Keiko's ears flinched and laid back sharply. What she expected to hear was the sound of flesh and bone of the four newcomers being torn apart, but instead her claws scraped against a broad, steel-emboldened wing with sparks leaping off the surface, belonging to none other than the tall and mighty Empoleon, Naida.
"HA!," the knightly penguin laughed off Keiko's attempts with a satisfied grin, "YOU T'INK YOUR CLAWS ARE SCARY, LITTLE FOX? YOU T'INK YOUR LITTLE ROCKS KEEP NAIDA AT BAY? T'INK AGAIN! IZANAGI, NOW!"
"AWAY WITH YOU, 妖怪!"
Before the rampaging fox-jackal hybrid could rear back for another strike, Keiko let out a harsh gasp as the wind was forcefully slammed out of her, being sent a great distance by the sheer force of Izanagi's swinging tail. The two taller hunters both seemed to still have fighting spirit surging through their veins despite their grisly back wounds, and the dark dragon huffed out an ember of vindication upon seeing the kyuubi-esque creature slam against the tree. The coordination was well done, but there was something missing...
"GCK--!!"
"May the Will of the Rose still the beast."
And to top off the well-synergized combo, Perceval fired two extensively long thorns not just into, but THROUGH Keiko's arms, pinning her to the tree. The raging fox snarled from both agony, ire and outright vexation over being in this position. And as though it wasn’t frustrating enough for her...
"E-Everyone... g-get up, please, nene...!"
Meanwhile, as this was going on, Kari was sending Heal Pulses to the wounded four that had arrived to the scene in the nick of time. Ciprian, Dycae, Blayz, and Miru and his team all felt a tender, pink light surrounding them before blessing them with reinvogiration. Before they knew it, their wounds had vanished, or at least had healed up considerably. Ume, Miru's female Meowstic, didn't let this gracious assistance go without repayment.
Tapping into her Assist move, and with the luck of the draw, the yellow psychic feline managed to draw out Kari's Heal Pulse, returning the favor to Momoko, Nori, Perceval, and even Kari herself. All four of them being bestowed with this rose-colored warmth helped bring them back to a proper fighting spirit, no longer feeling drained from Keiko's life-reaping attempts.
Blayz, ever alert, pointed out to everyone that Keiko's struggling from her position, and Dycae added in that it looked as though the thorns might give, if not pop off with her arms with how vigorously she was swinging her shoulders. Hearing this, Perceval called out to everyone for the following command:
"EVERYONE, UNLEASH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ON THE MONSTER! WEAR HER DOWN!"
Without a moment to spare, everyone unloaded a barrage of special attacks on the pinned Lucaritales, with Momo leading on with a direct hit Thunder Wave, and quite a seemingly powerful one at that.
"A-AGH--!!" howled Keiko in pain, her claws flexing and entire body jittering from the electricity viciously coursing through her body. Noting how Ume did not use a psychic attack, Momoko had to chime in the following:
"AVOID USING PSYCHIC ATTACKS IF YOU CAN! She doesn't seem to respond to them as much!" With that detail noted, Miru, albeit hesitant, he took the Gardevoir's word by firing off an Energy Ball instead. True, it wasn't as effective, but it was something and Keiko certainly felt that. Ciprian followed with yet another Moonblast, keeping her embedded in the tree, while the others summoned the will for their own long-ranged attacks.
And to top it all off, out of nowhere, something whisked by as a thin blur, striking Keiko right in her forehead.
"ARGH--!!"
Oooh... this one sunk in deep, possibly pinning through into the tree as well. Keiko's face was cemented in the steep pain of all she had weathered, letting out shrieks as she struggled nearly in vain. In response to this normally fatal suffering, the orb on her ponytail flashed a light blue, as two whispy orbs of light with pained, melted 'faces' curled around to heal their vile captor.
"HAHA, ANOTHER BULLSEYE!," yelled the triumphant yet familiar Scottish voice. Everyone glanced back to see where both the voice and arrow originated, seeing none other than the Viridian Vixen herself, proudly poised in her retribution.
