Magic & Transvolution

Chapter 22: Serenity.

Justin sets his hands behind his head. "Yeah. There's like four we've befriended, with two of them being Intellicates."

"I see..." Mesmeren pokes her lips. "So what happened to them? Why aren't they with you?"

"Well...It started with Merlin providing us news about the Prospective Institute and..." Justin explains the rest of the Synchronic incident, the tapir looking down.

"Oh...I-I'm sorry for asking. I..." The Drowzee looks away, stroking her arm. The group stops, taking their attention towards her.

"It's fine. You were curious about our friends." Justin smiles. "Hopefully, we'll be able to find them soon."

Mesmeren slowly lifts her lips. "I-I hope so, too."

Silence is in the air for a brief moment: The chatter, the footsteps, and the wind are the only things being heard from the village. The Drowzee then breaks it. "So, um, this is why you two are heading to Serenity?"

"Yes," Ada says, walking forward along with the others. "We're looking for a man named Forest, who most likely knows about them by now."

"Forest?"

Justin shrugs. "Some guy that Clinton knows."

Mesmeren blinks. "Oh..."

"We hope after finding him, he can lead us to our friends and Justin's mother," Ada mentions. "Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for my father. I...hope he's okay." Trembles. "Just the thought of him being gone is..." She shakes her head. "I'd rather not think about it. All I hope is that Justin and I find our friends and family. Eventually."

"I see."

Silence fills the air once again, the group keeping their eyes on the path. Then Mesmeren continues speaking. "So what about Ramon?" She turns towards the Zorua. Ramon blinks before shrugging, staring off.

"They're helping me recover my memories," the fox says.

"Memories?"

"Yep." Justin scratches the side of his head. "And now to explain that to ya, Ramon said he woke up in the Prospective Institute by himself and..." Justin spills the beans on Ramon's amnesia.

The Drowzee widens her eyes. "Wh-Whoa!" She caresses her arm.

"Crazy, right? The only thing he can remember is his name despite all of that." The boy's head tilts.

"I see...That explains why you're helping him."

"You got that right, dude. Or dudette." Justin shrugs.

Mesmeren blushes. "I-I'd rather be called Mesmeren to keep things simple..."

"Justin rarely calls people by their names. He always says 'dude', 'man', or 'fam'. That's his thing," Ada mentions.

"O-Oh."

Justin is about to say something, lifting his hand up, but decides to postpone.

As the four continue, Mesmeren stares at them, poking her fingers together. These three all have their own goals in mind. Meanwhile, I'm just...tagging along. With no goal of my own... She sighs, her lips lowering, gazing off to the side.

"Is something wrong?" Ramon asks the Drowzee while Ada spots a familiar yellow statue nearby, running ahead.

Mesmeren shakes her head. "It's nothing."

Ada touches the statue as Ramon walks close to the tapir. "Are you sure?"

Mesmeren nods, walking forward. Ramon gazes at her for a brief moment, perplexion slithering throughout. He follows.