She woke from her unconsciousness suddenly and fully. One moment, she was trapped in inescapable midnight, and the next she was staring at the stars, the tall grass tickling her cheeks. She bolted up, startling the other gijinkas around her, who were absorbed in the battle unfolding further down the hill. "I must go down there and fight," she announced, starting to push herself from the ground. She was held down by Kat, who said, "You just woke up. I doubt you're in prime condition for battle."
Melody began to argue, but soon gave up, and resorted to staring down at the battle. Hoom had been critically injured, and lay bleeding on the earth. A Duskull gijinka that she hadn't noticed earlier attempted to assist the dying Houndoom, but his plan was foiled by the murderous Lux. Eva stepped up to the fight next, launching a specialized Toxic attack. Hoom suddenly found the strength to release a Smog, and attached herself to Lux, dragging him down. The other members of the club burst out on the scene as well, prepared to take him down.
Melody looked away. This is ridiculous, she thought. Everyone's helping each other battle that stupid Luxray. I can't do anything... I've never backed down from a fight before this... Wait! There is something I can do. But...
"Andreas! Come here!"
At her call, he did an about-face and clambered up the hill. "You're awake!" he cried out. "Are you feel-"
"I'm doing fine, thank you. Though, I must ask you for a favor."
"I will do anything for my dearest Melody."
"Okay..." She took a deep breath, staring straight into his ice-blue eyes. "I want to perform Synchronization."
At her mentioning of this, Andreas went pale. "No. You cannot... You really do mean it, don't you?" he whispered. Melody nodded slowly, resolutely. He bit his lip. "There's only a forty percent chance that it will actually work. We'll probably need everyone else's help, too. But, even if it is successful, there's a hefty chance that you will fall into a permanent coma..." Andreas swallowed hard, remembering the last time he and Melody attempted Synchronization. He recalled how she spent four days laying motionless in the hospital bed before miraculously regaining consciousness.
Melody smiled sadly. "Yes, I know. But I owe my life to these people. I owe my life to you. If I die, then it will not be in vain. I'll simply be repaying my debt to you all," she said.
Her determination sparked some of his own. "I will do anything for my dearest Melody," he replied, repeating his earlier statement. "If she wishes to take a risk in order to save a friend, then I shall assist her." He helped her up from the ground.
"Now, everyone!" He exclaimed, looking at the others on the hilltop, "We need to ask you something. You won't mind helping us out, will you?"
They exchanged glances. Andreas held his breath, fearing rejection.
Continue?
Melody ((With her human buddy.))
----
So, what is Synchronization, exactly? Well, if you continue, you just might find out!
Down below is just a little bonus story for Stantler and Breloom. Enjoy, I guess.
+ + + + +
Breloom had been calling for help for what seemed like forever, but no one came. Her heart sank. Stantler was barely conscious in her arms, his blood making circles and webs on her shirt. We've truly been forgotten, haven't we? she told herself. Well, that just means I'll take matters into my own hands. With that final thought, she stood up, hoisted him over her shoulder, and began the process of dragging him with her to find an exit.
The building's condition was becoming more unstable by the minute. The structure's metal skeleton creaked as the flames ate away at it. The rumbles of concrete chunks dropping from the ceiling became more frequent. Breloom huffed under the weight of her partner, unaccustomed to lugging around weights heavier than a hundred pounds.
Suddenly, the smoke around her cleared up, enabling her to view a good-sized hole blasted through the wall. An exit, already? Wow! Luck is on my side! Breloom thought. She took a minute to adjust Stantler's position, then stepped over the rubble around the opening, making it outside. "Finally!" she breathed, walking several paces before surveying the scene before her. When she did, however, her smile faded. The situation she had just now put herself in would have been fine if she was not carrying her injured comrade with her...
For she had just stepped out onto a battlefield.
End bonus story; continue at will.
