[PKMN] SPACE CASE!

[knux400]

Moon Stones actually have a similar atomic structure to other evolutionary stones, despite being from the moon. It's hypothesized that the minute differences in the structure and composition of the stones are what allows them to interact with different Pokemon. In theory, it might even be possible to make a "custom" stone for a specific Pokemon, tailored to their biology as well as their identity and personal needs. Made-to-order evolutions! Fun, but scary.

[Pichi2214]

Fairies are from the moon, and exposure to moonstone was the cause for some diverging evolution lines introducing fairy types into this world. It is theorized that while moonstone is largely associated with the fairy type and related evolutions, you could theoretically use its stronger potency in combination with other evolution stones to influence the typing of an evolution. This would make it possible to induce a type variant in someone as they evolve, or potentially alter an unwanted type variance.

[skinstealer]

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
Out of the Institute, and into the depths...with all kinds of strange feelings on peoples' minds, something just doesn't feel right...

What could go wrong in a mountain's cave system?
Find out now- on SPACE CASE!
EPISODE 18: Down We Go

---

The Institute had been a massive campus, bustling with people and things to do. It had been overwhelming in many senses, and that combined with the exterior of it all gave a strong impression of how vast Mt. Moon is.




And yet, staring down at the actual interior of the mountain, and not just the heavily developed entry point-

STRETCH: ....

 

You are shocked into silence once again.



The Institute had built itself around that singular crater, punched through by a meteorite and leading to that striking spiral structure.



This is not that.



There are tiers, yes, and paths, but the campus you just left behind had some degree of order to it.

They had to design it around some kind of purpose and central fixture. Things were well marked with signage, and some areas even had markings on the tunnel walls, floors, ceilings.


Comparatively, this is a maze, and you can tell by the look on your party's faces that the same realization hit at once.


Having Rappel had once seemed like a necessary annoyance.
But now, as the omastar begins to select the first couple of paths, taking you through a left,

then a right,

then an incline down to the right

and then left left left,

all to get to a more residential-looking route-



You think you understand how people die here without a guide.

RAPPEL: Look alive, my friends!
RAPPEL: This here is one of the closer neighborhoods-
RAPPEL: No touching anything, keep to the lane!

 

She gestures to a pair of grooves in the floor, a semblance of road dividers.

"Sidewalks" lined the tunnel, local mons darting in and out of their residences.

RAPPEL: These are folks' homes, and we're guests along the way.

 

Even her enthusiasm is turned down to a manageable level, clearly not wanting to disturb anyone.

You're surprised she even has that kind of volume control after how excitable she'd been at the campus, but...

EERIE: Can't say I expected people to be so, uh-
FROND: Comfortable?

 

The gloom is grinning wide, taking in all of the homes.

Similar to the travel tunnel entrances, doorways lined the sides of your current paths... but these have levels of personalization.

Carvings, engravings, subtractive sculpting into the rock- wall sconces, tapestries and murals helping to define the individual exteriors. 

Glancing inside uncovered windows and entrances as you pass reveals similarly styled interiors, furniture largely made from the structure of the cave itself.

Any hard edges softened by mats, quilts, blankets, padding-

FROND: From the smell, they're eating good too...
RAPPEL: Incredible, isn't it?
RAPPEL: Cave stews are a necessity down here.
RAPPEL: Tons of fungi, spices, and native flora, all with there unique flavors and aromas-

 

She takes a deep, pleased breath.

RAPPEL: Nothin' like it!
FILIGREE: We had some spaces like this in the quarry, but...
FILIGREE: Usually just as on-site work spaces.
FILIGREE: Spots to take a rest, tend to equipment and talk with your fellow miners...
RAPPEL: Not whole homes, huh?
FILIGREE: Not even close.
FILIGREE: Mines back home felt...so cramped, comparatively-

 

Even with these being tunnels, Filigree is right- the space was incredibly open, more akin to a city street with tiered, multi-floored buildings than a mineshaft.

Even Sweetpea seems comfortable walking, xer own smile creeping in as the party passes by an onix without issue.

SWEETPEA: I can't even get this kind of room in the Institute...
RAPPEL: Course not, these tunnels got made up by big mons just like that one.
RAPPEL: Institute tunnels got help, 'course, but smaller species came right on in and did just as much development once the initial work got done.
RAPPEL: VERY impressive work!
RAPPEL: Bunch'a guys in labcoats have their specialties!

 

 

She pauses.

RAPPEL: ...but building proper all-encompassin' infrastructure isn't on that menu.
RAPPEL: No offense to you, Sweetpea.
SWEETPEA: ...none taken.
SWEETPEA: Trust me, if I had any say in it, I'd be making larger hallways in EVERY facility!
SWEETPEA: I've complained to every higher up I can!
SWEETPEA: No one wants to listen to the intern, though...
MINERVA: But-

 

Minnie looks up from her sled, seemingly content to be dragged behind you thus far.

MINERVA: You're walking all this way just to get to your job...
MINERVA: You work so hard!
SWEETPEA: THANK you for the acknowledgment!

 

Xey let out an irritated croak.

SWEETPEA: All I want is to do a good job.
SWEETPEA: And what do I get?
SWEETPEA: Latte duty.



 

....latte duty?



Minerva nods solemnly, already in solidarity with her new venusaur friend despite your suspicions she has no idea what xey're talking about.



She's doing better today, at least.



Lucid, back to her polite and caring self....cuddly as well, which is not something you want to focus on right now.

It'd be some time before you could get alone time, and you don't expect Rappel to grant that out of nowhere.



....though with the way she and the omastar share conspiratorial giggles, you can't help but feel a sense of dread.



The last thing you need right now is scheming.






Especially not of that nature-



....



After all




You need to lock in.




Focus.



Everyone but you had taken extremely hard hits during Route 3.


Minerva was still out for the count battle-wise, and while you had two new heavy hitters-




at least you FUCKING HOPE SWEETPEA WOULD IF IT CAME DOWN TO IT



-on your travel squad, the idea of your team getting hurt like that again makes your skin crackle unpleasantly.



Which is fine.


It's fine.



It's just stress.




your teeth itch



And you are going to manage it.



The residential neighborhood dwindles, leading to more non-housing intersections.

There's more gaps between peoples' booths and alcoves, some walls decorated and some left bare.

Some mons call out to passersby, trying to hawk wares and travel advice.

RAPPEL: ...don't make eye contact.
RAPPEL: Those guys'll do whatever it takes to pinch a bit o'cash from weary travelers.
RAPPEL: Shameful work.
FILIGREE: ...guess it'd be easy to make a quick buck on people like us.
RAPPEL: How unfortunately right you are, my friend.
RAPPEL: Between tourist traps and maps that get you lost, all in order for one of their "helpers" to come find you and demand a fee for your safe return...

