Chapter 42: Moving Forward.

Rumbling. Trembling. The Emmet and Ingo's Choo of Choos.

The train traverses across the many forests, the railroads scaling above them. Some blue and purple sparkles stick the train on the road, ensuring the train crosses. Many people sit in the train's seats: Some socialize with each other while others stare out of the windows, basking at the flourishing greens and the wandering wilds.

Munching on his vanilla cake is Travis the Lucario, sitting at the very end of the train. He jabs the sweet-toothed treat via his fork, jolting it towards his mouth. He glares out of the window, his cloak covering all but his face. The claw marks on the left side of his face—all healed and patched up instead of raining blood from two days ago. The jackal gazes at his near reflection, the marks spitting at him for what happened at Gloomy Woods.

Travis grumbles. "I'm killing that fox the moment I see him again." He sets the fork on his plate, caressing the claw marks. "I have to admit though…That Zoroark did a damn number on me this time around. The perks of evolution, in other words." Travis eyes the cake. "Thanks for healing me, Forest. The bleeding would've gotten worse if you didn't fix those marks." Drooling at the treat, his tail wags. "Also…thanks for this delicious cake, too."

The Lucario takes another bite, smiling while closing his eyes. He soon lowers his ears, staring down. "...Seven days since I've left our house, Noctis. I'm sorry for the long absence, but I should be back home in no time." Another jab to the bitten cake. "Hopefully you're doing okay right now. Knowing…what caused me to leave in the first place."

Travis' ear flickers to a single 'tap'. And more. And even more—the taps keep going, the Lucario turning to his side.

Sitting across is a woman in black clothing, her head resting on her hand while gazing outside. Her witch hat lays on her skirt, her hair clouding her left vision before she brushes them aside. She taps on her camera beside the hat, the neck strap being long enough to reach her black hair's length. The blues paint this woman's face, her eyes partially closing, staring at a Wingull flying by.

Travis stares at the lady for a brief moment before glaring at his cake, chowing it. "Grr…" He grumbles, leaving nothing on the plate while gripping his fork. "How could anyone trust that damn Zoroark? Who's to say everything he said isn't pulled right out of his ass?" The fork snaps, the top of it flinging towards the woman.

"Who's to say anyone, both man and mon, isn't pulling tricks up their sleeves?" the woman says, stopping the fork with her magic, blue sparkles forming around it and her hand. "How could anyone trust a human and a Pokémon? Knowing both are capable of vile tendencies, especially humans…" She sets the broken fork beside her, her blue eyes locking onto Travis'.

Travis raises his brow. "Were you listening to the things I said?"

The lady shakes her head. "Only ever heard you mention the word 'trust' and decided to join the topic from there…" She stares down at her camera, caressing it. "Apologies if that's weird."

"It's fine." He sets his plate to the side. "I agree with you, but I believe Zorua and Zoroark are the worst of them all."

"How so?"

Travis lifts his paw. "For starters, they have the Illusion ability, allowing them to shapeshift into anyone and anything of their choice." His paw forms into a fist, rattling. "They can pretend to be a little girl needing someone to help her. And the moment you help them, they reveal their true despicable selves, having you be caught by their dirty trap."

"That's quite the specific example."

"Yeah…Because it happened to me." He says that last part softly, glaring off.

The pale skin woman nods. "My sympathies, then." She strokes her chest, closing her eyes. "I understand where you're coming from there. However…I believe humans are the true culprits behind the world being in ruins." She opens her eyes, glaring at the seat in front of her. "The thirst for power, the egocentric mindsets…Wars of the past even happened because of them. Even if a Pokémon were involved to aid them, they're still the masterminds behind their wickedness."

"Hmm." Travis puts his paw underneath his chin, staring down. "I did encounter some humans with the Zorua that tricked me. All of them being Pokémon Hunters." Crossing his legs, he frowns at the woman. "You may have a point there, but still: Pokémon aren't any better than humans, especially the Zorua line."

The woman shrugs. "I'm not doubting it: All of them have malicious intentions, hidden behind any kindness you can think of…" She squints her eyes out of the window.

Travis stares at the woman for a brief moment, the train rumbling on the rails. He looks out of the window, the train turning away from a city with many large buildings. The Lucario folds his arms.

"...Travis. That's my name."

"Scarlet. Pleasure meeting you, Travis."

Silence.

Nothing but the train's trembles is heard as the two's lips are sealed, both keeping their gaze towards the outside. Scarlet stops her taps, laying her hand on top of the front seat.

"...Is there a good reason for me to be here? Alive?" she says.

Travis blinks, glaring at the woman. "Yeah? There's always a reason for anyone to be here."

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The woman withdraws her hand, looking at it. "Can't say that I agree." Squints. "I'm unfortunate enough to be born like this. Forced to be flawed beyond belief…" Her hand curls into a fist. "That's what I am."

The jackal keeps his gaze on her, his face scrambling into uncertainty. His feelers twitch, Travis looking away and grabs them. No. There's nothing wrong with her. Shush… He sighs, staring down at the forest along with some river streams.

. . .

The path twists and turns and zigzags for the eight, the sun being obscured by the large trees showering over everyone. The group grunts and pants, dragging their feet against the ground with the exception of Ramon and Mesmeren, the former carrying the latter. Roan whines, gripping his arm.

"Ugh…This is quite unbearable!" Roan exclaims.

"Tell me about it," Courtney follows, being beside the Axew before she coughs. "Eck!"

Coleo grits his teeth, squinting. "We mus' keep goin'. Regar'less of the Weakener."

Sylock nods at the Blipbug before grunting himself, stopping. Courtney immediately lays the Blaziken's arm onto her neck, guiding him forward. "I gotcha, Sy." She smiles, her lips quivering. Sylock smiles back, his lips trembling as well.

Justin grins at the group. "Ya know, the Weakener ain't Weakus." Before anyone can react, the teen groans further, gritting his teeth. "Goddammit!" Ada gropes his shirt, shaking with concerns. The boy looks at her. "The Weakener didn't like that pun, haha…"

Sylock squints. Neither did I.

Ada pats Justin's shoulder. "Just…try not to strain yourself, okay? We're all in pretty bad shape so we'll need the energy as much as—AGH!" She strokes her belly, bits of purple blood leaking out of her lips. "Possible…"

Justin sighs. "Yeah. You're right…"

"I just hope we don't remain in this Weakener stage forever…Ugh." Ada rubs her ill, dark eyes.

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'