Mission 8 (Past)
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Please watch this first
: Hhh kheh... god damn it. How am I even going to tell everyone-- ...Oh. You're all here already?!
: …Well, this is going to sound really... god!!
Okay. So me and Grand Kec got over here, and I thought, AT THE VERY LEAST, that there was some better way to get the sap to heal Jasmine besides... this. Grand Kec told me that the only way for this tree to even give up this sap is to have some... certain Pokemon's blood spill all over it.
Grand Kec called it a... "Shaymin." I've never heard of or seen a Pokemon like it. It's like... uhh... Well there's more than one of them, and they're like a small little shrub-bush with a white body and legs... kinda cute...
: ...argh, but that's beside the point! There's a special one among them, and he's the biggest one... and he looks different, totally different! He's like... I don't know, a failed Eevee evolution without the green shrubbery covering them... oh, and his flower has gold in it, too.
Well, that guy's... gotta die, so all of his blood can spill on the tree and cause the sap to bubble up.
...I know that look. This is really backwards for our Rescuers creed, but well... As much as I hate to admit it, there's no other way. And I tried, really! I thought it was a load of Garbodor when Grand Kec told me the 'plan,' but then the Shaymins said we were intruding on their sacred earth and the big one appeared and said exactly what Grand Kec said about the sap... then the both of them started to duke it out.
: ...if you want to go back to Tao Village, I won't stop you. But I'm gonna stay here and help Grand Kec kill this Shaymin, because I have to. It's either we kill this Shaymin, or Jasmine will die and we'll never go back home, or Grand Kec will get killed by the Shaymin because of how strong they are!
If you wanna stay and help us, well... Just be careful around the Shaymin, as they'll try to impede what we're doing in any way we can. They have control over the earth and the domain of this forest, so they can be cumbersome! They believe that the sap is holy and should never be in the hands of outsiders, so they would rid of it, even if we manage to kill the big Shaymin. So just... subdue the small ones and make sure Grand Kec can collect the sap in his special vessel when the time comes, because there's only a small window here!
: And if you're gonna help me go after the big one, well... Just be careful. He does this... bizarre trick with shadows that lets him go anywhere on this huge tree. It's hundreds of feet tall, so, this'll be tricky to catch him.
Remember, absolute cooperation is a must here. We need to make this one shot... this one life... count. And I'd like it if it was just only one life spent here, no more, no less. After all, this is a tradeoff.
: Don't let it all be for naught, now let’s go... and thanks.
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: Everyone! Listen up!
Even saying this sounds weird to me, but... Well, we’re going to be defending this Tao. It’s still our Tao, so... we have to. This is still our village, so if you care about it, you need to help out! If you haven’t already left with Mike and Micle, then... well, it’s too late. You’re stuck here until the day’s over. The forests are now swarming with malicious Zoroark of ill-intent. I know we have some Zoroark helping defend today, and that’s great, but make sure you guys mark yourselves clearly as part of us, and not of them. Got it? We don’t want any unfortunate accidents. From what I understand, they all have golden beads anyway. Which is weird, because I don’t think I remember that from those ones that tried to help Jasmine... but...
: Huh, anyway, let’s see... Micle stuck me in charge of wearing this sorta gaudy poncho thing. Why? Well, it has some weird effect. This one lets me make light brighter, sorta like an amplifier or something. Why does that matter? Well, as you can see, it’s stupidly dark already around the village, and it’s not even noon yet. That’s a pretty big deal. How are they even doing this...? Furthermore, why can’t Callahan make it all sunny like usual? Of course he wouldn’t have his annoying ability back here where it’s actually useful... whatever.
For the task at hand: this thing lets me illuminate areas... but not if there isn’t a light! Like I said, this is an amplifier. And it’s dark. So what does that mean?
: Well, all that moondust you guys went after in Mossy Village last night? We’re gonna be using a lot of that, the leftovers that weren’t used in making accessories. How will we be using it? Making it flare up. Who will be doing that? None other than the asshole we’ve all had to deal with at some point or another years from now, Callahan. He’s really good at making traps, I guess. I am not at ALL surprised to find this out. So... you guys can choose to help him, which in turn will be helping me. I’ll make great flashes of light with these little flares, but you guys need to give me a good setup! And then I’ll give the word so you guys aren’t blinded, too. From what Callahan and co have told me, this moondust stuff really hurts their eyes, and will give us an excellent chance to make our move.
