Melanie’s Stand

The barrier soon faded as both you and the Medicham stared at the Gardevoir in surprise, though for different reasons.

“Glad to have made it in time.” she spoke, looking towards you. “Are you alright?”

“Melanie…” You muttered, taken back that she stopped that attack, but you give her a smile in appreciation. “Thank you.” you responded.

“Are you serious?!” She turned to see Valorie staring at her, fuming. “You’re really choosing them over me?!”

“I promise myself and to his companions that I would make sure the two of them get out of this alive…” Melanie responded, taking a deep breath. “And I intend to keep my promise… Even if it cost me my life.”

You glance at Melanie when she finishes that last line. You have heard that Gardevoirs power intensifies when they’re protecting someone they’ve formed strong bonds to, and are willing to put their lives on the line to do so. Your heart gets a bit heavy at that last part.

“How noble of you, but we know while you have strong abilities, you’re not much of a fighter. You know it, and I know it.” She taunted the Gardevoir and you noticed that her hands were shaking, as if she believes it to be true.

“Rai… I’ll keep her at bay for as long as I can, you head towards the tunnel and join your friends.” She suggested, summoning a gale of magic leaves towards her.

Valorie moves out of the way of the attack and clasps her hands together, energy stars forming and launching towards the Gardevoir who takes the projectiles in order to keep you from getting hurt.

“What? Melanie, if I help you, we can beat her together.” You argued, feeling your arm sore just from tensing it a little.

“There’s no time, aren’t you worried about your friends, what about your sister?” She asked you, keeping her attention to the Medicham who tries to get close for a physical attack, but Melanie’s interference keeps her back. “It’s alright, Rai. You two will escape, that alone will make it worth it.”

You look towards the tunnel, then to Valorie and then to Melanie and decide to make a run towards it. Valorie takes note of this and tries to strike you with a confusion blast, but Melanie protects you with her barrier.

The Medicham made another attempt to go at you, but Melanie quickly gathered a ball of energy made of nature and launched it towards Valorie, catching her off guard and knocking her back. Valorie growled in frustration as she picked herself up.

“Argh, you are a real stubborn one!” She stated.

“If only I'd shown it sooner, I probably could’ve prevented this from going this far..” Melanie responded, closing her eyes. “I suppose it’s too late to think about the past.”

“Yes it is.” Valorie stated, launching towards her. It’s clear that if she wants to get to you, she must take Melanie down. The Gardevoir responded by sending magical leaves directed at her, and while it scored a direct hit, it did nothing to stop Valorie from connecting a fire punch to her abdomen, making her cry out in pain.

You are close to the stairs as you hear Melanie cry out and you see that she has stumbled back and was on her knees. You look at the entranceway to the tunnel where your friends and sister are hopefully waiting for you and the others, but…

“What’s this? Are you really going to run off and save yourself?” Valorie stated mockingly, “Leave this one to face my wrath?” She stated, launching another attack at the Gardevoir who put up a barrier to block it.

“R-Rai, don’t listen to her! She’s only trying to keep you from escaping!” Melanie urges you, struggling to stand up.

“Can you accept it, Rai?” Valorie asked you, attacking her again, with her managing to block it once more, but the impact made her fall down once more. “Can you accep the idea of her **** being on you?”

Your paws tremble as you see the scene in front of you, conflicted of what you should do. You thought about your friends, thinking that they might be fighting psychics who are hoping Valorie returns or trying to destroy the exit, and your sister who is hoping you would return as well. You then look at the Gardevoir who was struggling to stand up, she won’t be able to last much longer if you leave her. While Melanie has enabled Valorie to continue her insane methods, should she have to pay for this with her life?

“Rai!” You heard a shout as you looked and saw Valorie took advantage of your conflict and launched a psychic blast at her. Melanie teleported in front of you and put her arms up, but this time no barrier came up. Both of you were knocked back from the blast, falling to the ground.

“You used your protection barrier twice in succession, the chance of it activating it the second time lessens and continues to do so.” She explained as she walked towards you two. Melanie slowly starts to rise back up from the floor, but you aren’t doing so well, your body hurts badly, your vision is blurry.

“Looks like the chu is at his limit.” Valorie sneered at you, but Melanie looked at you for a moment and held her hands out to you. Soon a bright green light shone from her, guiding it towards you and when it does, you felt your strength returning, the soreness you were experiencing quickly faded away as you got back up.

“Whoa, the pain is gone!” You got out, electricity surging. “How did you-”

“Healing wish.” Melanie said with a smile, and your smile faded when she answered.

“Get going. Your friends are waiting.” She said, keeping her smile before she slowly fell to the ground, ****.

“Melanie!” You cried out in shock.

“That’s the price of Healing Wish.” Valorie stated, walking towards her. “You made your choice Melanie, so be it.” The Medicham reached out, preparing to lift her up to bring her along. But then her body vanished.

Valorie looked shocked for a moment, but her face regained her calm look as behind her, you held Melanie for a moment, before you gently laid her on the floor.

“You’re not going to kill her…” You spoke out, looking at her for a moment before you turned to Valorie. “Not while I’m here!”

“So you risk your friends to protect someone who knows what we been doing? How crazy!” Valorie laughed hysterically.

“Her life is precious. Something you don’t seem to care about.” you responded as you stare down at her with a firm determination.You understand that they may have to deal with whatever it is up there, and you’re well aware that she taunted you in order to keep you here, but your friends found out that the both of you were in trouble and went out to rescue you. You know you can count on them to wait for you. Melanie held Valorie back for your sake, and while she may be willing to give her life for you, you’re not going to give her up.

“Well then, you really think you can change things? You needed her to bail you out.” She pointed out. She isn’t wrong, but it doesn’t mean you’ll give up. Plus, Neku and Felix should be coming soon, you just have to beat her or hold out until they arrive.