lostcarnival | ⇨ FAERIE TALES

Yuya looks up with relief at Yugo's duel monster intercepts the blow, giving them time--and more importantly, saving their skins. He just barely manages to reach Steven's hand, inspired and ready to encourage him to freedom--

And then the Rose Queen shoves him forward, and Yuya stops cold. His chest burns immediately at hearing him weakly cry out at she forces him down and his grip fails to tighten on Steven. He's dumbstuck only for a second, and then he's furious.

To the side he sees Amethyst dive forward and grab, probably to pull him out. Yuya doesn't have much in the way of physical strength, and while that wouldn't stop him from trying he's not going to play a physical tug-of-war with the Rose Queen.

He looks up at her with open anger, and then moves quickly to grab her wrist to the hand tangled in Steven's hair and dig his claws into her skin.

"The Rose Queen lets go."

His vines are loose around the roots- a comforting hold, like a hand on one's shoulder, but lax enough so that it isn't holding the root there. That would be exactly the reverse of what they need after all.

But Gongenzaka isn't just leaving pretty words with his soul, or holding hands. No, as Steven cries for help, and as the boy reaches for the two who are now just a short bit in front of Gongenzaka himself, he raises his metal arm with cold eyes.

'The Rose Queen lets go', he thinks, charging the arm, and he growls and half shakes with his anger for all that is happening around them. He can hear Marishi whisper despite her distance from him- 'And the arm charged with Strength, for it was just as much a part of his body as any other bit, and thus just as receptive to the might of his heart and soul, just as able to fuel his dedication into One Great Shot.'

'The Rose Queen Lets Go.' "...For even with only a hair of a moment free, the Prince would have what was needed to escape," he snarls under his breath, and fires a repulsor blast toward the Queen's body with more strength than his arm should have ever created.

There's a whole lot going on, and Joker knows better than to get in the way of what Gongenzaka is firing. It's a hasty glance back to check up on the others, and he quickly makes sure to dodge from that. However, he won't stay still for long. He darts right after it, a follow up-

"The Rose Queen lets go," he hisses under his breath as well, adding more weight to the demand, "because her love is corrupt and twisted." He comes in sliding on his knees, grabbing at Steven's other hand in hopes that Yuya and Gongenzaka have been enough to force her away- everything is happening in too much of a blur. "She doesn't stand a chance when we're together like this, right, Steven!?"

The Rose Queen lets go. There's so much forward momentuem right now he doesn't need to repeat it. It's what they are all thinking, all willing to happen. He's putting a lot of trust right now in everyone else, normally one to get the job done and then leave by himself, and he's craving something bittersweet just to go with the moment.

His eyes flick towards the kids, all of them, and then back at Gon who is preparing to fire. With it being an intent to attack, but not directed at him, he doesn't bother to move and allows his Power to Choose to keep himself rooted to the spot. He has to trust in his own power and the narrative to work.

"I trust you," he says outloud to everyone that can hear. He trusts Gon and his aim to remain true, for Joker not to get himself maimed, for the kids to rescue Steven, for Yugo not to pull a Lauren. "With Steven's love and light we cannot fail." They just need a moment of peace with the Rose Queen nowhere near Steven to yank him free and ditch. "We're almost there."

Yugo's staring at his cards, wondering what he can still do as everyone else aside from Tyki use the might of the narrative to jump into the fray. But Tyki's declaration, even if he has no idea what the guy is specifically thinking for him, the older-looking teen grins.

They're definitely winning aren't they? With the way everyone is weaving this story against the Rose Queen, it's working big time.

"With all our power combined, Steven's gonna be coming with us no matter what the Rose Queen says!"

As Yuya digs in his claws, the Rose Queen's primary reaction is shock.

It just doesn't happen - it's unthinkable - that a mortal would have such audacity, to demand that of her and to grab her like this. The boldness of his assertion stuns her, and she stares back at him with an expression approaching wonder. His claws don't pain her all that much, but she sheer confusion of it causes her to release her hold on Steven. She's completely at a loss.

And then Gongenzaka fires a repulsor at her, and the moment ends. She's blasted several feet back, shielding her face with her arms, and it is taking her a while to regain her composure. She skids across the dirt, finding balance in a low crouch, but she doesn't move to attack.

