Chapter 25: Spells.

Everyone is sitting on the sofa in Forest's home: Justin next to Ada, Ada next to Courtney, Courtney to Sylock, Sylock to Ramon, and Ramon to Mesmeren. The elder walks towards them with a purple book in hand, sitting down on a sofa beside them. Mokuri sits on the ground next to him as Forest flips through a couple of pages. He stops, taking one long gaze at the book, lowering his brows. He then looks up at the group. "Do you two have a clue on what Spells are? Any guesses as to what they could be?"

Justin and Ada look at each other for a moment before staring back. "I suppose it relates to Magic type, right?" Ada replies.

"I'm...with Ada on this," Justin follows.

Forest gazes at them, nodding. "You're on the right track…" He glances down at the book. "...Spells." He pauses. "They were books created by Sorcerous to enhance society, further bringing peace to the world of Pokémon. There's eight types of Spells: Transmutation, Immunity, Teleportation, Time, Illusion, Nature, Emotion, and Revival. These were filled with might and unworldliness only expert Sorcerous could use. However, only the Wizlore government could use the Time, Nature, and Revival Spells."

"What do these Spells do?" Ada asks, her hand against her chin. "And how come the Wizlore government are the only ones to use the Time, Nature, and Revival Spells?"

The cane wielding elder looks at her. "These Spells do all kinds of unique, mystical abilities. In fact, there should be a page somewhere that describes them in great detail. Let's see…" Forest flips a couple of pages before stopping. "Ah, here it is. Now then, the first spell, Transmutation, allows the user to...form...ot...in…"

Everyone blinks at the elder in confusion. "What?" they all say, with Mokuri responding in his Pokémon language.

"...Oh right." Forest shakes his head, chuckling. "I forgot that I spilled coffee on the Spells Information page last time I read it." He shows everyone the page, stains coating the words as if they are melting. "And now I'm finding it difficult to read."

Ada puts her hand against her head, shaking it. "Well that's just great." She folds her arms afterwards. "Do you know any of the Spells by memory?"

"Nope." Forest smiles. Ada releases an annoyed grunt, sighing. "Although, I think I know some stuff about Transmutation. It has something to do with letting the user transform themselves and others into anything. Or something related to that."

"Huh...Do you know how someone can use it? As in activating it by any means or…?"

Forest shrugs. "I have no clue. I only know what it does rather than how you can use it." He flips to the page he was originally on. "As for the government question: Those three Spells are by far the deadliest of the eight Spells. Because of what those Spells are capable of, having them fall into the wrong hands will cause nothing but chaos..."

"Hmm…" Ada crosses her legs, her finger resting against her chin as she raises her brow.

The Lopunny stretches her arms out. "By the way, do you have to read the book word for word?" Courtney asks, her head resting on her hands while her elbows lying on her knees. "Couldn't you summarize them in your own words?"

Forest scratches the back of his head. "If I were to do that, I'd have a hard time explaining it."

"But you didn't have a hard time explaining the Transmutation Spell."

"True, but there's bits about it that I might be leaving out...Especially since the Spells Info page is ruined, thanks to me." The elder chuckles, rubbing the back of his book. Sounds of shuffles rise from it, rough and coarse. "I really should get a new copy of Birth of Wizlore, come to think of it."

"Right..." The Lopunny sighs and taps on her chin.

Forest stares back at his book. "Spells were used for many years until humans began abusing them for their own purposes, including those working for the government."

A page is flipped. "Many riots and violence ran rampant across the world, people transforming others into Pokémon or unknown creatures, people disappearing out of thin air, people reviving others from the dead and manipulating the natural habitat itself. This was the cause from the eight powerful Spells. Which led to the revival of Dne."

Ramon gazes off to the ground, lowering his brow. So...humans did all of this? Not only through Magic type, but also through Spells, the Zorua thinks, uncertainty traveling throughout him. He trembles in place. ...I think what my brother and that Arthur guy said about humans...might be-

"H-Hey Ramon," Mesmeren says, interrupting the Zorua's thoughts. She holds her hands together. "Are you okay? You're...shaking."

Ramon comes to a halt, turning his head towards the others: Their attention is on him. The Zorua then releases a sigh, nodding at the group. "I'm fine. Don't worry." He nudges against the sofa.

