Firestorm Event

"Vetru!" "Vetru?" "Vetru!!" All around him, Esks were cheering, yelling, scrambling to get to Vetru's side. All the tasks that they were doing has been abandoned in favour of reporting to the Wanderer.

Midori himself is also one of these Esk. But he's fighting a losing battle against all the bigger, stronger Esk, and is getting pushed and squished against many other soot covered furry bodies. Violet, who is currently on his back, clings to his fur for dear life. She yells and pushes at a couple of backsides when someone gets a little to close to crushing them. Midori is just trying to not get swept off his feet. Somewhere down the line, he got swept away from his little group. Rosette and Elwynn had disappeared from sight when an approaching horde of Esk has cut them off from each other. Rosette had yelled something at him before the both of them disappeared, the clamour of the crowd. Song was above them at one point in time as well, but they soon vanished, and no amount of yelling from Violet could draw their attention.

Midori is jostled from his thoughts when another Esks smashes into them. Violet lets out an angry yelling noise as Midori is squished into the side of yet another body. He sighs as he goes still before closing his eyes. This is just wonderful. If he wasn't so done with everything that was happening, he'd be in full panic mode. And truthfully he can feel the edges of the panic and stress slowly tearing thought his chest, but at this point he's past caring.  Before Midori can spiral down his dark hole of depressing thoughts any further, he is lifted up and out of the crushing crowd. The green Esk turns his head in surprise, and is met with the amused squint of Cue's pale green eyes. "Having fun there?" She asks, and Violet squeals with delight before leaping from Midori's back onto Cue's head. The abnormal chuckles, and Midori has never felt so happy to see another Esk. Relief blooms in his chest. Thank goodness the others found them. From the edge of his vision, he sees a tuft of floating fur, and Midori turns his head yet again to spot Song floating over. "I'm sorry for leaving you!" The other pants, clearly worn out. "I spotted Cue and decided to recruit her help on finding the lot of you. Sorry for leaving you! I hope you weren't too worried." Midori shakes his head violently. "N-no1 We're okay. W-well, at least we are now." Song offers him a tired chuckle before patting his head and floating away to tuck himself on top of the willow tree sticking out from Cue's back. Finally, Cue turns her body and deposits him on her broad back, and Midori is immediately crushed in a tight hug from the rest of his friends.  Lope is the first to let go, followed by the Little Volcano, and then Toki. Rosette is the last to leave his side, eyes worried and wide when she releases him. "Honestly, I was so worried! I can't believe I lost you and Violet to the crowd. But i'm glad your safe now." Her eyes crinkle into a smile. Suddenly, Elwynn appears, but instead of hugging him, she pats his tail. "I wasn't worried." She says, huffing as she climbs back onto her spot perched between Rosette's shoulder blades. Midori lets out a small laugh. Elwynn was never the most affectionate, but he was glad to know that she really cared about his well being. He's never really felt this happy from such a simple gesture.

He's about to say something when Vetru's thundering voice finally silences the rioting crowd. All eyes fixate on his lither form, silhouetted by the smoke and the red light by the raging flames. They stand atop the boulder from when they first gave their speech, and really, Midori can't believe that just a few hours ago, everyone was having fun in a field full of beautiful flowers and sweet smelling grasses. Vetru begins to speak.

Their speech leaves everyone in shock. If Midori thought that everyone was quiet before, they are unbelievably more quiet now, The atmosphere is so thick and tense with disbelief that Midori thinks he can cut into it.  Vetru hadn't stopped the ancient fire on their own? They had help? From ancient relics??! Midori's head is swimming, and he feels dizzy. So all those stories he heard about the great Vetru were false? He feels somewhat betrayed now, knowing that the all powerful Wanderer he had heard about had lied about their powers and achievements. Vetru seems to notice the awkward tension, and clears their throat to begin talking again.

And as they continue on,  Midori's eyes widen almost comically. Enchantments? Elementals? There are soft whispers coming from all around now, some excited, some cautious, some sounding intrigued. Lope and Toni are talking animatedly about it from beside Midori, and as he turns his head around, he can see Rosette and Elwynn sharing a look a wonder. The Little Volcano for the most part looks confused, but curious as to what all the excitement is about. Violet's loud voice cannot be contained however, and her loud squeals and laughter of delight cuts through the whispers like knife thought butter. "Enchantments! Elementals! Oh me gosh! Cue! We could have powers! Well in your case, you gain another one, but who cares! POWERS!" She slings half of her body off of Cue's head to grab and push at Cue's cheek. The abnormal laughs, and Vetru fixes their brilliant blue eyes on them in a moment of fondness. Then the gaze hardens and they are back to giving instructions.

Midori isn't really sure how he feels about all of this. He thinks that he may be excited, if the butterflies and warmth in his stomach is telling him anything. But he might also be shocked, and extremely nervous. Receiving an enchantment or elemental powers is a huge responsibility and only few have them. Vetru is even giving them all their personal enchantment, even if only for a second. This is a huge honor. They are powerful and admired, and really, is Midori all that powerful and strong? Not really.

A mad rush of stampeding paws cuts through Midori's thoughts and he glances up to see that the crown has split in two, the group on the left facing Vetru. His friends jump to attention and race off to pick their own side to join and aide in putting out the fire. Soon, he's the only one remaining on Cue's back. The abnormal turns her head around to face him. "You should go too. This is such a major event in your life. Don't pass up the chance." Her voice is warm and filled with wonder, and that sparks Midori's own awe at their predicament. He nods at Cue offering a stuttered thank you before jumping off her back as well. Cue nudges him along and then Midori is walking off by himself to find an ancient elemental relic of unimaginable power.

He sucks in a breath. Time to see just how strong he really is.

----

He at the edge of the prairie. And in front of him is a carved wooden statue with ornamental smooth curves of stone set into it. Midori isn't really sure what it is shaped to be, but if he squints really hard he thinks he can see the shape of a twirling Esk, limbs free and flowing, captured in a moment of absolute freedom. The tail of the Esk is like a ribbon, twisting and wrapped around the body of the Esk like a dress. Really the statue is beautiful. And as Midori gets closer to it, he feels the thrum of magic and energy pulsing through it like a heartbeat. It pulls him closer. And without a second hesitation, Midori pushes his snout against the top of the statue.

A cold feeling claws into Midori's head, and he feel numb, and he's so, so, cold... Then the feeling turns warm, and Midori think its feels like a warm summer shower is passing by him, no inside of him. He's always loved the rain he never wants to let this warm and tingly feeling go. But it soon fades, and Midori eyes crinkle in disappointment. He's not sure if it worked. He looks down at his feet and sees mist clouding over them, swirling slowly without a care in the world. He turns his body around to scan for other changes, and his fur looks drenched. He's literally making a small puddle of water around him as his fur seems to drizzle. Midori starts freaking out. Its like he's a walking rain cloud! Midori giggles with excitement, walking back and forth to test out his new elemental powers. Then he pauses. How is this going to help with putting out the fire? His mood sours, and Midori feels like he might be about to cry. Wow, proven useless again.

He sniffles. Wait, he sniffled? Midori blinks his eyes, feeling the tears welling up there. He could cry? How could he cry? The tears leak out now, and with it comes a rush of humid air, it builds above him and forms into a cloud and then it starts to rain. Midori stares in wonder as warm droplets of rain run down his face, flattening his fur further onto his body. He can create rain. He can create, a soft summer drizzle. He can put out a fire. He can help.

He's not weak at all.