(ACE) The OLIVINE Team

If Amber's heart was still beating she's guess that was the pounding in her head. If her blood was still pumping she'd say that was the quiver in her muscles. If she had anything left to lose she'd atone that to the fear she swore she was feeling. How, why? These pestilent creatures treating her like vermin that needed to be eradicated. No, she would not. Not here. Not when there was more she could do.

With a heavy stride Amber bound for the hall, ready to flee out of this hellish building. The world would be better without these brutes but she would have to come back for them when the timing was better- She had to bide her time. Her metal leg support clanked on the metal for a step, and on the next it only made a thud as it hit carpet. "Don't let it get out!" The small one demanded with so much disrespect. The Luxray gave a roar back, her instincts demanding her to turn around and claw the Electrike for the continued 'it' comments. Why... why were such little things bothering her? Why were these Pokemon breaking her down? Her resolve? Sparks still flew from her pelt, desperate to fly off and sink into the insolent. No, NO. The internal struggle, the overwhelming need to kill, it was slowing any mental processes she had left.

With another louder growl she took another step forward, only to stumble as something slammed into her metal leg, knocking it inward and throwing her to the ground. Tail lashing she was up within moments, but the delay was enough; another burst of heat soared overhead. Had she risen a moment before she skull would had met the impact, but instead only the tips of her ears were scorched. But that was the least of her worries. The fireball had exploded before her, showering embers on her face and chest, and setting the hall ablaze. Those precious few seconds had cost her her escape---- "NOOO!" The cat roared thrusting her head side to side. Turning her head just enough to look back the Luxray's remaining instincts made the decision for her. Making one 'hop' toward the door she clawed at the air, a warning, before bolting and leaping through the wall of spreading flames.

In total, she was only in the fire for a few seconds, but between her slowish strides and previous heat lashing it was enough to seep into her fur. Her bones prickled, throat itching and skin blistering black. Run. RUN. The message was clear, and her legs didn't stop as the cinders fizzled away and she rounded the corner in the hall. If it had harmed her then it should slow the others enough for her to make her escape.

Shit. Shit. SHIT. Faux clinched her teeth as she bound out of the Arcade room. Had the Battle Castle taught her nothing?! There had been undead there even in the quiet, and the revenge demon had made it in and out before they could act. Air whistled in and out of her nostrils with each step, the stress rising, and the delicate search for undead scent growing fervent. "Faux slow down!" Cinder called after her, the weasels lumbering though pace matching steps standing against the other two's. She did not reply, her senses too dedicated to the search as she ripped down the hallway as fast as her paws would carry her.

Should she have left the children behind? For a few seconds hindsight blinds all other thoughts, and her steps fumble. The thought disappears, there was no time for such concerns, and she pulses forward until the entrance area is visible again. "Faux!" Cinder calls out again, but her name was completely lost as the Vulpix picked up something much more concerning. It was a smell that was very familiar, and often lingered around their group, but it did not belong here; burning hair.
The fox's paws skid roughly on the carpet as she halts in the entrance to the building. Without the intercom she could not hear her companions yells, or the unknown voice, but beneath Cinder's robust pants there was a thumping of paws coming from the wrong direction... Faux's tails flew up and her chest dropped defensively. Somethings coming! Within seconds the sound turned to physical form; a smoldering Luxray in horrendous shape. With a tiny hop forward Faux barked a short warning, "Undead!" and released a stream of fire straight at it.

As the Flamethrower whooshed forward, ready to hit it's mark, Cinder made her own move. Bounding around the fox she curled up tightly and leaped, her Flamewheel bright and energetic and she soared above the Luxray. Its disgruntled roars made it easy to pinpoint its location even with her slurred vision. Twisting midair she dives with force, praying it didn't move too far out of her trajectory.

((Skip for now. Fkkn Halloween and a minor family emergency screwed me over jfc. I’ll try to get around to making a post but if not, Mi chases behind Faux and Cinder and Reb... idk whatever he’s good for I guess lmao, eye candy ha.))

Etin struggled, twisting his back around until he got back to his paws. He had fallen all the way to the floor, and his already aching body left like a sheet of ice now cracked and broken. "Ngh..." He grunted, shaking his head as he lopped toward the door. His eyes didn't leave the Luxray, even as his vision blurred, but they widened in horror as she looked back at them before tearing off through the flames like they werent even there. No.. The Luxray's tail trailed out of view, and Etin bundled forward, "No, no it's getting away!" Everything ached, gods he felt like an old man, but he'd be damned if he let that thing get away.

Pawing at her ear Mel could feel blots of blood coming from it. Bastard. He did that on purpose! But she had no time to dwell. Etincelle's pawsteps were moving further away and Melanie raced after them knowing he had all the intentions to give chase. While she couldn't see the barrier she could hear the flames, smell the smouldering. Flash Fire would protect her no problem, and she bound without worry of that, but Etin was another story. In a fluid swoop she grabbed the Electrike's scruff and leaped through the flames, landing neatly on the other side before continuing her stride.
For a second after her paws landed, she realized in hindsight that she could have let the electric type struggle through that in some petty revenge scheme. Her teeth tighten on the Electrike's scruff. Don't stoop to his level. Jerking her head Mel nearly chucks her companion on the release and keeps running. Luckily, he landed on his feet, and without a single thank you matched her stride with a "Come on!" A weak growl rumbled in her throat. Don't stoop to it..

Between the faint thumps of the Luxray ahead, the powerful scent of burning fur, the straight line of the hall, and Etin's heavy panting breaths Mel had no trouble following the path. Was it going to run outside? There was no way Etin would stand for that after their last incident. Clenching her teeth the Ninetales opened her mouth and spat about Flame Burst forward. It whistled as it soared, and exploded as it should, but the Luxray did not scream as she had hoped- the attack had missed. "No you don't!" Etin roared, his steps quickening with the shimmer of Quick Attack until he could crash against the Luxray. She stumbled, scraping the wall before kicking the Electrike away and racing off toward the entrance. "Fuck." He cursed, starting the chase all over again with indignation.

Mel could hear the blood in her ears. Should she try again, maybe a Flamethrower? They had to stop the thing be-- the sound of paws increased, there were more creatures around?! Her inner flame flared, ready to release a big burst of heat when a familiar voice cried out, "Undead!" Faux! The crackle of heat whooshed toward her, and the Ninetales banked to the left. Cool air brushed against her flank. Was she in front of the door...? "Kill the bitch!" She could hear Etin roar, and disgust pulsed in her stomach at such a sentence coming from him. You've changed..

Arry was scared and didn't know what to do. Faux and Cinder had raced out of the room before he could say anything. Not long after that Miyu had ran off chasing them. What was going on?! His only thoughts was of fear. He was alone again. What if the mean pokemon got past them and found him all alone? The Aron ran out of the kitchen as fast as he could and followed the voices of the others. "Undead!" The steel type scurried to the voice, seeing Faux and Miyu looking at something. What was they looking at and why was Faux angry? Soon he was to see why. As he got close enough to see what she was looking at. It was a mean pokemon and it was smoking from what looks like it was on fire. Arry's eyes widen in fear as he looked at the undead Luxray with his own eyes. This one looked like it was no friend and it could of hurt the others.