"You sure?" Justin asks, staring with concern. Ramon gives a small smile, everyone looking at each other in unsureness afterwards.

Forest and Mokuri gaze at the Zorua for a moment, raising their eyebrows before the elder flips another page. "Pauline Phoenix and Vincent Silver utilized these Spells to defeat Dne during the final battle. After the war ended, the Wizlore government destroyed many of the existing Spells so Dne wouldn't return." Forest closes the book afterwards.

Ada rests her finger on her cheek, tilting her head. "I don't get it."

Everyone looks at her. "Oh? What is it that you don't get?" Forest asks.

"Well forest starters, she said she doesn't get this thing called 'It,'" Justin replies before snapping his fingers and giving Forest finger guns, snickering.

Courtney is the first to burst out laughing while Ada, Sylock, and Mokuri glare at the boy. Ramon and Mesmeren stare into utter confusion, with Forest chuckling along the way. "I like you, kid."

Ada folds her arms. "My goodness, Justin: We're talking about your ancestor and Spells here. Be serious, for once!" She scuffs.

The Lopunny covers her lips, smirking. "Nothing wrong with trynna to enlighten the mood, eh? And besides: That Forest joke was bound to happen, at some point." Sylock gradually looks at her.

Were you planning to tell the joke yourself? the Blaziken thinks.

The girl clears her throat. "Anyways, I'm referring to the government's decision to get rid of the Spells. How did they destroy many of them when you have one, Forest? ...Or rather, had one."

Everyone takes their attention back to the elder as he caresses his beard. "...That's simply because I was tasked to guard the last Transmutation Spell by the Wizlore government." He looks at them, lowering his brows and gripping his cane.

Courtney gasps. "You have? ...So that means you're-"

"A Spell Guardian," Forest says, finishing the sentence. "I was given this role after saving Serenity from a raid of criminals, a long while back."

Sylock moves his hands at a certain pattern. "Was that why those humans in suits wanted to talk to you privately?" Forest simply nods at the chicken, Sylock staring off to the side with widened eyes.

Ada leans forward. "What's a Spell Guardian?"

"A Spell Guardian is someone who's tasked by the Wizlore government to protect the last Spell of its kind. It can be a group of Spell Guardians protecting it, or one person like myself." Forest stares at his book. "It doesn't matter what social label we're given, Fault, Sorcerous, or Intellicate: We must protect those Spells at all costs."

"Interesting...But then here's what I don't get." Ada taps on her arm. "Why would the government keep those last remaining Spells alive even after people abused it so much?"

"Ada...has a point there," Ramon says before standing on his four legs. "Shouldn't they get rid of them entirely so those evil humans wouldn't abuse them any further?"

Everyone immediately takes their attention towards the Zorua. "Sorry, those evil what now?" Justin and Ada both say.

"...I-" The Zorua pauses for a moment, sitting back down and curling himself up with his bushy tail. "S-Sorry. I...have no clue why I said that."

Mesmeren's hands shake in place, her fingers nudging against each other, the nerves spiraling. Her lips quiver.

Forest raises his brow at the fox. "I...see then." He sighs. "As for why the Wizlore government doesn't get rid of the Spells entirely: That much, I have no clue on."

Justin puts his hand against his chin. "Don't the book know about that? Maybe?"

Forest shakes his head. "Even the authors of The Birth of Wizlore don't know." He opens the book and turns a page, showing it to everyone. They all lean forward. "While many Spells of their kind were destroyed, the last remaining ones are left untouched: Protected by Spell Guardians, under oaths of the Wizlore government. Why the government chose to keep them alive is a mystery..." Forest looks up at the ceiling for a moment. "Think it said something like that."

Courtney blinks in surprise before pointing at the page. "Yeah, you got that all memorized word for word, Sir," she says. "Somehow."

The elder turns the book around, smirking. "Haha! Looks like my memorization skill is still alive and kicking! ...Somewhat!"

Mokuri smiles at his master. "Aboma!" he shouts, raising his arms up in enthusiasm.

Forest closes the book once again, closing his eyes. "So...anyways." He looks back at the group. "Any other questions on your mind, you two?"

