After parting ways with the Legends Group, Team Starfall made their way to the Academies courtyard in Mesagoza to meet with the Leader of Team Star.
"This is it. Time for us to school this fool…at school." Mermista said before they stopped as Clive stood at the doors of the academies.
"Clive? Look…we need to get in." Glimmer said.
"I'm sorry…but that won't happen." Clive said before he grabbed his coat and pulled it off like a cape as standing there was the director of the academy, Clavell. "Yes. That's right. I, Director Clavell have been Clive this whole time!"
"...Who are you?" Eddy asked.
"Hmm…oh. Yes. Suppose that would be more impactful if we actually met beforehand. Well…here is another bombshell. The one known as Cassiopeia…is me!" Clavell said.
"Somehow I doubt that." Simon said.
"But it's true. I used one of those…voice changer and recorder things so that I could be in two places at once. Yes, that'll do. Anyway…you will not proceed…without a fight." Clavell said.
"Then how did you hack into our comm channel?" Simon asked. "Look, I get you're trying to protect Cassiopeia, but they asked us to settle things with them."
"Director Clavell, none of us believe you're Cassiopiea. You were there with us when Mark discovered they were the big boss of Team Star, so it can't be you." Glimmer said.
"Aha…but those were recordings, you see. Like I mentioned, to be in two places at once." Clavell said.
"Okay, I dunno what is even happening here, but if you're not gonna let us through, then we'll just have to battle you so we can find out who's really in charge." Mermista said.
"Mark, you should save your energy for the one who's really Cassiopeia, I'll handle this." Simon said.
"Absolutely not." Clavell said.
"Well, I actually…" Mark started.
"Disculpe," a voice said as a person carrying a package came up to them, "I have a package for a Mark Anarchy."
"Oh, they're finally here!" Mark said as he took the package.
"What is that?" Double D asked.
"Remember when we started out, and I said I had to make a call before we left?" Mark asked as he opened the package up and pulled out a silver bracelet and a small box. "I called a friend to get this!"
"A bracelet and a box?" Glimmer asked.
"Wait, Glimmer! Don't you recognize that bracelet?" Double D realized. "It's a Z-Ring! So the box must contain…!"
"I understand why you're doing this, Director, but I don't have much time." Mark said. "So, here's the deal: you send out a Pokémon of your choice, and if I can knock it out with one attack, then it's my win. If I can't, you win, and I'll do whatever you want. Sounds fair?"
"Hmm. Fair enough. I would be foolish as an educator not to embrace the follies of youths. Fine. In that case, I'll send out my strongest! Come!" Clavell said as he sent out Quaquaval. "I'll even make things even sweeter…if you defeat my Pokémon…I'll even give you a prize."
"Sounds like a deal." Mark said with a smile. "Lurantis, you're up!" he said, sending out the Grass type.
"Hmm…not a bad choice. Grass is strong against Water after all." Clavell said.
"I'm not done yet." Mark said, opening the box and taking out a green crystal with a leaf on it. "Lurantis, take this." he said, throwing the crystal to the Bloom Sickle Pokémon.
"(Oh, this looks cool.! What's it…?)" Lurantis said, catching it before she felt her whole body flood with power. "(W-Whoa…it's…)"
"May the Manta guide you to victory."
"Now!" Mark said, his Z-Ring glowing as he did a pose. "Bloom Doom!"
A mass of flowers bloomed under Quaquaval before Grass energy struck it and took it out in one hit.
"Hmm…seems I went and made myself your little test dummy for your new power." Clavell said.
"Alright! You were awesome, Lurantis!" Mark cheered, hugging his Grass type.
"(...Mithra.)" Lurantis said, though only the Pokémon present could understand her. "(My name…is Mithra.)"
"Well done." Clavell said as he gave them a round of applause. "Now…I must confess. You may not have known, but I am not Cassiopeia, though I do have an idea who it is. I merely wanted to test Mr. Anarchy to see if he had what he took. Had he lost, I was going to confront them myself."
"Uh huh." Simon said with slight annoyance. "(It was obvious you weren't Cassiopeia.)"
"I happened to have an interest in Team Star myself. That's why I cleverly disguised myself as a student of the academies, so I could get closer to them with you all and discover their sides of the story." Clavell said.
"I get it. You wanted to get the full picture." Mark said. "So, you said you had an idea on who the Big Boss was. I don't suppose you'd be willing to share that idea?"
"I don't see much point, since you'll be meeting with them soon." Clavell said. "But if anyone can save that poor child, then it's you."
"Mr. Clavell!" a voice shouted as a dark skinned woman with white square hair walked out. "What is all this aboutyou starting a fight in the front of the school?"
