There's no doubt this is the densest stretch of the story other than the climax, with events happening one after the other. Hopefully it makes it, er…engaging. So, Chapter 10, engage!

Chapter 10

A Thicket

"What squad did we end up near?"

Juliana paused before responding. Under the soft moonlight, she padded across the damp grass and over to a tree opposite the flags. With careful precision, she climbed it, and with that got a better view of not only the flags but their location in what could only be the Tagtree Thicket.

"Shit…" she cursed, and dropped back down. Arven was half-waiting, the other part of his face dragging his eyes over to the hole they had emerged from. When she spoke, he listened. "Navi Squad."

"And that means…?"

"A problem," Juliana clarified. Arven rolled his eyes.

"I could figure that one out for myself, funny enough," he said. Still having very little information, he returned to the hole. Koraidon was with him, peering down and giving a light whimper at the form of Orthworm deep below. Juliana was quick to follow up.

"We're in Tagtree Thicket. A forest full of-"

"Natural barricades thanks to Mount Glaseado. So, we must be pretty deep in, then."

"And that's our problem. There's practically a whole base and tangle of trees between us and the rest of the badlands that lead to Zapapico." Arven nodded, but Juliana could tell he was only half-listening. He was more interested in the hole when she couldn't care less about it. "That entire area will be patrolled, and we can't go up the mountain. The cliffs are too steep."

"True…" Arven's lips wiggled, a thought resting on the tip of his tongue. "That must be what the hole is for, then. Or I would guess as much, given where we managed to escape from."

"Wait, what?" Juliana was feeling lost now, as if her attempt to have a very fraught conversation with Arven was leading nowhere. He turned, pointing down to the abyss they had just escaped from.

"Phantom Zero. Giacomo mentioned that they had been encroaching on Star territory, right?" Juliana folded her arms, nodding as she wondered just where Arven was going with all this. "Maybe this is the way. They're using Orthworm's tunnels to get in, cause problems, and then escape out. They can't walk out the front door, so they use the tunnel system."

"Probably. They did have all those detailed schematics and the like, so they must have known the exact areas to pinpoint, and they wouldn't need to openly declare war like we did with Mela."

"Is that what we call it?" There was cheekiness to Arven's voice that Juliana ignored. She found another frown rising on her face, one that soon morphed to a scowl.

"Still leaves us with a problem. There's no way we can use the tunnels to get back. The only way out is straight through the Tagtree Thicket and Navi Squad's base," she said, gesturing to the wide and dense expanse of trees before them. Under the cover of night, it looked even more packed than usual, but she supposed that kind of thing could be helpful.

"No, I agree. It was just something worth considering, since tensions appear to be high between the Phantoms and Star." At last, Arven turned away from the hole, patting Koraidon. The lizard was more than happy to back off, seeking Juliana for comfort. "So, what's the plan, then? I would take it you'd know the layout well enough."

"Not the finer details," Juliana admitted. Not that it stopped her from walking forward and surveying the land that would lead them outward. Hoping against hope, Juliana looked back, as if she could find some alternate method of escaping from the Thicket. That was no dice, the high natural walls of Mount Glaseado rising up and casting a cold shadow across the forest. She kicked her mind back into gear. "That said, I was the one who made the Tagtree suggestion in the first place, for exactly the reasons that it's causing a problem for us now."

"There's gotta be weaknesses, though."

"Naturally," Juliana said with a wave. Now consigned to whatever path would get them out of there, and hoping it wouldn't go south, she hitched her bag and approached the deep, dark entrance to a cluster of trees. "I can't speak for what's changed, but Atticus was always more lax than Giacomo."

"Meaning…?"

"Security is more haphazard. It might be harder to slip through, but they're not stringent. If we keep to the shallow patches of trees, we should be able to see any reconnaissance a mile away."

"I like it. But that means you need to be quiet."

"Kor?!" Koraidon further responded by snapping at Arven with his jaw. Juliana rolled her eyes and patted Koraidon on the head, imparting the same sentiment as her partner. He backed down and brought himself into a hunkering position, as if sneaking. That was permission enough to begin their pseudo-infiltration.

"Right, then let's go. Who knows how much time is left before we needed to be in Zapapico." Arven gave a short nod, hitched his bag and hunkered nearly as low as Koraidon. Juliana didn't feel the need to do the same, already short enough, yet she found her neck sinking lower to match them.