 

Her eyes narrow, disgust ripe in her voice.

RAPPEL: I've got no respect for people like that.
RAPPEL: None at all.

 

....




It's the first time you've heard her actually...negative, about anything.



And something you agree with, at that.


The kind of greed on display sickens you, always has.



The profiteering off of the vulnerable, the sick, and even-

FROND: ...how common is it for people to, y'know-
FROND: uh
FROND: Get?
FROND: In those situations?
RAPPEL: Peril, you mean?

 

He nods, his face a little nervous.

RAPPEL: I won't lie to you all-
RAPPEL: More than I enjoy.
RAPPEL: People do not respect the power of a cave!
RAPPEL: Their immense depths and dangers lying within...
RAPPEL: You need a guide for many reasons, and the most important thing is not just to avoid getting lost-
RAPPEL: But to avoid your life being lost as well.

 

Now it's the rest of your party's turn to look pale.

RAPPEL: I enjoy the thrill of it, of course!
RAPPEL: But many assume that means savoring the risk.
RAPPEL: No, not at all...
RAPPEL: To willingly seek out the danger within a cave is a foolish venture.
RAPPEL: To think you can tame it, equally futile.
RAPPEL: No, I want to understand caves, to know how they form, to study and traverse their treacherous tunnels...

 

She smiles, a bit lost in her monologue.

RAPPEL: The thrill to me comes from learning about the unknown.
RAPPEL: And what a beautiful unknown this mountain is.
STRETCH: ....

 

Your eyes trail to the stalls on the sides of the path.

You didn't notice at first, but the people running the stands glare at Rappel as she passes, lips curling into sneers.

STRETCH: ...I. Am guessing people do not share your opinions.
RAPPEL: Nope!

 

She grins, a bitterness to it.

RAPPEL: Not even a lil'.
RAPPEL: But that just goes for these grifters here.
RAPPEL: Friends and family, I have them in spades!
RAPPEL: Not by blood, no, but by the folks I have cared for and led through these tunnels.
EERIE: That how you get your, uh-
EERIE: Leftovers?
RAPPEL: Correctamundo!
RAPPEL: Leftovers, a night in a nice warm bed, space at the table at community gatherings-
RAPPEL: Most of my personal supplies are gifts from the locals, or stuff I whip up myself.
MINERVA: And that's how your prices are so cheap...?
RAPPEL: Cheap? Hah!
RAPPEL: I prefer to look at it as a public service with a tip.
RAPPEL: I'd do it for free if I didn't have some expenses that can't be paid with hospitality.
RAPPEL: Ain't that the way of it all!
EERIE: go figure...

 

Sweetpea's quiet, occasionally nodding in response to something. You watch xem out of the corner of your vision, a new focus to keep an eye on.



You still don't trust xem.


Xey helped you out of a bad situation, sure, but-

RAPPEL: Look!

 

You whip around, perhaps too suddenly- as if you pushed too hard on a gas pedal, swerving too hard.

Your antennae crackle as you try to ignore Filigree's suspicious stare, locking in on whatever the hell Rappel is pointing out.

She's gesturing excitedly to an informative sign, pointing out specific symbols.

RAPPEL: Now THIS is a stopping point you won't want to miss-
RAPPEL: Right here's a guide to all of the icons used in cave warnings!
FROND: ....that
FROND: looks like a lot of ways to die.
RAPPEL: And you'll want to avoid ALL of them!
FROND: ah
RAPPEL: Worry not, my friend!
RAPPEL: Together we will go over everything here-
RAPPEL: And your worries will be soothed, as you will know all of the ways it is common for adventurers to perish!

 


 

....you don't think that's what Frond was asking for.




But the information is helpful.

You didn't even know half of these.


Minerva looks outright nauseous, tugging on your tail gently to get your attention.

MINERVA: A-
MINERVA: is it really going to be safe for me to-
STRETCH: ...I.
STRETCH: I'll keep you safe.
MINERVA: im not worried about that i mean you carrying me!!!!

 

She frantically gestures towards the sign.

MINERVA: What if you end up getting hurt because of- having to deal with me-?
STRETCH: We'll...handle it...
 

You exhale slowly, considering your words carefully.

STRETCH: ...It won't be as hard as Route 3.

 

Her ears flop, looking even more ashamed and worried.



Shit.



Your smooth moves strike again.

STRETCH: I. I mean-
MINERVA: i'm sorry...

 

Nooo no no no you made her sad not again agggghHHH

RAPPEL: And here's what a signal bell will look like-
RAPPEL: They put these around high risk areas and places likely for adventurers to get trapped!
RAPPEL: If you can manage to reach one of these, you just gotta hold out for somebody licensed to come get you!
FILIGREE: And if it's one of the grifters...
RAPPEL: Do NOT give them your money!

 
 

You're too distracted to hear the rest, kneeling by Minerva's side as best as you can with your hover.

STRETCH: ...no need.

 

Your hand is trembling as you reach over to pat between her ears, current arcing the closer you get to her fur.



Something feels


off


or maybe more correct than you'd like to think about


as you make contact with her head.


Her skin is warm.

You can feel slight twitches in the muscles, largely from her ears and facial expressions.


Your fingers itch.

MINERVA: ....Stretch?

 

You snap out of it.

MINERVA: Are you okay...?

 

Your breathing had gotten heavy without you noticing.

STRETCH: ...just.
STRETCH: No need to say sorry.

 

You pull your hand away, taking some degree of relief in the slight, grateful blush on her cheeks.

STRETCH: Okay?

 

She hesitates, but smiles.

MINERVA: I'll do my best.

 

Both of your attention's drawn back over to the rest of your party, Rappel starting to get moving again.

RAPPEL: Look alive!
RAPPEL: The journey continues!



 

You enter a proper path now, no more businesses and homes to speak of.



Just you and the cave.





....and small talk.

EERIE: All I'm saying, is, like-
EERIE: You're weird, Rappel.
FILIGREE: Eerie you can't just say that
EERIE: What!
EERIE: I'm sayin' it as a compliment!

 

She gestures to the cheery, ghostly looking omastar.

EERIE: She's weird and spooky!
RAPPEL: That I am!
RAPPEL: No offense taken, either.
RAPPEL: I delight in giving people some weird in their day.
RAPPEL: ...

 

She keeps her eyes ahead, able to speak confidently without breaking focus on the environment around her.

RAPPEL: But yes!
RAPPEL: I am aware that there aren't many like me in this world.

 

Sweetpea finally speaks up.

SWEETPEA: ...you're-
SWEETPEA: From the Cinnabar program, aren't you...?

 

Rappel straightens her posture, the venusaur panicking immediately.

