Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation

Chapter 108 - The Reaper

Mhynt hit empty air, sticking her blade into the wall instead. The Sandslash shouted in lamentation and anger, but then covered his mouth when Mhynt flashed a glare at him.

"Uh—he broke in, by the way," he said. "I'm not harboring—"

"Stop talking."

"Y-yeah, okay."

The Corviknight fell over, unconscious.

"Hm..." Mhynt slowly pulled her blade from the wall, eyes closed. Enet had run off somewhere. Gahi, where did he go? She couldn't sense him anymore.

Except for one instant—right beside her. He grabbed her arm, and suddenly she was high in the air above Null Village, hanging by his grasp.

"Nice try," Gahi said, smirking.

Mhynt hissed and swung her blade, knowing she'd miss. Gahi was too fast to fall for something so basic, and indeed, he disappeared and left her to fall. The Treecko grasped the air and caught a ledge she'd conjured from the darkness. There, she feigned helplessness, dangling in midair.

...He wasn't falling for it. How could someone so dumb be so sharp? No wonder he paired off with Owen.

Letting go, she landed on a dark platform just large enough for her feet. She adjusted her stance and the platform adjusted with it. From high above, she could see the buildings of South Null Village and the many Pokémon staring in awe from the ground. Gahi was probably among them, looking for an opening, because distance was not a factor for him. How long had he been with her Orb? Apparently long enough to become adept at Teleportation. She was almost jealous. Almost.

"Hah!" Gahi was behind her, so Mhynt swung around and blocked the claw attack with a conjured, circular shield. Gahi's speed forced her to skid back on her platforms, which followed her feet.

"You telegraphed your attack, you dolt!" Mhynt spat. "Who shouts just before they're going to strike?"

"Someone who's totally gonna win and doesn't gotta be careful!"

Mhynt twitched. "Are you seriously doing this right now?"

"I think so. Dunno, feelin' playful."

"Things aren't the same between us anymore, Gahi." Mhynt tilted her blade behind her. "I'm not here to spar."

"Eh?"

Mhynt kicked off of the shadowy platforms and accelerated through a dark vortex. Her blade followed behind, inches from Gahi's chest before he'd vanished again. She looked up; wrong guess. Indigo flames crawled across her eyes and a sharp pain in her chest sent her flying higher. Half-blind, she grabbed at the air and slowed her fall, but another blow sent her plummeting to the ground. She twisted in the air and landed on her back, leaving a small crater from the speed. Clay tiles and dust rained down.

Gahi was shouting something, but he was too far away to hear. Mhynt grumbled, arms crossed in thought. So, he was fast, but his attacks weren't very strong. Typical. He hadn't improved much, it seemed, even if his appearance had changed. And why was he carrying that apple? Was he toying with her?

And that aura of all the Unown in his system was messing with her senses. She wasn't going to be able to find Owen like this. Restraining him, or perhaps even subduing him to find Owen, would be the right plan of action here.

And then Gahi disappeared.

Right. What trick was he doing this time? She couldn't feel him nearby yet, but—

And now she was doing cartwheels across the ground and out of town. Another strike; she didn't even know what it had been this time. His tail? He wasn't this fast before. Not even the Psychic Orb could do that.