By the time they boarded the train back to Everspring, the emotional high of their victory had passed and the disappointment of trip cut short had settled back over them. Mori took it the hardest. This trip had been a chance to be away from her overbearing parents—a chance to spend time with people who liked her for herself. And through no fault of her own, it had been snatched from her. She spent the train ride looking out the window with her headphones on, ignoring Liam and the others. Liam had his headphones on too, but he spent most of the journey home looking at his friends—especially at Mori. Despite his initial frustration, Liam didn't actually mind the trip being cut short. He felt that he had had enough adventure for one break already. But he knew what going home meant to Mori, and to Vasilio—who had spent so much time planning it. Stephanie appeared to be the least put out of the group, and her smiles and laughs gave the journey some much-needed joy.
Miss Snyder, Cass, and Taylor met them at the Everspring station. Cass began bombarding them all with questions as she gave each a tight hug.
"I heard you guys fought Team Power," said Cass, "Oh my gosh, that must have been scary. Is it true that Silas saved you? They were in Everspring too, you know. Mr. Liu—Arthur's dad, he's the police chief—arrested some of them and managed to dig up the Pokeballs before—well, I'm glad you were there in Jadetower. Oh, Vasilio, what happened to your—did one of them do that to you? Oh, and your wrist, Rain—I didn't realize how serious—"
Liam glanced over at Ruth. If she was shaken by the news that Team Power had been in Everspring as well, she didn't show it.
"Looks like you guys are all safe," said Miss Snyder, "You're lucky Silas was there, though. Don't do anything like that again. You should have called 110."
"There wasn't really time to think," protested Liam.
"I know, and believe me, I'm proud of you guys for doing the right thing," said Miss Snyder, "But I don't want to think about what would have happened…"
"Is it safe here, Christine?" asked Rain.
"Looks like it," replied Miss Snyder, "Tobias and Ashima stopped them from breaking into the radio tower near the White Musdale statue. We haven't seen any around the school or New Court."
"Me and Liz went out looking for them last night, soon as we heard what had happened to you guys," said Taylor.
"For which you were rightly scolded," said Miss Snyder, "Anyways, let's get going. I've got two vans waiting for us. We've got to get you guys to the international clinic to get checked up."
Liam was glad he hadn't known Stephanie's parents worked at the international clinic. He would have been a nervous wreck trying to prepare himself to meet them; instead, he was awkward and silent as they inspected Vasilio's black eye and Rain's bruised wrist and cleaned the cuts on Stephanie's arms. Mori refused to be looked at, and the two Dr. Thibaults didn't press the issue. Liam reminded himself that they had probably known Mori much longer than he had, so they knew just as well as he did that arguing with Mori never achieved anything.
Liam, Mori, Taylor, Cass, and Vasilio rode Bus 81 from the clinic back to New Court. They spent a long time sitting below Mori's apartment talking the previous day's events over, partially to satisfy Taylor and Cass's curiosity, and partially to give Mori an excuse to not go home quite yet. But before long, Mori's phone rang and she made a hurried goodbye to the group before beginning her long, slow walk up to the 8th floor. It hurt Liam to see the look on Mori's face as she left. The others were disappointed to have to come home early; Mori was devastated.
"I really hope this doesn't ruin anything else the school had planned for this year," said Cass, as they sat around the New Court fountain together, "I mean, not that you guys ruined anything. But Team Power—what if they cancel the Village Trip? Or the Spring Banquet."
"It'll be fine, dude," said Taylor, "They're on the run. Whatever they wanted to do on Lunar New Year, I don't think it worked out."
Liam wasn't so sure. He remembered the blond-haired young woman that had disappeared into the night sky before they fought the Team Power grunts. No one had said anything about her. And she might not even be the leader. Silas and the gym leaders were strong, but were they strong enough to protect all of Nanzo from Team Power?
"Where's Team Balance's HQ?" asked Liam, abruptly.
"It's in Hempshear," said Taylor, "It's like… three or four hours west of here by bus."
"What about Team Virtue?"
"I think it's in Oldmist Town," said Cass, "But I doubt Team Power would be too worried about them—I mean, they're the smallest team in Nanzo. Why would they want to—?"
"Revenge?" suggested Liam.
"Oh yeah," said Cass, "I guess that makes sense."
"Either way," said Vasilio, "Team Power's next move won't be in Everspring, or anywhere near it. So we're safe. At least for now."
Liam nodded, but as he made his way from New Court back to White Gardens, he kept looking for his shoulder, as if he expected to see sneering Team Power grunts tailing him. It wasn't that he was afraid of them—he wanted to send them running like Silas had. He wanted another chance to fight Team Power.
