[center][abbr=Ace Cadet][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190924/544c85ab5c75bc61a4bb5ce40dc0caa6.png[/img][/abbr]
[color=salmon]Word Count: 721 (+1 exp)[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]9[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 364/90
[b]Location:[/b] the Frozen Highlands[/color][/center]
As per usual with so many different skill sets and tactics, the encounter with the massive alligator quickly became chaotic. It wasn't the worst, all things considered. So far the Seekers managed to keep the monster from engulfing the coach and its draft pals, and from destroying the boardwalk in front of it. It seemed as though they had a handle on it, at least until two of their number were eaten up.

Initially Ace's heart had sank when he saw Blazermate and Geralt disappear into the monster's mouth, but it took only a few seconds for him to reason that they were still alive. Unless the gator's digestive juices were especially potent or there were some kinds of interior teeth or other organ designed to break prey down as soon as they hit its stomach, then there was no way the two Seekers wouldn't have survived being swallowed whole. Well, there was always a chance for the worst, but Ace chose to be optimistic. 

Confirmation came from Sandalphon's voice echoing out from the connection she had with the other Seekers. He heard her heads up about her plan to freeze it as well and made himself ready by shooting towards the alligator as fast as he could so that by the time the ice locked Tom in place, Ace was already in position. The mini cannons on his rigging were already firing, and he swung the chain of his slinger out with the claws interlocked this time to pull him the rest of the way there when the anchor-like shape slammed into Tom and caught on the gator's jagged scales. Once really up close Ace focused on the softer under-scales wherever he could find them, slashing and slicing along Tom's side, his foreleg, and neckline. Quick, powerful cuts that would add up along with the damage dealt by everyone else once the alligator was able to feel it all at once. 

And it worked. As soon as the ice broke apart Tom sagged where he floated. Ace had half a mind to rip open a slit in the leviathan's neck, make an easier out for the two that had been swallowed, but as Tom recovered the Seekers' newest addition called down a warning - one which the Cadet was quick to heed as he registered the growing flare around the girl. He could only guess at what she planned to do, but he knew for sure he didn't want to be nearby when she did it. 

[color=salmon]"All you!"[/color] he said, skating backwards and putting space between himself and the monster. It was a good thing he did, as though Mokou was on the opposite of Tom the fiery blast she created on impact might still have reached him. The smoking scales mixed with the dark plumes coming from the alligator's nostrils, and moments later the creature retched.

His new position gave Ace a full view of the wounded monster regurgitating a whole pile of busted up parts of exhibits with Geralt and Blazermate among the mess. He didn't know about Blazermate, but two dips into near freezing water probably wasn't going to be good for the Witcher - the Cadet changed course and skated over to where they'd ended up in the pool.

[color=salmon]"I got you guys!"[/color] Ace called, stowing his sword for the moment so he could reach down and pull the two of them up and out of the water, one in each hand, at least until the medabot could take to the air once more. Once she had, the blade returned to the hunter's grasp. Tom had sunk beneath the water, but Ace wanted to be sure it was actually beaten. He remained where he was on top of the ripples the reptile created as it sank, waiting to see if it would resurface. 

Thankfully it never did. It must have lost consciousness, or perhaps succumbed to its injuries while underwater, because it did not return to keep fighting for its meal. Though he couldn't see to the bottom of the flooded exhibit, with a pinched brow Ace's gaze kept searching the waters. Someone else hadn't returned either, after all.

[color=salmon]"Anybody got eyes on Mokou? Did she fall in?"[/color] he questioned. He hadn't spotted her in the air either, only the scattered glow of the embers she'd left behind.