"Now, make sure you pack everything for your special trip, sweetie~!" Marie's overly motherly voice sang through the hut.

Melissa rolled her eyes playfully as she checked her bag. "Marie, I am fine. I packed everything I will need last night."

"Are you sure?" Marie knelt down and grabbed her shoulders from behind. "Toothbrush? Snacks? Dagger? Backup dagger? Extra backup dagger—"

"Why would I need that many daggers?" Melissa asked.

Marie giggled. "Old habits. Oh, and a bar of soap."

"A bar of soap?"

"Of course. It's unlikely you'll find anywhere to clean yourself on the road. So, always nice to have some soap in the likely event you find a stream. Oh, and a fresh change of uniform, too."

"I have to bathe in a stream?!" Melissa shrieked.

Marie shrugged. "Hey, I did it once."

"Ditto!" Pandora seconded from her workstation.

"Do not encourage this!" Melissa yelled. She hugged her chest and shuddered. "That sounds so undignified…"

Marie giggled. "Aww, nothing to be embarrassed about. Nothing wrong with whipping off the clothes and exposing yourself to the elements. Going all natural, just like our savage ancestors! Bonus points if you get a cute boy or girl's attention—"

"I do not like this conversation!" Melissa yelled, pulling down her ears to hide her red face.

"Oh fine~," Marie teased, pinching Melissa's cheek. "You're so cute when you're embarrassed." Melissa whimpered, which came out as a soft squeak. "My heart soars tenfold!"

Pandora spun around in her chair. "Seriously Mels, you do have everything you need, right? This is a pretty big step you're taking. After enough field assignments, you'll be eligible to become a Greenwood Leader. There is a lot of training that goes into that. Being prepared shows you're organized."

Melissa let go of her ears and took a deep breath. She stood up and faced her roommates with a confident grin. "You have nothing to fear, my friends! I have spent the last three days gathering everything I will need. In fact…" She whipped a scroll out of her front pocket and whipped it open, accidentally hitting Marie in the head. "I made a list!"

Marie pulled the list off her head and skimmed it. "Err…honey, this is a pretty big list."

"I know, right?" she exclaimed, flaring her nostrils with pride.

"I wasn't joking about the bar of soap, you know. You, however, are bringing a hairbrush, makeup, perfume, five quiver's worth of arrows, a…a book on the effective methods of hiding?"

Melissa tapped her fingers together awkwardly and turned away to hide her sheepish smile. "I, uh…spoke to one of the Greenwoods and he gave that to me for protection. Hehe…"

Pandora smirked. "Frogadier?"

"Y-Yeah…"

"Yep, that was Shingo. Nice guy, but super cautious.

Marie sighed and handed the list back to Melissa. "Honey, you'd be sooner crushed by your equipment before an enemy spotted you. You need to pack light."

"But what if I need this stuff?"

"Do you really need the hairbrush and makeup?"

"W-Well, what if I wanted to look nice while I am…being inconspicuous?" Melissa shrunk to Marie's cheeky smile. "Yes, yes, I heard myself out loud."

Marie hid her grin as she laughed. "Oh, you poor thing. Looks like I'll have to make last minute revisions for you." She grabbed Melissa's pack and slung it onto her hammock.

"Thanks, I guess." Melissa walked up to Pandora's station. "By the way, how is my request coming along?"

Pandora put her charcoal piece down and tapped her chin. "Still in the development stages. I have a design worked out, but I'm still looking into parts."

"Ooh, can I see the design?"

Pandora poked Melissa's nose. "No can do. I want you to be surprised."

Melissa pouted. "Aww…"

"Though, tell me if you want to incorporate any new copy styles. I might try to work it in."

Melissa smiled. "Thank you, Pan!"

"Yeah, speaking of," Marie spoke up as she tossed out some books and handmade jewelry. "You haven't had any problems with your Faithless Imitation, right?"

Melissa blinked in confusion. "Uh, no. Why you ask?"

"No reason, really. Just try to be careful when you use it. You've only now started learning to use it for longer periods and not random bursts. It may change up your fighting style, but you won't be able to overpower your opponent. Example, just because you've been learning to fight with Ragger, you'd almost always get your butt kicked unless you could naturally outmuscle him. Try not to get too caught up with relying on those imitations."

Melissa waved it off. "I will be fine. I have been training nonstop with Jason. I can take on anything."

