishing from her face in realization. And then... she turned back to face Arle, beaming rather openly at the other.

" ...You're right. Maybe Sonic does need our help! And we're here to help him, even if that means we have to confront him. Thanks, Arle. I don't know what would've happened if you and your friends hadn't ...been so patient with me. "

Amy averted her eyes for a moment, not entirely proud of her actions. Meanwhile, Arle shifted hers away as well. Yeah. Yeah. ...'Help' Sonic. That was what they were here for. She supposed it wasn't a lie. She'd already resigned to giving Samus' plans a chance, even if she didn't agree with them. Amy then stepped aside and hesitantly moved to join the group. Arle moved to release Rulue and Schezo's hands. They might need those. Hostile environment, and all.

"

Nice to meet you all by the way. I don't think I got your names.

"

Amy has defected and joined the party!
She's on the small side at under three feet tall, but she was briefly the stadium champ!
The group is now free to proceed down the hallway deeper into the ship.

1d20+5

[Rina]

The air certainly took a heavy turn when the silence sat. As someone who felt starved for some affection for what felt like ages, he can't really empathize. Schezo felt like his words didn't do much, and a lot of the convincing was more Arle's part. But it was understandable that Amy took a long while to think her response, for the words given to her were loaded. At the end of the day, Schezo's plan to just talk it out succeeded, somehow. The worst that could happen was Schezo inadvertently twisting his own words and provoking a fight anyway; the worst was averted. To think Schezo was still capable of good all these years...

"...!"

Schezo felt a warmth take hold of his hand: Arle's hand. The whole friends thing is still trying to grow onto him, so this gesture was a surprise to him. It...it felt nice. He subconsciously gripped it so he could feel it more, the hold feeling rather unexpectedly gentle until Arle wanted to let go.

...and having a new ally join them.

"No you haven't, but now you shall. I'm Schezo."

To which he introduced himself with a rare, but genuinely warm smile.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Well, if there was one thing Rulue could praise Amy for right now was how she was more...graceful with this whole debacle, especially considering her own experiences. How many times did Rulue respond aggressively to the same claims? Well, she lost count. And when that thought actually got into her thick skull, that was quite a nasty reaction.

--Well, that went smoothly! Amy stepped down without the need for aggression, and she even decided to go with the group to convince Sonic to stop his pet project! That did make the Fighting Queen wonder what would she do if Sonic would end up fighting them anyway, but maybe it wasn't the time to think that. Time is of essence, and they're most likely running short on it. "Fighting Queen Rulue. Pleased to meet you." Rulue introduced herself.  "We'll need all the help we can get here." 

[Mr. Game & Watch]

With Amy Rose leading the way, it bestowed hope in the group that this Absolution debacle would soon be over. If they could convince Sonic’s number one fan girl to join their cause, what could possibly stand in their way? Before the pink hedgehog could enter the next corridor on the ship though, a metal gate firmly snapped shut in her face, nearly skinning the tip of her nose. Every other entrance followed suit, a melody of metallic clangs rung throughout the hangar.

One of the vacant walls began to open like a window shutter, revealing a gigantic monitor, like the room was made for widescale briefings. As it was powered on, the stone-cold face of Team Galactic’s admin was displayed across the screen, looking… no different than he usually would, but given the circumstances it was easy to assume he was displeased.

SPOILER: Click to show

“Your reliance on emotion is what failed you, Ms. Rose. Sonic told me you were trustworthy, but clearly, he doesn’t know as well as I do. Emotion leads to manipulation and illogical fallacies. Sonic and I will find and create a new world devoid of these weaknesses” the big floating head monologued calmly. While it seemed like the ordinary villain spiel, something was off. Cyrus of all people shouldn’t gain satisfaction from gloating the way he was, even the way he looked and spoke made it seem like it was a chore to go over.

In the meantime, while the party was no doubt distracted by the villain’s monologue, a little imp-like creature slowly crept onto the scene, its jet-black body disguising into the gunmetal gray of its surroundings. As the Weavile got close, it quickly scampered to Arle’s position, sneaking in from behind and slapping a small device onto her bodice. Before she could possibly react to the incident, her body evaporated into thin air, the party now being down a member.

