2015-03-24 - Rolling Out The Misery
| Title: Rolling Out The Misery | |
|---|---|
| Summary: The petty annoyances of passing traffic lead Westar to unleash a monster on the shopping ward - but he was unprepared for the response he received. | |
| Who: Westar, Cure Pine, Cure Rhythm, Cute Wolf Tsukiko, Princess Tutu, with a cameo by Anthy Himemiya. | |
| Where: Shibuya Shopping Ward | |
| OOC - IC Date: 2015-03-24 - June 12th, 2014 | |
<Pose Tracker> Hayato Nishi [Infinity Institute (12)] has posed.
Shibuya Shopping District is busy this afternoon. Between yesterday's downpour and this morning's intermittent drizzles, the general atmosphere is damp - but the spirits of those in the district are not. Precipitation has cleared up, and shops are doing good business - with children hopping over puddles on their way to get treats, or socialites carefully bagging new clothing, it's a general sense of fun.
There's still occasional reminders of the season - the clouds remain an ominous gray, benches are all rather wet, and puddles line the sides of the streets - with storm drains just clogged enough that there's practically small ponds slowly draining in spots.
Traffic is light, but still in existence - and some cars take curves a touch too quickly. The odd car in a rush might tear through puddles, leaving sprays of water obnoxiously in its wake as it heads off to whatever matter of import awaits its driver - but for the most part, it's as nice a day as one can get with those looming clouds.
Nice for most. Not too far from the main shopping hub - a few streets away - a tall blond-haired man steadily makes his way down the sidewalk with an umbrella overhead and purchases in hand. Food, for the most part, and one or two school things - mostly just a chance to get out and see how people are handling the weather. Better than expected - even a sudden downpour wouldn't quench that happiness. What to do, what to do...
His musings are interrupted by one of those rare cars in a terrible hurry - speeding in order to get to a red light faster, racing through a massive puddle, and unleashing a mighty spray of water that completely drenches the man. His umbrella is lost in the water spray, his food ruined, and generally he's all washed up. Most would curse the impoliteness, and move on...but he is not most, and there's no one else near him.
"Switch....over!"
COMBAT: Hayato Nishi transforms into Westar!
<Pose Tracker> Ikiko Hisakata [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
Rain or shine, Ikiko does her best to feed her canine friends on a fairly regular basis. At times this season it's felt like there were more rain-dogs (and -cats) coming out of the sky than there were dogs on the ground, but days like today make for a nice change of pace.
Of course, when the rain is bad enough, it does make for delays, which is why she's carrying more supplies than usual. "Okay, I've already fed the dogs in that neighborhood, making up for yesterday," she muses to herself. "Which means that I should go feed... hmm, should I get that pack out of the way now, or should I feed that other one to avoid other delays?"
She's not in any particular hurry, which is probably good considering that she seems to be a bit preoccupied in thought.
<Pose Tracker> Kanade Minamino [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
The raining was pouring hard, and nothing could be heard except for the gentle pitter patter of the rain drops. Kanade actually like the sound of the rain, but she much preferred to listen to it in her dry, warm room, with a mug of tea. Never the less, the Lucky Spoon didn't stop her deliveries because of rain, and it wouldn't start now.
Kanade was doing her best to keep her box of custom order cupcake dry inside the water proof bag.
"Nyaa, it's so wet," Hummy moaned from inside the second bag that hung off Kanade's shoulder. "Kanade, can't I have one cupcake?"
"No, Hummy, these aren't for you," Kanade replied for the fifth time. "I promise, you can have a cupcake when we get home. Okay?"
Hummy gave a slight pout, which on Hummy resembled more of a half smile. "All right, but Hummy wants hot chocolate too."
Kanade swears. "Don't blame me if you ended up rotting your teeth."
<Pose Tracker> Inori Yamabuki [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.
Having heard it through the grapevine that a very specific line of Summer fashions for the discerning customer had arrived, Inori had hastened to Shibuya directly after her club activities were over with.
Once there however, she moved at a more leisurely pace, wending through the aisles to browse the clothing on the racks and displays. And more often than not, taking out her linkrun to snap pictures to later upload to her blog. "They move everything around in this store so much." She fretted, having trouble finding one section in particular.
Turning a corner, a look of delight sparkled on her face. "Oh!" A moment later she picked a lovely looking Yukata off the rack, turning it around in her hands for a time, before she finally snapped a picture on the linkrun. "This would look so wonderful on Takara-chan!"
A moment later, she was putting the tiny yukata back onto the rack, almost running right into the pet apparel store clerk that bore her a friendly smile and easy greeting of 'Irasshaimase!' 'buki put a single finger to her cheek as she considered, before asking, "Do you have any clothing for a monkey about..."
She lowered her hands to just in front of her before seperating them a little bit apart, then changing them to vertical positions, showing the dimensions for more a mouse, than what one would think of for a monkey, "...I have a classmate at school who has a friend about that size." The store clerk stared at her hands, as if in disbelief, before saying, "Just one moment, I'll check in the back." And vanishing through an employee door, leaving 'buki to stand there, browsing through the saved pictures on her linkrun.
<Pose Tracker> Anthy Himemiya [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.
Anthy is not good with crowds. She *is* good at pretending when need be, but she would really rather avoid them when possible. That's why, when she goes out for errands, she does so while framed by rain, hoping the wetness would keep crowds to a minimum... but it seems that didn't work out well for her. The purple-haired girl keeps to herself, stepping around people and avoiding the streets, thanks to those racing cars sending water splashing every which way. The last time she was drenched, it really didn't go well for her... well, until Utena-sama appeared.
