Twin Colors

by tremor3258

Generally getting cheat memories is supposed to be a *bonus*. OCs, Paldea, post-game.

16. Cooling Off

Twin Colors

By tremor3258

Chapter 16

Cooling Off

---

Mei gave an exhausted smile to Victor. "We're teaching her quips this year."

"You couldn't catch my Nacli?" Victor asked, ignoring Mei's comment. The little rock 'shroom was dizzily half-buried in the mud.

"I would break Aliquis's back if he landed on Nacli in my arms," Mei snapped back. She did step away from the Nacli so Victor could examine him. "Is he alright?" she asked.

Victor bent down and pulled the rock-type free. Mei winced as more mud hit her, but she would probably have to burn the uniform at this point. The Nacli shook, spreading more mud, but Victor smiled. The Pokemon was still technically battleworthy, instead of just recovering.

"Good work. I suppose I must keep you now," Victor said. Mei wasn't sure if he was teasing, but the Nacli rumbled like a happy avalanche. He pulled a potion out to spray the little Pokmon down, before he turned to survey the field.

"What an absolute mess," Victor said

The court's hard-packed clay was churned up to mud, wilting grass covered part of the field, and it was covered in blast marks and craters. Dendra was sitting upright, but only barely. She'd folded up her legs to grasp them, using them as a forehead rest.

The other elite trainers didn't look much sprightlier, though they weren't as covered in mud as Mei and Victor were.

People were still filing through the doors, though much more orderly thanks to Nemona's efforts and the end of the threat. It looked like a few students and staff were coming back with more medical Pokemon.

Aliquis looked worse up close. His cheekbones were visible, and his clothes were loose on him. Whatever his berserk ghost had done had cost him. He was breathing steadily though. Mei was willing to believe he was more in a stupor than a coma, she'd rather a doctor or nurse make that call, which reminded her that she was under a time limit.

"Can you help me carry him to Miriam?" Mei asked, "He weighs more than me. Terpsi can't help me hold him forever, and I can't recall Pome either with my hands full." The little crocodile was headed to them, but he wasn't that mobile, especially with what the battle and summoned rain had done to the mud.

Miriam, meanwhile, was checking Dendra, bent over with a stethoscope she'd produced from somewhere.

"Can I grab the ball?" Victor asked, setting down Nacli. Mei nodded and shifted slightly so he could get a better angle to her belt.

"You did great with your shot, Pome," Mei encouraged the little croc. Pome nodded, and went obediently into the ball as Victor held it up. He refixed it to her belt and then grabbed Mei's forearms to share the load. The strain lessened slightly, then Nacli glowed, and Mei felt her feet starting to leave the ground as Victor overcompensated briefly.

"Oh, wait, the Misdreavus," Victor realized.

"I don't think touching it unprepped is a good idea," Mei cautioned.

"Obviously – fear eating ghost. Nacli, keep an eye on it and start throwing rocks if it moves. Let the teachers decide," Victor ordered. Nacli shuffled over and stood up as straight as his tiny frame allowed, proud to be on a mission. Poppy's Tinkaton, still standing guard with her hammer, just pointed and laughed derisively, which made Nacli try to stand up straighter.

"Looks like it didn't break the Ultra Ball – it's still partnered," Mei said as they started moving. The black and gold showed up against the mud.

"I'm not sure what that means in this case. Ghosts bend the rules a lot anyway," Victor muttered.

"Wait! I'm coming, don't carry him too far," Miriam called, stumbling through the court's broken terrain. The students obligingly froze.

Poppy and Kieran were following behind. Kieran had revived his Porygon-Z at some point, and it was floating alongside, head and limbs rotating around its core to peer in all directions.

"First, you two – that was a longshot of how it would interact, given the biology was clearly abnormal at this point. Nacli could have ended up as a snack. I'm glad you did and I'm sorry you had to," Miriam said, "We took a lot of damage."

She pointed over to the other end of the court. Zania and Trigo were waving near the downed duo who had paralyzed the mutant Misdreavus, as Salvatore was being lowered by a Slowbro onto a stretcher carried by two Chansey.

"We got Aliquis out," Mei and Victor chorused then glared at each other.

"Bad enough you were flinging your partner in, but what part of your plan was getting in close? If the trainer stays out of the melee sensibly, they can retrieve Pokemon from any serious danger," Miriam chided, then looked down and shuddered.

"Without Poke balls this would have been a disaster," she muttered. She started listening to Aliquis's chest.

Mei interrupted, pointing over to where Trigo and Zania were helping another set of Chansey load up the downed trainers. "At least we didn't get to point blank range," she defended herself.

"They were using cover, not exposed the whole way on a field, and were synergizing Moves in their intended roles," Miriam said, looking up briefly.

"That was about the dumbest tactic I've seen that worked," Kieran added. Between the rain and sweat, his hairstyle had collapsed. Pokemon had amazing recovery powers, but even if Revives were enough of a jolt to get one back linked to their trainer for battle, it was hard on both sides of the bond to generate that stamina.

"It did work though," Mei said sullenly. Victor pointed at her, but didn't voice agreement out loud.

"And you saved Aliquis!" Poppy said cheerily. She still looked fresh. By Mei's count she had only suffered one knockout. Her worries about hurting Aliquis had kept her out of most of the action.

"Doesn't look anything is broken, heartbeat and breathing are shallow, but in range," Miriam muttered, examining, "We're going to need to get him on an IV for fluids though. Poppy, can you get a stretcher team over here? It looks like Nemona is organizing recovery."

"Sure, Rotom phone!" Poppy called. One of the phones scattered around the field sparked and tried to lift off the ground but gave up after a few seconds.

"Ooh, that's right," Poppy said.

"Oh, all the poor dears," Miriam said, "They stay in those phones so much I sometimes forget it isn't a computer running them. We'll need to gather them up for treatment as well."

"I'll tell Nemona!" Poppy promised, skipping across the mud merrily.

"Don't we want her to stay near the murderous ghost?" Victor asked nervously.

"No hostage this time," Kieran said icily. Porygon-Z burbled electronically and spun on its axis. Mei found herself taking a half-step back at Kieran's expression.

Aliquis twitched at the movement. "Watch it!" Victor called, leaning over to keep the unconscious trainer supported. Mei stepped back forward, throwing another nervous glance at Kieran. Kieran realized what he was doing, and his expression cleared somewhat.

"I'm going to get the Ultra Ball. I don't know what we're going to do with the ghost though," Kieran announced.

"There's a Gym Trainer in my unit from Paldea's ghost gym," Mei piped up.

"Unfortunately, Team Star is working at the STCs, or I'd suggest Ortega. He's quite good with fairies, but it will probably be awake before they return," Miriam said.

"The jerk at the lunch buffet Friday?" Mei asked. Miriam nodded sheepishly.

"He's actually quite skilled, if a bit overbearing," Miriam acknowledged.

"Overbearing personality? Mei, are you sure you weren't reacting to the fairy side on that thing?" Victor teased.

Mei bristled briefly but Aliquis twitched again reminding her to get control of herself. "No," she admitted after a few deep breaths.

"You've got time to figure it out!" Kieran called, reaching down to pick up the ball.

Alqiuis suddenly jerked. Victor and Mei reflexively yelled and tossed him upwards in the air. Something exploded off his belt and there was a screech but the two trainers ignored it to get back under Aliquis, barely catching him in time.

Kieran jumped back from the ball as the afternoon sun dimmed in the area, except over the ball, seemingly putting it in the spotlight. A Meowscarada popped out of invisibility within the lighted area and bowed, causing the darkness to fade away. The Magician Pokemon reached down to pick up the ball protectively and yowled again.

Tinkie had her off-hand glowing with a pink aura as fire, ice, and lightning orbs swirled around Porygon-Z. Poppy and Nemona could be seen heading over on her Tauros.

"I'm alright!" Keiran said, "Just a light trick."

The Meowscarada strutted, seemingly ignoring two elite Pokemon readying attacks against him, to walk over to Victor and Mei. No elemental energy, flower bombs, or even claws came from the Meowscarada as he reached them.

Miriam had stepped away to bring her Glalie out. Meowscarada spent a moment looking at Aliquis, before purring and tenderly patting his head. Carefully, the Pokemon affixed the Ultra Ball to Aliquis's belt. Looking around, he gave one last yowl before disappearing back into his own ball. Miriam and the Glalie exchanged a glance and the ice Pokemon briefly chattered. Miriam shrugged with one arm.

"Huh," Victor said.

"They really care for each other," Mei translated.

The Tauros drew up in a stampede of hooves.

"Is everyone all right?" Nemona asked.

"NEMONA!" Aliquis suddenly yelled, his eyes flying open. Victor and Mei nearly dropped him again, and Glalie joined the other high-level Pokemon in readying an attack.

"Yes?" Nemona asked politely. Poppy looked at Nemona curiously.

"Did I win?" Aliquis asked, and looked down where he was in Victor and Mei's locked forearms.

"Is this a victory carry? Most of my partners are awake. How long was the fight? I'm starving!" he continued

"Don't stand up yet. How do you feel, Aliquis?" Miriam asked.

He smacked his lips for a moment. "Hungry," he decided. He looked around. "Wow, we really tore up the field, huh? Where are Ohara and Hohma?"

"I have some rice balls left," Mei said quietly.

"Yes please!" Aliquis said enthusiastically. Miriam motioned to the two and took over from Mei so Mei could dig through her pack.

"I saw them go through the entrance," Nemona assured, "And the battle had to be called." Mei handed a rice ball over, which was devoured so rapidly she had to hand over a water bottle when he started to cough. After the snack was gone, he looked around again.

"Oh, did I not throw another out in time? I really needed to calm down my new guy," Aliquis said.

"What do you remember?" Kieran interrupted.

"The battle wasn't going badly. The Life Orb effect surprised it more than I thought. It was working fine, though. We hadn't gotten a chance to use it much in practice, and the little sprite is new to trainer battles. Then it got frustrated, and I got angry, and…" Aliquis trailed off.

"Then we kept fighting? It felt like a dream," Aliquis said hazily, then his eyes cleared.

"Wait!" Aliquis said, jumping up from Miriam and Victor and immediately staggering, barely able to stand. "My new guy!" he called out, looking around. He spotted the downed Misdreavus and started to slip trying to get to it before Miriam caught him.

"Sit down, you're almost a skeleton," Mei recommended, though staying back.

"I have to get over there! It's scared!" Aliquis protested.

"That thing ate you," Victor said disbelievingly.

"What? That doesn't sound like it at all!" Aliquis protested. "It was all shy and it took a lot of work to convince it a trainer could help it, but eat people?" Aliquis laughed, then shuddered, nearly falling again.

"Please get off your feet. You had a tremendous strain," Miriam urged.

Mei felt a twitch, and jumped back, followed a second later by Aliquis twisting, knocking Miriam's one working hand free. Whatever his battle skills, he was incredible at the husbandry side of training and his Pokemon reflected that back to him.

Porygon-Z and Glalie had attacks on standby, while Tinkie hefted her hammer thoughtfully. Mei and Victor kept their distance. Even nearly crippled, until the last of his own strength gave out, he could toss them like beanbags.

Nemona still on her Tauros looked over at Miriam, then shook her head. Tauros jumped lightly to land next to Aliquis, and she extended a hand.

"Nemona," Kieran began, but she shook her head firmly.

"He's trying to get to his partner," she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. After a moment, Glalie and Porygon-Z dropped back, and Tinkie gave a bow. Though she pointed at her eyes, Aliquis, and then the hammer, in order.

Nemona trotted Tauros through the mud as smoothly as if she was running him through an equestrian show. Maybe she had, she'd indicated she had money. Though the idea of Nemona around tea, cucumber sandwiches and overgroomed Pokemon was laughable. Wanting to still take part, Mei followed in her wake. Victor, Kieran, and Miriam did as well, though she couldn't guess their reasons. She wished Rose had come back for her read here.

Poppy and Nemona slid off first, Nemona offering a hand to Aliquis. His legs trembling, he walked over to the strange Misdreavus and placed a Revive in its mouth. The coating started a reflexive chewing action.

Nemona put a hand on Aliquis's chest to support him as he suddenly gasped and nearly fell.

"Easy, you can barely channel right now, don't push into it," she said kindly.

The Misdreavus's eyes popped open after a few more seconds, and it lifted off the ground woozily. It looked around it. Miriam and Kieran were in ready stances, ready to send their Pokemon forward, and Tinkie hefted her hammer, though Poppy waved. Nemona's Tauros just snorted and craned his head to look at the extra tall grass that had sprouted, considering a snack rather than the battle. It was badly wilted, but there was a lot of it. As a pure Fighting beast, it wasn't a good match for a fey ghost.

"Stay here for now," Nemoan asked, and her Tauros nodded genially.

The Misdreavus wailed, a screech that had people quivering as far as the courtyard entrance, and then had tears start streaming from its eyes as it continued to sob.

"Is it sad that it lost?" Kieran asked.

"I know buddy!" Aliquis said, tearing up as well. He sat down in the mud, and the Misdreavus floated over to continue wailing.

Victor looked at Mei with an eyebrow raised in question, but she shrugged in return. She didn't really know ghosts well at all. It breaking down bawling like a newborn Togepi had her completely lost as well.

"I couldn't stop either!" Aliquis said, the two hugged each other, sobbing.

Kieran drew in a breath heavily while Nemona tilted her head to the side, curious.

"How did you two fix it?" she asked after a bit when both partners paused for breath.

"What?" Aliquis asked.

"Your bonds are back to normal – I mean, they're harder to see when we're not battling anyway, but yours were bright purple and, er, lumpy? 'Grumoso?'" Nemona observed.

The two under investigation looked at each other and shrugged.

"I just remember wanting to win, then I got angry then," Aliquis paused and rubbed his head. The Misdreavus frowned, then clutched its head as well.

"We… couldn't stop? There was something, it wouldn't let us stop," Aliquis said, looking into the middle distance without focusing. The Misdreavus started wailing again, which set off Aliquis.

"Was this an attack from somewhere?" Victor asked, "Do you have any enemies?" Nemona and Miriam looked at him oddly, but he shrugged. He didn't know them. Aliquis sniffed, regaining some composure as his Misdreavus continued to wail.