Marie sighed. "If you're sure. Don't strain yourself, though. You never know what overclocking your Copycat could do."

"What makes you say that?"

Marie shrugged. "Nothing much. I just know these things." She finished shuffling through Melissa's bag before tossing it back to her. "Alright, I organized your bag. Go see Tank about a single quiver's worth of arrows, and you should be set."

"Heh. Where would I be without you?"

Marie smirked. "Not in my loving arms, for one." She extended a hug in her direction.

Melissa smirked back, then headed for the door. "Love you, too," she said half-jokingly. "Goodbye! I will miss you two!"

Pandora waved back. "Don't forget to write!"

Once Melissa was out of the hut, Marie walked over to Pandora and hooked her arm around her. She sighed and said, "They grow up so fast. Our little girl."

Pandora squinted. "Does this make me the father of this relationship?" She pondered the thought over. "Wait, the father usually gets the power in the household. I shall conquer Virdis through the patriarchy! Huzzah!"

"Here you go," Tank said as he handed Melissa a fresh supply of arrows.

She loaded them into her quiver and nodded. "Thank you, Tank. You going to be busy while I am gone?"

The Smeargle sighed, resting his cheek into his bulky glove. "Oh, you have no idea. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching prospecting students the value of the forge, but that comes with the terrible price of wasting metal."

Melissa giggled. "Oh dear, I am so sorry."

Tank smirked. "Eh, it's whatever. Although, I'm surprised Leon didn't take up my course."

Melissa blinked in surprise. "Leon?"

"Yeah. I often see him taking passing glances at the forge before going on with his day. He seemed like the type who'd love working in the forge. I did try asking, but he brushed me off."

"Huh. Wonder why." Melissa shook her head. "Well, I will worry about that later. Thanks again, Tank." She extended her hand.

"No problem." He shook her hand. However, when Melissa pulled away, she accidentally took his glove with her, along with his wooden hand. Tank raised his right arm and stared at the stump. "Oops."

Melissa froze in place as she stared at his stump. Thankfully, she was very much aware that he was missing a hand and therefore didn't jump to the conclusion she somehow accidentally ripped his hand off. "I am…so sorry." She handed his glove back and slowly shuffled out the door.

Tank smirked and jammed the glove back on, flexing the fingers a few times. "Take care, Princess."

"Heh, bye." She stumbled out the door and rushed to the meeting area.

She hurried to the platform where all field teams were preparing to depart from. She slowed her pace and looked around for her group. While she didn't immediately spot them, she smiled upon spotting her teammates waiting by the platform.

"Hey!" she called out, running over to them.

Lillia perked up and raised her arms. "What up!" She gave Melissa a quick hug before asking, "All set for your trip?"

Melissa nodded. "You bet. Sure, I am not too thrilled to be partnered with the twins and Klaus, but I am sure we will all get along."

Lucient chuckled. "We all came by to wish you off. Seems you, Kenny, and Ragger will be the only ones leaving our little group."

Melissa turned to Kenny. "Oh, you are applying to be a Greenwood Leader?"

Kenny nodded, then signed, "I am hoping to improve my nonverbal communication skills to be an effective leader."

"Aww, that is great. I wish you luck, my little friend!" She bent down and gave the Cubchoo a high five.

Leon looked around at the crowd. "Come to think of it, I don't even remember Ragger signing up for a group. He said he was leaving, but I didn't see his name at all on the board."

"Huh, that is weird." Melissa raised her brow upon realizing something. "Wait, where is Ragger? And Wyatt and Avel?"

Lucient raised his paw. "The brothers haven't shown up yet, so Ragger went off to get them. Those two have been stuck on choosing an assignment for days now. I hope they found something they'll like."

Lillia asked, "You said you wanted to take Pandora's course?"

Lucient nodded. "For an unorthodox reason, I admit. My next choice would have been Greenwood Leader. However, I wish to improve on something, so Pandora's technical expertise would be beneficial."

Lillia chuckled. "All of you aiming for super important positions while I'm just taking up a managing position in the fort."

Melissa shook her head. "Do not sell yourself short. You can still a lot of good managing the fort. It is a perfect fit for you since you do not like working on the field as much."

"True, you are right."

