After an intense day of panic and fear over what could have happened to their son, Michael allowed Julia as much time as she needed with their older children. She had been shaken greatly by how close they were to losing their precious son and he knew she needed to be reassured of not only the safety of James, but of their complete family. While she read stories and cuddled with Little Michael, Arya and James, Michael took care of as much of his duties as he needed to and then devoted all of his attention to their youngest two, the twins Sora and Celina.

Both twins were fairly heavy sleepers, being only two and a half months old, so he expected to simply sit by their cribs and ensure neither endured any bad dreams or anything else of the sort. And with Aether the Espeon and Bella the Sylveon both keeping him company in the Royal Bedroom as he did so, he wasn't alone to look after the two. But it soon dawned on the King of Arcana that his children were in need of more hands on approaches. Both his sickly younger son and his healthier sister were crying for some attention and affection, prompting Michael to take both into his arms and trying to rock them to sleep.

Bella the Sylveon walked gracefully to his side and used her special ribbons to gently wipe some of the tears off the face of the tiny form of Sora Kingston, who seemed to be finally calming down after being fed and cradled by his father. Once Sora began to fall to sleep, Michael gently lowered his son into his crib with Bella's help, as he was focused on the still crying daughter he held. Once Sora was down, Michael patted his wife's Pokémon, who licked his fingers playfully in response

"Thank you, sweetie" he said graciously. "I owe you some treats later, Bella."

The Sylveon barked happily before returning to nuzzling her mate Aether, who simply eyed the situation with a bit of indifference before mewing contently.

Michael's eyes fell on his tiny, blonde-haired daughter who now seemed to be asking for his attention. Celina Jane was still crying, but more softly as her father shushed her and rocked her back and forth in his arms. "I've got you, honey. Daddy's not going anywhere." The more he rocked her, the less Celina cried, until she finally stopped altogether, her soft blue eyes finding his.

He looked down upon his daughter, with all the love and pride a father could possibly have. "Hello, my little gumdrop." He sat on the bed beside his Pokémon, who both made their way over to the two humans bonding. Bella sat on his left and Aether his right, both curiously eyeing the gentle form of Celina, wondering how so much noise had come from such a small and helpless thing.

"She's so much gentler than Arya was" Michael recalled aloud. "So peaceful and tranquil...like the dawn of a lazy Sunday morning." He grinned to himself and then down to his daughter. "Well, your big sister is our little hurricane and we love her more for it. You'll just have to be our little sunny girl to balance her out. Would you like that, Celina? Would you like to be Daddy's sunshine?!" Celina's eyes darted around the room before finding her father's once more. She stared right in his direction before letting out a slight sneeze and yawning as big a yawn as her tiny body could contain.

"You are my little sunshine, Celina. And I never want you to forget that." He brought his daughter safely over to her crib before gently lowering her in. Bella hopped over to the side of the crib and again using her ribbons, began to gently rock the cradle until the youngest of five children was soon fast asleep. Aether leaped up to Michael's side and pawed at him. Michael looked down as his Espeon grabbed at his fingers and pulled him over with his teeth towards Sora, almost signaling as if it were his turn to rock a baby to sleep.

"Alright buddy" he promised his Pokémon. "You get your chance. Just be careful with him." Michael walked over to the crib where Sora was sound asleep and stood over him. Sora was by far his most exhausting child. The tiny boy had been born and raised in the NICU due to some complications with his development and birth, which deeply horrified his parents. Each day, he or Julia would sit by the crib, fearful that each night they had with their precious son would be their last. But he had some fight in him, which Michael had to admire. He was just two months old and every day they got with him was a gift they knew they could not take for granted. As Sora lay in his crib, breathing soft little breaths, Michael looked to his Espeon and nodded. The Pokémon's eyes began to glow blue and soon, the crib moved back and forth in a gentle rhythm to keep the young prince in his dreams.

Michael stood over his son and took a deep breath. "You're my little champion, Sora. Every day you're here with us, our world gets all the brighter. You make our family complete, kiddo, at least until your mother wants another baby. Keep fighting, my little trooper." He lowered his fingers to tap his son's sleeping form, before returning to his bed. Aether noticed and followed, his psychic power still rocking the bed ever so slightly until coming to an end.

A light knock on the door would have otherwise gone unnoticed, but Aether's heightened senses alerted him and he let out a mew to Michael. Michael eyed the door and saw Annie let herself in, with a manilla folder in her hand. She bowed to him before addressing him.

"You know when it's just us-"

"I'm getting used to it" his Vizier giggled in response. "I'd probably not be so gung-ho if you weren't so good at your job."

"I don't feel like I am, but I do appreciate the vote of confidence." Michael let his Espeon hop into his lap and he pet Aether lovingly. "Are you all finished for the day?"

She nodded. "All of our appointments are met, and things seem to finally be dying down on all fronts for once. I just wanted to relay two more reports before I head home." She opened up the envelope and read from them. "I'm sure you'll be pleased to learn from Madeline that construction on Klefki Prison is going well and should be able to house the remaining followers of Claude within the next few weeks. I'm willing to bet you'll be housing that horrible woman who tried to kidnap my nephew in there, yes?"

Michael frowned. "The sooner she's out of my hair, the better. That woman is nothing but trouble."

"You were a lot more merciful than I thought you would be" she admitted. "We've known each other for so long and yet I still get surprised by you every once in a while."

"If anything had happened to James, I wouldn't have been. But it is what it is. With Iris giving me a green light to do what I want with her, she'll spend the rest of her life in Klefki for all I care. I'd extradite her, but I suspect neither of my cousins would be too welcoming of her." He could only imagine what Skyla would do to her. When he'd been in exile, Skyla had wanted to head to Lentimas Town just to ream their aunt in for refusing to help him. To learn that her nephew had been nearly abducted, he was sure Skyla would make sure no one ever found Bleu.

"At least that's in hand. As for the last bit of news, I'm afraid it's something you may not like." She sighed as she pulled out a second paper from the folder. "The results of the most recent Royal Proposition have come in. The vote did not go in your favor." As she noticed the look on Michael's face grow dark, she came to his side and patted his shoulder. "You're good at this, Michael. Better than anyone I could have imagined in your shoes. And the rest of the Royal Council seems to agree with me, apart from Warren and Cat, but I think those two just want you to be happy for all you've done for Dee and Addison. No getting out of your duties until the day you die."

Michael sighed. "One day, maybe they'll realize I'm miserable. I have to thank Warren and Cat for seeing reason."

"Nope. They see this as what you were meant to-"

"I was meant to be a father" Michael told her earnestly, prompting the Espeon in his lap to playfully swat at his fingers before leaping onto the bed to nuzzle his mate. "To love my wife, raise a family and a cavalcade of Pokémon. Not rule a country."

"You may not have always seen it, but it's clear a lot of people did. Otherwise, no one would have named you the King. I know Olivia always believed in you. So do my parents, Elmont, your grandfather, so many people that I could name them forever." She smiled sadly. "I know how much you don't want this, Michael. How much you probably wish you'd never come back in the first place. But Arcana is a better place with you and Julia doing all you can for us. And that is a debt we could never pay back."

