Salticidae's Story

The Druddigon noticed Radegast, exactly as he planned, and it roared loudly, charging indiscriminately at him and straight into the smokescreen, allowing Radegast to slide into the Eastern Tube Hall. As he entered, the alarm was stopped throughout the building, and the door shut behind him. It seemed that someone had ended the emergency status.

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Inside the Eastern Tube Hall, the smell of sterilization chemicals immediately rushed Radegast. The Hall itself was entirely dark, though a single walkway was lit by small floor lights, revealing the pathway to walk. As he advanced down the path, several complicated looking consoles would emerge at set intervals, each in front of a large tube with a mysterious liquid rushing through it. Each tube only lit up when the console emerged and fell back into the darkness after they were passed. The consoles all seemed to require biometric authentication to be met for their use. The assorted liquid colors were variations of purple, pink, black, and maroon. There were also inaccessible tubes that held clear liquids.

As Radegast advanced, an uneasy feeling stirred; something, or someone, was up ahead. At the opposite end of the room, the door labeled Preservation Chamber lit up, the walkway leading right to it. It was unlocked...

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Entering the room, the door immediately shut behind Radegast as the lights turned on. The room was not like the ones before; an arrangement of rough beds with plain mattresses and simple desks plus chairs beside each, as well as several large display cases, most of which were shattered, leaving a hazard of glass bits everywhere. Blood smeared some of the beds, desks, floors, and walls, and viscous dark purple puddles the color of the shadow aura were stagnant in varying spots around the room. Touching them didn't seem like the best idea.

However, a woman was in the room, slightly resembling a Pokemon. She was sitting on one of the desks, licking the tip of one of the stingers that were a part of her forearms. Some of the same viscous liquid was dripping from it, mixed with blood. The bodies of two scientists lay before her; both appeared to have been stabbed quite viciously.

Turning to look at Radegast with her unsettling eyes, she stood up.

Her stance was strong, and she seemed confident enough. The unstable look in her eyes gave immediately warning signs as to her actual mental status. She was quite similar to him, though, and he'd notice the similarities. A mixture of Human and Pokemon, and a power dormant that could likely rival his ability to fuse with Reggie. She gave off the faintest hint of the Shadow aura, but it seemed she had a measure of control and was suppressing it very well.

Tee hee hee~! I was wondering why the alarms had all gone off! I guess they called security for this one...hee hee~!

“Well we’re not getting out that way,” Radegast noted as the door sealed shut behind him. Beyond the thick door, the two of them could still feel the gross aura of the Shadow pokemon that had been outmaneuvered. Reggie’s singular eye scanned their immediate vicinity as the armoured figure stepped lightly through the now-silent chambers. If all else failed, they could un-fuse and Reggie could cleave a hole through the walls until they could get out. That option was always available to them.

He paused when he felt an aura worse than the Druggigon, if that was even possible. This time, the aura was accompanies by swaths of blood spattered around the walls and floors.

“Yeah, I’m not digging these vibes, man,” Radegast muttered right before he spotted the woman. Under the helmet, his eye twitched. There was something familiar, yet less balanced about this one.

She’s similar to you, Reggie’s voice echoed in his mind. Indeed, all it took was one look into the aura to determine there was something not unlike his own.

An Apex? Radegast grit his teeth. Lucy Reginald’s impossible power was bad enough, but a lab dedicated to building things like him? When did Ruula become such a haven for horrible things? Why isn’t the government cracking down on ethical nightmares like this? Come to think of it, how the hell did Ruulan government function? Try as he might, Radegast couldn’t even remember how the Kanto region was run, let alone other regions. All he knew was how the police and Rangers worked.

Despite the nauseous feeling he got when he sensed the woman’s aura, Radegast still remembered the kind of person he was. This woman remained mostly human, unlike Radegast's own form. “I dunno if you’re trying to break outta here or what, but uhm… I don’t think these guys deserved this...” Radegast commented. It was the only thing he could think to say. These scientists were an amoral bunch to be working in a place as evil as this, but they still probably had people waiting at home for them, left to wonder what happened when they don't come home.

Radegast had a terrible feeling they weren’t going to get along, but he wasn’t about to make the first strike.

The woman walked up to Radegast, until she was standing directly before him with her unsettling smile.

Of course they deserved it... Tee hee hee~! I exist, so they deserved it~!

The woman didn't seem stable, but she was able to speak coherently.

I also do intend to break out of here... If you are security sent to stop me, then we'll come to blows. I can always use fresh bodies~! But, if you aren't security sent to stop me, then perhaps you help me escape, tee hee hee~! Come on, you can trust me to be a good little bug and not cause any trouble, right? Riiiiiiight? Hee hee hee~!

After a short giggle fit, she gave Radegast an expectant gaze.

So we escape, yes? Together? Hee hee~! I'd hate to have to kill you too. Yes, I'd hate that a loooooOOOOOOooooot! Tee hee hee~! Hee hee~!

Radegast grit his teeth as the nauseous aura grew stronger with her approach. There were similarities between them, that much even Reggie could tell. But there was something terribly wrong in this girl’s case. Their genetics were definitely an amalgam of human and pokemon, but this girl seemed… forced, rushed, unstable, like she might melt into liquid ash if she so much as chilled out for a microsecond.

Even so, Radegast felt torn on whether the people in this laboratory deserved what they got. After all, they did create this… thing… and that deranged beast in the previous room. This laboratory was clearly violating the balance of nature with such demented projects… but were all of the workers evil, or just supporting families? Was it a means to their own end, or were they as evil as the projects they worked on? Radegast couldn’t possibly know, and he had an inkling of an idea that neither did this girl. For a moment, he didn’t really have an idea of what to say. He was about to turn to Elder to ask what he thought.

But Elder wasn’t there. None of his friends were there, only himself and what essentially boiled down to a family butler. I see no shame in being a butler, Reggie reminded the armoured Gallade. Do you think this one can be reformed?

She did just murder people… people who have done clearly horrible things… it’s hard… Two wrongs didn’t make a right; it stood to reason even more couldn’t make a right neither. This entire situation was a complete disaster, and he should’ve just kept his distance from the whole facility and waited. That was all in the past now. What mattered is he make it out in one piece, with whatever could possibly be salvaged.

“Well, uh… I wouldn’t want either of us to kill or be killed,” Radegast replied carefully as he stole a glance at the bodies and feeling sick to his stomach. He had come across dead pokemon in the wilderness, but nothing so… extreme. He forced a gulp and continued, “If anything… it’d be nice to have your help in stopping Melaine.” He wasn’t sure if this girl knew Melaine, or what she thought of the so-called Shadow Queen. Maybe there was potential in directing this girl’s penchant for violence towards someone her own size? If Radegast couldn’t find intel, maybe he could acquire assistance. Hopefully she knew something as well, the best of both worlds.

To help you defeat the undefeatable? You really do set your ambitions high! I'm super-excited now~! Tee hee hee~! I suppose I can stick with you a bit longer~! The food will be all the tastier if I share it with someone... Hee hee~!

Turning her body toward one of the walls of the room, she let out a crazed, wrathful scream as she struck at the wall with an intense tackling ram. As she charged the wall, a shadowy aura surrounded her, and anyone who could sense power would sense a sudden and intensive spike in hers. A surge of overwhelming proportion that resulted in her bashing blow tearing a hole into the wall, creating an exit to the outside. After charging through the wall, the insect-lady tripped, meeting the floor face first. With only frenzied giggles, she stood herself up, almost completely unharmed, save for obvious minor bruising on the visible portions of her body.

After her outburst, it seemed the power surge she had faded completely, back to the controlled and dim scale.

Let us run! I'll tell you what I know as we go... Lead the way! Tee hee hee~! Hee hee~!

Reggie didn’t say anything, but the feeling in his mind was not lost for Radegast: Are you sure about this? The armoured Gallade recalled the notes he had looked through. The closing off of emotions in pokemon, like forcing an adrenaline surge to bring out 110% of a human body’s strength, or who-knows-how-much for a Pokemon. Logically, the cure would be to carefully unlock those same emotions.

It didn’t take a trainer to be able to do that. All it should take is a friend. What friends need is a chance to be a friend. As he steeled himself with that hope, he looked to the girl. “While we’re out there, we don’t kill. Got it?” Radegast had no plans to say otherwise, but one little rule like that shouldn’t be too hard. “Knock-outs are fine, but nothing permanent.” At the same time, he extended a psychic probe to try to reach Touko. However, between the shielding in the walls and the uncertain location of Touko, Radegast couldn’t exactly send a message.

