Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai
Chapter Two-hundred and eighty-nine: Schedar Strife
Over at a certain private residence over in the Orange Islands, Ideku Badorigo was relaxing in the living room of said residence, reading something on the sofa as Ayane sat next to him on the sofa as she watched the TV. "Hey Ideku," Ayane began, "I was just thinking about that bitch who had me expelled from Blackthorn City Academy."
Arching a wry eyebrow without even looking up from what he was reading, Ideku said, "You don't say, Ayane."
Nodding once, Ayane went on, "I was thinking about how she was able to get away with as much as she did because she was a legacy and thus had protection from reprisal. Well, reprisal that the school was able to control, they couldn't do squat to keep Admin Brother from taking Akeno's head clean off from her neck with his katana."
"Strange that it took someone who, by definition according to the law, is a straight up criminal to put a bully in their place," Ideku went on, "But there is a point here, I'm guessing."
"The various spoiled brat rich legacy kids who go to the same school in the Paldea region as Admin Slime and Admin's Assistant Penny," Ayane said, "They're protected similar to how Akeno had her sorry ass covered."
Ideku gave a single nod as he turned a page in what he was reading. "The parents of those rotten little spoiled brats had essentially bought Paldea. They had installed themselves as well as their bloodlines as the powers that be which rule the region." Ideku turned his head to look at Ayane. "So long as one party holds all the chips, it's impossible to stand up to said party. ...Well, stand up to said party in any manner that follows the rules."
Ayane gave a single nod of agreement. "Well now, it's a good thing that Team Scorn doesn't follow any rules aside from its own."
Ideku nodded along as he turned his attention back to his reading material. Ideku is Pariah, the overall Boss of Team Scorn, and Ayane serves as his Boss's Assistant. Ideku had set up Team Scorn some time ago, with the plan of using his multi-region criminal organization to achieve the true goal that he has had for quite some time. With his success in the most recent World Coronation Series season, ending with Ideku himself as the Monarch, he has achieved the first part of his plan.
Team Scorn's ultimate plans for the Paldea region had to be accomplished, as it's the second part of the plan.
"By the way, Ideku," Ayane began, "When will we get the Boss Sector ready?"
"I already have a number of persons lines up to serve as the officer staff of the Boss Sector," Ideku replied, "They will do the job that I have in mind no problem."
Ayane nodded once in understanding. "It feels weird for there to be a Sector in Team Scorn to have its officer staff essentially chosen by you and you alone."
"I know," Ideku said, "Under normal circumstances, I only have direct say in the Admins that lead a Sector, and allow them to choose the Captains that serve under them. I also allow the Officers to pick their respective Officer's Assistants. You remember Zed, the one Officer who had served under an Admin who did NOT pick him personally. You remember how poorly he worked with the rest of the Sector he was in."
Nodding once, Ayane said, "I do. But I bet you have a reason for hand picking every ranking person who will be in the Boss Sector."
"Because when Team Scorn's plans for Paldea succeed," Ideku said, "The Boss Sector will be used to lead the way to carry out the third part of my plan to achieve my true goal. The ranking persons in the Boss Sector will be chosen specifically to ensure the third part of my plan will succeed."
"But before the third part can be done," Ayane said, "The second part has to be successfully completed."
Ideku nodded once in agreement. "Bingo. According to the reports I'm getting from Admin Slime, Dawn Berlitz and her company not only have yet to catch onto anything that the Mask Sector is doing to prep Paldea for the plan's second part, but evidence is has been left for them to unearth and expose the spoiled brat rich legacy kids who are the true bullies of Naranja Academy."
Ayane had a curious look on her face. "I had heard in the news that a Team Scorn attack on an abandoned delinquent base in Paldea was thwarted by Dawn Berlitz and her allies."
Ideku, arching a wry eyebrow again, turned back to look at Ayane. "You speak as if the Mask Sector isn't simply making a big show out of the raids on the derelict Team Star bases. Admin Slime is also being really careful in keeping word of what the Mask Sector is really up to on the down low."
Ayane's expression relaxed, took on more of a knowing hint. "Ah, so we're simply throwing out Red Finneons to distract the heroes."
"No word of any other Team Scorn activity in Paldea is known to those who would try and stop said activity from working," Ideku said, "Dawn and her allies aren't even aware of what's really going on, what Team Scorn in Paldea is REALLY up to." Ideku turned back to his reading material and Ayane turned back to the TV.
