Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Hands of Creation

Chapter 71 - Leaders and Followers

The Fighting Realm always amused Star. It was comprised of several, gigantic rooms, each one big enough to fly in for even the largest Pokémon. Luminous Orbs dotted the ceiling to keep things bright and several strange machines lined the room. Similar strange devices filled Kilo Village in certain areas to help Pokémon train—extra-durable sandbags, treadmills, heavy weights, metal bars, even stairways that seemed to go on forever.

Manny called it his personal fitness center.

With Manny, Azu, Verd, Roh, and Yen out, though, Star had to look for another familiar face instead. The only ones that she could think of were Doll or Elbee. Where did they usually work out?

Countless Pokémon utilized the machines, all of them muscular, lithe, or fit as any Pokémon that Star could ever see. Mutant spirits and normal spirits alike exercised together, and for just a moment, Star smiled slightly. If there was one thing she could appreciate, it was their attention to fitness.

...Even if, as spirits, it hardly mattered. The most it would have was an effect on their perseverance, Star figured; somehow, this helped them, though she never asked Manny how, or why. Perhaps it was just one of those odd things he liked to do.

Rectangular screens hung from the ceiling near the corners for easy viewing, depicting another part of the Fighting Realm—an arena, where two Pokémon sparred with one another.

A wistful sigh was all that accompanied her vacant expression for a moment, lasting long enough for one of the nearby Pokémon to tap her on the shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"A-ah! Oh! Hi! Sorry." Star shook her head, turning around. "I'm actually looking for—oh! I was looking for you!"

Standing behind Star was a Cacturne, frowning with concern. "Is something going on? Where's Manny?"

"He should be fine. But I've come here to warn the others. I went over to try to see Owen, first, but some things came up, and—look, I just need to take over Manny's body for a second. That alright? He can pull me out when he's back, but I need to take over the way Yen usually does."

"Hrmm... well, alright." She still didn't seem convinced, but Star couldn't blame her. Their Guardian was gone for longer than he should have been. A pang of anger surged through her—she told them not to leave their realms. Not only did it weaken their bodies, but Hecto might have had trouble bringing them back. Just like Amia... whatever happened to her.

Star, getting distracted again, earned a worried prod from Doll.

"H-huh? Oh, sorry. I think I'll head to his Core now, so—"

"Doll!" a Samurott called, marching over. "What's Star doing over?" A flash of concern, and then she drew from her foreleg one of her blades. "Is Manny okay? Who do I have to fight?"

"No, no, nothing like that," Star quickly said, raising her paws.

She reluctantly sheathed her blade.

"Good to see you. Yeah, I just need to go to Manny's Core for a second and take over. I gotta relay a message to the others, and fast."

By now, various other fitness enthusiasts of the realm had taken a break on their exercise regimen to listen in on the conversation. Star, realizing that if she took any longer, there'd be a danger of Step and the others getting to them first, flew past both of them. "Core's in the same spot, right?"

"W-wait, hang on!" Doll shouted; the Cacturne and Samurott ran after, and then beside Star. "What exactly is happening? Manny said for us to guard the place, so what for?"

"Probably from the wraiths," Star said.

"The—w-wait, those things are back?" Doll's thorns glowed. "But I thought Anam sealed them off from appearing in Dungeons again?"