Chapter 12: Into the Slumbering Weald
Tom walked ahead of Gloria and Hop as they made their way through the edge of Postwick. His thoughts swirled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. The inconsistencies between this reality and his memories of the games and anime gnawed at him. Hop hadn't started with his Wooloo, and the trio's journey seemed to already diverge from the plot he once knew. It had been so long since Tom arrived in this world, and the details he once took for granted had faded into a hazy jumble.
Regret filled him for not having documented what he remembered, but there was no changing that now. Back then, he had been too cautious, worried someone might find those notes and start asking questions he couldn't answer. Now, all he could do was keep moving forward and adapt. One thing was clear, though—if they didn't head to the Slumbering Weald soon, they might miss the encounter that would set things into motion.
"Hey," Tom said, turning back to Hop and Gloria. "I heard there's a good spot for berries in the Slumbering Weald. Might be worth stocking up for the road. What do you two think?"
Hop's eyes lit up, his competitive spirit surfacing. "Stocking up sounds great! I've heard there are wild Pokémon there that are good for training too."
Gloria nodded, adjusting her bag and glancing at Sobble, who sat contentedly on her shoulder. "Aye, let's do it. It'll be fun tae see what we can find."
They passed through the arched entry to the Slumbering Weald, its ancient trees towering above them like silent sentinels. The air turned cool, and a mist rolled in, curling around their feet and creeping higher as they ventured deeper. A faint trail of disturbed grass caught Tom's attention—the telltale signs of a Wooloo's passage.
"Look at that," Tom said, pointing to the trail. "Something definitely came through here. Let's follow it."
A sudden cry of distress echoed through the trees, unmistakably a Wooloo's bleat. Hop's expression turned serious. "That Wooloo must be in trouble! Let's hurry!"
The group broke into a brisk pace, weaving through the underbrush and tall, dew-dappled grass. The fog thickened, shrouding them in an eerie gray that seemed to distort sound and light. Tom's pulse quickened, the feeling of something ancient and powerful pressing against his awareness.
"Stay close," Tom called, releasing his Galarian Zigzagoon from its Pokéball. The small, agile Pokémon sniffed the air, eyes darting as if sensing an unseen presence.
Suddenly, the fog swirled and parted, revealing two shapes emerging from the gloom. Tom's breath caught in his throat as he recognized the regal forms of Zacian and Zamazenta. Their eyes, sharp and luminescent, seemed to pierce through him. Gloria and Hop stood frozen, wide-eyed with awe.
"Wha-what are those?" Gloria whispered, voice quivering with a mix of fear and wonder.
The two legendary Pokémon stood their ground, muscles tensed, and fur bristling. Zacian's blade-like fur shimmered with an otherworldly glow, while Zamazenta's mane, like a shield, glinted in the half-light. The tension was palpable as the group's Pokémon—Grookey, Sobble, Hoot-Hoot, and Zigzagoon—readied themselves instinctively.
"Zigzagoon, stay sharp but don't attack," Tom said, keeping his voice steady. The legendary Pokémon hadn't moved yet, but their presence felt like the eye of a storm about to break.
Then, as if on an unspoken command, Zacian lunged forward, the edge of its gleaming fur slicing through the air. Grookey's Branch Poke faltered mid-swing, and Hoot-Hoot's eyes, preparing a Hypnosis, went wide as Zacian's attack connected with a blinding speed. A burst of wind rippled outward, sending Grookey tumbling into Hop's arms, dazed and unconscious.
Zamazenta followed, stepping forward with a resounding growl. Its mane surged forward like a crashing wave, impacting Zigzagoon with an unavoidable force. Tom watched helplessly as Zigzagoon crumpled to the ground, eyes closing as it fainted from the sheer impact.
"No way…" Gloria breathed, clutching Sobble as the little Water-type whimpered, too stunned to act. Hoot-Hoot tried to move, but before it could react, Zacian was in front of it, a swift tap sending the bird into a peaceful slumber on the ground.
As suddenly as they appeared, Zacian and Zamazenta retreated into the swirling mist. Their figures melted into the fog, leaving the trainers and their Pokémon lying in the aftermath of their overwhelming power. The air felt lighter, as if the storm had passed.
Tom swallowed hard, recalling his Lycanroc but grateful he hadn't needed to involve it. They were outmatched, and he knew it.
The sound of footsteps and rustling branches announced the arrival of Leon. He pushed through the remaining fog, Charizard flanking him, its orange form casting a reassuring glow. He took in the scene, eyes darting between the unconscious Pokémon and the trainers.
"Are you three alright?" Leon asked, kneeling down to check on Grookey and Hoot-Hoot.
Hop nodded, albeit shakily. "We're fine, but that Wooloo…"
Leon chuckled, holding up a Pokéball. "No worries. I found the Wooloo before it wandered too far. It's safe." He turned to Hop, eyes gleaming with warmth. "How about it, Hop? If you can convince this Wooloo to join you, it's yours."
Hop's face lit up with hope as he approached the Wooloo, speaking softly until the Pokémon nuzzled his hand in response. With a wide grin, Hop held out an empty Pokéball, and Wooloo tapped it with its nose, disappearing into a flash of light.
Tom exhaled deeply as the reality of the encounter settled over him. The road ahead was uncertain, but he knew one thing for sure: this journey was far more complex and mysterious than he had ever imagined.