"Hoo is 'AT fur ye, ya sneaky li'l she-devil?" Camellia called out, her grin wide and valiant, as a mysterious green light emanated off her shoulder. "Ye think YOO're the'only one wi' a puckle o' tricks up 'er sleeve? Ah can play fox jist like ya, ye monster!" To emphasize her poiny, Camellia undid the ringing diamond choker around her neck, showcasing not only the wound she recently suffered, but something else.
"Ah've hud dances wi' death himself in th' past, lass, an' Ah got oot of it every time! AH CAN DAE IT AGAIN!"
With morale boosted, and tides looking favorable, Momoko opened her fans. With a surge of psychic strength willing up within her, she felt as though the time was right...
"Momoko! If you're doing what I believe you're doing, allow me to join you for this! As performers AND fighters!"
"Alright, assist me then!"
Everyone was at the edge of their nerves during this encounter with the fox, and now that she was vulnerable, the hour was nigh to put an end to it.
Momoko... Nori... The two psychics gathered their wills together. With Momoko's eyes alight, she began to spin around with her fans...
♪"Embrace the daaark, you caaaall a hooome...
Gaze upon an empty white throoone,
a legacy of lies, a familiar disguiiiise..."♪
"N-ngh, NGH! DAMN IT! GOTTA-- GET-- OUT--!!"
As Keiko continued to viciously struggle, her agitation worsened, yet the arrows and spear-like thorns kept her absolutely pinned no matter her efforts, at least not without making the pain worse. As if things didn't look good for her already, each soul that was summoned in an attempt to heal her critical skull injury was being wasted; without the arrow being properly removed to allow the restoration process to complete, the spirits would merely heal 'around' the arrowhead and vanished. But as it its still lodged in her head, her mind and flesh continued to bleed, thus causing a continual summoning and waste of her souls in a vain attempt to close her injuries.
Moreover, as the song continued, she felt a part of her being briefly dissipate... as if it was numbed... almost nullified. It was difficult to say what that sensation was... but she felt like a part of her went missing, only adding to her irritation and rage.
“L-let me help, nene...!” meeped the weakened Audino as she clasped her hands together, bolstering the combined efforts of both Nori and Momoko’s strengths into one swirling ominous welling of sheer force...
Upon seeing the collection of immense energy, everyone else made sure to steer clear, as this was going to be dangerous should anyone else be in the line of fire.The Lucaritales could only glance in hopeless defiance up at what her fate was going to be...
...
...
... Out in the fields, at the dead of night, there wandered a flowing figure cloaked in darkness. This warrior... was silent, yet intense, in every sense of the word.
She was tall, easily around seven feet. Her palette consisted of varied dark tones, with few places for silver and white. The fierce-looking femme had a white mask donned, hiding her face behind what seemed to be an empty gaze through those holes. Hair and dresstail flowing behind, cloud-like, and tattered. It was clear she bears both Bisharp and Gothitelle traits, sporting blades and bows as per custom, yet there was a deeper darkness to her than either would emanate. Her most noteworthy feature, arguably, was the bladed gauntlet on her left arm, with a massive curved blade constantly extended. Was it a prosthetic, or merely an addition, an improvement...?
Regardless, she quietly passed through the night, her sights seemingly dead-set in a straight line, bag of unknown contents slung over her pauldron. It wasn't long before her attention was briefly turned, noting the commotion in the alleged dangerous forest...
"...?"
A moon-like orb of cosmic power, rising through the trees... with the faint sound of singing filling that part of the woods... What could this be about, she pondered... and in such a place in which many were advised to never enter? Could there be a battle about...?
Whatever was taking place, as much as it piqued her curiosity, this soldier of the shadows had business elsewhere, shaking her head as she continued to step towards her destination, seeming to head towards the mountains...
...
...
"CELESTIAL...!"
" ... RAY!"
In a brilliant flash, a blinding laser of lunar and celestial light blasted Keiko right where she was pinned. Now normally, Keiko would be able to weather anything Psychic, but after that sensation left her with the melody the Gardevoir resounded, she felt something... entirely novel. This beam, a combination of not just Moonblast, but also a starry Psychic attack...
... actually HURT.