SWEETPEA: SORRY sorry sorry that's-
RAPPEL: You've got a good eye on you, Sweetpea!
RAPPEL: Yes indeed, I hail from Cinnabar Island-
RAPPEL: Or, it may be more apt to say that Cinnabar is where I rose from a very long slumber.

 

 

Now your attention is piqued.

RAPPEL: Care to share with the class?
SWEETPEA: OH
SWEETPEA: Uh!
SWEETPEA: W-well, I'm not an expert-
SWEETPEA: But our department has some degree of correspondence with the Pewter program-
SWEETPEA: F-for fossil revival, I mean.
EERIE: ...that's the whole program where you bring bones back to life, right?
SWEETPEA: That's- well, that's a more easily parsed oversimplification-
EERIE: But you put the bones in and a mon comes out, right?
SWEETPEA: ....

 

Xey have to take a deep breath.

SWEETPEA: We can call it that for now.
SWEETPEA: Both Pewter and Cinnabar have facilities where.

 

Xer voice is so, so tired.

SWEETPEA: Scientists bring pokemon fossils, their DNA is extracted-
EERIE: From the bones.
SWEETPEA: And a pokemon is artificially revived.
EERIE: Yeah. They come out of a tube or something.
SWEETPEA: ...sure.
RAPPEL: A simple analogy, yes-
RAPPEL: But one we can work with.
RAPPEL: What if-
RAPPEL: Instead of putting the bones into some manner of device, and creating a new being from the genes harvested...
RAPPEL: There was still a person inside?

 
 

Your eyes widen.



You'd heard of this.


Not...extensively, but.

STRETCH: ...I thought those were fringe stories.
RAPPEL: Incredible how many things are dismissed as such, mm?
RAPPEL: Most folks in my position don't disclose these kinds of thing-
RAPPEL: It's rather dangerous!
RAPPEL: And, let's put it like this-

 

She conspiratorially raises a tentacle to the side of her mouth, not even pretending to whisper.

RAPPEL: I'm not supposed to tell anyone.
STRETCH: Are you like
STRETCH: under.
STRETCH: ...NDA?
RAPPEL: Yes!
FILIGREE: For....being alive?
RAPPEL: That's correct!
FROND: D-doesn't that bother you-
RAPPEL: Deeply!
RAPPEL: And that's why I spill the beans!
RAPPEL: Better to share my story than keep my existence a mystery!

 

Sharing her story...



...it's a miracle she hasn't gotten sued.

EERIE: But that, like-
EERIE: That's crazy.
EERIE: You're tellin' me you came out of a boulder?
RAPPEL: Mmmhm.
RAPPEL: More or less.
EERIE: From ages ago?
RAPPEL: Yes!
FROND: Dude, you're-
FROND: You're a time traveler!
RAPPEL: So I've been told, although I wish I had had a fancy time machine and not a rock...

 

Minerva makes a worried noise.

MINERVA: ....that-
MINERVA: -must have been...lonely.

 

Rappel's eyes soften.

RAPPEL: ...very.
RAPPEL: I am very grateful to have friends now.
RAPPEL: Ah-!

 

There's a fork in the road, Rappel pausing to check her map.

RAPPEL: Left's where we're going.

 

She points to the other side, making sure that the party notes the wave sign above the tunnel.

RAPPEL: That way's an underground river.
RAPPEL: You don't wanna do that one.

 

Filigree shudders, Minerva looking equally unenthusiastic.

RAPPEL: Off we go!









 

There's a downward slope now, Minerva looking worriedly up at you as soon as the elevation starts to decline.



Uh



Hm



There is an issue here.




You do not have any purchase on the ground beneath you.



Hovering is useful for avoiding the rough ground, yes, but- you haven't actually dealt with this sort of thing in years.

Even stairs posed very little issue to you now, one of the few rare perks of turning into whatever this is.



Ideal for someone floating along by themself.



Not ideal for floating with someone still on the ground, affected far more by gravity than you.




You immediately back up to where the ground's more level, Sweetpea noticing before either you or Minnie can pipe up.

SWEETPEA: Oh! Um-
SWEETPEA: You're having trouble, aren't you?

 

You give xem a blank look.

STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: Yes.

 

Xey lean over to look at your feet, embarrassment and shame sneaking onto your face.



Stop



looking at those.




It's weird.




Your feet are weird and so is looking at them.

SWEETPEA: Well, it makes sense...
SWEETPEA: Prehensile, but affected by some kind of...gravitational anomaly-

 

Xey don't seem to recognize how awkward this is as xey straighten back up, hands on xer hips.

SWEETPEA: I can help!
MINERVA: Oh, Sweetpea, that's...
SWEETPEA: I- I fully, plan on pulling my weight!
SWEETPEA: As promised!

 

One thing is clear from the Route 3 disaster- you are not going to be able to care for her without the help of others.

Sweetpea is the most physically capable out of anyone here- at least, in raw strength and bulk.

Xey don't know you, or your capabilities yet. You hadn't even gotten the chance to battle in front of xem.

To xem, you're



effectively just



another research subject.



Something to study and adjust procedure accordingly.



A science project.





.....





Minnie's eyes are full of gratitude.




You will have to tolerate this.
For now.



Sweetpea's able to cradle the sled between her arms, struggling only with xer own lack of dexterity, and not the golbat's weight.


Minerva seems unsteady at first, but settles in, giving the venusaur a huge smile.

MINERVA: Thank you so much...

 

Sweetpea looks embarrassed more than anything, clearly trying to play off xer nerves.




....xey better not drop her.

You're going to stay close-

FROND: Everything all good back here?



 

You whip around again, smacking Frond in the face with your tail on accident.

STRETCH: SHIT-
MINERVA: ohmygod

 
 

....



The gloom isn't upset at all after he regains his balance, his stunned expression replaced with one

inscrutable to you.




Your chest clenches.


Breath hitching.



You swear you heard him make a sound that was



just



Inscrutable.

FROND: N-no prob, bud!
FROND: Rappel just wanted me to check in.
RAPPEL: IT'S FINE IF YOU NEED TO REST!
EERIE: we've only been walking for like an hour
FILIGREE: Eerie, come on...
STRETCH: ....

 
 

You look up at Sweetpea and Minerva, who give you nods of varying degrees of confidence.

Sweetpea's a little nervous, maybe?

Minerva's much more at ease.

STRETCH: ...we're good.



 

Frond sticks by your side now, all of the awkwardness from a few days ago seemingly resolved.

On.


His end.


It's fine.


Keep it cool.



Maybe Eerie's right.


She has been hanging out with him a lot.

.....



maybe you could really try to bond-

FROND: So, like-
FROND: You're stuck in a rock, clefairies got stuck in rocks-

 

oh no.

FROND: Any connections?

 

ohhh no.

FROND: Is it aliens.

 

He had done this.
SO MUCH.