Michael thought for a moment. "Would he have been proud of me?"

"Your grandfather?"

"Your brother" he corrected.

Annie's smile became bright at the mentioning of her older brother. "My brother wasn't one to shower pride or adoration on many. Malcolm used to think doing it too many times led to people thinking too highly of themselves. There were always three exceptions to the rule. Bridgette being the obvious one. But the other two were myself as his little sister and you." She laughed. "Kevin used to be so jealous of how close you two were. You were always a little brother to him, Michael. And I never want you to forget that." She winced at a thought that crossed her mind. "I don't like to admit it, but I wasn't one of those who stood by you when Elezar and Cassius went after you. I'd like to say otherwise, but that'd be a lie. There were only two people who never believed a word said about you by Giselle, Claude or any of those monsters: Jane and Malcolm."

Michael exhaled at those words. "He was a brother to me, Annie. And I looked up to him." Michael recalled how Malcolm had been the only one who Michael could trust when he defeated Giselle and had to take control of the Pokémon League. He further remembered the words he'd spoken to a nerve-wracked and unsure of himself boy who was unsure if he could truly lead others when the shadows of his past still haunted him. How Michael had spent so long running from his past and felt the world closing in around him. Malcolm sat him down and told him words that resonated with him in his darkest moments of doubt...

Michael, look at me. You've got the makings of greatness in you. And not the greatness that your grandfather was, kid. You're gonna be better than him. You went through things no one could have ever imagined. You struggled and suffered in ways no one ever should. And in all of that, you kept on being that kid who would give someone in need the shirt off their back. That's why I know you're not just going to be like James Kingston. You're going to redefine what it means to be good. And nothing would make me prouder than to see the man you're going to become. You were born to be a Champion.

She nodded. "I know you did. He was a great guy." To his surprise and perhaps her own, Annie grabbed Michael and hugged him. "I...I sometimes think you and I are the only ones who still remember him. Bridgette too, but she's not here for this. I know we've lost a lot over the years. Your father, Liv, Cameron, my father in-law...but missing my brother still feels so raw for me."

Michael nodded. "I know. But he's not forgotten, at least by the three of us. And as long as we hold onto him, we should be able to pull through, right?"

She looked to him and smiled weakly. "Yeah."

{}

To their surprise, upon walking into the windmill, Addison and Cole found the building beneath it was not only built like a small apartment with furnishings, food and the like, but it seemed as if someone was expecting someone and had the entire place stocked with anything they could ask for. The two both timidly thought against using anything, until coming across a sign on the wall that seemed to be addressed to any and all adventurers around Paldea:

{}

To all travelers young and old,

These Windmills not only provide power

for all of Paldea, but a sanctuary to all weary walkers

We only ask that you rest yourselves

And leave this place clean and stocked

For the next people who stay

All are welcome

{}

"There, you see?" Addison laughed teasingly. "Nothing to worry about. We're welcome to stay as long as we need. Just don't make too much of a mess."

Cole nodded, still a bit uncomfortable in someone else's domain. "Well. I...uh...I think so. I'll do my best not to make a mess."

Addison felt her Poké Gear going off in her pocket and looked around for something for them to eat for the night. A cupboard that was well stocked with food was a start, and the first thing she saw for them to eat was a glass jar of corn kernels, just waiting to be popped. But with no microwave in sight, she knew there was only one way to get their stomachs well looked after for the evening. "So, Cole. How about you set up a fire for us?"

Cole looked from Addison to the small fireplace nearby and nodded. "Uh, sure. But we don't have any flints, do we?"

"No need" Addison assured him, calling out Galatea from her Poké Ball. The Gardevoir seemed surprised to be summoned but turned to face the two with a curious look on her face. "Galatea, Cole's going to put some wood into the fireplace. Please use your Mystical Fire to keep the room warm for the night." Without waiting for either Cole or Galatea to respond, Addison raced over to the cupboard and took up the jar of kernels. "We'll have popcorn for a snack in a bit. But first, I should take this." She placed the jar on the sofa that gave an exquisite look into the fireplace as Cole and Galatea set about making a fire for them to be cozy in. With everyone assigned their duties, Addison took a few steps back to check her Poké Gear.

She had several messages from various people, now that she had a cellular signal again. Those who had reached out to her included Morgan, Billy, Amanda and Bridgette, as well as her device itself informing her that they had successfully retrieved all of the data that Ms. Raifort had sent them from Professor Sexton. She knew better than to access those files first and decided to give Bridgette a call to affirm she was okay.

"I guess we missed a lot of things going on" Addison remarked to herself as she dialed out to her chaperone.

It didn't take long for the surfer to answer. "Addy? Where are you right now?"

"Can I say that it's complicated and leave it at that?" she asked nervously.

"Addison, this isn't funny. Is it true that you and Morgan got into a fight inside Uva Academy?"

Addison gulped. "Well, in a way. But you have to understand-"

"You realize you and Morgan caused a lot of problems around the Academy, don't you? Apparently, La Primera is considering expulsion for you if you don't return to the Academy immediately. This isn't a joke, Addison."

"I'm not trying to make it out to be" she assured her chaperone. "But would you believe me if I told you we had a reason for doing so?"

"It had better be a good reason, Addison. Billy is steaming mad right now and I'm not much farther behind him. It's a good thing for you that Morgan took a lot of the heat back at the Academy." She seemed irritated on the other line and Addison knew she was on thin ice. "We promised Michael and Julia that we wouldn't cause problems, remember?"

"There's something going on at the Academy" she insisted nervously. Realizing she might be speaking too loudly, she moved a bit further away and tried to lower the volume of her voice. "Something beyond any of our comprehensions. Like...something evil."

"There's no reason for us to be involved in any sort of issues regarding this region" Bridgette scolded her. "It's a Paldean issue, whatever it is. And it has nothing to do with us."

"It does with me!" Addison snapped back. "Someone in Paldea knows about what happened between us and Mewtwo."

Bridgette was silent on the other end for a moment. "How is that possible? The entire region has been blocked off for fifty years, Addison."

"I wish I could explain it to you, but even I don't know all the details. But according to my friend Cole, there is someone who knows about what I did on Mirage Island and is trying to find me. Which means that not only are Cole and I in danger, but everyone else involved with us. This isn't some run of the mill issue here, Bridgette. This is someone with links to the outside world."

"You'd better not be lying about this" Bridgette spoke softly. "This is a serious accusation you're throwing around, Addy."

"Why would I lie about something like this?" she pleaded.

"Alright. I'll tell Billy about this, but I expect he'll want to be debriefed himself. Stay where you are right now. Do not go anywhere or do anything without first informing me or him. Got it?"

"Of course."

Without further word, the line went dead and Addison was left worried about their situation, which was now far more delicate than it had been prior. How much had happened back at the Academy when the three of them fled from Angie and Jovi? What lies had Fateen told anyone? Or was this the mysterious Natalya's doing? Why had Morgan taken heat for something all four girls had been involved in.