The Aron was ready to flee, but if Cinder missed then he could end up getting hurt if it targets him. "I-its a mean pokemon. Wh-what did it do to the o-other three?!" Whoever this meanie is, it wasn't going to get away with hurting his friends. With a little guts and bravery, he spoke out to speak his mind to the undead Luxray though he was really nervous in his words. "Y-you're a m-meany! Y-you hurt the o-others and I-I was told th-that is what a b-bully does!" Maybe he shouldn't of said that. It might have angered the undead Luxray. It was to late to run away as it was. So only thing he could do is try to be brave and help Faux, Cinder and Miyu. Hopefully the other three are okay though. Maybe if they can chase it away then it'll be safe once again. "I-I'm not a-afraid of you!" Despite his trying to be brave, he was out of his league in terms of strength. Speed also being his weakest part would be a hinderance in trying to get away. This wasn't going to be good. It was obvious he was shaking from fear and if the Luxray calls out his bluff then it could mean trouble.

Digging her claws into the carpet Amber came to a sudden near-stop as she witnessed more Pokemon approaching from in front of her. Her paws buckled and she nearly tripped in the halt as the new Pokemon wasted no time in attacking. Flames rushed toward her, the heat irritating her already smouldering pelt as she kicked to the side. The Flamethrower whooshed over her paws as they left the ground but it was the sudden burning pressure on her back that got a roar out of the cat. Kicking her hind legs Amber knocked the Quilava away as she made her way for the door, only to find it was already blocked by the other fire type she had the displeasure of meeting.

Her paws hit the ground with a rough thud as she bounced back toward the middle of the room. There were too many, so many more than before. Why were they attacking her? What had she done, especially to these new Pokemon? They barked something to one another, and Amber hissed in her defense. What cruel, horrid creatures... As they all filed into the room the Luxray felt the pressure of being surrounded. There were too many fire types, too many Pokemon willing to cause her pain. Leaping away from them her claws ripped into the counter at the back of the room, scouring deep gouges as she climbed on top. Electrically sparked through her pelt and flew throughout the room as she called out, "Leave me alone!"

The Ninetales still blocked her way. Sure, she could charge it and easily overpower her, but she'd be vulnerable to the other Pokemon. A deep growl echoed in her throat. She was running out of options, and the heat was palpable. Backing up her kind paws slipped from the desk. Her body twisted, catching her as she hit the ground just a few feet below, but it was what her eye landed on that mattered- another exit. Bolting upward, Amber leaped over the desk and through the doorways to the battle area. Where it lead, hell if she knew, but it didn't matter if she could get away.

As the Quilava arched through the air she was ever aware that she was not a bird. She possessed no wings nor a tail to angle her flight. She could tilt her body, a skill she had worked tirelessly on to master, and that small degree of change was all she needed. As the Luxray swerved to dodge Faux's blast it moved right under her curve, scoring the starter a direct hit against its grotesque flesh. Her flames seared it, the already potent scent of burning air increasing tenfold, and she ricocheted off it to the other side of the room. "Woo!" She cheered herself on as all four paws curved on the floor with her landing. Damn, that was a good hit. Was she getting stronger to go with her evolution?

But such revelations would have to wait. The undead was not downed but bolting for the door! As her vision cleared Cinder realized their companions had also made it back to the entrance room, and Etin's call was loud and clear. "Kill the bitch!" Fire blazed at the back of her throat, ready to give the thing another burn, but before she could launch the attack it pivoted again, dashing away from Mel to the other side of the room. For a cat the thing sure is squirrelly. Damn, she'd have to tell that one to Miyu later. Turning her maw toward the thing Cinder nearly shot it with her Flamethrower, but the fire died back to a choking cough at the cat spat, "Leave me alone!"

"It can talk?!" She gasped, smoke puffing out between her words. Did that mean it was still sentient? The Quilava froze, unsure what to do next. "Hold back," she cautioned the others, but there was no chance to wait. With a small window of opportunity the cat fled into the challenge room, and Faux was not about to let it go. "After it!" She called out, pelting into the room. "Faux wait!" Cinder shouted back. "It might still be sentient!" If she killed it, or tired to still, gods she swore she'd.... Biting her tongue the Quilava looked at her party-mates before hurtling after the fox.

Sentient.. Did it matter? If the thing attacked Rebel and Etin it was a danger to the world. The cat had made it quickly to the far side of the room and scrabbled at the walls as though it considering climbing into the raised stands. Was it.. afraid? The fox growled, the hurried steps of the Quilava keeping her from burning the thing to a crisp. "There was blood on them all," she informed the weasel, and didn't wait for a reply before shooting a Flamethrower at the undead.

Miyu’s lungs and throat burned like she’d swallowed a mass of the hellfire boosting the temperature of their location. The dry burning played on her mind little more than an afterthought— she had very much instead invested her attention on the situation in front of her that threatened to take more of those she loved.

Tiny pristine teeth peeking out from behind a bright blue orb of energy gave the kit the appearance of a rabid fighting dog with wizardry at her disposal. She fired off a Hidden Power shortly after Cinder belted though the air and landed a Flame Wheel on the obvious threat. Pacifism out the window, the idea of giving the Luxray the benefit of the doubt was an unwelcome risk. No, no more friends buried today.

Mel and Etincelle burst through the thicket of flames like the protagonists in the finale of a movie, the Ninetales carrying her companion through the fire in her maw. Miyu might've noticed the two were still seemingly on bitter terms if her eyes weren’t searching the flames for the third scout who didn’t leap through.

“Rebel!” Nothing called back to her but the crackle of flames and the echo of her own voice. It was a bitter, disheartening lack of sound from the Jolteon who couldn’t shut his— “Incoming!”

Like a Zubat straight out of fires of hell, Rebel bounded through the firewall at the first opportunity, landing just beside the flabbergasted Eevee, whose disbelieving eyes followed him and his lightly charred pelt in pursuit - a fraction of a moment later, following with her paws as well.

The distance between Miyu and Rebel was increasing as expected, what with his giant Girafarig legs in comparison to her, she might as well had been a Dunsparce with broken wings.

A ball of Ghost- energy formed at the electric fox’s mouth and shot off at the cat with a seeming lack of direction, or a plan, or both. Her insistent darting from place to place at complete random made targeting her a pain, but fuck if it wasn’t satisfying to see the kitty running and practically pissing herself at the numbers they had against her now. "Leave me alone!"

Cinder gaped at the sound of the cat’s shrill demand. "It can talk?!"
It’s a female, that’s it’s most dangerous weapon… Any other situation, he might’ve voiced that outwardly. Would’ve gotten him beaten up. At least one thing went in his favor today.