Ideku was amused by how, as far as everyone outside of those in the know are aware, Team Scorn's interests in Paldea don't extend beyond scooping up what all was left behind by Team Star when it was busted down by the full force of what all Paldean authorities were sicced on them. That was a good thing, as it gave Team Scorn's REAL interests the perfect cover.
Paldea, and the world at large, will have no idea what will hit them.
Over in Paldea during the morning, The Jelly-Filled Donut was landed and parked in the abandoned Team Star base located near Levincia. It was off to the side, its drawbridge out, as Dawn and all of the crew mates aside from Heath, Mitch, John, and Lance were off of the ship and in the base to help with clearing away everything left behind by Team Star.
As Dawn looked around, Sho let out an impressed whistle. "Man, that Geeta lady wasn't kidding about bringing additional help," Sho remarked as he looked around.
Dawn nodded once in agreement, taking note of a number of notable trainers who were there in addition to the people brought along mainly to work on clearing things up. Dawn even spotted both Rimu and Nemona, two notable Champion ranked trainers of Paldea, as well as Rimu's girlfriend Penny, among all of the trainers that Geeta had pulled in to help with security.
Dawn figured Rimu and Nemona to be strong and skilled trainers, given that they are both Champion ranked Paldean trainers. Rimu is especially notable as he is one of the eight trainers to end the most recent season of the World Coronation Series in the Masters Eight. Dawn wasn't too sure of Penny's strength as a trainer, and until evidence was provided to say otherwise, Dawn was going to assume Penny to be weaker than Rimu and Nemona.
"I see that there's also a group of legacy brats here to watch the show," Kenny said as he pointed out that a trio of Naranja Academy students, all looking to be spoiled brats from various wealthy families, were standing by some tables set up with various refreshments. "If it weren't for how there is an increased presence of trainers here, I'd of objected to there being legacy kids here again to see it as the Team Star base is taken down," Kenny said.
Shrugging as she led her group over to a big set up tent, Dawn said, "What can you do?" Sho and Rhyanna held the flaps open to let the others go inside to check things out.
...
Inside there was a single large custom hotrod, similar to what was found in the similar tent back at the first Team Star base that was cleared away. Looking around the hotrod, Dawn spotted in the one back corner a folding table and folding chair set up as a desk.
As the rest of the group checked out the hotrod with Trip making sure it couldn't operate as he had Launchpad on hand, Dawn led Leona and Omiyo over to the makeshift desk. Laying on the desk was another journal, which Dawn was figuring belonged to someone who used the Team Star base that they were at. There was also a pen, and a small metallic circular item next to the journal. Picking the small metallic circular item up, Dawn examined it.
It was a badge just like the Dark Badge that Dawn picked up at the first Team Star base. Made to be similar to Paldean gym badges, this Team Star badge had the symbol for the fire type on it. Dawn pocketed the Team Star Fire Badge as she turned to look to the girls, and saw that Leona was in the middle of reading the journal. "Umm... wow," Leona said, "This journal has more first hand accounts of the rich kids at Naranja Academy being the real bullies."
"How so?" Dawn asked.
"Well it mentions a girl named Allison who has a younger brother named Rimu," Leona said, drawing a surprised look from Dawn, "We got it that Paldean Champion Rimu's late older sister is named Allison, right?"
Nodding once, Dawn remarked, "That is correct."
Gesturing to the journal, Leona went on, "Well this journal mentions Allison by name in a few entries. There's also an entry that lists Rimu by name, stating him to be crushing on a girl named Sayaka who is the same age as him."
"Sayaka?" Dawn said, "So he had a crush prior to Penny."
Leona nodded once in confirmation as she handed the journal to Dawn. Reading it, Dawn learned a bit more about Rimu's past in relation to his late older sister Allison and that mystery girl Sayaka. According to the journal's owner, a girl named Mela, Allison was a close friend of hers, as well as a close friend of Eri's. Dawn figured that the Eri mentioned in the journal entry was the same Eri who Dawn and Mina saw at the previous Team Star base.
Apparently, Allison was the academic powerhouse between her, Mela, and Eri, as well as having a flare for the culinary arts. That checked out with what Dawn and her crew got on Allison having copies of cookbooks she wanted to get autographed by Katy and Kofu respectively. Mela also made note of Allison's Pokémon partner, a Quaxly who saw itself as something of a driver slash pilot even though it tended to crash literally everything it tried to drive.