The two teens look at each other for a moment before gazing up at the ceiling, raising their brows and tapping on their chins. Soon, the two shrug. "Got none, as far as I'm concerned," Ada replies. "Although, I still found this as a bizarre decision from the Wizlore government…"

The Lopunny pounces up. "Y'all know there could be a lot of conspiracy theories forming outta this, right?" She slams her fist onto her hand. "Hell, there could already be some right now."

"I'm thinking of one as we speak, fam," Justin says.

Courtney wags her tail in delight. "Oooo!" She rushes in front of the boy, hopping in place. "And what is that, mind if I ask?"

Justin raises his brow at the Lopunny, his back pinning against the sofa. "Uh, I was thinking that maybe the government wanted to create multiple versions of the same Spells again, but couldn't because they don't have the resources to do that. So they formed Spell Guardians to protect the last remaining Spells. That way, this will buy them some time to making more Spells for themselves."

"..." Courtney gives Justin a blank stare before looking away. "Sounds like crap."

"Wha-"

"Why would they want to give Spell Guardians the last remaining Spells IF they themselves wanted to create more of them?" She lifts her hand up. "They might as well keep them Spells to themselves, ya know? Makes more sense than just handing them to random groups, who are most likely out of their sight."

"Oh." Justin scratches the back of his head, chuckling nervously. "Well shit: You made me look like a dumbass, there."

Then Ada chimes in, "I got a conspiracy theory for you, Courtney: The government may have backup Spells this entire time, lying to us all about these Spells being the last remaining ones."

Courtney puts her paw against her chin, staring down at the ground. "Damn...If you put it that way: That sounds most likely to be the case."

The girl points at the rabbit. "Even moreso, considering the fact Justin, Ramon, and I aren't even celebrated for solving the abnormal crime issues in Majestic City!"

"HA!" Courtney puts her hands by her hips, smirking. "The Wizlore government sure are some oddballs, alright."

This Lopunny is an oddball, Nomar says in Ramon's head, giggling. Ramon and Mesmeren stare at the conversation about governmental stuff in complete blankness, eyebrows rising along with eyes blinking without any brakes. Mesmeren turns to the Zorua.

"Do you...know what any of these three are talking about?" she says, caressing her hands in an uneasy manner.

Ramon shakes his head. "Something about...conspiracy theory?" He sighs, lowering his ears. "I have no clue." He tilts his head. "What even is a conspiracy theory, anyways?" He's soon met with the Lopunny close to his face.

"GLAD THAT YOU ASKED, PARTNA!" Courtney shouts.

"S-Some space would be necessary…" Ramon scoots back a little.

"Ahhem: A conspiracy theory is a theory that someone or a group makes on a large organization mabob due to a particular event." Courtney smirks, winking. "Our discussion early was about conspiracy theories relating to the Wizlore government, for instance."

"Oh...Still don't understand it."

Courtney waves her hand up and down. "Oh you'll get it, eventually." The Lopunny then gasps. "Wait a second: Why aren't we asking the guy who works for the Wizlore government if he kno-"

"I just said I don't know," Forest says, cutting off Courtney's sentence.

"But you do work for them as a Spell Guardian, right?" Sylock signs, raising his brow.

Forest points his cane at the Blaziken. "Correct. But the agents that promoted me never told me why the last Transmutation Spell didn't get destroyed, no matter how many times I asked them. In fact, they told me that they don't know!" He strokes his beard. "Somehow, I doubt that."

Courtney snaps her fingers. "HA! Even he knows that the conspiracy theories are legit!"

"I never said I agree with them, but okay." The elder chuckles along with Courtney, Justin, and Ada. Soon, things go quiet for a moment before Forest continues to speak. "By the way, who were those groups we dealt with earlier?" he asks the two teens, frowning.

"They're Team Conjure. We told you about them before we fought them," Ada says, scratching the side of her head.

"Wait, you did?"

"...Yes."

"...Huh." Forest looks off to the side. "I suppose my memorization skill isn't there, after all." He shakes his head. "Anyways...I want you two to stop Team Conjure from gathering all of the eight Spells...Or else-" he pauses for a moment, looking at the setting sun. "Something sinister will happen…"

Silence. Pure and utter silence after those very words. Everyone looks at each other, chills climbing up their spines, especially for Mesmeren's case. She tucks her head as much as she can, trembling behind her hands.