"Ah…Ms. Tyme. Well, you see…." Clavell said.
"Wonder what the school board has to say about this." she said.
"Now now, let's not bring them into this." Clavell said as she dragged him into the building.
"Soooo… confront the big boss while Clavell gets chewed out?" Mermista asked.
"Sounds good." Simon said. "Mark?"
"Yeah." the half-angel smiled, pounding his fists together. "Let's go!"
The group eventually reached the courtyard, seeing no one at first.
"Hello? We're here for the battle?" Mark asked.
"I was waiting for you." a voice said as emerging from the shadows was Penny. "So glad you made it, Mark Anarchy."
"...Wait, you?!" Mark exclaimed in shock.
"I KNEW it!" Eddy said.
"No you didn't." Double D said.
"No I didn't." Eddy gave in.
"I have to say this is slightly unexpected." Simon asked.
"All this time, you were the big boss of team star, Penny?" Glimmer asked. "But, why would you want to disband your own team?"
"Cause even when I paid the price for forming the group, I tried to disband it, but they just kept waiting. I couldn't exactly force them since the rules stated we could ask for things but couldn't order it. Then I saw a number of you guys fighting those grunts. Originally, I was gonna ask the fighter…until this blew past me." Penny said, holding a wanted poster.
Wanted
Dead or Alive
Angel of Wrath
Mark Anarchy
2,609,000,000
"Hey, that's Mark's wanted Poster!" Glimmer said.
"Hah! Mark's higher than Hope by 109,000,000!" Eddy said.
"A bounty's just a number, that's all it is." Mayumi said.
"Wait, why is it higher? We did the same things that night!" Mark asked.
"A number that shows how dangerous a person is. I knew the moment I saw it, that this guy was the right person for the job. He was the only one I could turn to in taking down the Team Star bases. But even with that, it's still not enough to take them down for good." Penny said.
"So that's why you asked him to come here, so that you would disband Team Star in person after you both fought." Simon said.
"Not quite." Penny said. "You, you have a phone right? Start recording." she said, looking to Mayumi.
"Erm, R-right." Mayumi said as she started recording.
"Recording?" Glimmer asked.
"She's going to record the battle between me and Mark, and after it's done, she'll send it to every member of Team Star." Penny said.
"But what's it all for?" Hapi asked.
"If I win against Mark, that means Team Star will continue. To be honest, there's still a part of me that doesn't want it all to end. So this battle…will determine Team Star's fate." Penny said.
"That works for me. But before we start, I want to make something clear." Mark said, sending his Pokémon out, one by one. "Win or lose, your masquerade ends tonight. Those guys…the way they talked about you…it wasn't just loyalty to the cause. They saw you as their friend. And I know that won't change beyond the screen. So, no matter the outcome…you will be Cassiopeia no longer!"
(Cue: Penny's Theme - Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
"We'll see!" Penny said. "Now let's begin! Go!" she said as she sent out Umbreon.
"So, starting with a Dark type huh? Go, Kingambit!" Mark said.
"(The king Shall march onto the field of battle first!)" Kingambit declared before he made his way onto the field. "(Come, Moonlight, and taste my blade!)"
"(...You're crazy.)" Umbreon stated, unamused.
"(That's what we've been trying to say!)" the other Pokémon said out loud.
"Umbreon, use Dark Pulse!" Penny said as Umbreon blasted at Kingambit with a pulse of darkness.
"Kingambit, use Metal Claw!" Mark called out, the king slashing at his opponent.
"It's strong. Use Baby-Doll Eyes!" Penny said as Umbreon looked at Kingambit with big pleading eyes. Despite his will, he couldn't help but give in as his offensive stats lowered.
"Ooh, that's embarrassing…" Cramorant said.
"We'll just have to compensate. Use Metal Sound!" Mark said, Kingambit letting out a noise like scraping metal, lowering Umbreon's Special Defense.
"Don't give in. Use Quick Attack!" Penny said as Umbreon ran into Kingambit, though not doing much to it.
"Gotcha! Kingambit, show them the power of a king!" Mark encouraged his Pokémon.
"(Hm…tell me, Moonlight, what do you think a king is?)" Kingambit asked. "(An infallible hero? A god, whose word is law? No. A king is one…who does what they believe is right, and accepts the people's will as his own. And now…that will shall defeat you!)"
"(You talk too much like a crazy man!)" Umbreon said, rushing at the king-obsessed Pokémon. However, Kingambit ducked her next Quick Attack and glowed with light energy.
"(Flash Cannon!)" Kingambit declared the attack, firing it at point-blank range, taking out Umbreon.