"It would seem that the Quaxly that Rimu inherited from Allison is in many ways similar to Trip's now Quaxwell," Leona remarked dryly.
Dawn nodded once in agreement as she continued reading. Mela in her journal also said that she was in the middle between the three girls; dumber at academics than Allison but smarter there than Eri, and weaker in physical education lessons than Eri but stronger there than Allison. As such, Mela and Eri would often stand up for Allison when jerk students tried picking on her. Bullies would often fall back, mainly due to Eri's tall stature and relatively physically strong build for a schoolgirl.
Mela also made mention of Sayaka, a girl who Allison said was sweet on her little brother Rimu. In turn, Rimu was sweet on her. Mela said that Sayaka's the little sister of someone named Makoto. Similar to Allison, Sayaka was often a target for the bullies of Naranja Academy to pick on. The only difference between the two girls, aside from Allison being three years older, is that whereas Allison was thin and somewhat sickly looking, Sayaka was geeky looking and very obese.
Dawn as she flipped through the journal saw a photo fall out of it. Picking the photo up, Dawn saw that it depicted two persons; the first a tall and handsome guy with fair skin that was lightly tanned, and medium long crimson red spiky hair. He wore a maroon sleeveless men's shirt, dark baggy work pants held up with a belt, and work shoes. He had a lean yet healthy build that had a slight hint of extra muscle, and he lacked even the barest scrap of excess fat.
Next to him was a shorter girl dressed in a Naranja Academy school uniform that didn't include the blazer jacket. The girl had long, mildly frizzy pink hair with bangs framing her face and the rest bound in a ponytail that went down over her back, fair skin although there were signs of past acne on her face, and she wore thick horn rimmed glasses. She was also, proportionally, as fat as Dawn is when Dawn wears a fat suit for a role in a Kenny Harris Studios movie.
Flipping the photo over, Dawn saw scrawled on the back 'Makoto and his little sister Sayaka'. The handwriting on the back of the photo is the same as what's in Mela's journal, so Dawn assumed that Mela wrote on the back of the photo. Dawn also took note of the little tiny hearts drawn around Makoto's name, suggesting to Dawn that Mela has a crush on Makoto. Dawn put the photo back into the journal and read a little bit more.
According to Mela's Journal, Allison's sickly nature got worse over time, with Mela suspecting that the bullying she got from the spoiled brat rich legacy kids at Naranja Academy was making things there worse by needlessly stressing Allison out. Mela noted that one day, she learned from Sayaka who got it from a freshly grieving Rimu that Allison had died, ultimately as a result of how she had been sick as much as she was and for as long as she was.
Closing the journal before putting it away, Dawn said with a bitter and unamused scowl, "Well that just throws more mud into the faces of the spoiled brat rich legacy kids. They bullied a girl who was suffering from some sort of sickness to the point their bullying made the sickness worse by making the sick girl needlessly stressed, and it sped up her sickness until it killed her."
"What do we do?" Omiyo asked.
Folding her arms over her chest, Dawn said, "For now, we keep all of this info to ourselves. It would not help with gathering evidence against the legacy kids attending Naranja Academy if people were aware that we're trying to do so."
As the three girls talked, they were met up by Mina, Kenny, and Sho. The two boys each were carrying what looked like suits of armor. The set Kenny carried resembled the armor worn by the Pokémon Ceruledge, but the armor carried by Sho eluded Dawn. "Hey yo Dawn," Mina said, "These suits of armor we found are items used to evolve Charcadets! The one Kenny is carrying evolves Charcadet into Ceruledge, and the one Sho's carrying evolves Charcadet into Armarouge!"
"You were able to identify these as evolutionary items?" Dawn asked.
Pulling out a booklet, Mina explained, "I got this here booklet which is a guide on items that can be used to evolve Pokémon. With it, I was able to identify the armors."
Looking behind the girls, Sho said, "Hey yo, another folding table and folding chair! Let's grab 'em while we can."
"We already got the ones from the last base we went to," Leona pointed out.
"We could use the extra tables in case we have guests on the ship for a party," Sho pointed out, "We'll need extra table space and chairs for guests if we're all eating dinner and celebrating."
"That... is actually a valid point," Dawn remarked, surprised that Sho was thinking that far ahead. Although there were tables for dining at available on The Jelly-Filled Donut, there was only enough for just the crew when Dawn first got the flying ship. Sho collecting the folding tables and folding chairs at the Team Star bases not only provides extra places to sit at, but the tables and chairs can be easily folded up and stowed away into the cargo hold.
Dawn went to collect Trip to help her with getting the folding table and chair. Trip folded up and took the table while Dawn did the same with the chair. With all of what goods the heroes got, they left the big tent to back to The Jelly-Filled Donut to put their stuff away.
When Dawn and her party got over to The Jelly-Filled Donut, they saw Mitch on the ground in front of the drawbridge, arms folded over his chest, as he stood before the rich legacy kids who came to see the Team Star base taken down. Heath stood at the top of the drawbridge, at the point that was connected to the flying ship. Scowling in annoyance, Dawn walked up to the scene, with the others following along behind her.
"Champion Dawn made it very clear that unless she is present and says it's okay, Mitch can't let any guests come aboard the ship," Mitch said to the rich kids, his named shiny Dedenne Den sitting on his shoulder squeaking along in agreement.
The lead rich kid, a blonde haired blue eyed fair skinned boy who looked like a star athlete, let out an annoyed scoff. "You do realize that me and my friends here are NOT the kind of people that you can get away with telling 'no' to, do you?"
"No, Mitch has no knowledge of that," Mitch said, "And Mitch does not buckle down easy if at all. Mitch once fought heroically side by side with some of the greatest heroic names that the Kalos region had ever known. It will take more that mere spoiled brats to make Mitch kneel."
"Did you just insult us?" the lead boy snarled, "To our faces no less? Man, I can have you ruined with a single phone call for even the slightest offence! You will apologize to us right this very instant for so much as daring to have the nerve to insult us to our faces, and you and your fellow at the top there will step aside and let my friends and I come aboard so we can check out the flying ship, or so help me, I will-"
"-Back the hell off and leave the members of my ship's crew be," Dawn spoke up, making everyone turn to see Dawn and the others standing there. To the rich kids, Dawn snarled, "This is the second time spoiled brats like you tried to bully and demand their way aboard my flying ship. Just because you're here to see the Team Star base be taken down does not give you the right to wander around and get into whatever you please."
As the lead boy and his friends paled a bit, Rimu's voice called out, "Oi, Dawn!" Dawn and everyone else turned to see Rimu come jogging up, Nemona and Penny following along behind him. "These guys aren't bothering you and your ship, are they?" Rimu asked.
Gesturing to the rich kids, Dawn said, "They're threatening one of my ship's crew members into letting them aboard to check the ship out, despite how I won't allow it outside of certain cases as the ship is essentially the residence of my crew and I."
Penny had an unamused look on her face. "It doesn't surprise me that they'd go so far as to try to force their way into someone's home solely because they think it looks cool and they wanna check things out for themselves."
"You guys," Nemona said to the rich kids, her tone and expression brokering no quarter, "Back off right now." The rich kids seemed cowed by Nemona, so they nodded and took off, leaving Mitch be.
Letting out a sigh, Dawn said, "Thanks for the save, you guys."
"It still baffles me that La Primera would listen to various wealthy parents and agree to bring their kids along to watch it as the Team Star bases are disassembled," Nemona said, a pondering look of curious wonder on her face.
"Wait a minute," Trip said, "The rich kids have come along to watch because their parents more or less told Geeta to bring them?"
"And wouldn't the Team Scorn attack that occurred back when the first base was being taken down give reason to not bring along unnecessary civilians?" Kenny asked.
Shrugging, Rimu remarked, "What can we say? It's pretty dumb that Geeta is risking, as Kenny had just put it, unnecessary civilians solely because Geeta was asked to do so by their rich parents. It's serious and risky work we're doing here, not a damn spectator show." Putting his hands on his hips, Rimu went on, "What will it take for the wealthy families to get it through their thick heads that this isn't a show? This is serious work with serious risk." Looking to the reborn trainers, Rimu said, "I got it that you Dawn, as well as Kenny and Trip, got the Paldea region's starter Pokémon from Director Clavell back at Naranja Academy."
Nodding once, Dawn said, "Yeah. I got a Fuecoco, Kenny got a Sprigatito, and Trip got a Quaxly. All three of them have evolved once each, giving us Crocalor, Floragato, and Quaxwell."
"Ah, so you got Fuecoco," Rimu said to Dawn, a hint of amusement in his tone and expression, "I had my heart set on getting a Fuecoco as my first Pokémon back when I first started seeking to become a trainer. You made a good choice."
Nodding once in thanks, Dawn said, "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion for when your Crocalor evolves into Skeledirge," Rimu began, "I would suggest having it learn this one attack called Alluring Voice."
"I... was considering having my Crocalor when it evolves into Skeledirge pick up the same move set that your Skeledirge has," Dawn admitted to Rimu, "You know, Flamethrower, Shadow Ball, Earth Power, and that Torch Song move. I admittedly don't have too much knowledge on the Skeledirge species, so I was planning on using yours as a reference template."
Gesturing to Dawn, Rimu replied, "That's fair. But I would still recommend Alluring Voice. It's a fairly strong fairy type move, so it'll give coverage against dark type opponents which will be a threat as Skeledirge is part ghost type. As a case in point, I had my Skeledirge pick up Alluring Voice."
Dawn's interest was piqued by what Rimu said. "Really," Dawn said, "Alluring Voice is a good coverage option against dark type opponents, you say." Dawn instantly saw decent value in the idea of Skeledirge picking up this Alluring Voice attack. She made a mental note of it as she and the rest of her crew boarded The Jelly-Filled Donut to put their new finds away.
It was never mentioned that Dawn found both a journal detailing parts of Rimu's past, as well as a photo showing the girl Rimu was crushing on prior to Penny.
The stuff that Dawn and her crew claimed were stored on board of The Jelly-Filled Donut. Dawn stored Mela's Journal on the bookshelf in her personal room on board of The Jelly-Filled Donut, next to where Giacomo's Journal was put. Dawn then put the Fire Badge (that's what she's calling it for now) in the keepsake box sitting on the corner of her desk, the same keepsake box that the Dark Badge was stored in.
Dawn also put the photo of Makoto and Sayaka into the keepsake box as well. The two suits of armor connected to the Charcadet species were stored in the cargo hold for the time being; Kenny said that he'll look into evolving Dante and Virgil after the second Team Star base is cleared.
With everything put away, Dawn proceeded to leave her room. However, the moment after closing the door behind her, Dawn was met up by Leona, Omiyo, and Mina. All three of the girls were very clearly panicked. Dawn knew right away that something must have just happened. "The Team Star base we're at is being besieged by Team Scorn, isn't it?" Dawn asked dryly.
"Yeah, a bunch of Team Scorn members just swarmed into the Team Star base!" Leona exclaimed, "Everyone outside is fighting back, but the sheer numbers that Team Scorn came in with this time is even greater than the last time they pulled a stunt like this!"
"It's as if Team Scorn somehow anticipated that there'd be greater resistance," Mina said.
That remark from Mina made Dawn susoicious, but she had to put such feelings off to the side for the time being. "Where's everyone else in the crew?" Dawn asked.
"Kenny, Trip, Sho, and Rhyanna are already off the ship and helping to fight off Team Scorn," Omiyo said, "Just like last time. Uncle Heath and the other members of the crew are still aboard."
"Let's go," Dawn said, leading the girls to go out and confront Team Scorn for a second time.
...
The moment that Dawn and the girls got off of The Jelly-Filled Donut, they saw that there were indeed lots of Team Scorn members that had swarmed into the Team Star base. Dawn could tell with just a casual glance that there was more this time than there was when the first visited Team Star base was besieged by Team Scorn. What Mina said about it seeming like Team Scorn had been anticipating greater resistance was looking more obvious to Dawn.
As Dawn and the girls looked around, they were met up by Rimu, who looked a bit panicked. "There you are, Dawn!" Rimu said, "Quick, we're gonna need you to help out here! We're being overwhelmed by all of these Team Scorn members!"
"Yeah, tell us something we don't know," Dawn said. Arching a wry eyebrow, Dawn asked, "Where's Nemona and Penny?"
"Nemona rushed in to confront the Team Scorn members as soon as Geeta had sent her in that direction to deal with the incoming Team Scorn members," Rimu said, "If it wasn't for how I know Nemona's a battle-junkie, I would of sworn that she'd be utterly ecstatic that a bunch of enemy trainers suddenly appeared. As for Penny, she had at Geeta's order led that trio of rich kids to a place to hide during the siege."
"Can Penny fight in a pinch?" Dawn asked.
Nodding once, Rimu replied, "I can say for sure that Penny is at least stronger as a trainer than the strongest gym leader in Paldea. I'd say that even a Team Scorn officer can't beat Penny." The look on his face relented. "...But she is still the girl who I love, and she's the only person in her group who can fight, so enough enemy numbers can overwhelm her. I'd go and find her to back her up, but Geeta has ordered me to assist in fighting the bulk of Team Scorn's forces that are out in the open. Can I ask you girls to try and find Penny to back her up?"
Dawn nodded once in understanding, and took off with Mina while Leona and Omiyo went back aboard The Jelly-Filled Donut to prep it as a save haven to hide folks who shouldn't be outside while Team Scorn is visiting. It would seem that Team Scorn showing up is a valid excuse that permits the spoiled brat rich legacy kids onto The Jelly-Filled Donut, despite how Dawn really doesn't want any of them to ever board her ship period.
Dawn and Mina ran around, looking for Penny and the trio of rich kids. The two girls even defeated a pair's worth of Scorn peons each as they searched for Penny and the trio of rich kids. Dawn and Mina rounded a corner around a smaller tent, and when they did they saw Penny and the trio of rich kids right there. However, their condition as well as who else was there made it clear that things are going to be hitting the fan after this siege is repelled.
Penny was laying face down on the ground, clearly out of it. The three rich kids also laid on the ground, but the pools of warm, rich life-crimson pooling around their respective necks made it very clear that they won't have a chance of getting up again. Standing over where Penny and the trio of rich kids laid were two members of Team Scorn, a male dressed in the standard male Scorn peon outfit, and another male who was dressed in a unique outfit.
The uniquely dressed Team Scorn member wore a dark blue long sleeved long coat, with yellow mesh-like arm guards on his arms going from the wrists to the crooks of the elbows. There was also a yellow sash around the waist and over the long coat. He wore yellow pants that disappeared into tall dark blue boots that reached to just below the knees. He also wore a yellow scarf around his neck and shoulders.
He was fair skinned with a light hint of tan to it, dark bluish chin length hair, and his handsome face was seemingly stuck in a permanent bitter scowl. The uniquely dressed Team Scorn member, along with the male Scorn peon with him, looked directly at Dawn and Mina. "Thou need not fret, fair maidens," the male Scorn peon greeted to the two girls, "'Tis not our aim to vanquish thee, for our ire is not levied at those of innocent aim."
"...But you did kill four Naranja Academy students," Mina pointed out.
"Only three," the uniquely dressed Team Scorn member said, "The girl with the multi-colored hair and the Eevee backpack was merely knocked out. I suspect she'll freak out upon awakening and seeing that a trio of her peers from school had their throats slit."
Dawn, a bitter look of disgusted anger on her face, looked to the members of Team Scorn before her and Mina. "And you guys are..."
Gesturing to himself, the uniquely dressed Team Scorn member said, "Ah yes, it wouldn't do if we didn't give the courtesy of giving our names. I am Takuya, Third Captain of Team Scorn's Mask Sector. The fellow with me is Atticus, my Captain's Assistant."
"Our goal here lays with appropriating the Starmobile," the now identified Atticus said, "But I deduce that thou aren't inclined to allow us to make away with it."
"Starmobile?" Mina said, "You mean that big ol' custom hotrod in the one big tent thing?"
Nodding once, the now identified Takuya said, "Yeah, that. But the kids laying dead at our feet were a secondary goal we were able to collect upon along the wa-"
"Are you the same Takuya who used to work at the Levincia gym as a referee?" Dawn asked.
Takuya stopped short, a mild hint of surprise on his face, before settling down. "...I suppose that Iono told you about me, about how my fiance Rumi was killed in an accident in Mesagoza where she was pushed off a ledge by some reckless rich kids from Naranja Academy riding around on their Cyclizars."
"We did hear your fiance died," Dawn said, "But we didn't know the cause of death or how it happened." Dawn scowled internally as she and Mina got more info suggesting that the spoiled brat rich legacy kids are the true source of most if not all strife in Paldea. "But still," Dawn went on, "To go and kill... students of Naranja Academy-"
"They had slinked their way out of all other methods of having their due forced upon them," Takuya said, "They would never learn because no-one was allowed to make them learn. They would be given a pass out of consequence every single time, and all that awaited them was a position where they would effectively rule over Paldea. I do not need to tell you that the future of this region is grim in such a case."
Dawn and Mina saw it that there would be no reasoning with Takuya and Atticus, especially as Dawn and her crew themselves had seen (and gathered) evidence suggesting that what Takuya was saying is valid to a degree. But killing was not the solution, hence why Dawn and Mina were going to fight Team Scorn here, to the bitter end if need be.
"Alright, Cyrus," Dawn said as she sent out her named Staraptor, "Let's get goin'!"
"Go, Gardevoir!" Mina said as she sent out her Gardevoir who is a male.
"Go, Skuntank!" Atticus said as he sent out a Skuntank.
"Go, Spidops!" Takuya said as he sent out a Spidops. Gesturing forward, Takuya said, "Spidops, use Poison Jab on Gardevoir!"
"Skuntank, use Toxic on Staraptor!" Atticus ordered.
"Gardevoir, use Moonblast on Skuntank!" Mina commanded.
"Cyrus, use Aerial Ace on Spidops!" Dawn called out.
The named Staraptor was the quickest, striking down Spidops before it was able to get close to Gardevoir. Skuntank was, however, a shade quicker than Gardevoir, so although Gardevoir was able to knock it out with Moonblast which scored a critical hit, Skuntank was able to get off its Toxic that, due to Skuntank being part poison, was assured to hit its mark, resulting in Cyrus receiving the toxic poisoning status ailment.
...But Cyrus being afflicted with a status ailment was, as Takuya and Atticus were going to learn after calling back their respective fainted Pokémon, not good for those opposing Dawn in battle. "Go, Revavroom!" Atticus said as he sent out his next Pokémon, a Revavroom.
"Go, Cyclizar!" Takuya said as he sent out his next Pokémon, a Cyclizar. Gesturing forward, Takuya said, "Cyclizar, use Dragon Claw on Staraptor!"
"Revavroom, use Iron Head on Gardevoir!" Atticus ordered.
"Gardevoir, use Mystical Fire on Revavroom!" Mina commanded.
"Cyrus," Dawn began, "Use Facade on Cyclizar!"
Cyrus was the most swift Pokémon in battle, and its Facade struck true on Takuya's Cyclizar, dealing a heavy blow that knocked Cyclizar out before it was able to do anything. Facade, while also getting STAB as Cyrus who used it is part normal type, was doubled in power as Cyrus who used it was afflicted with a status ailment at the time. All of those factors added up to a damage output that very few Pokémon can take and endure.
As for Gardevoir, his Mystical Fire scored a lucky critical hit that knocked Revavroom out before its Iron Head was able to land a blow that would have threatened Gardevoir. Takuya and Atticus were forced to call back fainted Pokémon once more, and then sent out their respective third Pokémon each. A Veluza from Takuya and a Muk from Atticus.
The battle was short, as another Facade from Cyrus knocked Veluza out while Gardevoir's Psychic knocked out Muk. "Damn it," Takuya scowled as he and Atticus recalled their respective fainted Pokémon, "Atticus and I are out of Pokémon now."
"We must make haste to fall back," Atticus said, "And without the Starmobile in our hands. A pity it is we failed to seize the prize we sought." Takuya then sent out a signal to all Team Scorn members at the Team Star base to retreat. A bunch of smoke grenades were used to cover the mass escape, and by the time the smoke was settled, all of Team Scorn had fled. Team Scorn was bested, and they failed in securing the goal they sought.
...But the trio of rich kids laying dead on the ground said that this wasn't a total victory for the heroes.
When word spread among the heroes at the Team Star base that the three rich kids were murdered by Team Scorn, everyone was surprised. Rimu immediately rushed over to where things were being handled and began asking if Penny was okay.
"My ship's medic, John, said that Penny was simply hit in the head just hard enough to knock her out," Dawn said, "She's already woken up, and John says there's not even any risk she had suffered a concussion. Penny did, however, express shock when she was told the three rich kids were killed, and that she could have joined them in that regard were it not for Team Scorn thinking she wasn't worth the effort."
Straightening up, Rimu after letting out a sigh of relief said, "...This is Geeta's fault."
"Pardon?" Kenny asked, as he and the others in Dawn's group had met back up after the Team Scorn siege on the Team Star base.
Gesturing to the reborn trainers, Rimu said, "Nemona and I originally wanted to accompany Penny and help her protect those spoiled brats. But Geeta set Nemona and I on fighting the Team Scorn members out in the open, she put all burden of protecting the rich kids on Penny and Penny alone. And look what happened."
Folding his arms over his chest, Trip said, "This also lends credence to the fact that the clearing away of the Team Star bases is NOT a show to entertain the kids of Paldea's wealthy elite."
Looking to Rimu, Dawn asked, "So what are you going to do?"
"Get it out to as many news sources here in Paldea as possible how much at fault here Geeta is," Rimu said, his firm tone and expression making it clear he wasn't going to back down here, "I'll be damned if Geeta tries to slink away from any of the blame that's due to her. Wouldn't be the first time she's tried escaping responsibility, especially by sticking someone else with the bill." Rimu then turned around and walked off, although the reborn trainers saw him heading towards Nemona.
...
Eventually, everything was cleaned up and everyone proceeded to take off. As Dawn and her crew got The Jelly-Filled Donut ready for taking off, Mina said, "Yo, there's already breaking reports on all sorts of Paldea news sources that three of the rich legacy kids were killed in a Team Scorn attack, and mud is being thrown into Geeta's face over it not only for letting it happen but also for letting the rich kids come along and putting them at risk in the first place."
"Do any of those news sources say who leaked the info?" Dawn asked.
Looking through various feeds, Mina said, "...No, all leaks are from anonymous sources. But Geeta is being roasted right now in Paldean news, and the parents of the slain kids are already seeking to take legal action against Geeta for letting their kids get killed."
"Didn't said parents kinda sorta make Geeta take their kids along to watch at the Team Star base was taken down?" Trip asked.
"You're asking spoiled rich idiots with a severe lack of common sense, a severe lack of sense of responsibility, and being petty as fuck to get it through their thick fucking heads that anything can ever be their fault," Kenny said dryly.
Letting out a sigh, Dawn said, "We can discuss this business later. For now, we ought to head on over to Cascaraffa so we-"
"Hey Dawn!" Heath said as he came rushing in, "There's reports coming from the area of a town called Zapapico that a mondo big Orthworm is in the bad lands near the town! It's looking to be a case similar to the Klawf and Bombirdier that were also mondo big!"
Dawn and the others perked up at that. "Another titan Pokémon?"
"And if there's a titan Pokémon," Trip said, "Then you can bet Arven is in the area, looking for the Herba Mystica that the titan Pokémon has nearby." It was agreed that the crew would head over to check out the reports of the 'mondo big' Orthworm. After everything was ready, The Jelly-Filled Donut took up into the air, then flew off in the direction of its next destination.
END, CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINE
Author's notes;
This chapter continues the storyline of Pladean authorities clearing out the Team Star bases after Team Star itself was beaten down and broken up. Geeta even brought along additional trainers to act as security, but it was moot as not only did Team Scorn besiege the base with greater numbers than before, but they also killed the three spoiled brat rich legacy kids who came along to watch and laugh as the Team Star base was taken down.
After the Team Scorn siege was repelled, the base was cleared although word already reached Paldea at large that three children of wealthy elite persons in Paldea were killed, and the fault for it was levied solely on Geeta. The heroes would have discussed this more on the way to Cascarrafa, but a report came in on a titan Pokémon in the bad lands north of Levincia, prompting Dawn and her crew to go see if Arven is in that area for another Herba Mystica.
The next chapter will see Arven's storyline with the titan Pokémon and Herba Mysticas continue, as well as also see some touch up on the events of this chapter. Things will be continuing from here in the next chapter, but until then take care.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Tsukune (Palkia), Benimaru (male Crocalor), Money Bin (Ghouldengo), Cyrus (male Staraptor), Argent (male Arcanine; alpha; Hisuian)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Elay (male Sandslash; Kantonian; shiny), Moista Fista (male Ursaluna), Black (Giratina; Origin Forme), Panther (female Floragato), King Julian (male Shroodle)
Trip's Pokémon: (on hand) Myde (male Empoleon), Mr. Popo (male Magmortar), Alfred (male Marowak; Alolan; Totem), Deelia (Dialga), Launchpad (male Quaxly), Mike (male Pawmo)
Mina's Pokémon: (on hand) Scar (male Eevee; scared over one eye), Dragonite (male), Gardevoir (male), Umbreon (male; shiny), Espeon (male; shiny), Flareon (male; shiny)