The next best thing would be to stick around from a safe distance. “For starters,” Radegast jumped the fence effortlessly and slipped into the woods. “Let’s keep an eye on the aftermath, see if there’s more to this lab and the people connected to it." He hid amongst some foliage and watched the now-smoking laboratory. "In the meantime, what do you know about Melaine’s power?”

Having lost the fight, Janice returned the Slaking. Before it could even move, the Haxorus drew power from its mystical dancing and let loose a powerful attack that could not be resisted. Looking aside, Janice's heated glare sent her scientist partner fleeing the building. She rolled her eyes and addressed James and Touko.

Mmmph! Damnit! You looked so awfully weak, and yet you broke them all! Hmph! Clearly, I was going too easy on you.

Janice adopted a fighting stance of her own.

Then I'll show you! I'll hit you with something even stronger!

Before she could act, however, Rachel's voice cut in.

That's enough, Janice. Today's a day we simply write-out of the books. You must retreat so Lovrina can analyze and recount the information she has salvaged. There is no use defending this facility any further.

Rachel walked into the room, approaching James and Touko. Her oversized sleeves were hanging loosely at her side while her deadpan look gave no indication of what she was thinking at that moment.

But, Raaaaaachel! They need to squashed like the bugs they are!

Retreat now, Janice. You can't win against a Champion and someone who can stand on par with one.

Furious, Janice stormed out of the building. Even her walking speed was fast, and she gave off an intensive air as she left. Rachel gave a neutral smile, perfect in revealing absolutely no information, equivalent to her deadpan look, while simultaneously giving off an incredibly smug attitude.

I fixed her. For now. Lovrina, as well as your companion, Dreads, have already left the building too. I'd recommend you both leave as well. I've forwarded some documents of interest to you, Touko. My father saved logs on his Holo Caster that I was able to collect. Check your Holo Caster messages when you have the chance. If you have any extra questions, Xtransceiver me.

Shaking her head, Rachel raised what was her arms to her side. The sleeves of her jacket awkwardly hung limply at a point just above where the elbows should be. Her smile changed to one of a fake genuineness.

I only shared those documents with you so that you can provide us with new insights based on your observations, as my father enjoyed collecting third-party opinions through their witness. I apologize that I cannot offer you any actual assistance in overthrowing the plans set in motion by my father's experiment, as I cannot betray his trust as his daughter. I also cannot recommend that you take extensive notes on Logs 6, 18, and 44, and I entirely advise against searching the locations mentioned in Log 15. Definitely, do not bring any of this to Dreads' attention under any circumstance, and as far as anyone is concerned, you know for a fact that I am certainly involved in it all.

Was this a coded method of sharing information?

--

Outside, Radegast received an answer from the girl hiding with him as she now sat awfully close to his side.

It's absolute and delicious to think about if what the scientists said is correct! Tee hee hee~! She's untouchable without having an advantage on her, and even then, her defenses are monstrous to overcome... Hee hee~! Not to mention she is said to heal off any damage she does take, and she is completely unaffected by effects that do not directly do damage to her... Tee hee hee~! Hee hee~!

As she shared, she seemed to be resisting an urge to place her hands on his armor. She continued speaking.

Hee hee~! She also gets stronger every time she faints an enemy, and she can manipulate the weather with shadow energy to a degree stronger than expected. Her power also stems from powerful structures called Crystal Obelisks. They supposedly are constructed in various locations across Ruula, according to the scientists... Whoa! Tee hee hee~! She is also apparently permanently Mega Evolved, and she can access Z-Power and can enter Burst Mode... So said the scientists before I killed them! Tee hee hee~!

At this time, a scientist fled the building and area by having an Abra teleport him. About a minute later, a girl also retreated, though unlike the scientist, she released a Pidgeot and took to the skies on it.

Despite this, the woman he was with looked away momentarily with a slight blush. Her enamored look of astounded awe and absolute psychopathy couldn't properly tear itself away from the armored savior she sat beside, not at least for more than a few seconds. Her hands lightly reached forward to feel his armor, taking in the sensation. She didn't know who this man was, but she could already feel a kinship of some kind with him, twisted as the feeling and idea was. A knight in shining armor perhaps? She was also sharing so loosely with him, a stranger. She felt odd inside.

"Of course, Champion Rachel." Touko gave a nod, affording her the respect consummate with her station. Now was the time to be building bridges, not burning them. "I shall take your recommendations under account and begin my analysis immediately."

As if on cue, her Xtranceiver started ringing! The brunette picked it up right away.

"Moshi-moshi....What? Lenora's being called to the League?...And there's a challenger waiting?...Understood. I'll be there right away."

She turned to Rachel, James, and Shirona. "Thank you for your help, everyone, but duty calls. James...you are kind to your Pokemon, even to a fault. The time for war is approaching. I know you have a keen mind in there. You must learn to accept making compromises and sacrifices...a wise person once told me that if one side had all the answers, there would be no argument. As such...seeing as I keep running into you, James, consider yourself deputized. I got official business to take care of, but after I take this challenger, meet me at the Unova League and we'll talk details."

Among the million thoughts swimming through her head, one shot through like a clarion call. Don't you fucking dare die on me, Radegast...wherever you are.

Radegast processed the information provided as they hid in the brush. Scientists retreated, and Radegast took note of the look of some of them. Usually they would be evacuating in an orderly fashion. This appeared to him more like a total scattering. The last time he had seen such movements en masse were with Team Trebuchet, the criminal organization.

Perhaps this laboratory was not officially working on some of the FUBAR things Radegast had witnessed.

“Thank you,” Radegast replied genuinely. Despite himself, he gently pat one hand on the girl’s head, “It’s honestly appreciated.”

Radegast did finally spot Touko, James, and Shirona leaving. With a solid view, he extended a mental probe as far as he could and dropped her mind a quick message. “Radegast here. I got a lead, something about Crystal Obelisks scattered around Ruula. Something about being a source of Melaine’s power. I gotta make a rendezvous, and then look for them.”

He wasn’t entirely sure if he should mention the unstable girl he found himself allying himself with, but the last thing he needed was others trying to figure out what he already figured out. For now, Radegast crawled deeper into the forest until he could stand up without being seen, and then started moving away from the laboratory- hoping she would follow his lead.

“I’m Radegast, by the way,” he added to the girl, “What’s your name?"

Salticidae seemed pleased with the acknowledgment she received from Radegast.

Tee hee hee~! Well then, Radegast~! My name is Salticidae! If that's too hard for you, you can call me Dae-Dae~! Hee hee~!

She followed Radegast in the brush but kept a low profile regardless. It seemed, like the Ariados she seemed to be connected to, that she was able to be an ambush hunter incredibly well.

We should try and find one of the Shadow Crystals... But they are dangerous~! Tee hee hee~! They warp everything around them, and they can corrupt you if you aren't careful! Lock your heart up tight, tight, tight! Hee hee~!

(Collab between ClockworkTowers, NeverEndingFlip, and HolyJunkie)

The two of them weaved through the sticks and leaves of wilderness, well off the beaten path, down ways where even the most stalwart Rangers rarely go. A haphazard and thick tangle of brush and foliage, covered from eyes in the sky by verdant canopies. It was a wildling's dreamscape, broken only by the presence of leather and plate, and by the respective "wrong" organics. Much like the grove shown to him by the family of Gardevoir he encountered not too long ago, the place seemed like someplace he was never meant to see.

By this time, the situation at the lab would likely have been completely locked down. Radegast didn't really know how the police worked anymore, given that the government could allow such a laboratory to exist in the first place. If anything, he wasn't certain about anything relating to the world of humans anymore. Did his family know? In the old generations, the Reginalds were those who sought out corruption and laid it low with smiting strikes from their pokemon.

Was... was dad right? Had the family grown weaker since Gregorovich? Was this the sort of thing the Family stood up against? He always thought the stories of his ancestors were romantacized to a point. History was written by the victor, after all... but were the things they did so important after all? Dammit, focus. Obelisks. Crazed science experiment-turned self-proclaimed dictator. One thing at a time, Radegast.

"So these obelisks, they're like a source of Melaine's power, yes?"

