After wandering the stalls and quizzing the festival goers the duo make their way to the shrine of Moltres. Neither knew if praying for guidance would help any, but any chance of help Basalt was willing to take no matter how slim.
Basalt crouched down and shut their eyes, copying the others giving prayers to the shine, before muting their own prayer, âS-sorry to bother you moltres⌠if you can hear me. Iâm uh not sure how this works, or if it does. But if it does then uh, I really need some guidance.â The falink seems to slump a little as they continue, âI lost my troopers, itâs my fault I should have paid better attention to the weather. They were washed away in a tunnel flood and separated. Iâve spent weeks looking for them and I havenât seen a single sign of where they might be. I know Iâm not the brass they deserve and I donât deserve such good troopers but I canât leave them to wander alone with whatever dangers they might be facing. So please, if you can hear me, please give me just a hint of how to find them.â
âWell I may not be moltres but I do hope I can help you out dear.â
Basalt jerks up out of their crouch to face the new voice. A large nine tailed umbreon hybrid sat in the middle of the path, her tails swishing gently through the snow or tucked neatly near her body. âAh h-hello miss? Do you know something about my troopers!?â Basaltâs voice cracked with surprise and desperation.
Nova chuckled, âI may know something. But first will you follow me to someplace you donât have to wear those silly little masks. I have something that belongs with you, but would like to see your face when itâs returned. And please call me Nova.â With that the hybrid stood up and began to walk down the center of the shrines path.
Basalt scrambled to their feet and took off after the departing fox. They felt a little bad leaving Tammy behind but this was more important, they knew Tammy could find her way back and if she couldnât theyâd come back for her. But now they needed to know what Nova knew and get whatever it was she wanted to give to them. They followed her away from the shrines to a secluded corner of the main plaza. The dark fox sat in the center of the clearing with her tails folded around her body.
Basalt stood in front of her, taking off the fox mask and placing it with the other within his jacket, âWhat did you have for me, and please, what do you know about my troopers?â
âI know plenty about your quest Basalt. While unfortunately I am limited in helping you I can at least set you on the right path forward. I do believe that this may be what youâre looking for?â Nova lifted a tail, revealing a lone falink holding a singular shield.
The falink rubbed at their face with a paw, only recently being woken up. âWhaza? Miss Nova?â They slurred their words as they regained their bearings.
âP-PEBBLES?!â Basalt was stunned by the troopers appearance for only a few seconds before they rushed forward to greet them with a hug. The brass held the smaller falink tight enough to hurt. âPebbles! I thought you guys were gone! Are you ok?! Where have you been?! Do you need any food?! Water?!â Tears leaked out Basaltâs eyes as they continued to babble in relief.
âBasalt?!â Pebbles' surprise quickly turned to joy at the realization that the mon hugging them was their lost leader. They hugged them back silently knowing it was better to wait until after Basaltâs ranting before answering the questions.
After a minute of hugging Basalt quickly pulled back, eliciting a small aw of disappointment from Pebbles, to frantically check over the smaller trooper for injuries. âAre you hurt anywhere? Do you need any medicine?â
Pebbles slapped away the invading paws, âIâm fine Bas, see?! Iâve been with Miss Nova since we got seperated. Sheâs super nice! She let me play with her daughter Bibs and we traveled all over the place! She brought us here saying there was a special surprise too!â Pebbles cheerfully chattered about their adventures with Nova and Bibs, seemingly unaware of Basalt hanging on to their every word.
At the end of pebbles stories Basalt pulled the falink into another firm hug, âIâm just so happy youâre safe Pebs. Iâm so sorry I got us all lost like this I-â
Basalt was cut off by the feeling of something booing the top of their head. âBad Bas! You know the rules, no self depreciation. Now is the time to be happy,â Pebbles hugged their leader back twice as hard.
âHeh, right sorry Pebs,â Basalt rubbed their eyes with the back of their paw before backing away from the hug. They turned to Nova, giving a small bow, âThank you maâam. It really means a lot to me that you found one of my troopers and kept them safe. I donât think I could express just how much it means to me so please, if thereâs ever anything you need just ask. And if you know of any of the others or find anything new please tell me as soon as you can. I am in your debt.â
Nova gave a small smile, âhelping guide lost souls is payment enough for me. I canât tell you where the rest of your group lies but I can show you the path to what you may seek. If, youâll allow me and my daughter to join you on your journey for a short time.â
âOf course! Itâd be an honor to have you join us and Iâm sure Tammy wonât mind at all!â
âWonderful. I believe now would be a good time for us to leave and find a place to rest.â
Basalt, Tammy, Pebbles, Nova, and Bibs have left the festival and now travel to their next destination together. All are open for asks and interactions!