Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation

Chapter 131 - Half Death

Cresselia smashed through the door to the bathroom and locked eyes with Spice. The only reason the Salazzle wraith wasn't immediately torn to shreds was because of some quick thinking with a black Protect barrier. Instead, whips of pink energy twisted the metal of the tub and left cracks in the wall. All of it passed harmlessly through Darkrai, but even with the Protect, Spice winced as her arms felt numb.

"Wait!" Spice shouted. "I'm not hostile! Talking! I'm talking!"

"Advanced wraiths can talk just fine," Cresselia said as Darkrai scrambled out of the tub, dripping wet as he floated behind her. So startled, he seemed to struggle with just staying off the ground.

But Cresselia wasn't attacking again, and Spice let the barrier down. It took too much energy to keep it up the whole time.

"Sorry for barging in," Spice said. "I won't make any sudden moves."

Cresselia said nothing, keeping an alert stance. Her wings were pulsing with energy, readying another Psychic blast at any act of aggression.

"Why are you here?" she asked, stern, as bubbles started to follow behind Spice. The others were coming.

"We're from Kilo," Spice said quickly. "I look weird, but they look normal. You'll trust them, right?"

"If I can sense their spirits... and they aren't tainted... then fine. But yours... Yours is completely corroded."

Spice winced. So it really did look that terrible, did it? "My name is Salazzle Spice. I am a Heart who helps rescue Pokémon in need. I live with my parents, Anise and Whystle, and I have a sister, Sugar. We run Sugar and Spice. Mostly selling chocolates. There was a big attack from Dark Matter lately, and... hopefully everything is still standing, but we want to go back."

Cresselia glanced at Spice's right, where the bubbles got even bigger. Spice held up a claw to Cresselia, and used her other hand to reach down and pull someone from below.

Angelo gasped for air, sopping wet. "I thought... I was... going to drown!"

Moments later, Brandon's steel form rose up, Angelo sitting on his head. Quickly following was Phol, who only snorted and grumbled at the water, before rising higher to reveal Leo carried under his arm like baggage.

"Why is there a portal in my bathtub?!" Darkrai squeaked.

"Guess it got attracted to your strength, or something," Spice said.

"Then the barrier between the Voidlands and Kilo is weakening..." Cresselia frowned. Upon seeing the other, uncorrupted members of Spice's team, she lowered her guard. "Your auras do not feel tainted. In fact..." She eyed Phol, then Angelo, then Brandon. "I sense blessings from some of you."

"Well, if that's your way of saying we're safe, mind if we dry off?" Brandon asked. "We've got three Fires on the team. The water's probably killing them."

"Don't exaggerate," Phol said.

"Please get me a towel," Leo croaked.

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After assessing the damage to the bathroom, and then drying everyone off, Spice and the others were led into the living room. Cresselia still seemed cautious of Spice, which of course made her self-conscious of every little thing she did, but at least she wasn't killing her on the spot.

"So, it's true," Cresselia finally opened as they all sat, or floated, around a small dinner table. The room was lightly furnished with tables to hold plants, some odd screen in the back of the room, and seats that did not look like they were used very much. Just down the hall was the bathroom, and Darkrai had gone further into another room that smelled of somethings sweet.