The Crystals are! The Obelisks defend them... Hee hee~!

"Right, so... uh..." he paused for a moment in the middle of nowhere. "How do I find the crystals? Or how does anyone find the crystals? Is there a way to like... track them?"

As I said before, they warp everything around them, so you'll see the environment change drastically! Hee hee~! Tee hee hee~!

The woman giggled and then continued.

The area surrounding a Shadow Crystal is all scary and stuff. The ground loses its color; dirt takes on weird brown and pink colors, while the grass and bushes begin to wilt and turn a sort of purple and black color... Tee hee hee~! Water sources nearby become bad too with a purple and white colored obscuring film! Hee hee~! Drinking the bad water hurts and burns as it goes down. Also, also! Rocks nearby begin to turn a purple and black color, sort of becoming like crystals themselves. Tee hee hee~! Hee hee~! Tree trunks start to become crystals too and turn a purple and black color. The leaves become like the bushes and grass do. The air changes too! Tee hee hee~! The air around a Crystal is stale and coarse; like inhaling hard dust-like particles with every breath... Hee hee~! They leave a burning sensation in the nose!

The woman giggled more, and seemed excited as she spoke of them.

Radegast stared at her for a moment, then nodded briskly. If only Suros were here... he thought. The Talonflame would easily be able to spot such off-colour terrain for miles. Goodness knows they won't make any decent progress by running through the wilderness, hoping to stumble upon the locations. "In that case, we're gonna head to Castelia. I've got friends there, and they'd wanna know what you told me."

If we return to the city, I'll need to keep a low profile, okay? Hee hee~!

The woman then seemed shocked for a brief moment.

Oh, I forgot to mention too! I can sense the Crystals... Tee hee hee~! Hee hee~! I feel their call; the energy courses into me when they are nearby! It makes me feel all tingly and goooooOOOOOOoooood! Hee hee~! Tee hee hee~! I can lead us to them, okay?

"Even so, it'd be good to let my friends know."

--

Through the foliage, they would eventually see a few orange-yellow lights peeking through the gaps. The thick forest suddenly gave way to a massive urban sprawl that began abruptly, like a grey wall shunting all the greenery out. Already they could see cracks in the wall...alleyways covered with trash and debris that led deeper into the labrynth of the concrete jungle. The orange light they had initially noticed were street lamps, glowing towards the end of the alleyways. Very few lights were on inside the actual buildings, indicating that it was a very late hour.

As they crossed into the cityscape, the spider-like woman with Radegast seemed to downplay her own stingers, adjusting their hanging position to more resemble clothing, as if part of an outfit. Her Pokemon features were also downplayed to look like accessories, creating a cosplayer image that she could reasonably make pass with. Given her initial amazement with the city and its size, it seemed clear she had never been in one such before. Her shocked expression was particularly endearing as she held her hands up in an astonished fashion.

Too big! Much too big! Are all cities like this? Rural towns aren't quite so mazey... Hee hee~!

Radegast's own armour seemed to match in a cosplay-style look. One strange-looking person was a weirdo to be avoided, while two strange-looking people were harmless hobbyists. At least, that would be from the perspective of random civilians strolling through the city. Castelia wasn't that crowded city anymore; the streets were noticeably wide and clear. It was unnerving like the exact opposite of claustrophobia; it reminded Radegast of old human buildings recently abandoned to be reclaimed by nature. The old mart in Alola was a perfect example of that, and one he was very familiar with.

"Every city has its own layout," Radegast replied, "I think this one's the largest in the region. We should be careful not to run into any patrols." Speaking of patrols, they seemed oddly absent. Much like the weather, the shadow pokemon of before seemed to have retreated to somewhere Radegast didn't know. However, he couldn't know if they were entirely gone or if this was simply a trap meant to leave travellers at ease.

Radegast didn't want to find out for sure, which was why he and Salt were clambering down the sides down towards the Eastern shoreline- the rendezvous point- where the Lapras may be waiting underneath the Skyarrow Bridge. That was his hope, as fleeting as it was given the amount of time he had spent away. Radegast saw that the rendezvous point was completely clear of life, save for random fish jumping out farther across the wide river. No Lapras, nor any Guild members. Radegast stretched his shoulders after the climb and sat down on the shore. Well that's a bust... Maybe if I find a Pelliper, I could send a message? Or-

The Argislash's eye jerked, and Radegast felt the sudden ping from the shared sense. There was someone close by besides Salt. Radegast snapped to his feet with trained speed and readied his shield as he tried to detect the third party that seemed to be watching them.

Salticidae seemed confused, clearly unaware of what Radegast's action were for.

Hee hee~! Are you okay?

It was then that a feeling of excitement welled up in her. Something was off, and she could tell. She proceeded to move to Radegast's side and readied her own stingers, adopting her usual primal and crazed stance as she did so. Pigeon-toed and hunched over, the raised stingers and hands, as well as the flashed smile of sharp teeth, were very spider like.

What is it? What is it? A Shadow? Can I kill it? Let me kill it! I'll kill it! Tee hee hee~! Hee hee~!

"No killing," Radegast replied quickly, "Please." He then projected his mind to Reggie. What do you see?

It's hard to tell what with the shadow auras around. It seems to be trying to blend in, but I do sense a general direction. Radegast turned towards that same direction. He didn't like the implication, but at least there weren't any guild members around to be caught by this... Unless this presence was the reason there weren't any guild members around. "Hey man, care to show yourself?" He called out.

The Gallade would be surprised to discover that his callout had worked, prompting a response from the shadowy figure around them. Unfortunately, the Gallade would also be surprised to discover that his callout had worked, as the response was a sword propelled from behind them, launched directly at the armor-clad Pokemon. It would be a blur of motion through the air, striking him in the lower back.

What immediately followed was a Cinccino rushing towards Radegast, blinding speed and Shadow-wrought fury in it's eyes. He sprang forward and started striking him with several Tail Slaps. Each one snaked through his shield and sword that fused Reggie and struck him without a miss. While most Cinccinos has smooth, silky hair that struck sharply, this one has rough and unkempt fur, each strand like a serated edge that dug into the leather. Through the collective work of Skill Link and Technician, this would do significantly more damage than the move usually allowed. However, Radegast would be far from out of the fight.

"Guh!" Radegast rolled backwards to try to get out of range. He released the sword to hover in mid-air so he could feel the damage. The punctures didn't quite penetrate the tough leather portions of the armour, but it still hurt like hell.

Apologies, Reggie chimed in Radegast's mind, The aura seemed to be covering a wide area.

No worries, Radegast's gaze followed where the Cinccinno had gone. He had stepped back a couple of feet, sword in hand, looking at him with menacing eyes. "Wait a minute... Radegast's jaw opened beneath his helmet as he recognized the sword, particularly the engraving on the hilt. It was hard to make out from so far away, but the pattern of the letters was recognizable.



"Liam?" Radegast spoke up. The last time he saw that pokemon was... well... the last time he saw the trainer. What a time for a bad memory.

The Cinccino suddenly roared in rage at the mention of the name, blitzing at him with a Shadowy Aura engulfing him. Almost like a switch flipped, Radegast's legs moved before he could think, and a burst of psychic energy sent him off to the side to dodge the Shadow Rush. "Liam! It's me, Radegast!" He knew in his heart that it probably wouldn't work due to the nature of shadow energy, but he couldn't bear the idea of raising arms against one of Maxin's friends. Not like this.

But to his surprise, Liam stopped. His head twitched, as if a thought had crossed his mind...a thought he didn't seem to take well. The name appeared to stir something within him, as if prodding a vase on a shelf. But like a flash, it was gone and the cold stare was bearing down on the Gallade once again.

"You left me," he hissed, harsh and venomous in tongue. What else came from his mouth was a flurry of Bullet Seeds, shooting from a medium distance to add a few more hits.

"Excuse me?" If he recalled correctly, splitting up was Maxin's idea, and he was against it in the first place. His shield snapped up for the bullet seeds to ping harmlessly off from."Dude, stop! Let's talk!"

Salticidae stayed put as she watched the initial trading, and almost seemed excited when blows were landed.

Why talk?You should just kill! Tee hee hee~! If you want to call it quits, Radegast, I'll take over then! Though...

She made a thinking pose.

...he is a Shadow. I guess I could kill a Shadow, but it won't be as fun... Hee hee~! They don't make funny noises as they bleed out! Tee hee hee~! Hee hee~!

