At the question of combat, Ettie took a second to consider it, before nodding. She didn't seem afraid; if anything, at the mention of a possible fight, something shifted in her demeanor as she gazed ahead once more. Her gaze sharpened, her hands gripped at the spikes in Anne's mane more tightly, muscles winding up... It was like she was ready to pounce straight from the Lycanroc's back, at the drop of a hat!

She had zero qualms at throwing hands in the face of danger.

And, in turn, danger had zero qualms in showing itself, as the group reached the peak.

Because there, stood the masked maiden - or... No, there stood a Froslass. It was clearly the source of the light - in her chest, a Power Spot was embedded; the red-violet light that shone from it illuminating the peak, reflecting off of the glitter of the snow and the facets of the surrounding Tera Crystals.

And as the Froslass took notice of them, the winds would begin to shriek at her beckon - a snowstorm forming around the peak...!

Anne and Anat were ready, however; as the Lycanroc would tilt her head back in a Howl, one that Anat would join in with Copycat, to empower the collective! Even Ettie would join the chorus with a howl of her own - "Aoooooouuuuuuuu!" - throwing her head back and calling from the top of her lungs!

A Blizzard filled the air - but Anne and Anat would stand their grounds even as shards of ice whipped at them and the winds threatenede to send them flying, before charging forth into battle.

They moved like a pack on the hunt - Anne tackling into the Froslass with Accelerock (40) to Crunch (80) down on it, holding the ghost still. Which, left the Froslass open to a Meteor Mash (90) from Anat - who struck at the Power Spot that was embedded in the ice-type's chest, stunning her!

And here, Ettie would glance back to Jack and his pokemon - calling "Now!" with a surprisingly authorative tone, from such a little girl. The Froslass was open, for his pokemon to make the final blows.

Prompts Completed: 12
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Icicles, Ghosts, Snow, Jumpscare, White, Fond Memory, Offering Aid, Candy, Receive Aid, Miracle, Warm Food/Beverage, Masked Maiden

Checkpoints Completed: 2 (210/350 BP + hoping that leaving the froslass open for jack to finish counts for the ko prompt lmao)

Jack Napier

Yurei would snort softly in reaction to the pat - the Wyrdeer glancing back at Sio. Faint, vague, the sense of appreciation came off of Yurei in response - no doubt an expression of her psychic abilities, given the faint glow of her antlers.

But as the group continued to ascend to the peak, it appeared that Makoto's intuition was correct.

Because at the top, the masked maiden -- no, on a second glance, the maiden was not there. Instead, there floated a Froslass, who bore a glowing Power Spot in her chest - and upon noticing the group, she would beckon an arm to summon a snowstorm around the peak!

As the ghost was clearly hostile, Makoto was quick to call out commands to their pokemon. "Yurei - Me First on Kuro! Kuro, Bitter Malice!"

With a snarl, the Zorua would emerge from Makoto's shadow once more, ghostly flames rising up at the fox's beck and call...

... But, as Yurei's antlers began to glow with psychic energy, they'd take on those very same flames, as Me First allowed her to copy Kuro's attack..! Which meant that a pair of Bitter Malices (75 x2) would fire off at the Froslass, one after another!

The ghost-type shrieked under the pair of super-effective attacks - and in turn, would fire off a retaliatory Ice Beam at Yurei and her riders!

Yurei, however, would act quick as she countered with Psyshield Bash (70); a shield of psychic force forming before them. Though it was not a perfect block - some of the icy energy chilling at the Wyrdeer's fur - Yurei would not falter...

"Hang on tight..!"

... And charging forward, she would slam it into the Froslass - cracking her Power Spot, and leaving the ghost reeling, open to the attacks of Sio's own pokemon!

Prompts Completed: 12
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Whispers, Rudolph, Hot Beverage/Food, Fond Memory, Offering Help, Accepting Help, Singing Carol, Jumpscare, White, Overcoming Fear, Survive an Avalanche, Icicles

Checkpoints Completed: 3 (Checkpoint Prompts; 220/350 BP)

SIO SOTÍ

El was careful, even if Ro was gentle about setting them down on the ground. With the icy conditions, they were glad that they had picked up an attachment for their cane the year before - little spikes, meant to go on the end to grip at slick ground much like boot cleats. Steadying themself against their cane, they'd glance to the peak above - then to Laurence - nodding. "We're r-ready," They confirmed.

But, Yuina had made a good point about the threat of those spirits. While pokemon were straightforward, actual ghosts weren't quite the same. But... "D-do either of you have g-ghost types...? Maybe t-that'd help..." They mused out loud - adding "All e-else fails... I t-think Ysera's Moonlight had calmed th-them down, earlier?"

Maybe her - and Toridcless - could pacify the spirits, if they became an issue?

Either way though, Baron would get off of Ysera's back, allowing El to climb back onto the Hydreigon. And with that, the group would begin the trek up the mountain - up towards the looming glowing peak, that drew ever-closer...

