Chapter 44: Weakener.

"...9,999. Annnd…" Noctis slaps another buck onto his hand, handing the cash to a Claydol with a black top hat. "10,000 pokebucks!" The Charizard smiles while closing his eyes, gripping his red purse. "Told ya I'd get the money for you. No need to go through that boring, snoozefest court shit, eh?"

The black clay squints their eyes, snatching the money away from Noctis. "Hmph! Asshole," the Claydol says in a mechanical tone, turning towards their collapsed saloon by the yellow orb statue. Once they float away, Noctis' smile fades, the dragon glaring while folding his arms. He then turns towards the cops beside him, all hundling around the weakened seven.

"You're welcome," Noctis says, his voice oozing with sarcasm. The cops guide any vehicles around the scene, yellow cones displaying themselves. Some pedestrians stare at the group, heads tilting and commotions rising. A few officers tell them to move along, which some did. Ada and the other six barely move, panting at a raspier manner than before.

The ponytail man stares at Ramon, Merlin, and X, his hand resting on his chin. "So the whole fiasco was a misunderstanding, right?"

Merlin strokes his brown staff: His knees touching the ground, his eyes fixating on the teens. "From what Ada told me, yes."

The trainer's two Pokémon look at Ramon and X, the Audino already being in his normal pink form. The man nods. "I see." He eyes Noctis. "It's a good thing your friend has the money to cover the damages."

Noctis sighs. "These kids don't have any to begin with. Might as well cover for them."

Merlin nods. "Our sincere gratitude for that, Mr. Noctis."

X stares at the Zoroark for a moment before looking away. "Hey, um—" he grips his arm. "Sorry. For what I've done." The Buizel frowns. "I haven't seen Ada and Justin for so long. I…just thought you were harming them, that's all."

Ramon doesn't respond: He gazes at his right paw, on the scar he left two days ago. He squints.

'YOU MONSTER!'

Those words echo throughout his head, his hair clouding his left eye in misery.

Ramon shakes his head. "Don't apologize."

X blinks. "What?"

The Zoroark covers his scar, his mind dashing towards the time he used his Illusion at the Lake of Purity, a decision that almost led to him and his friends being killed. He stares at Mesmeren, sitting on his knees in front of her, her body twitching at random.

"You're right about me." Ramon grits his sharp teeth. "I am a monster."

X raises his brow. The weasel is about to lift his paw until the pink shirt man says, "I wonder why those seven are like this: Pale, twitching at random, and hardly moving." The man taps his chin as three ambulances arrive at the scene. A couple of medics exit from behind the trucks, bringing out stretchers.

They reach the seven, a Carnivine pressing a button beneath her stretcher before it descends itself, the same going for the other stretchers. Tress the Sylveon and Jewel the Audino inch close to their ponytail trainer, staring at the weakened individuals with worriedness. The man caresses their heads, mystery thriving in his mind.

Ramon sees his friends being placed on the stretchers: Ada, Justin, Mesmeren, Courtney, Sylock, Roan, Coleo—All of them rest on those placemats, the latter being on a much smaller size for species like him.

"It's because they're affected by this illness called Weakener."

The Carnivine gasps, she and the rest of the medics jolt their gaze towards the fox. "Did you say 'Weakener'?" Ramon nods, leading the medic to nearly drop her cap. "We need to get them to the center, NOW!" The venus flytrap ascends the stretcher, the other medics doing the same.

The ponytail man lifts his brow, blinking. "'Weakener'? What's that?"

"And why do you need to rush them towards the Pokémon Center?" Noctis asks.

Merlin and Ramon stand up as X strikes a puzzled look at the orange lizard. "Did you NOT see how their faces looked!? Could be a big hint on why they need to leave, ASAP!"

"That's one way to put it!" the Carnivine says, having Mesmeren rest on her stretcher as she turns towards the first truck. "As the Zoroark said, these seven are affected by Weakener, a deadly status ailment created by criminal organizations. It'll hinder anyone's wellbeing, making them nearly incapable of speaking, and slowly killing them the more pale they look." She glances at the truck. "Think of it as dying from hunger."

X widens his eyes. "YIKES!"

"Could we come with you?" the ponytail trainer asks, frowning.

Merlin leans close to the Carnivine, gripping his staff. "Please. I want to be with my friends."

The medic looks at the other medics for a moment, all nodding. The Carnivine then nods at Ramon's group. "Yes. We have to hurry though before your friends become worse."

