LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
Our heroes came face to face with the threat of death...who knew that traveling on a League journey could be so treacherous?!

Will they continue forward with dread in their hearts, or determination? There's only one way to find out...in SPACE CASE! 

EPISODE 13: Growth and Decay

 

You are now Stretch.

And you are waiting on breakfast.

Frond had always talked about wanting to get into cooking, but- you have to admit you're impressed. You're usually pretty picky, but- even the charti-seasoned meals sit well with you.

Minerva's food is softened again, and to your relief- she's clearer-headed today.





...still-

She tilts her head at you, only for you to take the opportunity to get some food in her mouth.

She gives you a look as she swallows the food, not buying your evasive maneuver.


You are going to have to bring out the big guns if you want to avoid further questions.

Her face lights up, expression softening immediately.



....mission success.

Frond and Eerie sit off to the side, comparing maps on their navs.

The two of them look over at the bat.

Frond does a shaky hand, looking back at the map.

The bellsprout folds their leaves, looking particularly uneasy.

It comes out quickly, the rhyhorn looking guiltily away.

She doesn't respond.

Eerie nods.

You open your mouth, prepping to ask what exactly-





your head wrapped in bandages





-but you hold off.







....some things are best left for another time.

The golbat hums, extremely pleased with the current arrangement. She occasionally nuzzles against you, getting between your antennae and-

You really really wish this could wait for later.

Like.

You grit your teeth, keeping Minnie's tether as close to you as possible, hovering at the best pace you can manage between "getting this over with" and "not dropping both of you multiple stories."

Thankfully, she doesn't mind-

-when you allow yourself to be a walking body massage.




The second you reach a stable landing, you nearly want to collapse, leaning against a rock wall and panting.



....you've been having such a hard time keeping your breath stable.



Stress.

Minerva gets one last cuddle in, blue energy pulses crackling against her neck.

It takes Eerie a minute to catch up, wincing- she had been lagging behind, insisting it's just to keep Minerva from taking a tumble if you fail.

You all know better than that, seeing her occasionally poke the bandage and wince.

It was healing decently enough on a surface level thanks to some careful potion application, but from your own experience with...certain...blood related events....




It had to be sore internally.

That took more time, especially with less strong meds.

You're going to have to upgrade your supplies as soon as possible if this is what you're going up against.



She lets out an exhausted sigh of relief as she realizes the worst is over.

Frond taps at his nav screen, the brief look on his face speaking louder than words.

He sounds more strained than usual, his cheeriness hitting some kind of limit.



Your antennae pulse for a moment.



It sinks in.


Everyone else looks so





so terrible.


You are the only one who doesn't look like like hell right now, at least physically.
Everyone else looks beat up to shit, barely hanging on morale-wise-

-and you're still caught in the middle of the route.

There's no chance to go back at this point, only through.


Even with the upcoming hike being easier for a while-

A deep, agonized breath.

His face lights right up.

It takes you a moment to get going.

This is not your strong suit.

But-

The interjection you expect never comes.

You guide Minerva around a rock, falling into a rhythm of checking the ground around you and remembering what comes next.

You make a finger gun, pretending to fire.

There's the tiniest bit of satisfaction to hearing her genuinely curious, driving you to continue.

The party pales, Minerva, nuzzling up in a barely lucid whine.

You don't get to finish your sentence.





The sound of someone slamming into the wall next to you sends the world into slow motion, your brain trying to parse what had happened in that split second.

Dust and rubble sprays from the impact, your body moving from instinct to pull Minerva close and shield her from any shrapnel.


Something is here.
Someone.


Your eyes catch a glint of metal, three spheres reflecting the harsh sunlight-

Magneton. No chance of anything else.
Only two local hivemind species with that kind of cerberus-style body plan, not like that.


You can barely make out her pupils as she pushes herself off the wall, a fearful screech bursting out of her.


Panic.
Raw panic-





and in the frantic attempt to get away from whatever's chasing her












she slams into Frond












and everything goes white.







You only hear ringing
A sharp noise.

Sudden light.



You think there's a brief moment of a rock hitting your shoulder hard enough to pierce it, your body repulsing it out and leaving blood dripping down your arm.






You are halfway between here and somewhere long ago






the bright lights shining in your eyes the feeling of












You smell the rot.





Minerva's whimper keeps you grounded enough to keep her at your side, stumbling towards the scent as the world spins.


