Chapter 5: Magically Divined

Ash sat with Linze and Elze in learning the language of the world while Pikachu watched on. "Oh, so this talks about the monsters and where they live," Ash awed.

"Indeed, and the bestiary can help if you're looking for parts on jobs," Linze mentioned.

"And new entries are offered for every new adventure," Elze added.

"Not to mention that I'm learning about some of these places including pronouncing Eashen," Ash pointed out. "Wolves, dragons, slimes… I know there are Dragon Pokémon, but the others I can only imagine what they look like." He looked to find the sisters quivering. It confused Ash and Pikachu. "What's up?"

("Why are you acting like that?") wondered Pikachu. Linze and Elze struggled to ease themselves.

"Don't bring up slimes so casually," Linze trembled. "I don't want to think of my clothes being destroyed again." Ash and Pikachu blinked before they had an image of Linze, Elze, Yumina and Sue covered by bubblish transparent globs eating away at their clothes. Their screams of panic as more and more skin was exposing. Ash gawked before whacking his head and shaking it rapidly that he could give himself whiplash.

"Too soon!" he screamed repeatedly. The sisters saw Ash's reaction and awed.

"Wow, he really is as innocent as Pikachu," Elze teased.

"Don't make fun of it, sister!" warned Linze. "Could you picture Ash being attacked by them and his clothes melt?"

"Touya, sure," Elze compared. "But Ash? Not unless he does something that he deserves it." Ash sighed while Leen and Yae watched from the entrance.

"It's so nice that Linze and Elze are offering Ash a chance to read," Yae praised.

"It may be," Leen muttered. "His innocent face after his thoughts on the slimes attacking those two is funny." Yae sighed, not seeing the same humor as Leen.

"You know, it's weird that you and Touya have these handheld devices," Elze pointed out. "Touya with his smartphone, you with your PokéDex…"

"But your devices aren't the same," Linze pointed out. "We still don't understand all of the functions on Touya's smartphone, but your device is a little more straightforward."

"Hold on," Ash started to realize. "Did you want me to show you more of what my Dex does?"

"Could you?" replied Linze. "We might find something in there that we would like." Ash giggled before bringing his Dex out to give to Linze. She pressed a button that brought the flap covers up to show the buttons and screen. She pressed a button to start with Ash appearing on the screen.

"HELLO, I AM DEXTER, A POKÉDEX DESIGNED FOR ONE ASH KETCHUM OF PALLET TOWN," it computed. "I AM THE DIGITAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF POKÉMON, CONTAINING OVER 200 TYPES. IF I WERE TO GET LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED, I CANNOT BE REPLACED."

"Wait, this works as an identification device?" guessed Elze.

"It has to be," Linze believed. "How else was it able to register Pikachu when Touya pointed the device at him?" Ash looked around for a couple of seconds, finding no one else around.

"Speaking of Touya," he brought up. "Where did he disappear to?" Elze giggled to Ash's curiosity.

"He's possibly seeing someone of his own personal regard," she replied. In a new land in the sky, Touya sat by a short table with two grown adults. One was an old gray-haired man in square glasses while wearing a brown robe over a tan robe. The other was a young pink-haired woman wearing a white dress held up by one shoulder strap over her left. She also wore a gold necklace, gold belt and gold rings on her wrists and ankles while her feet wore sandals and straps laced to her knees. Touya handed the old man his smartphone with Ash and Pikachu on the screen.

"Oh, they're such cuties!" she cooed. Touya shyly giggled to the woman's shrills.

"Goddess, I can understand your excitement," the old man acknowledged. "Still, this is quite a discovery… and you say they arrived the same way I accidentally killed you back around Tokyo?"

"That's what they're claiming," Touya replied. "Already, a lot has happened. Ash and Sueshie seemed to have fallen for each other just as they met."

"Oh, love at first sight!" the goddess cheered. "Already, the fireworks are ready to ignite!"

"It's tough for me to say, myself," the old man sighed.