Leon sighed. "Well, once the field leaders leave, the Weald Rangers will be calling us over to discuss our regiments over the next few weeks. I heard a rumor they're paying bandits to do a mock defense course."

"We can hire other bandits?" Melissa questioned.

Leon rolled his eyes. "Bandits, peasants, some vagabonds in need of money, who knows? I said it's a rumor."

"Oh. Well, good luck with your training, Leon."

"Whatever."

"So cold…" Melissa mumbled.

"Found them!" The teammates turned and saw Ragger marching over to them, holding Wyatt by the hood while Avel sat peacefully in Wyatt's lily pad.

"Uh, Ragger? I can walk myself," Wyatt pointed out.

Ragger smirked. "Yes, but this gives me a good workout." He lifted the Lombre a couple of times to show. "See? The perfect size and shape to give my muscles a good stretch."

"Can you put us down?"

Ragger rolled his eyes. "Oh, fine." He dropped him onto his feet.

"Thank you." Wyatt dusted himself off, then grinned at his teammates. "What's up, my guys! You all excited for our training?"

"Heck yeah!" Lillia cheered.

"Absolutely!" Melissa exclaimed.

"Great!" Wyatt exclaimed back. "Because we're certainly not!"

Their mood instantly deflated as they stared with frozen wide eyes at the Lombre and Shellder. "Um, come again?" Melissa asked.

"Did something happen?" Lucient asked. "Were you unable to join a group in time?"

Avel shook his head. "Nothing like that. We did find an open group for the Weald Rangers."

"The Weald Rangers?" Leon repeated. "You two want to become guards?"

Wyatt crossed his arms and grinned. "You bet. We figured since the Weald Rangers are all about teamwork and cooperation to defend the base, it seemed like the perfect job for Avel and me."

"I would make for a decent Greenwood, admittedly," Avel said, "but Wyatt and I come as a packaged deal. So, Weald Ranger was the perfect fit for us."

"Huh. Well still, that is great," Melissa said. "Why is that such a problem?"

Wyatt groaned and slumped forward. "We took too long to make up our minds, so most of the positions were filled up. Key word, most."

Avel sighed. "There was one group open. Very open, actually. As in, we're the only ones who signed up for that group."

"Wait, seriously?" Melissa gasped.

Lillia raised her brow. "Whose group did you get stuck with?"

Wordlessly, the brothers pointed over their teammates' shoulders. They turned and spotted a few of their superiors conversing with each other. Ursula, Enora, Fabrice, Marianne, etc. They weren't the ones the brothers were pointing at, though. It was the one Weald Ranger standing off to the side.

Altair.

Their jaws dropped instantly. "Wait, so you two are going to be training under…Altair?" Lillia asked.

"That absentminded Cramorant?" Leon mumbled.

The brothers sighed. "Yeeeeeeah."

An uncomfortable silence lingered after their admission as the teammates let the realization sink it. Ragger, upon closing his jaw, threw his head back and bellowed with laughter. He clutched his stomach and fell over onto his back, kicking his feet in the air. Wyatt blushed and hid under his uniform while Avel closed up his shell.

"Oh man, you two got the short end of the whole tree!" Ragger cackled, slamming his fist against the floor.

Lucient glared at the laughing dragon and stamped his paw down. "Enough, Ragnarok! That's not how we should treat our superior."

Ragger sat up and wiped a tear away, calming himself down. "Oh c-come on, even you have to find that hilarious. That dumb bird doesn't even know where he is half the time. He'd be teaching these bozos how connect with their inner selves by staring off into space for a good ten days." Ragger paused briefly, then grinned at Lucient. "Hey, seems you two have something in common."

Lucient rolled his eyes. "I do not stare off into space." He pushed up his spectacles and turned away. "I just get lost in thought too often."

Ragger snickered. "Man, you are a stick in the mud."

"I've seen Altair in action during our invasion. He's incredibly powerful, even if he's a bit…forgetful."

Melissa nodded. "Lucient is right, Ragger. I am sure Wyatt and Avel will benefit greatly from Altair's training."

Ragger smirked. "Well duh, they're his only students." He slapped his knee and laughed even harder. "I'm on fire today!" Wyatt and Avel groaned and sunk deeper into the floor.

Melissa groaned. "You are impossible." She turned and smiled at the brothers. "It is not a big deal. Maybe give Altair a chance. He has not been kicked out of the Weald Rangers, so he is clearly doing something right. Like Lucient said, Altair is very powerful. I could see you two learning a lot from him."