"Return!" Penny said as she recalled Umbreon. "Let's go, Flareon!" she said switching to Flareon.
"Kingambit, come back." Mark said as Kingambit jumped back from engagement. "Tag in, Salamence!"
"(Haha! TIme to have some fun!)" Salamence laughed as he stepped onto the field. "(Looks like you wanna fight, little flame. Lucky for you, I can give you one!)"
"(Talk all you want. There's no way Penny's flame will burn out!)" Flareon said.
"Use Flare Blitz!" Penny said as Flareon was coated in flames before charging into Salamence.
"Hey, how powerful can you make a Hurricane?" Mark asked.
"(This powerful!)" Salamence said, making a Hurricane that reached past the courtyard's height, dragging Flareon into it. When the attack dissapated, the Fire Eveeloution looked as though it was seeing stars.
"(Momma, I wanna get off the ride…)" Flareon said dizzily.
"Flareon! Snap out of it! Use Fire Spin!" Penny cried only for Flareon to attack itself. "No…"
"Awesome, Salamence confused it!" Glimmer said.
"(And that means you're wide open for my next attack!)" Salamence said as he moved both of his wings. "(Air Slash!)" he said as he made two sky-splitting air slashes that hit Flareon, knocking her out.
Penny recalled Flareon. "I'll just have to counter with something less heated. Go, Vaporeon!" Penny said as she sent out Vaporeon.
"Now it's Vaporeon?" Glimmer asked.
"Ah, I see!" Double D said. "Penny's team must consist of all of Eevee's evolutions. Should have been a giveaway from her backpack that she's an Eevee fan."
"So she's like Jexi in a way." Simon said.
"I'm introducing you to Jexi when this is over, you'd get along." Mark chuckled. "But for now…Salamence, switch out with Skeledirge!"
"Wait, what?!" Eddy exclaimed as Mark's starter took the field.
"(Seems your trainer isn't on the update that water is stronger than fire.)" Vaporeon said.
"(You'd be surprised at what goes on in his head.)" Skeledirge responded.
"You're gonna regret making a rookie mistake like this. Vaporeon, Hydro Pump, now!" Penny said.
"Sunny Day!" Mark said before the attack could connect, causing the attack to cause less damage then it should have. "Funny thing about Sunny Day, after Groudon got the Red Orb, he decided to let other Pokémon have the lower range of his power! Isn't that nice of 'em?"
"Oh my! Mark didn't make a mistake!" Double D realized. "Sunny Day weakens the power of Water moves."
"That's what makes it a good Defensive move against Water-types." Mayumi said.
"(So your trainer isn't full of hot air. Not bad. But I have more than Water.)" Vaporeon said.
"Use Aurora Beam!" Penny said as Vaporeon fired a beam of colorful light at Skeledirge.
"(And I have more than Fire! Night Shade!)" Skeledirge said, unleashing a frightening mirage.
"(Ah!)" Vaporeon cried out as they were hit by the attack and fainted. (Later, they would say it was due to being overpowered. Not out of fright. Not at all).
"Return!" Penny said, recalling Vaporeon. "Go, Jolteon!" she said switching to Jolteon.
"In that case… Lurantis, take over!" Mark said as the Bloom Sickle Pokémon took the field.
"Use Pin Missile!" Penny said as Jolteon shot sharp spikes, trying to capitalize on Lurantis's weakness to Bug types.
"(You may look like a freaky bug, but a lot of people know you're just another plant.)" Jolteon said as they fired their quills.
"(Another plant…?)" Lurantis said. "(I don't think…I was always one…Razor Leaf.)" she said, throwing out sharp leaves at the Lightning Pokémon.
"(You really shouldn't get distracted in a battle.)" Jolteon chided her.
"Shock her back into shape with Thunder!" Penny said as Jotleon charged up.
"Lurantis, get your head back in the game! Use Leaf Blade to block the blast!" Mark said.
The Grass type created the Leaf Blade just as Jotleon unleashed the Thunder attack. The lightning met blade as the small Pokémon was left struggling.
"(It's strong…I…I can't…)" she said, looking back at her side, her eyes settling on Breloom.
"Above all else… I will never forgive you…for making MY DAUGHTER CRY!"
"(...No. I won't lose…because he's here with me!)" Lurantis - Mithra - said as the green blade turned into a pure white.
"(Huh?!)" Jotleon exclaimed in disbelief.
"(Thanks for the energy, you big dummy! Solar Blade!)" Mithra said as she brought the blade down on Jolteon, knocking them out of the fight.
"Return!" Penny said. "Not sure what's with that Lurantis…but I can counter that with my next Pokemon! Go, Leafeon!" she said, sending out Leafeon.
