Back in Mesagoza, Mark's team was standing outside the city gates, waiting.
"We've already taken the time to gather information on these guys, what more could Mark possibly want?" Eddy said impatiently.
"He mentioned something about making a call, and getting a change of clothes." Double D reminded his friend. "We'll just have to wait a little longer."
"Hey guys!" Mark said as he ran up, now adorned in new clothes: He wore a red, short-sleeved shirt that has a crimson fist at the center of it. Complimenting them was a pair of black shorts. His cross necklace was still around his neck, same as ever, but a new accessory joined them: golden-looking gloves. Completing the uniform was black shoes and white socks, and a black knapsack draped over his left shoulder. "What do you think?"
"Is that supposed to be your Pokémon Trainer look?" Mermista asked.
"Hey, I'm trying to make good impressions here. Gotta look the part." Mark said. "Anyway, we know where to go?"
"Yes. It took us a while, and a few Pokéali, but we managed to get the locations of all of Team Star's bases." Double D said. "But…we still don't know how we're going to deal with Team Star."
"It's quite easy, actually." a voice said, coming from Mark's phone.
"What the…?" Mark questioned, getting his phone out.
"Greetings, Mark Anarchy of Team Chronicle. I've been watching you." the voice said.
"Huh, not a week here, and I already have a fan?" Mark asked.
"Not quite. We share a common goal…I also want Team Star to disband." they said.
"Oh, well in that case, if you can offer some help, then we'd be glad to have it. You got a name we can work with?" Mark asked.
"You can call me Cassiopeia for the time being. I'm a hacker by trade and I know how Team Star works." they said.
"Well don't keep us in suspense, how do we get 'em to disband?" Eddy asked.
"Now…as you may already know. Team Star has five different crews, the Fire Crew, the Dark Crew, the Poison Crew, the Fairy Crew and the Fighting Crew. Each is led by a different boss. If you can defeat the boss, you can get them to disband each of the squads." Cassiopeia said. "Here is what you will need to do. Moment you step inside, you'll be bombarded by numerous Pokémon from the grunts. You'll need to call out at least three Pokémon of your own to combat them. Once you get them in a tight spot, the boss will have no choice but to join the fight."
"Sounds simple enough." Simon said.
"Now then, in terms of where to start, I'd recommend heading east to the base of the Schedar Squad, Team Star's Fire Crew." Cassiopeia said. "Their leader is a fiery woman known as Mela. She is not to be underestimated; she's Team Star's best all-rounder."
"Gotcha." Mark nodded. "We'll get right on that."
"East to the Schedar Squad base it is." Glimmer said. "Hey, where's Rutega?"
"She went out catching on the Canyon trail to Artazon, we'll meet up with her on the way." Mermista said.
"WAAAAHOOO!" Or so they thought, hearing Rutega as she suddenly rushed over with Koraidon dashing at full speed, as Koraidon stopped and Rutega smiled. "Hey guys! What'd I miss- Heeeey Mark! Nice new look!" Rutega pointed out.
"Thanks." Mark nodded. "As for your question…we're heading out to take out the Fire Crew of Team Star. Hope you caught some new friends who can show their stuff."
"Sure did!" Rutega smiled, having a couple more Pokéballs to her belt.
"Speaking of catching…how exactly are you gonna battle anyone with one Pokémon?" Eddy asked. "For that matter, why bring us and Bernie along?" he added, pointing to Bernadetta.
"Oh, don't worry, there's a reason." Mark smiled. "But that'll come up later. For now, we better get a move on."
"Right behind you, Markmark." Hapi said.
"Oh, why didn't I go with Shun'ei's group…?" Bernadetta said as the group set out to begin their journey.
"So, Rutega…how're Siege and Richard doing?" Mark asked as the group traveled eastward. "It hasn't been that long since we all took Kaido down. I hope they're well."
"They are, they are for sure." Rutega smiled. "Our last mission had…" Rutega considered her next words carefully, not wanting to exactly let in on any of the worse events of the previous mission. "Ups and downs. But hey! At the end of the day we made some more friends, and what's better, Siege actually acquired a way and brought Geina back from the dead!" Rutega reported.
"No kidding?! Wow, that's great to hear!" Mark said, pleasantly surprised. "He got pretty out of it when she and the others that were summoned by that Spell Card vanished, so hearing that he's gotten one of them back…must've raised his spirits quite a bit."