"Doubtful," Wyatt groaned, pulling his knees to his chest.

Avel sighed. "On the plus side, at least it'll be an easy few weeks with what little that'll do us."

Melissa sighed and shook her head. "I give up." Her ears perked up to a whistle. She spotted the Toxicroak, Ursula, waving down the Woodlands.

"Alright everyone, listen up!" she yelled. "All Woodlands signing up for the fieldwork assignments, find your Greenwood Leader and prepare to depart. Woodlands staying for the management positions, you'll join your leader by the training deck. Once they've cleared, remaining Woodlands will find their Weald leaders and receive their information. All clear? Good!" She whistled again, rousing the Woodlands to get moving.

Melissa adjusted her bag and smiled at her teammates. "Well, I guess Kenny and I are off." Kenny nodded, mirroring Melissa.

Lillia gave the two one last hug. "You both stay safe on your missions."

Lucient smiled. "Try not to make a scene."

"Oh, haha," Melissa laughed dryly. She and Kenny headed for the deck, waving back to them. "See you in a few weeks!"

"Later!" her team, sans Leon, exclaimed.

Ragger watched the crowd disperse into even groups before stepping away from his teammates. Lucient caught him leaving and spoke up. "And where are you off to?"

Ragger stopped and grinned over his shoulder. "Oh, heading off to find my team leader."

Leon raised his brow. "You still never told us which group you signed up for."

"Oh, details. Just be happy I found something to do." He gave a halfhearted wave and walked away, leaving the group even more confused than before.

"I will never understand that guy," Leon grumbled.

Lucient sighed. "I'm with you there. Kind of worrying."

Lillia giggled. "Hey, like he said, at least he found a group that pleased him."

"That's the part that worries me."

Ragger wandered deep into the fort, whistling casually as he checked over his shoulder. Once he felt confident he wasn't being followed, he moved at a brisk place to the agreed upon meeting point with a smirk stretching over his maw.

Time to finally get some answers.

He slowed his pace once he reached the edge of the furthermost platform, with nothing but trees and a sharp drop in front of him. A whistle drew his attention upward, where he spotted Valentine and Sid (and Rusty) sitting on a branch with his bag.

Valentine waved the Hakamo-o up. "Hurry along, Raganrok, we're burning daylight."

Ragger dismounted the platform, clawed into the tree trunk, and scurried up to their level. He swung around the branch and landed on his feet, snatching his bag from Valentine. "You better not have damaged my alcohol."

Valentine raised his hands. "I would never think of it." He stood up and helped Sid to her feet. "Alright Ragnarok—"

"Ragger," the scaly dragon groaned.

"Ragger. You do know the plan, right?"

Ragger rolled his eyes and waved it off. "Yeah, yeah. Go to the village we invaded, find out where Althalos and his goons were transported, infiltrate said location, force the info, get wasted, boom, we're done."

"Yep, pretty much. Glad to see you were paying attention."

Sid cradled Rusty in her arms. "You still never told us why you really want to go on this mission, Ragger. Is it really that personal that you can spare us a hint?"

Ragger shrugged. "I mean, it's my business. Maybe I just want to check out the village's fine selection of alcohol I was never able to sample. The perfect drink to combat the cold, cold lands of Algus."

Valentine smirked. "Ah, very selfish of you, Ragger. Fine, don't tell us. Not our problem."

Sid rolled her eyes, then pointed ahead. "You better not quit on us. Half the journey will be taken on foot until we rendezvous with the transport we hired. Think you can handle the trip?"

"You kidding? I traveled all the time when I was a kid. This is nothing. I could probably make the way there on foot only," Ragger boasted.

"Yes, but if you do, you won't get to that alcohol you want so much by the time we get there."

"And that's why you're my superior." Ragger bowed mockingly to the Spinda. "I humbly accept your guidance."

"Naturally," Valentine replied in kind.

Sid sighed. "Ooh boy, we're going to be dealing with this for a while, Rusty." The bucket drooped forward in her claws. "Exactly my point." She strapped Rusty to her bag and stretched her legs. "Enough chitchat, you two. We've got ground to cover."

"Yes, yes, of course." Valentine bent his legs and tilted forward. "Take notes, Ragger. You'll have the honor of seeing two Nature Spirits in action."

