Hello one and all to a new episode of Pokemon SVTA where today, Ash and Penny take on Mela's Schedar Base as emotions unravel, the action heart-pumping, the reconciliations get sad, but a new sense of hope could occur out of this.

I don't know what to say for the intro so let's get started.

Although, there is a bit of a content warning: There are themes of child abuse, abandonment and bullying in this chapter.

Ash's Torterra's movepool from last chapter: Trailblaze, Stone Edge, Leaf Storm, Headlong Rush

Cover Story 53: Dawn and Zoey Take on the World 2: Perfection Meets Imperfection

Last time, Dawn and Zoey agreed to do a tag-team coordinator tournament in Hearthome City, but it seems like Zoey is hiding something sad from her. They both arrive to the city and sign in for the tournament, they're told that there will be a preliminary round to determine who gets in in about 2 days leaving them enough time to practice but as they prepare to leave, a snobbish boy who had similar hair color with Zoey with a snobbish blonde hair girl arrives to mock Zoey with the boy calling Zoey is 'runaway dear sister'. Zoey tells them to go away but then the girl mocks Dawn causing Zoey to grab onto her angrily, but the guards break it up saying to save it for the tournament if any of them make it, both relented and went their separate ways.

Out at a camping site, Zoey apologizes for her brother's behavior and that's when Dawn asks what's going on causing Zoey to relent. She exclaims she's from a fancy family known as the Roteschwert family, an influential family in Sinnoh spanning back to the days of Hisui. Everyone in the family acts like their typical snobbish rich person selves except for her, she was more tomboyish with ambitions of being a famous coordinator similar to her beloved late father, but Zoey was always put down for such worthless ambitions while hypocrites and praising her brother while she's forced to be someone who she doesn't want to be and the breaking point came when she was to be wed in 6 years' time and not wanting to be forced into something like this, she declined and revealed her truth self, she came out. That was the straw that broke the Camerupt's back and was thrown out no longer a Roteschwert.

Dawn pats Zoey's back as she cried comforting her and praising her on her dreams and ambitions while also being true to herself. Zoey thanks Dawn appreciating Dawn's words even when Zoey acts stubborn about it and now, she's fired up, Zoey's goal is to defeat her brother Craig and show her family she's better than them and her brother which Dawn cheers on an ask if they're ready to train to which Zoey agrees to. Unbeknownst to Dawn, Zoey was blushing towards Dawn having an interest towards Dawn, but Zoey slaps her cheeks to focus, and fears Dawn might not have the same attraction to her, she decides she'll be the best teammate and friend and confess after even if it ends up in failure.

TBC

Cover Story 54: Operation Goh Time! 3: Trial 1: The Slowpoke Conundrum (part 1)

Last time, Goh and Operation Mew arrive to the Isle of Armor to investigate the appearance of Walking Wake, a possible ancestor or counterpart to Suicune and to make sure Amaranth's brother Albus from taking them for their own purpose following the disappearance of his wife an adult daughter in Area Zero. It was there Goh encountered a Galarian Slowpoke he catched, met the mysterious Cubfu, met two troublemakers in the form of Klara and Avery and learned more about Quillon's past. Amaranth suggests to Goh to join Mustard's school for a while since they're still trying to gather info on where Walking Wake is.

It was another day and Goh and Cinderace were ready to go(h)! Goh wears his new uniform of the dojo and Mustard exclaims how their academy is now full and is now ready for the 3 Trials, the winner of the Trials gets the secret treasure of the dojo but before he could announce the first trial, Klara and Avery have trouble getting their uniforms ready and as they do, 3 Slowpoke with unexpected quick speed take the 2 outfits and Avery's hat to go which causes Mustard to announce the first trial, get back those uniforms and that hat.

Everyone agrees but Klara and Avery comedically disagree with that Trial, but both realize that this could be a good opportunity to defeat Goh for his comment from yesterday, Danika decides to tag along with Goh to show him around and get new intel on the island and both head off. Goh is surprised by the Slowpoke's speed which was fast and quick unlike other Slowpoke to which Danika explains that not even she knows why that is, but she finds them amusing. They find the first Slowpoke near a swampland area and Goh tries to pull the outfit but Slowpoke attacks with Chilling Water as Goh has to fight the Slowpoke using Scizor.

Goh tells Scizor to use Bullet Punch before using Pounce to drive away the Slowpoke who scatters back at the dojo, before they could leave, Scizor jumps away from an attempted Shadow Ball seeing Klara and her Galarian Slowbro being the issue as Danika calls out her actions, but Klara wants to settle the score with Goh and with Danika over a feud a long time ago. Danika calls her petty and sends out her Runerigus who knocks out Galarian Slowbro with Stone Edge. Klara smirks and tells them they won't get away with this before calling Danika a teacher's pet before running off.

Goh and Danika go to find the next Slowpoke as Goh asks Danika about that comment. Danika explains her story, she's actually Mustard's adopted daughter surprising Goh, she explains she was found as a baby all alone when Mustard found her and grew up with him for the next 23 years learning about him and him being a Galarian Champion which surprises Goh. Danika says that Mustard was a Galarian Champion at one point even training Leon, the future Galarian and World Champion though he never finished due to being lost all the time, but Mustard left the role due to corruption when Danika was 3.

Goh could tell Danika felt happy and Danika agrees saying her life was happy especially on the I.O.A which is where Mustard met Honey and married which causes weird feelings to happen to Goh due to their ages which Danika acknowledges but they're happy and she has a little brother Hyde. She goes to the same college as Klara where she met her, and Klara was jealous of her for being a goodie two-shoes and for being smart which Klara grew jealous, but Danika can't help but feel bad as Klara had a boyfriend, she adored but he left for someone else. Thinking that girl was much prettier than her, Klara changed into being a toxic individual and doxed the girl's house which is how Klara ended up in the I.O.A for over a year now.

Goh feels bad for Klara but doesn't excuse her as both trainers find the next Slowpoke with the other outfit and he's prepared to fight but Avery steps in prepared to fight Goh.

TBC

Cover Story 55: A Connoisseur's Worldwide Cooking Blog 5: The Pokemon Bartender

Last time, Cilan arrived to Melemele island in the Alola Region to try out the various foods and learn more about the culture of Alola by heading to Abe's (Mallow's father) restaurant, it was there that Cilan learned of Abe's story and why he decided to cook. One of the things he learned was that Abe trained under an Oranguru and curious about him, Cilan went out and searched for him only to find Oranguru was aware (most likely due to his Psychic abilities) and is ready for Cilan.

Cilan is impressed by the shack and learns from a human customer that this place grew as a spot for good drinks and as a form of therapy to those down at times. Cilan asks if he can work with Oranguru to which the Sage Pokemon agrees. Cilan enters and his Pokemon come out (besides Basculiegion for obvious no feet reasons, though Cilan does make a pool for him) to enjoy. Oranguru makes a drink for Cilan made of Sitrus, Oran and Papaya Berries along with special fruit chips made of Sitrus Berries and Cilan tries it to his delight. He writes it down in his book for his blog later about the taste and atmosphere and enjoys the food.

He wishes to ask the Oranguru how he came up with the idea for the place but doesn't speak Pokemon which gave Oranguru an idea and gestures to the human customer and mimes out something that the man agrees to and Oranguru uses his fan to display some Psychic power to control the man allowing him to 'talk' or rather, allow Oranguru to talk. Oranguru explains that he was once had a trainer named Manao, a famous Alolan Shaman from long ago who was way older than Hala and the previous Kahunas of Akala and Poni Island. Together, he and Oranguru provided guidance for all, and they were by each other's sides for years until Manao passed away leaving him alone.

Oranguru noticed how many people and Pokemon were hurt emotionally for various reasons and decided to learn more about them and made snacks for them while they talk about their problems. A lot of people and Pokemon afterwards felt better and came back not just to talk more but also have some Oranguru's delicious snacks and drinks and helped Oranguru set up the place and Oranguru had many disciples including Abe and since then, Oranguru decided to create this place, a place where people and Pokemon can come, have fun and talk about their problems while enjoying delicious snacks, food and drinks and that's how he came to form what people now call Oranguru's Wahi Huna (hideout).

This made Cilan intrigued and asked if he could act as an intern learning from Oranguru for his future endeavors which Oranguru agreed but before anything could happen, a poisoned Fomantis walks in causing Oranguru and Cilan to walk outside with Cilan holding the Fomantis close. They arrived to discover Viren (the man who tried to take Kiawe's farm), his Magmortar and his Alolan Muk trying to ruin the garden for his excavators to rummage the land for space, this caused both Cilan and Oranguru to be angry as this wasn't his land and Pokemon live here.

Cilan decides to take care of the Magmortar and Alolan Muk by sending out his Crustle and Stunfisk who were ready for battle. Magmortar launches Rock Slide towards Crustle while Alolan Muk rushes at Stunfisk with Crunch. Cilan tells Crustle to use X-Scissor to block the attack and send some rocks right back at Magmortar as Crustle crosses his arms to block the attack before seeing an opportunity to hit a rock back at Magmortar stunning him enough for Crustle to use Rock Wrecker to knock out Magmortar. Muk meanwhile rushes at Stunfisk who Cilan tells him to use Discharge to stun Muk before using Earth Power to hit Muk and knock them out much to Viren's surprise.

Viren attempts to send out another Pokemon but is stopped by Officer Jenny who arrests him for his actions but not before getting Cilan's autograph as officer Jenny is a fan of his blog. Oranguru is grateful and they continue to their day until it was nightfall. Cilan thanks Oranguru for the experience before noticing some Moomoo milk with the brand Akala Farms. Cilan remembers some of his shipments for the restaurant do come from Akala Island and meeting a man named Ringo Flammtoile, Cilan decides to head to Akala Island next to learn that island's culture and the food and Cilan recieves some of Oranguru's recipes and snacks for the future. Meanwhile, with the Fomantis healed and grateful towards Cilan, she decides to follow him.