"Hold back," the Quilava warned. In the heartbeat following the two words, the cat made a break for a doorway and disappeared through it. Faux was quick on it’s heels, "After it!"
"Faux wait!" Cinder’s voice fell on unresponsive ears, as the feisty female continued bounding with Reb tagging behind her. "It might still be sentient!"

The idea seemed to weigh heavy on the weasel’s shoulders. She didn’t want to be a murderer… Miyu exchanged a look with her friend, feeling none of that empathy. Something twisted the kit’s sense of morality when Rosko died… even she was aware of it. The entire world can burn as long as my friends are safe. She swallowed back the discomfort her own mind brought her and cut towards where everyone else had gone.

Rebel stood in line with the duo of Fire-types, joined by Miyu to his left. The Jolt looked - and smelled for that matter - worse for the wear but his battered form still stood rigid with every one of his hairs sharply on point. He threw a Shadow Ball towards the cat-- a move that, prior to now, would’ve been just to mess with someone before he tore them apart with teeth and claws. When did he start fighting from a distance? Her eyes trailed over all the fresh wounds oozing deoxidized blood. When did he start to care about his life…?

For a second, Mel thought she would be attacked again. The thumping of the Luxray's paws came toward her, but suddenly they veered away and with a bunch of yelling everyone was rushing forward. Following the sound of paws the Ninetale's went along with them only to have her ears battered again with scolding words. "It might still be sentient!" Cinder argued, but Faux was not having it. "There was blood on them all," the fox countered before a crackling fire cut off her words. Was she really going to attack without a second thought? Even when it could speak, even when she was so studious? Why was she so guarded now?

Leaping further into the room the larger fox shook her head in disagreement. "Faux please! She can talk. She's running from us! Isn't that proof of something?" Mel wouldn't deny that the cat had attacked them, but they had done their fair share to her, and at this point she was not even trying to hurt them. Undead try to kill and feed.. She's just aggressed and ran. The piercing sound of the Luxray's claws against metal grated her ears, but it was the worrying bursts of energy and crackle of flames that wouldn't leave her ears. It wasn't just Faux..

Etincelle paced awkwardly around the others. He made small bounds from one side of the group to the other, cursing his limited physical moves. He wanted to rip it apart for all those it had killed, but he wasn't about to subject himself to friendly fire. "It's proof of it being harder to kill." He grunted between animalistic snarls. The thing had tried to kill them and she was still defending it? Had Rosko's death taught her nothing? Did she no longer value her own life..?

Hopping in place Etin's claws clattered against the floor, desperate to charge the cat. "But we have it cornered now, let's just charge it!" He roared, leaping a few feet forward. If he moved, maybe it would spur on the others, or at least encourage them. If they moved the line up they could really corner the bitch. Or keep it cornered even. They could cut off all escape and make sure it paid. Sparks glittered in his shiny blur fur. He would not lose another

The Luxray wasn't showing the same madness like the other undead pokemon that had killed Arry's parents. It was as if it was still able to think, talk and show emotions. Arry soon realized this undead wasn't a mean pokemon at all. More like it was scared of being shunned. It spoke as if it was not looking for a fight, but was trying to get away from them. "Leave me alone!" That voice was ll it took for Arry to want to stop the others from going overboard. "It can talk?!" Sounds like what they're doing isn't right. Oh no, they're going to fight and its going to be bad. The Steel type wanted to stop them. No more fighting. He was afraid of other fighting and without reason. "Hold back," Cinder was trying to tell them something. Was it something to at least to stop and listen to the Luxray. Arry's brave face vanished completely. Was this even right to attack something that can still talk? "After it!" Faux shouted in an attempt to end it. With the feeling of doing something bad on his mind, Arry was hesitating. he didn't want to hurt it if it was able to talk. "It might still be sentient!" The Aron wondered what that word was.

Mel and Etin showed up as well as Rebel. They was okay and not hurt. So that was a relief for the child to know that they was okay. "Faux please! She can talk. She's running from us! Isn't that proof of something?" She's got a point with that. If they was to attack and kill the luxray wouldn't that be really bad? It would make them no less different than the mean pokemon. However, the Electrike wasn't going to comply that easily. "It's proof of it being harder to kill." Why is he being mean? Killing an undead pokemon that is sane still would mean an incredible amount of guilt and such. "But we have it cornered now, let's just charge it!" Oh no, they are going to fight still. Normally Arry would run away at this point and cry because of the fighting, but something told him that he had to do what was right. With that he got in between the others and the Luxray with tears in his eyes. The fighting has to stop, but would it put him in danger of being attacked?

It took him all of his strength to even speak, but as usual his stuttering from shyness was all there. "S-stop! P-please, I'm scared of the fighting. I don't wanna s-see anyone h-hurt!" Was this even a good idea to get in the way and let the undead go? The others might get upset at Arry for his decision, but it was something he felt was right. He looked at Faux with sad eyes trying to show that he really is scared of the fighting. "Please Faux, I d-don't want to watch anyone get hurt." How Arry survived all this time was not known. Having little experience in fighting was probably the reason the aron was hesitating the whole time. If the others follow suit to knowing how Arry feels then they'd probably see that he's to young to understand the basics of battling. "I'm s-sorry. Y-your not a m-meany or a b-bully." As he talked to the Luxray trying to show he misjudged her. Would she accept his apology or would she be mean to him for what he did.

Amber's claws scraped the siding of the raised seating but were unable to grab hold. They gave an ear-piercing screech as they slide but not even the living Pokemon seemed to care as the claw's marks increased in length. Hot fire rushed at her but Amber managed to spring back just enough so the flames only scored her scarred tail. Drawing back her lips the big cat exposed all her yellow teeth as she roared, "Goh away!" But no one was listening, and within a few heartbeats a Shadow Ball was hurdling toward her. It exploded at her paws, the energy searing the flesh of her flank. Hissing, Amber raced along the wall, hoping to make an arch around these fuckers or at least have room to escape the fire.

While the cat was not in a position to remember Pokemon the next voice was not even remotely familiar. "But we have it cornered now, let's just charge it!" A new creature wishing her end? So many of these Pokemon needed to pay for these unjust sins.... but the circumstances were against her purpose right now. The cat knew they would ultimately pay, even if it was not by her paw, but demons below she would expedite it once she had the chance.

Her claws clattered almost as loudly as her metal leg as she made it to the center part of the north side of the room. Did they not see that she was now prey? Thick, black blood was oozing into her mouth and dripping out the hole in the bottom. Had she exhausted herself or were they causing her too much distress? How is this fair. How is this just. Another sphere of energy whizzes past and bursts just ahead of her. Blinding smoke and stinging power forces the cat to a messy huddled halt as she paws at her eyes. "Why?!" How was this righteous?? The ground beneath her shuddered and for a second the cat feared another Dig was headed her way, but instead an even square of space around her sunk uniformly downward a few inches.
The lights in the room started to dim as the bulbs along the north wall lit up a giant electrical screen. An intercom system shrieked something out to them as the frozen cat watched anxiously as spinning columns went rapidly across the large screen. A Signal Beam formed at her jaws, but did nothing as it hit the spinning panels.