"That an invitation to join?" Ragger asked, getting into position.

"Hehehehe, no."

"I tried."

The three kicked off the tree and dashed through the leaves at a breakneck pace. Ragger curled his fists and steeled his sights ahead, setting himself up for what's to come. Hopefully, by some miracle, he finds what he's looking for.

"Don't miss me too much, my icy vixen~."

"Just so long as you come back in one piece, my hunky mudfish~."

"I'll miss you~."

"I'll miss you more~."

"No, I'll miss you more~."

"Nnnoooo, I'll miss you more~."

The team of Melissa, Klaus, and the Thievery Twins stood by as the Marshtomp and Glaceon in front of them held hands/paws and rubbed their noses together, loudly announcing their lovesick affection for everyone in earshot. Since their not-so-secret romance got found out thanks to Marie's meddling, they've been openly affectionate in public, for better or worse. The twins snickered while Klaus looked absolutely done.

"I didn't think it was possible for me to get sicker," he grumbled. He hiccupped and pounded his chest. "Yep, that was the bile."

Melissa giggled. "Aww, but I think they are so sweet together!"

"Of course, you would eat up this lovey-dovey crap."

Gold hooked his arm around Klaus, as did Jewel with Melissa. "No need for such harsh words—"

"—when we are set for adventure soon," Jewel finished as she tried to snake her hand towards Melissa's locket. She irritably batted the Purrloin's hand away, much to her amusement. "You're catching on."

"You two are not very subtle."

"We're only giving you a chance. Besides—"

"—we're training you to deal with pickpockets," Gold added on.

Melissa rolled her eyes. "Gee, thanks."

Klaus peeled Gold's arm off, then dropped his bag down. "So, where were we heading again?"

Fabrice finally pulled his attention away from Enora, much to her disappointment, and said, "We will be traveling to the capital of the Echo Bell Kingdom to not only take in the rich culture and wealth, but to also showcase the difference in security compared to the Verde Kingdom's capital. Since the capital has had issues with criminals in recent times, we'll be using the new land for training."

Melissa straightened up and raised her hand. "Permission to speak, sir?"

"Love the enthusiasm, Melissa! Speak."

"How will this help us prepare to become Greenwoods if all we're doing is going to the kingdom and robbing it?"

Fabrice grinned. "Good question. Since Greenwoods act as group leaders on these types of missions, it'd be in your best interest to challenge your own problem solving skills and ability to adapt. You won't be doing any actual leading until you run your final test, which will be conducted in the capital."

Klaus raised his brow. "Basically, we're going there to get a layout of the kingdom and to choose when we want to run our test?"

"Exactly. The Echo Bell Kingdom is the Kingdom of Revelry. There's no better place to rob than party-loving folk with tons of money on hand. This is more of a research trip than our typical thefts, though it's encouraged nonetheless."

"Sweet!" the twins cheered.

Melissa rubbed her chin. "So, the purpose of this trip is to survey the kingdom for ourselves, determine the perfect crime to carry out, and prepare to lead a team of our own as our final test? Oh my, talk about pressure."

Enora smiled. "You will have access to our archives for references, and of course tips from your seniors."

Fabrice crossed his arms and grinned proudly. "I was particularly ambitious during my test. I managed to steal an antique vase from the emperor of the Great Gate Empire. I led my team to a nearly flawless heist."

"Wow!" Melissa gasped, eyes shining alight.

Klaus raised his hand. "I have…one potential concern about doing this in the capital."

"And that is…?" Fabrice asked.

"The capital is supposed to be where Grim Deadlock hangs out the most since the nights are a hotspot for criminal activity. Won't we be as risk if we get caught?"

Melissa's bravado fell upon realizing that. It didn't occur to her that the infamous bounty hunter and one of the top ten most wanted would be skulking the area at night. She still didn't know much about him, but her several near-death experiences told her encountering him would be an unlucky fourth.

Fabrice waved it off. "So long as you don't draw unnecessary attention to yourselves, you'll be fine. Besides, I can totally keep you four safe."

Enora smirked. "Babe, I love you, but you aren't going to fight on par with Grim Deadlock."

He took her paws into his hands and stared into her eyes. "Not even if I was dressed like a shining knight?" he asked, wiggling his brow.