The shadows moved overhead, signaling the transition from night to day, with some of the sky brightening around them. That gave the trio further impetus to keep close to the trees, hoping for all of the shade to conceal them. Not that they ran into anyone. A few flags here and there reminded them they were inside Navi Squad's base, and the wire fencing that Juliana could see through the leaves served a helpful guide to the road out, but there was not a soul to be found.

"You'd think we'd run across patrols by this point," Arven whispered. They pulled up against a rather large trunk of a tree. Koraidon flattened himself, standing out as one big red blur on the green grass. For her part, Juliana leaned around the tree to check if the path ahead was as clear as they hoped it was. "That's odd, isn't it?"

"Mm, maybe," Juliana whispered back. She took a peek, and took stock for their situation. The lone, dirt road that existed in the Thicket was close, which meant they were nearing both the heart of the base and the way out. Still, there were no patrols walking the road. "Could be Atticus having one of his flights of fancy."

"Or something more sinister?" Arven's suggestion pulled Juliana away; it was something she really didn't want to think about or consider. Neither did Arven, for that matter, the miniscule shaking of his legs showing the terror that kind of thought could bring.

"You…you okay, Arven?"

"Wish I could say I was," he chortled. "Felt like I was running on adrenaline back there, but now it's wearing off. And the thought of Phantom Zero being involved here sets my teeth on edge. I'm no fighter, so I can't…"

A rustle emanated from up above, taking Juliana's attention away to the boughs of the tree. She saw nothing, save for maybe a flitting shadow. A Pokémon, perhaps, she wanted to tell herself. That brought with it the other possibility, one that made her desire to get out of there increase: Ceruledge. Juliana shook her head, back to Arven. "That's not true. You helped take down Orthworm."

"Juli, you've been covering my ass this entire time. You might not like it when Nemona says it, but you really are a better battler. If you wanted to actually commit with it, you'd go far." She wanted to protest, but Arven held up his hand, as if to counter the point. "No, it's true. But that doesn't mean I can't pull it together. If I can, I'll help. Whatever we need to do to get out of here, count on me."

Arven's earnest insistence nearly caused Juliana's body to slump. She watched his face, equal parts determination and resignation.

Her heart hurt.

He wants to do his utmost for everyone, and here I am, thinking of myself… Juliana bit her lip.

"Kor." Koraidon perked up a bit, a surer sign than any that he had heard something. There was another rustling up top, now keeping Juliana's attention, but she preferred to peek around the tree again.

This time, a pair of Star grunts, bedecked in the usual shades and uniforms (if gaudier than usual) were strolling down the path with a pair of Shroodle. They didn't look to be paying much attention, though, and from the volume of their voices, they didn't care if they were heard talking or were noticed.

"Can't believe they damaged the gate that way. Those Phantom hoodlums!"

"Eh, forget about 'em. The boss doesn't care. He's too busy." Juliana narrowed her eyes, trying to peer closer at the pair that looked to be moving ever further towards the heart of the base. Koraidon bumped up against her, but she warned him back. "They're saying we need to be ready to go at any time."

"We're really doing it, huh?" There was a lamentation in there, though the grunt's face didn't show much. "I hope we can actually pull it off this time."

"There isn't really any other option, is there? If we don't, then Phantom will…"

There was another rustle, this time overriding whatever information the retreating Navi grunts were giving. Juliana's hand slid to her belt, and with the press of a button, Quaxwell emerged next to her. She opened her mouth just a tad. "Rain Dance."

Quaxwell got the hint, and acted in silence. Clouds formed overhead, and a downpour began to fall. A shadow passed over the Thicket, but just as soon removed itself from the rain, while the Navi patrol started shouting and quickened their pace to the inside of their base. Arven quirked an eyebrow, but said nothing, as if understanding how paramount silence was. Juliana leaned down and patted Koraidon before pointing to another nearby tree.

"Kor," he snorted. Unlike Arven, he cared not for his sound. He just stampeded forth, butting against a tree and shaking it so violently, it could have toppled.

Or would have, if two people didn't topple first.

Quaxwell was on them in a moment, and with a spinning, flipping kick and a slash from his Aqua Cutter, both were faceplanted in the dirt, nary a peep from them.

"Guess they didn't need patrols when they're hiding in the trees," Arven said, now quick to speak and approach the pair of downed grunts. They certainly looked like they belonged to Team Star, bedecked in school uniforms with the telltale star-shaped sunglasses. Yet when Juliana approached them, their shirts drenched with the rain she had produced, she started to notice something else: thick, dark clothing underneath.