You have to get to him

You have to


get to


Frond



Your chest hurts.

It isn't working right.


Just stress.

This happens.


You taste blood.

That's fine.

Something just cut your lip.




You hear Eerie's voice, her words indiscernible.


There's a blue shape by Frond.

That's probably her.


You think you see Filigree too.

Your vision swims.




Your heart pounds.



You think you tell Eerie to take Minerva, and the harness loosens,
cut-
maybe torn-



It doesn't matter.


Minnie would be okay.



Fili and Eerie would do better with her than you ever could.




Why would you ever be any good for someone like her?





The rot is so strong as you draw closer, kneeling an inch off the ground, by his side.


Overwhelming.




You think you hear someone retch.





Frond makes a sound, and you feel his hand reach for yours.

You take it, listening to him gag as the pulse hits him.

And yet he calms,
his breath steadying along with yours.

Edges sharpen, things becoming clear.

She coughs, covering her snout with one hand and holding Minerva close to her body with the other.

Even with the rot scent dissipating, it's obvious that she's not handling it well.





because she's normal and you are not

You get your backpack off, your movements still feeling automatic as you root around.

Potions running low.
Not good.
Probably wouldn't help much right now.


You raise a fist at him.

Frond clearly tries to crack wise, only to stagger and push at his head.

Filigree scrambles for their nav, pulling up the map.

It comes out harsh.

You don't care.

Filigree and Eerie exchange panicked looks.

The golbat is clinging onto her at this point, Eerie not bothering to protest.

There's heavy movement in the brush, Eerie yanking both Minerva and Fili into a huddle while you haul up Frond into your arms.



Your eyes widen as the figure steps forward, staggering-





-more exhausted than threatening.





Well.




Aside from xer size.







The venusaur in front of you pants, posture slumped.
Xer eyes widen as xey see your group, backing away as if you were far, far scarier than xer brick wall of a frame-






Lip trembling, sniffling.

Xer voice cracks, on the verge of tears.

Uh.



Huh.

Eerie lets out an irritated huff, your own posture going slack at the apparent lack of threat.

Minerva lets out another one of her hazy whimpers, Filigree rushing over to pat her side and shush her.
Seeing the golbat gets xer eyes watering, making a wet, anxious croak.

Xey're quiet, clenching and unclenching xer tiny claws as xey try to get a grip.

You keep your eyes on xem.

Oh.




You are all covered in blood, bruises, and sweat.

That may explain it.

Xer voice comes out indignant, hands suddenly on xer sides.

...





.........





There's a bit of dirt on xem- but that's it.





Hoo boy.







Wait.

Looking at xer outfit-





A simple dress, glasses, and a coat with a star pin.

The venusaur's eyes widen, xer own posture relaxing.

Xey strike a proud pose, looking somewhat ridiculous with xer face all snotty.

Xey wait for any of you to recognize the name





only to be met with blank stares.

It's xer turn to take you in.

You squeeze your eyes shut.



Please, no.

You gesture wildly to the gloom in your arms and the rest of your nearly-defeated team.

Xer eyes light up in a way that fills you with dread.

You pick up on a few things about Sweetpea on your trek through the brush.

1) Despite seeming oblivious to the fact that "running from Osteo" also meant "getting our asses kicked", xey definitely know a lot about the area and its risks. Good.
2) Xey're definitely some kind of type variant, the delicate flower at the base of xer tail shifting colors as xey speak. You feel like you've read about this somewhere- an atypical one for sure, though it's on the tip of your tongue.
3) Xey talk a lot.

It's Eerie's turn to get the Minerva snuggle special, the golbat seemingly enjoying getting some itches scratched by nuzzling up to her crests in between looking painfully disoriented.

At first, the rhyhorn had protested, only to realize it kept her from whimpering and starting to cry- a necessary sacrifice.

You're surprised Frond hasn't gotten sick again in your arms, but he's definitely barely conscious and hiccuping dangerously if you hold him too close to your torso.

It hurts your arms to carry someone so heavy a distance away from your body, but you have no idea how bad he could get with the full brunt of the pulse.




....for all you know you could be making it wor-

Xey pause, gesturing widely to a massive gated wall.

You hadn't even notice it come up between your own thoughts and xer chattering.

Xey stomp over to a keypad, punching in a code and flashing xer pin at a camera.

The door unlocks, xer tail swaying happily.