Cinder clenched her teeth as Rebel joined in and Etincelle nearly begged them to rip into the cat. Had they all gone insane? Sure, it was a murdering undead, but this just wasn't right. The thing would growl and claw at the air, but what else could it do? It wasn't even shooting electricity like it did before! Without charging straight into them it really didn't have any other options now, yet it still wasn't attacking. Gods, were awful.. To make matters worse their youngest walked forward, frightening the starter that he too would start attacking. Instead, he just whimpered, "Please Faux, I d-don't want to watch anyone get hurt." Legends, they were scaring the kid. Wasn't that enough to prove this was wrong?

Before she could intervene the Luxray bolted to the side after having enough of their bullying, and much to her disappointment Cinder watched both fox and hound go after her. Bounding up to Arry she body-blocked his way after them. She could hear more attacks going off, the pursuit not over, and just hoped that he could understand. "Why?!" The feline screamed, and through clenched teeth Cinder forced a smile at the Aron. Speaking as calmly as possible she hoped Arry would calm down enough to listen. "Arry, why don't we go back in the other room?" Leaving Faux to her own devices would only lead to one thing, but she couldn't just leave the kid somewhere.. I'm sorry. She apologized mentally to the cat before nudging him along toward the doors. At least make it quick guys.

Keeping her stiff smile up for the Aron it finally faltered when the lights above them started to dim. Oh no.. Stopping, Cinder looked back at the others and fully expected to see a surge of electricity coming from the cat. Instead, the only light came from the board on the back wall as it lit up and let images cycle along it. A PA system blasted overhead in an old, screeching voice that was nearly too poor a quality to understand. "What Event will the game board land on?" It called out, and deep dread fell like rocks in the Quilava's stomach. "Guys, guys get out!" She roared in a panic before shuffling the Aron even more so, but it was already too late. At the end of the way the electric doors had already closed, and not even the touch of her paws would make them open. "Fuck.. Fuck!" Looking back Cinder watched in horror as the roulette columns started to slow, the little she could recall about this not being good. Each column came to a slow stop, and a bright yellow border highlighted a box with a water drop or something in it. "Game No. 1 is.. Rain or Shine!"

Faux bound away from the undead as her concerns changed. "Cinder-- what the hell is this?" She demanded as a metallic chnk overheard was followed with a deep rumbling. One loud creak roared before water started to gush out from above in an awkward, much too heavy downpour. "What's happening?!" Looking at the Quilava she could see.. the fucking doors weren't opening. Gods be damned, you-- Had the Luxray planned this?? Arching around the big cat Faux growled herself before launching another Flamethrower, but the stream suffered beneath the false rain and lost an immense amount of power before reaching the undead. "What the hell?!"

"It.. It's the Battle Arcades quirk. It turned on somehow!" Cinder called out to her, but the fox was already seething. Fire built up in her maw, ready for a powerful burst that would hopefully result in normal damage, but something else would stop her attack. The floor shuddered, and several tiles spaced evenly around the battlefield opened hatches for which platforms raised up. "Contestant, choose your team!" With a soft metallic hum the platforms came up, but it was not them Faux's brown eyes locked on. Each had a Pokemon on it, or did, as a couple were now piles of rot and the others were.. "More undead?!"

"Faux please! She can talk. She's running from us! Isn't that proof of something?"

With whatever he had left of an unbeating heart, the Joltie’s conscience began to bite at him. Not for the undead, no, that bitch almost killed him. But damn if hearing Mel pleading didn’t strike an obvious soft spot in the reanimated electric-type.
The role reversal between Etin and Rebel was an evident reminder of the day growing more and more unpredictable-- the shiny hound was just short of vicious while Reb, due to protests Melanie, Cinder and Arry, was doubting throwing the luxray beneath the metaphorical guillotine, kicking and screaming. It’s their morality. If letting her go meant the others could sleep at night…

His eye trailed to the Eevee practically superglued to his side. Her paws were shaking ever subtly despite her better efforts to seem fearless. Rebel moved to the side a half a foot, keeping his younger sibling nestled behind his fringe of matted fur standing on end. No, my priority is keeping everyone safe. They don’t get the choice to worry about their morals if they’re dead.
“Reb?” The Eevee’s voice was barely a whisper, one that went ignored.

“Mel, fight or flight is instinct,” Rebel said sternly but not coldly, “she attacked us first and didn’t show any bones about tryin’ t’kill us.”
"But we have it cornered now, let's just charge it!" Etincelle bounded, no apologies to the conflicted members of the group. The Jolteon craned his neck downwards, warning the furball underneath him, “Stay back.” He heard something like a “‘Kay…” in response before the cat let out a shrill cry. "Why?!"
Both Jolteon and Eevee watched the cat’s desperation, the former with an indifferent, stony glare and the latter with poorly disguised concern for her teammates.

About then, the bright lights they had become accustomed to dimmed heavily, leaving their eyes struggling to adjust for the following seconds. The previously dead board positioned on the rear wall sprung to life, cutting through the dimness in conjunction with a system of poorly functioning speakers throwing a deafening voice muddled with static and hardly legible. "What Event will the game board land on?"

"Guys, guys get out!"
Cinder’s warning was all too late-- with their escape routes now effectively useless courtesy of humans designing electronic doors, they were trapped with whatever was about to be unleashed in this hellhole of a room.
“What’s-- what's happening?” The Eevee cried, pawing insistently at Reb’s legs for a response.
“God-fucking-dammit,” he grunted, eyes fixed on the roulette along the back wall slowing down progressively until it stopped. The neon yellow bordering the image blinded the Jolteon’s single eye from clearly seeing the image displayed in the center, but the fucking PA system made sure there was no confusion-- or maybe it added to it, depending on who you asked.
"Game No. 1 is.. Rain or Shine!"

The ceiling above made some extremely concerning sounds in the way of clicks, rumbles and the creak you’d expect from an old door when you were sneaking in past curfew. What followed was not a single drop of water, not a mild sprinkle, but a full on fucking deluge of ancient water seemingly delivered by the devil himself with his regards. His bad regards.
"It.. It's the Battle Arcades quirk. It turned on somehow!" The fox duo overheard Cinder explaining over the deafening popping of water against the floor. Miyu stuck beneath Rebel as he was obviously also an umbrella. His pelt began conducting electricity until he heard Miyu yelp and scurry away into the downpour. They looked at each other, equally confused until it dawned on him-- electricity traveled through water. “I-I didn’t mean to…”

"Contestant, choose your team!"