Once the two teens exchange their gazes, they look back at the elder and nod. "We'll stop them," the two say.

Forest stares at the two for a moment before nodding back. "Good to know." He gets up from his sofa. "Unfortunately, I'll have to go call the Wizlore government and...tell them about the news. So my room will be off limits for the time being." He turns towards a hallway leading to two bedrooms and a bathroom: The bathroom on the right side, the first bedroom on the same side, and the second on the left. "They...probably know by now, considering the importance of this village. But still, I'll let them know. It's a protocol for us Spell Guardians, after all."

"I see," Ramon says. "That...probably won't go well, I'd imagine."

Courtney sits back down next to Sylock, crossing her legs. "An important item was taken away from him by some random group. What do ya think?" she states.

"U-Um, not to interrupt the conversation or anything, b-but-" Mesmeren lifts her finger up as it shakes in place. "Where do we sleep?"

Everyone remains silent for a moment.

Justin claps his hands together. "That's a good ques-"

"You can rest here, for now. You have my permission," Forest says, interrupting Justin while walking down the hallway.

"Annnd there's our answer."

"Can we sleep on the sofas here, or in Courtney and Sylock's room?" Ramon asks. The elder points to the second bedroom as he puts a hand onto his room's doorknob.

"Ah swe-"

"Sorry: Y'all will have to sleep on the sofas," Courtney says, cutting Justin off early.

"And why's that?" Ada asks, folding her arms.

Courtney simply points to Sylock beside her. "He isn't as relaxed with y'all as I am. Basically not used to someone being in the same room as him. Besides me, anyways."

Sylock closes his eyes, snarling while signing at a steady pace. "I. Have. My. Reasons."

Ada, Justin, Mesmeren, and Ramon stare at the Blaziken with uncertainty. "Noted," both Ada, Justin, and Ramon say while the Drowzee looks away.

As the group is about to get off the couch, Ramon shouts, "Wait!" Everyone takes their attention towards him. "There's one more thing I wanted to ask Justin and Ada about. I forgot to mention it during our stay at Majestic City."

Ada scratches the side of her head. "That is?"

"Why did that Conjure member's move hurt me so much?"

"Um...which Conjure member?" Ada raises her brow.

"The one from three days ago when we were saving Mesmeren."

Courtney tilts her head. "Y'all saved this Drowzee from that group?" Justin, Ada, Ramon, and Mesmeren nod at the Lopunny. She puts her hands behind her head. "Huh. Should've known them Conjure fellas kidnap some mons, too."

"Y-Yeah…" Mesmeren shifts in place, twirling her fingers around each other.

Ramon takes his attention back to Ada. "Anyways, I remember you getting injured by his move too, but got up as if it barely scratched you."

Mesmeren pokes her fingers together. "And then there's me feeling a ton of pain from that water-like move earlier."

Ramon turns towards Mesmeren, pointing at her with his tail. "This too."

"Oh. Well it's very simple: You and her are weak against Magic moves," Ada states.

Ramon and Mesmeren tilt their heads. "Hmm?" the two say.

Ada scratches the tip of her nose. "It slipped Justin and I's minds when we were talking about Sorcerous with you. Our apologies." She remains on the sofa. "Magic type is super effective against Dark, Psychic, and Fairy type, if I recall correctly. Magic type also takes neutral damage from itself along with other types outside of those three."

"Oh...So that's why those Magic moves hurt me more than it hurt you," Ramon concludes, staring off to the side. "Interesting…"

"Funnily enough: Magic is also weak against those three types I mentioned. Hence why that trainer's Gothitelle did a real number on me with her Psychic move."

"Huh...Any reason why that's the case?"

Ada shrugs. "None, as far as I'm concerned."

This whole Magic type thing or whatever is quite bizarre, don't you think? Nomar says, echoing throughout Ramon's mind.

Agreed...

"Wait, you've gotten beaten up before?" Courtney asks. Ada nods, Courtney tilting her head and folding her arms with intrigue. "How tough was she?"

Ada releases an exhausting sigh. "Very: She kept dodging my Mystical Projectiles, moved incredibly fast, and then got me to use my shield three times before flinging me around with Psychic."

Courtney widens her eyes. "Daaamn, what a relentless opponent she was."

