When Chu-e came back over, he picked up a brush and some product to make sure that Melody Miro's hair wouldn't frizz while also staying nice and shiny. She had so much hair! How did she keep up with it? His own hair was getting pretty long, at least compared to how long he kept it before, but it was nowhere near the length of hers. Probably never would be.

"How do you keep your hair so soft? I've always heard that coloring it makes it brittle." Melody's hair was soft and strong, which was good. She must have used really good moisturizer when she washed it. But, taking his gathered petals along with a box of plain pins he had found, he began to fasten them to her head. He had to make sure to be gentle so he didn't bruise or damage the petals as he worked.

It did take a bit of time but eventually he had them dotted through her hair, with the majority framing her face. "Alright, now that they're in there.... Peony, Wish!" The Florges clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. Nothing happened for a few long seconds even after she had stopped. Then, the petals started to glow softly.

"There! It might not last the whole show, but I can hang out back here and refresh it when you come by for the occasional break." If Melody took breaks. It seemed cruel to make her sing until she pissed herself on stage or something.

React Chu-e did.

"My hard work!" Bodily, with speed of a man with much to lose, he flung himself in front of Melody Miro. Like he was taking a bullet for her instead of just getting soaked, Chu-e took the brunt of the water before it could touch his masterpiece. It would be a little uncomfortable to be all wet, but hey if it worked...

Peony, who had been following, surged forward. Not to attack, thankfully. Instead she pushed herself between her trainer and the mischievous pokemon, getting close enough to lean down and attempt to scold them in her soft voice. Marsh, much slower thanks to her seal body, laughed softly at seeing her trainer looking like a wet cat. Chu-e just shot her a pout and stuck his tongue out at his pokemon.

"Are you okay?" Was said with a small sigh. He was almost afraid to turn around and see if she had gotten hit or not....

Peony squawked at the water hitting her. Thankfully, she was kind of a plant and wasn't a real 'attack' so it just soaked her pretty petals. Huffing, she tried to snatch up the two mischievous babies in her arms to try and scold them that way. She could be a good babysitter when needed and had plenty of experience wrangling the younger pokemon that Chu-e kept.

"Marsh!"

Still grinning, Marsh slid forward. Raising up, she tilted her head back and started to Sing her own beautiful song. Which would, hopefully, put the pokemon aiming to ruin Melody Miro's show to sleep. Just in case, Chu-e still kept himself between the pokemon and the woman, ready to take any shots for her if needed.

the two babies struggled to get out of peony's hands but it was futile as the Pokémon was much larger than them. The swarm of Pokémon coming towards chu-e was really exhibiting melody's hoarding Pokémon problem. The Primarina's singing worked on some of melody's pokemon's but there were more and more coming down the hall. "We got to get out of here Ji-hoon!" she told him as she grabbed his rest and made a run for it. This WAS a gym challenge but she was NOT GETTING HER OUTFIT WET GOD DAMN IT, she saluted the Florges as it seemed like it was sacrificing herself for the glory of melody's concerts. 

She made it to the main stage JUST in time "Good job chu-e! stay till after the concert and if everything goes flawless you can still get the badge." she told him as she rose up on the stage and the concert began as the crowd cheered. However it seems like those baby pokemon followed the pair all the way over here and were intent on spraying Melody still as they let out a glimmer and gleam from their beady little eyes.

Since things had marginally calmed down now that Melody had gotten on the stage, Chu-e found himself two pokemon less and with a small army of pokemon that seemed intent on making sure Melody Miro got soaked to the bone. Peony had sacrificed herself for the greater good trying to keep a few of the children contained. Marsh had not, she was just slow on land and hadn't been able to keep up with the brisk pace. She was sure to turn up later, mostly likely after doing her best to seduce a different pokemon into carrying her where she wanted to go.

Plucking out a few of his pokeballs, Chu-e sent out his Aromatisse, Two Gardevoir, and a Ralts. The female Gardevoir looked a little bored while the male looked alert and on guard. The Ralts was just happy to be there.