"A couple rivals, but it's not ugly. Is it, Nemona?" Aliquis asked, suddenly anxious, "I don't know where I was coming from there."

"Your move picks throw me off, but you're great at raising Pokemon!" Nemona cheered. Aliquis smiled.

"Aliquis!" came a cry – a young man and woman next to a Quaquaval and a Crocalor, respectively, broke suddenly from the taller old man they were walking beside to come up to the skeletal Aliquis. Mei placed him after a second as Director Clavell, but the feel was completely different from the last time she saw him.

On Friday he'd been as faded into the background as possible. He was more ready today but wasn't using his channeling to threaten. This was still more like a scabbarded sword. He didn't have any Pokemon walking beside him. Given the student body's best had been held off by the Pokemon he was approaching, that spoke a very high level of confidence.

"Ohara! Hohma! Are you two all right? Did I hurt you?" Aliquis asked.

"You told us to run," the girl said, confused.

"We were out before the crush started," the boy said. His Quaquaval firmly nodded acknowledgement.

"I… don't remember. I remember everyone shouting for me to win," Aliquis admitted. The sobbing Misdreavus also shook its head.

"I didn't hear either of those," Nemona said.

"I have pretty good ears, I heard you say to run clearly," the girl insisted.

"Might have been a ghost thing? Ghosts are weird," Victor offered. Aliquis shrugged.

"I'm not a specialist anywhere, really. This is the main ghost I know," Aliquis said. The Misdreavus blushed, wailing slowing to a sniffle.

"The bonds between humans can also be as difficult to categorize as the bonds between humans and Pokemon; a treasure in its own right," Clavell said calmly as he had finished pacing up.

He peered through his glasses at the Misdreavus, which stopped crying to shrink back warily.

"Clavell is great, buddy," Aliquis assured it. The ghost crept forward next to Aliquis but hissed warningly.

"Aliquis, I have gathered some of the picture already, but I would like to ask every trainer involved their viewpoint individually. Nurse Barnaby is handling the wounded, but given the visible impact it had on you, I request you accompany me to Mesagoza Emergency for an evaluation," Clavell said.

"Can we stop by the cafeteria?" Aliquis asked.

"Of course," Clavell said, and he adjusted his glasses. The Misdreavus stared back, concerned.

"A fascinating reaction from this Pokemon to you. You may have noticed this Pokemon is not in the Pokedex app listing; it's a prohibited species located solely in a protected area. Given certain factors previously observed, your capture is impressive. I'm afraid the League will insist it be returned to Area Zero after the battle today."

"It came from the Crater? I found it near Medali," Aliquis said.

"The Crater is not completely cut-off, though traversal is difficult" Clavell said mildly, "The previous expedition found those Pokemon do not seem aware of the basic rules of our world. We believe they may have come from elsewhere, and their general disposition is still under review. This sudden assault is a previously unknown variable."

"It acted like a trainer Pokemon," Mei muttered under her breath.

Clavell apparently heard – he was good. "Ah, young Miss Mei, correct? I've been told by several others that you caught Aliquis when he fell, and you and Mister Victor helped cause it with a well-timed case of indigestion."

Aliquis looked over and Mei smiled tentatively.

"It was only the other trainers and teachers holding it in place we were able to do something. Those two students that got hit by that Shadow Ball to paralyze it, I need to give them my thanks," Mei said politely, but emphasizing Shadow Ball. Her plan had her come through unscathed.

"I believe they have already been taken to the nurse's office. I did not get their names at that time," Clavell admitted. Nemona started to raise her hand, and Clavell shook his head subtly.

"But to your valid earlier point, many of the mechanics of how Pokemon and human boost each other through our bonds defy our classification. One of the things we know is the mechanics of reaching out to each other is instinctive for both sides, as well as the benefits such as the injury protection. These species react with surprise instead at the trainer bond's effects. It is a system understood without explanation or understanding of the mechanics throughout the world, except in the Great Crater. We do not yet know why," Clavell concluded.

Everyone turned to look at the two previously rampaging partners. As fierce as the Misdreavus's eyes were, it was somehow looking embarrassed, looking at the ground. It wasn't piping any disagreement, as far as Mei could tell

"Is that why you kept twisting around looking in the brook after we took on that Fortress? For injuries? I thought you were just appreciating how you looked," Aliquis remarked. The Misdreavus somehow blushed without a circulatory system.

"What about – wait, no, sorry," Nemona said, reconsidering. Clavell nodded.

"Since the crisis appears to be over for the moment, I would ask you help any remaining wounded and have yourselves looked over as well. You have all had an exhausting day," Clavell said, and reached up to rub his forehead.

"Sir?" Victor asked. Clavell nodded.

"Is it always like this?" Victor asked, gesturing to take in well, everything.

"While the start of school is often energetic, this is exceptional. I hesitate to say off-hand that in the long history of Naranja Academy a Titan Pokemon has never appeared before in the grounds, it is the first in my administration. Given how long some Titans have dominated parts of Paldea, you and Miss Mei are to be congratulated for your innovative solution. I also believe no Titan has ever been neutralized in under fifteen minutes." Mei and Victor bowed, and Mei blinked in some surprise. There was an odd echo on Clavell's lines.

"And congratulations again to the others reacted to the crisis, either in assisting those evacuating the area or fighting the creature," Clavell said, and Mei realized his voice was bouncing off the wall to the courtyard. She wasn't sure if he was wired, or it was some trainer trick she didn't know.

This sort of public applause was great to outweigh her little dorm issue – she still needed to get donuts. No one had drawn attention to her freezing at the start of the fight. The year seemed on an upward trajectory for the path to the Galar Championship. Image was as important to manage there as a seventh Pokemon.

What happened next was just more proof to Mei that the universe enjoyed a joke.

"Oh, and Director Clavell, you have to admire her cool head and trust in the authorities, too," Nemona said, raising her hand again.

"I'm not sure a cool head would launch a Nacli into a Titan," Clavell said, amused. Misdreavus made a disgusted expression at the thought and dove back into its Ultra Ball as Aliquis was helped back to his feet.

"Well, I don't know about that. People usually don't focus on helping the larger community when their family is injured. Mei just carried on through and has been trusting the school to handle it," Nemona said.

Victor gasped and Mei heard blood thunder in her ears.

"What? Is my mother okay?" she managed to get out, though she could barely hear herself.

"Rose and Alamy were the ones who paralyzed the ghost. Trigo says they took a Shadow Ball and were taken to the nurse's office to rest. Oh! We still need to gather the phones up for healing," Nemona continued

She may have had more to say, but Mei was already rushing for the courtyard doors.

---

She got lost twice but eventually she found the nurse's office. The hallway had several senior students looking over some minor contusions on humans or checking fainted and injured Pokemon.

One was standing with a tablet and noticed her. "If your Pokemon are injured from battle and not fainted, we ask you head to the Pokemon Center in Mesagoza, we're overloaded," she explained.

"Beyond overloaded," she amended after a second, looking around the corridor.

Mei swallowed and tried to shift gears to polite even as her pulse raced. "I'll try not to waste your time," she said bowing, "My sister, Rose – grass trainer – was injured from that mutant Misdreavus. Is she here? Is she alright?"

"Patient information is held in confidence," the woman warned, but checked her tablet. She reached something she spent a minute reading, then looked up and down, and did a double take after that.

"You're either related or this is some truly elaborate start of the year prank. But just in case, I do need to see your ID," the woman said. Mei produced the hard copy out of her purse – her phone was probably somewhere between the battle court and some Mesagozan Pokemon center.

"Rose and Mei? Your parents weren't very inventive," the older student said after a second's perusal.

"We're from Sinnoh, so it's exotic – we could have been Bara and Mayo," Mei said tensely as the ID was handed back, "May I see her?"

"I'm sorry," the student said, "The room is off limits until Professor Salvatore's examination is finished, and your sister is resting in there. We don't have all the equipment, so checking for internal injuries is taking a while. Her evaluation was positive, so she hasn't been moved to Mesagozan Emergency. She's sleeping here and expected to wake soon."

"Are her partners awake?" Mei asked, hairs on the back of her neck starting to rise.

"I doubt it – all the Pokemon registered to her trainer card were out of their balls and fainted as well," the woman said.

"The nurse's office is a purified zone like a Pokemon center, though?" Mei asked.

"Normally sure. It's probably a little disrupted now, as much lingering ghost and fairy energy got brought in. And having to redo dressings in the hall. Bringing blood across the lines can cause problems," the woman noted, looking at the doors to the office.

She looked back at Mei and quirked her head at Mei's expression. "I'm sure we've got a Channeler coming, Barnaby's as sharp as Miriam as a nurse. But you know, the weekend and all slows down all the consults," the student advised Mei.

Mei looked around and motioned for the woman to bend closer.

"My sister is elementally sensitive to Pokemon – I think that's the term. We just found out yesterday. That Misdreavus out there was looking for snacks. Is she safe?" Mei whispered.

The woman stood back up and giggled. Mei's pulse hit a crescendo in her ears and she nearly looked up to try and force a challenge. Pome and Terpsi's balls rattled in response to the flame, and she caught herself in time to take a breath.

Looking around, she saw again the injured people and Pokemon in the corridor. This was no place for a match, and after concentrating, she was able to pile enough up to bank the flames in her heart.

"I'm sorry," the woman said, looking at her angry expression, "But 'yesterday'? Really? Unless you got picked straight out of some Clan stronghold, I can't believe you wouldn't have precautions. Your health records show your last checkup was in Galar."

She paged through just to humor the steaming little girl in front of her and paused. "Oh," she said.

"Oh? Oh is bad," Mei said still concentrating. Her mom had done a lot of meditation teaching – something you could learn without being a trainer. Even if Mei had been sneaking reading tactics' articles, enough has managed to impress to help her now. Though after everything with Hannah this morning, having to feel gratitude wasn't helping her mood.

Their mother. Hannah was worried about meddling in the twins' heads. Four days later Rose launched a heroic, if not suicidal, action to help a bunch of people she didn't know well and didn't even let anyone know beforehand. Mei was fairly certain Rose had her facilities – though she wondered about the Kalosian who kept popping up to keep Rose away from her.

Mei didn't think their mother had ever seen Rose properly angry. Rose usually made herself scarce to cool off, but she got flinty instead of yelling like Mei did. A determined charge was something Mei could see her sister doing though she wished she hadn't. She doubted their mother would assume it was her daughter versus an alien mind.

Mei did need to think of a plan to handle her mother. It wouldn't be graceful without Rose to bounce ideas off, but the longer she took the more likely their mother would learn through school channels. Who knew what would be there?

"Sorry – it's not a yes or no in the box, it's a dash. I haven't seen that before. I mean, I'm just a medical student, but that's odd," the woman said, bringing Mei out of her contemplation.

"What's a dash mean?" Mei asked.

"First, it means you need to wait here a minute. Can you tell anyone coming what I told you?" the woman asked. Mei nodded, and the woman approached the nurse's office door. It opened a crack before she could knock. An inaudible conversation happened, and she walked in. Mei fretted and turned around to help direct any more latecomers.

---

About five minutes later – Mei had sent three people to Mesagoza on her borrowed authority of 'talking firmly' – a haggard-looking Audino came out of the nurse's office. She tugged on Mei's skirt and gestured for her to follow. Mei followed, partially out of surprise, they were uncommon in Galar, and she hadn't thought they were native in Paldea.

The Audino unrolled her feelers against the door, nodded, and then pushed it open, still motioning for Mei to follow.

"Mei?" said the tall, severe featured man in a white coat, "I'm Nurse Barnaby." The woman Mei had been talking to was standing at his side.

Well, that explains the Audino, Mei thought. The man's Paldean was more intelligible than Mei's, but a strong nasal Unovan accent still haunted it.

Mei nodded in answer and looked around the room. Several beds with curtains mounted to the ceiling for privacy were all closed, and there were some additional cots set up near the beds. Mei saw Azucena, Ivy, and the Kalosian's fussy duck – somehow it was looking worried even asleep. There was a female Pikachu as well near there. Several study Pokemon and some others were by the other beds

All the Pokemon were covered in blankets and asleep, with small bowls of broad-species Pokemon chow and water set up by the cots. Azucena and Ivy had a sun lamp over them, even.

"Pokemon far exceed human's speed at regenerating from injuries. Your sister's Pokemon will be fine. A few people got overcome by the aura or knocked down, and so we're looking after them and the Pokemon that were too hurt to recall," Barnaby said quietly. He gestured over and there was a rainbow of Poke balls of various types sitting in a healing machine, or in one of two baskets marked 'in' and 'out'. The out basket was still much emptier. The Audino went over and back to monitoring the process.

"The wonders of being able to apply modern medicine into the balls, combined with the accelerated rest of the Poke ball. I would not have wanted to haul Salvatore's Palossand in for treatment, among others," Barnaby continued. He blinked then coughed. "Anyway."

"Your sister and you have some very unusual medical records. Several questions are marked as 'null' answers, not no or yes, or left blank, but deliberately 'unanswered'. Do you know why?" Barnaby asked.

"No," Mei said, then added, "I may be able to guess, but I don't know. We hadn't heard about sensitivity to Pokemon energies being a thing. We knew we were grass aligned, at least. Couldn't miss it."

"I can imagine not," the woman said. Barnaby glanced at her and at the door.

"You're right, back at it," she said, "I hope your sister wakes up soon." Mei nodded and the Audino walked the lady to the door. She opened and closed the door quietly as the woman passed through.

"It's usually covered as part of an allergy panel in most regions these days. Ghosts are the ones who exploit it the most, with their nature they find it easier to influence people to begin with. Have you had an allergy test, by the way? Do you remember the results?" Barnaby asked. Mei shook her head.

"Do you know if your sister had any food or medication allergies then?" Barnaby said.

"She's not great with creams or dishes with high fat content. I'm not either, though she even overcooks bacon. She's never had a reaction to any Berries or any medicines, but anything we've taken has been over the counter or antibiotics. Oh, and we've used latex gloves while cleaning a few times just fine," Mei said.

"I'll put those in as an update," Barnaby said, taking it seriously, and tapping at the pad.

Mei glanced over at the beds and saw Rose's purse on a counter near Azucena and Ivy.