The checkpoint is a small compound composed of tents and first aid stations, some more enclosed structures featuring computers and radios.

Your team is more than a little relieved to have nav chargers available, and even more thankfully- Sweetpea knows first aid.

You're on watch duty for both Frond and Minerva, getting both of them some water and rations- helpfully provided by your wonderful host.

Xey back up, Eerie's arm cleaned and re-bandaged.

Everyone exchanges looks.

A collective sigh of relief.

Your antennae perk up.

Your antennae flop back down.

Great.




Another one.

Xey shudder.

The venusaur goes quiet.

Xer eyes start watering instantly, xer tail flower turning purple as Filigree waves their leaves around.

Probably because anyone else would get their fucking skull caved in.

Minerva shakes off some of the haze, giving Sweetpea a little smile as she manages the first full sentence she'd had in a hot minute.

The flower returns to a more neutral tone, the venusaur wiping xer nose.

A sickly cough, eased by your speedy back massage.

Finally


the venusaur smiles.




....it makes sense.


Minnie, even when sick like this-





-could make somebody relax.

Eerie hesitates by your cot before bed, Minerva having assumed her usual burrito mode.

You ignore her.

.....






Your voice comes out small.

You bury your face back into Minerva's chest.

You can practically hear her eye roll.

You hear her leave, zipping the tent up before she goes.

Your breath is heavy- outright panting, your whole body vibrating as it pulses in sync.



Your body feels. Strange.

Your skin is too tight.


Your clothes are even worse- gripping onto your frame, threatening to rip.



This isn't usually an issue for you- the pulse isn't rough enough to do much more than ripple them on a bad day.



Right now, they feel strained.




....





....in some places more than others.



Your environment comes into view, distracting you from the burning sensation between your legs-





You're.





In the clearing.






Under those horrible, horrible stars.






Your breath hitches-

-but it's not panic.
Why? Why
the-


You should be scared.
You should be terrified right now.
This is where it happened-
THIS IS NOT A REACTION YOU SHOULD BE HAVING TO BEING HERE







The scent hits you first, drawing you in towards the brush.







You find him laying there, pulling himself up into a sitting position. His clothes are torn, skirt ripped.




Saliva trickles down your chin, matching the drips of sap off of his own lip.

He opens his arms, beckoning you in to come closer with a weak, bloodied smile.

Your body moves without your permission.














You jolt awake, gasping for air- Minerva stirring at your side and making a tiny noise of worry.

A few pats on her head gets her to calm right down, rolling back over and falling back asleep.






....it feels wrong seeing her passed out at night.





Your guilt, however, is quickly replaced with something far, far worse as the nightmare settles in-


-a panic spike, seeing the mess of fluid staining your underwear.

Thank god for the separate room thank fuuuck THANK fuck oh my god you've been scared of this the whole time oh my god no ohh my god this is so, so fucking disgusting what the fuck is WRONG with






....you manage to clean yourself- and the air in your immediate vicinity- in record time, relieved beyond belief that no one came in to check in on you.






....





closing your eyes







just makes you remember his face.














You do not sleep any more that night.





 

---

 

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
A confirmation that Team Osteo is after the Shooting Stars is the last thing the team needs, but words can't be taken back now- especially on the air!

 All our protagonists can hope for is that things won't get worse from here.....surely they can't, right? Find out...on SPACE CASE!

EPISODE 12: Caught in the Blast Zone!

 

Eerie rubs the back of her neck, avoiding your eyes as you sigh.

Her voice is laden with guilt, outright hiding her snout in her hand.

Everyone whips around to look at you, shocked.

You grimace as you look at Eerie's crestfallen face.

You nod.

No one looks satisfied with this, but
SOMEONE
had to figure out how to not die.


You're the captain.



It's your job.







You avoid eye contact.

It takes them a second to think it over.

The bellsprout makes a face, but nods.




you're

probably being too hard on them.





....but this is getting closer to life or death than you'd like.

She flinches, but pays attention.

You take a deep inhale, letting it out slow.

....Minerva is worse today.




You feel a growing pit in your stomach, watching she sways while standing.

You swallow, unused to nicknames.

She manages a nod, your guts feeling even worse.

A deep breath.

You nod.

Before you can protest, he grabs some from his inventory-in-progress pile, tapping Minerva on the side.

She nods, barely there.