"We keep looking for more ways every mission, Mark. This one just happened to reap success. But yeah, a large amount of allies joined us last mission. One's even gonna join the Perfect Link Tournament, and Siege might bring some other new faces to spectate as well." Rutega informed.
"Sweet, I can't wait to meet them." Mark nodded. "One more thing to look forward to when the PLT starts."
"Everyone, I believe we've arrived!" Double D said, pointing to a steel door that had banners of flames on the doors. The doors opened to reveal a Team Star Grunt pulling a bipedal, mushroom-like Pokémon out of the base by the tail, even as the Pokémon punched the grunt in the gut with stretchy arms.
"Just…stay…out!" the grunt yelled as it whip tossed the Pokémon away from the doors. "Fifth time this week!"
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Simon asked.
"Let's see…Ah. Breloom, the Mushroom Pokémon." Double D said. "But that's strange… Breloom is a Grass and Fighting type. What would it be doing here at the base of Team Star's specializing in Fire types?"
"Dunno. But I don't like the fact this guy just tossed him about like that." Rutega said in a low growl.
"Me neither." Mark agreed. "But let's get the full story." he said as he walked up to the grunt as they held their abdomen with a wince. "Hey, what's the problem here?"
"Ugh…that crazy Breloom is the problem." the grunt winced. "It slips in here everyday and starts attacking everyone in sight, human or Pokémon. Lucky for us, we take it down everytime. It's pretty stupid to come here looking for a fight from the Schedar Squad, a Fire type group."
"Oh, is that right?" Mark asked.
"Yeah. Don't know if it's got a Trainer or anything, but if it does, they better keep it on a short leash or something." the grunt remarked. "Uh…who are you guys anyway?"
"Hey, Mark?" Simon asked.
Mark made a 'one second' motion before he cleared his throat. "Well, you see…my friends and I are going to enter your base, fight our way to your boss, defeat them in a Pokémon battle, and disband your whole team." He explained. "But first…I'm going to let Simon here do whatever he wants to you."
The grunt stared blankly at the group before they burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Man…that was a good jo-"
Simon grabbed his shoulder before kneeing him in the stomach. "I think we'll, as the Americans put it, bust a cap in your ass." he said, holding a Pokéball as Cheshire hopped onto his shoulder.
"Oh…crud, Houndour!" the grunt wheezed as he tossed out a Pokéball as a Houndour came out and snarled at the group.
"Fuecoco, hit 'em with a Leer!" Mark said, sending out the Fire Croc Pokémon, who sent an intimidating leer at the Dark Pokémon, who stepped back a bit, still snarling.
"Don't let that overgrown snake get the better of you! Bite 'em!" the grunt ordered as Houndour rushed towards Fuecoco and sank its fangs into his side. "Haha! Gotcha!"
"Congratulations, you just put yourself in Yawn range." Mark remarked as Fuecoco yawned, causing Houndour to become drowsy.
"Wha-?! Oh, you crafty jerk!" the grunt said. "I can still make things easier for the boss! Use Smog!"
The Houndour breathed out a purple cloud of gas that enveloped Fuecoco, before the canine-like Pokémon fell asleep, forcing the grunt to return it.
"Agh…you got past me." the grunt remarked. "But now that your Fuecoco's been poisoned, there's no way you'll make it to Mela. You might as well turn back now!"
"Poison's easily cured. But he's right. You need at least 3 Pokémon to have a good chance to raid the base. We can help, but…" Glimmer said before looking to the Breloom from before. "Hey, do you still wanna try and beat up the Schedar Squad?"
The Breloom got up, shook the dirt off, and looked the group over. With a nod, it then walked over to the group and pointed into the base.
"That makes two." Mark said. "Now what about number three…?"
Just then, the group heard another sound as a Charcadet raced past them and into the base.
"What the - what is it with everyone wanting to attack this base?" Eddy asked.
"Nevermind that, we've got a third member here. Let's get Fuecoco cured so we can attack!" Glimmer said.
"Wait, right now?!" Bernadetta asked.
"We've already taken out the guard. They'll know we're already here." Double D said.
"The fire's already gotten started…might as well feed it!" Mark said, slamming his knuckles together. "Let's go!"