"Absolutely not," Radegast barked. Though the frustrations broiled within over the past few months, he still couldn't wish for Zane to die, let alone Melaine. "Liam! I didn't leave! Maxin sent me away! I didn't want to go!"

The Cinccino continued his onslaught, despite the protests. He thrusted his blade forward, holding onto it this time as he attempted the stab. Thrust attacks were easily parried, which was exactly what Radegast did with the shield. He didn't capitalize on the opening, instead opting purely for defensive maneuvers. Liam did not hold back, taking the extra time and using the momentum of the parry to spin and swing the blade with tremendous force, this time aiming for the hip. This time, the armoured Gallade's body weaved backward alongside quick footwork, but Liam persisted, Shadow Rushing forward to slam into him.

Though his body moved automatically thanks to the harsh training, his mind was swirling. Skyva tried to make him promise something impossible. His refusal meant he broke no promise... was it better, or worse somehow? Maxin was gone- Margriet confirmed as much. The Rebellion were to blame. "Please stop!" Radegast begged. He never left Maxin... if anything, Maxin left him. Radegast was left with knowledge of some plot to drag him toward some destiny. He died believing in this nonsensical idea that he was anything special. And for that matter... "I never left Maxin..." He then realized: "He sent me away... and then he left you..."

"SHUT UUUUUUUUP!" Liam suddenly roared in a voice that wasn't even identifiable as his own. An explosion of black and white power suddenly radiated off of him, a cosmic surge rushing through Radegast and Salticidae like a strong wind. He immediately dropped his sword and dove at Radegast, his wisps of messy hair strands striking him like lightning bolts. If his attacks hadn't been powerful before, these attacks felt like they were more than double in strength and velocity. What had dented and slightly scuffed Radegast's leather armor before now tore through it, shredding into him and doing significantly more than blunt damage. The shield and sword automatically moved to cover Radegast's vitals, but it was clear that the berserking Cincinno was simply that overwhelming. Radegast couldn't hear himself think.

His anger at the world, his frustration at destiny and the people around him who think he's important, the people who want to kill him just to say they did; so many terrible things happaned to him so recently just because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Something within him- something within all creatures- began to well up in a way that had never happened before.

Watching the fight to this point, Salticidae remained in her ready stance, ready to defend herself if need be. Hearing the conversation between both sides told her she shouldn't really interfere, but as Liam's attacks continued to threaten Radegast, she began feeling bothered. As she watched Liam fly into a rage she could identify with entirely, she realized clearly, if only for a fleeting moment, that she, no, Radegast, was in mortal peril.

Hurght! Mrurgrt!

Clutching at her head, Salticidae began twitching and making weird noises, almost as if she was seizing up. This was followed by her own stumbling. As Liam's attacks kept getting more intense, Salticidae began putting words together.

Y... Y... You...

Then she flared. Her aura revealed itself in full as it exploded with a similar white and black wave of energy. Her power was intense to behold as she let herself go entirely, a crazed look crossing her already unsteady face as her eyes took on a hot pink glow while her exposed skin and outfit took on a white and blue/violet sheen.

YOU FILTHY RODENT! ONLY I GET TO TORTURE HIM! HE IS MINE, AND MINE ALONE! STOP ATTACKING HIM! STOP IT! STOP IT! STOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPIT!

With a disgusting crick and a snapping noise that wasn't natural or healthy sounding, Salticidae hissed and made a threatening posture with her stingers and arms, as if rearing to attack like a spider would. Then gagging sounds could be heard as she bent her head sideways before filling her mouth with an overflow of sticky threading, with her hands oozing the same substance. She then locked her gaze on the two before her and fired jets of thread from her hands and mouth, in an effort to cocoon them and separate them.

MRGRHHGHMMPH!

Despite the thread spewing from her mouth, she was still trying to speak anyway, it seemed.

The screaming only seemed to flood Radegast's senses even more. From beneath the visor, the faint glow began to grow brighter and brighter. Radegast clenched his teeth in growing frustration and primal fury.

"ENOUGH!"

As he felt sticky webbing rapidly wrap around his legs and torso, the Limiter-clad hand snapped up to grab Liam by the neck. He shouted wordlessly as he squeezed tight. As he rose, the Limiter began to crackle with more sparks than ever before, the elbow blade seemed to extend longer, where the unusual veins began to throb. As this happened, Radegast felt a tremendous pressure within that arm. With yet another wordless shout, he desperately mentally willed himself to try to release that pressure- no matter what. What resulted was an immense blast of kinetic energy that launched both Liam and Radegast away from each other. The force sent a billowing cloud of sand into the air and a ways out into the water.

The blast knocked Radegast's helmet off, and would have sent him spiralling into the cliff wall had Reggie not caught him.

For a spell, Radegast's train of thought was completely inert. His jaw hanged agape, as his eyes were glazed over. He had experienced adrenaline spikes before, but nothing like this. With a blink, His lucidity returned, and he barely registered just how heavy he was breathing. Radegast felt at his right arm. For a moment, there was no sensation, until a wave of pins and needles rushed up and down the entire limb, and he cringed in pain. He glanced to the arm to find that the webbing had been blown apart by the blast, as well as the padded sleeve. The revealed arm appeared oddly pale, but not in an unhealthy way. The strange purple veins that crawled up the elbow blade seemed somehow more red. However, he did notice the colouring slowly revert back to something more normal for a Gallade.

"What the f..." Wait.... "Liam!" He called through grit teeth, "Liam are you alright!?" He didn't see where the Cincinno went amid the kicked-up sand.

Salticidae stopped spewing thread when the blast occurred, allowing her to raise her hands and shield herself. With heavy breathing as her aura remained the flared white and black color, she focused herself and her senses, using Focus Energy. She seemed agitated still.

Saying nothing, she slowly began advancing toward Radegast. Her posture seemed hostile, especially as she kept raising her stingers and hands in a spider's usual way. However, he'd feel no danger from her despite her body language. Was there a hint of concern?

Upon reaching Radegast, she loomed over him for a moment before hissing with a crazed, murderous look in her already unsettling eyes. Somehow, she looked ready to attack, but was entirely passive...almost as if fighting against something inside her.

She then knelt down beside Radegast, slowly reaching her hands forward toward him, and more specifically his arm.

YoU'rE hUrT... hE hUrT yOu... I'lL fIx It FoR yOu...

Almost as if on some sort of autopilot, giggling all the while in an unsettling manner, she gagged and twitched as more silk spewed from her mouth. Her stingers were in a primed and ready to attack position as her hands began wrapping Radegast's arm in the cushiony thread almost as a makeshift bandage wrap. She even used a Potion, spraying it onto the threads as she wrapped them around his arm.

In truth, Radegast was nervous, even if Reggie's shield and sword remained wrapped around his body protectively. The single eye of the sword watched as the unstable girl did something unusually kind. "Thank you," Radegast spoke up as the potion- though it stung like all hell- washed some of the pain away beneath it. He was almost grateful-

Tee hee hee~¡ If He TrIeS tHaT aGaIn, I wIlL kIlL hIm... Hee hee~¡ Tee hee hee~¡

"Please don't," Radegast flatly replied. The gratefulness completely vanished with the threat of killing Liam, "He's like you, a victim of circumstance." With a grunt, he stood up. Despite his words, Radegast prepared a Psycho Cut with his left arm, just in case, "Everyone's got their story."

As the cloud of dust and sand finally settled, they would see Liam lying close to the water's edge, lying still on the ground. With his left arm supported by the hovering blade of the Aegislash, Radegast stumbled over to the Cincinno. He picked up the helmet on the way. "Liam?" He called as he approached, "Dude, I'm so sorry." There was no response.

Reggie's voice echoed outward, "Hard to say sorry for something that had never happened befor-"

"Shh-" Radegast interrupted, "Liam..." He stopped at minimum safe distance, though Reggie's shield remained pressed over his torso. But Liam didn't respond. He didn't move, apart from his chest rising and falling. He was knocked out from Radegast's energy blast.

"This one feels the same as our companion," Reggie noted, although Radegast couldn't not know by now. He was very familiar with the aura of shadow power at this point, though it wouldn't allow him to track such energies beyond a few metres.

"Yeah," The more he had to live with it, the less he liked the idea of shadow power. If it resulted in things like this... it wasn't worth the increase in strength.

