Hey, Alomomola! Please, can you help heal our friend Kricketot? He's back on the shore, we can show you where. [/I]
Rachel glanced at the returning Wishiwashi, Luni and their new guest. Closing her eyes to concentrate and think, she spoke. 'Sorry to bother you. But we'll really appreciate if you could help us. Like the kid said, a companion of ours got hurt and we need your healing if you may.'
'Also if you don't mind some questions,' Rachel added. 'Can we ask you if you know the whole deal with the music? Why it's so weird... and if you know where it might come from? We're looking for Meloetta who's apparently gone missing and might be corrupted by crystals.'
The swam determinedly past Tomomichi, Rachel, and Luni, the wishiwashi eddying in her wake.
Yes, yes, I receive many of these requests, she said brusquely.
Where is the patient?
With Rachel's direction, the alomomola popped her head above the water and fired a Heal Pulse at Kricketot, enveloping the bug in healing energy. He perked up immediately, the scuffs on his carapace receding considerably.
Alomomola dived back down, already busily on her way somewhere else.
And there you are. The music? I don't know anything about it. I've never heard it before.
This is Mel. You should all be reading me, as long as Ichiro lets me in. You’ll be able to hear each other, too. Just think LOUD, I’m not strong enough for passing thoughts in this form and I wouldn’t touch those anyway. This is just faster than speech, and won’t be drowned out by wind.
I should be able to catch the wind and reach her. Just need some help making it hurt, my rollout won’t have enough momentum for a huge impact. Ichiro, I can carry some of your fire up to her. Don’t worry about any lingering pain from your noxious Houndoom fire, I won’t feel it and it’ll go away with this body anyway.
She was, indeed, suggesting Ichiro set her on fire as a means of attack.
At Melody's suggestion, Ichiro quirked a brow. He wanted to ask if this truly was okay, but figured that every second counted in combat and shoved aside his reservations. Understood, he thought back, hoping that it was 'loud' enough to be heard - but his resolute gaze surely would communicate whatever was necessary. He leapt up to Melody, charged up another blast of fire and let the flames coat the tumbleweed.
When Ichiro first breathed fire onto Melody, the enamorus laughed--perhaps she assumed it had been some sort of accident, allies clumsily getting in each other's ways, but when Melody charged forward with a Rollout, Enamorus' eyes widened. She brought her arms up to block the blow, but a large, flaming bundle of ghost sticks, empowered by the strength of the wind, was difficult to stop. Even as she managed to soften the blow somewhat, the thorns and flames left her badly cut and burned...
Dang, you're full of surprises. 'Kay, we gotchu. Just need a chance to get in there. Wind's too strong. Holy geez, is my head this loud? He shook his head. He had to get serious! Once Melody was able to create an opening, he would leap in again with his Aqua Jet and follow it up with a windup of his arm and a Brick Break, punching Enamorus' face hard.
...and certainly vulnerable to further attack. Enamorus had hardly shaken off the last of the flaming twigs that had stuck to her chest before Jo-Jo slammed into her with an Aqua Jet, leaving another big cut across the front of her. She managed to twist aside from the worst of the Brick Break, but Jo-Jo's paw carried on to strike the crystal behind her. It cracked audibly, and Enamorus let out a hiss of pain, her form seeming to flicker for a moment.
"Why would we?" Nori asks with a mix of honesty and innocence, tilting his head and placing a hand on his cheek. He is genuinely confused. Who could ever hurt someone trying to save a colony, especially a kid? Besides the ones trying to ensure its destruction. Nevertheless, he nods and agrees without any hesitation. "Don't worry. We promise."
---
The Demon snorts. "Yes. And if anyone tries to hurt him, I'll save a piece of whoever it is for you," she growls, barely veiling her disgust for the very notion of someone harming a child, and adding a vow of protection to go with it.
Outsiders? You're going to let outsiders deal with this? The salazzle was actually spitting fire now.
This is a matter for our own kind to solve!
The ceruledge considered the strangers for long seconds, ignoring the scuffle occurring between the salazzle and the other members of the village, who were trying to prevent her from pouncing on him. Finally he nodded.
Very well. Follow me, then.
He led the group away, towards one of the nearby homes built into the side of the canyon--and then straight out the other side, into a small garden pressed up against the side of the hill. There were more succulents arranged in tasteful clusters here, as well as a small charcadet huddled on a decorative rock. Muffled music was playing from somewhere, an airy, jaunty tune.
Son. These people want to talk to you about the Ice Flute, Ceruledge said, stopping a few feet away from the charcadet.
The charcadet crossed his arms and turned aside, his flames flickering erratically.
I--I don't want to talk! Go away!
