"Well, Izanagi?" Percy called out, but mindful of his volume.
"Rrrrgh..." the dragon called irritably as he kept himself aloft in place with flaps of his large wings, "... Our runaway and her friends have been spotted... They're headed towards the mountains," reported the fiery dragon as he lowered himself back down, wings folded back as he lurched forward a little. "Urgh..."
"Ngh, hah, back still hurts, da?" The tall penguin snickered, but in an empathetic sense, as she could still feel the deep wound in her own body, "Fox girl did small number on us... surprisingkly stronk AND quick..." Naida acknowledged with some slight disdain. Before long, she and Izanagi's heads lifted as they felt a tender, refreshing essence course over their backs, shuddering a little as they felt the skin gradually mend back together.
"Ah got ye two, don'tcha worry over nuthin'," Camellia chuckled as she applied her magical know-how to restore the two tall starters back to their prime.
"Ooh! Naida feel like new voman!" Laughed the Empoleon, strutting herself. "Much thanks, yes!"
"Mmmngh..." Izanagi closed his eyes and turned his head, huffing out smoke, "... agreed. Now we can fight in the most optimal condition..."
"Your healing spell is quite a marvel in and of itself, non?" Percy stated as he approached the female fennec. "The wound on your neck looked as though it should have been fatal... yet your power, it..."
"Hah! Us Delphox dae know uir way aroond aw sorts o' spells an' whit hae ye, but healin' an' some stealthy magic is aw Ah need! Whit more coods a hunter ask fur? How dae ye think Ah biddin in mah prime, laddie?" Camellia responded with confident, hands on her hips and chest slightly jutted. "Always be prepared fur whatever comes next, a golden rule fur aw adventurers an' hunters!"
"I couldn't agree more, Camellia. And to run into you during a dire time that us three are facing could be a boon to us..." Perceval explained as he handed the wanted flyer to Camellia. The bark-brown fox looked it as she gave out a 'Tsk tsk tsk.'
"Ah, och aye, as ye tauld me earlier, that's why yoo’re it here… agh, 'at will certainly ruin a vacation, won’t it? Well guid oan ye fur daein' whit ye can fur yer fowk, laddie! Yoo're doin' th' reit thing, Ah assure ye!" Camellia patted Perceval's back gently in a genuinely friendly and supportive manner before rubbing the back of her neck with a conflicted smile. "Hah, Ah will admit, thes lassie yoo're efter, th' Gardevoir reit? She seems loch sic' a sweet an' elegant lassie too… guess ye can’t judge a flower by its colors, can ye?" She chuckles.
"… I’m… going to ignore what you just said, or at least, pretend to know what you meant by that," Perceval said after being somewhat stunned. If his face wasn't masked, there'd be a frown waiting for Camellia.
"Aheh, weel uh, whit about 'er friends? Dae ye know whit they're abit? Yoo're only efter that one lassie aren' ya?"
"As far as I’m aware of, they are innocent, no crimes to speak of. Only thing that can be said is that they sought after her to protect her… must be close acquaintances of hers, at the very least."
"Ah, hoo sweet of 'em…"
"I suppose so… be that as it may, they’re still assisting a wanted refugee." Perceval looked on as the whole band walked in the direction of the mountain together. "Moreover, they’ve both rushed to her in quite a hurry, and have intervened with our affairs. Both of which are offenses to add to the toll. And with how frantically they’ve fled to her, who’s to say that they’ve gone through proper procedures upon crossing the sea…? This could mean that they…" as Perceval trailed on that sentence, Camellia's ears and eyes perked up briefly at the implication.
"Ooooh… Ah see whit ye mean. Hah, weel, mair bunsens in yer pooch, aye laddie?"
"Possibly, or at least, more to spread around for those willing to assist us. That said… I have a proposition for you, mon amie."
"Hm? Yes, lad? Whit is it?"
"Will you join us in taking her in?" He bluntly but earnestly asked, looking at his fellow warrior in the eye from behind his facial shielding. "We could use your marksmanship and hunting expertise, not to mention your healing magic is quite a boon. I ask you this as a friend of old, and I will even split the bounty money with you as well, especially should her associates be charged as well."
Camellia took a moment to think this over... she was a somewhat busy woman already... but Perceval did sound like he was in the middle of a crisis. She always did admire how he could keep such a cool head even when things personal to him were in danger. The Delphox merely raised a finger.
"Oan one condition, if Ah may, mukker?"
"Of course. What would that be?"
"If ye can donner wi' me back tae th' ben village beyond 'at range sae Ah can report th' result o' thes hunt, 'en Ah'll be glad ta lend ye mah boo an' magic. Deal?"
Perceval wasted no time holding out his bouquet. "Agreed."
"Alrecht, it's settled 'en! Ye got anither 'unter in yer wee ceilidh, Percy! Ah woon't lit ye doon!"
The Roserade gave a relieved sigh. Having this huntress Delphox would certainly make things significantly easier, perhaps quicker too. Perceval pledged a bouquet over his chest and bowed to his friend.