After you told the clefairy story when you were kids.

And it drove you fucking crazy. He had to ask this about EVERYTHING.

Is this aliens?
Is that aliens?

Of course it isn't aliens it's never fucking aliens people are soooo bad at always assuming it's aliens and it dilutes the actual discussion of aliens and

RAPPEL: I'm here for a reason!

 

You have to clench your jaw shut.

RAPPEL: Plenty o' caves to explore in the big wide world-
RAPPEL: But THIS ONE!

 

She strikes a pose, managing to step around a large rock without looking.

RAPPEL: HAS INTRIGUE!
RAPPEL: ...that specifically pertains to my case.

 

Frond pumps his fist.

FROND: knew it.
SWEETPEA: Mmm...
SWEETPEA: I can see the similarities, at- least from what I've seen in the files I'm cleared for.
SWEETPEA: It's-
SWEETPEA: ....well, it's classified-
EERIE: That just makes it more mysterious, y'know...
EERIE: If you're gonna make us curious, play it off!
SWEETPEA: W-WELL, IT'S-

 

Xey grimace.

SWEETPEA: ....hmph.
SWEETPEA: I can't afford to lose my job, you know...
EERIE: Pff...
RAPPEL: No worries, my friend!
RAPPEL: I've waited a long time to find answers- and I've got plenty of decades left in me!
FILIGREE: ....does fossil...time travel...aging work like tha-
RAPPEL: No idea!
STRETCH: ...hmph.

 

You cross your arms, floating along with your tail lashing.

STRETCH: Why exactly, do you assume-
STRETCH: Aliens. Here.

 

It sounds way bitchier than you intend, but the omastar appears completely unbothered.

RAPPEL: Not an assumption, no...
RAPPEL: What our friend in the glasses is likely alluding to is the study of signals.

 

Oh.

RAPPEL: Extraterrestrial messages traveling across the cosmos-!

 

Ohhh. Okay.

RAPPEL: For decades we have been studying these signals, aided by those who can naturally sense and interpret them...

 

She's


a Lunatic.




...just like you.

STRETCH: ...but those have barely started being decoded.

 

She lights up.

RAPPEL: CORRECTAMUNDO, Stretch!
RAPPEL: Ahh, I knew you were hiding something-

 

Your face heats up, Rappel bounding over with her face lit up.

RAPPEL: You too have been affected by-!

 

You shake your head rapidly, the omastar immediately drawing back.

She doesn't turn her gaze away, staring into your equally unblinking eyes.

RAPPEL: ...or perhaps I'm mistaken.
EERIE: Eh?
EERIE: just like that...?
RAPPEL: I've been told I'm overzealous at times-

 

A slight smile sneaks onto her beak.


The feeling you had when you first hired her is back.



Recognition.

RAPPEL: And now is not the time to lose my composure!
RAPPEL: We have adventuring to do...

 

She returns to the front of the pack, one hand in her pocket as she checks her map.

RAPPEL: My story can wait.
RAPPEL: It-


 

The earth shakes.



Shaking isn't a strong enough word, actually.



It feels like the cave is being thrown around, the earthquake so much more dramatic than those you've felt on the surface.



The ceiling begins to crack, Rappel cussing as



something bursts out of her back




dragging everyone into a dark, tight space.







It's still going.


At first, you can't see-



Only to register the glow of your body, lighting up the faces of your entire party and scaring you out of your skin.



Rappel's looking strained as you realize that you haven't been dragged anywhere, no-



You're being shielded, some kind of dark barrier surrounding the team like a dome.

EERIE: What the FUCK
RAPPEL: S-stay still, everyone-

 

Something hits the top of the barrier, the omastar wincing.

RAPPEL: -and you will all be okay!




 

You hear Minnie whimpering.



Sweetpea's no better, letting out miserable croaks.



Filigree is pressed against Eerie, using the much larger rhyhorn as some kind of additional shielding.



Eerie herself flattens against Sweetpea's leg, likely trying to do the same thing as Fili.




You hear Frond counting.



Shit.



Your own heart is pounding as you pull him in closer, yanking him in by his backpack strap.

He doesn't hesitate to latch back onto you, his counting getting less shaky now.




Ten years.



Ten years of waiting for you-




The shaking stops


only to be replaced with an overwhelming klaxon,


claws digging into Frond's skin






when did you get cl




Rappel dispels the shadowy shield, panting for breath.


The cave tunnel is full of rubble, but it held.


Your own heart is pounding.


You have to get it together.


You have to-

You pull your hand away from Frond,

clawless

fingers stained with his sap-like blood.




You feel sick.



Frond looks it even moreso than you, but



he nods.



He understands.



You struggle to get over to Sweetpea, bracing your antennae flush against your head as you gesture for her to fork over the sled.



Xey immediately oblige, covering up xer own ears as soon as you've wrapped your arms around Minerva, counting to ten over and over as you hear her shriek and cry, the sound too much for her delicate senses.


....



And then it's over, replaced with a booming voice somehow heard even this deep into the mountain.

????: ALL PARTIES ON THE MOUNTAIN-


SWEETPEA: T-the warning system-!



????: THIS IS A LOCKDOWN, SHELTER IN PLACE-



 

A horrible,

gurgling sound,

someone choking on something wet.


Your eyes widen.


No one moves.

????: ....ahem.
 

A new voice takes...what you assume to be the microphone, followed by a shuffling of papers.

????: Incredible how far this reaches, isn't it...
????: A wonderful system for our grand debut.
????: Helloooo, institute staff, visitors, travelers of all ages...
????: This is an OSTEO TAKEOVER!
????: And boy, is it hostile.

EERIE: Wh-

 

Eerie's voice sounds hollow, unable to form words.

????: I'd recommend listening to your former announcer...
????: People getting in the way of this operation...
????: Could get messy.

 

This can't be happening.

????: Let's all just behave!
????: And no one gets hurt.
????: I look forward to your cooperation!

 

The intercom clicks off.

 

RAPPEL: ...shit.




 

---

A lockdown has begun! Osteo getting ahold of the Lunar Institute can't mean anything good...

...especially after that announcement...

No suggestions for the next stretch of episodes- this is a MULTI-PART HELL EXPERIENCE! But how bad can it get?

Find out next time...on SPACE CASE!

[skinstealer]

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
The whole mountain is under lockdown...with our heroes trapped inside! It'd be one thing if they were stuck inside the Lunar Institute itself, but they get to go cave diving instead....how bad could it go?

Find out now- on SPACE CASE!
EPISODE 19: Mt. Moon Caverns (Pt 1)

---

Everything slows down.




You're locked into a desperate hug with Minerva, as clamped onto each other as you can with her strapped in.

