The following morning Ashley and Chloe agreed to keep Penny's secret, including from Clive, since as a relative of director Clavell it could get back to him.
Meanwhile the next weekend, it was Ashley's time to ride in Chloe's bag, once again being unable to hear anything, until Chloe reached in, and grabbed Ashley in her palm. As she left the bag, she grew back to normal size, and found that Chloe had readjusted her grip so she was holding her by the scruff, and tossed her out to face Youssef and his Gulpin, and Shroodle. Luckily Ashley knew dig, beating both Pokémon with ease.
"I talk big, but I'm no warrior…" Youssef complained. "Don Atticus… I'm sorry I failed you…"
"Chloe, Ashley are you two alright?" Clive asked walking up. "I was standing watch when I heard a ruckus all of a sudden. I got worried that maybe something had happened to you over here…"
"Argh… no fair!" Youssef complained. "You had backup this whole time!"
"Is this boy one of the academy's students?" Clive asked, "he doesn't look like he's from Team Star…"
"You're right-I'm not a member of Team Star… but Don Atticus is my compadre! I have to see him no matter what!" Youssef said.
"Well, clearly you have your reasons for being here." Clive said. "Ashley, Chloe… I'd like to ask this boy some questions. You two go ahead and get started on the base. Might I borrow you for a chat, my, ah… my man? Don't worry-I won't bite."
With that they headed out while Penny as Cassiopeia called. "Nice work dealing with the guard. Within that base lies Team Star's Poison Crew… the Navi squad. As I explained last week, their boss Atticus, designs the outfits for the team-you could say he has clever hands."
"You also said he's a bit eccentric and that you could never know what he's doing next," Ashley said.
"That's right," Penny responded, "so just do it the same as the other bases. A star barrage."
"You got it!" they said as Chloe entered using, Ashley, Chien-Pao, and Kirlia to defeat the Varoom, Grimer, Seviper, Wooper, Clodsire, Shroodle, Grafaiai, Venonat, Foongus, Ammongus, Gulpin, and Swalot, causing Atticus to come out.
"Pray forgive my sudden entry. 'Tis I, Atticus." He said. "You're those scoundrels, Ashley, and Chloe, I take it? You have some nerve baring your fangs at Team Star. Come, then, villainous wretch! A plunge into grim poison shall,be your well deserved fate. En garde!"
With that Atticus sent out Skuntank, while Chloe used Ashley, who despite being hit by sucker punches glad for Dig allowing her to escape the scent, again when the next pokemon was Muk, while the last two pokemon were both Revaroom, the first one was a regular Revaroom, and the second was the star mobile, luckily both were also weak to dig, and it prevented Ashley from getting run over by a car.
"Forgive me, my friends…" Atticus said, gripping his head. To, Ashley and Chloe's worry before he calmed down. "For the sake ,of the team, I would give my very heart and soul… but I cannot defy the rules. Our code must be obeyed. And so… this badge is mine to keep no more. I entrust it to the care. Chloe, and Ashley are there names are they not. You to have utterly bested me. But thy victory stir'd no,bitterness within me-such was it's brilliance. Especially with Ashley taking part herself."
"Don Atticus," Youssef said, coming up with Clive.
"M-my compadre?" Atticus said.
"It seems this little fella has been dying to speak with you face-to-face," Clive said.
"Don Atticus, please hear what I have to say!" Youssef said, "I only need a moment!"
"Whatever brought you all the way here?" Atticus asked.
"I came to help you!" Youssef said, "If you don't start going to the class again, you'll be expelled from the academy, right? When the other kids at school and I were getting bullied real bad, you and the rest of Team Star saved us! Thanks to that operation you carried out, we were all able to go to school again! If you got expelled for being the good guys, that'd be the worst thing ever!"
"Forgive me…" Atticus said.
"Haven't you heard anything from the big boss…?" Youssef asked.
"Nay, we've heard not a whisper since that fateful day…" Atticus said, "without the big boss, Team Star cannot carry on. And without the team, the bright and merry student life we seek lies beyond our reach! We've no choice but to defend our bases till the big boss returns to us!"
"You evidently trust this big boss of yours a great deal. Who exactly are they?" Clive asked as Chloe and Ashley looked around trying to act innocent, managing it only because no one was looking at them.
"In truth, not one of us has met them in the flesh." Atticus said, "by their own word, they are a recluse. As with the rest of us, 'would seem bullying was to blame."
"That's awful…" Youssef said.
"Though their name and face be unknown to us, theymare nonetheless our precious comrade." Atticus said, "our only choice is to maintain our vigils from the bases, awaiting the day of their return."
"So that's why you don't go to school…" Youssef said, "but still! Don't ever think that Team Star is all you have, Don Atticus! You've gotta lifelong comparison in time-and don't you forget it!"
"My compadre…" Atticus said, touched. "I owe you a great debt."
"It seems we're one step closer to the truth behind Team Star's truancy-and the bullying at the academy. But more importantly… I can't believe I… or my uncle… had no idea about these issues the students are struggling with… they have friendships they hold dear and reasons for acting they do. We just couldn't see it. It's shameful how oblivious we've been."
"Haaah… I believ'd Team Star to be the one and only treasure in my life…" Atticus said. "Methinks I may have been mistaken."
With that Cloe and Ashley left and met up with Penny, who gave them the materials she collected not being able to bring herself to go to the base raid herself, and after Miraidon gave both Penny and Ashley a tongue bath they then rode in Chloe's backpack back to the academy.
"They really care about you," Ashley said from their place in the bag using one of Chloe's spare uniforms as a makeshift nest
"I know," Penny sighed. "And yet I'm trying to take away their treasure. Some friend I am."
"Only because it is needed to help them," Ashley said, cuddling up to her. "Youmare a great friend."
"Thank you," Penny smiled.