She breathes out a sigh, glancing around nervously. There's just one last item to pick up, and then she can return to campus... Where was the spice store again...?
<Pose Tracker> Duck [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Duck loves travelling out of town to the city! (And don't ask how travelling out of Gold Crown Town leads to the rest of her school in a tower. It makes perfect sense.) She's still not terribly /familiar/ with it -- the city is huge, and towering, and full of cars which never seem to be much of a problem in her quiet little Germanic hamlet -- but Duck manages to remain positive even despite this.
She's even smiling despite the rain. Well, she is a duck, after all. The puddles can't phase her. 'And if I accidentally turn back into duck,' she thinks to herself, 'at least I won't have to go far to change back!'
Duck pauses, for a moment, raising a hand to her lips as she looks in her reflection on the storefront glass. 'Oh, but I shouldn't think like that. It wouldn't do to turn into a duck in the city! Everyone would see! And then I'd--' Duck realises she's stopped outside of a jeweler's, as she looks past her reflection to the shelves inside. "Oh!" Duck clasps her hands together, staring at the glittering gems. "It's so pretty!"
Does she dare go inside and look? She surely can't afford it. But does she dare to browse despite that?!
<Pose Tracker> Westar [Infinity Institute (12)] has posed.
There's a sound audible around the bend. The rev of an engine, from the sounds of things - another racy car, taking advantage of the light traffic in a manner that causes everyone just a little bit more trouble. Cats and dogs twitch their ears, and those pedestrians who notice the sound coming let out a collective sigh of exasperation. Great, some other idiot driver-
And then the vehicle rounds the bend. It's not some red sports car racing to the ends of the world - it's a tire. A two-story-tall tire, wide as a small car, and bizarrely making engine noises as it squeals around the corner. From the axle, metal limbs extent - held upright in spite of the wheel's rapid spinning.
And oh, does it spin. From its path, water sprays - it swerves, it weaves, it hits every single puddle it can reach. As it approaches the intersection, it bounces once - and lands on heavy metal legs. A giant tire with metal arms and legs, glowing eyes, and a yellow diamond prominent among the treads. This is what has appeared. "ROAD RAAAAGE!"
From the thing's hand, a figure leaps to a nearby traffic light - a figure with a cape, a black outfit highlighted in yellow, with light green hair. Westar, of Labyrinth...looking considerably more drenched than anyone else, right now. "People of Shibuya! Cry and wail - your sorrow shall become tears to fill the Misery Gauge! Now, Nakewameke - ruin their day!"
Panic is just beginning to set in as the tire monster begins to rev up. Even as Westar takes a moment to start wringing out his cape, the shouts of fear are a suitable backdrop for his monster - and the giant tire's eyes glint in delight. Now, where is the nearest puddle...
COMBAT: Westar transforms into Nakewameke!
COMBAT: Westar has fully healed himself. He is now ready to take on 4 opponents!
<Pose Tracker> Ikiko Hisakata [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
At the first sound of the revving engine, Ikiko takes a few steps away from the curb, but still seems to be thinking about the strays. When the Nakewameke makes its appearance, she whirls around, her eyes wide. They narrow when Westar makes his little speech, and Ikiko ducks into a nearby alley.
There is a brief clatter, then a glow of silver, and moments later Cute Wolf Tsukiko leaps out into the roadway. "Not if we can help it!" the wolfgirl calls out challengingly, glaring at both the Nakewameke and Westar. "We're going to stop this attack and drive your Nakewameke out of town!"
COMBAT: Ikiko Hisakata transforms into Cute Wolf Tsukiko!
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has used Bark! on Westar.
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has finished attacking.
<Pose Tracker> Kanade Minamino [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Let's see," Kanade muttered. "So, Mom said the place was up the street and-" Suddenly, the words 'Road Rage!" could be heard across downtown. "NYAA!!" Hummy screamed as people ran by screaming and a monster came into view. "What's that thing?!"
"A monster! And- YAY!"
A wave of water suddenly appeared as she heard the laughter of a man. Kanade spun around holding the bag of cupcakes to her chest as the water hit her.
Thankfully, the cupcakes were saved, but Kanade not so much. She might have well have gone diving in the river, and she couldn't be any wetter.
"Nyaa!" Hummy cried as she shook the water off her. "I'm soaking wet!"
Kanade went quiet, glaring at the monster up ahead. "Hummy, stay here," she instructed as she placed the fairy on the ground and handed her the bag of cupcakes. "Do your best to keep those dry"
"Will do, nyaa!" Hummy cried with a salute.
Kanade muttered a thank you and then gave her full attention to the monster. "That thing is making everyone wet on an already wet day! And it almost ruined my delivery! UNFORGIVABLE!" She fetch her cure module and cried "Let's Play! Precue Modulation!" With in seconds, Kanade was engulfed in bright lights. Her body became lighter as the magic took hold. Kanade vanished and the warrior Cure Rhythm took her place.
"Strumming the wild Melody! Cure Rhythm!"
COMBAT: Kanade Minamino transforms into Cure Rhythm!
<Pose Tracker> Duck [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
VREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Duck whirls to face the noise, startled by the loud noise - to this day, she's not used to the screeching tire of fast cars. But what she turns to witness isn't a car at all, it's --
"A wheel?!" Duck exclaims, forgetting to keep her thoughts inside her head for a moment. Yellow gems aren't heart shards, she'd /know/ if that was what was going on, but this is still just so bizarre! A giant wheel -- that's a tire, right? It's called a tire? Duck's pretty sure of that -- just coming out to screech through every puddle and get everyone wet?
