Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Retaliation Corporation

Chapter 24: Against all Odds

- Chapter 24: Against all Odds -

The giant's crushing presence consumed them first. Sharp fangs designed to rip through flesh hovered over their tiny bodies. A single bite was more than enough to consume Krista and Glider at once.

Frozen by fear, Glider couldn't will himself to move. It took for Krista to deliver a heavy strike behind his head for him to hit the ground. The giant's body flew over them and landed several feet away. The ground trembled underneath her weight as the Gyarados snaked around to face them. The dirt and mud churned as she charged.

"C'mon!" Krista grabbed Pineno's arm and slung him on her back. "We have to move! Glider!"

The Gyarados lunged again. Krista lunged back, and her foot was just a whisker away from getting caught by the fangs. As she landed, she felt her knee buckle, and she almost fell to the ground. The weight of Pineno and the backpack was already slowing down her movements. She was thankful for her feline reflexes, but it wouldn't save her forever.

(How are we supposed to fight a Gyarados? Do Alpha Pokémon have a weakness?!)

Pineno was still conscious, but the pain he was in made it impossible for him to move. For as long as he was breathing, Gyra wasn't going to give up. Skullzer wasn't going to give up.

The giant turned around to attack again, and Krista was forced to make another lunge to avoid the fangs that made an effort to snap at her. After the Gyarados landed with a heavy crash, the giant pursued her. She was determined to tear Pineno from Krista's back, even if it meant hurting herself.

"Glider!" Krista cried. "I need your help! Please!"

But Glider didn't move from his spot. The horror on his face was too extreme.

She was on her own.

(I just need one minute to get through the bag! The embargo should have worn off by now! If I can slow her down, we might actually stand a chance!)

But she couldn't stop moving. Gyra made her lunge and rammed her head through the ground. Krista panicked as she felt the ground leaving her feet. A massive tail swung her way. The impact pushed the air out of her lungs. She felt Pineno slip from her back.

The tail slammed her to the ground.

Krista rolled to her knees. Pineno was nowhere near her. In a wave of panic, Krista searched. Gyra ignored her and rushed across the field, away from the lake. Pineno had landed several feet away, and he wasn't moving.

"NO!" On all fours, Krista sprinted. With all the effort she could muster, Gyra was just a foot away when Krista took the risky lunge. Her claws almost failed to reach as she slipped and latched on to Gyra's head fin. She scrambled and sunk her fangs into the base. A mouthful of moss and worn scales almost made her gag.

Gyra's cry shot through her ears, and the world snapped backwards. Krista held on with all the strength she could muster as Gyra thrashed in every known direction.

(I have to hold on! Pineno! Run, Pineno! Hide somewhere! You have to move!)

A loud crash boomed through Krista's ears. Gravel and dirt rain down on her. Her body was snapped back again, and the crash was a lot closer.

(She's trying to shake me off! But I'm not…going to…!)

The third crash made her slip. Krista bit down harder. Her gums were screaming for relief.

Sharp pain slammed into her entire body. The pointed edges dug into her flank. She was forced to let go, and she was on the ground. Gyra was free, and she made her lunge towards Pineno.