After Fuecoco was cured with an Antidote and both he and Breloom restored to full health, Mark rang the bell on the front gate, making a sound like a boxing or wrestling bell.
"Oh has the match already started? We don't even have time for popcorn." Simon joked.
"That's a shame." Rutega mused. "I was also hoping to join in on the match but I was more focused on the Breloom."
"Well well…it seems we got a few bozos who think they can mess with the Fire Crew of Team Star." a voice said on the intercom. "Well…we'll have to show them a thing or two. Let's teach 'em a lesson they won't forget!"
Numerous grunts then came running out, all armed with Pokéballs.
"Go!" they called out as out came a number of Fire Type Pokémon.
"Want some help on this, Mark?" Simon asked.
"That would be nice, yes." Mark nodded as he sent Fuecoco and Breloom out, the two backing up the Charcadet.
"You're up Cheshire!" Simon said as Cheshire hopped off his shoulder.
"Let me give you a little help!" Rutega smiled. "Lucario! Tinkatuff! Let's go!" Rutega said, sending out the two different Pokémon, the only commonality they shared being Steel typing. The pokemon called Tinkatuff was a small, pink female pokemon with a white pony tail, carrying a hammer made of scrap metal that was just a bit bigger than itself.
"Um, are you sure those two are a good idea? This crew has Fire-types, after all." Mayumi said.
"I get what you're saying, Mayumi," Mark nodded. "But I know you know that it's not all about typing."
"Ah, you worry too much!" Rutega laughed as she looked at Tinkatuff. "Set em up! ROCK SLIDE!"
Many Fire types scattered in fear of large rocks being hurtled at them, as Rutega smiled. "The group's busted up! ExtremeSpeed, Lucario!"
With massive amounts of speed, Alpha Lucario dashed from Pokémon to Pokémon, the power of the move plus its Alpha status causing many to go down in one single hit!
"Holy moly, these guys are crazy strong!" one of the grunts exclaimed.
"Don't get scared!" another one yelled. "Every Pokémon can be beaten! Torkoal Team, you know what to do!"
"Right! Flame Wheel!" several grunts with Torkoal ordered as the multiple Coal Pokémon surrounded themselves in flame and spun directly into Lucario, hitting them all at once.
Lucario looked to go down… Until it roared ferociously as not only was it Alpha now, but Mega Evolved.
"Don't mess with this Alpha, boys!" Rutega smirked, flashing her Mega Stone. "Lucario, get 'em! AURA SPHERE!"
The Aura Sphere hit the group of Torkoal, sending them flying high.
"Ah, that's the end of that plan!" one of the grunts said.
"That Lucario's pretty sturdy…everyone, use Leer together!" another grunt said. "We'll make that one so fragile, a breeze can knock it out!"
"Don't forget about us!" Mark yelled as he, Simon, and the other members of the team descended upon the other grunts.
"You all look thirsty, maybe Cheshire can offer you all a Bouncy Bubble!" Simon said as Cheshire fired off multiple water bubbles at the grunts.
"Araquanid, why don't you join in too?" Mayumi asked as she sent out Araquanid.
"Burn that bug!" one of the grunts said as a number of Growlithe ran at Mayumi and Araquanid.
"Big mistake. Water Pulse!" Mayumi said.
"Not on my watch!" Rutega exclaimed as Tinkatuff sent a large Rock Slide from up top to compliment Araquanid's Water Pulse, as the Growlithe either got crushed by rocks, or soaked in super effective water.
"And also, you boys that are after my Lucario aren't gonna get anywhere!" Rutega exclaimed. "FOCUS BLAST!"
Lucario charged up massive energy before firing it into the group of Pokémon using Leer, causing their attacks to be interrupted as the explosion sent them all flying into their own trainers.
"We're not done just yet! Numel, use Lava Plume!" one of the grunts said as a group of Numel launched a joint Lava Plume.
"Surf's up, people!" Mayumi said.
"Uh oh… Take cover!" Eddy called out.
A huge wave appeared from over the wall of the base and flooded it, sweeping the Numel and grunts away. When the attack had run its course, the Team Star grunts were sprawled all over the place, groaning.
"Damn it… We've got water in our throats…" one of the grunts coughed.