He gives you a look, easily picking up on your attempt to stare holes into the cave wall.

This is your punishment.




This is how the world has decided you must atone.





Every sin you have committed has lead you to this very moment.

Frond makes his best imitation of a chef's kiss gesture, standing back to observe his craft.

Help.









Minerva is sitting contently, looking genuinely pleased as she tests moving around in the rather ornately made rope harness.

You have serious, serious doubts as to this being a good idea.

Minerva reaches out for you to come closer, giving you an awkward, clumsy hug.

You slowly reach for the untied end of the rope, taking a deep breath.

On the one hand, Minerva is delighted at the gentle vibration traveling from your body and through the rope- like a calming massage, making her simultaneously more lucid and more relaxed.





On the other





You have been trying to think about nothing the most boring shit imaginable.

Fading wallpaper.

Crushed soda cans.

Weird buzzing noises that piss you off.

You get to your feet, grateful that you somehow, somehow managed to keep your composure.

Somehow.



Despite the rope rubbing against your chest.

minerva's right it doesn't even hurt

FOCUS.

Frond gives you a big smile that you deliberately avoid looking at.

Besides your brand new bondage harness adventure, the morning goes quietly- the only real struggle being the sun beating down and humidity getting worse.





That doesn't mean it feels good, though.



The energy of the day prior has been shot, everyone on edge.
It's only natural- what was going to be a hike is now something far more terrifying, and the physical and environmental risks were already going to be hard.




you



wonder if anyone regrets this.






Regrets coming with you.
Inviting themselves.


Getting more than they bargained for if they had asked anyone else but you.





It makes your stomach hurt.


Even more than the generalized anxiety, Minerva's condition really has the team worked up.


Staying close to her and holding her wing claws, gently leading her around rocks and foliage is less nerve-wracking with the added tether, but it is definitely slower.


People ahead help point out issues that you would have floated over and missed, leading you to fight off the shame of your condition interfering. Minerva, for all of her disorientation, occasionally mutters a "thank you", and woozy hums.

Eerie huffs.

They gesture their head towards Minerva, looking barely in reality.

They pause, turning around to the dazed golbat.

It takes her a moment before she manages to focus on a tower-like structure a ways ahead, Filigree enthusiastic.

You stay quiet as the party keeps Minnie occupied, continuing to lead her along. Her gait grows more steady-




-even if you can't allow yourself to feel relieved, this is something.








And then Minerva sees a different shape




A person hunched over something in the brush, swearing to itself.



You freeze, a light growl growing in your throat.

Frond and Filigree yank on her arms, getting her to crouch as you slowly lower Minerva into a kneeling position.

You're on the verge of panicking as you give her a gentle pat on the side of her head, gesturing for Frond to go get a better look.



The gloom peeks around the corner,


and then whips back around.

Eerie gestures to her arm, making a big circle around it.

She grimaces.

The rhyhorn nods, looking more and more tired of this shit.

You try to peek out, only for Minerva to make a nervous whine.

You nod.

Fili goes first, tiptoeing light on their roots-





-finding a serviceable path, making sure to get gesture to a trail that'd accommodate everyone's sizes.
Your tail lashes as you continue to massage your thumb into Minerva's cheek, occasionally making more "shush"ing sounds.





Frond waits for the signal






and makes his way out







stepping on a twig maybe three quarters of the way.

The fossil mon panics, whipping around with a nasty look. Before Frond can even do anything, it raises its arm- cannon pointed directly at his head.





Frond throws his hands up, nervously laughing.

The cannon starts to whirr, charging up-






You remember how bad GY got.

He can't even react to your cry before he gets blasted,

flame hitting him square in the chest

and slamming him back against the cliff wall

Everything slows down.




Think.

You need to





think



and assess the issue.




The kabutops is-

it's reeling back, as if the cannon has some kind of recoil.

Now that you're getting a good look at it-
it looks like the scythe material on its other arm-
grown out?
Around its arm?
Eugh.



Probably hurts.
Good.
Easy weakpoint.


Frond is getting back to his feet-
okay,
good.

Good.

Good good good.
Fuck.
Okay.
Good.





Not good that the cannon's still pointed at him though.
You have to-




-Minerva is wobbling, whining beside you. Whimpering.



This isn't good.
You're tethered to her and she's completely reliant on you for safety and comfort.

You wonder why you agreed to this.

