The Final Loop

[eternitymods]

Who: Everyone
When: April 11th - Last Loop
Where: Curti Center, Sen Devadatta
What: Final Loop before the final confrontation against the Empress and Bahamut.
Warnings/Notes: ??????

Comments

[singerofspells]

"Does anyone have any non-lethal abilities?" Talking seemed to help, but S'reee knew that she didn't have that deep of a connection to any of the possessed Heroes. She tried her own spell.

> Demi (Ramaa | Single Target )
Inflicts damage equal to 25% of the enemy's current health. Inefficient on enemies immune to illusory magics.
.

[strawberryredgrave]

There's a lot happening in a very short amount of time, but through dying and coming back and summons and calamity corruption taking place, Dante's about ready for a proper vacation. Might make a killing on seafood if everyone else is on board with the idea.

But they're gonna have to earn it first. The other heroes are far better at laying down the hurt, so he's gotta make sure they can keep doing exactly that. He only has so much time to [mix] two Mega Potions together, but the more he can buff out the dent from the explosion of magic ripping everyone to shreds, the better.

"How's this for non-lethal? Flex your job muscles, if you got 'em!"

> Mix [Mega Potion + Mega Potion] (Allies | AOE)
Lots and lots of healing.

> Job Lore (Allies | All)
Allows self or an ally to swap active, passive, and stored jobs in battle.

[chatwithdeath]

"I'll be retaining this one for now, thanks."

Though others might make use of Dante's Job Lore, Naomi's busy in her bag, compiling her mixture while everyone's already. Little Mog helped her, protected in the Pocket Space bag, little paws grabbing and wings flitting about, getting just what she needed: a bottle violently shaking from a reaction waiting to go off.

If the issue was going to be Ramaa corrupting others once the first three were cured somehow, she had to go. So, the unstable mixture was going to be thrown at the Empress.

> Unstable Reaction (Ramaa | Single Target)
Combined items into an unstable compound that will explode when thrown at a target.

[musicinmysoul]

"Corrin...Kuja..."

Somehow, Matilda isn't surprised Ramaa snagged some of the heroes for herself. Trying to tip the scales with the other great eidolons siding with the heroes of light...it may not be a surprise, but it doesn't hurt any less.

But it'll hurt a lot more if she just stands aside and does nothing.

A white aura surrounds the cavalier and her chocobo, Mileena, as opposed to the calamity purple through Pestilence Stance. Tilly expects the worst from defeating a calamity warped ally and figures it'd be best to slow them down while the others focus on Ramaa. Mileena's a Smart Mount and catches onto this plan, targeting the Nohrian princess with a Light Arrow as they approach, standing alongside Selphie.

"Don't hesitate like you used to, okay, Corrin? This isn't a mock battle..."

> Divine Stances: Pestilence (Self | Single Target)
The Pestilence Stance shrouds the cavalier and their mount in a white aura and adds special effects to all skills.

> Smart Mount (Self | Single Target)
Allows the mount to use skills on its own whilst the cavalier protects from oncoming attacks.

> Light Arrow (Corrin | Single Target)
Attacks enemy from a distance with a weak light-attack. Adds a blind effect in Pestilence Stance.

[peace_through_empathy]

Dying so suddenly only to find himself back on his feet, alive again almost immediately is still...disorienting. But they're still here, fighting Ramaa; it truly is now or never.

When the three Heroes end up going berserk, Megatron quickly determines he can't deal with that right now; if they can be talked back to their senses he's not the one to do it. He needs to focus on what he can do, and what he can do is help end this fight as quickly as possible.

With healing more or less looked after now, his book flips to a different page and he casts [Enlightenment], further increasing the attack power of himself and his allies. He expects Ramaa and her summoned, lesser Bahamut will be counter-attacking soon and they need as much of an edge as they can get.

> Enlightenment (All Allies | AOE)
Increases the attack power of all allies by 10%.