Salticidae watched the situation carefully as her body began returning to its normal appearance, losing the alternative colors it had taken on. The white/black aura faded and her eyes returned to normal as she suddenly fell to her knees, panting.

Hah... Tee hee hee~! So tired. Radegast is safe, so it is fine... Hee hee~!

She slowly stood back up, though her body showed signs of battle damage that seemed rather intense. Her outfit also looked as if it had seen better days, with torn patches leaving parts of her body exposed, revealing more of her figure...and of the strange Ariados-like patterns tattooed across the parts of her normally hidden. Whatever power she was using, that Liam had also used, apparently was harmful to them when being used. She walked over to Radegast's side and looked toward Liam.

I won't let him hurt you. If he tries, he dies! Tee hee hee~! Hee hee~!

Looking down at her torn outfit, Salticidae seemed minorly upset.

I'll need to fix fix fix this right up! Perhaps with a needle... Tee hee hee~! Can't have others looking or touching after all. You can look and touch all you want though, Radegast. Hee hee~! Tee hee hee~!

Going back to studying Liam intently, she nodded.

So... Anyway... What do we do with him? If I can't kill him, then you have another grand fabulous idea?

His silence indicated a train of deep thought, of passing ideas between himself and the ancient blade and shield that fused with him. You know Liam likely has done things too... Reggie's voice echoed in his mind.

That's not the problem.

What is?

Why am I helping these two, but not helping the Marine, or Zane, or Lucy?

An interesting question... But who do you think can answer it?

Radegast didn't respond. After a moment, Radegast reached into the leg pouch and produced a small brass-coloured object. "Could you tie him up? Just in case," Radegast asked to Salticidae.

Tee hee hee~! Sure thing!

Salticidae was quick to make work of wrapping Liam up with thread, though her gagging sounds could have been done without. Her speed was impressive at spinning the silk into a proper wrapping, cocooning Liam until only his head was exposed.

So who gets the first shot?

Salticidae seemed anticipatory as she began sewing the tears in her clothes.

"We're not using him as a sandbag," Radegast spoke slowly. He made sure he didn't see anything, of course. After Liam's unconscious form was snug as a bug, Radegast then applied his sole Revive. This time, Radegast opted to keep his helmet under one arm.

When Liam came to, the black and white aura immediately returned. His eye popped open, a hateful glare taking in his surroundings as he realized what had happened and where he was. He almost immediately began to struggle against the web, but to no avail. His eyes rested on Radegast, and his temper stopped short. Seeing the strange face in front of him acted as a trigger, calming him down. The black and white aura faded slightly, his temperament all but spent. But his first words to the Gallade were just as harshly spoken as before, albeit subdued.

"You're not Radegast," he spat, glaring at him.

"You're not Liam neither- not the Liam I knew, not the Liam Elder, and Suros, and Rage, and everyone else knew." Radegast replied, though his expression was melancholic. Radegast tilted his head, and grit his teeth, "It's such shit, what the Rebellion did- what they're doing. But..." He tried to raise the bandaged arm, but it was still heavy with weakness. "I thought you were going after them too. What happened? Why are you here, with this... shadow stuff?"

He turned away, having been convinced through his words that the Gallade in front of him was indeed the human he remembered. But as Radegast asked him the question, he whipped around, a snarl on his lips.

"How about we back up to that night...that night that Maxin died. That night where he was somehow killed for covering YOUR mistakes. And you somehow got off with no consequence...no concern in the world for him."

"Who said I got off with no consequences?" Radegast grit his teeth in turn.

Liam simply went on, "No, you just carried on. You left this place behind and found somewhere else to explore. You didn't just leave Maxin...you left Skyva. I had to be the one to find her. I had to be the one to tell her what happened to him. I had to tell her because I had to WATCH IT HAPPEN!" The black and white aura was returning as he shot those last words at him like venom.

Radegast dropped the helmet to the sand, and jabbed one stubby Gallade finger. "You see this? This is a living nightmare. I shouldn't even be here taking this shit from you. You're spouting off how this is somehow my fault. What the fuck did you expect me to do, huh? Some human kid, fight off the Rebellion, save Maxin's life?"

"Well, it didn't seem like much of a problem for him to you," he retorted.

"I was against splitting up! but apparently I've got some fuckin' destiny bullshit- Fuck that!" Once more the sparks emerged from the limiter, but this time, he grit his teeth for a moment. "It didn't seem like a problem to you, huh? I must have a real good poker face then. You know what happens when I panic? Everyone panics too. I've always been the glue holding my friends together. I had to be strong- I always had to be strong. I thought I was strong enough, but then... There's more out there than the Psychic Rebellion... and they all want me dead. I wish I could've taken Maxin's place... but if I did, maybe he'd be in my position, taking shit from someone like you. I would never wish that for anyone."

As the two began to argue, Salticidae slipped away, intent on giving them space to let them solve their troubles. She was getting bored of it all anyway, and had been wanting to let loose some of her pent up aggression. It wasn't long before she found herself tackled by an unseen foe a short distance away from Radegast and Liam.

Radegast stepped away for a moment. His mind burned with frustration. "I'm still just a kid. Maxin was a kid. I'm some abomination now..." The words seemed to pour out haphazardly like a hose. "I just wish Elder were here, at least..."

As Radegast paced around, Reggie unfused and began hovering in front of Liam. The single eye seemed piercing. After a moment, the Aegislash spoke to Radegast. "People and Pokemon die all the time."

"That supposed to make us feel better?" Radegast asked.

"No." Reggie replied, "It is foolish to think either one of you have any fault in Maxin's death. The fault lies with no one but the one who pulled the trigger, the one who had the willingness to consider two young boys enough of a threat to warrant murder. I am not sure how times have changed, but last I checked, killing children is the mark of a psychopath."

Well that described the Marine and Zane perfectly. Radegast pursed his lips and took a deep breath.

"Well, you still ran away!" the Cinccino was writhing in the bound strings, "You still ran away afterwards! You didn't come back for him! You didn't come back for me..." his voice trailed off as the final word slipped out, almost like a broken whisper. He shook his head violently and suddenly, as if trying to physically worm the thought out of his mind. The black and white aura subsided more and more until it disappeared entirely. He was now looking straight ahead.

"Well..." Radegast wiped a tear from his face as he faced away from everyone, "I'm here now..."

"That doesn't mean I forgive you," his voice was monotone.

"I don't need your forgiveness," Radegast replied quietly, but loud enough for Liam to hear. "I just need time... I need time to get stronger, so I can..." Radegast couldn't finish the thought. He deeply wanted to pay Zane back with interest, but he couldn't bear the thought of the permanent solution, "Stop the Rebellion, stop the ones who killed me, stop... I need to get stronger so I can go back to the way things were. A-And if you try to stop me, then... I'll... I'll just have to stop you too."

If Reggie's eye could blink, it would've blinked in response to Radegast's words. Instead, Reggie silently wrapped its paper-thin arms through the armour suit once more, and the fusion was whole once more. Radegast turned once more to face Liam. His eyes looked more red than blue, but he kept his jaw clenched. "I don't believe in destiny besides the one you forge."

Liam's eyes were dark as he looked back at Radegast, sighing once, "Just stay out of my way and I won't kill you."

"We have common ground then," Radegast somehow managed to pull a smirk. It was the faintest shadow of a smirk, but a smirk nonetheless. "Salticidae, would you cut the web, please?"

No answer. She was nowhere to be seen. Salticidae was not present with them, though the sounds of battle could be heard a short distance away, along with a recognizable and manic giggling fit.

Liam passed Radegast a look, his sarcasm dripping, but not in a nice way, "Nice friend you got there."

"Yeah..." Radegast pursed his lips, "I just hope I know what I'm doing."

"I would say that is a bad omen." Reggie quipped unintentionally.

"Hush." Reggie's blade hovered a short distance from Radegast and gently cut through the webbing to free Liam. After the blade returned to his back, Radegast headed over to Salt's location. "Salt!" he called, "I said no killing!" Yesterday, he never thought he'd ever call out something like that.

