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[attr="class","itemcolname"]league - ultra deep sea

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[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]STAGE: CONTROLLING

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]The mental anguish rises to unbearable levels. As the Eternatus core whirs, the fleshy walls begin to swarm with pink eye-like shapes. Still, through these translucent barriers, you catch a glimpse of a nearby planet. One that looks suspiciously like the one you all live in—except that a large portion of it seems covered in land.[break][break]

You must escape with your gathered material. Your ally or allies may be incapacitated by the paranoia settling in their psyches, or perhaps, the eldritch mutations beginning to metamorphose their body or bodies.[break][break]

Depending on how much your characters have mined, you may need to lessen your extracted load to ensure successful escape from this wretched place. After all, the horrors that reside here may make chase.

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[attr="class","text"]Aww! He didn’t mind the babe! Where exactly Ozni had picked up that habit, he couldn’t remember. He vaguely remembered one of the family chauffeurs flirting with everything in sight. But a lot of people thought it was sexist. Even though he did it to everybody. When Dylan leaned closer, the CEO grinned. We’re going to get along just fine.
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The answer received a thumbs up. It was quirky and proof the kid thought on his feet (or read the same interview blog that Oz did). “Hopefully it has the pockets for them.” Otherwise, it’d stuff that in a very awkward place. Blue eyes shifted slightly skyward to the sky above. “Definitely important, especially in a place like this.” Most people thought sunscreen was for hot weather. But real explorers—like him (lol)--knew sunburn was just as likely in the snow. “I mean look at me. I was as pale as you, and then POOF I went skiing.” He gestured to himself with a sweeping wave.
[break][break]

The question received a grin in return. What did he do for fun? He tried to be fun incarnate, but he didn’t have much time for hobbies. Still, the kid deserved an answer. “I’m really into Lego. Also a huge movie and book buff.” He pondered things for a minute. A lot of things he did in his off time were more for views and looking cool than the stuff he actually enjoyed. “I mess with computers and sound mixing too.” Surveying the land before him, it looked like he was on the hunt for inspiration. “What about you, bub?”

[break][break]

Again, more Pokemon appeared. In a dead zone like this, noise would probably attract everything for miles around. It wasn’t like there was a McDonald’s around. A sense of panic filled him as his potential hire flopped down next to a Spheal. The Glalie stared at them for a moment. Oz’s heart stopped. “You know that sentient ice chunk is dangerous, right?” But, fortunately, it grew bored and bobbed away.
[break][break]


With a sigh of relief, Ozni watched the two play. It was high-key adorable. So much so that he snapped a picture of it for a social media post. Something about being Pokemon-friendly or some other bull. “You do that—” A finger went up. “--Just remember that babies are a LOT of responsibility.” Then, something in the distance caught his eye.
[break][break]


It was a very oddly shaped ice chunk. It even had arms and legs. “Interview question two—” He jerked his thumb toward it. “Can you beat me to the dino rock?” With a noise of elation, he started running toward the destination.

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[attr="class","credit"]MADE BY GUNSMILE

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[attr="class","text"]The CEO listened for a minute. A noncommittal hum emerged at Absalom’s bragging. “Just one?” He pondered for a second. The gym system had never made it back home. And he never bothered to learn about the one here. He didn’t need fancy bottlecaps to be fabulous. “You guys need eight to hit the big time, right?” [break][break]


The talk of books made Oz frown. He loved eggheads, but this guy was going to miss all of his references. That kind of made it hard to hold a conversation. “Kid—” A bit of exasperation crept into his voice. “You really need to get out more.” How was he ever going to catch someone’s attention like this? He’d probably correct flirting with some silly fact about how fast beating hearts were bad for you.[break][break]


Ozni nodded. He’d been raised with bodyguards. And he got at least one death threat a week on social media. “You don’t have to tell me, boo.” His teeth again bared in a blinding grin. “Fans are absolutely rabid sometimes.” Then, of course, there were the reporters who wanted to ask awkward questions. The conversation cruised right along though.[break][break]

At the talk of facial hair, Oz lifted a hand to his chin. Straight razors did wonders for facial hair. “Mine used to think mutton chops were all the rage.” It made him look like a Victorian robber baron. The only thing keeping him from a full-on villain was the lack of a twirly mustache. “I’m cool with being clean-shaven though. It’s more sanitary.” He also didn’t like the feeling of stubble. It gave him chills.
[break][break]