TBC

Main Story

It was another day in the Paldea Region, but we only see Penny this time during an early morning with Floragato and Umbreon as she walked to a hill to look at the sun rising in the distance. Penny smiled and scratched her two Pokemon who were next to her and looked out over the distance to see the Village of Arrows, the city of Levincia in the distance, the town of Oresville and red flags containing a star on them indicating a Team Star base. Penny looked at it with sadness as she brought up her computer and looked to a list of 5 people with Giacomo's photo crossed out as Penny hovered over to Mela's profile.

Treated like an 'accident', bullied for what she is, lonely. Why must we hurt each other for what we are, can't we make peace? I guess in today's world, everyone only cares about themselves but is me taking down these bases the right thing after all? I don't know but I don't want anyone to fall in despair further if they keep going but- dang it! These things complicate me, but I can't falter now. Penny thought to herself as she closed her computer and put it away before heading back to the camp with her Pokemon to prepare for the day.

Around an hour and a half later, we see Ash, Pikachu, Penny and Floragato across from each other as Arven was making breakfast and Nemona watched on as the two were prepared for a battle.

"So, you wanted to have a battle with me?" Ash asked as Penny nodded.

"I realized that if we're going to work together to stop Team Star, I need to pull own weight as well in case if anything happens in the future not just with Team Star but after my battle with Carmine, I'm worried I won't keep up. So, I want to be ready for anything so don't hold anything back." Penny says determined as Ash, realizing her determination nods.

"I see your determined, I accept your request and I promise!" Ash says with excitement as Penny smiles and nods as Floragato prepared herself against Pikachu.

"Ready Floragato?" Penny asked as Floragato smirks.

"Gato!" Floragato says as Penny nods.

"Alright, Floragato, Quick Attack!" Penny says as Floragato nods and rushes towards Pikachu.

"Quick Attack as well Pikachu!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and rushes towards Floragato and clashes with one another with both jumping back slightly but it seems Penny is planning a counterattack.

"Follow it up with Shadow Claw!" Penny says as Floragato nods and creates a shadowy claw on her right paw and prepared to slash at Pikachu.

"Iron Tail!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and his tail glows with a metallic hue and both clashes once more.

"Push away Pikachu with Quick Attack Floragato!" Penny says as Floragato nods and pushes away Pikachu with one swift push as Penny sees another opportunity, "Now Leafage!" Penny says as Floragato nods and unleashes a barrage of leaves towards Pikachu.

"Pikachu use Electro Web towards the Leafage!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and releases an electrical web that was strong enough to overcome the Leafage and hit Floragato sending her back a bit but not doing too much damage since it was not very effective.

"You alright Floragato!?" Penny asks the Grass Cat Pokemon who nods confidently which Penny takes note of Floragato's change in character.

Floragato is acting more confident now after evolving, it's like she wants to be stronger and confident like everyone else. I'm proud of her so I'm not going to disappoint her. Penny thought to herself as she called her next attack.

"Use Seed Bomb!" Penny says as Floragato nods and launches 4 large seeds towards Pikachu's direction as Ash payed attention to the oncoming attack.

"Use Iron Tail to hit them back before they explode!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and hits the Seeds which were launched towards Floragato's direction as Penny had to think on her feet before it was too late.

"Floragato, use Quick Attack to get onto the seeds!" Penny says as Floragato nods and launches herself in the air and jumping off each one of the seeds which exploded before reaching the last one. "Now use Quick Attack to launch the 4th seed towards Pikachu.

"Use Iron Tail to cut it in half!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and his tail glows a metallic hue and jumps proceeding to cut the seed but wasn't expecting Floragato to rush at Pikachu with Quick Attack.

"Gotcha! Shadow Claw!" Penny says as Floragato creates a shadowy claw that slashes Pikachu sending him back by a margin. Both Pokemon breathed heavily as Ash and Penny stare each other down before Ash smiles brightly.

"And I think I'll end the battle there; I can tell you're ready for any battle to come and I'm surprised, you say you're not good at battles yet that was some clever thinking." Ash says as Penny softly smiles and blushes.

"I learn from watching you. You know I could see you being a teacher one day." Penny says as Nemona intervenes.

"He's my teacher." Nemona says simply.

"I meant an official teacher" Penny says as Ash looks on surprised.

"Really?" Ash says as the 3 nod.

"Of course, you mainly teach Nemona but I felt influenced by you on how to battle and give out good tips and strategies. I agree with Penny, a teacher isn't a bad idea." Arven says as Ash smiles.

"Well..." before Ash could finish, Penny's Rotom Phone (dressed up as an Eevee) rings catching Nemona's attention.

"Pen-Pen, your phone is ringing." Nemona says as Penny goes over to see that it was Clive.

"Oh, it's Clive, he must have scouted out the area?" Penny says as the Rotom Phone expands the size of a monitor displaying Clive in a rocky environment above some sort of camps which left Ash confused.

"What's with Team Star's obsession with rocky areas?" Ash asks.

"Some say it provides a hiding spot away from the crowd." Penny says.

"Not when they have posters, flags and advertising up." Arven says with snark as Clive adjusts the camera.

"How do you do fellow kids?" Clive asks making an attempt at being hip but instead makes the gang cringe.

"What?" Penny says cringed as Clive is unphased.

"I just got done scouting out the place but there's something you need to see." Clive says as he picks up the camera to zoom in onto the camp to see a large flashy floating red vehicle with what appears to be speakers to the sides and a Pokemon on the front and some Pokemon on the side leaving them baffled aside from Penny.

"So that's their secret weapon, the Starmobile." Penny says as Ash looks to her.

"The Starmobile?" Ash says.

"It's something they mentioned back at Giacomo's base but it's what that is, a mobile with the power of a Pokemon and is powered by 4 Varoom and 1 Revavroom." Penny says.

"Varoom and Revaroom?" Ash says bringing up his Dex which showed Pokemon different to what was shown on the Starmobile.

Varoom, the Single-Cyl Pokemon, a Steel/Poison type. It is said that this Pokémon was born when an unknown poison Pokémon entered and inspirited an engine left at a scrap-processing factory.

Revavroom, the Multi-Cyl Pokemon, a Steel/Poison type and the evolved form of Varoom. Revavroom viciously threatens others with the sound of its exhaust. It sticks its tongue out from its cylindrical mouth and sprays toxic fluids.

"They're cars?" Ash says in bewilderment.

"They have the power of a Pokemon though which implies they know how to fight, I hope those Pokemon are ok." Nemona says in concern.

"So that means you, Ash and Clive have to fight a car? That's a nightmare to deal with." Arven says causing Penny to think to herself about how to take out that sort of behemoth.

That Starmobile is pretty huge, I don't see anyway to break through its defenses without wearing it down, I hear Ortega really is a genius when it comes to machines. Unless maybe the 'wheels' could be... Penny stops thinking and whispers to Clive.

"So, you want me to come along to break the wheels at the right time while you and Ash take care of Mela and the Starmobile from the front. Do you think it will work?" Clive says as Penny nods.

"I'm sure of it, the Varoom are on both sides so going in close range might be risky idea but if you guys are a distance away and manage to attack the Varoom as much as I don't want to hurt them, it will slow them down enough for us to stop the vehicle and also not to damage them too much or let Mela get hurt if she's on or in there." Penny says as the gang nod.

"I believe my Inteleon's Snipe Shot should help with aiming towards the Varoom." Clive says as he agreed and prepared to pack up their stuff for the tough battle ahead.

Meanwhile, we see Mela in her tent at the Scheder Base with ruined paintings that varied from a girl and Charcadet looking at the descending sun to those same figures with what appeared to be a happy family. Mela tore her next painting angrily and appeared to be conflicted about something.

Damn it! Everything's been so conflicting lately, going back into Mesagoza in hopes of talking with Mr. Hassel, that bi-colored hair girl who's supposed to be taking down my base helping me and understanding me!? What's going on these days!? Do I feel grateful? Sad? This is all too- Mela didn't finish as her Infernape woke her up to reality with a tap on the shoulder causing her to panic and turn around before breathing a sigh of relief.

"Oh, it's just you girl. I'm sorry about that, it's just things have been getting weird lately and I'm not sure how to process it all. I mean for one minute; I'm acting all stubborn towards others to hide how I feel, the next I'm crushing on both a boy with long bangs and nerdy girl and then the next, that same nerd girl happened to defeat Giacomo and is supposed to defeat me helped me against that Carmine girl. But why?" Mela pondered as two grunts rush into the tent causing Mela's conflicted expression to turn to one of hot-bloodedness and stubbornness.

"Haven't you heard of knocking!?" Mela says as the two jump.

"Sorry mam! We see Penny, Ash, the wavy hair boy and the school council president walking towards us for unknown reasons." the female grunt says as Mela looked even more conflicted.

"Get yourselves ready." Mela says as the two grunts salute.

"Yes mam!" the two grunts say as they prepare to leave but the male grunts stops.

"There's also a report of a blue-eyed Charcadet at the door, you want me to remove them too?" the grunt says as Mela's eyes widen.

Blue-eyed Charcadet? Charlos!? What's he doing here, I wish he didn't have to see me like this, I just hope Hassel isn't here either, he'll likely just be disappointed in me. No wonder why my parents and bullies just treat me like a bother. Mela thought to herself sadly as she looks to the Starmobile and remanences about her life thus far.

Long ago.

We see a 6-year-old Mela cowering in her room trying to cover her ears over what sounded like fighting and yelling while hugging her Chimchar scared. We see the memories of her got through various points in her life from going to school, being alone in her basement and eating alone. To Mela, these memories just felt like nothing.