Frond is clinging onto your back- you're pretty sure he's struggling not to vomit, likely unhelped by your tail wrapped around him and keeping him in place.



You aren't sure how that happened.




Doesn't matter.






Focus.



Eerie looks shellshocked.


It makes sense.




This whole affair'd taken less than three weeks and her entire perception over the gang she associated with has been shattered.



This is far beyond what she- or anyone here, by the look on peoples' faces- could have expected.





A whole takeover.




Your stomach churns as you think about all of the people on the upper campus.




Workers, tourists, merchants, researchers-

How many Osteo members were here?


How many laying in wait among the smiling faces?




The rhyhorn is struggling to breathe, panic attack welling up in slow motion.




....how many of them had recognized Eerie?



FOCUS.




Filigree is.


Fuck's sake.
They look terrible.


As much as you want to get to Cerulean, the argument the two of you had gotten into before leaving had zero resolution. Everyone was too wrapped up in their own various prep to pick up on the bellsprout's sluggish movements and strained posture, and Fili had outright refused to wait another day or seek further diagnosis at the center.



They had insisted the nurses gave them a clean bill of health.



You are pretty sure they're full of shit.





Not a good time.
Not a good time for this at all.



Okay.

Okay, Rappel next.



....



The fact that your ever-courageous guide has a look of sheer panic on her face does not fill you with confidence.


You don't think they teach this scenario in caving school.

The very idea of an entire mountain having a security lockdown is fucking insane.

Even with most major peaks having some degree of society living within them, this is at minimum the most developed mountain community in Kanto.



She's been trained for crevices, stalactites, and earthquakes like earlier.

Whatever had happened with that dome of hers...that was her specialty.
She had said everything was going to be okay then.



Not now.
Not anymore.



Sweetpea is scrambling for xer nav.


Who the hell did xey think would come and get xem?
The signal had to be terrible down here, let alone any quality issues with the nav itself-





Time resumes.

SWEETPEA: pick up pick up pick up please pick up

 

Xer nav rings,
once,
twice,
thrice-





And connects.

SWEETPEA: D-DOC!
SWEETPEA: Ursa, Orion-
ORION: SWEETPEA, oh god, thank goodness you're alright-

 

Even from your distance, you can make out the sound of crashing.

SWEETPEA: Doc, wh-
ORION: I don't know, I-

 

Tears roll down the venusaur's cheeks, worsening as xey flinch at another loud noise.

ORION: Listen to me, dear-!
ORION: All of the signals are breaking up, equipment's jamming-
ORION: There's not much time!
ORION: Ursa and I are going to gather our work and hide.
ORION: You- you need to stay put.
SWEETPEA: But DOC-
SWEETPEA I-
SWEETPEA: I have to get back-
ORION: No, you HAVE to stay safe!

 

The mon on the other end's voice is shaking, choking up with tears of his own.

ORION: We'll hide, and- we can meet up when this has all blown over-
SWEETPEA: B-bullshit, Doc, I KNOW you-

 

There's a pause, the call empty outside of the sounds of scientists scrambling, boxes crashing.

ORION: ...It's not your fault.
SWEETPEA: Doc, no, p-
ORION: We'll always love you.
SWEETPEA: S-STOP TALKING LIKE-

 

A particularly loud slam, Sweetpea starting to hyperventilate.

ORION: WHATEVER YOU DO-
ORION: PLEASE- PLEASE-
ORION: STAY SAFE!!
SWEETPEA: DOC-!

 

The call cuts off.



Xey frantically slam the call button, only to get a "no signal" tone, over and over.






Eerie's expression looks hollow.

EERIE: ...that was
EERIE: Our only connection to the outside world
EERIE: ...wasn't it.

 

Filigree shakes their head, seemingly having just as much trouble with their own nav.

FILIGREE: I'm having even less luck, I'm not getting through to Cleave at all-

 

The rhyhorn pants, breathing hard through her nose and mouth.

EERIE: R-rappel, surely you-

 

The omastar doesn't even have her nav out, staring at the tunnel ceiling.

RAPPEL: ...they'll have blocked everything by now.
RAPPEL: This is a heavy jammer.
EERIE: But-
EERIE: How can you tell, this- it's a whole fucking mountain!
SWEETPEA: She's right.

 

The venusaur's face is covered in tears and snot, attempting and failing to wipe it off on xer capelet.

SWEETPEA: I-
SWEETPEA: I can feel it too.
RAPPEL: Powerful enough for us psychic types to pick up on it.
RAPPEL: ....

 

Her eyes narrow.

RAPPEL: This is going to be nasty.
EERIE: SO?

 

She punches the cave wall, only to wince.

EERIE: W-we can't-
EERIE: There has to be-
MINERVA: E-eerie, breathe-
EERIE: YOU breathe-

 

She catches herself mid snap, face full of guilt.

Minerva's expression carries no offense, just...



Something you can't read.



Pained, in some way.

MINERVA: ...I'm scared too.

 

It's enough to break the rhyhorn, Eerie sliding against the wall and pulling her knees to her chest.

EERIE: i never wanted this
RAPPEL: ...This goes beyond you or I, my friend.
STRETCH: She's right.

 

Eerie looks up over her legs.

STRETCH: They wouldn't pull this just to get you.
FROND: .....

 

Frond slowly pulls away from you, taking a brief moment to hack up the sap built up from the physical contact before gathering himself.

FROND: ...p-prolly-
FROND: After the research-
FROND: ...right?

 

Sweetpea pales, Fili's eyes widening.

FILIGREE: ...the evolutionary work.
SWEETPEA: B-but-
SWEETPEA: T-that means!
SWEETPEA: No, no, no, it's-

 

Xey shake xer head frantically, looking like xey're going to be sick.

SWEETPEA: It's-
SWEETPEA: It's just rocks-
EERIE: You said it yourself-
EERIE: B. Bad people, want that shit.

 

She wipes her own eyes, using the tunnel wall to help right herself.

EERIE: I know Osteo.
EERIE: ...this is up their alley.

 

Sweetpea's eyes widen, backing away as Eerie fumbles for her bag, pulling out her club.

EERIE: Relax, I quit those creeps years ago...
EERIE: ....and I'm not gonna let them get away with this.
SWEETPEA: W-will-

 

Xey swallow.

SWEETPEA: T- the Asterisms, Ursa and Orion-
SWEETPEA: they're all i have
SWEETPEA: I need to get, get to them, before-
RAPPEL: I have shortcuts.

 

The omastar is already looking over her map, brow furrowed enough for her shell to cover the top of her eyes.

RAPPEL: It won't be easy- and I won't sugarcoat it.
RAPPEL: Strain, injuries?
RAPPEL: Guaranteed, these are rough routes not meant for your bodies.
RAPPEL: Stress? Tension?
RAPPEL: No chance of avoiding it.
RAPPEL: ...death.
RAPPEL: I will do everything in my power to keep that from happening- and I have quite the toolkit.
RAPPEL: ....
RAPPEL: But this is a road less traveled for me.
STRETCH: ....No other option.