"God, what do you mean?" wondered Touya.

"This is out of my hands, per se…" the god started. "The new boy and rodent have already fluctuated your future." The goddess nodded to the god's word.

"God's right," she agreed. "You were originally designated to have nine wives and, Sueshie Ernea Ortlinde was one of them. Because Ash is in the picture, aside from the one on your smartphone, you're projected to lose her to him." Touya scoffed to the goddess's concern.

"That's actually fine," he excused. "And it makes it a lot easier not to have two family members love me at the same time."

"That's right!" the god realized. "Yumina Ernea Belfast and Sueshie are cousins. However, there's still the twins, Linze and Elze Silhoueska."

"They're my problems right now," Touya offered. "It's nothing to really panic over."

"Unlike other entities that have appeared," the god spoke up. He turned to the television set and turned it on. When it showed picture, Touya eyed something that made him irk. Inside a castle, Yumina and Sue had a wondrous time with four adults. Sue was with a tall chestnut brunette wearing a sky-blue dress and silver crown-like tiara. Yumina was with a tall and voluptuous blond woman wearing a purple and white dress with an enlarged stomach.

"You met a new boy you fell in love with?" the brunette wondered. "I thought you'd be with Touya alongside your cousin."

"I thought so too, Mom," Sue shrugged. "But, meeting Ash, I want him instead!"

"My goodness, Sueshie," the older blond chuckled as a tall blond mustached man approached Sue and the brunette. He wore a white trench coat with red outlines at the bottom and shoulder guards. Under it was beige trousers and an ascot over a blue shirt. "Your mother is trying to keep up with your updates."

"Queen Yuel has a point, my daughter," he pointed out. "There's plenty of excitement processing with Yumina's role of being a big sister to Yuel's new child coming soon." The blond woman giggled while Yumina stood by her. "So, who is this new boy that you have been this joyous about?"

"Uncle Alfred, may I?" offered Yumina. The blond man turned to Yumina, his interest still piqued.

"Sure, Niece," he allowed.

"While I'm still staying by Touya, Sue is after the new boy named Ash Ketchum," Yumina clarified. Sue nodded, confirming Yumina's introduction. "He comes from a new land of creatures and has a few of his own." The brunette seemed highly interested to the name.

"Ash Ketchum…" she repeated. "At least he doesn't sound like he's from Eashen. Where is he from? I heard that you said that he's from a new land." Yumina nodded to confirm the brunette's recalling.

"He says that he's from Pallet Town," she answered. Alfred cupped his chin.

"I know a lot of the Belfast Kingdom and its surrounding nations," he thought. "But I'm well aware that there's no town named Pallet, and I doubt Tristwin would have a clue about it himself." The pregnant blond wasn't too concerned about the detail.

"My husband would be in the same carriage as you," she agreed. "Still, I believe Ellen and I would like to see this Ash Ketchum."

"I definitely would myself," the brunette giggled. "But are you sure, Yuel? I know you're due shortly with your second child, and that you haven't moved all that well in recent weeks…"

"It's a carriage ride, so I doubt it would be an issue," Yuel encouraged. Alfred seemed eager to meet Ash.

"The more you talk about him, the more I feel as if I need to see him for myself," he voiced.

"Alfred, dear," Ellen voiced. "Are you sure about this? From all we know, he's not as special as Touya is."

"It's okay, Aunt Ellen," Yumina promised. "I'm sure you'll find his Pikachu exciting." Ellen pondered about the visit.

"I can also inform Tristwin about the visit and assure Yuel's safety," Alfred acknowledged.

"My husband can be understandable," Yuel believed. Yumina and Sue were eager to show Ash and Pikachu to their parents. Back at the mansion, Touya returned and found Ash and Pikachu with the other girls.

"Is everything in order?" asked Linze.

"Yeah, it's all good," Touya mentioned. He had a nervous giggle. 'Those guys in the tacky uniforms are something Ash needs to be kept quiet about… and that living pink… thing putting goblins to sleep by singing…' Everyone noticed Touya's discomfort.