With no time to waste, Justin, Ada, and Mesmeren are taken inside of the first truck, Ramon and others following suit. The cops usher towards their cars as the medics bring the rest of Ramon's friends inside of the trucks, driving away. The vehicles have their sirens on, leading cars to move around them.

. . .

There he is again: Back at the Pokémon Center, taking note of the wider space for the hospital this time around. The row of chairs sitting across the ones Ramon and the others are sitting, the many people roaming from one spot to the next, the large windows displaying themselves across the center—There's a lot he sees here compared to the Majestic City's PC. There's even more than two door entries to the patient rooms this time! The cops are also not with the group due to the ponytail trainer telling them he can keep an eye out for them.

A woman nods at the nurse behind the counter before walking by three doors, standing in front of an elevator that opens for her. After seeing two Mudkips with monocles exiting the elevator, Ramon flickers his ears to the ponytail trainer's hums, turning to his right.

The trainer crosses his legs, shaking his head. Tress is on the floor looking up at him, uncertainty plastering across. Jewel shares the same sentiment, laying his hands against his chest.

"It's genuinely concerning that such an aliment exists. To think it could cripple someone this badly to the point of making their moves weak." The man glances. "Not even a Sorcerous could heal someone from the Weakener status."

Merlin stares at the trainer two chairs away. "Yeah…It makes sense why those medics wanted Justin, Ada, and the others to be here immediately." Sighing, he closes his eyes. "I hope those nurses find a way to make them feel better."

X folds his arms, being between Merlin and Ramon as he glares across. "Same." He grips his arms. "I swear if those two die on us after not seeing them for a long while, I'll—" the weasel gasps from the sudden pat on his head, eyeing up at Merlin.

"I…wouldn't think that way, X. All we can do is think about the positive and…hope they'll pull through." The boy rests his hand onto his robe. "Just like how we always hope to see the rest of our friends again." He smiles.

The Buizel gazes at Merlin for a brief moment, solemn and dreary shrouding his orange eyes. He sighs before looking down, a single tear slides down his cheek. "I hope you're right, Merlin," he says.

Merlin nods before taking his attention towards Ramon. "Hey um Ramon, right? Do you perhaps know who gave Justin, Ada, and the others the Weakener?"

Noctis looks at the Zoroark with intrigue, sitting next to Jewel. So I'm not hearing things, after all. That IS him. He leans his claw against his chin. Or maybe he's a different guy with the same name. But I could be overthinking it there.

Ramon caresses the side of his large hair in a shaky manner, the words 'vile creature' echoing through his mind. "A-A Floatzel named Ly-Lycus." Trembles. "H-He gave them that s-status after infecting the apples they ate."

Merlin gasps. "Oh! How deceiving!"

Noctis raises his brow. "Infecting some kids with that thing was something I didn't expect. What the hell?"

"'Lycus'?" X blinks, glaring off to the side. "That name…It sounds familiar." The Buizel sighs heavily. "Can't put my finger—erm, paw on it though."

Merlin stares down at the weasel. "I see."

X stands on top of his chair within seconds, forming his fists and gritting his teeth. "It's whatever since that guy's an asshole for hurting my friends like that!"

"The dude isn't just an asshole—" Noctis crosses his legs, his hands behind his head. "He's a whole shitstain no one wants on their feet. Honestly, anyone is for using that illegal drug on others." The Charizard shakes his head. "I mean, why bother to create the Weakener? What benefits would that even make?"

The Audino hugs his ponytail trainer as he shrugs. "Could be for power reasons, wanting to assert themselves as the more threatening one than the others," the trainer states, petting Tress on the head, the Sylveon purring. "Could also be used to stop anyone from affecting one's ulterior motives, whatever the case may be."

Merlin gasps. "Is that information I smell?" He leans over X, his hand pinning against the Buizel's head as he yelps. "Do care to share more, sir!"

"Hey! Watch it!" X exclaims, pouting.

The trainer chuckles. "Eager much?"

"Of course! I strive to learn about the world as much as I can!" Merlin now presses his elbows onto X's head, the Buizel whining further. "Do tell us about why someone would use this deadly status!"

"UGH, GET OFF MAN!" X groans.