"Well, talk about being washed up." Simon said, holding a lollipop.
"You are just on a roll with the puns, aren't you?" Rutega quipped to Simon.
"These guys are stronger than we thought. Get the boss!" one of them called out.
As soon as this was said, the loud revving of an engine was heard.
At the back of the base, two grunts pulled open a curtain in front of a lone building, allowing a large, crimson vehicle with flames painted on the side to pull out.
"Whoa." Hapi said.
"Okay, genuinely? Sweet ride." Rutega said. "Not even lying, that's a sweet ride. Koraidon's better but… not bad."
"Woo-hoo-hoo! What I wouldn't give to get behind the wheel of that!" Eddy laughed.
"Guys, I think that's a Pokémon." Simon said.
"So you dopes are the ones behind messing with my squad." a voice called out. Standing on the vehicle was a woman with red hair with flames on her boots as she looked down at them.
Boss of Team Star's Fire Crew
Mela
"Yep, that's us!" Mark waved. "Nice to meet you! Nice ride, by the way!"
"Save it." The girl said. "I dunno why you'd do something so stupid, and I don't care. You challenged us, so we'll beat you down. That's all there is to it."
"Well, aren't you just as rude as can be." Rutega said. "I don't much like your tongue, we're simply doing our civic duty and trying to clean some trash off the environment, that's all." Rutega said, intentionally throwing in that jab.
The Charcadet from earlier then ran in front of the group, jumping and exclaiming itself to Mela.
"Ch…Charlos…what the heck are…" Mela said before looking at them, now looking angrier than before. "Is this supposed to be a joke?"
"Wait, so… This Charcadet is yours?" Mayumi asked.
"It belongs to the academy…where you guys took him from, obviously." Mela said. "Seems we didn't wipe out every piece of trash there after all."
"Uh…come again?" Mark asked.
"Guys, she's not gonna talk to us calmly. We're gonna have to fight her." Mayumi said.
"You guys really messed up, tryna pull a stunt like this on me." Mela scowled. "I'll show you what Team Star does to people like you. Prepared to get messed up." she said, sending out a Torkoal.
"Stand back guys, Charlos." Mark said, stepping up. "I'll handle this. Let's do it, Fuecoco!" he said, sending out his starter.
With the battle starting, Torkoal's Drought ability activated, causing the sunlight to turn harsh.
"Ember." Mela ordered as Torkoal shot out a fireball towards Fuecoco.
"Copy his homework. Ember!" Mark said as Fuecoco did the same move, the two Embers making contact and exploding in a shower of flame.
"It's gonna be even between the two of them since they both have fire types." Glimmer noted.
"Lucky for me, Fuecoco doesn't just have Fire moves." Mark smiled. "Fuecoco…use Bite!"
"Protect." Mela called out before Fuecoco bit down onto Torkoal, protecting the Coal Pokémon from taking damage. "Now, Rapid Spin!"
Torkoal spun around, sending the Fire Croc Pokémon away before it got up, a little dizzy before shaking it away.
"Okay, back to Fire moves then. Incinerate!" Mark said as Fuecoco belched a torrent of flame towards Torkoal, hitting it. "March forward and Tackle it!"
"Smokescreen." Mela said as Torkoal let out a cloud of smoke that Feucoco ended up running into. "That was pretty dumb on your part. Now you can't see your Pokémon."
"No, but I bet he can still hear me! Round!" Mark exclaimed as a loud song came from the smoke cloud. When it cleared, Torkoal was down while Fuecoco stood over them. "And the crocodile takes it!"
"Tch. I ain't burnt to a crisp just yet! You're up, Schedar Starmobile!" Mela said as her ride roared to life, actually ready to fight itself.
"Oh come on! How is that fair, fighting a car?!" Mermista complained.
"Hold on Mermista, I think Simon's right about the Engine being a Pokèmon. Double D, what've you got?" Glimmer said.
"Let's see…." Double D said, looking through the Rotomphone he got at the town. "Ah…here! Its name is Revavroom, the Multi-Cyl Pokémon and the evolved form of Varoom! A Poison and Steel Type! Revavroom viciously threatens others with the sound of its exhaust. It sticks its tongue out from its cylindrical mouth and sprays toxic fluids." he read.
"Though considering Mela uses Fire Types, this version seems to use Fire in place of Poison." Simon said.