With such an explosion, all that could be heard aftwards was the animalistic shriek of the kyuubi before the force of the Fairy + Psychic combination attack fired the hybrid WAY beyond the tree to which she was nailed to...
Momoko, Kari and Nori fled deep within the mountain, casting minimal light with their psychic prowess to just barely guide them through the lightless chasms. As they ventured, Kari picked up the faintest sound of water dripping, urging the Audino to insist the Psychic Pokemon to turn a few corners to the sound source...
Their exploration was rewarded with what appeared to be a small chamber with a pool at the center. How fortunate for them... a resting area with a source to refresh themselves with.
“... Ooh... I KNEW I heard water...!” Kari sighed with relief, holding onto her shoulder with a hopeful look.
“You’ve done well, Priestess Kari,” Nori congratulated quietly under his breath as they approached the slough. Momoko panted, being the most eager to wash her face with the water source.
“Seems as though the moon has blessed us for this moment...” the Gardevoir added with a whisper, sighing as the cool liquid cleaned her face and eased her spirits. Though that didn’t stop a very specific weariness gradually settling in...
Kari couldn’t help but flinch as her motions to gather water in her hands agitated the grave wound on her shoulder, only covered by her clothing. Nori was quick to notice this, stepping up behind the Audino as he quietly called to her in concern.
“Your wound from that demon still ails you, doesn’t it?”
“A-A little, nene... R-Regenerator should work faster than this...” she whimpers, the sting coursing through her shoulder. Nori couldn’t help but furrow his brows, wishing he could’ve done more to that ferocious hybrid, but what mattered more was the Audino’s safety.
“Then do not force yourself to move for the rest of the night. We should rest while we have solace...”
“Maybe... but, nii, wait... Where’s Momoko...?”
As if on cue, all they heard was the faint shifting sound of weight nearly thudding on the ground. Turning their heads, Nori and Kari noticed Momoko has already laid herself on the floor, her breathing, while controlled, sounding exhausted. The running, combined with having to use the song...
Kari couldn’t help but lower her ears in relief, placing her palms over her chest. “... Heh... she’s already beat us to it... it’s been a very frightening day...”
“That it has... Now it is our turn,” Nori stated as he seated himself up against the wall, closing his eyes. With a mumble, he added, “... hopefully this chamber will...” yawn, “... keep us well-sheltered for the night...”
“I’m certain, nene...” Even with her pain, Kari found comfort with the support of her two friends being nearby, sheepishly nestling herself into a curled-up resting position near the Gothitelle. She’d normally want to be next to Momoko, but with how spent she seemed, the Audino thought it was best to let her have space as she slept tonight. Thus, Kari shifted in her spot before letting out a cute, squeaky yawn of her own, ears twitching before laying back.
“... Good night everyone, nene...” she mumbled drowsily...
“... And you as well...” her protector retorted, before they all finally allowed their worries and troubles melt into their own realms of dreams...
"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."
Monstrous shrieks filled the darkness as Keiko felt the heated slices of a soaring Moonblast crescent and celestial star saw into her back, causing her to instantly drop the broken, sobbing Audino. The Lucaritales staggered briefly, pricking her ears a the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching her from behind.
"HOW DARE YOU ATTACK HER, DEMON!"
"KEEP YOUR FILTHY CLAWS OFF THE PRIESTESS!"
Momoko and Nori wasted no time rushing in to strike Keiko in a double team effort, fueled with rage over the suffering of their falling friend. Keiko could only grin as she took the blows before brandishing her claws and returning the favor, managing to clamp her claws over the necks of the Gardevoir and Gothitelle before slamming them into a tree. Lord Arceus her grip was excruciating; a grip that would rival that of a Machoke, or even a Kingler, it made breathing nearly impossible for the two Psychic types.
"How nice of you both to come to me!" Keiko cackled with hysterical glee, curling her claws deeper around the skin as they began to succumb to their wounds. "I was going to punish your sneaky little cutie in private so you wouldn't have to see it, but now I'll get to finish all three of you off right here--"
"GCK!!"