Ramon and Noctis laugh in an unsure manner as the ponytail trainer continues, "Heh. Well if I could from the perspective of someone using the Weakener, I'd guess they'll want to use it for their own benefits. Such as blackmailing others into doing anything they want, having the upper hand in an unfair battle, or even showing how threatening they are, as I've stated earlier." The trainer taps on his chin. "Considering we're told that only criminals made this aliment, I can imagine this was used to intimidate not only each other, but also the public too."

"So basically some powerplay crap, right?" Noctis says.

The trainer nods. "I'd personally call it cheapshot crap, but you're not entirely off the mark."

"Tch." Noctis rolls his eyes. "They're all garbage for using that unfair status, anyways."

"I see." Merlin lifts his elbows off from X, freeing the poor weasel as he shouts 'finally' in relief. "Those were some interesting analyses, Mister…" The teen tilts his head. "Huh. Actually, I don't think we've ever gotten to introduce ourselves, have we?"

The heterochromia man blinks for a moment before snapping his fingers. "Ah, you're right actually. I'll go first, then." He smiles. "The name's Ace Vermilion and these two are my partners, Tress and Jewel." He pats the two Pokémon's heads. "I'm the Fairy type Gym Leader of Glory Pride City."

"Whoa whoa whoa, wait wait—GYM LEADER!?" both Merlin and X exclaim after shaking their hands.

Ace snickers. "Yep. In the flesh, too."

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Merlin gasps, having stars for eyes. "Oh my gosh, that's so cool!" He hugs his staff in enthusiasm. "I've always wanted to meet one in person ever since I've read this newspaper article about a Sceptile Gym Leader tackling a Pokémon Trainer all by herself. Without even having her companion join her during the fight at all." The boy sighs in heavenly relief. "It was one of the most interesting news I've ever read!"

Ace smirks. "Heh. Glad that the newspaper made you feel stoked to meet one in person." He tilts his head, tapping his chin. "But I wonder how newspapers are still a thing today when rarely anyone reads them."

Merlin whines. "They should! I've learnt so many big words being used there because of them. Like do you know what 'Inquisitor' means?"

"In-what?" Noctis says, staring at Merlin as if the boy has committed a heinous crime.

"Inquisitor! It means someone who's tasked to ask questions and gather information, even in the harshest way possible."

"Ah." Noctis nods. "Some nerdy shit I don't care about. Gotcha."

X slowly looks at the Charizard. "That's so real, dude."

"Hey! It's good knowledge, I swear!" Merlin pouts, folding his arms as Ace, Tress, Jewel, X, and Noctis chuckle. Even Ramon starts to smile a little, albeit at the fact of seeing joy going on between everyone. Merlin shakes his head. "Anyways, it's an absolute honor to meet a Gym Leader like yourself, Ace!" The boy shakes the man's hand.

"With pleasure." Ace smiles.

Ramon tilts his head. "That's interesting to know about you, Ace. But also…What's a Gym Leader?"

X quirks his brow. "Dude, you don't know what that is? It's pretty common around Wizlore, even small villages know about them!"

Ramon lowers his ears. "Sorry. I just…don't know a lot about this region. Nor the world I'm living in."

Ace waves his hand up and down. "It's fine, it's fine. Not everyone knows about everything, even something as common as Gym Leaders. I can explain them to you." He rests his hands on top of his lap. "Gym Leaders are strong individuals who tests any challengers participating in the All Star League to prove their worthiness against the Wizlore Champion."

"All Star League? Wizlore Champion?" Ramon blinks. "I…don't know about those, too."

"That's fine." Ace waves his hand around. "The All Star League is a large event for anyone wanting to take the Champion title. After beating all of the Gym Leaders, the challengers will then participate in a special event at the All Star Tournament to see who out of them all will battle the Champion and their Elite Four. The Wizlore Champion is someone who's the strongest individual of Wizlore, with four Elites further standing in the challenger's path. Could be one person, could be multiple. It depends." He gives Ramon a thumbs-up. "It's an optional, fun event for anyone to participate."

"Huh. Sounds neat." Ramon smiles, lifting his claw up.

The Buizel sits down, his paws by his sides. "I'm lowkey surprised that Pokémon Trainers are even still a thing, to be honest." He shakes his head. "A lot of Pokémon are like me, Ramon, and Noctis: Able to make their own choices and live their lives the same way humans do. I doubt there's even a point for Pokémon Trainers to still be a thing when you think about it." Shrugs.

Noctis? Ramon raises his brow. Did I hear that correctly?