"Are you sure everything's in order?" doubted Elze.

"It's all good," Touya reassured. "What about you?" Ash looked to Linze who held Pikachu in her arms.

"I showed them my PokéDex and what I've found on my journey and who I have back in Pallet," he said. "Yae seemed to like Scyther, Hildegard with Skarmory, Leen with Butterfree… though, no one appreciated that I have Muk back home, even after I explained that he's a big softie." Touya became curious as the girls shivered in discomfort.

"Muk?" repeated Touya. Ash pulled out his Dex and showed Touya a massive purple sludge with a face that looked to be coming out of a bog.

"MUK, THE SLUDGE POKÉMON," Dexter computed. "MUK IS THE EVOLVED FORM OF GRIMER. MUK LEAVES A TRAIL OF POISONOUS SLUDGE THAT CAUSES ANYTHING IT TOUCHES TO ERODE AND DIE." Touya gulped at the information.

"And you have one!?" wondered Touya.

"Yeah, but what I soon learned from Professor Oak is that the kinder you treat Muk, the less he smells and the kinder it becomes to you," Ash added. "Heck, it's a wonder why he affectionately smothers Professor Oak a lot." Touya looked like he wasn't sure to believe Ash.

"Aside from that," Elze spoke. "When we asked about magic, Ash seemed interested to learn, mainly the 'GATE' spell." Touya awed the thought.

"If I could learn Gate, I might find a way back to my friends," Ash plotted.

"Hey, absolutely!" cheered Touya. "But first, we need to see if you have any affinities to magic." Ash blinked to the thought.

"Affinities?" he repeated.

"It goes like this," Linze voiced. "Aside from Null Magic, there are six different affinities of magic: Fire, Wind, Water, Earth, Light and Dark." Ash and Pikachu awed the concept.

"Okay!" accepted Ash. "Is there a way to know what affinities I have?"

"There is," Touya answered. "Linze, you still have those stones?" Linze nodded. They had a table brought out where Linze spilled seven colored stones onto it. There was a red stone, a blue stone, a brown stone, a green stone, a yellow stone, a violet stone and a gray stone.

"Let me get this straight," Ash pondered as Kohaku joined on the table. "These are magic stones?"

"That's right, Ash," Kohaku confirmed. "Their colors coordinate with their affinity." Pikachu looked to the stones and picked the yellow one to give to Ash.

"You want Ash to try the Light Stone?" guessed Elze. Pikachu squeaked to confirm. He handed the stone to Ash who held it with his thumb and index finger.

"So, what do I need to do?" he asked.

"Try saying, 'Come forth, Light!'," instructed Linze. Ash looked to the stone before steeling himself.

"Come forth, Light!" he commanded. The stone reacted by blinding everyone. After a minute, the light faded. "Did I do it wrong?"

"No, it's telling us that you have the Light," Kohaku corrected. Ash and Pikachu awed the outcome. Ash put the Light Stone down, but Pikachu picked it up. Touya and Kohaku were interested to seeing if Pikachu had the affinity.

("Come forth, Light!") he copied. Still, nothing happened. Pikachu looked like he was about to cry when Elze picked him up, humored to his chance.

"Hey, if it makes you feel better," she spoke. "I have no affinities. All six rejected me."

("I bet that's harsh,") Pikachu sighed. Just then, three new animals came by. There was a jet black snake coiled around a green turtle with a spiky blue carapace. There was also a yellow bird that had orange feathers at the tips of the wings, feather-like horns on the head and seven feather-like tails.

"Master, when were you going to let us see the new guests?" the snake hissed. Everyone turned to see the new creatures.

"Oh, sorry, guys!" apologized Touya. The animals landed on the table for Ash and Pikachu to observe. "I wanted to show you soon enough."

"At least we can see who came for ourselves," the bird cawed. Ash and Pikachu awed who came by.

"Are they more of the Divine Beasts like Kohaku?" guessed Ash.