In the same moment the Rose Queen lets go, Steven is also pulled far away enough from his roots that the final strands of crystal shatter and snap - one final blow out of pain before the tension is release and he's allowed to sprawl forward into the arms of those waiting to receive him.

He collapses then, totally spent - he gave everything he had to get free, and now that he's broken loose all he can think to do is let himself drop into the arms of his rescuers and sniffle and sob with the beginnings to relief. It's not over yet, but he trusts them to get him out of there.

How could he not?

Steven is a heavy kid, short and stout and kind of 90% crystal right now, and Joker has to brace himself as he collapses into their arms. Honestly, it's a good thing that Amethyst is there as well. Even if he had the use of both hands (and he is trying to avoid stabbing the boy by accident), Joker has a feeling he'd go toppling over on his own. As it is, they can both withstand it, and he presses his face down into Steven's hair.

"We have you," he whispers softly down to him, almost exhausted from the sheer amount of relief flooding through him and out his mouth. "And we won't let ya go." He's shaking, just a little, although he hardly notices. The most important thing is here in their arms now.

But there's no time to revel for too long. Trying to haul the boy up- hopefully Amethyst helps- he calls back to Yuugo. "I believe it's time we take our leave!"

He's free.

From her clutches, at least- Gongenzaka's mind works on double time. "In that moment," Gongenzaka rapidly narrates, neither moving his aim nor taking his eyes off the Queen, despite now taking his vines out from the earth, "The Prince's loyal companion and steed, sensing his partner's chance, appeared to shield him; so that the Prince would never have to look at her while in this realm again," he adds, keeping to his limits. Who knows what Lion can or CAN'T do, after all. They just need to get him out of the Queen's line of sight, and get away after all, and-

And they're still trapped, but Marishi has already rushed to get someone else's attention on that.

"The Dragon among the rescuers knew time was short," the cat hisses, having hurriedly moved within Yuugo's earshot. Joker has the right idea. Between the lot of them, if anyone can make fast work of plants... "His flames would grow hottest with his passion, and now was the time to use them, that they could escape!"

TORCH THAT WALL, BUDDY.

"You got it!" he shouts, licks of plasma already puffing out within the same breath as his words while the power gets charged up in his throat. Yugo pivots his D-Wheel so that he faces the wall of vines keeping them in and-

*PWING-FWOOOOOSH*

-lets out the mightiest blast of the Dielectric Breath he can muster, boosted of course by the surrounding narrative. May it burn through those magical vines like they're nothing but paper!

It's at that same moment that Lion appears out of a portal, with Bud and Lil clinging to his mane. They see Steven, and the Rose Queen, and the reaction is instantaneous. The two Pokemon jump off of Lion and into the space between Steven and the Queen, while Lion comes to crouch by his ward's side with a concerned rumble.

"Fo...mantis!" Bud squeals angrily, leaping into the air and spinning like a top, releasing a cascade of razor leaves at the Rose Queen. Meanwhile, Lil has different plans.

"Chiko...!" With a spin of his leaf, Lil activates Reflect, which will hopefully help defend the group from incoming physical attacks.

Yuya holds his glare on the Rose Queen until she's blasted. His arm is pulled forward as she's pushed back, and he's not fast enough to release his grip. There's a sharp pain running up through his arm as all the muscles and joints are pulled and Yuya yelps in pain.

He jerks backwards, arm falling loosely at his side and giving Joker and Amethyst plenty of room to collect Steven. It's just the opportunity they need.

There's a wave of relief as Lion appears, and Yuya's certain they'll get Steven out of here. He nods his head towards him, looking to Joker and Amethyst. "Lion can take Steven--we're all getting out of here!"

Tyki slides up against Joker's back with his own pressing into his to give him some sort of brace even if he has to hunch down, crouch, or press into him for support. Joker has him and Steven is free. "We got you, little prince."

His Tease that have been busy chewing through the growing vines to keep them from extreme overgrowth scatter the moment any attack is directed towards them. They are in the air, the more mature ones now adding to the firepower with large Dark Matter blasts. Whatever that fire doesn't burn through will be followed up with numerous pinpointed attacks. He's been conserving his energy for this escape.