I’m counting on you guys to help kill the two real bad ones. I’m not going to be able to do the best fighting wearing this poncho - it’s really large on me, and pretty cumbersome. I’m already not very fast compared to most Pokemon, especially these tricky foxes... so, I’m really going to need your guys’ support here! Callahan and I will mostly be giving a good opening, but it’s up to you guys to actually kill the damn foxes.
: ...
I see I’m getting some looks. I don’t want to be doing this, either. No one does. Suck it up and get over it. If you really don’t want to kill anything, go help out Brooke and Perry, or Quaak and Cheryl. I won’t miss you.
I don’t want to kill stuff either. I’m not really into that anymore. But, from what I’ve learned, it’s been getting worse and worse here thanks to two Zoroark in particular. Those are the ones that need taken care of - all the rest of these golden-beaded-and-eyed freaks? You don’t have to kill them.
: Which two Zoroark are the problems? Well, one has his hair split into three parts, with three beads. The other has a hairstyle where the bead is over her head, and her hair’s all up. What makes these in particular so dangerous?
: I guess they’re sort of like puppets for their... master... uh. I don’t know much more than that, but it’s something like possession, according to Brooke. Their master controls one - the male during the day, the female at night - and he fights using their bodies at these different times. What makes this so bad? Well, I guess he sends Pokemon into spasms and endless nightmare fits. So, uh, that’s why we got these nightmare-warding accessories made from Chlora. They won’t help forever, though! Moondust gets consumed at a scary rate around these two Zoroark. You won’t be protected forever, so it’s really important not to push yourself, and to pace yourself instead. This is why they want us to help. We have the benefit of having many, many Pokemon to ward off this assault and actually make progress in pushing it back for good. Before this, it was a gigantic standstill for Micle and the others here. We can make a difference.
: Oh, a really important thing I forgot to mention! I know normally, Zoroark are great at illusions... but guess what this poncho also has built in? That’s right. Some sort of miracle eye to cut through that veil, pierce through their stupid eye games. It only works if I’m looking in your general direction, so don’t hesitate to call out if you need help. Seriously. If you hesitate, they will kill you. It’s not a joke.
Ah, and if any Zoroark slip through, leave those for Brooke and Perry and that crew to handle. We’re handling the outside circle, and they’re handling the inside circle. It’s important to distinguish and designate roles in something like this, where anyone could die in an instant if there’s a misstep. Don’t die. Got it? Ha ha...
: Eugh... okay, well, I think that about covers it. I’m going to do my best, so likewise I expect the same from you all. I’m not honestly sure I can last all day and night, especially without an injury. If Callahan or I get hurt, make sure Quaak or Cheryl know about it ASAP - it’d be a pain for you guys, otherwise!
That’s that. I guess it’s time to start fending them off.
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: She's finally done talking? I was starting to think she'd never shut up, and that we'd miss the exciting part. Everything she said was more or less correct. Micle and I usually manage to keep most of the Zoroark at bay for a good several hours, but even we eventually tire. If Boss PK here can fight for as long as she talks, then we're golden.
You know the saying, "He who fights and runs away will live to fight another day"? That's how it's been for the Zoroark for the longest time, but now that we have all of you so graciously volunteering to help us fight, there will be no more running away for them. While PK bumbles about causing distractions and detonating my amazing traps, all of you will be in charge of murdering the big bad Zoroark when he appears. The one with the tri-sectioned hairstyle.
He usually waits until the assault has been going on for quite some time, and tries to get us when we're tiring out. So far, he hasn't succeeded, and if you all do your job adequately, he never will.
: Killing him will more than likely discourage the lesser Zoroark in assaulting our village, which may grant us a very brief respite before the second assault begins. I have no doubt that at this time I and PK here will be exhausted, and although we will keep at our posts, and although I would like to keep causing mayhem, some Zoroark will most likely be infiltrating Tao Village through areas we cannot easily get to in time.
: That is where Brooke and Perry will be waiting for them. And while I am envious of those two's ability to dispatch the Zoroark with relatively little effort, they are not the fastest Pokemon in the bunch. Those of you staying in the village will have to help them out a bit.
The second big bad fox will make her appearance inside the village after the Zoroark are breaking through. She always manages to sneak in when Micle and I are off elsewhere, so we'll be of no help with her. She's far too quick for Brooke and Perry to catch on their own, so help them catch her and kill her. Then, maybe, we can go a month or so without further attacks from this lunatic tribe. I'll miss it.