The floor vibrated softly. Whether it was the rain shaking the floor or something else, neither could be sure. But another sound, no more comforting than the last, cut through the pelting rain until it became clear what the source was.
Platforms rose up, each presenting a heart-sinking sight-- some held piles of rotten meat that were once someone’s partners. Others held the exact same thing, with the exception they were still quite mobile and very much as hostile as the cat had proven. Things had just gotten a bit more complicated…

A dull buzz filled the air, the sound leading Rebel’s eyes to a Yanmega-- the Ogre Darner Pokemon was struggling to make it’s wasting body cooperate but a few seconds of unsettling head movements and wing beats had the creature flying at extremely low altitude at the duo of foxes.

Reb moved on instinct, bounding ahead of Miyu and firing at Shadow Ball at the dragonfly. It didn’t react to the attack fast enough, if at all, before Rebel’s move collided point-blankly and starting at the head, sent chunks of meat, bone, brain matter and blood in all directions. The remaining body slumped to the floor in a heap, legs twitching almost comically.

“Watch around you, Miyu, don’t space off,” Rebel warned, a tone so serious it was almost alien, “I can’t protect you constantly.”

“Are we gonna be okay?”

It crossed his mind to assure her they would, but not even he believed that anymore.

Mel could hear Etincelle's paws tapping against the floor as he bounced around provoking the others. "Stop." She growled hesitantly but knew he would not listen to her. Attacks continued to fly, the Luxray roared for them to stop. Arry's voice was quiet but clearly distressed as he begged them to stop. "Leave it alone!" She called out vainly, but as Cinder lead the child away she knew that was not what everyone's plans were.

The cat made a break for it and Etincelle's steps quickened to catch her, but Melanie was not about sit back before a murder. Listening intensely, she lunged for his sound, and when her whiskers sensed fur she clamped her muzzle down on the small hound's tail. He yelped, shocked, humiliated, and infuriated, and within seconds Etincelle kicked and battered his hind paws against her until he was released. It was over within moments, the hound running free as the fox hunched awkwardly in place with a few specks of blood dripping from her snout. "Etincelle!" She barked, disturbed, but the patter of his paws continued to move further away.

A sickening feeling wormed its way through her belly, and the fox had to fight back the bile creeping up her throat. Clenching her teeth, she surrendered, turning around to follow after the soft sound of Cinder and Arry. I don't understand.. What had changed? It wasn't just Etin; they wouldn't have treated a creature this way before. Was it the untimeliness of Rosko, or their young ones? Was it the loss of other friends, or struggle they had in the Battle Castle? Melanie didn't know, she couldn't, but such thoughts would have to wait as she heard the Electrike bark, "The hell is that?" Her head rose from its sullen position, turning to catch what he was fussing about, but there was nothing. Confused, Melanie stopped, but a sudden voice and screech instinctively made her flinch toward the floor as it roared, "What Event will the game board land on?"

"Game.. board?" She muttered dreadfully. What was a game board, who was it talking to? "Guys, guys get out!" Cinder practically screamed, and the fox's paws kicked with a sudden urgency. "What's happening?" She gasped while galloping toward the doorway. If there was an answer she missed it, as her face was suddenly met with a solid wall and the Ninetales crumpled to the floor with a loud whine. Had she missed her mark? "Where's the door..?" Shaking her head clear the fox realized Cinder's steps had stopped, and the overhead sound of something mechanical started to whir. "Game No. 1 is.. Rain or Shine!"

Etincelle stared with wide eyes at the ceiling as water began to pour on them. "Rain inside? But how?" There was a roof. How would water get in, and how would this much come so suddenly? Deja vu replayed memories of search the halls with Rosko and finding the Empoleon's nest. So much water... was there another water type nest above them? "It.. It's the Battle Arcades quirk. It turned on somehow!" Cinder explained, but Etin only vaguely understood and turned his focus to the floor as several pannels started to move. "Contestant, choose your team!" The voice screamed again as more Pokemon were revealed. Beneath the downpour their scent was diminished, but a nauseating amount of rot still assaulted his nostrils. "More undead?!" Fox growled, but he wasn't about to stop for formalities. Crouching, the hound charged with his Quick Attack at the nearest undead, a very melted looking Ampharos.

The fighting wasn't stopping and it was making Arry more afraid. Why couldn't they try to ask the Luxray first before they fought. "Arry, why don't we go back in the other room?" Cinder must of seen the sadness that Arry was feeling. Without a fuss Arry started to walk with Cinder back to the other room, but an unfortunate surprise awaited them. The lights started to go dim and a voice started to talk. "What Event will the game board land on?" It was to late to get to the door to escape. "Guys, guys get out!" After that a clicking sounds came from the door is if it was locking up. No, they was trapped inside with the Luxray. The PA system sounded again. "Game No. 1 is.. Rain or Shine!" It was getting scary for Arry and water started dripping onto him.

Faux didn't take long to question Cinder at all. "Cinder-- what the hell is this?" Everyone was confused at first, but Arry was getting more terrified. Its like he came right into a nightmare. "What's happening?!" The vulpix wasn't the only one wondering that. Arry was starting to feel the vibrations from under him. It felt like something had turned on. Cinder however had quickly explained what it was. "It.. It's the Battle Arcades quirk. It turned on somehow!" Water was pouring down on them making the floor wet as time progressed. The PA once again sounded off. "Contestant, choose your team!" Arry was getting more afraid of the room they're in. A sound started coming from one side and upon the platforms that was coming up was something smelling extremely foul. Mel had quickly said something that pushed the fear level to far. "More undead?!" It didn't take long for the child to run from Cinder's side to a downed box to hide behind. However, he didn't know the hiding spot had made it easy for anyone higher than ground level to see him.

The steel type was afraid on what was happening. The pokemon that came up looked really scary and badly rotted. If they came towards him then it would be really hard to get away, but with the water falling it was actually making it easier to keep hidden from the new undead that came up. "I'm scared. They look scary." Arry peaked out seeing the some other undead coming as well. Rebel already took one out. He was really brave and not afraid of anything, but the child felt like he was the opposite of that. If Rebel was to teach Arry however it would be a fully different story. The lights began flashing and the PA system made a sound like thunder. Once more he got spooked by the sound. Being on the opposite side of the room close to the door might not be the best idea, but he was able to at least find someplace safe. At least he assumed that it was safe, but the box looked like it had been weakened to the point it could break easily. The child just hoped an attack wouldn't come his way and hit the box, otherwise it would leave him wide open.

Thrusting her head in all directions Amber roared at the space around them. A mechanical screech grated her ears and the lighting playing with her eyes as suddenly other Pokemon appeared around them. They weren't like the others; these Pokemon were undead, bloated and rotten as they attacked the living without cause. Thick, dark saliva dripped from her fangs as she hissed at one that took a step too close. Maybe at one point they were innocent, but all these zombies were guilty and/or needed their release now. I will be your deliverance. Electricity arched through her pelt, ready to be their light.

