Episode 31: Two Sides, Two Schemes

Warmth, morning quiet, and comfy sunlight beamed into the dark behind Kayla's eyes. A groan, a grumble, and a lazy stretch. A light rumble in her stomach, and a slight crusty feeling around her eyes. Now this was a good feeling. A refreshing night's sleep devoid of all the strange nightmares that normally kept her up. Kayla opened her eyes, blinked into focus, and then squirmed a bit, feeling it might be too good to be true. But her bed was dry, and her face didn't feel like it was drenched in tears. If she could pump her fists, she'd shoot to the ceiling right now.

What was a surprise, Kari was already awake and not leaned over her with worry. In fact, the Furret was so distracted that they didn't notice her, so she could hide her blush at her failed attempt to cheer. Whatever Kari was doing, they were in the middle of the room, tail swaying while they hummed quietly to themselves. Pola was fast asleep on top of her covers, drooling.

"Morning," Kayla said quietly. Kari didn't jump despite being caught by surprise. They smiled and waved, and then pointed to the restroom.

"Sorry. I know this must be super weird," the Furret scratched her back.

"You said that last time, too," Kayla grinned. "I guess… you wanna talk about… that night?"

"Sorry," Kari twiddled her paws and feet.

"I'm the one who should be sorry. I've never seen you react that way before. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable and stuff," Kayla said.

"Me? But I'm the one who didn't wanna make you uncomfortable!" she squeaked, and quickly covered her mouth. She slipped into the bathroom then, and Kayla followed with a roll of her eyes.

"If you were making me uncomfortable, I'd have stopped you in the first place. You know how I am; I don't even let Pola touch me," Kayla said as the door was slid shut. This time, Kari didn't respond. "Plus, you're the one that runs off screaming every time you get flustered. So, what's the big deal?"

There still wasn't a reply. Kari didn't look nervous. In fact, she looked determined for some reason. Her paws were clenched and her face had a plain frown, while her tail had stopped swaying.

"Seriously, what's the big deal?"

"How aren't you bothered?" Kari suddenly shook irritably. Kayla cocked her head. "The prom, th-the hugs, the team! The uh, you! You being super nice and friendly and happy to me. I don't get it anymore."

"You're losing me. Did I do something wrong?" Kayla's eyes were wide.

"I wanted to help you. I want to help you, but I'm getting all confused and I just don't get it. Urf, no one's ever treated me this way before. And then when you sat down to cuddle and sleep, I just got, I just got all… Why are you okay with me touching you like that?"

Kayla snickered. "Geez, you word that like you're touching me inappropriately."

"You said you were fine with the belly rubs!"

"And I was. And I am. You said you did it with the kids, and it showed. It felt nice, honestly."

"Kayla!"

"What? What's the problem?" Kayla cried.

Kari was squirming and pouting now. "That's- that's what couples do!"

It is? Kayla froze and stared. "Me joining Team Daybreak is what a couple would do?"

"Well, kinda? Sorta? It's part of you being really nice to me. But mostly the prom and that night," Kari twiddled her paws. "I just don't get it. I barely knew you, but then you just started being super nice to me all the time, and then you do stuff like this and I just feel… no one's ever treated me like this before, and I… I… I'm just confused. I dunno what to think or feel."

Kayla was quiet for a while. "Then just feel how you want to feel."

"Huh?"

"I didn't feel like any of this was romantic. You're a nice Pokémon who I like being around, and you offered to help me out with stuff. That night was one of those things. If it's too far and making you uncomfortable with thoughts like that, then I won't anymore," Kayla explained.

"Well no, I… I didn't… I didn't hate it," she trailed off, mumbling that last part ever so quietly. She quickly beamed up again, but her cheeks were flushed. "I don't deserve it. And well, you're not a kid and stuff, y'know? Letting you sleep on me and giving you tummy rubs is uh, I don't want it to seem weird or Pokémon to get the wrong idea."

"Well no one was around, and I didn't mind at all. But it really just sounds like I've overstepped your boundaries, so seriously, it's cool. I'll dial it back, if you're still up for the helping me out thing," Kayla smiled.

Kari blushed even harder, and she started squirming. "Urgh, I- No I'm not saying I… I just… I don't get it. None of that was romantic to you? At all? Or just…"

Kayla waited for more words, but they didn't come. "You're not making any sense."

"You're not making any sense!" she cried.

"Look, what is this actually about? What's the problem?"

Kari threw her paws down like she wanted to shout, but nothing came out of her mouth. There were more nervous squirms and a stomp, but not a word escaped her. And then, ever so quietly, less than a whisper, at a volume impossible for anyone but a Buneary to hear, she grumbled. "I don't deserve this."