"Okay you three... this is what we're going to do..." Pulling his pokemon in close, he whispered his game plan to them to keep Melody safe.

When the babies appeared, Chu-emet them all with a Look. But, ultimately, he allowed them to pass. The pokemon took position and lined up their shots, all dead set on soaking Melody Miro at the same time.... Just as Melody was reaching an epic high note in her song, water flew!

Only for all of Chu-e's psychic pokemon to act at once. The water curved upwards and away from her, splashing the crowd in a fine mist. They roared, not knowing this wasn't just a very clever part of the show. Like pyrotechnics only with water and not fire. And, any other time the baby pokemon might try this they would be met with the same results, too.

Chu-e would grin devilishly from where he was sitting.

The obvious solution here was to hook up some of his electric types to act as a back up generator- which he planned on doing. Already, he was calling out his Luxray, Ampharos, and Bolthunt. However, this wasn't so easy and would take a bit of time. Time in the dark that a restless crowd might get confused or, worse outcome, even panic. Already there were confused noises coming from the murmur of the crowd.

Thankfully, the Wish from earlier was still active if fading. The glow of the petals on Melody gave him an idea. Calling his Aromatisse over, since the water assault seemed to be over for now, he gave the pokemon quick instructions. Nodding, the pink pokemon waddled closer to Melody Miro.

First, a Misty Terrain would be expelled from the pokemon, bubblegum scented and lingering in a pink and glittery cloud around her ankles. Next, a Moonblast would set up- right behind Melody, not over top of her, effectively shining a pink spotlight down on her. The crowd started cheering, obviously expecting something big from the woman. About that time, Chu-e had managed to jerry-rig the equipment and a few of the stage lights back on, which blazed to life in glory.

The maneuver from chu-e worked like a charm, the moon blast lit up the stage with it's beautiful soft light and the bubblegum scent slowly filled the arena, an effective fog machine huh? Melody looked absolutely ethereal as chu-e even managed to keep the feel of synthwave in her performance. It was high time, as she finally spoke into her headset. Two taps on the headset made it glow as Melody spoke into the headset. "Well well, It seems like we have a special event tonight you guys. Today we had a challenger assist me with my look tonight, how about we get a special look?" She says as the platform from below raised her up and spotlights powered on "What do you guys think?" before they all went absolutely bonkers and cheered!

"Then everyone please introduce! Ji-hoon ki!" she announces as the lights turn back on, turns out melody's gastrodon and maractus used water absorb to suck out all the water that her pokemon had sprayed. "He managed to create a look for me in lightning speed and made sure my show went off without a hitch today! He has completed the show must go on challenge!" she tells them "Now! Gardevoir! Bring him here!" she calls as a gardevoir teleports besides chu-e and brings him to her side as the two now stood at the raised platform with all the spotlights aimed at the two.

"Ji-hoon, the audience has declared they believe you deserve the rhythm badge. I think your friendship with your pokemon and your critical quick thinking saved my show as well. Sorry I had to trick you and set up the water gun spray fiasco." she says apologizing really quick as footage of the challenge in the hallway and footage of him backstage played on the big screen. "Just from watching you, I believe you share a beautiful bond with your Pokémon who are the perfect partners for you. You lot march to the beat of you're own drum. So, do you accept the Rhythm badge?" she says holding it between her fingers and waiting for his answer.

When Chu-e was 'poofed' onto the stage, in front of all those yelling people, he was kind of like a fish in how he felt with his mouth open. He still looked like a soaked cat from taking the bullet for Melody Miro earlier, plus he was a hot mess from all his running around. Expecting to be back stage, he hadn't really dressed for a crowd, too.

"...ah...."

His face slowly went from his usual pallid to a bright red, even his ears and flushed down his neck. A moment later, Princess the Gardevoir and Teacup the Ralts 'poofed' onto the stage next to him. The Ralts giggled and huffed Chu-e's leg as Princess gently pat him on the shoulder.

"... y... yes...." Was squeaked out. Palm trembling and stiff, he opened his palm slowly to accept.

As soon as he had his badge was was going him to hide under his bed for a while.