Bounding forward with her uneven steps Amber charged the Pokemon that had stepped too close- a Politoed. It bounced with each awkward step, its rotten skin blistering and dark, and dodged the sprinting cat's Thunderbolt with relative ease. Hissing bitterly Amber let her electrical power flood to her fangs and continued her charge. The other undead flicked it's tongue and puffed up its cheeks. It's belly rippled, and the Bubblebeam aimed straight for the opposing feline.

Amber did not have the concern to dodge. The bubbles burst along her face and shoulders but she refused to stop even as small chunks of skin and flesh were knocked off. Her jaws spread wider, and while the Politoed tried to flee it did so too late to avoid her driving fangs. Sinking them deep into the toad's flesh Amber barrelled forward so all four paws could dig into it. The tussled across the floor, a dark streak of blood marking the way as she spreaded the Politoed's shoulder blade. It croaked, battering her belly with its powerful legs but the cat was too much dead weight to be pushed off.
Amber pulled her neck back and the snapping of flesh, muscle, and bone could be heard as she pulled on its arm. It croaked again, this time with more fury before it deep a thick Mud Shot into the cat's jaw. Pain shot throughout her face and Amber stumbled away before she could finish her task. The sensation was disturbingly strong as she pawed at her splattered skin, and her good eye struggled to focus as the toad charged her with its good arm outstretched.

Faux's six tails stood tall and fanned to mask her petite size as the sudden undead started to charge. Flames boiled over from the back of her throat, and in short bursts she shot them with streams of fire. Despite the heat packed into each shot the downpour fizzled the flames before they got too far. By the time they reached their targets the passionate flames could do little to nothing, which was made evident when the fox was unable to grab the undeads' attention. "Shit.." She hissed beneath her breath while taking in the extend of her surroundings. Cinder was looking frazzled as Arry hid and the undead approached her. Etin and Mel were giving it their all, and the undead from before was... attacking the newcomers?

The fox stood stiffly, shocked that the Luxray was attacking its own kind with such vigor. Those motions were not flukes; she was going after one undead, then another. The shock could have lasted longer, but a squeal drew her attention back to the fighting. Miyu and Rebel were going at it and took out a Yamega, but the victory was short lived as the Eevee asked, “Are we gonna be okay?” In such an inconvenient situation that question was not one that could be answered. "Stay sharp, Miyu!" She barked, her eyes glowing a brilliant blue as she released a Confuse Ray at a charging Dodrio. The shiny spheres popped and the three-headed bird started to stumble in all directions over its tangled feet. The multiple heads bickered, narrowly dodging her Flamethrower as they attacked one another. Watching it cautiously for a few more moments Faux released it was out of the fight already, as it now saw itself as an enemy, and turned her attention to the next mob.


Cinder's flames blazed, hindquarters high as she was slowly backed toward the wall. The Furret approached in short lops, its long body oozing fowl fluid with each little bounce. Curling her toes the Quilava readied herself to strike. Arry did the best he could with hiding, giving their circumstance, but she would still make it her job to keep him [and Mel when Etin couldnt] safe. "Don't make this difficult," she warned the creature anxiously as it continued its jagged path toward her. In its current condition the thing probably couldn't out-speed her, but she was in no mood to get the runaround. With a dry breath Cinder let a thin trail of embers float from her maw. The moment it stepped too close she'd-- suddenly, it bolted, making a zigzag motion toward her with its fangs bared.

Banking to her right Cinder shot her Flamethrower down the midpoint of its path but the Furret easily dodged with a small change in direction. It clicked its teeth and let out a rapid series of short hisses. Legends, keep it away! Starting to run the Quilava cursed her earlier prediction and went for a Swift. The bright stars flew, chasing and bursting on the undead no matter which way it dodged. It roared, clearing not appreciating the attack as it started to shudder.

Not wanting to stray too far from Arry Cinder skid to an awkward halt on the wet flooring. The undead was writhing on its feet, a shuddering sound coming from it as it attempted to do.. something. The water hissed along her back as Cinder readied another Flamethrower, but she was not prepared for its next move. With a hulking step the Furret suddenly burst into light as a Thunderbolt released from it in all directions. The bolts flew wildly, using the prevalent water to travel vast distances from their host. Cinder jumped by instinct, but the electrically flooded her body before her paws even left the ground. Bright pain shot throughout her, and she fell with a splash when the stream finally petered out.

"Be careful of electric attacks!" Faux barked to everyone as the starter regained herself. Forcing her eyes to focus she could see the Furret had done much of the same to itself. It lay on the floor stiff as a board, its legs locked in place as though it was a fresh body under rigormortis. Once she was up Cinder felt shaky on her paws but did not let that stop her as she charged the ferret. Fire coated her body, the layer thinner but hotter than normal as the water hissed against it, and with a short hop she charged the undead with her Flame Wheel. Without letting up she scoured its rotten body until a deep groove cut into its long neck. Dark hunks of meat where burnt into charocals and fell around them as she stopped spinning. The smell of burnt flesh and moisture made for a disgusting mix, but she swallowed back her nausea to get back to go for the next opponent.

The rank smell of rot and blood was something as common as seeing your own shadow in the epidemic, but nevertheless, the ill feeling it induced never seemed to ever ease. It was always an awful mix of dread and disgust while fighting back bile, and the smell was strong in Miyu’s senses. Her eyes fell to the floor in search of the source and immediately regret flooded her mind at the sight of the water pooling at her paws tainted a dark, brownish red and littered with several kinds of matter she’d rather not remember if she’d ever be able to eat again.

"Stay sharp, Miyu!" The kit’s legs splayed and lowered her closer to the floor in horror, expecting something to be right on top of her with claws and fangs out. But to her second-lasting relief, Faux’s warning was a generalized one and a reprimanding for her as-usual spacey and dependent nature. “R-right!” She called back, throwing her ears high.

The Jolteon had charged off a second or two prior, targeting what was once a Granbull-- now it was a staggering, bloated mess of missing fur, exposed organs and both of its eyes missing. The flesh peeled away from its sockets and the way the skull was crunched in looked painfully like another undead had craved some eyes and cannibalized the cannibals. Fucking gross.

Rebel smacked into the Fairy-type and toppled it over, jumping onto it’s back and fighting like he had often in Saffron - like a Jolteon possessed. After all, not a lot of things could keep moving if their spinal cord was on the outside in two pieces.
His claws swiped against the creature’s back until he’d dug a hole in it’s mushy, rotten flesh. His skinny body was being thrown about increasingly as his nails struck the nervous tissue. “Stop moving, prick,” he snarled.

“I got it,” Miyu called. Her little legs sprinted awkwardly, trying not to slip in the puddles en route to the Jolteon’s side and to hold down the dog. Her weight wasn’t much of a force on it’s own, but it was enough to help pin the undead while Rebel finished the job.