No one should be reliant on your-
no.
Nooo no no not time to go down that self hate hole.





FOCUS.





One thing is clear.


Objectively,
logistically-



You cannot leave her side.



Eerie- oh, she looks like shit.


Her mouth turned into a grimace, mid-reach for her club-





You snap back into real time as Frond fires off a swift-star at the kabutops, stumbling as he tries to get some ground



only for the fossil mon to shoot off another pulse of flame, incinerating the star and catching Frond's knee in the process.

His voice is pained.


There's a distinct scent of rot in the air-

his defense mechanism




one you remember all too well




There's a buzzing in your head


arcs of energy crackling all over your entire body


your breath gets
heavy



your teeth feeling too big for your mou-

You are now Filigree


and you are hauling ass to keep Frond from doing something stupid.


Your gloom teammate's eyes widen as you tank the kabutops' incoming shot, barely hurt by the flames scorching your body.

You thank your foresight to get your poor button pins coated in flameproof sealant, because this is hot.

You don't like fire- hate it, actually!
Feels bad!
Distinctly unpleasant, freaks you right out!
You avoided it in GY's challenge and the dark ride for a reason!






But you're registered as a fire type yourself- it's a type advantage either way.


The fossil mon reels back with a sharp hiss, both out of shock, confusion, and what appears to be pain- its wrist wobbling and looking weighty.

Don't freak out.
Don't.
Freak.
Out.



Stand TALL

And don't show fear.

Let's see if this works a second time.


Its blast hits, but it's not going to go uncountered.


The mist comes out easier now- almost too easy.
Don't think about it.
Not the time.






The kabutops staggers as the haze encapsulates both of you-





....huh.



You're back in

the workshop again.
At least, one similar- different tools, but the same walls.
The same tile.
The same darkness, illuminated by crackling, sparse bursts of light.



Frond makes a noise behind you, but this time, you have to lock in.
No distractions-


The kabutops lets out a sharp hiss, shaking with rage and staring directly at you.


A brief glance down at yourself reveals-


You do what you can to avoid screaming in horror, repeating to yourself that this is just a vision.
Oh, god, the mon in front of you doesn't seem to think so.

The fossil mon raises its cannon, its voice wobbling.

You swallow-

-and do your best to rush forward


body slamming in reality and grabbing a large box in this world, struggling to carry it with your tiny kabuto arms oh this SUUUCKS


and get a hit in.





The kabutops staggers, letting out a screech and barely catching its balance.

You don't get a chance to react, blasted backwards with another cannon shot- even if it does more pushback than actual damage, it hurts in the false world, more than you expected.
Your body is so small, and surely it




it would hesitate



It storms over, breathing hard.

A barely dodged slash.

Another, the kabutops attempting to bash your head in.

Too close for comfort.

Too close

Way too close

A strike nearly takes you out-






-only for you to hit the cliff wall, cornered into the back of the workshop.

Its cannon arm is trembling.


You think you can see blood around where it connects to its main carapace.

The whirr that comes from the cannon is deafening




you think this may have been a mistake





and with a piercing shriek, the world goes dark.





You are now Eerie.


Filigree's wiped out.


Your hands are trembling, forcing you to grip your club with enough strength to hurt.


You never wanted to deal with this guy again-


Why did you even, say ALL that-




The cannon's pointed at Fili's battered body, the kabutops holding it against the cliff wall and panting.



It is going to kill them.


You're on your feet so fast that you're on top of it within seconds, knocking it down and raising your club above your head.
You'll crack its fucking skull open.
You'll-

You bring it down-


-only for the club to bounce out of your hand, rebounded with a glowing purple flash.

It tries to go for a slice, scratching at your arm

and getting its scythe stuck in a pinch point.


Your left elbow.





You scream, the blade digging in deep and drawing blood-
but it can't move its arm when you hold it tight.



You hit it in the face.
It bounces.

Again.
Nothing.



Your eyes flick to its flailing right arm.

You grip the part where its wrist connects, watching it screech in agony.

You slam it with its own cannon



Again



and again



until it's down.




Its scythe goes slack.


You stay kneeling on its unconscious body.

Still alive, but beyond out cold.






Fuck.








You are now Frond.


You're
really tired.



Filigree had fought for you, and everything after that is a blur.



Where-


The smell of blood snaps you out of it, eyes snapping open and stumbling to your feet.