"Agreed." Ada then gasps and looks at Ramon. "Oh right: Sorcerous could only use their Mystical Shield three times. After the third, they can't use it again until the battle is over."

"Why does the move function in that way?"

Ada shakes her head. "Again, I have no clue why other than the fact it's something all Sorcerous deals with when it comes to having a Magic type."

"I...see then."

Soon, Courtney and Sylock walk towards their bedroom door as nighttime fully arrives. Everyone else sleeps on the couch, with Mokuri waiting by his master's room for him to finish his report.

. . .

Two Zoruas rest on a large boulder, gazing at the sunset. The white flowers around them shift to the side, the wind whispering along the way. Nomar lies his head against Ramon's, closing his eyes before smiling.

"It's almost as if all of this is real…" Nomar nudges against the fox. "The boulder, the flowers, and the wind blowing against them as I rest against your head." He snickers. "It's such a familiar feeling...A sense of...sweet home, in a way."

The red Zorua looks at Nomar. "I see…"

The blue Zorua then opens his eyes, lowering his ears. "It's depressing that all of this...isn't real." Nomar blinks before shaking his head. "I mean, in a sense where the surroundings are made of your imaginations. But I myself am real and manage to be within your imaginations…" Ramon looks at Nomar with a plain expression, tilting his head. Nomar sighs and shakes his head, poking Ramon's tuff. "You get what I mean, silly!"

Ramon chuckles softly. "I think so?"

Soon silence began to arrive, a pond in front of the two swishes as it gleams from the sun's reflection. The two foxes stare down at the pond, the reflection beginning to disappear from it. "...Hey brother," Nomar closes his eyes a little. "Do you believe what I'm doing is right?"

Ramon raises his brow at the Zorua, flickering his ears. "...Yes? Why did you ask?"

Nomar remains silent for a moment, nothing but the tiny waves from the pond can be heard. He then looks back at Ramon, smiling while closing his eyes. "Just wondering, that's all." He sighs. "I've noticed how concerned you've been about my decisions, and it made me feel unsure about it at first." He nuzzles against the Zorua. "Good to know that you believe in me."

Ramon gazes at Nomar, smiling back in a slow manner. "Yeah…" He looks back at the pond. "I'm still curious about this Yvonne guy, though. The things he's written in the journal and...whoever the subject was that succeeded in Project Transvi-"

Nomar pats Ramon on the back with his tail. "Don't worry about it. I'm certain that it has nothing to do with your past, considering those humans kidnapped you and all."

"Understandable, but...I'm curious if that subject is somewhere out there. Whoever it is," Ramon says, looking up at the sky. Nomar remains silent, the wind blowing at the two foxes with serene.

"Perhaps we can find them once you revive me, Ramon."

"Thanks…"

More silence arises until Nomar continues speaking. "One more thing I want to tell you before you eventually wake up…" Nomar turns towards the Zorua. "You were right about humans earlier. Don't feel bad about it." Ramon gives the shiny Zorua an neverending gaze, lips remaining sealed. He then nods at him, receiving a hug from Nomar afterwards. "Everything will be fine. I promised."

Ramon looks off to the side, closing his eyes before sighing.

. . .

The sun shines down at Ramon and the others outside, with Justin and Ada stretching themselves out. Forest walks towards Courtney and Sylock, smiling at the two as Mokuri stands by him like a bodyguard. Some of the dojo students are also outside, staring at the group. "You two worked so hard in my tournament yesterday. Training to the best of your abilities, and even inspiring other students in my dojo around you."

"You're absolutely cool, Tombun!" one Beedrill student says, flying around in place.

"Same here!" another student says, being the teen Courtney faced in the tournament.

Courtney gazes at the rest of the students before smiling, waving her paw up and down. "D'aww, thanks y'all."

The elder sighs. "I apologize to the two of you for not reaching the final round because of that terrorist group."

Courtney pats the elder on his back. "It's fine. Granted, I was hoping to fight Sylock in the final round, but I suppose that time wasn't meant to be," she says while Sylock shrugs.

"I would've pummel you, for sure," he signs before smirking.

The Lopunny smirks back. "Looks like someone already believes he's won the tournament." Her, Sylock, Forest, and the students all burst out into laughter, with Courtney covering her mouth. Soon, she puts her hands behind her head. "Anyways, while it's mighty sad that this fighting tournament crumbled down into dust, at least I'm confident about this next decision of mine."