"O-kay, this might be a bit difficult." Mark admitted. "Keep it up, Fuecoco! Use Incin-"
"Swift!" Mela said before Mark could finish, the Starmobile shooting out stars that hit Fuecoco dead on. "The Schedar Starmobile's faster, dope. You won't get a hit in. Screech."
The Revavroom let out a ear splitting screech that left Fuecoco wide open.
"And now…finish them off." Mela ordered, the Starmobile unleashing another Swift that knocked Fuecoco out.
"Uh-oh." Mark said plainly.
"Mark!" Simon said.
"Don't worry, he's still got two Pokémon left." Eddy said. "He'll be fine…I think."
"Okay…let's see…" Mark said before Charlos the Charcadet ran in front of Mark. "Charlos?!"
"Charlos…get out of the way." Mela said in a softer tone. The Charcadet shook his head and stood his ground, getting into a battle stance. "Grr…damn it. Swift!" she said, the Starmobile hitting Charlos with its attack.
"Okay…Astonish!" Mark said, Charlos crying out in a startling fashion, damaging the Starmobile.
"Charlos…just stop it." Mela said as the Revavroom attacked again with Swift. "You don't have to listen to these jerks."
"Fire Spin!" Mark said, Charlos hitting Revavroom with the attack.
"Will you just…give up on me, already?!" Mela yelled, as another Swift hit Charlos.
"Night Shade!" Mark said, Charlos creating a mirage to land a solid hit on the Starmobile.
"Grr…damn it, Charlos! Blazing Torque!" Mela shouted, the Starmobile launching forwards and practically running Charlos over, knocking them out.
It was at this point that Breloom saw enough and got into the fight, its body surrounded in a glowing light.
"Breloom…?" Mark said in confusion. "I…I feel something. Could this be…?"
"You again?! You keep coming in here again and again to challenge us for no reason. What is your problem!?" Mela said.
Breloom said nothing, merely gesturing towards Charlos as they were picked up by Mark.
"...Why you…" Mela seethed. "Blazing Torque!"
The Starmobile revved up and raced towards Breloom. The Mushroom Pokémon didn't flinch, merely pulling its arm back and looking towards Mark.
"...I think I get it." Mark nodded. "Let's do it. Breloom…Focus Punch!"
Breloom focused, drawing power into his arm, even as Revavroom raced ever closer. The group members noticed a familiar, yet unusual aura around Breloom.
"Hold on a sec…is that…?" Eddy started to ask.
"There's no mistaking it…that's…!" Double D said.
"Run him down!" Mela yelled as Revavroom made contact…only for the girl to nearly lose her balance as the Starmobile shook. "What the-?!" she exclaimed as she looked down and was shocked by what she saw:
Breloom, its arm extended, its fist holding the Starmobile back.
"...That's Ki!" Double D finished. "Breloom…has tapped into Ki!"
With an exclamation of exertion, Breloom pushed with all its might, sending the Starmobile back as the Revavroom it was connected to fainted, causing the vehicle to shut down.
"How in the…how did they…what kinda move was…?" Mela said, at a loss for words before she regained her composure and sighed. "Ugh. Is this really how this is gonna end? What a hassle…"
At this moment, a flashback played out in Mela's mind, dating back to about a year and a half ago…
"Man, what a hassle…pulled it off just in time."
"Welcome back, Mellie!"
"I managed to get a buncha Charcadet to evolve. That oughta be enough to power the Starmobile, and finally get that hunka metal rollin'."
"Glad tidings indeed. Is it not so, Ortega?"
"I'm just surprised she's not all hot air…"
"Oh, shut it with the snide comments! You can be such an annoyin' twerp, you know that?"
"As if you're any better, Mela… Being rude and saying mean things is literally your whole deal."
"That's not true, Ortie. The girls at the academy have always been jealous of how cute Mellie is. He just puts on a surly attitude so they'll stop picking on her. Although…I guess you're not wrong to say that her surly attitude is what people know her for…"
"What?! Come on - not you too, Eri!"
"How 'bout we leave it at that, folks? It's almost time for the big event."
"Yes, Operation Star… It's finally happening."
"And the big boss? What, pray, is their plan?"
"They already got in touch with all the bullies and asked 'em to head over to the schoolyard."