"You have this rose's eternal, unwilting gratitude, mon amie. Thank you so much."
"Vell! This is becomingk quite a party, yes?" Naida chimed eagerly with a small laugh afterwards. "More members, more fun in the hunt! IS good to get blood pumpingk!"
"And to ensure our prey won't leave our grasp..." Izanagi added, snarling in a grudging fashion as he looked on into the dark horizon.
"Come, everyone... we've been through nigh-literal hell tonight. We shall rest within the mountain, then continue the hunt in the morning."
“Nothing I can’t handle” the Scolipede told her, “As I said though, she could have given you water laced with poison, or sleep powder. She looks like a hunter considering she carries a bow with her. She could be here to capture you” The centaur looked down to the other Delphox with her arms crossed. “Well, are you?”
The tension within this spot of the forest was unlike any presence felt before. Pressure so heavy, so intense, that everyone's hearts froze as they laid their eyes on the fox-like hybrid and the fan-dancing fairy, their gazes seething with righteous fury fueled by their own agenda.
"So you're this evil presence I sensed...!" Izanagi remarked, his eyes narrow with apprehension and distress, flexing his claws. "There's a cruel aura about you...!"
"Half Lucario, half Ninetales, aw relentless predatur! Yup, ye fit thes description tae a 'T', ye dae! Noo lit th' lassie doon, yoo're lucky tae hae dodged th' arraw th' first time! Th' next 'un won't miss, I can promise ya that, lass!" Warned Camellia, keeping a tight finger grip on the tail end of the arrow as a faint, strained stretching sound of the string bided patiently, ready to be let loose.
"You there! Fox!" Even though she was more than a fox and he knew this well, Perceval adamantly stepped forward first and called out to Keiko in an assertive, soldierly tone. "Unhand the woman peaceably, and we will let you off right here and now!"
"That is right!" Chimed the massive Empoleon, her intense sneer fixated on the Lucaritales. "Make it easy for us, and ve forget this encounter happened, yes? You don't vant us to get nasty! Naida brings lots of hurt vhen things get nasty!"
Outraged, Nori snapped at the Grass and Water types. "You're not taking ANYONE! I've come too far to see them be whisked away by a band of rogues!"
"LIKE YOU'RE ONE TO TALK YOU CARELESS FOOL!" roared the dragon, as Izanagi shot the Nori a harsh slit-pupil glare. "Who the HELL are YOU to give US orders and call US scoundrels?! Don't think you're getting away either after what you did to me!" A purple flame snorted from Iza's snout as he turned to Perceval. "Let me at that Gothitelle once we've secured the girl, I have to get him back for at least that much, Perceval."
"... Perceval...?" Camellia blinked, glancing at the Roserade. The name alone was familiar, and lined up with the species... that was when her focus briefly lessened, eyes going wide.
"Whit aw' YOU doin' 'ere, lad? I thought ye were oan vacation!"
"I could ask the same of you, mon amie, and I wish I had time to explain. We're in a crisis at the moment, that's all I shall say," elaborated Perceval briefly within his moment of being stunned. Meanwhile, Nori noticed Kari slumped in the grass, unmoving and unresponsive to all this yelling.
Despite Nori's ire-fueled demands, as well as everyone else's orders, Keiko could only grin as she briefly lifts her maws off Momoko's shoulder, leaving ribbons of blood and saliva where they clamped as she keeps the Gardevoir held close. Claws clamped over the dancer's jaws and neck, she taunted with a coy smile and teasing tone.
"Go on, go on~! What're you waiting for! Strike again! You might hit me, but with her in my claws you're most likely gonna nail her too! And who's to say I won't just swing her around while you fire? Ooh, you might even KILL her! That'd save me lots of trouble over claiming what's mine, don'tcha think? So c'mon, do me a favor, strike right now~!" Keiko's smile was wide, eager, stretched... excited. She didn't seem to mind all this unexpected company, in fact... the Lucaritales seemed to revel in it, especially with how she was taunting them.
There were collective grunts and frustrated snarls in the crowd, unsure of what to do in this situation. Each of them wanted to make sure the victim was at least still alive, but with her being in this hybrid’s sadistic clutches, no one was unsure of what to do, much less eager to make the first move.
Momoko herself could only muffledly curse this creature, trying to summon some psychic strength through the pain and inability to breathe. It wasn't going so well... but that was when a small stir occurred. A soft, weak, barely audible whine peeped amongst the madness before Keiko's ears lifted, feeling a numbing grip on her ankle.
Kari sniffled. All this stress was getting to her. While she was motionless, she was still mostly conscious, and was doing her best to resist the drowsy effects of the spores... and heard everything. It was difficult to succumb when her heart was pounding, knowing her friend was in such a terrible spot no matter which way this predicament went.
It was right then that memories flooded through her head, recalling how much of a great support the Gardevoir was to the Audino, up to the point where Kari recalled something she stated the night before. While there was no escaping this situation, Kari could at least provide a distraction, a small glint of hope. With this brief welling of strength spurred by fear and distress, she charged her palm up to its max before lifting her head and crying out:
An animalistic shriek pushed up through the trees and echoed through the skies at feeling such a stunning jolt crookedly surge through her nerves, causing Keiko to lose her grip on Momoko entirely. This allowed Momoko to not only be free, but to breathe, and gather enough focus to whip up another whip of water to retaliate.