And what's this about a Misery Gauge?
As the girl transformed into a cute wolf runs out of the alleyway, the duck disguised as a cute girl runs into it. And she curls into herself, and the egg forms, and shatters --
The prima ballerina of Gold Crown Town leaps out from between the buildings, landing delicately, rising en pointe to better look up at the man who curses them.
"Why? Why do you feel the need to drown the happiness of all these people?" Princess Tutu does not sound angry, and the sincerity in her voice refuses to be washed away into one of those puddles which the tire-wheel swerves to catch.
"What causes you to wish such misery upon them...?"
And then she has to leap away, as the tire-wheel screeches into the puddle in front of her. Damp, dirty standing water splashes onto her immaculate tutu. She doesn't seem to mind.
COMBAT: Duck transforms into Princess Tutu!
COMBAT: Duck has used Please Talk With Me! on Westar.
COMBAT: Duck has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar fails to dodge Cute Wolf Tsukiko's Bark!, taking 9 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Cute Wolf Tsukiko is Psyched! Exhausted applied to Westar!
COMBAT: Westar perfectly dodges Duck's Please Talk With Me!, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Dodge!
COMBAT: Inori Yamabuki transforms into Cure Pine!
<Pose Tracker> Cure Pine [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.
At the squeal of rubber on pavement, 'buki looks up from her phone, through the glass front of the store. The two story car flashes by splashing everything in its wake, and she looks back at her phone, shaking her head as if it were merely a bad driver. She looks up again, eyes wide as her mind finally processes, 'Zounds! That wasn't a car, but a humongous tire!'
The store clerk returns in that moment, showing off a catalogue of wares meant for hamster sized pets, but her customer is already running towards the front of the store, looking over her shoulder with a hand as she offered an anxious apology, "Thank you very much! I'll keep you in mind in the future!" A beat, "You may want to take your break right now, but stay in the store!"
Sliding on her shoes quickly and grabbing her Umbrella, she all but skidded through the glass doors onto the side walk to catch a fleeting glimpse of the rampaging Nakewameke, with Westar stop the traffic light. The shrieks of people getting wet are causing a panic, and 'buki's eyes narrow in determination, as she moves into the nearby alleyway.
Not long after, a flash of light precedes a figure jumping across the roof tops of the various tores in Shibuya, bounding from one rooftop to another through the grey haze of rain. Ultimately, just like gravity, she descends, fist held back with obvious intent to crash against the Nakewameke. "There's only one response to you and your comrade trying to ruin everyone's day, Westar!" None of her teammates were here, but she'd caught a flash of Cure Rhythm's transformation on the way.
The statement is like a battle cry for her and for Cure Rhythm, though its certainly not shouted as exuberantly as Peach might, and timed just a moment before her fist would try to make contact with the creature mid-leap, "Let's- Pretty Cure!"
COMBAT: Cure Pine has used Pineapple Punch on Westar.
COMBAT: Cure Pine has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar perfectly braces Cure Pine's Pineapple Punch, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Brace!
<Pose Tracker> Westar [Infinity Institute (12)] has posed.
The Nakewameke is, in spite of its limbs, a tire. A wheel, not a full car. It shouldn't be making engine noises...and yet, it is. Cute Wolf Tsukiko appears, challenging Westar and growling at the Nakewameke - which growls back, in those same engine-revs. "RAAAAAAGE!"
Westar scowls, water dripping from his cape with each twist. "You all just keep showing up! Why can't I just gather misery for five minutes without people interfering?" The towering tire makes no comment on this statement. Cure Rhythm catches his attention with her own furious speech - by the time he looks, she's already transformed. Which makes him scowl even more. "Another one?! What is Eas even doing, there's just more Precure all the time!"
Then Princess Tutu speaks. There's a poignant question there - one to strike into the soul. Something to make Westar truly think about his actions...so rather than think, he dodges it utterly. Damp cape flopping behind him, he folds his arms in introduction. "I am Westar - Denizen of Labyrinth, and faithful servant of Lord Mobius! All worlds are to bow to him - that's all the reason I need!" As he rants, there's a direct blow - Cure Pine charging into action, a single fist outstretched, to slam into the tire's body full-force....
-gloiiiiing-
And it bounces back from the hit, beginning to spin in midair. "TRAFFIC VIOLAAAATION!" It slams into the pavement, still spinning - and water and dirt spray wildly in all directions, a veritable wave of grime to hide the tire from sight. What will it do next?...
COMBAT: Westar has used Sinister Skid on Cure Rhythm.
COMBAT: Westar has used Sinister Skid on Cure Pine.
COMBAT: Westar has used Sinister Skid on Cute Wolf Tsukiko.
COMBAT: Westar has used Sinister Skid on Duck.
COMBAT: Westar has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko narrowly braces Westar's Sinister Skid, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Cute Wolf Tsukiko's Block ability activates! Blind applied to Cute Wolf Tsukiko!
COMBAT: Cure Pine narrowly dodges Westar's Sinister Skid, taking 12 Fatigue damage! Blind applied to Cure Pine!
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm fails to brace Westar's Sinister Skid, taking 19 Fatigue damage! Cure Rhythm is unable to keep fighting! Blind applied to Cure Rhythm!