"It's finally time, huh… Man, I'm so stoked! The thrill's burnin' me right up!"
"I burned through everythin' I had…and now I've sputtered out." Mela said. "Guess this is where it ends…"
Hearing Mela say that, the others felt sympathy for the Fire Crew leader.
"What? You really thought Team Star was evil just 'cause of encounters from other regions? You people should know better than to stereotype." Mela said.
"And a lot of us do. Like with that Charcadet. You were hesitating to attack him…a lot." Mayumi said.
"Yeah, okay, I may have misjudged ya." Rutega openly admitted with a sigh. "I wasn't ever one to use deduction or anything. Flaws of being who I am. I talk with fists, not words."
"...I'm the same." Mela admitted. "Still, beatin' me in a battle is a huge deal. So here - take this Star Badge and be proud of yourself!" she said, handing a badge with the image of a flame on it to Mark. After a moment, she also gave him a TM. "While I'm at it, you can have this Flame Charge TM too. Not like I'm gonna use it."
"You know Mela, you're alright. We're all starting to think you and the other Members of Team Star aren't evil. Just…misunderstood." Glimmer said. "You said something about taking out the trash at the academy earlier."
"Team Star was formed to take care of a major bullying problem at the academy a year and a half ago." Mela said.
"Bullying problem?" Rutega asked as she held her arm. "Jeez… now ya say it. Now I regret making that comment earlier."
"Yeah… Bullying is a major problem in schools these days." Mayumi said.
"Jeez…now I feel like a bad guy…" Mark said.
"Whatever. You won." Mela said as she turned away. "You got what you came for. Now leave me alone."
"No." Rutega would suddenly say, as she looked at Mela. "I'm not gonna be satisfied until I set things right with you. What I did, and others of us did, was completely unwarranted. …I just wish I knew how to make it up…" Rutega sighed.
"She can." a voice said as a man with a hair styled like a pompadour approached in a school uniform. "She can start by coming back to the academy. I mean…this is why Charlos came all the way out here."
The group looked at each other, each one thinking the same thing: 'Who's this guy?', before the man pulled out a Revive and used it on Charlos, healing him.
"There, that should do it." the man said as Charlos jumped out of Mark's arms and ran over to Mela. "He's very attached to you, isn't he?"
"Yeah, 'cause I used to play with him every day, back when I was still goin' to school…" Mela said.
Charlos started exclaiming loudly, the group, despite not speaking Pokémon, understanding the meaning:
"Please come back, Mela! I want my friend back!"
"Charlos…" Mela said, wiping away a few tears. "...I'm sorry. I've really messed up…but I think I'm ready to start makin' up for it." she said before she nodded. "Alright…I'll come back to the academy."
"Hey, that's great. But if anyone thinks of giving you trouble at that Academy, you come and talk to me, got it!?" Rutega demanded.
"Uh… sure." Mela said.
"Oh, hey! How 'bout a picture?!" Eddy suggested.
"Heh. Not a bad idea." Mark nodded as the group got together. "Say cheese!"
A picture was snapped with the group together, Mark center stage with Mela as the two shook hands.
The group soon exited the Schedar Squad's camp.
"By the way Rutega, that new Pokémon of yours was really tough." Glimmer said. "You called it Tinkatuff, right?"
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask, what is it, and what's with the hammer it was carrying?" Mermista asked.
"It kinda reminds me of Rosie." Hapi said.
"I'll gladly provide some insight on Rutega's new companion." Double D said, looking it up. "Ah, here it is! Its name is indeed Tinkatuff, and it's the Hammer Pokémon. It's a Fairy and Steel type, evolving from its predecessor, Tinkatink. These Pokémon make their homes in piles of scrap metal. They test the strength of each other's hammers by smashing them together."
"Hmm, interesting and impressive." Simon said.
"Well ya had to go and ruin the fun of me telling it, huh." Rutega snickered. "But yeah, I saw the little cutie carrying around a hammer and couldn't help myself. I had to catch it. I caught it somewhere between that first cave the other group ventured through and here… speaking of which, I might wanna rejoin them, the whole reason I got back here so fast was because apparently the Herbs found after beating those Titans makes Koraidon over there stronger." Rutega said with a smile.
"Oh yeah, B, Yuri-bird, and some of the others were helping Arvey with that weren't they?" Hapi asked.
