Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation

Chapter 68 - Quiet

"Big Brother? What happened to Mom?"

Klent wasn't really sure how he wound up in this situation. In some twisted sense of irony, he was the Grass Guardian again, at least temporarily. And not only that, he was taking the form of the very person who had killed him.

He had to admit—he was envious of actually having fingers and claws. But being in such a heavy body was new—not to mention the splitting headache he had, or how strange everything felt. His body was tougher; tough, yet leafy feathers covered every part of his body. Running his foreign claws over his face, he felt that with Star's divine energy fading rapidly, his head was returning to normal. He had eyes again, and proper flesh and blood, and the vines that had once made up his warped form slowly transitioned into something at least vaguely resembling a Charizard's natural insides.

It felt like his entire head had been squished and pressed many times over, and all the other parts of him that had been damaged in the fight—from his arms to his gut—felt like they had been crushed under a thousand Emilys.

Klent only realized a bit later that the reason he was conscious at all was because of the healing waves of a mutant Meganium, in addition to other healer mutants.

"You're... you're Big Brother, right?"

Klent figured that, for now, it would be best to tell a little white lie. "I am," he said. "I'm... sorry, though. I need to rest." Oh, how did Owen talk? He was polite, but informal. He was from a different time. He had no idea how to emulate it. Hopefully the kids wouldn't catch on. "I don't feel like myself. Sorry if I sound strange... I think my body is trying to... go back to normal."

"You do sound funny," Meganium said, frowning. "Are you sure the scary god is gone?"

"She's gone," Klent assured her, raising a claw. "I made sure of that. Star can't fight me in my domain... She just caught me, and all my spirits, by surprise. We didn't think she'd ever do something like that... but now we know better."

The Charizard finally found the energy to sit up. Rim was lying on the ground with countless mutants many times her size huddled around her unresponsive form. Her eyes were half-open, yet empty and unfocused. Her mouth was similarly neutral.

Klent approached and ran the back of his claw along Rim's chin, earning barely a response. "Do you know what happened?" he asked. "Right before she became... like this?"

Klent felt the presence of someone behind him. Owen's Perception was such a strange thing to comprehend. He had flashes of it when he was part of Owen's consciousness, but to experience it firsthand...

The sensations were almost overwhelming, but he could at least discern that it was someone large. Looking back, he confirmed that it was another Charizard—Eon. Klent instantly tensed, but then remembered—yes, Eon couldn't possibly hurt him. Not without risking his Orbs next.

He seemed a bit preoccupied anyway.

"Rim...!" Eon ran past everyone—who instantly parted ways—and scooped the Espurr in his arms. But the gesture couldn't last; his body shifted and shrank until he was just another Espurr, barely able to hold her with his new, tiny arms. "Rim, what—"

"The scary ghost controlling Owen..." One of the mutants sniffled. "These big... scary... white tentacle things... they stabbed Mom, and...!"

"The Hands...?" Eon stared at Rim, wide-eyed. "Rim. Rim, answer me. Rim?"

No response. Her eyes stared at Eon—she focused on him, but she said nothing. But it was a sign that something of her remained.

Eon's huge eyes welled up with tears; he pulled her close, wrapping around her limp body. "Please... Rim, what..."