COMBAT: Duck fails to dodge Westar's Sinister Skid, taking 20 Fatigue damage!
<Pose Tracker> Cure Rhythm [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Rhythm screamed as the water stroked, but she barely managed to keep her balanced. She glared at the man. "Westar huh?" she muttered. So, Buki and the others were exaggerating about him. She is fully prepared to make her first attack, but pauses when she noticed a figure in white. She looked like a ballerina. Who on earth was see?
However, the thoughts are quickly brought back into the battle as she spies a familiar girl not far from the enemy. "Cure Pine!" she called out cheerfully, and went to attack the monster..
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm has used Pretty Cure Kick on Westar.
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm has finished attacking.
<Pose Tracker> Cute Wolf Tsukiko [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
Tsukiko gets an arm up to protect her face and turns slightly to guard against the spray of watery crud. A few splatters get in her eyes, but with a brief shake the wolfgirl is able to shake off the worst of the water.
Looking around at the other magical girls, she smiles. "Glad to see you, everyone!" Tsukiko calls to the others, a happy enthusiasm in her voice. "I know we can stop him if we work together!"
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has used Encourage the Pack on Cure Rhythm.
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has used Encourage the Pack on Cure Pine.
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has used Encourage the Pack on Duck.
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Cure Pine accepts Cute Wolf Tsukiko's Encourage the Pack, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Cure Pine is Cheered!
COMBAT: Duck accepts Cute Wolf Tsukiko's Encourage the Pack, taking 0 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm accepts Cute Wolf Tsukiko's Encourage the Pack, taking 0 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Westar narrowly braces Cure Rhythm's Pretty Cure Kick, taking 8 Fatigue damage!
<Pose Tracker> Duck [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Princess Tutu isn't alone in trying to swerve this villain from his path. Some use force, and some, like her, use words -- but Westar seems indifferent to both approaches. The girl looks up at him, and the way her lips purse in and her brow arcs up suggests far too much concern for an adversary.
"Is that really how you feel, Westar-san...?" Out of town, the honourifics seem just as normal as Germanic titles would be in town. That's just how the story affects her. "Is this truly what you want to do?"
The tire bears down on her again, and even though Princess Tutu tries to leap away again, she's not /quite/ fast enough to avoid the majority of the water which sprays onto her. Her orange hair drips, slightly, as does her costume -- and yet, despite the water, it all seems to keep its volume, the feathers just as fluffy as they were even with the dirty water.
Must be a magic thing.
"I'm glad you feel that way," Princess Tutu calls to the Cute Wolf Tsukiko, smiling to her. "We must protect the city." And yet - and yet, she doesn't seem to want to acknowledge Westar as an enemy. She turns to him, again, hands up and elbows out as she turns in a delicate pirouette.
"Westar-san," she calls, hands reaching up over her head as she comes to a stop, twirling around each other. "... won't you dance with me?" One hand reaches out, as if to invite him down.
COMBAT: Duck has used Is That How You Really Feel?! on Westar.
COMBAT: Duck has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar fails to brace Duck's Is That How You Really Feel?!, taking 13 Fatigue damage! Westar is Taunted!
<Pose Tracker> Cure Pine [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.
-gloiiiiing-
Cure Pine somersaults backwards as her fist slams into it, reverberating. As she lands, she waves her fist in the air, a muted 'i-taiii' leaving her lips as a mild complaint. One hand gripping the other, she massages it, before she sees the spinning Nakewameke start to create a storm of muddy grit and water.
Leaping out of the way, she's still hit with a giant glob of it right in the head, leaving her golden sidetail muddy and dripping, with grit getting into her eyes and her entire dress just getting soaked all over. As she lands with a light splash, she immediately starts rubbing it with her other hand, she tries to get the grit out of her eyes, but isn't quite successful. Now the complaint is less mild, "It's- everywhere!"
She still takes the time to wave to Rhythm mid-battle, squinting where she thinks she is! "Rhythm! I'm so lucky that you were here today. I don't think Peach and Berry can make it in time! We'll have to handle it as best as we can with the others!" Which is when Tsukiko calls out her encouragement, which she receives with one last brush of the back of her arm against her eyes, "Right!" She doesn't quite trust her vision, because, is that a ballerina over there? She's so beautiful! Too beautiful to be out in the rain.
Deciding to switch tactics, given how sturdy the thing is, she leaps at it, and tries to grasp the giant tire from the side mid-spin. It's enormous, so while she doubts her chances here, she's hoping to pull it off-balance. "Not all worlds bow to him Westar-" Then, she let's gravity be her lever, dropping to the ground, and trying to cast it down onto the street. "-and that's all the reason I need!"
COMBAT: Cure Pine has used Pineapple Twist on Westar.
COMBAT: Cure Pine has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar narrowly dodges Cure Pine's Pineapple Twist, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Stagger applied to Westar!
<Pose Tracker> Westar [Infinity Institute (12)] has posed.
Even as water sprays everywhere, those opposing Westar's Nakewameke aren't giving up - and the bystanders of the district are heartened by the display. While still not wanting to get close to the battle for obvious reasons - including the fact that it's a very wet monster - Tsukiko's encouragement is contagious. Cheers can be heard from close-by, annoying Westar further.
The monster is being more inconvenienced than the denizen of Labyrinth - it rolls with Rhythm's kick as best it can, bouncing up into the air once more - but Pine catches up with it there, and hurls it back down. There's a crash as more solid parts slam into pavement, more water spraying from the impact, and another -gloooing- noise. Staggering upright once more, it looks to Westar for guidance...