"Oh my~!" she exclaimed, blushing deep red and giggling.

Klaus snapped his fingers. "Hello?!"

The couple shook their heads and snapped back into attention. "Ah, right." Fabrice cleared his throat and continued, "Point is, just act casual. This is a research trip. I'm basically giving you all permission to do some sightseeing and design the perfect heist. We'll be in the capital for a few weeks before returning back to base. And we'll be camped a little ways outside the capital walls so to not draw attention to ourselves."

Melissa pumped her fists. "I am already looking forward to this!"

"Really love that enthusiasm!"

Klaus sighed, then shrugged in defeat. "Whatever. Is there a specific requirement to the heist? Like something more challenging than stealing from a baker?"

Fabrice smirked. "You could, but it won't reflect well off your final results."

"Noted."

"This is your chance to prove yourselves as effective leaders, if and only if that is the direction you'll be taking." Fabrice raised his fist. "So, stand tall and do your best! I know with my guidance and your abilities, you all will make fine, upstanding Greenwoods!"

"Thank you, sir!" Melissa exclaimed, saluting to him.

Klaus rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Can we just go already?"

"Actually," Gold spoke up, "how will we be getting to the capital?"

"Our only mode of transport is Godfrey, yes?" Jewel added.

Fabrice chuckled. "We will have to do a bit of walking, though you'll find the Foresters have some useful connections. We've hired someone to take us to the capital on route with his deliveries. The Foresters have all sorts of helpful connections from people who owe us favors, mostly lower class folk and farmers."

"How thoughtful," Melissa said.

"Indeed. Now, shall we get a move on?"

"Yes, sir!" his team exclaimed.

"Great!"

Enora grabbed Fabrice's hands and nuzzled into his neck. "Stay safe, my brawny mudfish~."

"Anything for you, my voluptuous fox~." He leaned in and planted a tender kiss on her lips, which Enora melted into as she hugged his neck.

"Aww!" Melissa gushed.

Klaus pulled on his eyelids, groaned, then marched away. "If anyone needs me, I'll be waiting below, probably vomiting into a bush."

On the Algus mountain, a pair of bounty hunters camped out just above a village, plotting their next move. The Hitmonchan, Casimir, sat by the fire while his partner, Shale, kicked a rock around in the air.

"So, I was thinking we set up a fake carnival and attract the Foresters' attention," Shale said, keeping her attention mostly on the rock she was juggling. "We'll have all sorts of wild and exciting attractions. The allure of such a colorful place will draw them in like a Magikarp to water. That's when Phase 2 is initiated!"

Casimir closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Oh boy."

"See, while they'll be enjoying the provided confectionaries, I'll be sprinkling them with a tiny amount of poison. Nothing lethal, mind you. Instead, with enough in their system, they'll get the worst stomachache in history, thus incapacitating them in that moment. Oho, but it's not over. Phase 3 is where it's at. When they need to relieve their aching stomachs, we'll provide outhouses they can use. We'll bolt the door shut and, oh-ho-ho, that's when things get cooking with Phase 4! We'll—"

"Shale, enough," Casimir interrupted. He grabbed a stick and prodded the campfire.

Shale turned and pouted. "Aww, but I had sixteen more phases to my plan!"

"You're not taking this seriously."

Shale rubbed her nose and smirked. "Says you. I am totally serious."

"Where would you even get half that stuff? I'm pretty sure no sane person would sell poison to a child."

"I am no child."

"You're fifteen!"

"I'll just go to the black market. They'd sell anything to anyone."

Casimir groaned and leaned back on the log seat. "I'm not having this argument."

"What's got your skirt in a bunch?"

"First of all, it's not a skirt. We Hitmonchan, when we evolve, have kilts. Kilts."

"Ah, a man skirt."

Casimir drew a harsh breath and clenched his fists. "Anyway, to continue, we have no idea when or where the Foresters will strike next. While everyone else is off in their search, you insisted we stay here and freeze."

Shale shrugged. "I feel fine."

"You're a Cinderace."

"Hehehe, yeah. But seriously, while those bozos are off on their little manhunt blinded by greed, I'm being more practical. The Foresters attacked one of the villages a few months ago. You know what they say about criminals? They always return to the scene of the crime."

"Three months ago," Casimir reminded. "They attacked three months ago. Why would they come back here now?"