 

Minerva looks over at you, hanging onto your words.

STRETCH: We either get moving.
STRETCH: Or wait while others get hurt.
FROND: ...or killed.
STRETCH: Or that.
MINERVA: ....
MINERVA: I agree.

 

She has to take a moment.

MINERVA: This-
MINERVA: I've, never-
MINERVA: This is quite a bit for me.

 

A nervous laugh, the golbat having held back her own panic once the sirens had stopped.

MINERVA: I was, so scared of dragging people down-
MINERVA: ...I still am.
MINERVA: But-!
MINERVA: I don't want any of us to get hurt!
MINERVA: And if Sweetpea's loved ones are in danger-
MINERVA: Then we should go and save them too!
EERIE: Usually I'd go on about not wantin' to get involved...

 

She whacks her club against her hand.

EERIE: But we gotta get to Cerulean somehow.
EERIE: Gives me a chance to crack some skulls of my own.
FROND: ....

 

Frond's been quiet for a while now, on and off biting his lip.

STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: You can weigh in.

 

He jumps a little, not expecting your attention.

FROND: This-
FROND: sucks.
FROND: ....and all I can think of is how pissed my mom is gonna be.

 

A soft noise escapes you, Frond not acknowledging it.

FROND: .......They would...want me to get home safe.
FROND: I dunno what your whole, relationship is, with the Asterisms...
FROND: But we're going that way anyway, and I!
FROND: Also want to help!
FROND: So I'm in!

 

Everyone's attention turns to the bellsprout in the room.



They look.



Wilted.

And barely conscious.

EERIE: Fili, what-
FILIGREE: It's- nothing...
MINERVA: Oh my god, get them over here-

 

Eerie picks up the plant before they can protest, dunking them into her lap.

She immediately starts examining them, surprising you- Rappel really had taught her techniques, clearly knowing where to check first.

MINERVA: ....they're burning up.
FILIGREE: ...'m fine...
MINERVA: Some kind of fever, and-

 

Fili winces as she even gently pokes their neck thorns, the golbat's frown worsening.

MINERVA: Pain, lots of it.
MINERVA: ...you're in no condition to do this, why didn't you-
STRETCH: I tried to stop them.

 

Your tone is blunt.

STRETCH: ..They've been sick for a few days.
EERIE: Wh-
EERIE: And you didn't TELL anyone?!

 

You grimace, remembering your argument earlier that day.






....and how they had argued you were doing just as badly




and that by your logic




neither of you should go at all.

STRETCH: It- It's more complicated than that-
MINERVA: You two can bicker later!

 

You and Eerie both flinch.

MINERVA: Right now, we-
MINERVA: We need to get-

 

Sweetpea ambles over, kneeling and looming above the sled.

SWEETPEA: ...I've seen this- or, at least, close.
MINERVA: Then-

 

Xey nod.

SWEETPEA: They're going to be okay.
SWEETPEA: It's-
SWEETPEA: Evolutionary sickness, if my guess is correct...
FROND: ....Fili's gonna evolve?
SWEETPEA: Not yet!
SWEETPEA: It, could take a while, especially without knowing their variant's conditions-
SWEETPEA: But as long as they're kept stable, they'll be okay.
EERIE: Yeah, tall ask right now...
RAPPEL: We can make it work.

 

The omastar closes her map, tapping her tentacle hand against her hip.

RAPPEL: I've charted a route.
MINERVA: ...Fili, we need to get moving...
MINERVA: I'm going to have to strap you in with me, okay?

 

They nod, only half there.

It takes some doing, but the bellsprout gets securely nestle in against Minerva's stomach, their eyes closing as the warmth of her body eases them into unconsciousness.

Frond has to steady his breathing, giving the plant a gentle pat.

FROND: ....stay safe, bud...


 

 

Before had been nerve-wracking, but this is something else.

While some of the lanterns lighting the path were still going, the quake had dislodged and even shattered others, leaving swathes of the trek in darkness- up until a flashlight hits.

Rappel, thankfully, brought spares- strong one too.
Frond is passed a spare light early on, as is Eerie.
You and Sweetpea are on Minerva support duty, Minnie herself already tending to the two lights now strapped onto the sled.

RAPPEL: ...not ideal, but it happens.
RAPPEL: Look alive, my friends....
RAPPEL: And no risky movements.
RAPPEL: This path has some open edges-
FROND: L-like, cliffs?
RAPPEL: Unfortunately correct.
RAPPEL: Stay close to me, and keep the path lit.
RAPPEL: Steady movem-

 

Her directions are interrupted by a loud thud, Frond nearly jumping out of his skin.

MINERVA: ....what was
RAPPEL: S-shhh-

 

She shakes her head, eyes widening as she raises a tentacle to her beak.



Another thud.



Where is it coming from, what direc-



Another.
Louder.

RAPPEL: shit.
EERIE: What th-
RAPPEL: STICK TO THE FAR WALLS-

 

Something breaks through the rock in front of you, debris flying straight at your party.


You move quickly, pushing Minerva back as Sweetpea body blocks any incoming shrapnel.

EERIE: M-motherfucker-

 

On a look over, barely lit by Eerie's dropped flashlight, she'd done the same for Frond





and looks fucking pissed about it.

RAPPEL: STAY BACK!
EERIE: LIKE HELL I WILL-
FROND: EERIE-


 

 

You are now Eerie.








A snorlax has just shattered a cave wall and is barreling towards you and your friends.



You know this one.
Used to pick on you in training.



Was this smart?
Nah.
But you're hyped up, and not in a good way.



You're seeing red.

EERIE: LET'S GO, ASSHOLE!

 

Your head still sting from the debris you blocked- you'd taken a real beating, honestly, but it's better than Frond being dead.

And right now, you're pretty sure you can tank this guy.

The snorlax is caught off guard at your sudden rush-


you're not even sure if he registers it's you-


it's not like the lighting's all that good here, and you were one of many teens he bullied.



Even still, his paws light up, flame crackling between the claws.


You know what's coming.


Motherfucker and his burning punches.




You manage to hit a boulder at just the right angle-


-as you jump off of it and club him in the side of the head.





He snarls, lunging for you and barely managing to scrape your armored shell.





Hah.

He hated you for this- your typing putting him at a disadvantage.

Bigger, stronger, yeah-



But he could only chip at you.

And you're a lot bigger now.




You clash again, getting him in the hip joint.
No point in going for the belly- Remember what Stretch told you about weak spots.


Where else, where else-


He grazes your crest, the heat actually starting to get to you a bit-



Shit, it's probably making the whole passage nasty.
You're gonna have to wrap this up fast.