"They are," Touya confirmed as the bird flew to his shoulder. "This is Kougyoku. The ones in front of you: the snake is Kokuyou and the turtle is Sango." Ash and Pikachu awed the sightings of the other Divine Beasts.

"And is this another Divine Beast?" Kokuyou wondered as it looked to Pikachu. "Because I only recall four of us."

"No, Pikachu's not a Divine Beast, Kokuyou," Kohaku denied. "There's a long explanation to it."

"But right now," Linze spoke. "We're trying to see what affinities Ash has." Sango turned to Ash.

"Oh, this human?" she spoke. Ash picked up the Dark Stone.

"Now, I'm starting to wonder about any darkness within me," he wondered. "Come forth, Dark!" The Dark Stone reacted, coating Ash in a veil of shadows.

"2-for-2," Lucia counted. "Maybe this is another Touya!" Elze itched her head rather embarrassingly.

"At least Touya won't feel alone," she muttered. Ash put the Dark Stone down before picking up the Fire Stone.

"One of my passions is fire," he recalled. "And who knows, third time can be the charm." Taking a breath, he focused on the stone. "Come forth, fire!" This time, the stone reacted as flames engulfed Ash.

"Talk about true to his word!" gasped Linze. Ash wasn't being hurt by the fire.

"Okay!" he laughed. "It makes me glad we're outside!" Soon, the flames died down.

"Well, that's one affinity," Elze smiled. Ash now picked up the Water Stone.

"I might see Misty with Water Magic," he pondered. "Come forth, water!" The stone reacted and streams of water swirled around Ash.

"Alright, two affinities!" counted Lucia.

"And with that, he and Pikachu could be the dynamic duo to do damage to any enemy," Leen plotted. The water died down.

"After all of that, we're seeing promising results," Touya awed as Ash picked up the Wind Stone.

"I shouldn't feel overconfident," Ash murmured before focusing. "Come forth, wind!" The stone reacted and gusts of wind blew all over. Linze, Lucia, Renne, Charlotte and Hildegard held their skirts down.

"Part of me is glad Sue's not here," Kohaku sighed. After the winds died down, Ash itched his head.

"I didn't do that on purpose," he apologized as he picked up the Earth Stone.

"Well, this is the last one," Sango pointed out. Ash could wish that it was enough.

"I'm actually satisfied, but one more couldn't hurt," he smiled. "Come forth, Earth!" The stone activated where sand swirled around him like the water beforehand. Everyone was a bit stunned that all six affinities worked for Ash.

"Earth, fire, wind, darkness, light and water!" listed Lucia.

"That's awesome!" cheered Ash as he saw Pikachu pick up the unknown stone. "What about the one Pikachu has?"

"Right, that's the Null Stone," Touya pointed out. "Null Magic isn't associated with the other six."

"Oh, it's its own class?" wondered Ash.

"Yes," Linze pointed out. "Null Magic works to the one using it to increase one's power or decrease an opponent, or other functions."

"Like Gate for one?" guessed Ash.

"Yup!" agreed Elze as she showed her ring. "Watch this…" A barrier formed around Elze. "BOOST!" After a flash, Elze dashed to Ash, moving faster than before. She stopped in front of Ash.

"Whoa, you were moving pretty fast!" he awed.

"Boost actually does more than increase movement," Touya voiced. "It also increases strength." Ash and Pikachu awed the details. Pikachu tried to use the other stones to see if he had any affinity. After trying them all, nothing worked. Pikachu felt sad. "We can see if you can learn Null Magic." Ash agreed before they heard the carriage's wheels. All turned, seeing the carriage. Could it be the royal family coming to visit?

TO BE CONTINUED…

(I want to give a shout-out to all of the athletes who competed in the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris. You guys were amazing out there. Here's hoping for more in Los Angeles in 2028. Lastly, I want to give my condolences to, not just the Lillis family, but the Pokémon families after the passing of Rachel who voiced Misty and Jessie. Au revoir et merci beaucoup, Rachel)