She then gasped. "Morgan!" She had nearly forgotten about her roommate. "Bridgette said she got in trouble back at the Academy? But wasn't she with Tommy?" She quickly dialed up Morgan's number, but the call went directly to voicemail. She quickly ended the call and redialed but got the same results. After the third attempt to reach Morgan yielded more silence on her end, she frowned to herself. "What did we get into, Ryan?"

Her attention was then caught by a sudden glow from the fireplace. Cole and Galatea had succeeded in lighting up the room, bringing it to life via a mystical fire glowing nearby. While her Pokémon sat near the fire and tended to it telepathically, Cole had taken it to begin warming himself beside her. Addison could tell from Galatea's constant staring at Cole that she might be trying to see if she could perhaps envision Ryan within the boy, but their weakened states prevented her from finding out if they had succeeded. She simply walked over to the duo and sat on the sofa and began to contemplate their situation.

Cole seemed to notice and sat beside her. "What is it?"

"The school seems to know what's going on" she explained sadly. "Morgan got into a lot of trouble and now she won't answer me. I think she might be mad at me."

Cole didn't get to that conclusion, though. His eyes widened and he seemed like he was on the verge of a fit. "What if that's not it?"

"What do you mean?"

"What if they got her?"

Addison raised an eyebrow. "You mean Fateen and the girls? Come on, now."

"Addy" Cole said worriedly. "If Morgan did go back to the Academy alone, she would be all alone. Tommy didn't go with her, did he? And unless everyone else in your group is there, she'd be on her own. Easy pickings for someone like Fateen."

She leaned back on the sofa, trying to find some way to counter his line of pessimistic thinking, but found nothing she could say that would remedy his way of thinking. He was right about Fateen not being able to be trusted and on how she might have done something to both Jovi and Angie to make them obey her every command. What's to say he was also right about this? The thought of being up against something so sinister without Morgan as an ally made her nervous, but she tried to remain confident. "Morgan will be okay. She's a trooper. Part of the White Guardians, after all."

"I wish I had your confidence" her friend responded.

"All you need is a bit of reassurance. Which I think I may be able to give you. The file that Ms. Raifort sent us arrived. Professor Sexton's message he wanted to pass along to you." She pulled her Poké Gear back out and tapped on the message that she'd been sent. It was an audio file. She tapped on the cushion beside her. "Unless you don't want to listen, come on over." Cole nervously slid down to her side and the two were now right beside one another. She smiled reassuringly at her friend before clicking on the message.

After a few seconds of muffled sounds, Addison and Cole finally heard the Professor's voice and piped down. "Cole, I need you to listen to me right now. There is something evil going on within not only the borders of Paldea, but all around the world. I fear it may be Natalya making her move, but I cannot be too sure at the moment. Things are happening too quickly and in too calculated of a manner for me to stop them all. I don't even believe that the Academy is safe anymore. I'm sure by now you've noticed the sinister vibes coming from a certain fortuneteller from Orre. She is deeply fascinated by the crystal I carry, the one I used to follow Natalya here."

Addison and Cole looked to one another in fear as Professor Sexton explained, before listening in more for what he had to say.

"Whatever she is up to, I can assure you it's no good for anyone, least of all for the three of us in this time. What's more, is that Academy Security has alreadty reported sights of some of the sinister Paradox Pokémon from our time appearing here. I cannot in good faith believe that these events aren't connected. Fateen, Natalya, Paige still missing, it all links to the same conclusion: nothing is safe for us anymore." Another series of muffled sounds prompted both Cole and Addison to fear the worst, but the speech continued after some time. "Cole, I need you to do something for me. And that is to trust absolutely no one with this information. We cannot know who isn't under Fateen's influence or perhaps an agent of Natalya. Things at the school are not safe and your protection is what matters most. I want you to head to a specific point in Paldea: a small lake near the windmills in the Western Provinces of Paldea. Do not tell anyone of where you are going and what you are doing. Just go to that exact spot and wait for me."

Addison now felt unsure of her role in this, especially if the Professor didn't want her involved at all, but knowing Cole needed her, she remained glued to his side as he concluded his message.

"I am going to make an attempt to enter Area Zero. It is the only place we haven't searched for Paige in. I believe I have a way of locating her, but it might also draw attention to Natalya and Fateen. If in the event I do not meet you at the small lake near the...NO! There isn't enough time! Cole, listen to me. You must go to that location and do not endanger yourself by bringing others. Trust no one, because we cannot be sure who is an ally and who is not." With that, the message began to sputter out before ending in an unnerving silence for both trainers to behold.

Cole looked as if he'd seen a ghost. Addison could tell now that he knew what Professor Sexton was doing, he felt completely alone in the world. No Sexton, no Paige, no Turo and Sada. He was on his own and up against ever increasing odds. And the only advice he received from Professor Sexton was for him to do the exact opposite thing of what he was doing. To trust no one. To go at it alone.

"Professor..." Cole whispered sadly to himself.

"Look, I know things seem bad, right now" Addison tried to reassure him, "but things have to improve before they get worse."

"How can anyone know that?" he responded, almost completely despondent. "And what if the Professor is right? What if I do have to go at this alone?"

Addison shook her head. "You won't have to, because you won't be doing anything alone."

"But-"

"The Professor has no idea that I'm involved in this. He probably doesn't even know what I've gone up against back in Arcana. But listen to me when I tell you, Cole. I am not leaving your side, just because he thinks it's safer for you to go at this on your own. We made promises to help each other, Cole. And that means we're not splitting up for anything."

Cole looked lost. Moreso than Addison had ever seen him since learning she was the White Mage. "I don't know, Addy. I don't know what to believe in, anymore."

She turned his face until he was facing her. "Then believe in me. You're gonna help me find Ryan and I'm going to help you find Paige and stop Natalya. Our partnership doesn't end until we both get what we want." The firmness with which she spoke seemed to somewhat alleviate his doubts, but she knew it would only be temporary until they truly had some answers to the many questions they both had. "Let's not worry about what Professor Sexton said. Tomorrow morning, once we're rested up, we'll head up to that lake and figure things out from there."

Her friend let out a sigh of resignation and slumped on the sofa beside her. "If you say so."

"I know so" she insisted playfully. "Now, let's whip us up some popcorn and get cozy for the night. We'll be safe in here." She brought the jar of kernels with her towards the fireplace and poured a generous amount into the pan to allow it to cook and ultimately pop. While Cole remained on the couch reflecting, Addison looked to Galatea nervously. "We are safe...right?"

Who's to say? Our power isn't as strong as it could be.

"But does anyone know where we are?"

I doubt it, but you can never be too sure. There are things in Paldea we have yet to experience or see yet. So we are largely blind to the places we haven't seen or experienced yet.

Addison nodded nervously and held the pan near the fire to let the popcorn get warm. "Do you have a better idea of Cole now that you've been near him?"

Galatea was silent for a moment before nodding. Yes. I think I do. While I cannot be too sure as to what I sensed, he does have a similar aura to him that your mate had. I can see why you often think of him when you and this boy interact.

Addison dared a glance back, but Cole was looking up towards the ceiling of the room and oblivious to their conversation. "Do you think we were meant to find him?"

The universe works in mysterious ways, my friend. It is entirely possible. The Pokémon glanced down at the pan, as if trying to gauge how long it would take the kernels to pop. It won't be long now, before all is finally made clear to us. These people who harass Cole, their connection to us and perhaps why we both seem to sense your mate's presence within the boy.

"Hopefully we can figure things out before the bad guys make their moves" she admitted. "I don't like being surprised." She kept her eyes lingering on Cole for a moment. The boy who felt as worthless as a Magikarp in a sea of Gyarados, would no doubt have a significant role to play in the fate of the world if Natalya had her way. And despite all of this falling into his lap, she could sense his determination was less on saving the world and more on finding Paige and helping her find Ryan. It was that genuine faith in others that reminded her of Ryan. The kindness, the compassion for others, the faith in doing the right things. She found herself smiling at the boy until she heard the kernels popping behind her, prompting her to return her attention to her cooking.

{}

"It's not my fault you guys let your guard down" Lizzie snapped at Billy as he followed her up the mountain towards where Arven had told her to meet up. She was looking forward to getting more of that Herba Mystica to help Miraidon recover it's dormant strength and perhaps learning what her new friend hoped to gain from all of this traversing against powerful Titan Pokémon. But as she was about to make it to the secret location Arven had mapped out for her, she was now being followed and accosted by Billy, who was now worried that things with the kids were going haywire. That was none of her concern. Justin wasn't in any trouble so long as he was still doing his show with Bridgette, only the kind of trouble where Lizzie would chew him out for spending too much time with the surfer instead of his friend. 'I'm not the one who let three kids run amok in Paldea."

"Don't forget Michael put you under my supervision too" Billy reminded her angrily.

"And if the kids were in any real danger, surely you think we'd have gotten to that, right?"

"Why couldn't Mark have been the one who comes here? He at least doesn't shirk off responsibility to ride around on some derpy lizard."

Lizzie grunted at the assertion that she wasn't as useful as Mark or Chris would have been as well as the insult to Miraidon, who fortunately was too busy sniffing at the gravel nearby to notice. "Excuse me?! Don't forget we all were on Michael's Elite Four. I can take care of situations just as well as you can. Unlike you, however, I know when things are not within my means to control."

"Addison and Morgan were in a fight at school and Tommy has been running around on his own and you're sitting around thinking there isn't something going on here?!"

"It's not our place to get involved. Michael told us to not overstep our roles here. We're guests, remember?"

"We're already ankle deep in Paldean Sewage! Now, I'm not going to repeat myself. Stop with whatever it is you're doing and focus on our mission for once!"

Lizzie shook her head. "I'm a free agent. Addy and the others can handle themselves, especially if they have you breathing down their necks. I'm helping out a friend of mine. Maybe if you're more polite next time, I can help you as well, but until then, get out of my face!" She revved on Miraidon and sent him forward, but Billy on the back of his Skarmory blocked their way up the path by landing in front of her. "Get out of my way!"

"Do I really have to get Michael involved in this?! This is your last warning!"

Frustrated and already late for her meeting, Lizzie growled in defeat. "Fine, I'll help, but only if you agree to get out of my way. Tommy was apparently in Cortondo within the last hour getting his first Gym Badge. He's probably heading towards the Academy now. Now would you leave me alone?" Without another word, she revved Miraidon and ripped right past a surprised Billy Kingston and thundered her way up the mountain. Billy had already caused her to be late for her rendezvous with Arven and had tried to make his issues with Tommy her problem. That was not what she and Michael had agreed upon.

Miraidon took to the evening breeze coming in from the ocean as if it was able to make him go faster and he ripped through the mountain passes as if he were soaring through the skies. Lizzie was more than willing to let her Pokémon friend enjoy this free time out in the wild, before she would have to give time to Billy's crusade to making issues in the region where there were none. So while Miraidon growled and howled with delight as she sent him forward, she laughed as they continued to make it up to where Arven was supposed to be.

She noticed as they climbed up the cliff side, she noticed several massive boulders looming nearby, as if the Titan Pokémon who had once dominated this area had no qualms with attempting to crush anyone who came too close to their domain. Whether it was out of sheer spite or to protect the true secret of the Herba Mystica, she may never know. She was curious as to how Arven was able to make it up the cliff without his own mounted steed able to carry him, but figured the closer she got to him, it would be one of the many mysteries about the boy she'd get answered.

Miraidon let out a growl to signal that they had arrived and Lizzie finally brought her mysterious futuristic Dragon Pokémon to a halt. They had arrived at what had to be the cavern the Titan Pokémon of the Sky was supposed to be guarding, a dark and foreboding cave with a peculiar glow from within. As Arven had predicted, there was no sign of the beast anywhere. They had this one perfect opportunity to snag up all of the Herba Mystica they could to benefit themselves.

But while the coast was clear for the Pokémon that was supposed to be guarding this treasure, there was something inside of the cavern waiting for her. Lizzie gestured for Miraidon to wait behind her as she slowly snuck her way in. Miraidon sniffed around as if looking for trouble but did as Lizzie instructed.

She heard some kind of Pokémon growling in the shadows and she took hold of the Poké Ball containing her Manectric. "Looks like we've got a battle ahead of us! Let's go!" She quickly called out her Manectric and sent it out on the attack. But she quickly called her Electric Type back as soon as it was revealed who was in wait ahead of them.

"EASY! EASY! LIZZIE, IT'S ME!"

"Oh, Arven!" she exclaimed. "I thought you were some monster or something."

"Monster?! Haha. No. It's just me in here."

"Then what was that growling?"

Arven emerged from the shadows, but she could tell that he was jittery and nervous about something. "Growling? What growling? You sure you're not hearing anything?" Before Arven could say anything further, the growling resumed. However, for a woman who had spent much of her time in life breeding and raising Pokémon, she could tell the growling was not malicious in its intent, but almost as if the one doing so were in pain. Arven glanced back into the cave and then to Lizzie. "Uh, will you excuse me for a sec?" Without another word, her partner vanished into the dark cave.

Lizzie looked from both her Manectric and Miraidon and then back to where Arven had been and decided to follow him. The cavern was dimly lit, almost entirely by the Herba Mystica that was gathered in the deepest part of the cave, no doubt where the Sky Titan had been storing it for future consumption. The eerie glow of the bitter green herbs still made much of the cavern hardly visible for them. But Lizzie pressed on in her search for Arven. She turned behind a rock, where she found him kneeling in front of a shadow.

"What's all this about?" she demanded.

Arven jumped back up in surprise. "I thought-"

"We're supposed to be partners, right? Trying to figure our way into the Herba Mystica?"

Arven gulped. "Of course we are, but-"

"Then what are you hiding from me?" She stood her ground and folded her arms in frustration. "Why would you trust me to help beat back Titan Pokémon if you weren't going to trust me with other things?" When Arven didn't answer her initially, she turned to leave. "Forget it. I'll leave you to it. You can figure this out on your own!"

"Wait!"

Lizzie turned to face Arven, surprised at the look of desperation on his face. He lowered his head and let out a beleaguered sigh. "Alright. If anyone deserves to know the truth, it's you." Arven reached into his knapsack and pulled out a lantern. After quickly illuminating it, Lizzie was able to see just what Arven had been hiding. It was a Pokémon. A massive, hulking canine with grayish-black fur and a thick moustache-like muzzle. She would have thought initially of an Arcanine or a Stoutland when seeing it, but this one was not energetic at all. If Lizzie wasn't adept at sensing Pokémon's well-beings, she'd have likely thought the Pokémon was dead. It was alive, but barely. Lizzie's Manectric slowly made its way over to the Pokémon and sniffed it, before looking back at Lizzie worriedly.

"Who is this?" Lizzie asked, slowly making it to the Pokémon's side. The Pokémon let out a quiet sniff and another growl, but did not acknowledge her further.

Arcen let out a sad smile. "I appreciate you saying 'who' instead of 'what'. That means I made the right call trusting you, Lizzie." Arven gently stroked the top of this hulking brute's head. "This is Mabosstiff. He's my partner." Arven seemed to choke on his own words, surprising Lizzie. "No. He's more than that. He's my family. The only real family I've ever had."

"What's happened to him?" Lizzie asked nervously as she knelt down to inspect Mabosstiff.

"He was hurt pretty bad a while back. Really bad, in fact. And he's never recovered."

Lizzie's hand went through Mabosstiff's fur. She noticed signs of intense scarring and bruising all around his body. She shuddered at the sight of it. "Arven, this is beyond something either of us can manage. You have to take him to a Pokémon Center."

"Don't you think I've tried that? This isn't just some injury or something. The nurses did everything they could for him. Potions, Antidotes, medicines of all shapes and sizes. None of it made a difference. I've tried everything and nothing is making a difference." He pounded the ground in frustration. "Mabosstiff is the only thing in the world I care about. The only thing...which is why I'm trying to do the impossible with these Herba Mystica."

Lizzie gently pet Mabosstiff's head before turning to her friend. "Herba Mystica? You mean these things will help?"

"I searched through every single database I could get my hands on. But nothing was leading me anywhere. The last nurse who saw him even suggested I...I..." He angrily fought off tears before returning his attention to Lizzie. "I would have given up hope, if I didn't hear about these Herba Mystica from Mr. Saguaro's class. I couldn't find any books on it, until I went digging through my parents stuff. I found the Violet Book in my Dad's lab and it had all the answers. About how the Titan Pokemon stole up most of it and how it has super powerful healing capabilities. The rest of it is legends and stuff, but this has to be true. It's just got to be."

"You mean the book Amanda borrowed?"

He nodded. "It's why I needed to get that book back ASAP from her. Eating just one Herba Mystica can help ailments, but eating all five is supposed to be cure all for any ailment that affects you."

Lizzie frowned. "All this time, I thought you just wanted to eat the world's best sandwich or something. Sorry I misjudged you, Arven."

He waved her off. "Don't worry about it. I feel bad I didn't want to tell you at first."

"Why wouldn't you?"

He shrugged. "Sometimes, when you care for someone as much as I do Mabosstiff, it can seem a bit obsessive. But he's all I have, Lizzie. I'd rather me be the sick one if it meant he got to be strong. That's how much he means to me." He looked a bit shamefully in her direction. "That's sort of why I convinced you to help me. If it can help unlock the potential of that purple brute of yours, surely it can do the same with my friend."

Lizzie glanced back at Miraidon, who was sniffing around for something just at the cave's entrance. She returned her attention towards Arven and smiled. "Well, if Mabosstiff's health is what matters most to you, what're you still doing here?" Before Arven could respond, she began to shoo him and her towards the stockpile of Herba Mystica. "Let's go make those sandwiches for our Pokémon."

Arven stared at Lizzie in astonishment before sighing. "You're definitely a strange girl, Lizzie."

She shook her head. "I get what you mean though, Arven. "Sometimes, Pokémon are all I have to lean on. I may have friends and family, but my Pokémon are the only things I feel truly understand me." She continued to push Arven forward until the two came up to the pile of abandoned Bitter Herba Mystica. "So, go on. Tell me what this Herba Mystica is all about."

Arven broke out into a bit of laughter before pulling out the Violet Book to read from. "Now then let's see..." He quickly thumbed through the writings in the book until finding the passage he was looking for. "Bitter Herba Mystica is great for your circulation. It really gets the blood flowing. And that warms you up nice and toasty, even boosting up your immune system." He closed up the book and unfurled his knapsack. "Let me get to work while you wrangle up our Pokémon for a nice meal."

Lizzie nodded and ran back over towards where Mabosstiff was. Her Manectric and Miraidon had made it over to the area and were investigating Arven's weakened Pokémon. "This is Mabosstiff, you two. He's our friend. And we're gonna help him get better, okay?" Miraidon let out a growl before bounding around the cavern as if waiting for Arven to finish making their sandwiches. Manectric sniffed at the Pokémon again and barked to Lizzie.

Do you think he'll be strong again?

"I don't see why not. Once we get all five Herba Mystica, he'll be stronger than ever." She glanced over towards Arven, who was hard at work making the sandwiches necessary for Miraidon and Mabosstiff to reawaken their power. "Arven. What's happened to the Titan? I mean, wouldn't you think it'd be here guarding the Herba Mystica?"

"Who can say? Maybe it got bored and flew off?"

"That Klawf we fought before fought like crazy to protect this stuff. Why would a Titan just abandon it's hoard?"

Arven thought for a moment, but shrugged off Lizzie's observation. "I think it's just a lucky break we need to take advantage of. What's one missing Bombirdier anyway?"

"Bombirdier?"

"The Titan Pokémon tend to be Pokémon who are from the nearby area. The Rock Titan was a Klawf and Klawfs are frequently found between Mesagoza and Artazon. Bombirdiers are usually found in the mountain passes around here, one of only a few Flying Types that do. They're real pains when fighting too. Always throwing rocks around like crazy. Let it go bully someone else for a change."

Lizzie nodded and accepted this answer as Arven approached with the completed sandwiches. "Alright, there was enough for an entire picnic this time around. So we both get a sandwich on top of sharing with our Pokémon." Arven turned to see Miraidon approaching cautiously. "Yes, even you, brute. Come on and chow down." The group settled themselves in for a meal as Arven passed out sandwich halves to everyone. Miraidon scarfed his own share down in less than a second, while Arven took the time to slowly feed Mabosstiff. Lizzie and her Manectric took time to enjoy their meals. While Bitter wasn't her preferred taste for a sandwich, the idea of having a healthy circulatory system did entice her enough to give it a try. Upon taking a bite, she had to encourage herself to get through the rough initial taste. After a few seconds of having it swish around in her mouth, she accepted it and swallowed the bite.

"Slow bites" Arven coached his Pokémon. "Don't overdo it, Mabosstiff."

Lizzie smiled at the sight of trainer and Pokémon bonding, while Miraidon made a few growling sounds over at the other half of her sandwich. She rolled her eyes and tossed it towards her Dragon Pokémon, who went onto his hind legs and caught it in his mouth, eating it in a matter of seconds. As it had the first time, Miraidon burst with energy, some of its natural power restored to it. Lizzie could not tell initially what powers it had gained as her attention was immediately drawn to Arven and Mabosstiff.

Arven gently massaged his Pokémon's paws after it had finished the sandwich. After a moment of tense waiting, Arven began to massage faster and let out a cry of relief. "His paws are getting warmer! I knew this stuff was the real deal!" His Pokémon let out a growl and seemed to be trying to lift his head. Lizzie was hoping it would be the sign of things to come, but alas, the Pokémon's head drooped back to the floor. However, its fiery orange eyes slowly began to open, though its bushy eyebrows covered them mostly.

"You...you opened your eyes!"

"That's incredible, Arven" she exclaimed.

Mabosstiff let out another soft growl before seeming to fall asleep. Arven pet his head lovingly. "Don't you worry, bud. We're gonna find the other three Herba Mystica. And when we do, you'll be feeling one hundred percent better. I promise." He gently massaged his own eyes. "But I doubt we'll find much when its this late out. We'll regroup tomorrow." He glanced over to Lizzie. "Thanks for sticking this out with me, Lizzie."

"Anyone who treats Pokémon like their family is a friend in my books" she affirmed. "Let me know when you've found the next Herba Mystica." She rose to her feet and recalled her Manectric before heading off towards where Miraidon was sniffing around outside of the Titan's lair. She saw her mount moving along slowly until coming across a small lake of water. Without rhyme or reason, it leaped into the water and began to propel itself around as if it were a boat. She giggled to herself as Miraidon swam through the lake, scattering a few Magikarp and Arrokuda's curiously swimming nearby. "Guess we found out what the Bitter Herbs did for you."

She took a moment to think of their situation. Miraidon was slowly regaining strength and now Mabosstiff was looking healthier and healthier. She and Arven were doing more than just seeking out rare herbs. They were helping out their families. The Pokémon they were raising and forming powerful bonds with. It reminded her of the simpler times back in Hoenn when she could just spend all day bonding with Pokémon raised on the Day Care Center, with her grandfather building them beds and play things, her grandmother feeding them nutritious meals and Mark and Michael getting the Pokémon much needed exercise. The days before things got complicated and the world got in the way...the last time she remembered being truly and sincerely happy for more than a few hours.

Don't you worry, Grandpa. I'll keep breeding and caring for Pokémon alive and well in our family. Jirachi is safe now. Hunter is gone. And that means I can finally keep my other promise to you and Grandma. But first, I have a few more friends who need me. Miraidon and Mabosstiff. There's no room for failure now.

{}

It didn't take Tommy long to begin to feel the ground shaking nearby from the massive party being held at the next Team Star Base he'd been instructed to head towards. Even without Giacomo to DJ this particular rave, the Schedar Squad seemed to be having the time of their lives with lights and flames blasting in all directions, lighting up the canyon as if fireworks were exploding all around Paldea. And it would be quite a disaster for anyone to challenge their leader when they were all at full power here at their base outside of Artazon. But Tommy was prepared for the fight. The Schedar Squad was known for using Fire Type Pokémon and Tommy's growing affinity for Ground Types gave him a decided advantage against Ground, his Applin and Fuecoco notwithstanding.

He was still tired from the day and was still concerned that he'd heard nothing from Morgan, but he was resolved to help the one friend he could actually do something for. If Addy was with Cole somewhere, Morgan had returned to the school and Nemona didn't stick by his side to see him fight Katy, the only friend he had left to help for this late night excursion was Cassiopeia. And if they were the only friend he could do anything for, he would still do it. That was his Treasure to get, after all.

From a hiding spot behind a nearby tree, Tommy noticed that two Team Star kids were standing in front of the base, guarding it from the likely onslaught from he who declared war on their base. Apparently, they'd learned from Giacomo's mistakes and were ready to stall long enough for this "Mela" girl to prepare herself. If Cassiopeia could be believed, she was a much harder opponent than his previous fight had been. But Tommy was prepared. He had six Pokémon at his beck and call for this fight: his Donphan, his Numel, his Barboach, his Fuecoco, his Leafeon and his Applin. Aside from his Applin, all of his Pokémon could potentially impact this fight, even his Leafeon, which was bulky enough to be able to hammer away at enemy defenses as needed. He was set for whatever the Fire Pokémon could throw at him...at least he hoped.

"Alright, let's get ourselves psyched up for this" Tommy told himself. He took a deep breath and slapped his face playfully. "Who's the champ? I'm the Champ!"

"There's the spirit" a voice called from nearby.

Tommy jumped backwards as he saw Clive making his way towards where he was situated. Though he was still suspicious that this was a trap to get him in trouble, he knew he had to see if this man truly was committed to his bit. "Director? Isn't it a bit late?"

"Director? I mean...I'd be honored for you to think of me as the leader of this whole schebang, but I told ya, Tommy. The name's Clive." He looked around and seemed perplexed. "No Morgan?"

"Something happened at the school and she was called back" Tommy explained. "But shouldn't you know that?"

Clive shrugged. "Like I said, youse got me mistaken with a different cat. The name's Clive." He looked away for a second, as if perhaps to keep up the ruse for himself, before eyeing Tommy again with renewed vigor. "We can fill Morgan in next time we see her. Besides, we got a bigger task ahead of us. This Schedar Squad is supposed to be hot stuff." He puffed out his collar out in an over-the-top way before running his hand through his hair. "But I think you're just the kind of guy who can knock the stuffin out of 'em and set 'em all straight."

Tommy rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, dude." He looked to his Poké Balls and decided what wasn't broken didn't need to be fixed. And thus, he took the Poké Ball of his Donphan into his hands and prepared to march toward his second battle for the Academy.

The music was so loud and the ground shaking so often, that neither of the two guards noticed their foe making his way toward them. It wasn't until he broke into a full on sprint and called out his Donphan, who let out a thunderous bellow before preparing to use Rollout, that they finally realized what was coming for them. They tried to set up a panicked defense by calling out a Charcadet and a Growlithe. But the Donphan showed no mercy and bowled them over quickly before doing the same for the main gate.

The crash and subsequent clanging prompted many in the crowd to sense the turning tide. A few scattered immediately, while others brought out their Rotom Phones and began to record. The music came to an immediate halt as Tommy realized he was outnumbered almost 50:1. Nevertheless, his Donphan stomped his feet on the ground menacingly, his trunk flalilng about as if he was more than eager for a battle. And Tommy tried to echo that confidence.

"Hey! Team Star Bozos! I'm calling you out!"

"That's the kid!"

"Him?! He's too short to be the guy!"

"This guy beat Giacomo?! No way!"

Tommy was not shocked that so few people believed he could be the one who was standing up to the bullying Team Star was getting up to, but he continued to try and puff himself up. "Oh yeah! I'm that guy! Giacomo was beaten by me, Tommy! And now, I'm itching to take on Mela! So let's bring her out already! I'm tired of waiting!"

One of the Team Star Grunts rushed in front of him. "You've got a lot of nerve talking about our Boss like that! And if you think we're going to let you-"

"BACK AWAY!" a loud and bombastic voice exploded via megaphone from nearby. The unmistakable sounds of a Revaroom, no doubt just as tricked out as Giacomo's had been, was echoing all around the canyon the base was situated in. The crowd of Team Star members began to clear the way as the leader's own prized Starmobile rushed towards where Tommy now stood, atop it a girl with fiery red hair, incredibly pale skin making Tommy think initially of a circus clown, an absolutely killer outfit the color of flames with a pair of boots that went up to her upper thighs and a look of pure disgust with he who had just crashed the party. "I'll deal with this runt myself!"

Though Tommy expected that Mela wasn't much taller than him, if not being shorter, he stood his ground despite the intimidating persona he saw she wielded to perfection. "So, I take it you're Mela?"

"I take it you're the dope who picked a fight with us" she replied coldly. "I dunno why you'd do something stupid and I don't really care. You challenged us, so we'll beat you down! Gia may not have been up to the task, but I'll trash you here for all of the Schedar Squad to see. Prepare to get messed up!"

"But Mela!" one of the other kids called out. "If you lose-"

"I know what's at stake if I lose. Which is why I want you all to see what happens when some loser tries to cross us!"

Tommy was not surprised that Mela wasn't as full of bluster and banter as his previous opponent was. After all, he'd beaten his first Team Star Boss fairly easy enough. This probably meant the others knew what to expect from him. He was also not too caught off guard that Mela's first Pokémon, a Torkoal, came out of its Poké Ball and spat out a few embers in defiance of his Donphan's rampage.

"Donphan" Tommy called to his trusted ace Pokémon, "you know what to do."

His Donphan curled itself into a ball and slammed itself into the Torkoal, who took the blow easily enough and countered by unleashing a thick smoky fog throughout the air surrounding the battlefield. His Donphan attempted to make a second attack with his Rollout, but this one missed and forced him to return to his trainer's side, but not before nearly barreling down several Team Star members on its way back.

"This'll teach you to mess with Team Star!" Mela proclaimed.

Tommy was expecting the Torkoal to slam into him with a ruthlessly strong Fire Attack, until he realized exactly why Mela had used the Smokescreen to cover her Pokémon. A strange, greenish glow began to shine through the smoke. "Oh no! Donphan! Slam 'em with an Earthquake!" His Donphan used all of his strength to slam itself into the ground, prompting many of the closer Team Star grunts to fall over from the quaking blows. This blow made its mark, but Mela's Torkoal was still standing. Winded though it was, the Torkoal was free to use it's Solar Beam unimpeded. Refusing to go down without a fight, Tommy's ace Ground Pokémon made a second attempt at a Rollout. The Solar Beam slammed into Tommy's Pokémon head on, prompting the Rollout to severely reduce in damage. It connected, but the Torkoal used a Flame Wheel to finish off the exhausted Donphan.

Mela smirked at her foe as the Donphan was blasted back towards Tommy's side of the field. "Hahaha. That was for Giacomo! The next blow will be for the gate to my base which you trashed, loser!"

Tommy recalled his Donphan and shook his head. "That blow was the last one you'll get to make! I'm crushing you right here and now!"

"Make it snappy! I want to send you back to your room crying for Mommy!"

Tommy knew his next Pokémon would be a risky move, but he needed to use a Pokémon's speed more than it's power to overcome the bulky Torkoal. And besides, he knew the Torkoal couldn't have a move that could overpower him this quickly. "Come on out, Link!" From out of his Poké Ball appeared his Leafeon, Link. No longer the tiny and wild Eevee that he'd gotten from Professor Pines, his first Pokémon friend had since become a dominant force on his team that could overcome any obstacles in his path, even a fierce type disadvantage.

"A Leafeon?!" Mela mockingly laughed. "That thing is gonna be nothing more than a pile of smoking grass!"

Tommy grunted in frustration as all of the other Team Star members joined in making fun of his choice in Pokémon, a choice he would make them severely regret. Not only did it remind him what kinds of bullys Team Star was, but it was also showing how ignorant they were when it came to Pokemon. They could use some lessons from Ms. Dendra back at the academy. He looked to Link and nodded. His Eeveelution winked back before using the still heavy smokescreen to make it's move.

"Huh?!" a grunt asked. "Where did he go?"

"I don't see him anywhere!"

Mela's confidence fell quickly. "Hey! No Pokémon can disappear so easily! What trick are you pulling?"

"This will teach you all to mock me and my friends! LINK! USE DIG!" Like a flash, his burrowed Leafeon surged through the ground, crashing hard into the Torkoal, who flew backwards until landing right on it's shell, unable to move or gain any more power.

Knowing he had a very limited amount of time to get this done, he had to set up his strategy. Dig was a good start, but he'd need his Leafeon to be able to withstand the rage of not only Mela's Torkoal, but the Starmobile as well. His Leafeon, with some advice from Jeremy prior to their arrival in Paldea, had learned a few tricks to be able to make itself more powerful, but at the expense of truly great type coverage. But knowing how poweful Mela was said to be, he knew he had to move now or face obliteration.

"Alright, let's take advantage. Link! Use Swords Dance!" The Leafeon strutted about the field in a confident way, drastically increasing it's attack power.

"Come on, Torkoal! Get up!" But none of Mela's cries seemed to be able to rouse the Torkoal, who shuffled in a panicked way on it's shell, unable to move otherwise.

"Again!" Tommy shouted, his Pokemon obliging his desires. It was only a matter of time now.

"TORKOAL!" Mela begged angrily, but the Torkoal could not move.

"Finish it with a Leaf Blade!" Tommy's Leafeon rushed forward and slammed it's extremely powerful tail into the Torkoal, knocking it out the instant the attack hit due to the stat buffs and the Torkoal's weakened state. Mela was forced to recall her Pokémon, shaking her fists angrily at Tommy for being so callous in his defiance of her and the rest of her squad.

"Tch! I ain't burned to a crisp just yet." As her predecessor had earlier that day, Mela simply sent the very same Revaroom she'd been riding, her own tricked out Starmobile, itself blasting wide and massive burning flames from its exhaust pipes. "Let's see your tricks stop my Starmobile!"

Tommy, despite the loud screeching from the Starmobile and the endless chanting and taunting coming from Mela's many followers, remained locked in. This Revaroom was almost certainly tricked out to know Fire Type moves. This would not be an easy match he could just barrel his way through. Especially when Mela showed just how little maneuvering room she was going to give him.

"Flame Charge!" she snarled, prompting her trusted weapon to surge forward.

"Alright, on the defensive! Dig!" Link the Leafeon burrowed it's way underground, prompting Tommy to have to leap out of the way of the rampaging Starmobile. which slowly tried to locate where underground the Leafeon had slinked off to. As Tommy recovered, he thought he could hear Clive giving him some quite unnecessary pep talks from nearby.

"Douse 'em, Tommy!"

"Uh...thanks Dir-uh-Clive."

"STOP WITH THIS GAME Of HIDE AND SEEK!" Mela demanded. "Come out and fight me like a real Pokémon!"

"Ask and you shall received!" Tommy replied. "Dig!" The Leafeon suddenly reemerged, slamming itself with its immense attack power into the Starmobile. It rocked and sputtered wildly, but to his surprise remained standing in stark defiance of his ultimate attack. His Leafeon was strong, but not as strong as his Donphan was. He may need an alternative strategy to win this one.

"See how you like this!" his opponent hissed. "HEAT CRASH!"

The Starmobile revved up a second time and rushed forward even faster than it had with the Flame Charge, ramming into the Leafeon with a brutal amount of force. Not even his Donphan would have been able to withstand a blow of such power and Link was sent backwards, crashing into the ground before fainting from one massive attack from Mela's tricked out Revaroom.

"And that was for the rest of my Schedar Squad" Mela boasted. "You should have stayed in your dorm room before coming out to the big leagues, kid! Now that you've played with fire, you're gonna get SCORCHED!"

"We're not done yet" Tommy insisted, but he knew deep down he was low on options. His Numel was still too weak to take on something like this and neither his Applin or Fuecoco would do much against this massive hulking brute of Mela's. He had only one Pokémon who could stop her. But even it was a risk. He'd only used it sparingly in battle to this point, but it did have an advantage in typing against Mela's Pokémon. He had to take his chance and make his move. He reached onto his belt and sent out his Pokemon in defiance of Mela's threats. "GO! BARBOACH!" A small, slimy serpentine Pokemon floated out of the Pokemon Ball and despite being outmuscled by Mela's monstrosity, eyed the surroundings, still singed by the wrath of Mela's last move, with a peculiar indifference.

"We're having Fried Fillets tonight!" the Star Boss mocked.

"Not tonight, Mela! Tonight, you and the rest of Schedar Squad are going back to the Academy! No more bullying for you losers!"

"What are you squawking about, loser?! Us? Bullies?"

"I know what I saw in Mesagoza!" Tommy recalled bitterly. "What you guys tried to do to my friend. What you've been trying to do all around Paldea. And I'm putting a stop to it!" He looked to his Barboach and nodded. "Mud Bomb!" The Barboach regurgitated a large ball of muddy mucus and spat it onto the Revaroom, causing it to sputter more and wheel around as if it couldn't see. Realizing he'd given himself the ultimate reprieve, he decided it was time to end the farce. "Water Pulse!" A clean and pure ball of aquatic energy shot out of his Barboach, causing the Starmobile to finally short out and collapse onto itself, flinging Mela off of its back and unceremoniously dumping her on the ground before shutting down for good.

The Schedar Squad was stunned into silence and began to back off. Tommy, however, fearful that Mela had been injured, rushed over to help her recover. He pushed her over onto her back side, but she appeared to be, at least for the moment, knocked out. "Mela! Mela, are you okay?!"

Without warning, Mela's hands shot up and grabbed Tommy's shirt, quickly flinging him onto the ground beside her on his back. She rolled on top of him and growled in frustration. "I don't know how you beat me, but I'm not about to let some punk call me and the rest of my friends bullies!" Tommy looked up at her in shock as she raised her fists. Before her right hook could hit him, however, Clive appeared seemingly out of nowhere and seized her arm.

"Enough!" he spoke with authority.

"Who are you?!" Mela snapped. "Stay out of this!"

"For someone who claims to not be a bully, you're certainly about to punish your fellow student for protecting the integrity of the Academy."

"You don't know anything, dude! Us? Bullies? Why is the Academy still so trash to us?!"

"According to Team Star's own creed, Mela, you are to surrender your base and return to the Academy at once. Your run as a Star Boss is over." Clive released her and stood with his arms folded, awaiting her answer.

Mela shook in anger, but Tommy could tell it was more anguish and shame than true rage. Something had struck him about her words. She's acting like Team Star aren't the bullies of the Academy. I mean, they were going after Penny the first day we were here. Why would she think otherwise? He would likely have to wait for his answer as Mela finally moved off of him and looked down in bitter defeat.

"Is this really how it ends?" she asked aloud.

"Say it ain't so, Mela" one of her grunts pleaded. "We can keep fighting. We never lost, you know!"

"Shut it! I burned through everything I had...and now I've sputtered out. We lost." She turned her attention to Tommy and sighed. "You and your Pokémon really whooped us. Even that Leafeon of yours did stuff I didn't even know it could do." She reached down and pulled Tommy up from the ground and shook her head. "I'll be surrenderin'. But not to you. You got what you came here for." She stepped directly in front of Tommy to emphasize the seriousness of her next words. "But stop spreadin' that trash about Team Star."

"About you guys being bullies?"

"We're not bullies! Never have been and never will be."

"Well, you'd better tell the kids who have all of the Academy scared to even come to classes."

Mela blinked in curiosity. "Kids scared? What do you mean?"

"I think there are some things in Team Star that even its bosses know little about" Clive interjected. He came over to Tommy's side. "I can see things may still be rough here, ya know? Let me handle their surrender and you get in contact with our friend."

Tommy nodded. "I'll see if they're available." He made a passing look to Mela. "You know, not for nothing, but I think you're a pretty good trainer yourself. Maybe you should try the Pokémon League when you're back to school."

Mela folded her arms and huffed. "Nice try. But goin' down the same path as that 'goodie goodie' Nemona ain't on my bucket list. I've got to find my own way, now." With that, she and Clive walked off to officially surrender the Schedar Squad's base.

Tommy's resolve was beginning to waver though, as he saw many of Mela's followers openly weeping and crying about her loss. In their large numbers during the party, they seemed like an insurmountable force he alone could beat. But now, they all looked exactly as they were: kids. Kids who were now terrified of the consequences they may face. Or...perhaps more scarily...terrified of going back to the Academy. Mela was insistent that Team Star were not bullies, but Cassiopeia said they were and needed to be stopped. Could both possibly be true? Or was there something else going on.

His Poké Gear began to buzz in his pocket, prompting Tommy to pluck it up into his hand. He had initially hoped it would be Morgan or Addison giving him an update, but nope. As if his thoughts had summoned his ally, Cassiopeia was calling him. Without prompting, he let his phone accept the call.

"I take it the Schedar Squad was beaten?" his allies distorted voice echoed.

Tommy nodded. "Yeah. Mela's beaten. Clive is getting them to surrender now."

"No Morgan?"

"No."

"That's strange. I had someone else involved in Team Star inform her about the battle. She said she'd be there as soon as she could, once she was done with stuff in the school." The line was silent for a moment, before Cassiopeia continued. "The Schedar Squad falling will be a big blow to the rest of Team Star. It won't be long now before their super boss comes out."

"Super boss?"

"There's a rumor going around that Team Star is run by this super powerful trainer. Who united all the bosses. If there is one, they'll be exposed very soon. But until then, things should be quieting down for a bit." Tommy's Poké Gear began to whir. "I've added some League Points to your account. And like last time, my rep will be there soon to give you more stuff to make powerful TMs. Just hang tight. And I'll call you again when the next base starts acting up." With that, Cassiopeia cut the line.

Tommy put his device away and frowned, folding his arms in contemplation. Two Team Star Bosses are down. Before long, everyone will be getting what they want. A shiver ran down the boy's spine as he felt a cold breeze coming in from the seas nearby. But if that's the case, why does it feel like things are about to get a whole lot worse?