The week flew by as the Goon Squad rested up, wrote their reports, and loved one another. As Sunday dawned and everyone was packing their bags to embark on the last leg of their independent study, Arven and Allie were chatting about where they would find the final shrine, Nemona and Trish were talking about summer plans, and Amara's headmates were excited for the next phase of their lives. This has never really happened before. It's weird, but I think I like had said a few days prior, and Amara and the others couldn't help but agree.
"So, are we going up Glaseado Mountain first or are we going to collect Eri first?" Penny asked as she and Amara walked through Mesagoza on the way to the eastern gate with their loves in tow. "And, Allie, do you think you'll have enough firepower to take down a treasure without all six of us?" Allie shook her head.
"You have time, we have to find all the stakes for the chains, remember? It was a pure stroke of luck that some assholes had pulled the ones around Ting-Lu's shrine." Penny nodded and took Amara's hand.
"I guess we'll meet up with you after we're done, or you know you can call us when you're ready." Allie affirmed she'd call the lot of them when the time came, and as they passed through Levincia, Amara and Penny made their way north, bidding the others farewell.
"I'm really happy I had this adventure with you, Penny." Amara called as she drove Miraidon up the cliff and into North province. "What the hell happened up here?" Amara asked, looking to the pillars of Obsidian and twisted landscape. Penny shrugged and the two agreed to blame the Treasures of Ruin. After another few minutes of driving, they pulled up to the gate of the last Star Base and hopped off Miraidon's back.
"Oy, who are you two?" The Team Star member at the gate had come up to greet them. Amara flashed her Star Badge and Penny pulled out her phone. "Hey, Eri, it's Cass. I'm outside, come get us?" She hung up and after a few minutes of milling and awkward glances, the gate opened, and a tall woman in intimidating face paint stepped out.
"Cass? Holy shit, hey, girl!" She scooped Penny into a big hug and lifted her up off the ground. Penny laughed and hugged the woman back. After Penny was back on the ground, Eri turned to Amara. "And Cass's famed girlfriend, you get a hug too, but only if you consent first." Amara nodded, and the woman scooped her into a big hug as well. She put Amara down a moment later and turned to Penny. "So, are the rumors true? They cleaned up the academy and you're coming to get us? It's safe now?"
"It is, we even have more LGBT focused programs, Eri. It's completely turned around." The woman smiled and announced her joy at the changes. "And they threw Garrett out too…" This brought a pause to Eri's entire demeanor as she looked downcast. A silence crept up over the lot of them, and Amara shuffled nervously.
"I'd still love to pummel my brother into a pulp for what he did to you. I'm so sorry I introduced you, Cass." Amara's eyes widened and Penny just shook her head. Another awkward silence settled before Eri spoke again. "I think working at the DV shelter was good for him, but I'm glad he's back in Alfornada. There's more opportunity for him to reflect there."
Penny gave a sad smile. "The DV shelter was good for him. I bumped into him while we were there for the gym challenge, and I'm proud of his growth. I still can never forgive him." Penny's speech had started to speed up, so Amara took Penny's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you, my love." She whispered. Amara turned to Eri then.
"So, people held you responsible for your brother? Is that why you're out here?" She asked. Amara could see the lightest bit of a blush form on Eri's face as she shuffled nervously. "I guess I'm off the mark." Amara shrugged and Eri shot a look to Penny, who confirmed Amara was safe.
"I'm obligate polyamorous, and the culture at the academy at the time was toxic for people who weren't cishet mono. I ended up taking a lot of heat and had to hide behind my stature, hence the wrestler getup. I needed a way to let people know they couldn't fuck with me, but all it did was invite challengers, so I carved a new place for myself out here." She paused and Amara nodded thoughtfully.
"So, you have a lot of enemies?" She asked. Eri nodded and Amara pulled her into a side hug. "Well, I have to say that the new faculty and staff don't put up with any shit, so I think you're good to come back." Eri pulled out her vape and took a hit, then offered it to Amara, who took one as well.
"Coming back, I'm not opposed to the idea, but I do have some concerns about the whole 'Polyamory is bad and you're an absolute creep for wanting it' thing." She gave a nervous smile and looked between Penny and Amara.
"I mean, Amara and I are polyamorous too. Our other four partners are currently chasing down a legendary Pokémon south of here. You'll have friends who understand, Eri." This brought a smile to Eri's face, and she announced she'd be packing a suitcase.
"Are you going to be at the Beltane Ball at the end of the term?" She asked Amara and Penny, who nodded. "Cool, I've never really had anyone there who wouldn't shit on my lifestyle, so maybe I can find a date or two and actually go." She pumped her fist in the air excitedly and told Penny she'd meet her and the others in their usual spot. Then Eri gave a wave and headed back through the gate, off to pack a suitcase. Penny and Amara smiled at each other and turned to head away from the base. "So, Glaseado?" She asked as Miraidon burst from its Poké Ball. Amara nodded and the two climbed aboard. "Hell yeah!" Penny's voice held a profound joy that made Amara smile as well. As they peeled off toward the mountainside, they felt hope well up in their hearts, and Amara's thoughts turned to her treasure hunt. Yo, everyone, I think we're coming to find our greatest treasure. Amara announced as they started up the mountain path.