"My sister should have been carrying some seals around. We got them this morning," Mei said.

"We didn't find any," Barnaby said, "I believe you though." He walked over to the counter and retrieved something. Mei craned but couldn't see; the man had over half a meter on her.

"I was wondering why we found ash in her pockets, there was a burn mark on her clothes, but no signs of burns on her body," Barnaby said. Mei inhaled sharply as he unfolded his hand. It was Rose's Trio necklace, but it was more a melted square than the circles-in-triangles-in-circles it had been before. It also looked badly tarnished, like it'd been left in water too long.

Mei fished her copy out from under her blouse to hold up for perusal. Barnaby looked at it, then the one in his hand, and grimaced.

"Rose has a nervous tic of grabbing hers, so she wears it over her shirt," Mei said, "Is she safe in here?"

"Yes," Barnaby said assuredly, "But your worries are valid. Some of the teachers are qualified. At this point, that will be quicker than a full Channeler commission." He pulled back the curtain on the bed to show Rose – she had a mud-splattered and filthy uniform in a basket next to her and was in a gown instead, sweating slightly.

"Heart rate and breathing are elevated with a slight fever – that's a common reaction to the body generating extra life energy to flush ghost from the body. Alamy is in the same way," Barnaby said, checking a small readout.

"But she's asleep, not a trance?" Mei persisted. She assessed her sister and winced. It was still present, but muffled and dull. Barnaby nodded.

"With her Pokemon out and the 'shroud' of ghost energy, her channeling looks weak now. I promise it will recover. Everyone who was overwhelmed by the ghost aura or attacks has moved from unconsciousness to just sleeping. I'd like to think it was still holding back, somehow, but that's the sentimentalist in me," Barnaby said flatly. Mei didn't think he looked sentimental, but appearances could be deceiving.

Sometimes the best medicine is rest, so the doctors at Mesagoza Emergency agreed it wasn't necessary to move them," Barnaby continued. He looked around.

"We're still assessing injuries, or I'd let you sit with her," Barnaby apologized.

"Have you contacted our mother?" Mei asked.

"No, we're still organizing everything to send out. We do have a closet where we store the cots that's half-emptied now, if you would like somewhere quiet and private to call her. It has its own video line; it's technically a patient overflow room. Otherwise, I would ask you to wait for your phone to be healed to be notified. Some of the portable diagnostic equipment is delicate," the nurse said.

Mei nodded and the nurse pointed to the supply room door. Mei stopped briefly when she looked into the room. The shelves still had a few dozen foldable cots on them.

"Naranja tries to be prepared for every contingency in Pokemon studies, that's why they're not in electronic storage," Barnaby said over his shoulder.

The contingency planning there was impressive. Mei entered the room and closed the door and wondered for the first time since she got a Champion's memories if she was really cut out for the perils of her profession's heights.

The first thing she did, however, was pull her Trio necklace to her lips and whisper a prayer for Rose's health. After a moment's thought, she whispered a second one for Rose's school career, that Mei could pull this call off.

Assuming Rose would still be fine with the risks after this. This was the sort of hit that made people reevaluate themselves. Mei did hope that she would stay a bit closer. Mei briefly wondered what her sister was thinking. She hadn't looked strained, just flushed.

---

Wherever Rose was, it was hot and foggy. Rose could see a few meters in front of her, but there was no light source as far as she could tell. Also, she had lost her shoes. Most of her clothes, in fact, she was wearing only a white shift. Looking at it closely, it was embroidered, but her eye slid off when she tried to follow the pattern.

The ground under her fleet felt like she was walking on thick grass, but looking down it seemed to be a mass of vines festooned with flowers, mainly blue and purple. They squished a bit, so they were alive, but the colors of the flowers and vines seemed to fade into the distance, and while they gained vibrancy as she approached (picking directions at random) they didn't quite seem healthy even when she trod on them.

She also couldn't remember how long she had been walking. The last thing she remembered clearly was the tremendous feeling of drain as the Shadow Ball hit, everything around her diminishing as she, Alamy, and their partners took the hit.

It was an anti-climax. The moment before had been an elation. For the first time, everything felt flawless as she channeled. She'd gone from touching enlightenment to feeling like she was in the grave. Then, she was wandering without a destination; with no sign posts or hints of a location.

"If this is the afterlife, I see why there are so many ghosts," she said aloud, as a test. The air felt thick in her mouth. Something giggled beyond her vision; all around her as far as she could tell. It didn't sound malicious, no hair on the back of her neck rose, no sudden shivers or shakes. It was something she had heard before.

That thought made her nervous. She hadn't a lot of control over what she was hearing lately, and she drew herself up defensively. She reached for her friends and partners; the connection was there but there was no sudden burst of liveliness of battle-sync. They were inert and only flickers of consciousness. Or she was. The vines by her feet lifted as if to writhe then fell, exhausted.

"Is this part of the attack?" Rose wondered aloud. Something chittered, the same voice as before, but more approvingly.

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to see you yet. I'm working on it," Rose called, making a guess. There was another laugh, almost like background birdsong, but patient.

"I'm glad you think I'm interesting. I'm curious to meet someone who wants to be my friend," Rose said. There was another reassuring laugh – it remained at a distance. It either wasn't able or willing to provide help. Given how Pokemon thought, either was equally likely. They loved setting challenges.

She did wonder how she had attracted its attention. Why bother with her? Rose shook her head as she realized what direction that train of thought was going. This wasn't the time for gloom. She had other friends besides her partners to worry about too.

"If we're being hit by Dream Eater, I'm much, much tastier than Alamy and you should let her go!" she called out. The fog shifted, but nothing seemed to react to it.

Rose looked down at her hand and squeezed. She could feel the pressure of nails in her palm. Was this a lucid dream? She had researched ghost attacks along the other types, but these sort of out-of-battle effects she hadn't looked at closely for ghosts. She hadn't predicted a ghost haunting her. Her usual nightmares a Snover would have showed up to start shoveling ice on her.

She tried touching the vines; they brightened slightly at the touch, but still didn't look well. She tried to channel to her Pokemon through them. She wasn't sure what metaphor they were, if they were a metaphor. The vines under her hands twitched, and she saw them brighten slightly.

She reached for that feeling of perfect transfer to her Pokemon she had briefly before the world had darkened and opened herself as far as she could go.

After a few seconds, she had to stop, with sweat pouring down her face, hair sticking to her body as she gasped. She had no endurance. Rose had only felt the faintest drips of power, as hard as she had tried to pull towards her partners. Everything felt turgid, but it was moving, but badly. So she wasn't blocked, but she felt clumsy and small compared to the ideal she had touched. Her vision blurred and darkened as she gasped for breath.

A terrifying thought occurred to Rose. Had her channeling been damaged in that burst of elation? Had she burned herself out? It was rare, either a backblast or some terrible strain, and she had the opportunity to do both. Her mother's illness had affected her stamina badly enough that she had problems before whatever happened at the Solaceon Ruins. She had never recovered from what happened when they were young, whichever that was exactly.

Though her mother wasn't training professionally by that point – she may not have bothered. Or even had time with two small twins, to be more charitable. Rose wasn't feeling especially charitable to her mother this weekend, though.

She finally looked up as she started catching her breath. The mists had pushed back slightly, and she realized why she was in shadow. A statue of herself, cracked and patched, with pieces missing and flaking off, had risen out of the vines.

Bemused, she cautiously stood up and walked around it to where the 'light' was hitting it. This side was just as damaged, like someone had taken a hammer to it. She touched it curiously and rubbed her fingers. Mud – flaking away. Its interior structure was made of more vines holding the patchwork together.

"I'm more narcissistic than I thought," Rose mused aloud, her breath back for the moment. At least it wasn't marble. It took a bit more examination, but she realized the proportions were off from what she saw in the mirror. She studied what details remained, and realized the statue wasn't just wearing the remnants of a ballcap, but a vest as well, and it was a cut she knew well. She was sure, if the statue was painted, both would be red.

"Ah, it's the Ranger. Very glad it isn't marble," Rose said, talking to herself. There was no echo, wherever she was. And possibly her odd patron might respond.

She sat back down on the vines, and they plumped again as she touched them. Whatever was going on, she was fighting off in some way, but she wanted more time to catch her breath before channeling again.

"How would you feel if someone did this to you?" she asked the Ranger statue, "I can't begin to guess. Your soul, or your copy, let holes be punched through so I could keep existing. Too much for one head. I hope you didn't sacrifice yourself for this. But I do have questions. Why did you stop in Victory Road? Were the Rangers a way to try and train against further challenges, or was that your last stop? Or did you look at the region and decide it needed help?"

Rose sighed, leaning back and wiggling her toes. "Merciful dragons, I can't even tell if it was mercantile instead of heroic. Did you want their resources and secrets, or were you hoping to coast? Or did you just like the uniform? Sinnoh does have a nice cut to the Ranger one. I think you were coasting."

Rose sighed and looked up. "What did you feel when you captured that Bidoof the third day? Did the expenses scare you into releasing her, or were you not good enough friends? Were you making calculated plans for a team? What did you hope for, coming to this alien world where fairies have danced through history?"

Rose laughed. "Or are we really even the same person? You didn't even talk much with friends unless you had to. You barely talked to your mother, and you had her all to yourself. I just know what you said when you left Solaceon. You wanted to stand among the League's Elites and surpass your mother."

She stood up and started circling the statue again. "I don't think we're the same soul, possibly. You're probably Mei's, what with the whole timeline thing, if you're even that. We may just look the same as a cosmic joke. Well, Miss Mud Doll, do you like what you got?" Rose asked. She stopped circling and curtsied her shift.

"I want freedom and the wind in the trees. I'll find more friends and make my partners their best selves. If what you wanted was ensuring Mei's happiness; we didn't need your help. All you did was hurt her and me. All your wishes show how crowded out I am," Rose said bitterly, "And make me wish I wasn't there."

The mists swirled in agitation and Rose could hear thunder in the distance. "Spite, spite, spite,' she muttered, "It's so easy all the time." She ran her fingers through her sticky hair. It was still hot.

"It'd be nice to be Mei sometimes. She's either angry or not. I simmer. Even if her switch is stuck on right now," Rose muttered, "But Mom's healthier here. You got your wish there. But if she was sicker in your universe, her bonds were still intact. You got full training until it got bad at the Ruins. What did she say when it was just you? We don't remember, and you were older."

The mud flaked faster off the statue and Rose could feel, briefly, the world swirl around her, the wind briefly stirring to here.

"Why don't I have that? What did she say?" Rose repeated slowly. She tapped her head. "It's not in here. The end of your training and her descent to the grave. I don't have what you said to each other after those damn Ruins. Or even when I start having it again, I don't have what you felt. I have to remember everything, except that. Why not that?"

The statue seemed to shrink and started to sink back into the vines.

"Oh, no, you're here to give me your life experience, right?" Rose said, putting her hands to the ground and taking a deep breath. The mists stirred to life again, briefly, and she could feel a touch of wind and a hint of rain. Rose smiled, not kindly.

"We seem to have plenty of time to talk. You were stronger than me, of course, with all your time. But isn't it my job to find strong opponents? And frankly, after this weekend, I don't think you were better than me. Let's go, you old has-been!" Rose shouted and threw herself back into channeling. And again, once she had caught her breath, and again…

---

Mei didn't want to deploy partners into the nurse's station, so she put her partners' balls on a shelf to go over her plan. It took longer than she liked.

"Okay, final summary before we call. Terpsi, you technically were partnered with Mom a little while, so rattle if anything sounds bad, all right?" Mei asked. The ball quivered a little.

"So, I don't want to lie to Mom, so we need to be as honest as we can. A ghost attacked Rose during a senior student battle when it ran rampant. It was a new Pokemon, if we have to bring it up. Rose is expected to attend classes tomorrow without any issue. Easy," Mei said. Pome's ball rattled questioningly.

"No, we're not bringing up that Rose was spiritually attacked yesterday. Rose wants time to figure out why we didn't know. Personally, I bet if the Warden of Solaceon asked a doctor there to leave a few fields blank, it wouldn't be a problem," Mei said.

Both partners had questions. "No, I don't know why. But they weren't left empty, they were filled with 'nothing' so they would pass a quick check. If it worked for Mom, we'll use it too. Answer with as much nothing as we can," Mei instructed. The balls rattled obligingly, and Mei sighed, running fingers through her hair – or trying to, they snagged. She still didn't know what that was about either.

"Rose always supported going for the Circuit. And how much more bond training that only works for Mom would I have if Rose wasn't getting us out of Hammerlocke every chance she could. Even if it was just the dunes, and even she doesn't like those," Mei said wistfully, "She's flaking on training with pet-trainers, but she should at least be allowed to make those mistakes."

Mei took a deep breath, "So that's going to get us past the first part, and if she twigs something's up, we operate Plan H. Got it?" The balls rattled again.

Mei blessed her memory that she remembered her mother's new number without having the contact list in front of her. It picked up on the third ring.

"Mei – oh, you're pretty pixelated, is your phone okay?" Hannah asked. Mei touched her face and sighed – she had forgotten she was covered in mud still.

"Sorry, I'm using an old land line. Some senior student got cocky with a new Pokemon," Mei said, with a mental apology towards victim-blaming Aliquis, "And a whole bunch of Rotom phones got some bad hits – it was a Misdreavus with more power than sense."

"Oh, let me know if you need a new housing, if you like the Rotom you're using. The insurance covers most acts of Pokemon violence since they're usually smart enough to stay out of the way," Hannah said.

"I think it's expected to make a recovery. But I wanted to let you know if you tried to text us or something. I'm sure the school will send an e-mail. The students were fierce, what we'd call Elite. Rose got caught in watching the fight. She was close to the court when the ghost threw some attacks after the bond broke, and you know how much they last out then. She had her Pokemon with her, and they're sleeping it off. She'll be on the incident report, though, so wanted you to not worry," Mei said, trying to look slightly downcast.

"I can't believe Rose was closer to the action than you were," Hannah said, eyes starting to narrow.

"I was near the trainer's box so I could hear the homeroom teacher and the battle studies' teacher's insights," Mei said, puffing up a bit. "A bunch of senior trainers were there too. Rose wanted it unfiltered for insights, or something," Mei lied as she breathed. She wasn't sure why Rose had walked off instead of hearing tips.