[pidgeypidge]

While everyone else was busy doing what they did best, Pidge was working on... something else. Mostly, she was hoping Ramaa would be too distracted with everyone else to notice the short girl slowly creeping around behind her. Pidge liked to think she was good at avoiding the spotlight, and she was genuinely hoping that was true.

Finally, she was close enough, and once she was confident that she was as close as she could get, she aimed a Cat Burglar at the woman.

> Cat Burglar (Ramaa | Single Target
Chance to steal an item from the target.

Adding this post to track Harmony/Melody

[timecrash]

> Harmony/Melody (Entire Field | AOE)
● ● ○
Increases the potency of all Water/Ice Skills by 20% and all Holy Skills by 5%.

[cureofmanyworlds]

"CORRIN!" Nozomi shouted. That wasn't good at all. Her dear friend and two others under the thrall of Ramaa. She glared at Ramaa, giving her an answer. "What are we doing? Making you regret doing what you did!"

She has one idea. One shot to pull this off right now. Thanks to her maxed out Wizard job in passive mode, she can pull off a powerful move that JUST MIGHT fix things.

"Spellcraft: Maiar... Precure Shooting Star!" Nozomi shouted, performing the Shooting Star attack on Corrin, flying at her dear friend and slamming into her with a burst of pink purifying energy and letting that energy slam into everyone else!

> Spellcraft: Maiar Precure Shooting Star (Kuja, Corrin, Adrian, Ramaa, Bahamut-egi | AOE)
Fly into your opponent as a powerful comet-like force. 15% chance to purify an enemy, can heal an ally by 10%. Chances rises as enemy is weakened to max of 65%. Bosses are immune.

When used together with a skill, turns it into an AoE skill but diminishes its effect by 40% when two enemies are targeted, by 60% when three enemies are targeted or by 75% when four or more enemies are targeted.

> Power of Emotions (Self | Single Target)
Increases or decreases 1% bonus to all stats per turn due to state of mind. Currently +/- 0

> Leadership Material (Next three | AOE)
Next 3 allies gain +10% stat boost

[old_stoneface]

Vimes didn't think about it. He couldn't think about it. Corrin was being fairly dogpiled and Ramaa was playing merry hell with their forces, but Corrin was handled. Probably.

Adrien, though... That kid had fought like hell for Arito, and he didn't know a bloody thing about the (bloke?) flying around overhead. So, time to go to work. "Adrien, lad- You're better'n this! Tame it, hold it back!" He was switching to Templar as he went, aiming his truncheon to sweep the boy's feet out from under him with a [Mighty Blow].

> Mighty Blow (Adrien | Single Target)
Does medium damage and knocks down one target for one turn, leaving them vulnerable.
> Vengeance (Self | Single Target)
Reduces damage received by 20% and deals back 10% of damage received for 5 turns. Turn 2.

[masqueraid]

"Ah...heh," came the unsure non-reply to Red's question. Ren wasn't exactly sure he had control over their mechanical battlegrounds... at least not in any meaningful way, at the moment.

But Alexander had answered the call, so— he was more than ready to trust that the massive eidolon had their backs... for now. With the Empress' recruitment process starting and the subsequent attacks— he had more deadly things to worry about.

"Ifrit!" he called, looking cool joker as though he had quite become comfortable with this whole summoning thing; pointing and taking aim at the enemy's Egi for an attack.

> Full Summoning: Hellfire (Bahamut-Egi | AOE)
Summons Ifrit from the depths of hell under the form of a large demon. The Eidolon summons a gigantic ball of fire which he casts onto all enemies, engulfing them in a flurry of flames. Deals severe damage to all enemies.

[transect]

Rutile had been damaged before, broken even. Maybe that contributed to why the nothingness followed by the sudden surge of life again didn't seem to faze them all that much, as they brushed off the shoulder of their coat while the first wave of attacks fired off.

Once they were back into position, there's a narrowing of their eyes in Ramaa's direction, casting Advanced Libra with a wave of their hand.

> Advanced Libra (Ramaa | Single Target)
Views an enemy's stats, strengths and weaknesses and reduces their defense by 3%.