"Oh?" The elder caresses his beard, his cane behind his back. "I think I have a hunch on what that could be. But do tell me."

The rabbit slams her fist onto the palm of her hand. "I want to travel with Ramon to Glory Pride City." She presses her hand against her chest, closing her eyes. "There's a worldwide fighting tournament taking place there, and I want to participate in it." She stares back at the elder. "I believe winning that there tourney would let the world know I'm the strongest Lopunny ever to live on this planet!" Her hands rest on her hips as she smiles. "I can see myself inspiring all the Lopunnys around the world to become confident at reaching their goals in life."

Forest blinks for a moment, looking at Mokuri for a moment before smiling back. "Quite the intriguing goal there, Courtney. I'm rooting for you to be the best you can possibly be. However-" he puts his hands behind his back. "Don't become too confident in yourself. It can lead to results that won't be in your favor, and decisions you'll soon regret making."

Courtney waves her hand up and down. "Oh I got this in the bag. Besides, I gained interest in that Ada girl. Her strength is definitely something during that fight against those Conjure fellas." The Lopunny gives Ada a thumbs up while winking. "I believe that training with you will help me further prove to everyone I'm not the feminine type of Lopunny."

Forest nods. "If you insist, then."

The girl looks at the Lopunny. "Training, you say?" Ada cracks her fists, Mesmeren yelping from the sounds. "I wouldn't mind having another training partner with me, then. This would also explain why you haven't left with Mrs. Phoenix and others to Glory Pride City."

"Haha, yeah." Courtney elbows against Forest, him chuckling in response. "Although, I was in the middle of a dojo tournament so that's why I couldn't leave yet. Plus I wanted to look after the village. Up until now, anyways."

"Understandable."

"U-Um, sorry to interrupt but: A-Are her fingers alright!?" the Drowzee says, pointing at Ada's fingers and shivering.

"Hmm?" Ada looks at her. "Oh my fingers are fine. Knuckles cracking is normal and harmless to humans." She wiggles her fingers, lacking any discomfort on her face. "See?"

Mesmeren perks up. "O-Oh…"

Sylock walks towards the elder, moving his hands in place. "I'll go with her, Sir." Forest takes his attention towards him. "I want to make sure she's safe at all costs..." He looks off to the side. "I-"

"I understand, Sylock. You don't have to explain your reasoning, any further," the elder says, smiling afterwards.

Sylock gazes at him for a good while, eyes shaken with guilt. He forms a fist and nods. "Thank you, Master Forest."

Ramon raises his brow at the interactions. That's bizarre, he thinks. He then stretches himself out, yawning. "You two can come with us. What do you three think?" he asks Justin, Ada, and Mesmeren.

The three look at each other for a moment before nodding. "They seem like chill peeps. So yeah, fam," Justin approves. "Although, Courtney's motive sounds a little specific to me."

The Lopunny raises her brow, folding her arms. "And what might be so specific about it?"

Justin scratches the side of his head. "I mean...Well...Uh-" Justin claps his hands. "Carrots."

Courtney simply glances at him. "Are you saying that cuz I'm a Lopunny, boy?"

"I am climbing out of this deep hole before it gets deeper, fam."

Everyone starts laughing at the two, Mesmeren blinking for a moment before softly giggling herself. Forest then nods at the group, smiling once more. "That settles it then. I'm happy for the decision you and Sylock made, and wished for the two of you good luck on your journeys!"

"Wait!" Courtney shouts. Ramon and the others stop in their tracks from exiting the village, Courtney giving a look of concern to Forest. "Will the dojo get renovated? Will everything here be alright?" She shifts her scabbard. "Will y'all be fine without me and Sylock?"

"Mokuri and I got things under control from here on. Plus, I'll let the Wizlore government know if anything drastic happens here again."

Courtney stares at Forest for a moment, holding her hands together and pushing them against her chest. She then nods and smiles. "Alright then."

Soon, everyone waves at Forest, Mokuri, and the other dojo students, walking towards a nearby forest. "Take care, everyone!" Ada shouts. Everyone at the village says their goodbyes as well, with Forest simply keeping his smiles up. The group walks past a sign: 'Now Entering Gloomy Woods.'