The next morning in Tranquil Town was as quiet as could be, however. The torched forest still loomed in the distance, the embers having died down into a sheet of dark ash that scattered about over the ground, but thankfully, Salem hadn't seen it fit to burn anything else while looking for her targets. Still, the outskirts were fairly barren of anyone venturing out, and the wanted poster for the maniacal Delphox had been updated fairly quickly with all of the relevant information- that she had indeed reached a final evolution stage, who her underlings were, and the uncanny abilities she made use of with reckless abandon.

Nonetheless, in a certain Nidoking's cozy hut, the figures of an Inteleon and Greninja took up at his table too, looking very downcast. Kaminari's arm was almost completely obscured under bandages, the webbing on her hand no longer looking charred but nonetheless bearing some discoloration and warping from Salem's heat. It had certainly looked far worse in the days prior, but there was still healing to occur before it would be fine again.

"Now, that old saying 'no news is good news' might not be applicable here, but ya gotta have a little faith," Nez cooed, smiling sympathetically while pouring three cups of tea. "That's all we can do right now- hope for the best. Your boy and Astrid aren't completely helpless, we've seen."

"Oh, I do hope for the best, Nez," Niles replied, gentle but melancholy. "But there's only so many options left when they're nowhere to be found hiding in the surroundings and their bodies aren't among the ash."

"I'll cut that Delphox's eyes out and shove them down her throat if I ever see her again," Kaminari hissed, glaring down at the table. "The gods only know what's happened to Astrid, and things are far too quiet without Arashi…"

Nez gently reached out and gave them both a pat on the shoulder, but at that moment, a frantic knocking came at the door, to which he quickly jumped up and darted over. "Comin'!"

Niles and Kaminari both perked up, and their company outside was shortly revealed to be Lucy the Swoobat courier with her bag haphazardly swung across her body and a letter grasped in one of her feet, her countenance a bit frantic.

She practically vomited out the words that followed. "Hey, Nez, you know where Niles and Kaminari are? Normally I'd just drop the mail off, but this one looks, well… It's really important!"

Nez was about to answer, but swiftly, Niles strode over to the doorway to see what the matter was, and the Swoobat practically shoved the letter at him as fast as she could.

"It's your kid," Lucy said quickly. "Or at least, I'm damn sure it is."

At that, Kaminari practically leaped out of her chair too to see what Lucy brought, and all three sets of eyes on the inside of the cottage were shooting wide open. Niles quickly flipped the letter around to see who it was from, and some handwriting they recognized had apparently scrawled out rather hastily "The One and Only" along with a little doodle of a happy face. It might not have been Arashi's name, but it was definitely Arashi's antics. They couldn't help but stare for a second.

Nonetheless, Niles' gaze snapped up to the Swoobat. "Th-thank you, Lucy!"

"I knew they'd pull through," Lucy said. "Y'all take care!"

She was darting off again, and Nez pulled the door shut while Niles tried to rip the envelope open as fast as possible. All three of them practically had their eyes glued to the pages inside.

"To Mom and Dad (and whoever else)-

"We're alright! Me and Astrid are perfectly fine! We're at Craggy Crossroads right now and probably staying there for a while, so don't worry if you don't see us around! Astrid said returning home would be a stupid idea and Salem would probably burn the town down if we did, and she's probably right. No one wants Tranquil Town to get torched and we don't want to be caught so easily, so we're staying away.

"But let me be the first one to say, you would not BELIEVE the things that have happened! We made it into the forest and tried to run away, but you know that creature that Astrid was terrified of that we just called 'the beast?' Well, he intercepted us and knocked us out, but it turns out, he's actually really nice and not bad at all! He's from a place called Ultra Space in another dimension, where they have these beings called 'Ultra Beasts' instead of Pokémon, and he's part of a species called 'Xurkitree.' He came to save us from Salem and apparently he's been trying to keep her cronies away from us this entire time Astrid's been here, so after we talked for a while, we decided he should join our team. He didn't have a proper name, so I called him Raijin and he really likes it! So next time you see us, don't attack him because first of all, he's our friend, and second of all, he's WICKED strong and would probably win that fight. I'm glad he's actually on our side and not Salem's!

"But, speaking of Salem, it turns out she's not even the one we should be focusing on! You know how I mentioned Ultra Space and the Ultra Beasts? Well, it turns out, there's a certain kind of parasitic Beast called 'Nihilego' that can control whatever intelligent creature they get ahold of with their poison, and there's this specific Nihilego named Void that's using Salem as her host. THAT's why Salem has such weird powers, because it's Void's poison that she's burning in her fire that make Pokémon go crazy, and Void's done the same thing to almost every living Beast on Ultra Space to make them do whatever she wants. This world is the next one on her list to take over, so that's why Salem's been making trouble for everyone else. Raijin told us everything about it, because he used to be under her control too… which is crazy to think about since he's so chill, but I guess it really happened!

