Chapter 22

When we hear the sound, we groan as the Starmobile powers up by the Revaroom, appearing right in front of us. Atop the car, the boss, Mela, stands—a girl with fiery red hair and boots that seem to blaze.

"So, you're the one who's picked a fight with Team Star... I don't know why you'd do something so foolish, and honestly, I couldn't care less. You've challenged us, so we'll take you down. It's as simple as that. Get ready to get messed up!"

"Geez... she certainly has some anger issues," Lucine mutters.

She tosses out a Torkoal to battle, and Serena decides to take her on by sending out Wugtrio. "Right here, right now... You're going down," Mela yells, "Clear Smog!"

The first attack hits Wugtrio, but Wugtrio swiftly dodges the next one by using Dig, quickly disappearing underground before launching a sneak attack to deal some damage.

"This move'll torch ya till there ain't nothin' but ash left!" I really don't like someone using my name like that, but she has Torkoal use Flame Charge, dealing a substantial amount of damage to Wugtrio. "THAT was for the rest of the Schedar Squad!"

"Sure," Serena rolls her eyes before instructing Wugtrio to use Triple Dive. With determination, Wugtrio goes on the offensive, gradually wearing down Torkoal until it is eventually defeated.

"Tch! I ain't burned to a crisp just yet!" Mela yells defiantly.

She jumps out of the car, and the vehicle revs up, charging menacingly toward us. I mutter to myself, "Last time it was a Dark Type, so I think this time it's a Fire Type. We have to do everything we can to stop the Revarooms from powering the car!"

With determination, I decide to join Serena in the battle, sending out my trusty Lycanroc to assist.

"Go! Schedar Starmobile! Use Blazing Torque!" Mela commands. This is also a new move, and the car barrels towards Wugtrio, crashing into it, causing significant damage and leaving it burned.

"They each have a special move," I remark. "Lycanroc, unleash a Sandstorm and follow up with Rock Slide!"

I watch as Lycanroc sets up a swirling sandstorm, obscuring our opponents' vision. Then, it hurls sharp rocks at the car, causing damage and shattering its sides. To our annoyance, the car seems to have a different ability from the last Starmobile. It possesses Speed Boost as its ability, making it even more formidable. It then unleashes a high-pitched Screech, sharply lowering our defense, and follows up with the Spin Out attack, striking Lycanroc and dealing a substantial amount of damage.

"Blazing Torque again!" Mela yells. Serena quickly commands Wugtrio to intervene by using Bulldoze, attempting to halt the car's wheels and lower its boosted speed. However, the car persists and goes for the Spin Out attack once more, rendering Lycanroc unable to battle.

I swiftly recall Lycanroc and send out Garchomp. "Now let's try this combo! Garchomp, Draco Meteor!" I command. Serena follows suit, saying, "Wugtrio, Triple Dive again!"

Our two Pokémon unleash a relentless assault, causing the car to shake violently as it becomes increasingly unstable. I shout, "Let's go for one more attack!"

With determination, all three of our Pokémon execute their moves once more, relentlessly pounding the car until it finally comes to a stop. Strange noises emanate from the vehicle, and smoke billows out as the Pokémon, both on the wheels and at the front, display swirls in their eyes, indicating their disorientation.

"Ugh. Is this really how it's gonna end? What a hassle..."I expect Mela to erupt in a fit of rage. However, much to my surprise, she simply sighs, deflating like a flat tire. "I burned through everything I had... and now I've sputtered out. I suppose this is where it all comes to a close..."

She takes a few steps towards us, her demeanor now tinged with a sense of resignation. "That Wugtrio of yours really gave us a run for our money. Beating me in battle is no small feat. So here - take this Star Badge and wear it with pride!"

Mela hands me the Fire Badge, making it my seventh badge in this region. Rotom eagerly captures the moment, snapping a picture of me shaking hands with Mela. Her grip is so tight that it actually hurts a bit.

"Lemme make one thing clear - I'm not giving this to YOU... I'm giving it to your Wugtrio."