[kissthemoons]

"Shit, Corrin," Kid cursed, a lip curling up with anger. She was no stranger to seeing her friends manipulated, and being the puppet herself— but somehow that never seemed to dull the blow. Facing off against someone that she held dear? Damn you, Ramaa...

"Ya hear me?!" she's yelling at Corrin this time. "I said you better snap out of it!" She pulled out one of her shotguns, aiming to incapacitate, rather than harm.

> Piracy (Calamity Corrin | Single Target)
Inflict damage to the legs of the enemy, preventing movement for one turn (40%).

> Adrenaline Boost (Self | Single Target)
Passive skill. Raises physical defense by 5% and attack by 15% for two turns upon being hit by a powerful, heavy or severe attack.

[failtsuninari]

Kenichi still had his War Stance active so staying on the offensive is probably his best option for now. As much as he didn't like the idea of attacking allies, there wasn't much of a choice. He could only hope that whatever controlled them would lose its grip on them if the heroes were incapacitated and then revived.

"Kohaku, this may be my first time using this, but I'm counting on you to help me out." His chocobo nodded, acknowledging she is indeed a smart mount. Kenichi closed his eyes and took a deep breath before casting Last Judgment.

"C'mon guys, snap the fuck out of it already!"

> Divine Stances - War (Self | Single Target)
The War Stance shrouds the cavalier and their mount in a red aura and doubles the potency of all skills and attacks.

> Smart Mount (Self | Single Target)
Allows the mount to use skills on its own whilst the cavalier protects from oncoming attacks.

> Last Judgment (Ramaa | AOE)
Imitation of the ultimate black magic. Summons a meteor to attack all enemies with a powerful dark attack.

[eternitynpc]

Whilst Bahamut-egi does attack, the Empress seemingly does not cast any new skills. Given her silence and the way her anti-flinch buff works, it is impossible to know whether she is being affected by the attacks at a first glance.

The attacks cast by the corrupted Heroes lower the Heroes of Light's overall health: however, thanks to the heals and Melodies of Life buff, the vast majority of them are topped off and at no risk. However, those who were specifically targetted receive far greater damage than normal and so:

Selphie's health is critical. She will die if she is not healed before the next wave of attacks.
Uendo's Health is very low. He is at high risk of dying next turn.
Okuyasu will die if he takes Akh Morn's damage on his own. He and whoever is with him will die if they are only two. They will survive with critical health if they are at least three. Selphie and Uendo will automatically die if they receive part of Akh Morn's damage.
Time Kompression will go off in two turns. Everyone is at critical risk of dying then, unless the attack is properly mitigated.
Megaflare will go off in five turns. Everyone is at critical risk of dying then, unless the attack is properly mitigated.


Ramaa
Advanced Libra: Reincarnation of a woman with strong ties to the worlds known as Vaikuntha, Crystallis and Earth. She plans to use the Heroes of Light to weaken the Melodies keeping Vaikuntha together and revive Narayana, the Calamity from the Skies.

Advanced Job: Killer of Worlds (Calamity Knight + Onion Knight)
Passive Job: Crystal Researcher

Resistance: N/A
Neutral: Magical Attacks, Physical Attacks, Elementary and Neutral Attacks.
Weaknesses: Melodies, Eidolon Magics, Calamity Knight.
Immunity: Status Ailments, Gravity & Time Attacks.

> Heartless Angel (??????? | Single Target)
Move stocked by Time Kompression.

> Ultima (??????? | AOE)
Move stocked by Time Kompression.

> Holy (??????? | AOE)
Move stocked by Time Kompression.

> Calamity Judgement (??????? | AOE)
Move stocked by Time Kompression.

Turn Summary
> Full Summoning: Hellfire: 2,5%
> Hell Judgment: 2,4%
> Magitek Judgment: 1,8%
> Last Judgment: 1.5%
> Unstable Reaction: 1%
> Fists: 1%
> Spellcraft: Maiar Precure Shooting Star: 1%
> Tenebres: 0.5%
> Wrath of Heaven: Ineffective
> Demi: Ineffective
> Advanced Libra: Ineffective (Defense Reduction)

> Cat Burglar: Success! (25% chances of stealing)
Steal Table Odds: 60% Low Rarity Item, 30% Rare Item, 10% Very Rare Item.
Obtained: Green Contact Lenses (Low Rarity Item).