What he would find a short distance away was Salticidae on her back struggling like an insect would, despite her pained giggling. She was fighting against a large, decrepit, withered looking Zoroark that seemed to be half Pokemon, half machine, and she was on the losing end at the moment. Something was definitely off about it, and it was clearly overpowering her. When it heard Radegast, however, it turned to look at him momentarily with a glowing eye socket before returning its attention to the girl before it. Lifting Salticidae up by her throat, the bizarre Zoroark slammed her into the side of an odd pillar-like structure multiple times before dragging her body down the jagged crystalline sides of the pillar, letting each edge pierce her skin and shred her clothes. With a metallic growl, the Zoroark looked at Salticidae's limp, if still barely conscious and giggling, body. Then it tossed the girl to the ground with intense force, turning its attention to Radegast.

"Whoa! Dude!"

He got a good chance to look at the full Zoroark. It was larger and bigger than the usual Zoroark were, and seemed to be half machine. It's appearance was something old and tattered, weathered by what resembled nearly a decade of neglect. A variety of metallic groans and creaks accompanied all of even its most subtle movements, and its deep and throaty breathing had a metallic and labored sound. The pillar was also an interesting visual oddity, the dark crystalline structure and design revealing an obelisk standing as tall as two Humans. Floating atop it was a crystal that was glowing with a dark and shadowy purple color. The Zoroark picked up Salticidae's mostly unclothed and gashed body. Somehow, she was still lightly giggling, clearly conscious still, though she sounded as if she was in pain. Her insectoid parts were plain to see now; tattoos resembling markings found on Ariados, and legs and stingers likewise. She was a paint job away from being a walking humanlike Ariados.

The Zoroark spoke, metallic and grindy, with a very low frequency metallic screech and whine underlining the words it spoke as if a dark and robotic reverb.

You... Is this trash yours? Littering...is bad...

The Zoroark threw Salticidae's body toward Radegast with impressive power. She landed in a heap a short distance in front of Radegast, her lithe, injured body tumbling like a ragdoll until she ended up right at his feet. She was still smiling and giggling, with a coughing fit or two briefly interrupting her. Looking up at Radegast, she spoke, albeit weakly. She seemed to be in very bad shape.

You...done arguing with your enemy...? Tee...hee hee~! Hee hee~! Well...! Feel free to let...your gaze linger...! Tee hee...hee~!

She coughed again.

Tee hee hee...! In seriousness. I...found the Crystal...it isn't far...! I feel it...and that is an...Obelisk! ...Hee hee~!

Radegast slipped the helmet back on, and with his one good hand, he quickly retrieved a Lemonade from his leg pouch and popped open the cap. All the while he kept his gaze fixed on the Zoroark.

It didn't appear to be Zane, but then again, he hadn't seen the Psychic Rebellion leader in a good long while. Considering Lucy Reginald was in league with the Rebellion now, it shouldn't be a surprise that she began applying her own methods to "improve" the members.

"So uh..." Radegast's still-numb right arm flopped around to gently hold Salt's head as he poured the lemonade into her mouth, "What's your biz, dude?" He asked to the Zoroark cyborg.

Vengeance... I was wronged by humans, and I shall end them for it. They killed me, and I...desire revenge. I have no quarrel with you...unless you intend to contest me...

The Zoroark seemed wary of Radegast, observing him closely.

Radegast looked between the Zoroark and the Zoroark's arm. His jaw clenched, then unclenched; he couldn't even imagine what sort of nervous damage the guy would have to go through every day because of this... whatever they did. Even after his talk back at the lab, the people there were still the sort who had no qualms doing horrible things to Pokemon and people. He always thought the Ruulan government cracked down on exactly this sort of thing. That's what Tarma always said as Marcus asked why the Reginalds are doing nothing far outside of family business.

Compared to people like Salticidae and this new Zoroark, Radegast really did get off easy from the whole getting killed thing. He had to choose his words carefully. "We're all working towards justice," Radegast replied, "Vengeance, whichever. Same thing, maybe. I've got no beef with you, but... just don't hurt the innocent. We cool?"

The exposure to all of this hatred wore through Radegast like an ungodly stiff shoulder. "Also, why were you two fighting?" He asked.

She reeks of the one I hold hatred for... That's all you need to know... Stay out of my way, and I won't attack you too...

The Zoroark quickly ran off with clanking sounds, its body moving with rigid and jerky motions.

"Wait!" Radegast called, "What if... you could help us? We're looking to weaken that Diancie." But he didn't look back.

After Radegast watched the Zoroark head off for a good minute, he then glanced to Salticidae, and looked away once more. "Alright... so they aren't here..." He glanced to the freed Liam, "I'm surrounded by folks that want to hurt me..." He then looked to the sky, "And I've... honestly done what I came here to do." A sigh, and a moment of thought. Radegast paced around the sands of the shore as he grew deep in thought. "Dammit, I wish someone was here..." he muttered.

"Mmm...interesting!"

Radegast would turn to the sound of his wish being granted. A small, spherical floating Pokemon had emerged, probably from the treeline due north of them. The Pokemon was gray overall with accents of red on one of it's U-shaped appendages and blue on the other, looking like magnets. It's single eye was in the center of the sphere, mostly white with a dot for a pupil. It didn't seem to have that strange energy that surrounded Salticitae and Liam, giving off a lot of energy. It paid Radegast no mind as it continued to examine what Salticitae had pointed out earlier...the Obelisk.

"So this spire must be created from the Shadow Energy itself! Very unique! I've never seen such an energy manifest itself in these forms. But why? What makes this rock so special that it carries this kind of energy? Hmm...I must get my things!"

Just as swiftly as it came in, the Magnemite flew away, disappearing into the treeline. As soon as the Magnemite disappeared from view, a quick bolt of shadowy energy struck the ground behind it, creating a small scale and localized explosion of crackling and popping shadow energy within a second after impact, akin to a Self-Destruct, or Aftermath. Then, it was idle once more.

Liam passed Radegast a glare, but said nothing.

For a good moment, Radegast simply stared at where the Magnemite went. When the bolt crashed against the ground, he flinched. "Hello! Of course, an obelisk! We're nearby one!" Radegast slapped the helmet on where his cheek would've been. "Alright alright..." He began heading towards the obelisk, albeit with a great deal of caution. He had no idea how he was supposed to shatter this device. When he approached what seemed to be minimum-safe distance, Radegast gave the obelisk itself a careful look.

The Obelisk was a tall structure twice his height and one-and-a-half-times his width. A shadowy crystalline mesh was caked into the sides of the stone pillar, and it glowed with power, emitting a low-pitched, vibrating, humming sound. Floating atop the structure was a large shadowy crystal. It was dark violet in color and rotated slowly in place, hovering lightly, protected by four curved arches built into the Obelisk.

A faint line of energy, only visible with an ability to sense aura, stretched from it to a location deeper within the treeline.

"What do you think?" Radegast asked seemingly to no one as he sensed the aura through the powerful blade and shield.

"You know as much as I do when it comes to this shadow power," Reggie replied aloud.

Radegast nodded. He couldn't assume that Salticidae or Liam could know anything about destroying these obelisks, but it couldn't hurt to ask. "Either of you know if there's something to watch out for if I try to smash that crystal?" he pointed out the crystal with his shield-clad arm, "That looks like a power source, at least." There was that magnemite who mentioned 'getting their things'. Who knew what that would result in?

"Well you did just watch it shoot some kind of explosive," the Cincinno crossed his arms, choosing to step further away from the crystal rather than towards it, "I bet it'll be entertaining when it shoots you."

Radegast pushed the mocking tone from his mind as he cleared his thoughts. The Calm Mind took effect, and he steeled himself for what could come. After focusing some power to his legs, the armoured Gallade shot right at the crystal, and Slammed against it with the sturdy edge of his shield. His sword arm still wasn't feeling top-notch, but he had to do something.

However, as soon as Radegast entered the range of the Shadow Obelisk, a bolt of shadowy energy fired fast as lightning at him, aiming to assail him with a rather dangerously powerful blast of energy. Shocking like lighting, and twice as strong, he'd also feel a burning sensation course through him afterward, likely the shadowy energy at work. His shield clanged off the Crystal, creating a rebound of energy. The Crystal looked unharmed, but he could tell it took a solid hit nonetheless.

Radegast used the recoil to help send himself back out of range once more. He cringed inward with the pain of the blast, and took a moment to regain his breathing. As he looked back up at the obelisk, Radegast pulled a second lemonade with minor psychic power and downed it. "Guh!" He gasped after gulping down several mouthfuls, "No cracks, even with that," he muttered. After a moment, he glanced around the area, looking for a rock that seemed suited for throwing.