The synergy is remarkable and while he does feel like the odd man out, he doesn't mind. The objective is almost cleared and that's all that matters. He's quiet again, just for a moment, as his flowery words are no longer needed. His hand lowers as Tease crawls into view and a rather large shield will flood outwards to help cover the both the kid and the Stage Manager with another flanked near Yuya, "Agreed. Let's go."

Amethyst might not be a full powered quartz soldier like she was grown to be, but she's still plenty strong enough to just lift Steven up with both sturdy arms and spare Joker the effort.

"Oof," she says, hefting him over her shoulder, which looks kind of ridiculous when he is basically the same height as she is. Relief spills over her face when Lion's portal appears, and she veers towards him with Steven still in her arms. "What'd I tell you, huh?" she says, grinning weakly and trying not to look back towards the Rose Queen.

The Rose Queen bats away the razor leaves with a wild swing of her saber. She's getting to her feet now, the shock finally giving way to indignation.

"You will not leave this place!" she cries, raising her hand in a clenched fist. "Guards - come to me now!"

There is another resurgence of growth in the thorns, even as Yugo and Tyki tear it away. They have an opening right now, but it won't last long - and you can already here those rose-headed creatures beginning to crawl towards the core of the garden.

She would blast them all to death thorns, but she doesn't want to destroy Steven by accident.

Some way or another, Steven ends up on Lion's back, who waits will only mildly strained patience until the boy is secured. Lion doesn't entirely trust teleporting on the way out, given what happened lastime - for now he's going to move along with the group, if only so Steven doesn't freak out and try to go back like he did the first time.

Meanwhile, the Rose Queen's guards are leaping over the thorns and dropping into a ring around the group, menacing them with whips much like they did during the group's first trip to the garden.

Bud and Lil just yell louder, slapping back at the guards at they approach. Lion, meanwhile, tries to keep Steven to the center of the group, away from any cracking whips.

"STAY TOGETHER UNTIL WE HAVE DISTANCE!" Gongenzaka roars, hurriedly using his vines to grab for Yuuya. He's careful to avoid the injured arm, though he grimaces at the sight of what he's done. Marishi remains ready to run, and Gongenzaka is quick to use his repulsor to deter what rose creatures are coming in his range.

"Though the opposition was great, the heroes' unity persisted- with the Prince well protected between them!" she adds, her partner giving a quick nod to the others and bounding forward. As the largest, going even second would create a liability- especially with how fast these vines keep trying to move.

So with a snarl, he aims his repulsors at the creatures, using even his vines to bodily snatch and thrust some away. "Yuuya! You know what we must do!" They need SHIELDS, sooner the better, as he tries to get through beyond that wall to get everyone out of here.

Yuya's easily plucked up by Gon's vines, trusting his friend's hold for his own inability to grasp back right now.

He... thinks he knows what they have to do, and when Gon nudges to the exit Yuya projects his shield outward, trying to capture the other carnival members under the dome to protect them from further onslaught. "My shield can definitely cover our escape!"

His Tease are flitting in alarm at the growth once again taking over but that doesn't stop them from firing upon the vines. Anything to slow them down would help right now. Their outwards projectiles allow space to move in the middle of the entrance.

Tyki slides up near Gon almost immediately when time again becomes an issue. Steven is secure and Gon is using the narrative again. He's assisting where he can, helping Gon blast away the creatures so they can continue their focused crawl towards the exit. Even Dark Matter has spread across his arm, lacing in a hazardous line of deadly strength able to cut and rend anything that comes in contact with it in half. He doesn't care how brutal it seems to cleave a body in two or decapitate a guard that might've been someone beforehand. All that matter was getting their Prince out. "Thank you, Yuya~ Stay together under his shield and keep moving! Our defense is strong. These villainous guards will find it rough penetrating our defense as our Prince believes in us."

Needless to say, Joker is hustling away as well. With Amethyst having deposited Steven onto Lion's back, he's able to move a lot quicker... but there's one thing he's forgetting. As everyone crowds around Lion, making sure to keep Steven in the middle, Joker stands on the tips of his toes to call out. "Feathers!"

Whether through sheer luck or narrative demands- and the two can blur together so well right now- the Pokeball near to the Rose Queen manages to burst open, a surge of red light shooting through the air with the ball hooked in its talons. Feathers soars through the air, sending a spray of razor sharp leaves in his wake to impede the rose guards. As the bird darts underneath the shield just in time, Joker grins over to him.