Damage Inflicted: 10.7%
Global Combined Bonuses: +145% (+50% [Aria of Narayana], +50% [Vaikuntha's Blessing EX], +25% [Asura's Gift], +10% [Enlightenment], +10% [Brotherhood].)
Total Damage Inflicted: 26.215%
Healing: -5% (Gift of Crystallis)
Ramaa's Health: 78.785%


Bahamut-Egi
> Akh Morn (Okuyasu | Single Target)
Lethal non-elemental damage to a single target. Damage is reduced if three people are stacked together to share the pain, thus preventing death.

> Countdown (Heroes of Light | AOE)
Starts a countdown towards the cast of Megaflare.

Turn Summary
> Full Summoning: Hellfire: 3%
> Hell Judgment: 2.9%
> Last Judgment: 1.9%
> Spellcraft: Maiar Precure Shooting Star: 1.4%
> Tackle: 0.5%
> Wrath of Heaven: Inefficient

Damage Inflicted: 10.6%
Global Combined Bonuses: +145% (+50% [Aria of Narayana], +50% [Vaikuntha's Blessing EX], +25% [Asura's Gift], +10% [Enlightenment], +10% [Brotherhood].)
Total Damage Inflicted: 25.97%
Healing: -5% (Gift of Crystallis)
Bahamut-Egi's Health: 79.3%

[alborada]

So much of Sylvarie still wants to reach through to Ramaa—some parts of her wonder if she should be here. She had handed the crystal over even if doing so practically confirmed its implications, passing the burden to the next generation so to speak, but she still wanted to stand beside them.

Though her thoughts have been kept to herself since their arrival, now she allows her actions to speak for her, if only a little as she falls back on the instincts of her upbringing to become Uendo’s shield. Raising her staff, she affixes her own look of deviant sadness toward their opponent as her healing is unleashed.

> Medica (Uendo + those nearby | AOE)
Casts healing magic on self and all nearby allies, but reduces potency by 75%.

[whirluendo_of_puns]

Kuja's spells had been awful enough, but it was Adrien's blade that sent Uendo reeling. He dropped on one knee, gasping for breath. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Okuyasu being struck by the Bahamut-Egi. No...!

Don't stop singing. He had to keep singing, no matter how much it hurt. The soothing touch of healing magic enveloped him and he flashed a grateful smile at Sylvarie, immensely glad she was still here with them. Now in somewhat better shape, he resumed buffing the team.

> Aria of Narayana (All allies | AOE)
Mythical song that increases the stats of all allies by 50% when fighting an entity using a Spawn of the Calamity or an entity using its powers.

[hatejakku]

This was a really stupid decision, but Finn was nothing if not a really stupid decision maker when it came to his own well-being. Though Zodiark's presence was in the back of his mind, he still couldn't stand by and watch his friends while he intentionally did nothing.

"Hey!" Finn saw Bahamut-Egi charging an attack, and stood with Okuyasu to potentially act as a human shield. "No!" He fired off another Hell Judgement, hoping to hurt the Eidolon and lessen the blow.


> Hell Judgment (All Villains | AOE)
Summon dark energy and focuses it into a powerful blast hitting all targets.

[mech_and_mutt]

"Furballs...!!"

If Finn and Okuyasu were putting themselves in harm's way, they'd need a little bit more help in blunting.... whatever it was that Bahamut was sending their way. And what better way to help than by tossing a massive mechanical construct into the mix to help soften that blow?

Red, too, stood with Okuyasu. However much of a meathead that guy might have been, there probably wasn't enough meat in the world to stand alone against Bahamut's attacks. But even moreso, he was worried about the Empress... and he had fifty battles against her to learn that whatever she was winding up, it was probably going to be even worse.