Another leg shot.
He manages to claw at your neck as he goes down on one knee, ferocity in his face-



His paws ignite, burning harder than before.

RAPPEL: FALL BACK!
 

 

You jump back, the omastar tanking the incoming flaming swipe without even flinching.


The passage is still so dimly lit, only discernible at all from the scattered flashlights and the snorlax's glow



only to be swallowed by the dark, the same shadowy substance from earlier erupting from her back.


Before, you thought it was amorphous, tentacles at best.


No.





The mass unfurls into wings, bat-like and constantly in motion.


The snorlax doesn't have time to react.


Rappel moves so quickly that all he can do is watch in terror, his futile effort at clawing at the omastar met with her sending him flying back through the hole he himself made



screaming



that gets fainter


the sign of someone falling off an edge.

 

 

FROND: ...o-oh my god-
MINERVA: R-rappel-

 

She turns, her wings dissipating as she stretches.

Even in the dim lighting, you can see her determined expression.

RAPPEL: Good work, Eerie.
RAPPEL: Risky, but brave.
RAPPEL: We get more of the latter and less of the former, and we're in business.
RAPPEL: Everybody good?

 

The party can only nod, stunned.

RAPPEL: Good.
RAPPEL: Gotta keep movin'.


 

You glance out of the hole as you pass by, grimacing as you have your fears confirmed.



Rappel absolutely launched that fucker off a cliff.

Like.


He definitely deserved it.



But


uh


Wow.
Okay.



Yep.




He's dead.



You swallow, only to jump a foot when you turn around and see Rappel looking at you.

RAPPEL: ....
RAPPEL: Did you know him?

 

You hesitate, and then nod.

RAPPEL: Guessing relations weren't ideal.

 

You shake your head.

RAPPEL: ....I'm sorry.
RAPPEL: I'm aware it-
RAPPEL: Still hurts.
EERIE: More that....it freaks me out-
RAPPEL: That's a kind of hurt too.
RAPPEL: One I hope you never have to face again, after this.
EERIE: ....

 

She gets back to moving, getting ahead of the pack.



You fall in line, Frond shooting you an equally worried look.



Neither of you say anything.


In fact, no one does.




All you can do is hope this is over soon.














And then the whispering starts.



Rappel and Sweetpea sense it first, stopping dead in their tracks.

SWEETPEA: minnie, hold filigree close-
MINERVA: Wh-

 

And then it hits her,
and Stretch and Frond-


and then you.





The sound of someone breathing unintelligible words, its position unidentifiable.




Someone.

NOT something.



Frond pulls on your leg, breathing hard.

FROND: E-Eerie-
FROND: We, we have to get you somewhere safe, you're still-

 


 

Something drips onto your head.




Your breath stops.






It's right above you.

RAPPEL: GET DOWN

 

You are now Rappel.



Y'know, you've had a lot of cave runs where you've had to do some battling.

Sometimes somebody gets a bit testy.

Run-ins with petty thieves?
Yeah, you've handled those.

It's an unpleasant part of the job.



...This is new!
And not in a way you like!




As you shine your light up and see the gaping maw of something completely alien to you



the fear of the unknown hits you like a freight train.




You have been doing this for decades and you do not know what the fuck that is.




You manage to push Eerie aside right as it drops, the rhyhorn rolling down the path and getting stopped by Sweetpea's leg.





It rises to its feet, slowly.




Frond helps give you some light, as does Minerva- helpful comrades, can't beat them.



A better look eases some tension, only to replace it with another.






Kangaskhan.

You've seen this variant before.
At least, sort of.



Clefairy lineage kangas looked like ethereal, motherly fairies- pastel colors and capable of storing cosmic energy in their translucent stomachs.
Extremely rare, and considered highly valuable in your field of studies.

You're familiar.




But in the split second that you observe it, you see tubes connected to its stomach, pulsating liquid traveling from there into its neck.



THEY DO NOT USUALLY HAVE THOSE.


You get into fighting stance as wet, dripping tendrils shoot out of its back ridges, tipped with needles that glisten in the flashlight.

Your eyes widen.






THEY REALLY DO NOT USUALLY HAVE THOSE.

FROND: R-RAPPEL, UH-
RAPPEL: Stay back!
RAPPEL: I-

 
 

You tense your muscles as the tubes pulse, some kind of steam emerging from its nostrils.

RAPPEL: I HAVE THIS COVERED!

 

....

You're not wrong.



As you dart forward, you let the shadowy mass push you off the ground, forming a massive spike around one of your legs.
A hit from one of these bad boys is more than enough to-



You make contact, piercing into the kangaskhan's neck.


While you didn't usually like to go for such brutal shots, you are not going to risk this party getting killed-







Blood sprays out of the wound, splattering against your face







only for the tubes on its body to pulsate, the pokemon beginning to laugh.

KANGASKHAN: Picked a bad fight, huh?

 

The blood begins to solidify






trapping your leg inside.

RAPPEL: wuh oh


 

It laughs harder, pivoting its whole body in a spin that makes the world violently whirl around you-




-slamming you against the cave wall in a nasty splat.

KANGASKHAN: Looks like you're a weird one...

 

You don't get the chance to try and wriggle free, the pokemon slamming your shell hard against the rock face.

KANGASKHAN: Just

 
 

Pinned.

You can barely even look behind you, two inches away from eating dirt off the wall.

KANGASKHAN: Like.

 

The needle enters your view, your eyes widening as it grazes your cheek.

KANGASKHAN: Me.
 

 

It jams it into your neck, immediately siphoning something from you.

MINERVA: R-RAPPEL-

 
 

Her voice sounds so scared.




....




You get it.




You're at the mercy of some kind of alien-looking thing in a dark cave tunnel.



You can feel your eyes well up with tears against your will, the feeling of being used as some kind of fuel.



You don't know what this mon is, or what it's doing to you, not specifics-



But you're good at figuring out how things work on the fly.



And this isn't your first rodeo.

RAPPEL: D-DON'T INTERVENE
RAPPEL: I'LL BE FINE!
KANGASKHAN: And what makes you think that-
RAPPEL: Because!

 
 

Your other leg pulls forward, forming a shadow spike as it slams back into the kangaskhan,





rupturing one of its neck tubes.

RAPPEL: I have TWO of these!

 

It splutters, more fizzing steam bursting out of the severed flesh.


Yes. Okay. Good! Progress!




...but the other tube is still live.





It inhales hard, raw fluid traveling up from its stomach to patch the wound, driving the needle deeper into your flesh.



It's definitely

taking something.



You're not feeling hurt so much as weak- life force, maybe?
Shit, that's not good.
Your body may be intact, but-


The wound hurts.