But Westar is being questioned by a ballerina, and this time the question strikes home. Is this /really/ how he wants to spend his day? With school done, with shops to explore, with so much of Earth to experience...is unleashing terror on the people of Tokyo really what he wants to be doing? A hand is extended...and he turns his head to the side, arms remaining folded. His response is quieter, almost petulant. "...everything for Mobius-sama."
"OIL CHECK!" The Nakewameke shouts an outburst, determined to not be forgot amidst quiet entreaties. One arm levers it upright, and it starts bouncing about - aiming to slam down near the two Cures, revving its engine loudly to drown out cheers and pleas both.
COMBAT: Westar has used Tire Bounce on Cure Rhythm.
COMBAT: Westar has used Tire Bounce on Cure Pine.
COMBAT: Westar has used Revving Up on Duck.
COMBAT: Westar has used Revving Up on Cute Wolf Tsukiko.
COMBAT: Westar has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Cure Pine narrowly counters Westar's Tire Bounce, taking 14 Fatigue damage! Cure Pine's Reverse ability activates!
COMBAT: Cure Pine's counterattack, Pretty Cure Roundhouse Kick, partially gets through, doing 7 Fatigue damage to Westar!
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko fails to dodge Westar's Revving Up, taking 10 Fatigue damage! Diversion applied to Cute Wolf Tsukiko!
COMBAT: Duck narrowly braces Westar's Revving Up, taking 3 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm fails to dodge Westar's Tire Bounce, taking 19 Fatigue damage!
<Pose Tracker> Cute Wolf Tsukiko [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
Tsukiko winces at the loud revving, trying in vain to cover her canine ears. "Owwww," she whines, cringing and trying to hear herself think.
The wolfgirl takes a leap back, adding some distance in an effort to bring the impact of the noise down far enough to not be as painful. Taking a deep breath, she bounds forward, leaping feet-first towards the Nakewameke in an effort to knock it back from the Cures and possibly interrupt it enough for the ballerina's voice to carry over the noise.
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has used Overrun Bounce on Westar.
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has finished attacking.
<Pose Tracker> Cure Rhythm [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
After managing to land a kick, Rhythm jumped back to the ground and looked to Cure Pine. "And Melody can't make it either," she responded after Cure Pine gave her an update on the situation. So we'll have to make do," Rhythm told her. She then heard the wolf girl's cheer. "Let's do this!" she yelled back, however it was quickly forgotten as she stared in amazement at the ballerina. She she actually somehow getting through to Westar?
Yet, Cure Rhythm didn't have long to dwell on this. The tire monster suddenly bounced and ram right towards them. "Look out!" she yelled to Pine, but she didn't have time to evade the attack. Rhythm yelled as the attack hit her head on. "Ow," she groaned as she attempted to climb back to her feet.
She glanced up back to the monster with a determine glare. "I won't be beaten!" She raced ahead, and taking a page from Melody's book, attempting to punch it right in the face.
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm has used Pretty Cure Punch on Westar.
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar narrowly braces Cure Rhythm's Pretty Cure Punch, taking 10 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Westar narrowly counters Cute Wolf Tsukiko's Overrun Bounce, taking 12 Fatigue damage! Cute Wolf Tsukiko is Psyched!
COMBAT: Westar's counterattack, Tire Bounce, partially gets through, doing 6 Fatigue damage to Cute Wolf Tsukiko! Critical Counterhit!
<Pose Tracker> Duck [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
No matter what his lord might require of him, Princess Tutu can't shake the feeling that something is holding Westar back. That, perhaps, she could reach him. Wasn't she meant to reach into everyone's heart -- even the people who seem to be her enemies? The Prince could be anywhere. And even where he isn't, she still wants to help--
The wheel shouts something else, and its engines rev and scream. Princess Tutu staggers back, her heel coming back down onto the ground again for some extra support as she raises a delicate hand to her face to try and wave away the exhaust, coughing to try and bring air into her lungs again. The movements seem almost heartbreaking, as if the illusion of the perfect porcelain ballerina has been shaken by such a human reaction.
(For those who see her as human, anyway. No doubt there are some in the crowd who see a great, graceful swan, the guardian of dance. But Princess Tutu doesn't know that normal people, people who aren't involved, see her differently. How could she? It's not like she stops to ask.)
"Westar-san," she calls out, again, her eyes watering from the fading smoke. "Why, when you are so wet, do you try and soak others with unkind wheels?"
COMBAT: Duck has used Acknowledge Your True Feelings! on Westar.
COMBAT: Duck has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar fails to dodge Duck's Acknowledge Your True Feelings!, taking 14 Fatigue damage! Westar is Quipped!
<Pose Tracker> Cure Pine [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.
Hurling a two story Nakewameke is harder than it looks, given its titanic mass. She's lucky she managed to get any leverage at all. When Pine finally lands with a heavy splash that cleans off more of the mud but gets her more soggy in the process, she's massaging her hand again with the other.
With her vision a little more clear, she offers a smiling thumbs up to Tsukiko, the wolf-girl's call for cooperation being particularly inspiring to one of her interests. Unfortunately that's the same time the tire tries to crash down on her and Rhythm who calls out the warning, gives Pine enough time to react. She responds with a light skip in the air, using the momentum to spin into a a powerful roundhouse kick at the creature.