"Assumin' they even get near the shield at all!" he crows. "Feathers! Give 'em all ya got! They didn't stand a chance against ya the first time, and they won't now either!"

Feathers doesn't need to be told twice, hanging towards the back of the group as he twists in midair. He's been thrust very alarmingly into a whole lot of bullshit, but that's a Pokemon's specialty. He spreads out his wings-

And begins to glow.

A glow so bright, it might very well blind the Rose Queen and her guards for a moment... And to not even see the spray of leaves which pierce through the various foes in their way and which pursue them. No, not leaves-

Arrows.

The small round owl that was in the air is there no longer. Instead, there's something much larger, wings pulled back like an archer preparing his shot, and Feathers gives a challenging trill.

Congratulations! Your FEATHERS evolved into a DECIDUEYE!

Lion sicks to the course, following along with the group. Steven's Pokemon, however, aren't so quick to follow.

Feathers isn't the only one feeling hyped up apparently, because in those same moments, Lil and Bud are trying to defend the rear of the party against the Rose Queen and her guards too - and apparently, they had pretty similar ideas on how to get that done.

Giving each other determined glances, Lil and Bud share a nod. Then, as a those of those thorn wielding creatures try to lash out at Lion and Yuya with their whips, they make their moves.

Both Pokemon become enveloped in light, their forms changing shape in silhouette. By the time they can be seen clearly again, they are cleaving through vine whips with entirely new looks.

Bud is wielding a brand new pair of killer pink claws, while Lil cuts the thorns in two with a bigger and better head leaf.

Congratulations! Your BUD evolved into a LURANTIS!

Congratulations! Your LIL evolved into a BAYLEEF!

Whether or not anyone notices or cares that Yugo is moving along just enough for a position at the group's rear, that's part of exactly what Yugo is planning as he slaps down a different card on his disk for the real rearguard to show up.

"Shining wings that hold sacred light!" he chants, though with a bit of improvisation prepared as the monster takes shape from viciously swirling winds. "Blind our enemies with your radiance...! Come forth, Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!"

And from that maelstrom, his dragon's upgraded form materializes with a roar. Not a moment too soon, the crystals on its heavily plated body start to gleam with vivid glittering light.

"While the heroes make their escape, such a mighty dragon would hold the line behind them all!" Yugo speeds along a little bit faster. He may be last, but he's not gonna be dead last. "You can do it, partner!"

With the combination of forces, the group will find themselves able to flee. Injuries may be taken, mostly by those in the front and back, but with a path cleared in the vines ahead of them, they will arduously but successfully make their escape.

Lion keeps Steven to the middle of the pack, allowing the others to do the shielding for him. As soon as they have the space to move, Lion will begin to run, guiding the group free of the gardens.

The Queen doesn't follow.

Running is something they do in silence, the cheetah and fox-taur alike- Gongenzaka finds himself using the repulsor less and less as they eventually leave the gardens, but even so he does not make a move to do anything other than follow until he knows they're near the Carnival grounds-

At which point he sends a simple message over the radio; 'We've succeeded; arriving now.'

There's no clarification on how they've succeeded, or who has succeeded- after all, the people in the Carnival would know, and they're the only ones who Need to know. So they run, and Gongenzaka does not speak again until they are able to slow down within the Carnival grounds.

"Yuuya- I, the man Gongenzaka, must apologize, but no doubt you need to see the medical tent alongside Steven now..?" A pause, and Marishi disappears as he adds- "...Does anyone else need medical attention, for that matter?" They all...SEEMED to come out of this remarkably well, so...

Steven doesn't seem to be doing particularly well. Now that they are out of the immediate situation and out of the narrative, everything he just did is catching up to him. His hands, feet, and wings are in shattered tatters, to the point that it's hard to tell what limb they were originally supposed to be. The boy himself has barely moved since he freed himself, drifting in and out of consciousness on Lion's back.

It feels weirdly quiet, now that he's detached from the Rose - though part of him wonders if he can still hear it in his head. As they get closer to the carnival, he comes to his senses enough to try to lift himself up, only to fail.

He slumps back into Lion's mane, whimpering.

⇨ FAERIE TALES

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