"And you wouldn't believe what he told us about Astrid, either! See, Void's got such a huge force that she's backed the Ultra Space equivalent of our major legendaries- theirs are called Necrozma, Solgaleo, and Lunala- into a corner and they're at a stalemate, so Necrozma originally summoned a human from another world in a Pokémon's body since there was literally no one left on Ultra Space… and that human was Salem! But Void beat Salem too, and since Salem is both human and Pokémon and Nihilegos can merge with humans, she's been merging with Salem and using her as her strongest pawn ever since. So when Salem failed, Necrozma went looking for someone else and picked Astrid! Raijin was originally supposed to be her partner, but I guess I'm just REALLY lucky, since she freaked out at seeing a Beast and I got to meet her instead! That's why Salem (and Void) wanted her, because she's like Salem and Void could use her, but none of us are letting that happen and Astrid's all 'Down with the tyrant!' too. I KNEW there was something special, but hearing that my partner was specifically picked by Ultra Space's version of Arceus… It's a dream come true and I couldn't be happier!

"Well, actually, scratch that, because I AM happier! We ran into none other than the Expedition Coalition while we were trying to make a break from Salem, and us three ended up joining their team too! We're still going by our Team Starstorm title, but it's official, WE'RE IN! I couldn't believe it was real, but this is literally everything I ever wanted! You know, Astrid fusses at me every time I say that it's a good day because something bad always happens, but I can write it here: today is a good day!

"We'll come back and visit once it's safe, but we don't know when that will be. Maybe Trixie will stop calling us useless posers now, since we're about as legit as can be! (And if she doesn't, I'm sure Charlie can shut her up.) If it rains, Lila and Raijin would probably have a lot of fun together launching bolts and all, but his Discharge would probably scare the daylights out of Veeko. I'm already making some new friends over here in the Crossroads, but obviously, I'm not gonna forget anyone from Tranquil Town! You know how Astrid is, staying fluffed up whenever anything new happens, but I can tell she's happy too. Between her and Raijin, I couldn't ask for better teammates! I AM SO PUMPED!

"Excitedly,

"Arashi, Expedition Coalition… it feels so cool to write that! (And no, I'm not lying!)"

Their eyes got wider and wider the more they read, but even without the name signed at the end, there was definitely no mistaking who it was from, and rather shortly, the three of them were back at Nez's table before anyone could collapse in a crying heap on the floor. Kaminari couldn't help bawling into her hands in relief and Niles patted her on the back, getting misty eyes himself. Nez wasn't far behind, tears of solace and happiness streaming down all of their faces.

"That's a lot to unpack, but they're alright…!" the Greninja choked out.

"That's all that matters- they're alive," Niles concurred, still staring at the letter.

"Aye, those little youngsters…!" Nez said with a smile.

Still, it took a bit of time to get a handle on their feelings again, but when they did, the three of them were rather silently sipping their cups of tea and still staring at the letter as if it were simply too good to be true.

"Now, maybe I shouldn't be askin', but what's this about Astrid bein' a human…?" Nez softly inquired. "Is that what ya couldn't tell us…?"

Niles nodded. "That's right, Nez. That was quite a bold claim to make at first, so we kept it quiet for her own well-being in case there was a more serious underlying cause, and, well… You know how it is now. There's hardly a point in keeping that a secret anymore."

The Nidoking nodded. "Well, I guess that would explain the Beastie giving me such a walloping when I tried to post those flyers."

"And if what Arashi says is true, then I'm glad they've got a new comrade out of it to help them," Kaminari remarked. "And I suppose they have more than that if they're part of the Coalition now, too."

Nez giggled, taking a sip before happily remarking, "Hah! Your boy went and did what he's always wanted to in that case! The lad must be so happy!"

Niles grinned. "He's probably bouncing off the walls… literally."

Of course, it was fairly easy for them to imagine the Frogadier waiting until his idols were out of sight, and then proceeding to dart around the room triumphantly… which hadn't been too far off from what his actual reaction was. The ones in the cottage were certainly more upbeat with the news that the youngsters had pulled through fine and were seemingly flourishing, but in any case, the mentions of Void's agenda and Salem's power source weren't anything they ignored. Niles took special note of it and Kaminari couldn't help thinking of how best to thrash a symbiont bent on world domination.

Still, the news was something they couldn't merely keep to themselves.