"Yep. I better not fall behind in case they're already done smacking down another Titan and getting the next Herb ready for Miraidon and Koraidon." Rutega said with a smile as she hopped on Koraidon who smiled and got ready to go. "Catch you guys at the next Team Star base!" Rutega called as Koraidon dashed off.
It was at this moment that the group got a call from Cassiopeia, as they answered.
"I take it the raid on the Schedar Squad base was successful?" the mysterious caller asked.
"Yup. One down, four to go." Glimmer answered.
"Good. That deserves a reward. So, I'll be expanding the arsenal of TMs you and your other groups can craft and acquire. Should come in handy for your friends taking on the Gyms and Titans." Cassiopeia said.
"Huh…don't recall mentioning that to you…" Mark said.
"I have my ways. My supplier will give you your rewards." Cassiopeia said as they went silent. Not long after, the girl from Mezagoza approached them.
"Hey, aren't you that girl we helped out?" Mermista asked.
"Y-yeah, my name's Penny." the girl said. "I'm surprised you remember…"
"Not hard to forget a girl with an Eevee backpack." the Salineas princess replied.
"Oh…well, I'm good with machines and hacking and stuff, so I'll be working behind the scenes." she said as she handed over some materials to make TMs. "So…here you go. Your bonus reward from Cassiopeia."
"Thanks, Penny. We'll put these to good use." Mark said as the group stored the materials.
"Cassiopeia said to tell you that she'll give you more rewards the more bases you take down." Penny said. "And, um…I heard all about what happened in there. Seems you all were pretty amazing."
"Yeah. We're pretty awesome." Mermista brushed her hair back.
"So, what do you guys think of Team Star?" Penny asked.
"Well, they're a bit much, but… with what happened after we took down Mela, they're really not as evil as we originally thought. They're just a band of rebels who were formed to deal with bullies a year and half ago. But now, it looks like they're the ones who've become the bullies." Glimmer said.
"That's…what I thought." Penny murmured. "Well, there are four more squad bosses so…uh…good luck." she waved before she walked away.
"Uh… thanks?" Hapi asked.
"So, four more to go. Which one should we go after next?" Glimmer asked.
"An excellent query, Glimmer. The four remaining active bases around Paldea will be just as challenging. The crews we still have to deal with are Dark, Poison, Fairy, and Fighting." Double D mentioned.
"And like Mela, they'll have Starmobiles as well with different secondary types besides Poison." Simon said.
"Hmm…you know what? Let's let our mysterious benefactor decide." Mark decided. "Until then…we'll train out here in the wilderness. Camping excursion!"
"Sleeping…out here? With all the wild Pokémon?" Bernadetta shook.
"Relax. We're all here, aren't we?" Mayumi asked. "Besides, most of them aren't as dangerous as you think."
"Yeah, so don't worry Bernie-bee." Hapi said. "I know it wouldn't be something I'd do here, but do you think a sigh would attract the Pokémon in this area to us?"
"I…do not believe so?" Double D said.
"Just thought I'd ask, since I recall something about my Crest allowing the ability to talk to animals, and sighs being much more powerful in attracting them." Hapi said.
"Hmm…nah, best not to risk it." Eddy said. "Anyway, guess we should head…wait, just remembered something." he said, spinning around to face the man from earlier as he approached. "Who the heck is this guy?"
"Ah, apologies for the sudden intervention back there." the man said. "My name is Clive, and I want to join Operation Starfall."
"Clive, huh?" Mark said, looking him over. "A little old to be wearing that uniform, don't you think?"
"Hm, perhaps." Clive said. "Still, I wish to help in this endeavor. I can scout out the other Team Star bases and relay which ones you should consider going after next."
"Hmm…" Mark hummed, thinking about it for a moment. "Okay, that works for me. Welcome aboard, Clive!"
"A pleasure to cooperate with you." Clive said. "I'll do my best to be of assistance to you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I should get started." he said before heading off.
"Interesting guy, wouldn't you- hngh." Simon said before holding his head in slight pain.
"Whoa, problem there, Warlock?" Eddy asked in concern.
"N-No, it's nothing, I'm fine." Simon reassured.
"Then, without further ado…" Mark said, pointing ahead. "...training awaits!"