The man on the screen ceased the stroking of his ego as soon as Arle disappeared, there was no notable difference on his face, but a mere twitch of one of his cheek muscles suggesting that he ever so close to smiling, but it didn’t quite pan out. “With that over, I suggest you squeeze that last little bit of feeble emotions that you hold so dear and ‘enjoy’ whatever time you have left” he finished as the screen faded to black.

From behind the party, a series of Pokeballs were released from a series of ceiling hatches, cracking open and illuminating the hangar for a brief moment. The Weavile scampered away from the group of interlopers and rejoined his own party. From behind a yawning Probopass sprung a Honchkrow that took flight next to his fellow flier, Cyrus’s Crobat. The Houndoom howled to commence the fight, echoing the hopelessness that the trio would face as they were horribly out numbered.

A pounding at the steel door behind the party of Pokemon broke their concentration momentarily, but the boss bird was quick to redirect their attention. Honchkrow rustled his feathers against his lower beak like a schemer stroking their chin. Like a lightbulb springing from its head, the bird began to craw commands at its brethren, no doubt laying out a Nasty Plot!

[Honchkrow’s Nasty Plot: UcgiAV7Gp_1d4+3 / Damage Boost to allies] <6>

On the Pokemon’s orders, Probopass and Crobat shifted to the background while Weavile, Honchkrow, and Houndoom pushed forward to pour on the pressure. A furious flap of its wings summoned a whirlwind laced with icicles that battered the fighting queen, curtesy of the mob bird. At the same time, a spiral of flames erupted from Houndoom’s mouth and quickly surrounded the pink hedgehog. In unison, Weavile summoned a ball of ice into its hooked claw and flung it skyward. The elemental ball shattered against the ceiling, a series of Icicles exploding from it on impact and Crashing down upon the sword wielding mage!

Icy Wind: Deals 14% damage. If the target fails the dodge roll by under half, they receive -1 to dodge rolls for the rest of the turn.

[Honchkrow’s Icy Wind: p_1d20+1 / 14% + 6% = 20% @ Rulue] <8>

Fire Spin: Deals 20% damage and initiates ranged grapple. 2 turn cooldown.

[Houndoom’s Fire Spin: p_1d20+3 / 20% + 6% = 26% @ Amy] <18>
[Weavile’s Icicle Crash: p_1d20+6 / 30% + 6% = 36% @ Schezo] <16>
[Weavile’s Self-Inflicted Stun: p_1d100] <54>

While in the background, Crobat began to flap its wings wildly, so much so that the air within the hangar turned coliseum began to shift, creating a wind tunnel that favoured the side that Cyrus’s Pokemon were on, whilst creating a tremendous backdraft on the enemy’s side of the playing field. Probopass’s floating arm boulders were caught in the purple bat’s ruckus, though it wasn’t as accidental as it looked. Following the flow of the wild winds, the miniature Nosepasses stationed themselves above the trio and began to sprinkle rocks upon them.

Tailwind: Causing an updraft, for 1 turn, Crobat and his allies will gain +1 to dodge rolls, while enemies gain -1 to theirs should they fail to meet a CON check. 3 turn cooldown.

[Crobat’s Tailwind: p_1d20+5 / -1 to dodge rolls, targets CON @ Rulue, Amy, and Schezo] <20>
[Probopass’s Rock Slide 1: p_1d20+1 / 13% + 6% = 19% + 15% chance to Stun @ Rulue] <4>
[Probopass’s Rock Slide 2: p_1d20+1 / 20% + 6% = 26% + 15% chance to Stun @ Amy] <21>
[Probopass’s Rock Slide 3: p_1d20+1 / 13% + 6% = 19% + 15% chance to Stun @ Schezo] <4>

Once their grand slam was complete, the team broke off from each other and began to swarm the battlefield, whilst riding the winds of their Crobat ally. Weavile swiftly approached Rulue with enough speed to outpace the hedgehog they were originally after. Back and forth like a swarm of angry bees, Weavile struck her once for every ally it had on the field. With its strike complete though, Honchkrow swooped in to pull his ally out of harm’s way, allowing the fiend to hop off when the time was right. The gangster bird took its time and divebombed Schezo once it got in range. It rapidly pecked at both the man and his supplies, trying to confiscate some loot while he was at it.