"UNHAND THEM NOW! THEY DO NOT DESERVE THIS!" yelled Perceval in a defiantly demanding tone, trying to forcefully pull the macabre beast away from them. He had considered firing Poison Jabs or Shadow Balls at Keiko, but knowing how she has no shame in declaring to stooping to meat shielding tactics, he felt as though he had to take charge and make a very bold, dangerous move.
And unfortunately... as a retaliation proved, it was far more dangerous than it was worth. His efforts were in vain; slashed and forced away with a fiery kick from the Lucaritales, who merely sneered at his attempts.
Before Perceval could regain his footing, he felt the fire creep around him, scorching him through the fibers of his being. Not only that, but he felt he was being wrapped up and being kept in place. The previous Shadow Claw still stung, but combined with the ghastly fire creeping around him, and not being able to escape the mysterious grasp of her tails, Perceval could only struggle... it seemed all was lost for him, as well as the raised burning Audino and others, until...
"NO WAY IN HELL!!"
"OY! THAT'S MY FRIEND YOU'RE BURNINGK! NAIDA VILL CRUSH YOU FOR THAT!"
Just in time, as the rest of Perceval's group came in and struck Keiko from behind to try to get her to unleash her hold on everyone, not just the tall Roserade. Much like what he was thinking, the two went in for direct attacks; going for long range would surely result in more casualties than the favorable results they were hoping for.
However, it seemed as though Keiko wasn't budging, didn't even react, much less show resistance. It was almost as though she was anticipating it... as the blood trickled down her back from the combined Dragon Claw and Steel Wing, she was vibrating intensely... her smile cracked over her face even wider, before whipping around and giving them back.
Because the way Keiko saw it? She had quite enough.
Ye gods... taking in the sheer might of these two tall behemoth Fire and Water types and returning it to both of them with double the power, with it not being split between them at all? The raw force of this counter strike was enough to not only send them nearly flying back from the super effective strike, but perhaps keep them stumbled over for juuust enough so that Keiko could finish her job.
However, after retaliating, with malevolence riding through her veins, Keiko wanted to ensure that they couldn't get back up and try it again. Following up with that, and with ridiculously fast thinking and quick comboing, Keiko used a sadistic take on a certain move to keep them in their place...
... that would certainly do it.
This was certainly one take on Stone Edge. The spires of rock that jutted from the earth kept the Empoleon and Charizard sliiightly raised above the ground, along with impaling them through the back. Both of them let out sharp screams of anguish, but not just from the impact; with how massive they were, they could feel themselves sinking back onto the spears. And the more they struggled, the quicker they lowered, causing them to clamp their eyes shut and hiss in sheer unrelenting misery. Even if their weights would eventually make the rocks break, that would be all Keiko needed; the pain keeps them from being unable to strike while she...
"Hah... I’ll give you all this, you’re a lot hardier than I thought. No one survives sneak attacks like mine, even if you’re all hanging by a thread. Don't worry, I'll come back over there and finish you off," she promised as she empowered her hellish azure lights, engulfing her four victims in her grasp as they futilely struggled from pain and her grip. Moreover... they felt like they were slipping in another sense...
"That's right, you all just staaay still, just a FEW more seconds..." she grinned, all while looking at Momoko particularly.
"... All of this effort... all this pain you've inflicted on me... ... it's making me so famished..." she licks her lips wickedly as she edged closer to the slipping Gardevoir, parting her saliva-slicked jaws apart and easing them towards the neck in sadistic anticipating delight...
"... and I think I'll start with ripping out that lovely little throat...~♥"
"WHAT IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET YOURSELF WRAPPED UP IN THIS TIME?!"
"THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO BE YELLING ABOUT THAT, NORI! JUST RUN!"
The Psychics pressed onwards as far and swiftly as their stamina would allow, even with their fallen friend in tow. Ducking under branches, leaping over bushes, swerving between the trees, anything they could do to try to shake their pursuers off their trail was worth a shot.
Try as they might however, that was not deterring nor slowing them down in the slightest. So close, so close to victory, why would they let themselves let up now? Thorns were fired, blasts of flames soared, and jets of water rushed the three fleeting Hakumese, who did their damnedest to evade, even though they already had difficulty multitasking as is.