Shale laughed. "Trust my intuition, Caz! I know what I'm doing! After all, I once outwitted a Uxie in a battle of the minds."

"You can barely focus on a single task." Casimir leaned onto his side and pressed his fists against his cheek. He sighed, then glared into the fire. "There's just something about this whole thing that rubs me the wrong way."

"Nah, it's in the Foresters' M.O. to attack people."

"No, not that. That shiny Lucario, Ghost."

"The Ghost. He made that very clear."

"Ugh. Fine, The Ghost—"

"Or TG, but that's my nickname for him—"

"Shale!"

"Listening!"

Casimir sat up and pressed his fists into the snow. "Didn't you think it was a little weird he offered six complete strangers a land deed? He was just carrying that with him, as well as those bounties. Why would a bounty hunter be looking for more bounty hunters? What's with this challenge?"

Shale shrugged. "Hey man, who can say no to free land?"

"Why would you need land?"

"Oh, I don't." She covered her cheeky smile. "And neither does Old Lady Gina, heehee~."

Casimir covered his face. "Of course." He peeked around his hand and glared again at the fire. "No, something about this feels planned. It's almost like The Ghost was waiting for us, or waiting for a useful batch of bounty hunters to round up the Foresters and that runaway gang."

"And the problem is…?"

Casimir sighed. "I don't know. He's completely unreadable. I don't know what he was thinking. Dead serious, but hiding something. I just can't accept that some bounty hunter would be holding property deeds just to hand out for a measly bet he doesn't have any stakes in. There has to be a catch, or something ulterior motive."

"You are paranoid," Shale dismissed, plopping down into the snow. "Besides, even if that was true, what are you so worried about? If the stories of your time in New Chariot were true, you could totally clobber TG."

Casimir bared his teeth. "Kid, I don't want to be reminded of any of that. Barely been two years."

Shale waved it off. "You get my point."

"I really don't. Aren't you the least bit concerned with The Ghost's true intentions?"

Shale smirked. Her eyes changed yellow and red. "Why should I care about any of that? Caz, you've lived through some shitty times, but I have nothing to empathize with. What should I say? I felt sad after being abandoned as a toddler? I hated the world for kicking me around? Nah. I prefer to laugh in misery's face. I don't believe in bad omens or dark futures. I just kick them out of my way and mock them for being so gloomy. Doesn't qualify me as a therapist, though. I just laugh at that nonsense.

"If TG really is up to something, I'll laugh it off and keep moving forward until I've had my fun. What's the point of living if you're not going to have fun? If anything, I actually hope you're right. If TG does have something up his sleeves, that's entertainment money can't buy. The danger, the thrills, all for the measly reward of fertile land that could make anyone rich. And I'll either consider living on it for my own benefit or ripping it up in front of Old Lady Gina's face. Either way, I'll get the last laugh."

The crackling fire filled the silence. Casimir narrowed his eyes at Shale as she rocked side-to-side on her log, humming empty words. He closed his eyes and sighed through his nostrils.

"You really are one weird kid." Casimir lay back against his log and looked toward the sky. "Wish I had your enthusiasm when I was your age. Better yet, wish I knew someone like you back then."

"Aww, you do admit we're friends."

"Shut it!" he snapped.

Shale giggled. "Tell you what? Maybe I'll give you the deed when we win the bet."

Casimir lifted his head and raised his brow at her. "Why?"

"I don't need it. Way too much responsibility. If you want to keep acting moody, perhaps early retirement would suit you. You often complained about bounty hunting being your only line of work. Fertile land, untapped grounds, the whole cornucopia. You might even achieve a noble status. You'd be set for life and never have to raise your fists again."

Casimir narrowed his eyes in awe, then gazed up at the sky. "You really think so?"

"Eh, maybe, who knows?"

Casimir closed his eyes and huffed. "That does sound nice. Of course, we would have to win the bet. Are you absolutely sure the Foresters will come by the village eventually?"

Shale shrugged. "I'd give it another month, but yeah. Only thing keeping me focused is the glorious potential of Old Lady Gina's delightful defeat."

Casimir smirked. "Like I said, you're one weird kid." He took a deep breath and exhaled softly. "Alright. Forget whatever The Ghost's intentions are. All that matters is that deed." He slammed his fists together. "Crimson Sea Casimir will pulverize anyone who stands in his way."