As he sifted through the grass, he would hear a rustle in the brush and notice the Magnemite returning, a magnetic arm pulling a wagon that carried what seemed to be an electronic stockade of items inside. A few already seemed to be set up, lights flashing and mechanics whirring. A small satellite was spinning on an axel on top of a metal tripod, the main eyesore in the bundle of equipment. Beside it were two small square boxes that wired up to it, indicating they were batteries. In front were two circular sheets of metal, pointed perpendicularly away from each other and diagonally in reference to the wagon. In the middle of the cart was a whole bunch of equipment. Some looked like guns and drills of some kind. Others looked like transparent cylinders with clasping lids on either side. It seemed like this Magnemite had this wagon prepared beforehand. There would've been no time to gather all this stuff so quickly.

As Radegast picked up a rock that looked like it could do some damage, he noticed the wagon being pulled along by that same Magnemite. "Uh..." Radegast stammered as he hefted the rock in his shield hand, "I'm sorry, who are you?"

"Hmm?" the Magnemite turned towards the armor-clad Gallade, blinked once, and said, "Ah, I'm Dr. Eckels."

Right as he said that, another bolt of energy fired from the Obelisk, directed at the Magnemite. The bolt was two feet away when suddenly it impacted, detonating in the air in front of it. The blast radius spread out in an angular direction, directly backwards and outwards, like there was a bubble around the wagon. And then Radegast could see it, a small glare of blue contrasting the greens and purples around them. It flickered for an instant and then it was gone. But as he paid attention, he could spot more and more of these little jolts of light dancing around in a spherical pattern. They seemed to suround Dr. Eckels, almost like a shield. Or maybe exactly like a shield...

Without skipping a beat, Dr. Eckels moved forward, dragging the wagon with him, "Now now, just relax, little inanimate object," he said, as if he was talking to the Obelisk itself, "I just want to run a couple tests and I'll be out of your way."

Another shadow bolt fired towards Dr. Eckels, but with the same result. The Magnemite had turned around, perusing the equipment he had. He picked up a small square controller with a small screen, two buttons, and an antennae on the top. He turned and pointed it at the rock, holding it there. After a moment, three loud beeps could be heard and it held the controller in front of his eye, staring at the screen. He paused, then electronically buzzed. It sounded mildly disappointed.

"Could not detect energy type? Do I have this configured properly?" It flipped the controller over, magnetically taking off the back panel of the device and exposing the wires within. With his other U-shaped hand, he pointed towards a specific section of the cart. A pair of small pincers jutted out and flung into it's hand, which he then held over the device. He started sifting through some of the wires, examining and lightly muttering intelligibly while the Obelisk kept firing bolt after bolt, smacking into the barrier in front of them. Before long, it started buzzing with epiphany.

"Ah! That's right! It's Shadow-Type. Silly me. I'll have to pull a sample first, THEN put it in the database. But before that..." he ended up moving around a few of the wires before closing up the back panel again, facing the tower of rock once more, "Let's see how much you've got in you..."

As this happened, Radegast looked to Liam, who only shrugged back. The helmet only hid the puzzled expression on his face. "Uhm, Dr. Eckels, whaddya- uhh..." Radegast's gaze returned to the Magnemite. His head was somewhat tilted. "What are you trying to accomplish with the obelisk?"

"Mmmmmm, you've got quite a bit of power in you," Dr. Eckels continued speaking as if it was just him and the rock in front of it, "Far from the largest number I've seen, but definitely the strangest." He paused for a moment, studying the crystal with fascination, "Are you sentient?" No sound, then, "Well, with a response like that, I certainly have to find out!"

Settings the controller down in the wagon, he went to another device. This one looked a lot more definable in nature...a drill. He tested it, pressing the button a couple of times, watching the nose cone spin rapidly. He finally turned to the Obelisk.

"Alright there, ," he floated closer, grabbing the wagon and dragging it with him. The barrier moved as well, "This is going to hurt, but it'll be done soon and then I'll leave you alone. Promise!"

He stopped the wagon a few feet from the base of the spire, but ventured forward until he was about three inches from it. He then held the drill in front of him, pressing the tip against the rock itself, and pressed the button on the side. The drill started whirring once more, this time grinding against the Obelisk.

When the drill connected with the Obelisk, there was a large explosion of shadow energy as a shadowy aura flared around the contact point, creating enough force and kickback to knock back everything nearby while embedding nearby Pokemon and Trainers with sharp shards of shadow energy. Eckels would find the shadowy shards to leave no physical wounds despite their penetration, but shadowy energy nonetheless began whirling around him and his equipment as a searing pain ran through him and his body. Radegast was safe, however. In short order, Eckels would find himself having to fight off a rising feeling inside of baser instincts wanting to come to the forefront. It was almost like a mental struggle to resist the corruption that was nagging away, trying to shut down his capacity for emotional connection and close the door to his heart. A cold and bitter world just inches away from consuming him.

Radegast covered himself from miniscule debris that was hurled in all directions. "Jeez!" After a moment, he beheld the Obelisk once more. Despite apparent damage around the point of contact, it appeared less to be a result of the drill and more the result of the expelled obsidian-like shards that had been launched in the blast. "Dr. Eckels! Are you alright?!" He called.

Radegast would witness a shadowy aura begin to try and envelop Eckels. Off to the side, Salticidae slowly crawled her way toward the Obelisk, weakly dragging her limp body forward with her arms and hands. She seemed to be muttering something about power and cravings interspersed with weak giggling fits.

"It appears to be compromised," Reggie replied as its eye stared at the obscured Magnemite.

The Gallade cursed under his breath as he considered his best course of action. He decided to consult the resident expert who wasn't currently enveloped in dark clouds. Radegast grabbed Salt and gingerly pulled her to a more comfortable resting position, "Easy there, you're not fit to move right now." He then asked carefully, "Do you know what's happened here?"

"We may soon be engaged in combat," Reggie warned.

"All the more reason to make some distance," Radegast glanced to Liam, "Liam!" He called not unkindly. The Gallade didn't like the situation one bit. Radegast began to massage his numb right arm to try to get some feeling to return to it, but it was a slow process. He was barely feeling the pins and needles, but it was tangible improvement at least. "I'll be your shield, get ready!"

Dr. Eckels didn't answer Radegast's call. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be concentrating. There was a small buzz that resonated within, but the Magnemite seemed to be fighting it's own battle.

Liam protested the call to action, "What, you expect us to be able to do something about that? That thing came prepared and got it's world rocked! What do you plan to do?"

But as they began their set-up, they heard Dr. Eckels voice call over to them, "Relax."

They would turn to find the Magnemite no longer buzzing. The strain in it's closed eyes were gone, a lingering feel of satisfaction resolute on his face. When he opened his eyes, there was no darkened, emotionless vision that was clearly visible in Liam's and Salticidae's stares. In fact, he turned towards the three of them and smiled.

"See? I'm alright. The conversion attempt failed," his tone of voice buzzed in the same way it had previously. "I wouldn't come any closer though, shielded friend."

He pointed to Radegast as he said that, then looked to Liam, "You, however...I may need your help."

Liam raised an eyebrow, "Huh? Why me?"

"Because this rock trusts you," Dr. Eckels reasoned.

"Uh..." Liam had a small ghost of an arrogant smile on the corner of his mouth, "Rocks don't talk, genius."

"This one does," the Magnemite insisted, "It just tried to become friends with me. It's already friends with you."

"Look, I have no intention of getting anywhere near that thing," Liam took a step back.

"Oh it won't hurt you," Dr. Eckels reassured him.

"How are you so sure?"

"Because you are it's friend. It doesn't attack friends. Your Weird female friend is also friends with the rock, but she's too hurt to do anything. And your Shielded Friend isn't friends with the rock. So it has to be you."

He turned to Radegast, "Shielded Friend, can I get your help in convincing him?"

"Oh, this'll be good," the Cinccino rolled his eyes, resting them on the armor-clad teen, "Watcha got, Dreadlocks? Cause there's probably nothing on this planet that's gonna get me to go out there."