[Weavile’s Beat-Up: p_1d20+6 / 5% x 5 = 25% + 6% = 31% @ Rulue] <13>
[Honchkrow’s Pluck: p_1d20+3 / 13% + 6% = 19% + Steals Healing Item if successful @ Schezo] <19>

Rushing toward the hedgehog, Houndoom wasted little time after releasing its Fire Spin to capitalize on the potentially trapped traitor. Looming over the hell hound was Crobat, who no doubt had equal sympathies to his grounded compatriot. The Dark-type howled devilishly, the echoes of his cries barreling toward the hedgehog like a pulse weapon. At the same time, Crobat barrel-rolled around the Dark Pulse and sprung upon Amy once he got close, slashing the poor hedgehog with both wings in an X formation.

[Houndoom’s Dark Pulse: p_1d20+3 / 18% + 6% = 24% @ Amy] <12>
[Crobat’s Cross Poison: p_1d20+1 / 10% + 6% = 16% + 50% chance to inflict Mortal Wounds @ Amy] <8>

The Crobat deftly circled around Amy, swooping back into the air thanks to the updraft that Crobat made in the room. Gliding over Rulue, he had a special bile brewing in his belly for that broad. Without a moment’s notice, the bat creature upchucked a glob of highly Toxic spit that would definitely not agree with Rulue’s skin should it make contact.

Toxic: Belches a glob of poisonous bile at enemy, instantly inflicts Toxic Poison. Operates the same as Poison status, however, for every turn that enemy is Poisoned, it will inflict +1% more damage.

[Crobat’s Toxic: p_1d20+2 / @ Rulue] <10>

As Cyrus’s squad pressed on the assault, the blast dooring that lead into the room continued to be dented and dinged by some unknown force. Friend or foe, it seemed like something would be busting their way onto the scene within seconds.

Honchkrow	HP: 100% Shield: 35 Status: Nasty Plot: Active Pluck: 2 turns
Weavile	HP: 70% Shield: 35 Status: Icicle Crash: 2 turns Beat Up: 2 turns
Probopass	HP: 100% Shield: 75 Status: Rockin’ It
Crobat	HP: 85% Shield: 45 Status: Tailwind: Active
Houndoom	HP: 75% Shield: 40 Status: Fire Spin: 2 turns

---

Elsewhere on the Absolution, Arle materialized once more, the device that transported her away seemingly dissolving as a result. The new room she found herself in was not all that welcoming, but then again there wasn’t so much as a pleasant corner to be found on the ship. It looked like a bunker of some variety, though it had a homey touch to it with a rather comfy looking throne propped on a pedestal at the furthermost wall. It was empty, in fact seemed almost like a well-furnished prison.

Those propositions would quickly be dashed as a blue blur flashed before Arle’s eyes, Sonic was standing before her. The hedgehog looked no different than he normally would, even keeping that cocky grin he was so infamous for. “Gimme a break!” he announced, throwing his hands. “You think you could just walk into my ship without me knowing what you’re trying to do?” he continued with a sly shrug. “I mean, whew! You stink of Puyo Power!” he added as he made a fanning motion at his nose.

In a split second, he zipped back to the throne and lounged rather uncomfortably in his seat, as teenagers tended to do. He rested his head against the arm of the chair and tilted his noggin slightly so that he could see who he was talking to. “I mean, c’mon! Why fight amongst ourselves like this? You think the Starvia wastes their time battling each other? It makes no sense!” he proclaimed as he sat upright once more. “We might have our disagreements, but this is an arms race! And, you know, I never lose a race. At this point, the Starvia is humouring our existence, they could launch a full-scale assault on the Life Sphere whenever they want. We’re not safe here. Period. We stay here, we lose everybody. The Absolution will make sure that absolutely everybody makes it, all they need to do is come on board. That’s why it’s called the Absolution. Nobody has to die trying to fight a war we can’t possibly win” Sonic expounded with a smirk on his face, as though he knew he was right.

