Magic & Transvolution

Chapter 42: Moving Forward.

Mesmeren shivers. "S-Same..."

The Lopunny looks over at the Zoroark, Ramon lowering his ears and staring at the group. "Hey Ramon."

The Zoroark perks up and looks back. "Erm, y-yes?"

"Why were you coughing black blood?" Courtney taps her chin. "Meant to ask that earlier but ya know, us being in the middle of a dangerous war and all."

Ramon squints at the ground. "I have no clue."

"...Huh."

The Zoroark sighs, whimpering. "S-Sorry. I wish I knew why my blood looks that way." Blinks. "What I do know is that it looks similarly to the black blood I saw at the facility."

Everyone looks at the fox out of curiosity.

"Black blood at the facility?" Justin and Ada ask.

Ramon nods. "I have no clue whose blood those are, but it was mixing with the normal red ones..." He shakes his head, grimacing. "I'd rather not think about it, honestly."

"Understandable. I can only imagine the horror of traveling through a pool of blood would be like..." Ada shivers, shaking her head. Coleo tilts his head at the fox as the group keeps moving forward, the occasional grunts and groans persist.

"By the way Courtney, I've heard a strange voice in my head saying 'Shadow Arch' while I was using my Rune." Ramon flicks his ears while blinking. "Not really sure what that's about."

"Wha—" Courtney pauses for a moment before gasping. "Ooooh!"

Justin deadpans. "Ooooh...what?"

The rabbit points at the fox. "That there is the one telling ya yer Rune's name. Since it's ya first time usin' it."

Ramon raises his brow. "Huh? But didn't you tell me I got to name my Rune once I've used it for the first time?"

"I sure did. It's because those with Runes can choose to either keep their Rune names or change it into somethin' else." Courtney smirks at the Blaziken. "Isn't that right, Sy?" Sylock simply nods at the Lopunny, smirking back.

"Oh. I see, then." Ramon smiles. "So what you're telling me is that the Rune voice is the one telling me the name of my Rune first, and then I get to decide on keeping its name or not."

"Yep yep!" Courtney perks her large ears up. "Speaking of, do ya plan to keep your Rune name or nah?"

"Hmm..." The Zoroark shrugs. "I see zero reasons to get rid of it. So I'll keep it."

"Mateys, I see somethin' up ahead." Coleo points forward, everyone gazing at some tall buildings, windows displaying here and there.

Ada smiles, eyes widening. "We're almost there to Glory Pride City!" She moves quickly, Justin yelping as his feet get dragged further.

"Whoa there, Ada! Let me pick up the pace, too!"

Mesmeren giggles in a soft manner, the teens moving ahead of her and Ramon. "H-Hey, slow...down." Her eyes close. "You...two..."

Ramon eyes the Drowzee. "Mesmeren?" No response. Ramon stops in his tracks, shaking the tapir. Mesmeren's hands nudge against the fox's fur like a feather, unmoving and more pale. "Mesmere—"

THUD!

Ramon yaps, looking ahead at Justin and Ada being on the ground. Ada lies on her side, eyes closed while her mouth hangs open. Justin's eyes quake, the boy panting heavier while becoming more pale. He shakes the girl, whimpering: She's not moving a muscle, her skin becoming paler.

"ADA!" Justin screams, shaking the teen more. He keeps going until his arms slow down, his eyes closing. "A...da..." His head lies on top of hers', his groans fading.

Ramon widens his eyes, gnashing his teeth. "Justin! Ada!" His ears flicker to many grass rustling, turning to his left gradually: Courtney, Sylock, Roan, and Coleo are on the ground, unmoving along with being further pale than before. Ramon gulps, backing away. He looks at Mesmeren and then at the rest of his friends, shaking at his very core.

Ramon whimpers, his heart racing like crazy while he strokes Mesmeren. A-Are they...dead!? His head shakes. No! I...I don't want to think about that possibility. He glances at Mesmeren's hands, her fingers twitching at random. Okay...Mesmeren is still alive, at least. Barely. I think this means the others are, too. Ramon lowers his ears. This must be the effects of the Weakener. Having everyone enter the next stage of it...

His lips quiver. What should I do? The Zoroark looks ahead. Maybe I can go into Glory Pride asking others for help, but... His eyelids lower. I don't want something to come by and attack them like what happened at Gloomy Woods. Groans. Ugh. No way I can get help quickly, too! The fox whines. I would carry them all with me, but I could only carry Mesmeren.

Ramon grunts, sniffling as tears form. What can I really do!? It feels like every possibility is off limits. He gasps. Wait...I could use my Shadow Arch to carry them. Like how I carried Coleo earlier. Nods. I saw multiple hands forming around us like a shield, too. So this got to work!

The fox stands still: Nothing but the small gust of winds blowing his hair and a few leaves.

...I'll try again.

Ramon lowers his brow, blinking: Nothing happens. Again.

The Zoroark's tears drip onto the unconscious tapir. "MY FRIENDS ARE IN TROUBLE! PLEASE LET ME USE MY SHADOW ARCH AGAIN!" Ramon screams, a leaf falling onto his snout before sliding off. He sniffles, breathing at an irregular pace.

C-Calm down...I can use it. I just, I don't know, need to concentrate on using it like I did with my ability. The breathing slows down. Yeah...Th-That makes sense.

Ramon closes his eyes, inhaling. After a few seconds, he exhales, opening his eyes: Shadowy auras cast around him, dark arms sprouting out of his back. His Shadow Arch rises above everyone, Ramon sighing in relief.

"Thank goodness..." Without a second thought, he grabs the six and picks them up, gripping onto Mesmeren further. He nuzzles her. "Don't worry, everyone: I'll find help there."

Ramon moves forward, more buildings revealing themselves up ahead, some cars even passing by a corner. Ramon walks past a sign:

'Now entering Glory Pride City'