Mi cringed and kept her eyes away from what lay in front of her, paws still planted on the back of the Granbull’s skull while her brother thrust his muzzle into the undead’s gaping back. It was a matter of seconds and some vicious thrashing before he broke the vertebrae like a porcelain doll and destroyed the spine. And the Granbull.

He backtracked off the corpse, now face down and still, and spat blood and fragments of the bone casing it’s spine. “Let’s fuck up the next one, Mi.”

Mel crept backwards along the wall, whining beneath the sound of undead growls. Combat filled her ears, alerting her that her friends had not fled the battlefield. There was no door now, was there? Were they trapped...? Without her permission the fox's ears honed in on Etincelle's snarls, and while she couldn't see him the sound of his tussle was clear. Be careful. What could she do? The pouring water made for a constant hum that damped not only her fur but sounds in the room. Footsteps made loud splashes, but all else was hindered. Cinder said something, the sound of her voice brushing the crouched fox's ears, but the words were not discernible.

Etincelle was in a much different position. From the corner of his eye he could see the delicate fox, and was relieved nothing had targeted her. Her spot was far from protected, but he was a little too occupied to be deal with it. The decomposing Ampharos kept swinging each time he got close, it's set of elemental punches a surprise to the hound. "Cut it out," he barked as an Ice Punch hit his flank. Though he stumbled, and had taken a few hits already, the small Pokemon did not stop giving it the run around. He had learned valuable information; its movement was limited, its legs feeble.

It gurgled something that at one point could have been words, and prepped a Thunder Punch. Spark's littered Etincelle's fur and jumped across the wet floor as he lowered himself downward. Charging forward, he ran at its belly, and as it ducked to hit him the undead lost its balance and collapsed forward. Etin barely squeezed to the side, his paws buckling in a clump as the Ampharos collapsed into the building water. Spotting his moment, Etincelle jumped on top of it and dug his claws him. Discharging as much electically as he could with his Spark the small hound hoped its wet fur conducted enough to pass his electrically throughout it.

It must have done something, as the fully evolved Pokemon flailed its flippers but couldn't get back up. Its weak legs had failed, and its tail bobbed too high to smack the hound. As the stream of electrity fettered out Etincelle released something amazing; the damn thing's spine was exposed! Its rotten meat and blood coated the area, keeping his jaws away from a killing bite, but the dog had another idea. Changing tactics he dug his claws deep into the groves between its vertebrae and did the same with his hind paws. This pissed the undead off, as it struggled even harder and swung its tail madly. Etin strained, pushing his paws out and trying to get some motion from the bones. He felt a jerk, some sort of movement, when suddenly the undead was able to throw him aside with its tail.

It was not without consequence. Its exposed spine and weakened jolts couldn't handle its jostling, and hard thrust was enough for the loose bones to slip. Its back twisted, and as it continued to struggle the Ampharos ended wrecking its own spinal cord. It fell still after a few random shudders, its demise ultimately its own.
Etincelle struggled back to his paws. The thing had thrown him a fair way, and the wet floor let him slide all the way to the wall until his large head bumped it. "Ow.." He whined, placing a paw on his head, but feelings of success overrode it. "Are you alright?" Melanie asked, her nose suddenly very close to his ear. "Yeah yeah," he breathed heavily before getting back to his paws. The water and slide had clumped his fur in weird positions, but now wasn't the time. "I'll be fine."

Faux panted, the small flames and puffs of smoke that would usually follow becoming no more than ash on her lips beneath the endless shower. These undead were nothing; rotten sacks not even on the same spectrum as the Empoleon, but the wet environment was hindering her every move. Her paws skid on the wet floor, her fire attacks were all but pathetic, and her fur was quickly becoming sodden and heavy. Would it never stop?! Running from a charging Miltank Faux barely managed to escape the path of its Rollout, so much so the fur along the tip of her tail stung where it was pulled. The creature hit the wall with a splat instead of a crash, and an understandable shape now coated the wall.

Standing shakily as she caught her breath the fox watch Cinder bolt over and blast the splatter with as intense a Flamethrower as she could. Trying not to gag on the smell the Vulpix joined her, and when satisfied the thing was no longer with them she resumed panting. It took several moments before she could chocke out, "Any plans on how to turn this thing OFF?" The undead they could handle, but if they had to deal with the horrid impersonation of rain until they found a way out of here they were screwed. We can't keep fighting in this. Type disadvantage, damage nerfing, movement hazards, friendly fire. We're fucked.

Cinder shook out her pelt beside her. The dark colored hairs stuck out in every which direction, their flame-resistant properties doing nothing against the water. Even her flames had fettered out and only popped back on when she attacked. "My best guess is finish the round," she mumbled dejectedly. "That'll either unlock the doors... or start something else." Try as she might the starter couldn't remember how many matches a contestant had to go through. Would they had to keep going until the place ran out of Pokemon to send at them? "Will the rain stop?" Faux asked, her priorities differing from her own. "Yes, but whatevers next could be worse." Faux shook out her own fur before giving a heavy sigh. "We'll have to take that risk." Eyeing one of the few undead left standing she started to bound toward it, barking, "Come on, there are only a few left."

Etincelle's fangs were wrapped around the horn of a Stantler. The buck jerked and fought, but one of its legs was already broken and dangling, and another was rotten and buckled under its weight. It had hardly moved from the spot it appeared from, couldn't even, its whinnying cries more distressed than angry. The small hound struggled to keep its head grounded, his paws slipping on the wet floor and the larger Pokemon's strength outweighing his own. Still, Etin pulled and tightened his jaw, his teeth digging into the bone until it dented from the force. The deer continued to call out, its red eyes wide and alarmed as a pale-furred fox charged it.

Melanie could smell the deer before she felt it. Its intact hooves clacked against the ground as it struggled, but the fox was not concerned about being kicked. Placing her paws on its antler's she helped push its head to the ground before wrapping her own fangs around the beast's neck. Its thick hide was still in tact, her teeth unable to penetrate as she focused on crushed and not slicing. The meat beneath bowed and bones creaked, but they refused to break until fire poured from her mouth as well. the Electrike shielded his eyes as she jostled her head with a Flame Burst hitting point blank in the beasts neck. The fire had no where to go as it tried to explode, and as the as the rotten flesh gave way both living Pokemon were blew aside.

The deer's head slumped to the side, it's mangled neck no longer keeping it in the right position. It's decomposing body was unable to handle the intense heat. Its bone lost their integrity and crumbled until the force and heat until very little remained. Etincelle stood and shook out his sodden pelt once more. "You didn't get any in you, right?" He asked brusquely, his pink gaze noticing all the bits of deer meat that littered the immediate area. The fox was too busy coughing and hacking to answer, thick black smoke trailing from her jaws. Dark smudges, burns possibly, dotted her muzzle while cinders came out on each cough. Etincelle grimaced. What would it be like to harm yourself with you own attack, once that comes from within you?