He raced out of his seat once more, standing right beside Arle with open arms. “So, whaddaya say?”1d4+3·1d20+1·1d20+3·1d20+6·1d100·1d20+5·1d20+1·1d20+1·1d20+1·1d20+6·1d20+3·1d20+3·1d20+1·1d20+2

[Rina]

Things are looking bright for this quartet! If convincing people is possible, then perhaps there is hope in trying to talk Sonic out of the whole ruse. Of course, it won't be easy. Humanity as a whole can be stubborn, and will hold fast to what they think is right. Such is the nature of that motive rambling screen that drew his attention. Blank-faced, unmoving... but once it has ended...

"H-hey, where'd Arle go!?"

Someone dun captured her! He looked high, low, and everywhere else, no blue sorceress to be found! And what did he get in return? The Poke-cavalry! Wait, that's bad. There was a Honchkrow, Weavile, Probopass, Crobat, and a Houndoom, all there to stop the Arle-less trio. 3-on-5? Oh boy... And Schezo's first course of action? The Weavile's Icicle Crash! Schezo held his sword out, generating a bubble shield to deflect the rain of ice shrapnel from above.

(Icicle Crash blocked!) Shields: 55 > 19 > 9

All is not over yet, however, as he had to hold his ground for the Tailwind whipped up by the Crobat.

Tailwind Resist: yLBT9VV8p_1d20+1
(Status: Tailwinded)

All is not well however, as the winds prove to be rather intense to try and get around, winged maneuvers be damned. Winds against him, the barrage would not relent, as there is now a Rock Slide to avoid. With rocks that large, one would likely knock him out of his senseless! His barrier would not hold against it, so he resorted to fighting the winds...

Rock Slide: p_1d20-1 (ok Schezo, you got off the hook BARELY.)

...which he somehow did. Alas, he cannot catch a breath. The Honchkrow was trying to peck at him! No not the eye! He's temporarily lost one already! Once is enough! In an attempt to shoo it, he flailed his arms about, until an idea hit him... With quick thinking, Schezo took out a large red box, a speaker-horn built into one of the faces; the Super Horn!

"Everyone, BRACE YOURSELF!"
Super Horn's Counter Attack (20% if Physical) vs. Pluck: p_1d20+7

He took the Super Horn, shoved it into the Honchkrow's face, and let it emit an ear-ringing blare! He hoped the sheer force of the sound waves would stop the bird's pecking and blow it away. Should all go according to plan, he pointed his sword at the bat, as if to vocalize a strategy to his allies.

"The bat is blowing the tides against us. We cannot let it be for to long!"

Preparations must be made, as the group is likely going to take hits. He raised his hand, gathering a ball of magic to endow to Amy. She's going to be important for getting around the place.

"Levia!"
(To Amy: -4% damage taken, 3 turns)

Crowbat is going to be a speedy one, so he needs a magic that is quick to chase. He took out a familiar Aqua-colored tome, unleashing its magic from its pages.

"Razorblade Typhoon!"
(16%, 1-turn cooldown) p_1d20+6

And while the aquatic blades pursued the bat, if it does hit, then he could follow up with an electrical shock!

"Thunderstorm!"
(14%, 20% Paralysis) p_1d20+4

Status: Tailwinded (3)
Damage: 24%/175%
Shields: 9%1d20+1·1d20-1·1d20+7·1d20+6·1d20+4

[Lucciola]

Alex Kidd wasn't well known to be highly social but he did have a few connections here and there, which told him of something happening. Something that would peak his interest and possibly mean the end of his new home. Some big plan by none other then Sonic, a creature that Alex has had some animosity for a long time. He wasn't always sure why but it was there, Alex didn't even understand why he was called a Hedgehog as he looked nothing like one and they didn't move all that fast.

Regardless Alex had caught wind of Sonic's deadly plan, he knew the creature had a bad attitude but this was something else. It all seemed a little too close to Sonic's main villain to be something Sonic cooked up but maybe there was something more to all this. Either way Alex had snuck on board inside some crates, and once it was in the air Alex had gotten out to look around the ship for Sonic.

He'd heard there was a mission to solve the issue but Alex hadn't heard about it quick enough to sign up, so he'd made his own way instead. As he was wondering around Alex heard some serious commotion and villainous commentary coming from behind a closed room, it wasn't something that was easily opened as it was closed tightly. So Alex started kicking it in until the thing came down, he was greeted with the scene of the Li mission being attacked by pokemon.