"You did great, Luran…no…Mithra!" Mark said as the Sickle Blade Pokémon came back. "You're up next, Corviknight!"
"(As you wish.)" Corviknight said as he entered the battle. "(Greetings. I promise, I have no intention of holding back.)"
"(Neither do I.)" Leafeon said.
"Use Leaf Blade!" Penny said as Leafeon's tail straightened as it slashed at Corviknight with its leaf tail.
"Drill Peck!" Mark said, as the Flying/Steel type flew towards the Grass Eeveelution and got her with the super effective Flying move.
"Use X-Sissor!" Penny said as Leafeon X-Slashed Corviknight.
"Let's put a little more metal into it! Steel Wing!" Mark said, the Raven Pokémon hitting Leafeon with his steel wings.
"(You're determined. You have my respect.)" Corviknight said. "(Because of that…I'll end it with this move!)" he said, flying up into the air, to a low altitude. "(Taste the full force of my Brave Bird!)"
Corviknight charged at Leafeon, who charged at the charge with a Quick Attack. The two collided, creating an explosion of Flying and Normal type energy. When it faded, Leafeon had fainted while Corviknight barley stood.
"(The rest is up to you…)" they said before they fainted as well.
"I can't fault you on your battle skills at all. No wonder the bosses fell at your hands. However…as long as I still have one Pokémon. I will not back down! Let's go…Sylveon!" Penny said as she sent out Sylveon.
"(I'll handle this now.)" Breloom said. "(Let's get this over with so we can be on our way.)" he said as he walked onto the field.
"(Sorry…but I will not fall and will keep Penny's dreams alive!)" Sylveon said.
"It's time, Sylveon. Terastallize and shine like the bright starry sky to become who you really want to be!" Penny said, taking a tera orb as it gathered power before she Terastallized Sylveon, it gaining a heart with wings ornament on its head.
"(Am I supposed to be impressed?)" Breloom asked.
"Now…let's end this plant who gave Mela so much trouble at the start! Use Moonblast!" Penny said as Sylveon unleashed a stronger than normal Moonblast at Breloom. The blast hit Breloom dead on, who yelled in pain until it ran its course, before he fell to his knees.
"Breloom!" Mark yelled in concern.
"(This pain…it's nearly overwhelming…)" Breloom said as he punched the ground in frustration. "(How can I beat the Roaring Moon, if I can't beat someone like this?!)"
"Your Pokémon is on their last legs." Penny said. "And you already switched everyone else out. Is Team Star…really going to keep going…?"
"This isn't the end…" Mark said. "I believe in Breloom. Because…he's my Link to this world!"
"(Link…?)" Breloom thought to himself before a word flashed through his mind:
Vajra
Vajra
Thunder
The Mushroom Pokémon's body began to glow as bright light overtook the area, forcing everyone to avert their eyes.
"What's going on…?!" Eddy exclaimed.
"Breloom?" Mark asked, noticing something in his pocket glow as he pulled out a Tera Orb. "What…right…this is…what Clavell gave me. It's charged up…so now it's time to amp it up!" he said, throwing the ball into the light as crystals began to form. They then shattered, revealing Breloom, who now had the Electric type Tera Crown…only the crystals had a reddish-orange color to them.
"What?! How can you have a Tera Orb?! I'm positive that you never got one!" Penny said in shock.
"I got it…from someone who cares about you!" Mark said as he saw Breloom raise his open palm out. "Yeah, okay. Get ready, Cassie…because we're about to win!" he said, pulling out a yellow crystal before throwing it to his Perfect Link, who caught it.
"I can't…just let Team Star die…without giving it my all! Moonblast, again!" Penny said, Sylveon firing another blast.
Mark's Z-Ring flashed as he posed. "A Tera Type, plus the power of a Z-Crystal…this calls for a cool name. This is a Tera Move! Lighting in a Bottle!"
Breloom drew his fist back as the Moonblast reached him before punching forwards. From that punch, what could only be described as crystalized lighting shot out, parting the Fairy type attack like the Red Sea as it flew towards Sylveon. When it made contact, the crystal exploded, unleashing what looked like a planet made of lighting. Within the attack, Slyveon's Tera Crown shattered as she fell unconscious, the attack running out as the courtyard fell silent.
(end song)
"Well…guess that's the end of that." Penny said.
"That was…That was…" Mark stammered before he started jumping in pure joy. "Awesome! I think I just made history! Hoo-hoo-hoo, wait until the others hear about this! We did it!" he said, running over to his partner and scooping them into a hug. "You were amazing! You all were!" he said to the rest of his team as he laughed in euphoria.