"Keep watch, Quaxwell." The duck saluted and pushed Koraidon to help him watch the perimeter. As he did, Juliana moved over to the pair, a man and a woman by the looks of it, each clutching a Poké Ball, but too late on the draw. She turned one over, realizing that unlike most of the Star students, young and impressionable, these two were older, and their hair just a bit grayer. "Odd."

"What is?" As usual, Juliana didn't answer his question right away. Instead, she began to unbutton the man's shirt. Arven gave an almost indignant squeak, but stopped when he saw the black skintight suit beneath. Instead of chastising her, he turned the woman over and did the same, revealing the same clothing beneath.

Yet that, in and of itself, wasn't the unusual part. No, what was unusual was the insignia stitched into their clothing.

"What is the League doing in Team Star?" Juliana took a step back at Arven's far more pertinent question. Standing out on the clothes, bold as brass, was none other than the traditional symbol of the Pokémon League. It didn't look hastily done, either.

"Could it be Atticus…? He always had a way with sewing…" Juliana started to mumble, and she started to pace back and forth. Her feet made squelching noises in the mud, but she didn't worry over sound. Neither of her Pokémon companions alerted her to any further presence, either. "But that doesn't make sense. Team Star never had a beef with the League."

"Juli."

"I guess you could extrapolate it to being about Geeta, since she's the head of the board for the Academy, but everyone knows she's not focused on the day to day. And there's no way any of them could take her on. Not even Cass." Juliana breathed, her hand reaching for her phone. "Cass…"

"Juliana!" She blinked, turning to Arven, who had his hands on his hips and was glaring at her. "I said I'd help you. I can't do that if you don't explain anything to me. Stop muttering in your head."

"Oh. Right. Sorry." Juliana cleared her throat. "I thought that maybe Team Star was planning to infiltrate the League or something, since Atticus is real good at making uniforms."

"I got that part, but you don't think so."

"No… It wouldn't make sense," Juliana admitted. She stepped back over to the large tree now and leaned against it. Arven joined her. "Taking on the League would be stupid, and they've never wronged them. That's all Team Star was about, too. Showing they'd been wronged. So, if it isn't Atticus and Navi Squad then…"

"What? You think the League has taken an interest in Team Star?" Arven spluttered out a laugh at the thought. She couldn't blame him; the theory strained credulity at best. "Geeta didn't appear to care one way or the other."

"That or she kept it hidden. Team Star are a bunch of troublemakers. It would make sense to infiltrate their ranks and see if they've become a bigger threat than a bunch of bullied students." To that, Arven nodded his head. There was no denying that as a possibility. Of course, there were other possibilities, but each was more disturbing than the last.

But one stood out more than all others.

"Could it be Cass…?" This time, Juliana really did take out her phone. It was still showing a lack of reception, flickering in and out. Better than in the caves but hardly helpful for reaching the very one whose net was trying to reel her back in. Juliana sighed. "Cassiopeia has definitely shown they'll do whatever it takes. Put me in conflict with Team Star. Would stand to reason they inserted some double agents to make it seem like they needed to do something."

"Could go a long way to explaining why they all seem ramped up about something."

"Except Mela seemed surprised that Cass was egging me on to take down Team Star," Juliana said. She realized she was biting her lip far too hard, the thoughts now starting to make her head hurt. On top of it, her vision kept flitting over to the heart of the base, where Navi Squad was no doubt gathered in full. "Maybe things changed since then."

"Maybe. But that's got nothing to do with us." There was a beat of silence. "Unless you want it to."

"No, I don't," Juliana spat.

At the same time, Arven's words were an unintentional knife digging into her, a taunt from Cass about how she refused to engage with that wider world; the world she'd left behind. Now, she stood at a crossroads: out of the Thicket, or into the fire where answers could be had.

Just what are you planning for me, Cass. Why do you want me to engage with them again? What are you hoping to get out of all this? Did you hack League systems? Tell me.

Her thoughts responded with no answers. Just silence, and the dark screen of her phone.

For the first time, she wished that it had been hacked again, and a response was waiting on the other side. It wasn't to be.

And that left one option, filled with despair.

Juliana stared straight into the belly of the beast. Where Team Star was. Where Atticus awaited. Where the answer to their actions could be found, and her own destiny and reckoning with them would be at hand.

"Arven…" she muttered out, barely able to form the words. "I…"

"I know. You can't keep running, no matter how much you want to. That scares you." He approached her, slinging an arm around her shoulders and offering a grin. "But the more you run, the more you shut things away."

"I'm not!"

"I know," he said, giving her a soothing pat. "But they'll keep following. You need to know why, right? Otherwise, this Thicket? It'll go on forever in your mind, keep you boxed in."

"Don't be ridiculous," she found herself snapping. Arven took no grievance with it, though. His eyes remained full of understanding. "But yes. I need to know what Cass has planned, so I know how to run the other way. I told you in the caves, I'm done with Team Star. I don't need them. Can you help me?"

"You never needed to ask." Indicating his support, Arven rolled up his sleeves, but stopped halfway. "Though…I know you're the strategist and all, but… I don't think sneaking will help us here."

"No, it won't. Atticus thinks of himself as the stealthy one. Which means taking the fight right to him."

"Quax!"

"Kora!"

"Looks like I'm back on interference, then. Koraidon, I need your bulk, got it?" Koraidon sat back on his legs, giving a short bark of understanding. The sun slid over them, dawn having finally arrived and bathing the forest in sun-dappled rays. Juliana stepped forth, and Quaxwell was at her side.

"You up for it? Or is the wound still…?"

"Quaxell!" Quaxwell pumped his wings, indicating how fighting fit he was. Juliana nodded.

"Cass wanted a war. Let's declare it personally, then. I won't be their plaything anymore."

Juliana ran forward, right down the path. It was a winding one, crossing over a river with a makeshift bridge, but every step brought her closer to the ginormous, waving flags and various tents that indicated the very heart of Navi Squad. Arven was with her, he and Koraidon keeping up and sweeping their sides to see if they would be flanked by any other surprise ambushes. There was nothing.

Nothing at the sides, at least. The entrance to the base proper spelled a different story. Scorch marks could be seen, and holes appeared throughout the area. With it, some trees had been toppled and some slashes had been done that all but cleaved the land in two. All of it spoke to some battle, or battles, that Navi Squad had endured. It also helped explain just why the patrols were so scarce.

"It really must be how they're getting around, Orthworm's holes. If they're picking a fight with Star, that is," Arven said, but that was the last of it. He was laser-focused on the base that they were about to step into.

Unlike before, however, there were no grunts ready to fight them. No defense or traps to capture them. Instead, Juliana saw huddles of injured students, and it put the first falter in her step. This was only made worse when she realized they didn't even notice she was there.

"It's all right. We'll pay 'em back and then some."

"How much more can we take? Why won't the bosses move now?!"

"Takes a long time to put a plan like that together."

Juliana found herself scowling, as if the events here were somehow her fault. She straightened up and walked right through, march turning to a stomp. The closer she got, the more the remnants of the squad looked up and noticed her, but none had the strength to challenge her.

"They look like they've been through a war," Arven said. He looked ready to brawl, but no one came after him, either. Well, save for some that followed from the shadows, all the way to the massive tent that could only be the boss's. Outside it was a table and a whole gathering of those that were unwounded.

"Ruchbah Squad is moving to join up with Caph Squad, boss," one was saying. He was splashed in the colors of Navi Squad, indicating a higher place in the squad than the others. Nevertheless, everyone hung on his words, no one moreso than the older boy seated atop the table with his eyes closed and his legs crossed. His garish outfit stood out, as if he were a pink-clad ninja who was planning his next, careful strike. "Though I don't know why you insist on using Wattrel to deliver messages…"

"How fares Segin and Schedar?" the boy asked, each word measured and deep.

"Recovering, still. They don't think they'll be at the operation."

"A pity. It seems we are to be their primary reinforcements, then." Atticus finally moved, clutching his pink hood and rubbing his temples, there. "History doth repeat itself, 'twould seem."

"We're not likely to reinforce anything if things keep going the way they are." That voice of dissent amongst the crowd put mutters through the heart of the squad. With it, they became more pliable to move, and Juliana began to move right through them. Some noticed, most did not, focused on what looked like a model of the Academy that could now be seen on the table. "That Ceruledge has decided to pick a fight with us now."

"It goes wherever Team Star goes, it looks like. That could be a real problem."

"Then there're the Phantoms…"

"Yes, we hath numerous obstacles before us, my friends," Atticus said. He stood now, flipping off the table with nary a scratch and planting his hands on its surface, as if to display the majesty of his model. Juliana shook her head. "But fear not. This has been long in the making, and we will attain all that we desire. Do any of you doubt?"

There were scant murmurs, but no dissents. Juliana scoffed.

"Still the voice of optimism, I see. And you haven't stopped playing with your art projects, either." Juliana's voice made a sudden parting of the crowd. There were some gasps, but nowhere near the amount of recognition the other squads had shown. Perhaps it was due to the high number of new faces.

Atticus and his right hand, however, each leaned forward in shock. "Juliana…hath thou returned to us?"

"Still speaking in flowery words, too. But no. No, I haven't." Much of the crowd receded, leaving Juliana exposed and in the open. Arven was the same, but he was busy looking back at the students that had flanked them. With or without orders, they had invaded the base and the grunts would make sure they left it. "So…what is Cass planning this time?"

"Not even a welcome…" Atticus hung his head, his disappointment palpable even through the mask. His lieutenant patted him on the back, but it was little consolation. "Hath you forgotten us so quickly?"

"Wish I could, but you and the others keep hounding me. Cass most of all. Now tell me what they're after. What are you after?" Atticus blinked at her demanding tone. He looked lost, as if he was a small child that had just found out his present was swapped for something else. His hands grabbed for the Academy model, showing other various models there that looked like eerily accurate matches to the Starmobiles and the cloaks belonging to Phantom Zero. "Answer me!"

Atticus dropped his models, and when his head raised, the confusion was gone. It had been replaced by icy indifference. "What art thou here for?"

"Drop the fancy language, Atticus." The air changed. Bright lights shone under the shadow, revealing several Poison type Pokémon such as Varoom and Shroodle. Something else hopped on the table, looking akin to a monkey, with venom dripping down from its lips.

"Grafa! Grafai!" Atticus reached out, patting it on the head. Then, he started to pace back and forth behind the table.

"You waltz into our headquarters, demanding words of me, even after it has been years. Give me a reason to not strike you down."

"Why haven't you already?" Juliana asked. The foot soldiers of Star moved closer. Quaxwell tensed. "Old fondness?"

"Can you deny that you don't have some? I do not see the makings of an assault from you." Juliana winced at that. It was true; in spite of her intention of starting a ruckus, the state of Navi Squad had stayed her hand. Not pity or compassion, however, but a care she wanted to deny. "I ask you again, hath thou returned to us?"

Juliana balled her fists and breathed out. She glared to Atticus. "Answer me first."

"I think not," Atticus said, wagging his finger. Grafaiai leapt from the table to his shoulder, some burn marks left upon the Academy model where his lips had dripped. "You ever remain the strategist, buying time, yet it is a mind we have had to do without. But there is no more time. I will not entertain you, fond as I am."

"This is a lot of talk for going nowhere."

"Then allow me to make it simple, Juli: I permit you walk from this place, ne'er to return…or I remind you why I am boss of Navi Squad and keep you here. I'm sure the others are dying for thy return."

Atticus's declaration got many excited, jabbering to each other about seeing the boss in action. The older students weren't as enthusiastic, but still nodded in support for their boss. Those ready to fight made their own intentions apparent as well. Juliana breathed out once more, tossing a look back to Arven. He nodded, hand on his belt. She faced back to Atticus.

"You're right. Part of me doesn't want to hurt you. Looks like you've taken enough," she said, keeping her eyes level with his. "But then, I think you've forgotten who I am. I don't care about your games or your world. I came here to get answers. You can give them to me willingly, or I can beat them out of you. Your choice."

Atticus scoffed, an unseen twisted smirk lying behind his mask. "That is you being ever as you are. Humorless Juli who refuses to consider the plight of any but herself-"

"Aqua Cutter." Quaxwell disappeared, moving so fast at her cold, biting order that even Arven was forced to do a double take. He looked like he had something to say, some warning to give, but it was drowned by the shot fired across the bow.

"Grafi!" Quaxwell had reappeared in front of Atticus, slashing down with his watery blade, only for it to be blocked by Grafaiai's little fist. His body glowed turquoise and he flipped around, first nailing the duck in the chest and then pushing him back.

"And thus, she appears," Atticus said, stepping back. Quaxwell shook his head, recovering, but both he and his opponent immediately began sizing each other up. "The cold, emotionless girl that doth refuse to smile. How long has it been, Juli, since you forsook us? Or is it that you can't let go, and thus return to our warm embrace to-"

"You're the ones that can't let go. Acrobatics!"

"Be of equal might, Grafaiai. Navi Squad, do as thou must."

"You heard the boss. Get 'em!" The Shroodle and Varoom struck, spitting arrows of poison right at Arven. He clucked his tongue and then threw his Poké Ball high.

"Crocalor, Flamethrower! Koraidon, charge 'em!" A great cry came from both reptiles as they charged the foes ringing them, leaving Juliana to focus merely on Atticus.

Grafaiai and Quaxwell met in the air between them, their limbs a glowing ballet of strikes and sparks that emerged between them. After a few flips, wing met claw, locking the pair in place. The monkey began to cackle. "Grafaiaiai!"

"Acid Spray."

"Fai!" Grafaiai's mouth opened, and from it came an orange-colored liquid. It struck Quaxwell in the face and the duck stumbled back. The momentary distraction allowed Grafaiai to strike Quaxwell and send him punting back. Then came the dust and smoke, both Atticus and his partner disappearing into the haze.

"You hath less feeling in your attacks than you once did!" echoed the boy's voice. Sounds of battle around them echoed out, for what it was worth, but Juliana could only find herself turning back and forth in a vain attempt to find the ninja-clad foe. The smoke covered more around them, Quaxwell still struggling to see as the Acid Spray stung at his eyes. As he did, Juliana felt a hot breath on her neck. "You have not forgotten your old friends, have you? Yet you act as thought you don't wish to see us, despite willingly waltzing in our base."

"Got you!" Juliana whipped around in a wild haymaker, only to hit nothing but air. Then she felt something slam into her side, pitching her into the table and cracking through it.

"Cassiopeia had you pegged all along. It's why they need you, Juli."

"Shut up! Aqua Cutter, spin!" Quaxwell forced himself to recover, summoning water to both of his wings as peerless blades. He then began to spin, cutting at anything and everything in his vicinity. The attack paid off, striking Grafaiai and flinging him back. "I'm not here for Cass."

"But thou and she were the closest of fri-oof!" Juliana's whipping blow managed to catch something in all the smoke, causing Atticus to stumble back. He hacked a moment, but when Juliana struck again, he was gone. "Juli, why do you deny us so?"

"Because I'm not you! I'm not your treasure!" She punched again, only for this one to be caught. At the same time, Grafaiai emerged with a dropping kick that made Quaxwell plant into the ground, the smoke obscuring the air around them. Juliana attempted to push, but was no match against the older boy. "All I want to know is what Cass is planning. Why does it involve me? What does the League have to do with it?"

"The League? We have no quarrel with them. This is only about what it has ever been."

"And I hated that before, so leave me out of it!"

"Don't you get it, Juli," Atticus said, dropping his phrasing. With it, worry and concern, and a sense of kind softness entered his voice. She could practically see him now, his outfit appearing amidst the smoke, and she felt herself falter. "That's why they want you back here. Because if you believed, then everyone else could, too. And I know you still care, else why would you be here? Or are you determined to burn away the rest of the world so as to not engage with it."

Juliana's eyes widened, the word appearing once again. "Engage". She grit her teeth in hatred of the word, and her other fist snapped out to strike Atticus across the face. He stumbled, and she was on him, grabbing him by the front of his clothes.

"No, I just don't want to be part of whatever this is."

"But you'll have to be. After all, this is happening because you won't pick a side."

"And what is this?" Juliana asked, her hands shaking as she tried to rein in both anger and strength but finding both slipping away from her. Atticus smiled down at her.

"Operation Star 2.0." Juliana's hands slipped, and Atticus with them. He disappeared once more into the smoke, only his voice reaching her, drowning out all others. "A chance for the truth to come out, and for you to pick where your loyalties lie."

"That's…" Juliana's heart ratcheted up its pulse and she continued to shake. "Are you stupid? It wasn't going to work before, it's not going to work now!"

"But this time, we've planned it all out. Others are making a move, and thus we shalt move. Then, the people shall see who we truly are! And…we can be together again for real."

It was something so earnest and heartfelt, that Juliana couldn't help but hesitate at the sentiment. Even through the smoke, she could tell that Atticus was holding a hand out to her, asking her to engage with him, with Team Star, trying to forget the long years of isolation that had driven them to this point.

And it was an offer so unyielding that Juliana knew, deep down, nothing could break it.

But then…neither could she.

Her jaw clenched. Her body pulled its shaking under control. Her hand moved, slapping away the offer before her. "No. You're just going to get people hurt again. I won't come back, not when you lead me nowhere. Not when you're-" She stopped, feeling winded. "Cass and the rest can go to hell."

Atticus sagged, the smoke wrapping fully around his figure. "They'll be disappointed to hear that, though I doubt it will make much difference. You can't run forever, Juli, and now that you know and refuse…

"…thou art the threat that must be eliminated. Gunk Shot!"

"Rain Dance!" Juliana ducked low, just missed by one of Atticus's own strikes. She jabbed her head forward, driving him back before breaking off between them. As they did so, their Pokémon struck, with Grafaiai shooting a purple globe of poison. Quaxwell took it, purple shocks and convulsions traveling along his body as he called on the rain.

It fell fast, dousing the entire area and clearing away the smoke. The sights of Arven's battle could be seen, though Juliana couldn't find him. All she had eyes for were Atticus and Grafaiai. The rain fell in sheets between them, spattering their clothes and drenching them. Atticus's foot moved. Grafaiai pawed at the ground. Quaxwell twitched, the poison running through his system.

A breath was taken.

"Aqua Cutter!"

"Acrobatics!"

"Fai!" Grafaiai was the faster, bounding into the air and then flipping down. His glow cut through the rain, but not as much as Quaxwell's blossoming blade. Grown larger from the rain, the duck slashed up to meet the monkey head on. They clashed and broke off, with Quaxwell dancing away before slashing down.

"Substitute."

"Keep the pressure!" Soon as she had yelled it, Atticus had run at her. She dropped to the ground sliding around it, only for a nimble kick to nail her in the side. She was flung up, hitting the table once again. Still, she caught friction and made to stand while Quaxwell slashed right through an afterimage of Grafaiai that squealed in pain. "I'm not threat, and I won't be a prisoner, but if you're so insistent on roping me into your dumb plan, then I have a message for Cass!"

"And what wouldst that be? Acid Spray!" Atticus sent two fingers straight for her, and Juliana leaned back, barely avoiding the blow. Grafaiai spun, sending orange liquid everywhere. It burned at the ground, while Quaxwell spun to the side to avoid it. He began to glow, siphoning in a Focus Energy that she had been about to order. Juliana snapped forward, headbutting Atticus and grimacing, herself.

"This'll lead to nothing but pain! Acrobatics!"

"Match it, mine friend!" Grafaiai chittered and then spun out, sprinting straight into an attack and glowing the same color as Quaxwell. They met, clashing with their limbs at every turn. Quaxwell shuddered from the poison, but refused to back down, locking with his opponent before snapping his leg up and punting Grafaiai into the large tent. Atticus, too, recoiled. He leapt back to retain some distance. "Well, then, if it only leads to pain, perhaps you should decide where you stand. You can't run from the world forever, Juli. Thou shalt have to engage with it at some point. And we'd rather you stand with us than them.

"Time's running out."

Grafaiai sprang back out, sending the flaps of the tent fluttering to where the Starmobile was. His eyes narrowed, leering at Quaxwell, who bent into a defensive stance. More red energy ran through him, preparing for a blow.

Juliana watched Atticus and his partner, saw around them the members of Navi Squad that had gone for cover or made to fight. Each of them held the same look in their eyes, the one that had once been in hers: fear, desperation…and a want for belonging. More than that, there was a determination to do whatever it would take to get there, including her. For a moment, she faltered, but soon sucked in a breath to steel herself.

This was her life and her world. It wasn't up to them. She would engage on her own terms.

Grafaiai reared back, cheeks bulging with the power of a move he knew his trainer would call. Quaxwell readied his wings. Juliana and Atticus watched each other. Then, after a second of silence that stretched far longer, they moved their feet.

"Aqua Cutter!"

"Gunk Shot!"

"THUNDERBOLT!"

Quaxwell blitzed for Grafaiai, who shot forward the purple goo. It was larger than before, hurtling through the air and ripping off pieces that burned the land. Quaxwell attempted to intercept it, but before he could, all watched in awe as a searing bolt of lightning flashed through the air. Like a crack, it tore the Gunk Shot apart, exploding the poisonous projectile with such force that smoke followed and both Pokémon were shot back. Juliana ran and caught Quaxwell in her arms, while Atticus did the same for Grafaiai. Both looked up.

Standing in the middle of the attack zone was Ash. Pikachu was on his shoulder.

"H-how?"

"You idiot." Juliana felt a sudden and smarting blow to the back of her head. Next to her was Gloria, and she was far from alone. Overhead, Corviknight circled the trees, while on the ground were Cinderace and Grapploct, glaring down the grunts that had ceased battle. Not that they had much choice, as Jessie, James and Meowth were there, too, their army of Pokémon having fired attacks in the intercept. "Do you have any idea how worried we were, disappearing like that?!"

"Gloria, I-"

"New friends, is it?" Atticus asked. He attempted to straighten, but soon clutched his shoulder, some of his own Gunk Shot having hit him. Ash turned in his direction.

"And you're part of the infamous Team Star, right?" he asked. His body was rigid, allowing no quarter, and from the look in Atticus's eyes, he knew it. "Is Juliana all right, Gloria?"

"Won't be when I get through with her."

"Gloria!"

"The Honorary Twerpette looks fine, twerp," James said, his voice carrying across the dilapidated Navi base. "Now, where's her older friend? I see the overgrown lizard, but…"

"Korai?" The question alone made Juliana stop, turning to see where Arven was. She took a step, but Gloria grabbed her by the back of her shirt, shaking her head. Ignoring all else, Ash took a step forward.

"I have some questions."

"Pika pika!"

Pikachu's cheeks sparked, a threat or promise that Atticus winced at. He shuffled back, but when Pikachu crouched further, he stopped. Even the most rudimentary of glances was able to discern that Pikachu was providing no escape route. Ash took another step.

"Lots of people are talking about a plan of yours. I wanna know what it is, and why you're-"

"You'll get no answers from us!" The shout turned heads. Juliana's heart dropped. This time, she broke free from Gloria's grip, only to stop short at the Varoom that interceded the space between her and Atticus's lieutenant.

In his grip was Arven, held tight around the neck.

"Sorry, Juli. Looks like I was a bit of a waste after all…" Juliana shook her head.

"Hey, that's cheating!" Jessie shouted. "Don't do something we would do! That's dirty!"

"Talk about dat pot calling da kettle…"

"Wobba!"

"Lord Atticus, I think it's time we call a retreat, regroup Navi Squad." The lieutenant pulled tighter across Arven's neck, putting a pause to all who would stop. "Ruchbah and Caph will need us. And…they could move at any time."

"Yes, I suppose thou art correct…" Still, Atticus didn't move. He looked instead to Juliana, his eyes offering a hand one last time to her. She clenched, drawing blood on lips and palm as she started to shake, the encounter with Team Star embedding itself into her once again.

Everything hung there for a moment, and then Juliana turned to Arven. "I'm sorry I got you into this."

"No…no problem," Arven groaned. He tried to kick his way out, but was unsuccessful.

"As for you, Atticus. Take your offer and go to hell."

"Hmm…very well, friend." Atticus stepped back again, bowing low. "As favor to an old comrade, I will respect your wishes. But Cassiopeia may not be so kind, and when the committee moves, or the phantoms make their strike, we shalt not brook peace any longer. We will take flight.

"And by then you'll realize: you need to stop running, and engage. Now."

"Hey!" Gloria pushed forward, same as Ash. A smoke bomb dropped, covering the air in a sudden haze. A loud grunt issued from near Arven, and Juliana barely made out the boy falling to his knees, now free from his captor. A guttural churn sounded from the tent as Corviknight swooped in to blow the smoke away.

To the utter surprise of all there, he was a moment too late.

No sooner had he flapped in than the tent was blown away by a gust coming from an exhaust. With the area clear, Juliana wiped the smoke from her eyes, coughing. The base was abandoned, and in its place was only the Starmobile, the key players of Navi Squad standing atop it…

…as it floated in the air.

"See you then, Juli."

The engine roared again. From the exhaust came a sudden rain of poison, this one successfully blown away by Corviknight, but leaving the damage done. The Starmobile rose higher and higher into the sky, casting a shadow over all. Ash and Gloria blinked in surprise. Jessie, James and Meowth screamed. Juliana ran for Arven. But all could only watch.

Before they could move, the engine kicked over again, and the Starmobile, now capable of flight, shot over the skies to their rendezvous, and the operation beyond.

And Juliana remained, still shaking, unable to admit the tear inside her heart.

Author's Note: Team Star has a pull on Juliana's heart. I think that's undeniable. No matter how much she wants to avoid them, she always gets pulled back in. No matter how much she doesn't want to feel for them, they leave her conflicted and broken. It's a constant, vicious cycle driven by the pain Team Star feels at their own pasts and her seeming betrayal.

But at last, this chapter sheds some light on them: they're going to be making a move, and Cassiopeia wants Juliana at their side. This has never been about destroying Team Star. This has always been about bringing her back in. I'd say we're about to reach a major turning point for Juliana as a character because of this, and the fallout from this chapter and next will be something to keep an eye on.

But forgive my rambles. Instead, let's look forward to the next chapter! What did you think? Let me know your thoughts in a review or comment and, of course, Dare to Be Silly.