"This is stupid," Charlie remarked, crossing his arms and tilting his head to the side.

Trixie didn't pay his remark any mind, stubbornly clinging to the tip of a rock and reaching up at a Geodude observing her from a more comfortable crevice. "C'mon! I totally had it before this one did!" she protested, shooting the Geodude a shifty grin.

"If you did, it wouldn't be sitting on a rock holding it," the Aipom objected.

The Rock Pokémon in question simply seemed to stare at Trixie bewilderedly, a Nanab berry comfortably tucked under one arm while the Croagunk tried to get closer in an attempt to 'reclaim' it. Verdant Meadow was peaceful as always, though a simple rock sitting near a berry tree had turned out to not be a rock when Trixie tried to pick the lone pink and yellow fruit growing off of it. Perhaps the Geodude had been guarding its favorite berry tree, but of course, they had no idea. One way or another, Trixie hadn't been successful.

"Hey! I had my hand on it and then this rock suddenly turns out to be a Geodude that snatches it before I could get a grip?! Nah, it's mine!" Trixie objected in return.

Charlie simply shook his head. Trixie's hand inched a little closer as she reached as far as she possibly could, but yet again, it was all for naught when the Geodude balled up its other fist and knocked her over the head with it, causing her to lose her balance and tumble back to the grass. Charlie couldn't help but smirk.

"Ow! Don't be such a-!" Trixie protested.

"You guys! Arashi sent word back! They're alright!" a certain Jolteon's voice cut her off.

Both Charlie and Trixie glanced back, slightly caught off guard by Lila's sudden call, but nonetheless, the Jolteon darted up to them with her little brother close behind, a letter in his mouth and his smaller legs struggling to keep up with Lila's frenzied speed.

"W-wait, what?" Charlie stammered, as if not completely sure of the words he'd just heard. "But Salem went and burned down a huge chunk of the forest trying to find them! How do we know for sure?!"

"Hold up!" Trixie exclaimed, likewise perking up in interest. "I thought no one could find 'em! They just went and disappeared! Do we know where they are now?!"

Lila nodded, spreading the letter out for them to see once Veeko put it down from his panting mouth. They too were glued to it shortly, likewise getting wide-eyed. The Jolteon had to read it out for the little Eevee, who still needed some more explanation for what a 'human' was and what 'parasitic' meant. He got a bit timid and tried to hide under Lila's belly again when he figured out the meaning.

Still, at the end of it, Trixie couldn't help but remark, "Ehehe! They've graduated from being useless posers to just plain old posers~!"

A slap from Charlie's tail-hand to the back of her head shut her up.

"And Astrid's a human that's not from this world," the Aipom said, mostly to himself. "No wonder she was so on-edge and clueless…"

"And no wonder Arashi was so happy at making a team with her," Lila mused. "I never would've guessed anything like that was even possible."

"But… the Expedition Coalition goes on scary missions…" Veeko's voice trailed off, his tail wrapping around the rest of him as best it could. "That doesn't sound like fun at all…"

Trixie giggled. "It is to some 'Mon, Veeko!"

The little Eevee still didn't seem very convinced.

"I bet they're gonna come back with all kinds of wild stories," Lila said, folding the letter back up with one of her front paws. "Whenever they come back… I'm glad to know they're okay, but by the gods does it feel strange without Arashi bouncing everywhere and Astrid fluffing up at almost everything. It hasn't been long, but… I miss those two."

Charlie crossed his arms, getting a little smile but looking slightly downcast. "Tranquil Town is too Tranquil…"

Again their Croagunk pal went to giggling her voice flippantly trailed off, "And if they were here, Arashi would be agreeing with you and Astrid would fluff up again…~ Sheesh, this feels weird!"

They were all in agreement. The news that their friends were alive and relatively well was welcome news in and of itself, but nonetheless, knowing it might be awhile before they ever saw them again was bittersweet. Lila had no trouble acknowledging that indeed, a round of bolt-launching with the new Starstorm addition sounded fun, which Veeko looked rather startled at. Obviously it would be some time before that could ever happen, but nonetheless, whenever it was safe for their Frogadier and Dartrix buddies to make a trip back home, they'd be waiting.

. . . . .

However, elsewhere…

Whispering Lowlands 13F

The dungeon hadn't been named for actual whispering, the Starstorm trio had determined, but rather the flapping of bug wings and the occasional mirages of wild Kirlias. A fainted Masquerain was laid over in a corridor, some freezing dust from Arashi's Ice Beam still clinging to its wings, and in the room behind it was a Kirlia that fainted from taking one too many Steel Wings. The soil on the ground was tinted a slight pink, a rather odd sight compared to everything else in the surroundings, and the trees making up the dungeon walls were full of yellow and white flowers that smelled rather sweet. Of course, some wild Ribombees and Beedrills certainly took a liking to the blooms as well, and reacted negatively whenever the Starstorm trio intruded upon their territory… but it was manageable. Their target would surely be easy enough to find.