It didn't take a genius to understand what it meant to be "friends" with the obelisk. Radegast lowered his shield somewhat. Dr. Eckels seemed to be alright. What would it take to get himself equipped with that kind of protection? "You've got shadow energy in you, Liam. That's what the Doc means," Radegast replied. "The only thing I can do right now is crash against it until one or the other drops- and it'll probably be me." He clenched, then unclenched his jaw. "I can always tie a rope around you, and if things go really bad, I can pull you outta there... But if you don't want to do it, we could get to a safer distance and take a rest, and Salt could probably do it instead." He looked to Liam, "And I don't know if Salt would want to do it anyway even if she does recover. Nor do we know if anyone's coming if we do take a rest."

The shield lowered and Radegast's stance relaxed somewhat, seeing as the obelisk hasn't done anything further so far. He spoke with more gravity as he added, "Alternatively, I could become friends with the obelisk."

"Our Fusion would no longer work if you do that," Reggie chimed in almost immediately, "Not without a long period of recovery. We don't have that kind of time-"

"I know..." Radegast replied softly. His hand twitched as he tried to clench it and unclench it to try to expedite the healing process. After a moment's thought, he suddenly chuckled. "Well, if it is our only option, seeing me on shadow energy would be something to behold. I bet Elder and Rage would get a kick out of it. Suros would probably freak out and light me on fire. Crystal would probably just stare at me like I just did the dumbest thing- which it would be... Operative, I dunno, maybe she'd freak out too. Chrome might do the same as Crystal."

Reggie did not respond, but the eye in the guard simply stared- unblinkingly as usual- at the armoured Gallade.

Salticidae weakly stood up and walked over, having sewn her outfit back together, and bandaged her wounds.

Hee hee hee~! We shouldn't be worrying too much about that! We've got another visitor... Tee hee hee~!

To a side near the Obelisk, a young Lass walked into view, holding a book in her right hand. She had a cute and confident smile and looked to be about as young as Radegast was. Her dark brown hair was styled into a bob cut, and she had purple eyes. She wore a purple blouse that hugged her quite a bit and had a small diamond window cut into it just beneath her bosom, as well as a purple miniskirt, all trimmed with white at the edges. Her collar was also white and had a cute magenta ribbon to accent it. Her gloves were primarily white and elbow-length, though with a dark gray hand, and her thigh high stockings were also gray. Her brown boots were firm and ankle height, with a white tongue and magenta laces. Slung across her shoulder was a bag that she stuffed the second book into. It had enough pockets to be an effective bag for traveling.

At her side, attached to a belt, she had a golden book trimmed in brown with a lock placed upon it hanging, opposite five Premier Balls, each with an identical Ball Capsule featuring a golden lock design upon it. Next to the Premier Balls, a single unusual Poke Ball was hanging; a custom affair with a black bottom half and a purple top half. It was also encased in a Ball Capsule, betrayed by the faint shimmer around the Poke Ball itself, upon which a glittering pattern of violet crystal shards was dusted. Lastly, hanging from a red cord wrapped around her left wrist, just above her Z-Power Ring with a Key Stone inlaid, a golden key was present, while slung around her right wrist was an unusual band, primarily black in color, with two trims, one magenta, and one blue. It had some kind of interface upon it and was specifically wrapped around the arm she seemed to favor.

She looked like a novice Trainer in every possible way, though, curiously, she seemed to know how far away from the Obelisk she had to be to avoid being attacked by it. She tilted her head cutely and gave an exasperated expression.

I had heard the sounds of fighting over here. I figured something was up! None of you should be here, you know. It's trespassing!

*A wild pichu scurries by*

“Doc,” Radegast spoke to the Magnemite, “Salt, Liam. Change of plans, we gotta bounce.”

Reggie was about to ask why, but the Aegislash too spotted what was wrong with this picture. A faint, yet present shadow aura, a full belt of extremely quality-looking pokeballs, an obvious novice-looking facade despite how well-equipped she was. Additionally, she seemed to know exactly how far to stay from the obelisk. The cherry on top was the confounding claim that they were trespassing in a section of wilderness. Between a Magnemite that was an unknown element, a barely revived Salt, a Gallade with a limp sword arm, and a single Cincinno with an attitude problem, the impromptu group with terrible chemistry did not instil confidence with Radegast.

“Doc, you got anything that can get us outta here quick?” Radegast asked as he backed away. 'Cause I'm not in a state to find out who this chick is or who she's got with her.

Dr. Eckels had given the newcomer no more than a second glance before fixing his gaze on the Obelisk once more. He seemed to be studying it, examining the small spot of penetration. He glanced up, taking notice of the fact that it was no longer firing upon him. He then picked up the drill he dropped, using Magnet Pull to bring it to his hands. He pressed the button down a couple times, feeling it whir in his hand and making sure it functioned properly still. He then turned to Radegast.

"Oh, what kind of mechanical connoisseur would I be if I hadn't mastered the ability to travel quickly?" he said, almost sounding offended by the question, "But I need to get a sample real quick. It'll only take a few seconds."

Without hesitation, he stuck out one of his arms, pointing it towards Liam. Immediately, the Cinccino felt the tug of the sword in his hand and gripped it tighter instinctively.

"H-Hey!" he protested, "What are y-"

Liam suddenly lurched forward, as if the sword was dragging him towards the Magnemite. He cried out in shock and attempted to dig his feet and hair into the ground. But a slight adjustment upwards from Dr. Eckels' appendage lifted the Cinccino off the ground. A second later, there was a loud CLANK! as Maxin's sword was in the doctor's grasp. He wasted no time either, spinning Liam around to face the crystal.

"Hold this please," his tone was bright and polite as he stuck the drill in Liam's hand.

"Huh? Wha-NO!" Liam saw what was about to happen and attempted to squirm out of the doctor's grasp. But before he could find much success, the Magnemite shoved him to the crystal, turning on the drill and guiding the Cinccino's hand to swing it against the rock, almost like a punch. The Magnemite was positioned behind Liam, almost like he was hiding behind him to avoid any kind of additional attack the Obelisk may send in retaliation to the drill.

The drill would strike the surface of the crystalline rock the Obelisk was made of and graze across it, the nose turning at full speed. The tip would run mostly parallel with the rock until the very end of the swing, where it pierced into the Obelisk at it's corner and dug in. He was hoping for a bigger piece of rock, but with a time crunch and a looming threat in the vicinity, he was heshing his bet on the force of the strike and the point of attack to at least chip the rock.

"Alright, strangers. Come to the safety wagon!" he called to Radegast, Reggie, and Saticidae, telling them to get closer.

Eckels would receive a Rawst Berry sized piece of the structure, easily acquiring it. However, seeing this, the girl stepped forward, quickly extending her arms before her as a shadowy weave launched forth from them in several directions, mostly forming strands that were, in number, one for each of Radegast, Reggie, Salticidae, Eckels, and Liam. The weaves then engulfed them, attempting to trap them within a crystalline mesh cage that would prevent escape.

No doubt the mesh failed to affect Reggie, as his Ghost nature would prevent it from maintaining any effect, while Salticidae ducked to the side to avoid the attack.

Attacking us? Tee hee hee~! Not a great idea! Prepare to be stabbed, girl!

Bringing claws and stingers to bear, Salticidae looked ready to charge at the girl, though the girl readied a Poke Ball after firing the shadowy weaves.

Oh, it isn't an attack. Just...making sure you don't escape, more or less. I have some questions about why you're here, and why you're taking parts off of the lonely structure. Someone else owns it you know!

Her voice was very much matching to her appearance for the moment, a cute Lass through and through, though despite the youth, a sinister undertone was prevalent in it all.

Before anything further happens, I should introduce myself. My name is Aerys, and I'm a Trainer who likes smart Psychic-types and dislikes ne'er-do-wells!

Her expression then took on a sinister gaze.

Ne'er-do-wells such as yourselves. Heh.

Radegast’s shield hand flicked for a moment, as he beheld the cage of crackling light form around him. The Smoke Ball that had come in really handy before was once again in the shield hand. “C’mon, we gotta go!” Radegast spoke quickly, but firmly to Salticidae. She wasn’t in any shape to fight neither- He didn’t want her loss on his conscience.

As Liam would return through whatever means the Magnemite had, Radegast squeezed his good hand and pink-purple smoke began billowing around the group. The Smoke Ball served its utilitarian purpose once again as the smoke seemed to disorient the inexplicably grappling shadow energy. The "light cage" unfocused and seemed to vanish at parts, leaving an opening for him to escape. Radegast used the opportunity to slip through, grab Salticidae, and form up next to the Magnemite.

“We’re ready,” Radegast spoke to Dr. Eckels.