#percevalroserade

“With how many amassed to Yuuto, me and Naida quickly relocated our relatives to another Hakumese settlement, where we soon alerted the guards to strengthen their defenses just to be safe. Though how long they’ll be at peace there, we are uncertain... ” Reaching into the satchel at his hip, Perceval held out a folded piece of paper and spread the sheet out, glancing at it.

“That was when we heard of a bounty... a bounty for a refugee, labelled as a criminal. And the reward is quite high...” the tall Roserade looked up at Eira from his sheet. “... high enough so that we can legally immigrate our relatives off the island via boat. If there weren’t so many Nobuans we would attempt to fight them off, but as of now, it would be foolish suicide to do so. Oui... as grim and drastic as this route is, it is the quickest way we can gather such a high amount of profit in very little time, enough to afford tickets for everyone.”

Patting the paper, Perceval kept his stare at Eira, this time looking a little pleading. “Please don’t worry about your own funds... besides, I’m not sure how much you could lend if it would suffice... and who knows when we could meet again for me to pay you back, if I were to accept it? I insist, please, keep your money. Instead... if at all possible, I wish for you to assist me in another way. A simple answer, if you could.”

It was right then that Perceval turned the paper around so that it could face Eira. From there it was clear as to what he pulled out; it was a wanted poster, and the face looked shockingly familiar to Eira...

"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...

"It is time to end this," she called out...

---

...

...

...

… 1000 Years…

Age…

Agony…

Weakness gradually crippling...

... yet awareness ever present...

Is that what you wish to know…? To have these ails carry you throughout the centuries, even when you wish to yield, far beyond the limit your form will allow…?

… 1000 Years… or 1000 Lives…

If your will is absolute, then rise… the land is yours, its spirits your courses for the taking… mark your legacy in blood, and freedom shall smile upon you..

....

...

...

The hybrid's ponytail orb flashed with an intense blue ray, before Keiko's eyes snapped open. A vehement shriek pierced and filled the night, followed by a trail of infernal blue flames spiraling across the ground, racing towards the group in a vengeful fury.

"!!" Nori gasped, as he stepped back. "FIRE! IS SHE TRYING TO TAKE US WITH HER?!"

"WE MUST LEAVE NOW BEFORE THE FLAMES SWALLOW US!" Ordered Momoko, as everyone in the forest whirled around and bolted in the opposite direction, as that was where the blue midnight light was closest beyond the trees. Even those that were still weak from the onslaught, where the healing could not tend to, were being supported by others to help hurry them along.

Panic fueled the visitors, while the blue lights continued to dance and swirl, engulfing every last shred of foliage in its path. Despite everyone's running speed, it looked as though the fire was catching up swiftly, much to their dismay. And then there was yet another flash...

...

...

...

... The night was silent, all save for the sound of crackling embers and the faint hiss of smoke.

What... just happened...?

One second it appeared as though everyone was about to be trapped in the wall of blue hellfire, and yet the next, all the inhabitants were scattered. Everyone could only look from side to side in confusion before turning around to hear the sound of fire eating away at the trees.

Ciprian, Dycae, Blayz, Miru, Ume and Momo... they all seemed to have managed to flee in the nick of time, albeit completely separated, and were the first to bear the sight of the woods' fate. It was horrifying... Smoke began to fill the sky as trees and shrubs were being charred to black, crispy cinders. The echoing crashes of trees falling into one another from their forms being burned away only highlighted the resulting destrucion of the ecosystem...

Meanwhile, Perceval's group, too, looked on in dismay to at the result of what happened tonight. Particularly, Perceval and Camellia looked devastated. All that poor foliague that kept things in balance when there was no other life... if there were other creatures still linging in those cursed woods to begin with.

"... Rrrrrgh..." Izanagi rumbled with a reptilian snort, shaking his head, "... that's a damned shame..." he echoed under his harsh, monstrous voice.

"It is bad, sad sight to see such healthy woods beingk burned to ashes like this, yes..." Naida agreed, slowly lowering her wing with a disheartened nod. "Mmh... And vhat of fox girl...?"

"As much as Ah'd want tae moorn th' forest... there's nae much else tae dae, noo 'at we've escaped..." Even Camellia's tone was saddened, slowly lowering her hand as her expression went from shock to despair, giving a sigh.

"... Camellia is right, unfortunately..." Perceval shook his head, turning over. "Come, everyone, we cannot linger. As sad as it is, we cannot save an entire forest. Perhaps the weather will have mercy and douse the flames. Let us press onward and move while we can,  we must make distance between ourselves and that dreaded area as much as possible... We have a duty of our own, after all."

"Duty?" Camellia prodded.

"Oui... I'll tell you on the way, mon amie."

The other three complied before making their way onward, heading towards the mountains as they began to discuss what to do next in particular. But what if the three Hakumese Pokemon...?

While their current locations were not known to them, the four that came in to assist all received a ‘ping’ from the Gardevoir, a quick telepathic message...

<<“Words cannot express how truly grateful I am for you all, coming in and risking your lives to strike the beast. We are in a hurry, but should we meet again, we shall repay you somehow for your bravery. May the sun and moon bless you...”>>

That was all that could be said... As for where they were now... amidst all the insanity?

... They seemed to be faring well... well enough to keep running, at the very least...

---

"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.

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...

"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...