"THAT'S OUR CHANCE!"
"EVERYONE, NOW!"
With Momoko making her way out of the Lucaritales’ clutches, the onlooking visitors wasted no time unleashing whatever attacks they had loaded and waiting for this famished fox, and it all happened at once. Sliced with a throwing star, pierced through with a Poison Jab thorn, blasted with a torrent of water, and a Dragon Pulse to the back of the head. And then there was one last, promised blow to be made...
With opportunity seized and swift footwork, Nori managed to sweep in and lift Kari up under his arms, calling out to his Gardevoir acquaintance to follow suit, and FAST. Even with Momoko's wound and the pain behind such a mark, she didn't let it slow her down; quite the opposite, it kicked her adrenaline into high gear, speeding through the trees with her Hakumese acquaintances.
Upon seeing them speed off, Perceval was quick to lunge after them with Naida thumping and Izanagi raging right behind, hot on their trail.
"VE'RE NOT LETTINGK YOU GET AVAY THIS TIME, DANCER GIRL!"
"YOU'RE COMING WITH US THIS TIME AND THAT'S THE LAST STRAW!" roared Izanagi, claws flexed from the rush.
Camellia meanwhile, albeit a little confused as to what Perceval and his own group is up to and what they want with Momoko, merely let it slide; after all, with a bullseye made, she had a job to complete. With a flick of the wrist behind her back, she twirled out a knife and approached the stricken Lucaritales, their face frozen in the instance of the agonizing impact. Square in the frontal lobe... so silent, so eerie, so... limp. Still. Much like the forest was claimed to be.
"Hah, another job well duin fer Camellia, it is," she congratulated herself with a pleased smirk, tilting Keiko's head up as she leaned in close. The sunset's rays gleamed delicately on the edge, which sparked some sparkles of raw anticipation.
"Noo aw Ah have t'dae is brin' back solid proof; th' prized heed~," the Delphox murmured to herself, with Keiko still at rest in her paw.
But just as she was about to bring the knife to her throat...
A weak, hazy giggled sputtered from the seemingly fallen victim's bloodied lips. Much to the horror and dismay of Camellia, who landed a perfect headshot of all things, the brown Delphox's eyes dilated upon not only seeing Keiko's head lift, but bear a twisted trademark fanged grin of hers. Coupled with dripping blood from her wound after forcefully pulling out the arrow with a sickly bloody crack... she gave off a truly demented appearance.
"Heh... let me guess... you hunters never did get the full memo of what you're dealing with, did you...?" cackles the fox-like Lucario, gradually rising up onto her feet while keeping a grip on the nearly petrified Delphox.
"I'm no mere beast you can just put down, sweetcheeks. Sure, I can feel pain all the same, I can be overwhelmed, just like the rest of you. Arrows to the face, swords to the neck, blasted through the gut, I've experienced it all when I was roaming free. But when they come here and their backs are turned...? Hah hah..." she hisses, as fiery wisps began to float around her, "... I make sure they can't make it back. All a part of playing the poor cursed little fox...~"
At this point, Keiko had Camellia's face in her monstrous shadow claws, grinning down at her with sadistic, twisted intent, while the Delphox did her best to hold back her panic. She realized she was in life-threatening trouble... she had to think of something, RIGHT NOW.
"Aww, I can see it in those eyes of yours... such sweet terror. I missed what it was like to hunt someone... well don't worry. I don't like to eat other foxes, but you all DID make me use up a soul... I can't just forgive that." Her grin cracks even further, while Camellia whips up some sleight of hand behind herself, hoping the magic will conjure just in time.
"... the true face of the daughter... the kin of 黄金色の似非者; the Golden Deceiver.~"
And it was at this point that Keiko finally sunk her teeth into the other fox... what followed next was nothing short of traumatic.
A thump was heard afterwards, followed by silence. A soft cackle and licking of the lips spurred, as well as speeding footsteps.
"And now... it's their turn next. For ALL OF THEM."
“Nah, mah fluffy wee mukker, Ah’m nae hero, though yoo're nae wrang about me bein' similar ta’ Robin Huid! Ah’m still a hunter at mah core!”
“An' hah, weel if ye wanna give it a go one day, Ah wooldn’t min' showin' ye whit Ah can dae! Let’s make it better; fin' me a cherry tae pit on yer head insteid while Ah taek aim from about 100 yards from ya ta where ya can barely see me, an' Ah’ll show ye jist hoo guid mah aim is! Hoo is 'at? Soonds fin, lassie? Ya wanna try ‘at one day? Hm?”
“Thaur ya go, lad! Hah, yer blade nearly nicked me, it did!”
---
(( Whoops Camellia had one more, and I found the posing here to be pretty fun. Poor Zack, I bet he’s not used to having his head pulled down like this :D; ))
