Standing closest to her position, two X-fighters immediately rushed to her aid.
Krillin was the first to react—launching a rapid-fire barrage of bright ki blasts straight at the wolf-thing's face, forcing the beast back on its haunches.
Gohan didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second either. In a golden flash, he was beside Melody, his arms wrapping gently around her shoulders to steady her as he dropped his gaze to the bleeding wound.
Gohan: "Are you okay?!" *he asked, his voice tight with urgent worry.*
The creature snarled through the smoke, baring its curved scimitar claws—but Krillin kept up his relentless assault, refusing to let the beast close the distance. The fight had just begun… and they weren't about to lose this round.
Melody: "It's not as bad as it looks," *she argued through gritted teeth, trying to brush it off.*
Gohan wouldn't have any of it.
Gohan: "Yeah, you're right. It's not as bad as it looks... it's worse."
Gohan's tone left zero room for argument. He firmly pressed his hand directly over the laceration to stem the dark flow of blood, while Krillin kept hammering the wolf-thing with blinding ki blasts to keep it pinned.
Melody winced hard at the pressure but didn't protest further. Gohan was right—the burning agony in her side told her everything she needed to know. The creature's claws had carved deep.
Gohan: "We gotta get you patched up right now," *Gohan said, raising his voice to shout across the chaotic din toward where Piccolo was trading blows nearby:* "PIC! WE NEED A MEDIC!"
Melody: "No! There's too much at stake out here. Just give me one of Korin's beans and I'll be fine."
Gohan hesitated—Melody's stubborn streak was legendary, but a gaping wound in the middle of a warzone wasn't the time to be reckless. Still, he knew there was no talking her out of it once she set her mind to something.
Gohan: *He quickly reached into his pocket, retrieving a precious green bean, and carefully pressed it into her hand.* "Here. Take it. I fear that it's the last one."
Melody: *She shook her head, swallowing the pain.* "We stopped at Korin's tower on our way here. Goten's carrying a whole pouch full of them."
Gohan blinked, a wave of realization washing over him. Right. Goten had the pouch. That meant she didn't have to ration; she could use a bean whenever the toll of her power-boosting became too much to bear.
The brief flash of relief was brutally cut short, however, as the wolf-thing suddenly exploited their momentary distraction. With a burst of blinding speed, it lunged past Krillin's barrage—aiming straight for the bald warrior's exposed back!
Krillin was entirely focused on suppressing fire and didn't see the shadow coming.