It serves to arrest some of its momentum, but ultimately the colossal creature wins out in this clash, as the kick only arrests its momentum a bit, before knocking Pine to the street and crashing on top of her with an enormous splash. It takes her some time to get up, gripping a trembling arm as she looks up at it. "T-Thanks for the warning!" She calls out to Rhythm.
And as Rhythm goes first, Pine trails up behind her. Unlike with Rhythm's partner Melody, the two of them had no harmony power together, so their movements are asynchronous, but she tries to back her up nevertheless by hitting low with a vicious knee smash, when Rhythm goes high for the face.
And mid-attack, seeing the graceful ballerina addressing Westar causes her eyes to sparkle with awe, as if there was something about Princess Tutu that just caused 'buki to instinctively adore her. "She's so graceful!" Could it be the fact that she's a dancer? In part, but there's another component to why she instinctually just likes her.
Hint: 'Quack.'
COMBAT: Cure Pine has used Pineapple Express on Westar.
COMBAT: Cure Pine has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar fails to dodge Cure Pine's Pineapple Express, taking 16 Fatigue damage!
<Pose Tracker> Westar [Infinity Institute (12)] has posed.
The Nakewameke is an embodiment of grudges and misery - the wheel that drenched Westar has now been turned to ruin the days of everyone else. But...this can only go so far, and the line is being held. Cure Rhythm responds to the tire's flattening of her with a single empowered punch - and while it continues to bounce back, it went a bit high. Cure Pine follows her lead, not perfectly in sync but enough to work together - and her blow strikes an unprepared foe in midair, knocking it up once more.
Tsukiko leaps higher, slamming into it from above to spike it down. The tire does its best to roll with this, and even as it hits pavement it bounces up to meet her with a second impact. But...steadily, it's being driven back. Away from the now-cheering crowd, pushing it back from being able to run freely.
While the battle against the wheel menace rages on, Princess Tutu continues to reach out to Westar's heart, asks for his true feelings. He shakes his head violently in response, water flying from his soaked hair - Switching Over didn't deal with the drenching he'd received. "It's my mission - for Mobius's sake, I need to find things to cause misery! And a car ran through a puddle, so..."
Someone in the crowd overheard, and actually cheers Westar on for this. Which is just baffling...and makes him feel even more foolish than usual. The executive of Labyrinth shakes his head even more violently, trying in vain to get those words out of his head. "Nakewameke! Just...run them down!" It's not clever, it's not tactical, it's just...frustration.
Which is this Nakewameke's nature, really. As it picks itself up from the triple threat, it spins up - but doesn't waste time standing on ceremony. A straightforward run down the road, engines roaring, with intent to flatten. "ROAD RAAAAAAGE!"
COMBAT: Westar has used Rundown Rollout on Cure Rhythm.
COMBAT: Westar has used Rundown Rollout on Cure Pine.
COMBAT: Westar has used Rundown Rollout on Duck.
COMBAT: Westar has used Rundown Rollout on Cute Wolf Tsukiko.
COMBAT: Westar has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Cure Pine narrowly braces Westar's Rundown Rollout, taking 8 Fatigue damage! Cure Pine's Block ability activates! Cure Pine's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm narrowly dodges Westar's Rundown Rollout, taking 22 Fatigue damage! Cure Rhythm's Fade ability activates! Cure Rhythm's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko fails to counter Westar's Rundown Rollout, taking 37 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko's counterattack, High-Speed Kick, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Westar!
COMBAT: Duck fails to dodge Westar's Rundown Rollout, taking 27 Fatigue damage!
<Pose Tracker> Duck [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Why must you cause misery? It brings you no joy!" Princess Tutu says, reaching out. But Westar turns away, and commands the wheel to attack them again.
The moment her eyes linger on him is the moment which costs her. Realising that the attack is inevitable, her legs bend to leap away --
But like a bird in the middle of taking flight, the wheel catches her as she springs up, throwing her down to the ground. A moment later, it skids over her, the treads marking her tutu with mud.
For a moment, she is silent. And then, shaking, she pushes herself up again, looks up to him again. Her face is scuffed, and not even her magical costume has evaded the effects of being run down.
"Westar-san..." Her voice wavers, for a moment, as she slumps back down.
For a moment, before she pushes herself up, more successfully the second time, staggering to her feet.
"That car, that puddle... it splashed over you, didn't it? These troubles... weren't they first yours?" He's run her over, and still Princess Tutu reaches out to him. "Instead of making others sad... let us dry you off! This lovely shopping trip needn't be ruined for anyone..!"
COMBAT: Duck has used Please Talk With Me! on Westar.
COMBAT: Duck has finished attacking.
<Pose Tracker> Cute Wolf Tsukiko [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
The impact with the Nakewameke is bouncier than Tsukiko was expecting, making her landing an unbalanced three-point affair instead of a crisp two-point crouch. Before she can completely recover, the Nakewameke charges forward, and all her attempt at lashing out with a kick does is give her a funny pose as the giant tire rolls over her.
"That... could have gone better," the wolfgirl groans as she picks herself up, grimy tire markings and all. She shakes herself slightly, glaring at Westar briefly before looking back at the Nakewameke. "I think it's time to let some air out of you!" she growls before darting forward, grabbing onto the tire and trying to bite it before it rolls over her again.
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has used Silver Fangs on Westar.
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar narrowly braces Duck's Please Talk With Me!, taking 1 Fatigue damage! Westar is Quipped!
COMBAT: Westar perfectly dodges Cute Wolf Tsukiko's Silver Fangs, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Dodge!
<Pose Tracker> Cure Pine [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.