: For those of you too pathetic to fight, you can help take care of the injured as they get sent back to Cheryl. I understand we have another doctor, so let's make sure he isn't useless.
Use some common sense when you're helping the doctors. If I come in with a severed leg and you insist on treating a Pokemon with a broken toe simply because he was there first, then we'll have a problem. I will die of blood loss, and you will all die shortly afterwards since I will not be available to help. That goes for any of us leaders; Brooke, Perry, and PK. Keep us alive if we come to you for injuries, even if it means you must neglect others. Better one Pokemon die than to let one of us die, and because of that, the whole village.
This attack will go on well into the night, but don't worry about it! You won't be able to tell when it's truly nighttime due to the illusions already being woven around our village, and it'd be a waste of time to try.
: Focus on killing as many Zoroark as you can, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to take out the leaders.
Enjoy yourselves until it ends. I know I will! It’s not everyday you can kill without discretion and still stay out of trouble!
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Main Mission - Healing Sap
Grand Kec and Mike have gone out to the Tree of Life with teams in order to get the life sap for Jasmine in order to help her out of her critical state. In order to get the sap, the big Shaymin with the red eyes must be killed. Where his blood spills on the tree, the healing sap will bubble forth and Grand Kec will collect it in the special vessel he brought. During this, the other, tinier Shaymin will be attempting to stop him, so help keep distractions clear from the area during the tiny window when the sap can be obtained.
The sap vessel
Objectives:
- Kill the big, red-eyed Shaymin, no others
- Keep other Shaymin away from Grand Kec while he collects the sap from the tree
- Return to Tao, but not before the assault on the village is over - no need to risk the sap getting spilled!
Main Mission - Defend Tao’s Borders
As the unnatural darkness falls over Tao, PK and Callahan will be working to protect the village from the yellow-eyed, golden-beaded Zoroark attackers. Despite the attack starting during the day, it will appear to be night throughout the entire assault. The main goal PK and Callahan have is to kill a specific male whose body will be used like a puppet by the Zoroarks’ master. Callahan wants help setting up and igniting specific moondust traps which will help push back the Zoroark, as it hurts their eyes. PK will be using the Iridescent Poncho in order to both dispel the illusions for teams and to cause big flashes, amplifying the effects the moondust has on the Zoroark. However, as Callahan and PK are both busy making openings, it is up to teams themselves to actually kill the daytime assault’s leader. Be careful! Too close to the daytime puppet Zoroark, and nightmares will overcome your team. Watch out for the many others of the tribe, as well! It’s important not to get distracted with the lesser Zoroarks.
Objectives:
- Patrol the outer borders of Tao, fight off any attackers
- Focus attacks on the daytime puppet Zoroark in order to kill it
- It’s recommended to take advantage of Callahan and PK’s services in incapacitating the Zoroark in order to make the best assault
Main Mission - Defend Inner Tao
Brooke and Perry will be leading the defense all throughout the day and night, but expect to see more action as PK and Callahan tire during the later hours. It is likely that the nighttime puppet Zoroark will find her way into the village as evening sets and the moondust supplies are nearly depleted. Brooke and Perry are much better at hand-to-hand combat than anything else, so luring the puppet close to them is a good idea. The nightmares are nearly unavoidable in this sort of combat, so stay close at hand with any remaining moondust to help break any affected Pokemon free. The goal of the inner defenders is to kill the nighttime puppet Zoroark in order to remove the vessel for their terrible master to use. At the same time, it’s important not to let any Zoroark get close to Jasmine’s room, lest it all be for naught!
Objectives:
- Keep attacking Zoroark away from Jasmine’s room, especially the puppet
- Focus attacks on the nighttime puppet Zoroark in order to kill it
- It’s recommended to take advantage of Brooke and Perry’s combat skills to lead the puppet to its demise
Side Mission - Triage
All throughout the day and night the assault will last, and it will seem timeless. It is important to help both Quaak and Cheryl in treating patients according to both their role and how injured they are. Pokemon who have a big part in the defense are the most important ones to treat first, as are Pokemon who are critically injured. Help defending teams and leaders in ensuring they continue to defend. Be wary of Pokemon who try to get treated first; keep a level head and make decisions appropriately based on importance. Prioritize!
Objectives:
- Help Quaak and Cheryl treat patients
- Prioritize according to who is important in the defense and who is wounded the most grievously (if PK or Callahan get injured, it is pertinent to have them helped right away; same with Brooke or Perry)
- Make sure to not let Pokemon push themselves too hard!
Mission 8 is due April 7th