Ace nods. "That's a good point." He pets his two companions, the Sylveon and Audino nuzzling him. "I suppose some people don't want an old tradition like becoming a Pokémon Trainer go away completely, even though the majority are moving on." Tress hops onto Ace's lap, smiling at him. "It's not a bad thing. As long as they don't catch a Nativu outside of catching season, nor catching an Intellicate at all: The individual being a Pokémon Trainer should be fine."

X squints at the trainer, folding his arms. "Not sure if I agreed."

Ace blinks, tilting his head. "How so?"

X's mind undergoes a blurry image of a Pokémon Trainer smirking, wielding a Pokeball covered in blood. He shakes his head. "Even despite the existence of Nativus, there's no point in owning a Pokémon. If society can treat Intellicates with the similar level of rights and respect, then what seems they can't do the same for Nativus? Just because they don't share a similar thought process to humans like we do? Without a language barrier?"

Ace stares at the Buizel with intrigue along with everyone else. The weasel sighs, frowning. "All I'm saying is that those Nativus have feelings, too. Ever been considerate of them?"

"...He has," Jewel answers the Buizel, catching his attention. "Under my care with him, he always considers my wellbeing before encouraging me to do my best in battles."

"Same here!" Tress follows in a cheerful tone, nuzzling the tan skin individual. "Ace helped me become a Sylveon, something I didn't know I wanted to be until I was captured by him." The Sylveon shivers. "I've been through many fights in the wild, desperately hoping for a place to live in." His head shakes. "I have no clue what you mean by those things, but I do know that I am happy with being Ace's partner."

"Agreed."

X looks at the two Nativus hugging their trainer, the purrs and glees emanating from them as Ace chuckles. The weasel is left speechless, gazing at the three in uncertainty and gloom.

The Sylveon wraps one ribbon around Ace's arm, the ponytail man smiling. "I don't know what Tress and Jewel said to you but judging by their reactions, I would like to guess that they told you—" he lifts his finger. "I like burgers!"

"..." X, Ramon, Merlin, Noctis, Tress, and Jewel all tilt their heads. "What?" they say in unison.

Ace blinks. "Wait, that's not what they said at all?"

"No…Why would they randomly tell others about you liking burgers?" Noctis asks. "I mean, neat fact about ya I guess but still, what."

Ace whines along with Tress and Jewel. "D'aww, I thought I could guessed what they were thinking that time around."

Tress giggles, his ribbon against his maw. "Tsk tsk, Master." He pats his trainer on the head with his other ribbon.

"Well, I did have a second guess and it was telling you that they're happy to be my Pokémon." Ace blinks. "Which…should've been my first guess, but mistakes like that happen sometimes." He chuckles, shaking his head.

"Au! Audi!" Jewel exclaims, smiling before hugging Ace once more. "Audino!"

"Sylvee!" Tress mentions as he follows along with the hug.

X glances the ground, his arms folded. He taps them, gritting his teeth. I don't get it. The weasel strokes his arms. He's not like that other trainer. Even though he definitely should've been…

"Hey." The Buizel blinks and looks at the source of the voice: Merlin. "Are you alright?" the boy asks with concern.

"...Yeah. I'm fine." Before Merlin can speak further, X cuts him off with the following: "Anyways, uh: I'm X. Yes, that's my name. Do not question it."

Ace raises his hand up. "I wasn't going to, haha."

Noctis coughs. "Shit name."

"I HEARD THAT, BIGGIE DRACO!" X pouts.

"...Biggie Draco?" Noctis blinks, shaking his head. "Wha—"

"And my name's Merlin. I'm X's friend and the Charizard is our caretaker, Noctis."

Noctis simply waves, looking at X with perplexion. "Uh, sup. That is in fact my name, yeah."

"Wait." Ramon jolts towards Noctis. "Did Merlin say your name is Noctis?"

"Uh, yeah? Why did you—" Noctis' brain immediately turns gears as he remembers Ramon's name being mentioned earlier, and now being met with the fox double checking his own name. The two grow quiet, maws sealed, eyes locking onto each other.

"..."

"..."

Nothing but the walks and talks from others is heard, awkward exchanges polluting.

So he's the guy Travis was talking about… Ramon and Noctis think, continuing to not say a single word. Just staring, with a single gulp from Ramon's end.

"...The name's Ramon, by the way," the Zoroark says, ending the entire introduction.

X blinks in confusion. "Yo, you two good?"