"G-gh, how-- h-how large is this forest?!" Momoko grunted, trying to keep her hair out of her face as sweat dripped behind her.
"You tell me, I just arrived! I'm as clueless as you!" barked Nori with a sneer. Things didn't seem to be going well for the three... and it wasn't long before they began to lose sight of what was ahead of them.
Before they knew it, everything began to fade to black, to the point they couldn't even make out the grass. Was it nighttime? No, it couldn't be this intense. No way... could it?
They had no time to ponder as they were immediately walled off by blue fire, surrounding all six intruders of the forest. Nori and Momoko jumped a bit, while Perceval, Naida and Izanagi readied themselves as the flames formed a full ring behind them.
A most ghastly environment. Perfect dark, ominous blue fire, and a feeling of dread... emptiness...
With the chase halted due to their own wariness and uncertainty, they steeled their nerves as one, turning their heads about for whatever could be the cause of this.
"... Hehe...♥"
... And it seemed to have already arrived...
It all happened so suddenly. One moment this was a forest painted an orange gold and dull purple by the sunset and twilight rays, perfect for a tranquil autumn painting, before melting into this cerulean hellhole, followed by being rushed and trapped together, like a herd of sheep listed for the slaughterhouse.
There wasn't even any time to react... those who suffered deep wounds could feel themselves kneeling to the floor. Even as the frenzy continued and did their best to fight back, the wounds... the stinging marks, the ominous strength steeped within... their eyes...
... fading to black...
...
...
...
" ... M-Momoko...? Nori? A-anyone, nene...?"
The Audino was absolutely confused, not to mention shaken to her core. She could've sworn she was in the forest with her Gardevoir and Gothitelle friends, but now she was in this pitch black emptiness... what happened? Was it nighttime, she pondered?
Kari wobbled up onto her legs, frantically searching around for someone to recognize, but to no avail. Just as she cupped her hands over her mouth, she felt some slender palms rest themselves on her shoulder, calling to her gently as the Audicham was turned around.
"Kari...!"
"M-momoko!" Kari sighed with relief, placing hands over her heart as she sighed with relief. "I-I'm so glad to see you! Where are we? What's going on?"
"..."
" ... I-is everything oka-- ... wait..." Kari couldn't help but notice one detail off with her Gardevoir friend. "... M-Momoko?"
"... Yes...?"
"... What's... w-what's wrong with your--"
" S o . . . h u n g r y . . . ! "
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHH--!!"
Kari tried her best to push herself away, but Keiko was the faster one; the Audino felt herself being whirled right back around... and then there was the wet sound of snapping bone, accompanied by crackling jolts of sheer agony.
"A-AAAAAAAH, AAAAAAAAAHHHH!! AAAAH, W-WHAT'RE YOU-- MOMOKO!! NORI!! SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE!!"
Try as she might, Kari could not do a thing. This beast's grip was strong; claws too sharp and massive to let her slip away. The position was terrible; Kari could angle her palms properly to try to reach back for a force palm. There was no freedom; these jaws felt like a bear trap, and Keiko refused to let go.
Kari was mortified, crying desperately out of horror as she futilely struggled against the predator. Her screams reached the skies for only a few good seconds before she felt a massive claw clamp over her mouth, with the Lucaritales cackling with licking lips.
"Awww... you poor thing, you're crying so much... it hurts, doesn't it...?" Keiko kept that devillish grin alive as her eyes lit up with ravenous delight. "You and everyone else made me waste a soul from what could've been an avoidable fatal wound... you thought you were being sneaky... you thought you had me. Hah... well don't worry... it's just you and I out here now... and I'm going to pay you back, by giving you the first honors of this lovely little trick..."
Keiko kept her jaws and claws clasped over Kari's bleeding, writhing form, keeping her still as possible as the poor girl began to lose consciousness. As her will to live began to subside, the Lucaritales gradually pulled her claw out... and seemed to be stringing something out of the Audino.
"... There it is... just a liiiiittle more... come on out, you sweet little morsel...~♪"
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."