The tire rushes towards Pine head on, in an attempt to run her down. She does the unwise thing perhaps, and tries to stand her ground, with arms crossed. This time however, it pays off, the tire careens by her, clipping her with a grazing hit and hurling her away.
As she lands, she puts down a hand into a handstand which then moves into a series of back flips, before she finally skids to a stop when she slows down the momentum, water droplets flying everywhere.
Shaking out her golden hair, she decides to give the graceful Ballerina, who was doing a fantastic job on her own, more ammunition to work with. "Aren't you miserable yourself, Westar? You think of the 'things' you use to cause misery as your comrades, not things." A beat, "Do you really want to sacrifice them for just a little misery?"
She then turns to face Rhythm, seeing her hurting, she tries to give her a little encouragement. "We can do this Rhythm! We just need to give one final push, then we can enjoy drying off to donuts and the softest cat paws ever! I believe in you!"
COMBAT: Cure Pine has used I believe! on Cure Rhythm.
COMBAT: Cure Pine has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm accepts Cure Pine's I believe!, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Surge applied to Cure Rhythm!
<Pose Tracker> Cure Rhythm [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Rhythm sees the attack and manages to barely dodge. She landed hard on the ground, her knees were going to hurt in the morning, but she did it. Also, the poor wolf girl didn't seem as lucky.
She was feeling so tired, all she had to do today was deliver cupcakes? How did it turn into this?
However, Cure Pine's word give her the encouragement she needs. "You're right!" she called back to her friend. "When this is over, let's get hot chocolate too! I promised Hummy!" She set her sights back to Westar, and recalled on what the ballerina had said having an effect on him.
"You're suppose to be a top general, but this is what one does? Making a monster out of spite, just because he got wet! That's hardly dignified! A five year old wouldn't get this upset!"
Rhythm decided it was time to pull the big guns. "Watch this Cure Pine! Hopefully this works!" Being fuelled by Pine's words earlier she targeted the monster and went to give the oversize monster the biggest swing it ever would experience.
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm has used Pretty Cure Jazz Swing on Westar.
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar narrowly braces Cure Rhythm's Pretty Cure Jazz Swing, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Cure Rhythm is Psyched! Stagger and Stun applied to Westar!
<Pose Tracker> Westar [Infinity Institute (12)] has posed.
The wheel is relentless - at least on the surface. And yet, even as it tears down the street, bouncing wildly into the air...it's slowing. Its movements are becoming more ponderous, more considered. The water sprays in its wake have died down to nearly nothing - even as the bystanders cheer on the quartet opposing Westar, the Nakewameke does little to trouble them. "CRY AND WAIL!...."
Westar stares as Tutu gets up, and reaches out again. It's...is this her designation? Keep befriending, over and over, regardless of consequence? Or is she damaged, somehow, like his fellow executives keep saying he is? Whatever the reason, she just keeps getting up, keeps talking...
Asphalt crunches as Westar leaps down from the traffic light. He looms - towering even on the same ground as those opposing him. Words, words, all of them having something to say to him, to his mission, to his very cause - but he's not driven by the same passions as Eas, hasn't thought things through as carefully as Soular. He's uncertain.
At Pine's words, he looks to the beleaguered tire - metal instead of rubber meeting Tsukiko's fangs, up until Cure Rhythm slams it to lodge against a lamppost. Rhythm's words give him pause - he steps back, feeling even less certain about this mission. And Tutu - Tutu keeps trying to understand, to empathize, and it's something he can scarcely deal with. "It...it doesn't matter. Everything for Mobius - this is my mission, and I have to..."
He trails off, the words feeling hollow. She's offering to -help-, offering a peaceful way out...he takes a fierce step forward toward Tutu in response. Not elegant, but "You can't be serious! For the sake of finding Infinity - gathering misery is what I /do/, and you're still planning on giving me a towel?!"
The Nakewameke, diamond flickering strangely, growls - revs that phantom engine loudly, and starts to spin in place. Gathering speed, gathering strength, preparing to go on an absolute rampage...
COMBAT: Westar has used One Step Forward on Duck.
COMBAT: Westar has used Revving Up on Cure Rhythm.
COMBAT: Westar has used Revving Up on Cure Pine.
COMBAT: Westar has used Revving Up on Cute Wolf Tsukiko.
COMBAT: Westar has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Cure Pine narrowly dodges Westar's Revving Up, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Diversion applied to Cure Pine!
COMBAT: Westar is unable to keep fighting!
COMBAT: Cute Wolf Tsukiko fails to dodge Westar's Revving Up, taking 10 Fatigue damage! Diversion applied to Cute Wolf Tsukiko!
COMBAT: Westar is unable to keep fighting!
COMBAT: Cure Rhythm narrowly dodges Westar's Revving Up, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Cure Rhythm's Fade ability activates! Cure Rhythm's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Westar is unable to keep fighting!
COMBAT: Duck accepts Westar's One Step Forward, taking 0 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Westar is unable to keep fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Cute Wolf Tsukiko [Juuban Public School (6)] has posed.
Tsukiko wipes her mouth -- the metal of the rim didn't taste very good, although it undoubtedly tasted better than the rubber -- then clamps her hands to her ears, about as ineffectively as the previous time. "Not again," she cringes, backing off again.
This time, though, the engine noise seems to be gaining pitch and (thankfully) losing volume. The wolfgirl carefully takes her hands off of her ears and watches the Nakewameke as its diamond flickers. She's still ready to fight it off as needed, perhaps with a heartfelt howl... but the fight seems to be out of the tire.
