Episode 24: Operation Mathildaath

"May, there you are! Headmaster Gema's been looking for you all day!" Azelf cried, flailing her arms at the group. "Whaddya doin' hanging about with this group anyway? Where've you been all day?"

"I had business with Kayla's team. Various maintenance on the needs and roles of their PETs and such," May replied. She lied so casually that even Kayla could have been convinced. "Kayla's a very awkward case, what with her hands not working and such."

"Oh. Okay. Fair enough. But hurry up, Gema's getting kinda mad waiting for you," Azelf calmed down.

May glanced at the team at the dinner table. "I guess I won't be eating with you after all," she bowed and then hopped off.

"That's fair, you're a busy Pokémon. Thanks for all the help today," Kayla replied blankly. Ashe had left them earlier, leaving just Team Daybreak at the table, minus Kari who had promised a surprise with taking their orders. Night had fallen by now, so the dining hall was filling up with nocturnal Pokémon. Even still, it was cosy and quiet, quieter than their early mornings, and the chefs didn't look overworked for once. Kayla leaned back and groaned. "Man, part of me was hoping she'd stick around for longer. She seemed happy to eat with us."

"Good riddance, I say. Bitch is nothin' but trouble," Pola grumbled absentmindedly. She was distracted scratching her paws.

"What's your beef with her, anyway? I don't think I ever asked," Kayla cocked her head.

"She's a bitch," Pola replied. Kayla waited for clarification. "What? That's all there is to it."

Shannon sighed. "The fact that you can still say that after everything she did to help us today."

"The fact that you wanna argue after she pretends you don't exist," Pola added.

"… Dare I say who's acting like the bitch right now?" Kayla joined in.

"Ugh. Do not start. I'm too hungry for this."

"Well while we're waiting for Kari, you might as well tell me what's up. She may not be part of the team, but she's going to be working with us a lot, so get used to her sticking around," Kayla became cross.

Pola finally acknowledged her, tilted her head back to groan, and then leaned across the table. "She hates boys. A lot. And I mean, utterly despises them."

Kayla's brow furrowed.

"And I'm a gal who goes dating a lot, right? C'mon, put two and two together already," she swished her paw.

"So by extension, she can't stand you or Shannon. But like, why? It's obviously not enough that she can still work with us," Kayla asked.

"I wouldn't underestimate the scope of your powers," Shannon said quietly, but seriously. "Remember the reason I'm here… Pokémon who have something they want more than anything in the world will stop at no lengths to get it, no matter what it is."

"Pretty much. Making ya promise not to turn her down no matter what her wish is was the nail in the wall," Pola added.

Kayla turned away to think about it. "Somehow, I don't get that vibe from her anymore. Like she's still more than meets the eye, but I don't feel like it's gonna be some messed up thing. Any idea why she hates men so much?"

"How the heck should I know or care? As long as she's a bitch about it, I'm gonna treat her the same," Pola slumped back.

"What if she's lesbian?" Kayla shrugged. The others were surprised. "What?"

"You just… outright?" Shannon cocked his head.

"Oh come on. It's not like anyone here's being a thirsty weirdo. These are normal things to talk about," Kayla sighed in bother.

"Ugh, I dunno! Even if she is, what excuse is that to pretend guys don't exist, to the point of being rude and stuff? You're just being, er, what do they call that thing, Pokémon who take stuff too far," Pola started playing with her weave.

"An extremist? That doesn't sound like it, either. If she was, she'd have attacked Shannon. And she certainly wouldn't be at an academy with males in it," Kayla replied.

"Perhaps it's best we don't speculate. If no one knows, we won't find out without asking her herself. And if she doesn't want to say, then there's nothing else for it," Shannon stated.

"Ah, you're right. I just sorta wanted to try and resolve her issue with you. The smoother things are, the easier, right? Don't you worry about it?" Kayla admitted.

"Truthfully, I don't mind. We've gotten into fights, and she just put her head down and did what needed to be done. That's fine by me," he replied.

Pola grumbled. "If she gets rude to you, I am not letting her live it down, just so you know."

"Please don't make trouble," he sighed.

"Hey guuuuys!" Kari sung, returning to the table at last. She had three plates with everyone's orders on it, one in each stretched paw and one balanced on her head.

"Good lord girl, you could've lost all that good food!" Pola cried, taking the one off her head. "Er, it's peanut stuff. That's yours right?"

"Could only ever be," Shannon smiled as he took it.

"And for you," Kari sung, sliding aside. There were a couple of Mime Jr. with her who served Kayla what she ordered and then some. A huge, layered cake with so much icing and cream she could feel the sugar high just looking at it.

"Wait, but I didn't order… and I'm not storing this in my fluff," Kayla leaned back.

"That's 'cos you're gonna eat it now!" Kari clapped happily.

"This is impossible to eat without hands," Kayla went half-lidded. Kari held up a fork. "You're not serious, are you?"

"Say 'ahh'."

"Kari, even if I was gonna eat this, I wouldn't do it before—"

She was shut up by Kari stuffing a fork full of cake into her mouth, making her recoil. Despite the suddenness, it wasn't uncomfortable, and she quickly got why Kari was so adamant about trying the cake in the first place. It was as if they had baked it right this very minute – soft, fluffy, and so delicately creamy that the whole thing felt light rather than stuffy and bloating, like most cakes she'd had the fortune of eating. It made her silent, if a little pouty, so she sat back and turned away in silence.

"Well, what'dya think?" Kari smiled.

"… More," Kari grumbled.

"You got it, boss!"

"H-huh?" Pola flinched. "You serious? What's in that cake that you of all Pokémon like it? It's a decorated heart attack!"

"Bwut it tashtes good," Kayla confessed, still looking away. She could feel herself blushing due to being fed in public like this, but the cake was making up for it. Perhaps it was the sweetest, most indulgent thing she had ever eaten, a new experience all the same as going to a new dungeon, or creating her own dream world.

"This bit's got berry in it," Kari warned. Kayla took that to heart and chewed, and then beamed at the fact that it was a real berry. She didn't know what berry it was, but the juice calmed the sweetness of the icing, and she couldn't help but squeak in glee. "It's good, right?"

"It's juice in cake of all things... by all instances, it shouldn't work, but it does. How the heck did they ever make this? Heck, how did you ever discover this?" Kayla gasped.

"Yeeee, I knew you'd love it! It's a service they have right here, but it's hidden off the menus so not many Pokémon know about it. There's like, a surplus of party stuff that goes bad if we don't use it, but they always keep it stocked because we always throw parties. So if you ask them, the chefs are happy to bake you all kindsa goodies! And you can put anything, and I mean anything you want on and in 'em!" Kari cheered.

"Do… you think… they'd make a cake with peanut butter icing?" Shannon asked quietly. Pola immediately gave him the most venomous glare she'd ever shown.

"Peanut butter icing, cashews in the batter, peeled pistachio dressing with hazelnut cream toppings?" Kari went half lidded. Shannon turned away and grumbled, but everyone could see he was drooling. "I can get one for you tonight, if you like!"

"I think I'm full from this," he sighed, looking down at his own plate.

"Silly Pachi. There's always room for cake," Kari giggled.

"Somehow, I'm inclined to agree for once," Kayla confessed, having just finished her main meal. She was satisfied for sure, but after today's events, it was worth stuffing herself. Eating too much would be future Kayla's problem.

"Lemme grab Pola and Shannon theirs! We'll have a little cake party of our own," Kari sung.

"Wait me? I don't want any!" Pola cried. "Some of us like to watch our figure."

"You don't want a little celebration?" Kayla giggled.

"If we celebrate after every little mission…" she trailed off, staring at Kari. The Furret's eyes were gleaming so brightly they looked like disco balls, and she was bouncing so excitedly she blurred. "… Just make it small, since you're not gonna take no for an answer."

"Ha! for a second there, I thought I was gonna show you up in the fun factor," Kayla laughed.

"You two are a really bad influence," Pola sighed. She glanced at Kari's side of the table, where her heaped plate of rice and shredded meat waited alongside her monstrosity of a candy cake. "Surprised you're like this. You haven't even started eating yet!"

"Team Daybreak, there you are!" Mesprit came flying over. "Headmaster Gema's office, stat!"

"But I was about to get Pola a special cake!" Kari whined. "Do you want one too, Ms. Mesprit?"

"Me? Hell yes- I mean, er, we can sort it out later. It's urgent. Urgently private. Yes. You girls have to go, now," the little legendary commanded with a stiff point of her finger.

"To be fair, Kari hasn't started eating yet," Kayla added. Mesprit's eyes narrowed. "You know how she is right? If it's an important meeting, you don't want her stomach moaning the whole time."

"Office. Now."

"Fine. Can I at least get the cake wrapped up for later?" Kayla rolled her eyes.

"ARGH!" Mesprit snapped and thrust both palms at their food. In a flash, all the food on their table vanished, leaving the plates behind.

"Wha… what did you just–" Kari squeaked.

"NNNYYRRROOOOOOOOAAAARRGGH!" a roar shook the entire academy, bringing the cafeteria to silence, and the group to cringe. Everyone exchanged awkward, toothy grins as they stood back up.

"Um, uh oh?" Shannon was first to say.

"Uh… oh…" Mesprit replied.

…

For her first time in the headmaster's office, Kayla was surprised how natural it was compared to the urban appeal of the rest of the academy. The top floor resembled an ancient temple built into a cave, with rock walls, wall candles, doric columns, even a bead curtain rather than a door. There were some expected decorations like a wall of bookshelves filled to the brim, a fancy mahogany desk, a large pinboard, and a boardroom table lining the centre. It was well lit in here too, thanks to a ceiling window as well as a windowed door leading to a balcony. Right now however, the whole room was slathered in icing, candy, and the rest of the team's dinner. It wasn't even as if someone had dropped the food, it was literally slathered all over, even the ceiling. At least it gave the place a pleasant aroma that smelt as sweet as it looked.

"It's everywhere! It took me forever to procure some of these books, and just like that!" Gema yelled at the top of his voice, stomping around the room. With his head in his hands, he bowed to Mesprit, though his whole body was red with rage. "Why Mesprit, why? Why must you do these things to me?"

"I am not taking the blame for this," Kayla turned away.

"Is it just the food, Headmaster?" Kari asked. "'Cos I can take care of it, if it is."

"Please," the Tyranitar groaned, looking up at her. "At least someone can take responsibility here."

Mesprit turned away to hide a cheeky grin, while Kari beamed up and licked her lips. Seconds later, the Furret sounded like a chainsaw as she snuck around the room, vacuuming the discarded food with her mouth.

"Now then, to get straight to business. Gather around now, don't be shy," Gema instructed, directing everyone to the long table. Uxie, Azelf, and May were there as well, though the latter stood back from the table to attend to her PET. "I'm sure you've heard that we're discussing plans around Mathildaath, the archfiend who has been threatening our region of Isnomia. For some time now, we're been at our wits end with how do deal with her. We have been planning a raid on her home base, and we would like you of Team Daybreak to join the ranks."

"Us? What happened to not wanting us to even ask about the archfiend?" Kayla replied.

"You will not be on the main attack team. But we will likely need smaller, nimbler Pokémon who are also capable of defending themselves," Gema explained. "To date, and with our short notice, Team Daybreak fit the bill. Your tenacity and Pola's ability to cast Visionary magic make you perfect."

"Hear that Pola? You're useful," Kayla shut her eyes.

"Eesh, what's made you get so high 'n mighty tonight?" the Plusle rolled her eyes.

"It is very short notice, so the choice is yours. We leave the day after tomorrow. Briefing happens on the day," Gema explained.

Things are lining up quite conveniently. Turns out my little white lie to Mum is gonna come true after all. Jirachi'll be happy, too… speaking of, that little guy's been awfully quiet for quite a while, she realised, pretending to look as though she was thinking. She turned to her team. "What do you girls think? This is a pretty big deal."

"If we're not fighting the fiend, I think we'll be okay," Shannon folded his arms.

"Not gonna lie, I'm a little disappointed, but whatever. We're getting paid for this, right?" Pola added.

"This will be a mission outside of HAPPI's jurisdiction since it's in our region and deemed our issue, so it won't boost your team rank or renown… officially, anyway," Gema answered, tucking his arms behind his back. "However, rest assured that you and everyone else involved will receive bonus payment and honours as per RSE's own code. This will depend on whether we succeed or fail."

"So even if we get stuff right, if you guys lose to Mathildaath, we don't get paid?" Pola groaned.

"You will, just not as much. That funding would need to go to our next attempt, after all," he clarified.

"If we stop Mathildaath, we could save all of Isnomia, and all the extraordinary Pokémon in this region. It doesn't matter how much we get paid; if I can help out and make everyone happy, then I'm in!" Kari cheered. She couldn't help a light belch, making her blush."'Scuse me, hee hee."

"Did you just… lick the entire office clean?" Gema's eyes were wide. She nodded happily, making him stare all the more. "You are… I am at a loss for words…"

"It sounds like we're in. Tell us everything we need to know, and everything we're doing," Kayla nodded.

Gema cleared his throat. "Hearty and focused. I like it. You're different to when you first joined us. Archfiend Mathildaath's lair is in a mystery dungeon known as Orchard Overgrowth. It is quite far to the West, and will take more than one dungeon to reach. All the more reason we need capable Pokémon – you'll each make your way there as individuals rather than as one big group. Once we get to the orchard, we'll follow our scout's plans to advance through the dungeon. Your mission will be announced at that time."

"Multiple dungeons… so we've gotta prep more than ever," Kayla mumbled.

"Don't go on any missions or jobs tomorrow. Take the time to rest and stock supplies. Do not underestimate this operation – we need everyone in tiptop shape. Normally I'm quite jolly with these ordeals, but this is a worldwide crisis, and a colossal undertaking," Gema instructed. "So please take what I am saying with every bit of seriousness. I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure your safety, and the safety of all parties involved. But due to the nature of Mathildaath, her powers, and how unpredictable she is, you must be prepared for anything. And be able to take care of yourselves."

"So it's gonna make Husk Tunnel look like the Twinight Woods on a calm day," Kayla nodded.

"The potential is unknown and cannot be compared, but your mind is in the right place," Gema clarified.

"Headmaster Gema sir," May stepped up all of a sudden. "Would you permit me to join Team Daybreak? Not as an aide, but as a member of their team."

"Oh? An unexpected development," Gema replied.

"I want to help, but you declined my offer. This is despite my being a small and resourceful Pokémon, just like you require. With someone of my leadership backing them up, you needn't worry about unexpected trouble," May explained.

"May…" Kayla whispered. She wants to join us? Fully? As a member?

"Hmm… My worry is more the potential of losing someone of your talent. At the same time, I do acknowledge you would be a great boon assisting us directly," Gema scratched his chin. "Team Daybreak. May is powerful and remarkably intelligent, as you may have already known. If she joins you, can I have you promise me that you will defend her to the bitter end, while equally listening to her observations and suggestions?"

"Oh come on, you know what she's capable of. And after all that danger mumbo jumbo, you're gonna dump us with an escort mission?" Pola groaned. Kayla glanced between the three Pokémon, her, May and Gema.

"As capable of defending myself as I am, I loathe to admit that I am still a mere Pichu. I'm very low in the defensive department.," May confessed with a shrug. "This won't be like ordinary escort missions you might've taken on, however. Simply defend me in combat, and I can see to it that every battle we get in is won."

"It sounds good to me. Anyone else object?" Kayla turned to the others. Kari gave a peppy bounce, while Shannon nodded. Pola grumbled profanity, and then swished her paw to say she didn't care. "I guess that settles it. Welcome to Team Daybreak, May!"

"A pleasure to join you. I hope not to be a burden, either," the Pichu tucked her paws behind her back.

"This is… still rather delicate," Gema said. "Kayla. Please protect her with everything you can muster."

"You have my word. If I could shake your hand, I would," she nodded.

"Go now. Mesprit or Azelf will be there to collect you on the morning. If any other information comes up, you will receive special messages on your PETs. And it goes without saying, but this operation is beyond the public. Don't talk about or mention it to your peers, alright? Dismissed," Gema finished with a short bow.

"Uh, I'm guessing you're gonna stay here tonight? Or deal with whatever other stuff you deal with," Kayla turned to May.

"I'm afraid so. At the very least, let's make it official," the Pichu smiled, and held up her PET. Kayla nodded, and hers did the exchange. "I'll come by tomorrow morning. My advisory begins from as early as you all making stock preparations."

"Great. Guess you're gonna tell me what I should have for breakfast, huh?" Pola groaned.

"I can if you would like."

"Fuck off."

"Ehehe… wish you two could behave in front of the headmaster," Kayla snickered. "C'mon. It's late, and I'm beat."

"If the chefs are up for it, I'm still gettin' you guys cake, you know," Kari giggled as the group walked out.

"Maybe rain check until after the mission," Kayla snickered.

"May, I would advise you to be well rested as well. If you are helping them directly on the grounds, you will need it," Gema suggested.

"If there's nothing else to do here, then…" May nodded. No one answered, so she made her way out. Mesprit floated over after a moment and peaked her head through the beads, making sure the Pichu was well out of sight. Once confirmed, she came back over and leaned on the table with her head in her hands, giving Gema a cheeky look.

"Well now. You have a way with words, don't you? None of them suspect a thing," she said teasingly. Gema didn't reply. "You sure you're doing the right thing, though?"

"Yeah, you're kinda playing the long game, here," Azelf commented. "Strike while the iron's hot, right?"

"The iron isn't hot, though," Gema said quietly.

"Please don't tease him, sisters," Uxie spoke up, latching to Gema's arm. "We know Beaurette isn't going to be happy about this. We also don't know what pitting two Dreamers against each other will do."

"That's what I'm worried about. We know she's a Dreamer; May and Ashe already told us. You read their reports. So let's just snatch her and move on already!" Azelf suggested.

"Patience, Azelf. We don't know what kind of reaction will occur between two Dreamers in conflict. However, it is that reaction that may awaken Kayla in earnest. As she is now, her powers are too juvenile. She remains essentially useless to us," Gema explained.

Azelf folded her arms and pouted. "I dunno man. They dealt with Zude's monster twice, and warped all the way to Hammock. They sound pretty proficient to me."

"You are forgetting, Mathildaath also remains an issue herself. It could well be that Kayla and company are the only ones who could defeat her right now… if that happens, we'll kill two birds with one stone," Gema replied.

"I think it's likely, based on our research," Uxie agreed. "After all, Mathildaath gave us an opening, flooding the place. She may prove to be less efficient than Kayla could be."

"Just don't drag your feet too long. You're gonna have to take a risk at some point," Mesprit replied. "If this chance to use them passes us by, it may never come again."

"… Are you aware of how old I am, Mesprit?" Gema asked.

"Hmm? Well you can't be older than us," she answered.

"The only way archfiends like us pass away is through premeditated death. Because of that, millennia pass by in the blink of an eye," the Tyranitar's voice turned quiet. "It's also part of why me and Uxie… I will never let her down. And I'm prepared to wait eons by her side, if it means we can one day mould the world into our paradise. That's why utmost care goes into this operation."

"Uh… huh. And also why I'll never be happy you two are hitched," Mesprit turned away.

…

"Ashe?" Kayla was surprised to see the Jigglypuff waiting outside their dorm. "Are you okay? Did something come up?"

"It did… um, excuse me, please pardon me. I know it's late, but I really wanted to talk to you," Ashe replied as quiet as a whisper.

"Come again?" Kari cocked her head.

"It's alright girls, I heard her," Kayla said. "Er, I guess we'll talk in the nursery? You all are gonna hit the hay, right?"

"Huh? You and your secrecy. Fine whatever, just don't be too late," Pola stretched and yawned. Kari was nosy, but eventually nodded happily and followed her in.

"Hmm. I'll say my goodnight here, then," Shannon waved. "See you tomorrow."

"See ya," Kayla smiled. Once they were alone, Kayla posed happily. "What's up? Unlike you to be shy around us."

"Sorry," Ashe replied, and then pointed down the hallway. Kayla followed her all the way into the nursery, where a small candle lit the room. The place was quite untidy, but the babies were asleep. "Sorry for the mess… with last minute cover, the kids and the teachers weren't very good."

"Don't need to apologise to me. If I could help you clean up, I would," Kayla said. This is so unlike her… she's so anxious for some reason. I didn't think older teachers COULD be anxious around younger students. What do I do here?

"I don't really know where to begin… what do you think of today?" Ashe asked.

"Of today? Like, everything that happened?" Kayla cocked her head. Ashe nodded. "Er, not much, to be completely honest. Just another day on the job. We got a lot of cool stuff, and I think I'm getting a handle on teleporting through the Dream World. It's really easy."

"Aren't you bothered by everything you learnt?" Ashe asked. Kayla was blank. "The group that attempts to discriminate against us Extraordinary Pokémon, Sunrise. The Hammock Slums. Netherworld's terror attacks in motion. Doesn't it bother you? Or make you feel anything?"

"Not really. These are things that're gonna exist," Kayla shrugged. Ashe appeared a little horrified, so she sighed. "I don't mean that I don't care. But I have my own goals, and I'm not going to let stuff like that stop me from achieving those goals, y'know? But I'll help Pokémon out if it comes to it. That's why we did the crystal den stuff. Kari gave away the gummies Mum gave us, too."

"You're very casual about the lengths of your kindness. Most Pokémon would ignore the slums completely," Ashe replied with a sigh of her own. "And of course… your powers…"

Kayla hesitated this time. "Did you find something out? You're concerned about me."

"I am. The powers you have, their potential, the task that Jirachi has given you, they're really big. Truly. The task to save the whole world, as well as the power to dream anything you want into reality… it's a greater power than can be put into words," Ashe explained. "Think about it. We concluded that Mathildaath is a Dreamer too, didn't we? The scope of her powers turned her into a threat we call the archfiend, a threat so great it caused Jirachi, a Pokémon so rare it is known only in myths and legends, to beg you for help. The knowledge that abusing your powers could make you end up like Mathildaath… I'm worried about the pressure everyone's put on you."

Kayla turned away. "I guess I get it. But you're better off not worrying. Seriously."

"I can't help it. Someone as young as you doesn't deserve this," Ashe looked down. Kayla turned back to her with the cockiest smirk ever.

"In a weird kind of way, I'm always dealing with social pressure. You saw it yourself with Mum's expectations. I'm a Buneary that doesn't want to evolve. An Extraordinary one, at that. The whole world has always wanted my tail for being me," she reasoned, and then posed. "It hasn't stopped me so far. Adding a cool adventure on top isn't going to stop me either."

Ashe shut her eyes, and it almost looked like she was stifling a tear.

"Ashe?"

"You are exceedingly lucky. I wish you knew just how much. But I also wish for this fortune to stay with you," she replied, and slowly opened her eyes. "And yet, your words feel sincere. Even when we met, you never once questioned me on my appearance. Do you still believe that I am a Jigglypuff?"

"That's what you told me you were. I don't see anything that wouldn't make you one," Kayla cocked her head.

"My hair. My eyes. My size. My powers. My songs. All are a result of the many curses I have. I'm just an adult who has suffered much, and found her place taking care of children here. I don't want them to suffer what I have, yet it could happen right before my eyes with you. I don't want you to end up like me or Mathildaath," Ashe explained.

"Heh, well you're doing a pretty cool job so far," Kayla commented.

"It's ironic then that you are my best chance to truly overcome this. Kayla, I have a wish for you," Ashe stated, looking down.

I actually kinda forgot I said I'd grant everyone's wishes. She didn't really talk about it earlier, so I guess, here goes, Kayla calmed down. "Er, go for it."

"I want to make a world. A world where everyone can be happy, and no one has to suffer because of old legends or tainted traditions. But that's not a world that I can simply wish for, even through a Dreamer," Ashe explained, and looked up at her. "By taking care of you, I can help save Isnomia from the disturbances made by other Dreamers. That is an incredible task that I could only do… by joining you."

"Whoa, you as well?" Kayla gasped and flinched.

"As well?" Ashe tilted her head.

"Ack, ah, right. May joined us just a little earlier, too. I wasn't expecting that," Kayla breathed out. "Er, I don't mind, but it might be difficult right now…"

"… The raid on Orchard Overgrowth?" Ashe replied. Kayla tried to act natural. "I am on the team to fight Mathildaath. You don't need to worry about keeping it secret from me."

"Huh? You of all Pokémon?" Kayla replied. "I-I don't mean to be rude, you just seemed so docile… and you're just a nursery teacher."

"If there is one good thing about the curses that have given me my appearance, it is the many songs and powers I learnt through them. Anyone who hears my voice will do more than fall asleep. I just wasn't able to do anything around you because we weren't registered as teammates. If we were, I could sing and fight alongside you without worrying about friendly fire," Ashe explained. "But more than anything, I just want to protect and guide you through this quest. I know it seems weird, but truthfully… I'm so worried about you. More than anything in the world, I don't want to see another Pokémon end up suffering as I have, or turning out the same as Mathildaath."

Kayla shut her eyes to give it a round of thought, and then grinned. "Normally I ask the others what they think, but I can't imagine they'd say no. Plus, you're the one who got the ball rolling this far in the first place. You seem to know even more than Jirachi."

"Kayla… does that mean?"

"What're you going to do about your nursery job?" Kayla asked.

"If it's possible to let me know plans in advance, I can sort out temporary teachers to cover for me. The raid is already sorted as well. Otherwise, contact me through the PET and I'll see if I can or can't go on missions," she replied. "… I guess this must seem a little awkward for you since I'm older and a teacher and everything."

"You've got that right. I'm not very good with ordering Pokémon not near my age," Kayla leaned back.

"We can keep it as casual as you like it. Just be yourself, and I'll follow. My only request is that I be there whenever something involving the Dream World is planned," she replied.

There. Right there and then. Just like with May, the Jigglypuff finally let her guard down, and when she did, it was so sudden that Kayla's heart skipped a beat. She had gotten so used to Ashe being unreadable that she never considered how it would look or feel to have them be straight with her. Ashe showed nervousness earlier, but it felt like a natural defence, as if she were doing her job, little else, and wanted to get business over and done with.

That one request, however. As she said it, her tone changed in the slightest, most insignificant way, and her face gave it away, too. Ashe was… afraid for some reason. As if she had tripped up and said something she didn't want to. It was only for this slight instance too, for less than a measly second. Yet still, this was her chance.

"Sure, I get it," Kayla replied slowly, and her PET flew out. "Just don't expect too much. This stuff doesn't really feel like heroics to me."

There it was again. Ashe appeared surprised, but Kayla saw right through it. Or rather, she heard it. A sigh of relief, alongside a smile. She didn't know what it meant, but it was relieving to get an honest reaction out of her for once.

"Thank you, Kayla. I'll do my best to look after you and everyone. I operate similarly to Pola… give me space, and my songs will stop the enemy," Ashe nodded as their PETs touched and exchanged data. With the trade done, she sighed and walked over to the door to the room with the sleeping children. Moonlight shone in here, enabling her to see them.

"We're counting on you, Ashe," Kayla stated, and then turned to leave. "I should be out of your fur. If the girls are still up, they're probably wondering where I am."

"Kayla…" Ashe said quietly.

"Hmm? What's up?"

"… I apologise if I sounded strict back there. Your power to dream and grant wishes… have you thought about using it for yourself, yet?"

"Not really. Unless you count that food world. But that was me being silly," she snickered.

"Don't be. I think it was wonderful, including what happened with Kari," Ashe admitted.

"Good to know someone wasn't mad at me for it."

"Although I don't wish for you to go ashtray, not using your powers at all… would be sad," Ashe turned around, and she had a warm, homely smile. "Don't mind Jirachi or Pola. If there's something you want and it isn't going to hurt anyone, then you should do it. Have fun with your powers, and make yourself happy. Make your wishes come true, okay?"

"Heh… kinda feels like the only one who doesn't feel like it's a big deal right now is me," Kayla replied, turning to leave. Ashe watched her, never losing that smile. "See ya tomorrow, Ashe."