You have to desperately shove down the urge to writhe and scream, remembering your other leg is still free.
You had gone clean through the tube, way more narrow than a kangaskhan's neck.



Going for weakpoints is the way out.



You manage to flail enough to swing forward, your backswing enough


to go right


for



the eye.






Even through the shade, you can feel it pierce.

eugh.



It staggers, your head finally released. You fall forward, still tethered to the kangaskhan by the needle as it STAYS INSIDE YOUR BODY-




ooooh fuck that HURTS wow that's worse than an IV by a mile



It starts to suck energy out of you again, likely trying to repair itself-



Not this time.


It's a gambit, but-

You summon another shadow mass

this time


inside yourself.


Where the needle draws.




Your skin bloats for a moment, sending horrible agony shooting through- well, everywhere- before being rapidly siphoned into the kangaskhan's body.


It tries to get words out, only to cough, splutter


and vomit the shade back up, purging all of its restorative acid in the process.

It collapses





and stay down.




The needle releases enough for you to pull it out, the skin feeling horrifically inflamed and aching.



Your face is stained with tears.



You didn't take that much damage.

But you feel hollow, as if the Osteo member had taken far more than just your life force.



....



You wipe your eyes, getting a grip.



You have to get up.


You have to-



A blue glow approaches, Frond helping pull you to your feet as Stretch looks on with a genuinely fearful expression.

RAPPEL: N-no worries, friends-!

 

The electabuzz huffs, the current arcing over its skin flaring up bad.
Shit.
Not good.
At this rate-

STRETCH: It's not fine.
RAPPEL: I-
RAPPEL: I apologize, for the brutality-
FROND: That's-
FROND: That's not the point!

 

You blink.

FROND: I mean, it is the point-
EERIE: YOU JUST STABBED SOMEONE'S EYE OUT
FROND: But-

 

His face contorts into an expression just barely readable in the flashlight.



He's tearing up too.



Ah.

You understand now, seeing him try not to cry.

His breath hitching.

He recognizes things he doesn't even realize, things you never like finding camaraderie in.
...him and Stretch both.


You pat him gently on the head, managing a weak smile.

RAPPEL: ...it's not my first time.
RAPPEL: At my age, in my profession-
RAPPEL: It would be a shock if it was!

 

Your voice comes out more strained than you'd like, dropping your volume just for the two of them.

RAPPEL: ...this part
RAPPEL: never gets easier, though.
RAPPEL: ...I'm sorry you had to witness that.
RAPPEL: Let's move onward and find a place to camp.
RAPPEL: Wounds need to be treated-
RAPPEL: Of all kinds.
RAPPEL: Shall we, my friend?

 

Frond sniffles, nodding.

You give him one more pat before you start guiding the party again.









It's a longer trek than you'd like before you find an abandoned alcove, not wanting to risk camping in the open.

This is still risky, but at least the place still had enough covering to pass as empty from the outside, worn-down, sturdy fabric over the doorway and window openings to keep the dust out.

You check your nav as soon as you sit down- an hour since your last look.





...




The wound on your neck pulses.




It aches.



You resist touching it, having spent the past hour trying to avoid thinking about it at all.


Stretch lets Minerva out of her sled, the bat handing Filigree off to Frond for a checkup before approaching you.

MINERVA: ....may I?

 

Part of you hesitates.


She's a stranger- a nice stranger, but still someone you've been friends with for the past few days.

People would argue that's far too short a time to kill someone for-
maybe two people, depending on the kangaskhan's wounds-
but you've done worse.




....




You nod, taking your jacket off.



Your upper torso is scarred, twenty years of combat and caving damage, "wear and tear" as you used to joke about with Plunge.

She always fusses at you over it, saying that you should be more careful.
Stop using such high risk moves that take time to charge, or have high failure rates-



But it's what you have.



For all of your care in charting cave routes, in learning about an area before taking people down....the moves you've been able to develop and register can be unpredictable, dangerous.


She always looks so tired, scared for you.
Prep time can only do so much, she says.

That maybe you'll save lives in the process, but one of these days you're going to get yourself killed.

MINERVA: ....

 

She pauses.

MINERVA: is it okay for me to touch you?
RAPPEL: With warning, I'm an excellent patient.
RAPPEL: I get all the gold stars!

 

She smiles, albeit somewhat forced.



As she carefully examines the wound, you turn your focus to the rest of the party, checking in with each other and making some sort of sleeping arrangement.


Eerie is still rattled from earlier, and you aren't surprised.
If she's ex-Osteo from years ago-


Forget the gang having a violence spike, you just eviscerated two people she might have known.
At least one of them!



Guilt fills your chest.
Still, you did save her life.
You hope that softens the blow.

RAPPEL: ....I'm sorry.
RAPPEL: This-
RAPPEL: This sort of thing is NOT-
SWEETPEA: ....
SWEETPEA: it's okay.

 

Xer voice is quiet, the venusaur curled up in the corner as best as xey could.

SWEETPEA: It-
SWEETPEA: I mean it when
SWEETPEA: i said i'll do anything.
FROND: And-
FROND: They were, going to kill us-

 

His voice cracks.

FROND: R-right?

 

You nod, half-interrupted by Minerva poking you again.

MINERVA: S-sorry, going to need to, um-
RAPPEL: just get it out it's fine
MINERVA: O-okay...Frond, can you check on everyone else and tell me how they're doing?


 

You manage to grit your beak as the remaining shade is removed from your body, drained like a cyst.

Minnie had been deeply grossed out by this part of your training- a necessary skill when it came to severe elemental wounds- but she doesn't flinch now.






Frond returns after a few moments, wincing more at the fluid coming out of you than your impromptu doctor.

 

FROND: U-uh-
FROND: Me, Stretch and Sweetpea are all good.
FROND: Eerie's still pretty bad, Fili's out cold-
FROND: And, uh, Rappel-

 

Another squeeze, Frond closing his eyes for a moment.

FROND: is right here.
RAPPEL: I'lllllll be up and at 'em in no time!

 

You catch Stretch staring at you from the other side of the room.

You're good at reading expressions.
Not this one.





Stretch and Minnie form a protective wrap around Filigree- the two clearly comfortable around each other, enough to shield the bellsprout together with their own bodies.
Frond stays close by, whispering something to the electabuzz, getting a nod, and laying next to its back.

You, Eerie, and Sweetpea remain awake, watching the outside.
You hadn't been able to do much about the healing, not nearly as much as you'd like.

....but it'd have to be something.





Please



let your efforts be something.
 

---

Well, that's.
That sure is something, isn't it?
Surely the Stars' journey can improve from here!

No suggestions for the next stretch of episodes- this is a MULTI-PART HELL EXPERIENCE! 

....and it does not look good.

See more next time...on SPACE CASE!