"Pushing for extra lessons? You said you'd stumbled on some coaching earlier too," Hanah said with a smile.

"Yeah, when you called Friday. We got lucky for once our accents are thick. Kieran is from Kitakami so he heard the neighboring region. And he gave everyone training, even that tower of smug Victor," Mei said, not having to exaggerate rolling her eyes.

"And Rose, then? She didn't get knocked around any?" Hannah said. Mei winced, and it wasn't theatrics. Rose hadn't been ranting in her fugue – her mother had taken an extra minute to ask Rose's condition. Mei decided to start revving up Plan H.

"She got some training in too on Friday. Remember, she was all over the place? She got obsessed about this meadow of all things-" Mei got cut off.

"I meant with the ghost," Hannah said, peering at the screen.

"She had a Dazzling Gleam pass nearby, that hit some students. Some other Pokemon took it too. The Misdreavus was emotion eating so she got some ghost energy. Nothing permanent. They're double-checking while her partners recover, but I think there's no issue for going to classes tomorrow," Mei said.

Maybe this was why she was having kinship to ghosts, truth without honesty could describe spirits.

"You weren't hurt, then? You look blotchy?" Hannah asked. Off screen, her Poke balls rattled to signal the start of Plan H. Mei sent an mental agreement.

"Hurt the ghost more-" Mei stopped, giving a cough, and looking away

"Mei, did you attack a rampant Pokemon? Were you showing off? You didn't' do anything stupid to get attention again?" Hannah asked.

"Let me first say I wasn't the one who agreed to put their partner in a Fuecoco's mouth. That is all Victor. Pome was merely a motive force," Mei said, trying to do a bad job looking innocent.

"Mei, you're nowhere near a Champion yet," Hannah began, but Mei held up a hand.

"Like I said, the students involved were Elite and the teachers were there. Champion-grade in Paldean terms. But they weren't set up for the fight. Victor had a Nacli, these rock-salt mushrooms here, with an anti-ghost ability. The Misdreavus was feeding on fear and it was affecting people, so the teachers wanted to take it down quickly. Victor knows his Pokemon. Once we got the two in contact, the Elites were able to one-shot it while it was queasy," Mei said, proud of her work.

She put a hand on her chest and puffed up a bit. Terpsi's ball rattled – and Mei drew back to center herself. She was flaring up again.

"I have been a responsible junior trainer with my study Pokemon, and began teaching new moves. Fire Spin and Mud Shot, nothing extra," she said, emphasizing to make sure Hannah picked up on it. "Older moves with arrays on the Web," she finished.

"You ran into the middle of an Elite-grade fight to hurl a mushroom rock at a ghost," Hannah summarized disbelievingly.

"I was cleverly on the sidelines. And it was into a ghost," Mei said, "You taught me better than to jump into a fight I couldn't win. It wasn't even my partner."

Hannah wasn't satisfied with the quibble. "Mei," Hannah said flatly. Mei fluttered her eyes questioningly. Terpsi's ball rattled at her acting. Everyone's a critic.

"You've got special privileges. You shouldn't be gathering attention on top of that," Hannah lectured.

"Well, with more money, I could just buy a Fire Spin TM and transcribe the move. Everyone saw me practicing the early stages instead. Victor knew I had it and it was more a hair dryer than a flame," Mei said, "So that was it. Victor knew I wasn't strong enough to damage his rock."

"I said I'm still considering your funds," Hannah said stiffly.

"I know, just an observation," Mei said in a quiet sing-song.

"Mei. Please, please try not to get thrown into the director's office this week, at least? You don't want to attract attention if you're progressing too fast. You've got plenty of talent on your own to waste it on bad ends," Hannah pleaded.

"Doing my best!" Mei said cheerfully, "I'll need to see if my phone's ready. See when Rose gets out, maybe get some dinner before classes start."

"Alright, bye honey – love you," Hannah said.

"We both love you," Mei couldn't help but cut in on Rose's behalf. Hannah reached at the screen to terminate the connection and Mei made a show of slapping her forehead with her palm. Hannah paused.

"Sorry – one thing that is going on. The Pokemon League Chairwoman seems to be trying to incite any battle-synched trainers to try the Circuit. She's going to chat with me tomorrow morning! Bye" Mei said in a rush before closing the connection herself.

"Okay, that should be plenty to keep her fretting about me for a while," Mei said to her partners in satisfaction. The balls rolled back and forth, amused.

Plan H was that letter mainly for Hubris. Talk up her work so Hannah would keep firmly with her attention on Mei. Acting up usually worked for that with their mother. Once their mother had some time to think, she'd relax realizing it was an ordinary low-powered move, instead of something from the Knight. And if she wanted Mei to keep a low profile, hopefully she wouldn't worry about pulling Rose from school.

Though whatever was going on there was another thing to worry about. Mei wasn't sure why she was so easily keeping the focus. Rose had been the one trying the hardest to track down wild grass Pokemon and convince them she could be their trainer. Rose made plenty of mistakes. Why was Hannah worried just about Mei's?

Mei collected her partners back to her belt and sighed. Another question for later. Hopefully she had been telling the truth and Rose would be fine.

---

Mei opened the door quietly, but the Audino noticed and tugged at Barnaby. He turned from Salvatore's bed. A Skiploom was hovering over it dropping sleep powder. "Just a moment!" he called.

Mei dutifully backed up as the nurse closed the curtain. The Audino motioned her forward after it closed.

"Good timing, I was going to have to ask you to leave in a few minutes. Professor Salvatore's wife's Taxi just landed at the station outside," Barnaby said.

"Is he alright?" Mei asked.

"By the luck of heroes and the will of his Pokemon, yes. He won't need any bones fused, and internal bleeding is far more minor than it looks. Having met the good Professor before, he'll probably insist on opening his class, so don't be shocked if the bruises look spectacular if you have him this term," Barnaby said.

"Tomorrow, actually," Mei said. "Dragons, class hasn't even started yet." She patted her pockets.

"And I don't have my phone at all. Can you text when she wakes up?" Mei asked.

"Some of the faculty are taking the damaged phones to the city Centers to get repaired. There will be an announcement over the PA when they're back, so don't go to any locked rooms where your phone can't find you," Barnaby said, "I'll send out notifications."

"If you're going to re-purify the room, can I see it?" Mei asked.

Barnaby glanced over at Rose's personal effects, and then sighed. "I'll let you know, but depending on what else is happening I may not be able to let you in the room," he compromised.

Mei looked at a clock over by the healing machine. "Well, I need a shower and get my Pokemon fed, then," she said. It was a little early, but she didn't feel up to cooking. The cafeteria was probably going to be busy so she might as well get in line before she was hungry.

"Feed yourself too," Barnaby directed.

"I'll see if I have any appetite when I get there," Mei promised. She looked around the room again.

"Please get well, Rose," Mei said quietly, and headed for the door. The Audino let her out.

Mei couldn't think of anything she could do differently to help Rose. It was probably a good thing she had stiffened up, in the long room. Look how Rose was now. Her more indirect contribution had been a big deal for everyone, and much safer. It hadn't been some sort of Knight-powered Champion-grade aim, either. It only worked with the Misdreavus slowed.

By Rose, the thought surfaced in Mei's head, and she tried to force it down. A Champion would have managed it without getting hurt, or her partners hurt. She had to keep a better eye on Rose going forward before something ate her. And Mei needed to keep getting better so wild Pokemon wouldn't ever be a problem.

Before she do any of that, step one was taking care of her partners and herself. She looked around the corridor as the Audino closed the door, whisper quiet. It was much emptier now, people and Pokemon dispensed with medication. Miriam was talking to one of the older students assisting, the professor's arm in a sling.

"Are you okay, Professor?" Mei asked once she was done.

"Miriam," Miriam corrected lightly again, "It's just some minor nerve damage under the burns. Those need a couple days to regen properly, but the cream is working!"

"Sorry, I know you were good but seeing it – it's hard to not want to add the title," Mei admitted. Miriam had lit up the sky when she'd gone full force. It hadn't ended well, but the difference between sensing a trainer's potential and that power expressed were stark. Mei hadn't gotten most of the emotions from the Champion, so this was the strongest trainer she had experienced.

"Don't admire me too much. I lost my temper when we stalemated," Miriam acknowledged, "And it didn't help Eelektross either, poor thing. She had been wanting to show off that new electrical move too."

"The ghost wasn't playing along," Mei agreed.

Miriam raised her free hand to her chin, pondering, and said, "Try to grow up better than me. I was mad at them and didn't want anyone to get hurt. But I should have thought how they were hurting with those bonds. It was a move made in anger. Aliquis and Misdreavus were victims here too."

"Was there anything else Aliquis remembered? The Tera Orb gave me a headache, and everything went weird when it broke," Mei asked.

"I didn't see anything but the flash. Do you need to be checked?" Miriam asked. She bent down to look at Mei's pupils in concern.

Mei debated, and decided to go for honesty – after all, if she got examined, she would be close to Rose when she woke up. Also – possibly free food.

"I got a bad headache when it broke – I thought I saw something like a Skiddo? Then a metal room, and then there was a huge Misdreavus, but everyone saw that," Mei said.

"Odd – though everything about this was unusual," Miriam contemplated, "I'll send a message to Jacq, he's our best expert. If you see anything else strange with a Tera Orb, let me know, ok?" Mei nodded.

Mei started walking to the cafeteria when Miriam spoke again, making her stop.

"You and everyone were very brave out there, Mei. I'm proud to be your teacher this year," Miriam said softly.

"I'm happy to be here," Mei replied, "But I would be happier right now if my sister was a bit more sensible."

"It was a good play. Maybe a little cold to herself, but it was a good call," Miriam corrected, "It meant having to accept some pain, but they locked it into the paralysis very well, given Alamy does verbal calls and Rose is so new. If you didn't know it was ready to kill, it was a good trade."

Her tone was contemplative, putting herself in Rose and Alamy's place. Miriam was cheerful, affable, and helpful, but there was a vicious desire to win underneath. Miriam was certainly a trainer.

Her argument wasn't wrong, either. "I know, but still. She got lucky," Mei said, and tried to run her hands through her hair again.

"That's true – I'll be there for homeroom tomorrow, Mei. Do you want me to see if I can reschedule the Chairwoman?" Miriam asked.

"No reason not to get it over with," Mei said after a few seconds thought and waved goodbye.

---

A quick cleanup and a new uniform made Mei feel a lot better. Pome and Terpsi were happy to get the mud off as well. It went quickly, and the cafeteria wasn't as full as Mei feared when they reached it. Mei hadn't been in the cafeteria outside the tour, so she was studying the meal sets with Terpsi. She was wishing for her phone to see what made a gazpacho 'Artazon' when she got called to from the door.

"Mei!" Teff put his arms in the air to wave from the door and then ran over, coming to a stop uncomfortably close. Terpsi shook her leaves threateningly by their feet, and Teff jumped backwards instinctively. His Sprigatito jumped in front but crouched submissively when Terpsi fixed him with a look.

"Sorry – what happened? There was an alarm about a Pokemon attack, and all the staff were running around. I could feel the chill coming from the field. All sorts of Taxis in afterward – we could see them from the football fields. They cancelled practice," he said breathlessly.

Mei took a moment to parse it – his Paldean got affected in the same wave of language program that caught up the twins. "Why did you think of me if there was an alarm?" she asked suspiciously.

"Oh, sorry," Teff said, scratching his head, "Trigo ran into me when he was getting cleaned up. He and Zania had taken Rose and Almay to the wing. How are they?"

"Everyone's supposed to make it out fine," Mei said, a bit irritated now that she could smell dinner.

"Trigo told me a bunch. Zania's by the library, she had to borrow a phone and let her parents know. You and Victor did something crazy with his Pokemon? And everyone's phones got shot while recording? How does that work?" Teff asked.

"Take a breath," Mei advised, "The phones were recording the match and when the Pokemon went berserk they were close enough to be targets."

Terpsi chirped some additional details, and Teff's Meowscarada meowed in astonishment. Teff looked back and forth, but did take a breath

"Yeah, it was pretty rapid fire," Mei agreed, "And it was carrying Aliquis along, so Kieran and Nemona and the teachers couldn't take a shot. Victor has got to treat his Nacli better, because it was a big hero for agreeing to try and disrupt the ghost."

"Rumor vine says it was your plan," Teff said.

"Well," Mei said, twirling some hair around a finger, "Nacli was never going to make it close enough to have an effect on his own. The ghost knew it was there and resisting it."

"It? Most ghosts have gender," Teff said.

"Something was… odd. You usually can tell, but it was like it was a mineral Pokmeon," Mei said.

"Huh," Teff said, "What was your plan? Trigo and Zania missed some of that, and no idea where Victor is."

"Yeah, so we were doing some practice earlier and Pome got started on Fire Spin – Terpsi can Grass Knot, now too!" Mei said proudly. The little Pokemon puffed up.

"Okay," Teff said flatly. He wasn't a dedicated trainer and didn't appreciate it. Terpsi deflated.

"Well, anyway, Pome's getting better control of his fire, so we decided to use a little background physics in," Mei started to warm up and Teff held up his hands.

"No, I want to hear the whole story, and Trigo and Zania missed some of it – they're out front by the library. Let me buy dinner. I need to anyway, hungry tonight. I can't believe I missed all this," Trigo said.

"You had me at free food," Mei said. Terpsi cheeped agreement.

---

They spent some pleasant time on the front lawn at one of the side benches, though eating kept getting interrupted. People kept wanting to come by to hear the story of what happened. In an hour and a half, Mei figured she told her part of the story a dozen times. Adult students, young trainers, Team Star members, they'd all paused to catch up on the gossip.

Trigo and Zania got bored enough with the repetition they left for more food. Both were apparently famished after the day. The cafeteria had filled in at dinner and was doing strong business, apparently.

Teff was mostly to blame for the stream of retellings. He had met an astonishing wide variety of people already and kept calling over people he recognized. He wasn't the best at staying still either. If things hit a lull, he'd wander off to see if he could find someone. By the time the healed Rotom Phones started to float out from the Taxi stand, her voice was starting to go.

She was gulping mineral water after the last group wandered off to comment, "Where's Victor? I'd be happy to split telling after all this. I'm losing my voice!" she complained raspily. The price of fame.

"A lot of it is setting where everything was, could you draw a picture?" Teff asked.

Mei dumped the rest of the water bottle on Terpsi's head, who cheeped thankfully. Mei shook her head.

"It'd just be squiggles. What does art have to do with Pokemon battling?" Mei commented. She stretched then grinned as she caught motion in the corner of her eye. "Oh hey, look!" she pointed. A Taxi had landed and disgorged several adult staff and a whole flock (party line?) of phones that started to float across the Academy grounds.

"Welcome back! Feeling okay?" she asked her smartphone as it stopped next to her. It bobbed agreement.

"Oh, I'm going to have to get you a new case, huh? I guess it didn't count as part of you?" Mei asked as it twirled around for inspection. The phone hung limply and displayed a crying emoji.

"What is and isn't a Rotom never quite made sense to me, when they're possessing something," Trigo noted, watching a team of phones open the big doors to the library so they could go find their phone's owners.

"Rotom are this decade's Voltorb, or something. Used to not be many, we figured out how they could possess circuitry without hurting either and suddenly they're the most common ghost type around people," Zania said.

The phone company's Rotom were in an odd space in the trainer dynamic. Technically, the ghost was part of the service plan, and the Rotom were employees of the company, rather than partners to their users. There was some big leaderboard they were all on for call clarity and user satisfaction to fill that Pokemon competitive drive, was Mei's understanding.

"Spirits of electricity showing up when they have homes fits the Cycle pretty well, the world wanting to be alive.," Mei said.

"If science keeps finding new niches to fill so Yveltal can keep sleeping, then I'm one hundred percent behind progress," Trigo said.

Mei ducked as a few phones passed too closely overhead. "That would have taken the heads off the basketball team!" she shouted after them. The phones turned and started to bow and suddenly quivered.

There was a feeling of metal on the tongue again and suddenly pressure built in Mei's head. It eased almost quickly enough to be written off as imagination, except for the sudden skidding noise and brief shower of sparks as Poppy's Corviknight braked after crossing the courtyard in a moment.

His talons glowed briefly but rapidly cooled, with the big raven settling down for a nap as Poppy hopped off.

"Mei!" she shouted, and ran over, catching Mei around her legs and squeezed. Mei winced – Poppy was still drawing a bit, though more to hold her in place than it was any danger to her knees.

"I was there and I'm an Elite and I didn't manage to hit the scared ghost right at all and your sister is so nice and Alamy is so nice, and they had to get hurt so I could finish it because I'm a big baby and I'm so sorry and it should have been me and now a student has to give up a Pokemon!" Poppy babbled at high speed.

Mei had to play it back in her head to be able to parse it. She glanced at Zania, but from the way her lips were silently working, the native speaker wasn't having much better luck.

"She's going to be okay, Nurse Barnaby said," she risked saying at last. Poppy stayed clinging on. Terpsi hopped up to her shoulder just in case Mei had to pry her way free, though neither thought much on their chances. Corvi gave Mei a knowing look but was letting his trainer take the lead.

"Poppy," came a rich voice, lightly admonishing. Poppy released Mei at the voice. The two looked over and saw a tall blond man in a suit, though Mei hadn't really seen a suit that seemed to have a cape built in before. Mei hadn't noticed him until this moment.

"Grandpa Hass- Professor Hassel," Poppy corrected herself, and turned to Mei.

"Sorry for hugging like that, but I'm really sorry!" Poppy said. Her eyes were wet and full of tears.

"Yes, but you shouldn't hug people that hard," Hassel said. Mei didn't recognize him from any of the classes she was taking. On a hunch, she probed briefly. There was something old and selfish and strong lurking there, but tightly controlled. Maybe Rose was right about the teachers being ninjas; he'd had no presence until he wanted.

Hassel gave Mei an amused smile. "Greetings, though under strained circumstances. I am Hassel, the art professor at this Academy, and am a dragon specialist, as I believe Mei just discovered," Hasel said and gave a bow.

Kieran in thirty years and he's just art? Mei thought to herself. Some of the dismay must have shown on her face, as Hassel hastily raised his hands.

"I understand this is a trying time. I am not here to intrude. I was helping Poppy escort the haunt of Rotom needing healing to the city. I'm glad to run into you, young Poppy has some regrets," Hassel said.

"I should have been able to aim better or react faster or something to stop it before it got bad! I know you're not supposed to interrupt a battle, but it wasn't really a trainer match by then and I didn't do enough. And you were all brave to wait there and I couldn't even help Magney guard Miriam's Hypno right!" Poppy started wailing again.

Hassel sniffled and brought a monogramed handkerchief out to dab his eyes. "Sorry, sympathy crying," he said at the looks the new students gave.

"That thing was faster than Nemona, Poppy. You were worried about hitting Aliquis," Mei said. She had shot a Pokemon at the center of mass, but she had the moral high ground that Nacli wasn't that heavy. Maybe break a rib, but that would be better for Aliquis than being eaten.

"Whatever happened that Aliquis and his Misdreavus got caught up in, it made a vicious monster," Zania said, "I saw it try to hit fainted Pokemon to do real damage." She shuddered.

"What was my sister thinking?" Mei growled, anger briefly peaking. Terpsi made calming noises and patted Mei with a foreleg, which helped some, but she still wasn't happy with the situation. "Whatever that Kalosian said to her or if the pressure got to them in some sort of madness," she continued.

"They were both decided already," Trigo said. The other students, including Poppy, looked at him. "No, not whatever was hitting Aliquis and his Misdreavus. They didn't know Aliquis was inside it and blocking the Elites' attacks. When they heard it was shifting Aliquis around so rapidly they went without even saying anything. It was like they were waiting to know they could do some good." Mei scoffed.

"Brave. But they had been by Professor Salvatore, and seen the damage done to him, and not wanting it to happen to others is noble. A Dazzling Gleam into the crowd would have been disastrous. Too many were hurt as it is," Hassel said shaking his head as tears fell from his eyes.

"Can I come with you to the nurse's office Gr- Professor?" Poppy asked, "I want to say I'm sorry when she's awake."

"They aren't taking many visitors," Mei warned, surprised Hassel was being called in.

"Given the weekend limiting staff, I was asked to assist. I have some talents regarding meditation and some of the older ways with Pokemon. Nurse Barnaby asked for a re-purification of the space from exterior influences to aid healing," Hassel explained.

"Will that affect the barrier there at all?" Mei asked, "Healing is sort of a black box to me."

"It is to many trainers – there's an inherent distaste to acknowledging that sometimes are partners end up hurt or tired because of our decisions. Easier to think of a nap or a nurse pushing a button wiping it all away," Hassel said, "But a purification would bring it down briefly."

"I'm coming with you then. Rose will be vulnerable," Mei declared.

Poppy started to open her mouth and Zania quickly said, "Poppy, you want to help me make paella for them? I'm sure they'll be hungry when they wake up – Alamy and Rose liked my spice blend a few days ago, and I know you wanted more cooking lessons."

"Really?" Poppy said, her mood brightening rapidly at something she could fix.

"You two want to come?" Zania asked Trigo and Teff.

"It's getting dark soon, your floor warden may not be pleased for a couple boys this late," Teff pointed out.

"Ah, point," Zania acknowledged, "Girls it is. Poppy, I'll show you the best way to stir." Poppy nearly squealed with delight.

A sudden honking sound broke the mood a bit. The younger trainers looked over to see Hassel busy blowing his nose into a handkerchief. "Sorry, seeing youngsters supporting each other s-so well! It's so WONDERFUL!" The last few words were indistinct as the waterworks started.

"Grandpa Hassel is sensitive. It's okay, Hassel! I'll be strong and a good cook for the hurt people!" Poppy assured him.

Hassel burst into even louder tears.

---

Eventually Poppy managed to get Hassel under control. The art teacher was as far from Raihan in personality as possible. Mei wouldn't believe the man was a Dragon Master if she didn't have the evidence of her own heart.

Poppy earnestly led Hassel by the hand over to Mei's, and put the hand into Mei's to make sure he would make it to the nurse's office, before leaving with Zania. Everyone said their goodbyes, though Teff and Trigo promised to watch the group chat too when people woke up.

Mei shook her head as she walked by the art teacher, but Terpsi mentally shrugged. It wasn't like Mei's physical age matched her mental one now.

Which direction? Mei thought at her partner, who gave the closest to a giggle she could manage, but didn't reveal her opinion.

"Fascinating channeling pattern for your age – almost overly elaborate. Where did you train?" Hassel asked to make conversation as they walked.

"My mother trained my sister and me. She gave a lot on strategy and tactics and raising Pokemon, but her channeling and bond advice hasn't been very helpful since we became trainers," Mei said.

"Not everyone can teach that well. To see the shape of a soul and keep perspective from one's own is a difficult process, especially if you are close to the person in question," Hassel said, "You're trying to develop a sub-specialty? Your foundation is a bit precarious."

"I wish everyone wasn't pointing that out," Mei complained. She sighed, and patted Terpsi to focus. "Sorry Professor. I keep running hot." Hassel nodded in understanding.

"To your other question, I may have one and it was undernourished. I've been seeing better results than I expected around ghosts since being a trainer," Mei said.

"Keeping up with interregional trends is one duty as an art teacher; Kalos has quite an assortment of grass/ghost types native to its forests," Hassel offered.

"I'd love to visit, but I need more practice on Kalosian first, and that region's so expensive," Mei said, "I am trying to train up to support a third partner to get another grass type. There's a ghost one in the desert here in Paldea, isn't there?'

"Bramblin. Odd fellows, but often quite eager for trainers, but sometimes blow away before the partnership can be secured. A dear friend of mine has a few. Their life is nomadic and chaotic; connection to a trainer provides them a much steadier source of nutrition, but keeping one in place long enough to see if it is a good partner can be trouble," Hassel said.

"Something with a little foot speed wouldn't be a bad teammate, even if we have to do some jogging," Mei remarked to Terpsi. The Bounsweet protested briefly.

"I know you get fast after you get a couple spins in, but we're not really fast out of the gate. It gives us time to build up power, but you guys take a few hits first," Mei said. Terpsi grumbled.

"Heh, she's an Oblivious Bounsweet?" Hassel guessed.

"That's right, though I don't like to bring it up; it makes her sound thick-headed," Mei said. Terpsi nodded.

"What made you ask?" Mei asked after a little bit.

"Art is often about making the world more real than it is; abilities are likewise typically a natural trait exaggerated in the bond to a power. That aloofness, even to a beloved partner, translates. Leaf Guard Bounsweet tend to have thicker foliage to catch the sun instead," Hassel explained.

"So how do training up alternate abilities work into this elaborate metaphor?" Mei asked, curious. It sounded like justifying his class at a Pokemon academy to Mei.

"Trainer battles are an elaborate metaphor, compared to what Pokemon inflict in the wild. The more unusual abilities are almost always a collaboration between trainer and Pokemon to unearth that talent within the Pokemon. How the human mind sets order on the chaos of the mysterious creatures with all their varied powers of the world is always fascinating to see,' Hassel said cheerfully.

"I wish the human mind would leave it at trying not to inflict more chaos sometimes," Mei muttered. She rubbed her shoulders, suddenly feeling a chill.

"Yes, your sister. My apologies for highlighting the exception," Hassel said, gracefully bowing while walking. That took class and probably dozens of hours of etiquette lessons.

"Have you met many sensitives like her? I hadn't heard of it before this weekend, and our health-records were blank. Everyone seems to know of it," Mei asked to change the subject a bit.

"You and your sister's abilities are more uncommon; the human mind opens itself to the world of Pokemon readily. People who lack a lock on the 'gate' to use another metaphor, are only just an unusual occurrence. I'm not wholly surprised a primary trainer school's curriculum left the matter uncovered. A few simple precautions handle it, and there are more common, serious risks to preparing people for lives with Pokemon. And Pokemon seeking to overwhelm the will are usually obviously belligerent enough, it doesn't require special highlighting. I am surprised it wasn't in your health records. Many health-care workers are naturally attuned to Pokemon with psychic abilities, so it isn't much work to get a test, typically. And it is usually part of the allergy screening before public school in Paldea," Hassel answered.

"If Paldea covers it, how did we skip it in a region where the fairy gym is top tier on the circuit?" Mei wondered aloud, then shook her head. Hassel stared for a few seconds but shook himself as they approached the nurse's room.

"Intentions are often good, but the path they lay out is often one best left untraveled, to offer some unasked advice," Hassel said.

"Oh, my sister and I know all about the good intentions around us lately," Mei muttered. Terpsi patted her shoulder again kindly.

"You may not think it with my age, but I do sympathize with where you're coming from," Hassel said.

"How would - wait, dragons, and you're old," Mei realized, then hastily added, 'Older anyway. Over thirty years training?"

"As finicky as dragons can be to raise, the Clan long ago realized they don't need to kill deserters. Cutting trainers off from the resources young dragons require is often just as effective a strangulation of rogue dragon trainers and far more acceptable to the general public," Hassel acknowledged, "But I had other pursuits I could follow on the slow path. My thriving ironically means they now seek reconciliation." If he took offense to the 'old' comment, he didn't show it.

"The Dragon Clan failed to survive in Galar to the present day, the money flowing into what would be a traditional place of power like Hammerlocke ironically snuffed them out," Hassel noted, "It's rather surprising to see a young woman your age from the region familiar with their recent history. Do you want to raise dragons?"

"I wouldn't mind a Flapple, but I think genetics keeps me from the type as a specialty," Mei said wistfully, "What trainer hasn't dreamed of a stable of dragons? The longest-lived type, with their ancient power? Even if fairies' ability to control nature disrupts them, they're still strong. But Raihan won't stand a chance when we're ready for the circuit." Terpsi chuckled menacingly.

Hassel was about to tap on the nurse's room's door, but the Audino opened it before he could. She held up a finger to her mouth and motioned for them to come in. Professor Salvatore was still asleep, a tall woman sat next to the bed, reading patiently on her tablet. Rose and her Pokemon were out, with the curtain drawn, along with the other victims. Rose's Pokemon's energy seemed much brighter as they snoozed. Mei sighed in relief.

Barnaby was updating some charts at his desk, but gave a relieved nod when he saw Hassel, and curter nod to Mei.

Director Clavell was in the room too, and he bowed slightly to Hassel, who bowed deeply in response.

"I do appreciate you returning so quickly," Clavell began in a low voice, "This has never been in my skill set."

"It requires a strong ability to see things from a single perspective. While useful in art, I prefer you failing at it as a leader," Hassel assured, amused, before his face cleared. "Poppy is back on campus and regained some composure. She will probably be coming this way with food in the next hour." Clavell nodded, and Hassel deployed, with a wink to Mei, a beautiful Flapple.

She was powerful too. Her apple was completely clay-colored, which spoke of a long history of battles. A slightly acidic smell overpowered the faint medicine smell of the room as she, knowing what they were about, only hissed quietly instead of giving a roar.

Mei raised a hand and gave an inquiring look to Hassel, who nodded, as he got several candles out of a bag. The Flapple swung her head around and let Mei pet her, informing her gently she really liked it at the base of her horn by the rind.

Terpsi hopped off Mei's shoulder onto the head of the Apple Wing Pokemon and strutted, as if she'd conquered the powerful Pokemon. The Flapple snorted quietly in amusement but didn't dislodge her.

"I wish, even with everything modern medicine has given us, the best approach to a place of healing wasn't based in salt lines and a four-hundred-year-old ritual," Clavell complained slightly.

"I hadn't thought of it, but with all the foot traffic a Pokemon center gets, how do they manage it with the openair models in Paldea?" Mei asked quietly.

"The removal of certain trainer support services to other locations like hostels helps cut down trainers lingering in the area, but the design does mean staff isn't reduced as much as the League hoped. They have placed permanent wards against violence under the asphalt and into the roof structure; they remain protected from the weather. The nature of a Pokemon academy precludes such an investment in the nurse's office, of course," Clavell said, but gave an approving nod.

"I do like a student who asks questions," he said, "Do you have any on the ritual?"

"I've seen it performed before in Hammerlocke; they do it annually for maintenance," Mei answered, "I could never sit still long enough to be a channeler."

"Nor I. Your initiative is commendable to help your sister. I would not personally have considered it needed to be reapplied, but coming down here, the amount of spiritual energy, er, 'haunting', the victims is considerable," Clavell admitted, "And the Montenevera Gym office did pass along Netty's report. You have my apologies as Director that this oversight in your health testing was not uncovered in time."

"We had no idea," Mei said quietly.

"I would like your insights on that incident and this one, if your sister does not wake up during the ritual?" Clavell asked, "Barnaby's estimate is it will be a while longer for them. The resilience of youth is working, but against a great force."

Mei shrugged. Keeping Clavell favorable was a good way to get any odd behaviors from the memory dump overlooked, regardless of their mother's caution.

"As long as she doesn't wake up," Mei said, "Because if she does, I don't know whether to hug or throttle her."

"Nurse Barnaby would prefer the former," Clavell said completely straight, before giving a light chuckle.

Hassel had finished his prep, and at a signal from Mei, Terpsi dropped down from playing Queen of the Dragons on Flapple to go back over to her trainer.

"There will be a brief drop, near the beginning. They may react to it in their sensitized state," Hassel noted. Mrs. Salvatore (Mei was tentatively tagging her as such until she got her name) nodded understanding and gripped her husband's hand.

Hassel lit the candles, and Mei could feel a breeze even if nothing moved; her sensorium reacting to the energies of the world flowing freely again through the space. Audino covered her ears, bracing.

Salvatore's wife drew her breath in tightly, and Mei could see her hand had gone pale around where Salvatore's fingers were suddenly gripping. The Pokemon in the room made sudden soft cries, but then relaxed, not waking up. She hadn't heard Rose do anything.

There was a hush, as the purification began again, the 'human' force outside the natural world forcing the elemental currents of the world to a neutral state to promote growth and healing of all people and Pokemon. Salvatore's hand relaxed, and the others slept on.

Hassel nodded to Clavell and the Director motioned for Mei to follow. She gave one more look at Rose's enclosed bed and followed.

---

The area was brightening, and Rose was pretty sure she'd seen glimpses of a moon in the sky. The air was getting cooler and easier to breathe. She could see more of the expanse of vines, though still no destination was present. She could feel her partners, but it was like a phantom limb, almost like the shape was defined by void still. She mouthed a prayer on their behalf as she struggled to catch her breath for another go.

The statue, however, was buried up to its chest, even as she had chipped piece after piece off it. There was no rhyme or reason to the pieces that were being removed, and their size was getting smaller as she persisted. She could see, just a hint, that something was gleaming behind the brow, but if she stepped around to try and look at it, the statue sank faster. For all she knew, it would be another puzzle if she managed to find it.

Thunder rumbled again in the distance; two beats to it now, and a dozen smaller sensations. Some other trainers were gathering strength in this void, and she wished them well.

Her breath was down to a dull pant, and she put her hands back on the vines to try and pull again, when she felt it – the passage of wings, the ancient promises of the fury of the natural world. Her concentration was completely gone in the dragon's shadow, and she shot upright in surprise.

"Kieran?" she asked aloud, but there was no response. She groaned as she turned back around, the statue suddenly sank faster and faster. It was getting lighter, and she looked overhead to see foreign stars. They were too pink for any sky she remembered, and the area was brightening. She bent down to the ground to look through the gaps in the statue – there was a flash, but it could have been metal, ice, or a jewel. Or even a selection of shiny birch bark, for all she knew.

She craned her head to follow the mists. They were gathering in one spot, and she crouched low, hands back on the ground. Her 'patron' sang a single note of warning, the sound being cut off by the sudden rustle of leaves.

"I know, thank you," she said aloud, though she doubted whatever it was could hear her. Manners were important.

The mists thickened and started to take shape, even as brilliance grew around them, they shrank to maintain a shroud. A dark column started to be outlined, branching above her head, but it was a poor shadow's imitation of the oak she had seen in the forest. She poured her heart into it as the vines around her drank in the brighter moonlight.

As black roots tried to expand and burrow into the 'ground' around her, the refreshed vines wrapped around them, choking the roots off, and spiraled up the small tree. It shook in anger, and the 'mists' cleared. It was still a silhouette of a tree, her eye slid off trying to define it, but it wasn't much taller than her before it broke into a crown.

"That's it?" Rose asked, more angry than frightened. "This is what did me in to where Mei actually asked how I was?" The tree shook but was bound in the vines.

"What are you? Are you a Pokemon I don't recognize?" Rose asked. The tree's attempts to free itself came to a halt.

"You're scared of being recognized," Rose guessed, "But you forced yourself into the midst of the best trainers in Paldea. Even if you seized my mind and soul, there's no way my body can reach you."

She folded her arms and went over and kicked the tree. Her foot stopped, but she still didn't feel any indication. It shivered.

"I don't want your mind or to be your partner," Rose said bluntly, "If you can find the exit, be on your way." The tree shivered again, and Rose realized it was gradually shrinking.

Rose looked up at the moon and sighed. It just seemed pathetic. "I don't remember what you did, and I am a trainer. So let me do my job and ask. What has you so frightened?" Rose asked, "You're clearly old enough to be powerful on your own, from what you did this morning. How did you end up desperate? I probably can't help. Yet. I know some people who might."

The tree quivered, indecisively to Rose's mind. Finally, it bowed, the 'leaves' on its shadowy branches withering away as it folded up. Soon, all that was left was a batch of flowers made of shadow, but angular, artificial. A jewel was set before it. The whole structure was wrapped in 'her' vines, but still distinct enough.

"Terastal?" Rose guessed. She had seen some pictures, though those were more colorful. The dark flower arrangement made no reply.

"I'll try, but no promises if this is all you can give me," Rose said, touching the ground again. "Goodbye," she concentrated, a burst of connection between her, the world, and her partners, and the vines tightened. The strange flower arrangement shattered, reverting to mists. They tried to spread out, but the sky rumbled again, unseen weather, and for the first time in this place, Rose could feel a hint of a breeze.

Even though she was soaked with sweat, it didn't feel piercingly cold. She could smell a hint of the pine of the mountains and a new day. Underneath, she could smell faintly lily and grass.

She turned to face the direction of the wind. "If my partners are there, then so am I," she said aloud, and went back to concentrating. Some of the vines glowed and started to form a highlighted path in glowing green. And she stepped on it. It lengthened out of sight, and shoulders set, she started to walk.

---

"I appreciate your viewpoint on all this," Clavell said, making notes on a keyboard built into his desk. This was a serious discussion, and all partners were put up to avoid distractions. Mei did find the chair somewhat distracting; it was more padded than it looked.

Dendra had been waiting at the office when they arrived, rested up, and Mei had spent roughly a half hour in the annex to the office before heading in. The conversation had taken long enough to cover this intense weekend, Clavell had brought in refreshments. She was currently working through a sparkling water.

"Did you have any further questions for me? Or suggestions for the academy? We have not introduced ourselves with glory," Clavell said wryly.

"Everyone was having to react to a sudden threat. I can't complain. They tried very hard to protect everyone, with no time to plan or coordinate," Mei said. She didn't want to highlight anyone's panic in the first part of the fight. Especially if it led to people looking at hers.

"Though maybe some more on safety procedures if a wild Pokemon attacks? I saw some of the injuries at the nurse's office. It got ugly out there," Mei said.

"I'm a tad surprised by some of whom who broke and ran among the student body, but given Aliquis and his friends' comments, I wonder if a further compulsion was at play. Many people seem at least likely affected in fighting off a touch of the spiritual. The cafeteria had to have their supplier do a special order," Clavell mused.

"Practice is the best way to fight panic," Mei quoted, then winced realizing it was something Flare had told her other self. They were right, but the beginnings were tainted.

"Agreed, my apologies for letting my mind wander. You are correct that more effort is required. These are typically rare events, but given the spike of Tera Pokemon in the wild, more preparation before the Hunt is clearly a necessity. I've been able to talk with many people involved, including those in the press to escape, briefly. Almost all have raised that point," Clavell admitted.

"Maybe something on risk assessment too, I don't know what my sister was thinking," Mei groused. Clavell looked over his glasses but made a note before saying anything.

"Hostage rescue seems to have been on her and Alamy's mind, from witness accounts. Of course, I haven't been able to interview either myself yet," Clavell said mildly. Mei looked away at the implied rebuke.

Hey eye caught the lab equipment in the outer part of the lab, and she shifted to safer topics. "Do you research Tera phenomenon too? Do you know what happened to the Orb the Misdreavus ate?"

"Professor Sada was the expert in the area, I'm afraid. My research in Area Zero was cataloging species and investigating convergent evolution. A correlation between Tera Pokemon and Titan Pokemon was known to exist, but this is the first time an instance of the Terastal phenomenon led directly to the second. We have several research fellows at our facilities who will be adding this piece to the Tera puzzle," Clavell assured.

"What makes Titan Pokemon? You don't have Galar Particles?" Mei asked.

"No – a set of plant species commonly called Herba Mystica, found rarely in Paldea, but a delight of epicures. It grows near veins of Tera Crystals and takes a long time to mature. Ingested in large quantities for sufficient time, it has similar effects to what we saw today," Clavell explained.

Mei hesitated. Rose had hoped they hadn't been forced into these memories as some sort of tasking and was hoping it was nothing. Rose also attacked a giant ghost monster. Her judgement was questionable in Mei's mind.

"Is something attacking Paldea? People keep saying things are changing, but it seems change is slow usually in Paldea," Mei said.

"I don't believe something is doing so deliberately, if only since the incidents have been so random. That doesn't make it not true," Clavell said, "I personally hope not. Your other point: I'm not a sociologist. There does seem to be a noticeable trend to ambition that wasn't present before, but we've had several records broken recently, and it could be a case of 'it could happen for you'."

"If I find some vast conspiracy, I win the Treasure Hunt?" Mei joked.

"With evidence, I think your teachers would have no trouble passing you," Clavell said with a smile.

"Do you have any other concerns? I did want to note the Chairwoman wishes to speak with you tomorrow," Clavell said.

"My homeroom teacher told Victor and I," Mei replied.

"Miriam is showing admirable behavior in her new role as educator," Clavell said, "The Chairwoman can be very intimidating in person. I want to assure you that while her presence can be daunting, the Board has very limited authority over student selection. Especially for non-scholarship students."

"Did La Primera make someone quit?" Mei asked, shocked.

"Never intentionally and avoided after some discussion and counselling. I can't of course say whom," Clavell said. Mei still looked a bit goggled.

"She runs the administration and defense arms of your League; how would you stop her?" Mei asked pointedly.

"I have the utmost faith and respect in Geeta's morals," Clavell said, "But in the extraordinarily unlikely event of a breakdown, you seem to be a student of history."

"You can't mean the Elite Four," Mei said.

Clavell pushed his glasses up his nose to try and mask his surprise at Mei's reaction. "Of course I do, one of their lesser-known duties is to balance the Champion," he said.

"Poppy said something along the lines Geeta chose her for the Elite Four. Geeta watches her own watchers," Mei countered.

To Mei's surprise, Clavell started chuckling. "Well analyzed and spoken. Our recruiters had strong praise for your test scores on top of your elemental affinity. And you have strong gifts at information retention as well. I was curious if your recent TV interview was merely a reaction to Galar's recent events, but I see your conviction is stronger than that," he said.

"If the Academy is some sort of hotbed of anti-League sentiment, I don't think you read me very well to join that," Mei said, tensing. Clavell laughed again.

"No, of course not. I respect Geeta, but she is forced to wear too many hats. People considering more the extent of control she's forced to exert gives me more hope of people rising to those positions. As you said, Paldeans can be 'set' in their ways. The future leaders of Paldea are among your classmates, even if you choose to return to Galar, and I wish to encourage you to… encourage initiative," Clavell explained.

Well, if I need to distract Mom again, the new that the director of Paldea's most important institution has selected me as a political agitator will do it. Does destiny just want me to overthrow Champions in every universe? Mei thought wildly.

---

Clavell watched the young expat's face and did a better job concealing his amusement than she did her feelings. She was excellent at picking her words, but like many trainers recently partnered, her heart was on her sleeve. Add to that was Miriam's early profile that her partners were interacting poorly with her natural training inclinations. While Geeta had concerns, her words seemed to come from genuine concern instead of lashing out after Galar's recent disaster.

Though he did wonder a bit about the hard set to her face at the end. Did she think he expected her to be facing the League on her first Treasure Hunt? She was precocious, but even Florian had required passing mid-terms first.

Kindly, he let her off the hook by speaking. "Merely something to think upon whether than a set of instructions from your school Director. More free thought can be uncomfortable, but better for everyone in the long run," he said, "I believe some of the victims are expected to awaken soon, so I will not keep you. I appreciate you having this talk, and I wish your sister all the best in her recovery."

Still a bit stricken in her expression, Mei nodded. She stood out of the chair and bowed. Clavell returned a nod, and the young woman left the room.

Clavell sighed and went to his notes. There were still people to interview to compile a full timeline, but the picture he had was a disquieting one. Paradox Pokemon escaping Area Zero in large numbers was a nightmare scenario, and there were at least three Tera Veins the Flutter Mane could have used based on where Aliquis had found it.

There was also the fact that both partners appeared to have been compelled, based on their reactions before and after the fact. The Flutter Mane was almost certainly not faking. Guild was possible for Pokemon, but they tended to be straightforward.

It was a mystery, and Clavell enjoyed mysteries. But he preferred ones where there didn't seem to be an upcoming time limit.

---

The Audino let Mei knock a few times before the door opened. She looked harried at this point and trotted right over to one of the beds. Mei had a good idea why when she entered.

Some of the beds' curtains had been thrown open. The people who had made it were sitting up, and being served something that smelled good enough Mei regretted eating earlier. Barnaby and his Skiploom were helping people get comfortable, and the Audino returned to assist them rapidly.

Mrs. Salvatore was still there, reading patiently. Rose and the Kalosian's beds were still quiet.

Zania and Poppy were there, with a large pot on a hot plate that was running hooked up to a patiently floating Magney. Zania was stirring it to keep it from burning as Poppy ladled some sort of stew out.

Zania smiled awkwardly, "It turns out Poppy had overbought on ingredients this weekend. We have enough paella for everyone to have fourths, if you want some."

"This isn't all of it either, Zania made me freeze some of it!" Poppy stage whispered.

"I'm still full from an hour ago," Mei apologized, "I'll take some frozen later if I can. It smells great, what's in it?"

Mei listened well enough she could recall the list later if she needed and looked at Rose's Pokemon instead. They were twitching a little in their sleep, or at least subconsciously rolling around for even sunlamp exposure.

Ivy rolled over and out of his blanket to sprawl halfway off the cot. Used to Meowths, it wasn't surprising, but also, he wasn't awake to land on his feet when he fell. "Nurse," Mei interrupted the ingredient list somewhere around paprika.

Barnaby looked over, "He's familiar with you, can you tuck him back in? He doesn't seem uncomfortable under the blanket, just bad at staying still."

"Pokemon like trainer," Mei muttered under her breath.

Poppy heard however, and Mei mentally cursed again she kept ignoring how many battle trainers were around her now. "Zania said Rose and Alamy were staying with Salvatore until a Slowbro got there to lift," she chided, still stage-whispering. Zania nodded in agreement.

"That's right, they looked like a mess, but they had made sure Professor Salvatore stayed dry and unmoved until the Psychic got there, and they made sure we weren't in the line of fire behind them when they went to help rescue Aliquis," Zania said.

"Is that true?" Mrs. Salvatore said, looking up from her reading. "I owe them a great deal that mein liebling will not suffer a long convalescence."

"I suppose it's true until they charged in," Mei allowed, as she reached Ivy. Cautiously, she got her fingers under Ivy and gently rolled the Sprigatito back fully onto the cot. Ivy meowed once and curled up reflexively.

"Nurse!" she shrieked in alarm when she saw his back. The usual healthy green fur was marred by brown patches that looked like he had been dusted in weed killer. Poppy and Zania dropped what they were doing to come look.

Barnaby nodded to his Skiploom and quickly walked over. He relaxed when he saw what Mei was pointing at in horror.

"Oh, the blight? Sprigatito fur is very sensitive to their environment like many grass Pokemon. His regeneration's intact, you can see new growth coming in underneath. They soaked up a great deal of negative energy. He shouldn't need a cone, though he may groom extra. The Petilil has some similar brown spots in her undergrowth and on one of her stems. She's also recovering," Barnaby said.

He looked over at the next cot. "There are some marks on the Pikachu and Quaxly as well. Discolored fur and feathers, but less dramatic a reaction given their different physiologies. The follicles are fine. They're all young and strong and well-trained for their age. They will all recover," Barnaby assured her.

The Audino chimed at the nurse and he nodded. "She's right, you should see this. It hadn't developed when you left, or I would have let you know then," Barnaby explained. He pulled the curtain back on Rose's cot.

"Please don't be alarmed – this is a known phenomenon and looks dramatic. It's merely a surface-level effect thanks to active channeling," Barnaby said, and winced slightly, "It does look bad."

Rose looked as small as she ever did, though she wasn't sweating still. There was even a small smile on her face, so Mei hoped her dreams were less strained. Barnaby shot Mei one more look of caution, and Mei nodded.

Barnaby grabbed the edge of the sheet near Rose's midsection and folded it over. Despite preparation, Mei yelled in astonishment, the shout echoing in the room. There was a crash of metal as Zania and Magney nearly lost control of the pot and shouts of protest from the others convalescing. Barnaby shot her a look, but Mei pointed down, unrepentant.

"What is that?" she demanded loudly. Barnaby put a finger to his lips, and there was a rustle as his Audino jumped up on the table as quiet as a whisper. Her tendrils were uncurled, and she had a fierce expression as she held a claw to her lips.

"What is that?" Mei repeated, in a whisper. Barnaby nodded.

Rose's hand was dark purple, almost black. It started to break up above her wrist but continued up to halfway up her forearm. Mei glanced at her own forearm and realized it was following the path of the blood vessels up the arms.

"Ghost energy overflow, following the path of life up the body. There's no real penetration, but they were holding a Poke ball. They got an extra sympathetic jolt as the trainer bond was overwhelmed. Her other arm looks the same. Alamy's as well. It should be faded away in a week," Barnaby whispered.

Life following death following life. Mei found she was licking her lips at the description and stopped. The idea of control over it seemed a delight. Growth was only the beginning of the cycle…

"[What should be gone in a week]?" a voice asked groggily from the bed, and Mei turned, ignoring the Audino's glare, to see her sister was awake, and disoriented.

"Rose!" Mei said, delighted, hugging her sister who gave a grunt in surprise, as she was still blinking her eyes. Confused, Rose reached up and hugged her sister back. She paused, and flipped her hands around, flexing them into fists several times, but true to Barnaby's words, there was no issue with flexibility.

"I don't feel this," Rose said in concern. She blinked a few times and brought her hands up to rub the sleep out, then paused, looking worried.

"It's effectively an allergic reaction to the ghost energy," Barnaby said, "The more serious part was attacking your life rather than physically, but you fought that off while you were asleep. It should disappear in a week. You shouldn't have scarring."

Rose rubbed her eyes after that since if she didn't have to worry about it spreading. Mei released her, still grinning. Zania and Poppy came over, Poppy waving. Rose waved back absently, but other concerns were clearly weighing on her.

"Are my partners recovering? I couldn't call them earlier. I was inside, but were they stuck in the mist?" Rose asked.

Mei wasn't sure what Rose was talking about but pointed down to the cots and Rose sighed in relief to see them sleeping there.

"They're a bit wilted in a few spots but they're growing back in well," Barnaby said.

"They helped us all protect each other," Rose said smiling, "They even came out without being called to share the weight. They didn't need to do that. I'm so proud of them."

Mei's expression turned thunderous. Rose didn't need to do it either. Mei grabbed Rose by the shoulders. "You could have been killed! What were you thinking, with a stunt like that?" Mei started yelling again, and gripped tight enough Rose twisted, to no avail. With her partners still unconscious and inaccessible, Rose was hopelessly weak in comparison.

The Audino's expression was nearly as mad as Mei's as it hopped on the bed, and she pushed Mei, sending her stumbling back. Poppy picked up Zania to jump the two of them out of the way.

"This woman is my patient, and still in recovery, along with many others. If you can't respect their healing, young lady, I will need you to leave this room," Barnaby said, voice chill enough Mei winced. The Audino stood at the foot of the bed, and pointed at Mei before slamming her paws together, inviting her to try something.

Mei held up her hands. "Fine," she said in more normal tones, "But if my sister is doing something suicidally stupid, I am allowed to be angry."

Rose rubbed her shoulder, the spots where the strap had rode weren't quite healed yet. Her voice was firm, if a bit raspy as she spoke to defend herself.

"There were at least several dozen people still in the courtyard. That thing was hunting for food – it tried on me, too. It wrecked my necklace. We didn't know why the teachers were having so much trouble until Zania and Trigo came by. It certainly looked like it could have just bombarded the courtyard with Dazzling Gleams if it got bored and flee with whoever it wanted to the city to feed there," Rose said in tones nearly as chilly as Barnaby's.

She took a deep breath and continued with conviction, "It had to be slowed down, and we were in the spot to do it."

Rose relaxed a little and gave a half-smile. "I'm glad Alamy came, because I couldn't have done it alone," she admitted, "I would have if I could. I know they both wanted it, but we couldn't predict a breakthrough right there."

"I'm sorry, Miss Alamy answered the question right as she was knocked out?" Barnaby said.

Rose primly folded her hands, ignoring the discoloration and Poppy's low moan as she caught them fully.

"Before we were able to launch the attack, so it was several seconds. I could feel her channeling blossom," Rose answered, and got a half-smile again thinking back, before predicting, "She's going to be an absolute terror to fight now." Rose rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

"Please stop being weird enough to try to see a bright side of this," Mei moaned. Rose glanced at Mei as she uttered the w-word, and her eyes were dark with her lips thin pressed. The Audino's feelers trembled, and she pointed at Mei.

"She was broken through fully when the Shadow Ball hit both of you? That should preclude an immediate battle," Barnaby muttered.

"Thanks to Azucena's Helping Hand, we were channeling into the same Poke ball. She flipped me so we shared the blow. She was in control of her senses," Rose said quietly, then realized who hadn't spoken and looked around in worry.

"Alamy is still asleep," Barnaby said, and the Skiploom floated up and cheeped confirmation looking over the curtain.

"Resistor evolved right before she had her breakthrough too," Rose warned.

"Her trainer card listed a Pichu. We've placed additional supplements in her feed for the nutrients she used, so she'll have them when she wakes up. I've been checking her voltage levels. Her sacs are storing correctly after the growth spurt, so it was a clean metamorphosis with the evolution," Barnaby assured her.

"Oh, that IS the Kalosian's?" Mei interjected.

"Cycle, she has a name Mei," Zania said, irritated.

"Alamy knew very well what we were doing," Rose insisted, "And she wasn't as protected as I was going in. It was a very brave and beautiful thing." Poppy nodded in agreement.

The little Steel trainer walked around the bed, the Audino nodding at her. She looked at Rose's hands, then with her face set in determination, pulled her gloves off to put them in her purse. She hopped on the rail of the bed with barely a rattle and reached out. Not quite understanding, Rose held her own hands out, and Poppy clasped them firmly, not flinching at the color.

"Thank you," Poppy stage whispered, "I couldn't risk Tinkie hurting Aliquis until it slowed down. I'm sorry you got hurt." Poppy looked down and around at herself.

"I'm fine, because I wasn't big enough," she bemoaned.

"You one-shot it once Aliquis was gone," Mei interrupted.

Poppy tapped her chest over her heart. "I mean big here. Miriam was brave, Dendra wore herself out. Kieran and Nemona were fighting. I couldn't find a way to fight without hitting Aliquis," Poppy said sadly. Rose stared into space for a moment. Mei couldn't guess what she was seeing.

"It's a lot different than the courts," Rose said eventually, voice distant. Poppy nodded earnestly.

"It was Victor and I who got Aliquis out of the way," Mei reminded Poppy, "They just slowed it down."

"How?" Rose asked, surprised, then coughed.

Mei took a deep breath, and the Audino whirled and made a throat-slitting gesture. Mei exhaled as quietly she could and raised her hands in understanding.

"Well-" Mei began, more quietly but Rose spoke suddenly.

"If possible, could I get some water and some food before this begins?" she asked. She sniffed, "Whatever that smell is, if I can possibly keep it down." Zania and Poppy nodded and went to get a bowl. The Skiploom chirped and floated over to get a glass.

"Yes, please," came a raspy voice from within the curtain next to Rose, "Did we win?"

The Audino jumped down and spun the curtain open quickly. Alamy was also sitting up in bed, looking at her hands in discomfort. She smiled bravely when she realized Rose was looking at her.

"Did the wind lead you out too? It was strange in there," she said, and flexed her hands, "I heard a laugh and it led me out. Why are my hands like this? I cannot feel anything wrong. Are Resistor and Bandwidth alright?" she asked.

"Temporary effect of the ghost attack, and they are fine," Barnaby said, grabbing the glasses with a nod of thanks from the Skiploom, who had amended his flight to get two. The two gulped noisily until the glasses were drained. Alamy looked down to where Barnaby had pointed and sighed in relief to see her partners sleeping.

"I did need that," Rose said, her voice raspier after the water. Alamy was sensible enough to nod than risk speaking. The Audino collected both glasses and conveyed them to the Skiploom for another round, which they only needed a few gulps of before taking a breath this time.

"A world of dark mist for both of you?" Zania asked, intrigued.

"I could hear lightning in the distance – two storms – and eventually there was a night sky. Other sounds as it cleared as well. There was a path that formed. I think dawn was when I got out," Rose said.

"I heard one storm," Alamy said, "Though the sky was cloudy when I dispelled the mist. The ground was wires but arranged like a park in Lumoise. Everything was crossed and short circuited at first. Channeling improved it."

"Many, many vines, with flowers. They started wilted. They got better as I pushed the mists back. Maybe a memory too, but I couldn't grasp it," Rose said.

"Your inner spirits need better maintenance," Mei quipped. The two didn't look amused.

"Mon cheri is a skilled battler with many Pokemon, but he is electricity first and foremost," Mrs. Salvatore said.

"We heard him," Rose said intently.

"He is gathering himself then," Alamy assured her. The woman nodded and smiled fondly at her husband.

"Whatever we did I'm famished. What am I smelling?" Rose asked.

"Can they eat?" Zania asked. Both she and Poppy were carrying trays with multiple bowls. Magney placidly had pointed its magnets up to keep the ladle moving, even as it was still wired to the plate.

"Slowly," Barnaby ordered.

"Is that paella?" Rose identified with delight once she saw it.

"The Misdreavus: did we win?" Alamy asked again, and then put a hand to her lips.

"Poppy got it, but only because everyone helped," Poppy said. Alamy sat back, relieved, but then frowned suddenly.

"Enjoy the victory. It was your first battle as a battler. There's no shame in wanting to know the ending," Rose rasped quietly. She rubbed her throat and drank more. She eyed the paella speculatively.

"There are some effects on me, then," Alamy noted quietly, looking at her hands, and amended, "Internally, I mean."

Mei didn't really care what crisis Alamy was undergoing. "You two should eat," she said, "I can tell you how it happened." Mrs. Salvatore had at least been eyeing her tablet if not reading, but now put it down to listen, as Mei's tale began. The two nearby recovering trainers shrugged and began to eat.

---

The story was halfway done when Salvatore waking up interrupted it, and by the time he and his wife were done exchanging assurances they were fine in half a dozen languages, Mei had lost the thread. In determination, she started over, this time getting through as pretty much all the convalescents were eating. Even Zania and Poppy had picked up an extra bowl.

Rose had her phone appear during the first telling. She sent a quick text to her moth as Mei was getting ready for round two.

There was trouble with a ghost Pokemon on campus. Slept it off. Should be fine, Rose sent, figuring that wouldn't be too alarming.

Mei said you got too close. Have a good week! was what she got back. Well at least Mei was onboard with underplaying it. She wasn't sure she liked her mother's word choice for what it implied about what Mei had said. She wasn't going to question at the moment.

Salvatore was the one paying the closest attention, as he had missed the entire battle. "I owe many people a great deal of thanks," he determined at the end. One of his eyes was black, and there were scrapes and cuts on his arms where he had hit the ground. He was astonishingly not going to need any casts, though Barnaby wanted to put him in medical walking boots for the next few days, as many small bones as were in the feet.

"I wonder if there's some other ghost lurking around," Rose mused aloud. She shrank a little as everyone looked at her. She glanced hesitantly at Mei.

"It sounds like something was affecting both partners, and Mei said people saw purple around them. That's ghost or poison typically, and poison's no good against ectoplasm," Rose explained.

"Academy is more than old enough to be haunted," Mei said. Poppy shivered.

"A possible theory. It clearly will be some effort to unravel this. Though I must see Aliquis as soon as possible to assure him I bear no malice," Salvatore said.

"Liebling, you can't be going to work tomorrow," Mrs. Salvatore said.

"Mon Coeur, I must. It is the start of the term, I do not want the students fearful of the school," Salvatore said, eyes set.

Zania looked at him closely for a moment, waiting to take away his plate for another serving. "You know, the right concealer can cover a lot of that, maybe even the eye, though your color's not something I have. And almost everyone else in here is quite pale," she noted.

"I usually wear suit jackets," Salvatore assured her, "Though I suppose the eye could use some assistance."

Rose glanced at her arms. Sunscreen had helped, but she was more colored like her namesake than at the start of the weekend. She flexed her hands again, still disoriented by the signs of her recent adventures tracing up her arms.

She caught Alamy's eyes as she looked up. There was a bit of a surge but no lock. Rose knew she was tired, but they both had to be exhausted. Alamy's first match had been abortive. She would seek a proper challenge if she could.

"May I train with you tomorrow morning?" Alamy asked, then glanced at her partners. None of the four were up yet – Barnaby assured that they would wake up soon.

"What about research for your next 'cast?" Rose asked tensely.

Alamy smiled, and said in a relived tone, "I still wish to do them." Rose closed her eyes in relief as Alamy continued, "But something in me feels, I must be doing more for my dears than I have. The roof is nice, but I must find where I stand rather than meditate." Alamy's voice was clear, but she looked down at herself again.

"I cannot put it in words exactly. There is much curiosity of the world still here. But my partners are beside it, in a wonderful way they were not before," Alamy said, putting her hands in her heart.

"Yeah, they fit much more in tightly into your head after you're battle-synched," Mei interrupted to exposit. Rose glanced at her sister, who stared back defiantly. Mei was certainly not happy with her. Rose wouldn't fault her anger, but it was annoying. They were adults in all the important ways as trainers. Rose was responsible and aware of her decisions, and it wasn't spur of the moment.

She was thankful they had gotten off so lightly, but she had been ready for that trade.

"Wait until they wake up," Salvatore said wistfully. Rose turned back to Alamy and smiled, nodding agreement. Her friend was finding herself right now and had probably saved Rose's life besides. Whatever Rose could do to help right now she would.

"I wanted to be a braver and stronger person before. I must now," Alamy said slowly.

"It's a great gift they give us to help them," Rose said solemnly.

"Yes, I like that way of putting it," Alamy said.

"Maybe don't charge after giant ghosts so you can enjoy it," Mei snapped from where she was standing. Alamy inhaled sharply, grabbing onto the blankets.

"Mei," Rose said quietly, and regretfully put down her spoon to concentrate.

"You shouldn't either," Mei added.

Rose looked at the ceiling and clutched for a necklace that wasn't there. Poppy thought she could get a new one or get it repaired after looking at the metal, but it wasn't here now when she needed it. Hand still clutching near her throat, she took a deep breath.

"What?" Mei asked.

"I'm tired," Rose said tremulously, then glanced at Alamy, the darkness ravaging her hands, and thought of tattered statues and electric paths.

"I'm tired," Rose said as loudly as she could manage, "And I would like if you could come back to visit later, Mei."

"You just woke up. Because of the ghost!" Mei countered.

"If you aren't up later, I think I am cleared for classes?" Rose asked, looking at Barnaby instead.

"Yes, if you feel strong enough to train tomorrow, you're cleared for it, but I doubt you'll be up that early. My Milotic has night shift," Barnaby said.

"You do not know our sleep pattern lately," Alamy commented.

"Then I should get some sleep now, since I don't tend to sleep until dawn. My friends will need care before classes tomorrow morning as well, and we lost training time today Alamy and I should make up," Rose said.

"That's right – Rose's sleep has been weird too! She used to sleep through her alarms, but now she's up early. Is that because of the Pokemon poking in her head trancing her?" Mei asked Barnaby loudly, then gasped and covered her mouth as she realized what she had said. Everyone turned to look at Rose, and she wasn't sure which was concern and which was fear.

She felt the weight of the stares, and pulled her blanket up, wishing for open skies and babbling brooks. This room was too crowded. She didn't want anyone staring at her.

"I know from today it's a grass Pokemon," Rose said, "Not the monster out there." That didn't seem to shake anyone's stares.

"Rose, I-" Mei started and Rose shook her head.

She looked at the blanket she was clutching, and repeated slowly, "I would like to rest." Barnaby looked at her and then looked at Mei, and Mei took a step back at whatever his expression was. His Audino was making little punching gestures and looking up hopefully. Mei's eyes were starting to tear, and she opened her mouth, but the Nurse cut her off.

"You've been asked to leave," Barnaby said, "Please do not disturb my patients." Mei looked and drew herself up as much as she could, but whatever was on Barnaby's face dissuaded her. She instead turned in flustered dignity.

"Goodbye Rose, I'll see you tomorrow," she said stiffly without looking behind her, and flung the door open as she stomped through. She made no effort to soften the door closing, but the Audino reached it in time.

Rose didn't watch her go out, still looking at her blanket-covered hands. "I came across something strong and wild close to Los Platos yesterday. Apparently. I do not remember what happened that night. I did not know I have an issue, or I would have taken precautions," she said, as loudly as she could, each syllable overenunciated, "It tried again earlier today, but was very weak."

"The room's purification was refreshed," Barnaby said apologetically.

"It did not get much in," Rose continued slowly, still looking down. Zania watched, mouth open, not saying anything. Poppy fretted.

"It is frightened of something, desperate for a trainer to boost its power after a life of pride. Something Tera," Rose said, and looked up. Her eyes were wet, but she was hopeful she wouldn't cry.

"Understanding wild Pokemon, even with your talents, can be difficult," Salvatore mused.

"Tesoro, this is not the time for a research project," Mrs. Salvatore said firmly.

Salvatore laughed, "True, especially without a conversation happening. Many Pokemon have had their habitats disrupted by Tera Pokemon recently. It could be some old rival can no longer be handled."

"That wasn't nice," Poppy said after a few seconds, gesturing to the door.

"No," Alamy said firmly, "Even if she is worried with anger, this was the wrong approach." Alamy was reaching down to her waist on her shift and then blushed as she realized she was trying to clutch her Poke balls.

Rose looked down again.

"Hey," Zania said softly. Rose looked up briefly but then glanced down, "I'm sorry this got shared," Zania said, "But I've met you. I can't imagine a Pokemon getting in you for very long. Look at everything this weekend!"

Poppy nodded and listed, "You stopped a robber, you caught a bunch of Pokemon, and you helped stop Aliquis and his partner from being mean!"

Rose stopped, considering, then gave a slow nod as she looked up. "It has been exciting," she allowed.

"And informative!" Zania insisted, "I think you and Alamy were heroes. And Poppy and everyone too. No one had it easy out there, but everyone stepped up."

"You and Trigo didn't know what you would see when you found us," Rose said, "But you went to give aid anyway. Thank you for helping save Professor Salvatore."

"Nemona pushed me into it. But Mei and Victor were standing firm to it, everyone was helping. I'm glad in the end I could do a little," Zania said.

"You don't need to be a battle trainer to do great things. I kept telling Alamy that," Rose insisted.

"She is a font of corruption, whatever she says. Resistor and I did not believe her

words very well, as you can see," Alamy said, a smile flashing on her face again. She held her hands up to look at them again and fretted, "I hope Bandwidth will take this well. I have so much work we must all do." Salvatore raised an eyebrow at that, but his wife shook her head gently before he could make suggestions.

"And this food you two cooked was amazing," Rose added. There was a round of acknowledgements, including the mainly silent other students who didn't know the new general track well, and were staying out of the family drama.

"Cooking is more fun than I thought. It's heat plus metal, I think I'm getting something from it," Poppy mused.

"We should do another lesson then," Zania said.

"If you would not mind, I hope I can contribute," Alamy said, "This is even tastier than the last batch."

Alamy's lips moved briefly, then she smiled, "I do hope I could come and learn more cooking," she said, satisfied.

"You haven't withered away," Rose said, and smiled again, and Alamy nodded happily.

"I would like to come, some of the Galar spices are expensive here and I should relearn," Rose asked.

"Of course," Zania said gently.

"Alamy, I know you're still finding yourself again. How do you feel about battling tomorrow?" Rose asked expectantly.

"Oh yes please. I hope I will crush you, of course," Alamy said without thinking, then raised a hand to her lips. Rose nodded.

"That's a pretty normal response," Salvatore assured her.

"She was reaching for her Poke balls earlier," Poppy observed. Alamy laughed nervously.

"This is also me now, then," Alamy said, "I have much to find out about myself."

"Good thing classes start tomorrow!" Poppy said cheerfully.

"Start?" Rose asked, surprised. She thought about the schedule and was jolted. It was Sunday. Classes were about to start.

"Yes, the whole term still stretches before us!" Salvatore waxed poetic.

"Four days," Rose groaned and lay down, putting a pillow over her face.

"Dragons it's only been four days since I met Azucena and Ivy. What's the rest of the week going to do?" she asked, muffled.

Poppy shrugged cheerfully, and no one else, after everything, really had a good answer to that.

---

Nemona starts considering Koraidon's tight bond but then remembered the 'other' one's actions. Even the Champion's Winged King attacked several Pokemon at random when Sada tried to bring it to the lighthouse the first time.

Ohara and Hohma have done a little grinding since Paldean Winds.

I don't blame the Paradox being hostile, they got torn from their reality.

I found there was a rose varietal in Japan called Mayo. I like to think it stuck with Mei cause it's close enough to her actual name to haunt her.

Flutter Mane don't get Dream Eater (and Misdreavus need to be trained in it by a TM), but Rose isn't very familiar with Misdreavus (and her Pokedex app wasn't available). Misdreavus aren't very common in Sinnoh (notably, they're not in Platinum) and never haunted Galar.

Minor note on my fanon-religions

Great heroes (like Galar's or the Unovan founders) are often more guideposts than revered (except perhaps as the example of saints).

Some of the recent young Champions (who aren't that much younger than those they replaced in many cases) are getting something of a mythical aspect attached to them, as they're exceeding the previous 'best' so far. Given how much the kahunas are tied to the islands, a young trainer named Selene going through her Island Challenge is going to be getting some major attention there.

Rose and Mei grew up with Sinnoh mythology, with the Great Dragons upholding space, time, and the else on behalf of the Creator. You hope they look favorably on your works. The lake guardians being less important than keeping the universe together but oversee all the things that make it worth living. Since those are much more 'individually' determined, their favor isn't sought so much as their contribution is acknowledged.

Rose has mentioned a myth that humans and Pokemon split into such different paths because of some earlier class of beings had some favoring knowledge and others favoring strength (as willpower) – with emotion still connecting them, as her favored 'here's how humans and Pokemon came to be' story.

The Cycle is more common on the supercontinent where Galar is near and Kalos and Paldea are part of, thanks to Xerneas and Yveltal making their home in the region, and thereby suffering it more closely. As Yveltal removes life and Xerneas grants it, with their awakening happening on occasion, the Cycle is the hopes for life to continue and to grow, that it hasn't reached a point of stagnation requiring Yveltal's intervention.

Not counting Lysandre's attempt – the last time the Legendaries of Life and Destruction awakened was about 800 years ago. Actually, a little after Naranja Academy was founded as the Paldean Empire fell apart; though the chaos of the awakening may explain why records are so scanty.

We know very little about Salvatore's wife, so I gave her the same habit of dropping foreign words in.