Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Retaliation Corporation

Chapter 8: Trust your Gut

- Chapter 8: Trust your Gut -

If there was a dictionary with the word "Mightyena", Dusk would be the photographic example.

The wrinkles on his muzzle, the snarl, the claws of his paws firm on the ground…he was the true definition of his species. Krista didn't notice it before, but the Mightyena before her had been in countless battles. His fur was shiny and healthy, but she could see the few scars the fur could not cover. And his eyes—his eyes held so much fury, he made Howler look tame. Every strand of fur on Krista's body was rising, but her body wouldn't move.

(No! No!)

Her mind kept screaming the same thing. From the moment Dusk made his declaration, it was the one word playing on loop in her head. She took another step back as his red eyes fell on her.

(No! No! NO!)

It vanished. Dusk face had relaxed. Krista was sure that if she blinked, she would have missed the change.

"Hm, yes. I think I know just how much we need to work on," Dusk said, his tone a stark contrast compared to how it was just a moment ago. "My first tip to you: Do not give in to your impulses, Meowth. Listen to your logic."

(What?) Krista was far more confused by his attitude shift than what he just told her. (Talk about taking an about-face! What was that?)

Dusk sniffed at her, which made Krista step back in response. "Hmm. You are naturally afraid of me, because of our ancient rivalry. Do not let that primal fear claim you when you know I am not a threat to you."

Ancient rivalry? Canines and felines were always opposing forces, but it meant nothing at that moment. Krista knew it couldn't have been her instincts that made her pull back. Dusk looked half an inch away from snapping his fangs at her face—she was sure. Her fear wasn't irrational. Anyone would react the same way.

"As it seems, you have much to learn about yourself before you can venture far beyond the complex walls," he said. "From what I've seen so far, you behave almost as a transformed Ditto would. Anyone else would miss it if they didn't have good eyes; You are disconnected from your body."

Disconnected?

To hear it from Dusk was just another blow against her spirit. Was it that obvious?

"Relax your muscles. Your paws are too tense," Dusk instructed.

Krista took a look at them. She couldn't understand what he could possibly mean. They didn't feel tense, but she knew Dusk told her that for a reason

So she focused on relaxing her paws. At first, she wasn't sure how it would be possible when she didn't feel any form of strain. But then, she figured it would be similar to releasing an object held between her fingers. She just had to let it go.

The claws sheathed. Krista gasped.

"Oh, wow! You did it, Krista!" Pineno cheered.

The claws! They were gone! She tilted and flipped her paws in front of her face. It was such a small action, but the visual difference was large. Just by patting her face, she was able to take in just how soft her paws truly were.

"Ah, see? Must feel nice, doesn't it?" Dusk asked. "Now, I need you to be able to bring them out again. Don't think too much of it. It's as simple as stretching and reaching for something."

Reaching? Like stretching her fingertips?

The claws were back out. Krista almost held her breath. She relaxed her paws afterwards, and the claws were sheathed once again. She repeated the motion, watching as they surfaced and vanished on command.