'To be honest, I never felt happy for most of my life. The first thing I was told on my 6th birthday was that of being a 'tool' to my mother and not caring what happened to me if I can't get anything done. From house to house, I tried to be a good child in hopes that my mother would call me cute, say she loves me or how she cares but never did. I hoped that maybe my stepfather would provide sympathy but all he did was provide hostility. I thought maybe things would change when my half-sister was born and then things did change, they started loving her, but they resented me for me doing nothing.' Mela thought to herself through her memories.

We see her at school attempting to fit in with the crowd while attempting to make friends, but they always seemed to ignore her, she looked to other students who were acting cute and thought if she did the same, she'll get more friends. She attempted several hair styles, tried to sound and act cute but she was only pushed around by others for how she looked but didn't want that to break her spirits. Even through her tough life, Mela was praised by her art teachers for her art and her other teachers for making an effort for studying to the point of being offered a spot at Naranja Academy to which she accepted at the age of 11 and to an art school in Mesagoza as part of the requirement hoping it would finally get her mother's appreciation.

'After all that, I finally got somewhere and maybe that's when my mother would finally start caring for me, but it seemed like it just wasn't 'enough' for her. Isn't she happy!? I did everything to appease her... was I just a mistake?' Mela thought to herself once more. Mela would come to the conclusion that due to how her mother treated her and how she treats her half-sister, Mela thinks that she was just an 'accident' and that if she doesn't do well for her mother, she'll be thrown away. Mela decided to run away that night to the art school where it provided dorms and celebrated her 12th birthday alone with her Pokemon.

Since then, she decided to change from being cute to more of a punk who puts up a gruffer facade to push other people away and try to be more threatening to bullies. As she expected, no one called out to her about her being missing and over the next couple of days, she studied at both the art school and Naranja to establish her own name but still felt troubled and when she herself drew herself depressed and sad during an art school class, the teacher Hassel pulled her aside to have a talk.

"Mr. Hassel, sir, did I do anything wrong?" asked Mela as Hassel panicked and shook his head adamantly.

"No, no, no! You're not in trouble! I just wanted to ask if you were ok Ms. Pimenter?" Hassel asked out of concern causing Mela to jump in surprise and look away.

"I'm fine! Really, it's just one-off day, that's it among other days." Mela insisted as she attempted to leave.

"Wait Ms. Mela, if you ever need to talk to someone, don't be afraid to talk to me or another teacher. It's ok to talk to someone if you're not feeling well." Hassel says as Mela looked down sadly.

"...Thanks, I'll think about it." Mela says rushing off leaving her teacher to be worried for her. We see her holding her painting while wandering around the streets trying to clear her mind heading through an alley as a shortcut but bumps into 3 girls which makes Mela frightened. "Jessica!" Mela says scared backing up, but the other girls blocked her path.

"Well lookie here, it's my favorite person in the world, freckles." Jessica says as she pulls on Mela's cheek softly before pulling it.

"What do you want, I'm trying to get to Naranja." Mela says as Jessica puts her hands up in defense and kept a fake smile.

"Hey now, I'm just trying to make small talk so let's enjoy our lovely chat Freckles!" Jessica says punching Mela in the stomach causing her to not be able to spout her words and collapses to the ground as the other 2 girls grab Mela's painting.

"Give that back." Mela breathed out holding her stomach as they opened it to reveal a nicely painted painting of a red-haired girl smiling with what appears to be a happy family as the girl giggled as Mela teared up.

"Aww does Freckles desire a happy family that much? Pathetic." Jessica says.

"How do you know and why do you care?" Mela asks through the tears as Jessica scoffed.

"I have my eyes and ears everywhere; I hear a rumor once in a while. Plus, I really don't care, I just like seeing you in ruin like now." Jessica says as she snaps her fingers and the two girls tore the painting in front of Mela causing her eyes to widen in horror.

"No- STOP THIS!" Mela yelled out trying to reach for her painting but is pushed back by Jessica as the painting is torn into 5 pieces as Jessica snickered.

"That will teach you for acting better than us, let the strong do their thing while people like you wallow into the ground." Jessica says as she walks away causing Mela to shake in both sadness and anger as she snapped.

"Maybe that's why your boyfriend left you." Mela says causing Jessica to stop and look back at her in anger.

"What?" Jessica says with malice in her voice as Mela snickered.

"That's right, you maybe pretty in appearance but your personality is as ugly as your soul if you even have one." Mela says as Jessica shook her hands in anger and grabbed onto Mela by her collar.

"Take it back." Jessica says.

"Why would I take it back when it's true." Mela says as Jessica raised her right fist.

"I'll make you regret everything in your life." Jessica says as she prepares to punch Mela as a flying Rotom cam and an Umbreon come by.

"Flareon, use Scary Face!" the Rotom cam says with a warbled female voice as Flareon creates a large scary face that stuns the 3 bullies frightening them and surprising Mela.

"What is that!?" one of the girls says as Jessica lets go of Mela and pushes her away.

"Take her instead, don't hurt us!" Jessica says as the 3 girls run away as Mela takes a minute to catch her breath and comprehend what happened. Meanwhile, the Rotom cam goes over to the torn photos and summons arms with tape on them trying to restore the painting. The Rotom cam flies to the girl holding it up.

"You didn't have to save me or restore my lame painting." Mela said with a hint of sadness.

"I didn't want anyone being hurt." the Rotom said.

"What are you? Some anti-hero?" Mela says getting up off the ground.

"You could say that... haven't you wish that bullies could treat you better or hope they change?" the cam says as Mela looked on curiously.

"So, you hate bullies too." Mela says.

"You could say that every day, students are being hurt by bullies because they serve as 'outlets' for them when they're suffering, when they feel like they need to punish others for doing nothing or did nothing to the bullies but were just in the way, when their homelives are-" the cam was interrupted by Mela however.

"Alright, alright, I get'cha." Mela says as she looked to the painting, it was ripped up but restored with tape, not perfect but the Rotom cam cared to help Mela out despite only just meeting which made Mela think to herself.

'Everyday, I'm bullied for no reason. Are they jealous? Do they like picking on me because they needed someone? No matter what, it's wrong. Why can't Naranja or any other place just handle the bullying? Do they not care about what their students are going through personally and socially? It's just wrong, has that voice of the cam experienced such terrors? They helped me and people got to stick together in these times.' Mela thought to herself as she looked to the cam.

"What happens to be your name?" the camera asks catching Mela off guard.

"Mela Pimen- no, just Mela." Mela says.

"Call me, Cassiopeia or Cassie for short." Cassiopeia says as the camera pops out a hand and holds it out to Mela who both shake on it. "Say Mela, would you like to help me with something?" Cassie asks leaving Mela intrigued.

"Right now, what is this, a video game quest?" Mela asks teasingly.

"You can think of it as that way. I want to provide a safe place for not just here in Mesagoza, not just Naranja, but also the entirety of Paldea. A safe place where everyone can feel like a star and feel protected in their environment. Team Star as I call it, a team where everyone's special and where we can protect everyone and in order to start that, I need 5 leaders, how would you like to be the first admin of Team Star?" Cassie asks as the memory ends.

Present

That was a wild day, a Rotom cam helping me and now they want me a part of some sort of team. At the time, I would've thought it was a crazy idea but with everyone hurt around me and no sign of hope in my life. I accepted, I just feel bad for Hassel, Charlos. They hate me for being a part of Team Star and Hassel would just never associate with me again. Mela thought to herself as tears started to come out of her eyes as she curled up on the ground, feeling conflicted.

We see Ash, Pikachu, Penny and Floragato heading towards the Schedar Squad base prepared to fight Team Star, but Ash notices that Penny looked unsure of something and turned to her.

"You nervous Penny?" Ash asked as Penny jumps up in surprise.

"No, no, it's fine." Penny says before sighing, "I don't know, am I really able to keep up with you?" Penny asks as Ash smiles brightly.

"Of course! I mean, I've seen you fight Team Star before and you were excellent and just look at your battle against me, you were able to keep up with me despite claiming to not be a battler." Ash says as Penny blushes.

"Thanks... but this base won't go down as easy as the last one, Mela is a very stubborn individual full of fiery spirit so if we want to get through, we can't get complacent." Penny says as Ash nods, as they were walking, they see a peculiar sight of a blue eyed Charcadet trying to get through two Team Star grunts leaving both Ash and Penny intrigued.

"Is that Harold's Charcadet?" Ash asks as Penny shook her head.

"No, that's Charlos, he's a Shiny Charcadet that acts as a semi-mascot at our school. Naranja has a school program run by several students, Miriam and Salvatore that helps injured or lost Pokemon and nurse them before they're released or given to a trainer. Charlos was in the care of Mela before she left and that's what Charlos is likely doing, finding Mela." Penny says as we switch to the grunts.

"Hold it little fella, no entry without permission." the male calm grunt says.

"Yeah, beat it twerp." the gruff female grunt says with a Brooklyn accent as Charlos refused to budge causing both grunts to feel frustrated. "I guess if you won't listen to reason, we have no choice but to drive you away with force!" the female grunt says as both grab their Pokeballs as Ash runs towards the two and stands in front of Charlos to protect him.

"Not today you won't!" Ash says with confidence as Penny stands by.

"Hold it, you're not allowed i- wait, you two are the ones who took down Giacomo's base, that's it, it's go time Elise!" the male grunt says as Elise nodded.

"Right. Show me yo moves invader!" Elise says as she and the male grunt send out their Houndour and Flechinder respectively, Ash sends out Koraidon which spooked the two.

"KORAIDON!" Koraidon shouted frightening the two grunts and their Pokemon.

"Well, we can probably take on this thing, how hard can it be?" the male grunt says as they felt a cold breath revealing to be a Baxcalibur behind them and their trainer Hassel as the two trainers and their 2 Pokemon turn slowly like robots.