Astrid's eyes scanned around for any sign of a Salandit, fainted or otherwise, that would surely be out of place among the bugs, psychics, and fairies. They'd located the stairs, but nonetheless, a hapless reptilian youngster named 'Dazzle' was what they searched for in the later floors.

"Hey! Dazzle, are you here?" Arashi called on entering the next room.

Very quickly, some rustling came from the limbs overhead, followed by a tired-sounding but happy exclamation. "Oh, Arceus above, finally a voice I can understand!"

The face of a Salandit peered down at them from one of the limbs overhead, the rest of the little reptilian body obscured by a myriad of petals and leaves. Arashi giggled and gave a wave, and just a bit more of the black and grey figure poked out.

"Did Mom send you to rescue me?!" the Salandit bleated haplessly, shaking her head, "Oh, I thought she was wrong, but she wasn't! I really can't handle this place by myself…!"

Another giggle came from the Frogadier. "Well, we are here for you! Come on down and let's get out of here!"

Dazzle's head disappeared back into the flowers, and more rustling followed that they traced along the ceiling to the dungeon wall, where she skittered back down a tree trunk and over to them. Astrid didn't say a word, figuring she didn't need to with her partner present.

"Are you alright?" Raijin inquired, studying the Salandit a bit. "Seems like you were hiding…"

"I totally was!" Dazzle replied, sounding a bit exasperated. "My friend Razzle told me that the Ribombees were nice and would share their pollen puffs, but nnnnnope! I thought Mom was just being condescending when she said I wasn't ready for solo dungeon-crawling 'cause she just gets her harem to do everything for her, but nnnnnope! Those Kirlias and their Pysbeams are just… ugh!"

Perhaps having a larger group to handle fighting and food-gathering would make things quite a lot easier, Astrid figured.

Arashi chuckled a bit, giving her a pat on the head. "Well, did you get any pollen puffs?"

Again she was looking rather flustered, her tail whipping around with little scattering embers. "Oh, I got some, alright! The exploding kind, not the fluffy and good-tasting kind! And I thought I was supposed to be good at dealing with bugs, but jeez!"

Another giggle came from the Frogadier. "Well, don't worry! If any more Ribombees try throwing their pollen bombs, you got us to deal with 'em!"

A sigh of utter relief left Dazzle's mouth, and they set off towards the stairs with Astrid leading the way and Dazzle sticking close between her and Arashi. The Salandit's tail flicked about happily, a few tiny flames burning along the red stripe, but she wasn't emitting any pheromone-laden gas. Nonetheless, Dazzle certainly didn't have to, for the Starstorm trio wasn't intending to let her to expend any moves on foes anyway.

"I'm telling Razzle that he's a filthy liar and he should get Psybeamed!" Dazzle fussed, grinning nonetheless. "Ugh, I just wanna go home and tell my buddies how jacked up this was!"

"Hey, us three can relate to that too," Arashi chuckled, shooting the Salandit a glance back.

Astrid and Raijin both knew what he was referring to, but just like the hapless Dazzle, they knew they'd have to get through the current ordeal first.

Astrid had to admit, even as nice as the Crossroads had turned out to be and how much more secure it was by comparison, she missed nestling up in a basket on Arashi's shelf, all tucked away inside a cavern on the beach… Maybe it wasn't anyplace a Dartrix otherwise would've been, but Tranquil Town definitely felt like a 'home' if she ever had one in the world she'd been sent. Raijin probably felt out of place in their world, too… Arashi didn't seem too bothered one way or another, but surely the Frogadier wouldn't want to stay away forever, Astrid figured.

Still, they could only guess when their concerns wouldn't be necessary anymore.


Author's note: Hello again, folks; I'd just like to chime in for a moment here. I have a semblance of regularity back to my schedule now, so this will again return to being my 'weekend project,' but due to how things are on my end, that doesn't necessarily mean I'll only be writing on the weekends (at least, writing things that are not lab reports). But, that being said... I'd also like to say that I finished up the draft for chapter 30 today and also began on chapter 31, and while this was mostly a 'catch-up' sort of chapter to touch on the Tranquil Town gang that I wanted to include, the REAL fun will be beginning shortly. Praise be to the Nihilego empress and her army of UBs.