Another burst of •Magitek Judgment from the arms of the DAHAK would be sent her way. They could not afford to let her last long enough to finish whatever she was winding up.

> Magitek Judgment (Ramaa | Single Target)
Inflicts powerful non-elemental damage to an enemy. (Under effects of Magitek Armor = 200% Damage)

Buff tracking:

> Sentinel (Madhuri | Single Target)
Raises defense by 10% (on Red) and takes all damage aimed at a single target (Madhuri)

> Magitek Armor (Red | Single Target)
Transfers to a Magitek Armor and shields the user with it. Skills can be used either by the pilot or by the Magitek Armor's weaponry. Skills used by the Magitek Armor have doubled efficiency.

[littlemhigan]

Castor swears at her own impotence, but nevertheless rushes in to land a well-buffed Perfect Balance Combo on Ramaa; hoping to at least knock the smugness off her fucking face.

> Perfect Balance (Ramaa | Single Target)
An extremely powerful five hit Combo.
>Brotherhood (All Heroes | AOE)
Buffs party member damage by 10% for 3/5 turns

[acapriciousreaper]

Kuja sees the Wind Bullet coming, too quick to adequately dodge- so he turns instead, putting the dragon between himself and Klonoa, leaping off as Frisk charges in.

This indignity avoided, he summons blades of ice, swirling around himself like a cloak to push Frisk away as he flies. "Can't? Can't?! What do you know of what I can or can't do- it was unfathomable to you that the little goblin that shares your name could achieve such wanton murder, and yet you defended me!"

A swarm of flame is next, white-hot and rushing forward- If there's one thing I absolutely cannot stand, Frisk, it's hypocrisy. Why don't you ask Ramaa why there are no more Cleyrans, perhaps, since she knows oh-so-much about us all- or more than a handful of Burmecians?!" He's casting furiously now, stringing fire spells together, weaving through the sky. "At least we have something in common, or did- should not the lives of the wicked be made brief, and to all others, ought death be relief?"
Of course, half-blinded as he is, that may prove inefficient.

> Blizzaga (Frisk | Single Target)
Deals extreme Ice damage to a single target.
> Firaga (Frisk | Single Target)
Deals extreme Fire damage to a single target.
> Trance (Self)
Increases the potency of all Magic skills by a factor of 10 for four turns, then renders the user incapable of using magic for four turns. Turn 1/4.

Calamity Kuja
Turn Summary
> Hell Judgment: 5%
> Full Summoning: Hellfire: 5%
> Last Judgment: 3%
> Wind Bullet: Opalescence will remember this
> Spellcraft: Maiar Precure Shooting Star: 3%
> Wrath of Heaven: 2%, blinded

Damage Inflicted: 18.00%
Global Combined Bonuses: +70% (+50% [Aria of Narayana], +10% [Enlightenment], +10% [Brotherhood].)
Total Damage Inflicted: 30.60%
Healing: -20% (Gift of Crystallis, Melodies of Life)
Calamity Kuja's Health: 89.40%

[boomchucka]

With a cry, Selphie had fallen to the ground under Adrien's assault, her vision swimming in and out of focus. She couldn't let this be the end even as her hands started to noticeably shake around her scepter. She'd survived worse than being attacked by allies as her vision cleared momentarily to reveal the purple tinge around Corrin's and Adrien's eyes. The fighting carried on as the SeeD struggled to get back up on her feet as there was a brief respite in the pain as healing magic mended some of the damage.

"Corrin..." Selphie muttered as she finally crouched on the ground, realizing that they were possessed by Ramaa. "This isn't who you are."

She cast a pained look toward Adrien, a boy she'd never met but wanted to see the good in. "It's not who you are either.

"Both of you," she said with as much strength as she could muster. "SNAP OUT OF IT!"

Even as she pleaded with them to snap out of the magical influence, Selphie felt a power welling inside of her that she hasn't felt in quite some time; her Melody: Full Cure powering up. As she finally came to a staggering position, she thrust her scepter into the air and let the power of her melody take over.

