Chapter 155: Who Isn’t a Wizard These Days?

Several Zigzagoon came trotting out, dragging along some unknown nuts. They dropped them onto the big leaf in the center, then the whole Zigzagoon family obediently sat down at the front. Since they were short, they needed to sit up front to see clearly.

Beautifly fluttered over next, carrying drinks made by using berries as cups and honey as juice. They gently descended and placed their refreshments on the big leaf as well.

Soon, a large variety of Pokémon emerged from the forest, each placing their favorite snacks on the leaf before sitting down in an orderly fashion based on height. Sitting in the very back were an Aggron and a Tropius.

Some diligent little Pokémon began handing out the snacks prepared for this movie screening.

Then, the ruler of this forest—an apex Volcarona—flew out, its wings aglow as if they could ignite the sky. It hovered silently overhead, gazing down at the screen.

Once Yanister saw the apex Volcarona, he knew it was time to begin.

Volcarona's appearance always signaled that most of the Pokémon had arrived. Over the past few months, Yanister had developed a kind of mutual understanding with it.

As the iconic Pyroar's roar played, the surrounding Pokémon all quieted down. Yanister took a seat to the side.

A Zigzagoon scurried over to him, carrying some berries and a cup of juice on its back. Yanister grinned as he took the items, bit into a berry, and let its sweet, juicy flavor melt in his mouth.

He leaned back comfortably against a tree.

At first, he had done this whole thing for Edward's annual donation of 500 million. But now, he did it for the joy of it—for the pleasure of watching movies together with Pokémon, sharing a life filled with common interests.

But as he continued watching, he found himself absentmindedly finishing the berries in his hands, a look of surprise creeping into his eyes.

At first, when he saw the new Rattata, Yanister had thought it was just Jerry in disguise. But it quickly became clear that this wasn't Jerry. It was a new character—someone Jerry referred to as "The Magician," who called himself a wizard, and also happened to be Jerry's second cousin.

On this second cousin's cloak, there was a tiny emblem, which only flashed on screen for a brief moment—a yellow-and-black badge with a strange creature at the center.

That piqued Yanister's curiosity.

Having screened so many of Edward's short films, Yanister had come to understand this now-famous director from Hoenn a bit better. Edward had a fondness for planting little surprises in his work—almost no shot was meaningless.

So now, Yanister couldn't help but wonder about that yellow-and-black emblem. But before he could think too deeply, his attention was stolen away by the second cousin's dazzling magic performance.

At the end of the short, the magician second cousin left with a smile after toying with Tom. Jerry waved a handkerchief to see him off. Then, as the cousin stepped into the wall and vanished, Tom—chasing after him—slammed right into it face-first, flattening himself like a pancake.

The final shot lingered on a sign:

Platform 9¾.

And that was the end of the episode.

"One look and you can tell this was Edward's script," Yanister smacked his lips. Previous episodes of Tom and Jerry were charming but fairly standard—none had surprises or such whimsical creativity.

But this second cousin? He was something else!

He said he was a magician, but it felt more like he was performing real magic.

In the Pokémon world, there were magicians too—but their tricks couldn't come close to this. Yanister couldn't help wondering: who was this mysterious second cousin of Jerry's? And how had he walked into that wall?

The questions itched at Yanister's mind. He felt an overwhelming urge to fly back to Rustboro right this minute, grab Edward by the collar, and demand he write the next script right away.

But just then, the forest erupted into a flurry of excited chatter. The Pokémon were all talking animatedly, mimicking the second cousin's magic tricks with exaggerated flair and making the others burst out laughing.

Beside him, Volcarona flapped its wings and drifted down to Yanister's side. Glimmering embers danced in the air, rearranging themselves into glowing words.

"What is a wizard? How do you become a wizard?"

Yanister's mouth twitched.

"...This is just a magic trick, really," he said nervously, swallowing hard.

But clearly, Volcarona didn't believe him. It remained unconvinced and very persistent.

—

"So... this is why you called me out here?" Edward's face was dark as he looked at Yanister, then at the imposing Volcarona beside them. He was clearly not pleased.

"I had no choice, Director Edward! I really don't know how to answer what a wizard is, or how to become one!" Yanister whined miserably.

Just a little while ago, he had been lounging under a tree, munching on berries, sipping juice, and watching the film. The next second, he'd been kidnapped by Volcarona.

And not just any Volcarona—this one was an apex Volcarona!

Apex Pokémon were incredibly powerful, ruling over their territories with overwhelming force. Other Pokémon had to submit to their dominance to acknowledge them as the boss. Even the Pokémon League generally avoided provoking them.

So, under Volcarona's persistent questioning, Yanister had no choice but to pass the buck.

Edward wrote the script—let him explain it!

Which is how Edward ended up here, near Meteor Falls.

—

"Hello, Edward."

The glittering embers shimmered again. Volcarona greeted him warmly.

Edward wasn't afraid. An Apex? So what? There was still that Gengar in Petalburg Forest—always fighting and always losing. Edward wasn't intimidated in the slightest.

So, he returned Volcarona's greeting just as politely.

But then, Volcarona eagerly asked him about wizards, leaving Edward a little flustered.

In the world of Pokémon, psychic powers could imitate magical effects, and Pokémon of other types had abilities that could be considered "magic" too.

"Well, a wizard is basically someone who..." Edward began explaining the general concept of magic. Whether Volcarona understood or not was unclear—it just continued flapping its wings.

Then suddenly, Volcarona flared its wings.

The sky caught fire.

A massive flaming creature appeared in the sky, formed from three strange heads fused together. It was enormous—bigger than a plane. The creature roared and howled, growing even larger with every second.

"Is this what they call 'Incendio'?"

Volcarona asked excitedly.

Edward stared at the fiery monster in the sky.

Well...

Yeah, that was definitely Incendio.

(End of Chapter)