Kayla sighed. "Alright. We'll try it like this!"

With a hop and a bounce, Kayla jumped into Kari's arms, earning a yelp and a squeal. Despite that, Kari caught and cradled her carefully. Knowing she was safe here, Kayla giggled to herself, a newfound sense of comfort in her position. Or perhaps it was familiarity? Kari felt as soft as she wanted her to be, and even though her feet were suspended, it didn't feel anything like being held by a Pokémon attack.

After a moment, Kari stopped clenching her eyes shut, and gasped at Kayla who was smiling up at her. She uttered a few nervous noises, making the bunny giggle, but she didn't let go. She wasn't stiff either, retaining her careful, delicate cradle. "Wha… uh… wha-what're you doing?"

"I just thought of a new one," Kayla replied smugly. "Carry me to breakfast."

"C-carry you? But why?"

"You're the bigger Pokémon. You take bigger steps," Kayla said. "Or you could bounce like a Buneary. Both work."

"That doesn't explain why!" Kari shook. "You're not a baby Pokémon. I don't need to carry you!"

"Then don't hold me like one," Kayla started shifting.

"Hey-wait-c-careful, I'll—"

"Just a little- there, like this. This is fine," Kayla smiled up at her. She was faced forward now, with Kari's paws wrapped around her front above her fluff. Her ears went beside Kari's head so she wouldn't hit her chin if she unrolled them. Meanwhile, Kayla's own paws hung loosely over Kari's.

"Kayla, this is… I…"

"Ehehe, you're so nervous and shy. I would've gone on your back, but no grip. This is comfortable though, and I can still help you with my ears, so," Kayla explained.

"But it's still," Kari squeaked even higher pitched. Everything but her paws shivered, and she couldn't move.

"Or I guess we can still talk. Take a deep breath, Kari," Kayla sounded serious for a moment. She could feel Kari obey. "Okay. Without putting me down, tell me. What're you so nervous about?"

"Every—"

"And don't say 'everything'. Pinpoint it to one thing. Why are you so nervous right now?"

"Do I have to answer?" she whined.

"If you don't, I won't know what to do to help. But maybe you don't have to tell me. If you can pin it to one thing, you can do something about it yourself."

"Do we have to? Can't we just leave it this way?" Kari whined even quieter.

"Kari! Deep breath," Kayla said.

Another deep breath.

"Now. Talk. Tell me."

There was still a long pause, but at the very least, Kari wasn't shuddering anymore. Instead, she felt warm, and twisting to look up at her revealed she was blushing deeply. Without looking down at her however, Kari started to talk slowly. "It's… because… I'm holding you. We're… touching."

"I promise you, I'm fine with this. Why is holding or touching me like this a problem?" Kayla cocked her head. "When I think about it, you were like this when we had to hold hands to dance, too. But once we got to the dance floor and things got going, you were yourself."

Kari gasped lightly.

"What made that happen?"

"… Because I stopped caring," Kari said blankly.

"Go on," Kayla smiled.

There was an even longer pause this time, and one where Kari's face was unreadable. That in itself caused Kayla to go quiet, too. For the first time ever since meeting her, in all of their interactions until now, Kari had a totally unreadable expression. There was no plain smile, no blush, no shiver, no bounciness, not even gestures from her paws. Kayla went from being held by a shy friend, to being held by one of her servants, a familiar feeling she didn't want to have.

Yes, that was why it was familiar, she realised. Since Mum only had one claw, she was often held and treated by servants instead. Kirlia, Gardevoir, Kangaskhan, and even a Togetic at one point. Kayla couldn't feel love or emotions from any of them. They were lifeless drones who recited their roles like retail workers, and she hated it. She hated it so much that they stopped getting servants over time, and she learnt how to handle everything her own way, functional hands be damned.

When Kari danced with her, and when she slept on her that one night, it was what she always wanted, and never knew she wanted. The comfortable companionship of another Pokémon she genuinely cared about, and vice versa. But like this? It seems it wasn't to last. Kari was so empty. Frustratingly lifeless. It deflated her with a sigh, and she began to slip out of Kari's grip.

But then the paws suddenly held tighter. Not in an uncomfortable way, but that Kari leaned forward and hugged tighter as if to not let go of her.

"S-sorry. I-I didn't mean to loosen there," Kari shuddered. Her cheeks were pink again.

What is this feeling? Kayla gawked. "Um, aren't you nervous anymore? Was that really all it was?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," Kari giggled, standing straight up. She flicked Kayla up a bit to get a better grip, and then curled her head around Kayla's to look at her. "You sure you're okay with this?"

"… Yeah. I am," Kayla smiled.

"My hands are on, erm, your tummy," Kari giggled. "You called it 'the goods' last time Pola messed with ya, so I gotta make sure."

Kayla's eyes widened. "I swear to the gods, you remember the weirdest specific things sometimes."

"Ehehe, I remember everything! You've gotta when you're looking after kids," Kari replied gleefully. "Exceeeeeept, you're not a kid. You're just… well not, 'just', but, eerrr…"

"A friend?" Kayla smiled up at her.

"If I'm allowed to touch 'the goods', does that really count as just 'a friend'?"

"Look, I called it that because I was trying to speak in Pola's style. I don't actually view my body like that. Belly, backside, face, I don't let anyone touch me in general," Kayla explained. "Me and you, we're just friends who dance and bounce to breakfast together, and when we're chill, lean on each other like fluffy beds. I'm fine with that, and I trust you enough that we can do stuff like that if it feels nice."

Kari was shocked enough to gawk.

"If it's actually romantic, I guess we're gonna have to put up with Pola being stupid for a while. Anyone else, who gives a hoot?" Kayla added.

"Yeah, yeah! I was super worried about nothing, why does any of that stuff matter anyway, right?" Kari agreed, and bounced over to the door. "I had Butterfree in my tummy, but now that they're all gone, there's an earthquake there instead. Let's get brekkies!"

"That's the spirit!" Kayla said cheerfully. Despite what was just said, Kari hesitated in front of the exit. She was confused until she felt the Furret tense up a bit.

"Hey, Kayla?" Kari's voice was soft, so she looked up at her. "It makes me really happy that you're this comfortable around me. Despite me being so weird and stretchy and everything else."

"You know what I'm like. If you ever do anything to put me off, I'll say for sure. If I do the same for you, you'll say, won't you?" Kayla asked.

"Yeah. Yeah! Yeah, I defo will," she replied just as softly, before perking up do her usual bouncing along. "Ready for breakfast?"

"Always," Kayla nodded.

…

"Seriously, what's with this?" Pola grumbled, picking her ear. After breakfast, Kayla had Team Daybreak gather in their dorm. "Does last night really count as a celebration if we're gonna have a meeting right away? I barely got to sleep."

"Some important stuffs come up, stuff we gotta talk about. Maybe we won't work today, but no reason to put this off," Kayla began, looking over everyone. She gave the floor a loud tap with a foot. "Okay May. Bring 'er in!"

All eyes turned as the door opened, and May and Mog came in. Pola and Shannon flinching forward said everything they needed to say, while Ashe let out a quiet gasp. May was as plain as ever, while Mog herself had an ashamed stance, her wings hung low while she fought to make eye contact with everyone.

Even though they met in proper yesterday, this was the first time Kayla was getting a clear look at the Swoobat. She was surprised that they were ever so slightly smaller than Kari, albeit sleeker than most other Swoobat. Her fur was short and fine even from her neck fluff, and for some reason, she had a tail. A very, very short tail on her body that was like a Torchic's, on top of the thin, pink, heart-shaped coil tail Swoobat normally had. Something about that was cute, a contrast to the bright yellow of her pupilless eyes. She still had three eyes too, but the third one was closed.

"Er, okay, the fuck? I-I thought you sent her to the, er y'know, the police and stuff? What's she doing here?" Pola came forward, glancing back and forth.

"You never cease to surprise me, Kayla," Ashe smiled. "This is what I think it is, isn't it?"

"We had a talk yesterday, and I figured it was important to ask everyone. But first and more importantly, Mog. Did you make a decision?" Kayla began.

Silence fell, and May stepped aside, giving her a friend a solemn nod. Mog's nose quivered as she took a deep breath and came forward, but she still rubbed her wing. "I have. I… decided I want to take you up on your offer. It's hardly my place, but I hope you'll have me."

"Oh no, the fuck've you done this time?" Pola palmed her face.

"I want to make amends for everything I've done wrong. I lived a nightmare for twenty years and forced that upon so many Pokémon, more than I'll ever know. I can't prove anything except by doing, so right now I can only ask you all to trust me, but your team is my best chance for doing that. So please, will you let me join your team?"

"Fuck no! How the heck am I supposed to do anything knowing Isnomia's biggest beast is right there waiting to stab me in the back?" Pola cried.

"Again, I can only ask you to trust me but… I loathe the fact that I was Mathildaath. Seriously. I never want anything to do with that again," Mog replied. Her wings curled with angst, and her voice grew even softer. "I'm not very strong, and it'll take me a while to get used to the world again. But I promise to do my best. You just, have to trust me here."

"Na uh. Kayla, this is going on your bullshit list," Pola folded her arms and turned away.
"I have to agree here," Shannon scratched his back. "This whole thing smells. Bad."

"Hmm, don't you think you guys are being a little blunt?" Kayla faked a snicker.

"Kayla, we just spent the past how long dedicated to taking this fucker down. And we still dunno what she's capable of. If she's not locked up behind maximum security bars, you're just asking to get murdered for revenge!" Pola threw her arms up.

"And when Shannon joined, did he turn out to be a creep out to get you?" Kayla shut her eyes.

"Shannon's different!"

"In what way?"

"He- I—" Pola shifted about. "Shut up. This just ain't the same thing."

"You're our leader, so I don't really get a say in this," Shannon turned away.

"P-lease stop saying that," Kayla groaned. "That's why I called this meeting in the first place. I wanted to ask everyone's opinion."

"Shouldn't we give this a few days at the least? To see what she's really like? If she joins us, it's like not getting punished at all," Shannon reasoned.

"To an extent, that's the point," May stated. "I know Mog personally, and after Kayla proposed the idea, we had a long talk and a sleep on it. Rest assured, Mog has promised me that she will endeavour to make amends for the rest of her life. If you're going to trust anyone's words in this, make them mine. I will take responsibility for anything that goes wrong."

"You're the least trustworthy here, actually," Pola grumbled.

"Might I also add? If you don't trust her, it's more beneficial to have her here," Ashe pointed out. She had an oddly sly smirk on her face.

"How is it more helpful? Do you guys wanna die or something?" Pola gasped.

"You've forgotten. Mog is a Dreamer. Left alone, she has more of a chance of plotting something than if she is with us, watched by another Dreamer who can stop her at any moment," Ashe explained.

"Do you even still have your powers?" Kayla asked, eyes widened. "For some reason, I assumed you'd lost them."

Mog nodded and started rubbing a wing again. "Mathildaath itself isn't something I can trigger willy-nilly. But doing Dream World stuff, I think I could pull that off. I even have my own dream catcher."

"So you could help us with wishes and stuff, too? Ain't that kinda awesome?" Kari perked up. "I say the more friends, the better! Especially if they get to do all the cool stuff Kayla can do! Not that they'd ever replace you or anything."

"Competition, huh?" Kayla snickered.

"You take this too lightly," Shannon sighed. He approached Mog, finally unnerving her into a cold sweat. "You not only tried to kill us, but terrorized an entire region's worth of Pokémon, threatening to destroy the whole world. Simply for being capable of what you've done, I will never trust a Pokémon a like you."

"It's not like I wanted to be Mathildaath!" Mog cried suddenly, and leaned over him. "I mean, I didn't- look, half of that wouldn't have happened if life was worth living for me. I don't want to spend my whole life begging to be treated fair. But I had to do it even before I was that monster, just because I was born this way!"

The others gawked, and Shannon shifted back.

"It doesn't matter what I do. I'm a scary looking Swoobat with three eyes. Because of that, no one trusts me and everyone hates me, no matter what I do. Now there's no turning back, because I was once the almighty archfiend. If killing me would make amends for that, then hurry up and do it, instead of wanting to torture me like this!" she ranted.

"Whoa, whoa, no one's killing anyone here," Kayla came between them.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're all buddies here!" Kari did the same.

"All of this is sappy stuff that's easy to say. I am not up for getting stabbed in the back by someone who doesn't mean it," Pola stated.

"But what if she's telling the truth?" Kari argued. Pola folded her arms and glared. "No, I'm serious. What if she really does wanna do nice stuff for Pokémon now, to make up for what she's done? No one's gonna trust her, no matter who it is. Not 'cos she's Mathildaath, but 'cos she's an extraordinary Pokémon, just like the rest of us!"

Pola's mouth dropped as Kari started curling around on the spot to address everyone.

"Isn't that what it's like for all of us? We're all weirdos with weird powers and sad stories, but we all found and trust each other, and built Team Daybreak, a team of friends strong enough that we saved the whole world. We're all doing our best to live good lives and make the world a better place, and if we're not gonna trust a Pokémon like Mog to join us, then who will? She turned into Mathildaath because the world was so mean to her, so why should we do as those meanies and be part of the problem? That would make us just as bad!"

Silence fell. Pola wasn't the only one. The whole room was shocked and gawking at her. May eventually broke the silence with a slow clap, making the Furret blush.

"It seems I need to stop underestimating you. You understood a lot of this without it being said," she praised.

"Ehehe, I keep quiet when there's big words, but I pay attention," Kari scratched her back.

"That's the point of all points, though. Considering everything Team Daybreak's built on, are we at least not going to give this a try?" Kayla came forward. "Anyone in disagreement, speak now."

There was a long pause, but Shannon raised a paw. "Can we at least take measures? To protect ourselves?"

"There will be more than six of us, which was already far too big for a regular party," Ashe pointed out. "What say we leave Mog here for a while for her to become more accustomed to things? Some of us can stay behind to keep an eye on her."

"Are you okay with that?" Kayla turned to the Swoobat.

"It's all I can ask for. Um, RSE was around before I transformed, but it's way different now. So it helps me a lot," Mog informed. "Sorry for the trouble."

"Honestly, it's none at all. I'm looking forward to catching you up to things, in fact," May grinned.

"Then that's that. Welcome to Team Daybreak, Mog. Kari, badge time," Kayla announced.

"Yes bos- er, yes sir!"

"… Sir is kinda worse than boss," Kayla deflated.

"We'll get a PET sorted out soon. With that out of the way, we have the next order of business," May said, tucking her arms behind her back.

"There's more?" Pola groaned.

"Oh yeah. Lots more big adventures to be had," Kayla perked up. Jirachi came out of her ponytail and floated over the scene. "Big bombshell: turns out Mathildaath wasn't the only disturbance to Jirachi's Millenium Comet."

This time, the whole group jumped in surprise.

"Yeah. Other stuff's still out there, and we're the only ones who can put a stop to it," Kayla nodded. "I'll admit though, I'm blanking on where to look. Anyone know anything weird that's been going on that we could investigate?"

There were blank stares and habitual ticks until Shannon waved lightly. "Could it be Zude?"

"Zude? Oh yeah, she's got that machine that makes Dream Pools and summons those weird monsters and stuff," Kayla recalled. "Or at least that's what I think it does. Think that's actually got to do with Jirachi?"

"Pardon me but… Zude?" Mog cocked her head.

"She's a general of a terrorist group named Netherworld. Zude is a giant Arboliva. We've run into her a couple times, but we can't beat her," Kayla explained. She couldn't hide her angered tone at that, reminded of her losses.

"So I was thinking of the right one," Mog nodded.

"You know her?" Kari was surprised.

"Netherworld's been around for a really long time. I was actually investigating them in my time as a solo rescuer. It's how I met May."

"Ooh, story time!" Kari clapped eagerly.

"Mog, stories for another time," May sung.

"Aww."

"At any rate, it sounds like Zude's our next target," Kayla stated. "We need a way to meet her and to fight back, too. How do we even get started here?"

"The last time she appeared, it was by the remains of your Dream Pool over in Hammock. It seems they leave behind residue, which she utilizes with her machine. Did she have it the first time you encountered her?" May asked.

"Yes. She did. I saw her use it in the Twinight Woods, and that serpent came out of the Dream Pool," Shannon answered, turning to Kayla and Kari. "I didn't know what it was at the time. That was when you girls came to rescue me."

"If it's the same thing, then maybe we gotta bait her out with a Dream Pool?" Kari wondered.

"If it is, it's worth a try. Preferably somewhere less populated where we can fight at an advantage," May continued.

Maybe I'm stretching things a little, but did May just acknowledge Shannon for once? Or maybe she's just in a good mood. She's been happy ever since we rescued Mog, Kayla smiled at the thought. "Er, don't look at me. My ideas went south last time."

"Well what exactly are we looking for? We haven't been to tough dungeons," Pola twirled her weave.

"Somewhere with open space. A lack of escape options. Where we could fight her at full power and not have her slip away behind our backs like she normally does," May stated. There was another round of quiet thought.

"I may regret suggesting this, but would the Sunbed be appropriate?" Ashe said. "It is a desert region to the south. It isn't a mystery dungeon, but its terrain is so harsh that even most desert dwelling Pokémon avoid living there."

"Ya think she's desperate enough to take the bait there?" Pola raised an eyebrow. "If not even desert Pokémon go to the desert there, that's a bit much, ain't it?"

"I think it has merit, actually. It guarantees we'll be alone. The desert is open enough. And since we're dealing with the Dream World, I think she may actually go for it," May replied. "I say this because she was reckless enough to do her thing in the middle of Isnomia's biggest city, Hammock, with all those Pokémon watching. I might be wrong, but I think it's safe to assume Zude will do anything for her Dream World efforts."

"It's actually saner than you think. If she wants to keep Dream World stuff secret, choosing somewhere guaranteed to have no one around is more beneficial," Ashe explained. "There were Dream Pools during our expedition to Orchard Overgrowth, too. Yet she never appeared, probably knowing she would have to compete with Mathildaath or the other ferals."

"Considering everything, I think it's at least worth a try," Kayla decided. "So, everyone good to go?"

"Wait we're doing this now?" Pola cried.

"Why not?"

"No rest for the best, I guess," Shannon scratched his face.

"Hee hee hee, good rhyme. But you got that right!" Kari perked up.

"Do you even have the means to fight her?" Mog raised an eyebrow.
"Honestly, I was just gonna wing it again. Do you know something we don't?" Kayla shut her eyes.

"You know about her extraordinary power, don't you?" Mog began. Arms were folded, and she sighed. "Zude's oil isn't like other Arboliva. It might not even be oil. She coats herself in it, and it allows her to turn her body into any solid for a short while. Think of it as a temporary Iron Defence."

"So that's why it seems like sometimes she's taking damage, the next she's tanking it like a statue," Pola remarked. "And it's anything she wants?"

"Probably. We'll never know the specifics with these things," Mog replied.

"Will my magic even pierce that? Heck, how do we pierce that?" Pola asked.

"Same way we learn to pierce any material," Kayla replied with a confident smile. "We're way stronger now than we were back then. We've got proper Shovel Claws, Earth Power… we've got all the power we need."

"I know you're eager for revenge, but don't go throwing yourself at this. We are still talking about a renowned terrorist, here," May warned. "She won't hesitate to kill all of you, given what we're doing."

"And neither did Mathildaath, yet here we are!" Kayla smirked.

May sighed. "I question why you're so certain, given what happened in that fight. But I suppose it's only a good thing. So, are the four of you departing today?"

"Four? What happened to six?" Pola's brow furrowed.

"May's got to take care of Mog, and this is too short notice for me. This mission might even take several days," Ashe pointed out. "With all the days off I've taken recently, it's not good for the kids."

"Will we be okay?" Kari worried.

"We'll be fine. This'll be cakewalk, you'll see," Kayla said. The sudden silence followed by a grumble from Shannon made her nervous. He was glaring at her intensely. "What?"

"You're doing it again," he said.

"Doing what?"

"That hero bullshit. You said you'd take it easy, but here you are," Pola stated just as rigidly.

"Do you wanna sit this one out too?" Kayla asked.

"Wha? Don't- ugh, we shouldn't even be doing this shit in the first place. We should be chillin' around taking a holiday, not throwing ourselves right back to the wolves," Pola complained.

"That sounds boring. I'd rather stretch my legs. If you don't wanna come, suit yourself," Kayla replied. "Kari, let's go sort out the bag."

"Yes- er, um," Kari perked up, and then quickly shrivelled with her ears flattened against her head. "Y'know what, can I just settle for 'yeah'?"

"I'm cool with that," Kayla giggled as she bounced into the Furret's arms. Kari caught her like it was second nature already, and made her way to leave.

"Then yeah! Let's do this!"

"You're really going? Just you two?" Shannon was horrified.

"You guys wanted a holiday. Go ahead and take one. Seriously, it's cool," Kayla replied happily. Kari gave them a friendly wave, making Shannon grunt.

"Urf, wait by the entrance for me or something. I'll get my stuff," he groaned.

"Yay, Shannon's coming too!" Kari cheered.

"Seriously?" Pola rolled her eyes.

"You're going to need a healer. And I don't think I could let it on my conscience if I let something happen to you on account of wanting to laze around all day," he reasoned, shuffling past them to leave.

"Last chance," Kari went half-lidded.

"Fuck off. I've got shit to do, too," she swished a paw and turned away.

"I appreciate this independence. I think I'll stick around Team Daybreak for a while yet," May commented. "Follow me please, Mog."

There were a couple of awkward glances from the Swoobat, but she obeyed, following May and Ashe out of the room. Pola well and truly stayed behind, while Kari and Kayla bounced down the hallway toward the rest of the school facilities. May directed her the opposite way, toward the nursery. Even though Ashe was with them, that didn't stop the atmosphere from being the total opposite of what she just experienced.

Smaller, younger, or unevolved Pokémon instantly shifted aside, some squashing up against the walls to let them pass, while others turned and quickly walked the other way. Anyone bigger or confident in their strength gave the Swoobat an aggressive glare, growl, or whatever show of threat they could. Mog's heart raced as she passed encounter after encounter, far worse than some of the more dangerous dungeons she had been to. Conversations stopped, gazes bore into her spirit, and an overall depressing omen filled the hallway. She might as well be walking through a prison camp. No, a prison camp was better, those Pokémon wouldn't want to kill her.

Mog could feel her breath start to weigh. She felt sick, like her chest and stomach were twisting and churning all around her insides. Every single one of these Pokémon wanted to kill her a thousand times over for what she'd done, for who she was. She didn't deserve to be alive or standing amongst them. The pain she felt from being treated like this, she deserved every bit of it. She had to endure it, she deserved to take it, she deserved to-

"Mog!" May's voice made her jump. Mog slowly looked down at the Pichu, who had a worried frown. Ashe had left them already, while they were at the crossroad stairs. "Are you okay?"

Mog had to take a moment to settle her breath. Pokémon still watched her indirectly, giving the scene a murky fog in her view. She shook her head, took a deep breath, and then focused on May. "Are you sure they'll be alright? They're going after a Netherworld general."

"If anyone can work miracles, it's Kayla. I figured that out pretty quickly from the brief time I've known them," May replied. She climbed the stairs, prompting Mog to flutter after her.

"Where are we going?" Mog wondered, realising they weren't headed back to the room she'd stayed in last night. May didn't answer, nor did she knock on the wall heading into Gema's office. She waltzed right in through the bead curtain, leaving Mog to steel her nerves and follow.

"Ah, you're back," Gema greeted, stood by his desk. His legendaries were with him, all gathered around the central table. A map was laid out with a few sticky notes scattered haphazardly. "How did it go with Team Daybreak?"

"We have a bit of a situation on our paws. They're going straight back out," May replied, casually taking her place beside Mesprit.

"Seriously? Is this a joke and they're just going to the beach or something?" Mesprit went half-lidded.

"Nope. New mission to take down Zude just started. It seems Jirachi caught on to the progress of her research," May informed.

"Wait, what's going on?" Mog gasped. She was still by the entrance, and her eyes wavered on disbelief.

"Mog, take a seat. Or hang high, if you prefer," May suggested.

"You… you can't be… you're Gema…" Mog shuddered hard.

"Ah, and you are Mog. Formerly Mathildaath, Archfiend of the Night," Gema replied. "I'm glad we could meet under these welcome circumstances."

Mog's gaze darted between her friend and the Tyranitar. "The rumours… the glass eye, his legendaries… what're you doing here at RSE? You're… you're!"

"I am headmaster of this fine establishment for extraordinary Pokémon, yes," Gema bowed.

"No! No you're not. You're the leader of Netherworld. The head of the terrorist organization that's been trafficking young Pokémon and destroying all of Isnomia for decades!" Mog shouted. There was a long silence, and the other Pokémon exchanged glances. May's comfort made Mog gasp, and she shifted back. "What's going on here? Why are Pokémon like you… d-don't tell me… May!"

"Reminder that she was investigating Netherworld before all of that archfiend business. As you can tell, she was rather good at it," May stated, answering everyone's unasked questions.

"That simplifies things. So there's no need to beat around the bush here," Gema took a step to approach, but Mog too a step back in sync.

"This… this is… May, we've got to tell Kayla and the others!" Mog cried. May didn't move from her seat, idly filing a nail. "M-M-May?"

"Don't kid yourself, Mog. You saw the way everyone at school's been treating you. Save for Kayla's naiveté, even Team Daybreak don't fully trust you. Would tattling really put you in their good books?" May said. Mog couldn't stop shuddering, and she bared her fangs. Her third eye opened too. "I wouldn't do that, either. Without your dream realm giving you an advantage, even your archfiend form doesn't stand a chance against the lot of us here. Come in, sit down, and negotiate like a good little bat."

"May… May, are you seriously—"

"A Netherworld general myself, yes. And you're part of our grand plan. You always have been," May focused at last.

"How can you do this? After everything you've- we've been through! How can you join them?" Mog cried in horror. May had a snide smirk, and flicked her hair so that one could see both her eyes. "Doesn't it mean anything? Everything Dusk and Vega did to you, how can you join their side?"

The names made the Pichu cringe hard, and her smile was lost instantly. May got up and walked over to Mog, looking her in the eyes directly. For a moment, the dark shade granted by her hair was gone, and the Pichu had a bright glint in her eyes. "Trust me, Mog. I have a plan."

Mog could only gawk, and the Pichu's dark glare came right back. "Netherworld will see this world come to our vision. And with you on our side, we're so close it's as though we've already succeeded."

"Why would I ever cooperate with the likes of you? I can tell everyone about you!" Mog cried.

"Oh go right ahead. Run off to the outside world and tell everyone," May brushed her off, returning to the table. Mog couldn't stop shuddering or uttering nervous sounds. "Precisely. Because you're smart. I know you're smart. Smart enough to know your position here. You're the evil archfiend who no one in RSE trusts. And go further out, you're the extraordinary Pokémon who doesn't have normal rights. Meanwhile, we're the gold standard role models who run RSE Academy, sheltering and raising extraordinary and disabled Pokémon the world over. At this point, we cannot be taken down. You want to survive? You cooperate with us."

"… L-listen to yourself…" Mog shivered.

"Aaaaahhhh," Mesprit cut in boredly with a fake yawn. "Well now that that drama's done with, what's this about Zude?"

"Team Daybreak are headed to the Sunbed in an effort to lure her out using a Dream Pool. Their aim is to defeat her for good this time. Apparently it's under Jirachi's direction," May explained.

"The Sunbed… that has to be the worst place for Zude to fight," Gema mumbled.

"Ashe's suggestion, in fact. It seems she's on my wavelength," May continued. "We'll get Zude to take the bait and let her get arrested. Her research isn't going anywhere, and it'll serve to prove if Kayla's strength is the real deal."

"I'm not one for flaking my fellows like that, May. You know that," Gema said calmly.

"If Kayla wins, we'll make our move. With two Dreamers on our side, breaking Zude out of custody will be child's play. So either Zude wins and her research proves fruitful enough to be our mediator, or Kayla wins and we make our move using Kayla and Mog. It's a win-win for us either way," May explained.

"True, just seems sorta cruel," Azelf said, lounging on her side. "Y'know how Zude is, she'll never play along."

"Oh she will. That woman is eager to play on any field test. The Hammock operation wasn't authorized, yet there she was," May replied. "Forgive me for inserting my opinion, but her leniency there nearly caused more trouble than was worth. I don't trust someone like that to handle this operation with the delicacy it needs."

"Hmm. You're forgiven as I'm in agreement with that point," Gema replied. He grumbled as he settled down near the table, and began to idly move the notes around the map. A brown figure was placed on a vast continent, and then he reluctantly pulled a tall, green figurine to the same spot, and then flicked it on its side. "This is what you want, right? Zude loses, and we make our move on Kayla and Mog."

"It looks to provide the smoothest operation for us, yes," May answered with a nod.

There was a long-winded silence, broken by another grumble from the Tyranitar. "And if Kayla perishes here?"

"Then she was never strong enough to begin with, and our search continues," May answered.

"How can you talk like that? What are you even talking about?" Mog shuddered, speaking with increasing angst.

"Do you know why we're called Netherworld?" Gema responded.

"It's a title as evil and fitting as the deeds you do," Mog hissed.

"Netherworld means 'underworld'. The Underworld, specifically. Hell. The realm of untold evil," Gema began, walking over to her. "But that world, the world Pokémon believe to be below ours, where evil souls are sent after they die… I believe that world is this world, that we are living in now. This is hell. Life is hell. Isnomia, is hell."

"What? Why would?" Mog whispered.

"And thus, we are called Netherworld. Self-appointed rulers of this world. You of all Pokémon must feel it, even now as you've been returned to reality. Just when you feel you've been given an inkling of a chance to find your place in this world, the one Pokémon you trust more than anyone else in the world turned out to have defected to us, your sworn enemies," Gema said. His pupils began to glow red, and beamed right into Mog's empty pupils, to which she whimpered. "There is no such thing as hope. Goodness, kindness, faith, all positive emotions are but an illusion in Isnomia. No matter where you turn, twisted suffering awaits. Netherworld's goal is to escape this world, and create our own, where suffering, evil, and inequality aren't the norm. Our search for this new world led us to Dreamers and the Dream World."

"What? That's what this is about?" Mog cried, and spread her wings out. "What the heck do you think I was trying to do as Mathildaath?"

"Precisely," Gema bowed slowly. "But we of Netherworld have amassed a country's worth of Pokémon into our goal, all spread across Isnomia to ensure our reign. We will come together, work together, and build our perfect world, while leaving this one to rot. By combining the powerful miracles of Dreamers with our boundless intellect, we can make this impossible goal a reality."

"You're insane," Mog lowered her tone. "Do you even have a plan? If what I was doing as Mathildaath was wrong, what makes what you want any different?"

"Oh but of course I have a plan," Gema smirked.

He took a few paces back and pointed straight up. Mog snuck a glance at the snidely smirking May, and then followed his direction. Through the sky panel, amongst the clouds and bright blue sky, she could just about spot what he was likely pointing to. Faded by the distance was a tiny, ever so misty, white crescent. It wasn't a moon. The arc was too unnatural to be. It was more like a tiny star drawing a crescent with the trail of cloudy stardust behind it.

"That's... the Millenium Comet…" she gasped.