Prompts Completed: 12
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Masked Maiden, Scrooge, Miracle, Jumpscare, White, Hot Beverage/Food, Lost, Wish, Icicles, Survive Avalanche, Rudolph, Aurora Borealis

Checkpoints Completed: 2

Yuina Higashi Laurence Anderson

Feeling the positive emotions come off of Yurei, Sio would hum and nod in response - giving her one last pat for the road.

Intuition- it's a funny thing, really. Sio had felt off about the Masked Maiden throughout the entire of this nightmarish journey, and here she was proven right as well. A hostile Frolass beckons the duo and their pokemon closer- to the bitter cold of terror and death.

But of course, Sio's already prepared to bounce off of Makoto's calls with her own, and- surprisingly- her Smeargle is just as readt to follow. "Quill - Sketch on Yurei! Follow their lead!"

Quill readies himself with a snarl and a concentrated expression- flinging his tail in all directions as he observes the Wyrdeer. With the eager glint in his eyes, it's immediately clear that Me First is right up his alley, along with the ghastly flames of Bitter Malice! The energetic Smeargle immediately makes use of the latter move, sneering at the "Maiden" and inflicting her with an extra third dose of Bitter Malice! (75)

Although, there's something to consider; an artist is never done after just one masterpiece, is he? He keeps the brush end of his tail at the ready- eagerly Sketching one last time, right after Yurei bashes at the Froslass's Power Spot. Even with Makoto's command to hold on tight, Quill howls with a newfound spark, forming his own shield and knocking the ghost-type down with another Psyshield Bash right to her Power Spot! (70)

. . .

Slowly, the very power that had corrupted the area dies down, leaving a shaking yet smiling Sio and a panting, tail-wagging Quill. Besides, even if he'd been scratched up some, he was still more than proud of himself, and for good reason! The detective, finally breathing a more relaxed sigh into the bitter cold, hums contentedly afterward.

"So...that was it. Did you still want to come back to mine for cookies and tea, darling? I figure I can help us patch up on the way home."

Makoto Kurumi

Prompts Completed: 12

Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Rudolph, Accepting Help, Merry, Whispers, Offering Help, Scrooge, Singing Carol, White, Wish, Overcoming Fear, Surviving an Avalanche, Icicle

Checkpoints Completed: 3 (365/350 BP, Froslass KO, Power Spot Hit)

And there, at the peak, was their final challenge upon this frozen mountain.

The source of the glowing lights became quickly obvious, that of the masked maiden - no, a Froslass upon a momentary blink - that stood before them, the red-violet glow of the Power Spot in her chest illuminating the space. It reflected in the glitter of the snow, the shine of the Tera Crystals, casting the light to the sky above. And upon seeing the group, the winds would howl at her beck and call as a snowstorm began to form.

At first, Ysera was prepared to step forth to fight - the Hydreigon preparing to let down a rain of meteors with a mighty bellow...

... But here, the Froslass shot first - an Ice Beam from the ghost quickly freezing the dragon, empowered by the crystals and Power Spot first.

"Y-Ysera..!" El gasped - startled by the strength that the Froslass put on display. But not about to let her be further harmed, they are quick to recall her to her pokeball... and glancing to Baron, meeting one another's gazes, there is only but a moment's passing before the two have found consensus.

Baron steps forward, forming and readying his spear. And as the Froslass rises into the sky, preparing something--

"Go f-for it, Baron!" El called - reaching out to that shared connection in their minds. "Final Verse; Stardiver!" (Guesstimating 190)

Z-power flared about the knight - and moving like a speeding bullet, he bounces between the Tera Crystals, using them as vantage points to climb. And upon perching atop the tallest one, he makes a mighty leap into the sky - disappearing amongst the storm and clouds.

The only sign that he is present is the glow of Z-Power and fairy-type energy alike, a bright pink light shining high in the sky...

wreathed in energy, the pokemon leaps on high before diving to deal a vicious blow. this deals increased damage to airborne pokemon, including those using fly, bounce, or sky drop and grounds them for 3 turns.

(Potentially flashy gif!)

SPOILER: Click to show

... Before he becomes a falling star, diving upon the Froslass spear-first, wreathed in blinding light. The spear strikes into the ghost's Power Spot, sending her to the earth; and as the vivid energy bursts outwards and dissipates, it reveals the Froslass stunned, weakened, and most certainly open to a followup from the others.

Pulling his spear free, Baron vaults off of the Froslass to perch atop a nearby crystal, the message he sends to the others clear; now was the time for an all-out attack!

Prompts Completed: 12
Prompts Done:

SPOILER: Click to show

Masked Maiden, Scrooge, Miracle, Jumpscare, White, Hot Beverage/Food, Lost, Wish, Icicles, Survive Avalanche, Rudolph, Aurora Borealis

Checkpoints Completed: 3 (190/350; based the base power for the z-move off of the BP of other pokemon-based z-moves)

Yuina Higashi Laurence Anderson