When the fox finally caught enough of her breath she spat what little fluid was in her mouth. "I don't think so," she rasped, unable to taste anything but smoke and ash. "I don't think I even pierced its hide. With my teeth at least." It was gross, disgusting tasting, and painful. If she could help it the fox never wanted to repeat the action, but worst yet was the feeling of loss. What a waste of good meat. They could of all eaten like kings, instead the thing wasted away in a box and burnt out her lungs.

Glancing at the deer Etin couldn't tell what had occurred during the attack. The things neck was a gaping wound coated in char marks now. Unease made him want to gag, what if it had gotten in her? The number of undead thinned to a trickle and his distractions along with it, but one still stood that he could not ignore. "Why does the Luxray still live?" He barked loudly for all to hear, his precious ire reigniting. The area around it was littered with waste, but seeing a body was shocking. "Did it.. kill one of its own?!" Mel gasped beside him, and while Etin thought she was still trying to catch her breath her would instead voice a disconcerting thought. "Did she attack anyone, or just undead?"

Amber banked to the right and narrowly avoided the heavily thrown punch. Her metal support hit the ground unevenly and threw off her already unsteady balance, and as her footing fumbled she fell in to an awkward crouch. The ground around her and the toad had been splattered and streaked with blood, but its missing limb was oozing the thick, black goo at an alarming rate. Each time it hopped another puddle of sludge fell to the ground and added to their vile decor. The thing came closer to her, and with a warning growl Amber let lightning swarm her fangs. It didn't listen, and as it bounced toward her with its fist thrown forward she lunged as best she could. Her torso shot toward it with more force than it had, as when her jaws clamped around its small fist her momentum won out.

The toad was thrown from its feet, both Pokemon tossed and spinning in a death roll as Amber threw her momentum to the side. The abuse was too great, along with the crackling of her electricity Amber could hear many of its thin bones crunch and the wrist shatter. The pair halted with Amber on top, and while the Politoed struggled and tried to hit her with another Mud Shot the Cat would not fall for that twice. Digging her claws into it's flesh she held down it's head and ripped off the extremity before going for its legs. They fought, kicking valiantly, but inevitably buckled quickly as its body had lost too many fluids. With a loud animalistic roar the lioness dug her fangs into its torso and began shaking what was left of the toad wildly.

Bits of it's flesh and blood splattered all around them. As the cat stood there, a predator in her element, odd sensations filled her like that of deja vu. Right after the infection had taken her the big cat had to learn to hunt. By no means were her first catches clean, much like this one, but the need to hunt-catch-kill-feed had been intense and satisfying. It gave vigor to her humors, and strength to follow through with her resolve. But why had she bothered with that when this sensation was so much more exuberating?

"Why does the Luxray still live?"

One of the living Pokemon spoke in a voice much too loud and direct for its own good, forcing the cat's mind out of her high. Amber was too occupied to listen to it at first, as she did not stop shaking her catch until the pieces separated and she could be assured it had left them. "Did it.. kill one of its own?!" Red and black blood dripped from her muzzle as her crimson eye bore into the Electrike. Hunt, catch, kill, feed. Blood surrounded them but it was not fresh, it was not the frenzy inducing scent she longed for. "Not. My. Own." She growled, separating each word out on a breath. She was not like them. She was not one of them. She was a predator, a hunter, a redeemer. No, she did not harm the living, only that which sought to harm others with no reason. The Luxray growled unsteadily, the lust to kill still pulsing in her head.

"Did she attack anyone, or just undead?" Another Pokemon said, it's voice familiar. Were the undead not 'someone' at one point? I was never someone. Spitting a mouthful of rotten meat from her maw the cat spoke hoarsely, "Just... the damned." These Pokemon were not redeemable, but their sins were no longer their own. Regardless of the reason they had to be sacrificed and delivered. The living Pokemon did not realize that they too were doing just that.

As the Doduo fell dead at her paws Cinder gave a gasp of relief. Well, it was more of a douno, as one of it's heads had been eaten away some time ago. Would it be ironic if that to itself? The thought was supposed to be arbitrary, but as the starter theorized it more she felt a grimace twist her face, the possibility too real. "That was the lot of them," Faux rasped, feathers dropping from her maw along with a thin trickle of blood from the side of her nice. "Yeah," Cinder muttered back, trying to look away from the red line. "Good thing to. You cut it real close on that one." The fox just shrugged, her ever pensive gaze narrowed on the ceiling. "So why hasn't the water stopped?" Joining her companion with the vertical spectation the weasel frowned. "I.. don't know.."

They had done what it wanted, right? Most the Battle Frontier facilities ran off a multi-round system, so beating everything should have been what it wanted. Shifting her paws Cinder could feel the thin, even layer of water on the ground. Was it just going to slowly, slowly try to drown them out? Surely it would run out of water before then. "Why does the Luxray still live?" Etincelle's voice drew her eyes back down, the big cat's battle was noisy but not attention seeking. Neither fire type spoke, they had been too busy with the aggressive undead to even acknowledge her. Now it stood with rotten corpse in its jaws. What was going on? "Did it.. kill one of its own?!" "Don't get too close. It might of mistaken it for one of us." Faux warned them, her many tails standing tall with suspicion, but the Luxray was not about to be accused in silence.

The body fell to pieces before she spoke in the most raspy of voices. "Not. My. Own." Forcing her flames back on Cinder took a step back. What was that supposed to mean? Though the corpse she was eviscerating was difficult to discern it was clearly not a living Pokemon at the start of the fight. The blood that stained her fur was dark and old instead of bright red. What does she mean not her own? It was an undead on undead fight! Cinder stood with eyes wide, shocked as a thought whistled through her mind. Does she not know?? There was no way, not with the state she was in. "You.. You're dead too. You have the disease!" Cinder strained, the words barely coming out through her teeth. Why was it so hard to say that? Did she honestly believe the Luxray didn't know her own fate?

"Did she attack anyone, or just undead?" Mel made a good point, and both fire types looked at their companions. With the large fox asking she counted herself out, and both Cinder and Faux had forgotten the Luxray for a time. No one else seemed to have wounds from the thing, though they would have to confirm on their own. She didn't attack us during the brawl..? What did that mean? They had just tried to murder her and she attacked an undead instead! It would have been the perfect opportunity to get the upperhand! "Why did you kill that one then?" Cinder demanded with two steps forward.  

"Just... the damned." ..The damned. Did it mean the undead? Had she just forgotten the chase they gave her? Cinder tried to wrap her brained around it, but ever since they ran into this cat she had been nothing but confusion for her. "What are--" She starts, just wanting some concise answers, when something else decided to interrupt them.
And, unfortunately, it took a major priority.

Loud clunks and clicks like values being turned echoed in the highest parts of the dark ceiling. After a few moments the endless rain finally ceased, and the sodden fire types breathed sighs of short lived relief. "It stopped." Cinder breathed on a short breath, grateful that one of their problems was over, only to see that the board was lighting up once more. "Game No. 1 complete. Victory goes to-- the challenger!"