> Melody: Full Cure (Selphie & 2 closest to her | Small AOE)
Fully restores health to 3 people but does not restore mana.

[bladeofconquest]

Corrin is about to move to follow up her attack on Selphie and finish the brat off but suddenly finds herself grappling with Serge for her sword.

"Worm. I will deal with you once all the real threats have been ground under my heel, fisherman's boy." Corrin spits at Serge with a glare before slamming her mailed fist into his face, breaking free of his grasp only to be enveloped by the flames of Selphie's counter-attack but due to her high magic resistance the attack barely manages to singe her. Tilly's light arrow catches her in the shoulder while the shot from Kid hits her leg and causes her to stumble, but keep her footing, even when Nozomi slams into her, pushing her back but failing to purify her. Ena's Dispel attempt likewise fizzles out without Corrin giving even the slightest indication she felt it.

But something does catch her completely off-guard; when Tilly warns her not to hold back, Corrin seems momentarily confused. She hears the words, but the voice is different. It isn't Tilly she hears chiding her, but someone else.

"Xander...?" She looks around as though expecting to see him. "Big brother, I-" Her eyes flash momentarily, her natural red breaking through the purple of Ramaa's Corruption, her face momentarily contorting into an expression of horror at what she's doing...but then it's gone and the Corruption returns, and her eyes become hard and cruel again; Tilly has dented it, but it's still standing. And there is only one enemy in front of her she finds worthy. Focusing her attention on [Tyzias] as she interposes herself between Corrin and Selphie, Corrin bestows her [Draconic Hex] on the troll with a dismissive wave of her hand, before charging forward to lock blades with her, attacking with Shadow Yato for [Physical] damage.

"Oh Tyzias, how brave of you." She says mockingly. "Rushing in to protect the wounded damsel and maybe even save your poor, lost friend from herself...every inch the hero you want so desperately to appear to be. But you and I, we know differently, don't we?" A wicked, devilish grin splits her face as she lowers her voice so only Tyzias can hear. "We both know what you really are. A coward, who ran and cried in her room like the pathetic little girl she really was and left all those innocents to die when the hive burned. You can cover it up all you want but we both know how this will end; your nerves will fail and you'll run and hide and cry because that's what you always do, isn't it? You're not a Hero of Light no matter how you might try to delude yourself. You are a coward Tyzias, to your final. Miserable. Whimper."

> Draconic Hex (Tyzias | Single Target)
A draconic curse that lowers a single target's parameters by 1 rank each; recover 1 rank per turn.

> Black Shadow Yato (Tyzias | Single Target)
Corrin attacks with the corrupted Shadow Yato for moderate physical damage.

Calamity Corrin
Turn Summary
> Full Summoning: Hellfire: 5%
> Hell Judgment: 3%
> Last Judgment: 3%
> Light Arrow: 3%
> Spellcraft: Maiar Precure Shooting Star: 3%, purify failed
> Piracy: 8%
> Wrath of Heaven: 2%, blinded
> Dispel Magic: Inefficient

Damage Inflicted: 15.00%
Global Combined Bonuses: +70% (+50% [Aria of Narayana], +10% [Enlightenment], +10% [Brotherhood].)
Total Damage Inflicted: 28.00%
Healing: -20% (Gift of Crystallis, Melodies of Life)
Calamity Corrin's Health: 85.00%

[plagueofshadows]

Plague Knight's emotions are hidden behind the mask, but given his absolute silence, as he draws two more mega potions out of his robe- flinching, even in his current desperate state, at the cost- he can't be feeling anything good. One vial is hurled up into the sky, and a second after it, colliding in the air to bring about a brilliant corona of healing light across the heroes of Light still fighting to save the world.

> Mix (Mega Potion + Mega Potion) (Heroes of Light | AOE)
A whole lot of expensive group healing.


It's only after this that he calls out in a chiding tone, "Watch the use of your own power! We can't afford a repeat of the first time, don't use your Melodies unless there's absolutely no other way to survive!"