Stretch is fumbling with Minerva, trying in vain to guide her out into the clearing as she mumbles in distress.

Okay.
Not either of them-


You turn and see Eerie, pressing her hand into her elbow in a desperate attempt to keep crimson from pouring out.

Even with your unsteady gait, you manage to get to your pack, thrown aside in the fight-

Okay okay OKAY okay find it find it-

You pull out a tourniquet, immediately realizing that it's not gonna work- it's between the plates, fuck-

A potion and bandages are going to have to do, grabbing some sanitary wipes for good measure.

She extends her arm, letting you fumble around as best as you can without fingers. You'd done this before enough times to know how to pinch and move safely enough- for your own wounds, no less- but it's kind of different doing it for someone at risk of BLEEDING OUT.

The rhyhorn grits her teeth hard when you sanitize and spray the wound, clearly holding back snorts of pain as you bandage her up.

Your eyes are welling up, not able to mask the panic threatening to make you sob then and there.

You freeze.

A shaky smile sneaks on your face, managing a nod.

She nods over her shoulder.

Stretch watches you work, having to hold Minerva at his side the whole time. Your golbat teammate looks horrid, feverish even- to the point where you're almost more worried for her sake than Filigree's.
At least Fili's vitals were stable, even when out cold.
Some rest and medicine should be fine for them, but....

It swallows, its downward gaze looking harrowed.

You take a deep breath.

It manages to get Minnie to stop hyperventilating, giving her a squeeze. Being so close and intimate with another person,


especially in a situation like this



is clearly uncomfortable for it.

Eerie's back on her feet, wobbling as she extends her free arm.

It raises its brows.

Despite her injury, Eerie's surprisingly stable as she carries Filigree in the crook of her arm, Stretch carrying her shoulder bag in turn.



The sun beating down is bad enough-


-but Stretch's face contorts into worry as clouds roll in, its predictions seemingly right on the money.

She takes a moment to huff- she's clearly masking, now that you're getting a better look at her.
Stable, not as much as you thought- playing tough, yes.

You'd been checking your nav just a bit obsessively.

The humidity hits after another half hour, Minerva starting to sway.





Stretch sends you ahead, scrambling around- and then you find it.




An abandoned house- or at least, what looks like one.



It'll have to do.





You help keep Minerva steady as Stretch breaks down the door, two twin needles more than doing the trick.
Eerie carefully carries Filigree inside after you get Minnie through, leaving the three lucid team members to figure out a gameplan.


Checking for safety risks is first- Stretch's harness is untied, letting it zoom around the house as you and Eerie secure the doorway and windows from the oncoming rain.

It goes straight to Minerva's side after, checking on her with a furrowed brow.
Thankfully, she had no objections to being laid down on a dusty couch, moving her head towards the blue crackling arcs lighting the room.

She manages a nod, Stretch clearly relieved that she can respond at all.

It's not in the best shape, but it's plenty of berries and veggies you recognize, and clearly meant for the former occupant to use for meals.
Whatever happened to them-




noooo you don't really want to think about that actually




....you hope that they'd understand.





You catch a soft, stifled noise as you pull up a particularly nice looking root vegetable. Over your shoulder, you can see Stretch's posture hunched as it gathers berries into its bag




sniffling.

You set your food down and go to his side, the electabuzz trying to wipe its eyes as soon as it hears you coming.

Its breath hitches, a bright pulse of blue crackling across its body- the energy enough for you to feel it even from a short distance.

It recoils as you take a step forward, but doesn't run.

Silence-





and then a nod.

...You can't pin down what's different about its eyes.












Cooking always gets you in the zone, and with the help of some tool straps and a lot of fiddling, you're able to fasten some utensils to your hands and get to sauteing up dinner.
Eerie and Stretch helped you get a makeshift setup in the fireplace going- it's not ideal, let alone entirely safe, but-

She'd asked to watch you work, and of course you accepted. It keeps your mind off of the situation at hand, and...it's nice.

No one really asks for stuff like this.

You both look over at the golbat, her mouth wide open as Stretch pet her head- despite being a more natural posture than her polite smiles, it feels distinctly out of place.

You grin wide as the bellsprout comes to, holding their head.

Her voice is drenched in guilt, sighing.

They rub their leaf hair and make a noncommittal noise, their eyes widening as they see your offer.

They hesitate before taking it, giving you a grateful look-





-before realizing where the hell you are.