"Y'know, knowing what we know about Markie…seeing him like this…it just feels right." Eddy remarked.
"He did it…" Bernadetta sighed in relief. "If he lost, we would've been in trouble…I'm…glad he won." she said, with a soft smile.
"Nice job, Markmark." Hapi said.
"Guess this really is the end. Team Star is over…everyone…they can still have their place here." Penny said as she shed a few tears. "In the end…my friends, the Squad Leaders, they're my greatest treasure…"
"No…I don't think that will be the end." a voice said as Clive walked out.
"Clive? What are you…" Penny said before Clive shed his disguise to show Clavell. "Director Clavell?! So it was you?"
"Yes. I saw the whole thing and I know why you did this. In fact, I wasn't the only one." Clavell said as the group watched as Mela, Giacomo, Atticus, Ortega and Eri entered the schoolyard.
"Yo, big boss! Long time no see!" Giacomo greeted.
"Momo…"
"More like 'long time, no meet'! We only found out your real name just now!" Mela said.
"Mellie…"
"Verily is thy long- hidden countenance a sight for sore eyes, my lady." Atticus said.
"Atticus…"
"So, um, I heard your real name's Penny? How've you been this whole time?" Ortega nervously asked.
"Ortie…"
"We found you at last… you have no idea how worried we've been!" Eri said.
"Eri…" Penny said. "I don't understand… how are you guys here?"
"Yeah, about that…" Mark spoke up. "Y'know, a slip of the button, a misclick…it can make a recording into a livestream." he said with a grin. "Hey, Mayumi, you can end it now!"
"I stopped the moment the battle ended." Mayumi smiled.
"Okay, gang, ready?" Giacomo asked before they all did the Team Star Salute.
"Hasta la vistar, Cassiopeia! And hello, Penny!" they all said.
"As for the bases, by working with the Pokémon League, those bases will become training centers with the squad leaders being in charge of each of them. A way of strengthening young trainers." Clavell said.
"Wh-What?" Penny said, taken aback. "But…why? After everything we've done…?"
"As I traveled alongside these trainers, I heard from each of you your reasons for forming Team Star and your subsequent actions. Ever since my first day as director, I've only bore witness to the aftermath of what happened. I had mistook the situation and threatened to expel all who were in your group, and that's what led to you taking these actions. But… on behalf of myself and both Naranja and Uva Academy… I hereby revoke my threat!"
Penny and the bosses couldn't believe their ears, as Penny looked to Mark.
"I told you. You don't have to stop being their friends just because you don't have a mask to hide behind anymore." Mark said. "And now…you can be with them for real now."
"I…can't believe this. Thank you…so much…big bro." Penny said.
Mark was silent for a moment before he broke out into a big grin. "I'm a big brother twice over now!" he squealed as he grabbed Penny and hugged her.
"My spine….!" Penny wheezed.
"Hey, let go of her, you're gonna break her, big bro!" Mela said.
"Yeah, listen to her, big bro." Giacomo said.
Mark couldn't stop smiling as he spun around, the group laughing at the display.
"One day he's punching an Emperor of the Sea in the face. The next? This!" Eddy laughed.
"Guess since he did beat Penny, he took over as Team Star's leader. So in a way, he kinda is the big bro to all of the bosses now." Glimmer said.
"Plus, the light hearted side of him proves that he really is human deep down. And to us, that's a very good thing." Mayumi said.
The group just watched as Mark was embracing all six Team Star Leaders.
"Hmm…as heartwarming as it is…I'm sure you all would like to come to a small little lecture…detailing all of the academy rules and regulations you've broken during the past 18 months." Clavell said.
"Uh, what kinda rules did they break?" Mermista asked.
"All sorts of them. Customizing school uniforms, creating those outrageous vehicles, and of course the repeated acts of truancy." Clavell said. "And I'm sure you'll like to stay with them and take your part in this, since you are now in charge of them…'big bro'." Clavell said.
"Oh, I guess I am responsible for all that now…" Mark realized as he came back down to Earth. "...Yeah…right. Gotcha."
And so, the crusade against Team Star came to its end. Having defeated Penny, Mark succeeded her as the new big boss of Team Star. But as his commitment to being Leader of Team Chronicle and member of the Hero Alliance was also a factor, Mark came up with a new rule to add to the Team Star code.
He took a page from Luffy's playbook and made it so that anytime any of the Team Star Bosses were in trouble, he'd come to help. To make this rule official, he made a single new flag for Team Star: a star with a fist in the center of it, much like the one in his traveling shirt.
But the group's adventures weren't over yet in Paldea. All three groups would soon converge on one single spot in Mesagoza, to watch a very interesting battle.