"I think it's time to flee this pokemon battle" chimed Alex to the group hoping that they'd come out through the door and Alex could use the nearby storage as a way to seal the pokemon in there at least fora time. Might not be a final solution but maybe it would give the group time to come up with a strategy to defend against the six strong group of pokemon.

[Mari]

" Devoid of... love? ...I don't think I want to live in a world without love. "

Why would Sonic ever want to create a world like that? Didn't he know she loved him? Arle's words haunted her ears. It was because he didn't care that she loved him. The thought was enough to make Amy shudder in discomfort. A pang of heartbreak washed over her, but she quickly shoved that thought aside. It hurt too much, and if she got lost on that train of thought she wouldn't be able to go after Sonic! Thankfully, Arle's disappearance gave her a welcome distraction from that thought.

" Hey!! What'd you do with Arle?? "

Channeling her frustration with her aching heart into anger directed at Cyrus, Amy became combative and stood off against the screen--only for it to turn off without an answer being given. Oh boy. She hoped Arle was okay, wherever she was. It seemed like they had bigger problems, though, as a hoarde of pokemon attacked!

m2n3Fz4lp_1d20+3 (Amy's Fire Spin Dodge) p_1d20 (Amy trying to force herself free; she failed, so she cannot dodge rock throw)

Amy screamed in fright as a whirlwind of fire consumed her, licking at her clothes and body--only to find that breathing kinda hurt a lot when you were submerged in fire. A panic set in as she found herself on the receiving end of a Witch's execution, but thankfully this didn't last long because a bunch of boulders smashed into her, sending her flying through the firewall and onto the ground nearby.

((Amy is freed from the grapple due to taking excess damage, but failed her stun roll. She is unable to dodge Honchkrow's Dark Pulse.))

...Amy had the misfortune of landing rather bodily in the rock's path, which in turn managed to land on her before continuing to roll off of her--But not before crushing her shoulder with a sickly snap. The blow knocked the breath out of the little pink hedgehog, and she found the arm in question did not support her weight as she tried to get back up, causing her to stumble and fall again with a yelp. When she finally got back to her feet, a wave of dark energy passed through her and she just sort of flailed helplesssly at the air in surprise, falling back over onto her bottom after the attack ended. Her hairband was torn from her head, falling to the ground nearby.

p_1d20+2 (Amy's Cross Poison Dodge)

Before she could even begin to get back up, the disorientated and clearly rather overwhelmed hedgehog was struck across the chest by Crobat, the pokemon's wings cutting into her! 

...

Everything ... hurt. She was hurting more than she'd ever realized she could hurt. Her dress was ripped up. One of her arms wasn't moving no matter how she urged it to. Her legs felt like jelly. Her mind felt like a heavy blanket had been draped over it, and she couldn't stop the flow of tears as crept over her cheeks much like the bleeding of her wounds. She was a bit too distracted by how badly her butt was getting kicked to really take notice of Alex's entrance. "O-Oh..." Amy gasped out as she stood back up with trembling knees and a little help from her hammer being used as a sort of crutch to brace herself. She got the distinct feeling she'd... made a mistake. Her poor body was giving up on her where it stood! And boy, if that wasn't a terrifying feeling. So frightening, in fact, that it spurred a second wind in the form of a rush of fear induced adrenaline!

((Amy is activating her adrenaline rush as a free action! Might as well, right?))

With her good arm, Amy produced a pink chaos emerald from amongst her person. --Hey should anyone be concerned she has one of those? Taking as deep a breath as she could... "Chaos... Control!" Amy incanted, enveloping the arena with a chaos magic that threatened to slow everyone around her! Or well--her enemies anyway. Rulue, Schezo, and the perhaps gratefully unnoticed Alex would be spared this fate. 

p_1d20+2 (Amy's Chaos Control @ all enemies; Targets INT and inflicts Slow. If any of the targets fail their roll by 6 or more, they are also stunned.)