Minerva had managed to get herself into a proper sitting position, Stretch feeding her the stir fry carefully.

They notice her arm next, face growing pale.

Stretch sinks into its seat, setting Minerva's now-empty plate aside.



It doesn't go unnoticed.

It flinches, not expecting to be addressed.

It blinks.

Minerva leans on it, nuzzling up.

It sighs-



-antennae flopping as it gets a clumsy attempt at a headpat.

You sit next to Stretch, the electabuzz putting the finishing touches on the heap of sleeping bags and worn down, abandoned bedding.
Pulling mattresses out of the bedrooms to make a sort of group sleeping pile felt a bit silly, but once it's all together...

It gives you a tired look.

It hesitates-





-and then nods.

Things could be better for the Shooting Stars...their first brush with potential death has left the bunch rightfully rattled! And yet the journey must press onward...

Well, suggestors sure like to put Stretch through the wringer. Let's give someone else a turn. Suggestors- what is Eerie scared of most? Let's see how she copes with it all... next time....on SPACE CASE!

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
Off we go to Route 3, new friends and new powersets in tow- the Shooting Stars are setting out for a terrifying new challenge...

Eerie certainly has caused trouble for our party, too...how much? Find out...on SPACE CASE!

EPISODE 11: Entering the Mirror Mist!

---

The first thing you notice is the looks.


Sure, you all got some stares when you came in- you, Frond and Eerie had been pretty blatant variants, with Eerie being the only normal one of the bunch...

But these linger.


They are looking at you. Not just your hovering, or your pink stripes-





It's like the bar.

Varied.




Your team is now a recognized entity.




It is weird! You're- you're pretty weirded out by this one. You hate people staring at you, and now-



I mean, you expected this.

You knew you'd at least get-


Top of your class, that means you were going to get somewhere-



You've been shooting for the championship position since-





Someone cheers as you pass, and your thought spirals simmer into pure anxiety.




Ohhh this is the. Bad part.
Going on a hike for a week sounds GREAT right now.
No people! The open road!





Filigree has to dodge someone bumping into them, likely on purpose-

Eerie scooping them up and starting to powerwalk.

You can't say that going through shady alleyways to avoid fans and less-than-fans alike was on your or anyone else's agenda, but you reach the gates outside of the city well enough.

Minerva's short fur is a little on end, nerves high.

She says it with a huff, but- it's genuine.

Eerie gives her a look, the bat waving her claws.

Frond gives Eerie a pat on the lower back, the rhyhorn's posture slumping.

No trouble at the gate beyond a big thumbs up from the guard on shift, which you halfheartedly return. Smiling isn't in your repertoire even on a good day, but at least this is viable. Frond covers any awkwardness with a proper high five.

....still, sometimes you wish you could return these kinds of looks back.





The doors slide open, revealing the bright, unblocked sun-

Filigree steps forward without too much fuss, adjusting their bag strap. It takes them a moment to realize that Minerva and Eerie are busy gawking.

It's sprawling, an upwards slope winding around cliffs and turns- easier than the mountain looming in the far distance for sure, but....

He joins Filigree, grinning wide.

Minerva sticks close to you, almost as if trying and failing to hide behind.

She pats her bag pocket.

You nod, not bothering to be polite about it.

The rhyhorn snorts, leading the three of you over to join the group.

He leans over, a goofy conspiratorial smile.

It takes Minerva some time to adjust to the rough terrain, figuring out the best way to hop over it when needed.

She laughs, embarrassed.

She avoids a particularly sizable rock.

You look over at the golbat.

She pauses, taking in the view as best as she can from under her sunhat.

The gloom is eagerly rooting around through some scrub brush, his smile widening.

 

 

One hit.


She screams.

The edges of the illusion had faded with your focus pulled away

and you take a nasty bone club to the chest, slammed into a concrete wall




that doesn't actually exist,




The boundary between reality and the realm you'd created feeling distressingly intermeshed.



Poison leaks from your mouth in wisps, like some jar inside of you came uncapped and it's all spilling out now. Can't put that one back easy.

Filigree's new powers have been revealed, along with dark implications about Team Osteo...surely this means nothing, right?

Suggestors, it appears Stretch and Minerva have mutually settled on friends with benefits...what does Stretch bring to the situationship table? Hopefully this helps it and Minerva keep on trucking... next time....on SPACE CASE!