"E-Erm, yes. I'm fine," Ramon says.

"A-Okay, on my end," Noctis says.

The two Pokémon continue staring, the Zoroark quivering. Merlin then gasps, the blue hat boy clasping his hands together and stares at X. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask you something."

X lifts his brow. "Yeah?"

"How did you use a Magic move earlier?"

Noctis snaps out of the staring contest and shakes his head. "Wait, what? THAT was supposed to be a Magic move!?"

"It has to: He was using both fire and water elements at the same time. Plus they…looked dark, in a way? The sparkles around them, I mean." Merlin shakes his head. "He was far from us so I couldn't tell the exact details. But regardless, it's an abnormal move for any normal Pokémon to learn. Making me believe it's a Magic move."

"Weird." Noctis caresses his chin. "Aren't Sorcerous supposed to be the only ones to use Magic moves, though?"

"That's what I'm thinking, too." Merlin's hand lays against his chin. "Even his eyes looked different than before. Somewhat similar to Ramon's."

X looks at his paws, dozing into mystery. He forms his fists before unraveling. "I don't know." His brows lower. "I don't know how I formed Azure Cerise and Dark Tendrils off the bat. They just…happen, I guess. Probably out of desperation to save my friends."

Ace raises his brow. "Interesting."

"Sounds like you're going through a similar case as I am," Ramon chimes in, the Buizel staring at him. "My eyes ended up looking like this after I've used my Rune, a hidden power that Intellicates can use." Ramon points at the weasel. "Your Dark Tendrils is your Rune, I assume."

"Ooo, Rune huh?" Merlin lifts himself up in intrigue. "Sounds like more interesting things for me to learn! How fantastic!"

X blinks. "Huh. Didn't know that." He tilts his head. "Still doesn't explain why it turns my eyes like this, though."

"Yeah…That part, I honestly don't know the answer to." Ramon sighs. "Nor me being able to sense you nearby."

"Wait, I wasn't the only one that had that odd sensation while near you!?" Ramon nods, the Buizel looking off in perplexion. "So like…What's going on with us, dude? Our eyes don't look like the norm and we have some weird powers that apparently Intellicates aren't aware of?"

Ramon tilts his head. "It's all as strange to me as it is to you, believe me."

Soon the double doors entrance open, revealing Delia Phoenix in her usual blue jeans along with the brown and white shirt. She eyes the group, rushing towards them. The woman pants, stroking her knees.

Noctis frowns. "Didn't I tell you to watch over my house?"

"Look dear, I saw three ambulances passing by the house and got really worried after you've left. I had to stop by to check up on you, Merlin, and X." Delia looks at the three, sighing. "Thankfully you three are fine, but…why are y'all here?" Merlin, X, and Noctis look at each other, hesitation boiling throughout. Delia jolts her brow up. "What's going on?"

"Um…Mrs. Phoenix." Merlin pokes his fingers together. "...We found Justin and Ada. Injured."

Delia enlarges her eyes, mouth ajar. She feels her heart sink to the absolute bottom of the pit upon hearing the word 'injured'. "Really!? Where are they!?"

Merlin simply points towards the patient rooms. "In there."

Without a second thought, Delia ushers to the counter, moving people aside here and there. Some complain to her about it while others hardly react: She doesn't care. She wants to seek the counter right there, right now.

Once Delia reaches it, she slams her hands onto the desk, glancing at the nurse. "I need to see my son, NOW!" she demands, her eyes welling with tears.

The nurse tilts her head. "'Son'?"

"Justin Phoenix." The dark brown woman sniffles, wiping away her tears.

"Oh!" The nurse shakes her head. "Justin is still in the middle of the Weakener being extracted from him along with the others. I apologize, but you can't see him right now."

"What? What's the Weakener?" Delia asks. After the nurse explains the basics to her, the woman trembles. "Oh my Arceus…"

"I understand how you're feeling after hearing this. It's an issue that's been happening in all of Wizlore that we're trying to resolve. I'm not sure if it's in any other regions, but the point is: The Weakener is deadly, and no one should have their hands in it. Nor even experience it."

"My goodness." Delia strokes her chest. "Who would do such a thing to someone? Let alone someone's child…" She whimpers, pressing her chest. "Can I please still see him? I…I'm sorry if I'm being impatient or naggy, but I haven't seen him in months. We've been separated from each other due to our village being burnt down." The woman shakes, biting her lower lip. "In general, I-I miss him." Her voice goes shaky and melancholic. "Please."