“She would!?” A dramatic sigh emerged. “But he’s so charming!” Look at all the blood he’d drawn! It totally—-oof. Why’d he feel so lightheaded all of a sudden? As he stumbled back, a pointy thing burst out from the bushes behind him. He nearly jumped out of his skin. “Arceus, that thing’s—” It stared at him with beady little eyes. Ugly. “--pointy.”
[break][break]

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[attr="class","credit"]MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","itemcolicon"]

[attr="class","itemcolname"]league - ultra deep sea

[attr="class","lgdcol"]

[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]STAGE: CONDEMNING

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]Eventually, the Eternatus core expels enough energy to cause the designated trainers experience extreme distress and fright. At first, they may point out things, Pokemon, or people that do not exist; however, over time, their hallucinations begin to manifest into reality.[break][break]

The Poison Tera Crystals glow bright as all manner of terrible things appear, drawn from the conscious of those affected by the Eternatus core. Eventually, these manifested figures will expire, disintegrating into nothing but residual Dynamax Energy.

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[attr="class","text"]The CEO feigned impatience as she flounced off. His hand draped listlessly across his chest as he called out to her, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, I await thee locks with bated breath!” As Sylvia dug through the clothes, the workaholic flipped his phone open. An email to Kanto there. A meeting invite was accepted for Kalos there. All the while, the clink of expensive hangers continued just beyond the door.[break][break]

When the door opened, ICEE bumped the guy with a snot-covered nose. Only after finishing his sentence did he lift his eyes to give Sylvia a once-over. He tried to wolf whistle. All that came out was a compressed burst of air. Whoopsie. Blue eyes gave a wink. “It suits all my fancy, babe. I love that color on you!” It really brought out that hair of hers. With a curtsy, he allowed her to approach the counter first. He chuckled as the woman behind the counter sneered—obviously impressed by the Pretty Woman act.[break][break]

The items, including the shoes, were quickly scanned in. The total quickly jumped from double to quadruple digits. A black credit card was pressed tightly against the back of his phone. A noncommittal grunt answered the woman’s total. Without looking up, he tried spoke, “While you’re at it, throw that white and black dress in Room 5 on here too.” He flashed a distracted grin. “Thanks, doll.” With a barely hidden sneer, the woman trotted back to the fitting room. As he swiped his card, the CEO turned to face Sylvia.[break][break]

“Pay me back? Pfft.” His breath escaped in a humored mix of laugh and hiss. He waved the idea off as if it was bathroom odor. “I won’t even notice the money’s gone. You're doing me a favor.” Ozni made bigger bets with his buds. Holding the door open for her, the man guided her to the car. In terms of driving, he was more grandpa than charmer. But his answers came hot and heavy—spontaneity incarnate.[break][break]

At the talk of modeling, he offered up a feline grin. “That explains why you were so eager to show off.” Maybe he’d drop a line for her somewhere. Eye candy was eye candy, after all. No matter how you ran into it. “Well, don’t change too fast. I like the red.” It felt dangerous somehow. Like he was playing with fire.[break][break]

“I sure do!” He pointed to his wallet. “Picture’s in the front pocket.” In it was a picture of his squad: a bow-sporting Eelektross, a muzzled Dodrio, a neck-bound Comfey, and a glitched-out Porygon-Z. The next question drew a thoughtful hum. “I’d have to say normal. It’s such an underappreciated typing.” But, he had to admit that bugs were cool.[break][break]

“What kind of 'mon you have?"

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[attr="class","credit"]MADE BY GUNSMILE

[attr="class","itemcolicon"]

[attr="class","itemcolname"]league - ultra deep sea

[attr="class","lgdcol"]

[attr="class","itemcoltexttit"]STAGE: COMFORTING

[attr="class","itemcoltext"]As materials are mined and gathered, the designated trainer(s) will begin to experience heightened anxiety and fear. The walls around you are slightly translucent. They are fleshy and pink, pulsing with energy ever so often. Through them, you can view the great starry fields of space.[break][break]

Threats may begin to encroach upon this chamber. Nihilego, Poipole, Naganadel, and mutated Pokemon who have found themselves unluckily teleported here.[break][break]

The heightened mental anguish may also take a toll, requiring healing or barriers against assaults of the mind. However, there is limited time to mine. What will you do?