Author's Note: One more Team Aura Blade and Skorupi chapter, featuring Super Vindicated Kerry, Chew Toy Maryn, and Crushing Skorupi. Wonderful!

More News

Well, that had…certainly been something.

Kerry stared at the guild's recruit—Sunflora—who had just delivered the news. Everyone had heard about the exploration team who'd gone missing after Dusknoir had returned to the future, of course. That had been the talk of Treasure Town for a couple weeks. But, to have the mystery solved like this…

Well, it was a lot to take in at once.

"So, like—we're gonna help them find the Hidden Land!" Sunflora finally broke the silence. "So if anybody hears about it, you've gotta tell the guild! Eek!"

The other patrons of the café started chattering amongst themselves. It was hard to tell how many of them fully believed Sunflora, but Kerry supposed that was fair. Everyone had thought Dusknoir was a hero, after all. Having that viewpoint challenged—and to hear just how bad his future actually was—would take a while to process.

Still, Kerry nodded and smiled at the other Grass-Type. "All right, Sunflora. We'll do what we can."

"Okay! Thanks, Sceptile. Now, oh my gosh—I have to make sure everyone left to tell the guardians already, and…and…eek!"

With that, Sunflora dashed out of the café, waving her leaves around frantically as she went. Kerry watched her for a few seconds before turning towards Maryn with a grin on her face. The Lucario had been seated next to her the whole time, and he pursed his lips and looked away from her.

"Well, Maryn? Do you have anything to say?"

He grumbled under his breath before admitting, "Fine, you were right. I guess that Grovyle wasn't so bad after all."

An uncharacteristically teasing tone made its way into Kerry's voice as she added, "I believe the correct phrase here is 'I told you so,' correct?"

"I said you were right! Stop rubbing it in!"

Kerry laughed gently as she turned to Skorupi; goodness, that had been oddly satisfying. At any rate, the small bug had been silent throughout Sunflora's story, and she still had a star-struck look on her face. Skorupi finally shook herself out of it, practically bouncing around on the table as she spoke up.

"I knew it! I knew he was cool! Grovyle's actually a hero." She sighed dreamily before going on. "I hope I get the chance to see him again before they all leave. I have to tell him how cool he is."

Kerry shook her head. "You do that, Skorupi. Ah—watch your drink, dear."

Skorupi narrowly avoided smashing her tail into her cup of Pink Gummi juice, and she blushed as she scuttled into a better position. She tried to hide her face by taking a drink, but Kerry could tell that her blush had deepened even further.

Ah, that really was sweet. Kerry smiled as she took a sip of her Grass Gummi shake. She supposed Skorupi's admiration was deserved, and Kerry was happy to know her assumptions had been right. Grovyle really was better than they'd all thought he was, and now…the world could be depending on his actions.

She wasn't sure how much she and Maryn could contribute, but Kerry hoped he succeeded nonetheless.