21st Spell: [Video/Action for Olivine]

[friendyousohard]

[The view opens to a shot of the sea. Pure, pristine, gorgeous...

And apparently filled with swarms of oncoming Pokemon.]

Tesla, fire!

[A huge blast of electricity rips past Twilight into the sea, striking all the nearby swarming fossil Pokemon and knocking out a good chunk of them.]

Thank Celestia for strong Electric-types... Does anyone know what's causing this? I woke up this morning and the town was practically covered in these ancient Pokemon. I've been doing my best to hold them back, as have several others, but they just keep on coming no matter what we do. Is this happening everywhere?

[A small group of Kabuto, Omanyte, and Tirtouga dare the beach again only to be zapped into unconsciousness by Tesla. The Magnezone doesn't even seem tired when Twilight turns the camera on it, though it would probably be hard to tell...]

We've been okay so far, but we can't keep this up forever. And what if they start coming from somewhere aside from-

[There's a loud cry from behind. Twilight whirls around and the shot pans up to show the top of the lighthouse-

Which is covered in Archen that have just flown down from Route 39.]

The sea. Oh horseapples.

[One of the Archen screeches as it lifts off, and the feed ends with that ominous shot.]

Comments

[sitdownbecider]

Skits can fly well enough with Magnet Rise. Spook should be able t'take out more than a few of 'em.

That's all the flyin' pokemon I got on me, though.

[friendyousohard]

I just have Tesla and Spike on me for fliers. Tower, Sapphire, and Megasoma will all be very useful on the ground, but they're not going to help much in the air, and Bracer's a defender only. I think I'll leave it to guard the beach with Tesla, send Spike along with Spook and Skits to clear us a path to the lighthouse, and take the other three with me... though I'd better have Tower and Sapphire stay at the door. Those two do not belong inside.

[sitdownbecider]

Blossom's doin' a great job helpin' Tesla out. The two of them should do just fine outside. I'll bring Champ with me t'deal with anythin' we come across inside. Buck's slow, but he's about as strong as they come.

As for the last one...

[She looks down at the ball on her belt. Oh Celestia, does she hate reaching for that ball.]

...Last resort.

[friendyousohard]

[She shudders at the sight of that ball.]

Pray to Celestia we don't have to let him out in this mess.

[sitdownbecider]

I figured he'd be a good distraction if we got overrun.

[He's like a living grenade, really.]

[friendyousohard]

Well he'll definitely work for that. I'm just worried he'll bring the whole Lighthouse down.

[It's distressingly not that big a stretch.]

[sitdownbecider]

...I'll throw him out the window.

[friendyousohard]

Okay, I'm on board with that plan. So, you ready?

[sitdownbecider]

Ready as I'm gonna be. Keep behind me an' I'll clear us a path.

[friendyousohard]

Alright. Tesla, clear things out behind us.

[A Zap Cannon and several shrieks from unhappy ancient Pokemon follows that order.]

That should keep us safe from rear attacks. Alright, AJ, I'm behind you. Go.

[buckyouup]

Alright, Spook. Give us a distraction.

[She releases the massive ghost balloon from his ball. He lets out a loud, low bellow of a groan, before unleashing a torrent of thunderbolts at the Archen circling the light house.]

[friendyousohard]

[Under the cover of Spook's attack, Twilight begins to run for the Lighthouse, pulling out Spike's ball as she goes.]

Spike! Take as many of them down as you can!

[The second pokeball opens up and Twilight's mighty Dragonite roars in challenge as he charged into the midst of the battle with a fierce Dragon Rush, knocking down any Archen too unfortunate to be in his way.]

[sitdownbecider]

[Their way finally clear, Applejack rushes forward, grabbing the heavy light house door with both hands. She groans, pulling it open with all her might, finally creating an entrance big enough for the two to get in.]

Quick, before any get in!

[friendyousohard]

[She doesn't have to say it twice. Twilight's already scrambling to get inside to the relative safety of the lighthouse. Once they've squeezed in she turns back to reach out for the door, though she knows she'll be of minimal assistance getting it closed no matter how much effort she puts into it.]

[buckyouup]

[When they're both inside, AJ slowly forces the heavy door shut. She groans, removing her hat to wipe the sweat from her forehead.]

They're gonna have one heck of a time tryin' to get that open. Reckon we have a chance t'catch our breath?

[friendyousohard]

A few moments... but remember that every minute we take is borrowed by Spike and Spook.

[She slumps down to the floor, breathing heavily.]

[buckyouup]

[She nods.]

If we get up to the top, they should be able t'join us up there.

[She leans against the door, quietly enjoying the feeling of the cold metal against her back.]

Are you alright?

[friendyousohard]

Nothing I can't handle. I've rarely missed my pony body this much, though.

[After a couple more moments, she rises back to her feet and looks at the staircase in front of them.]

Let's start climbing. Don't run, though. I know it's tempting, but we'll just tire ourselves out and have to rest again.

[buckyouup]

I can carry you, if you like.

[She chuckles, taking the railing in her hand. Man, that is a long way up.]

[friendyousohard]

Thanks, but I can carry my own weight. Literally, in this case.

[She takes hold of the other one and begins to climb.]

We've got five flights if I recall correctly, and about twenty stairs a flight. That's a hundred steps, give or take. Honestly, in comparison to the one in Sombra's Castle it's nothing.

[Though she'd had her hardier pony body and her magic then...]

[sitdownbecider]

Just makin' sure. I don't want you droppin' on me. I need ya, Sugarcube.

[She goes against her instinct to follow Twilight's advice. She wants to run to the top as quickly as she can, but she knows conserving her energy is necessary.]

[friendyousohard]

Don't worry, AJ. I didn't come this far to drop in the middle of a few stairs.

[She just focuses on putting one foot in front of the other, trying not to count how far she's gotten or how long they have to go. She knows that'll just make it seem longer.

They've climbed up about a third of the way when suddenly, there's a loud wail from above.]

What was that?

[buckyouup]

That was Spook!

[Sorry, Twilight, but you're taking your walk alone. Applejack bolts up the stairs, quick to reach her ailing monster.]

[friendyousohard]

Spook? [She's pretty shocked at that revelation, but much more dismayed at AJ's reaction, trying to grab her hand to stop her as she bolts into a run.] AJ no, don't! You'll need your... strength.

[Grimacing, she speeds up herself, though not to running speed. She wants to, oh how she wants to, but she knows she can't. She has to conserve her energy if she's going to be of use to anyone up there. Resolutely, she forces out the sounds coming from up above and climbs.]

[sitdownbecider]

[It's not long before AJ is out of sight, her footsteps echoing up the staircase as she runs. She's not going to let her pokemon get hurt, even one of her level 100 monstrosities.]

Hang on, Sugarcube! I'm comin'!