<Pose Tracker> Duck [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Westar stares, and Princess Tutu meets his gaze, everything about her stance and expression so, so painfully honest. She wants to help him. She wants him to be able to recognise his true feelings. She doesn't believe he really wants to soak everyone's shopping.
Even when he falls to the asphalt, the ground crunching under his heavy weight, she doesn't falter. Even as he storms towards her, she doesn't flinch, or step away. "I know you feel you must... but is this really what you /want/ to do? Are those feelings of spite and misery all which lie inside your heart?"
Her arms lift up over her head again, her hands twirling around each other, before she reaches out to him.
"Please, Westar-san... won't you dance with me?"
Princess Tutu's words hold dangerous power, because it might almost sound like a good idea.
COMBAT: FINISHER! Duck has used Dance With Me! on Westar.
COMBAT: Duck has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Westar fails to brace Duck's Finisher, Dance With Me!, taking 48 Fatigue damage! Westar is unable to keep fighting! Westar is Quipped!
<Pose Tracker> Cure Rhythm [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Rhythm grinned in triumph at the success her swing had. "Okay, Pine, let's you and-" Her words trail off as the tire monster suddenly died down as if it had suddenly run out of gas.
"Huh?" was the only word that could leave her mouth as she watch the tire turn back to it's original harmless form.
Yet, hearing the ballerina's voice again, it all made sense. Somehow she had gotten through to Westar. Rhythm watched in awe as the ballerina moved with grace she could only dream of having. "Pine," she asked her friend. "Do you know who that is?" She suddenly wished Hibiki was here. If anything could temp her friend into loving music again, it was watching this ballerina dance.
<Pose Tracker> Cure Pine [Ohtori Academy (9)] has posed.
"Great job Rhythm!" She calls out, but the sound of the Nakewameke revving up its engines psychs Pine out a little, sending her leaping to the rooftop of a shop from the diversion which makes her believe its coming for her. Once there, she spins around and puts her hands above her head, beginning the words of her Healing Prayer. "Nasty things, nasty t-"
The words catch in her throat as she watches the yellow data diamond fade. Her hands slowly drop back to her side, as she looks uncertainly at it. Then at Tutu, reaching out a single hand to the Labyrinth Executive. Her mouth drops just a little, her eyes sparkling but not with sparkles, just a little bit of water. How could someone be such a beautiful person? To offer such empathy and understanding to someone literally trying to ruin everyone's day? She says nothing for a while, simply watching before dropping back off the building with only a click clack sploosh of boots upon wet pavement.
Taking a few steps towards Rhythm, she whispers softly once she's near her, as if afraid she'd break the spell, she says the first thing that comes to mind, "An incredibly beautiful person." A moment later, she realizes that hardly answers the question, so she clarifies further. "I don't know, but I'd like to."
<Pose Tracker> Westar [Infinity Institute (12)] has posed.
As quickly as the tire roared to life...it comes to an abrupt halt at that earnest gaze - at the moment when Westar is, however briefly, honest about his feelings here. At the moment Princess Tutu's words, reaching out, find their mark. Spite and misery where what fuelled the monster, but...
Among everything else, all the ups and downs, this is a world that has donuts. That's at least one thing he'd rather be doing than unleashing a monster here.
Smoke billows from the Nakewameke gone still, as a glorious swan spreads her wings and extends an offer. Caught up in the moment, Westar...accepts. Takes another step forward, and expresses his feelings here through dance. It's clumsy - he's not a dancer, having a single awkward square dance under his belt. But...
His feet stomp. Fury, at things going wrong for him, everything he does seeming to fail. And then...hesitation. His feet still, slide, seeking new footing. Curiously, tentatively, a step forward - then back, then forward - the anger isn't the only step his heart wants to make. Where he should go, that is...
Westar's brief attempt at ballet, matched and encouraged by the art's emissary, is interrupted by something smacking into his hand. The faded, colourless, powerless Data Diamond from his Nakewameke - freed from the monstrous form it had created, returning to its owner. A reminder, of where his true loyalty is supposed to lie. "I-"
He looks around - the awestruck crowd, not despairing but heartened. The Nakewameke, completely gone, returned to the form of a tire. Two Pretty Cure, right here, still at full strength - and the wolf-girl besides, and this baffling ballerina. He's lost the battle, and he's lost his path. "You...you all enjoy this day. I..."
He bolts - running before those words can ensnare and confuse him any further. They've all gone and made things hard - trying to understand why he does what he does, asking questions that make him think....he's not supposed to have to think, he has Mobius! He needs to figure this out...
<Pose Tracker> Duck [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
No matter that Westar doesn't know how to dance - Princess Tutu somehow knows just the powerful steps to make to highlight his performance. He is the star, and she is his spotlight. It's not her way of dancing, but she's dedicating to helping him find his --
Except the performance is cut short, as the gem finds its way back to him. In a way, it almost mirrors the Heart Shards with inverted shades; a Heart Shard comes to her and the dancer is freed from their burdens, but when the Data Diamond returns to Westar, it's as if his burdens crash back upon his shoulders. She stops when he stops, her hand curling to her chest. "Westar-san..?"
But he's gone. And a moment later, looking at the crowd which has gathered, the girls she fought with, Princess Tutu realises that she has to leave as well. "Thank you - I'm sure everyone will be safe now."
She bows her head to them, and smiles, and then she's leaping away.
She can't linger too long, after all. She can't risk it, not with the rules of the story...