"Sure." I sigh in agreement, acknowledging the formidable contribution of my Pokémon to our victory. Mela turns around, her face still displaying a mix of frustration and exhaustion. She mutters, "You got what you came for. Now leave me alone."

Clive steps forward, addressing Mela with determination, "You're Mela from Team Star, right? There's a Pokémon I'd like you to see."

Mela furrows her brow and turns her attention to Clive, her curiosity piqued. "Huh? Who are you s'posed to be?"

Just then, Charlos, the Charcadet, rushes towards Mela, catching her completely off guard. She blinks in surprise, finally recognizing the Charcadet. "A Charcadet? Wait... Well, if it ain't Charlos! What are you doin' here?"

Clive steps in to explain, "It seems he came to this base looking for you," he says as the Charcadet nods in confirmation.

"You did?" Mela asks, her tone now filled with curiosity and a hint of warmth.

"He's very attached to you, isn't he?" Clive observes.

Mela nods, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "Yeah, 'cause I used to play with him every day back when I was still goin' to the university... I can even tell more or less what he's thinkin' just by lookin' at the way his flames move."

Clive continues, "Do you have any idea why Charlos wanted to visit you...?"

Mela's shoulders sag slightly, and Charlos, the Charcadet, seems to sense her mood, attempting to cheer her up. "Charlos..."

"To me, it looks like he's saying that he wants you to come back..." Clive suggests gently.

Mela's frustration resurfaces, and she snaps, "Just shut it already, would ya?"

Clive shifts the conversation, pressing for information. "They say Team Star has holed itself up in these bases to plot something against the academy. Were you aware of this?"

Mela shakes her head, her tone tinged with irritation. "First I've heard of a stupid rumor like that. Man, nothin's changed since back then... Everyone's still spoutin' garbage."

"Then what about that modified car you were motoring around in just now?" Clive inquires.

Mela leans against the car, reminiscing as she explains, "The Starmobile? We crafted that thing a long time ago, with the intention of it being our trump card for a significant battle we anticipated."

"But you never actually used it until today? And what's this about a big fight?" Golly chimes in with curiosity.

Mela sighs, seemingly lost in the past. "Yeah, we never got the chance... You ever heard of Operation Star?"

"Operation Star...? Not Operation Starfall?" I inquire. "No, this is the first time we've come across any mention of it."

Mela nods, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "Huh. Yeah, I guess you wouldn't know... But for me and the rest of Team Star, it's a memory we'll always treasure."

After leaving the base, we receive a phone call from Cassiopeia again. "Ash, Serena, Golly, Drandon, Lucine, Luke... It's me. I take it that Mela's Star Badge is now in your possession?"

"Yeah, so I guess you're also going to give a replica for Serena," I reply, my voice tinged with a touch of humor.

"Now that there's no boss to lead them, the rest of the Schedar Squad shouldn't last long." Cassiopeia's voice suddenly grows silent for a moment, and I can't help but wonder what's on her mind. "Mela..."

She's doing it again, getting distracted for the second time. "Sorry, I got distracted for a second there again... Now, about your reward, I'll transfer some LP over to your phone as promised."

This time, we receive 6000 LP, and Cassiopeia continues, "Use those new TMs to strengthen your Pokémon even further. I'll have my supply unit representative meet you shortly to deliver some bonus materials, too."

After a while, Penny arrives, slightly nervous as she says, "H-hello! It's me again, from the Supply Unit..."

This time, Koraidon suddenly emerges from our Pokéballs, causing Penny to jump in surprise. "Wah! What the heck - ?!"

To our astonishment, Koraidon starts acting like Yamper and affectionately licks Penny's face. "Hey, stop that!"

It takes us a fair amount of time to calm the Pokémon down, and Penny lets out an exasperated sigh. "Blech... It drooled all over me. What even IS that Pokémon anyway?"

I chuckle and explain, "Well, that's a Koraidon, and it's quite a long story."

Penny seems amazed, and she comments, "I must say, I'm impressed that you have a Pokémon like that by your side. Ah, um, but before I forget... Here's your reward."