"AHHHHHHHH!" the 4 say as the grunts return their Pokemon and go into a corner. "YOU WIN! YOU WIN!" the grunts says as Ash and Penny were surprised to see Haseel.

"Mr. Hassel, what're you doing here?" Ash says as Penny turns to Ash.

"Hassel wanted help to reach out to Mela. Long story short, she was his student both at an art school and at Naranja and Hassel doesn't want Mela to feel sad." Penny says as Hassel nods.

"Indeed, I just got finish restoring the painting and was about to find Mela when I found you guys here." Hassel says holding the covered painting as the female grunt appeared frustrated.

"So that's it then, the Champion is sympathizing with the teachers to bring us down, that's it-" the female grunt was interrupted by Ash.

"Please don't get it twisted, I'm proud to have gone to Naranja and I don't hate your group, I just want to stop you guys from ruining your future. Had I known that the school covered up the bullying after finding out what you guys been through, I would've left but I can tell that many of the teachers feel regret and shame over your actions and now they want to make things right and help." Ash says leaving Penny and Hassel surprised towards Ash's speech and causing the two grunts to stop.

"I hope you don't take that the wrong way Mr. Hassel." Ash says as Hassel shook his head.

"Not at all, I like it when someone sticks to their goal and are honest about it. So what're we dealing with when it comes to this base?" Hassel asks.

5 minutes later

We see Hassel nodding and understanding the scenario.

"A vehicle made out of Revavroom and Varoom!? They don't have their driver's license!" Hassel says as Penny and Ash softly sighed.

"I think there's a bit more than that Hassel." Penny says.

"Right, this battle 30 thing-" Hassel didn't finish as the female grunt interrupted.

"Oh, we changed that. We got bored of it as soon as you defeated Giacomo's base. Mela thought of something more interesting, if you want to reach her, you'll have to find 4 items and guess what Mela really desires within 30 minutes, it's how she'll determine that you're serious about taking her on." the female grunt says as Penny slouches down disappointingly.

"What is? A video game quest?" Penny says.

"No!" the male grunt said instantly as things went silent, "What's that!?" the male grunt says pointing to the distance as everyone, but the grunts looked and when the gang turns around, they see the grunts ran off towards the base.

"That's the most cliché getaway in the book." Hassel says as Ash thinks to himself.

"What could Mela desire through those 4 items?" Ash asked as Penny and Hassel thought about that.

"I may have an idea, you two just go in and handle those gru- students." Hassel says as both Ash and Penny nod and Penny brings out a walkie-talkie.

"Cringe-Worthy-42, this is Eevee-Lover-133 talking, me and PikaPika-25 made it to the gate over." Penny says as Ash and Hassel were left confused.

"Were the walkie-talkies necessary?" Ash asks.

"I don't know, I got em on sale, thought they were neat." Penny says as the walkie-talkie beeped.

"Eevee-Lover-133, this is Cringe-Worthy-42 speaking, why am I called that?" the voice says revealing it to be Clive.

"How would you describe the atmosphere of this place?" Penny asked.

"I think it's pretty sus." Clive says as everyone groaned and cringed.

That's why. Ash and Hassel thought to themselves as Ash rang the bell signaling that it was time for battle. "Cringe-Worthy-42, we're entering the field, please be wary of bearings while I communicate to you about our 10-20 on standard over and roger." Ash says confusing the group.

"Ash, leave the code talking to the professionals." Penny says as Ash slumps down in disappointment.

Ash, Penny, their Pokemon and Charlos make it through the doors and are met by the vast landscape and fiery decorations that littered the landscape. "What's with Team Star's obsession with massive empty cliff-like areas?" Ash asks as Penny shrugs.

"Gives them 'space' they say." Penny says as Charlos goes up ahead causing both Ash and Penny to panic. "Wait Charlos, don't go off on your own!?" Penny says as Charlos speeds off quickly causing the two trainers to give chase until they see a horde of Team Star grunts who notice them.

"Who's there!?" one grunt says as Ash and Penny look to each other.

"Um, the girl scouts? We have cookies for sale." Penny says as the grunts expression calmed down.

"Oh, why didn't you say so, we'll happily take some cookies." the grunt says as Penny brings out a box of cookies as the grunt gives her money. "Alright, I hope it's chocolate chip!" the grunt says as the other grunts and Pokemon gather around to open the box to reveal mint chocolate cookies to the grunts disgust.

"Eww! this is mint chocolate cookies, you're going to- where did they go?" the grunt says as they turn around to see Ash and Penny getting away with Ash and Pikachu on Koraidon and Penny and Floragato on Cyclizar.

"That was a lot of fun!" Penny laughed as she sees some tents 4 of which looked different to the plain white tents with a Team Star logo on them having more of a red, fiery color to them. "Those 4 must be where those items are in those very specific locations!" Penny says as Ash nods.

"Then let's split up, we'll check 2 of the tents and reconvene towards that larger red tent in the distance. Cyclizar, give Penny a helping hand alright." Ash says as both Penny and Cyclizar nod and they split to go search the tent.

We see Ash and Pikachu on Koraidon heading to the first red tent as 4 Star grunts rush forward with their 2 Fletchinders, Torkoal and Magby as Pikachu jumped off of Koraidon charging his electricity.

"Pikachu, use Electro Web!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and launches an electric web towards the 4 Pokemon ensnaring them and knocking them out as the 3 grunts retreated but it seems more were on the way from behind with 4 Talonflames.

There's not enough time for Pikachu to rush in! Ash thought to himself as Koraidon looked on in determination.

"RAIDON!" Koraidon yelled out as Quaxwell popped out of his Pokeball to use Liquidation against the 3 Talonflame leaving only 1 left as Koraidon looked to Pikachu, "Don." Koraidon says as Pikachu nods and uses Iron Tail against the Talonflame leaving the grunts scared and running away and leaving Ash stunned.

"Wow, Koraidon, what was that leadership role you took on?" Ash asked as a camera pops out of Koraidon.

"That my friend is what I call 'Let's Go' young Ash." Tim the camera says surprising Ash.

"Turo!? What're you doing here?" Ash says surprised as Tim looked to Ash.

"To be honest, I needed something to do. But anyway, Koraidon back in Area Zero was known for their leadership skills working with both regular and Paradox Pokemon to solve different scenarios and while I don't know what it was like in their original home but from what I've seen, they're like a natural leader of sorts. If you are in a pickle and can't command multiple Pokemon during high stress situations, Koraidon is your best bet." Tim says as he returns in Koraidon's scale and Ash smiles confidently and rubs Koraidon's head.

"You're a natural leader, aren't ya? Can I count on you for help at times like these?" Ash asks as Koraidon smiles and nods. "That's the spirit. For now, it seems no one is coming so me and Pikachu will head in, could you keep watch Koraidon, Quaxwell?" Ash asked as both Pokemon nod and both Ash and Pikachu head into the tent to reveal boxes and in the middle, a stand containing what appears to be something covered by a stainless-steel meal cover which catch both of their attention.

"Maybe they're hiding their lunch?" Ash says as Pikachu shrugs and opens it to reveal a photo of a presumably happy family with a woman with red hair similar to Mela, a man and a small girl but it seems there was another girl in the corner, somewhat sad or something similar. "Is this Mela? She seems sad in this picture, alone even." Ash says as he's unsure of what's happening but he's slowly coming to realize that some things are never happy in this world.

We see Penny, Floragato and Cyclizar also dealing with similar trainers although unlike Ash who had an easy time dealing with the trainers, Penny was running away from 6 other trainers who all had 3 Slugmas and 3 Numels.

"Why are there so many, it's like a factory here, these posters are working like a charm!" Penny says as Cyclizar and Floragato noticed her nervousness and calls out to her.

"Zar, Zar!" Cyclizar says confidently.

"Gato!" Floragato says as Penny freezes up.

"Your right, I'm only running away like a coward, Ash would stand up and fight and that's what I'll do too." Penny says gaining confidence as she gets off of Cyclizar. "Alright, Floragato, use Leafage on the Numels! Cyclizar, use Breaking Swipe on the Slugma!" Penny says as the Pokemon nod and Floragato launches a series of leafes towards the Numel stunning them while Cyclizar's tail glowed and strikes the 3 Slugma with a tail attack as the grunts ran away and Penny breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed the two Pokemon's heads.

"Thanks you two, you gave me some confidence. Now let's go see what's behind this tent." Penny says as the two Pokemon nod and walked in to see a similar meal cover, she pulls it off to reveal paper cut outs of what appear to be two taller figures holding hands with a smaller figure as Penny started to put the pieces together. "Mela... is this..." Penny didn't finish as she exited out of the tent and spotted another red one in the distance.

"Alright, ready to go?" Penny asks Cyclizar and Floragato as they nod and Penny and Floragato get on Cyclizar as they ride off.

Hope Ash is doing ok and is connecting the dots. How are Arven and Nemona? Penny thought to herself.

We see Nemona and Pawmo tiredly walking behind Arven and Morada as they navigate a forested grove.

"So, let me get this straight, you believe there's a huge grove of berries we can find that we can find that feel tropical in nature? You do know it's fall right? Have you told Ash and Penny where we're going?" Nemona says thirsty and wanting a drink.

"Yep, told him we'll be at the same site as before and that we'll be back. Paldea is full of surprises, I'm sure you found plenty of surprises too." Arven says.

"Yeah, when I found out my great-great-grandfather on my mother's side ran the Castelia City mafia." Nemona says.

"Your mother's Unovan?" Arven asks as Nemona nods.

"My family on my mother's side is Alolan and Unovan while my father's is Paldean with some Kalosian in there." Nemona says casually as they walk by a lonely egg near a tree that caught Nemona's attention as she and Pawmo moonwalk back to that spot as Arven noticed them.

"Why is there a lonely egg here?" Nemona asks as Arven was confused.

"Aren't eggs usually this open?" Arven asks as Nemona shook her head.

"Not exactly, eggs are usually kept near nests with some exceptions, she told me Floragato's egg as a Sprigatito was found in a bush while Ash tells me his Noivern egg was found behind a tree but an egg like this shouldn't be kept in the open like this. Where's their parents?" Nemona asks as the egg moves slowly panicking Nemona. "Oh no, the egg is cold!" Nemona says panicking.

"You can tell by a shake?" Arven says as Nemona nods as she grabs some items out of her bag.

"Of course, if it slowly shakes, it's cold which is bad for any Pokemon that isn't Ice type while a shake normally means it's ok but not ok if it's anything non-fire type." Nemona says as Arven was prepared to open his mouth once more, but she spoke up. "My mother told me a lot of these things to look out for when she was alive running Shangri-la." Nemona says as Arven nods and Nemona finishes preparations making the egg resemble a snowman with the scarf, hat and gloves that plop to the ground.

"Nemona, why the gloves and hat? The scarf I get but the gloves and hat?" Arven says as Nemona ignored him and got another idea and sent out Crocalor.

"Crocalor, could you huddle around the egg and warm it up but just lightly." Nemona says as Crocalor nods and huddles close to the egg making his body warm up slowly. "There we go eggy; you'll feel better in no time." Nemona says as Arven watched on but heard 3 screeching noises behind him as he turns around and looks on shocked.

"Um Nemona?" Arven asks as Nemona perked up holding the egg to see what appear to be Amoonguss's but appears one of them looks different with the strange Amoonguss having spikes on it's head, 4 legs, a beak and a tail.

"That's one strange looking Amoonguss. Is it ok?" Nemona says as Arven doesn't appear too sure about that Amoonguss.

"Something doesn't feel right, I think I've seen that before." Arven says as Morada grabs the Scarlet book for Arven as he flips through it and Nemona scans the strange Amoonguss.

Paradox Pokemon identified, scanning now.

Brute Bonnet, the Paradox Pokemon, a Grass/Dark type. It's noted for its brutal strength and large structure, but it is actually not very intelligent.

This information causes both Arven and Nemona to comedically panic.

"How did it get here?" Nemona says.

"Likely the same way Iron Valiant and Koraidon did, the air gusts and I have a feeling we'll see more." Arven says as Nemona confidently steps forward.

"Allow me to handle them, Pawmo, use Discharge!" Nemona says as Pawmo nods and prepares to charge up his electricity but Brute Bonnet strikes with Sucker Punch but to Pawmo's lower areas causing Nemona, Arven and Morada to cringe as Pawmo wheezes from that attack. "Pawmo!" Nemona says picking him up safely as Arven steps forward.

"Allow me, go Great Ball!" Arven says as Brute Bonnet launches it back with Payback to Arven's groin as Nemona, Morada and Pawmo cringe as Arven wheezes. "Ok, plan B, Morada grab a purple ball out of my bag please and launch it at them." Arven says breathing heavily following that attack as Morada nods and grabs a Smoke Ball that she launches towards the Brute Bonnet and Amoonguss which creates a huge puff of smoke. The smoke clears away as it was shown that the two trainers and their Pokemon get away on Arven's Gogoat as Brute Bonnet and the Amoonguss's charge with Nemona still carrying the egg.

We see Ash arriving to the tents, but it seems there were 6 red tents with similar logos as Ash wasn't sure which one it was and sent out Quaxwell, Torterra, Tinkatink and Nymble in order to figure this out.

"Alright Nymble, Pikachu, Quaxwell and Tinkatink, we need to split up and find out where this next clue is, so we'll go in each and find that steel cover, get out of there if things get too serious." Ash says as his Pokemon nod as Ash turned to Torterra and Koraidon, "Torterra, Koraidon, could I ask for you to keep watch?" Ash asks as his Pokemon nod, and they each go in their respective tents. Ash goes into the first tent he sees the metal cover.

"Well, that was easy, let's see what's underneath this one." Ash says as he opens it to reveal another steel cover, "Ok?" Ash says as he opens it to reveal another steel cover, one after another. Pikachu enters to see a Salandit, a Numel, a Larvesta and Torchic playing as the Pokemon happily invite Pikachu to play with them. Quaxwell enters a tent to see a boy and girl grunt with their 2 Charcadets, a Steenee on the boy's side and the girl a Skiddo as they were having a tea party and looked at Quaxwell surprisingly.

"Um... don't tell our boss that we had non-fire types with us." the boy grunt says as Quaxwell nodded.

"Quax (Duley noted)" Quaxwell says simply. Nymble hops into a room where some grunts and Pokemon were watching a show called the 'Lokix Riders', a Tokusatsu style show with 5 rangers and their 5 differently colored Lokix as Nymble watched on in excitement over seeing her evolved form. Tinkatink walks into a room where some grunts were having a party. Torterra felt bored and wandered around to an empty red tent and found a metal covering finding his location, Torterra was about to turn around to alert the others when suddenly, a trainer and his male Pyroar come out ready for battle.

"Hold it right there, we can't let that information go out. Pyroar, Flare Blitz!" the male grunt says as Pyroar's body bursts into flames and rushes towards Torterra, Torterra remembering his times being defeated so often in Sinnoh and while training back at Oak's lab, he wasn't going to lose.

"Terra! (Not today you aren't!)" Torterra says as he rushes at Pyroar with Headlong Rush and sends him and the trainer flying comedically in the air like TR.

"I'm blasting off to somewhere!" the male grunt says disappearing in the sky with a twinkle as Torterra scoffed and Koraidon was frightened. The others come out of the tent to notice the metal container where Torterra was at as Ash was congratulatory and patted Torterra on the head.

"Thank you Torterra, now let's see what's underneath this plate, where do they get these plates?" Ash says as he takes off the metal covering to reveal a photo of Mela and her grunts being happy which gave Ash some idea of what's going on. "That sad family picture of Mela compared to now where she's happy like Team Star are like her... siblings. A family of sorts, I think I get it." Ash nods and returns Torterra and gathers up each of his Pokemon to get going.

"C'mon Quaxwell, let's go-" Ash was stunned to see Quaxwell having a tea party with the Team Star grunts while wearing a monocle, a top hat and a fake mustache.

"More tea, Quaxwell." the male grunt says as Quaxwell nods and drinks his tea.

We see Penny, Floragato, Cyclizar and Greavard fighting against multiple trainers and their Pokemon as Penny became more confident.

"Floragato use Shadow Claw!" Penny says as Floragato nods and her dark green leaf on her chest glows purple as she slices a Larvesta and Numel. "Greavard, Shadow Ball and Cyclizar, Wild Charge!" Penny says as Greavard launches a ball of shadows towards the Tepig while Cyclizar rushes towards Talonflame sending them flying. The grunts run away as Penny nods confidently.

"Man, those grunts were weak, they're going to have to try a lot harder than that to stop me now let's see what's in this tent?" Penny says as she was about to enter the tent when suddenly, a group of 4 trainers and 4 Larvesta appear as the 5th trainer jumped in the air and landed in the middle of the trainers with his Sizzlipede. They all had some sort of Lokix helmet resembling Power Rangers or other Tokusatsu heroes as the leader smiles confidently.

"Hold it right there criminal, we are here to stop you and do you know who we are!?" the leader says as Penny wasn't impressed.

"A group of Tokusatsu rejects?" Penny said sarcastically as the grunts were comedically shocked and even disappointed.

"No, we are the Larvesta Rangers here to stop evil like you from ruining our home led by yours truly Larvesta Red, the Captain of the Larvesta Rangers and of Scheder Base underneath Mela." Larvesta Red says as Penny was staring blankly.

"If you're a Larvesta Ranger, why do you have a Sizzilipede?" Penny says as Larvesta Red and even Sizzlipede don't even know themselves.

"Um, long story. Not the point, we're here to defeat you and claim glory. Larvesta Rangers attack!" Larvesta Red says as the 4 other ranger's nod.

"Right, charge Larvesta!" the other 4 Larvesta Rangers say as their Larvestas (and Sizzlipede) rush towards Penny, but they were very slow as Penny so slow that Penny looked at her phone.

"How long do they take to attack?" Penny asks.

"About 15 minutes." Larvesta Yellow says disappointingly as Penny nods.

"Right, I'll be back." Penny says heading in the tent and taking off the metal covering to reveal a diary of some kind, and she flipped through it and read it.

'Dear diary age 11. I tell mother that I wanted to go to a sleepover, but she refused saying that I needed to stay to catch up on grades even though I had an A. Mom went out to a party celebrating something while I was here alone.' by Mela Pimenter

Penny started to worry as she turned the page.

'Dear Diary age 12. Today was my birthday and I wanted to go somewhere fun for my birthday but mom told me she was busy and that I would have to wait another day, I waited and waited and when I was going home, I noticed the door to my house had a note, "Be back, on a birthday party" and it's when I realized today was my half-sister's birthday and my mom and stepdad never invited me and I was stuck outside, it was when I decided to run away to the art school dorms.' by Mela Pimenter

Penny turned the page once more feeling saddened by what she read.

'Dear diary age 12. I thought I would feel happy, I'm gone from the people I hate but I still feel envious of not just my half-sister but everyone, my students have families they walk around with and be happy and it's just me and my Pokemon alone, I consider them family, but I also yearn for parents who care. Other than that, today was strange, I encountered my bullies and this Cassiopiea fella who wanted me to form a gang with them, maybe they'll be my family?' by Mela Pimen- no screw that name.

Penny was shocked about what she found and even saddened by how Mela was treated.

"She wanted happiness, and she wasn't given that. How could people be so cruel?" Penny says saddened as she exited out of the tent to see that the Larvesta and Sizzlipede were still crawling towards Penny as Penny looked at her clock to see that it's been only 7 minutes as she yawned and sent out Jolteon.

"Discharge." Penny says as Jolteon launches a series of lightning bolts towards the Pokemon causing them to faint, leaving the Larvesta Rangers shocked (pun not intended) and disappointed as Penny returned Jolteon and got on Cyclizar.

"Mark our words, you'll never get past our boss unless you break through her defenses but she's a tough one. Larvesta Rangers, disperse!" Larvesta Red says as they all threw smoke bombs disappearing in a flash as Nemona sets her eyes on the big tent in the distance and prepares to go.

I will admit, they're flashy. Now, break through her defenses, I think I get the idea. Penny thought to herself as she rides off towards that tent. As she was riding, Ash and Pikachu on Koraidon appeared riding alongside Penny and Cyclizar.

"Did you fine the things you're looking for?" Ash asked as Penny nods and holds the items.

"Yeah, and I have a good idea what Mela wants too." Penny says as Ash and Penny arrive to the bigger tent where a Team Star grunt stands and holds a buzzer and 4 statue holders as Ash and Penny get off of Koraidon and Cyclizar and both rub them.

"Thanks Cyclizar for helping out Penny." Ash says as Cyclizar smiles as Ash rubs his head and Ash returns him and Koraidon to their Pokeballs as the female grunt looks to them.

"So, you made it this far huh? Well then, place the items down on these 4 podiums and answer this simple question, 'What does Mela really want in life?' You get 1 chance at this so think wisely." the grunt says as she steps away and both Ash and Penny place their items on the podium, and they talk to one another.

"So, what did you find Ash?" Penny asked as Ash looked to the two items.

"The first happened to be a photo of Mela I presume being sad and alone while her parents celebrated something else and then I found another photo where Mela is more happier around her grunts-"

"Ahem." the female grunt interrupted Ash.

"Sorry, her friends." Ash says as Penny nods.

"Yeah, and then for me, I found paper cut-outs that shows two older people holding hands with a smaller figure and the 2nd thing I found was her diary talking about her life. I know the answer, ready?" Penny asks as Ash nods. "Ms underling." Penny was interrupted by the grunt.

"Mika" Mika interjected.

"Sorry Mika, the answer to all 4 on what Mela wants is a family. The photo represents her sad life, the 2nd photo represents you guys and Mela being happy having found her family but the cutouts show she still desires an actual family, and the 4th is her diary which details her life. That's our final answer." Penny says as Mika nods and presses the buzzer.

"Clever thinking, good luck and please help her." Mika says with sincerity as she steps away, nearby, Hassel overheard them and looked sad.

Mela, you told me most of this but never more about it. Mela. Hassel thought to himself as he sees Charlos was still looking for her. The sounds of an engine car were heard as Ash and Penny look to see a large vehicle drive out of a tent with Mela on it as both Ash, Pikachu, Penny and Sprigatito were shocked to see this sort of vehicle. In the distance, Clive and his Inteleon were in disbelief.

"So, this is their Starmobile." Ash says as Mela looked down scornfully.

"So, you must be here to take away my family." Mela says as Ash and Penny were shocked but shook their heads.

"That's not it, we just want you to stop before you ruin your future. I just want you to live your life happily." Penny insisted as Mela looked conflicted.

"What are you, my parents? I just don't want to be alone." Mela says as Ash and Penny shook her head.

"That's not it, it's-" but Ash didn't finish as Mela shook her head.

"Liar!" Mela says as she sent out her Infernape and Coalossol. "I won't let you ruin this family so here are the rules, you take down two of my Pokemon then you fight this my Starmobile and before you ask, it's a Pokemon, Revavroom so you're not fighting a car." Mela says.

Ash and Penny look to each other and sighed.

"We have no choice Penny, you ready?" Ash asks as Penny nods.

"Alright, we accept your challenge, Pikachu, get out there!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and hops onto the field.

"Vaporeon, come on out!" Penny says as she sends out Vaporeon who was ready for battle. Mela looked conflicted but she gritted her teeth and decided to deal with them before she regrets it.

"Coalossol use Scald on Pikachu and Infernape, use Shadow Claw on Vaporeon!" Mela says as Coalossol launches a scalding blast of water towards Pikachu and Infernape rushes towards Vaporeon with a shadowy claw as both Ash and Penny ready themselves.

"Pikachu, Electro Web towards Scald!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and launches an electrical web towards Coalossol's Scald which created a created a mist on the battlefield.

"Vaporeon, use Liquidation!" Penny says as Vaporeon rushes at Infernape with a tail flowing with water and strikes Infernape as the mist kicks in as they couldn't get see what's going on as Mela grits her teeth.

"Infernape, Coalossol, release your heat to clear out the smoke!" Mela says as they both nod and creates a heat that clears away the smoke as both Ash and Penny smile with confidence.

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail from behind!" Ash says as Pikachu smacks Coalossol with a powerful Iron Tail knocking Coalossol down.

"Vaporeon, use Alluring Voice!" Penny says as Vaporeon nods and unleashes a musical note that hits Infernape sending her flying. Mela gritted her teeth but doesn't feel deterred to give up.

"Pikachu, Iron Tail!"

"Vaporeon, Liquidation once more!" both Ash and Penny say as Pikachu rushes towards Coalossol with his metaized tail once more and Vaporeon does the same with her liquidized tail but Mela was not giving in.

"Coalossol Tar Shot! Infernape, Mach Punch!" Mela yells out as Coalossol launches hot tar towards Pikachu's face blinding him and slowing him down and Infernape punches Vaporeon quickly and efficiently sending her back as Pikachu tried to get the Tar off.

"Pikachu!/Vaporeon!" Ash and Pikachu yelled out as Mela smirked.

"Coalossol use Temper Flare! Infernape use Aura Sphere!" Mela says as both Pokemon nod and Coalossol rushes at Pikachu with a flaming tackle which did more damage like it was super effective while Infernape launches a blue sphere at Vaporeon.

"Pikachu looked more hurt by that attack." Ash says in shock as Penny looked to him.

"That's the result of Tar Shot, it lowers one's speed and makes them more suspectable to Fire attacks as if they were Super Effective." Penny says as Mela smirked.

"You can always turn tail and run; I won't stop you." Mela says as both shake their head.

"Not today!" both Ash and Penny say as Mela sighs.

"Have it your way. Power Gem Coalossol towards Vaporeon and use Fire Punch at Pikachu!" Mela says as they trade places and Infernape rushes towards Pikachu while Coalossol launches a series of gems towards Vaporeon as both Ash and Penny ready themselves again.

"Pikachu, clash with Quick Attack!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and rushes at Infernape clashing with Infernape's Fire Punch, "Now jump away with Quick Attack and use Thunderbolt!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and jumps off of Infernape stunning him and launching a Thunderbolt at Infernape that shocks her and sends her flying.

"Vaporeon send those gems back with Liquidation!" Penny says as Vaporeon nods and her tail flows with water to hit the gems back though some gems do hit her as the gems were launched at Coalossol stunning him as Penny follows up. "Vaporeon, use Chilling Water!" Vaporeon launches a spout of cold water that hits Coalossol. We see the two Pokemon knocked out as Pikachu and Vaporeon breathed heavily as Mela shook her fists but sighed as she returned her beloved Pokemon and smiled.

"Thanks you two, get some rest." Mela says as she looks down upon Ash and Penny. "Guess I have no other choice. Revavroom, you're up." Mela gets off of the modified Revavroom as the Revavroom blazes up prepared to fight as Ash and Penny look on in shock.

"I know she says it's a Pokemon but I still can't shake off the feeling of fighting a car." Ash says as Penny agrees.

"Let's not get complacent, we can make it through this, we just got to focus. We'll have to bide our time until Clive's Inteleon gets a good shot at the Varoom wheels" Penny says as Ash nods.

"Pikachu, return!" Ash says as Pikachu nods and hops back as Ash sends out Quaxwell who was ready for battle.

"Quax!" Quaxwell says as Ash nods as Mela scoffs.

"Just because your confident doesn't mean you'll win." Mela steps to the side and let's Revavroom float forward revving to go. "Use Screech!" Mela says as the large Revavroom blares its horns causing the two Pokemon to be stunned.

"Snap out of it!" Ash and Penny says as Mela smirks.

"Blazing Torque!" Mela says as the Starmobile covers itself in a large flame and rushes at Quaxwell and Vaporeon as both panic.

Blazing Torque!? That's not a move that exists unless... they created a move!? Penny thought to herself as she focuses. "Ash, tell Quaxwell to use Aqua Jet on my Vaporeon to dodge the attack!" Penny says as Vaporeon braces herself as Ash looked surprised but Ash could tell Penny's being serious.

"Quaxwell, use Aqua Jet on Vaporeon so you both dodge the attack!" Ash says as Quaxwell nods and covers himself in a watery veil launching himself towards Vaporeon carrying her out of the way, but a glow appears on Vaporeon making her not injured. "Water Absorb, of course!" Ash says realizing why as Vaporeon recovers from the attack and both focus once more.

"Vaporeon, Rain Dance!" Penny says as Vaporeon nods and creates rain clouds which power down the Starmobile's flames as Mela wasn't deterred but it seems an orange glows appears on the Starmobile signaling a boosted power and appearing much faster as Ash notices.

"Speed Boost? We need to take it down quickly before it becomes unstoppable! While it's powering down from that Blazing Torque, Quaxwell use Liquidation!" Ash says as Quaxwell nods and forms water on his legs as watery blades to strike the Starmobile as Penny nods.

"Chilling Water Vaporeon!" Penny says as Vaporeon launches a spurt of water at the Starmobile lowering their attacking power as Clive and his Inteleon gets a good shot from the distance.

"Snipe Shot!" Clive says as Inteleon launches a shot of water towards the Varoom wheel which pops off and drives off causing Mela to be surprised though unaware of Clive's presence.

Was Quaxwell's kick that strong or was it the Chilling Water, I can't let them break the Starmobile apart! Mela thought to herself. "Use Overheat to push Quaxwell away!" Mela says as the Starmobile nodded and started to heat up creating flames from it's hot body.

"Jump away Quaxwell and use a mixture of Rapid Spin and Liquidation!" Ash says as Quaxwell nods spinning like a torpedo creating a watery barrier that blocks the flames of Overheat as Quaxwell landed back on the ground.

"Screech let's go!" the Starmobile nods and blares it's horns but the two trainers were seemingly prepared.

"Cover your ears!" Ash and Penny says as Quaxwell covered his ears while Vaporeon folded her ears but Mela smirked.

"Gotcha, Gunk Shot!" Mela says as the Starmobile launches a dark ball of sludge towards both Quaxwell and Vaporeon poisoning Quaxwell and knocking out Vaporeon.

"Vaporeon!" Penny says crouching down to her Vaporeon who smiles as Penny softly smiles, "You did get hit by the Power Gem earlier and by Infernape, thank you for your help, get some rest." Penny says patting Vaporeon and returning her in her Pokeball before she sends out Greavard.

"Greav!" Greavard says happily.

"Ready to battle the Starmobile!?" Penny asks as Greavard barks happily and readies to fight as Quaxwell stumbles a bit due to the poisoning worrying Ash.

"Quaxwell, are you ok?" Ash asks as Quaxwell smirks ready to fight despite the poisoning as Ash nods. the rain was still going but it's almost complete as they continued to fight.

"Alright Starmobile, launch an Overheat!" Mela says as the Starmobile nods and launches a beam of fire towards the two Pokemon as Penny steps in with Greavard.

"Shadow Ball!" Penny says as Greavard nods and launches a Shadow Ball towards the blast of fire creating a puff of smoke as Penny looked to Ash who nodded.

"Use Low Sweep!" Ash says as Quaxwell nods and rushes at the Starmobile striking it from the front with a downward kick onto the main Revavroom body as prepares it's poison.

"Gunk Shot!" Mela says as the Starmobile nods and prepares to launch toxic muck towards the group.

"Jump away with Aqua Jet!" Ash says as Quaxwell flies away with Aqua Jet avoiding the Gunk Shot but it's still launched towards Greavard as Ash, Penny and Quaxwell panic. "Oh no Greavard!" Ash says as Quaxwell uses Aqua Jet to launch towards the Gunk Shot as Greavard looked on.

I can't stand here and do nothing, I've been with Penny for a long while, I need to pull my weight too for Penny's sake! Greavard thought to himself as he ran towards the Gunk Shot scaring Penny.

"Greavard no!" Penny says as Greavard creates a pair of glowing pink fangs and chomps down on the Gunk Shot surprising Penny, "That was Psychic Fangs, now prepare to use Shadow Ball!" Penny says as Greavard prepares to launch a Shadow Ball as Mela smirks.

"Dodge!" Mela says as the Starmobile nods and moves backwards but that's what Penny was hoping for and looked to Ash who nodded.

"In the air towards Quaxwell!" Penny says as Greavard launches a strong Shadow Ball in the air towards Quaxwell.

"Use Liquidation to kick the Shadow Ball!" Ash says surprising Mela as Quaxwell nods and covers his feet in water kicking the Shadow Ball towards the vehicle much quicker and damaging them a lot as Mela gritted her teeth. In the distance, Inteleon fires another Snipe Shot at the lower right wheel causing the Varoom to pop out. At that point with the damage it taken, the Starmobile started to malfunction a bit unbeknownst to Mela.

"No, I can't give up. I won't let you take away my happiness!" Mela says tearing up.

"They're not taking away your happiness, they want to make you happy and give you a bright future!" a voice was heard as Ash, Penny and Mela turn and to Mela's shock it was Hassel, his Baxcalibur and Charcadet as Mela looked conflicted and turned away as Hassel looked saddened but didn't give up.

"I know after what happened, you're afraid of seeing me and my reaction to it all, you're a boss of Team Star, leading all these students. I admit, I was skeptical but then I realized how much you've went through and how much you and many of Team Star wanted warmth, guidance and care and we didn't provide that did we?" Hassel says as Mela looked on but didn't say anything as Hassel could tell how Mela felt.

"We as teachers have a responsibility to help our students and we failed that and so I and the school take full responsibility for not helping you and others in your time of need and I hope you forgive us!" Hassel says bowing to apologize leaving Mela shocked.

"Even with your apology-" Mela didn't finish as Hassel continued.

"You wanted a family, so you don't feel alone you consider Team Star your family and are afraid to lose them. I won't take your friends away, I won't let your happiness be taken away from you and for your family, I want to adopt you as my daughter, so you'll never feel alone or have to struggle by yourself!" Hassel says with determination as Mela was surprised and her tears start to well up.

"Mr. Hassel?" Mela says as Charlos goes to her but as he walks over to her, the Starmobile starts to malfunction worrying everyone.

"What's wrong with the Starmobile!?" Penny says.

"It appears like they're malfunctioning, Revavroom calm down!" Mela says as the Starmobile starts going out of control and starts to heat up and use Burning Torque rushing at Charlos. "Charlos!" Mela says going to push out of the way but there was no time so she hugged him closely as Ash tries to help.

"Pikachu Electro We-"

"Glaive Rush!" Hassel says as Bacalibur launches himself at the vehicle destroying it and freeing the Revavroom and the two remaining Varoom as Mela breathes heavily seeing if Charlos was ok. "Now calm down the heat with Blizzard!" Hassel says as Baxcalibur launches a frosty breath towards the flaming vehicle reducing the flames to nothingness before Hassel turns to face the students.

"Now are you all ok?" Hassel asks as they all nod, but Mela still looked upset. Hassel then pulled out something that shocks Mela, a very detailed painting of her happy with what appeared to be a family and the caption that read 'a true family, one by love not by despair' s Mela teared up.

"My painting, you fixed it?" Mela said in disbelief as Hassel softly smiled.

"It took a lot of work over the next year, some paper cuts, some tape and a lot of looking and matching, but I think I got it just right." Hassel says as by surprise, Mela cries into his chest as Ash and Penny sat by and watched and Clive smiled and looked through a list that contained 5 Team Star Bosses but also a 6th slot.

Another Team Star Base down and that's all the Naranja bosses, now it's only 3 more. Former Uva Champion-ranked trainer and professional ninja Atticus, Platano's short but angry Ortega and Manzana's gentle giant Eri. But also another member, a mastermind Cassiopeia, who could they be? I'll just have to keep going. Clive thought to himself as Mela remembers something from long ago.

Around a year and a half ago

We see Mela and her Infernape in a lonely art classroom where everyone left as she painted away at something as 4 students came through the door consisting of Giacomo, a boy in with silver hair and a school uniform with the Uva grape symbol on it, a boy with pink hair, short with short hair and angry with pink eyes and a symbol on it shirt showing bananas and a tall girl with tan skin, but a soft expression and smile with her school uniform having an apple symbol.

"I can't believeth I has't to weareth this unusual clothing and not mine own ninja f'rm." the silver haired boy said with a Shakespearean voice.

"It's to look casual for the school at least until you leave Atticus." Giacomo informed as the pink haired boy snickered alongside his Dachsbun.

"So, Melly. Up here doing art by yourself." the pink haired boy said with a smug smile.

"It helps me concentrate from shorties like you Ortega." Mela said as Ortega was comedically shocked and twitched.

"What was that hot head?" Ortega said as Mela gritted her teeth.

"Hot head!?" Mela said as Eri stepped in.

"Now, now, we don't want to be thrown out." Eri said peacefully as she noticed Mela's art which was of Mela with angelic wings flying above Mesagoza which caused even Ortega to stop now impressed. "Mela, this is gorgeous." Eri says as Mela blushes.

"Oh it's not." Mela says honestly.

"You got to stop selling yourself short, it's actually pretty good." Ortega says with honesty towards his rival as Mela smiles as a knock was heard.

"I shalt checketh t out." Atticus says opening the door to reveal a Rotom cam holding a bag of hot and fresh donuts and macarons.

"Cassiopeia, glad you could make it." Giacomo says honestly as the Rotom cam nods.

"Wouldn't want to miss Mela's birthday and the 2nd anniversary of Atticus's Champion ranking." Cassiopeia says as Atticus turns to Mela.

"I apologizeth f'r sharing this anniv'rsary on the day of thy birthday Mela" Atticus says as Mela shakes her head.

"Nah, we're family here, we should enjoy all sorts of celebrations, I hear two other trainers also have the Uva Champion ranking, does it make you jealous?" Mela says as Atticus shakes his head.

"Wherefore wouldst I beest? Thence art multiple Champion trainers than just 2, thence w're 6 Platano Champions in the 80's" Atticus says as Cassiopeia looked to see Mela's painting.

"Mela, it's gorgeous." Cassiopeia says as Mela bashfully smiles.

"C'mon, not you too!" Mela says.

"I'm serious, it's amazing, I bet you always had an interest in art as a kid?" Cassiopeia says as Mela freezes up and smiles.

"It was my father's interest, he was in love with the art and taught me that art isn't some item, it's how to express one's emotions." Mela tears up but smiles causing the others to worry, "He passed away when I was 5 and that's when my mother changed and threw out any art and treated me like I'm a nobody. She thinks that I don't exist. I miss him so much." Mela says as the gang feel sad for Mela especially Ortega who wasn't snarky and Infernape patted her trainer's back.

"I'm so sorry to hear that Mela." Ortega says as Mela shook her head.

"I've moved on since then but he still remains within my art, one day, I want to become a famous artist to spread her creativity throughout the world." Mela says as the gang smile. Cassiopiea grabs the largest sugar donut in there and holds it up to everyone.

"To Mela and her dreams, lets cheer for her and her endeavors as Team Star!" Cassiopiea says as the others nod and grab parts of the donut as Mela teared up.

"To Mela!" the gang says as they pull apart the donut and Mela smiles finding her family.

We see Ash, Penny, Mela, Clive and Hassel outside the base.

"Well chumps, you won fair and square but I'm not considering this defeat, more of a break to get a hold of myself and adjust to my new family while still embracing my Team Star family." Mela says as Ash and Penny smile.

"We wouldn't have it any other way." Ash says confidently as Mela smirks and hands him a badge.

"A token of Team Star, treasure it well or else." Mela said with a menacing look as both Ash and Penny nod causing Mela to smile more friendly.

"So now we stopped Mela, what's next Penny?" Ash asks as Penny opens up a page for the silver haired boy Atticus with varying information about him and him wearing a ninja suit.

"Atticus Dokuga, the Poison Team Star specialist and a former Champion of Uva Academy." Penny says surprising Ash.

"Former Champion?" Ash asks as Mela steps in.

"That's right, he was formally a Champion-Ranked trainer for 4 years having beaten the former Champion Ribes at the time and earning his Gym Badges and likes to consider himself the strongest ninja but he lost that title a year ago following the Team Star incident and gave it to the Tachibana siblings though he tells me they never earned their Champion status properly." Mela says surprising Ash and Clive.

Kieran did tell me about that, but why would he be given that title if he never earned it? Ash thinks to himself.

Given to them, they didn't do anything noteworthy to be given that title so easily, that damn headmaster. I need to talk to Mela about this, I could get more clues. Clive thinks to himself as Nemona and Arven arrive to the scene huffing and puffing with Nemona still holding the egg.

"Student council president, one eye cutie? Why are you huffing?" Mela asks as the Brute Bonnet and the Amoonguss as Clive nods.

"Use Air Slash Braviary!" Clive says as Braviary comes out of his Pokeball and launches several air slices towards the Pokemon sending them flying like Team Rocket.

"Actually, I was going to say slow them down because one of them was a special Pokemon." Arven says comedically disappointed as Clive and Braviary bow to apologize.

"A shiny? I'm so sorry." Clive says.

"Well not exactly-" Arven didn't finish as Penny goes over to Nemona.

"Don't hold the egg like that, you'll break it!" Penny says as she informs Nemona how to properly raise an egg as everyone laughs while Ash turns to see Mela talking with Charlos the Shiny Charcadet who was hugging her on the leg.

"You want to come with me?" Mela asks surprised as Charlos nods.

"He's been waiting for you for a year, he wanted to come with you on the day of Starry Skies incident but then you ran off..." Hassel informed as Mela tears up and grabs a Quick Ball. "You were always a great friend, alright, come here." Mela says as she touches Charlos's head, and he goes inside the Quick Ball as Mela smiles.

"So what's your plan now?" Ash asks as Mela gets up.

"Right now, I'm heading back to Naranja. Mr. Hass- da-" Mela felt unsure what to say.

"You can use whatever you want." Hassel says as Mela nods.

"While Mr. Hassel gets the papers ready for me to be adopted, I'll head back and do some thinking. Catch up with Giacomo and you promise me my friends will be safe Champion?" Mela says as Ash and Pikachu cross their hearts.

"I promise, I'll even ask Mr. Clavell right now." Ash says as Clive panics as Ash grabs his phone, noticing this Hassel steps in.

"Don't worry about that Ash, I'll put in the word, you just focus on your journey. I hear Poppy isn't too far away from here." Hassel says as Ash nods. He walks with his group as they wave goodbye to Mela, Clive and Hassel. When the cost was clear, Clive nods and takes off his pompadour to reveal himself as Clavell.

"This pompadour is not my biggest flex that's for sure." Clavell says as Hassel and Mela cringe with dread before Mela is shocked to see Clavell.

"Mr. Clavell!?" Mela says as Clavell shakes his head.

"Relax, you're not in trouble, I just need to ask a couple of questions about Team Star and what happened if you don't mind." Clavell asks.

Meanwhile, we see Ash's gang celebrating Penny's success at the campfire in the evening.

"And Penny was very strategic in dealing with Fire type Pokemon by using Rain Dance to lower the power of the Starmobile and using Liquidation to hit back at the Power Gems. She was very cool!" Ash says as Penny blushes.

"C'mon it's not like that." Penny says blushing but appreciates Ash's words.

"Well, me and my Pokemon are going to get some training in for my match with Poppy." Ash says as Penny, Nemona and Arven nod as Nemona learns how to take care of the egg.

Ash sends out his Pokemon sans Quaxwell who was resting due to the poisoning earlier. "Alright everyone are you ready for some training!?" Ash says excitedly as his Pokemon cheer on but Torterra notices something.

"Tor, Torterra." Torterra says nodding his head upwards and Ash sees a Rotom Cam.

"So, you must be the Ash that took down Team Star." the warbled voice of the Rotom Cam says.

"Yes, I am?" Ash says.

"Then you're the one my assistant's been talking about." the Rotom says confusing Ash.

"Assistant?" Ash asks.

"My apologies, I got a bit ahead of myself, didn't I? I'm Cassipiea, the founder of Team Star." the Rotom says as Ash vaguely recalls that name.

"The boss of Team Star? Where are you?" Ash asks as the Rotom shakes their head.

"That's not important. You're doing a good job handling my lackeys, they put up a good fight." Cassiopiea says.

"Your lackeys? If you're the boss of Team Star, why would want to destroy your own base? Unless your assistant is-" Ash didn't even need to finish as Cassipiea Rotom nods.

"That's right, that girl you call Penny Flores is my personal assistant. She shares a goal with mine to destroy Team Star to save their future. She impressed me so I hired her to do my dirty work to avoid being caught." Cassiopiea says flying around.

"So that's your goal but your loyal followers, you founded a gang on the basis of providing them shelter and warmth." Ash asks.

"I won't deny that's the case but now I want them to move on in their lives and hope for a better future without facing prejudice for their associated with, I can't see them go through that. Please keep up the good work and make sure my assistant is happy; she's been feeling down at times. You're a good and honest kid, I know it" Cassipiea says firmly but with honesty as they fly away.

"Alright, I guess. Penny's been sad huh? I got to her know her a bit, but I can tell she's happy but just needs more warmth in her life." Ash says having determination, "Then I'll do just that, me, Pikachu, Nemona, Arven, everyone will pitch in!" Ash says with determination as he looked to a town in the distance the sight of his first Elite Four battle.

END

Omake: Nemona's long name.

The other day, following Arven's capture of Garganacl and his battle with Team Rocket. They were at a shop getting supplies when Nemona spots a sweepstake for a cruise near the Islas de Ensueño (based on the Canary Islands which I'm surprised hasn't been in SV) and decides to sign her name which was very long surprising Ash.

"Say Nemona, why did you write your name to be that long?" Ash asks as Nemona nods.

"Well, in the Paldea Region, many Paldeans take on the names of their parents and they usually don't have middle names but instead, two surnames so for my short name it's Nemona Helena Banderas with Helena being my mother's last name and Banderas being my father but most people go for full names to honor their heritage. Though I'm not fully Paldean, my mother is half-Paldean, half-Unovan and a quarter Alolan" Nemona says as Ash learned something new and looked to Penny and Arven.

"Helena- Hele-" Ash tries to say as Nemona chuckles.

"I know, doesn't roll off the tongue nor is it really a last name." Nemona says.

"What about you Penny, Arven?" Ash asks as Penny shakes her head.

"My father's Galarian while my mother's Johtonian so I don't have a long name or two surnames just a middle name, actually two middle names to represent my heriatage." Penny says embarrassed by that name.

"Your middle name can't be that bad." Arven says.

"It's Penny Elizabeth Hikari Flores." Penny says blushing.

"It's not bad." Ash says as Penny blushes more.

"Well, when you say it, I guess not." Penny says with a slight smile appreciating Ash's comment as Ash turns to Arven.

"Well, my family's Galarian as well though I do have a Paldean grandfather on my mother's side." Arven says as Ash turned to Nemona.

"So, what is your full name Nemona?" Ash says as Penny shows the gang confidently her paper.

"Well, it's Nemona Helena Martin Castillo Molina Morales Lozano Guerrero Camacho Cruz Acosta Cortez Reina Salazar Zaragoza Silva Salinas Rocha Orozco Paredes Banderas. Oh, and same deal for Pawmo, I figured it be cute to share a name" Nemona says all in one leaving the 3 trainers mouths agape towards her long name as Nemona and Pawmo smile confidently. "So, Ash, what's your middle name?" Nemona asks as the gang get back to normal and even a disguised Team Rocket were listening in.

"C'mon kid say it." Meowth says as a shadow looms behind them as they turn to see Clavell and his Braviary.

"Ahem." Clavell says prepared to knock them away.

"My middle name? Well it's-"

Omake END

I'm sorry that took a while, I got writer's block, when I thought I had everything down for this chapter, everything came to a screeching stop as I wasn't sure what to think and how I wanted the story to go especially with the side story battles so I'll post those when I feel like I'm not in a slump.

The next chapter involves the gang heading to Ash's first Elite Four battle and even Ash's Tinkatink is excited but there seems to be trouble in the town they're in, are they able to figure it out?

New moves learned:

Penny's Greavard: Mud Shot, Shadow Ball, Psychic Fangs, Headbutt

Nemona acquired an Egg, what will it be? Who knows, you'll have to wait and see.