[bleating_heart]

Asriel floats above the ground. He can't do this very well, and it shows. His foot bumps into Pidge, and this causes him to start spinning and flailing as he careens across the battlefield. He manages to steady himself by hooking a foot around Tyzias' horn as he approaches Kuja, who is currently beating the everloving snot out of his sibling. Asriel sinks down, and leaps off the ground with all his strength, floating up towards Kuja before he can rubberband back downwards as his attempt to beat gravity reminds him how tough the competition is.

Still, with enough of a push, he knows he can make it. Soaring suddenly up just in front of Kuja, between him and Frisk, Asriel's bare hand comes out from the side to slap Kuja across the face. "SNAP

> Time Compression (Kuja | Single Target)
Fully revert Kuja to the state he was in immediately before the start of the battle, erasing buffs and debuffs.

OUT OF IT, MAN!" Asriel shouts, putting a hand on Kuja's shoulder--more to actually keep himself airborne than any actual forceful gesture--having shoved as much bullsh time power into Kuja as he is physically capable of.

"You're having a relapse, and it's her handiwork! This woman's gotten inside your head and is trying to get you to kill everyone! The real you is an egotistical petty bastard, but you're our egotistical petty bastard! We got another chance, man, don't let someone else steal it from you!"

"Look, in a few moments she's going to blast everyone with a magic explosion, and you know I'm not good enough at this to make that reflection shield. We need you to help us, Kuja, you and your crazy death explosions and everything-proof shields! No wonder she decided to mess with your mind, you can screw up her plans and fix everything!"

What was his name? Kuja's Frisk. Zidane, right? He had a surname, too, didn't he.

"Are you going to let a megalomaniacal world-destroying b control you, or are you going to fight for the life that he gave to you, Kuja Tribal??"

[sassafrisk]

Kuja's words sting. Primarily because they're true. Why had they defended Kuja so fiercely from even himself while condemning their counterpart?

But their friend's barbs were precisely what Frisk needed, really. They'd spent over two months running from what they'd seen in the Dream Width, from the simple truth that they'd seen there: that Frisk and Frisk were the exact same. Could they say with all certainty that they wouldn't have done the exact same thing? Wouldn't have gone through the exact same stages of desperation as the other Frisk did? Flowey had always pushed Frisk, guaranteed that they were absolved of all responsibility for whatever they'd done before a LOAD. And Frisk had believed him. On some level, they'd known Flowey was wrong, but they'd believed him, and seeing the ugly truth staring them right in the eyes had made Frisk want to run.

But there was no more running. Not when so much was at stake.

Unfortunately, Frisk is caught so much in self-recrimination that the Blizzaga nearly pierces them straight through the chest. Nearly. Their instincts take over, and thanks to Transience they flashstep away, unharmed. With their head back in the game, it's easy to get out of the way of the massive bloom of fire--by flashstepping straight through each spell, dispersing the flames and ice blades with sonic booms.

Shit, though. They're still falling. Hoping that their phone still works, Frisk fumbles the gadget out of their inventory, pressing a few key buttons, and... it impossibly unfolds into a jetpack, keeping them aloft. Then, they laugh. "Man, Kuja, even when you're evil-fied, it's nice to talk to you! Thanks for the pep talk. Helped me realize a few things.

"One, yeah. I'm a huge hypocrite! I really need to apologize to other me when this is all over and we've saved the world.

"Two... it reminded me of that time back in the Dream Width a few months ago.

"No matter what happens, Kuja. You try. You try so hard, try to be a better person. And if you slip up, or get evil-fied, or whatever... I'll always be here to drag you back to the light!" Then they flashstep forward again... to wrap themselves around Kuja in a hug. They don't even use any skills that would help them dodge. They just cling on as tightly as they can.

"I trust you, Kuja! I know you can break out of this! Think of me, of Snow, of Asriel, of Zidane, and even everyone you've wronged! You're not done giving back to the world yet!"

Are... are they protecting him? Yeah, they are. Frisk has positioned themself so any attack that hits Kuja will most likely harm them as well.