With that, she hands us a collection of materials, and Serena receives her own Fire Badge, completing her achievement.

Penny says, "Um... your names are Ash, Serena, Lucine, Luke, Drandon, and Golly, right? Since you're part of Operation Starfall's battle unit, can I ask you something? What do you think of Team Star?"

I consider her question for a moment before responding, "They are undeniably strong. However, compared to the other teams we've faced before, they do seem quite different..."

Penny's curiosity is piqued, and she nods thoughtfully, "Interesting... You know, some rumors suggest that Team Star wasn't always a bunch of delinquents. Most of them used to be victims of bullying or just found it difficult to interact with people. These misfits and outsiders came together to form Team Star, all they wanted was to push back against the bullies they couldn't face alone... But, uh, that's just information I gathered from hacking other students' social media accounts."

I raise an eyebrow, questioning the legality of her actions. Nevertheless, she continues, "I've also come across talks about some secret mastermind behind the five bosses - someone who recruited them to the team in the first place... Hm. I don't normally talk this much. Now my throat kinda hurts."

Drandon, ever the considerate one, offers her a bottle of fresh water. She graciously accepts it, taking a sip before saying, "So, um, good luck with taking down the other bases and stuff."

With a nod of gratitude, we bid Penny farewell, and the supply unit member leaves. We decide to head toward the Pokémon Center to rest and regroup.

After returning to school, we decide to pay a visit to Miriam, our school nurse. She greets us warmly, saying, "Hey there! Come on in! Everyone's welcome in the nurse's office!"

As she notices us, a bright smile graces her face. "Hmm, Florian and Juliana! Have you toughened up a bit?!"

I reply with confidence, "Of course we have."

Miriam chuckles, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, so you think you're tough now, huh? Hahaha. But seriously—you do look a bit different!" Her laughter continues. "I bet it's because of all the crazy experiences you're having on your Treasure Hunt. You need to tell me all about what you've been up to!"

We eagerly begin to recount our adventures and the challenges we've faced, knowing that Miriam always has an attentive ear and helpful advice to offer.

"Wooow. That's super cool! I sure am jealous of you kids. You get to try out new things every single day," Miriam says with enthusiasm. However, her expression soon turns melancholic. "Me, on the other hand... I actually wanted to become a teacher. I'm just the school nurse, y'know? I can't teach classes or anything like that. I couldn't pass the certification exam to become an actual health teacher. I took it so many times, but no luck. So here I am... stuck forever in the nurse's office."

We exchange sympathetic glances, fully understanding the difficulty of obtaining a teaching license. Miriam continues, "Oh, uh...sorry. I guess this isn't a very fun thing to talk about. But you're just such good listeners! I find myself telling you all kinds of stuff. I hope you'll still come see me even if I talk your ear off like this."

With reassuring smiles, we nod in agreement. Then, we bring our Pokémon to her for check-ups, grateful for her care and attention to both our well-being and our beloved Pokémon.

Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, we finish the Fire Team Star base. I hope you like this chapter and the next one is a bunch of classes.

Ash and Serena's Pokemon:

Charizard x2, Pikachu x2, Primeape, Tauros (Paldean) x3, Lapras, Girafarig, Dunsparce, Steelix (Crystal), Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Garchomp, Lucario, Krookodile, Zoroark, Bisharp, Greninja, Sylveon, Noivern, Lycanroc (Dusk), Mimikyu (Shiny), Corviknight, Indeedee x2, Kleavor, Sneasler, Floragato, Crocalor, Quaxwell, Oinkologne x2 (Male/Female), Spidops, Lokix, Pawmot, Maushold x2 (Family of four/three), Dachsbun, Dolliv, Squawkabilly x4, Naclstack, Charcadet x2, Bellibolt, Kilowattrel, Maschiff, Shroodle, Toedscool, Klawf, Scovillain, Flittle, Tinkatuff, Wugtrio, Bombirdier, Finizen, Cyclizar, Flamigo, Clodsire