The nurse looks at the desk for a moment, succumbing to thoughts. She then grabs a handbook from underneath, setting it between her and Delia. "I can call you whenever the extraction is done. That way, I'll tell the other medics to let you see your son."

Delia holds the nurse's hands, shaking them with glee. "Thank you so, so much!"

"No problem." The nurse smiles.

Delia grabs a nearby pen and writes her phone number in the handbook, Noctis walking towards her. "Heyo, Delia. Might wanna go back to the house. Like. Now." The Charizard folds his arms, the other six being behind him.

The woman looks at Noctis, finishing. "Oh Noctis." She sighs in relief, caressing her head. "I'm so glad that I came here. I finally get to see my son after all these times." Tears slide down her cheeks. "It feels relieving, you know?"

"Uh huh uh huh." Noctis gestures to everyone on moving out of the way for the other civilians behind them, to which they did. "That's good and all, but I'm concerned about you being here."

Delia blinks, shaking her head in bewilderment. "What's wrong with me being at the PC just to see my son again?"

"Ugh, assuming much?" Noctis groans. "I just want you to go back because it's not safe to leave two kids alone at the house."

Delia quirks her brow. "Since when did you care about kids? Last I checked, you don't like their guts."

"Wait, he doesn't like kids?" X widens his eyes at the large lizard. "I thought he was joking when he said that!"

"I—" Noctis smacks both of his hands against his face, groaning. "Look, who cares about my dislike: The point is, Serene and Ethan are left UNINTENDED."

Delia nods. "Right. We'll have to go back home anyways as I wait for them to call ba—" Delia pauses, staring at Ramon, Ace, and the two Nativus. "Huh? Who are these four?"

The Zoroark waves at her shyly. "Hello, Mrs. Phoenix. Erm, the name is Ramon."

Ace gives the woman a thumbs-up. "And I'm Ace Vermilion, the Fairy type Gym Leader of Glory Pride City. These two with me are my companions, Tress and Jewel. A pleasure to meet you."

"The name's Delia Phoenix, and hello to you too."

Ramon stands upright, looking down at Delia. "About your son…" He caresses his arm. "He's a great person to be around. I like the jokes he makes and the banter he tends to get with Ada." He snickers softly.

The woman waves her hand up and down. "D'aww, don't make me blush." She places her hand against her chest. "I've been very proud of raising him into the best person he could possibly be."

"That's nice."

Delia sighs. "Just talking about him makes me wish to see him right now." She whimpers.

Noctis gets between the woman and the Zoroark. "Look, you can see him soon. Right now, we REALLY need to get back to my house."

Delia frowns, folding her arms. "Oh what's the hurry, Noctis? I'm away for only like what, a couple of minutes or so?" She moves her hand around. "Nothing's bad going to happen to Serene and Ethan, I guarantee you." Soon, Delia's phone buzzes throughout her blue jeans, flinching. She takes her phone out of pocket and taps it. "Hello?"

"M-MRS. PH-PHOENIX!" Ethan yells from the other line. "HE-HELP!"

"Wait, what's happe—"

"THE-THEY GOT SERENE AND AR-ARE AFT—AAAAAH!"

The line cuts off.

Delia's eyes widen, the woman slowly slipping her phone back. Noctis and the others gaze at her, a mix of uncertainty and perplexion filling their looks.

"I heard screaming. What the hell was that about?" Noctis asks.

"...Ethan and Serene are in trouble. On what, I have no clue. Regardless, w-we need to go help them," Delia states.

"Oh crap!" X exclaims. "Just when I thought things couldn't get any WORSE today, dude."

Noctis growls softly to himself, gripping his fist. Knew those extremists will come back the moment all of us adults aren't in the house. He grits his teeth. Assholes.

"I saw a teleportation statue a few feet away from Mr. Noctis' house. I can teleport us there," Merlin suggests.

"I'll call the cops to arrive there, too," Ace states as he already has a hologram displaying in front of his hand.

Merlin nods, looking at Delia and Noctis. "Huddle around, everyone." He touches the two. Wasting no time, X touches Merlin's leg while pressing his other paw against Ramon's. Ramon eyes around the forming circle he's in as Ace concludes his call, he and his two Pokémon joining them.

Afterwards, Merlin starts glowing blue along with everyone else, all warping out of the Pokémon Center.