Amy then took this opportunity to ... bend down andpick up her headband, of course. She tried to put it back on her head, but wound up being unable to put it on properly because she only had use of one of her hands. It sat lopsided atop her slightly singed quills. ...Oh well. Every other part of her looked like a mess already, right? She just wished she could stop... crying...! Dangit, she couldn't see she was trying to do a thing here! But it was no use--every movement hurt, and brought fresh waves of tears and the ocassional gasp. She deigned not to think about how poorly this bode for her continued well being. Instead, she hefted her piko piko hammer with one hand and, with a painful twist of her body, took aim at Cyrus' Crobat! "This is...--! This is for...-- You jerk..!" Amy gasped out, but found getting a sentence out without gasping for air or cringing rather hard at a wave of pain difficult. Summoning what strength she had left, she whipped her piko piko hammer at the crobat! ...You'd think it'd be a bit big to be used as a throwing hammer, but she did it anyway before collapsing onto one knee.

p_1d20+4 (Amy's Piko Piko Hammer @ Crobat; Does 20% Damage)

---

!!

One moment, arle was staring down Cyrus ready to take him on. And the second--something grabbed her leg! Arle nearly leapt in alarm, only to find that she was momentarily blinded--and then she was somewhere else. She froze up where she stood, just kinda hesitating for a moment before beginning to check herself over for anything clinging to her legs while observing the area around her. It was unfamiliar, which was perhaps expected, but before she could really begin to figure out where she was a strong gust of wind and a blur of something indiscernable rushed past her, leaving her hair and skirt to flutter in the wind, her hair only kept out of her eyes by her tiara. Handy! And then... Sonic. Sonic was in front of her. Oh hey there Sonic, long time no see. Let's go teach Eggman a lesson for building this shi--HEY WAIT A MINUTE!!

...It was almost surreal seeing what had once been her ...'friend' and ally standing there. They hadn't been close or anything, but she'd at least been willing to help defeat Eggman and, ugh, rescue Satan. This though... It didn't match up with what she knew about Sonic at all. Arle's eyes narrowed slightly in a confrontational manner. He knew what she was trying to do? ...But she was trying to hunt him down!  He'd just lead her right to him! Which meant ... 

There was a reason Sonic was confronting her here and now, with none of her friends around. She was here to be eliminated without the advantage of a bunch of powerful allies backing her. She was here because this was where Sonic wanted to fight her. This room might even be a trap. Arle tensed with anxiety. The fact that she was here meant Sonic was pretty sure he could get rid of her too.

...That cheeky Hedgehog. A moment later and he was on a throne, lounging like he--Well actually he probably did own the place. Fair enough, then.  Next thing she knew Sonic was next to her again and she jumped a little in surprise.

"...You said... 'everyone'. But what about the Pokemon in Pokemon Cove that didn't see your message? What about all the other uninfected still struggling to survive outside the Life Sphere? What about the people who got trophied that we haven't been able to find? What about that huge list of missing people, Sonic? Some of Li's heroes are still out there missing!! ...What about Amitwo and the other doppelgangers? They'll starve if they get too far away from Li's leyines. They need to feed on magic almost constantly, Sonic. Do you know how much magic they consume? People will turn on them. People like me, who also need to feed on magic. They might feed on her instead!! What about the people trapped in their own bodies out there by the starvia virus, unable to come with us even if they wanted to?? The people we've been fighting to try and save for I don't know how long! What's going to happen to them when you gather up their last hopes and abandon them, Sonic?! What's going to happen when you blow the planet up underneath them?!" Arle asked, becoming increasingly angry as she went along until she began shouting. "...Where were you when Doctor Ciel created a weapon that could purify the starvia in large areas? Did you even check on her to see how her cure was coming along before you made this announcement? ...Did you even wait around to see who would follow you, or have you been here this whole time waiting to launch?" Arle asked in a lowkey accusing tone. Having worked with Ciel before, she knew the good doctor well enough to know that that it was almost exclusively by Ciel's initiative that anything got done around her lab. No one had ever asked her to do a thing. "What's 'winning' to you, Sonic?" Arle asked, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Because I say, slow and steady wins the race!"

Arle Nadja HP: 111/190 Shield: 60/60 Status: Diacute (43)(41) Stardust Dragon (4 Attacks)	Princess Peach HP: 150/150 Shield: 45/45 Status: On Standby	Amy Rose HP: 34/130 Shield: 40/40 Status: Mortal Wound (16) Adrenaline Rush (2 Turns) Chaos Control CD: 4 Turns

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