An Abominable Antagonist

Phoenix, knocked to the ground, blind, and dizzy, doesn't do anything but lay there for a moment. After a few seconds, he climbs back to his feet, resetting for another go at the skeleton.

---

Turn:

Well don't end too early, two more turns and I can Royal Command us a coup d'grace.

The Joy draws forth a rather large and clunky recoil-less rifle ,once again seemingly from thin air, quickly aims it and then fires an explosive shell straight into the skeleton's forehead. While the blast connects and it does do quite some damage most of the blast's power is spent in embedding the skeleton into one of the cavern's walls.

Combat:

Status:

The skeleton shatters, and the top hat floats down the ground. It sits for a moment, the orbs still forming a ring around it, before spitting out yet another orb. Unlike the others however, this newly produced orb hovers over the top of the hat. (9)

Zero One's clay body was clearly starting to majorly crack under this battle's hardships. But still the old golem still gives it his all in his next attack... And attacks with another blinding magical flash.

combat data:

status:

"I... don't think I can cure this" Sunny Zoo managed to say between violent coughs, after spending what concentration she could muster on looking at her and her companions' conditions.  "Can't undo what harm's been done, but I can try to prevent further harm." Waving her banner, Sunny found that there were at least a few of her followers left, and with their help managed to set up a small temporary earthworks- which despite their best efforts only managed to shield the golem. With another wave of her banner she sent them away again.  

She sat down and meditated for a moment- calming her breathing and willing herself from reacting to the ailment.  And indeed she felt better- for now.  If she came into contact with Bones's breath again, the symptoms would surely return.

Combat:

Status:

"Stay on guard... can't show weakness now..." Dead Eye knew perfectly well that a beast near death was the most dangerous of all... he himself lived that philosophy. Holding a hoof up to his wounded eye, he stared intently at the hat, waiting for it to spring up again.

Actions:

Status:

Nurse Deadheart could feel it--the end was nigh. Needing a moment to regain her strength, she paused in preparation for ending this once and for all...

Status and actions:

The ring of purple light forms again and the skeleton slowly rises once more from beneath the hat, dirt crumbling off the old bones.

The wall of darkness seems closer, entire portions of the rail system now unable to be seen. A sudden awareness hits you of the overall silence of the room, the moaning of the ponies on the 'ride' and the screeching of the wheels on the tracks no longer heard at all.

Phoenix watches as the Skeleton shows up once again. "Will you just go ahead and be dead? This is going to end up taking all day, and some of us have things to do." With a half-hearted flick of the wrist, he sends another burst of flame at Bones, more in annoyance than as an actual attack.

---

Spoiler:

The small burst of fire gently pushes around the orbs, which push back powerfully with a distinctly heard "fwoosh" of fire.

((9 damage before modifiers))
((Redirected to Storm, overall 6 damage))
((Storm Blade reduced to 8))

The Joy takes a large leap back and readies herself for a more support geared role.

Combat:

Stats:

Zero One nods and jumps into the fray, giving it all he got.

Combat data:

status:

Sunny Zoo rushed after Zero One, trying unsuccessfully to find more ways to shield the badly damaged golem, since she was unable to heal many of her more badly injured companions due to the skeleton's sorcery.

Combat:

Status:

Nurse Deadheart nods towards the golem as he unleashed his assault.  "Keep up your spirits.  This will be over shortly."

Free Action - Trait:

"Damn, that was close......" Dead Eye let out a soft growl before steadying his rifle once more.  "One big attack? My specialty!" And with that he pulled the trigger.

Actions:

Status:

Zero One grins and wordlessly fires off another super-lazer using the energy gifted to him. But it seems the damage he had been taken from this battle was starting to affect his power... Or that'd be the best guess to why this attack seemed to be weaker then all the others had been.

combat attack.:

PCHOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo
The beam of light hits the skeleton, though it strangely doesn't make much sound. The skeleton is not disintegrated this time, instead arching back as the beam pours into it. After the cascade of energy ends, it holds the position for a moment, before bursting into a blue flame which seems to come from within the bone creature. It gazes at the group with an intensity that can be felt.
(Everyone suffers Vuln 2 until the end of Mr Bones' next turn.)

The wall of darkness is directly behind the skeleton now. The tracks are completely hidden from view, and if you look down you notice your shadows are stretched towards the skeleton, as though there was a light behind you.

---

Well, technically he did die. Go ahead and do your other standard action, Zamuel.

Realizing that a beast is often the most vulnerable before death, Nurse Deadheart prepared a final act of protection, knowing how vulnerable some of the team was right now.

Status and actions:

The skeleton's flame wavers for a moment, before it launches out a tidal wave of fire which painfully burns the party as it engulfs them.

If Storm doesn't intercept:

If Storm intercepts:

---

Waiting to see what the interrupts / reactions are before continuing his turn.

The ground grumbles and sharply bulges around The Joy, off-setting her footing as well as those near her. Small pyres of flame erupt from the cracked rock, igniting the fallen soldier's mane.
((Storm Blade dazed/weakened until end of Mr Bones' next turn.))
((Storm Blade suffers Ongoing 3 until he has more than 0 health.))
((The Joy dazed/weakened until end of Mr Bones' next turn.))
((Zero One dazed/weakened until end of Mr Bones' next turn.))

The wall of darkness doesn't move. It appears it's holding its position until the skeleton beckons.

Phoenix watches the Pony with the shield succumb to the fire and drop. He sighs. "OK, this has officially gone on long ENOUGH!" A tremendous inferno springs to life, spiraling around Phoenix in a fiery vortex. Along with the fire comes a brilliant golden light that washes over the team, and pushes out against the wave of darkness. "With a wave of his hand, each team member feels themselves filled with a feeling of power and initiative. With a Demonic smirk, Phoenix glares at the monster, and utters a simple command. "Ready, go." He Lets the last bit of his power fuel the fire into one more flare, launching it at the skeleton, as the rest of the team steps up as well.

---

Spoiler: