Polyta helps Helen up off her feet, Coral prances up to them. The orb in her hand is cracked deeply, and spiritual energy seeps out of it.

Coral
* Is she okay?

—Helen—
I'm fine!! Sheesh...


—Polyta—
Nix, that wasn't the plan...

The plan wasn't working.

—Polyta—
It was. We just needed to hold to our positions a little longer.
We're stronger when we stand as one.

Why does it matter. What I did worked.

—Polyta—
But consider the cost.
I was hoping to save the Ultra Orb for if Proteus got aggressive...

Coral
* We might be able to re-use it!
* It looks a little cracked, sure, but I feel like I could still--

With a sharp snap, the orb shatters in Coral's hand.



Headless Ed in all his ghostly glory bursts out and cackles his way skyward.

Headless Ed
* AHAHAHAAAAHAAAAHAAAA!!
* I'M FREE! I'M FREEEE!!!

Coral
* UM,,

—Helen—
Deal with that later.

Helen nudges Coral and directs her attention to the last remaining Manfish, beaten and burned, yet still puffing his chest as always.

—Helen—
You're up.

—Manfish—
Don't forget ME! Ohhh, I'll really show you what for!!

Coral
* Ah! Mister Fishman!
* I'm so sorry things got so messy back there!
* I really wanted to do this more peaceably, but unfortunately I was outvoted.

—Manfish—
What? What's that supposed to mean??

Coral
* What it means is... I'd very much like to talk this out!

DEBATE START!

Coral
* See, I'm sure we could clear this up if I could just get into contact with...

—Manfish—
What's going on right now!?? Is this like a weird kind of fight?

Coral
* Uh, I guess...? Yeah, you can think about it like that, if you want!
* But instead of swords, we use language!

—Manfish—
Then how do I win???

Coral
* You win by, uh.
* ...
* You win by going back to Proteus and telling him we want to "invoke our right to parley", in those words.

—Manfish—
Wow! That's it? HAH!
You should NOT have told me that, lady, because guess what? That is EXACTLY what I'm gonna do!



DEBATE WON!



The manfish scuttles away with a big stupid grin on his face. Coral sighs.

Coral
* I'm a little disappointed by how easy that was.



As if in response, a laser bolt rings out from between the trees and hits the manfish square in the back.

Coral
* WAIT NO I DIDN'T MEAN IT

Victory!! The party confusedly get XP-- then the victory screen is rapidly interrupted by Coral barging through with a potion over her head.

Coral
* No!!! I have potions, I can heal Mr. Fishman!! It is NOT over yet!

—Polyta—
Who fired that shot!? Show yourself!




Major Mercy stands upon an overlooking hill. She's permitted herself a satisfied grin for her victory. Her gun arm smokes still. The blade angel is wrapped around her busted claw and has wormed their tail into her crevices of her armour.

  Major Mercy
You're welcome.