For the first time since being becoming an inmate, Josh felt like he was in control. For every guard that tried to seize them, he saw their strikes in slow motion, adjusting his own to counter theirs with what looked like superhuman precision in real time. With the grace of a Tsaarena, the reflexes of a Ribombee, and Finnegan Yang 's wisdom on how to use a sword, he weaved an elegant but lethal choreography of cuts and stings with the prison's walls. Was this face-melting experience what it was like to be a Raikou?

The more he utilized his awesome power, the more his leg thumped. The one Okidogi's whip-like chain had cut open. Purple, festering skin began crawling out from the cut that refused to heal, slowly making his leg feel like gelatin. It was the same feeling he got when he rode King Zing, the wing vibrations mercilessly eroding away his sense of touch. His eyes would turn a sickly purple, as well, making the Knight of Thunder look like he was in a trance as he fought back.

At last arriving at the feeding pit, Josh descended into the thick of the chaos, observing the Hearthflame Ogerpon -- and Andrea Vaneau screaming for help. "I'll protect you, Andrea!" Josh shouted over a roaring burst of flames. From his perspective, the heat-seeking Stealth Rocks crawled toward their targets at the speed of Elisabeth Fiorelli 's Patron. To others, he looked like a Double-Teaming Ninjask, in front of the Ogerpon in one instant and behind it the next. Though his blade could not block Zev Harcourt 's laser, he would use it in an attempt to knock one of the Stealth Rocks into its path.

If he had his way, not one Stealth Rock would touch neither Andrea, nor Tsubaki, nor Ogerpon.

Once he felt Andrea and Tsubaki were safe enough, he tracked down his cellmate. Before he could respond, he dropped to his knees, the poison beginning to impede him after using his power for far too long without cooldown. "Michael... I don't know how much longer I can last..." Josh coughed, pointing toward the large hole in one of the fleshy tubes they saw. "You... should be able to brace against its sides. Go. I'll... follow when I can." Regardless of whether his friend heeded his words, Josh would slowly get to his feet. He dizzily stumbled toward the tube and slid down the side of it, using what remained of his strength to try to slow his descent.

As the Okidogi and the prison guards are beaten back by the relentless rioting, you're given a rare moment to recover. You lay there on the floor, simply breathing, doing nothing else. Even as your chest is raw with pain, there's something strangely serene about the moment. Any other time, this kind of passivity would've gotten you beaten and bullied. But here, in the midst of the madness? It's the first time you can really, really relax.

You would've stayed there for hours and days and weeks if you could. But there's no rest of the wicked. As Lulu Flint 's shadows begin to drag upon you, you pull yourself to a feet with a groan. Still, you make sure to swipe a few pieces of the shattered orange rock before you go. You're not sure why. It's just instinct. But you'll trust it.

You make it to the platform, which descends to the next chaotic ward, which descends to the next chaotic ward, and finally, you come down to the feeding pit. You see plenty of familiar faces all around you, and plenty of unfamiliar-but-overly-familiar faces, too. But you can't afford to linger on any of them. Not until you're safe. Not until you're out of danger. Not until the Toxic Chain is off your neck and you're holding a Pokeball in your hand.

And especially not while you're standing opposite to this blazing ogre.

There's no way in hell you're beating this thing, especially not with all the Nihilego and the stealth rocks and the fire and the like. Staying is suicide. You need to get the fuck out of here, to somewhere where you can get a grip, get a lay of the land, and get where you need to go.

And you need to stay with Lulu Flint . And, unfortunately, that means taking the worst exit possible.

You stare at the gaping tube for a moment. You would do anything for love, but would you do that? Then you glance back at the madness happening behind you, and decide that yes, actually, you'd definitely do that. But you wouldn't be happy about it.

Letting out a groan through gritted teeth, you kick a chunk of stale mochi towards one of the assailing Nihilego before flinging yourself down the grotesque tube.

---

TL;DR - Shred has a strange time, kicks some mochi at a jellyfish, and follows his pookie Lulu down the flesh tube.
Lulu Flint
ltOAYZY4
FUCK IT WE SALAC

Even if Michael's assault remained ineffective, he was glad to see that his aura of fire protected those around him. And, as the platform began its descent into the pits of Hell, the fires of Hope inside of the Cadet only grew higher. There was no telling what could be accomplished with everyone working toward one common goal. If only the world could come together like this on a grand scale.

Now, in the dreaded Feeding Pit, the affliction made its presence known by a burning sensation that crept up Michael's arms. The color of his hands and arms slowly shifted into a wretched fuchsia hue. Bile and half-digested mochi tainted his mouth with the taste of peaches and vomit. The Cadet relented, allowing his body to do its best to expel the poison. His stomach twitched and writhed in agony. It was apparent that this power had its drawbacks, and was to be used sparingly.

Some sought to take the Ogrepon head-on. Others targeted the sprinklers themselves. This made Michael wonder if success would cause water to douse the flames when unhindered. Michael recalled, though, that the showers would always activate when the bowl in the Pit's center had been filled.

"I'll be right with you!" he replied to Josh Devlin. "I have to try to get that bowl filled first! These fires need to be put out!"

Even as Michael's vision grew hazy and his body grew weary, the Cadet Ranger charged forth. Seeking to grab every piece of Mochi before tossing them into the center bowl of the Feeding Pit. Among the chaos, the task would be daunting, but not impossible.

2W0c8sRZ

---

TL;DR:
-Weakling Ward
-Michael has DESPAIRING DISADVANTAGE
-BADLY POISONED
-The Cadet's goal is to fill the bowl in the Feeding Pit in hopes it activates the showers!
-Toxic Chain Ability: Burning Passion
Michael's burning passion to help others is personified as his Toxic Chains wrap around his arms and hands. They create an aura of fire, which Michael uses to battle the foes who dare to stop him and the others from escaping. He is determiend to help everyone escape!

Punished Pokemon: