Time to heat up this story! We're getting close and more truths are to be revealed! Time for Chapter 20 to be revealed, too!

Chapter 20

A Criminal

Ash couldn't breathe. His vision started slipping. The chokehold Matori had on him grew tighter. All he could do was feel the vibrations through the ground, like a stampede of feet and other explosions that shook the prison. Even that was starting to fade, though, and his hands scrambled, trying to remove the assassin from his neck.

"PI-KA!" The beautiful relief of electricity scorched the air, hurtling into Matori's face. Her hold slackened, and Ash broke free, winded but managing to stand.

"Thanks, Pikachu." Pikachu bounced back, nodding. Inside her cell, Matori rubbed her face, and he watched as her eyes went cold. The ruthless woman from IDEAL was back, no mask necessary. He didn't have time for her, though. "Where's that coming from?"

"Pikapi, chu pi!" Pikachu turned, sniffing at the air. His cheeks sparked, as if sensing electricity back down the hallway. With a jerk of his head, Ash indicated for his partner to lead on. He spared only a single look at Matori, peering at him from the cells, and the most unfortunate of shivers ran down his spine.

Ash put her behind him, racing after Pikachu. There were clamors at the cells, and some of the air had changed. The smell had changed, too, a more earthy presence felt. Then there were the shouts.

"Mud Shot!"

"Clooood!" Ash rounded a corner in time to see a brown, Quagsire-looking Pokémon shoot globules of mud at three people in robes. They were knocked back into something. He swiftly approached.

"Rika!" Ash skidded to a stop, just in time for his breath to catch. He certainly hadn't expected that. Overhead, the alarm continued to blare, hurting their ears but informing them of the clear presence right in front of them. "What the heck…?"

"About time you got here, Mr. Ketchum," Rika said. She pulled a glove tighter and threw her hand out. "Sludge Bomb, Clodsire!"

"Sire!" The Pokémon right in front of her, no doubt her partner Clodsire, opened its dopey mouth wide and sent a projectile of pure poison out. It hit upon a Gabite, tossing it into its trainer.

That trainer hit another, and as Ash watched, the pair of them tumbled into a large gaping hole snaking upwards.

"How the heck is that there?!" Ash shouted, more out of reaction than anything. Rika scoffed, annoyed by the question, and remained on guard for more of the robed individuals climbing out of the hole. "I thought this place was the most secure prison!"

"We're in Area Zero. You think sane people would be able to breach this wall?"

"It's looking like it! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Pikachu's body lit up, summoning all of his electricity before firing it in a wide arc. Instead of striking the emerging cultists, however, it struck the top of the hole, creating a cascade of rubble that blocked off the entrance. "Might buy us some time."

"Not much. Clodsire, seal it." Rika stepped away from her faithful Pokémon and took a tablet out, pressing buttons with an unyielding ferocity. "I need a status report, now!"

"There…holes…court…lev-" The transmission cut off.

So, too, did the alarm.

"Pi…" Pikachu's fur bristled, and Ash didn't blame him. The swift silencing of the alarm called attention to the sudden silence that graced the lowest level. Only a banging from the other side of the stones and Clodsire firing goop that bonded the rocks together could be heard. It also pointed out what wasn't seen or heard.

"Rika…"

"Damn it!" Rika shouted, looking ready to smash her tablet. It was the most emotion the professional woman had shown, and she went back to furiously punching in numbers. In seconds, a three-dimensional array of the facility was visible on the screen. One or two spots were flashing red, appearing on the third level and their level. "Where are they coming from?"

"Rika, better question," Ash said, his eyes trained on the sealed rubble. A louder thrumming, like a drill, was coming from within, and Pikachu's cheeks sparked again. "Where are the rest of the guards on this level?"

"They went to check on…the prisoners…" Rika's face paled, swiveling to the path where the guards had gone but not returned. The drilling sound increased.

"Go," Ash told her. She nodded, dashing off as fast as she could. Clodsire all but bounced after her while Ash readied himself for the fight.

BOOM! The rubble exploded outward, an Excadrill emerging, followed by a series of vines like tentacles that pierced stone. Pikachu met the Excadrill head on, swing in with an Iron Tail that beat it into the floor. That didn't stop the number of cultists from suddenly swarming in. These weren't wearing robes, though, but instead suits that belied their tactical nature, masks covering their faces.

From the hole, one stepped out, carrying the bearing of a leader with no-nonsense attitude, the Brambleghast at their side whirling and snapping with malevolent energy.

"Well, well. Look who's here. He always did think you'd get in the way."

"Who?" Ash asked. The man didn't answer. He raised a hand and snapped his fingers once.

"Go." It felt like an eerie mirror to Ash's own words to Rika. That made him leap forward into action.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"

"Pika!" Pikachu blitzed forward with white light. Brambleghast coiled, ready to strike, and Pikachu leaped right through him, straight into the man's chest. The distraction was enough that Ash was there, sinking his fist into the mask and pushing the man backwards.

"Good, make this a challenge," the man said. Ash swept his foot, buying himself distance. "While my comrades fulfill the mission, I'll remove your particular thorn."

"Phantom Zero, I take it, then," Ash said. His fists balled, and Pikachu faced Brambleghast. Both knew if they tried to make a move on the cultists rushing past, they'd be in for a much stickier situation. He chose to trust Rika. "How did you get in here?"

"How, indeed? Giga Drain." Brambleghast shuddered, and its vines shot out, each cloaked in green. Pikachu set off at a run, dashing for the nearest wall. One of the tendrils followed, cracking into the surface and breaking it off, but missing the electric mouse.

"Electro Ball!" Ash grunted in his shout, running right for the man, the clear lieutenant of Phantom Zero. He punched out, only for the man to block. A kick followed, but Ash jumped and brought his head slamming into the man's. It knocked them back towards the tunnel, just as Pikachu's Electro ball struck Brambleghast, causing its vines to retract. The resultant explosion flung a number of other cultists against the walls. "Iron Tail!"

"Power Whip," the man ordered. He made an uppercut, sinking his fist into Ash's stomach but failing to wind him. Ash cracked his head up in the lieutenant's chin. Pikachu and Brambleghast met, their tail and vines slapping against each other with such force it sent wind racing down the hallway, cracking stone and bending bars. "He was right to see your threat."

"Yeah, well, guess we were a bit blind to yours, huh?" Ash backed up, drawing defensive as he observed the man's body language. Beyond him was the hole, and Ash felt like he could see it stretch on to infinity. There were spots of crystallization, and the longer he looked, the more familiar it felt. His mouth opened in recognition. "Of course…the tunnels!"

"Pi-ka!" Pikachu's shout reminded him where he was, his faithful partner rolling to the side as a vine cracked the floor, creating a sharp fissure. Pikachu zipped forth, wreathed in electricity that he fired to the very core of the ghastly Pokémon. The lieutenant was on him again, this time forcing Ash to block the strike. They both kicked out, matched in strength.

"You used Orthworm's tunnels! It kept going through Paldea, and musta gone through Area Zero! And then you used them to-whoa!"

"How…perceptive!" The man planted his leg, striking Ash's side with a kick. His hand then shot out, clasping itself around Ash's throat. "You're not as dumb as so many believe. Or perhaps time and crossing so much space has tempered you. It matters little."

For the second time, Ash felt his throat constricted, and his vision going. He reached up, loosening the hole just slightly to grunt some words out. "Wh…y…? Pal…dea's…peace…"

"Is it? Or is it just the façade? All we needed was a couple masks and insults and we've set the region on edge."

"Why…?" Ash managed to gasp out, his hand falling limply at his side.

"Because he saw the truth, and it stirred inside him what's long been missing. Now that research has come so far, he's going further than he ever once dreamed." The man leaned in, just close enough, his fingers tightening. Ash's fist clenched, all the muscles in his arms bulging. He had strength enough for one more thing. "Too long, I've watched him languish. Now, stay out of the way!"

"Fat…chance!" Ash's fist soared up, this one sinking into the man's stomach instead. His hold released, falling backwards, and Ash managed to get his breath back with a hacking cough. "Counter Shield!"

"CHUUUUUUU!" Pikachu dodged a whipcrack and dropped to floor, beginning to spin with intensity. Lightning danced on the walls, and Brambleghast retreated into itself. The lieutenant was caught by the shocks, zapping at him and allowing Ash the movement necessary. Behind them, some cultists were blasted back, pinned to the wall by quickly hardening mud.

"I don't know what you're doing, but we won't let you!" Ash brought his fist down again, this time smashing into and through the mask, breaking off half of it to reveal the face beneath. Eyes widened, Ash recognizing the face as one of Serena's students. Yet he looked older, hardened. "I know you… You're Fi-"

"Phantom Force!"

"Ash, duck!" He obeyed Rika's informal command instantly. The poison fired right over his head for the man, Fidel, who sneered at her presence. Brambleghast vanished, sinking into the shadows and reappearing with a snap of greenish vines. The poison split, melting into some bars but leaving Fidel unharmed.

"What happened to the guards?"

"I didn't find any," she snapped. Clodsire was running after her, skidding to a stop on all fours next to Pikachu. The mouse patted the panting Clodsire, but their eyes were trained on Fidel and his Brambleghast. "Just more Phantom Zero flunkies."

It was exactly the thing Ash feared, and he gave a shuddering breath. Behind them, the tunnel appeared to glow, flashing red in its crystalline lace. Fidel sneered again, hardly looking pleased with the proceedings. A few more people were trickling out of it, however.

"Boss, it's starting to-"

"I know," Fidel said. He reached up, removing the mask, and with it, a piece of his face came off. The nose changed, and the color of his eyes became a sharp red and violet mix. This time, a smirk visited his face. "I'll leave you to recruit then. You know who to make a priority. I'll take care of these pests."

Fidel dug into his pocket, withdrawing two things from between his fingers. In one was a small device, looking far too uncomfortably like the designs of DARC and IDEAL past. In the other was a swirling orb of crystal energy. Rika stepped forward, snarling, "Tera Orb? Where did you get that?"

"I've been a good little student," Fidel said, adding a chuckle. Then he pressed a button. Another explosion echoed higher up. Seconds later, a storm of Pokémon came flying out of the tunnel.

"KLEFKIIIII!" Everyone ducked, horrified at the swarm of Klefki that soon invaded the hallway, shooting for the cells with all the speed they could muster.

"So that's your plan?!" Ash asked. He stomped the ground and used it as a vault to send himself flying for Fidel. He reached him and clocked him in the face. They stumbled back, but Fidel barely flinched. It was almost as if he didn't feel it, and when Ash pulled away, he saw some of the skin of the man's face flake with the bruising, his hair flecking itself with white. Fidel touched to it, but reacted little. He held his Tera Orb up. "You took down that plane for this, didn't you?"

"What? You mean to say…" Rika now snarled, and she reached into her own pocket to take out a Tera Orb, herself. "So, you invited disaster and tragedy for this? I take it that the guards were actually your people."

"We needed a way on the inside. So little of Zero Prison's details are available, even to people who have been inside Area Zero," Fidel said. The glows of both Tera Orbs began to grow, shooting out to their respective Pokémon and filling the air with a crystal dust that Ash nearly choked on. "Escorting Rose to the inside, embedding ourselves…well, you guys were running around too busy with Team Star and the Treasures to notice. Not that it ends here."

"I think you'll see that it does! Pikachu!" The crystal burst, revealing Brambleghast in a pure ghostly form, while Clodsire emanated the power of the earth. Pikachu shot for Brambleghast, charging his Electro Ball. When he reached, he flicked it down at point-blank range. It exploded in a shower of sparks.

Then the green tendrils shot out, impaling through Pikachu and absorbing energy. He was flung back towards the opposite end of the hall. "Pikaaaaa!"

"Power Whip."

"Hydro Pump!" Rika's call was matched by Clodsire opening its mouth and pumping the jet of water out that was faster than expected. It pummeled Brambleghast, soon striking Fidel, but both held their ground.

As it turned out, the Power Whip wasn't even meant for Clodsire.

It sliced through the water and Ash felt it suddenly crack against his ribcage. It did the same for Rika, and there was a moment where both failed to register what was happening. Then they heard an awful snap and both were sent flying down the hallway, bouncing into the floor and past the cells. Ash looked up, coughing out a spat of blood, filled with horror.

With an ominous creak, all the cells on the seventh level swung open. A second later, and the first footsteps of one of the held criminals emerged. Down another hallway, there were further footsteps, ones that Ash knew. He swallowed, pushing himself to stand alongside Pikachu. Fidel stalked ever closer.

"Told you there was a storm coming, Ash Ketchum."

"So, the data was true."

Ash punched the ground, dragging his body up, but feeling the strain to breathe. Fidel's odd eyes shined, matching Brambleghast's, and Ash could see the unyielding strength inside them, the sheen of his face and hair returned. With another hand, Ash touched Pikachu's back, both their eyes unfocused, but ready for battle.

"Yes, it's true," Fidel said, his unsettling smirk starting to piss Ash off. The further Ash touched Pikachu's fur, though, the more he felt the jolts traveling up his skin. They could still give them enough volts to stop them cold. "Prisoners of Zero Prison! Today, you are freed by the Phantom!"

Murmurs followed, enough that there were questions from some, and doubts from others. Too many more looked intrigued, while some were already inching away from the cells. Rika groaned on the ground next to Ash. He tapped Pikachu. "Buddy…"

"Pi…kaaaa…"

"Many of you tried before to see the new world, but I make a promise here and now, to you. You have not failed!" Fidel raised his hand. Brambleghast snaked forward, pitiless eyes upon Ash and Rika both. "Show loyalty to the Phantom. Share your gifts and information, and we shall see the world born anew! Down with the old…

"In with the elite new. Power Whip!"

"Thunderbolt!"

The lightning lanced through the air, meeting the Power Whip in a collision that sent cracks through the entire prison, pitching up dust and rolling over all. The air pulsed red, the crystals shrieking, and the tide of change swept forth, leaving behind naught of the old world.

"Miss Cynthia!" The shout came from over the hill, a group of researchers clambering over it. Many of them stopped short at the sight of the devastation around them, from the knocked-out cultists to the giant crack that consumed everything in a radius outside the seal. "We saw the fissure. Is everything okay?"

"It's fine," Cynthia said, returning Garchomp with a quick light. Everyone else did the same for their partners, hitching their bags. It was a clearer sign than any that they needed to get a move on. "Can you take care of things here?"

"W-well, yes, but-" Cynthia didn't waste time. Nor did Gloria, climbing over the same hill to lead their party towards wherever the researchers had come from. "Miss Cynthia, where are you going?"

"I need to make a stop. Bind them, keep an eye on the seal, and I'll be back soon as able. The helicopter is this way?" They didn't have the heart or the energy to argue back. No one did, making quick strides to where a helicopter sat, undamaged. A small camp was set up around it, indicating the researcher's base.

"Do any of us even know how to fly one of these things?" Arven asked. Gloria began rolling up her sleeves, but it was Cynthia who got into the cockpit and began flicking switches. "Oh. Question answered."

"I'd have a hard time getting to research sites if I relied solely on someone else to fly me," Cynthia explained. The helicopter roared to life, its lights coming on to illuminate the darkening surroundings and the rotors began to beat at the air. For a moment, Juliana covered her ears, but that didn't last long. They each boarded the chopper, finding headphones to cover and protect their ears. It brought relief. Not so much when it came to space as Koraidon boarded, weighing the chopper down but hardly fazing Cynthia. "Now, hang on. The Academy, was it?"

"Sera!" Ceruledge's cry pre-empted any answer, the battered knight hobbling over. Juliana hung out of the vehicle.

"You coming with, then?" Ceruledge stared at her, his flames flickering, but he soon nodded and squeezed in to the ever-tighter fit of the helicopter.

"Let's get going!" Gloria shouted, clearly trying to be heard over the rotors. Cynthia nodded, flicked some more switches and the helicopter began to rise into the air.

Juliana pitched to the side, grabbing on Gloria, but watched as the ground grew further and further away. It felt like her stomach was rising inside her, but she quickly got it under control, facing instead towards the Academy, and the direction in which the Starmobiles had flown. Only in her periphery could she see smoke and steam rising from the outer edges of Mount Glaseado, the remnants of where Ceruledge had last battled. Juliana ignored it to continue peering towards their ultimate destination.

"I don't get it!" Nemona yelled, barely overpowering the beating in the air. They were passing over the lake already, its once turbulent waters now reflecting the stars peeking out above. Koraidon stuck his head out, tongue lolling and tail wagging, but he quickly retreated with a light whimper. "Why would Team Star head for the Academy?"

Juliana felt the burning stares upon her, knowing it was a question only she could answer. She clutched at her shorts, warping the material with her fingers. "Because of who they are. Outcasts, freaks, you name it. They wanted to use Operation Star to show people that they weren't bad people, standing up to the bullies."

"Bullies? But the Academy doesn't-"

"Nemona, you just don't see it because you're so into your own world," Arven said. The statement made Nemona sit back, driving herself into contemplation. "Still, if this Operation Star 2.0 is anything like the old one, then they want to prove themselves as good people, right?"

"More than that, given what Atticus mentioned, I think they want to prove themselves as heroes," Juliana shouted to confirm. Koraidon must have sensed her distress, for he leaned over to lick her face in consolation. "He mentioned they would have to move if Phantom Zero struck again, and given that cult has been hitting so many squads it's no surprise."

"That doesn't explain the Academy, though."

"Seru sera." Ceruledge's mighty sigh brought attention to the knight. Juliana watched him and all the nicks and scratches upon his body. He looked up, both watching the other until the obvious conclusion came forth.

"Because Phantom Zero made sure they knew. It's a false flag!" Juliana began to dig for her phone. A storm crackled through the sky, causing Cynthia to jerk the helicopter, but it didn't stop Juliana's search. Gloria found it first, thrusting it in her hands and holding her gaze.

"Explain, and quickly, Juli."

"Think about it. Phantom Zero keeps hammering and hammering Team Star, then they get revealed to be some students from the Academy, like those we left back there. The intent becomes clear: Phantom Zero is targeting the Academy."

"Ay, es muy brillante!" Nemona slapped her knee, almost looking on the verge of laughing were it not for the severity of the situation. "They think Phantom Zero will be going after the Academy, so they ride on in to prove they're the good guys, verdad? Out to stop the threat against the students."

"Somehow, I don't think Phantom Zero will be there. Least, not that way."

"No, and it'll just make people look at Team Star even worse. Buncha idiots riding tricked-out vehicles claiming to be heroes? I don't want to imagine what'll become of them if they go through with this."

"The real question is what will be left behind of the Academy. There has to be a reason Phantom Zero wants this to happen, and it can't be good," Gloria concluded.

"That's why I need to get Cass to stop this now!" Juliana finally managed to pull up her screen, pressing a button and bringing up the message, reminding her she could no longer keep running. "Cass. I know you can hear me. Cass!"

The screen burst with static, popping and almost consumed by the helicopter in their ears. Then, after a moment, a mouth of data appeared on the screen, talking through their filter. "So, you've finally stopped running, Juli?"

"I'm not running!" Juliana snapped. Ceruledge leaned forward, glaring at the screen as though recognizing it was the source of his past troubles. "But you're running into folly! It's a trap, Cass! Operation Star 2.0 is a trap!"

"You would say that, wouldn't you?" Juliana felt herself deflating. Her words were failing, and the closer they got, the larger the sense of doom fell upon her. "You walked away from it the first time. Now you're trying to call it off again. But this time, it won't fail. We've spent too long running away, and so have you.

"It's time for Team Star to be the people we've always been."

"That's what they want!" Juliana shouted, her voice growing hoarser with every attempt.

"And who would that be?"

"Phantom Zero, the Disciplinary Committee, take your pick! You won't find anything but pain there!" Cassiopeia went silent, everyone waiting on their response. Juliana gripped the phone so tight, Rotom started to zap her. She refused to let go. "Cass, please. I don't… You've been played from the start for this. Please don't hurt them more for some stupid fantasy."

"And what do you care?" Cassiopeia's harsh words were true, and Juliana felt the phone tumble from her fingers. It started to slide out of the helicopter, only to be caught by Arven. "You ran away instead of standing with us. You were ashamed of who you were, who we are. Now, you have to decide. Phantom Zero declared war, and you know the rules. They made clear the Academy is the battleground, so it's time we finish this. Declare ourselves once and for all. What about you, Juli? Huh?!"

Juliana took in a shuddering breath, unable to say much more. The same myriad of emotions that punctured her every time Team Star surfaced rose within her like a black wave. She couldn't hold back that tide, no matter how badly she wanted to sort it into compartments and figure everything out. "I…"

"The Academy is our home!" Arven shouted, practically spitting at the phone. "We care because it's the place we all shared a connection with. Even Team Star. That's a good enough reason for all of us. And if you really want to protect it, you'd listen to Juli and stand down!"

"But that's the thing: it's not a good enough reason. Not anymore. We need more." Cassiopeia could be heard taking a breath, a soft mewl in the background like that of an Eevee echoing. "Time to stop running and engage, Juli. Time to see if you still care for old friends, and where your loyalties lie.

"Operation Star 2.0 will continue."

The line cut off, Cassiopeia's presence on the phone disappearing with it. Juliana slumped.

What am I supposed to do? What can I do? Juliana knotted her fingers together, the emotions conflicting within. Serena's words tumbled with Cassiopeia's. Kofu's assertion of finding a place to belong clashed with Giacomo's and Mela's harsh overtures. It was growing to be an impossible situation; one she had no idea what she wanted out of it.

But I want to help them.

The tighter her fist clasped, the worse it got until only one ugly conclusion presented itself, the one she really had been running from the entire time: they were part of her world. And if they were part of her world, then she had that responsibility to shield them from harm. She couldn't run away, burying herself in answers. Like Arven, she had to give something of herself for nothing in return.

"Penny! We can try Penny! She can hack their systems, right? And she never leaves the Academy!" Arven scrolled through Juliana's phone, dragging her out of her stupor, and dialed the number.

It didn't pick up.

"You'd think Penny would be on the line, she's such a shut-in," Nemona said. Juliana shook her head. They couldn't rely on anyone else. She had to stop the situation.

"Serena's not picking up, either," Gloria said, not even bothering to hide the grimace. She stamped on the floor, its sounds echoing right to the cockpit. "Pick up the pace, Cynthia. We're running out of ti-"

A pall fell over them, blue and sickly. Each of their faces reflected it. Koraidon whimpered and Ceruledge shrunk inward, but all of them could feel it. The hum of the helicopter became a whine. Against her better judgment, Juliana leaned over and looked down. Arven was right alongside her.

"What…the hell…?"

They were passing directly over the Great Crater, its depths covered in clouds that swirled and sparked. Blue, crystal energy was contained within them, building and roiling with such a horrific feel that Juliana started to feel sick to her stomach. There were pulsations, and the longer Juliana looked, the more she felt she could see that same blue glow traveling like fissures throughout the land.

"Does it normally do that?" Gloria whispered, yet they could hear her all the same. The students all shook their heads. "Then is it…the seal?"

"It feels like…" Nemona gasped out, looking ready to vomit from the sight of it. As she did, the blue pulsed an angry red. "…like evil that's about to spill forth. Something unnatural."

"Conflict," Cynthia said from the cockpit. They each struggled to look at her. "Emotions are beginning to run rampant on a wide scale in Paldea. There are numerous records in history of such a thing causing disaster. I would think those seals are proof enough. The chains became brittle from the negative emotions Phantom Zero stirred in Team Star and themselves. It must be affecting Area Zero, too. And if it's all building at the Academy, then we need to stop before this gets out of hand."

FWOOOSH!

As if in response, a sudden jet of flame erupted from right in front of them. The Crater was swiftly put behind them, and the lights of the Academy came into full view. Like a great beacon, it stretched to the heavens, but none of it abated the sickness in Juliana's stomach. Far below, the bright lights of the Starmobiles illuminated the courtyard, offset by a ragged bonfire and a wide array of students gathered. It looked uncomfortably like a mob.

Yet none of them could truly tear their eyes away from the top of the Academy, their vehicle fast approaching. The closer they got, the clearer it became, and all too quickly two forms became visible and noticeable. Juliana and Gloria leaned out at the same time.

"Serena!"

Another blast of fire, this one consuming almost the entire side of the building, shot straight up. Cynthia jerked to the side, bringing them out of the range of the attack. As they swerved around, Juliana peered closer. There were two more figures on the battle court of the school, though she couldn't quite identify one of them.

She could identify the Kingambit, though, and her entire body shook.

"Phantom…"

"So, they are here…" Gloria clucked at her cheek, and then unstrapped herself, sliding to the edge of the helicopter. Cynthia threw her a wild look. "Keep going. Stop Team Star from making this worse, because whatever the Phantom is planning, it's definitely here."

"What are you gonna do?" Arven shouted. He was knocked into Koraidon by a sudden burst of turbulence. Gloria looked back, smirking and tossing two Poké Balls up and down.

"Champion stuff. Corviknight, Grapploct, let's go!"

Gloria didn't wait for protests. As the light finished forming, she leapt out of the helicopter and began to plummet towards the battle court. Soon as she was clear, Cynthia pulled away, spiraling downward and looking for a place to land.

"Don't worry about her. We have our part to do, no?"

"Land right there, then!" Nemona shouted. She was pointing towards an open courtyard outside the school's campus. It was abandoned, but lit with little lanterns, providing Cynthia the space to land. She dipped down, the ride becoming bumpy suddenly, until they skidded to a stop. Arven and Nemona were first out, with Koraidon bounding after them as they all dashed for the Academy. Juliana took a beat.

"Ceruledge," she said, pausing on her way out, "I know you don't have much reason to trust me. Or to save Team Star. But…if we do this… I think we can change things. Make it how it was supposed to be, for both of us. Will you help?"

Ceruledge didn't give his answer right away, and Juliana didn't dare look at him.

Then, she felt a blade rest on her shoulder. Instead of scorching, it felt warm and inviting. An acceptance of her invitation. She finally looked at Ceruledge. Juliana reached out, hand on his armor.

"Let's fight together."

"Ser."

The pair faced forward and took off with all speed for the already charging trio. Cynthia lagged behind, but none could wait around for her. In no time at all, they reached the massive stairs climbing up, looking like an endless flight to an unknown situation. Arven had already started to climb it, and Juliana made to follow suit. She stepped foot on the first stair, and Mesagoza trembled. She nearly pitched forward, but was caught by Ceruledge, giving them the momentum to start jumping the stairs.

There was nothing to stop them, flying up to a clamor and din that grew and grew, like a bubble waiting to burst. It settled heavy on Juliana, making her steps become like lead when they never had before. The stairs became an arduous trek, climbing to infinity, rather than the simple waypoint they had been before. Her breath all but caught, burning at her chest and making her nearly vomit.

It was only a trio of voices that drew her from it, catching her by surprise.

"Honorary Twerpette?!"

Juliana stopped, foot on one stair and looking up to realize who was right in front of her. It was the familiar quartet of Jessie, James, Meowth and Wobbuffet. Nemona and Arven were already past them, but the quartet looked to be headed down, clutching food and plates as if absconding from a party.

"What are you doing here?!"

"We thought you were off on adventures!" James said, stuffing some food in his mouth. Juliana blinked, unsure what to say. Jessie stole some of his, chomping furiously.

"Um…uh…" Juliana shook her head, trying to clear it. "I'm here to… wait, what are you doing here?"

"Dere's a party, ya dig, and we were hungry."

"Wobbuffet!"

"I know da food is for students, but old habits die hard!" Meowth snapped, ripping his teeth into a kabob with more ferocity than even Jessie. "Didn't expect dem Star bozos to show up!"

"So, they're…they're here," Juliana breathed out. The stairs seemed even longer now.

"They're here, they're loud, and they're annoying!" Jessie snapped. She stomped on the ground, all while swallowing her food. "Soon as they landed the whole Academy went into some tizzy. Honestly, what is the twerpette doing, letting this get out of hand?"

"I don't think even the twerpette can stop those Star chums from making a stand."

"Dat's assumin' dose students don't give 'em da bam," Meowth concluded. His paws dropped a moment, one of his claws tapping to his chin. "Dough, if ya ask me, sometin' don't feel right about dis."

"You're telling me," James said. He turned around, looking back at the Academy, as if was no longer the inviting beacon of Paldea it had been. "Something is off about the air here. Reminds me of Galar, when that Rose chap started turning everyone on each other."

"Ugh, keep talking like that and you'll make me feel like I have to do something!" Jessie shouted. She suddenly grabbed James, shaking him back and forth. "You know how much I hate doing things, James!"

"Maybe… Maybe you can," Juliana said. The pain her chest was subsiding, the words from the unlikely quartet giving her strength. She put one foot in front of the other, beginning to climb up the stairs. "In… In Segin Squad, you helped get them to safety. So, if anything happens up there, I… I want you to help whoever you can."

"Hey, we don't take orders from twerps!" Jessie shouted, fist raised. It just as soon lowered. "But we're not villains anymore, either. James, Meowth, Wobbuffet, time for our old Rocket Racket Protection Special."

"Why are our names all moutfuls?"

"Wobba?"

"And what about you, Honorary Twerpette?" James asked. Juliana climbed another step, facing forward.

"I'm running forward and ending this before they hurt themselves." With another nod from Ceruledge, she launched herself forward, leaving them to trail after her as she climbed. Her speed increased, drawn towards the bright lights and the murmurs that eclipsed the entrance courtyard. With a leap, she entered the school grounds and skidded to a stop, assaulted by an array of sounds.

"What are you doing here?! Go away!"

"Typical Team Star, can't even stop trying to be the center of attention!"

"We're having a party for midterms here! You guys can't skip class and expect to join! Go back to playing delinquent!"

"Everyone, calm down! Please, restrain yourselves!" That was Clavell's voice, unmistakable in its authority. Juliana approached, able to see the man in his velvet suit stand between the gathering crowd of students and the three large vehicles that thrummed with a menacing quality. Clavell wasn't alone, however, joined by several teachers who each stood between the students and the hooligans dressed in star-shaped regalia.

"Headmaster, they're ruining the party!"

"No one wants you here!"

"I…I never thought it was this bad…" Nemona said. Juliana had finally caught up with her and Arven, the three of them staring at the crowd in their growing horror. "Do people really hate Team Star? I know they're nuisances, but…"

"People want someone to hate," Arven said, shaking his head. "That idea must have been preyed on. It's easy to hate the people who disrupt things and look different and act different."

"That's what they want," Juliana said. She slapped her cheeks again, orienting her brain and preparing herself for the hardest thing she knew she'd ever have to do. "Unfortunately, Team Star is making it easy."

"I understand your sentiments, but the members of Team Star are still students-"

"They hurt my Growlithe when I wandered in their territory!"

"Losers!" Something was thrown, sounding like a pop can. When it clattered on the ground, the volume suddenly raised, the mob getting louder and more restless. There was very little time left to them.

"Team Star," Clavell could be heard, he and what looked like Ms. Tyme turning and facing them, "I understand your feelings, but I believe it best to leave right now. We can discuss this lat-"

"There's no discussing this later," a high-pitched voice called out. Lights flashed, illuminating the speaker and revealing the young boy, clad in pink, as he rested atop his Starmobile. He spun a scepter in his hand, giving as much flair for the theatrical as Atticus. "We're not here to make trouble."

"Then what do you call this?" Something else was thrown, this one striking the boy on the head. "Go away!"

Another can was tossed, but this time it was caught by an older girl. As if showcasing brutish strength, she clasped the can and crushed it, the makeup on her face making her look as though her teeth were bared in the combination of firelight and headlights. "That's enough."

"Miss Eri," called a voice from the teachers. Dendra stepped away, only for a swell of students to force her to hold them back. "Eri, that's you, right? I remember you attending battle class once."

"A regret I won't make again," Eri said. She dropped the pop can and stepped forward. Her figure was striking enough that the crowd stepped back a bit, riveted on the once beautiful girl now snarling at them. Juliana's breath shook, reeling from the sight of her. "But Ortega is right. Even if Team Star did you harm, we were only defending ourselves. Now, however, we want to defend you."

"From what?" a lone, brave student squeaked.

"From the bullies," Ortega said from atop his perch. "The people who have judged you and driven you and now threaten to disrupt you." He stood, brandishing his scepter and pointing it out towards the crowd with dramatic flourish. "Phantom Zero, we will defend the Academy from you and your ilk. So, step forward or face erasure!"

Silence followed. The terrible, ominous silence that only served to outline foolishness and hatred. Juliana's throat went dry. Then, she felt a nudge on her back, and a hand on her shoulders. Arven, Koraidon and Nemona were there, each imparting the same words: they needed to act now.

Juliana took a step and all hell broke loose.

"What a bunch of crock!"

"LIARS!"

"Sera!" Ceruledge's shout melted into the dizzying array of calls coming from the crowd. His was less vehement, but no less challenging, and served to kick Juliana's brain into gear. Taking strength from those around her, she forged into the crowd, aiming right for the front amid the growing dissent.

"Everyone, calm yourselves! Faculty-" Clavell was overwhelmed. Despite the lights bursting around him, calling out the faculty's Pokémon, there was no doubt the situation was quickly falling into disrepair. Juliana pushed forward, slipping through the crowd of students.

For a moment, she thought she saw Penny, as well as some other students who didn't join the cajoling crowd but simply watched. They all faded from her in her mission to reach her former friends.

"There's no Phantom Zero here! You're all just making up lies!"

"We hath not made a lie," Atticus spoke with all the theatrical flair he carried. That served to make things worse in the growing crowd. "Phantom Zero is a threat to all ways of life. They would see you harmed, and we, the great Team Star, have assumed the burden of stopping them."

"Then where are they?" Juliana shouted. She finally managed to break out of the crowd to stand in the flooding lights. The teachers reacted, stunned to see her there, but they resumed holding back the students who did not quiet down.

If anyone was more stunned, it was the leaders of Team Star present. Ortega stood up, his veins twitching, while Atticus sighed.

It was Eri, however, who spoke. "Juliana… So, the boss was right. But which side are you on?"

"I'm on everyone's side. At least, I don't want to see you hurt," Juliana said. She couldn't help but clutch at her shorts, trying to tamp down on every emotion that threatened to burst forth. Eri scoffed, and at that command, many of the Team Star members took a formation like a wall. More uncomfortably, it felt like an occupying army. "Eri, look around you. There's no Phantom Zero here."

"They'll be here. They're just hiding like cowards."

"You're the cowards!" came another shout, and this time it was a stone that was tossed. It struck a student on the head, but Eri held her arm out.

"Don't make a move. We're not here for the students. Only act when Phantom Zero reveals themselves. Stand down and stay on guard until then." Her order given, Eri went back to snarling at Juliana. "See? We're not monsters, Juli. Or is that why you ran away? Why you abandoned us?!"

"Don't give her the time of day, Eri. She's a traitor," Ortega said, spitting at her. Juliana refused to lose her nerve, slowly standing taller.

"Good to see you, too, Orti," she shot back. Her snide voice made Ortega glower at her, but she had eyes only for Eri. "I ran away because I wasn't going to watch you do something stupid that would hurt you and hurt me. Just like this. Or don't you see how much they hate you right now? Phantom Zero isn't showing up!"

"No, you're still just running away!" Eri snarled. Against her own words, she grabbed a Poké Ball and with it called her partner out.

"Anye nye!" The cry of the ghostly monkey echoed across the courtyard, its hair flapping around like wisps. The threat of its call washed over the crowd, the major mistake Eri was already making in her operation. Juliana bit her lip, unable to fathom what to do or say. Her mind was already flashing back to what she'd imagined.

It's no different from back then. They don't want to see you. They don't want you to protect them. They just want someone to hate and bully, because then… Juliana stomped her foot. "Eri, I'm asking you, as a friend, to stop before you keep walking right into this trap!"

"You and I stopped being friends the moment you walked away!"

At her snarl, Eri's partner Annihilape appeared to move without thinking, its fist traveling in slow motion. Someone cried out through the crowd, but Juliana couldn't hear them over the blood rushing to her ears. Every bit of clamor and rancor was rising like a tide within the crowd. A purple, burning blade slashed downward, fending off the strike of Annihilape.

At that, the angry gathering of students swelled forward, held back only by Medicham's invisible barriers that Dendra ordered it to produce. They were rebuffed, but the sentiment echoed, consuming Juliana in its growing swell.

"See, they're just thugs!"

"There's no Phantom Zero here. They just wanted to put on a show."

"Hope they don't expect us to pay them for it!"

"Juli!" Arven and Nemona had arrived, grabbing Juliana by the shoulders and hoisting her up. The crowd was jostling all of them, hardly even paying attention to their existence. They were caught up in the mania. Even if someone laid out evidence of Phantom Zero's misdeeds, there was no way they would stop. Even if the Phantom, clearly battling Serena and Gloria atop the Academy, were to stride out in that moment, they'd still be overcome by the irrational hatred. Juliana pounded the ground.

"They're not gonna stop. It'll just be Operation Star all over again. Why won't they stop?"

"Maybe they need a good beating," Nemona said. She raised a Poké Ball up, but soon lowered it with a sardonic scoff. "Who am I kidding? That'd just make things worse."

"There's gotta be a way to make them stand down. Some evidence, or someone or…"

Cass… Juliana's fingers clenched at the grass of the courtyard. Around her, the crowd was moving and surging, completely oblivious. All they cared for was the fact that Annihilape was out, proving the threat they knew was there. And if nothing was going to convince them, then they had to convince Team Star. Cass can do it. I have to try. One more time. Just one more.

Juliana managed to grab her phone, shaking as she held it up. There was vain hope as she stared at its blank screen, but she still spoke to it. "Cass, if you're listening, please stop them. Please have them leave."

There was nothing on the other end. Juliana hung her head, while Nemona and Arven moved to flank her against the ever-restless crowd. The teachers, too, looked at a loss, or perhaps they just wondered when the dam would break.

Then, the screen flashed, and Cassiopeia spoke, producing an echo. "Why?"

"You know why. I don't want a repeat. I don't want to see you get hurt when you don't have to."

"I thought what we had wasn't real." Juliana swallowed, words catching in her throat. "Well, Juli, which is it? Or are you just a hypocrite like the rest, turning a blind eye to those who suffer? Are you waging war, or opting for peace? There's only one side in all of this."

"The only side I'm on is the one where no one gets hurt."

"Thought you didn't care. Thought we weren't part of your world."

"Damn it, Cass, I'm trying to help you!" Juliana shouted, her words drowned by the rising volume. "What do you want me to say? That I care? That you never left my world and that's why I ran away from it? That I don't want you to get hurt? Or are you just trying to get me to join Team Star again? 'Cause I won't. And if you don't pull them out, I'll find you and beat you black and blue for getting people hurt on some stupid mission that was always doomed to fail!"

Cassiopeia once more said nothing. Shifting footsteps echoed around Juliana, people parting as they converged on Team Star. From the Academy, the ground shook, and fire jetted out a window. No one else saw it, though, and no one else heard Cassiopeia's reply. "I just want to know if you're going to run away this time, too. Because you and I are the only ones that can end all this.

"Or did you just want to use me, too, Juli?"

That voice didn't come from the phone. Instead, it came from right next to her, as real as Nemona and Arven were right then. Juliana looked up from the phone, staring across the small space that interceded between them. She felt her heart stop for a second and the phone tumble, eyes unblinking as they stared at the impossible person standing across from her, phone in hand with her number and information scrawled across the screen.

"Pen…ny…?"

"I told you, Juli," Penny said, twirling her phone around and clasping it. At her feet, an Eevee could be seen, swirling between. "Time to stop running and take a stand for something.

"Time for you to decide, Juli. What matters more, some quest or the people you left behind?"

And as Penny posed the question, a sudden hurricane of ice erupted from within the crowd, a student's Pokémon finally called out in a rash moment. It was met by a Flash Cannon from Ortega's Starmobile, exploding in a haze of sparks that covered the crowd. Juliana stood, staring straight at Penny.

No…staring straight at Cassiopeia.

The attack faded, the crowd drawing to silence.

Then all hell broke loose, and the first stone was thrown against Team Star to start an avalanche.

And Juliana and Penny stared across at each other, the truth of their ragged friendship exposing itself at last.

Author's Note: I pulled an accidental smokescreen on you, my readers. From the beginning the Treasures and the conflict with Team Star were always the Phantom's way of pulling attention away from them and their designs on the prison. Somehow, this extended to those reading. The first chapter with Rose went forgotten. Everyone assumed the seals and the Treasures had a grand role to play in the Phantom's plan. Er, Des's plan. But the reality was they were always just the smokescreen and never actually important. Byproducts of the ultimate plan that has yet to be revealed aside from some very key criminals being broken out. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

More important is Juliana and Penny as Cassiopeia finally face to face. This has been building since book 1 and now the dam is about to break. What's left behind, well, you'll have to see after the next few chapters. So, until then, please review and comment and, of course, Dare to Be Silly.